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Biomedical subjects

K C Wang

Publications and source records attributed to K C Wang.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Coracoid process fracture combined with acromioclavicular dislocation and coracoclavicular ligament rupture. A case report and review of the literature.

A coracoid process fracture associated with acromioclavicular joint dislocation and with rupturing of the coracoclavicular ligaments of an adult has been reported only once in the literature. This report adds another unusual case to the literature to reemphasize the importance of recognizing this unusual lesion. Two separate mechanisms--direct trauma to the shoulder girdle and sudden pull on the coracoid process by the conjoined tendons of short head biceps and coracobrachialis muscles--appear to be responsible for this unusual triple lesion. Open reduction with coracoid screw and acromioclavicular fixation, combined with an All-dredge repair to replace the ruptured coracoclavicular ligaments, resulted in an excellent outcome.

Acromioclavicular Joint↗

Traumatic patellar tendon ruptures: a follow-up study of primary repair and a neutralization wire.

Thirty-five patients with traumatic patellar tendon ruptures treated with primary repair and with a neutralization wire were retrospectively reviewed. All the ruptures occurred in acute trauma; 12 of the patients (34%) had multiple injuries, and 19 had open wounds around the knee joints. The diagnostic clues included a high-riding patella by palpation or seen on roentgenograms, hemarthrosis, a palpable gap over the tendon, and inability of patients to extend the knee actively. Using the criteria of Siwek and Rao, at follow-up 57% of outcomes were rated as excellent; 28.6% as good; and 14.2% as unsatisfactory. None of the 35 patients had a rerupture of the tendon. We conclude that primary repair with a neutralization wire can be a treatment of choice for traumatic patellar tendon ruptures.

Adolescent↗

Traumatic patellar tendon ruptures--a follow-up study of primary repair and neutralization wire.

Thirty-five patients with traumatic patellar tendon ruptures treated with primary repair and neutralization wire were retrospectively reviewed. The length of follow up ranged from 1.5 years to 5 years with an average follow up period of 20 months. All the ruptures occurred due to acute trauma, twelve of them (34%) involved in a multiple injuries, and nineteen had an open wounds around the knee joints. The diagnostic clues included a high riding patella by palpation or by X-ray, hemoarthrosis, a palpable gap over the tendon; and being unable to extend the knee actively. Using the criteria of Siwek and Rao, at follow up 57% were rated as excellent, 28.6% good; and 14.2% unsatisfactory. None of the 35 patients had a rerupture of tendon. It is recommended that primary repair with a neutralization wire can be a treatment of choice for traumatic patellar tendon ruptures.

Adolescent↗

The use of a DNA-binding domain replacement method for the detection of a potential TR3 orphan receptor response element in the mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat.

TR3 orphan receptor is a human homologue of the mouse nur77, N10 and rat NGFI-B, TIS1 genes which may represent an early response gene involved in the control of cell proliferation. We have studied potential target genes for TR3 orphan receptor using the DNA-binding domain replacement method. We found that mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat-linked chloramphenicol acetyltransferase expression can be activated in transfected cells by a chimeric androgen receptor/TR3 orphan receptor/androgen receptor construct (AR/TR3/AR) in the presence of androgen. By deletion analysis, a region with 20 nucleotides in length between positions -1178 and -1159 of the mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat was confirmed as a potential TR3 orphan receptor response element. These results suggest that feasibility of using the DNA-binding domain replacement method to detect target sequences of orphan receptors.

Androgens↗

Intracranial mesenchymal chondrosarcoma: a case report and literature review.

Intracranial mesenchymal chondrosarcoma is a rare entity. The case of a 13-year-old girl with mesenchymal chondrosarcoma which seemed to arise from the dura mater is presented here together with a review of the literature. In the present case, the tumor involved the superior sagittal sinus. It recurred 21 months after gross total removal of the mass and coagulation of the involved wall of the superior sagittal sinus. Reoperation was performed followed by radiation therapy.

Adolescent↗

Spinal cord ganglioglioma in childhood.

