• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.40-54
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• 2004

Purpose : Captopril (angiotension converting enzyme inhibitor) is known to have a radioproptective effect in the lungs, intestines and skin, but its effect in the heart is unclear. To investigate the radioprotectlve efiect and mechanism of captopril on the heart, the histopathological changes and immunohistochemical stains were compared with radiation alone, and radiation combined with captopril, in the rats. Materials and Methods : The histopathological changes and immunohistochemical stains ($TNF{\alpha}$, $TGF{\beta}1$, PDGF and FGF2) were examined in the radiation alone and the combined captopril and radiation groups, 2 and 8 weeks after irradiation. Each group consisted of 8 to 10 rats (Sprague-Dawley). Irradiation (12.5 Gy) was given to the left hemithorax in a single fraction. Captopril (50 mg/Kg/d) mixed with water, was given orally and continuously from the first week prior to, up to the 8th week of the experiment. Results : In the radiation alone group, the ventricle at 2 weeks after irradiation showed prominent edema (p=0.082) and fibrin deposit (p=0.018) compared to the control group. At 8 weeks, the edema was decreased and fibrosis increased compared to those at 2 weeks. The histopathological changes of the combined group were similar to those of the control group, due to the reduced radiation toxicity at 2 and 8 weeks. The endocardial fibrin deposit (p=0.047) in the atrium, and the interstitial fibrin deposit (p=0.019) and edema (p=0.042) of the ventricle were reduced significantly in the combined group compared to those in the radiation alone group at 2 weeks. The expressions of $TNF-{\alpha}$, $TGF-{\beta}1$, PDGF and FGF-2 in the radiation alone group were more increased than in the control group, especially in the pericardium and endocardium of the atrium at 2 weeks. At 8 weeks, the pericardial $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $TGF-{\beta}1$ in the radiation alone group continuously increased. The expressions of $TNF-{\alpha}$, $TGF-{\beta}1$ and PDGF were decreased in the combined group at 2 weeks. At 8 weeks, the expressions of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in the atrial and ventricular pericardia were markedly reduced (p=0.049, p=0.009). Conclusion : This study revealed that the early heart damage induced by radiation can be reduced by the addition of captopril in a rat model. The expressions of $TNF-{\alpha}$, $TGF-{\beta}1$ and PDGF were further decreased in the combined compared to the radiation alone group at both 2 and 8 weeks. From these results, it may be concluded that these cytokines probably play roles in the radioprotective mechanism of captopril from the radiation-induced heart toxicity, similarly to in other organs.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.286-291
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• 2004

Mediastinum is a very rare primary site of liposarcoma. In general, wide surgical excision with adequate resection margin is the treatment of choice for lipesarcoma. We experienced a case of liposarcoma in a 24 year-old male who complained of dyspnea and chest discomfort. Symptoms had been developed a month before admission, and the intensity had been gradually increased. He visited another general hospital, and there he received left closed thoracostomy because hemothorax was suspected. Afterwards, he was transferred to our hospital without a specific diagnosis, on review of outside chest computed tomography film, mass shadow was detected in the mediastinum. For the further evaluation, we checked the chest sonography and chest magnetic resonance imaging. MRI showed 10 cm sized mass contacted with pulmonary artery trunk and left main pulmonary artery. The radiologist strongly suggested sarcoma. On the 4th day after admission, we performed emergent exploratory left thoracotomy for hematoma evacuation because mediastinal shifting progressed and heart rate was increased. Biopsy confirmed that the evacuated materials were extraskeletal myxoid chondresarcoma, so we performed extrapleural left pneumonectomy including diaphragm and a part of the pericardium. The final pathologic diagnosis was myxoid/round cell liposarcoma. He was discharged without complication and systemic chemotherapy was scheduled to begin 2 month later. During chemotherapy, local recurrence and peritoneal metastasis developed, and he died 10 month after the surgical excision. We report this case with reviewal of literature.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.241-249
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• 1977

