Prognostic Impact of Carcinoembryonic Antigen Levels in Rectal Cancer Patients Who Had Received Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy

Purpose@#Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a useful marker for rectal cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of CEA level according to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) in rectal cancer patients who underwent radical surgery. @*Methods@#A total of 245 patients with rectal cancer who underwent radical surgery were retrospectively evaluated. Serum CEA level was measured preoperatively and postoperatively. We compared survival outcomes based on CEA level before and after surgery according to nCRT. @*Results@#Of the 245 patients, elevation of CEA level was observed preoperatively in 79 and postoperatively in 30, respectively. Eighty-seven (35.5%) patients received nCRT, and elevated CEA level was a significant prognostic factor both before and after surgery. In patients who had not received nCRT, an elevated CEA level was a significant prognostic factor before surgery but was not significant after surgery. In a multivariate analysis for prognostic factors, elevation of preoperative CEA level was an independent prognostic factor of disease-free survival (DFS) regardless of nCRT. Postoperative CEA level was an independent prognostic factor of DFS in patients who had received nCRT but was not a factor in patients who had not received nCRT. @*Conclusion@#Serum CEA level was an independent prognostic factor both preoperatively and postoperatively in rectal cancer patients who had received nCRT.

Prognostic Impact of Carcinoembryonic Antigen Levels in Rectal Cancer Patients Who Had Received Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy

Purpose@#Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a useful marker for rectal cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of CEA level according to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) in rectal cancer patients who underwent radical surgery. @*Methods@#A total of 245 patients with rectal cancer who underwent radical surgery were retrospectively evaluated. Serum CEA level was measured preoperatively and postoperatively. We compared survival outcomes based on CEA level before and after surgery according to nCRT. @*Results@#Of the 245 patients, elevation of CEA level was observed preoperatively in 79 and postoperatively in 30, respectively. Eighty-seven (35.5%) patients received nCRT, and elevated CEA level was a significant prognostic factor both before and after surgery. In patients who had not received nCRT, an elevated CEA level was a significant prognostic factor before surgery but was not significant after surgery. In a multivariate analysis for prognostic factors, elevation of preoperative CEA level was an independent prognostic factor of disease-free survival (DFS) regardless of nCRT. Postoperative CEA level was an independent prognostic factor of DFS in patients who had received nCRT but was not a factor in patients who had not received nCRT. @*Conclusion@#Serum CEA level was an independent prognostic factor both preoperatively and postoperatively in rectal cancer patients who had received nCRT.

Prognostic value of carcinoembryonic antigen levels before and after curative surgery in colon cancer patients

Purpose@#CEA is a useful tumor marker for colon cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of changes in CEA levels before and after surgery in colon cancer patients who underwent radical surgery. @*Methods@#A total of 601 colon cancer patients who underwent radical surgery from January 2007 to December 2017 at a single institution were evaluated. Patients were categorized according to preoperative and postoperative CEA levels.We adjusted patient characteristics using propensity score matched analysis between groups and compared survival outcomes according to changes in CEA levels before and after surgery. @*Results@#According to the preoperative and postoperative CEA levels, patients were classified into 3 groups: group 1, ≤5 and ≤5 ng/mL, respectively (n = 407); group 2, >5 and ≤5 ng/mL, respectively (n = 127); and group 3 (>5 and >5 ng/mL, respectively (n = 67). Postoperative CEA elevation was associated with adverse clinical features. Before and after matching, the patients in group 3 showed significantly lower disease-free survival and overall survival rates compared to the patients in group 1 and group 2. In multivariate analysis, changes in CEA levels were an independent prognostic factor of overall survival (P = 0.041). @*Conclusion@#The changes in CEA levels before and after surgery can be a useful prognostic factor for disease-free survival and overall survival in colon cancer patients.

