No abstract available.
Ligaments* ; Sutures*

No abstract available.
Meningitis*

PURPOSE:Mutations of the PROP1 (Prophet of PIT1) gene lead to combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD), which is characterized by a deficiency of growth hormone (GH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), luteinizing hormone (LH)/follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). We studied the PROP1 mutations in Korean children with hypopituitarism. METHODS:Twelve patients with congenital hypopituitarism were recruited from the Ajou University Hospital, Korea. The pituitary phenotype ranged from isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) to CPHD. Clinical data, including endocrine and neuroradiological data were obtained from the medical records, and the DNA was collected and screened for mutations within PROP1 using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR products were sequenced directly. RESULTS:Nine patients had abnormal pituitary gland and three patients showed normal pituitary gland in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Endocrinologically, seven patients had IGHD and five had CPHD. Three of CPHD had GHD and hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism and the other two had GHD, central hypothyroidism, and ACTH deficiency. We identified no mutations in the PROP1 gene. However, three known polymorphisms were identified: The 27T->C (Ala9Ala) and the associated IVS1+3A->G in exon 1 were found in 25% of patient alleles sequenced. The 424G->A (Ala142Thr) in exon 3 change was identified in 4% of those sequenced. CONCLUSION:This study corresponds to the previous reports that PROP1 mutations are rare in sporadic cases of CPHD. The low mutation frequency in Korean patients may be due to ethnic-specificity or other candidate genes causing this disease. It is necessary to study PROP1 gene and the involved genes in more Korean patients.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Alleles ; Child ; DNA ; Exons ; Growth Hormone ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Hypopituitarism ; Hypothyroidism ; Korea ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Medical Records ; Mutation Rate ; Phenotype ; Pituitary Gland ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prolactin ; Thyrotropin

152 curative gastrectomy specimens from patients with gastric carcinoma were examined in an attempt to assess the prognostic value of c-erbB-2 and mutant p53 protein expressions. The labeled streptavidin-biotin method was applied to routinely fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue sections, using the polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against the c-erbB-2 protein and the mutant form p53 protein, respectively. In this examination, staining of c-erbB-2 protein was found in 9.2% of these carcinomas. The c-erbB-2 stained tumors were significantly associated with the tumors whose diameters were smaller than 5cm, and were more likely to be associated with serosal invasion and nodal involvement than the unstained ones. However, there was little association between staining of c-erbB-2 protein and clinicopathologic findings such as age, sex, location, histology, gross type, lymph node status, depth of invasion, and stage. The survival analysis of 104 patients with stage III gastric carcinoma revealed no significant association between c-erbB-2 staining status and survival duration. The 5-year survival rates of the c-erbB-2 positive group and its negative group were 21% and 28%, respectively. Positive p53 protein expression was observed in 46% of 152 carcinomas. There was no significant association between p53 expression and parameters such as age, sex, location, histology, gross type, and size. The p53 stained tumors were more likely to be associated with lymph node metastasis, serosal invasion than p53 unstained ones; but this did not reach significance. The 5-year survival rates of the p53 positive group and counter part group were 27% and 31%, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Human ; Male ; Middle Age ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; Protein p53/*analysis ; Receptor, erbB-2/*analysis ; Stomach Neoplasms/*chemistry/mortality ; Survival Rate

Liver has a dual blood supply from portal vein and hepatic artery. Hepatocellular carcinoma receive their blood supply almost exclusively from hepatic artery. Thus, the concept of treating hepatocellular carcinoma by chemoembolization through these arteries is very effective. However, there may be several collateral or parasitic vessels feeding them in case of huge tumor or previous chemoembolization. We experierced a case of huge tumor involving right upper posterior portion of liver fed by 9th, 10th, 11th right posterior intercostal arteries and an anomalous hepatic artery. We tried chemoembolization with Adriamycin-Lipiodol suspension and Gelfoam material through the right posterior intercostal arteries to treat the lesion. After the procedure, the patient(55 years old female) became paraplegic with voiding and defecation difficulty which could be due to spinal cord infarction .by anterior spinal arteri. al occlusion caused by embolic material through the artery of Adamkiewicz from a posterior intercostal artery. She recovered completely after 20 days of treatment.
Arteries* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Defecation ; Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable ; Hepatic Artery ; Infarction ; Liver ; Portal Vein ; Spinal Cord Injuries* ; Spinal Cord*

Hamartoma of the bladder is quite a rare entity which is composed of a disorderly admixture of mature cellular elements normally present in the urinary bladder. There is a great controversy regarding the pathogenesis of this lesion. Whether it is a true hamartomatous lesion or metaplastic lesion developed secondary to the inflammatory process. Similar or identical lesions has often been given by other names such as florid examples of cystitis glandularis. We prefer to cell florid examples of cystitis glandularis rather than hamartoma when it was occurred in an old age higher then 50th decade. Here we report a case of hamartoma of the urinary bladder in 44 years old man. Cystoscopic examination revealed a papillary polypoid mass which was attached to the fundus of bladder by long stalk. The mass measured 1.5 cm in greatest diameter. It was composed of epithelial nests resembling von Brunn's nest, cystitis glandularis or cystitis cystica dispersed in a stroma rich in smooth muscle and fibrous tissue.
Hamartoma

