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

The serum level of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in 28 atopic patients and 41 healthy, normal, non-allergic subjects were measured by standard radial immunodiffusion method (RIDT). The correlation between IgE level and clinical manifestations are studied. The results are as follows. 1) IgE value was higher in atopic dermatitis than normal subjects. 2) IgE value in atopie dermatitis revealed no sigaificant difference between in male and in female. 3) IgE value was increased parallel with the severity of the disease. 4) IgE value was not correlated with the extent of disease. 5) IgE value was not correlated with the duration of disease. 6) IgE value was not correlated with the age of onset. 7) IgE value was not correlated with the eosinophil count of peripheral blood.
Age of Onset ; Dermatitis ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Eosinophils ; Female ; Humans ; Immunodiffusion ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Immunoglobulins ; Male

Serum zinc is an essential element in men and animals. Recently on the dermatologic fields, the serum and the skin levels and the roles of zinc have been studied especially in acne vulgaris, but the results were controversial. So to confirm the previous reports and for evaluation of the relationship between the various aspects of acne vulgaris and the serum levels of zinc, the serum levels of zinc were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer in 13 healthy controls and 46 patients with acne vulgaris. In the healthy controls, their mean values of zinc were 0.843+0.251 ppm in total, 0.920+0.219 ppm, in females and 0.777+0.260 ppm in males. There was no statistical difference attributable to sex. In the 46 patients with acne vulgaris, their mean value of zinc was 0.741+0.195 ppm. There was no significant difference in the mean serum zinc level compared with the controls. In the males with acne, the mean va1ue of zinc was 0.727+0.166 ppm, and 0.748+0.208 ppm in females with acne. There was no significant statistical difference between males and females with acne. And females, but not males, with acne had significantly lower serum zinc levelss than controls of the corresponding sex. (p<0.1) By clinical severity, classifying the 46 patients with acne vulgaris into three groups: mild type (only comedones), moderate type (comedones with pa.pules) and severe type (includes pustules, comedones, and papules, etc.), the serum zinc levels of each group were 0.774+0.185 ppm, 0.7880. 200 ppm and 0.666+0.176 ppm. The significant statistical difference was found only in the severe type of acne compared with the healthy controls (p<0.05). Also classifying the patients into three groups (acute, moderate and chronic types of acne) by duration of acne, the serum values of zinc were 0.738+0.158 ppm, 0.692+0.283 ppm and 0.769+0.241 ppm, respectively. Only in the moderate type of acne, the mean serum level of zinc was significantly reduced compared with the control group (p<0.1)
Absorption ; Acne Vulgaris* ; Animals ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Skin ; Zinc*

We observed a case of tuberculosis cutis orificialis, which occurred in 50 year-old man. He had been suffered from single markedly inflamed, erythematous painful ulcer, covered by dirty brown pseudomembranous material, around anus for 3 months. The laboratory findings (CBC, routine urinalysis, stool ova and parasite with occult blood) are within normal limits except elevated ESR (52mm/hr.). Staphyloeoccus aureus and proteus are observed on wound culture, and many AFB are seen on scrapings of wound but not on sputum for 3 times. Unfortunately culture was not done. Tuberculin skin test revealed strong reaction (36mm/hr.). Chest PA and small bowel series showed far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis and intestinal tuberculosis on ileocecal area. But the findings of upper gastro-intestinal series and barium enema are within normal limits. Histopathologic findings of skin lesion showed tuberculous and tuberculoid granuloma in the deep dermis and subcutaneous tissue. We observed a case of tuberculosis cutis orificialis, which occurred in 50 year-old man. He had been suffered from single markedly inflamed, erythematoas painful ulcer, covered by dirty brown pseudomembranous material, around anus for 3 months. The laboratory findings (CBC, routine urinalysis, stool ova and parasite with occult blood) are within normal limits except elevated ESR (52mm/hr.). Staphyloeoccus aureus and proteus are'observed on wound culture, and many AFB are seen on scrapings of wound but not on sputum for 3 times. Unfortunately culture was not done. Tuberculin skin test revealed strong reaction (36mm/hr.). Chest PA and small bowel series showed far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis and intestinal tuberculosis on ileocecal area. But the findings of upper gastro-intestinal series and barium enema are within normal limits. Histopathologic findings of skin lesion showed tuberculous and tuberculoid granuloma in the deep dermis and subcutaneous tissue. Treatment with INH, myambutol and rifampin resulted in some improvment on the chest and considerable improvement on the skin and intestine within 6 months.
Anal Canal ; Barium ; Dermis ; Enema ; Ethambutol ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Intestines ; Middle Aged ; Ovum ; Parasites ; Proteus ; Rifampin ; Skin ; Skin Tests ; Sputum ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Thorax ; Tuberculin ; Tuberculosis* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; Ulcer ; Urinalysis ; Wounds and Injuries

Melanoma is relatvely uncommon malignant tumor arising in the skin from epidermal melanocytes, from the junctional component of a cellular nevus or, rarely within a blue nevus and frequently metastasizes to regional lymph nodes first, followed by hematogenous spread to lungs, liver, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, adrenal, heart and brain. All melanoma patients are carefully evaluated according to several parameters. A complete history and physical examination are carried out, with particular attention being devoted to other pigmented tumors that the patient may have. The patient should be further evaluated to determine the presence or absence of metastases by chest X-ray examination, metastatic series or bone scan, liver function studies, liver scan, EKG, etc. Special factors such as age, sex, and race, as well as site, size, and growth rate of lesions are also evaluated. We had a case of 59 year-old male patient with disseminated malignant melanoma. Upon his first visit, we did not find any abnormality in his physical examination and routine laboratory findings except skin tumors on left heel and left leg.
Brain ; Continental Population Groups ; Electrocardiography ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Heart ; Heel ; Humans ; Leg ; Liver ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Melanocytes ; Melanoma* ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nevus ; Nevus, Blue ; Pancreas ; Physical Examination ; Skin ; Thorax

No abstract available.
Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms*