Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between the clinical outcome and the cuff integrity following open repair in large and massive rotator cuff tears using ultrasonography as an imaging modality. Material and Methods: From November 2001 to April 2005, 17 cases(16 patients) who had open repair of tear measuring more than 3cm were assessed with minimal follow-up of 12 months in this study. 6 cases had a large tear and 11 cases a massive tear. There were 6 men and 11 women with a mean age of 52 years at surgery (range, 33 to 72 years). The evaluation consisted of the preoperative and postoperative shoulder scores according to UCLA shoulder scoring system and Visual analogue scale (VAS). Ultrasonography was performed by a experienced musculoskeletal physician at a minimum of 12 months postoperatively to evaluate the postoperative cuff integrity. Results: Retear were detected in four of seventeen cases. Regardless of the presence of recurrent tear, 14 cases had UCLA score of more than 29 points (good grade). All 17 had an improvement in the functional score, which increased from an average of 15.1 to 31.2 points. All cases showed pain relief and five cases had no pain. Sixteen cases except one had the range of motion of forward elevation above 90degrees. Conclusion: Open rotator cuff repair in large and massive tears showed low retear rate. At a minimum of twelve months follow-up, all cases had improvement on UCLA score, pain relief, increased range of motion of the shoulder regardless of retear. And the correlation between recurrent tear and function score was not statistically significant.
Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Rotator Cuff* ; Shoulder ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Nitric oxide (NO) is an endogenous free radical gas mediator, synthesized by a family of nitric oxide synthases (NOS). Established properties of NO of potential relevance to the formation of nasal polyps include vasodilatation, direct regulation of eosinophil and neutrophil function, and potentiation of histamine-induced plasma exudation. Steroids are currently the most potent medication available for the treatment of nasal polyposis, but the exact mechanisms are uncertain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the response of three NOS isoenzymes to short-term systemic and long-term topical steroid in nasal polyps. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Steroid-untreated nasal polyp patients (n=10), oral steroid-treated nasal polyp patients (n=10, prednisolone 30 mg per day for 7days) and topical steroid-treated nasal polyp patients (n=10, Fluticasone 100 microgram per day for more than 1 month) underwent nasal endoscopy and biopsy of the polyps. The protein expressions of NOS in nasal polyp tissues were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical studies revealed that expression levels of proteins produced by three NOS isoenzymes were significantly decreased in steroid-treated nasal polyps when compared with steroid-untreated nasal polyps, and there was no difference in the effects between short-term systemic and long-term topical steroid treatment on nasal polyps. CONCLUSION: These results show that the expressions of constitutive NOS as well as inducible NOS in nasal polyp tissue were suppressed by steroid therapy. There was no difference in the NOS isoenzymes expression between short-term systemic and long-term topical steroid-treated polyps.
Biopsy ; Endoscopy ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Isoenzymes ; Nasal Polyps* ; Neutrophils ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Nitric Oxide* ; Plasma ; Polyps ; Prednisolone ; Steroids ; Vasodilation ; Fluticasone

Male transsexualism is characterized by a life-long preference for the feminine role and the conviction of belonging to the female sex. The final and most characteristic expression of transsexualism is the desire to achieve the anatomical appearance of the opposite sex by either surgical or hormonal means. Since the skin graft technique of McIndoe, a number of operative procedures were evolved. Nowadays in order to construct neovaginas in male transsexuals, the inversion of penile flap or that of penile and scrotal skin flap is performed as a primary trial. Penile and scrotal skin flap have better functional results, but the cosmetic results are not satisfactory because of the prolapse of scrotal skin. In our studies, the vaginoplasty using penile and scrotal skin flap has been successfully used for 26 male transsexuals in whom their penis and scrotum were well preserved. We used scrotal skin flap modified by 8 cm wide. Additionally we made partial prepuce with dorsal neurovascular bundle into neoclitoris. Follow-up period ranged from 4 months to 22 months. The depth and width of neovagina was desirable. The cosmesis and physiologic benefit to the patient's satisfaction with the operation were reliable.
Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male* ; Penis ; Prolapse ; Scrotum ; Skin* ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Transplants ; Transsexualism*

