Small and large airways functions were studied in patients with hypertensive heart disease in slightly ro moderately compromised state functionally. In this study, the forced vital capacity and various flow paramaeters reflecting expiratory flow rate were determined from simultaneously recorded forced expiratory volume and maximal expiretory flow volume curves in 86 cases. The closing volume was measured by a single breath nitrogen mrthod in 57 cases and airway resistance with its related parameters by a body plethysmograph in 11 cases. These results were compared with those obtained from the same numbers of healthy controls matched for sex, age and height. In the patient group, the forced vital capadity and all the observed values of flow parameters, execpt for the ratio of the first second vital capacity to the forced vital capacity, were significantly reduced than those in the controls. When the remainder of flow parameters was volume-adjusted to the forced vital capacity, however, the mean of the peak expiratory flow rate and the maximal expiratory flow rate at the 75 percent of the vital capacity were not significantly different from that of controls. In contrast, the volume-adjusted values of maximal expiratory flow were remained significantly smaller than those in the controls. The closing volume and its ratio to the vital capacity were significantly larger in the patient group. Airway resistance and its related parameters revealed no significant differences between two groups. These findings suggest that the patients with hypertensive heart disease in a mild to moderate failure are associated with restrictive ventilatory impairment and a small airways obstruction, but with little or no large airway dysfunction.
Airway Resistance ; Closing Volume ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Heart Diseases* ; Heart* ; Humans ; Maximal Expiratory Flow Rate ; Nitrogen ; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate ; Vital Capacity

Although sacrococcygeal mass is rare and usually found in infants or children, adolescent or adult patients with protruding mass in sacrococcygeal region occasionally come to us simply for a cosmetic problem. In this situation, even though there is no definite neurological deficit, it should be evaluated whether or not the underlying bony pathology or dural defect exists. Few cases about the sacrococcygeal mass have been reported in adults. We reviewed our cases including preoperative evaluation methods and postoperative diagnosis. From March, 1993 to February, 1997, we experienced 6 adult patients with sacrococcygeal mass and no neurological abnormality. Preoperative evaluation were made by plain X-ray, myelogram, computed tomography(CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as needed. Postoperative diagnoses were 2 meningoceles, 2 lipomyelomeningoceles, 1 desmoid tumor, and 1 teratoma. From our experiences, CT or MRI is essential to evaluate the sacrococcygeal mass preoperatively. These methods can visualize the precise anatomic location and extent of the mass, its relation to the spinal cord, and associated bony abnormalities. MRI is superior to CT, especially in defining the nature of the mass and involvement of the spinal cord. Conclusively, even a simple mass in the sacrococcygeal region in adults needs MRI or CT evaluation, and MRI is the most valuable method of evaluating the mass preoperatively and provides important information to establish a treatment plan.
Adolescent ; Adult* ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Fibromatosis, Aggressive ; Humans ; Infant ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Meningocele ; Pathology ; Sacrococcygeal Region* ; Spinal Cord ; Teratoma

Involucrin is a recently recognized structural component of mature squamous epithelial cells and is considered as a marker of normal eratinocyte differentiation and ma.turation. In this study peroxidase-antiperoxidase techniques were used to assess involucrin expression in histologic sections of normal skin and a variety of epidennal tumors including squamous cell carcinomas(25 cases), keratoacanthomas(11 cases), basal cell carcinomas(20 cases), trichoepitheliomas(5 cases), Howens diseases(12 cases), arsenic keratoses(10 cases), actinic keratoses(10 cases) and Pagets diseases(2 cases). The results were as follows : l. In normal skin, the upper third of the viable epidermis showed diffuse cytoplasmic staining for involucrin. In hair follicles, the lower area of inner root sheath and inner area of the outer root sheath stained positively. The sebareous glands did not stain, but the ducts of sebaceous glands were positive. 2. Keratoacanthomas showed a relatively homogeneous staining pattern for inirolucrin ', all cells except basal cells stained with mild to moderate intensity. In contrast, squamous cell carcinomas disclosed a highly irregular involucrin staining pattern with marked variation in staining intensity from cell to cell. 3. Basal cell carcinomas were negative for involucrin except squamous horn cysts, and the epidermis overlying basal cell carcinomas showed the field effect, that is, the epidermis overlying the tumors exhibited diffuse, homogeneous positive staining of cells in all layers of the epidermis. 4. ln trichoepitheliomas, the involucrin reactivity was negative as in basal cell carcinoma.s, but the field effect was not observed. 5. In Elowens disease, actinic keratosis, arsenic keratosis and Pagets disease, the positivit.y for involucrin staining extended deeper into the stratum malpighii than was observed wit,h normal epidermis. And areas showing irregular patchy pattern of involucrin staining were considered to have the potentiality of malignant invasive change much more than the negative or homogeneous areas. Paget's cells were negative for involucrin as the adjoining keratinocytes in the lower portion af epidermis.
Actins ; Animals ; Arsenic ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cytoplasm ; Epidermis ; Epithelial Cells ; Hair Follicle ; Horns ; Keratinocytes ; Keratoacanthoma ; Keratosis ; Keratosis, Actinic ; Sebaceous Glands ; Secobarbital ; Skin

No abstract available.
Child* ; Heart Diseases* ; Heart* ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency*

