Combined Atlantoaxial Rotatory Fixation and Unilateral Counter Occipitoatlantal Subluxation after Minor Trauma / 대한신경손상학회지

Rotatory fixation of the atlantoaxial joint is relatively rare in adults but somewhat more common in children. Most of them are reduced spontaneously or after traction. However, combined rotatory injury of atlantoaxial joint and unilateral occipitoatlantal subluxation is a rare disease, and it is often difficult to diagnose accurately. Because the craniovertebral junction is complex and patients with combined atlantoaxial rotatory fixation (AARF) and occipitoatlantal subluxation has a less rotated head than patients with pure AARF. And injury of the occipitoatlantal and atlantoaxial joint can often result upper cervical instability, so early diagnosis is very important. We present a case of the combined AARF and unilateral counter occipitoatlantal subluxation after minor trauma.

Helicobacter pylori cagA, vacA, iceA Gene and Interleukin-1beta and Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphisms in gastric carcinoma / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Both Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) cagA, vacA, iceA genotype and host IL-1B/IL-1RN polymorphisms play a role in determining the clinical consequences of H. pylori infection. This study aimed to investigate whether there might be any combinations of H. pylori cagA, vacA, iceA genotype and host IL-1B/IL-1RN polymorphisms that are particularly associated with the occurrence of gastric carcinoma in Korean patients. METHODS: This study population was comprised of 239 patients with H. pylori infection: 122 with gastric carcinoma and 117 with gastritis only. DNA was isolated from gastric biopsy sample and H. pylori cagA, vacA and iceA genotype were determined by PCR. IL-1B-511 polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-RFLP and IL-1RN polymorphisms were analyzed with variable number of tandom repeat after PCR. RESULTS: H. pylori cagA, vacA, and iceA genotype were not associated with an increased risk for gastric carcinoma. IL-1B-511*T carriers and IL-1RN*2 carriers did not show increased risk for gastric carcinoma. On combination of bacterial/host genotypes, cagA+/IL-1B-511*T carriers and cagA+/IL-1RN*2 carriers, vacA s1/IL-1B-511*T carriers, vacA s1/IL-1RN*2 carriers, vacA m1/IL-1B-511*T carriers, vacA m1/IL-1RN*2 carriers, iceA1/IL-1B-511*T carriers, iceA1/IL-1RN*2 carriers showed no increased risk of gastric carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Combined H. pylori cagA, vacA, iceA genotype and host IL-1B/IL-1RN polymorphisms shows no increased risk of gastric carcinoma. Therefore, it seems other endogenous or exogenous factors may play more important role in the development of gastric carcinoma in Korean.

A Case of Rectal Schwannoma Presenting with Hematochezia / 대한소화기학회지

Rectal schwannoma is a rare mesenchymal tumor originating from Schwann's cell. We experienced a 61- year-old female patient who complained of blood tinged and narrow calibered stool for several years, and found a 4 cm sized submucosal tumor with a central ulcer on the rectal wall during colonoscopy. She underwent transanal excision. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of fasciculating bundles of spindle cells with benign nuclear atypia and peripheral lymphoid cell cuffing. Tumor cells showed a diffuse strong immunoreactivity to S-100 protein, but not stain for CD 34, desmin and smooth muscle actin. This is the first case report of rectal schwannoma in Korea.

A Case of Common Bile Duct Stone Caused by Foreign Body in Patient with Adenoma of the Ampulla of Vater / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Choledocholithiasis caused by a foreign body is rare. The most common type of foreign body in the common bile duct is a residual object from previous surgery such as a metal clip or suture material. Foreign body may enter the biliary system after choledochointestinal anastomosis or endoscopic sphincterotomy. Rarely, penetrating missile fragment or gunshot shrapnel account for another type of foreign body. We experienced a case of common bile duct (CBD) stone caused by foreign meterial in 75-years-old women who had a plant foreign body in the common bile duct. She had no past history of abdominal surgery or penetrating trauma. The foreign body and stone were successfully extracted with Dormia basket after the endoscopic sphincterotomy.