Atrial septal defect is one of the most frequently encountered congenital heart disease. Up to December 31, 1976, 1682 cardiac patients received cardiac catheterization in the cardiac department of Yonsei university medical college. Out of the 1682 cardiac patients 723 cases had congenital heart disease and only 116 cases had congetial atrial septal defect. This amounted to 16.04% of all those with congenital heart disease. 58 cases of congenital atrial septal defect operated in the chest surgery department were presented. Of these 58 cases of atrial septal defect, 27 cases were male and 31 cases were female. Their ages ranged from 5 years to 54 years. The systolic pressure of the main pulmonary artery of 40 out of the 58 cases of atrial septal defect was below 40% of that of the systemic blood pressure: in 6 cases, the range of the systolic pressure of the main pulmonary artery was 50-90mmHg; in 12 cases, the range of the systolic pressure of the main pulmonary artery was 40-50mmHg. Average age of these was 30. 1 years. This study tends to show that Korean patients with atrial septal defect even though younger have a slight higher systolic pressure of the main pulmonary artery than Western patients have. The pulmonary blood is 1.5-2.5 times of systemic blood flow in 52 cases out of 58 cases of atrial septal defect.In only one of the 58 cases of atrial septal defect, the Rp was found to be as high as 45% of Rs. All other cases were below this level.51 cases had ostium secundum defect, 4 out of these cases had ostium secundum defect combined with mitral incompetence and 6 out of them had double ostium secundum defect. The remaining 7 cases had ostium primum defect. Their atrial defects were repaired under direct vision utilizing extracorporeal circulation, by hemodilution technic combined with moderate hypothermia. 44 cases [2nd atrial septal defect] were repaired by direct sutures while 14 cases, including the 7 cases ostium primum defects needed patches [1 pericardium and 13 teflon patch]. In 4 cases there were single defects while showed two defects. However the associated septal defect was so small that it could be closed by direct sutures. The size of the defect ranged between 6.0cm2and 10.0cm2 in 19 cases[33.7%]: the smallest being 0. 5cm2 and the largest 24cm2. The surgical mortality was 2 cases [3.4%]. These one case with ostium primum defect, could not be resuscitated on operation table. The cause of death in this case was myocardial failure and MI. The other, a case of ostium primum defect had a second operation on the first operative day due to massive bleeding from LV vent-line insertion site.The patient died on 26th post-operative day due to sepsis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.230-240
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• 1977

Atrial septal defect is one of the most frequently encountered congenital heart disease. Up to December 31, 1976, 1682 cardiac patients received cardiac catheterization in the cardiac department of Yonsei university medical college. Out of the 1682 cardiac patients 723 cases had congenital heart disease and only 116 cases had congetial atrial septal defect. This amounted to 16.04% of all those with congenital heart disease. 58 cases of congenital atrial septal defect operated in the chest surgery department were presented. Of these 58 cases of atrial septal defect, 27 cases were male and 31 cases were female. Their ages ranged from 5 years to 54 years. The systolic pressure of the main pulmonary artery of 40 out of the 58 cases of atrial septal defect was below 40% of that of the systemic blood pressure: in 6 cases, the range of the systolic pressure of the main pulmonary artery was 50-90mmHg; in 12 cases, the range of the systolic pressure of the main pulmonary artery was 40-50mmHg. Average age of these was 30. 1 years. This study tends to show that Korean patients with atrial septal defect even though younger have a slight higher systolic pressure of the main pulmonary artery than Western patients have. The pulmonary blood is 1.5-2.5 times of systemic blood flow in 52 cases out of 58 cases of atrial septal defect.In only one of the 58 cases of atrial septal defect, the Rp was found to be as high as 45% of Rs. All other cases were below this level.51 cases had ostium secundum defect, 4 out of these cases had ostium secundum defect combined with mitral incompetence and 6 out of them had double ostium secundum defect. The remaining 7 cases had ostium primum defect. Their atrial defects were repaired under direct vision utilizing extracorporeal circulation, by hemodilution technic combined with moderate hypothermia. 44 cases [2nd atrial septal defect] were repaired by direct sutures while 14 cases, including the 7 cases ostium primum defects needed patches [1 pericardium and 13 teflon patch]. In 4 cases there were single defects while showed two defects. However the associated septal defect was so small that it could be closed by direct sutures. The size of the defect ranged between 6.0cm2and 10.0cm2 in 19 cases[33.7%]: the smallest being 0. 5cm2 and the largest 24cm2. The surgical mortality was 2 cases [3.4%]. These one case with ostium primum defect, could not be resuscitated on operation table. The cause of death in this case was myocardial failure and MI. The other, a case of ostium primum defect had a second operation on the first operative day due to massive bleeding from LV vent-line insertion site.The patient died on 26th post-operative day due to sepsis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.433-437
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• 1999

