No abstract available.
Pancreatic Pseudocyst*

Acute appendicitis is a common disease, in general, but is rare in the elderly. This report is a clinical review of 148 patients over the age of 60 who, due to acute appendicitis, underwent appendectomies at the Department of General Surgery of Saint Columban Hospital from January 1993 to December 1995. The results are as follows: 1) The overall percentage of the patients over the age of 60 was about 16.4%. 2) The male to female ratio was 1:1.6. 3) The perforation rate was 33.1%. 4) The mean duration of symptoms were 2 days in non-perforated and 4.5 days in perforated appendicitis. 5) The chief complaints were pain (86.5%) and tenderness (88.5%) on right lower quadrant. 6) This disease occurred most frequently in spring and summer. 7) The highest incidence of leukocyte count was 10,000~15,000 per cubic mm of blood (50%). 8) The most frequent postoperative complication was wound infection as 14.2%. 9) sixty-seven cases (45.3%) were accompanied by concomitant disease, the most frequent being hypertention (14.9%). 10) The mean numbers of hospital days were 7.5 in non-perforated and 14 in perforated appendicitis.
Aged ; Appendectomy ; Appendicitis* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; Saints ; Wound Infection

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, which has been defined as a primary adenocarcinoma from the intrahepatic bile ducts distal to the second-order branch of the main hepatic ducts, has a poor prognosis against various treatment modalities. We analyzed the clinical characteristics of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas and evaluated the outcomes of surgical treatment. METHODS: Forty five cases of microscopically-proven intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma during 8 and a half year period from January 1993 to june 2001 were reviewed. RESULTS: They comprised 29 men and 16 women with an average age of 54.3 years (range: 34 to 76 years). The overall incidence of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in association with hepatolithiasis was 4~% and in this sutdy 17 out of 45 cases (37.8%) of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was combined with intrahepatic stones. The incidence of accurate preoperative diagnosis was 56% due to low index of suspicion. The growth pattern of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was mass-forming type in 32 cases, periductal infiltrative type in 9 cases, and intraductal growth type in 4 cases. CONCLUSION: Careful preoperative evaluation using computed tomography, ultrasonography, and angiography and a study of tumor markers for the possibility of a intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is necessary in risk groups with hepatolithiasis or clonorchiasis. Hepatric resection should be used in hepatolithiasis patients to improve the chance of survival.
Adenocarcinoma ; Angiography ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Cholangiocarcinoma* ; Clonorchiasis ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Hepatic Duct, Common ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Prognosis ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Ultrasonography

Sparganosis is a rare tissue-parasitic infestation caused by a plerocercoid tapeworm larva(sparganum), genus Spirometra. The most common clinical presentation of sparganosis is a palpable subcutaneous mass or masses. Fifteen simple radiographs and 10 ultrasonograms of 17 patients with operatively verified subcutaneous sparganosis were retrospectively analyzed to find its radiologic characteristics for preoperative diagnosis of sparganosis. The locations of the subcutaneous sparganosis were lower extremity, abdominal wall, breast, inguinal region and scrotum in order of frequency. The simple radiographs showed linear or elongated calcification with or without nodular elongated shaped soft tissue mass shadows in 8 patients, soft tissue mass shadow only in 2 patients and lateral abdominal wall thickening in 1 patient. But no specific findings was noted in 4 patients with small abdominal and inguinal masses. We could classify the subcutaneous sparganosis by ultrasound into 2 types: one is long band-like hypoechoic structures, corresponding to the subcutaneous tunnel-like tracks formed by migration of sparganum larva and the other is elongated or ovoid hypoechoic nodules, representing granulomas. Long band-like hypoechoic structures within or associated with mixed echoic granulomatous masses were noted in 6 patients and elongated or ovoid hypoechoic mass or masses were noted in 4 patients. In conclusion, sparganosis should be considered when these radiologic findings-irregular linear calcifications on simple radiograph and long ban-like hypoechoic structures on ultrasonography, corresponding to the subcutaneous tunnel-like tracks formed by migration of sparganum larva-are noted in the patients who have subcutaneous palpable mass or masses. And radiologic examination especially ultrasonography is very helpful to diagnose sparganosis.
Abdominal Wall ; Breast ; Cestoda ; Diagnosis ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Larva ; Lower Extremity ; Retrospective Studies ; Scrotum ; Sparganosis* ; Sparganum ; Spirometra ; Ultrasonography