Feasibility and Safety of Single-Incision Laparoscopic Appendectomy by a Surgical Resident under Supervision of a Staff Surgeon

PURPOSE: This study was aimed at reporting our experience with single-incision laparoscopic appendectomies (SILA) performed by a surgical resident, and to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the procedure, together with a comparison of the outcomes of the same procedure performed by a staff surgeon. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective case series analysis of 60 consecutive patients who underwent SILA. Two surgeons, an attending staff surgeon and a second-year surgical resident, performed the SILA procedures. SILA procedures performed by the resident were intraoperatively guided and supervised by the staff surgeon. RESULTS: A total of 60 case-matched patients with acute appendicitis underwent a SILA performed by either the resident or attending staff. There was no difference in patient demographics between the two groups of patients. The mean operation time was longer in the resident group than in the staff group (43.2±6.0 minutes vs. 32.9±10.5 minutes, p<0.001). There was no significant difference in the operative data between the two groups. No conversion to an open procedure occurred in either group. Postoperative pain, time to onset of oral intake, and number of days of postoperative hospital stay were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: SILA procedures performed by a resident are safe and feasible despite longer operation times. Perioperative supervision and guidance by an attending staff surgeon may facilitate surgical outcomes.

The Overlapping Running Suture Method Using Single Knotless Barbed Absorbable Suture Material for Abdominal Wall Closure after Single Incision Laparoscopic Appendectomy: Comparison with the Traditional Interrupted Closure Technique

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to present an abdominal wall closure technique using barbed suture V-Loc™ 90 after single incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA) and to compare perioperative outcomes with conventional layer by layer abdominal wall closure after SILA. METHODS: From March 2014 to July 2016, a retrospective case-control study was conducted for a total of 269 consecutive patients who underwent SILA. According to abdominal wall closure methods, 129 patients were classified into the V-Loc closure group and 140 patients were assigned into the conventional layer by layer closure group. In the V-Loc group, abdominal wall closure was performed from the fascia to the skin with a single thread of unidirectional absorbable barbed suture V-Loc™ 90 2-0 using continuous running suture and reverse overlapping reinforced running technique. Subcutaneous closure and subcuticular suture were performed with the remaining portion of V-Loc. RESULTS: The V-Loc closure group showed shorter total operation time (40.0±15.4 min vs. 44.9±16.3 min, p=0.013) and abdominal wall closure time (5.5±0.9 min vs. 6.5±0.8 min, p < 0.001). Postoperative incision length was significantly shorter in the V-Loc closure group (1.1±0.3 cm vs. 1.8±0.4 cm, p < 0.001). Postoperative wound pain, time to resume diet, postoperative hospital stay, complications including surgical site infection, or mean patient satisfaction score at one month after hospital discharge was not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, unidirectional knotless barbed suture is a safe alternative method for abdominal wall closure after SILA. It can save time while providing comparable cosmesis.

Laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer in patients over 80 years of age: the morbidity outcomes

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes between patients under 60 years of age and older patients over 80 years of age who underwent laparoscopic colorectal surgery with colorectal cancer. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 519 colorectal patients who underwent laparoscopic colorectal surgery for colorectal adenocarcinoma between January 2007 and December 2012 was collected and categorized into 2 groups of patients, those under 60 years of age (n = 404) and those over 80 years of age (n = 115). RESULTS: The group of patients over 80 years of age had a significantly higher ASA physical status classification (P < 0.001), more preoperative comorbidities (P < 0.001), had a tendency towards more tumors in a colonic location (P = 0.034), and more advanced American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM stage (P = 0.001). A higher proportion of right hemicolectomy and abdominoperineal resection was performed and more transfusions were required in the group of patients over 80 years of age (P = 0.002 and P = 0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences in operative time, conversion rate, resection margins, and numbers of harvested lymph nodes, hospital stay, and morbidity between the 2 groups. No postoperative mortality was found in the present study. The 3-year DFS for over 80 years age group and under 60 years age group were 73.5% and 73.9%, respectively (P = 0.770). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic colorectal surgery was effective and safe for elderly patients over 80 years of age and resulted in postoperative outcomes similar to those in younger patients. The postoperative morbidity after laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery was not increased in over 80 years of age.