Background: Left main coronary artery (LMCA) angioplasty is another option in the surgical treatment for LMCA disease because of its advantages over the conventional coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Material and Method: Between July 1994 and December 1997, 15 patients underwent left main coronary angioplasty for the stenoses of LMCA. There were 8 males and 7 females with the mean age of 53.3${\pm}$8.8 years. The locations of the LMCA stenoses were proximal one-third of the LMCA in 9, middle one-third in 1, distal one-third in 3, and the whole length of the LMCA in 2 cases. Nine patients had peripheral coronary lesions in addition to the LMCA stenosis. The LMCA was approached anteriorly with or without transsection of the main pulmonary artery. The angioplasty was performed with onlay patch widening using an autologous pericardium (14 cases) or saphenous vein (1 case). Additional graftings were required in 9 cases, and both LMCA angioplasty and right coronary ostial angioplasty were done in 1 case. Result: There was no operative mortality. One case needed redo CABG due to the stenosis of the angioplasty site which developed 4 months postoperatively. Coronary angiography was performed in 8 cases one year postoperatively, and revealed good patency of the angioplasty site except for one who showed 50% stenosis at the angioplasty site. No patient complained of angina with a mean follow up of 23${\pm}$11 months. Conclusion: Surgical angioplasty of the LMCA stenosis can be performed in selected cases with safety and good mid-term results.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.355-360
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• 2009

Background: Benign teratoma is mostly asymptomatic, but this tumor rarely ruptures into the adjacent structure such as the pleural space, pericardium, lung parenchyma or tracheobronchial tree. Thus, it is important to differentiate ruptured teratoma from unruptured teratoma. This study evaluated the difference between ruptured and unruptured benign teratoma. Material and Method: Twenty-four cases of surgically resected benign teratomas were reviewed retrospectively. The clinical symptoms, chest CT findings and operative findings of the ruptured teratoma were compared with those of the unruptured teratoma. Especially, the tumor size, wall thickness, location of the mass, internal septation, homogeneity, calcification and ancillary findings were evaluated on CT. Result: Of the 24 patients, 7 patients were diagnosed with ruptured teratoma. Severe symptoms were more commonly found for ruptured teratoma than for unruptured teratoma. The ruptured teratoma had a tendency to display calcification and such ancillary findings as collapse or consolidation of the lung parenchyma. For the ruptured teratoma, the resection was performed by sternotomy or thoracotomy, and more lung resection was included. Conclusion: Calcification within the mass and changes in the lung parenchyma on the preoperative CT findings can be diagnostic signs of a ruptured teratoma. The demonstration of ruptured teratoma is important not only for making the early diagnosis, but also for the surgical planning.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.861-866
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• 1996