It is difficult to know whether the presence of infection in the plantar ulcer in patients with leprosy or not. Because routine bacteriology is often unhelpful, we need to investigate diagnostic method in this situation. C-reactive protein(CRF) levels have been known to be useful in detecting infection in some diseases. In this study, CRP levels were measured in 20 leprosy patients with plantar ulceration and 14 patients with leprosy alone. The results were as follows : 1. There was no elevation of CRP levels in patients with leprosy alone, and in the majority of patients with ulcers. 2. Of 20 patients with plantar ulcers, four had raised CRP levels one had clinically obvious infection, and three had erythematous skin of uncertain cause surrounding their ulcers. 3. Treatment with an appropriate antibiotics reduced CRP levels to normal, which was associated with clinical improvement. Therefore, it is suggested that increased CRP levels can be a useful probe for detecting significant bacterial infection in plantar ulcers of leprosy patients.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacterial Infections ; Bacteriology ; Foot Ulcer ; Humans ; Leprosy* ; Skin ; Ulcer*

This study was carried out to determine the accuracy of Doppler echocardiography for predicting the pulmonary arterial pressure from right ventricular systolic time intervals in 52 patients with ventricular septal defect. The diagnosis of ventricular septal defect was made by cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography at Dong San hospital, Keimyung University during the period of one year from jan. 1988 to Dec. 1988. Doppler measurements of acceleration time (AT), right ventricular ejection time (RVET), right ventricular preejection period (RPEP), AT/RVET, and RPEP/AT were compared with pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), measured by cardiac catheterization. The patients were divided into 3 groups : PAP< or =30mm Hg, PAP 31-59mm Hg, PAP??0mm Hg. The following results were obtained. 1) In the groups of PAP< or =30mm Hg, AT was 0.12+/-0.01sec, AT/RVET was 0.47+/-0.07 and RPEP/AT was 0.50+/-0.05. 2) In the groups of PAP> or =60mm HG, AT was 0.06+/-0.01sec. AT/RVET was 0.28+/-0.05. RPEP/AR was 1.51+/-0.21. As the level of PAP increased, Doppler AT, AT/RVET and RPEP/AT showed significant change(P<0.001). 3) The Doppler AT showed relative high correlation(r=-0.76) with PAP measured by cardiac catheterization in all group. 4) The Doppler AT/RVET showed correlation(r=-0.70) with PAP. 5) The Doppler RPEP/AT showed high correlation(r=0.91) with PAP. The Doppler echocardiography was easy to apply in all age groups, and was found useful for detecting pulmonary hypertension in ventricular septal defect and for the follow-up check of the patients. It may help to determine the optimal time for surgery and evaluation of the treatment.
Acceleration ; Angiocardiography ; Arterial Pressure* ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography* ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular* ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Systole

Clinical study on 62 patients (26 males and 36 females) with neurofibromatosis seen during past ten years at the Department of Dermatology, Pusan National Universitg Hospital, was made the variable clinical manifestations of the disease and Riccardis ciassification were emphasized. The results were as follows . 1) Family history was noted in 32 cases(51.6%) and exhibited autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. 2) Cutaneous neurofibromas were found in 52 cases(83.8%). 3) Cafe-au-lait spots, measuring greater than 1.5cm in its longest diameter, were found in 60 cases(96.8%) and 44 cases(71.0%) had more than 6 in number. 4) Among associated abnormalities were,' mental retardation(20,9%), skeletal abnormalities(11.2%), seizure, severe headache, etc. 5) According to Riccardis classification, 38 cases could be classified as type I, 28 cases(73.7%); type II, 0 case ; type III, 1 case(2.6%); type IV, 3 cases(7, 9%); type V, 1 case(2.6%); type VI, 4 cases(10.5%); type VII, l case(2.6%); and type VIII, 0 case.
Busan ; Cafe-au-Lait Spots ; Classification* ; Dermatology ; Headache ; Humans ; Inheritance Patterns ; Male ; Neurofibroma ; Neurofibromatoses* ; Seizures

Antianginal and untoward effects of fenalcomine hydrochloride were studied in 24 cases of angina pectoris. Following discontinuation of all medications for 2 weeks except for liberal use of sublingual nitroglycerin for the relief of anginal attack, fenalcomine, 150mg a day in 3 divided doses, was given for 8 to 16 weeks. In 20 cases, routine blood counts including platelets, serum electrolytes and cholesterol as well as blood sugar level were checked before and at the completion of the medication. hepatic and renal functions were also studied. The effect of fenalcomine on severity, frequency and duration of anginal attack was excellent to good in 17 cases(70.9%), and was fair in 5 cases(20.8%). In the remaining 2 cases(8.3%), who responded poorly had angina pectoris for more than 3 years. It appeared that fenalcomine was similarly effective in those with or without associated hypertension or diabetes mellitus, or history of previous myocardial infarction. The comparison of the results of post-treatment laboratory tests with pre-treatment data revealed no significant changes. Furthermore, no untoward clinical reactions attributable to the drug was noted in all cases. These facts suggest that fenalcomine is a reliable and well tolerated antianginal agent which can be used singly or in combination with other agents.
Angina Pectoris ; Blood Glucose ; Cholesterol ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Electrolytes ; Hypertension ; Myocardial Infarction ; Nitroglycerin

To characterize the sympathetic nervous system response to congestive heart failure in infants and children, plasma norepinephrine levels were measured in 29 patients aged 4 months to 15 years undergoing routine cardiac catheterization at Dong San Hospital, Keimyung University during the period of 4 months from November 1990 to February 1991. Plasma norepinephrine levels were significantly higher in patients with heart disease and congestive heart failure than in those without congestive heart failure(P<0.001). A significant association was found between the level of plasma norepinephrine and severity of the symptoms of congestive heart failure. Plasma norepinephrine levels correlated well with size of the shunt (Qp/Qs)(gamma=0.75), degree of pulmonary arterial pressure (gamma=0.79) and degree of right ventricular pressure (gamma=0.82).
Arterial Pressure ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Child* ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)* ; Heart ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Failure* ; Humans ; Infant* ; Norepinephrine* ; Plasma* ; Sympathetic Nervous System ; Ventricular Pressure

No abstract available.
Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome*