From December 1987 to September 1988, clinical evaluation were performed at the Yeungnam University Hospital on 138 patients with exudative pleural effusion comparing with biochemical, bacteriologic, cytologic and pathologic studies. The results were as follows 1. Among these 138 cases, Incidence of tuberculosis was 57.3%, neoplasm 26.8%. High tendency in malignant pleural effusion occurred in elder age. 2. In tuberculosis pleural effusion, the rate of positive smear and culture for acid-fast bacilli in the pleural fluid was 3.7% and positive biopsy for granuloma 75%. 3. In malignant pleural effusion, the rate of positive cytology for cancer cell in the fluid was 42% and positive biopsy 60%. 4. Analysis in tuberculosis and malignancy showed the tendency of high pH, WBC, protein and of low glucose, but there were clinically not significant in differentiating malignant pleural effusion from tuberculous pleural effusion. 5. Among 23 cases in which the pleural tissue findings were chronic nonspecific reaction pathologically, tuberculosis (52.2%), malignancy (26%), and idiopathic (21.8%) eventually in follow up studies.
Biopsy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glucose ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Incidence ; Pleural Effusion* ; Pleural Effusion, Malignant ; Tuberculosis

The recent introduction of chemotherapy in the treatment of gynecological malignancies has gained wide acceptance along with prstoperative and prostperative adjuvant therapy and with preradiation and concurrent chemoradiation therapy. But, the side effects of chemotherapy including bleeding and infection due to, bone marrow suppression have reaulted in delayed treatment and a reduction in the chemotherspeutic agent used. Recent efforts overcome this bone marrow suppression have led to development of the various human colony-stimulating factor indluding recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. The author investigated the clinical benefita and toxicity of G-CSF used during chemotherapy of various gynecological malignancies at the Departent of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Hanyang University between August, 1991 and July, 1992. The results were as follows ; 1. An increase in the number of neutrophils following a single injection of G-CSF was noted in 19 out of 21 cases(600~1,000/mm3 before injection, 4,500~12,000/mm3 after injection). The remaining 2 cases showed an increase after 3~5 continuous injections. 2. To assess the increase in neutrophils according to the dosage of G-CSF given, 100 and 300microgram/m* of G-CSF were injected in each trial of chemotherapy in a single case of ovarian cancer. The results were a 1.5 time increase when injected when injected with 300microgram/m*. 3. After injecting into a patient with recurrent endometrial cancer who was managed with 15gm of ifosfamide, 50gm of cis-platinum, 50gm of adriamycin and 3gm of mesna following surgery, no evidence of neutropenia could be found after 4days of prophylactic G-CSF injections. 4. Patients with cervix cancer with metastasis to the lung were first treated with GM-CSF in one trial and G-CSF in the nest. Patients treated with Gm-CSF for a period of 7 days showed leukocytosis(3,600/mm3) but the number was reduced to 1,400/mm3 after 7 days. On the other hand, patients treated with G-CSF showed an increase of 5,700/mm3 within one day and this figure did not decrease until 20 days later. 5. The toxic effects of G-CSF included on case of severe back pain was easily managed by administration acetaminophen. Others were headache, chills, general weakness and redness of the oral mucosa and injection area. Most of these symptoms disappeared within 2 days. The G-CSF is effective in neutropenia during chemotherapy thereby decreasing the incidence of treatment delay or dose reduction. It also increases the amount of chemotherapeutic agent administered and its toxicity is more tolerable making a rigid systemic chemotherapeutic regime possible.
Acetaminophen ; Back Pain ; Bone Marrow ; Chills ; Cisplatin ; Colony-Stimulating Factors ; Doxorubicin ; Drug Therapy* ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; Female ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Gynecology ; Hand ; Headache ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Ifosfamide ; Incidence ; Leukopenia* ; Lung ; Mesna ; Mouth Mucosa ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neutropenia ; Neutrophils ; Obstetrics ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Pleural effusion is a common clinical problem and many clinical and laboratory evaluations, such as tumor marks, have been studied to discriminate malignant pleural fluid from benign pleural fluid. However their usefulness in the diagnosis of pleural effusion is still not established fully. We studied the diagnostic value of cyfra 21-1 in diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion. METHODS: Pleural fluid was obtained from 45 patients with malignant diseases(32 lung cancer patients, 13 metastatic malignant diseases) and 47 patients with benign diseases. The level of cyfra 21-1 in the pleural fluid and serum were determined using a CYFRA 21-1 enzyme immunoassay kit(Cis-Bio International Co.). The t-test was used for comparison between two diseases groups and receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves were constructed by calculating the sensitivities and specificities of the cyfra 21-1 at several points to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the cyfra 21-1. RESULTS: In patients with primary lung cancer, the level of cyfra 21-1 in the pleural fluid was significantly higher than those of patients with benign diseases and had positive correlations between the level of cyfra 21-1 in the pleural fluid and serum levels. In the ROC curve analysis of the pleural fluid, the curve for primary lung cancer group was located closer to the left upper corner and the cut off value, sensitivity and specificity of the cyfra 21-1 of the primary lung cancer group was determined as 22.25ng/ml, 81.8% and 78.7% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicates that the measurement of cyfra 21-1 level in pleural effusion has useful diagnostic value to discriminate malignant pleural effusion in primary lung cancer from benign pleural effusion.
Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential* ; Humans ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Lung Neoplasms ; Pleural Effusion* ; Pleural Effusion, Malignant ; ROC Curve