Pancreatoblastoma is a rarely occurring malignant tumor in childhood, which has been reported less 60cases in the world. which is a kind of adenocarcinoma exhibiting solid encapsulating tumor. Its prognosis is better favorable than typical pancreatic cancer. We were experienced one case of pancreatoblastoma, the patient was a 8 years-old boy who was incidentally found by his parent because of left upper quadrant mass during having a bath without any previous medical history. His preoperative AFP level was elevated and his preoperative diagnosis was pancreatoblastoma by abdominal computed tomography. During laparotomy, the tumor was located between body and tail of pancreas, adhered to hilum of spleen and also surrounded by transverse mesocolon, displacing the arcade of mesocolic vessels. When dissecting the mesocolon from pancreatic tumor, superior mesenteric artery and gastroduodenal artery were embeded in the tumor. The patient underwent distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy after ligature and dividing of mid-colic vessel. After surgery, he was received six-cycle of combined chemotherapy. There is no evidence of recurrence and metastasis for nineteen months after surgery.
Adenocarcinoma ; Arteries ; Baths ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Laparotomy ; Ligation ; Male ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior ; Mesocolon ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pancreas ; Pancreatectomy ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; Parents ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Spleen ; Splenectomy

PURPOSE: We performed this study to determine (1) whether the levels of inflammatory mediators, including matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and intercellular adhesion molecule-3 (ICAM-3), in gastric fluid (GF) in premature newborns are associated with those in amniotic fluid (AF) in their mothers and (2) whether the levels of the inflammatory mediators in newborn GF are associated with the presence of intrauterine inflammation (IUI). METHODS: Sixty-two pairs of pregnant women and their premature newborns born at <35 weeks' gestation by cesarean delivery were enrolled in this study. AF and newborn GFs were obtained during cesarean section procedures. Levels of MMP-9, ICAM-3, interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured and compared between the AF and newborn GFs in each dyad, according to the presence or absence of chorioamnionitis (CA), preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM), and preterm labor (PTL). RESULTS: The levels of MMP-9, ICAM-3, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha in newborn GF were significantly correlated with those in AF in each dyad. The premature newborns and their mothers with CA had significantly higher GF MMP-9, IL-8, and TNF-alpha levels than those without CA. Those with PPROM or PTL showed similar findings in terms of GF MMP-9, IL-8, and TNF-alpha levels. CONCLUSION: The newborn GF immediately after birth can be a useful alternative source of information on whether a premature infant has been exposed to IUI at the time of delivery.
Amniotic Fluid ; Cesarean Section ; Chorioamnionitis ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Infant, Premature ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukin-8 ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; Membranes ; Mothers ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Rupture ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

PURPOSE: Intrauterine inflammation (IUI) is a leading cause of preterm delivery. Although matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) are known to be related with IUI, it has not been fully elucidated whether MMP-9 or ICAM-3 is associated with IUI. We performed this study to determine whether the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), MMP-9 and ICAM-3 in umbilical cord blood of preterm infants are associated with chorioamnionitis, funisitis or bronchopulmonary dysplasia. METHODS: Eighty-two pairs of pregnant women and their preterm newborns <35 weeks gestation were enrolled. Levels of TNF-alpha, MMP-9 and ICAM-3 in umbilical cord blood were measured using immunoassays and compared with results of histological examination of placenta and clinical data of the study participants. RESULTS: The level of MMP-9 in umbilical cord blood was significantly associated with the presence of funisitis (P =0.007). The level of TNF-alpha in umbilical cord blood was significantly associated with the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (P =0.030). However, presence of chorioamnionitis or funisitis was not associated with development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. With the establishment of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the best cut-off value for umbilical blood MMP-9 was 99.42 pg/mL in identification of funisitis. The area under a constructed ROC curve for prediction of funisitis was 0.847 (standard error, 0.112; 95% confidence interval, 0.750-0.917). CONCLUSION: Measurement of MMP-9 concentration in umbilical cord blood may be an alternative way to predict whether a preterm infant has been exposed to IUI. Further study with larger numbers of subjects will be necessary to elucidate the association between the presence of IUI and neonatal adverse outcome.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; Chorioamnionitis* ; Female ; Fetal Blood* ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Inflammation ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9* ; Placenta ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; ROC Curve ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Secretory carcinoma is an uncommon type of carcinoma and the only well-documented type that may arise in children and adults of both sexes. Secretory carcinomas do not occur with any particular frequency in any part of the breast. Usually, the primary symptom is a painless mass that may be present for years before biopsy. We encountered a case of a secretory carcinoma of the breast. The patient was a 34-year-old woman. She visited our hospital due to a painless mass located in the upper portion of the left breast in the direction of 11 o,clock and at a distance of 1 cm from the areola. On palpation, it showed a firm and fixed tumor mass. A secretory carcinoma was diagnosed based on excisional biopsy. The patient underwent an Auchincloss, modified radical mastectomy. Multistep cross sections showed an ill-defined brownish, white tumor mass with a gritty sensation and measuring 2.0 1.4 cm in size. Metastasis was found in 1 of 8 axillary lymph nodes. Compared with typical breast cancer, the prognosis is better, but a similar therapeutic strategy may be necessary.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Mastectomy, Modified Radical ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Palpation ; Prognosis ; Sensation

