Cystic Degeneration of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Mimicking Mucinous Cystic Neoplasm / 대한소화기병학회잡지

Spontaneous regression of tumors is an extremely rare event in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with only a few reports available. With the accumulation of clinical information and tumor immunogenetics, several mechanisms for the cystic changes of HCC have been suggested, including arterial thrombosis, inflammation, and rapid tumor growth. This paper reports an uncommon case of the partial regression of HCC, which was initially misdiagnosed as a mucinous cystic neoplasm of the liver due to the unusual radiologic findings. A 78-year-old female with the hepatitis B virus and liver cirrhosis presented with an approximately 5 cm-sized cystic mass of the liver. From the radiologic evidence of a papillary-like projection from the cyst wall toward the inner side, the initial impression was a mucinous cystic neoplasm of the liver. The patient underwent a surgical resection and finally, cystic degeneration of HCC, in which approximately 80% necrosis was noted. This case suggests that if a cystic neoplasm of liver appears in a patient with a high risk of HCC on a hepatobiliary imaging study, it is prudent to consider the cystic degeneration of HCC in a differential diagnosis.

Cystic Degeneration of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Mimicking Mucinous Cystic Neoplasm / 대한소화기학회지

Spontaneous regression of tumors is an extremely rare event in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with only a few reports available. With the accumulation of clinical information and tumor immunogenetics, several mechanisms for the cystic changes of HCC have been suggested, including arterial thrombosis, inflammation, and rapid tumor growth. This paper reports an uncommon case of the partial regression of HCC, which was initially misdiagnosed as a mucinous cystic neoplasm of the liver due to the unusual radiologic findings. A 78-year-old female with the hepatitis B virus and liver cirrhosis presented with an approximately 5 cm-sized cystic mass of the liver. From the radiologic evidence of a papillary-like projection from the cyst wall toward the inner side, the initial impression was a mucinous cystic neoplasm of the liver. The patient underwent a surgical resection and finally, cystic degeneration of HCC, in which approximately 80% necrosis was noted. This case suggests that if a cystic neoplasm of liver appears in a patient with a high risk of HCC on a hepatobiliary imaging study, it is prudent to consider the cystic degeneration of HCC in a differential diagnosis.

A Case of Cytomegalovirus Infection associated with Simultaneous Gastric, Duodenal and Colonic Ulcers / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Although cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of the gastrointestinal tract can occur in persons with normal immune function, it almost exclusively affects the immunocompromised host such as transplant recipients and AIDS patients, and it can cause significant clinical illness. CMV remains the single most important pathogen that affects solid organ transplant recipients. While CMV can affect any segment of the gastrointestinal tract, the colon is the most common site of infection, and this is followed by the upper gastrointestinal tract. However, CMV infection associated with simultaneous gastric and colonic ulcer is very rare and this has been reported in only one case, and a case of simultaneous gastric, duodenal and colonic ulcer associated with CMV infection has not yet been reported in Korea. We report here on a case of simultaneous gastric, duodenal and colonic ulcer associated with CMV infection that showed the characteristic histologic findings seen for CMV infection in renal transplant recipients.

Controlled Comparison of Endoscopic Epinephrine Injection and Endoscopic Argon Plasma Coagulation for the Treatment of Acute Peptic Ulcer Bleeding / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic injection therapy with hypertonic saline Epinephrine (HSE) is the easiest and most widely used procedure for the management of peptic ulcer bleeding. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is a recently introduced endoscopic hemostatic procedure. Thus, we performed a prospective trial to compare the hemostatic efficacy of APC and HSE. METHODS: Forty patients with the diagnosis of bleeding ulcer were randomly assigned to receive either HSE (n=20) or APC (n=20) treatment during the period of September 2003 to April 2004. The two groups were matched for gender, age, site of bleeding, the endoscopic findings and the initial hemoglobin at the study baseline. RESULTS: The bleeding was initially controlled in 18 patients (90%) of the APC group, and in 20 patients (100%) of the HSE group. Rebeeding occurred in one patient (5%) of the APC group and in 3 patients (15.5%) of the HSE group. The lengths of stay in the hospital were 11.7 days in the APC group and 10.7 days in the HSE group. Death occurred in 1 case in the APC group and in 1 case in the HSE group. The initial hemostatic efficacy showed no difference between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Argon plasma coagulation is as effective as hypertonic saline epinephrine injection for the initial management of acute peptic ulcer bleeding.

A Case of Secondary Amyloidosis Presenting as Massive Gastrointestinal Bleeding / 대한소화기학회지

Amyloidosis is a disorder characterized by extracellular deposition of amyloid in various tissues and organs. Gastrointestinal manifestations including gastroparesis, constipation, malabsorption, intestinal pseudo-obstruction, and bleeding are common. GI bleeding is a rare initial symptom which can be fatal in some cases. Absence of systemic symptoms and nonspecific endoscopic findings in amyloidosis may make diagnosis difficult. Therefore, amyloidosis-induced GI bleeding should be considered in patients with an obscure hemorrhage. Recently, we experienced a 65-year-old woman who presented with massive hematochezia as a manifestations of amyloidosis. Colonoscopy and SMA angiography showed massive bleeding in the small and large intestine. Colonoscopic biopsy established amyloidosis. We report this case with a review of the relevant literatures.

