Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors associated with glaucoma or ocular hypertension (OHT) in patients taking oral corticosteroids for extended periods, and to aid in managing intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with these risk factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed involving 690 patients who visited a tertiary referral hospital and had been using oral corticosteroids for more than six months. Patients' demographics, tonometry results, drug type, dosage, duration, ophthalmic history, and the use of glaucoma eye drops were analyzed to determine the risk factors associated with glaucoma or OHT. Results: In a generalized linear model analysis comparing patients' eyes diagnosed with glaucoma or ocular hypertension to those without such diagnoses, no statistical difference was observed between the two groups in terms of drug type, age, and duration of oral corticosteroid use. However, the dosage was found to be statistically significant (odds ratio 1.09, p = 0.0294). Conclusions No difference in the incidence of glaucoma or OHT was found based on the type of oral steroid, age, or duration of use. However, a higher incidence of glaucoma and OHT was observed among patients taking higher doses of oral steroids. Therefore, it is suggested that using lower doses of oral steroids may be more beneficial for managing IOP.

PURPOSE: Treatment for malignant colonic obstruction consists of a multiple-staged emergency operation. In recent years, some authors have reported low morbidity and mortality rates using self-expandable metallic stents. This study is designed to evaluate the usefulness of self-expandable metallic stents in patients with malignant colonic obstruction. METHODS: The records of 38 patients who had undergone surgery for malignant colonic obstruction at our institution between January 2004 and August 2006 were reviewed retrospectively. Seventeen patients were treated with elective surgery after stent insertion, bowel decompression, and bowel preparation (stent group), and 21 patients were treated with emergency surgery without stent insertion (control group). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, sex, tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, or cancer position between the two groups (elective operation after stent insertion vs. emergency operation). Of the 17 patients who underwent elective operation after stent insertion, primary anastomosis was possible in 15 (88.2 vs. 57.1% in the control group), with a lower need for a colostomy (11.8 vs. 42.9% in the control group, P=0.036). Also, the number of patients with severe complications (17.6 vs. 47.6% in the control group, P=0.048) and the hospital stay (10.82 vs. 13.43 days in the control group, P=0.032) were significantly lower in the study group. CONCLUSION: Placement of a self-expandable metallic stent for malignant colonic obstruction is a safe and effective procedure. It can reduce the colostomy, mortality, and morbidity rates and the hospital fee for treatment.
Colon ; Colostomy ; Decompression ; Emergencies ; Fees and Charges ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents

Malignant melanoma is a neoplasm of the skin and mucous membrane which very rarely occurs in the ovary. Malignant melanomas occurring in the ovary must be differentiated from primary and metastatic malignant melanoma. Primary malignant melanoma of the ovary is extremely rare and is thought to originate from a cystic teratoma. Malignant melanoma of ovary without evidence of residual teratoma must be considered metastatic even in the absence of a previously cutaneous or mucocutaneous lesion. Opinions about its histogenesis, diagnostic criteria and elective treatment are controversial because of rare manifestations, and the prognosis remains poor in spite of the variety of therapeutic measures. After thoroughly surveying the specific literature, we report case of malignant melanoma with multiple metastases located in the stomach, the omentum and both ovaries with unknown site of primary origin.
Female ; Melanoma* ; Mucous Membrane ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Omentum ; Ovary ; Prognosis ; Skin ; Stomach ; Teratoma

Accessory ovary is a rare gynecologic condition, and tumors arising in accessory ovaries are extremely rare. Accessory ovary may result from separation of migrating ovaries during embryogenesis and injuries such as inflammation and operation on normal ovary. Congenital malformations, most frequently malformations of the genitourinary organ, are seen in connection with the accessory ovary. We experienced the first case of two dermoid cysts developing in an accessory ovary located in the left infundibulopelvic ligament and another in the eutopic ovary at the same side concurrently. Here, we present this extremely rare case with a review of the literature.
Adult ; Dermoid Cyst/*diagnosis/pathology ; Female ; Human ; Ovarian Cysts/*diagnosis/pathology ; Ovarian Diseases/congenital/*diagnosis ; Ovary/abnormalities/*pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a poorly understood condition characterized by gelatinous, mucinous implants, and often massive gelatinous ascites. It is commonly associated with mucinous tumors of the ovary or appendix, and a frequently relapsing and protracted disease. But, there are much confusion about its etiology, clinical manifestation, treatment, and prognosis. We experienced a case of pseudomyxoma peritonei originating from the borderline and microinvasive mucinous tumor of the ovary. So we report this case with a brief review of literatures.
Appendix ; Female ; Gelatin ; Mucins ; Ovary ; Prognosis ; Pseudomyxoma Peritonei*

