PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of gemcitabine and carboplatin (GC) in the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between November 1999 and April 2001, 34 patients were enrolled in this study. The median age was 66 (range: 52-74) years old and all were male. Sixteen patients demonstrated stage IIIB, 15 stage IV, and 3 recurrence of disease after surgery. Twenty-two patients showed a ECOG performance status of 0 or 1 and 12 had 2. Twenty patients presented with squamous cell carcinoma, 11 adenocarcinoma and 3 unclassified NSCLC. The treatment regimen consisted of intravenous carboplatin AUC of 6 on day 1 and gemcitabine 1,250 mg/m2 on day 1 and 8. The treatment was repeated every 28 days. Toxicities were evaluated according to WHO toxicity criteria. RESULTS: All thirty-four patients were evaluable. Partia responses were observed in 15 patients. The overall response rate was 44% (95% confidence interval: 27-61%) and the median response duration was 26 (range 8-60 ) weeks. The median survival of all patients was 50 (range 8-70 ) weeks. During a total of 144 cycles, granulocytopenia greater than WHO grade 2 occurred in 2%, thrombocytopenia in 2%, and anemia in 3%, respectively. Non- hematologic toxicities were minor and easily controlled. CONCLUSION: A combination chemotherapy of intravenous gemcitabine and carboplatin has a relatively high activity with acceptable toxicities in patients with advanced NSCLC.
Adenocarcinoma ; Agranulocytosis ; Anemia ; Area Under Curve ; Carboplatin* ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Male ; Recurrence ; Thrombocytopenia

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the MR spectrum and MR cholangiographic imaging findings of clonorchiasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 26 patients with confirmed clonorchiasis by either stool tests (n=24) or surgery (n=2). MR imaging was performed on a 1.5 T system (GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, WI) with a torso coil. Axial T1-and T2-weighted, gadolinium-enhanced dynamic images and MR cholangiography were obtained. Image analyses were used to identify abnormalities of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts and the presence of hepatobiliary malignancy. All MR examinations were reviewed by the consensus of two abdominal radiologists. RESULT: Intrahepatic bile duct abnormalities were seen in 23 (89%) of the 26 patients. The most common finding was mild dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct which was found in 21 (81%). "Too many intrahepatic ducts" were found in 16 (62%), wall enhancement and thickening in 21 (81%) and filling defects and ductal stricture in the intrahepatic bile duct in 6 (24%) and 3 (12%) patients, respectively. Extrahepatic ductal dilation was found in 5 (19%) and 9 (35%) revealed hepatobiliary malignancy. CONCLUSION: MR imaging revealed various findings of clonorchiasis, including dilatation, wall enhancement, stricture of the intrahepatic ducts and filling defect within the intrahepatic bile duct.
Adult ; Aged ; Cholangiography/methods ; Clonorchiasis/*diagnosis/radiography ; Female ; Human ; *Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods ; Male ; Middle Aged

Actinomycosis is an uncommon chronic infectious disease caused by Actinomyces. There are three distinct forms of the condition, namely cervicofascial, thoracic, and abdominal; the hepatic variety is an unusual form of abdominal actinomycosis, accounting for about 15% of cases of this type. Many reports of actinomycosis have been published, but few have detailed the MR findings of hepatic actinomycosis. We describe the contrast-enhanced CT and MR findings in one case of hepatic actinomycosis.
Actinomyces ; Actinomycosis* ; Communicable Diseases ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: To assess the usefulness of three-dimensional spiral CT angiography in the diagnosis and as a guide for the treatment of arteriosclerosis obliterans of the lower extremity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a recent one-year period, CTA and conventional angiography were performed in 12 patients with suspected ASO. From the upper margin of the third lumbar vertebral body to below the knee joint, helical CT scanning was performed 30-45 seconds after the injection of Ultravist 370(150-180ml) by a power injector at the rate of 2.5-3.0ml/sec via the antecubital vein. The resulting data were reformatted by SSD after reconstruction of 5mm intervals, and CTA was compared with CA for site and degree of stenotic or occlusive lesion. RESULTS: On CTA and CA, twenty-three occlusive lesions above the tibioperoneal artery were detected in 12 patients. On CA, three mild seven moderate and eight severe stenoses were seen, as well as five occlusions. There were three cases of overgrading and three of undergrading. Overall diagnostic accuracy was 73.9%(17/23). Calcifications were detected at on axial CT scanning in the two of three underestimated lesions. Migration of the thrombi was noted in one case. CONCLUSION: CTA may be useful in the evaluation of the arteries of the lower extremities, and valuable in the planning and follow-up of treatment.
Angiography* ; Arteries* ; Arteriosclerosis Obliterans ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Lower Extremity* ; Silver Sulfadiazine ; Tomography, Spiral Computed* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Veins

