To fill the large bone defect after bone and soft tissue tumor resection, there are several options such as tumor prosthesis, bone cement with intramedullary nail, autogenous bone graft and allograft. We had used isotrophic autogenous bone graft by using the heat-treated bone removed from tumor site. We analyzed the periods for junctional union and regeneration of autoclaved or low-heat treated groups, and compared these two methods to know which method is better for reconstruction of the bone defect after tumor resection. From Jan. 1987 to Sept. 1993, twelve patients took heat-treated autogenous bone graft: 6 auto- claved, and 6 low heat-treated. Each group had 10 places of junction sites between host and grafted bone. The tumors were 2 cases of osteosarcoma, 3 parosteal osteosarcoma, 2 Ewing's sarcoma, 2 malignant soft tissue tumors, 1 giant cell tumor, and 2 metastases from thyroid cancer and synovial sarcoma. The graft sites were 4 in humerus, 4 pelvis and 4 femur. Two cases showed marginal surgical margin and others wide surgical margin. Here we compare4 the difference between autoclaved group(120℃, 2 atm., 20 min) and low heat-treated group(65℃, 30 min. in water) on the aspect of complications and period to achieve junctional union to host bone. Average follow-up period was 25.3(11 to 88) months. Graft related complications in autoclaved group were bone resorption(2 sites), fracture of grafted bone(2). For low heat-treated group there was no such complication. Nonunion occurred in 3 sites for autoclaved group and 1 for low heat-treated group. Average period for junctional union was 7.3 months(5 to 10 months) for autoclaved group and 6.1 months(5 to 9 months) for low heat-treated group. With these results, heat treated bone autograft may have several advantages such as easy accessi- bility, low cost and anatomical reconstruction of the bone defect. The low heat-treated autogenous bone graft may have more advantages than that of the autoclaved one, and this method may be ratio- nalized to fill the large bone defect made by tumor resection.
Allografts ; Autografts ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Giant Cell Tumors ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Humerus ; Methods ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Osteosarcoma ; Pelvis ; Prostheses and Implants ; Regeneration ; Sarcoma, Ewing ; Sarcoma, Synovial ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Transplants

In malignant bone and soft tissue tumors, lung is the most predilection site of metastasis and multiple pulmonary metastases is a poor prognostic factor. Aggressive treatment of pulmonary metastases may offer a chance of long term survival in selected patients whose primary tumors were controlled. We wanted to know the feasibility of pulmonary metastasectomy, whether it can prolong the survival. From Apr. 1989 to Dec. 1993, pulmonary metastasectomies were carried out for 20 patients, and followed up to Sept. 1994, with average follow-up period of 18.7(2-65) months. The primary malignant tumors were 8 in bone and 12 in soft tissues. Mean age was 27.5(12-70) years. Fifteen cases showed late metastasis after control of primary tumor(late metastasis group), and 5 cases showed pulmonary metastasis at first visit(initial stage III group). As a control we analyzed the survival of 24 cases of no treatment after pulmonary metastasis from bone or soft tissue sarcoma, during the same period of investigation. At final follow-up, in late metastasis group, 4 cases were in no evidence of disease (NED), 4 alive with disease (AWD) and 7 dead of disease (DOD). Tumor free interval (TFI) of NED and AWD was averaged 30 months, and for DOD 9.8 months. Five among 11 cases (45%) of multiple lung metastases and 3 among 4 cases (75%) of single metastasis were alive. In initial stage III group, 1 case was in NED, 1 AWD and 3 DOD. For late metastasis group, Kaplan-Meier's 5-year estimated survival rate from the first metastasectomy was 37.4%. The median survival period of 15 cases was 44 months. For initial stage III group, Kaplan-Meier's 9 months estimated survival rate was 40%. Median survival period was 8 months. Twenty four cases of no treatment cases died within 14 months from diagnosis of pulmonary metastasis. Their median survival period was 6 months. Pulmonary metastasectomy appears to prolong survival and occupies an important mode of treatment for late pulmonary metastases in malignant bone and soft tissue tumor patients. In the cases of initial stage III, more cases and follow up period are needed to have a conclusion.
Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung ; Metastasectomy ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Sarcoma ; Survival Rate

