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Biomedical subjects

W R Kuo

Publications and source records attributed to W R Kuo.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The effect of adjuvant chemotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a preliminary report.

In the past, radiation therapy was the main treatment modality in nasopharyngeal cancer, but recently, combined induction chemotherapy has become a trend. In this study patients with NPC were divided into two groups. In Group I, 46 cases were treated with chemotherapy (Cisplatin + 5-Fu) and radiation. In Group II, 49 cases were given radiation only. The side effects of chemotherapy were tolerable except for 2 dropouts due to intractable vomiting and semi-coma respectively. Only 17 cases got leukopenia and one case was graded I in BUN evaluation. All of the cases were within normal limits in the platelet and creatinine evaluation. Nine cases acquired hyponatremia. The response rate was 72.7% in the primary site which included 22.7% of the complete response and 50.0% of the partial response with a 80.0% response rate in neck site, which included 56.7% of complete response and 23.3% of partial response. But after the consecutive radiation, the differences of response rate did not show any significance between the two groups. The difference in the response rate between non-keratinizing and undifferentiated carcinoma were significant.

Adult↗

Internal jugular phlebectasia.

Phlebectasia, defined as abnormal venous dilation, may occur in a number of different sites. Two cases with definite diagnosis of internal jugular phlebectasia were reported. The first case was a 6-year-old girl with a bulging mass on right neck for 3 years. Angiography and CT scan showed definite diagnosis, and the bulging mass was resected from the internal jugular vein (IJV). The second case was a 66-year-old female patient, also complained of a bulging mass on her right neck. Sonogram and CT scan also showed the same diagnosis. Because it did not bother the patient, she was just under close observation. From the three kinds of diagnostic modalities, we found sonography is an effective technique because of its clarity, safety and low cost.

Aged↗

Huge plexiform neurofibroma of the head and liver--case report.

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a hereditary autosomal dominant disorder. Von Recklinghausen first described NF in 1882, which is now classified as Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF-1). NF-1 is the most commonly encountered NF which affects 1 in 4000 persons. Clinical manifestations of NF-1 include: generalized cutaneous neurofibroma, pigmented skin patches (cafe-au-lait spots), pigmented iris hamartoma (Lisch nodules), skeletal abnormally, CNS tumors, etc. The subject of this case study is a young adult male with a huge plexiform neurofibroma involving both the liver and head regions. The head tumor measured 10 x 8 x 3.5 cm3 in size, weighted approximately 180g with overlying hyperpigmented skin and an underlying congenital skull defect. A CT scan and MRI of the head and neck revealed a well defined lobulated tumor and deformed external ear. A abdominal sonogram, CT scan and MRI showed a huge plexiform neurofibroma with liver invasion. Lisch nodules and multiple cafe-au-lait spots were also found. Surgical removal of the head tumor along with an external ear reconstruction was performed. Satisfactory cosmetic results and improved hearing were achieved.

Adolescent↗

[Elongated styloid process syndrome].

An elongated styloid process may be a source of craniofacial and cervical pain. The syndrome is characterized by a variety of symptoms including difficulty in swallowing, sore throat, glossodynia, headache and hemifacial pain. Sometimes, the pain is localized or radiates to the jaw and ear and may simulate pain of dental origin. Diagnosis is readily made by radiographic examination and palpating the tonsillar fossa. The only effective treatment is surgical shortening of the styloid process. Three patients, two women and a man, underwent surgery in our department for symptomatic elongation of the styloid process. The surgical procedures were conducted under general anaesthesia via a cervical approach in one patient and intraoral approach in two patients. All patients were completely relieved after styloid process resection and did not have any postoperative complications, except for cervical numbness in one case.

Adult↗