Erratum: Interleukin-1beta, Calcium-Sensing Receptor, and Urokinase Gene Polymorphisms in Korean Patients with Urolithiasis

No abstract available.

Interleukin-1beta, Calcium-Sensing Receptor, and Urokinase Gene Polymorphisms in Korean Patients with Urolithiasis

PURPOSE: There are various causes of ureter calculi, and genetic factors are known to play a role. Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) genes are related to hypercalciuria, and urokinase is related to the formation of calcium oxalate stones. This study investigated polymorphisms in IL-1beta, CaSR, and urokinase in patients with urolithiasis and healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Urolithiasis patients treated at Chung-Ang University Hospital were enrolled from January 2007 to December 2008. The control group of volunteers displayed normal urinalysis findings in the health screening, no stones identified by ultrasonography, and no history of urolithiasis. DNA extracted from peripheral blood was analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction. Patients were genetically screened for mutations in IL-1beta (484 urolithiasis patients, 208 controls), CaSR (433 urolithiasis patients, 197 controls), and urokinase (370 urolithiasis patients, 167 controls). Stone metabolic study was done to see the differences between the metabolic factors and to discern normal genes from polymorphic genes. RESULTS: According to the genotype frequency and allele frequency analysis, there were no statistically significant differences between IL-1beta, CaSR, and urokinase genes. Also, the analysis between genotypes and metabolic factors did not show statistically significant differences between the three genes. CONCLUSIONS: In Korean urolithiasis patients, IL-1beta, CaSR, and urokinase gene polymorphisms do not differ from those of healthy individuals. A larger-scale study is needed to confirm the need for other genetic markers of urolithiasis.

Peripheral Cholangiocarcinoma: Contrast Enhancement Characteristics on Spiral CT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the characteristics of contrast enhancement of peripheral cholangiocarcinoma, as seen on spiral CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Spiral CT was used to examine twelve patients with peripheral cholangiocarcinoma of the liver. All underwent conventional CT before contrast enhancement. After the administration of contrast material, two-phased spiral CT was used to investigate seven patients, and three-phased spiral CT, to investigate five. In each phase, we analysed the patterns of contrast enhancement at the central and peripheral portions of the lesion, and compared these with the patterns of normal liver parenchyma. We evaluated changes, according to time lapse, in the central low-density area, and obtained the phase-density curve with the cursor placed at the central portion of the lesion. For three-phased spiral CT examinations, we also tried to determine the phase dvring which the margin of the lesion was most clearly demonstrated. RESULTS: During the arterial phase, eight of twelve patients (67%) showed hyperdensity in the peripheral portion of the lesion; during the portal phase, four of five patients (80%) showed hypodensity in both the central and peripheral portions. During the delayed phase, six of twelve patients (50%) showed isodensity and five showed high density in the peripheral portion. Compared to those in the arterial phase, central hypodense areas relative to normal liver parenchyma in the delayed phase decreased in eleven of twelve patients (92%). On phase-density curves, the density of the central portion of the lesion increased progressively in nine of twelve patients (75%). On three-phased CT, the margin of lesion was-in all five patients - most clearly demonstrated in the portal phase. CONCLUSION: On spiral CT, the central portion of peripheral cholangiocarcinoma always showed low density and the peripheral portion showed high, low, or iso or high density, depending on the phase. In addition, spiral CT clearly demonstrated a minimal centripetal pattern of contrast enhancement. We therefore conclude that in the diagnosis of peripheral cholangiocarcinoma, the characteristics of contrast enhancement are helpful.