BACKGROUND: Until now, the total correction of tetralogy of Fallot has remained controversial and the efficacy of balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valves in tetralogy of Fallot has not been confirmed. We tried balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valves in 9 patients with tetralogy of Fallot to evaluate its effect on oxygen saturation and pulmonary arterial growth. METHOD: In nine patients with tetralogy of Fallot was undergone balloon dilatation since 1992 until August in 1999. Before starting the procedure, we measured the diameters of the pulmonary annulus, both pulmonary arteries and descending aorta. Systemic oxygen saturation and shunt amount were also measured before and after the procedure and systemic oxygen saturation two months later. RESULTS: The mean value of the pulmonary annulus diameters was 5.36+/-1.12 mm and their z value was -4.0+/-1.4. The systemic oxygen saturation increased from a mean value of 64.0+/-19.6% to 82.4+/-8.4% right after the balloon dilatation and 82.0+/-7.9% two months later. McGoon ratio increased from a mean value of 1.66+/-0.33 before the procedure to 1.91+/-0.37 two months later. The mean value of shunt amount(Qp/Qs) was 0.52 before the procedure and 0.84 immediately after the procedure. Furthermore, there occurred no significant complication during and after the procedure. CONCLUSION: The balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valves in tetralogy of Fallot seems relatively safe and produces an immediate effect on cyanosis. And the procedure improves the growth of pulmonary arteries. However, further research and evaluation are needed.
Aorta, Thoracic ; Cyanosis ; Dilatation* ; Humans ; Oxygen ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Valve* ; Tetralogy of Fallot

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility on recycling of IPS Empress ceramic for the wide use of esthetically pleased IPS-Empress ceramic in clinical prosthodontic treatment. The specimens were made of first, second, and third pressed IPS Empress ceramic and were immersed in 0.05% methylene blue solution for 24hours. The amount of color change before and after stainning was measured with colorimeter(Model Tc-6Fx, Denshoku Co., Tokyo, Japan). The change of E in first pressed ceramic was 18.33 and those in second and third pressed ceramics were 19.33 and 19.93 respectively. Although there was statistical difference among them, the differences were minute and acceptable. From the results of this study, the possibility of recycling of IPS Empress ceramic could be suggested.
Ceramics* ; Methylene Blue ; Prosthodontics ; Recycling

Fracture of the vertebral end plate in the lumbar spine has been reported as a rare lesion occurring in the adolescent period. It is characterized by variable degrees of sign and symtom related to the degree of block on myelogram and the level of end plate fracture. Trauma or strenuous sport activity seems to play an improtant role in the production of fracture of vertebral body in the adolescent period. We experienced three cases of fracture of lower lumbar vertebral end plate in teenaged patients, two males and one female. Two patients showed upper end plate fracture with severe neurologic deficit on the involved root level and a strong positive on straight leg raising test, and one patient showed lower end plate fracture with slight neurologic deficit. Two patients with upper end plate fracture were treated with partial laminectomy with removal of fracture fragment and one patient with lower end plate fracture was treated with bilateral laminectomy and posterolateral fusion. The method of treatment will depend upon the type of fracture and the degree of neurologic symptoms. We obtained satisfactory results with posterior decompressive laminectomy and removal of fracture fragment with or without fusion.
Adolescent ; Female ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Leg ; Male ; Methods ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Spine ; Sports

The bond failure of resin teeth to denture base resin is one of the failure in prosthodontic treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bond strength of artificial resin teeth to the denture base resins. Specimens were made with heat curing acrylic resins (Vertex Rs, Lucitone 199) and artificial resin teeth (Tiger, Trubyte biotone, Endura, Orthosit, Trubyte bioform IPN) and the bond strength were measured with testing machine (Zwick, Germany) and the mode of bond failure were observed. The results were as follows; 1. The bond strength of Vertex Rs to artificial resin teeth was the highest in Trubyte biotone, and It was the lowest in Tiger and Trubyte bioform IPN 2. The bond strength of Lucitone 199 to artificial resin teeth were higher in Orthosit and Trubyte bioform IPN than in Tiger and Trubyte biotone. 3. The bond strength of Trubyte biotone to Vertex Rs was higher than to Lucitone 199 and that of the Trubyte bioform IPN to Lucitone 199 was higher than to Vertex Rs. 4. Nearly all bond failures of specimens occured cohesively within the resin teeth.
Acrylic Resins ; Denture Bases* ; Dentures* ; Hot Temperature ; Prosthodontics ; Tigers ; Tooth*

