Therapeutic leukapheresis is a treatment modality which selectively remove abnormal leukocytes and relieve symptoms produced by abnormally high concentration of leukocytes in the blood stream. Authors report the experiences of therapeutic leukapheresis at Seoul National University Hospital during the past 7 years(1988 to 1995). A total of 48 procedures were done for 29 patients(24 males and 5 females). The age distribution was from 16 years to 60 years and mean age was 30 years. The most common diagnosis of patients were acute lymphoblastic leukemia(7/15, 46.7%) and major indications for therapeutic leukapheresis were dyspnea, headache, abdominal pain and mental alteration. The mean leukocyte count before and after leukapheresis were 277,300/micro liter and 220,700/micro liter, respectively(20% decrease, P<0.001). Hemoglobin concentration was also decreased from 7.7g/dL to 7.1g/dL after leukapheresis(P<0.01). The mean number of leukocytes removed per procedure was 3.1x1011. Adverse reactions such as abdominal pain and dizziness were observed in two cases. The leukocyte count was decreased in all patients and improvement of symptoms was observed in four patients. In conclusion, therapeutic leukapheresis is relatively safe and can be used to relieve leukostatic symptoms in leukemic patients.
Abdominal Pain ; Age Distribution ; Diagnosis ; Dizziness ; Dyspnea ; Headache ; Humans ; Leukapheresis* ; Leukocyte Count ; Leukocytes ; Male ; Rivers ; Seoul

Tailgut cyst is a rare congenital anomaly arising in the retrorectal space. Malignancy arising from the tailgut cyst is very rare. We experienced a case of adenocarcinoma arising from the tailgut cyst. The findings of this rare tumor are bony destruction of the sacrum on plain radiograph, a cystic mass on ultrasound, a low attenuation mass with calcification and enhancement on CT, and a multiseptated cystic mass containing solid component on MRI.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Sacrum ; Ultrasonography

No abstract available.
Chordoma* ; Temporal Bone*

No abstract available.
Brain* ; Humans ; Prolactin* ; Psychopathology*

No abstract available.
Insemination* ; Spermatozoa*

No abstract available.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure* ; Hypercapnia* ; Pneumonia* ; Pulmonary Edema*

Patients with AIDS frequently present with pulmonary complications which are associated with a high mortality rate and infections are the most important cause of lung infiltrates. In addition to pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis carinii, which was noted in early reports of the syndrome, a variety of other severe pulmonary disorders may occur. Frequently more than one organism is found in a single patient and among these, combined infections of Pneumocystis carinii and cytomegalovirus are the most common. We experienced a case of combined Pneumosytis carinii and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection as a pulmonary manifestation of AIDS in a 38-year-old man. In bronchoalveolar larvage, bronchial washing and brushing, and sputum smear specimens, Pneumocystis carinii organisms were recognized, especially in Gomori's methenamine silver stains. Transbronchial lung biopsy specimen revealed intra-alveolar frothy exudates composed of collections of Pneumocystis carinii organisms as well as several granulomas with central caseous necroses.
Mortality ; Biopsy

The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in nutrient intake according to the level of self-perception of health status, aging status and life satisfaction of the rural elderly. The factors for the study were surveyed by interview method. The subjects were 270 people(71 male, 129 female) aged over 65 years(73.5 +/- 5.6ys) in the Ham-an area. The obtained results as follows : By evaluation of self-perception of health status, 57.5% of subjects answered they are in a bad health condition. The 91.5% of subjects had diseases(rheumatitis & arthritis 31.4%, cardiovascular disease 20.2%, gastric disease 10.2%). The women had more diseases than the men(p<0.01). The subjects took medical treatment in private hospital(40.5%) and public health centers(35.0%). The men showed better level of aging status(p<0.001) and life satisfaction index(p<0.01) than the worsen. Living with spouse influenced the aging status(p<0.05) and the more pocket money influenced life satisfaction(p<0.05) and aging status(p<0.05). The elderly who eat regularly 3 times a day(p<0.05) and have a good appetite(p<0.001) appeared to have positive effect on the self perception of health status and aging status. An increasing level of the self-perception of health status and regular exercise worked to improve aging status(p<0.001). The habits of smoking and alcohol drinking, however had no effect on any index. The self-perception of health status affected the nutrient intake, but only in female elderly. The aging status and the life satisfaction index related overall positively to the intake of nutrients. In conclusion, the study shows that gender did influence nutrient intake in the elderly. The women who live alone rated lowest in social resources and health condition therefore their nutrient intake was also extremely in deficit. For successful aging, a program for rural elderly is needed, i.e. actions to provide minimum economic life, food delivery and psychological/physical health care through regional public health centers.
Aged* ; Aging* ; Alcohol Drinking ; Arthritis ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Delivery of Health Care ; Female ; Gyeongsangnam-do* ; Humans ; Male ; Public Health ; Self Concept ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Spouses ; Stomach Diseases

No abstract available.
Appendicitis* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Animals ; Biogenic Amines* ; Brain* ; Electroshock* ; Rats*