• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3941-3944
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• 2013

Background: The use of preoperative chemoirradiation is the commonest treatment strategy employed in Malaysia for locally advanced rectal cancer. We need to determine the local control and survival rates for comparison with established rates in the literature. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study analyzed all newly diagnosed patients with rectal adenocarcinoma who underwent long course preoperative radiotherapy (RT) at the Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) between $1^{st}$ January 2004 and $31^{st}$ December 2010. The aim of the study was to determine the radiological response post radiotherapy, pathological response including circumferential resection margin (CRM) status, 3 years local control, 3 years overall survival (OS) and 3 years disease free survival (DFS). Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software. Kaplan-Meier and log rank analysis were used to determine survival outcomes. Results: A total of 507 patients with rectal cancer underwent RT at HKL. Sixty seven who underwent long course preoperative RT were eligible for this study. The median age at diagnosis was 60 years old with a range of 26-78 years. The median tumour location was 6 cm from the anal verge. Most patients had suspicion of mesorectum involvement (95.5%) while 28.4% of patients had enlarged pelvic nodes on staging CT scan. All patients underwent preoperative chemo-irradiation except for five who had preoperative RT alone. Only 38 patients underwent definitive surgery (56.7%). Five patients were deemed to be inoperable radiologically and 3 patients were found to have unresectable disease intraoperatively. The remaining 21 patients defaulted surgery (31.3%). The median time from completion of RT to surgery was 8 weeks (range 5.6 to 29.4 weeks). Fifteen patients (39.5%) had surgery more than 8 weeks after completion of RT. Complete pathological response was noted in 4 patients (10.5%). The pathological CRM positive rate after RT was 18.4%. With a median follow-up of 38.8 months, the 3 year local control rate was 67%. The 3 years rate for CRM positive (<2 mm), CRM clear (>2 mm) and pCR groups were 0%, 88.1% and 100% respectively (p-value of 0.007). The 3 year OS and DFS were 57.3% and 44.8% respectively. Conclusions: In conclusion, the approach of long course preoperative chemoirradiation for rectal cancer needs to be re-examined in our local setting. The high rate of local recurrence is worrying and is mainly due to patient defaulting post-preoperative chemoirradiation or delayed definitive surgery.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.942-948
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• 1997

Benign Tracheobroncheal tumor is a rare disease such as 1.9% of all tumor of pulmonary origin. Because clinical manifestation of benign tracheal tumor resembles that of broncheal asthma, these patients are usually treated in a way that used in broncheal asthma. Therefore, the diagnosis is delayed. We experienced a case of tracheal neurilemmoma that cured by bronchoscopic laser therapy. A 23-year-old woman visited our hospital because of progressing dyspnea especially during inspiration. She was treated with aminophylline and 2 agonist under the impression of bronchial asthma at a local clinic. But because the symptoms were not relieved and pulmonary function test revealed variable extrathoracic lesion, we conducted bronchoscopy and biopsy. There were $1.5{\times}2cm$ sized movable mass with stalk attached right anterior wall of bronchus. The biopsy result was neurilemmoma. Therefore we conducted bronchoscopic Laser therapy four times and the lesion disappeared in bronchoscopy and chest CT.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.577-582
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• 2010

Purpose: When reconstruction for patients who have the large contralateral breast or a following large defect after mastectomy is required, conventional pedicled TRAM flap shows the unpredictable occurrence of fat necrosis and skin flap loss in a relatively high percentage due to insufficient blood supply. In an effort to obtain more stable TRAM flap blood circulation, we have performed a supercharged technique using deep inferior epigastric perforators (DIEP) with conventional pedicled TRAM flap. Methods: From September of 2006 to December of 2008, Fourteen supercharged TRAM flap were performed for breast reconstruction after modified radical mastectomy. The contralateral DIEP was anastomosed to the internal mammary vessels in contralateral pedicled TRAM flap or thoracodorsal vessels in ipsilateral pedicled TRAM flap. Nutrient vessels were selected by Multi-Detector Computed tomography (MD-CT) modalities. For the nutrient vessel, we used deep inferior epigastric vessels (DIEV) of the ipsilateral side in 8 patients, DIEV of the contralateral side in 6 patients. In addition, for the recipient vessel, we used thoracodorsal vessels in 8 patients, internal mammary vessels in 5 patients, intercostals artery perforators in 1 patient. Results: The mean age was 46.8 years and the average follow-up interval was 14 months. There were 11 immediate and 3 delayed breast reconstructions. Fat necrosis incidence rate in supercharged TRAM group was lower than in conventional TRAM flap group. There were no differences of the incidences of abdominal hernia in both groups. Conclusion: The supercharged TRAM flap produces an improvement in vascularity that permits use of all four zones of the flap. The breast reconstruction with supercharged technique is reliable and valuable methods which provide sufficient soft tissue from abdomen without significant complications.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.655-659
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• 2008

