One-year-old male Persian cat presented with multiple fractures and no known traumatic history. Marked decrease of bone radiopacity and thin cortices of all long bones were identified on radiography. Tentative diagnosis was osteogenesis imperfecta, a congenital disorder characterized by fragile bone. To determine bone mineral density (BMD), quantitative computed tomography (QCT) was performed. The QCT results revealed a mean trabecular BMD of vertebral bodies of 149.9 ± 86.5 mg/cm³. After bisphosphonate therapy, BMD of the same site increased significantly (218.5 ± 117.1 mg/cm³, p < 0.05). QCT was a useful diagnostic tool to diagnose osteopenia and quantify response to medical treatment.
Animals ; Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Cats* ; Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities ; Diagnosis ; Fractures, Multiple ; Humans ; Male ; Osteogenesis Imperfecta ; Osteogenesis* ; Radiography

Maligant melanomas of the oral or nasal cavity, and the vulvovaginal area are relatively common among the melanomas of non-ocular mucosa. But, primary malignant melanoma arising in the mucosa of the palatine tonsil is rare. We present a case of primary malignant melanoma arising in the mucosa of the palatine tonsil. A 36-year-old male was admitted for evaluation of a recurrent sore throat. Tonsillectomy was performed on the basis of clinical suspicion of chronic tonsillitis. Grossly, the left tonsil was focally dark. Microscopically, the tonsillar mucosa was diffusely infiltrated with tumor cells. Tumor cells revealed numerous melanin pigments. Intraepithelial nests of tumor cells were noted, but pagetoid spread of tumor cells was not found. Tumor cells were positive for S-100 protein and HMB45 stain. There was no evidence of melanoma in the skin or eye.
Male ; Humans

This study is a methodical research to develop a health behavior assessment scale for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and to test the validity and reliability of the instrument. The research procedure was as follows; 1) The first step was to develop conceptual framework based on a comprehensive review of the literature, in-depth interviews patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This conceptual framework was organized in eight dimensions; pain management, exercise, rest, diet control, active committment, self-management, positive thinking, interpersonal maintenance. Initially 56 items were selected from 164 statement. 2) These items were reviewed by panel of eight specialists and the Index of Content validity (CVI) was calculated, and forty six items were selected which met more than 70% on the CVI. 3) 174 rheumatoid arthritis pateints were interviewed, and data was gathered from Jan. 25 to Feb. 18, 1999 for test reliabilities and validities of the scale. The item analysis was carried out and 40 items were selected. Factor analysis by varimax rotation was carried out to test construct validity. The internal consistency by chronbach's alpha was calculated. The findings were as follows; 1) Item analysis and factor analysis were carried out to test the validity of the health behavior assessment scale. The item analysis was based on the corrected item`s to total correlation coefficient (.30 or more), and information about the alpha estimate. However, this was only if this item was deleted from the scale. As a result of the item analysis, forty items were selected. Thirty items were selected by a initial factor analysis by varimax rotation, and ten items were deleted because of factor complexity. In the secondary factor analysis, eight factors were labled as 'positive thinking', 'exercise', 'rest', 'pain management', 'active committment', 'self-management', 'diet control', and 'interpersonal maintenance', each similar with the conceptual framework. 2) Chronbach's alpha coefficient to test reliability of the scale was. 903 for total the thirty items. The Scale for assessing health behavior developed in this study was identified to be a tool with a high degree of reliability and validity. Therefore this scale can be effectively utilized for assessment in the health behaviors of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Diet ; Health Behavior* ; Humans ; Pain Management ; Reproducibility of Results ; Self Care ; Specialization ; Thinking

BACKGROUND: Calcipotrol, topical vitamin D analogue, has been demonstrated to have an effect for the treatment of psoriasis with good tolerability. It is required to have comparative studies with the other topical agents which are widely used for the treatment of psoriasis. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose is to compare calcipotriol with desoxymethasone ointemtn in their therapeutic efficacy and ability to affect dermal inflammatory cellular events. METHODS: This study was a randomized, double blind, right/left comparison over 8weeks in 10 patients. The ointments were applied twice daily to the lesions of psoriasis. Clinical efficacy, as measured by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index(PASI) was assessed at 2, 4, 6 and 8weeks after starting treatments. The changes in the numbers of dermal immunocytes were assessed on frozen and paraffin-embedded sections by using immunohistochemical stain methods before and after the treatemtns. RESULTS: Reduction of PASI was statistically significant at all time points for both of the treatments (P<0.01) but there was no significant defference between the two treatment modalities. At the completion of 8 weeks of treatments, the mean PASI reduction was 65 percents and 67 percents for calcipotriol and desoxymethasone ointments, respectively. On immunohistochemical staining, the numbers of LCA and HLA-DR positive cells were decreased significantly(P<0.05), and IL-2R and CD4 positive cells were not significaltly reduced in each group after the treatment. CONCLUSION: Calcipotriol ointment was as effective as desoxymethasone ointment, judged by the PASI and the dermal inflammatory cellular events on immunohistochemical staining.
Dermatitis, Atopic ; Desoximetasone* ; HLA-DR Antigens ; Humans ; Ointments* ; Psoriasis* ; Vitamin D

Eosinophilic granuloma of the lung, first described by Farrinaci et al. in 1951, is rare. A 35-year-old male smoker presented with recurrent pneumothorax. Open thoracotomy with bleb resection and biopsy was performed. Microscopically there was histological changes consistent with typical eosinophilic granuloma and intertitial fibrosis. The Langerhans cells showed positive reaction for S-100 protein and typical Birbeck granules in their cytoplasm. A brief summary of histopathological aspect of this disease and a review of literature are presented.
Male ; Humans ; Biopsy