Two childhood cases of spinal cord ganglioglioma are described. Both cases showed a remarkable similarity in presentation, radiologically and morphologically. The first case was a 6 1/2-year-old boy who had ganglioglioma involving the entire length of the spinal cord. He has been suffering from a long span of scoliosis and gait disturbance since he was 1 year. The tumor contained multiple syrinx. The second case was a 3-year-old girl with ganglioglioma involving a large portion of the spinal cord from lower medulla to T3. This case also contained syringobulbia and syringomyelia in the multiple levels. She suffered from progressive motor weakness of all extremities. Owing to a good demarcation from normal spinal cord, the tumors could easily be removed by the microsurgical dissection through second stage operation in both cases. Histopathologically and ultrastructurally, the tumors were benign gangliogliomas. The symptoms improved a lot after surgery. Based on our two cases and literature review we confirmed that the spinal cord gangliogliomas are slowly growing tumors occurring in childhood or young adulthood. They often involve usually extensive level or entire length of the spinal cord and may be accompanied by scoliosis and gait disturbance when the tumor presents since infancy or early childhood as in our cases. They also often exhibit a cystic change of the tumor associated with large or small syringomyelia. Nearly total removal is possible due to a good demarcation from the normal spinal cord. Therefore, early diagnosis and surgical management are fundamental for the avoidance of unnecessary delay of surgery and a good result.

Child↗

Histopathological changes of the cat brain in experimental sparganosis.

Histopathological changes of the brain were observed in 22 mongrel cats each of which was subjected to intracranial inoculation of 3 or 5 plerocercoids of Spirometra erinacei. The brains were examined at 2 weeks, 1, 3, and 6 months post-inoculation (PI). Grossly, the brain lesion consisted of a mass of worm capsule and/or hemorrhagic tract. Microscopically hypertrophied astrocytes, lymphocytes, plasma cells, RBCs, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and hemosiderin laden macrophages were found around the worms or tracts in all groups. The number of reactive astrocytes increased mainly in the white matter. In the lesions 3 months PI, the sectioned worms were encircled with fibrous tissue along with numerous RBCs, inflammatory cells, and necrotic debris. Collagenous fibers were also demonstrated. Outside the inflammation, a wide edematous zone developed and numerous neuroglial fibers were also found. The location of the worms or the tracts was random in the brain lobes, but the worm seemed to migrate mainly along the white matter.

Animals↗

Simultaneous dislocation of the five carpometacarpal joints with concomitant fractures of the tuberosity of the trapezium and the hook of the hamate: case report.

Multiple carpometacarpal dislocations, with fractures of the trapezium and hook of the hamate carpals are rare. We report an exceedingly rare constellation of these injuries. The routine use of a carpal tunnel view is advised to identify the associated avulsion fractures with multiple carpometacarpal dislocations. We found little on this subject in existing papers. It is important because painful nonunion of avulsion fractures and compressive ulnar or median neuropathy may be ignored and thus not receive suitable treatment.

Adult↗

Oligodendroglioma in childhood.

Fifteen pediatric (age under 16) cases of oligodendroglioma (ODG) were surgically proven from January 1985 to April 1992 at the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Children's Hospital. To observe the proportion of ODG's in primary intracranial tumors, the location of ODG's and the prognostic significance of the histological grading of ODG's in childhood, the 15 cases of pediatric ODG's were retrospectively analyzed. ODG's accounted for 5.6% of pediatric primary intracranial tumors operated on during the same period. Nine tumors were located in the cerebral hemisphere (3 cases each in the frontal, temporal and parietooccipital lobes), 1 in the thalamus, 2 in the pons-medulla, 2 in the cerebellum and 1 in the thoracolumbar spinal cord. Four tumors were anaplastic and an additional case showed positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology for tumor cells. All the cases of anaplasia or positive CSF cytology had a poor outcome. All the seven cases of benign ODG's in cerebral hemispheres presented with seizures which were controlled with or without medication after tumor removal.

