BACKGROUND: Endoscopic Ultrasonography(EUS), a combination of endoscopy and ultrasonography is one of the most useful tools for diagnosis of digestive system diseases. EUS is useful in staging the primary tumor invasion and regional lymph node metastasis because of its ability to image the gut wall and adjacent structures in unique detail. We performed a study preoperatively for assessing the accuracy and limitation of EUS in gastric carcinoma. METHODS: In 75 patients(Male 54, Female 21, Mean age 62.3 years) with a gastric carcinoma confirmed by endoscopic biopsy, we performed EUS preoperatively. The results were compared with the postoperative histopathologic staging. RESULTS: 1) In assessing the depth of tumor invasion, EUS accuracy on depth of invasion was 76.0% and overstaging and understaging were 14.7% and 9.3%, respectively. 2) In assessing the lymph node metastasis, the accuracy rate of EUS was 65.3%. A rate of false-positive diagnosis was 27.3%, and a rate of false-negative diagnosis was 24.5%.3) In assessing the incidence of lymph node metastasis for each T stage, the involve rate was 10.5% in pT1, 36.4% in pT2, 95.7% in pT3, 100% in pT4. CONCLUSIONS: EUS is the most accurate diagnostic methods presently available to determine tumor infiltration depth and lymph node metastasis.
Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Digestive System Diseases ; Endoscopy ; Endosonography* ; Esophagus* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intestines* ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Stomach* ; Ultrasonography

This study was designed to investigate the effects of pyroligneous liquor on oxygen radicals and their scavenger enzy-mes in the liver of Cri/Bgi CD rats (7 rats per group ). Male rats were fed a basic diet prepared in our Lab., PL-0 (Control ), PL-1, PL-25, PL-50 and PL-75 groups were prepared to be 0%, 1%, 25%, 50% and 75%with distilled water using pyrolig-neous liquor (35% of Choa Co. Ltd.), and were administrated orally for 8 weeks. Superoxide radical contents in liver mi-tochondria and microsomes were significantly decreased to 12-14%, 11-15%, respectively, in these PL-25 and PL-50 groups compared with the control group. Hydroxyl radical content in mitochondria and microsomes were markedly decreased to 12-20% and 17%, respectively, in these PL-25 and PL-50% groups compared with the control group. Hydro-gen peroxide content in mitochondria and microsomes were significantly decreased about 15-12% and 22-20% in liver of PL-25 and PL-50 groups compared with the control group. Mn-SOD and Cu/Zn-SOD activities in liver of PL-25 and PL-50 groups were remarkably increased to 15-25%, 11-16%, respectively, compared with the control group. GPx activities in mitochondria and microsomes were significantly increased in the liver of PL-25 and PL-50 groups compared with the control group. CAT activities in mitochondria and cytosol were significantly increased to 12-14%, 15-27%, respectively, in the liver of PL-25 and PL-50 groups compared with the control group. These results suggest that long term administra-tion orally of 25 and 50% pyroligneous liquor may effectively inhibit the formation of oxygen free radicals, and also scavenger enzyme activities significantly increase through the administration orally.
Animals ; Cats ; Cytosol ; Diet ; Free Radicals ; Humans ; Hydroxyl Radical ; Liver* ; Male ; Microsomes ; Mitochondria ; Oxygen* ; Rats* ; Reactive Oxygen Species* ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Superoxides ; Water

This study was designed to investigate the effects of pyroligneous liquor on lipid metaboilsm in serum of SPF/VAF Cri/ Bgi CD rats. Male CD rats were fed basic diet prepared in our Lab., and PL-0 ( control) , PL-1, PL-25, PL-50, PL-75 groups were prepared with pyroligneous liquor ( 35% of Choa Co. Ltd.) of 0%, 1%, 25%, 50% and 75% in purified water per day for 8 weeks. Body weights and food intakes almost did not change in these five groups, and triglyceride ( TG) levels were significantly decreased ( 20.5% and 19.5%, respectively) in these PL-25 and PL-50 groups compared with control group. Total and LDL-cholesterol levels were markedly decreased ( 20.7%, 16.3% and 20.3 %, 116.9%, respecti-vely) in these PL-25 and PL-50% groups, but HDL-cholesterol levels were significantly increased about 36.4% and 25.5% in serum of PL-25 and PL-50 groups compared with control group. Atherogenic indices were also remarkedly decreased ( 63.0%, and 50%, respectively) in these PL-25 and PL-50 groups compared with control group. These results suggest that long term administration orally of pyroligneous liquor in 25 to 50% may inhibit chronic degenerative disease through improving of lipid metabolism of lower TG & LDL-cholesterol and higher HDL-cholesterol, and lower AJ.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Diet ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism* ; Male ; Rats* ; Triglycerides ; Water

