ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease of unknown etiology. The disease is relatively common in western countries, but so far, only about 20 cases have been reported in Korea. Thus, the purpose of our prospective study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of PBC in Korea. METHODS: Between October 1994 and February 1999, 16 patients diagnosed as PBC at our department were enrolled in this study. We analyzed these patients for the distribution of age and sex, initial symptoms and signs, associated disorders, laboratory, endoscopic, and radiologic and histologic findings. RESULTS: Of the 16 patients, the ratio of male to female was 1:7 and the average age was 57.5 years. Pruritus (37.5%) was the most frequent presenting symptom followed by xerostomia and xerophthalmia (12.5%), jaundice (6.3%), chronic fatigue (6.3%), melena (6.3%). Associated disorders were Sj gren's syndrome (25%), arthropathy (12.5%), Raynaud's phenomenon (6.3%) and diabetes (6.3%). Abnormalities of liver function were found frequently. Antimitochondrial antibody (100%), antinuclear antibody (31.25%) and rheumatoid factor (31.25%) were found. Long-term administration of UDCA improved both clinical and biochemical signs in most patients, however, 2 patients experienced exacerbation during UDCA therapy. CONCLUSIONS: We experienced 16 cases of PBC within a short period. It is expected that we can find these patients more frequently if we suspect this disease in patients with pruritus and unexplained obstructive pattern of liver function abnormality.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Antibodies, Antinuclear , Fatigue , Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome , Jaundice , Korea , Liver , Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary , Liver Diseases , Melena , Pancreatitis , Prospective Studies , Pruritus , Rheumatoid Factor , Xerophthalmia , XerostomiaABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of our study is to analyze the graft survival rates of renal transplantation in view of kidney donors, and to determine the donor parameters influencing kidney graft survival rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have analyzed kidney graft survival rates and duration according to sex, age, relationship and HLA matching performed in Hanyang University Hospital from 1986 to 1997 in 284 cases among 408 donor-recipients over a follow-up period of 24 months. RESULTS: Among 284 recipients, the total graft losses were 34 cases(12%). Matching for the HLA-DR significantly improved kidney graft survival rates. The difference between 0 mismatched group and 2 mismatched group was 19% at 5 years(95% vs. 76%; p0.05). There were no significant differences in graft survival rates according to HLA-A, B, A+B and A+B+DR, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The age, sex and donor-recipient relationship did not influence the graft outcome, but matching for the HLA-DR and B+DR significantly influenced graft survival rates in the cyclosporine A treated primary kidney recipients.
Subject(s)
Humans , Cyclosporine , Follow-Up Studies , Graft Survival , HLA-A Antigens , HLA-DR Antigens , Kidney Transplantation , Kidney , Siblings , Tissue Donors , TransplantsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Eventhough cadaveric renal grafts are increasing, kidneys from living donors remain as the major mode of renal transplantations and there is a need to establish theoretical bases for securing the safety of the donors. Follow-up of donors was done for a year using several indices of renal function to evaluate the function of the remaining kidneys after donor nephrectomies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and sixty one living donors were included in this study. Blood urea nitrogen(BUN), serum creatinine, 24 hour creatinine clearance, 24 hour urine protein, and blood pressure were checked preoperatively. The same indices were checked at one, six, and twelve months after the operation. These indices were compared with those before the operation. RESULTS: Although some increase was observed in serum BUN, creatinine, and 24hr urine protein, and decrease in creatinine clearance after donor nephrectomies, all were within normal limits, which did not show clinically significant differences. All indices did not deviate from the normal limits through-out one year. CONCLUSIONS: Renal indices varied within normal limits and donor nephrectomies seemed to cause no significant harmful effect on the donors. Prospective and long term follow-up of the donors after donor nephrectomies are needed to ensure a high quality life of living donors.
Subject(s)
Humans , Blood Pressure , Cadaver , Creatinine , Follow-Up Studies , Kidney , Kidney Transplantation , Living Donors , Nephrectomy , Tissue Donors , Transplants , UreaABSTRACT
Malignant Leydig cell tumor of the testis is a very rare condition. A case of the malignant Leydig cell tumor arised from the right testis of seventy-year-old man is reported. The patient presented painless, 4 x 8 x 5 cm sized, mass without endocrinological manifestations and the mass was removed and diagnosed as a malignant Leydig cell tumor histologically showing frequent mitosis, pleomorphic cells in trabecular pattern with nuclear atypia, clear cells with foamy cytoplasm, and vascular invasion of tumor emboli in tumor capsule. No Reinke`s crystalloid was seen. The patient is now being followed in disease free state.