BACKGROUND: Based on trends demonstrated in the United States, a very insignificant number of people have shown a predisposition to left-sided skin cancer. However, to date, no systematic review or meta-analysis has demonstrated the predominance of left-sided skin cancers over right-sided skin malignancies. OBJECTIVE: We systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed all data pertaining to locations of skin cancers. METHODS: All data were pooled using the Mantel-Haenszel method (random-effects weighting); an inverse variance model featuring fixed-effects weighting was applied to explore the robustness of modeling. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 test. Dichotomous outcomes with respect to the prevalence of left- and right-sided skin cancers are presented as relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Nine studies were included in our evaluation. Our study sample included: 182,840 patients with malignant melanoma (MM), 1,419 patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and 331 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Meta-analyses of pooled observational data revealed greater prevalence of left-sided MM compared to right-sided MM (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.89~0.92, p<0.01), while left-sided SCC was more prevalent than right-sided SCC (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.71~0.97, p=0.02). However, right-sided BCC was more prevalent than left-sided BCC (RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.95~1.19, p=0.26). CONCLUSION: Observational studies vary greatly in terms of design, methodological quality, and types of patients studied. Of note, only a few studies analyzing BCC and SCC were included in our present meta-analysis. Additionally, a selection and reporting bias could have affected our results. Our meta-analysis suggests that both MM and SCC demonstrate a left-side bias, but BCC does not.
Bias (Epidemiology) ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Humans ; Melanoma ; Methods ; Population Characteristics ; Prevalence* ; Skin Neoplasms* ; Skin* ; United States

BACKGROUND: Based on trends demonstrated in the United States, a very insignificant number of people have shown a predisposition to left-sided skin cancer. However, to date, no systematic review or meta-analysis has demonstrated the predominance of left-sided skin cancers over right-sided skin malignancies. OBJECTIVE: We systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed all data pertaining to locations of skin cancers. METHODS: All data were pooled using the Mantel-Haenszel method (random-effects weighting); an inverse variance model featuring fixed-effects weighting was applied to explore the robustness of modeling. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 test. Dichotomous outcomes with respect to the prevalence of left- and right-sided skin cancers are presented as relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Nine studies were included in our evaluation. Our study sample included: 182,840 patients with malignant melanoma (MM), 1,419 patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and 331 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Meta-analyses of pooled observational data revealed greater prevalence of left-sided MM compared to right-sided MM (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.89~0.92, p<0.01), while left-sided SCC was more prevalent than right-sided SCC (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.71~0.97, p=0.02). However, right-sided BCC was more prevalent than left-sided BCC (RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.95~1.19, p=0.26). CONCLUSION: Observational studies vary greatly in terms of design, methodological quality, and types of patients studied. Of note, only a few studies analyzing BCC and SCC were included in our present meta-analysis. Additionally, a selection and reporting bias could have affected our results. Our meta-analysis suggests that both MM and SCC demonstrate a left-side bias, but BCC does not.
Bias (Epidemiology) ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Humans ; Melanoma ; Methods ; Population Characteristics ; Prevalence* ; Skin Neoplasms* ; Skin* ; United States

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the in vivo anti-tumor efficacy of a mucoadhesive, lipid-based, oral paclitaxel formulation (DHP107) with traditional, intraperitoneal (IP) paclitaxel using an orthotopic mouse model of chemotherapy-sensitive SKOV3ip1 ovarian cancer. METHODS: To determine the optimal therapeutic dose of oral paclitaxel, DHP107 was administered per os to female athymic nude mice at 0, 25, or 50 mg/kg twice per week. Control mice received 100 microL saline once per week. IP injections of paclitaxel at 5 mg/kg once per week were used for comparison. To evaluate the potential therapeutic effect of metronomic DHP107 chemotherapy, mice received DHP107 50 mg/kg once per week per os, which was compared with 25 mg/kg twice per week and with vehicle-treated controls. RESULTS: Low-dose DHP107 (25 mg/kg) twice per week was as effective as IP paclitaxel (5 mg/kg once a week) but high-dose DHP107 (50 mg/kg once per week) was less effective at inhibiting tumor growth in an orthotopic mouse model (88%, 82%, and 36% decrease in tumor weight, respectively). Mice that received 25 mg/kg DHP107 twice per week or 50 mg/kg DHP107 once per week per os had a significant decrease in tumor weight compared with vehicle-treated controls (p<0.01, both doses). CONCLUSION: Metronomic oral chemotherapy with DHP107 showed anti-tumor efficacy in vivo similar to IP paclitaxel in an orthotopic mouse model.
Animals ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Mice* ; Mice, Nude ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Paclitaxel* ; Tumor Burden