Adolescent↗

Preenhanced computed tomographic findings in brain death.

A patient complying with the clinical criteria for brain death was studied by preenhanced computed tomography (CT). Preenhanced CT showed apparent increased density at the base of the brain along the course of the major arterial vessels, and abnormally dense-appearing deep venous structures, like those of contrast-enhanced CT. There was a diffuse decrease in brain density with a poorly delineated ventricular system. These CT findings were very characteristic. CT as a non-invasive method seems to be valuable in the diagnosis of brain death. The relevant literature is reviewed and mechanisms showing those CT findings are discussed.

Brain Death↗

Spinal congenital dermal sinus--experience of 5 cases over a period of 10 years.

Spinal congenital dermal sinus (CDS) is a rare entity which supposedly results from the failure of the neuroectoderm to separate from the cutaneous ectoderm during the process of neurulation. The lesions are most frequent at the lumbosacral followed by the occipital region. CDS of the thoracic region is very rare. The patients with spinal CDS present with meningitis and/or mass effect from the associated inclusion tumor. They are usually dermoid or epidermoid cysts. Teratoma is rarely associated. The authors experienced 5 cases of spinal CDS over a 10 year period. Of the 5 cases, 2 were at thoracic and 3 were at lumbosacral levels. Dermoid cyst, epidermoid cyst and teratoma were associated in one case each. Two cases presented with neurological deficit and meningitis while an additional case presented with neurological deficit and a history of probable meningitis. Pain was present in 2 cases. Magnetic resonance imaging played an important role in the diagnosis of the lesion and planning of surgery. All the cases showed a good response to surgery even though one patient had persistent neurological deficit.

Adolescent↗

[Midazolam and Meperidine for colonoscopy].

We studied the sedative, analgesic and amnesic effects of intravenous midazolam and meperidine for colonoscopy, and also compared patient's satisfaction, changes of vital signs, safety and complications with intramuscular meperidine during the colonoscopy. Two hundred and ninety-nine patients undergoing physical check-up were randomized to receive intramuscular meperidine 50 mg and Hyoscine-N-Butylbromide (buscopan) 20 mg (Group IM-MB, n = 57) or intravenous midazolam 0.05 mg/kg, meperidine 1 mg/kg and buscopan 20 mg (Group IV-MMB, n = 242) before colonoscopy. All patients were closely observed and arterial oxygen saturations (SaO2) were monitored with pulse oximeter in Group IV-MMB. The demographic data of both groups were similar. There were significantly more severe pain responses (grimacing, moaning, shouting for pain, abdominal rigidity and body moving during colonoscopy) in Group IM-MB (51%) than in Group IV-MMB (13%) (p < 0.01). In immediate procedure recall after recovery from medications, 39% of Group IM-MB remembered severe pain during colonoscopy and only 3% of Group IV-MMB did (p < 0.01). 92% of Group IV-MMB who felt satisfactory with the medications were significantly higher than 21% in Group IM-MB (p < 0.01). Both groups significantly increased in heart rate after the injection of medications (p < 0.01). Group IM-MB increased 15 +/- 18% and Group IV-MMB 61 +/- 28% with significant difference between groups (p < 0.01). This might be caused by meperidine, buscopan, and relative hypovolemia of patients. There were significant decreases in SaO2 in Group IV-MMB, mean 4.5 +/- 1.7% (p < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Ultrastructure of the microglia that phagocytose amyloid and the microglia that produce beta-amyloid fibrils.

The function of microglia associated with beta-amyloid deposits still remains a controversial issue. On the basis of recent ultrastructural data, microglia were postulated to be cells that form amyloid fibrils, not phagocytes that remove amyloid deposits. In this electron microscopic study, we examined the ability of microglia to ingest and digest exogenous amyloid fibrils in vitro. We demonstrate that amyloid fibrils are ingested by cultured microglial cells and collected and stored in phagosomes. The ingested, nondegraded amyloid remains within phagosomes for up to 20 days, suggesting a very limited effectiveness of microglia in degrading beta-amyloid fibrils. On the other hand, we showed that in microglial cells of classical plaques in brain cortex of patients with Alzheimer's disease, amyloid fibrils appear first in altered endoplasmic reticulum and deep infoldings of cell membranes. These differences in intracellular distribution of amyloid fibrils in microglial cells support our observations that microglial cells associated with amyloid plaques are engaged in production of amyloid, but not in phagocytosis.