PURPOSE: To evaluate characteristic MR findings of craniocerebral anomaly and its relationship with neurologic manifestations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed MR images of 36 patients with craniocerebral anomaly diagnosed by MRI and clinical courses. We correlated the characteristic MR findings in 41 lesions with neurologic manifestastions focusing on seizures and developmental delay. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients with seizures consisted of 14 patients(60%) with neuronal migration disorders and seven(30%) with phakomatosis, among which 18 patients(78%) had generalized type of seizures. Locations of the lesions were the parietal lobes in 11 patients(52%) and the subependymal or periventricular regions in seven(33%). Two patients with tuberous sclerosis had the lesions in both parietal and subependymal areas. Nine patients had the signs of developmental delay that were seen in the four(44%) with schizencephaly, two (22%) with tuberous sclerosis, two(22%) with heterotopia, and one(ll %) with pachygyria. CONCLUSION: Neuronal migration anomaly was relatively common lesion that presented neurologic manifestations such as seizures and developmental delay. Generalized type of seizures was common. We were able to diagnose these anomalies using the MRI that helped establish therapeutic plans.
Humans ; Lissencephaly ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Malformations of Cortical Development ; Neurocutaneous Syndromes ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Neuronal Migration Disorders ; Neurons ; Parietal Lobe ; Rabeprazole ; Retrospective Studies ; Seizures* ; Tuberous Sclerosis

PURPOSE: We investigated the effects of proteinuria and renal insufficiency on all-cause mortality in patients with colorectal cancer, with special emphasis on cancer staging and cancer-related deaths. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied a cohort of patients with colorectal cancer. In protocol 1, patients were classified into four groups based on the operability of cancer and proteinuria: group 1, early-stage cancer patients (colorectal cancer stage < or =3) without proteinuria; group 2, early-stage cancer patients with proteinuria; group 3, advanced-stage cancer patients without proteinuria (colorectal cancer stage=4); and group 4, advanced-stage cancer patients with proteinuria. In protocol 2, patients were classified into four similar groups based on cancer staging and renal insufficiency (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2). Between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2009, 3379 patients were enrolled in this cohort and followed until May 1, 2012 or until death. RESULTS: The number of patients with proteinuria was 495 (14.6%). The prevalence of proteinuria was higher in advanced-stage cancer (n=151, 22.3%) than in early-stage cancer patients (n=344, 12.7%). After adjusting for age, gender and other clinical variables, the proteinuric, early-stage cancer group was shown to be associated with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.67 and a 95% confidence interval of 1.38-2.01, compared with non-proteinuric early-stage cancer patients. However, renal insufficiency was not associated with colorectal cancer mortality. CONCLUSION: Proteinuria is an important risk factor for cancer mortality, especially in relatively early colorectal cancer.
Aged ; Colorectal Neoplasms/complications/*mortality/pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prevalence ; Proteinuria/*complications/epidemiology ; Renal Insufficiency/complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

No abstract available.
Hypertension, Pulmonary* ; Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease*