We evaluated the relative tear flow in the upper and lower canaliculus using dacryoscintigraphy. 22 eyes were studied in 11 persons and the upper or lower punctums of both eyes were occluded with 0.3 or 0.4 mm diameter 1.75 mm long collagen plug and 13 of Technetium-99m sulphur colloid were placed in both eyes. Dacryoscintigraphy was performed in the upright position for 12 minutes. Using Pegasys. program, time-activity curve and T1/2 of radioisotope in the palpebral aperture were measured twice and the mean T1/2 was calculated. T1/2 values with the upper and lower canaliculus occluded were compared and analyzed. Of 22 eyes studied, 12 had more rapid tear transport in the upper canaliculus and 10 through the lower. The mean T1/2 of transport in the upper canaliculus was 703.2+/-789.2 seconds and 692.3+/-450.3 seconds in the lower. Tear drainage in the lower canaliculus was more rapid but this value was not found to be statistically significant (P=0.626 ). Therefore there was no significant difference between the upper and lower canalicular tear flow but individual variabilities. Considering these results, when punctum occlusion for the treatment of dry eye and reconstruction of canalicular laceration are performed we should equally weigh on both the upper and lower canaliculus.
Collagen ; Colloids ; Drainage ; Humans ; Lacerations ; Tears*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of diffusion weighted MR imaging(DWI) in the differential diagnosis of brain tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DWI and conventional MR images of nineteen patients with brain tumors(10 metastatic tumors, 4 high grade gliomas , 4 low grade astrocytomas, one oligodendroglioma)were obtained on 1.5T unit. DWI was obtained using single shot spin echo planar imaging with b-value near 1000. We analyzed the signal intensities of lesions including solid portion, necrotic or cystic portion and peritumoral edema of brain tumors (classified five grades comparison with the signal intensities of brain parenchyma and CSF)and calculate the SIR(signal intensity ratio)of lesions to the contralateral normal brain parenchyma. We analyzed statistically the signal intensities and SIR of tumors using independence T test. RESULTS: In solid portions of tumors, all the metastatic tumors and high grade gliomas showed high signal intensities, but low grade astrocytomas and oligodendroglioma showed iso or slight high signal intensities to the normal brain parenchyma. The SIR of solid portion has positive correlation with malignant potential(metastatic tumors 1.52, high grade gliomas 1.38, low grade astrocytomas 1.16, oligodendroglioma 1.31)(p<0.05). In peritumoral edema where seen in 14 tumors, seven of 10 metastatic tumors and two of 4 high grade gliomas showed iso signal intensities, whereas edemas in other 5 brain tumors showed hyperintense to the normal brain parenchyma. The SIRs of peritumoral edemas in metastatic tumors(1.14) was lower than high grade gliomas(1.31),but statistically insignificant. The SIR of cystic or necrotic portion of brain tumors was 0.63. In non enhancing solid portions, three of six cases showed hyperintense to the adjacent peritumoral edema. CONCLUSION: On DWI, the signal intensities of solid portion has positive correlation with malignant potential, and perilesional edema of brain tumors appear various signal intensities owing to "T2 shine through effect" and the extensiveness of vasogenic edema. Another merit using DWI on the evaluation of brain tumors is to improved better delineation of tumor margins from the adjacent edemas, especially at the non enhancing solid portion of the tumors.
Astrocytoma ; Brain Neoplasms* ; Brain* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diffusion ; Echo-Planar Imaging ; Edema ; Glioma ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Oligodendroglioma

BACKGROUNDS: Pancreaticoduodenectomy has been applied to diseases of periampullary region since 1935 by Whipple and associates, but this procedure is so complexed that associated with high morbidity and mortality. In the treatment of periampullary cancer, curative surgical resection only promises the possibilities of cure, because other methods of treatment including chemotherapy and radiation therapy have been of little or no benefit to improve the survival rate. METHODS: We performed the clinical analysis on 123 cases of pancreaticoduodenectomies at the department of Surgery, Chonnam University Hospital, during the past 11 years from June 1986 to May 1997 to assess the associated factors with postoperative complications and the survival rate. RESULTS: Among 123 cases, 104 cases(84.6%) were malignant tumor of periampullary region, 16 cases were benign lesion, and 3 cases were type IV pancreatic injury. Pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed in 115 cases, pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy in 4 cases, total pancreatectomy in 2 cases and extended pancreaticoduodenectomy in 2 cases. Postoperative complications were developed in 28 cases(22.8%) and the major cause of postoperative complication was the anastomotic leakage, especially in the pancreatico-jejunostomy site. The overall operative and hospital mortality rate was 7.3%. Preoperative percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage(PTBD) and the serum level of albumin and bilirubin were not related to the development of postoperative complications. Factors affecting survival after resection of malignant tumor were the size of tumor, presence of lymph node metastasis and tumor infiltration to adjacent tissue, but the level of CEA, alphaFP, and CA 19-9 and tumor differentiation were not related to the survival rate statistically. CONCLUSION: Optimal preoperative preparation of the patient and a meticulous and standarized operative technique are mandatory to minimize the operative morbidity and mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy. In the treatment of periampullary cancer, radical surgical resection is recommended for long-term survival, as well as the development of other treatment modalities to prevent the postoperative recurrence.
Anastomotic Leak ; Bilirubin ; Drug Therapy ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Jeollanam-do ; Lymph Nodes ; Mortality ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pancreatectomy ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy* ; Postoperative Complications ; Recurrence ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: This study was performed to design a safe air-pressure reduction system which can absorb rapidlyrising intraluminal pressure during intussusception, and comparison with other reduction systems to test itsclinical availability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The air-pressure reduction system consisted of a pressure gauge,air insufflators, a pressure controller, buffers, and rapid exhaustion devices, and to determine itsabsorbability, it was connected with a bowel model. By using it in 20 infants with intussusception, we comparedthe absorbability of our air-pressure reduction system with preexisting systems. RESULTS: While extraluminalpressure was applied to the bowel model in which baseline intraluminal pressure was set to 120mmHg, this rose to176mmHg (56mmHg high to standard, 100%) in the direct infusion system, but to only 130 mmHg (10mmHg high tostandard, 17.9%) in a system connected to a large buffer of 10,500 mL capacity. Immediately after the applicationof extraluminal pressure for less than 1 sec, this air-pressure reduction system showed better absorbability thanthe hydrostatic reduction system. Applying this system to 20 infants with intussusception, this was successfullyreduced in 19 cases(95%), without complications. CONCLUSION: In this experiment, it was proved that the systemabsorbed rapid intraluminal pressure elevation. Its use would help prevent bowel perforation during air reductionoccurring during intussusception.
Buffers ; Humans ; Infant ; Intussusception*

