Unilateral pedicle stress fracture accompanying spondylolytic spondylolisthesis is rare even in the elderly. Most are associated with major trauma, previous spine surgery, or stress-related activity. Here, the authors describe an unique case of unilateral pedicle fracture associated with spondylolytic spondylolisthesis at the L5 level, which was successfully treated by posterior lumbar interbody fusion with screw fixation at the L5-S1 level. As far as the authors' knowledge, no such case has been previously reported in the literature. The pathophysiological mechanism of this uncommon entity is discussed and a review of relevant literature is included.
Aged ; Fractures, Stress ; Humans ; Spine ; Spondylolisthesis* ; Spondylolysis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the anglographic finding and clinical result of transarterial embolotherapy(TAE) in patients with injuries of renal artery branches by blunt trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was based on retrospective analysis of seven cases, in which TAE was attempted for the control of traumatic renal arterial bleeding. All procedures were performed via the transfemoral approach. TAE was performed with stainless steel coil in two cases, Gelfoam in one case, and Gelfoam and stainless steel coil in four cases. RESULTS: Angiographic findings of vascular injuries were pseudoaneurysm in four cases, extravasation in two cases and arteriocalyceal fistula in one case. All procedures were performed successfully without complication. CONCLUSION: Pseudoaneurysm is a common anglographic finding in patients with injury of renal artery branches and TAE is considered a safe and effective method for treating such cases.
Aneurysm, False ; Embolization, Therapeutic* ; Fistula ; Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Renal Artery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Stainless Steel ; Vascular System Injuries

Synovial cysts are recognized as an uncommon cause of radicular and myelopathic symptoms. They are most frequently found in the lumbar region. The cervical spine or cervicothoracic junction is a rare location for a degenerative intraspinal synovial cyst as compared with the lumbar spine. At given cervical spinal levels, synovial cysts probably share clinical features with disc herniation and stenosis. However, the pathogenesis of synovial cysts remains still controversial. Here, we report a rare case of a synovial cyst in the lower cervical spine presented as Brown-Sequard syndrome and include a brief review of the literature. To the best of our knowledge, no previous report has been issued in the English literature on a synovial cyst presenting with Brown-Sequard syndrome. Neurologic function recovered completely after complete removal of the cyst and expansive laminoplasty.
Brown-Sequard Syndrome* ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Lumbosacral Region ; Spine ; Synovial Cyst*

Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) is a rare condition that presents as a back pain with progressive neurologic symptoms. Most affected patients are obese and receiving steroid therapy, or have an endocrinopathies. We report a rare case of cauda equina syndrome caused by SEL in a non-obese healthy young man without any evident traumatic episode. A healthy 19-year-old man, who had experienced lower back pain for two months, visited our emergency room because of the sudden development of motor weakness and voiding difficulty. Lumbar magnetic resonance image revealed extradural fat compressing the cauda equina. Urgent decompression via posterior laminectomy and excision of excess epidural fat resulted in an immediate symptom improvement.
Back Pain ; Cauda Equina* ; Decompression ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Lipomatosis* ; Low Back Pain ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Polyradiculopathy* ; Young Adult

Closed mouth impression technique by using bite tray is preferred for single tooth impression taking. However, for implant impression taking, open mouth impression technique by using single arch tray is generally used whether it is for single implant or multiple implant. Closed mouth impression technique by using bite tray can save time and materials. It also decreases the chance of error occurrence when a model is mounted on an articulator. In this case report, we tried to show a satisfying result of fabricating single implant fixed prosthodontics after bite tray impression taking by using two different copings for closed mouth impression.
Dental Articulators ; Mouth* ; Prosthodontics ; Tooth