Surgical angioplasty of isolated stenosis of the left main coronary artery(LMCA) restores a more physiologic flow to the myocardium, allows percutdneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) of distal coronary stenoses at a later stage, and is a less time consuming and convenient procedure than the conventional coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG) . Between Jul. 1994 and Dec. 1995, 7 surgical angioplasty had been performed. LMCA stenoses involved ostium in 2 patients, middle third in 3, and dis- tal third in 2. In 2 patients, the origin of left anterior descending coronary artery was involved in conjunction with LMCA. T e additional coronary artery stenoses were found in 2 cases. One patient was emergently operated after coronary angiography following his cardiac arrest. LMCA was approached anteriorly in all patients. The pulmonary artery was transected in 3 patients for a better exposure. The onlay patch consisted or autologous or bovine pericardium. There was no postoperative myocardial infarction or mortality. Left ventricular functions were well preserved in all patients. Postoperative coronary angiography revealed widely patent LMCA in 5 cases, and mild narrowing of distal anastomotic sites in 2 cases. Provided that well defined indications are followed correctly, surgical angioplasty can be a safe alternative to conventional CABG.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.1017-1021
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• 1998

Mesothelial cysts have many other names, such as pericardial celomic cyst, pleura- diaphragmatic cyst, simple cyst of the mediastinum, springwater cyst, serosal cyst, etc. (Petereit 1972, Drash 1950). Most mesothelial cysts are believed to originate from malformations of the pericardium, but some, like the one in this case, are believed to result from a pleural malformation. (Ochsner 1966, Lambert 1940). Mesothelial cysts are extremely rare and can be confirmed histologically by special stains. A 64 year old woman was admitted due to a painless bulging mass in her right neck. The operation was performed with the initial diagnosis of cystic lymphangioma confirmed by computer tomography and total excision was possible. The diagnosis of mesothelial cyst of the mediastinum was confirmed by histologic examinations (stainings) and the patient was discharged from the hospital without any significant complications.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.13-24
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• 2005

Background and Objectives : Acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention is widely used for the treatment of many functional disorders such as substance abuse and mental dysfunction. Clinical trials are currently underway to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of drug addiction. Yet, there are still many unanswered questions about the basic mechanism of acupuncture. Studies have shown that both the psychomotor stimulant effects and rewarding properties of addictive drugs, including morphine, are sensitized by repeated drug administration and raised the possibility that both of these effects may be linked to the same or closely overlapping the mesolimbic dopamine systems. Neiguan (PC6) point on the pericardium channel which is associated with the brain and its mental function, has been used to treat mental, psychosomatic disorders and gastroenterological disorders. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of acupuncture on repeated morphine-induced changes in extracellular dopamine levels using in vivo microdialysis and to measure the effect of acupuncture on Fos-like immunoreactivity. Methods : Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated twice a day for three days with increasing doses of morphine (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, s.c.) or with saline. After 15 days of withdrawal, rats were challenged with morphine hydrochloride (5 mg/kg, s.c.). Acupuncture was applied at bilateral Neiguan (PC6) points for 1 min after the morphine challenge. Results showed that acupuncture at the specific acupoint PC6, but not at control points (tail and HE8) significantly decreased Fos-like immunoreactivity induced by a systemic morphine challenge or a single s.c. morphine injection in the morphine-repeated animals. Results and Conclusions : These results suggest that reduction in sensitization may be one mechanism whereby acupuncture alleviates morphine craving in addicts. Moreover, in a more general sense these results suggest that acupuncture can be used as a therapeutic intervention for correcting reversible malfunction of the body by direction of brain pathway and thus acupuncture can contribute to the biochemical balance in the central nervous system by regulating neurotransmitters.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.1 s.246
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• pp.67-71
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• 2005

The major etiology of superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is malignancy. Radiologic endovascular intervention is the treatment of choice for patients with SVC syndrome due to malignant disease, which is unresponsive to radiation therapy and chemotherapy. However, it is not clear whether endovascular intervention can replace open surgery as the primary method of management of benign SVC syndrome. We report two cases of benign SVC syndrome resulting from dialysis catheters placed in the central veins. One patient underwent bypass surgery between innominate vein and right atrium by expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. Another patient had large thrombi in SVC and other central veins. We removed them under cardiopulmonary bypass to prevent pulmonary embolism, and SVC was repaired and augmented by autologous pericardium. Prompt symptomatic relief and angiographic improvements of collateral flow were achieved in both patients.