The authors present the one case of a 22-year-old man admitted with intermittent quadriparesis and respiratory difficulty. On investigation, atlantoaxial instability and upper cervical cord compression due to abnormal soft tissue were revealed. We have performed transoral decompression and biopsy, and then posterior transarticular facet screw fixation with interspinous wiring and fusion. We could obtain immediate and long-term postoperative stability with Philadelphia collar only. The pathologic examination reveald connective soft tissue hypertrophy due to chronic mechanical irritation.
Biopsy ; Decompression* ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Quadriplegia ; Young Adult

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial tissue(gland and stroma) outside the uterus. The incidence of scar endometriosis is quite rare, and must differentiate with cellulitis and abscess. We have experienced one case of perineal endometriosis and one case of abdominal wall endometriosis at the site of postoperative wound scar. The possible pathogenesis of endometriosis and treatment were discussed.
Abdominal Wall ; Abscess ; Cellulitis ; Cicatrix* ; Endometriosis* ; Female ; Incidence ; Uterus ; Wounds and Injuries

Primary intracranial choriocarcinoma is a extremely rare neoplasm since the case was reported by Askanasy, in 1906, there have been 35 reported, even if germinal neoplasms containing chorocarcinoma-like tissue are added. But pure choriocarcinoma was rarely reported. The purpose of this paper is to report a case of 18-year-old boy with tumor in subependymal region around left frontal horn, which was present with high level of serum beta chain of chorionic gonadotropin(B-HCG) and was verified as germine choriocarcinoma by biopay.
Adolescent ; Animals ; Choriocarcinoma* ; Chorion ; Female ; Horns ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Variceal rupture is the most common cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in cirrhotic patients and is well investigated. However, there are few documented studies on nonvariceal UGIB (NVUGIB) in these patients. This study was conducted to evaluate clinical features, in-hospital mortality rate and factors associated with mortality in cirrhotic patients with NVUGIB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 399 cirrhotic patients who presented UGIB at Gyeongsang National University Hospital during 5 years since January 2007, patients with NVUGIB were selected by retrospective review of medical records. The patients' clinical and endoscopic findings, treatment outcomes, in-hospital mortality rates and its risk factors were investigated. RESULTS: NVUGIB was documented in 83 patients (20.8%). Mean age was 60.7+/-9.7 years, 85.5% was male. Child-Pugh class was A or B in 88%. Initial hemodynamic instability was reported in 25.3%, and 65.1% required blood transfusions. The major bleeding source was peptic ulcer 95.2% (79/83), and 44.6% (37/83) had endoscopic high risk bleeding stigmata and required endoscopic hemostasis. Rebleeding rate was 7.2% and in-hospital mortality rate was 8.4%. Hemodynamic instability (71.4% vs. 22.4%, P=0.013) and rebleeding (57.1% vs. 2.6%, P=0.000) were more frequent in the mortality group compared to the survival group. Hemodynamic instability was the risk factor for mortality at univariate and multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: NVUGIB accounted for 20.8% of UGIB in liver cirrhosis and its development was not related to liver function. Peptic ulcer was the major cause and 45% required endoscopic hemostasis. It's in-hospital mortality rate was 8.4%, and hemodynamic instability was an independent risk factor of mortality in NVUGIB.
Blood Transfusion ; Christianity ; Hemodynamics ; Hemorrhage* ; Hemostasis, Endoscopic ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver* ; Male ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Peptic Ulcer ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Rupture

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Variceal rupture is the most common cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in cirrhotic patients and is well investigated. However, there are few documented studies on nonvariceal UGIB (NVUGIB) in these patients. This study was conducted to evaluate clinical features, in-hospital mortality rate and factors associated with mortality in cirrhotic patients with NVUGIB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 399 cirrhotic patients who presented UGIB at Gyeongsang National University Hospital during 5 years since January 2007, patients with NVUGIB were selected by retrospective review of medical records. The patients' clinical and endoscopic findings, treatment outcomes, in-hospital mortality rates and its risk factors were investigated. RESULTS: NVUGIB was documented in 83 patients (20.8%). Mean age was 60.7+/-9.7 years, 85.5% was male. Child-Pugh class was A or B in 88%. Initial hemodynamic instability was reported in 25.3%, and 65.1% required blood transfusions. The major bleeding source was peptic ulcer 95.2% (79/83), and 44.6% (37/83) had endoscopic high risk bleeding stigmata and required endoscopic hemostasis. Rebleeding rate was 7.2% and in-hospital mortality rate was 8.4%. Hemodynamic instability (71.4% vs. 22.4%, P=0.013) and rebleeding (57.1% vs. 2.6%, P=0.000) were more frequent in the mortality group compared to the survival group. Hemodynamic instability was the risk factor for mortality at univariate and multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: NVUGIB accounted for 20.8% of UGIB in liver cirrhosis and its development was not related to liver function. Peptic ulcer was the major cause and 45% required endoscopic hemostasis. It's in-hospital mortality rate was 8.4%, and hemodynamic instability was an independent risk factor of mortality in NVUGIB.
Blood Transfusion ; Christianity ; Hemodynamics ; Hemorrhage* ; Hemostasis, Endoscopic ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver* ; Male ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Peptic Ulcer ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Rupture