PURPOSE: To analyze the stress distribution of the implant and its supporting structures through 3D finite elements analysis for implants with different hexagon heights and to make the assessment of the mechanical stability and the effect of the elements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Infinite elements modeling with CAD data was designed. The modeling was done as follows; an external connection type Phi 4.0 mm x11.5 mm Osste(R) USII (Osstem Co., Pusan, Korea) implant system was used, the implant was planted in the mandibular first molar region with appropriate prosthetic restoration, the hexagon (implant fixture's external connection) height of 0.0, 0.7, 1.2, and 1.5 mm were applied. ABAQUS 6.4 (ABAQUS, Inc., Providence, USA) was used to calculate the stress value. The force distribution via color distribution on each experimental group's implant fixture and titanium screw was studied based on the equivalent stress (von Mises stress). The maximum stress level of each element (crown, implant screw, implant fixture, cortical bone and cancellous bone) was compared. RESULTS: The hexagonal height of the implant with external connection had an influence on the stress distribution of the fixture, screw and upper prosthesis and the surrounding supporting bone. As the hexagon height increased, the stress was well distributed and there was a decrease in the maximum stress value. If the height of the hexagon reached over 1.2 mm, there was no significant influence on the stress distribution. CONCLUSION: For implants with external connections, a hexagon is vital for stress distribution. As the height of the hexagon increased, the more effective stress distribution was observed.
Dental Implants ; Molar ; Plants ; Prostheses and Implants ; Titanium

The familial environment may also play an important role in the epidemiology of HCV infection through vertical and horizontal transmission by infected household members. However, it is still controversial whether familial clustering of HCV occurs. We experienced a case of familial clustering of hepatitis C virus. A 10-year old girl presented with nausea, vomiting and anorexia for a month was diagnosed as hepatitis C. Her mother, grandmother, a maternal aunt and her daughter had contracted with HCV. Her laboratory findings showed AST/ALT 63/122 IU/L, positive anti-HCV Ab and HCV RNA (3.54 x 10(5) copies/mL). Pathologic findings of the liver biopsy revealed chronic hepatitis with minimal lobular activity, mild porto-periportal activity and mild portal fibrosis. After treatment with interferon-alpha 2b for 6 months, the clinical symptoms and laboratory findings were normalized.
Anorexia ; Biopsy ; Child ; Cluster Analysis* ; Epidemiology ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Hepacivirus* ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis* ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; Liver ; Mothers ; Nausea ; Nuclear Family ; RNA ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: Preoperative radiation treatment with concomittant intravenous infusion of 5-fluorouracil has been known to be effective in shrinking and downstaging the tumor. Treatment with Doxifluridine (synthetic 5-deoxynucleoside derivative) medication prolongs drug exposure to tumor tissue, so it can be considered synergistic to concurrent radiotherapy. Intravenous 5-FU and oral Doxifluridine were compared with respect to tumor response, toxicity, and quality of life of patients. METHODS: Twenty eight patients with rectal cancer, staged as over T3N1 or T4 by transrectal ultrasonography between July 1997 and December 1998 were included. Intravenous 5-FU (450 mg/m2/day) and leucovorin (20 mg/m2) was given for five consecutive days during first and fifth weeks of irradiation therapy (50.4 Gy) (N=14). Oral Doxifluridine (700 mg/m2/day) and leucovorin (20 mg/m2) was given daily during radiation treatment (N=14). Quality of life was scored according to twenty two activity items (good: >77, fair: >58, poor: <57). Surgical resection was performed four weeks after completion of concurrent chemoradiation treatment. Tumor response was classified as CR (Complete Response), PR (Partial Response: 50% diminution of tumor volume or downstaging), or NR (No Response). RESULTS: Tumor response was CR: 3/14 (21.4%), PR: 7/14 (50%) and NR: 4/14 (28.6%) in IV arm versus CR: 2/14 (14.2%), PR: 6/14 (42.9%) and NR: 6/14 (42.9%) in oral arm (p=0.16, 0.23, 0.24, respectively). Quality of life was poor (36.4% vs 33.3%), fair and good (63.6% vs 66.7%, respectively) between IV arm and oral arm. Systemic recurrence during follow up periods was 1/14 (7.1%) in IV arm and 2/14 (14.3%) in oral arm, respectively (p=0.307). One local recurrence was observed in oral arm. Hematologic toxicity was 3/14 (21.4%) in IV arm versus 4/14 (28.5%) in oral arm, respectively. Gastrointestinal toxicity was 2/14 (14.3%) versus 5/14 (35.7%) and stomatitis was observed in IV arm (1/14, 7.1%) CONCLUSION: Oral doxifluridine based chemotherapy shows a comparable tumor response and oncologic results, but there was no benefits as far as quality of life and toxicity were concerned.
Arm ; Drug Therapy ; Fluorouracil* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Leucovorin ; Prospective Studies* ; Quality of Life ; Radiotherapy ; Rectal Neoplasms* ; Recurrence ; Stomatitis ; Tumor Burden ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: Intravenous 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and oral doxifluridine were compared with respect to therapeutic efficacy, drug toxicity, and quality of life to clarify the efficiency of oral doxifluridine. METHODS: One hundred sixty-six (166) patients who underwent a curative resection for TNM stage II and III rectal cancer between Oct. 1997 and Feb. 1999 were randomized to receive intravenous 5-FU (450 mg/m2/day) or oral doxifluridine (700 mg/m2/day) in combination with leucovorin (20 mg/m2/day). 5-FU was infused intravenously 5 consecutive days per month for a total of 12 cycles (IV arm, N=74) in one group, and doxifluridine was given orally daily for 3 weeks with a rest of 1 week for a total of 12 cycles (Oral arm, N=92). Drug toxicity and quality of life were observed. Quality of life was scored according to twenty-two daily activity items (good,>71, fair,53< or =and<70, poor,< or =52). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the mean age, sex, TNM stage distribution, or type of operation between the two groups (>0.05). Mean number of chemotherapy cycles was 6.5+/-3.7 (IV arm) vs 7.2+/-4.3 (Oral arm). The recurrence rate was 9/74 (12.1%) in IV arm and 6/92 (6.5%) in oral arm (P=0.937). Local recurrence was 2/74 (stage III; 2.7%) in IV arm and 1/92 (stage II; 1.1%) in oral arm. Systemic recurrence was 7/74 (Stage III; 9.4%) in IV arm and 5/92 (Stage III; 5.4%) in oral arm. Toxicity pro-files are as follows: Leukopenia (30/74, 17/92) and alopecia (21/74, 13/92) were more common in IV arm than in oral arm, and the difference was statistically significant. Diarrhea was more common in oral arm. The quality of life score was better at 1 month (19.5%, 49%) and at 2 months (47%, 72%) in the oral arm group (<0.05). CONCLUSION: Oral Doxifluridine with leucovorin as a postoperative adjuvant therapy shows a therapeutic efficacy comparable to the intravenous 5-FU regimen and has a high quality of life. The oral regimen also can be safely given with an appropriate toxicity and tolerability.
Alopecia ; Arm ; Diarrhea ; Drug Therapy ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; Fluorouracil* ; Humans ; Leucovorin ; Leukopenia ; Prospective Studies* ; Quality of Life ; Rectal Neoplasms* ; Recurrence

