• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.785-788
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• 1996

Pericardial abscess due to liver abscess is a very rare disease, the result of which is usually fatal when untreated. But a combination of antibiotics therapy and pericardial drainage has broug t good result. A 32-year-old man was admitted to the emergency room because of fever and chilling sensation. Chest X-ray showed cardiomegaly and a mass lesion In the left lobe of liver on ultrasonography. The echocardiography revealed impending cardiac tamponade. Pus drainage of the liver abscess through per- foration of right diaphram and pericardiotomy were performed. The pericardium was thickened and 600 ml of purulent fluid and necrotic debris were drained. Fibrin clots were firmly attached to the undelying myocradium. Histological examination of the pericardium showed acute inflammation with microabsscess and Escherichia soli was cultured from pericardial pus. He was discharged after 4 weeks on antibiotics, but Doppler echocardiograpy revealed a slightly thickened pericardium with a mild constrictive physiology.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.29-41
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• 2005

Objectives : Although previous anatomic, physiological and biophysics studies have examined the acupuncture meridian system, much remains unclear and controversial. This study was undertaken to examine electrical potential aspects of the meridian system. Electric potential was measured at the well and sea acupoints on the twelve acupuncture meridians (AM), on forty patients half with loin lesions, and pain of loin and lower extremities(LL) and half with shoulder lesions, and aching of shoulder and arm(SA). The object was to determine to what extent electric potential is an important risk factor between LL and SA. Methods : At the left and the right side with each of twenty LL and twenty SA patients, physiograph was used to measure electric potentials of AM ten sessions. T-test was used to compare the mean of electric potential between the two different pain groups and multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the risk of the 24 electric potentials measured. Results and Conclusions : In the LL, the only electric potential that was statistically significantly greater than SA was the bladder meridian on the left side. On the contrary, electric potentials in SA, which includes the large intestine, pericardium, triple burner, spleen, stomach, kidney and gallbladder meridians, were statistically larger than those of LL at the same side. On the right side, the five kinds of electric potentials(lung, large intestine, small intestine, pericardium and gallbladder meridian) of LL were statistically larger than those of SA. On the triple burner, stomach and kidney meridians electric potentials of SA were larger than those in LL. After adjusting for 24 electric potentials, pain risk factors, and different illness categories, multiple stepwise selection logistic regression modeling, resulted in the final selection of a total of 13 statistically significant electric potentials. These were 7 electric potentials at left side - small intestine, triple burner, spleen, stomach, bladder, liver and gallbladder meridian, and 6 at rght side - lung, large intestine, heart, pericardium, kidney and bladder meridian.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.436-439
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• 1998

Mediastinal teratoma is a tumor that thoracic surgeons made an operation much less commonly than other mediastinal masses and most of them are asymptomatic. But very rarely, this tumor invades the pleura and pericardium resulting in pleural effusion, pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade in severe cases. The mechanism of invasion and perforation of the tumor is unknown and tumor-consisting tissue factor is suspected of a cause. In this case, we operated on a patient whose anterior mediastinal teratoma invaded and perforated pericardium and pleura resulting in pericardial effusion and pleural effusion. The patient was improved and discharged with no problem after resection of mass and involved pericardium.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.148-156
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• 2009

Background: As cardiovascular operations become more complex and sophisticated, there is an increasing need for various bioprostheses for use as components of blood vessels and heart valves. We developed a fatigue stimuli test instrument to objectively evaluate the mechanical durability of a bioprosthesis, and we tested several currently known processing methods for bovine pericardium and we then compared the results. Material and Method: Fresh bovine pericardium was collected at the butcher shop with using aseptic technique, and each piece of pericardium was fixated and/or decellularized by 16 representative methods. We measured the permeability and compliance of the processed bovine pericardium samples, and measured them again after exposure to the fatigue stimuli. All the pieces of pericardium underwent microscopic examinations before and after the fatigue stimuli. Result: A mixture of glutaraldehyde and solvent treatment showed better mechanical durability than did the single glutaraldehyde treatment. High concentration glutaraldehyde treatment showed equal or no worse results than did low concentration glutaraldehyde treatment. After SDS (sodium dodecylsulfate) decellularization, the mechanical property of the bioprosthesis became much worse ($20{\sim}190$ times) and the mechanical durability to the fatigue stimuli was also very poor. Conclusion: We obtained the basic durability data after various fixation methods with using a home-made fatigue test instrument.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.235-245
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• 2010

