No abstract available.
Carcinosarcoma* ; Lung*

Menetrier's disease is a protein-losing hypertrophic gastropathy characterized by diffuse tremendous thickening of the gastric wall caused by excessive proliferation of the mucosa. Although the cause of Menetrier's disease is unknown, an association with Helicobacter pylori has been reported. A 42-year-old man was hospitalized for the evaluation of progressive body weight loss and indigestion for 6 months, with recently aggravated epigastric discomfort. Gastroscopy revealed prominent mucosal folds in the body and fundus. The histological findings revealed gastritis with erosions and foveolar hyperplasia. After eradicating the Helicobacter pylori and treatment with a proton pump inhibitor, clinical and endoscopic resolution ensued.
Adult ; Body Weight ; Dyspepsia ; Gastritis ; Gastritis, Hypertrophic ; Gastroscopy ; Helicobacter ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Mucous Membrane ; Proton Pumps ; Protons

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to develop a Korean version of the heparin-coated vascular bypass shunt by using a physical dispersing technique. The safety and effectiveness of the thrombo-resistant shunt were tested in experimental animals. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A bypass shunt model was constructed on the descending thoracic aorta of 21 adult mongrel dogs(17.5-25 kg). The animals were divided into groups of no-treatment(CONTROL group; n=3), no-treatment with systemic heparinization(HEPARIN group; n=6), Gott heparin shunt (GOTT group; n=6), or Korean heparin shunt(KIST group; n=6). Parameters observed were complete blood cell counts, coagulation profiles, kidney and liver function(BUN/Cr and AST/ ALT), and surface scanning electron microscope(SSEM) findings. Blood was sampled from the aortic blood distal to the shunt and was compared before the bypass and at 2 hours after the bypass. RESULT: There were no differences between the groups before the bypass. At bypass 2 hours, platelet level increased in the HEPARIN and GOTT groups(p<0.05), but there were no differences between the groups. Changes in other blood cell counts were insignificant between the groups. Activated clotting time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and thrombin time were prolonged in the HEPARIN group(p<0.05) and differences between the groups were significant(p<0.005). Prothrombin time increased in the GOTT group(p<0.05) without having any differences between the groups. Changes in fibrinogen level were insignificant between the groups. Antithrombin III levels were increased in the HEPARIN and KIST groups(p<0.05), and the inter-group differences were also significant(p<0.05). Protein C level decreased in the HEPARIN group(p<0.05) without having any differences between the groups. BUN levels increased in all groups, especially in the HEPARIN and KIST groups(p<0.05), but there were no differences between the groups. Changes of Cr, AST, and ALT levels were insignificant between the groups. SSEM findings revealed severe aggregation of platelets and other cellular elements in the CONTROL group, and the HEPARIN group showed more adherence of the cellular elements than the GOTT or KIST group. CONCLUSION: Above results show that the heparin-coated bypass shunts(either GOTT or KIST) can suppress thrombus formation on the surface without inducing bleeding tendencies, while systemic heparinization(HEPARIN) may not be able to block activation of the coagulation system on the surface in contact with foreign materials but increases the bleeding tendencies. We also conclude that the thrombo-resistant effects of the Korean version of heparin shunt(KIST) are similar to those of the commercialized heparin shunt(GOTT).
Adult ; Animals ; Antithrombin III ; Aorta ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Blood Cell Count ; Blood Platelets ; Fibrinogen ; Hemorrhage ; Heparin ; Humans ; Kidney ; Liver ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Protein C ; Prothrombin Time ; Thrombin Time ; Thrombosis

Profound hypothermia protects cerebral function during total circulatory arrest(TCA) in the surgical treatment of a variety of cardiac and aortic diseases. Despite its importance, there is no ideal technique to monitor the brain injury from ischemia. Since 1994, we have developed compressed spectral array(CSA) of electroencephalography(EEG) and monitored cerebral activity to reduce ischemic injury. The purposes of this study are to analyse the efficacy of CSA and to establish objective criteria to consistently identify the safe level of temperature and arrest time. We studied 6 patients with aortic dissection(AD, n=3) or aortic arch aneurysm(n=3, ruptured in 2). Body temperatures from rectum and esophagus and the EEG were monitored continuously during cooling and rewarming period. TCA with cerebral ischemia was performed in 3 patients and TCA with selective cerebral perfusion was performed in 3 patients. Total ischemic time was 30, 36 and 56 minutes respectively for TCA group and selective perfusion time was 41, 56 and 92 minutes respectively for selective perfusion group. The rectal temperatures for flat EEG were between 16.1 and 22.1 degrees C (mean:18.4+/-2.0); the esophageal temperatures between 12.7 and 16.4 degrees C(mean : 14.7+/-1.6). The temperatures at which EEG reappeared 5~15.4 degrees C for esophagus. There was no neurological deficit and no surgical mortality in this series. In summary, the electrical cerebral activity reappeared within 23 minutes at the temperature less than 16degrees C for rectum. It seemed that 15 degrees C of esophageal temperature was not safe for 30 minutes of TCA and continuous monitoring the EEG with CSA to identify the electrocerebral silence was useful.
Aorta, Thoracic ; Aortic Diseases ; Body Temperature ; Brain Injuries ; Brain Ischemia ; Electroencephalography ; Esophagus ; Humans ; Hypothermia* ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Ischemia ; Mortality ; Perfusion ; Rectum ; Rewarming