Single port laparoscopic repair of sigmoid colon perforation during colonoscopy

Colonic perforation during colonoscopy is a rare but lethal complication. Recently, it is usually managed with laparoscopic approach. Here we present our experience of single incision laparoscopic repair for sigmoid colon perforation during colonoscopy. A 57-year-old male patient presented with an acute sigmoid colon perforation event during diagnostic colonoscopy. Emergency operation was performed with transumbilical single incision laparoscopic exploration. The perforated site of sigmoid colon was primarily repaired with the curved endoscopic linear stapler. The patient was discharged after 5 days uneventfully. Single port laparoscopic repair is a safe and feasible method for the management of acute colonoscopic perforation during diagnostic colonoscopy.

Three Dimensional Laparoscopy Improves Surgical Performance: Comparative Study in a Cadaver

PURPOSE: Conventional laparoscopy using a two-dimensional (2D) has limited performance because of insufficient representation of the stereoscopic effect. Development of three-dimensional (3D) imaging technology has improved depth perception, shortened the execution time and reduced error number. This study was designed to identify the effects of 3D imaging on surgical performance for skilled professionals and surgical residents. METHODS: Two laparoscopic skills tasks, each with three repetitions, were performed by seven experienced laparoscopic surgeons, two minimally experienced laparoscopic surgeons, and three inexperienced surgical residents under both 2D and 3D conditions with two cadavers. Outcome measures were time for task completion and subjective assessment of performance. RESULTS: Suturing was completed by all participants and anchoring with V-Loc was performed by 10 participants. Suturing and anchoring time were significantly shorter with 3D laparoscopic in all participants (suturing time, p=0.011; anchoring time, p=0.005). Significant differences were observed between experienced and minimally experienced surgeons (suture time, p=0.021; anchoring time, p=0.018). There was no significant difference among inexperienced surgical residents, but they preferred 3D imaging over 2D. CONCLUSION: 3D laparoscopy is associated with a significantly shorter time for performance by experienced surgeons. Our results suggest that 3D laparoscopy will be helpful for surgeons conducting laparoscopic procedures.

Single incision laparoscopic colectomy for colorectal cancer: comparison with conventional laparoscopic colectomy

PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the feasibility of single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS), and to compare the short-term surgical outcomes with those of conventional laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer. METHODS: Forty-four patients who underwent SILS were compared with 263 patients who underwent conventional laparoscopic surgery for colorectal adenocarcinoma between November 2011 and September 2012. RESULTS: In the SILS group, eleven cases (25.0%) of right hemicolectomy, 15 (34.1%) anterior resections, and 18 (40.9%) low anterior resections were performed. Additional ports were required in 10 rectal patients during SILS operation. In the 32 patients with rectosigmoid and rectal cancer in the SILS group, patients with mid and lower rectal cancers had a tendency to require a longer operation time (168.2 minutes vs. 223.8 minutes, P = 0.002), additional ports or multiport conversion (P = 0.007), than those with rectosigmoid and upper rectal cancer. Both SILS and conventional groups had similar perioperative outcomes. Operation time was longer in the SILS group than in the conventional laparoscopic surgery group (185.0 minutes vs. 139.2 minutes, P 180 minutes). CONCLUSION: SILS is a feasible, not inferior treatment option for colorectal cancer, and appears to have similar results as standard conventional multiport laparoscopic colectomy, despite the longer operative time.

Long-Term Outcomes of Chemoradiation for Anal Cancer Patients

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term oncologic outcomes after concurrent chemoradiation treatment for anal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1979 and December 2008, the records of 50 consecutive patients with anal cancer and who were treated by chemoradiation or radiation only with a curative intent were retrospectively reviewed. The oncologic outcomes and the risk factors for recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 50 patients, 49 underwent concurrent chemoradiation and one underwent radiation only. After these definitive treatments, 43 (86.0%) achieved a clinical complete response. During the median follow-up of 60 months (range: 2-202 months), the 5-year overall survival, disease-free survival, and locoregional recurrence-free survival were 84.2%, 72.7%, and 69.9%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that the performance status (p=0.031) and a clinical complete response (p=0.039) were the independent predictors for overall survival; lymph node involvement (p=0.031) was the only independent predictor for disease-free survival. CONCLUSION: The performance status and a clinical complete response may be reliable predictors of survival after chemoradiation for anal cancer. The addition of irradiation to the inguinal area may not be significantly associated with the outcomes.

