The usefulness of E-cadherin immunostaining as a marker of malignancy in the body fluids was investigated in the present study. Thirty-three histologically proven cases of cell blocks from the pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial fluids were studied by immunocytochemistry for E-cadherin antibody using LSAB method. These cases were cytologically diagnosed as adenocarcinoma (25 cases) and atypical cells (8 cases). Tumor cells showed strong positive membranous staining for E-cadherin antibody in 21 out of 25 cases (84%) of adenocarcinoma. E-cadherin staining was not found in 6 of 8 cases of suspicious maligancy. The sensitivity and specificity were 84% and 75%, respectively. Reactive mesothelial cells and inflammatory cells scattered were all negative. In conclusion, E-cadherin is an useful adjunctive marker to distinguish reactive mesothelial cells from the carcinoma cells in the body fluids.
Sensitivity and Specificity ; Adenocarcinoma ; Neoplasm Metastasis

Two cases of epidertnoid cyst of the ovary are added to the ten reported in the literature. This rare lesion is usually an incidental finding. Its main interest is in its histogenesis, which includes metaplasia of the coelomic surface epithelium, monophyletic development of teratoma, and metaplasia of the rete ovarii. We investigated two cases of epidertnoid cyst. Histologic examination of the cysts showed a thin lining of mature keratinizing squamous epithelium rectum: unaccompanied by skin appendages or other teratomatous elements.
Cysts

Senile sebaceous hyperplasia refers to a benign enlargement of a normal sebaceous unit which is not uncommon in the old age group, and is characterized clinically by single or multiple small cream to yellowish round papules developed on the face, chiefly on the forehead and cheeks. A case of florid senile sebaceous hyperplasia developed in a 81-year-old man was presented. Because this disorder is one of the geriatric dermatoses and the average life span of our people is remarkably lengthened in recent years, we believe dermatologists should pay more attention to this kind of dermatosis.
Male ; Humans

We present a case of pemphigus vulgaris developed during pregnancy. The clinical features of this patient were similar to those of hetpes gestationis. By immunofluorescence studies we found that the patient's serum contained autoantibodies to intercellular substance of epidermis. Direct immunofluorescence microscopy of a perilesional skin also demontrated immunoglobulin deposition in the intercellular areas. Additionally we did in vitro C3 staining for further confirmation of the diagnosis but it was negative in basement membrane zone. This patient was initially treated with corticosteroid and azathioprine. Several months later gold compound was given instead of azathioprine and corticosteroid with good therapeutic response.
Autoantibodies ; Azathioprine ; Basement Membrane ; Diagnosis ; Epidermis ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Microscopy ; Pemphigus* ; Pregnancy* ; Skin

The incidence of severe hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection has been increasing. However, clinicopathologic features of severe HAV infection that lead to liver transplantation (LT) have not been reported in Korea. We retrieved 16 LT cases with HAV infection during the last 3 years at Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. Fifteen cases progressed to hepatic encephalopathy. Thirteen cases survived with or without complications, and three patients died of sepsis. The explanted liver showed massive or zonal necrosis with moderate to severe cholestasis. The zonal distribution of necrosis was frequently associated with endothelialitis of portal and/or central veins. Degenerative changes of hepatocytes were various in degree and distribution. Viral inclusions were suspected in two cases. Although HAV infection is usually confirmed by serological tests, significant venulitis of central and/or portal veins and viral inclusions, which are rarely observed, can suggest an HAV infection as a cause of massive hepatic necrosis of unknown mechanism.
Cholestasis ; Fluconazole ; Hepatic Encephalopathy ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis A ; Hepatitis A virus ; Hepatocytes ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Liver ; Liver Transplantation ; Massive Hepatic Necrosis ; Necrosis ; Portal Vein ; Sepsis ; Serologic Tests ; Veins

No abstract available.
Abscess* ; Bacteria, Aerobic* ; Quinolones* ; Virulence*

Subvalvular aortic aneurysms are rare but can be a cause of sudden death. This case report involves a 36-year-old male who died suddenly from rupture of a subvalvular aortic aneurysm with resultant hemopericardium with tamponade. He had a bicuspid aortic valve with acute infective endocarditis. A review of the literature enlightens the association between bicuspid aortic valve and subvalvular aortic aneurysm. The pathogenesis of the diseases of the aortic root will be discussed.
Adult ; Aortic Aneurysm ; Aortic Valve ; Bicuspid ; Death, Sudden ; Endocarditis ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Humans ; Male ; Pericardial Effusion ; Rupture

Large-cell acanthoma is a generally hyperkeratotic, sharply demarcated patch on sun-exposed skin with the outstanding pathologic feature being composed of large, relatively uniform keratinocytes. We describe a case of large-cell acanthoma that involved the skin of the nasal bridge. Patient was a 56-year-old women with a tannish brown patch, 2 cm in size and of 5 years' duration. Controversial issues about nosologic entity of large cell acanthoma are discussed.
Female ; Humans

PURPOSE: Endobronchial tuberculosis and bronchogenic cancer are common causes of atelectasis or obstructive pneumonitis in Korea. Differntiation between endobronchial tuberculosis and bronchogenic carcinoma is important for the treatment and prognosis but it is sometimes difficult to differentiate these two lesions with radiologic examinations. The purpose of this study was to find the differential points between endobronchial tuberculosis and bronchogenic carcinoma associated with atelectasis or obstructive pneumonitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients in whom atelectasis or obstructive pneumonitis was detected on chest radiographs comprised the study. A definite mass opacity was not observed on chest radiographs in all patients. In these patients, the causes of obstruction were endobronchial tuberculosis (n=20) and bronchogenic cancer (n=20) which were microbiologically or pathologically confirmed. RESULTS: Double obstructive lesions were more frequently found in endobronchial tuberculosis (8/20) than in bronchogenic cancer (1/20). Multiple calcifications along the bronchial wall and severe distortion of bronchi were observed only in endobronchial tuberculosis (4/20) and associated low density mass at obstruction site was only observed in bronchogenic cancer (6/20). Bronchial dilatation (11/20) and parenchymal calcifications (14/20) distal to obstruction site, air containing bronchogram at post obstructive bronchus (14/20) were more frequently found in endobronchial tuberculosis. Contour bulging at obstruction site (14/20), and only mucus bronchogram at post obstructive bronchus (14/20) were more frequently found in bronchogenic carcinoma. CONCLUSION: In patients with atelectasis or obstructive pneumonitis, endobronchial tuberculosis is characterized by double obstructive lesion, multiple calcifications at the bronchial wall, and severe distortion of the bronchi. Endobronchial carcinoma is characterized by a low density mass at the obstructive site.
Bronchi ; Carcinoma, Bronchogenic* ; Dilatation ; Humans ; Korea ; Mucus ; Pneumonia* ; Prognosis ; Pulmonary Atelectasis* ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Tuberculosis*

The pattern of thickening of the extrahepatic bile duct on computed tomography was analysed in 30 cases with recurrent pyogenic cholangitis diagnosed by surgery (n=19) or clinical basis (n=11). The mean wall thickness of the extrahepatic bile duct was 3.3mm (range, 1-6.3mm). Diffuse thickening of the extrahepatic bile ductal wall was demonstrated in 26 of 30 cases. Diffuse thickening of the extrahepatic bile duct in recurrent pyogenic cholangitis may be differentiated from focal thickening of duct in a common duct cancer or pancreatic cancer.
Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic* ; Cholangitis* ; Pancreatic Neoplasms