Clinicopathologic Significance of Gastric and Intestinal Phenotypic Marker Expression in Gastric Carcinomas

BACKGROUND: It is well known that both gastric and intestinal phenotypic cell markers are expressed in gastric cancers. This study was aimed at investigating the correlation between gastric and intestinal phenotypic marker expression patterns of tumors and the clinicopathologic characteristics of gastric carcinomas. METHODS: We evaluated phenotypic marker expression by immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies. All tumors were classified as gastric (G), gastric and intestinal mixed (GI), intestinal (I), or null (N) phenotype. RESULTS: The tumors were phenotypically divided into G-phenotype tumors (33.2%), GI-phenotype tumors (25.7%), I-phenotype tumors (26.8%), and N-phenotype tumors (14.3%). N-phenotype tumors were associated with more corporeal location than GI- and I-phenotype tumors (p=0.009 and p=0.007, respectively), a larger size than I-phenotype tumors (p=0.007), a higher proportion of advanced gastric cancers than G-, GI-, and I-phenotype tumors (p=0.003, p< 0.001, and p< 0.001, respectively), more perineural invasion than G-, GI-, and I-phenotype tumors (p=0.076, p=0.003, and p=0.003, respectively), and more lymph node metastasis than GI-phenotype tumors (p=0.017). I-phenotype tumors were associated with a higher proportion of intestinal-type tumors than G-, GI-, and N-phenotype tumors (p< 0.001, p=0.011, and p< 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the gastric and intestinal phenotypic marker expression pattern of tumors is prognostically useful for patients with gastric carcinoma.

Results of Histoacryl-Lipiodol Sequential Injection Using Specific Gradient Difference for Bleeding Gastric Varices / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Histoacryl forms hard substances in an instance after a brief exposure to polar liquid, blood or body temperature. This often causes obstruction of injector and endoscopic channel. Furthermore, splashed Histoacryl during injection can lead to accidental loss of vision. We propose a new convenient method of Histoacryl-lipiodol sequential injection and report the results. METHODS: From May 2001 to August 2004, sequential injector method was performed in treating consecutive thirty gastric varices patients. Histoacryl (S.G. 1.0) 1 mL and lipiodol (S.G. 1.28) 1~1.5 mL are filled in 2.5 mL disposable syringe with 16 gauge needle, which are separated into two compartments by specific gravity difference. The injector attached side of charged syringe is gently placed upward and the piston is pushed after the lesion site puncture. Then, normal saline is promptly infused to wash out and the needle is withdrawn. RESULTS: There were 26 males and 4 females. 4 had active bleeding and 26 had the stigmata of bleeding. Varices types were Lg-c in 10, Lg-cf in 16 and Lg-f in 4 patients and the Child-Pugh classification were A in 17%, B in 53% and C in 30%. The average amount was 1.53 mL. Initial hemostasis rate was 97%, 3 of patients re-bled in 4 weeks and 2 patients later. One patient died after the procedure and a case of procedure related bacteremia has occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Histoacryl-lipiodol sequential injection by specific gravity difference is convenient and safe. Also, it carries less damage to the instruments.

A Case of Pneumoperitoneum After Mechanical Ventilation in A Child with Severe Bronchial Asthma / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

Massive pneumopritoneum developing immediately following initiation of artificial ventilation is an unusual sign of lung barotrauma and must be distinguished from pneumoperitoneum following rupture of a hollow abdominal viscus. Besides, pneumoperitoneum occurring in a mechanically ventilated asthmatic patient can present a diagnostic dilemma as the usual signs of an intestinal perforation may be masked by steroid therapy, sedation or paralysis, or combination of all three. We report a case of massive pneumoperitoneum after initiation of mechanical ventilation in a child with severe asthmatic attack.

A Case of Gastric Perforation due to Endoscopic Mucosal Resection Managed by Detachable Snare and Hemoclips / 대한소화기내시경학회지

The detachable snare, by Pontecorvo and Pesce in 1986, was designed for the prevention of bleeding after endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of a polyp. It has been used widely for the ligation of large gastric or duodenal variceal bleeding, and even for the resection of a colon polyp. But detachable snare has been rarely used in the treatment of gastric perforation after the EMR. Herein, we report a successful case of detachable snare application in the treatment of gastric perforation caused by EMR in a patient with gastric adenoma measuring 1.6x1.6 cm in size, along with the review of relevant literatures.

A Case of Acute Pancreatitis Caused by Santorinicele with Incomplete Pancreas Divisum / 대한소화기내시경학회지

A focal cystic dilatation of the terminal portion of the dorsal pancreatic duct at the minor papilla, termed "santorinicele", is seen in a small number of patients with pancreas divisum. Santorinicele is believed to result from a combination, either acquired or congenital, of relative obstruction and weakness of the distal ductal wall and has been suggested as a possible cause of relative stenosis of the accessory papilla, a risk factor for pancreatitis. We report a case of santorinicele associated with incomplete pancreas divisum, found in a 68-year-old woman presented with acute pancreatitis with a brief review of the literatures.