We investigated HBV markers in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of 50 subjects with neurologic disorders or other disorders, who visited Dept. of neurology, college of medicine, Yeungnam University, from April-1 to August-31 1994 and were performed cerebrospinal fluid analysis to investigate the detection rate of HBV markers in cerebrospinal fluid and the possibility of neurologic disorders associated with HBV infection. The results were as follows. The positivity of HBsAg and. HBV prevalence rate in serum were 6(12.04) and 37(74.0%). Thf, number of patient with HBsAg, only anti-HBV and no markers were 6(12.0%), 31(62.0%) and 13(26.0%), respectively. The positivity of HBsAg and HBV prevalence rate in cerebrospinal fluid were 3(6%) and 18(36.0%). The number of patient with HBsAg, only anti-HBV and no markers were 6(100.0%), 12(38.7%) and 0(0.0%) respectively. The number of patient with virus associated diseases(VAD) and non virus associated diseases(NVAD) were 26(52%) and 24(48%). The HBV prevalence rate in serum of VAD and NVAD groups were 88.5% and 58.3% (p<0.05). The HBV prevalence rate in CSF of VAD and NVAD groups were 53.8% and 16.7%(p<0.05). The HBV prevalence rate in serum and CSF of VAD and NVAD groups were 60.9% and 28.6%
Cerebrospinal Fluid* ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Herpesvirus 1, Cercopithecine* ; Humans ; Nervous System Diseases ; Neurology ; Prevalence

Clostridium difficile is the most common nosocomial pathogen of the gastrointestinal tract. Pseudomembranous colitis occurs as a result of a severe inflammatory response to Clostridium difficile toxins. Pseudomembranous colitis is an increasingly frequent cause of morbidity and mortality among elderly hospitalized patients. Diarrhea is the most common manifestation. According to the literature, stools are almost never grossly bloody, and range from soft and unformed to watery or mucoid in consistency. We now report the cases of three patients with pseudomembranous colitis whose main clinical manifestation was hematochezia.
Aged ; Clostridium difficile ; Diarrhea ; Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans

Hydroxyurea is an antineoplastic agent with selective cytotoxicity for cells in the DNA synthesizing phase, or S phase, of the cell cycle. It is commonly used in the treatment of myeloproliferative disorders, e.g., chronic myelogenous leukemia, essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera. Its major adverse reactions are reversible and dose dependent marrow suppression and gastroenteric disturbances. Cutaneous side effects such as erythema, hyperpigmentation, lichen planus-like dermatitis, nail discoloration and alopecia, atropy of the skin occur, especially with long-term treatment. Painful leg ulcers in association with hydroxyurea have only rarely been reported. The ulcers were usually extremely painful and typically located near the malleoli but were occasionally found over the tibia, on the dorsal aspect of the feet, calves, knees, heels, and hands. Any minor trauma could precipitate skin breakdown and ulceration and these ulcers tended to heal slowly. No consistent correlation between the dose or duration of hydroxyurea therapy and the occurrence of ulcers. Complete wound healing was achieved by simply discontinuing treatment with hydroxyurea. We describe 2 patients who developed spontaneous painful lower leg ulcers during long-term hydroxyurea therapy for a myeloproliferative disorder(chronic myelogenous leukemia and essential thrombo cythemia). All ulcers were painful and typically located both lateral malleoli. These ulcers healed only after hydroxyurea was withdrawn and with conservative therapy including manual debridement and occlusive dressing.
Alopecia ; Bone Marrow ; Cell Cycle ; Debridement ; Dermatitis ; DNA ; Erythema ; Foot ; Hand ; Heel ; Humans ; Hydroxyurea ; Hyperpigmentation ; Knee ; Leg Ulcer* ; Leg* ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; Leukemia, Myeloid ; Lichens ; Myeloproliferative Disorders ; Occlusive Dressings ; Polycythemia Vera ; S Phase ; Skin ; Thrombocythemia, Essential ; Tibia ; Ulcer ; Wound Healing

