Retraction: Mitotic Activity of Tympanic Membrane and External Auditory Canal Skin in Normal Mongolian Gerbil / 대한이비인후과학회지

No abstract available.

A Case of McCunt-Albright Syndrome Associated with Acremegaly and Fibrous Dysplasia / 대한내분비학회지

Acromegaly and hyperprolactinemia have been described in association with polyostotic fibrous dysplasia. The pathogenic mechanisms of this endocrinopathy are not clear. We experienced a 19-year-old male with hypersecretion of GH, hyperprolactinemia and fibrous dysplasia. He was referred for evaluation of suspected acromegaly. He had no skin pigmentation. Plasma GH, PRL, somatomedin-C, LH, FSH, testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, T3, T4, TSH and cortisol were measured. Among those, the levels of plasma GH, PRL and somatomedin-C were high. Serum alkaline phosphatase was increased. OGTT did not suppress plasma OH concentration and GH showed paradoxical response to TRH and LHRH. GH was suppressed after a test-dose of somatastatin and bromocriptine. Brain MRI demonstrated a mass lesion in sella turcica and another mass lesions in nasal cavity and posterior occipital bone. Whole body bone scan revealed increased uptake in skull, nasal bone, both 9th posterior rib, both femurs, both tibias, left scapular and pelvic bone. These fmdings were consistent with bone tumor such as fibrous dysplasia. We report a case with incomplete MeCune-Albright syndrome including acromegaly, hyperprolactinemia and polyostotic fibrous dysplasia.

A Retrospective Study on the Potentially Fatal Asthma / 대한내과학회지

OBJECTIVES: A number of investigators have examined the possible pathophysiological mechanisms in patients who died from asthma, but the reasons for the increased incidence of death in patients with asthma are largely unknown. To elucidate the risk factors and possible causes of fatal asthma, we reviewed the clinical data of patients with potentially fatal asthma(PFA). METHODS: We retrospectively studied the clinical and laboratory profiles of 35 PFA patients(43 episodes) who had been admitted at the Kyungpook University Hospital and Taegu Fatima Hospital in recent 5 years(1989. 7-1994. 6). Our criteria of PFA were defined as either respiratory arrest or an arterial carbon dioxide tension(PaCO2) greater than 50 mmHg or an altered state of consciousness, due to acute asthma. RESULTS: 1) Twenty four patients with PFA were female and 11 male. At the time of PFA episode, age distribution was between 16-65 year (42% between 36-49). 2) Seasonal distribution was 13 episodes between March and May, 13 June and August, 6 September and November, 11 December and February. 3) Previous hospitalization history due to asthmatic attack was noted in 81 percent, and 75 percent were relatively compliant to their therapy. 5) At visiting emergency room, 81 percent satisfied the criteria of PFA, whereas 19 percent during hospitalizatoin. 77 percent required mechanical ventilation, and 52 percent of them within 30 minutes after visiting. 6) Initial arterial blood gas analysis at emergency room showed marked hypercapnia(75 +/- 29 mmHg), hypoxemia(50 +/- mmHg) and acidosis(pH 7.14 +/- 0.15). Serum potassium levels were within normal ranges in 75 percent. 7) All, except one, showed no significant cardiac arrthymias. 8) Possible precipitating factors leading to PFA were respiratory tract infection in 31 episodes, ingestion of NSAIDs in 2, emotional upsets in 2, irritant air pollutions in 2, withdrawal of anti-asthma drugs in 1, and unknown causes in 5. 9) Nine of 16 patients were atopic, and majority of them showed positive reaction to Dermatophagoides antigen. CONCLUSIONS: These results may suggest that PFA is mainly due to airway obstruction, and upper respiratory infection is an important precipitating factor leading to PFA. It is necessary to establish an appropriate plan for preventing PFA and related deaths.

Mitotic Activity of Tympanic Membrane and External Auditory Canal Skin in Normal Mongolian Gerbil / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND: Understanding the differentiation and migrating character of the tympanic membrane, external auditory canal as well as cholesteatoma pathogenesis needs knowledge about epithelial generation center. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the distribution of the epithelial generation center in the tympanic membrane and external auditory canal using 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine(BrdU) immunohistochemistry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BrdU was injected into peritoneum of 10 Mongolian gerbils and gerbil's temporal bones were obtained and serial section was done. Anti-BrdU antibody immunohistochemical stain was done. RESULTS: The labeling index was highest at posterosuperior quadrant of pars tensa, higher at malleus handle attached area and annulus region. On pars flaccida, labeling index was high at entire area. The labeling index of deep meatal skin was higher than that of lateral meatal skin, especially near annulus area. According to results, epithelial generation centers are thought to be on pars flaccida, posterosuperior quadrant of pars tensa, malleus handle attached area and annulus region. CONCLUSION: These findings are similar to those of human tympanic membrane and external auditory canal, and gerbils can be used as a animal model for study of normal human tymapnic membrane, external auditory canal and cholesteatomas.

A Case of Double Pylorus / 대한소화기내시경학회지

The double pylorus is a rare condition consisting of a double communication between gastric antrum and duodenal bulb. Some investigators postulate that the doubling of the pyloric channel is a congenital phenornenon, but others believe that it is an acquired lesion. A 72 year-old-man was admitted to this hospital because of epigastric pain for 1 month. Upper G-I series revealed thickened rnucosal folds of pylorus and duodenal bulb and dilated, deformed duodenal bulb filled with barium materials. Endoscopic findings also showed two ovoid large openings of the pyloric channel divided by smooth thickened septum and multiple gastroduodenal ulcers. We thought that this case was an acquired lesion. The relevant literatures on the subject were reviewed.