• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.355-359
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• 1993

Ten consecutive patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm were treated in Chungnam National University Hospital from May of 1985 to June of 1993. Pulsating palable mass was the most common first sign [7 patients]. The ratio of male to female was 8:2. The age ranged from 53 to 73 years with mean age of 65 years. The etiology and location of the aneurysm was atherosclerosis and infrarenal aorta in all. Dacron graft interposition [straight graft-1, bifurcation graft-7] and wrapping with aneurysmal sac were performed in 8 patients. In one patient with infected abdominal aortic aneurysm, we performed aneurysmectomy and left axillo-bifemoral bypass with 8 mm PTFE graft. And in another patient with complete thrombotic obstruction of infrarenal aortic aneurysm, we performed the suturing of the proximal part of the abdominal aortic aneurysm and aorto-bifemoral bypass with 18 x 9 mm PTFE graft. There was one operative death with the mortality rate of 11 % and 8 complications in 4 patients; ARF[2], duodenal ulcer[1], mechanical ileus[1], genitourinary dysfunction[2] and wound infection with abdominal abscess[1]. Because of the high operative mortality after rupture of the aneurysm, we think it is better to operate on early at the diagnosis of abodominal aortic aneurysm is made.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.140-143
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• 1981

Thymolipoma is extremely uncommon benign mediastinal tumor consisting of fatty and thymic tissue. Only 50 verified cases have been reported in the world literatures. This one case is the first reported example of surgically treated thymolipoma associated with spontaneous pneumothorax. A thirty-two year old male patient had been in good health until two days prior to admission, when he noted sudden dyspnea associated with an aching pain over the left precordium. The dyspnea and chest pain had become progressively worse. The physical examination revealed that left hemithorax was tympanic sound on percussion and absence of breathing sound on auscultation and point of maximal impulse was located on the 4th intercostal space at the left sternal border. Emergency closed thoracostomy was performed under the impression of tension type spontaneous pneumothorax of the left lung. After closed thoracostomy, point of maximal impulse was not changed inspire of full expansion of the left lung and chest X-ray was strongly suggested pericardial effusion or cardiomegaly which couldn`t account for by clinical course and hemodynamic evidence. EKG, echocardiogram, bronchofiberoscophy, bronchogram and diagnostic thoracentesis was performed. On Dec. 8, 1980, operation was performed under the impression of mediastinal tumor in the anterior mediastinum. At left posterolateral thoractomy, a large fatty mass, measuring 35 x 27 x 13 Cm in dimension and weighing 3350 gm, was resected and multiple bullae on the apicoposterior segment of the left upper lobe was resected and continuously sutured. The pathologic diagnosis of the fatty mass was thymolipoma. The postoperative course was uneventful and discharged in good general conditions.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.98-103
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• 2000

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the CT findings of hepatic hypereosinophilic syndrome in which hepatic lobes or segments were involved. Materials and Methods: Seven patients with hypereosinophilic syndrome with hepatic lobar or segmental involvement were included in our study. In all seven, diagnosis was based on liver biopsy and the results of corticosteroid treatment. CT findings were retrospectively reviewed by three radiologists, who reached a consensus. Biopsy specimens were examined, with special reference to portal and periportal inflammation. Results: CT demonstrated well-defined, homogeneous or heterogeneous low attenuation with a straight margin limited to a hepatic lobe (n = 2), segments (n = 3), or subsegments (n = 2), particularly during the portal phase. Where there was subsegmental involvement, lesions were multiple, ovoid or wedge-shaped, and showed low attenuation. In two patients with lobar or segmental involvement, segmental portal vein narrowing was observed. Histopathologic examination disclosed eosinophilic infiltration in the periportal area, sinusoids and central veins, as well as portal phlebitis. Conclusion: Hypereosinophilic syndrome may involve the presence of hepatic lobar, segmental, or subsegmental low-attenuated lesions, as seen on CT images. Their presence may be related to damage of the liver parenchyma and to portal phlebitis.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.70-75
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• 2005

Crohn's disease of the perineum is notably resistant to treatment. We describe our experiences of tacrolimus ointment application in three patients with intractable perianal Crohn's disease. At the time of diagnosis patients showed anal fissure with ulcer, anal fistula, or perianal abscess, respectively. These lesions did not respond to steroid, metronidazole, mesalazine, or azathioprine, though the pediatric Crohn's disease activity index was markedly improved during the treatment period (4 to 12 months). Topical tacrolimus was applied and resulted in marked healing and a rapid granulation of cavity edges within 6 weeks to 3 months. Topical tacrolimus at a low dose shows a promise for the management of childhood perianal Crohn's disease. Further controlled studies are required to assess the efficacy and safety of this treatment.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.57-63
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• 2008

Hypopharyngeal perforation secondary to tracheal intubation is rare, but may result in severe airway complications that include retropharyngeal abscess, pneumothorax, pneumonia, mediastinitis and death. The most common site of hypopharyngeal perforation is the pyriform sinus and the region of the cricopharyngeus muscle. We report a 62-year old man with intubation-induced hypopharyngeal injury presenting as deep neck infection. The patient presented with dyspnea and pain on the neck. Neck CT scan identified fluid and air collection on the neck from the hyoid bone to the thoracic inlet level. Despite of delayed diagnosis, we successfully operated him by using strap muscle myofascial transposition flap. The patient was followed up for 3 months without any complications.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.145-149
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• 2004