Clinical Significance of Serial Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen Values for Treating Rectal Cancer with Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy

PURPOSE: Preoperative chemoradiotherapy is now widely accepted to treat rectal cancer; however, the prognosis for rectal cancer patients during and after chemoradiotherapy must be determined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serial serum carcinoembryonic antigen (s-CEA) samples in patients with rectal cancer who underwent radical surgery after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT). METHODS: This study evaluated 236 patients with rectal cancer who received preoperative CRT followed by curative surgery between June 2005 and June 2010. We measured the patient's s-CEA levels pre-CRT, post-CRT and post-surgery. Patients were classified into four groups according to their s-CEA concentrations (group 1, high, high, high; group 2, high, high, normal; group 3, high, normal, normal; group 4, normal, normal, normal). We analyzed the clinicopathologic factors and the outcomes among these groups. RESULTS: Of the 236 patients, 12 were in group 1, 31 were in group 2, 67 were in group 3, and 126 were in group 4. The 3-year disease-free survival rate in group 1 was poorer than those in group 3 (P = 0.007) and group 4 (P < 0.001). In a univariate analysis, type of surgery, clinical N stage, pathologic T or N stage, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and CEA group were prognostic factors. A multivariate analysis revealed that type of surgery, pathologic T stage, and lymphovascular invasion were independent prognostic factors; however, no statistical significance was associated with the CEA group. CONCLUSION: High pre-CRT, post-CRT, and post-surgery s-CEA levels in patients with rectal cancer were associated with high rates of systemic recurrence and poor survival. Therefore, patients with sustained high s-CEA levels during CRT require careful monitoring after surgery.

Clinical Significance of Tumor Regression Grade in Rectal Cancer with Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy

PURPOSE: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy applied to the locally advanced rectal cancer reduces local recurrence and improves survival. We assessed tumor regression grade (TRG) and its influence on survival in rectal cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy followed by surgical resection. METHODS: We studied 108 patients that were seen at our hospital between August 2004 and December 2008. Patients received preoperative chemoradiotherapy consisting of 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin by continous infusion during the first and fifth week, delivered with concurrent pelvic radiation of 50.4 Gy, followed by radical surgery at 6-8 weeks. The TRG was determined by the amount of fibrosis in the tumor embedding area and was divided into 5 grades based on the relative amount of fibrosis. We analyzed all preoperative clinicopathologic factors, postoperative pathologic stages, TRG and prognosis, retrospectively. RESULTS: Downstaging of rectal cancer through neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy occurred in 64 (59%) patients. The numbers of total regressions (TRG4), good regressions (TRG3), moderate regressions (TRG2), minor regressions (TRG1), and no regression (TRG0) were 19 (18%), 65 (60%), 17 (16%), 6 (5%), and 1 (1%) respectively. The TRG was inversely correlated with perineural invasion and lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.008, P = 0.032). The local recurrence rate declined as the tumor regression grade increased (P = 0.032). The 19 patients with TRG4 had a better three-year disease free survival than the 89 patients with TRG0-3 (P = 0.034). The 16 patients with pathologic complete remission (pCR) had a better three-year disease free survival than the 92 patients with non-pCR (P = 0.025). CONCLUSION: Higher TRG after preoperative chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer closely correlates with better survival and low local recurrence. The TRG is considered to be a significant prognostic factor.

