No abstract available.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous echo contrast(SEC) is known to predict the increased incidence of thromboembolism in a variety of heart diseases. Transesophageal echocardiography can be useful for the detection of SEC due to proximity of the probe to the left atrium. We performed this study (1) to evaluate the incidence of SEC in mitral stenosis and its relation to the past history of thromboembolism and (2) to characterize the echocardiographic and hemodynamic indices in patients with SEC compared with those without SEC. METHODS: Transesophageal and thransthoracic echocardiographies were done in 89 patients with mitral stenosis. Biplane probe was used in transesophageal echocardiography. In 47patients cardiac catheterization and angiography were performed. RESULTS: (1) SEC was found in 56 out of 89 patients(63%), and left atrial thrombus was found in 32 patients. (2) Left atrial dimension was larger in patients with SEC than in patients without SEC(57.3%+/-8.4mm vs 49.3+/-6.8mm, p<0.05) and mitrial valve area was smaller in patients with SEC than in patients without SEC(0.85+/-0.27cm2 vs 0.97+/-0.24cm2) (3) Association of SEC to thrombi or previous history of arterial embolism showed a high sensitivity and negative predictive value. CONCLUSION: SEC was an useful finding to predict the increased risk of thromboembolism in patients with mitral stenosis. Patients with SEC had severe mitral stenosis than patients without SEC.
Angiography ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal* ; Embolism ; Heart Atria ; Heart Diseases ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; Thromboembolism ; Thrombosis

No abstract available.

PURPOSE: To evaluate morphologic characteristics of the clustered microcalcifications in benign lesions and to compare with that of malignant lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 33 patients with clustered microcalcifications( five calcifications in number per square centimeter)on mammography. We analyzed mammographic findings with regard to shape, size, number/cm2, irregularity of size and shape, presence of central lucency, and accompanied mass density. RESULTS: Of 12 benign lesions, the most frequent shape was dot or round form (4/12, 33.3%) followed by ring form (3/12, 25%). The size was smaller than 0.5mm in 5 patients (41.7%), 0.5-1 mm in one and more than 1 mm in 6 patients(50%). The number of calcifications per square centimeter were five to ten in 41.7%, more than ten in 58.3%. Of all 21 malignant lesions, the most frequent shape was branching form (8/21, 38.1%). The sizes of calcification were less than 0.5ram in 76.1%(16/21). Central lucency within the calcification was seen only in benign lesions (3/14, 21%). Irregularity ih size and shape of calcifictions was noted in both benign and malignant lesions. Accompanied parenchymal mass density was more commonly associated with malignant lesions(80. 9%) than benign lesions(58.3%). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that benign clutered microcalcifications on mammography could be differentiated from malignant calcifications with the criteria of larger size, central lucency and infrequent accompanied mass.
Humans ; Mammography* ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To evaluate morphologic characteristics of the clustered microcalcifications in benign lesions and to compare with that of malignant lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 33 patients with clustered microcalcifications( five calcifications in number per square centimeter)on mammography. We analyzed mammographic findings with regard to shape, size, number/cm2, irregularity of size and shape, presence of central lucency, and accompanied mass density. RESULTS: Of 12 benign lesions, the most frequent shape was dot or round form (4/12, 33.3%) followed by ring form (3/12, 25%). The size was smaller than 0.5mm in 5 patients (41.7%), 0.5-1 mm in one and more than 1 mm in 6 patients(50%). The number of calcifications per square centimeter were five to ten in 41.7%, more than ten in 58.3%. Of all 21 malignant lesions, the most frequent shape was branching form (8/21, 38.1%). The sizes of calcification were less than 0.5ram in 76.1%(16/21). Central lucency within the calcification was seen only in benign lesions (3/14, 21%). Irregularity ih size and shape of calcifictions was noted in both benign and malignant lesions. Accompanied parenchymal mass density was more commonly associated with malignant lesions(80. 9%) than benign lesions(58.3%). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that benign clutered microcalcifications on mammography could be differentiated from malignant calcifications with the criteria of larger size, central lucency and infrequent accompanied mass.
Humans ; Mammography* ; Retrospective Studies

