Impact of Device Evolution in Transcatheter Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus Using Duct-Occlud Coils: Comparison of Mid-term Results / 소아과

PURPOSE: We reviewed the therapeutic results of various Duct-Occlud coils(pfm AG, Koln, Germany) to evaluate the efficacy of the most-recently modified Duct-Occlud coil(Nit-Occlud) in the transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus(PDA), including large defects more than 4 mm in diameter. METHODS: Two hundred and five patients who underwent percutaneous PDA occlusion using Duct- Occlud devices from March 1996 to December 2003 were enrolled and four types of Duct-Occlud [Standard(S), Reinforced(R), Reinforced reverse cone(RR) and Nit-Occlud(N)] were used in this study. The patients were followed up by echocardiogram and physical examination before discharge, one month, six months and 12 months after the procedure. RESULTS: The rate of residual shunt according to the type of Duct-Occlud were as follows: S-54%, R-72%, RR-50%, N-14%(P4 mm). CONCLUSION: The transcatheter closure of PDA using Duct-Occlud was an effective treatment and our study revealed that a Nit-Occlud coil which showed higher rate of occlusion even in PDA with large diameters over than 4 mm, was a more effective modality compared to previous devices.

Food Sensitization in Infants and Young Children with Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin disease. Children with AD tend to have a higher prevalence of food allergies. This study investigated the clinical significance of food sensitization in AD patients. A total of 266 AD patients participated in this study. The prevalence of food sensitization and clinically relevant sensitization were compared in the subjects according to their age and AD severity. Sera from all patients were analyzed for food-specific IgE levels using the Pharmacia CAP System FEIA. The serum specific IgE levels for egg, milk, peanut and soybean were measured. Patients were regarded as sensitized to the food if their food-specific IgE levels were above 0.35 kUA/L. Also the food-specific IgE levels, the so-called diagnostic decision point, which is recommended as the clinically relevant level, for clinical food allergy, as suggested by Sampson et al, was used as an alternative method. From the measurement of food-specific IgE antibodies of the four foods, egg was the most highly sensitized and the main causative allergenic food in children with AD. The positive rates of specific IgE to the four major food allergens, and the prevalences of clinically relevant food sensitization, were higher for all foods tested in the group less than 1 year of age, and were significantly higher in moderate to severe AD compared to mild AD in infants and young children. In summary, presence of food specific IgE is prevalent in infants and young children with AD, and clinically relevant food sensitization is important in Korean infants and children with moderate to severe AD.

A Case of Neonate Born of Mother Diagnosed with Adult Onset Still's Disease Shortly before Delivery / 대한주산의학회잡지

Up to date, symptomatic neonate who needed treatments due to mother's AOSD has not been reported. We experienced a neonate born of mother diagnosed with AOSD a week before delivery. Despite treatment, the mother's symptoms had not been improved until delivery. Our patient was affected by her mother's condition, and exhibited several symptoms (fever over one week, poor activity, poor feeding) since 5 days of age, with thrombocytopenia, negative results on viral and bacterial studies, and elevation of CRP, OT/PT and ferritin. Treatment with steroid, NSAID and IV immunoglobulin was started on 14 days of age under the impression of possible maternal effects from uncontrolled AOSD of mother. The symptoms were gradually improved. Ferritin level was decreased, others were normal on 29 days of age. We present this case for the first time as effects of maternal AOSD on newborn, with review of literature.

Analysis of DNA Ploidy Patterns and Nuclear Morphometry in Diethylnitrosamine Induced Hepatocyte Nodules and Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Rats

This study was designed to answer the question; (1) How does the DNA ploidy pattern change in hepatocarcinogenesis? (2) How does the nuclear morphology change in hepatocarcinogenesis? Diethylnitrosamine(DEN) (16.5 mg per kg) was subcutaneously injected to female Sprague-Dawley rats(150~200g) by weekly interval for 30 weeks. DNA ploidy and parameters of nuclear morphology were measured by image analyser(IBAS 200, Kontron, FRG). The DNA ploidy pattern was divided into three basic patterns(diploid, polyploid, and aneuploid modes). In 8 cases of saline-injected control rats, the DNA histograms showed all polyploid pattern. Inhepatocyte nodules(hyperplastic nodules), DNA diploidy was the most frequent pattern, being followed by polyploid and aneuploid DNA patterns, contrast to hepatocelular carcinomas in which polyploid DNA pattern was most frequently noted being followed by diploid and aneuploid DNA pattern. Although the nuclei of hepatocytes in hepatocyte nodules and hepatocellular carcinomas were larger and more pleomorphic than those of normal hepatocytes, they were as same as those of normal hepatocytes in regard to nuclear hyperchromasia. DNA content, which was increased in hepatocarcinogenesis, was significantly related to the nuclear area.