Isolation and identification of bacteria from the root canal of the teeth diagnosed as the acute pulpitis and acute periapical abscess / 대한치과보존학회지

The aim of this study was to identify the bacteria isolated from acute endodontic lesions by cell culture and 16S rDNA sequencing. The necrotic pulpal tissue was collected from 17 infected root canals, which were diagnosed as being either an acute pulpitis or acute periapical abscess. Samples were collected aseptically from the infected pulpal tissue of the infected root canals using a barbed broach and a paper point. The cut barbed broaches and paper points were transferred to an eppendorf tube containing 500 ul of 1 X PBS. The sample solution was briefly mixed and plated onto a BHI-agar plate containing 5% sheep blood. The agar plates were incubated in a 37degrees C anaerobic chamber for 7 days. The bacteria growing on the agar plate were identified by 16S rRNA coding gene (rDNA) cloning and sequencing at the species level. Among the 71 colonies grown on the agar plates, 56 strains survived and were identified. In dental caries involving the root canals, Streptococcus spp. were mainly isolated. Actinomyces, Clostridia, Bacteroides and Fusobacteria were isolated in the periapical lesion without dental caries. Interestingly, two new Actinomyces spp. (ChDC B639 and ChDC B631) were isolated in this study. These results showed that there was diversity among the species in endodontic lesions. This suggests that an endodontic infection is a mixed infection with a polymicrobial etiology. These results may offer the bacterial strains for pathogenesis studies related to an endodontic infection.

Comparative study on the apical sealing ability according to the obturation techniques / 대한치과보존학회지

No abstract available.

Primary Left Atrial Myxosarcoma: One case Report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Primary cardiac myxosarcoma is extremely rare, which is uncommon in primary cardiac tumors. We report a primary cardiac myxosarcoma in a 40-year-old female patient who was admitted to the hospital because of exertional dyspnea and palpitation. The patient underwent emergency operation immediately after the intracardiac (left atrium) tumor was discovered by an echocardiography. Palliative tumor removal was done and final pathologic diagnosis was primary cardiac myxosarcoma. She was discharged without complications.

The Change of Cardiothoracic Ratio after Ligation of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Adult: Report of 30 cases / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Treatment of adult patent ductus arteriosus(PDA) has many difficulty such as pulmonary hypertension, arterial wall calcification, aneurysmal chage of ductus. We tried to evaluate the effect of surgical interruption of PDA on postopeative change of heart size. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From 1987 to 1997 we experienced 30 cases of the ligation of patent ductus arteriosus in adult at the department of cardiovacular surgery in Masan Samsung General Hospital. RESULT: There were 9 males and 21 females and their ages ranged from 16 to 44 years, with a mean age of 26.1 years. 15 patients had pulmonary hypertension and 9 patients complained of dyspnea with a degree of functional NYHA class III. Operation method was double or triple ligation using Teflon felt. Postoperative complications were wound dehiscence in 3 patients and transient hoarseness in 1 patient. The mean preoperative cardiothoracic ratio was 54.7%, and mean postoperative cardiothoracic ratio was 51.9%. The change of cardiothoracic ratio was more typical in the cases who had congestive heart failure. Their mean preoperative cardiothoracic ratio was 64.8% and the mean postoperative cardiothoracic ratio was 58.5% there was no postoperative deaths. CONCLUSION: We canclude that the improvement in cardiothoracic ratio may result from surgical intervention of PDA.

Early Thoracotomy in the Treatment of Chest Trauma / 대한흉부외과학회지

Trauma to the thorax represents a significant portion of injuries seen in an inner-city emergency room. Although most of these patients may be sucessfully managed without thoracotomy, a certain percentage requires operative intervention either immediately or within several hours. 126 records of patients who had early thoracotomy for chest trauma from March 1986, to June 1997, in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery in Masan Samsung General Hospital were reviewed. There were 96 males and 30 females whose ages ranged from 4 to 72 years, with a mean age of 32.8 years. The modes of injury were as follows : stab wounds, 55 cases (44%), blunt trauma, 70 cases (55%), and gunshot wound, 1 case (1%). Immediate operation was performed in 105 cases (84%) and delayed operation in 21 cases (16%). Indications that operation was necessary were hemorraging and shock in 66 cases (52%), cardiac tamponade in 27 cases (21%), and rupture of the diaphragm in 33 cases (27%). Most of these patients were sucessfully treated but 21 cases were resulted in death. The mortality rate was 16.6% and common causes of death were irreversible shock and hypoxia.