Clinical Analysis of Pediatric Death Patients Visiting Emergency Center / 소아과

PURPOSE: We analyzed pediatric death patients who visited Dong-Kang Hospital emergency center, in order to minimize unexpected pediatric deaths. METHODS: The authors analyzed retrospectively the medical records of 110 pediatric patients who died before and within 24 hours after admission to the emergency center of Ulsan Dong-Kang General Hospital from January 1997 to December 2002. RESULTS: We classified three categories by the cause of death, accident group(AG) 46 cases(41.8%), disease group(DG) 37 cases(33.6%), unknown cause group(UG) 27 cases(24.6%) respectively. The most common age was between two and five years of age(50.0%) in AG, under one month (40.5%) in DG, between one month and one year(51.9%) in UG respectively. The most common season was summer(37.0%) in AG, winter(51.4%) in DG, spring(37.1%) in UG respectively. The most common time on arrival was from 13:00 to 18:00(37.0%) in AG, from 7:00 to noon(43.2%) in DG, from midnight to 6:00(29.6%) and from 7:00 to noon(29.6%) in UG respectively. The most common type of accident was traffic accident(47.8%). The most common cause of death in DG was respiratory disorder(40.5%). Sudden infant death syndrome was the most common(37.1%) in unknown cause of death. CONCLUSION: Accidental injuries and severe chronic illnesses are the major cause of unexpected pediatric death. Legislation related to accidents and a parents teaching program for emergency situations are necessary to decrease cases of unexpected pediatric death.

Melanotic Neuroectodermal Tumor of Infancy in the Epididymis: A Case Report / 소아과

Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy (MNTI) is a rare neoplasm known by a variety of names including melanotic progonoma and retinal anlage tumor, and currently thought to be neural crest derivation. The vast majority develop within the first year of life. The behavior is generally benign, but recurrent and metastatic cases have been documented. It arises in the head and neck in over 90%, mainly in the maxilla, but is extremely rare in the epididymis. We report a case of MNTI together with a review of literature, which occurred in the right epididymis of a 6-month-old boy who presented with a painless, slowly growing, scrotal mass and was treated with radical orchiectomy.

A Case of Migraine Equivalents

Migraine equivalents include cyclic vomiting, acute confusional states, and benign paroxysmal vertigo. Cyclic vomiting is characterized by recurrent, sometimes monthly, boults of severe vomiting that may be so intense dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities occur, particularly in an infact. We experienced a 3-year-old girl who showed manifestations of cyclic vomiting and abdominal pain. We report this case with a review of related literatures.

A Case of Primary Cutaneous CD 30 Positive Large Cell Lymphoma Showing Spontaneous Complete Regression / 대한피부과학회지

The phenomenon of spontaneous regression, which is one of the characteristics of primary cutaneous CD 30 positive large cell lymphoma, has been observed in approximately one fourth of patients. However, complete regression is far less frequent than partial regression. We report a case of primary cutaneous CD 30 positive large cell lymphoma in a 53-year-old male patient who showed spontaneous complete regression without any treatment.

A Case of Bilateral Lichen Aureus with Good Response to PUVA Therapy / 대한피부과학회지

Lichen aureus is regarded as an uncommon variant of the pigmented purpuric dermatosis and resistant to treatment. Recently several authors reported the PUVA therapy to be effective in the pigmented purpuric dermatosis, but there was no report that the PUVA therapy was tried to the lichen aureus. We tried topical PUVA therapy on a 54-year-old male with bilateral lichen aureus. After 23 times of topical PUVA therapy, the lesion improved markedly. This report may provide a new method of treatment for lichen aureus.

