A number of noninvasive technics have been advocated as reflecting left ventricular performance. These methods include systolic time intervals, echocardiography and imaging of the left ventricular chamber with radionuclides during systole and diastole. Radionuclide evaluation of left ventricular function by means of the gamma camera and gating currently appears to be the most reliable noninvasive method for approximating angiographic evaluation of left ventricular performance. Utilizing the radionuclide angiography, we measured the left ventricular function in 19 normal healthy control, 60 patients with coronary artery diseases 7 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, 5 patients with hypertension. 1) Left ventricular ejection fraction decreased in 12 patients with anterior myocardial infarction (39.9+/-11.6%), 17 patients with inferior myocardial infarction (49.9+/-8.4%) and 7 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (19.0+/-5.8%), and there was a statistically significant difference compared with 19 normal control group (63.5+/-8.2%)(p<0.005). However there were no statistically significant difference between normal control group, patients with hypertension (58.8+/-7.6%) and patients with angina pectoris (60.1+/-6.5%). 2) Left ventricular ejection fraction decreased in both anterior and inferior myocardial infarction, and there was a statisically significant difference between both groups (p<0.01). All 13 patients with acute myocardial infarction had abnormal LVEF (40.5+/-9.1%) whcih was significantly lower than that of 16 patients with old myolardial infarction (50.1+/-10.5%)(p<0.01).
Angina Pectoris ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Diastole ; Echocardiography ; Gamma Cameras ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Infarction ; Inferior Wall Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Infarction ; Radioisotopes ; Radionuclide Angiography* ; Stroke Volume ; Systole ; Ventricular Function, Left*

The incidence of transient bacteremia following esophageal variceal sclerotherapy (EVS) was evaluated in 29 patients. These 29 patients underwent a total of 83 sclerotherapy sessions.Prior to EVS, all instruments were sterilized. Blood cultures were drawn pre-EVS and post-EVS.All pre-EVS and post-EVS blood cultures were negative. In conclusion, it was found bacteremia following sclerotherapy is not easily developed, if a vigorous approach of using well cleaned equipment is used. Unless there is a cardiac prothesis or valvular heart disease, antibiotic prophylaxis is not warranted.
Antibiotic Prophylaxis ; Bacteremia* ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices* ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Humans ; Incidence ; Sclerotherapy*

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant* ; Zinc*

No abstract available.
Apoptosis* ; Caspase 3* ; Endothelial Cells* ; Perforin* ; Vibrio vulnificus* ; Vibrio*

Reports of osteomyelitis in the proximal humerus with pyogenic glenohumeral arthritis of adjacent joints mostly involve pediatric patients. Nowadays, osteomyelitis that is secondary to adjacent pyogenic glenohumeral arthritis is extremely rare, even more so in adults than in pediatrics. We report a rare case of the pyogenic glenohumeral arthritis followed by osteomyelitis of the proximal humerus in an elderly patient. Initially, we diagnosed a case of pyogenic glenohumeral arthritis only, which, despite arthroscopic synovectomy, did not resolve and severe pain continued. Subsequent radiological imaging, performed after our suspicion of a secondary involvement, allowed us to diagnose osteomyelitis combined with the pyogenic glenohumeral arthritis, which we had overlooked because of the extreme rarity of the condition in adults since the antibiotic era began.
Adult ; Aged* ; Arthritis* ; Arthritis, Infectious ; Humans ; Humerus* ; Joints ; Osteomyelitis* ; Pediatrics ; Shoulder

Intradural lumbar disc herniation is a rare disease. According to the reports of intradural lumbar disc herniations, most cases have developed as a chronic degenerative disc diseases. Traumatic intradural lumbar disc herniations are even rarer. A 52-year-old man visited our emergency center with numbness in his left calf and ankle after falling accident. Initial impression by radiologic findings was a spinal subdural hematoma at the L1 level. A follow up image two weeks later, however, did not demonstrate any interval change. The patient was decided to have an operation. In operative findings, a ruptured disc particle penetrating the ventral and dorsal dura was indentified after laminectomy. It was assumed to be a traumatic outcome not a degenerative change.
Ankle ; Emergencies ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematoma, Subdural ; Hematoma, Subdural, Spinal ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Laminectomy ; Middle Aged ; Rare Diseases