Endobronchial Leiomyoma: A Case Report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Endobronchial leiomyoma is extremely rare and accounts for less than 2% of benign tumors of the lower respiratory tract. Leiomyomas are predominantly found in the young and the middle aged : of the average age being 35 years for bronchial and lung parenchymal lesions and 40.6 years for tracheal lesions. The symptom depends on the location of the tumor, its size, and changes in the lung distal to the lesion. A 37-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital complaining of coughing. Bronchoscopy revealed complete obstruction of the right main bonchus at the carina by an oval-shaped, nonulcerative, smooth, and pinkish-tan tumor with a broad margin and extended to the left main bronchus. A biopsy was performed and showed a benign spindle cell tumor. A right pneumonectomy was performed because of chronic infection, and the lung could not expanded during aeration. The histological diagnosis of the resected specimen was leiomyoma. The postoperative course was uneventful.

Supraarterial Myotomy for Myocardial Bridges: Two Cases Report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Myocardial bridges as an anatomical arrangement in which an epicardial coronary artery becomes engulfed, for a limited segment, by myocardial fibers. These diseases are recognized primarily because of their systolic narrowing or milking effect as seen on coronary angiography. The most frequent site of myocardial bridging is the middle segment of left anterior descending artery. Myocardial bridges have an ischemic effect capable of causing : angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, ventricular fibrillation, or even sudden death in athletes. We report 2 patients having a milking effect of the middle segment of left anterior descending artery who were suffered from angina. The operation procedure was a simple supraarterial myotomy over the embedded segment of the LAD under cardiopulmonary bypass. Angina and milking effect were disappeared after the operation.

Clinical Analysis of Reoperation for Prosthetic Valve Replacement: Report of 12 cases / 대한흉부외과학회지

Between May 1986 and May 1996, 269 patients underwent prosthetic valve replacement. A bioprosthetic valve was replaced in 70 cases and mechanical valve was replaced in 232. Of this 12 patients performed reoperations for replacement, and the mean interval between primary valve operation and reoperation was 87.6 months for mitral valve and 87.7 months for aortic valve. There were 10 women and 2 men, agcd from 22 to 68 years(mean 45). A bioprosthetic valve was implanted in 8 cases and a mechanical valve was implanted in 4 cases for initial operation. llidications for reoperation were structural deterioration in 5 cases(42%), valve thrombus in 5 cases(42%) and endocarditis in 2 cases(17%). Operations performed included 3 aortic valve replacements(25%), 9 mitral valve replacements(75%). Wc used mechanical valve in llcases(92%) and tissue valve in 1 case(8%) for reoperation. There were 2 early operative deaths because of valve detachment and of acute respiratory failure. Among ten survivor's, there were no late deaths with follow up of 35.8 months.

Clinical Analysis of Traumatic Diaphragmatic injuries: Report of 28 cases / 대한흉부외과학회지

The records of 28 patients with traumatic diaphragmatic injuries seen at Masan Samsung Hospital from march 1986 o March 1995 were reviewed. We treated 21 male and 7 female patients ranging in ages from 5 to 68 years. Thc diaphragimatic injuries were due to blunt trauma in'20 cases(Trawc accident 18, compression injury 1, Human trauma 1) and penetrating injuries 8 cases (all stab wound). Most common symptoms were dyspnea 27 (96%), chest pain 26 (93%), abdomianl pain 8 (29%), comatose mentality 36 (11 %). Chest X-ray were elevated diaphragm in 20 cases(71%) find hemothorax in 18 cases (64%) and 25 cascs (89%) were diagnosed or suspected as diaphragmatic inju,rims prcopcrativcly. The repair of 28 cases were performed with thoracic approach in 20 cases, abdominal approach 7, thoracoabdominal approach in 1 cases. There were 5 death (18%) and all death related to the severity of associated injury. (hypovolcmic shock 3, combined head injury 1, renal failure 1).

A Clinical Study of the Medistinal Tumors and Cysts: 27 cases analysis / 대한흉부외과학회지

We have experienced 27 cases of primary medistinal tumors and cyst from April, 1986 to April 1996. At Masan Samsung General Hospital. The results of the anslysed were as follows. 1. Of 27 medistinal tumors and c,pests, 9 patients were male and 18 patients were female(m : f = 1 : 2). 2. The most common chief complaint was chest discomfort or pain(8 cases 30 %) and 17 patients(63%) were asymptomatic. 3. The most common primary medistinal tumor was Neurogenic tumor in 9 cases(33 %) followed by Thymoma in 7 cases(26 %), teratoma in 6 cases(22 %). 4. The incidence of malignancy of all case was 3 cases(11 %), all cases were symptomatic and the most common malignancy was malig. thymoma(3 cases,43 %). 5. The anterior mediastinum was the most common tumor location with 15 cases(56 %) followed by posterior 11(41 %) and middle mediastinum 1(4 %). Anterior mediastinum tumors were predominantly thymomas and teratoma and posterior mediastinal tumors were neurogenic tumors. 6. Complete removal of tumor was achieved in 26 cases(96 %) and open biopsy was done on 1 case. 7. Postoperative complications were continued lumbar shunt drainage in 1 case and wound infection in 1 case. 8. There was no case of postoperative mortality and good clinical course in surgically completely resected cases.