Effect of Fragment Removal on Development of Human Fragmented Embryos in IVF-ET Program / 대한불임학회지

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the beneficial effect of fragment removal on the subsequent cell division and clinical outcome of the fragmented human embryos. METHODS: A prospective study was performed in Hanna Women's Clinic and Mizmedi Hospital. Sixty couples undergoing In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) program were participated in the present study. The microsurgical fragment removal was performed in 106 fragmented embryos of 29 patients before the transfer. As a control group, 122 fragmented embryos of 31 patients were transferred without the fragment removal. Effects of fragment removal on morphological changes and clinical outcomes of fragmented embryos were investigated. RESULTS: Mean morphological grade (G2.79) of fragmented embryos was significantly improved after the fragment removal (G1.63, p<0.001). Most of the fragmented embryos did not show a regeneration of fragments after the fragment removal during the subsequent development, and a beneficial effect of fragment removal on the development of the fragment removed embryos was observed. Implantation and pregnancy rates of fragment removed embryos were 12.3% and 31.3%, whereas the rates of control group embryos were 6.6% and 22.5%, respectively. There was no statistical significance in the rates between the two groups because of the low number of trials. CONCLUSION: Microsurgical fragment removal improved the subsequent development as well as the morphological grade of fragmented embryos. The fragment removal may be beneficial for neighboring blastomeres by repairing the intercellular communication and removing the secretion of the potential toxic materials by fragments.

A Case of Polymyositis Treated with Intravenous Immunoglobulin

Inflammatory myopathies are comprised of three major subsets, polymyositis, dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis. Although their etiology is unclear, each group retains its characteristic clinical, immunopathologic features. In polymyositis, a CD8+ T-cell mediated cytotoxicity against muscle fibers has emerged as the main pathologic event, whereas in dermatomyositis complement-mediated injury by antibody may be the primary pathology. There has been several reports on polymyositis internationally but we could find only a few reports in Korea. We report here a 8-year old female patient admitted with a stuporous mentality. After coughing and fever for 3 days, she got myalgia, abruptly developed gross hematuria and dyspnea. After admission, she showed weak self respiration and exclussively elevated muscle enzyme in blood chemistry. In muscle biopsy, lymphocytic infiltrations were found in the fascicles without endomysial fibrosis and these lymphocytes were composed of T lymphocytes on immunohistochemical stain. She received two infusions of intravenous immunoglobulin(1g/kg/day), and showed dramatic improvement in symptoms and signs.

A Case of Polymyositis Treated with Intravenous Immunoglobulin

Inflammatory myopathies are comprised of three major subsets, polymyositis, dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis. Although their etiology is unclear, each group retains its characteristic clinical, immunopathologic features. In polymyositis, a CD8+ T-cell mediated cytotoxicity against muscle fibers has emerged as the main pathologic event, whereas in dermatomyositis complement-mediated injury by antibody may be the primary pathology. There has been several reports on polymyositis internationally but we could find only a few reports in Korea. We report here a 8-year old female patient admitted with a stuporous mentality. After coughing and fever for 3 days, she got myalgia, abruptly developed gross hematuria and dyspnea. After admission, she showed weak self respiration and exclussively elevated muscle enzyme in blood chemistry. In muscle biopsy, lymphocytic infiltrations were found in the fascicles without endomysial fibrosis and these lymphocytes were composed of T lymphocytes on immunohistochemical stain. She received two infusions of intravenous immunoglobulin(1g/kg/day), and showed dramatic improvement in symptoms and signs.

A Case of the Foutrh Branchial Cleft Cyst Causing Respiratory Difficulty in Neonatal Period / 대한주산의학회잡지

It is commonly believed that the branchial anomalies are persistent remnants of the embryologic branchial apparatus. These anomalies are originated from branchial cleft and most commonly involved in second branchial deft. Clinically they present palpable mass, discharge from fistula, recurrent infection due to obstruction of Gstula tract. As respiratory symptoms, they may present hoarseness, preceeded by or associated with upper respiratory infection. However, it has not been reported that they caused airway obstruction in newborn infants. Wc experienced a case of the fourth branchial deft cyst in a 2 day old infant who showed respiratory difficulty due to airway obstruction.