Rectal Perforation after Anorectal Manometry Following Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy and Low Anterior Resection: Report of a Cases

Anorectal manometry is widely used to evaluate anorectal function. Few reports have described complications resulting from this procedure. A 47-year-old male underwent preoperative chemoradiotherapy and a low anterior resection for rectal cancer. The patient underwent anorectal manometry at postoperative 8 months. A rectal perforation was diagnosed shortly thereafter. The patient was initially managed conservatively using percutaneous drainage and parenteral antibiotics and then discharged on day 60 after the event. One month later, a colo-cutaneous fistula and expanding abdominal fasciitis developed. The patient underwent surgical exploration, drainage, resection of the rectum including the fistula, and redo-coloanal anastomosis with a diverting ileostomy. The patient discharged without complications on postoperative day 25. Anorectal manometry should be performed with particular care in patients who have undergone radiotherapy and anastomosis at the rectum.

Intraabdominal tuberculosis found by abnormal finding of ampulla of Vater / 대한내과학회지

No abstract available.

Clinical Significance of Klebsiella pneumoniae in Liver Abscess / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) has been emerging as the leading cause of liver abscess although the most common pathogen was Escherichia coli in the past. Our study was to clarify the significance of K. pneumoniae as a pathogen of pyogenic liver abscess. METHODS: We reviewed 157 cases of pyogenic liver abscess treated at Yeungnam University Hospital from 1996 to 2001. They were classified into two groups: K. pneumoniae group and non-K. pneumoniae group. The clinical presentations, characteristics of liver abscess, laboratory findings and the results of bacteriological studies were compared. RESULTS: The K. pneumoniae group included 60 (60.6%) cases among 99 cases with positive culture. We found higher incidence of alcoholics (45.0%) or diabetes millitus (35.0%) in K. pnemoniae group. Cryptogenic cause (61.7%) was the most frequent portal entry in K. pneumoniae liver abscess. On the other hand, in non-K. pneumoniae group, the cause of portal entry was usually the secondary (23.1%) following biliary disease (61.5%). Statistically, there was no significant difference in age, sex, symptom, characteristics of abscess, laboratory findings except total bilirubin level between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Liver abscess caused by K. pneumoniae has emerged as an important infectious disease with new clinical significance. When clinicians see pyogenic liver abscess in patients with alcoholics or diabetes millitus, K. pneumoniae should be considered first as a cause of liver abscess.

Endoscopic resection in patients with early gastric cancer and follow-up / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: As a result of endoscopic development and diagnostic technical improvements, the detection rate of early gastric cancer (EGC) has been increased and the prognosis of patients has been improved with surgical treatment. The most important factor for the prognosis of patients with EGC is the presence of regional lymph node metastasis, whose incidence is approximately 3% in patients with intramucosal EGC and 20% in patients with submucosal EGC. Recently, endoscopic resection has become the modality of treatment widely accepted in well selected cases of EGC. We have reviewed the results of endoscopic resection of EGC during 10 years and follow-up. METHODS: Over a ten year period from 1989 to 1999, 47 EGCs were resected endoscopically and the mean age of patients was 62.6 +/- 9.5 years. Thirty-six cases were treated by endoscopic mucosal resection and 11 cases were treated by snare polypectomy. RESULTS: Thirty-five cases were defined as complete resection by pathologic study and 33 cases were enrolled in follow-up study group. During follow-up period, there were 6 cases of death which was not related to the original disease. The mean follow-up duration of the survival group was 36.5 +/- 25.7 months. Local recurrence was detected in 1 case and a new lesion developed on the other site in 1 case. CONCLUSION: It appeared that endoscopic resection is an effective therapeutic procedure for some cases of EGC.

