A case of Systemic Toxicity that Occurred in an Adult Who Intentionally Ingested Rhododendron Sclippenbashii

It is well known that Rhododendron sclippenbashii contains the toxic material grayanotoxin. So, Koreans do not eat it, but they do eat azalea although it contains grayanotoxin. That is why there have been no reports about Rhododendron sclippenbashii intoxication after ingesting it intentionally, not accidentally. In this case, the patient was admitted to the emergency room with several toxic symptoms after intentionally consuming 50 blossoms of Rhododendron sclippenbashii to get rid of thirst. Treatment with saline infusion and atropine was successful and the outcome was favorable enough in this case to produce a complete cure without any sequelae at discharge. But toxic symptoms were seen for 24 hours, although the symptoms usually fade in 9 hours. Therefore, we should carefully treat and observe, for over 24 hours, the patient who intentionally ingests about 50 blossoms of Rhododendron sclippenbashii.

Inhibitory Effects of Mitomycin-C and 5-Fluorouracil on the Proliferation of Lens Epithelial Cells using Capsular Bag Model

PURPOSE: We investigated the inhibitory effects of mitomycin-C (MMC) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the proliferation of the lens epithelial cells (LECs) depending on time and concentration during the epithelial cell culture using capsular bag model. METHODS: We cultured LECs using capsular bag model after exposure to various time and concentration of MMC and 5-FU. We compared the half coverage time and appearance of posterior capsule by LECs. We examined the proliferative and inhibitory effect on LECs using BrdU immune staining. We observed the morphologic change of LECs on histologic section. RESULTS: Half coverage time of posterior capsule by LEC was 18.2 +/- 3.5 days in control group, whereas 27.5 +/- 3.8 days and 26.8 +/- 4.2 days when treated with 0.2 mg/ml MMC, 50 mg/ml 5-FU for 3 minutes, repectively. The increase of concentration and the exposure time of MMC or 5-FU resulted in the delay of coverage time of posterior capsule by LECs and reduction of BrdU incorporation in the nucleus of proliferating cells. On histologic section, reduction of LECs' multilayering and few cytoplasmic organells were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Using capsular bag model, we found the inhibitory effect of MMC and 5-FU on LECs proliferation depending on the concentration and exposure time. Capsular bag model would be contribute to the study about after-cataract.

Morphology and Distribution of Motoneurons Innervating the Lateral Rectus and the Retractor Bulbi Muscles in Cat : A Retrograde Study Utilizing Horseradish Peroxidase

No Abstract Available.

A Retrospective Study Comparing Clinical Characteristics between

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to obtain better clinical insights and therapeutic approaches to the diverticular diseases of the colon by identifying the clinical characteristics of the right and left colonic diverticular diseases. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made of 68 colonic diverticular patients treated between August of 1986 and July of 1997. Right colonic diverticular disease was present in 55 patients, left side disease in eight patients, and bilateral disease in five patients. According to the location of the colonic diverticular disease, various clinical parameters such as the nature of the diverticula, age and sex, diagnostic accuracy, and methods of treatment were assessed. RESULTS: The average age of 68 patients in this study was 50.94 years. Fifty two patients were male and sixteen were female. The disease was far more common in the right colon (80.9%) than the left colon (11.7%) and the right colonic diverticular disease was the most common source of confusion in diagnosis from acute appendicitis. Conservative management was tried in 30 of 35 patients above age 50 and obtained a good result without any complication. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a tendency toward increased incidence of annual colonic diverticular diseases in this study. The right colonic diverticular disease was far more common than the left side disease and the disease was more common in the male. In patients above age 50, initial conservative management is a reasonable approach, although early surgical exploration might be better in younger patients. Acute appendicitis should be ruled out before any treatment decision was made.

A simple method for the removal of epithelium grown beneath the hinge after LASIK

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate a method of how to remove epithelium grown beneath the hinge area after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) without affecting the refractive part of the lenticule. In three cases, an incision was made at the base of the hinge by RK diamond knife to free the lenticule from the stroma. The lenticule was lifted from the nasal edge. The epithelium grown along the interface beneath the hinge area was removed with a Bard-Parker No. 15 knife. The lenticular flap was repositioned with interrupted sutures using 10-0 nylon. No further epithelial ingrowth was observed. The central cornea remained clear leaving a peripheral ring-shaped opacity without affecting the preoperative naked visual acuity. In conclusion, epithelial ingrowth along the interface after LASIK can be removed safely without affecting the refractive part by the incision of the hinge area with a RK diamond knife, removal of the epithelium, and suturing of the lenticule to the stromal bed.

Management of Detached Lenticule in Case of Extensive Epithelial Ingrowth Following Automated Lamellar Keratoplasty

Detachment of a keratomileusis lenticule or extensive epithelial ingrowth is a difficult complication to amnage. Seven cases of extensive interfacial epithelial ingrowth were occurred following in situ keratomileusis or laser in situ keratoileusis. After the removal of epithelial ingrowth, we tried to reattach the lenticule to the stromal bed by drying the cap with air, or by suturing using interrupted sutures or double running sutures. Three detached cases were applied with air dry, only one case was reattached. Two other cases were failed due to epithelial ingrowth along the interface. In spite of the interupted sutures, the epithelial ingrowth along the interface recurred. In one of them, the edge of the lenticule was burried into the stroma and the lenticule was attached to the cornea leaving a ring-shaped opacity peripherally. In the other four cases, the lenticule was attached to the cornea successfully without epithelial ingrowth along the interface with double running sutures. Detached lenticules with extensive epithelial ingrowth following keratomileusis can be managed successfully by double running suture technique.

The Study on Clinical Characteristics and Therapies of Stage 3+ Retinopathy of Prematurity

We diagnosed 48 babies as retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) among 438 premature infants from April 1995 to March 1996 in Gil General Hospital. Among 48 ROP babies, 16 (30 eyes) infants progressed to stage 3+ ROP. Mean birth weight was 1474.0 gm, mean gestational age was 29.7 weeks and mean oxygen inhalation duration was 471.2 hours. Among 30 eyes of stage 3+ ROP, 25 eyes progressed to threshold stage and 5 eyes regressed spontaneously. Ten eyes were treated with cryotherapy and 15 eyes with diode laser photocoagulation and the treatment depends on random selection. Four eyes progressed to stage 5 ROP in spite of photocoagulation and encircling scleral buckling. Favorable outcome was achieved in all eyes treated with cryotherapy, and in 73. 3% of eyes laser-treated.

Extracapsular Cataract Extraction Using Scleral Pocket Incision

We analyzed corneal astigmatism 2 months after extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation using scleral pocket incision to minimize postoperative corneal astigmatism. Among the patients who were operated between July 1993 and April 1994, 25 eyes of 20 patients could be followed up over 2 months. Keratometric and refractive measurements were obtained before and at every week after operation. The mean postoperative refractive astigmatism was +1.42D at 1 week, +0.02D at 8 weeks and mean postoperative keratometric astigmatism was +1.58D at 1 week, -0.17D at 8 weeks. Our results suggest that extracapsular cataract extraction using scleral pocket incision has the advantage of decreasing early postoperative astigmatic change.