Intestinal pseudo-obstruction (IPO) is a rare and poorly understood manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), especially in children. The characteristic clinical feature of IPO is obstruction without an identifiable obstructive lesion. The authors a 13-year-old girl whose first symptom of SLE was IPO. The patient presented with a 3-day history of nausea, bilious vomiting, abdominal distention, and no bowel movement. Simple abdominal radiographs revealed mild dilatation with partial air-fluid levels in the small intestine. Abdominal CT and methylcellulose small bowel studies showed massive ascites, engorgement of the small mesenteric vessels, pleural effusion, and diffuse bowel wall thickening of the gastric antrum, duodenum. and jejunum. The delayed passage of contrast for 15 days after the methylcellulose small bowel studies was suggestive of decreased bowel motility. Laboratory findings were positive for ANA, anti-double-stranded DNA, anti-Smith and lymphopenia. After 10-day treatment with high-dose corticosteroids, the symptoms improved. IPO associated with SLE should be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with symptoms of intestinal obstruction. Early recognition of IPO in SLE and appropriate therapy are important for prevention of complications and unnecessary surgery. This case raises awareness among pediatricians that although rare, IPO can be the presenting symptom of SLE in children.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.281-287
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• 2008

Objective : Cerebral vasospasm still remains a major cause of the morbidity and mortality, despite the developments in treatment of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. The authors measured the utility and benefits of external lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage to prevent the clinical vasospasm and its sequelae after endovascular coiling on aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in this randomized study. Methods : Between January 2004 and March 2006, 280 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage were treated at our institution. Among them, 107 patients met our study criteria. The treatment group consisted of 47 patients who underwent lumbar CSF drainage during vasospasm risk period (about for 14 days after SAH), whereas the control group consisted of 60 patients who received the management according to conventional protocol without lumbar CSF drainage. We created our new modified Fisher grade on the basis of initial brain computed tomography (CT) scan at admission. The authors established five outcome criteria as follows : 1) clinical vasospasm; 2) GOS score at 1-month to 6-month follow-up; 3) shunt procedures for hydrocephalus; 4) the duration of stay in the ICU and total hospital stay; 5) mortality rate. Results : The incidence of clinical vasospasm in the lumbar drain group showed 23.4% compared with 63.3% of individuals in the control group. Moreover, the risk of death in the lumbar drain group showed 2.1 % compared with 15% of individuals in the control group. Within individual modified Fisher grade, there were similar favorable results. Also, lumbar drain group had twice more patients than the control group in good GOS score of 5. However, there were no statistical significances in mean hospital stay and shunt procedures between the two groups. IVH was an important factor for delayed hydrocephalus regardless of lumbar drain. Conclusion : Lumbar CSF drainage remains to playa prominent role to prevent clinical vasospasm and its sequelae after endovascular coiling on aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Also, this technique shows favorable effects on numerous neurological outcomes and prognosis. The results of this study warrant clinical trials after endovascular treatment in patients with aneurysmal SAH.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.786-793
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• 2000

Objectives : A clinical analysis was performed to provide management strategy and to improve management outcome of elderly patients with intracranial aneurysm. Patients and Methods : We reviewed medical records of 746 consecutive patients with intracranial aneurysm who were admitted from July 1991 to December 1996. They were divided into two age groups : elderly(120 patients aged 65 years or older) and non-elderly(626 patients aged 64 years or younger). We investigated the differences between the two groups in clinical characteristics, management outcome and surgical results. Results : Female(80.0%), internal carotid artery aneurysm(48.9%), poor clinical grade(Hunt and Hess Grade IV, V : 39.8%), postoperative subdural fluid collection(38.2%), and postoperative hydrocephalus(39.7%) were more frequent in the elderly patients. There were no significant differences in the incidence of hypertension, multiple aneurysm, unruptured aneurysm, rebleeding, delayed ischemic neurological deficits, postoperative hemorrhage, and low density on the postoperative brain CT scan. In some cases, surgical clipping of ruptured aneurysm could not be performed due to moribund state or refusal of surgery by the elderly patient's family. Both management outcome and surgical results in elderly aneurysm patients at 3 months after rupture were worse than those of the non-elderly group. The most common reason of unfavorable outcome was poor clinical grade in both groups, while serious medical illness causing unfavorable outcome was more common in the elderly group. Conclusion : Surgical treatment of a ruptured aneurysm should not be avoided in elderly patient solely on the basis of advanced age. If the patients are in good clinical grade, early aneurysm surgery followed by early ambulation should be recommended. Further improvements in outcome may be achieved by thorough knowledge of poor resilience of brain, CSF flow dynamics, and diminished cardiopulmonary reserve in elderly patients with intracranial aneurysm.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.151-160
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• 2018

Anoplophora chinensis and A. glabripennis is classified as important quarantine Cerambycidae beetles worldwide. These beetles cause serious damage on natural host plants and export bonsai trees in Korea. We evaluated efficacy of phosphine fumigant for control of two Cerambycidae beetles in bonsai. In the preliminary test to achieve CT (Concentration x time) values of phosphine to Cerambyicdae beetles larvae, we used Monochamus alternatus of larvae as an alternative insect. A 24 h phosphine fumigation with $2g/m^3$ phophine achieved 100% eggs mortality against Anoplophora chinensis and A. glabripennis. Larva of A. chinensis was also completely controlled when treated for 168-h at same dose desiccator. 100% mortality on larval stage of two beetle species were achieved both in dormancy (January) and vegetative period (February) of bonsai when treated with $2g/m^3$ phosphine. However, phosphine fumigation against vegetative period of Acer palmatum, Carpinus turczaninowii and Malus sieboldii bonsai showed slight phytotoxicity (shorten leaf and flower size and delayed flowering).

