We have experienced a case of plexiform neurofibrorna of the right upper eyelid and orbit in a 12-year-old girl who had typical skin features of neurofibromatosis and no family history. The non-pulsating proptosis of the right eye and diffuse thickening with hypertrophy of the upper lid, had increased insiduciusly since the birth on. Biopsy taken from eyelirl lesion showed the features of plexiform neurofibroma. Skull X-ray and brain computerized tomogram showed that the right orbit was wider, with the enlarged mass and defects in orbital roof and lesser and greater wings of the sphenoid bone. The surgical excision of the right eyelid lesion was performed.
Biopsy ; Brain ; Child ; Exophthalmos ; Eyelids* ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Neurofibroma, Plexiform* ; Neurofibromatoses* ; Orbit* ; Parturition ; Skin ; Skull ; Sphenoid Bone

The anatomical variations of 112 hypophysis and diaphragma sellae in Korean adult cadavers and coronal CT were studied. 1) The hypophysis was classified 4 types based on superior view. 2) The superior surface of the hypophysis was concave(65.9%) in cadavers and flat(55.3%) in CT. 3) The neural lobe was placed on the center of the posterior surface of the anterior lobe(72.3%). 4) The hypophysis was compressed by the internal carotid artery in 9.6%. 5) The mean A-P length, width and height of the hypophysis were 10.4mm, 14.2mm and 4.8mm in cadavers, respectively. The mean width and height in CT were 13.2mm and 5.0mm, respectively. 6) The width of the hypophysis was significantly different between man and woman. 7) The diaphragma sellae was concave or flat. 8) The diaphragmatic line was average 13.9mm in man and 14.6mm in woman. 9) The diaphragmatic foraman was circular or oval and the A-P diameter was greater than transverse one. 10) Type IIb that diaphragma sellae and hypophysis were concave according to Busch(1951) was 40.4%. 11) The empty sella was found in 14.4%.
Adult* ; Cadaver* ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Female ; Humans ; Pituitary Gland* ; Pituitary Gland, Posterior

Nodular cystic fat necrosis, first described by Przyjemski and Schuster, is a peculiar form of encapsulated necrosis of subcutaneous fat characterized by totally or near-totally encapsulated necrosis of fatty tissue in which clusters of nonviable adipocytes are surrounded by condensed fibrous tissue. We report two cases of nodular cystic fat necrosis associated with history of trauma about the site of the lesion. Each lesion was a subcutaneous movable nodule on buttock (case 1) and shin (case 2) which has evolved over months. Both cases showed possible relation to multiple intramuscular injection or direct trauma injury. Pathologically, encapsulated nodule showed a characteristic feature of nodular cystic fat necrosis which composed of the ghosts of anucleated adipocytes showing fairly well-preserved outline.
Adipocytes ; Adipose Tissue ; Buttocks ; Fat Necrosis* ; Injections, Intramuscular ; Necrosis ; Subcutaneous Fat

A case of Aicardi syndrome with cleft lip and palate was experienced at the Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Hallym University, and the patient's infantile spasm was treated with ACTH. In previous studies, four cases of Aicardi syndrome accompanied by cleft lip and palate were reported. We present the fifth case of Aicardi syndrome with cleft lip and palate in the world. Thus, facial clefts may be found as an occasional manifestation of Aicardi syndrome.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Aicardi Syndrome* ; Cleft Lip* ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Palate* ; Pediatrics ; Spasms, Infantile

BACKGROUND: There are no additional objective tools to double-check the care grades and to assess a subject's medical status except a statement of the doctor's view in the assessment of care grades in geriatric long-term care service. Thus, we designed this study to investigate whether the frailty index(FI) and the Korean version of the modified Barthel index(K-MBI) can be useful complementary assessment tools in the assessment of care grades in geriatric long-term care service. METHODS: Data for calculating care approved time, FI, and K-MBI were obtained from the interview of 114 home-residents(elderly >65 years of age) in Sungnam city by educated investigators. RESULTS: There was a significant positive correlation between FI and care grade(Spearman correlation coefficient= 0.547, p<0.001). A significant negative correlation between K-MBI and care grade(Spearman correlation coefficient =-0.811, p<0.001) was demonstrated. The difference between the scores on the FI and K-MBI was significant between the care grades(p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The FI and K-MBI had a good correlation with care approved time in geriatric long-term care service and were significantly different between the care grades. FI and K-MBI can be useful complementary assessment tools in the assessment of care grades in geriatric long-term care service.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Frail Elderly ; Geriatric Assessment ; Humans ; Long-Term Care ; Research Personnel