Background: Our goal was to evaluate anti-calcification effects of decellularization and diverse fixing methods including preincubation of the bovine pericardium with ethanol. We also assessed changes in mechanical properties. Material and Method: Harvested bovine pericardium was decellularized with 0.25% sodim dodecysulfate and then treated with 5 methods of fixation: (1) 0.5% glutaraldehyde (GA) for 14 days, (2) 0.5% GA for 5 days, 2% GA for 2 days and 0.25% GA for 7 days, (3) 0.5% GA for 5 days, 2% GA for 2 days, 0.25% GA for 7 days, and then 70% ethanol for 2 days, (4) 0.5% GA for 5 days, a mixture of 2% GA and 70% ethanol for 2 days, and 0.25% GA for 7 days, (5) 0.5% GA for 5 days, a mixture of 2% GA, 65% ethanol, and 5% octanediol for 2 days and then 0.25% GA for 7 days. All treated bovine pericardia were tested for histological variables, lipid content, and mechanical properties including tensile strength and thermal stability. A total 10 kinds of differently treated bovine pericardia were implanted into rat subdermis and harvested 8 weeks later. Harvested pericardia were evaluated for calcium content. Result: No protein denaturation was observed microscopically after decellularization. There was a 32% mean decrease in tensile strength index after decellularization in the bovine pericardium group fixed. Octanediol preincubation attenuated the decrease in tensile strength and maintained thermal stability. TG and cholesterol were not affected by decellularization but were decreased by organic solvent. Calcium content was decreased after decellularization, and organic solvent preincubation decreased calcification in the non-decellularized bovine pericardium group. Conclusion: Decellularization and organic solvent preincubation have anti-calcification effects but decellularization may cause mechanical instability. A method of decellularization and fixation that does not cause damage to matrices will be needed for evaluation of the next step in using tissue-engineering for replacement of cardiac valves.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.170-176
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• 2008

Background: Bioprosthetic devices for treating cardiovascular diseases and defects may provide alternatives to autologous and homograft tissue. We evaluated the mechanical and physical conditions of a porcine pericardial bioprosthesis treated with Glutaraldehyde (GA), Ethanol, or Sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) before implantation. Material and Method: 1) Thirty square-shaped pieces of porcine pericardium were fixed in 0.625%, 1.5% or 3% GA solution. 2) The tensile strength and thickness of these and other bioprosthesis, including fresh porcine pericardium, fresh human pericardium, and commercially produced heterografts, were measured. 3) The tensile strength and thickness of the six treated groups (GA-Ethanol, Ethanol-GA, SDS only, SDS-GA, Ethanol-SDS-GA and SDS-Ethanol-GA) were measured. Result: 1) Porcine pericardium fixed in 0.625% GA the thinnest and had the lowest tensile strength, with thickness and tensile strength increasing with the concentration of GA solution. The relationship between tensile strength and thickness of porcine pericardium increased at thicknesses greater than 0.1mm (correlation-coefficient 0.514, 0<0.001). 2) There were no differences in tensile strength or thickness between commercially-produced heterografts. 3) Treatment of GA, ethanol, or SDS minimally influenced thickness and tensile strength of porcine pericardium, except for SDS alone. Conclusion: Porcine pericardial bioprosthesis greater than 0.1 mm thick provide better handling and advantageous tensile strength. GA fixation did not cause physical or mechanical damage during anticalcification or decellularization treatment, but combining SDS-ethanol pre-treatment and GA fixation provided the best tensile strength and thickness.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.451-457
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• 1987