Eaton Lambert Syndrome (ELS) is a disorder of neuromuscular transmission. The defect of neuromuscular transmission is due to decrease in the release of acetylcholine quanta from nerve terminal. This syndrome is frequently associated with bronchogenic carcinoma. The diagnosis is established by electromyography, which characteristically shows 1) low amplitude of evoked compound muscle potential to a single supramaximal stimulus on nerve, 2) significant decremental response at low rates of stimulation 3) marked incremental response at high rates of stimulation. Our patient is 52year old man with dyspnea, coughing and muscle weakness of proximal lower limbs. He has small cell lung cancer and associated with ELS, Superior vena cava syndrome and has metastatic lesion on right supraclavicular lymph node confirmed by pathology. Metastatic mass and SVC syndrome are marked improved following chemotherapy and radiotherapy, however follow up EMG finding does not improved. We are here reporting one case which considered compatible for ELS, with a few elementary reviewed literatures.
Acetylcholine ; Carcinoma, Bronchogenic ; Cough ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Dyspnea ; Electromyography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome* ; Lower Extremity ; Lymph Nodes ; Muscle Weakness ; Pathology ; Radiotherapy ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma* ; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

Background: The Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service has conducted diabetes medical adequacy evaluation projects since 2010. This study aimed to evaluate the medical adequacy of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients after the assessment project and help establish the direction of future projects. Methods: Using data from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (2010-2015), chi-square tests and t-tests were used to analyze the enforcement rate according to a combination of items for appropriate management methods. Logistic regression and linearity test were performed to assess the relationships among the evaluation group, appropriate test items, and prescription rate. Results: We found that 33.6-39.8% of patients did not undergo any diabetes-related tests. Only about 7% of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) tests were performed, and 36% of cases were tested simultaneously with serum lipid profile tests. As age increased, the number of days taken to prescribe diabetes medications also increased.The prescription rate of diabetes drugs for 292 days or more was 61% in patients who had not been tested for adequacy, and the average prescription rate increased as the number of tests increased. Conclusions In older adults with a high prevalence of diabetes, it is necessary to establish a test rate for proper management of diabetes, including HbA1c, and related test items to increase the average prescription rate.

Background: The Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service has conducted diabetes medical adequacy evaluation projects since 2010. This study aimed to evaluate the medical adequacy of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients after the assessment project and help establish the direction of future projects. Methods: Using data from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (2010-2015), chi-square tests and t-tests were used to analyze the enforcement rate according to a combination of items for appropriate management methods. Logistic regression and linearity test were performed to assess the relationships among the evaluation group, appropriate test items, and prescription rate. Results: We found that 33.6-39.8% of patients did not undergo any diabetes-related tests. Only about 7% of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) tests were performed, and 36% of cases were tested simultaneously with serum lipid profile tests. As age increased, the number of days taken to prescribe diabetes medications also increased.The prescription rate of diabetes drugs for 292 days or more was 61% in patients who had not been tested for adequacy, and the average prescription rate increased as the number of tests increased. Conclusions In older adults with a high prevalence of diabetes, it is necessary to establish a test rate for proper management of diabetes, including HbA1c, and related test items to increase the average prescription rate.

High frequency ventilation (HFV) is a new ventilatory technique that uses very small tidal volume (less than the anatomic dead space) and high frequency, and classified 4 distinct types according to frequency and mode of gas delivery. The mechanism of gas transport of high frequency oscillation ventilation (HFOV) is somewhat different to other types of HFV. To evaluate the determinants of PaCO² in HFOV, a study was done with a HFOV on 9 cats, and the results are: 1) PaCO² was not correlated with frequency at the constant stroke volume (6 voltage) and bias flow (6 L/minutes). 2)PaCO² was correlated with stroke volume but not with bias flow under the constant frequency (15 Hz/min) and bias flow (3 to 6 L/min). From above results, the main determinant of PaCO² on artificial ventilation with HFOV was stroke volume, but further study between flow, the site of delivery to the airway and humidification of bias flow and CO² elimination is required in future research.
Animals ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Cats* ; High-Frequency Ventilation* ; Stroke Volume ; Tidal Volume ; Ventilation