During a disease survey in October 2019, leaf spot symptoms with a yellow halo were observed on Korean angelica (Anglica gigas) plants grown in fields in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, Korea. Incidence of diseased leaves of the plants in the investigated fields ranged from 10% to 60%. Morphological and cultural characteristics of two single-spore isolates from the leaf lesions indicated that they belonged to the genus Didymella. Molecular phylogenetic analyses using combined sequences of LSU, ITS, TUB2, and RPB2 regions showed distinct clustering of the isolates from other Didymella species. In addition, the morphological and cultural characteristics of the isolates were somewhat different from those of closely related Didymella spp. Therefore, the novelty of the isolates was proved based on the investigations. Pathogenicity of the novel Didymella species isolates was confirmed on leaves of Korean angelica plants via artificial inoculation. This study reveals that Didymella gigantis sp. nov.causes leaf spot in Korean angelica.

During disease surveys of Angelica acutiloba plants in Korea, leaf spot symptoms were observed in a field in Andong in July 2019, and stem rot symptoms in vinyl greenhouses in Yangpyeong in April 2020. Incidence of leaf spot and stem rot of the plants ranged from 10 to 20% and 5 to 30%, respectively. Morphological and cultural characteristics of fungal iso lates from the leaf spot and stem rot symptoms fitted into those of the genus Phoma.Molecular phylogenetic analyses of two single-spore isolates from the symptoms using con catenated sequences of LSU, ITS, TUB2, and RPB2 genes authenticated an independent clus ter from other Didymella (anamorph: Phoma) species. Moreover, the isolates showed different morphological and cultural characteristics in comparison to closely related Didymella species. These discoveries confirmed the novelty of the isolates. Pathogenicity of the novel Didymella species isolates was substantiated on leaves and stems of A. acutiloba through artificial inocu lation. Thus, this study reveals that Didymella acutilobae sp. nov. causes leaf spot and stem rot in Angelica acutiloba.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Electrohydraulic lithotrypsy(EHL) under cholangioscopic control has been performed for difficult bile duct stones. The percutaneous transhepatic approach is technically easy and useful in diagnosis and treatment of bile duct obstruction and stones. Biliary stenting with self expanding metal stent is gaining increasingly wider acceptance as a palliative treatment of bile duct obstruction. METHODS: Between Sep. 1994 and Sep. 1996, EHL under choledochoscopy by percutaneous transhepatic approach was performed in 30 cases(Male: 13, Female: 17). After PTBD with 7F pig tail catheter, the percutaneous transhepatic passage was dilated over guide wire with dilaters of increasing size up to 16Fr in 3-Sdays. In one week, after fistula had been estabilished, choledochoscopy was performed. RESULTS: (1) Mean age was 61.3 years. Mean stone number was 2.5. And mean stone size was 1.6 X 2.3 cm. (2) Com.plete removal of the stone was achieved in all patients(100%). (3) There were no serious complications. (4) In six cases, Endocoils were implanted with successful decompression of obstructions and simultaneous removal of biliary stones located at both side of stricutre. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous transhepatic choledochoscopy is easy and safe and assists in the diagnosis and treatment of biliary stricture and the management of difficult CBD stone.
Bile Ducts ; Catheters ; Cholestasis ; Common Bile Duct* ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Decompression ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fistula ; Humans ; Palliative Care ; Stents

