No abstract available.
Neurilemmoma* ; Ulnar Nerve*

No abstract available.
Neurilemmoma* ; Ulnar Nerve*

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
DNA* ; Herpesvirus 4, Human* ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We report our initial experience with percutaneous transvenous closure of atrial septal defects (ASD). MATERIALS AND METHOD: Between September 1997 and May 2000, we attempted transcatheter closure of ASD in 18 patients using CardioSEALTM (8), STARFlexTM (4) and Amplatzer septal occluder (6). The ages of patients ranged from 4.5-64.8 (mean 32.8) years, body weight ranging from 16-76 (mean 51) kg, Qp/Qs ratio from 1.3-3.4 (mean 2.2). RESULTS: Embolization of device occurred in two patients; right pulmonary artery in one and left atrium in the other. In one patient, the device slipped into the right atrium before detachment. After retrieval of the device, the defect seemed too large for transcatheter closure. There were no other complications apart from a transient aggravation of pre-existing atrial premature beats in two patients. There was no significant size difference between the data measured by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. The stretched ASD diameter was larger (5.1 3.2 mm) than the size measured by transesophageal echocardiography. In the remaining 15 patients, complete closure of defects was confirmed by transthoracic echocardiography on the 1 day or 1 month follow-up. During the same period, transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale(PFO) was also attempted in 7 patients with stroke. The guidewire could not be passed in 2 of the patients. In the other 5 patients, transcatheter closure was successfully performed without any problems. Though the follow-up period may have been short, no patients were found with further stroke attack. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter closure of ASD can be performed with high efficiency and safety if patient selection is adequate. The indication for ASD closure can be extended to patients with larger defects. Transcatheter closure of PFO is an easy and safe procedure, but the indications of PFO closure in patients with stroke is still unclear. Further evaluation is necessary for long-term results.
Body Weight ; Cardiac Complexes, Premature ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Atria ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial* ; Humans ; Patient Selection ; Pulmonary Artery ; Septal Occluder Device ; Stroke

PURPOSE: To evaluate the CT findings of bronchial abnormalities in patients with endobronchial metastasis from extrapulmonary tumors, and to correlate these with the bronchoscopic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed the CT and bronchoscopic findings of 17 patients (M:F=9:8; mean age, 56 years) with histologically proven endobronchial metastasis from extrapulmonary primary tumors. Carcinoma of the uterine cervix (n = 5) was the most common primary site for endo-bronchial metastasis. CT findings of bronchial abnormalities with associated peribronchial and lung parenchymal lesions were analyzed and compared with the bronchoscopic findings. RESULTS: Among the 17 patients, 20 sites of bronchial abnormalities were visualized bronchoscopically. CT findings of bronchial abnormalities were smooth narrowing (n = 11), occlusion (n = 3), intraluminal mass (n= 4), and normal (n = 2). Peribronchial lesions(lymph node enlargement or parenchymal mass) were found in 12 cases. Bronchoscopy revealed bronchial narrowing due to a mucosal nodule or intraluminal polypoid mass in 16 cases, and total obstruction of the bronchus in four. With regard to the identification of bronchial abnormalities, the findings of CT and of bronchoscopy agreed in 17 cases and disagreed in three. While bronchoscopy was advantageous for detecting early mucosal abnormality, CT effectively evaluated the extent of a lesion beyond the stenosis or bronchial obstruction. CT was also useful for predicting the causes of bronchial abnormalities. CONCLUSION: CT is relatively accurate in evaluating bronchial abnormalities, and in patients with endo-bronchial metastases may be used as a complementary procedure to bronchoscopy for evaluating the extent of the lesion.
Bronchi ; Bronchoscopy ; Cervix Uteri ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Retrospective Studies

A nasal provocation test is the most reliable diagnostic test to confirm allergen in allergic rhinitis. However, there are neither specific objective methods nor a standardized method and interpretation. In 20 normal subjects and 86 allergic rhinitis patients, we applied acoustic rhinometry as a new objective method to assess changes in nasal patency induced by nasal allergen challenge, a procedure which is used for confirming allergic rhinitis. The result shows that a minimal cross-sectional area (MCA) and volume from the nose tip on back to 7 cm (nasal cavity volume) after allergen challenge were significantly decreased in allergic rhinitis patients in comparison with the control subjects. We conclude that acoustic rhinometry can provide a sensitive index for evaluating the results of a nasal provocation test.
Acoustics* ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Humans ; Nasal Provocation Tests* ; Nose ; Rhinitis ; Rhinometry, Acoustic*