A 12-year-old boy with severe periumbilical pain visited the emergency room. Physical examination, abdominal ultrasonography, colonoscopy and CT, identified a lesion of sigmoid colon. Endoscopic biopsy showed a signet ring cell carcinoma of the sigmoid colon. On explorative laparotomy, cancer invasions of the adjacent structures and metastases on peritoneal wall were noticed. We performed palliative loop-ileostomy. He underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy for 3 months. The second case was a 16-year-old boy with abdominal pain and hematochezia, transferred to our hospital with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis with periappendiceal abscess. Although he underwent appendectomy, the abdominal pain persisted. Digital rectal examination revealed a lumen-obstructing fungating mass in the rectum. Endoscopic biopsy revealed a adenocarcinoma. Cancer invasion of the adjacent structures and metastases involving the mesentery of the small intestine were found at laparotomy. A palliative procedure, a Hartmann's operation and end-colostomy at the sigmoid colon were performed. The patient died 8 month later due to pneumonia and sepsis. Chemotherapy was not applied.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.42-46
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• 1995

Vertical axillary muscle sparing thoracotomy is newly appeared and excellent alternative method of standard posterolateral thoracotomy.It has many advantages compared to standard posterolateral thoracotomy , less postoperative pain, well preserved thoracic muscle strength, full range of motion of the shoulder girdle and attractive cosmetic results. We performed vertical axillary muscle sparing thoracotomy in 36 patients from November 1993 to July 1994. The ages of the patients ranged from 6 months to 71 years[mean 45.1 years , and the patients consisted of 20 males and 16 females.The preoperative diagnosis were as follows : lung cancer in 17 patients, tbc destroyed lung in 7, bronchiectasis in 3, bullous emphysema in 3 and the others are mediastinal tumor, bronchogenic cyst, lung abscess, empyema, esophageal diverticulum, and CCAM [congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation . The operative procedures were as follows : lobectomy and bilobectomy in 16 patients, segmentectomy in 4, wedge resection in 3, penumonectomy in 7, and the others were open biopsy, lobectomy with diaphragm excision, sleeve right upper lobectomy, decortication, mediastinal mass excision, and esophageal diverticulectomy. We had 6 complications : postoperative bleeding in 2 cases, operative wound infection, arrrhythmia[atrial fibrillation , Horner`s syndrome, hoarseness. The subcutaneous seroma occurred in 4 cases but did not require drainage and relieved within 4 weeks spontaneously. We concluded that vertical axillary muscle sparing thoracotomy could be done in most of all thoracic surgery with safety. Comparing to standard posterolateral thoracotomy vertical axillary muscle sparing thoracotomy has many advantages such as less postoperative pain, well preserved muscle strengths and good cosmetic results.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.386-389
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• 2004

Descending nectorizing mediastinitis (DNM). represents a virulent form of mediastinal infection requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment to reduce the high morbidity mortality associated with this disease. Intr. avenous broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy alone is not efficient without adequate surgical drainage of the cervical and mediastinal collections, extensive debridement and excision of necrotic tissue, and wide mediastino-pleural irrigation. A 38-year-old man admitted via emergency room with painful left neck swelling and uncontrolled high fever. Chest computed tomogram showed left paratracheal abscess descending into the superior and anterior mediastinum. Transcervical mediastinal drainage was performed with 26 Fr. chest tube and left paratracheal drainage was performed with Penrose drain in urgency. Culture and sensitivity test grew Yeast. The drains removed via gradually shortening on day 39 after surgery.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.163-172
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to review our recent experiences with deep neck abscesses in children and adolescents and to provide helpful information in treatment and diagnosis by comparing them with those in other available literatures. Methods : Medical records of 36 children and adolescents admitted for deep neck abscess at two hospitals from January 2000 to October 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. Results : Male to female ratio was 1.4 : 1 and the mean age was 6.5 years. Painful neck swelling and fever were the most frequent symptoms in patients under thirteen years of age whereas trismus and headache were frequent symptoms in patients over fourteen years of age. Submandibular space was the most common site of deep neck abscess in patients under thirteen years of age, whereas peritonsillar space was the most common site in patients over fourteen years of age. The results of bacterial cultures were positive in 61.5% of drained cases. Staphylococcus aureus was the most commonly identified bacteria in 6 patients (37.5%) and 5 of them were under 2 years of age. Twenty six patients received surgical drainage while the others were treated with antibiotics only. There were no statistically significant differences in the durations of admission, fever after admission, and antibiotic treatment between surgical and medical treatment groups. Conclusion : The common sites of deep neck abscess, associated symptoms, and causative organisms were different between children and adolescents. As there were no differences in durations of admission, fever, or antibiotics treatments between surgical and medical treatment groups, surgical drainage may be avoided by early recognition and suspicion. However, if there is no improvement of symptoms or size of abscesses within 48-72 hours of antibiotic treatment, surgical drainage should be considered.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.4
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• pp.347-351
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• 2011

We report here an unusual case of pericardial tuberculoma that was misdiagnosed as thymic carcinoma on an imaging study. A 48-year-old woman was referred for evaluation of an anterior mediastinal mass. Computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest displayed cystic masses mimicking thymic carcinoma at the anterior mediastinum. Pericardiotomy and surgical drainage of the cystic masses were done, and pathologic examination of the excised pericardial specimen showed a chronic granulomatous inflammation with necrosis, compatible with tuberculosis. Acid-fast bacilli were also identified in the specimen. After treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs and steroids, the patient showed clinical improvement. Although tuberculous pericarditis usually presents as pericardial effusion or constrictive pericarditis, it can also present as a pericardial mass mimicking thymic carcinoma on CT. Therefore, we suggest that tuberculous pericardial abscess should be included in the differential diagnosis of a mediastinal mass in Korea, with intermediate tuberculosis prevalence.