BACKGROUND: It has been known that pulsatile flow is physiologic and more favorable to tissue perfusion than nonpulsatile flow. The purpose of this study is to directly compare the effect of pulsatile versus nonpulsatile blood flow to renal tissue perfusion in extracorporeal circulation by using a tissue perfusion measurement system. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Total cardiopulmonary bypass circuit was constructed to twelve Yorkshire swines, weighing 20~30 kg. Animals were randomly assigned to group 1 (n=6, nonpulsatile centrifugal pump) or group 2 (n=6, pulsatile T-PLS pump). A probe of the tissue perfusion measurement system (QFlow(TM)-500) was inserted into the renal parenchymal tissue. Extracorporeal circulation was maintained for an hour at a pump flow of 2 L/min after aortic cross-clamping. Tissue perfusion flow of the kidney was measured at baseline (before bypass) and every 10 minutes after bypass. Serologic parameters were collected at baseline and 60 minutes after bypass. RESULT: Baseline parameters were not different between the groups. Renal tissue perfusion flow was substantially higher in the pulsatile group throughout the bypass (ranged 48.5~4 in group 1 vs. 65.8~8.3 mL/min/100 g in group 2, p=0.026~0.45). The difference was significant at 30 minutes bypass (47.5+/-18.3 in group 1 vs. 83.4+/-28.5 mL/min/100 g in group 2, p=0.026). Serologic parameters including plasma free hemoglobin, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine showed no differences between the groups at 60 minutes after bypass (p=NS). CONCLUSION: Pulsatile flow is more beneficial to tissue perfusion of the kidney in short-term extracorporeal circulation. Further study is suggested to observe the effects to other vital organs or long-term significance.
Animals ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Creatinine ; Extracorporeal Circulation* ; Kidney ; Perfusion* ; Plasma ; Pulsatile Flow ; Swine

This study, based on current home nursing services, aims at promoting measures for establishing a community-based home nursing system derived from the pilot home nursing demonstration project conducted by the Seoul Nurses Association. The study was based on an analysis of home nursing records from march 1993 to December 1999. The following is a summary analysis, based on individual characteristics of the patients, the organization, which recommended the service for their patients and personnel services. 1. The service has been used by many elderly people 60years of age or older(66.4%). and married people(60.9%). The average number of visits by service personnel for patients of city government was 23.5. This is 2.5 times as many visits by general patients. General patients(20.2%) had only one visit from service personnel, while 65.5% of patients of city government had 10 or more visits. Particularly, for government recommended patients, 72.7% of the patients were recommended by nurses, while only 21.9% where referred to the services by doctors. The main focus of a home nursing service was to maintain present health status (53.4%), and hospice(11.6%). Also to increase hospital-based home nursing services focused on recovery(55.9%) and maintain present health conditions (19.0%). 2. For general patients, 42.0% of patients were suffering from problems related to CVA, 11.3% from high blood pressure, and for patients referred from city, 21.2% from skeletal muscular disease. Results of home nursing services 29.4% of patients were able to recover or maintain their health status, but 48.9% of the patients died. Another main point of community-based home nursing services is medication(6.7%), other basic nursing services(6.1%), special treatment, instructions on how to use medical devices(5.9%), change of physical posture(4.6%), and training on changing physical positions(4.7%). As mentioned above there were some differences between the characteristics of patients who used the pilot home nursing service conducted by the Seoul Nurses Association and those hospital-based service users. The results are believed to be useful to support a community-based home nursing service model. Particularly, patients under medical supervision and patients recommended by government-run health clinics show a higher frequency and longer use of home nursing services compared to general patients or hospital-based home nursing service users. According to the study, nurses accounted for a large number of recommendations for home nursing services. Many patients with CVA, high blood pressure, skeletal muscular disease and bedsores used community-based home nursing services, while others used the service for minor treatments or maintaining their current health status. Based on the study, the researchers make several suggestions to establish a community- based home nursing service system. First, different ways of setting up a community-based home nursing system have to be mapped out based on the evaluation of the pilot home nursing service conducted by the Seoul Nurses Association. Secondly, a new, community-based, home health care nursing service model, and reimbursement payment system have to be developed. This is based on the outcome of the analysis, and implemented policy. Accordingly, efforts are needed to develop a community- based home nursing system with an intermediary role to promote the visiting nursing services of government-run health centers.
Aged ; Home Health Nursing* ; Home Nursing ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Local Government ; Muscular Diseases ; Nursing ; Nursing Services ; Organization and Administration ; Pressure Ulcer ; Seoul*

