Kyung Chan Choi

Characterization of iridium film as a stimulating neural electrode

Iridium films having near-bulk properties were formed by electron-beam evaporation with simultaneous bombardment of Ar ion beam. The charge-injection capabilities of Ir film were investigated, and the detrusor pressure induced by S2 stimulation with Ir-coated Pt electrode was measured and compared with the uncoated Pt electrode. The charge densities of Ir film were continuously increased with increase in the number of cycles in 0.1 M H2SO4 due to the accumulation of the iridium oxide phase. The iridium oxide formed contained nano-pores, and oxides had different dielectric properties. The Ir film could inject various amounts of charge in physiological solution under the identical stimulating condition depending on the degree of activation in 0.1 M H2SO4. S2 stimulation by Ir-coated Pt electrode caused more efficient bladder contraction of the male dog than the uncoated Pt electrode under the identical stimulus condition.

A case of autoimmune hemolytic anemia associated with an ovarian teratoma.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia associated with an ovarian teratoma is a very rare disease. However, treating teratoma is the only method to cure the hemolytic anemia, so it is necessary to include ovarian teratoma in the differential diagnosis of autoimmune hemolytic anemia. We report herein on a case of a young adult patient who had severe autoimmune hemolytic anemia that was induced by an ovarian teratoma. A 25-yr-old woman complained of general weakness and dizziness for 1 week. The hemoglobin level was 4.2 g/dL, and the direct and indirect antiglobulin tests were all positive. The abdominal computed tomography scan revealed a huge left ovarian mass, and this indicated a teratoma. She was refractory to corticosteroid therapy; however, after surgical resection of the ovarian mass, the hemoglobin level and the reticulocyte count were gradually normalized. The mass was well encapsulated and contained hair and teeth. She was diagnosed as having autoimmune hemolytic anemia associated with an ovarian teratoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such a case to be reported in Korea.

GIANT MULTILOCULAR PROSTATIC CYSTADENOMA

A 57-year-old man presented with a 1-year history of a lower abdominal mass and dysuria. Excretory urography showed an anteriorly displaced bladder compressed by a large pelvic mass on lateral view. However, examination of the upper urinary tract was normal. Computerized tomography of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a large multiseptated pelvic mass with thickened irregular walls displacing the bladder and rectum. Different attenuations were in each loculus, and there was contrast material enhancement of the internal septa. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvis demonstrated a large multiseptated pelvic mass with different signal intensities in each loculus, suggesting hemorrhagic or proteinaceous fluid components. Sagittal T1weighted image showed effects of the mass on the bladder and rectum (fig. 1). Exploration of the retroperitoneum revealed a large cystic mass apparently arising in the pelvic floor between the rectum and bladder. The mass was compressing and displacing the bladder anterolaterally and adhering to the bladder wall. The specimen was an approximately 15 3 10 3 8 cm. tan cystic mass weighing 300 gm. with a rough, shaggy surface. Cut section revealed multilocular cysts filled with brown, rusty appearing fluid. In several cysts there was transparent serous fluid. Size varied from minute to several cm. Microscopically, the cysts were lined by double layers of epithelium, reminiscent of prostate tissue (fig. 2). The larger cysts had flattened epithelium. The lining was focally multilayered or squamous metaplasia. The luminal borders of the glands stained positive with periodic acid-Schiff and alcian blue at pH 2.5. The epithelial cells were immunoreactive for prostate specific antigen. The stroma surrounding the glands was hypocellular and focally markedly hyalinized. No atypical feature was noted in the glandular or stromal component of the mass. The pathological findings were consistent with multilocular prostatic cystadenoma.