Amyloid↗

Ultrastructural studies of the cells forming amyloid in the cortical vessel wall in Alzheimer's disease.

Ultrastructural studies of serial sections of the vessels with amyloid deposits in the brain cortex of patients with Alzheimer's disease showed that cells in the position of pericytes--perivascular cells--and perivascular microglial cells are producers of amyloid fibrils in the vascular wall. Three types of changes from normal are distinguishable in the vessel wall: (1) semicircular or circular thickening of vascular wall containing a large amount of amorphous material and various number of amyloid fibrils, (2) tuberous amyloid deposits containing both amorphous material and amyloid fibrils, some of the fibrils being arranged in strata and others arranged radially, and (3) amyloid star composed of a predominantly radial arrangement of bundles of amyloid fibrils and a less prominent amorphous component. A mixture of amorphous material and amyloid fibrils is present in cell membrane invaginations of perivascular cells, and occasionally perivascular microglial cells. Bundles of amyloid fibrils are found in altered cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum and in the channels confluent with the infoldings of the plasma membrane of perivascular microglial cells. The amyloid deposition in the wall of the vessel causes degeneration of endothelial cells and the reduction of, and in some vessels obliteration of, the vessel lumen. In areas affected by amyloid angiopathy, extensive degeneration both of the neuropil and of neurons was observed. These changes were accompanied by astrogliosis. This study demonstrates similarities in amyloid formation in amyloid angiopathy and in beta-amyloid plaques in the neuropil and suggests that cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system of the brain (perivascular cells and perivascular microglia) are engaged in amyloid fibril formation.

Aged↗

Necrotizing fasciitis of the extremities.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a limb- and life-threatening soft-tissue infection. Eighteen patients with necrotizing fasciitis of the extremities were reviewed. These infections occurred most commonly after minor trauma. Associated chronic debilitating diseases were present in 13 patients. All but two infections were polymicrobial. The overall mortality rate was 33%. Death was caused by persistent wound sepsis in three and systemic septic complications in spite of apparent local infection control in three. At the admission physical examination the condition may resemble a benign, low-grade cellulitis. Three of four patients died because of a delay in surgical debridement for more than 24 hours after admission. Multiple radial debridements of the involved skin, fat, and fascia are essential to control progressive necrosis. Our results suggest that early diagnosis and prompt surgical debridement of necrotizing fasciitis are essential for survival.

Adult↗

Computed tomographic finding in adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder.

We report on an uncommon case of symptomatic generalized adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder. It was initially suspected by ultrasonography and further confirmed by computed tomography (CT). A postcontrast CT scan at the level of the gallbladder body demonstrated the characteristic rosary sign. The rosary sign is formed by the enhanced proliferative mucosal epithelium with the intramural diverticula surrounded by the unenhanced hypertrophied muscle coat of the gallbladder. Similar CT scans were obtained sequentially in the caudal direction. These CT scan findings indicated generalized adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder. The patient received a cholecystectomy. The pathologic report showed specific changes of adenomyomatosis corresponding to the findings on the CT scan. Generalized adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder, therefore, can be accurately diagnosed by CT.

Adult↗

Brachial plexus injury with erect dislocation of the shoulder.

Luxatio erecta, or inferior dislocation of the glenohumeral joint, is an extremely uncommon variety of shoulder dislocation. Several types of neurovascular injuries may be associated with luxatio erecta. Concomitant fracture of the coracoid, clavicle, acromion, greater tuberosity, and humeral head may also be noted. A case of luxatio erecta associated with a fracture of the greater tuberosity and transient mixed brachial plexus injuries is presented.

Adult↗