BACKGROUND/AIMS: There has been a lot of controversy about the treatment methods in the management of residual & recurrent biliary stones. So we performed the study to clarify the important factors in choosing the treatment modality of the residual & recurrent biliary stones. METHODS: 154 patients who were diagnosed as residual or recurrent biliary stone between January 1995 and August 2000 were divided into 4 groups according to their first re- treatment methods (surgery, stone removal via T-tube, PTBD*, ESTP**) and analyzed the results of these treatments to determine what is the significant factor affecting the prognoses. RESULTS: The necessity of the second re-treatment for residual & recurrent stones was affected by the complete- ness of stone removal only, and no other factors affected it in view of multivariate analysis. The rate of residual & recurrent stones among the patients who have had the first operation in our department was 6.7%. Furthermore the clearance rate of residual & recurrent stones was relatively high value (82.2%), as a result of multidisciplinary treatments. CONCLUSION: Thus, as long as the residual stones can be removed completely, any treatment modality can be applied to these patients. We don't have to insist on surgery.
Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis

Isolated double chambers of the right ventricle (DCRV) are a rare variant of congenital heart disease. We report here on a case of right-sided infective endocarditis with isolated DCRV that presented in adulthood.
Endocarditis* ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Heart Ventricles*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disease that is mediated by anti-platelet antibodies. Based on the pathogenesis of ITP we evaluated the efficacy of intravenous anti-D immunoglobulin for adult chronic ITP. METHODS: Fourteen patients (4 without splenectomy and 10 with splenectomy) with refractory chronic ITP were treated with 50-70 microgram/kg of intravenous anti-D immunoglobulin only once. Treatment effects were evaluated by measuring the platelet counts and hemoglobin levels. RESULTS: Five patients (36%) showed a response; improvement in the platelet count lasted for on average 7 days (range: 2~24 days). There were no serious adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Anti-D immunoglobulin, which is associated with an Fc receptor blockade, appeared to be safe and effective for the treatment of adults with chronic ITP. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and define further potentially effective treatment protocols with intravenous anti-D immunoglobulin.
Adult ; Antibodies ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Clinical Protocols ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Isoantibodies ; Platelet Count ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; Receptors, Fc ; Rho(D) Immune Globulin ; Splenectomy