Since Pare's first report on Achilles tendon rupture in 1575, many authors have presented numerous operative and nonoperative methods for its treatment. Numerous controversies following its treatment have been concerned with the selection of its treatment method, which could minimizing the complications and enable early ambulation. We analysed 98 cases of Achilles tendon rupture in adults which were treated by direct repair, three-tissue bundle technique, or Plantaris/Peroneus augmentation repair for 3(1)/4 years from Oct. 1986 to Dec. 1989. We compared with types of cast after operation, periods for immobilization, and ankle motion of dorsiflexion at postoperative 6 weeks & long-term follow up. The results obtained from this study were as follows; l. After repair by three-tissue bundle technique, a short leg cast was applied, and then a weight bearing was started at postoperative 3 weeks. It can be demonstrated to shorten hospitalization and early ambulation when compared to other surgical techinques. 2. The patients who were repaired with the three-tissue bundle techinque averaged 12.5° dorsiflexion at the time of cast removal at postoperative 6 weeks, compared to 0°, 1° plantar flexion, and 4.4° plantar flexion with other techniques. The former group was significantly better than that of the latter group, and these differences were not present at long-term follow up. 3. On follow up period, discoverd complications were rerupture of Achilles tendon in 8 cases and mild wound infection in 3 cases, but the patients who were repaired by the three-tissne bundle technique showed no complications except mild wound infection in one case.
Achilles Tendon ; Adult ; Ankle ; Early Ambulation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Leg ; Methods ; Rupture ; Weight-Bearing ; Wound Infection

A case of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) was presented in 46 year-old male patient. The characteristic skin lesions of TEN were developed after some medictions and tetanus anti-toxin (TAT) injection due to trauma. Probably, the cause of the disease was drugs, TAT injection or trauma inself. On the pathologic findings, lower epidermis and dermo-epidermal cleavage were noticed. He was treated with massive antibiotics and steroid. About 7 days after therapy, much improvement achived. However foul odorous yellowish discharge was noticed since 20 days of hospitalization. Wide debridement of necrotic tissue was carried without improvement. Patient expired on 48th hospital day due to sepsis and impending hepatic coma.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Debridement ; Epidermis ; Hepatic Encephalopathy ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odors ; Sepsis ; Skin ; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome* ; Tetanus

No abstract available.
Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms*

The perineum refers to the anatomical area immediately below the pelvis, and is comprised of diverse anatomic and somatic innervation. Although various interventions have been proposed for the management of intractable cancer-related perineal pain, their efficacy are limited because the target of nerve blocks has focused on somatic rather than sympathetic components. Recently, blockade of the ganglion impar has been introduced as an alternative means of managing intractable neoplastic perineal pain of sympathetic origin. We successfully treated a patient who had suffered from cancer-related intractable perineal pain with ganglion impar block.
Ganglion Cysts* ; Humans ; Nerve Block ; Pelvis ; Perineum ; Rectal Neoplasms

Chronic complication of diving and working in compressed air is dysbaric osteonecrosis. Dysbaric osteonecrosis could be diagnosed by simple bone x-ray, in the case of exposure history to dysbaric atmosphere. The case is 44 years old man who worked as a shell fish diver for 20 years. He was exposed dysbaric atmosphere during diving. He had bone necrosis in both femur head, both distal femur and proximal tibia. He had multiple attacks of decompression sickness. Other causes of bone necrosis are ruled out. We conclude that diver's bone necrosis is dysbaric osteonecrosis.
Adult ; Atmosphere ; Compressed Air ; Decompression Sickness ; Diving ; Femur ; Femur Head ; Humans ; Necrosis ; Osteonecrosis* ; Tibia

PURPOSE: In vitro sonography of lymph nodes was performed to ascertain the differential point between benignancy and malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninty-one lymph nodes were obtained at gastric cancer surgery and pathologically proved as benignancy in 68 and malignancy in 23 cases. Sohographic and pathologic correlation of resected ninty one lymph nodes was done in terms of size, the ratio of longest diameter versus shortest diameter, central hyperechogenicity, and peripheral cortical echo. RESULTS: Sonographic findings of benign lymph node were small size, oval shape(85%), narrow central high echogenicity(44%), and symmetric cortical thickening(41%). Sonographic findings of malignant lymph node were large size, round contour(39%), loss of central high echogenicity(82%), and diffuse increase of cortical thickness(82%). CONCLUSION: The most reliable sonographic criterion for differentiation of benignancy from malignancy was size of a lymphnode.
Lymph Nodes* ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Ultrasonography