Bacterial endocarditis has been well recognized as an important complication of congenital heart disease, such as ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus or pulmonary stenosis. The incidence of right sided bacterial endocarditis is lesser than left sided bacterial endocarditis. Also, pulmonic valve vegetation has been thought to be relatively uncommon. So in a patient with fever and evidence of recurrent pulmonary infarction, changing heart murmurs and scattered pneumonic infiltrates, one should direct attention to the heart as a possible source of the infection. Echocardiography with M-mode, 2-D and Doppler mode represents the only noninvasive technic available for detecting vegetations in bacterial endocarditis. In fact, the technic is more sensitive in identifying these lesions than angiography. We experienced a case of ventricular septal defect with bacterial endocarditis, pulmonic valve vegetation and multiple pulmonary embolism diagnosed with Echocardiogram and lung scan, and confirmed by operation. Patch repair of ventricular septal defect, resection of pulmonic valve and vegetation and artificial valve formation with pericardium were done.
Angiography ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Echocardiography ; Endocarditis, Bacterial* ; Fever ; Heart ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Heart Murmurs ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lung ; Pericardium ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Pulmonary Infarction ; Pulmonary Valve Stenosis

PURPOSE: The predictive value of c-erbB2 over-expression, and p53 mutation, to the response rate to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, were assessed in patients with breast cancer. METHODS: Between January 2000 and June 2002, 185 patients, with breast cancer, were put forward for two commonly used chemotherapy regimens prior to surgery. The first 135 received the CMF (cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2, methotraxate 40 mg/m2, 5-FU 500 mg/m2) regimen, and the remaining 50 the CAF (cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2, adriamycin 50 mg/m2, 5-FU 500 mg/m2) regimen. The expressions of the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), p53 mutation and c-erbB2, were evaluated by immunohistochemistry of needle biopsy samples prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Tumor response was categorized according to the WHO criteria, using the largest diameter in ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients in the CMF and CAF groups were 48.8 and 47.4 years. Forty eight (35.6%) and 24 (48.0%) of the patients, in the CMF and CAF groups, respectively, had pathologically partial or complete responses. The tumor size, axillary lymph nodes, lymphatic and vascular invasions, as clinicopathological factors, were significantly correlated with the response to chemotherapy in the CAF group. The absences of ER or PR were also significantly associated with a remission in both the CMF and CAF groups. p53 mutation was not correlated to the response rate of either chemotherapy regimen. There was no significant relationship between the expression of c-erbB2 and the response rate in the CMF group, but a higher percentage of patients with c-erbB2 positive tumors had a response to the CAF regimens. CONCLUSION: p53 mutation is not significantly associated with tumor response, but the over-expression of c-erbB2 can predict the response to the different chemotherapies used in breast cancer.
Biopsy, Needle ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Doxorubicin ; Drug Therapy* ; Estrogens ; Fluorouracil ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymph Nodes ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Receptors, Progesterone ; Ultrasonography