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a herbal formula that mainly consists of Cornus officinalis for treating erectile dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty patients suffering with erectile dysfunction were enrolled in this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. The average duration of erectile dysfunction of the herbal formula group(n=40) vs. the placebo group(n=40) were 19.33+/-18.13 months vs. 19.33+/-25.62 months, respectively. The safety variables we examined were the history, physical examination, vital signs, EKG, clinical laboratory tests and hormonal tests. Efficacy assessments included the International Index of Erectile Function(IIEF), the sexual encounter profile(SEP) diary and Global Assessment Questions(GAQ). RESULTS: No significant changes in the laboratory values, hormone tests and blood pressure were observed in both groups. In comparison with the placebo group(6.57+/-11.72), the herbal formula group experienced a significant improvement of the IIEF(11.13+/-11.83)(p<0.05). When the herbal formula and placebo groups were divided by age and the IIEF score (age: 50 years and IIEF: 42) and then compared, the low IIEF group(IIEFor=50) of the herbal formula group significantly improved their IIEF score(p<0.05). The herbal formula group significantly improved their GAQ score(p<0.05). The herbal formula was well tolerated. The common adverse events were headache(2.5%) and nausea(5%). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the herbal formula that mainly consists Cornus officinalis was not only effective at improving erectile function, but it was also safe for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Blood Pressure ; Cornus* ; Electrocardiography ; Erectile Dysfunction* ; Humans ; Male ; Physical Examination ; Treatment Outcome ; Vital Signs

PURPOSE: To investigate the role of radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinomas of the external auditory canal and middle ear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A series of 35 patients who were treated at a single institution from 1981 through 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. Thirteen patients were treated by radiotherapy alone; four by surgery only and 18 by a combination of surgery and radiotherapy. The total radiation dose ranged from 39~70 Gy (median, 66 Gy) in 13~35 fractions for radiotherapy alone and 44~70 Gy (median, 61.2 Gy) in 22~37 fractions for the combined therapy. Clinical end-points were the cause of specific survival (CSS) and local relapse-free survival (LRFS). The median follow-up time was 2.8 years (range, 0.2~14.6 years). RESULTS: The 3-year CSS and LRFS rate was 80% and 63%, respectively. Based on a univariate analysis, performance status and residual disease after treatment had a significant impact on CSS; performance status and histologic grade for LRFS. Patients treated by radiotherapy alone had more residual disease following the course of treatment compared to patients treated with the combined therapy; 69% vs. 28%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that radiation alone was not an inferior treatment modality for CSS compared to the combined therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal and middle ear. However, local failure after radiotherapy is the main issue that will require further improvement to gain optimal local control.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Ear Canal ; Ear, Middle ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: We wanted to assess the cerebral activation of the motor function after deep cortical (lentiform nucleus and thalamus) infarction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied the motor function of eight right-handed deep cortical infarcted patients (mean age, 61 years; 7 men and 1 woman) who suffered a single unilateral deep cortical (lentiform nucleus or thalamus) infarction. The grade of muscle power by the grading system of the Medical Research Council was II in two patients, III in three patients and IV in three patients. All the MRI experiments were performed with a 1.5T scanner. The fMRI protocol consisted of eight alternating periods of task performance and rest. The activation tasks consisted of finger movements. Data analysis of activated area and calculation of the activated volumes in sensorimotor cortex were done. RESULTS: For the six lentiform nucleus acute infarction patients, one right hemiparetic patient (MRC Grade: II), and only the right sensorimotor cortex (the unilateral non-lesion side) were activated. In five (MRC Grade: III-IV) of the six lentiform nucleus infarcted patients, bilateral activations of the primary sensorimotor cortex were recorded. In four of the five bilaterally activated patients, extended activations in the lesion side sensorimotor cortex were observed. In the two right thalamic infarction patients, bilateral activations of the primary sensorimotor cortex were recorded. One patient (MRC Grade: II) was observed to have an extended activation in the non-lesion side sensorimotor cortex. On the follow up fMRI done on this patient after 40 days (MRC Grade: III at that time), the activated volumes of both sensorimotor cortexes were increased. The activated volume in the lesion side sensorimotor cortex was more than that in the non-lesion side sensorimotor cortex. The other patient (MRC Grade: IV) was observed to have extended activation in the lesion side sensorimotor cortex. CONCLUSION: fMRI allows for the study of the motor function in deep cortical infarction. We were able to investigate the differences in motor activation according to the individual MRC Grades. fMRI may be a useful tool to monitor and study deep cortical infarction, and it may be important to help us understand the function of the deep cortical areas.
Basal Ganglia* ; Brain ; Corpus Striatum ; Fingers ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infarction* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Male ; Statistics as Topic ; Task Performance and Analysis ; Thalamus*