Typical features of Ankylosing spondylitis are progressive ankylosis of the sacroiliac joint and ossification of the annulus fibrosus of discs, interlaminar & interspinous ligaments. Fixed kyphotic deformity in ankylosing spondylitis causes many problems, such as difficulty in looking forward, gastrointestinal problems, restricted cardiopulmonary functions and psychotic depression. There are limitations of conservative treatment to delay progression of the disease. So surgical osteotomy for the correction is inevitable. Osteotomy is indicated in poor horizontal vision, poor cardiopulmonary & gastrointestinal function and psychological & social problem. The purpose of this study is to assess the results of posterior closed wedge osteotomy in ankylosed kyphotic deformity. The posterior closed wedge osteotomy was performed for 30 patients in ankylosed kyphotic deformity between April 1995 and February 1997, who were 29 male and 1 female and whose average age at the time of operation was 35.7 years (17-54 yrs). Mean duration of the symptoms was 18 years (11-23 yrs). The level of correction was fully evaluated preoperatively with anterior and lateral radiographs of whole spine. The patient was placed pronely on an operating table which could be angulated in reverse direction. The determined correction level of the spine was exposed through the posterior midline approach. Following the insertion of pedicle screws, transpedicular decancellation was performed with curret and punch forceps. Posterior bony element and pedicle were completely removed. The correction was achieved by gradual extension of the operating table angulated previously and by opposing the surface of osteotomy. Then prebent rod was applied. Walking brace was applied in 2 weeks postoperatively. The osteotomy was performed at single level in 28 cases, double level in 2 cases. The level of osteotomy was distributed as follows; T10: 1 case, T12: 1 case, L2: 3 cases, L3: 14 cases, and L4: 13 cases. Mean correction angle was 48.7degrees (13degrees-72degrees ), and mean increment of height 13.7cm (4-23.5cm). There was no fatal complication. But 5 patients had paralytic ileus and 3 patients visual loss; one was permanent, the others were temporary. Temporary neurologic deficit was also noted in 5 cases. Posterior closed wedge osteotomy with transpedicular decancellation in ankylosed kyphotic deformity is relatively safe and simple procedure.
Ankylosis ; Braces ; Congenital Abnormalities* ; Depression ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction ; Ligaments ; Male ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Operating Tables ; Osteotomy* ; Sacroiliac Joint ; Social Problems ; Spine ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing* ; Surgical Instruments ; Walking

BACKGROUND: Mucoceles of the paranasal sinus are slowly expanding epithelial lined lesions containing inspissated mucus that may erode bone and extend intraorbitally or intracranially. Mucoceles are thought to arise as a result of obstruction of the sinus ostium secondary to inflammation, fibrosis, trauma, previous surgery, or a mass lesion. Mucoceles most frequently arise from the frontal sinus and anterior ethmoid air cells, presenting with proptosis, frontal headaches, and reduced ocular mobility, especially on upward gaze. OBJECTIVES: The surgical approach to paranasal sinus mucoceles has followed two lines. The first is radical exenteration of the mucoceles and its whole lining: the other is marsupialization, leaving part of the lining intact. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This paper was analyzed 9 cases of paranasal sinus mucoceles which had operated in Chonbuk National University Hospital between January 1992 and August 1996. Eight cases were treated via intranasal endoscopic sinus surgery and one case via extranasal approach. RESULTS: There were no significant complications following surgery with a follow-up of 5 months to 2 years. CONCLUSION: So, we report the clinical findings, surgical treatment of 9 cases of mucoceles with review of literature.
Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; Exophthalmos ; Fibrosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Frontal Sinus ; Headache ; Inflammation ; Jeollabuk-do ; Mucocele* ; Mucus

A 52-year-old women, suffering from generalized pruritus due to intrahepatic and common hepatic duct stones, was treated with astemizole, 30mg daily. Sixty one days later, convulsions and syncope developed suddenly during hospitalization. She had no history of arrhythmia, heart disease, electrolytes imbalance, or CNS disorders. As another case, a 44-year-old man suffering from pruritus due to liver cirrhosis, was treated with astemizole, 30mg daily. Thirty two days later, palpitations and syncope also developed suddenly during hospitalization. He was diagnosed liver cirrhosis, 3 years ago and there was no history of arrhythmia, heart disease, electrolytes imbalance, or CNS disorders. Administration of astemizole was stopped immediately. The laboratory investigations revealed the normal range of serum potassium, calcium and magnesium in both cases. The ECG finding showed the prolongation of QTc interval, frequent VPCs and intermittent polymorphic drugs. On 1st and 3rd day, after discontinue of astemisole, the ECG abnormalities disappeard. It is suggested that astemizole overdose can induce prolongation of QTc interval and torsade de pointes, especially in the patient with liver disease.
Adult ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Astemizole* ; Calcium ; Electrocardiography ; Electrolytes ; Female ; Heart Diseases ; Hepatic Duct, Common ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver Diseases ; Magnesium ; Middle Aged ; Potassium ; Pruritus ; Reference Values ; Seizures ; Syncope ; Torsades de Pointes*