OBJECTIVE: To review the safety and effectiveness of a new vaginal hysterectomy method, Minilaparatomically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (MAVH), tried on benign diseases with indication of abdominal hysterectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The analysis of the safety and the effectiveness of MAVH is based on randomized consecutive 75 patients who received the operation from Feb. 1, 2002 to Jul. 10, 2002 in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Gacheon Medical University Hospital. OPERATION TECHNIQUE: Access to the pelvic cavity was obtained by the traditional suprapubic minilaparotomical incision that is 2-2.5 cm long and parallel to the pubic hair line. Through this incision site, the adnexa and other pelvic organs around the bladder were brought into sight by manipulating the uterine elevator that was already inserted into the uterine cavity. By this method, the round ligament, uteroovarian ligament, and the fallopian tube were exposed at the incision site, then clamped, cut, sutured and divided. The dissection of the bladder peritoneum was performed and then followed by the traditional transvaginal approach. RESULTS: The MAVH was successful in 73 cases (97.3%) out of 75 attempts. The mean age, parity, weight, and body mass index of the subjects of the 73 cases were 42.6 (+/-7.8) years, 2.0 (+/-0.7), 59.5 (+/-7.5) kg, and 23.6 (+/-2.6). Forty subjects (54.8%) had a previous surgical history. The operational indications were 44 cases (60.3%) of uterine myoma, 19 cases (26.0%) of uterine bleeding, 7 cases (9.6%) of dysmenorrhea, and 3 other cases (4.1%). There were 6 cases (8.2%) of cumulative complication. In terms of pathologic diagnosis, 54 cases (74.0%) were uterine myoma with adenomyosis, 12 cases (16.4%) adenomyosis, 2 cases (2.7%) endometrial polyp, 1 case (1.4%) endometrial hyperplasia, 1 case endometrial cancer, and 3 other cases. The weights of uteri ranged from 75 gm to 1150 gm with an average of 286.8 (+/-217.5) gm. The average operation time for MAVH from skin incision to the completion of suture was 75.8 (+/-21.8) minutes. The average bowel function recovery time was 45.9 (+/-12.9) hours. The external bleeding loss was 337.0 (+/-306.8) ml, 11.0% (8/73) required transfusion with an average amount of 1.5 pint. No subject of this study needed reoperation or expired. CONCLUSION: The technique of MAVH is simple and easy to learn. The MAVH involves a relatively small size of incision and less pain and complication with fast recovery and small wound. The method requires a little bit of practice but not an expensive equipment. The MAVH is considered as a safe and effective operational method which could replace the abdominal hysterectomy in most cases.
Adenomyosis ; Body Mass Index ; Diagnosis ; Dysmenorrhea ; Elevators and Escalators ; Endometrial Hyperplasia ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; Fallopian Tubes ; Female ; Gynecology ; Hair ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Hysterectomy, Vaginal* ; Leiomyoma ; Ligaments ; Obstetrics ; Parity ; Peritoneum ; Polyps ; Recovery of Function ; Reoperation ; Round Ligament of Uterus ; Skin ; Sutures ; Urinary Bladder ; Uterine Hemorrhage ; Uterus ; Weights and Measures ; Wounds and Injuries

BACKGROUND: There are many reports showing that a thoracic paravertebral block (TPB) can be used for post-thoracotomy pain control. However, the proper concentration of local anesthetics for TPB has not been established. The aim of this study was to define the proper concentration of bupivacaine for TPB after a thoracotomy. METHODS: Sixty patients were allocated randomly into one of the following three groups: thoracic paravertebral 0.5%, 0.25%, or 0.125% bupivacaine at a rate of 0.1 ml/kg/h (kg: ideal body weight). The resting and coughing visual analogue scale (VAS) score, cumulative dose of fentanyl, and the 5 point satisfaction scale were checked. RESULTS: 0.5% and 0.25% bupivacaine showed lower VAS score and cumulative dose of fentanyl than 0.125%. There was no difference in the satisfaction scale between the 3 groups. There was no difference between the 0.5% and 0.25% bupivacaine in all parameters measured. CONCLUSIONS: 0.25% bupivacaine used for TPB is more effective when used for pain control after a thoracotomy than 0.5% and 0.125% bupivacaine.
Anesthetics, Local ; Bupivacaine* ; Cough ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Thoracotomy*