OBJECT: Pelvic actinomycosis is a relatively rare chronic suppurative and granulomatous infectious disease, caused by a gram-positive anaerobic bacteria. Actinomyces israelli is the most common subtype in human disease commonly associated with intrauterine device (IUD). This study was designed to analyze clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with pelvic actinomycosis. METHODS: We reviewed medical records of 12 patients with pelvic actinomycosis who were admitted between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2005. The clinical characteristics, diagnostic evaluation and surgical treatment results were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The ages of the cases varied between 30 and 53 years old. Of the 12 patients, 11 patients had been using an IUD. Two cases had hydronephrosis due to infection. All our cases involved ovary and/or uterus and had predisposing factors of disease progression, including IUD, dilatation and curretage. Most common presenting symptom of patients were abdominal pain (75%). Preoperatively, 5 cases were diagnosed as actinomycosis, but 7 cases misconceived as a pelvic malignancy, secondary degenerated myoma and tuboovarian abscess. Exploration were performed in all patients. All cases were cured following surgery with subsequent antibiotics. CONCLUSION: Actinomycosis should be considered preoperatively, especially in long-term IUD usage, fever and laboratory findings that indicate the presence of pelvic infection. Radiologic findings (CT) can assist in making the diagnosis of pelvic actinomycosis. Appropriate antibiotics, as well as surgery, are important in the treatment of pelvic actinomycosis.
Abdominal Pain ; Abscess ; Actinomyces ; Actinomycosis* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria, Anaerobic ; Causality ; Communicable Diseases ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Intrauterine Devices ; Medical Records ; Middle Aged ; Myoma ; Ovary ; Pelvic Infection ; Retrospective Studies ; Uterus

Gastrointestinal metastasis of a renal cell carcinoma is very rare, and the clinical course of the disease ranges from months to several decades. We experienced a case of solitary duodenal metastasis about 22 years after a right nephrectomy for clear-cell type renal cell carcinoma in a 77-year-old man who complained of melena. This case is the longest reported time interval between surgical nephrectomy to presentation with a duodenal metastasis. Patients usually present with recurrence within a year after radical nephrectomy but can present after many years, warranting lifelong surveillance.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Duodenum ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Melena ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nephrectomy ; Recurrence

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Several recent studies have shown that there is an inverse relationship between plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and body mass index (BMI) in subjects with and without heart failure. Obesity frequently coexists with diabetes, so it is important to consider the relationship between diabetes and natriuretic peptide levels. We evaluated the influence of diabetes on the correlation of BNP and BMI. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We examined 933 patients with chest pain and/or dyspnea undergoing cardiac catheterization between Feb. 2006 and Nov. 2007 in the Maryknoll cardiac center who had creatinine levels <2.0 mg/dL and normal systolic heart function. BMI was checked, transthoracic echocardiography was performed, and aminoterminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was sampled at the start of each case. RESULTS: In 733 non-diabetic patients, mean plasma NT-proBNP levels of non obese individuals (BMI <23 kg/m2), overweight individuals (23< or = BMI <25 kg/m2), and obese individuals (BMI > or =25 kg/m2) showed a significant negative correlation with increasing BMI (856.39+/-237.3 pg/mL, 601.69+/-159.6 pg/mL, 289.62+/-164.9 pg/mL, respectively, p<0.0001). However, in 200 diabetic patients, the correlation between BMI and NT-proBNP was not significant (r=-0.21, p=0.19), and NT-proBNP did not correlate with mitral E/Ea in obese diabetic patients (r=0.14, p=0.56). NT-proBNP was significantly correlated with mitral E/Ea in the non-obese (r=0.24, p=0.008) and non diabetic (r=0.32, p=0.003) groups. Left ventricular (LV) mass index was significantly correlated with NT-proBNP in all BMI groups (r=0.61, p<0.001), and patients with concentric cardiac hypertrophy showed the highest NT-proBNP levels. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that obese patients have reduced concentrations of NT-proBNP compared to non obese patients despite having higher LV filling pressures. However, NT-proBNP is not suppressed in obese patients with diabetes. This suggests that factors other than cardiac status affect NT-proBNP concentrations.
Body Mass Index ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Cardiomegaly ; Chest Pain ; Creatinine ; Dyspnea ; Echocardiography ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Peptide Fragments ; Plasma

The 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is an inexpensive bedside tool that most physicians use to make rapid diagnoses such as acute myocardial infarction (AMI), arrhythmia, and conduction abnormalities. Although each lead in the ECG represents electronic information from specific portions of the heart, lead aVR, an augmented unipolar limb lead, is frequently ignored. The aVR lead provides excellent information from the right portion of the heart, including the outflow tract of the right ventricle and basal portion of the septum. In this report, we discuss ST segment elevation changes in lead aVR of serial ECGs in emergency room patients with chief complaints of syncope and chest discomfort.
Acute Coronary Syndrome ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Coronary Vessels ; Electrocardiography ; Electronics ; Electrons ; Emergencies ; Extremities ; Heart ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; Syncope ; Thorax