PURPOSE: It is known that the prognosis of childhood cancer is relatively good, however actual representative nationwide data on childhood cancer, particularly of survival rate, are rare. In this study we attempted to establish the overall survival rate of major childhood cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The primary source of data of childhood cancer under 15 years of age were the registry files of the Central Cancer Registry Report (Ministry of Health & Welfare) from 1993 to 1997. The above data was compared to death case data files of the same period obtained from the Korea National Statistical Office using the personal identification code. We calculated the 1, 3, and 5 year survival rates using the life table of SPSS and Kaplan-Meier method and compared the survival rate of disease according to prognostic factors. RESULTS: A total of 6,720 cases of pediatric cancer from the Central Cancer Registry files were computerized and sorted by personal identification (ID) code to extract duplicated cases as well as cases with incomplete data. The final number of cases entered in this study was 4,983. 1) The number of confirmed death cases was 1,448 (29.1%). 2) The disease distribution showed that the most common pediatric cancer was leukemia (1,468/4,983, 29%), followed by brain tumors (503/4,983, 10%), lymphoma (315/4,983, 6%), Wilms tumor (165/4,983, 3%), etc. in order by number of patients. 3) The 5 year survival rate of disease was as follows: overall 62%, acute lymphocytic leukemia 61%, acute non-lymphocytic leukemia 32%, malignant lymphoma 72%, neuroblastoma 47%, medulloblastoma 51%, Astrocytoma 66%, Wilms tumor 83%, etc. CONCLUSION: We analyzed and report the 5 year survival rate of overall childhood cancer and of each of the twelve major childhood cancers from in Korea 1993 to 1997 to provide basic data on childhood cancer statistics.
Astrocytoma ; Information Storage and Retrieval ; Brain Neoplasms ; Humans ; Korea* ; Leukemia ; Life Tables ; Lymphoma ; Medulloblastoma ; Neuroblastoma ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate* ; Wilms Tumor