Dura Mater Graft-Associated Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease: The First Case in Korea

Since 1987, dura mater graft-associated iatrogenic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (dCJD) has been reported in many countries. We report the first case of dCJD in Korea. A 54-yr-old woman, who underwent resection of the meningioma in the left frontal region and received a dura mater graft 23 yr ago presented with dysesthesia followed by psychiatric symptoms and ataxia. Her neurological symptoms rapidly progressed to such an extent that she exhibited myoclonus, dementia, and pyramidal and extrapyramidal signs within 8 weeks. The 14-3-3 protein was detected in her cerebrospinal fluid; however, an electroencephalogram did not reveal characteristic positive sharp wave complexes. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images, obtained serially over 64 days, revealed the rapid progression of areas of high signal intensity in the caudate nucleus and cingulate gyrus to widespread areas of high signal intensity in the cortex and basal ganglia. Pathological examination of brain biopsy specimens confirmed the presence of spongiform changes and deposition of prion protein in the neurons and neuropils.

Expression of MUC2 in gastric carcinomas and background mucosae

Background and Aim:  Gastric carcinomas contain elements of both intestinal and diffuse types. Such heterogeneous components may distort the evaluation of the role of the mucin MUC2 in gastric carcinoma. The role of MUC2 expression in background mucosa is not yet clarified.

Diagnostic accuracy of hepatic venous pressure gradient measurement in the prediction of stage 1 compensated liver cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Objective Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) of 6–10 mmHg has been accepted as a hemodynamic parameter of stage 1 compensated liver cirrhosis (LC). The diagnostic accuracy of HVPG in the prediction of stage 1 compensated LC has been investigated in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Methods A total of 219 patients with CHB who underwent HVPG and liver biopsy were enrolled. The diagnostic accuracy of two methods was compared. Risk factors associated with the diagnosis of stage 1 compensated LC on the basis of the findings of HVPG, biopsy, and both HVPG and biopsy were evaluated. Results The HVPG score was correlated positively with the stage of biopsy (r=0.439). The sensitivity/specificity of HVPG for predicting stage 1 compensated LC were 78/81% in 6 mmHg, respectively. A total of 57 (26%), 28 (13%), and 20 (9%) patients were diagnosed with stage 1 compensated LC on the basis of the findings of HVPG, biopsy, and both HVPG and biopsy (P>0.05), respectively. Platelet/age (−0.77–0.01×platelet+0.03×age), albumin/platelet (5.05−1.19×albumin−0.01×platelet), and platelet (0.24−0.01×platelet) were found to be risk factors (logit model) for the diagnosis of stage 1 compensated LC on the basis of the findings of HVPG, biopsy, and both HVPG and biopsy. Conclusion HVPG showed a positive correlation with biopsy, and platelet was found to be a common risk factor for the diagnosis of stage 1 compensated LC in patients with CHB.

A Case of Primary Gastric CD30-Positive Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma

Gastric CD30-positive anaplastic large-cell lymphoma is a very rare disease. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish it from undifferentiated carcinoma, sarcoma and so on. We report here on a case of primary gastric anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. A 50-yr-old woman complained of epigastric pain and severe chest pain for 1 week. The gastroendoscopic examination revealed geographic mucosal irregularities with shallow ulceration at the antrum. She underwent a total gastrectomy. The gross finding of the resected stomach was an 8×4.5 cm sized ulceroinfiltrative lesion at the pyloric antrum along the lesser curvature. The microscopic examination revealed diffuse and solid proliferations of large atypical cells with pleomorphic nuclei. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for CD30, vimentin and CD3, and this was a finding compatible with anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such reported case in Korea.

A case of mullerian adenosarcoma of the uterus

Mullerian adenosarcoma which is characterized by admixture of benign-appearing neoplastic glands and sarcomatous stroma, is an uncommon variant of malignant mixed mullerian tumor (MMMT). Classic treatment for this rare tumor is hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Its prognosis is relatively poor, but better than MMMT. The efficacy of adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy is debatable and appears not to be promising. We report a 62-year-old female with mullerian adenosarcoma diagnosed after hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, which had shown unique ultrasonographic feature like hydatidiform mole and had been diagnosed as fibroadenoma in endometrial curettage, with brief review of literatures.