We report two cases of acute renal failure in patients with nonfulminant acute hepatitis A. First case is a healthy 25 year-old man complained of myalgia and jaundice. Initial laboratory results showed BUN 40 mg/dL, creatinine 5.23 mg/dL, AST 2,220 IU/L, ALT 3,530 IU/L, total bilirubin 6.26 mg/dL, and positive anti-HAV IgM antibody. Supportive treatments including fluid therapy were started. Serum creatinine and total bilirubin levels were 7.98 mg/dL and 7.66 mg/dL respectively on the 5th hospital day, and decreased gradually. He was discharged on the 12th hospital day, and was being followed up in outpatient department. Second case is a 33 year-old woman who admitted for bilateral flank pain, high fever, nausea, and vomiting. She was diagnosed as acute pyelonephritis and acute hepatitis A. On admission, BUN 13 mg/dL, creatinine 0.74 mg/dL, AST 3,720 IU/L, ALT 2,280 IU/L, total bilirubin 0.9 mg/dL were noted, and acute renal failure developed next day. Fluid therapy with antibiotics administration were started, and maximal BUN and creatinine was 41.7 and 8.09 mg/dL respectively on the 8th day. She recovered without dialysis and was discharged on the 19th hospital day. Proper and prompt comprehensive supportive measures would decrease the need for dialysis in patient of acute renal failue associated with acute hepatitis A.
Acute Disease ; Adult ; Female ; Hepatitis A/complications/*diagnosis ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Acute/*diagnosis/etiology/ultrasonography ; Male ; Pyelonephritis/diagnosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Granulocytic sarcoma is a localized tumor that's composed of immature cells of the granulocytic series. The tumor may be involved anywhere in the body, but we present here a rare case that involved the gastrointestinal tract (and especially the stomach). Granulocytic sarcoma may represent the initial manifestation of blast transformation or it may herald the onset of acute leukemia from myelodysplastic syndrome. We report here on a case of gastric granulocytic sarcoma in a patient with transformed acute leukemia from myelodysplastic syndrome. A 56-year-old male who was suffering with myelodysplastic syndrome (RARS) for 5 years presented with upper abdominal pain. Gastrofiberoscopy revealed an elevated lesion with central erosion at the posterior wall of the gastric upper body, which histologically proved to be a granulocytic sarcoma. The peripheral blood smear and bone marrow examination showed acute myeloid leukemia.
Abdominal Pain ; Bone Marrow Examination ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Leukemia ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; Sarcoma ; Sarcoma, Myeloid ; Stress, Psychological

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There was an outbreak of hepatitis A in the western part of Daejeon with adjacent Chungnam province in the late 1990's. The aim of this study was to characterize the clinical features and courses of acute hepatitis A in this area. METHODS: A total of 177 cases, who were diagnosed as acute hepatitis A between June 2000 and December 2004, were reviewed retrospectively. CONCLUSIONS: The mean age was 26 and 96% of the cases were under 40 years old. The ratio of male to female was 1.2:1. There were two hospitalized cases in 2000, 3 in 2001, 73 in 2002, 60 in 2003, and 39 in 2004, respectively. The number of diagnosis was most prevalent in June (20.3%). Common occupations were students (62 cases) and homekeepers (21 cases). It was found that 51 patients experienced consumption history of raw fish or shellfish, and that 18 cases had history of exposure to contaminated underground water. Eighteen cases were infected by family members or friends. A history of travel to domestic areas was noted in 31 cases, and to overseas areas in 6 cases (especially Southeast Asia). Only four cases were vaccinated against hepatitis A. HBsAg was positive in 10 cases, and anti-HCV in 2 cases, but none of these had active diseases. The common symptoms were anorexia, jaundice and fatigue. The common ultrasonographic findings were fatty liver (68/157) and acute hepatitis (39/157). In most cases, ALT and total bilirubin level normalized within 8 weeks. No cases of fulminant hepatitis or death were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of cases with acute hepatitis A were completely recovered without sequelae. It is necessary to investigate specific indications for hepatitis A vaccination either in this area or throughout Korea.
Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hepatitis A/*diagnosis/epidemiology/transmission ; Humans ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged

Acute phlegmonous gastritis is a rare disorder in which bacterial infection occurs in the gastric wall. Gastrectomy involving the affected area has been thought to be an effective form of treatment. The mortality rate remains extremely high despite therapy with antibiotics. The authors report a case of a 59-year-old man who had severe abdominal pain with signs of peritonitis. Endoscopy showed edematous and thickened mucosal fold with narrow lumen and yellow, whitish exudate-like materials on mucosal surface in the whole stomach. Gastric juice culture revealed the growth of Enterococcus faecalis. Contrast-enhanced CT scan of abdomen showed diffuse extensive mural thickening with hypodense area from the fundus to the antrum. The lumen was narrowed, but there was no gastric outlet obstruction. There was marked thickening of gastric wall (submucosal layer) on EUS examination. Through early diagnosis without laparotomy, the patient was successfully treated with antibiotics alone without complication.
Abdomen ; Abdominal Pain ; Anti-Bacterial Agents* ; Bacterial Infections ; Cellulitis* ; Early Diagnosis ; Endoscopy ; Enterococcus faecalis ; Gastrectomy ; Gastric Juice ; Gastric Outlet Obstruction ; Gastritis* ; Humans ; Laparotomy ; Middle Aged ; Mortality ; Peritonitis ; Stomach ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The endoscopic findings and clinical relevance of portal hypertensive colopathy are not well described in Korea. We aimed to do a retrospective study of mucosal changes in the colon of patients with liver cirrhosis and to find their association with clinical characteristics. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical data and endoscopic findings of 48 patients with liver cirrhosis and 48 patients, matched for age and sex, with irritable bowel disease (IBS) who underwent colonoscopy over a 5 year span. RESULTS: Patients with liver cirrhosis were more likely to have colitis-like lesions and vascular abnormalities than IBS patients. Low platelet count (p=0.005) and severe esophageal varices (p=0.011) were associated with portal hypertensive colopathy, whereas the etiologies and severity of cirrhosis were not associated with these findings. CONCLUSIONS: Portal hypertensive colopathy can be defined with colitis-like lesions or vascular lesions. These lesions are more frequently present in patients with more severe esophageal varices and thrombocytopenia.
Adult ; Aged ; Colonoscopy ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices/etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal/complications/*pathology ; Intestinal Mucosa/pathology ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome/complications/*pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis/complications/*pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Platelet Count ; Retrospective Studies ; Severity of Illness Index ; Thrombocytopenia/etiology