The malignant mixed mullerian tumor (MMMT) is an uncommon tumor containing epithelial and mesenchymal components. MMMT of the ovary is rare, constituting less than 1% of all primary ovarian tumors. It is a particularly aggressive and rapidly progressive tumor, especially in advanced stages. This disease is usually advanced when diagnosed, because it is asymptomatic in early stage. The survival rate is very low in spite of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The optimal treatment for this neoplasm is still controversial because of its rarity. We experienced one case of malignant mixed mullerian tumor of the ovary and report with a brief review of literature.
Drug Therapy ; Female ; Ovary* ; Radiotherapy ; Survival Rate

The pathogenesis and origin of vulvar cyst lined by a ciliated columnar epithelium is unknown. But it is suggested that origins of the epithelium of cyst are Mullerian or Wolffian duct or urogenital sinus, while heterotopia (sequestration and migration of tissue) or dysontogenesis (defective embryonic development) or prosoplasia (abnormal development resulting in a "higher state" of organization) or metaplasia have also been suggested. We experienced one case of Mullerian cyst of vulva. So we report above the case with a brief review of literature.
Epithelium ; Metaplasia ; Vulva* ; Wolffian Ducts

The pathogenesis and origin of vulvar cyst lined by a ciliated columnar epithelium is unknown. But it is suggested that origins of the epithelium of cyst are Mullerian or Wolffian duct or urogenital sinus, while heterotopia (sequestration and migration of tissue) or dysontogenesis (defective embryonic development) or prosoplasia (abnormal development resulting in a "higher state" of organization) or metaplasia have also been suggested. We experienced one case of Mullerian cyst of vulva. So we report above the case with a brief review of literature.
Epithelium ; Metaplasia ; Vulva* ; Wolffian Ducts

Epidermal inclusion cyst is the one of the common benign tumors of vulvar area. It can result from vulvar skin trauma such as vaginal wall sling operation and female mutilation etc. causing an invagination of squamous epithelium, which then desquamates into a closed space to form a cystic mass. We have experienced one case of huge epidermal inclusion cyst at rectovaginal and posterior coccygeal area considered of huge retroperitoneal mass, which is presented with a brief review of the literatures.
Epithelium ; Female ; Humans ; Skin

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate and introduce the clinicopathologic characteristics and treatment modalities of vulvar vestibulitis, a subset of vulvodynia, may cause physical disabilities, phycological or emotional distress, sexual dysfunction and limitation of daily activities. But its etiologies and treatments are not defined yet. We want to summarize the diagnostic methods and treatments patients of vulvar vestibulitis syndrome, could be easily overlooked in your offices. METHODS: This retrospective study was based on medical records including pathologic reports of 30 patients who underwent skin biopsy among the patients who were diagnosed as vulvar vestibulitis syndrome from August 1999 to February 2002 at Kyung-Hee University Medical Center. Skin biopsy was taken at a most painful area of vestibule in Dermatology Department to improve the accuracy of diagnosis. We evaluated the clinicopathologic characteristics of patients RESULTS: The mean age of these patients was 53.4+/-10.4 years and the mean parity was 3.13+/-1.4 times. The mean duration from symptom onset to diagnosis was 26.2+/-24.1 months. The skin biopsies showed chronic inflammation in 21 cases (70.0%), chronic inflammation with koilocytosis in 5 cases (16.7%), subacute inflammation in 3 cases (10.0%), and acute inflammation in 1 case (3.3%). The most predominant painful area is right posterior vestibular site and all patients felt pain on that site with swab test. There were 70% improvement among 30 patients with non-surgical modalities. CONCLUSION: Vulvar vestibulitis syndrome is a syndrome of severe pain, burning, stinging, irritative or raw sensation within the vestibular area by vestibular touch or attempted vaginal entry such as tampon use or intercourse. It also has vestibular redness, urge to urinate frequently or suddenly and is confirmed by history, moistened cotton-tipped swab test and gentian violet staining on the lesions. Its prevalence is 15% and it is frequently accompanied by physical disabilities, limitation of daily activities, sexual dysfunction and psychologic distress. Even though it could be seen frequently in our offices and has a tendency to become a chronic disease requiring long-term treatments, it has been being overlooked in offices due to lack of understanding of its etiologies, diagnostic criteria and treatments. Here we need more concerns and studies of vulvar vestibulitis syndrome.
Academic Medical Centers ; Biopsy ; Bites and Stings ; Burns ; Chronic Disease ; Dermatology ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Gentian Violet ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Medical Records ; Parity ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensation ; Sexual Behavior ; Skin ; Vulvar Vestibulitis* ; Vulvodynia