The Prognosis of Mucinous Gastric Carcinoma

PURPOSE: Mucinous gastric carcinoma (MGC) is a histopathologic subtype of gastric adenocarcinoma with a poor prognosis. It comprises about 3~10% of gastric carcinomas. The purpose of this study was to compare the disease course of MGC with non-MGC (NMGC) and study the clinicopathologic features that influence the prognosis of MGC patients. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 2,383 patients with a confirmed histologic diagnosis of gastric carcinoma who underwent surgery at the Department of Surgery, Chonnam National University Hospital. There were 157 patients with MGC compared to 2,226 with NMGC. Patients were evaluated on the basis of gender, age, tumor size, tumor location, depth of invasion, region and number of lymph nodes with metastasis, hepatic or peritoneal metastasis, stage at presentation, estimate of surgical curability, and TNM stage based on the UICC classification. Multivariate analysis was performed to test the hypothesis that the histologic mucin contents themselves in MGC are an independent prognostic factor. RESULTS: There was no gender or age-at-diagnosis distinction between these two groups. The mean tumor size of MGC was larger than that of NMGC, but the difference was not statistically significant. Most carcinomas of both types were located in the antrum with no statistical difference in location between MGC and NMGC. However, a depth of invasion greater than T3 was more frequently found in MGC than in NMGC, not to a statistically significant degree. The mean number of lymph node with metastases was 2.78 in MGC and 2.28 in NMGC (P<0.001). There were more MGC patients with TNM stages II through IV(UICC classification). The overall survival rate was lower for the MGC group(46.5%) than for the NMGC group (64.0%). Depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, and stage at diagnosis were significant factors affecting the outcome. Mucinous histologic type itself was not an independent predictive factor in survival. CONCLUSION: The factors that influence the poorer prognosis(lower 5-year survival rate) of MGC are advanced stage at the time of diagnosis, lymph node metastases, and a higher TNM status. The histologic subtype itself was not an independent prognostic factor.

Nonimmunological Factors Influencing Serum Creatinine on Discharge after Kidney Transplantation / 대한신장학회잡지

There are two factors which influence the long term outcome of renal transplantation. One is the immunological factor such as HLA typing, the other is the nonimmunological factor such as physiologic match of the donor kidney to the recipient. We analyzed the relation between serum creatinine on the day of discharge which is known as a good predictor of long term graft survival and several nonimmunological factors influencing long term outcome of renal transplantation. One hundred fourteen renal transplanted patients in Yeungnam university hospital for 3 years after 1994 were included except the patients had experienced rapid deterioration of renal function like acute graft rejection. Several indices(KW/R.BSA, KW/R.BW, KW/ R.BMI, D.BSA/R.BSA, D.BW/R.BW : KW=kidney weight, R=recipient, D=donor, BSA=body surface area, BMI=body mass index, BW=body weight) representing relative kidney size to recipient were significantly correlated with serum creatinine on the day of discharge(KW/R.BSA : r=-0.30, KW/R.BW : r=-0.35, KW/R.BMI : r=-0.41, D.BSA/R.BSA : r=-0.47, D.BW/R.BW : r=-0.44). Serum creatinine levels on the day of discharge were lower at the male kidney donated to female recipient than the female kidney donated to male recipient (0.89 vs. 1.22mg%, P<0.05). The age of donors had positive correlation with serum creatinine on the day of discharge (r=0.28). That was, when donor is more younger person, renal function after transplantation is better. But several indices by renal scan(effective renal plasma flow, perfusion index, peak renal uptake, T1/2) done after transplantation, urine output of the next day after transplantaton, renal function of donor before transplantation(creatinine level) were not correlated with serum creatinine on the day of discharge. In conclusion, nonimmunological factor such as nephron mass size, age, gender should be considered when selecting renal donor, and the more actual, new criteria for kidney transplantation and long term prognosis should be worked out by further study.