The neck clipping of cerebral aneurysm is a well established treatment for the subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by aneurysmal rupture. However, incomplete clipping of an aneurysm may result in recurrent hemorrhage with serious or fatal consequence. Recently, two patients underwent reoperation for recurrent hemorrhage from the regrowth aneurysm after previous clipping operation. The technical obstacles to surgical treatment of these two patients were perianeurysmal adhesion or scar formation, presence of clip and coating agents and so on. One patient showed good outcome, another patient was dead by pneumonia. In order to detect regrowth of aneurysm, periodic examination is very important for the patient with remnant neck after aneurysm clipping operation.
Aneurysm ; Cicatrix ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Neck* ; Pneumonia ; Reoperation ; Rupture ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

OBJECT: The aneurysms located in the distal middle cerebral artery (MCA) are uncommon and have not been well investigated previously. To clarify these lesions more fully, we undertook a retrospective analysis of the clinical features and managements of the 9 consecutive patients treated at our institution. METHODS: Nine patients with distal MCA aneurysms treated at our department between 1994 and 2003 were reviewed retrospectively. We performed analysis on the basis of clinical profiles, radiological and intraoperative findings. RESULT: In our series, the incidence of distal MCA aneurysms was 1.1% of all intracranial aneurysms and 3.7% all MCA aneurysms. There were seven ruptured and two unruptured distal MCA aneurysms. All aneurysms were presumed typical saccular aneurysms in the angiographic and intraoperative findings and there were no past medical history, evidence of previous infection, trauma and neoplastic disorders. The nine patients consisted of seven women and two men ranging in age from 42 to 61 years. Eight aneurysms were located in the left side and only one aneurysm in the right side. Five of seven ruptured patients sustained an subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with intracerebral hematoma (ICH) in the initial computed tomography (CT) scans. Although three patients presented transient speech disturbance postoperatively, good clinical outcome was achived in the eight of nine patients. CONCLUSION:Distal MCA aneurysms have tendency of female and left side predominency and easily cause ICH with SAH, but majority of them showed a favorable outcome. It was difficult to find the exact location of aneurysms during dissection. To obtain successful clippng of aneurysms and avoid the operation related complications, surgeons must dissect the sylvian fissure sufficiently and retract frontal lobe carefully.
Aneurysm ; Female ; Frontal Lobe ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Male ; Middle Cerebral Artery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to review the surgical results of 19 patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia treated by percutaneous ballooning compression(PBC) of trigeminal gasserian ganglion under brief general anesthesia. METHODS: The mean patient age was 63.5 years(range, 27-78). The mean follow-up period was 24 months(range, 1-46). Three patients had already undergone radiofreqnency trigeminal rhizotomy and two patients had previously microvascular decompression. The balloon was inflated by injecting radio-contrast media 0.7-1cc in amount. The mean inflating time is 81 seconds(range, 60-90). RESULTS: During the procedure, brief intraoperative bradycardia and hypotension were noted in seven cases(36.7%). All patients had immediate relief of pain except 1 case. 18 cases(94.5%) of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with their pain relief. There were immediate, mild to moderate sensory complication of hypesthesia, dysesthesia or paraesthesia in all cases and the immediate motor complication-difficulty of mastication in 3 cases, transient 6th nerve palsy in 2 cases. The immediate motor and sensory complications disappeared or much improved after 3-4 months. CONCLUSION: It is the simple technique that can be performed effectively in a brief period of general anesthesia. This procedure might be one of attractive methods in the treatment of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia.
Abducens Nerve Diseases ; Anesthesia, General ; Bradycardia ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Hypotension ; Mastication ; Microvascular Decompression Surgery ; Paresthesia ; Rhizotomy ; Trigeminal Ganglion* ; Trigeminal Neuralgia*

Leiomyoma is an uncommon lesion which may originate anywhere including the genitourinary system where smooth muscle is present. Five cases of leiomyoma of the testicular tunica albuginea were reported in the world literature. A case of leiomyoma of testicular tunica albuginea in a 58 year old male is presented. We preserved the testis with tumor resection. This is the first report of leiomyoma of testicular tunica albuginea in Korea.
Humans ; Korea ; Leiomyoma* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Smooth ; Testis ; Urogenital System