We report a case of premature constriction of the fetal ductus arteriosus following maternal ingestion of a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor at 37 weeks' gestation. Fetal sonography at 38+2 weeks' gestation revealed tricuspid regurgitation, absent transpulmonary valve flow, right heart enlargement, and pericardial effusion. An immediate delivery resulted in a good postnatal outcome with dramatic improvement in the clinical and echocardiographic findings. Maternal exposure to Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), especially late in gestation, can cause premature constriction of the ductus arteriosus, heart failure, and fetal death. Therefore, the use of NSAIDs late in gestation should be considered in limited cases with close fetal heart monitoring.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Cardiomegaly ; Constriction ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Ductus Arteriosus ; Eating ; Female ; Fetal Death ; Fetal Heart ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; Maternal Exposure ; Pericardial Effusion ; Pregnancy ; Sulfonamides ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency

PURPOSE: Premature narrowing of the foramen ovale is rare but serious clinical entity. Prenatal narrowing or obstruction of the foramen ovale shows symptoms such as right heart failure, fetal hydrops, triscupid regurgitation, left heart obstructive disease, and supraventricular tachycardia. This study aimed to assess the prenatal diagnosis and postnatal clinical course of restrictive foramen ovale in utero in otherwise normal heart. METHODS: The subjects were five patients diagnosed with restrictive foramen ovale in utero from January 2001 to June 2005 at Chungnam National University Hospital. The diagnostic criteria was defined when the maximum diameter in a 4-chamber view is less than 2.5 mm and there is a continuous doppler velocity at the foramen ovale of more than 0.6m/s. RESULTS: At the time of diagnosis of restrictive foramen ovale, gestation age was 34~37 wks, and chief complaints were fetal arrhythmia(2 cases), pericardial effusion, Ebstein anomaly and subaortic stenosis. Two cases which were diagnosed fetal hydrops and supraventricular tachycardia delivered by emergent cesarian section. Five cases were found to have right heart dilatation on echocardiogram after birth, but right heart dilatation became normalized at day 7 after birth and the clinical courses were not eventful. CONCLUSION: Identifying an obstructed foramen ovale in the fetus warrants the further search for additional cardiac and extracardiac anomalies, which may alter the prognosis. Delivery should be induced if possible in cases of foramen ovale obstruction with signs of cardiac decompensation.
Chungcheongnam-do ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Ebstein Anomaly ; Fetal Heart ; Fetus ; Foramen Ovale* ; Heart Failure ; Heart* ; Humans ; Hydrops Fetalis ; Parturition ; Pericardial Effusion ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis* ; Prognosis ; Tachycardia, Supraventricular ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal

Pendred syndrome is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder, which is characterized by sensorineural hearing loss, goiter and a positive perchlorate discharge test. It is caused by mutations of the PDS gene, and its clinical characteristics vary widely. The thyroid function in most cases is normal, or shows only mild hypothyroidism. In Pendred syndrome, there is an organification defect that leads to defective thyroid hormone synthesis, followed by chronic TSH stimulation. Herein is reported a case of a follicular thyroid carcinoma associated with Pendred syndrome. To our knowledge, this is the first case reported in Korea. The patient presented with a huge anterior neck mass, sensorineural hearing loss and a positive perchlorate discharge test. Fine needle aspiration cytology suggested malignancy of the thyroid, and a total thyroidectomy, with central compartment node dissection, was performed. The pathology from the thyroid mass showed a poorly differentiated follicular thyroid carcinoma
Adenocarcinoma, Follicular* ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Goiter ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism ; Korea ; Neck ; Pathology ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroidectomy

Pendred syndrome is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder, which is characterized by sensorineural hearing loss, goiter and a positive perchlorate discharge test. It is caused by mutations of the PDS gene, and its clinical characteristics vary widely. The thyroid function in most cases is normal, or shows only mild hypothyroidism. In Pendred syndrome, there is an organification defect that leads to defective thyroid hormone synthesis, followed by chronic TSH stimulation. Herein is reported a case of a follicular thyroid carcinoma associated with Pendred syndrome. To our knowledge, this is the first case reported in Korea. The patient presented with a huge anterior neck mass, sensorineural hearing loss and a positive perchlorate discharge test. Fine needle aspiration cytology suggested malignancy of the thyroid, and a total thyroidectomy, with central compartment node dissection, was performed. The pathology from the thyroid mass showed a poorly differentiated follicular thyroid carcinoma
Adenocarcinoma, Follicular* ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Goiter ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism ; Korea ; Neck ; Pathology ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroidectomy

OBJECTIVE: The study aims were to demonstrate apoptosis in the placenta of normal pregnancy, and to identify its change and quantify its incidence by gestational age. METHODS: Placenta samples were collected from 25 normal full-term pregnancies and 20 second trimester pregnancies undergoing termination due to medical and social reasons. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling) staining were used to quantify the incidence of apoptosis and the electron microscopy was used to confirm it. Mann-Whitney U test and ANOVA test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: 1. Apoptosis was demonstrated by variable cytopathologic methods, and especially TUNEL staining and electron microscopy are found to be confirmatory methods. 2. In TUNEL staining, quantification of apoptosis was as follows: 2nd trimester (n=20) 1.05+/-0.69, full- term (n=25) 1.92+/-1.00. The incidence of apoptosis was significantly higher in full-term than in 2nd trimester (p<0.05, Mann-Whitney U test). 3. In hematoxylin and eosin staining, quantification of apoptosis was as follows: 2nd trimester (n=20) 0.40+/-0.50, full-term trimester (n=25) 0.72+/-0.61. The incidence of apoptosis was not significantly higher in full- term trimester than in 2nd trimester (p>0.05, Mann-Whitney U test). 4. There was no statistical significance in the incidence of apoptosis by maternal age, parity, cause of termination during 2nd trimester, and mode of delivery in each group. 5. In the electron microscopy, apoptotic cells were observed to have membrane blebbing, loss of microvilli, chromatin condensation and localization in the border of nuclear membrane, and cell shrinkage and increase in granularity. This method was conformatory in identifying apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Placental apoptosis increased significantly with increased gestational age, and this result suggests that it may play a role in the normal development and aging of the placenta.
Aging ; Apoptosis ; Blister ; Chromatin ; Deoxyuridine ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Hematoxylin ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Incidence ; Maternal Age ; Membranes ; Microscopy, Electron ; Microvilli ; Nuclear Envelope ; Parity ; Placenta ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Pregnancy*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the MR findings of extra-abdominal fibromatosis and the role of MRI in primary diagnosis MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen cases in of histologically proven extra-abdominal fibromatosis in 13 patients were retrospectively reviewed. T1-weighted and T2-weighted images were obtained in axial, coronal and sagittal planes. Gd-enhancement was performed in 14 cases, and dynamic enhancement studies in two. All lesions were evaluated for mass shape and margin definition. RESULTS: Among the 15 cases, tumors of the buttock accounted for five, and tumor of the thigh for two. In eight cases tumors were intermuscular and in six cases were intramuscular. In ten cases (67 %) the mass extended along the long axis of the body and in 14 of 15 cases (93%) focal infiltration of adjacent structures was visible. The signal intensity of the lesion was in all cases inhomogeneous on both T1 and T2 weighted images. As seen on Gd-DTPA enhanced scans, the masses were inhomogeneously enhanced. In all cases MRI revealed star-shaped linear strands or a band-like low signal area in the mass. These features were not enhanced and were arranged along the long axis of the mass. CONCLUSION: MR findings of extra-abdominal fibromatosis were relatively characteristic and helpful for primary diagnosis of the condition.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Buttocks ; Diagnosis ; Fibroma* ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Thigh

OBJECTIVES: At present, the overall incidence of lung cancer is increasing, causing the age-adjusted lung cancer death rate to double every 15 years. Surgical resection of the tumor offers the best prospect of long-term survival in patients with lung cancer. Accurate prediction of postoperative ventilatory function should be helpful in determining in which patients the risk of surgery are acceptable. Exercise pulmonary function test has been widely applied to objective measure of work capacity, and can be extremely helpful for investigating exertional dyspnea. But no attempt is made to assess the contribution of the lung to be resected to performance, and it has been advocated as an additional predictor of postoperative complications. The present investigation was designed to evaluate the factors such as FEV1, FVC, VEmax, Vo2max, anaerobic threshold, heart rate reserve, breathing reserve and the corelation between FEV1 and VO2max at 4 weeks and 6months after resection in patients with lung cancer. METHODS: The eighteen of patients with lung cancer who considered surgically resectable underwent progre ssively incremental exercise test to symptom-limited stage before opera-tion, and also have done at surgical resection after 4 weeks, and 6 momths. Measurements were made of metabolic, cardiorespiratory, blood gases and symptoms during exercise test. RESULTS: 1) There were significant decreases in FEV1, FVC, VO2max, VE max in 4 weeks after operation and were more decreased in FEV1, FVC, VE max with significance, but fall in VO2max without significance in 6 month after operation. 2) There was a significant corre lation between the decrease of FEV1 and that of VO2max in 6 month after operation . Conclusions This result suggests that change of FEV1 is a relatively useful predictor of change in exercise performance after lung resection in 6 month after operation.
Anaerobic Threshold ; Dyspnea ; Exercise Test ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Gases ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lung* ; Mortality ; Postoperative Complications ; Respiration ; Respiratory Function Tests*

