Expression of VEGF and PD-ECGF, and Proliferative Activity of Ki-67 according to Clinicopathologic Feature in Cervical Tumor / 대한부인종양콜포스코피학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the expressions, microvessel counts and angiogenic pathway of VEGF and PD-ECGF and proliferative activity of Ki-67 according to clinicopathologic feature of cervical tumor. METHODS: Two hundred three cervical specimens were evaluated; among these 20 were designated normal epithelium, 36 mild dysplasia, 28 moderate dysplasia, 36 severe dysplasia, 28 carcinoma in situ, 17 microinvasive carcinoma and 38 invasive cervical carcinoma (21 squamous cell carcinoma and 17 adenocarcinoma). Microvessel count was determined by immunohistochemical staining using anti-factor VIII-related monoclonal antibody. The expression of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and PD-ECGF (platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor) were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining with anti-human VEGF monoclonal antibody and anti-dThdPase monoclonal antibody. The proliferative activity was examined using a Ki-67 equivalent monoclonal antibody (MIBl). RESULT: There was no statistical significance on microvessel count except invasive cancer comparing with mild dysplasia including normal tissue, but there was a little increase in microvessel counts according to severity of tumor. The intensity of VEGF and PD-ECGF expression was significantly correlated with severity of cervical tumor. And the microvessel density was significantly higher in the positive expression of VEGF and PD-ECGF than in the negative expression. The intensity of PD-ECGF expression in invasive adenocarcinoma was significantly lower in comparison with VEGF expression. The intensity of Ki-67 expression had no correlation with severity of cervical tumor and was significantly higher in moderate and severe dysplasia than in microinvasive and invasive carcinoma. Ki-67 expression had no statistical correlation with VEGF and PD-ECGF. CONCLUSION: The VEGF and PD-ECGF are important angiogenic factors and associated with progression of cervical tumor. The VEGF may be involved in the progressions of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, but the PD-ECGF may not be involved or be minimally involved in the progression of adenocareinoma. There seems to be a different angiogenic pathway pertaining to the histologic difference of cervical cancer. There was no difference of Ki-67 expression according to severity of cervical tumor.

Cytogenetic Analysis of 467 Cases of Amniocetesis / 대한주산의학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: The study of 467 cases of amniocentesis have been done at the department of Genetics, Taegu Cheil Hospital from Oct. 1997 to May 1999 for the purpose of analysis of abnormal karyotype according to the indication and age distribution, METHODS: We collected amniotic fluid using 22G spinal needle and measured amniotic alphafetoprotein and acetylcholine esterase in supematant and performed cytogenetic analysis. RESULTS: Positive Down screeing(positive triple test) was the most common indication of amniocentesis (61.5%) and abnormal karyotypes were 24 cases(5.1%) in 467 cases. Among 24 abnormal cases, 10 cases(2.1%) of 21 trisomy were observed. Abnormal karyotypes were most common in the group of abnormal ultrasonogram finding and the gmup of maternal age between 31 to 35 years old, which consists of 25% and 7.7% respectively. CONCLUSION: More attention for the abnormal karyotype should be paid to the group of abnormal ultrasonogram finding and the group of maternal age between 31 to 35 years old as well as above 35 years old.

A Case of Spindle Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Spindle cell carcinoma of the esophagus containing both carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements is rare, accounting for approximately 1- 2% of all esophageal neoplasms. Terms used to describe this lesion include carcinosarcoma, pseudosarcoma, polypoid carcinoma, pseudosarcomatous squamous cell carcinoma and spindle cell variant of squamous cell carcinoma. Spindle cell carcinomas were originally classified as carcinosarcomas or pseu- dosarcomas, depending on the morphology and bilologic behavior of the particular lesian. However, pseudosarcoma and carcinosarcoma appear to be the same pathologic entity with varying degrees of anaplastic spindle cell metaplasia of the carcinomatous portion of the tumor. Thus, these lesions have been clsssified together as spindle cell carcinomas. A 59 year-old man who experienced weight loss for 4 months was hospitalized as a result of suffering from dysphagia for 2 months. A diffuse bulky protruding mass with superficial ulceration and easy friability on 25 to 35 cm from the incisors, which invaded the right intermediate bronchus and involved the right paratracheal and subcarnial lymph nodes, were obsetved in esophagogram, endoscopy and chest CT. Pathologic finding, including immunoreactivity to cytokeratin and vimentin, was consistent with spindle cell carcinoma. We report a case of spindle cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

A Case of Lung Abscess in an Achalasia Patient / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Esophagea1 achalasia is a disease of unkown etiology characterized by abscenee of peristalsis in the body of the esophagus and failure of the lower esaphageal sphincter to relax in response to swallow. The cause has been suggested by the lack or abscence of ganglion cell in Auerbach's plexus. About 10% of patients with achalasis develop pulmonary complication such as aspiration pnuemonia, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary tuberculosis, culosis, bronchiectasis, lung abscess and bronchial asthma. Although aspiration pneumonia is the most common pulmonary complication in patients with achalasia, lung abscess is the extremely rare complication. A 48 years old female, who has experienced dysphagia and regurgitation for several years, is hospitalized because of high fever, cough and sputurn for 2 weeks. Lung abscess in apicoposterior segment of left upper lobe is observed in X-ray and chest CT. The findings of esophagogram, esophagogastroscopy and esophageal manometry are consistent with achalasia. We report a case of lung abscess associated with achalasia.