Long-term Effect of Desferrioxamine to rHuEPO Regident Anemia in Hemodialysis Patients / 영남의대학술지

There are several factors concerning to anemia in chronic renal failure patients. But when rHuEPO is used, most of these factors can be overcome, and the levels of hemoglobin are increased, However, about 10% of the renal failure patients represent rHuEPO-resistant anemia eventhough high dosage of rHuEPO. For these cases, desferrioxamine can be applied to correct rHuEPO resistnacy, and many mechanism og DFO are arguing. So we are going to know whether DFO can applied to correct anemia of the such patients, how long its effect can continued. The seven patients as experimental group(DFO+EPO) who represent refractoriness to rHuEPO and the other seven patients as control group(EPO) were included. Experimental group has lower than 9 g/dL of hemoglobin levels despite high rHuEPO dosage (more than 4000U/Wk) and showed normochromic anemia. There were no definitive causes of anemia such as hemorrhage or iron deficiency. Control group patients has similar characteristics in age, mean dialysis duration but showed adequate response to rHuEPO. DFO was administered to experimental group for 8 weeks along with rHuEPO(the rHuEPO individual mean dosage had been determined by mean dosage of the previous 6 months. Total mean dosage; 123.5 U/Kg/Wk). After 8 weeks of DFO administration, the hemoglobin and rHuEPO dosage levels were checked for 15 consecutive months. It should be noted that the patients determined their own rHuEPO dosage levels according to hemoglobin levels and economic status. In control group, rHuEPO was administered by the same method used in experimental group without DFO through the same period. Fifteen months of ovservation period after DFO trial were divided as Time I(7 months after DFO trial) and Times II(8 months after Time I). The results are as follows: Before DFO trial, mean hemoglobin level of experimental group was 7.8 g/dL, which is similar level(p>0.05) to control group(mean Hb; 8.2 g/dL). But in experimental group, significantly(p<0.05) higher dosages of rHuEPO(mean; 123.5 U/Kg/Wk) than control group (mean;41.6 U/Kg/Wk) had been used. It means resistancy to rHuEPO of experimental group. But after DFO trial, the hemoglobin levels of the experimental group were increased significantly(p<0.05), and these effect were continued to II.(Time I; mean 8.6g/dL, Time II; mean 8.6g/dL) The effects of DFO to hemoglobin were continued for 15 months after DFO trial with simiral degree through Time I, Time II. Also, rHuEPO dosage used in the experimental group were decreased to simiral levels of the control group after DFO trial and these effect were also continued for 15 months(Time I; mean 48.1 U/Kg/Wk. Time II; mean 51.8 U/Kg/Wk). In the same period, hemoglobin levels and rHuEPO dosages used in the control group were not changed significantly. Notibly, hemoglobin increment and rHuEPO usage decrement in experimental group were showed maxilly in the 1st month after DFO trial. That is, after the use of DFO, erythropoiesis was enhanced with a reduced rHuEPO dosage. So we think rHuEPO reisistancy can be overcome by DFO therapy. In conclusion, the DFO can improve the anemia caused by chronic renal failure at least over 1 year, and hence, can reduce the dosage of rHuEPO for anemia correction. Additional studies in order to determined the mechanism of DFO on erythropoiesis and careful attention to potential side effects DFO will be needed.

An Analysis of 94 Percutaneous Renal Biopsies / 영남의대학술지

A clinical and histopathological study was performed on ninety-four patients with nephrotic syndrome (91 idiopathic and 3 secondary) who were admitted to Department of Internal Medicine, Yeungnam University Hospital during the period of nine years, from January 1985 to May 1994. The results were as following. 1. the ratio of male to female was 1.76:1. In young age group, minimal change was the most predominant type. In old age group, membranous glomerulonephritis and focal glomerulosclerosis were predominant types. 2.- The primary nephrotic syndromes were 96.8% and secondary nephrotic syndromes were 3.2%. Histopathologic findings of 94 renal biopsy tissue were classified into minimal change (43.6%) mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (29.8%), membranous glomerulonephritis (12.8%), Typel membranous proliferative glomerulonephritis (4.3%), focal glomerulosclerosis (3.2%) .and others (6.4%). 3. The response of eighty-six patients treated with steroid showed complete remission in 51.2%, partial remission in 20.9%, steroid dependent in 2.3%, and no effect in 25.6% of cases respectively. The response to steroid therapy was most effective in the patients with minimal change lesion. 4. In the patient with membranous proliferative glomerulonephlitis, long-term angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor treatment showed less deterioration of renal function.