Hydrogen peroxide solution is commonly used for irrigating and cleaning wounds. When it is applied to tissues, catalase causes its rapid molecular degeneration with the release of oxygen bubbles. We present case report illustrating two hazards ; chemical colitis and oxygen embolus. A 29-year-old previously healthy woman presented to the bloody diarrhea and anal pain after hydrogen peroxide enema. In the colonoscopic examination, severe mucosal edema and ulceration with bleeding was noted from anus to sigmoid colon. With use of anal endosonography, multiple high level echo were noted in the internal and external anal sphincter of the upper anal canal. Microscopically, mononuclear cells were infiltrated in lamina propria and congestion. She had treatment with IV fluid, IV antibiotics and NPO. At 3rd hospital day, anal pain was disappeared. Bloody stool was disappeared next day. At 8th hospital day, mucosal edema and ulceration were disappeared on colonoscopic examination. Recovery was full and the patient was discharged at nine days after the episode.
Adult ; Anal Canal ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Catalase ; Colitis* ; Colon, Sigmoid ; Diarrhea ; Edema ; Embolism ; Endosonography ; Enema* ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide* ; Hydrogen* ; Mucous Membrane ; Oxygen ; Ulcer ; Wounds and Injuries

The present study was attempted to investigate the effect of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) on secretion of catecholamines (CA) and to establish whether there is the existence of a noncholinergic mechanism in adrenomedullary CA secretion from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland. The perfusion into an adrenal vein of VIP (3 X 10-6 M) for 5 min or the injection of acetylcholine (ACh, 5.32 X 10-3 M) resulted in great increases in CA secretion. Tachyphylaxis to releasing effect of CA evoked by VIP was not observed by the repeated perfusion. The net increase in adrenal CA secretion evoked by VIP still remained unaffected in the presence of atropine or chlorisondamine. However, the CA release in response to ACh was greatly inhibited by the pretreatment with atropine or chlorisondamine. The releasing effects of CA evoked by either VIP or ACh were depressed by pretreatment with nicardipine, TMB-8, and the perfusion of Ca2+-free medium. Moreover, VIP- as well as ACh-evoked CA secretory responses were markedly inhibited under the presence of (Lys1, Pro2.5, Arg3.4, Tyr6)-VIP or naloxone. CA secretory responses induced by ACh and high K+ (5.6 X 10-2 M) were potentiated by infusion of VIP (3 X 10-6 M for 5 min). Taken together, these experimental results indicate that VIP causes CA release in a fashion of calcium ion-dependence, suggesting strongly that there exists a noncholinergic mechanism that may be involved in the regulation of adrenomedullary CA secretion through VIP receptors in the rat adrenal gland, and that VIP may be the noncholinergic excitatory secretagogue present in the chromaffin cells.
Acetylcholine ; Adrenal Glands ; Adrenal Medulla* ; Animals ; Atropine ; Calcium ; Catecholamines ; Chlorisondamine ; Chromaffin Cells ; Naloxone ; Nicardipine ; Perfusion ; Rats* ; Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide ; Tachyphylaxis ; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide ; Veins

BACKGROUND: Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy with intravenous adenosine has proved efficacy for the diagonosis and risk stratification of coronary artery disease. To determine the safety of adenosine infusion in conjunction with radionuclide imaging, we evaluated prospectively 1,093 patients who underwent myocardial perfusion study. METHODS: Informations on safety and adverse events during and immediately after adenosine infusion were collected and statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: The adverse events were reported in 730 patients (66.8%), but no death or myocardial infarction. There asverse events were well tolerated and no prolonged effect was noted. Chest pain occured in 223 patients(20.4%) and facial flushing and dyspnea were reported by 246 patients(22.5%) and 253 patients(23.1%), respectively. ECG changes, such as mild arrhythmia, ST depression and AV block were checked in 230 patients(21.0%). The infusion was prematurely terminated in 32 patients(2.9%), due to serve chest pain, serve brochospasm, or third degree AV block. Higher frequency of chest pain was reported in women compare to men(p<0.05), and ST segment depression was more frequent in patients with abnormal myocardial perfusion scitigraphic findings(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that intravenous infusion of adenosine is relatively safe, and myocardial perfusion scintigraphy with intravenous ademosine is feasible technique in the evaluation of the coronary artery disease patients unable to exercise.
Adenosine* ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Atrioventricular Block ; Chest Pain ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Depression ; Dyspnea ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Flushing ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Perfusion Imaging* ; Perfusion ; Perfusion Imaging ; Prospective Studies ; Radionuclide Imaging