Cutaneous angiosarcoma is a rare, aggressive vascular malignancy with a grave prognosis. It usually arises in the scalp or face as a locally-advanced patch, plaque or tumor at presentation and most often affects males and the elderly. Histopathologically, well-differentiated angiosarcomas are composed of well- or ill-formed vascular channels, often lined by flattened atypical endothelial cells and are distinguished from benign counterparts by their so-called "collagen dissection pattern" and anastomosing architecture. Varied differentiation may be observed even in the same tumor. Epithelioid angiosarcoma is a rare variant of poorly-differentiated angiosarcoma. The patients were seven cases of angiosarcomas including an epithelioid variant. They were six males and one female with an age range between 65~84 years (avg. 74 years). Lesions resembled seborrheic dermatitis, erysipelas or "spreading bruise" that varied from blue to red in color and from papule to mass in size. They revealed satellite lesions far from the main lesion in some cases. Skin biopsies were performed for all patients and histopathologic features were compatible with angiosarcoma and epithelioid angiosarcoma. We herein report seven angiosarcomas of diverse clinical features because their early detection and precise differential diagnosis should be mandatory for effective management.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Dermatitis, Seborrheic ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Endothelial Cells ; Erysipelas ; Female ; Hemangiosarcoma* ; Humans ; Male ; Prognosis ; Scalp* ; Skin

BACKGROUND: Soluble adhesion molecules including soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) are released during an infalmmatory process such as artherosclerosis. Elevated sVCAM-1 also has been reported in diabetic nephropathy. But, the clinical significance of elevated of sVCAM-1 is not certain. We measured serum sVCAM-1 for the purpose to validate the clinical usefulness in diabetic nephropathy. METHODS: In this study, we measured serum sVCAM-1 in 12 normal subjects and 64 type 2 diabetic patients with proteinuria over 300 mg/day [median 24-h urine protein (range): 2.2 (0.3-18.7) g/day]. We evaluated the relationship of serum sVCAM-1 with lipoproteins including total cholesterol, LDL, oxidized LDL (oxLDL), HDL, and lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), with markers of inflammation including high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), serum albumin and fibrinogen, and with renal parameters including 24-h urine protein, serum creatinine and homocysteine. RESULTS: In patients with diabetic nephropathy, median sVCAM-1 was 561 ng/mL (range 183-1304), which was significantly higher than that of normal subjects (324 ng/mL; 213-760, p< 0.05). In the diabetic nephropathy patients, sVCAM-1 was positively correlated with serum creatinine (r=0.34, p< 0.01), serum Lp(a) (r=0.27, p< 0.05) and 24-h urine protein (r=0.26, p< 0.05). In a multiple linear regression analysis, 24-h urine protein and serum Lp(a) were associated with an increased level of sVCAM-1 (r2=0.22, p=0.003). CONCLUSION: In summary, a positive correlation of sVCAM-1 with 24-h urine protein suggests that high sVCAM-1 may reflect increased production of sVCAM-1 due to more advanced renal injury. A positive association of sVCAM-1 and serum Lp(a) also suggests increased release of sVCAM-1 from associated atherosclerotic lesions in these patients. These results suggest that sVCAM-1 may be closely related with the renal function in patients with overt diabetic nephropathy.
Cholesterol, LDL ; Creatinine ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; Fibrinogen ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Linear Models ; Lipoprotein(a) ; Lipoproteins ; Proteinuria ; Serum Albumin ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1*

BACKGROUND: Several methods have been attempted to enhance the success rate of tracheal intubation using a lightwand. Some studies have reported that changing the shape of a lightwand and the position of the head during intubation could influence the intubation time or success rate. However, there are no reports concerning the head position of a patient on influencing the success rate during tracheal intubation using a lightwand. METHODS: We enrolled 109 ASA physical status I and II patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia. Patients were randomly allocated to the sniffing group (n = 52) or neutral group (n = 57), depending on the head position. A lightwand (Surch-Lite(TM), Bovie/Aaron Medical, St. Petersburg, USA) was bent at 9.5 cm from the distal tip with a 0 cm extrusion for both groups of patients (J shape). The head was elevated by approximately 8 cm in the sniffing group of patients and by approximately 2 cm in the neutral group of patients, with the face straight up maintained by placement of a pillow. RESULTS: The overall success rate at the first attempt was 98.1%. There were no differences in the mean intubation time between the two groups (sniffing group; 8.0 +/- 4.3 sec and neutral group; 9.3 +/- 4.1 sec). The mean intubation time tended to be longer in patients with modified Mallampati classification III than in patients with modified Mallampati classification I and II. CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated that the use of a J shaped lightwand did not affect the intubation time, regardless of the head position. The intubation time appears to be related to the airway condition when using a lightwand for tracheal intubation.
Anesthesia, General ; Head ; Humans ; Intubation