The stricture of the calyx, pelvis or ureter due to renal tuberculosis had been managed like nephrectomy, partial nephrectomy, ureteroileoneocystoplasty or even pancaliceal-ileoneocystoplasty. To salvage the renal parenchyme and to treat the tuberculous renal caliceal strictures, percutaneous endocalicotomy with or without endopyelotomy was performed in 10 cases from Aug. `90 to Jan. `92. The sites of stricture were mainly upper calyx in 6 cases and lower in 4. A cold knife was used to incise the stricture and a stenting 2-sectioned(14 Fr.) endopyelotomy catheter was retained for 6 to 8 weeks. Postoperative intravenous pyelography revealed marked shrinkage of the dilated calyx in 7 cases. moderate in 1 and no change in 2(success rate, 80%). In failed 2 cases, 1 cases was performed partial nephrectomy and the other was following. There was no significant complications except 1 case of upward migration of D-J catheter. In conclusion, endocalicotomy is safe, less invasive, successful (in cases that guide wire could pass) and parenchyme preserving procedure. The retregrade pyelography is mandatory just before the surgery because stricture can be progressed during Anti-Tbc chemotherapy.
Catheters ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Drug Therapy ; Nephrectomy ; Pelvis ; Stents ; Tuberculosis, Renal ; Ureter ; Urography

BACKGROUND: Unexpected deaths of the patients at ED are surprising to the medical staffs as well as the families. It may also increase the possibilities of medico-legal problems. This study was conducted to review the unexpected death in ED and find the predictive factors leading patients to unexpected death. METHODS: A retrospective study with reviewing available medical records of 183 patients who were expired at ED of Shinchon Severance Hospital from Mar. 1997 to Feb. 1998 and 103 patients of Youngdong Severance Hospital from Mar. 1996 to Feb. 1998 was done. Analyses were 4one on 30 variables of physical findings, laboratory results, procedures and therapies. We used univariate analysis, such as t-test and x2-test and multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the total 286 deaths in ED, 153 cases were enrolled in this analysis. The number of unexpected deaths were 76. Age, mental status, fraction of neutrophil count, BUN level, whether endotracheal incubation was done, use of inotropics were the factors with statistical ,significance on the univariate analysis, but only comatose mentality, endotracheal incubated case, and use of the inotropics were significant on logistic regression analysis. The longer the ED length of stay, the higher the rate of mortality and unexpected death. CONCLUSION: This result suggest that medical attention is needed on the patients with comatose decreased mental stylus, endotracheally intubated case and needing inotropic agents to prevent unexpected deaths. Shortening the ED length of stay may also be a factor for decrease the unexpected death rate.
Coma ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Logistic Models ; Medical Records ; Medical Staff ; Mortality ; Neutrophils ; Retrospective Studies

We report a 36-year-old male with the bilateral visual field defect following LASIK was observed. Preoperatively, patient had high myopia(right. -7.25 0.75x18, left. -7.5-0.5x12), normal intraocular pressure(IOP)(right/left: 16/14 mmHg), normal visual field(Humphrey 30-2 visual field)and revealed the tilted discs with symetric optic nerve head cupping(cup-to-disc ratio, 0.70), parapapillary atrophy. Bilateral LASIK keratorefractive surgery was on the same day and intraoperative complication was not noted. After the first operative visit day, examination revealed uncorreted visual acuity right 0.8 and left 0.6 but scotoma was reported. Three months later, Humphrey 30-2 visual field revealed a near-superior altitudinal defect in the right eye and nasal side visual field defect in the left eye. Best corrected visual acuity was 1.0 in the right eye, 0.8 in the left eye. Repeated visual fields over a 11-month period postoperatively showed stability of the defect, with IOP of 12 mmHg to 15 mmHg in each eye. We considered LASIK uses a microkeratome vaccum ring to make a corneal flap, transient elevation of IOP alters the microcirculation of optic nerve head and may have precipitated visual field defect.
Adult ; Atrophy ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ ; Male ; Microcirculation ; Optic Disk ; Scotoma ; Visual Acuity ; Visual Fields*

Kallmann syndrome is characterized by hypogonadotropic hypogonadism resulting from insufficient release of GnRH and associated with anosmia or hyposmia. We experienced two cases of Kallmann syndrome with abnormal brain MRI findings(olfactory bulb aplasia) & secondary sexual dysfunction.
Brain ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Hypogonadism ; Kallmann Syndrome* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Olfaction Disorders