No abstract available.
Budd-Chiari Syndrome* ; Vena Cava, Inferior*

BACKGROUND: Although pulmonary resection is the standard approach for the management of pulmonary metastases from soft tissue sarcoma, most of them are unresectable and chemotherapy remains the only option. The effectiveness of the cytotoxic drugs may be limited by the toxicities that occur before the therapeutic dose is reached. The regional administration of doxorubicin using pulmonary arterial perfusion in a rodent model can produce 10 to 25 times higher concentrations in the lung than systemic administration with minimal systemic toxicities. However, it is unclear whether a high concentration of doxorubicin has beneficial effects for killing cancer cells. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We studied this to evaluate the dose-dependent cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of doxorubicin on methylcholanthrene-induced rat fibrosarcoma(MCA) cells. This study examined the cytotoxicity and apoptosis-related gene expressions(Fas, FasL, Bax, caspase 1, caspase 2, caspase 8, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Bcl-xS) in MCA cells after 24 hours exposure to various concentrations of doxorubicin such as 1, 5, 10, 50, and 100 micrometer. RESULT: Dose-dependent cytotoxicity was observed after 24 hours exposure to doxorubicin. However, peak apoptosis after 24 hours exposure was observed at 5 micrometer of doxorubicin. Above 5 micrometer, apoptotic activity was decreased with dose-increment. All mRNA levels of apoptosis-related genes after 24 hours exposure were up-regulated above the control level at 1 micrometer of doxorubicin and then decreased by doxorubicin dose-increment except caspase 8, which showed higher levels than the control level at 5 micrometer. Apoptosis-related protein levels were highest at 1 micrometer of doxorubicin and then decreased by doxorubicin dose-increment. However, Bax and Bcl-xL proteins steadily showed higher levels than the control throughout the different concentrations of doxorubicin. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that apoptosis is the main cytotoxic mechanism in low concentrations of doxorubicin in MCA cells and apoptosis-related genes, such as Bax, caspase 8, a can kill MCA cells, even when apoptosis is inhibited, and have its propriety for achieving much cytotoxicity against MCA cells.
Animals ; Apoptosis* ; bcl-X Protein ; Caspase 1 ; Caspase 2 ; Caspase 8 ; Doxorubicin* ; Drug Therapy ; Fibrosarcoma ; Homicide ; Lung ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Perfusion ; Rats* ; RNA, Messenger ; Rodentia ; Sarcoma

No abstract available.
Parathyroid Neoplasms* ; Radionuclide Imaging* ; Thymoma*

When tracheal invasion of a malignant tumor or tracheal stenosis of a benign origin exists at the lower or anterior part of the trachea, tracheal intubation or conventional tracheostomy may be difficult, and in these cases a modified tracheostomy through the lower or lateral part of the trachea would be necessary. We present 6 cases of modified tracheostomy performed with satisfactory results in severe tracheal stenosis that developed in the lower or anterior part of the trachea.
Intubation ; Trachea ; Tracheal Stenosis* ; Tracheostomy*

No abstract available.
Choriocarcinoma* ; Female ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Pregnancy

A combined anterolateral and posterior approach with thoracotomy has been recommended as the traditional surgical approach for the tumors of the thoracic spine. Recently, because of the morbidity associated with open thoracotomy, the thoracoscopically assisted surgical technique was introduced successfully in thoracic spinal surgery. Herein, we report a combined surgical technique for giant cell tumor of the thoracic spine (T10) consisting of bilateral thoracoscopic anterior release of the spine followed by a posterior en bloc spondylectomy and reconstruction by orthopedic surgeons. The thoracoscopic spinal surgery is safe and effective alternative for other open thoracotomic procedures in the approach to the anterior thoracic spine, avoiding the disadvantage inherent to thoracotomy.
Giant Cell Tumors ; Orthopedics ; Spine* ; Thoracoscopy ; Thoracotomy

Lobectomy with mediastinal node dissection has been standard treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Nowadays, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is gaining acceptance as an alternative treatment option, given the quality-of-life benefits that it confers. For the VATS procedure, most surgeons create two or three ports with a utility incision of 3 to 5 cm. However, with acquired skill and instrumentation advances, single-incision thoracoscopic surgery has emerged over time. Here, we report the case of an 86-year-old female with NSCLC treated by single-incision segmentectomy.
Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Mastectomy, Segmental* ; Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; Thoracoscopy

No abstract available.
Echocardiography* ; Heart Valves* ; Humans

Papillary fibroelastoma is a rare benign tumor of the heart. A 21-year-old man presented with dyspnea on exertion and echocardiogram showed a small round mass attached to the anterolateral papillary muscle. After excision of the mass, including anterior papillary muscle, chordae tendinae, and anterior leaflet, he underwent mitral valve replacement with a mechanical valve. He was discharged on anticoagulant therapy without further problems.
Dyspnea ; Heart ; Heart Ventricles* ; Humans ; Mitral Valve ; Papillary Muscles ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Thoracic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis has been recognized as an effective treatment using thoracoscopic devices and operative techniques, but the satisfaction has decreased due to a compensatory hyperhidrosis. Therefore, the postoperative results and compensatory hyperhidrosis were analyzed. We also measured the temperature differences in the hand and foot during the preoperative and postoperative periods and measured the blood flow of upper and lower extremities. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From December 1995 to July 1998, total of 47 patients with hyperhidrosis underwent sympathectomy via VATS at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital. The patients were evaluated for preoperative and postoperative temperature changes on the finger and toe, and preoperative and postoperative blood flows were measured by the Doppler examination on the digital artery, radial artery and dorsalis pedis artery. RESULT: There were no operative deaths but some complications existed: 7 pneumothorax, 3 recurrence and 1 Honor syndrome. Ninety-five percent of the patients also had compensatory sweating especially in the trunk. There were 5 patients who regretted recurring the operation because of the compensatory sweating. Sweating decreased in 46% of the sole hyperhidrosis patients. The temperature difference between preoperation and postoperation was 1degree C on the right hand side and 1.9degree C on the left hand side(p<0.05). There was no significant temperature difference on the sole. Blood flow increased significantly in the palm, but no difference in the sole. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, thoracic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis is a safe and effective treatment but satisfaction has been decreased by the compensatory sweating; therefore, it is important to thoroughly explain the compensatory sweating prior to surgery. Improvement of the plantar hyperhidrosis is not due to a physiological change, but to a psychological stability.
Arteries ; Fingers ; Foot ; Hand ; Humans ; Hyperhidrosis* ; Lower Extremity* ; Pneumothorax ; Postoperative Period ; Radial Artery ; Recurrence ; Regional Blood Flow ; Sweat* ; Sweating* ; Sympathectomy ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; Toes