Interleukin-4 as a New Index of Disease Severity in Atopic Dermatitis / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-4(IL-4) from the Th2 subset of lymphocytes has been known to have a key role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. Blood levels of IgE, often reflecting the severity of allergic diseases, are not always elevated in patients with atopic dermatitis due to its homocytotrophic characteristics. OBJECTIVE: We propose that IL-4 can substitute or at least complement the role of IgE as an index of disease severity of atopic dermatitis. METHODS: Eleven patients with atopic dermatitis and five normal controls were included in this study. Before treatment, we evaluated the clinical severity of atopic dermatitis by the method described elsewhere with some modification which employed extent, duration, and intensity of skin lesions. Based on this criteria, we divided patients into 'severe and mild groups. With blood samples drawn from patients and normal controls, we measured IL-4 and IgE values. After a treatment period of I to 2 months, when all of the patients became free of symptoms and signs of atopic dermatitis, patients in each group were re-evaluated for ehanges of IL-4 and IgE values. IL-4 values were determined with a Predicata human interleukin-4 kit from Genzyme diagnostics (Predicta IL-4 kit) and ELISA reader (CRES UV900, Biotek). IgE values were measured .with IMx total IgE assay system from Abott laboratories (model 8389-0). RESULTS: l. Of eleven patients, six were mild and five were severe in clinical severity. 2. IL-4 levels were decreased from the pre-treatment average value of 57.149+/- 40.079 pg/ml to a post-treatment average value of 32.072+/- 16.912 pg/ml (p0.1). CONCLUSION: We conclude that IL-4 is not only involved in the pathogenesis but can also be used as a main index of disease severity in atopic dermatitis especially when the clinical severity is more than mild.

Fixed Drug Eruption Caused by Piroxicam / 대한피부과학회지

A fixed drug eruption is a cutaneous reaction caused by various drugs, which include phenazone derivatives, barbiturates, sulfonamides, tetracyclines and phenolphthaleins. An eruption caused by piroxicam is very rare and there have been no previous reports in Korea. A 49-year-old woman was seen with mutiple erythematous patches and some bullae that appeared after oral administration of piroxicam. The patient had had two similar episodes after oral administration of piroxicam. We performed patch test with piroxicam and could confirm a fixed drug eruption caused by this durg.

A Case of Papillary Eccrine Adenoma

Papillary eccrine adenoma is a rare sweat gland tumor with a characteristic histopathological appearance and has a benign clinical course. Five cases were reported in Korea since a report by Song et al. in 1988. We report a case of papillary eccrine adenoma in a 38-year-old male who had a firm, dark brown nodule on the medial surface of the left thigh. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of multiple dilated ducts lined by two or more layers of epithelial cells and the luminal cells showed papillary projections into the lumen in some tubules. Immunoperoxidase staining was positive for CEA, S-100, and EMA. We excised the lesion completely and no evidence of recurrence was observed for 6 months.

A Case of Chronic Actinic Dermatitis Showing Contact Allergy / 대한피부과학회지

Chronic actinic dermatitis is an uncommon, persistent, light induced eruption occurring mostly on exposed skin. It is eczematous or pseudolymphomatous in nature, probably representing delayed type hypersensitivity to endogerious photoallergens. It usually worsens in summer and affects elderly men. A 72-old-male was presented with a 14 month history of pruritic skin lesions. They were composed of waxy thickened scaly plaques of the face and dorsa of the hands, and depigmented patches of the neck, which worsened when exposed to sun light. We performed photo test and photopatch test. MED of UVA was lowered and the patch and photopatch test revealed only contact sensitivity to Balsam of Peru, perfume mix and fragrance mix. A biopsy specimen showed hyperkeratosis and spongiosis of the epidermis and perivascular lymphocytic and many eosinophilic infiltrations of the dermis. The patient was treated with systemic and topical corticosteroids with marked improvement.

Angiokeratoma of the Vulva / 대한피부과학회지

Angiokeratoma of the vulva is a relatively rare, benign condition that usually presents as single or a few isolated papules mainly on the labia majora. It is histologically identical to angiokeratoma of the scrotum. A 50-year-old woman presented with a one year history of nonpruritic lesions on the vulva. Her skin lesions used to bleed vith subtle trauma. Several dark purplish papules, ranging in diameter from 3 to 5mm, were noticed on both labia majora. A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of angiokeratoma. A simple electrodesiccation of all lesions was performed under local anesthesia. The patient has remained asymptomatic nd without recurrence for the follow-up period of 10 months without any recurrence.

A Case of Cryptococcosis with Cutaneous Manifestation / 대한피부과학회지

Cryptococcosis is a disease caused by the Cryptococcus neoformans, occcuring most frequently in immunocompromised hosts. Cutaneous involvement is seen in 10-15 % of disseminated cases and its manifestation is variable. A 52 year old man presented with a subcutaneous neck mass and severe headache which had lasted for 2 months and 1 month respectively. Initially cutaneous involvement was monomorphic and localized and a CSF study failed to reveal any organisms. After several weeks of herb medication, however, multiple skin lesions occurred with varied morphology and a CSF study confirmed cryptococcosis by culture. The Urine cortisol was markedly elevated, suggesting an exogenous intake of steroid.