No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Female ; Ovary*

PURPOSE: Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a rare, life threatening infection of kidney and the pennephric space, characterized by the production of gas within the renal parenchyma. The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical and radiologic characteristics of emphysematous pyelonephritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 7 cases of the emphysematous pyelonephritis. Six patients had plain abdominal radiographs, ultrasonograms and abdominal CT scans. Only one patient had plain radiograph and ultrasonogram. In 5 operated cases, CT findings were compared with surgical records. RESULTS: Plain radiographs showed characteristic diffuse mottling of gas in renal fossa. On sonogram, intrarenal gas was identified as echogenic loci with dirty shadows. CT scan showed inflammatory mass with gas and fluid levels in adjacent to the kidney. CT findings corresponded relatively wall with the surgical findings in regard to disease extent. CONCLUSION: lntrarenal gas in appropriate clinical setting is highly specific for emphysematous pyelonephritis. CT is the most sensitive method for demonstrating the disease extent as well as specific diagnosis.
Diagnosis ; Humans ; Kidney ; Pyelonephritis* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a rare, life threatening infection of kidney and the pennephric space, characterized by the production of gas within the renal parenchyma. The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical and radiologic characteristics of emphysematous pyelonephritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 7 cases of the emphysematous pyelonephritis. Six patients had plain abdominal radiographs, ultrasonograms and abdominal CT scans. Only one patient had plain radiograph and ultrasonogram. In 5 operated cases, CT findings were compared with surgical records. RESULTS: Plain radiographs showed characteristic diffuse mottling of gas in renal fossa. On sonogram, intrarenal gas was identified as echogenic loci with dirty shadows. CT scan showed inflammatory mass with gas and fluid levels in adjacent to the kidney. CT findings corresponded relatively wall with the surgical findings in regard to disease extent. CONCLUSION: lntrarenal gas in appropriate clinical setting is highly specific for emphysematous pyelonephritis. CT is the most sensitive method for demonstrating the disease extent as well as specific diagnosis.
Diagnosis ; Humans ; Kidney ; Pyelonephritis* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography

No abstract available.
Aorta, Thoracic* ; Blood Flow Velocity* ; Pregnancy*

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disease with an acute evolution of inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. Although the precise immune mechanisms and involved antigens are uncertain, both humoral and cellular immune mechanisms are thought to be involved. Interactions between the various compartments of the immune system are governed by cytokines. Laboratory investigations have shown that immune activation can be quantified by measurement of cytokines and soluble immune activation products in serum. Interleukin-2(IL-2) is probably the best characterized among the many cytokines and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) and neopterin are major immune activation products. In order to observe activities of cellular immunity of GBS, we measured serum concentrations of IL-2, sIL-2R and neopterin in 28 patients with GBS and in 22 healthy controls. Serial serum samples were drawn 2 to 25 days after motor onset of the disease, 2 to 3 days after treatment with plasmapheresis and 43-300days of follow-up. The occurences of IL-2 positive serum samples were 41.7%, 23.8% and 18.2% in each time in GBS but none in healthy controls. Initial serum sIL-2R and neopterin level were elevated in 21% and 17% of patients with GBS compared with healthy controls. After plasmapheresis, both serum sIL-2R and neopterin level were significantly elevated in GBS compared with initial serum samples and healthy controls. Thus, T-cell and macrophage activation may play a role in the pathogenesis of GBS. However, further study is needed to evaluate the effect of plasmapheresis and clinical severity on the serum concentration of IL-2, sIL-2R and neopterin in GBS.
Autoimmune Diseases ; Cytokines ; Follow-Up Studies ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome* ; Humans ; Immune System ; Immunity, Cellular ; Interleukin-2* ; Macrophage Activation ; Neopterin* ; Plasmapheresis ; Polyradiculoneuropathy ; Receptors, Interleukin-2* ; T-Lymphocytes

Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome is an X-linked disorder characterized by recurrent infection, thrombocypenia and eczema. Various defects in cell-mediated immunity and deficient antibody reponse to carbohydrate antigens have been described. We experienced a case of Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome of 28 months old male patient. He has been suffered from multiple petechiae with bleeding, recurrent pyogenic infections and generalized eczema since 3 months of age. Immunological abnormalities are as follows: 1) Serum IgM was gradually decreased, while IgA and IgE were increased. 2) Antibody response against polysaccharide antigen (PRP) was not observed after 3 times of PRPT immunization. 3) CD4/CD8 ratio was reversed (0.6). 4) Proliferative response of mononuclear cells was significantly reduced, and CMI skin test also showed negative results. A brief review of literature was made.
Antibody Formation ; Child, Preschool ; Eczema ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; Immunization ; Immunoglobulin A ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulin M ; Male ; Purpura ; Skin Tests ; Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome*

BACKGROUND: It is well known that systemic blood pressure oscillates with low(0.04~0.1Hz), mid(0.1~0.15Hz), and high(respiratory) frequency range. But there has been no study about oscillation of pulmonary artery pressure(PAP). METHOD: We measured PAP for 5 minutes in 32 patients of ventricular septal defect and stored them to computer files. Power spectral density curve was obtained. Low, mid, respiratory frequency power were measured by integrating the area within each frequency range below the power density curve. RESULT: The incidence of significant low frequency power(more than 5% of total power) were higher in patients of high PAP and hign Rp/Rs than those of low PAP and Rp/Rs(p<0.01 and p<0.005 respectively). The low frequency power positively correlates with PAP and Rp/Rs(r=0.62, p<0.0005 and r=0.61, p=0.0005 respectively). CONCLUSION: It can be said conclusively that as PAP and pulmonary vascular resistance elevates, the PAP tends to definitively oscillate in low frequency range.
Blood Pressure ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Humans ; Incidence ; Pulmonary Artery* ; Vascular Resistance

No abstract available.
Blood Flow Velocity* ; Pregnancy* ; Umbilical Arteries*

To analyze the improvement of shouder function after arthroscpic subacrominal decompression and open repair for complete rotator cuff tear, we performed a prospective study in 14 patients using self evaluation form from the American Shouder and Elbow Society(ASES). All patients were treated with arthrscopic biplanar subacromial decompression and open repair by use of bony trough and followed for more than 1 year from November 1994 to June 1996 in Dankook university hospital. All patients were assessed preoperatively and at final follow-up using the standardised method of research committee of American shoulder & elbow surgeons. Tears of the rotator cuff were divided into medium(8 shoulders), large(3 shoulders) and massive(3 shoulders). Most of the patients were heavy laborers. Average age was 56.2 years (51-73 years). There were 9 male and 5 female patients. The dominant arm was affected in 8 shoulders. Postoperative abduction brace was used in all cases and passive range of mortion exercise was started from postoperative third day. At average follow-up of 17 months, average pain scores decreased to 0.8+/-1.1 from 6.9+/-2.3. Scores of ASES evaluation form increased to 87.3+/-12.2 from 35.8+/-16.3(p<0.05). As to the range of mortion, only internal rotation improved from T12 to T8(p<0.05). Thirteen patients achieved excellent or good result. Twelve patients returned to initial occupations. Arthroscopy is helpful to define the tear size which may affect the surgical approach and open repair by use of bony trough and tunnel is useful to recovery of shoulder function.
Arm ; Arthroscopy ; Braces ; Decompression* ; Diagnostic Self Evaluation ; Elbow ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Occupations ; Prospective Studies ; Rotator Cuff* ; Shoulder

No abstract available.
Neurilemmoma* ; Neurofibromatosis 1*