Ruptured aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva are relatively rare, and the incidence seems to be higher in oriental than in western countries. Valsalva sinus aneurysm consists of a separation or lack of fusion behveen the media of the aorta and the annus fibrosis of the aortic valve. Rupture usually occurs in the third or fourth decade of life, most often between the right coronary cusp and the right ventricle, but occasionally, when the noncoronary cusp is involved, the fistular drains into the right atrium. Abrupt rupture causes chest pain, bounding pulses, a continuous murmur, and volume overload of the heart. Associated cardiac lesions are common including VSD and AR. We experienced a typical case of ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva into RA in a 31 year-old man presented sith sudden dyspnea, chest pain and palpitation. Diagnosis was made by 2D-echocardiography, cardiac catheterization and cine-angiogram. This case, the aneurysm was originated from the noncoronary sinus and ruptured into right atriurn. The ruptured aneurysm were repaired mth Dacron patch.
Adult ; Aneurysm ; Aneurysm, Ruptured* ; Aorta ; Aortic Valve ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Chest Pain ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Fibrosis ; Heart ; Heart Atria ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Incidence ; Polyethylene Terephthalates ; Rupture ; Sinus of Valsalva*

Tracheal bronchus is an aberrant bronchus that arises most often from the right tracheal bronchial wall above the carina and is the result of an additional tracheal outgrowth early in embryonic life. Its incidence ranges from 0.1 to 5%. This anomaly is usually diagnosed incidentally during bronchoscopy or bronchography in patients with various respiratory problems. Tracheal bronchus may be associated with other bronchopulmonary anomalies such as tracheal stenosis, pulmonary agenesis, pulmonary sequestration, abnormal lobulation, and Down's syndrome. In patients without specific clinical symptoms, a incidentally diagnosed tracheal bronchus does not require any treatment. We report a case of 59-year-old man incidentally detected accessory tracheal bronchus associated with bronchial asthma with review of literatures.
Asthma* ; Bronchi* ; Bronchography ; Bronchopulmonary Sequestration ; Bronchoscopy ; Down Syndrome ; Humans ; Incidence ; Middle Aged ; Tracheal Stenosis

Using the methods of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analyses, we have examined 33 cases of human gliomas with various malignant grades to detect the deletions of putative tumor suppressor gene loci, chromosome 10, 13q(retinoblastoma gene, Rb), 17p, and p53 mutation. We observed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at loci on chromosome 10 (36%), 13q(Rb) (54%), and 17p(50%) in malignant gliomas. There, however was no allelic loss on chromosome 10 and 17p in low-grade gliomas. Rb gene deletions were seen in low-grade gliomas, including oligodendroglioma and ependymoma. This finding suggests that Rb inactivation may be an early genetic event in the development and progression of gliomas. We correlated the results of LOH on chromosome 17p and p53 mutation. Among the 8 cases which showed LOH on chromosome 17p, only three cases (38%) revealed p53 mutations. Low incidence of p53 mutations in cases with chromosome 17p deletions suggests that some other tumor suppressor genes may be located on chromosome 17p.
Astrocytoma/genetics/pathology ; Base Sequence ; Brain Neoplasms/*genetics/pathology ; *Chromosomes, Human, Pair 10 ; *Chromosomes, Human, Pair 13 ; *Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 ; Comparative Study ; *Gene Deletion ; *Genes, Retinoblastoma ; *Genes, p53 ; Glioma/*genetics/pathology ; Heterozygote ; Human ; Molecular Sequence Data ; *Mutation ; Oligodendroglioma/genetics/pathology ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational