• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.137-142
• /
• 2005

Purpose: To analyze the outcome of radiation therapy for patients with a metastatic carcinoma of cervical lymph nodes from an unknown primary (MUO), and identify the prognostic factors for these patients. Materials and Methods: Between July 1981 and June 1999, 39 patients with MUO underwent radiation therapy with curative intent. Twelve patients were treated with radiation therapy alone (Group 1), 8 with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy (Group 2), and 19 with either an excision or neck dissection and postoperative radiation therapy (Group 3). There were 31 males and 8 females, with a median age of 55 years, ranging from 25 to 77 ears. The median duration of follow-up was 38 months, ranging from 3 to 249 months. Results: The 5-year overall survival rate was $55\%$. According to the treatment modality, the 5-year disease-free survival rates of Groups 1, 2 and 3 were 48, 19 and $75\%$, respectively (p=0.0324). In addition to the treatment modality, the appearance of the primary site was a significant prognostic factor for disease-free survival (p=0.0085). Conclusion: Surgical resection and radiation therapy achieves a superior disease-free survival compared to radiation therapy alone, either with or without chemotherapy Further investigation Is needed to evaluate the role of chemotherapy in the treatment of MUO.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.34-43
• /
• 2009

Purpose: Glomus tumors are rare benign vascular tumors, usually located in the skin or soft tissue of extremities. Approximately 30-50% of glomus tumors occur in subungal area, but glomus tumors have been described in every location even where glomus bodies are not or rarely present. The purpose of this study was to identify clinical, histologic and MRI characteristics of soft tissue glomus tumor. Materials and Methods: Between 1993 and 2008, eight patients underwent surgery of soft tissue Glomus tumor at our institution. Exclusion criteria were patients with Glomus tumors in digits, stomach, trachea and glomus tympanicum. We analyzed medical records, interviews, physical examinations, MR findings and histolocial types retrospectively. Results: There were four men and four women. The mean age was fourty-seven years. The mean prevalence time was eight-point-nine years. In the classic triad of symptoms, all eight patients had pain and tenderness. Two patients complained of cold sensitivity. Two showed skin color changes. After surgery, two showed symptom improvement (VAS $9^{\circ}{\rightarrow}8$, $8^{\circ}{\rightarrow}5$) and?six showed complete disappearance of symptoms. Slightly symptom improvemented (VAS $9^{\circ}{\rightarrow}8$) one had additional surgery two times after first surgery due to relapse/remaining Glomus tumor. The mean size was 13.9 mm. In histology, six were 'solid glomus tumor', one was a mixture of 'solid glomus tumor' and 'lomangioma' and one was 'malignant glomus tumor'. MR findings showed isointense signal on T1 image, high signal on T2 image and strong enhancement on the Gadolinium enhanced image. Conclusion: Glomus tumor has low recurrence rate and malignant change, rapid diagnosis and surgical excision is critical in treatment to prevent unnecessary pain of patient.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
• /
• 1982.05a
• /
• pp.16.2-16
• /
• 1982

The palatine tonsils which are located in entrance of digestive and upper respiratory tracts are the most important organ in anatomical and functional structures of the pharyngeal lymphatic tissues. As for function of the tonsil, there have been many suspected theories that were included hematopoietic, hormonal, digestive function and production of vitamin, entry of bacteria with other antigenous materials and defence mechanism of which has taken charge by Virchow in 1860 in past. But among these theories, in recently, defence mechanism of the tonsil was strongly accepted immunologically. For the purpose of elucidating immune response of the tonsil, the author observed serum immunoglobulin levels, peripheral total lymphocyte counts and populations of T, B and Null lymphocytes before and after tonsillectomy in 30 cases of patients with chronic tonsillitis and 29 cases of healthy controls. The results obtained were as follows; 1) Serum Ig M level was significantly higher in patient group than in control group but was not significantly different preoperative from postoperative patient group. 2) Population of T-lymphocyte more significantly decreased in patient group than in control group but it was not significantly different preoperative from postoperative patient group. 3) Population of B-lymphocyte more significiantly increased in patient group than in control group but it was not significantly different preoperative from postoperative patient group. On the basis of these results, it may be suggested that tonsil play partially a role in the immune response of human.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.9 s.254
• /
• pp.622-626
• /
• 2005

Background: Non-invasive interventional therapy has been performed for main bronchial obstruction by endobronchial tuberculosis because of the risk of main bronchial reconstruction regardless of the pulmonary function. But, effects of the inteeventional therapy are attacked by arguments. This study was aimed at interpreting the risk and effectiveness of bronchoplasty for benign bronchial stenosis over the last ten years in our hospital by reviewing the results based on clinical progression. Material and Method: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records and out-patient medical records including 2f consecutive patients who underwent main bronchial reconstruction for obstruction by endobronchial tuberculosis. All of them had past medical history of anti-tuberculosis medication. They were preoperatively evaluated by bronchoscopy and chest computed tomography. Result: There were no incidences of postoperative mortality and signifcant morbidity. There were 2 cases of retained secretions but these problems were resolved by therapeutic bronchoscopy or intubation. All of the patients are still alive without obstructive airway problem. Conclusion: Bronchoplasty should be considered as one of the primary treatment modalities, if it is anatomically feasible.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.149-154
• /
• 1998

We retrospectively analyzed 54 patients with esophageal cancer treated surgically between 1992 and 1996. They composed of 51(94.4%)men, 3(5.6%)women, and the age ranged from 42 to 78, the mean was 58.7$\pm$8.37. Symptoms were varied with dysphagia(72.2%), epigastric discomfort(16.6%), chest pain (5.6%), and so on(5.6%). Transthoracic esophagectomy(TTE) with esophagogastrostomy was done in 36 case, TTE with esophagocologastrostomy in 4 case, and transhiatal esophagectomy(THE) with esophagogastrostomy in 14 case. The operative mortality was 12.9%(7/54); 6 underwent TTE with esophagogastrostomy, and 1 underwent TTE with esophagocologastrostomy. Postoperative complications were of anastomotic leakage in 7 case, wound infection in 10 case, anastomotic stricture in 9 case, vocal cord paralysis in 2 case, bronchial tearing in 1 case, and pneumothorax in 3 case. Locations of esophageal cancer were upper thoracic esophagus in 4 case, middle thoracic esophagus in 34 case and lower thoracic esophagus in 16 case. Histological types were adenocarcinoma in 1 case and squamous cell carcinoma in 53 case. During the follow-up period, 25 cases died. Cumulative survival rate was 52.7% in 1 year, 45.5% in 2 year, 45.5% in 3 year, 45.5% in 4 year, 45.5% in 5 year.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.318-324
• /
• 1992

Acquired tracheobronchial stenosis has resulted from vehicular accidents, prolonged tracheal intubation, sleeve resection, tuberculosis and sarcodosis. Various modalities of therapy for the relief of such stenosis included surgery, cryotherapy, laser photoresection, and sometimes balloon dilatation. Several recent reports have described the use of self-expandable metal stents for the dilatation of stenotic areas in the tracheobronchial tree. Three patients of benign acquired tracheobronchial stenosis were treated with self-expandable metal stents, who had shown little response to several times of balloon dilatations; One patient had a tracheal stenosis caused by intubation, one a right main bronchial stenosis developed after reconstructive surgery of traumatic bronchial rupture, and the other a left main bronchial stenosis caused by longstanding endobronchial tuberculosis. We found that the using stent in benign acquired tracheobronchial stenosis can be effectively performed with alleviation of clinical symptoms and lung function. And even in longstanding localized stenosis of main bronchus without distal bronchial destruction, lung perfusion also improved.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.29 no.11
• /
• pp.1232-1240
• /
• 1996

From January 1990 through June 1995, we operated on 121 patients who were suspected for pulmonary tuberculosis without definite final diagnosis. After operation the final pathologic diagnoses were as follows: 68 pulmonary tuberculosis in which 29 were tuberculoma, 23 lung cancer, 16 bronchiectasis, 6 aspergilloma, 2 lung abscess, 2 benign cyst and 4 others. In 121 cases, 81 were male and 40 were female and the peak age incidence was 4th decade in tuberculosis (39.7%) and 6th and 7th decade in lung cancer (69.6%). The diagnoses in 44 cases presented roentgenographically as pulmonary nodules were pulmonary tuberculosis(29 cases) and lung cancer(15 cases). Tuberculous nodules tended to be smaller in size with calcification and satellite lesions compared to carcinomas. Indications for operation were solitary nodules 44 cases (36.4%); destroyed lobe 31(25.6%); hemoptysis 25 (20.7%); cavitary lesion 11(9.1 %); bronchostenosis 3 (2.5%); destroyed lung 5(4.1 %) and destroyed lung with empyema 2(1.7%). We conclude that preoperatively suspected pulmonary tuberculosis should be distinguished from various pulmonary lesions such as carcinoma, bronchiectasis, aspergilloma, lung abscess and benign cyst. For the possibility of carcinoma, pulmonary nodules of size greater than 3cm, non-calcified, non satellite lesion, newly developed nodule even under the anti-tuberculous medication, negative PPD skin test with elevated CEA level are recommended for an early resectional surgery and follow-up and delayed surgery is recommended in cases such as pulmonary nodules less than 3 cm in size with calcification, satellite lesion, positive PPD skin reaction and elevated ESR, CRP, ALP levels.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.473-478
• /
• 2011