Background: Long-term glucocorticoid use increases fracture risk by reducing bone mass. This study evaluated the relationship between hip and vertebral fractures and the total amount of systematic glucocorticoid use. Methods: We randomly selected 1,896,159 people aged 20 to 100 years who participated in the National Health Checkup program in 2006. The amount of glucocorticoids prescribed was calculated based on the defined daily dose (DDD). The total DDD was obtained by adding oral and parenteral glucocorticoids for 6 months from the index date. Subjects were categorized into four groups according to total glucocorticoid DDDs: non-users (DDDs=0), low users (0< DDDs ≤45), intermediate users (45< DDDs ≤90), and high users (90< DDDs). We followed them for 2 years. A multivariate Cox proportional hazard model was used to evaluate the effects of the total amount of glucocorticoid use on hip and vertebral fractures. Results: Higher glucocorticoid use was associated with a higher risk of vertebral fracture. Relative to non-users, the vertebral fracture risk was 1.39 times higher in the low-user group, 1.94 times higher in the intermediate-user group, and 2.43 times higher in the highuser group. The risk of hip fracture was 1.72 times higher in intermediate users and 3.28 times higher in high users than in non-users. Conclusion As the amount of glucocorticoid use for 6 months increased, the risk of hip and vertebral fractures became higher. In order to prevent fractures, it is necessary for doctors to evaluate the total amount of glucocorticoid prescribed to the patient and to provide appropriate treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of PAP smear as a screening tool for cervical cancer by evaluating the result of a review of 34,970 cases of PAP smear at Pohang St. Mary's Hospital. METHODS: From January, 1992 to December, 2001 cytologic examination of 34,970 women were analysed and the results were reviewed. RESULTS: 1. The average of annual screening rate was 14.8%. 2. Abnormal cytology rate was 2.02% including 1.02% of ASCUS, 0.99% of class III, 0.20% of class IV and 0.30% of class V. 3. 8.28% of the women screened were aged less than 30 years, 31.8% <40 years, 33.2% <50 years, 17.5% <60 years, 7.3% <70 years and 1.9% >or=70 years respectively. 4. Of the 188 patients who had a cytologic diagnosis of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), 127 (68%) were followed up, 99 (78%) were normal and 28 (22%) had squamous intraepithelial lesion. 5. The prevalence rate of cervical neoplasia confirmed by histopathology for the past 10 years was 1.53%. Of those the rate of invasive cervical cancer was 0.65%. 6. The false negative rate was 17.3% and false positive rate was 4.5%. 7. The sensitivity and specificity and positive predictive value of PAP smear were 82.7%, 95.5% and 90.2%. CONCLUSION: For PAP smear to be early detecting tool for cervical cancer, continuous effort is required to raise annual screening rate, to lower the false negative rate, and to raise the sensitivity of PAP smear.
Diagnosis ; Female ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Prevalence ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of cold knife conization in the diagnosis and treatment of cervical neoplasia. METHODS: Sixty patients were divided into diagnostic and therapeutic conization group and then indication of conization, PAP smear, colposcopy directed biopsy, cone margin and residual lesion of each group were compared respectively. RESULTS: If the difference of PAP and colposcopy directed biopsy was 2 grades or more, upper limit of the lesion was invisible, squamocolumnar junction was not seen, PAP V or invasive cancer was suspected, diagnostic conization was performed in 22 patients. Six cases of follow-up group had cone margin (-) and no recurrence. Sixteen cases of immediate TAH (total abdominal hysterectomy) group had 2 cases of cone margin (+) with residual disease. There were 4 cases of cone margin (-) with residual lesion. If the difference of PAP and colposcopy directed biopsy was 1 grade or less, upper limit of the lesion was visible, squamocolumnar junction was seen and invasive cancer was ruled out, therapeutic conization was performed in 38 cases. All of therapeutic conization group had cone margin (-). Thirty two cases were follow up group and six cases were immediate TAH group. Three of follow up group had recurrences and delayed TAH was performed. There was no residual lesion in the specimen of immediate TAH group. CONCLUSION: The precise dignosis and treatment of cervical neoplasia was capable with cold knife conization. The more aggressive lesion or the more cases of cone margin (+) was diagnosed, the more residual lesion was found. Thorough follow up should be done after treatment of cervical neoplasia because of the possibility of residual disease even after documentation of cone margin (-).
Biopsy ; Colposcopy ; Conization* ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Recurrence