No abstract available.
Amniocentesis* ; Cerclage, Cervical* ; Female ; Labor Stage, First* ; Pregnancy

Premature rupture of membranes(PROM) means the rupture of amniotic membranes at any time prior to labor during the gestational period. The dilemma of correctly diagnosing rupture of the fetal membranes is well known as the consequences of management based on an incorrect diagnosis. This study was undertaken to determine if the measurement of B-hCG levels in the vaginal fluid is useful for the diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes. HCG is synthesized and secreted by the placental syncytiotrophoblast and it is normally found in amniotic fluid, maternal urine and blood. We used B-hCG for diagnosis of PROM to exclude the cross reaction with other hormones. After irrigating the posterior vaginal fornix with 3 ml of sterile saline and obtaining vaginal washings, we measured B-hCG levels. The groups were classified normal group(group I), confirmed PROM group(group II ), and suspicious PROM group(groupIII) during the third trimester. The median and 95% confidence intervals(CIS) of vaginal fluid B-hCG in each group(normal, confirmed PROM, suspicious PROM group) were 30.99mIU/ml(range: 0.32-209.89mIU/ml), 188.61mIU/ml(range: 9.65-2095.00mIU/ml), 69.63mIU/ml(range 4.76-349.56mIU/ml). There was significant difference between normal and confirmed PROM group(p<0.05), sensitivity was 95.00%, specificity 80.00%, positive predictive value 82.60%, negative predictive value 94.12%, and accuracy 87.50%, using threshold value of 60mIU/ml. There was significant difference between normal and suspicious PROM group(p<0.05) but the result of the B-hCG was not used in the obstetric decision. In terms of these results, the B-hCG level in vaginal fluid is a useful marker of PROM during the third trimester. A new technic is proposed to confirm the diagnosis of rupture of the membranes based on the introduction of B-hCG in vaginal fluid.
Amnion ; Amniotic Fluid ; Cross Reactions ; Diagnosis ; Extraembryonic Membranes ; Female ; Humans ; Membranes* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Rupture* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Trophoblasts

No abstract available.
Hyperthyroidism* ; Muscular Diseases*

Aortic regurgitation is a common valvular heart disease, usually the result of rheumatic fever, or syphilis, and rarely of congenital origin. It is frequently associated with other valvular heart disease, especially mitral valve disease. It can be diagnosed by the presence of pulse pressure widening, a Corrigan pulse, and an early decreascendo diastolic murmur at the left sternal border between the second and third intercostal spaces. After the clinical application of cineaortography in the diagnosis of valvular disease, Segal et al (1964) first reported rheumatic aortic regurgitation without an audible murmur in patients having mitral valve disease. The importance of discovering aortic reguritation in patients with predominent mitral disease has begun to be appreciated recently, especially as commisurotomies for the relief of mitral stenosis are performed more frequently. Nowadays eventhough the severity of aortic regurgitation is often not evident preoperatively, aortic regurgitation can become very evident when mitral stenosis is relieved. This study was comprised of seventeen patients with silent aortic regurgitation which was confirmed by cineaortography at Severance Hospital from January, 1970 to August, 1976. 1. Of the seventeen patients, 12 patients were associated with mitral stenosis, 4 with mitral steno-insufficiency, and 1 with mitral insufficiency. 2. Silent aortic regurgitation was suggested from the accompanying clinical features such as chest pain, apical heaving, and left ventficular hypertrophy pattern on both roentgenogram of the chest and electrocardiogram. 3. The severity of the aortic regurgitation was mild to moderate; 7 of the 17 patients being grade I, and 10 patients being grade II on cineaortogram.
Aortic Valve Insufficiency* ; Blood Pressure ; Chest Pain ; Diagnosis ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Murmurs ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Mitral Valve ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; Rheumatic Fever ; Syphilis ; Thorax

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Collagen* ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver*

No abstract available.
Foot* ; Leg* ; Lichen Planus* ; Lichens*

No abstract available.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast*

No abstract available.
Neurofibromatoses* ; Pseudarthrosis* ; Radius*

Fourty one cases of open fractures of tibial shaft complicated with varying degrees of soft tissue injuries were trested by one-plane unilateral external fixation with AO fixator. In seventeen csses among them, interfragmental lag screw fixation was applied in addition, for more rigidity and stability of the fixation. All of thern were followed up at least for one year and we obtained the following results. 1. Rigid stable external fixation provided by additional minimum internal fixation may not increase the rate of infection but rather enhance prompt primary bone healing. 2. One-plane unilatersl external fixation may facilitate good access to the wound for subsepuent reconstructive procedures, and enhance pain-free early full range of joint motion, thus promote early bone union. 3. Comparing with bilsteral fixation, there wss almost no difference in the union time of the fracture even with one-plsne unilatersl fixation.
Clinical Study ; External Fixators ; Fractures, Open ; Joints ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Tibia ; Wounds and Injuries

OBJECTIVE: To assess overall quality of life (QOL) in lower limb amputees and identify the factors affecting their quality of life. METHOD: This study was designed as an interview survey using the questionnaire. The subjects were 78 lower limb amputees (male 76, female 2) and the age matched 39 healthy adult males consisted control group. Interview questionnaire included level of education, religion, marital status, occupation and income. Depression was measured by the Beck depression inventory (BDI). The QOL was measured by the MOS 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36). The SF-36 scores of amputee group were compared with that of control group, and were compared according to the various factors. RESULTS: The mean overall scores of QOL in amputee and control group were 50.2+/- 21.7, 73.6+/- 12.7 respectively (p<0.05). The mean scores were significantly reduced in amputee group as compared with the control group in entire dimension (p<0.05). Depression and numbers of combined diseases had a negative effect on multiple areas of QOL (p<0.05), however, occupation, income, amputation level, and time after amputation had no significant effect (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The QOL assessed by SF-36 indicated relatively low functional and well-being status in amputees. Depression and combined diseases would be a most important factors on QOL.
Adult ; Amputation ; Amputees* ; Depression ; Education ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Lower Extremity* ; Male ; Marital Status ; Occupations ; Quality of Life* ; Surveys and Questionnaires