The study evaluated the antioxidant effects of ascorbic acid (AA) against oxidative stress during laparotomy in dogs under general anesthesia using isoflurane. Twelve dogs were randomly assigned to either the ascorbic acid group (AAG) or the sham group (SG). AAG received intravenous dosage of 100 mg/animal of standard AA 10 minutes before anesthesia. Plasma levels of cortisol, glucose, total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured. Cortisol level increased significantly with time in both groups (p < 0.05). The change of glucose levels was not significantly different between both groups. TOS and OSI increased significantly with time in the SG (p < 0.05), whereas it did not significantly change with time in the AAG. The TOS and OSI of the AAG were significantly lower than in the SG (p < 0.05). However, TAS did not significantly change between both groups. The results suggest that the decrease of TOS in the AAG might be related to the conversion of antioxidants to oxidants. The decrease of OSI indicates that the decrease of reactive oxygen species (i.e., oxidative stress) produced at the site of injury is able to decrease surgical side effects of abnormal blood circulation, organ failure, and inflammation. Therefore, AA can be used to protect a surgical patient from oxidative stress in canine laparotomy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.84 no.4
• /
• pp.809-823
• /
• 2023

Trauma is an injury to the body that involves multiple anatomical and pathophysiological changes caused by forces acting from outside the body. The number of patients with trauma is increasing as our society becomes more sophisticated. The importance and demand of traumatology are growing due to the development and spread of treatment and diagnostic technologies. In particular, damage to the large blood vessels of the chest can be life-threatening, and the sequelae are often severe; therefore, diagnostic and therapeutic methods are becoming increasingly important. Trauma to nonaortic vessels of the thorax and aorta results in varying degrees of physical damage depending on the mechanism of the accident and anatomical damage involved. The main damage is hemorrhage from non-aortic vessels of the thorax and aorta, accompanied by hemodynamic instability and coagulation disorders, which can be life-threatening. Immediate diagnosis and rapid therapeutic access can often improve the prognosis. The treatment of trauma can be surgical or interventional, depending on the patient's condition. Among them, interventional procedures are increasingly gaining popularity owing to their convenience, rapidity, and high therapeutic effectiveness, with increasing use in more trauma centers worldwide. Typical interventional procedures for patients with thoracic trauma include embolization for non-aortic injuries and thoracic endovascular aortic repair for aortic injuries. These procedures have many advantages over surgical treatments, such as fewer internal or surgical side effects, and can be performed more quickly than surgical procedures, contributing to improved outcomes for patients with trauma.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.26-37
• /
• 2024

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the differences in charges and length of stay per case between spine specialty hospitals and non-specialty hospitals, and to identify the factors that influenced them. Methods: This study used claims data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, including inpatient visits from January 2021 to December 2022. The healthcare facility status data was used to identify the characteristics of study hospitals. Multilevel analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with the charges and Poisson regression analysis was conducted to analyze the length of stay between spine specialty hospitals and non-specialty hospitals. There were 32,015 cases of spine specialty hospitals and 17,555 cases of non-specialty hospitals. Results: For four of five common spinal surgeries, specialty hospitals shaped longer length of stay than those of non-specialty hospitals. Multilevel and Poisson regression analysis revealed that regardless of the type of surgery, higher age and higher Charlson comorbidity index scores were significantly associated with an increase in both the charges per case and length of stay (p<0.05). However, when hospitals were located in metropolitan areas, there was a significant decrease (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study found that specialty hospital had higher inpatient charges and loner length of stay contrary to the previous study results. Further studies will be needed to find which contribute to the differences.