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.250-256
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• 2000

The incidence of tuberculosis has been decreased, and especially the incidence of severe complicated tuberculosis has been markedly decreased as the result of widely used BCG vaccines. But tuberculosis is still an important community accquired infectiouse disease in the world despite continued worldwide efforts to control the disease. Miliary tuberculosis, the most serious complicated tuberculosis, can be occurred by lymphohematogenous dissemination of tuberculosis, and intracranial tuberculoma with or without tuberculosis meningitis can be developed in case of miliary tuberculosis. In general, serious tuberculosis infections such as miliary tuberculosis and CNS tuberculosis are developed especially in young infants and children in cases of delayed diagnosis and treatment despite receiving BCG vaccination, and usually those patients have contact sources. Intrcranial tuberculoma in children are usually found near infratentorial site at the base of cerebellum, and clinically symptoms and signs of increased intracranial pressure developed before treatment. Serial brain CT or MRI is a good non-invasive diagnostic modality of intracranial tuberculoma. Although surgical intervention was initially advocated as the mainstay of intracranial tuberculoma therapy, but many recent clinical studies indicate that intracranial tuberculoma can be cured with medical treatment alone. We experienced a case of 3 months old male patient, who was diagnosed as having miliary tuberculosis associated with multiple intracranial tuberculoma. He received BCG vaccination at 4 weeks after birth, and his father was confirmed as active pulmonary tuberculosis patient after this patient's admission. We report this case with a review of related literatures.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 1979

This study was undertaken to elucidate the mechanism of the cyclophosphamide(CY)-induced potentiation of cell-mediated immune response by observing the effect of the phytohemaggllutinin(PHA) treatment before the CY administration into mice. Cy administration reduced the circulating white blood cells especially lymphocyte. PHA pretreatment before CY administration enhanced the depressing effect of CY administration on white blood cells. CY administration suppressed both the antibody formation to sheep red blood cells(SRBC) and rosette formation on the spleen cells with SRBC severely. On the other hand, CY administration potentiated the delayed-type hypersensitivity(DTH) strongly. Injection of PHA into mice slightly inhibited both the antibody formation and the DTH. PHA pretreatment before CY administration into mice suppressed not only humoral immune response but also cell-mediated immune response and the degrees of suppression were most remarkable when the PHA pretreatment was performed 5 days before CY administration. This depression of DTH caused by PHA pretreatment before CY administration may be the result that PHA stimulation make the helper cell sensitive to CY. The potentiation of cell-mediated immune response by CT may be due to the destruction of CY-sensitive suppressor T cell.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 1996

Acute pancreatitis(AP) in children is not common but can be associated with severe morbidity rates and its diagnosis is often delayed. Thus, reported mortality rates range from 0 to 78%. We have treated 26 patients with AP from 5 to 17 years of age over the past 17 years. We are intended to assess the relevance of the prognostic criteria used to assess severity of adult AP and to review the etiology, clilical presentation, diagnosis, and management of AP in children. The authors retrospectively reviewed 26 children with AP managed in Kyung Hee University Hospital from 1978 to 1995. Among 26 patients with AP, male were 12, and female were 14. And the mean age of patients was 11.8 years. In 9(34.6%), no definitive cause was identified. Common causes of AP were trauma(23.1%) and biliary tract disease(23.1%). Other etiologies were viral infection(15.4%) and post ERCP(3.8%). The presenting features were abdominal pain(92.3%), vomiting(61.5%), fever(19.2%), submandibular pain(11.5%), and abdominal mass(7.6%). Back pain was rare(3.8%). Abdominal ultrasonographic findings were abnormal in 10 of 16 patients(62.5%) and abdominal CT findings were abnormal for 9 of 9 patients(100%). Seventeen patients(65.3%) were managed conservatively, and nine patients(34.6%) required surgical treatment. There was no mortality. To evaluate the severity of disease, we used the Imrie prognostic criteria used to assess the severity in adult AP. The number of positive criteria was correlated to the duration of hospitalization(r2=0.91) but statistically insignificant(p>0.05). But, the number of positive criteria was correlated to the operative incidence(r2=0.93) and statistically significant(p<0.05). The common causes of AP in children were unknown origin(34.6%), trauma(23.1%), and biliary tract disease(23.1%). Ultrasonography and computed tomography were useful imaging tools of AP in children. The Imrie criteria used to evaluate the severity in adult AP were suspected to be valuable to assess the severity of AP in children.