The common causes of acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding include diverticulosis, colonic vascular ectasia, neoplasm and colitis. Acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding from the appendix is a very rare malady and the causes are reported as angiodysplasia, diverticulum, appendicitis and endometriosis. We report here on the case of a 47-year-old man, who was taking enteric coated aspirin, with severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding that was due to appendiceal ulcer. An active bleeding was identified as coming from the appendiceal orifice during colonoscopy. He was treated by simple appendectomy. Histologic evaluation showed ulceration with both acute and chronic inflammation, along with thickened vessel walls in the submucosa of the appendix.
Angiodysplasia ; Appendectomy ; Appendicitis ; Appendix ; Aspirin ; Colitis ; Colonoscopy ; Dilatation, Pathologic ; Diverticulosis, Colonic ; Diverticulum ; Endometriosis ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Middle Aged ; Ulcer*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most frequent cause of noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) in Western countries. Gastroduodenal disease has a high prevalence in Korea; thus, it is important to evaluate the stomach/duodenum. We retrospectively reviewed the findings in patients with chest pain who were diagnosed by coronary angiography (CAG) to be normal or who had minimal coronary lesions to evaluate the necessity of performing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) in patients with NCCP. METHODS: A total of 565 patients with chest pain underwent CAG followed by EGD from February 2000 to March 2011 at Konyang University Hospital. We excluded patients who underwent EGD more than 3 days after CAG or had significant coronary lesions. We retrospectively reviewed the EGD findings of the remaining 349 patients. RESULTS: Of the 349 patients, 151 were male, and the average age of the patients was 57.7+/-11.44 years. After performing EGD, GERD was diagnosed in 35 patients (10.0%; LA [Los Angeles classification]-A, 30; LA-B, three; LA-C, two) and peptic ulcer was diagnosed in 48 patients (13.8%; gastric ulcer, 34; duodenal ulcer, 10; gastric and duodenal ulcer, four). Gastritis was diagnosed in 253 patients (72.5%; erosive, 89; erythematous, 90; hemorrhagic, 10; mixed, 64). Duodenitis, esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus, hiatus hernia, and gastric cancer was diagnosed in 36 (10.3%), three (0.9%), two (0.6%), three (0.9%), and one patient, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike the situation in the west, stomach/duodenal lesions other than GERD are common causes of NCCP in Korea, Therefore, prior to proton pump inhibitor testing or empirical therapy, EGD is necessary to evaluate NCCP and to rule out gastroduodenal lesions.
Barrett Esophagus ; Chest Pain ; Coronary Angiography ; Duodenal Ulcer ; Duodenitis ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Esophagitis ; Gastritis ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Hernia, Hiatal ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Peptic Ulcer ; Prevalence ; Proton Pumps ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Stomach Ulcer ; Thorax

BACKGROUND: The relationship between gastric cancer and gastritis cystica profunda (GCP) has been frequently reported on, but there have been no systemic studies on whether or not GCP is a precancerous lesion. The aim of this study is to retrospectively analyze the groups in which some of the patients were accompanied by carcinoma and the other patients were non-cancerous (35 GCP cases were without previous surgery). METHODS: From February 2000 through July 2005, 35 cases of GCP without antecedent gastric surgery were diagnosed histologically. We reviewed the medical records, the endoscopic findings and the histologic findings of the patients. RESULTS: In these cases, the age ranged from 33 and 82 years (mean: 63+/-10.1 years). The endoscopic findings of GCP were various: there were 6 erosions and 9 ulcers in the cancer group and 12 polyps in the non-cancer group (p=0.000). The mean size of the lesions was 21.4+/-17.8 mm in the cancer group and 14.6+/-9.3 mm in the non-cancer group (p=0.337). Hypertension was associated with 15 cases (42.9%) in the cancer group and with 2 cases (5.7%) in the non-cancer group (p=0.000). There were 13 smokers (37.1%) in the cancer group and 6 smokers (17.1%) in the non-cancer group (p=0.028). For the histologic findings, 6 GCP patients were associated with dysplasia of adenomas, 4 GCP patients with intestinal metaplasias and 28 GCP patients (80%) with precancerous lesions and carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, 18 GCP patients (51.4%) were associated with carcinoma and 10 GCP patients (29%) were associated with precancerous lesions. These results suggest that GCP is a precancerous or paracancerous lesion and it may be one step in the development of carcinoma. The underlying mechanisms of gastric carcinogenesis might be confirmed if we investigate the gene mutations and environmental differences of documented GCP cases that are without previous surgery.
Adenoma ; Carcinogenesis ; Gastritis* ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Medical Records ; Metaplasia ; Polyps ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Ulcer