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics and ultrasonographic findings of band-like interposing fat as well as to identify additional approaches for its diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 26 confirmed cases of band-like interposing fat from June 2008 to June 2010. A retrospective analysis was performed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and ultrasonographic findings in these cases. Five radiologists analyzed the ultrasonographic findings, which correlated with the mammographic and MRI findings when available, according to Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System classification. RESULTS: None of the 26 patients had any symptoms. In 92.3% of the patients, the lesion was located in the upper outer quadrant of the breast. The mean distance of the lesion from the nipple was 2.4 +/- 0.7 cm (1.1-4.5). The mean depth of the lesion from the skin was 1.3 +/- 0.3 cm (0.8-2.1). The mean maximal length of the lesion was 0.8 +/- 0.4 cm (0.3-1.8). The following were the most frequent ultrasonographic findings of lesions: irregular shape, not parallel orientation, indistinct margins, abrupt interface, hypoechogenicity, no posterior feature, no calcification, and presence of vascularity. The most frequent BI-RADS category was 4a. There were no suspicious findings on the mammography or MRI. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonographic findings may lead to misclassification of band-like interposing fat as a malignancy. A better understanding of the clinical and ultrasonographic characteristics of band-like interposing fat would facilitate its differentiation from a true mass.
Adipose Tissue/*ultrasonography ; Adult ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Breast Diseases/pathology/*ultrasonography ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diagnostic Errors ; Female ; Humans ; Mammary Arteries/*ultrasonography ; Middle Aged ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography, Mammary/*methods ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Until recently, the removal of melanocytic nevi has been performed with a CO2 laser or Er:YAG laser. These lasers have been useful for removing affected spots. However, enlargement of spots or some sequelae, including depressed or hypertrophic scars, could develop as unwanted results. The Q-switched Nd:YAG laser has been used to remove deep-seated melanocytes, such as Ota nevus or tattoos. However, there have been no previous experiments performed to test the efficacy and safety of this laser treatment for melanocytic nevi. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of the 1,064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser for removing melanocytic nevi, including congenital nevomelanocytic and acquired nevomelanocytic nevi. METHODS: Two thousand and sixty four Korean patients with small melanocytic nevi were treated with a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser from 2005 to 2009. High-resolution photographs were taken in identical lighting and positions before and after the six weeks of treatment to observe the procedural efficacy. RESULTS: About 70% of the nevi treated using a 1,064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser were completely removed after one session. The other 30% were completely treated within three sessions. The appearance of sequelae such as hollow scars noticeably decreased compared to the results seen in CO2 or Er:YAG laser treatments. CONCLUSION: Use of the 1,064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser is a safe and effective treatment modality for melanocytic nevi.
Cicatrix ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Humans ; Lasers, Gas ; Light ; Lighting ; Melanocytes ; Nevus ; Nevus of Ota ; Nevus, Pigmented

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to validate the additional merit of the thinner coronal reformation images from multidetector CT (MDCT) for making the diagnosis of hepatic cysts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the 90 benign hepatic cysts confirmed on MRI, the transverse (5-mm thickness) and additional coronal (2-mm thickness) reformation images from MDCT were compared with each other in terms of the Hounsfield units (HUs) and the size of each hepatic cyst. RESULTS: The attenuations (mean: 17.2 HUs, standard deviation: +/- 14.4) on the thinner coronal images were significantly lower than those (mean: 40.7 HUs; standard deviation: +/- 20.6) on the thicker transverse images for the small hepatic cysts (< or = 10 mm on the transverse image, p < 0.01). Twenty-three (79%) of the 29 cysts between 5 mm and 10 mm and 21 (51%) of 41 lesions up to 5 mm showed a mean HU value of 20 or less on the coronal reformation images. CONCLUSION: By reducing the partial volume effect, routine coronal reformation of MDCT with a thinner section thickness can provide another merit for making a confidential diagnosis of many small sub-centimeter hepatic cysts, and these small cysts are not easily characterized on the conventional transverse images.
Adult ; Analysis of Variance ; Contrast Media/diagnostic use ; Cysts/*radiography ; Female ; Gadolinium DTPA/diagnostic use ; Humans ; Iohexol/analogs & derivatives/diagnostic use ; Liver Diseases/*radiography ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted/*methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods

PURPOSE: To describe normal anatomy and compare the differences of external genital organs and urethra on MR imaging in pre- and postmenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 19 pre- and 18 postmenopausal healthy women underwent pelvis MR imaging at 1.5 T. Two radiologists retrospectively scored and compared the image quality of female external genitalia and urethra on axial T2-weighted images (T2WI) and axial fat-suppressed contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images (FSCE-T1WI) by using Wilcoxon signed ranks test. The radiologists compared the wall thickness or size of external genital organs and urethra on FSCE-T1WI between two groups by using Student t test. RESULTS: Image quality was better with FSCE-T1WI than with T2WI in all subjects (p < 0.05). The vestibular bulb, clitoris and labium minor were more clearly visualized on FSCE-T1WI in premenopausal subjects rather than in postmenopausal subjects (p < 0.05). The urethra had a target-like appearance with three layers in premenopausal and postmenopausal subjects. Postmenopausal subjects were observed to have significantly smaller vaginal wall thickness, urethral wall thickness and vestibular bulb width than premenopausal subjects (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The anatomy and morphologic changes of female external genital organs and urethra were well discernible on FSCE-T1WI.
Clitoris ; Female ; Genitalia ; Humans ; Pelvis ; Retrospective Studies ; Urethra

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of 6-axis model surgery simulator (6AMSS) for orthognathic surgery. A rectangular parallelepiped plastic block was assembled to model-mounting plate of 6AMSS. Left-right (X), anterior-posterior (Y), up-down (Z) translation and pitching (empty set X), rolling (empty set Y) and yawing (empty set Z) rotation was planned and performed using 6AMSS. The actual translation and rotation were measured with dial gauge and precisional protractor, respectively. Comparison between the planned and actual movements of plastic block for each variable were made using paired t- test. Statistical analysis for X, Y, Z, empty set X, empty set Y and empty set Z movement have shown no significant differences between planned and actual movement (P > 0.05). This indicate that model surgery performed with the aid of the 6AMSS is accurate in 3D translation and rotation. The 6AMSS is practically useful for accurate fabrication of surgical splint for orthognathic surgery.
Orthognathic Surgery ; Plastics ; Splints

PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of screening mammography and ultrasonography for breast examinations and we assessed the clinical usefulness of breast ultrasound for cancer screening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of all the women who visited the health promotion center of seven medical institutions from Mar 2004 to Feb 2005, we compared the sensitivity and specificity between a single use of mammography and mammography with ultrasonography for the patients who underwent both mammography and ultrasonography. Here, the reference criteria were the follow-up and the histopathology, which were performed after one year. RESULTS: A total of 1123 patients underwent both mammography and ultrasonography and they could be followed up for a year. For the 1123 patients who underwent both mammography and ultrasonography, the sensitivity and specificity of a single use of mammography were 14.3% and 86.9%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of mammography with ultrasonography were 85.7% and 85.9%, respectively. These results showed that the sensitivity was significantly increased when mammography was combined with ultrasonography (< 0.05). CONCLUSION: The sensitivity was improved for the cases that underwent both mammography and ultrasonography.
Breast ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Mammography ; Mass Screening ; Sensitivity and Specificity*

An inferior accessory ossicle of the anterior arch of the atlas is quite rare and should not be confused with other pathological conditions such as a fracture. Here we report a case of an inferior accessory ossicle of the anterior arch of the atlas in a 29-year-old male and a review of literature.
Adult ; Humans ; Male