We have encountered a rare case of erythema nodosum-like leukemia cutis associated with acute myelocytic leukemia(AML) in a 57-year-old male. He was in good health until about 2 weeks prior to admission, when the systemic symptoms of high fever, anorexia, general weakness and malaise, and subcutaneous nodules developed. The nodules were multiple, red and noted bilaterally on the pretibial areas. Histological findings of his skin lesions showed diffuse cellular infiltrates intermingled with leukemic cells predominantly involving the adipose tissues. The cells displayed negative stainirig to antibodies CD3 and CD20, but positive staining to LCA. The diagnosis of AML(M4) was made by blood and bone marrow studies. He had a rapid downhill course and was discharged after 2 weeks of admission, with no anti-cancer chemotherapy.
Anorexia ; Antibodies ; Bone Marrow ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Erythema* ; Fever ; Humans ; Leukemia* ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Skin

Secondary cutaneous cryptococcosis may occur earlier than other manifestations of disseminated cryptococcosis. A 68-year-old woman presented with multiple ulcerative lesions on the right calf of 2 weeks duration. She had been treated with antibiotics, but the lesions spread rapidly. The initial clinical impression was necrotizing fasciitis, but routine KOH mounting from the ulcerative lesions showed numerous budding yeast cells with peripheral clear zones and further investigations including a skin biopsy, tissue cultures and India ink preparations allowed a rapid and definitive diagnosis of cutaneous cryptococcosis. Studies for other evidence of infection elsewhere revealed an asymptomatic pulmonary lesion. We report a case of secondary cutaneous cryptococcosis clinically mimicking necrotizing fasciitis that occured before other manifestations of disseminated cryptococcosis.
Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Biopsy ; Cryptococcosis* ; Diagnosis ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing* ; Female ; Humans ; India ; Ink ; Saccharomycetales ; Skin ; Ulcer

We report a case of cutaneous B cell lymphoma in a 68-year-old male who had primarily developed two 2.0 * 2.0 * 0,6cm sized, dome shaped, dark red colored tumors on the medial side of his left thigh about 4 months previously. His general condition was good and laboratory results were within normal limits, except for the enlargement of aortocaval, paraaortic and left inguinal lymph nodes. Histopathological examinations revealed diffuse dense infiltration of large atypical cells with vesicular nuclei and large prominent nucleoli in the entire dermis. They were largely composed of centroblast and immunoblast-like cells and showed positive reactions to the leukocyte common antigen, and L26 and CD22 was related to peripheral B-cell lineage in the immunohistochemical study. The skin lesions improved completely with an m-BACOD regimen. There was no relapse over a 3-year follow-up period.
Aged ; Antigens, CD45 ; B-Lymphocytes ; Dermis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphoma, B-Cell* ; Male ; Recurrence ; Skin ; Thigh

No abstract available.
Korea* ; Thoracic Surgery*

We report herein a gigantic case of verrucous hemangioma occuring in a 15 year-old school- boy. The lesion was a dark red colored, 10.0 x 6.0 x 0.8cm sized, verrucous surfaced, hemangiomatous tumor affecting the posterior aspect of the right thigh. At birth an erythematous macule appeared and insidious]y increased or extended with age. In the last 6 months, it had grown rapidly to the size of the present lesion with a smaller satellite one, assumably ascribing to the repeated minor trauma or pressure. Histological findings from the totally excised lesion showed epidermal hyperplasia with irregular acanthosis and papillomatosis and diffuse marked proliferation and dilatation of blood vessels from the upper dermis to subcutaneous fatty tissue. Wide excision was done. There was no relapse after about one years postoperative follow up.
Adipose Tissue ; Adolescent ; Blood Vessels ; Dermis ; Dilatation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemangioma* ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Male ; Papilloma ; Parturition ; Recurrence ; Thigh