Reoperations following cardiac surgery have an increased risk of the danger of damaging the heart, great vessels or extracardiac grafts because of adhesions to the sternum. We experimentally evaluated 3 different methods for pericardial closure. A standardized procedure for induction of pericardial adhesions was carried out in 30 rabbits. For closure of pericardium, animals were divided into 3 groups, 10 animals respectively: Croup 1 [simple pericardial closure]The pericardium was primarily resuture; Group 2 [Core-Tex surgical membrane as a pericardial substitute]- A Gore-Tex surgical membrane was interposed between the sternum and the heart; and Group 3 [pericardial tension releasing technique]-Three longitudinal overlapping incisions were made on the right side of the pericardium while the midline incison was sutured. Animals were put to death 4 weeks postoperatively and the pericardial space was examined for pericardial adhesions and epicardial reactions. The extent of adhesions and reactions were graded as: I-none; II-minimal; III-moderate; and IV-severe. Histologic studies of the pericardium, the pericardial substitute and the epicardium were also performed. The results were as follows: 1. In group 1 [simple pericardial closure], the degree of pericardial adhesions were grade I in 1 animal, grade II in 2, grade III in 4 and grade IV in 3. Epicardial reactions were grade I in 1 animal, grade II in 3, grade III in 5 and grade IV in 1. Histologic examination revealed thick fibrous tissue that obliterated the pericardial space in 7 animals. 2. In group 2 [Gore-Tex surgical membrane as a pericardial substitute], the degree of pericardial adhesions were grade I in 3 animals, grade II in 3, grade III in 2 and grade IV in 2. The degree of epicardial reactions were grade II in 1 animal, grade III in 5 and grade IV in 4. Histologic studies revealed a thin layer of dense fibrous tissue which covered the Gore-Tex surgical membrane and thick loose fibrous tissue on the epicardium just beneath the substitute. 3. In group 3 [pericardial tension releasing technique], the degree of pericardial adhesions were grade I in 3 animals, grade II in 4, grade III in 2 and grade IV in 1. The degree of epicardial reactions were grade 1 in 4 animals, grade II in 4 and grade III in 2. Severe epicardial reactions were not observed in this group. Histologic examination showed normal epicardium in 4 animals and the epicardium of the other 6 animals only revealed very thin fibrous layer compared to group I and group II. Pericardial adhesions more than grade III were 70% in group 1, 40% in group 2 and 30% in group 3. Pericardial adhesions were reduced in group 2 and group 3 compared to group 1, but statistically not significant. Epicardial reactions more than grade III were 60% in group 1, 90% in group 2 and 20% in group 3. Epicardial reactions were significantly reduced in group 3 compared to group 2. Author`s modified pericardial releasing technique provides marked augment of pericardial surface area and facilitates tension-free pericardial closure. Furthermore, pericardial adhesion and epicardial reaction will be reduced with the pericardial tension releasing technique.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.8
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• pp.574-577
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• 2007

Primary malignant neoplasm of the pericardium is very rare, Neoplastic involvement of the pericardium may result in rapidly developing hemorrhagic effusion. A 30-year-old male who occasionally suffered from chest tightness was referred to our hospital under the diagnosis of unstable angina. He presented with acute chest pain and severe dyspnea that had developed one day previously. The diagnostic investigations such as echocardiography, chest CT and magnetic resonance image suggested cardiac tamponade that was caused by rupture of the pericardial teratoma. An operation to remove the tumor and effusion was performed. The pericardial mass was completely excised, and the result of the frozen biopsy favored malignancy. The final pathologic report was malignant fibrosarcoma of the pericardium and no malignant cells were found on the cytology of the pericardial effusion. The patient had a smooth postoperative course and was referred to another hospital for additional radiation therapy. We report here on this case of cardiac tamponade that was caused by primary pericardial fibrosarcoma, and this required urgent diagnosis and surgical management.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.724-730
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• 1989

The development of severe pericardial adhesion after cardiovascular surgical procedures often increases the risk of injuring the heart, great vessels, or extracardiac grafts during resternotomy. Several pericardial substitutes have been tested in an attempt to facilitate reoperation with inconclusive results. This study was designed to evaluate the applicability of two different materials as pericardial substitutes to minimize the pericardial adhesion and epicardial reaction. A procedure for induction of pericardial adhesion was carried out in 30 rabbits. Rabbits were divided into three groups of ten rabbits each: Group 1[control, simple pericardial closure]: Group 2[bovine pericardium as pericardial substitute]: Group 3[e-polytetrafluoroethylene surgical membrane, e-PTFE as a pericardial substitute]. Bovine pericardium or e-PTFE surgical membrane was interposed between the sternum and the heart. Rabbits were sacrificed at 4 weeks after operation. The development of adhesions and epicardial reactions were graded as: none [I]; minimal[II]; moderate[Ill]; and severe[1V]. Histologic studies of the substitute, the pericardium, and the epicardium were performed. The results were as follows; l. In group 1[control group], the degree of pericardial adhesions were grade I in none, grade II in 1, grade III in 3, and grade 1V in 6 animals. Epicardial reactions were grade I in none, grade II in 3, grade K in 4, grade 1V in 3 animals respectively. 2. In group 2[bovine pericardium], the degree of pericardial adhesions were grade I in 1, grade II in 5, grade III in 3, and grade 1V in 1 animal. Epicardial reactions were grade I in 1, grade II in 2, grade III in 4, and grade 1V in 3 animals respectively. 3. In group 3[e-PTFE], the degree of pericardial adhesions were grade I in 7 animals, grade II in 2, grade III in 1, and grade g in none. Epicardial reactions were grade I in 4, grade II in 3, grade III in 2, and grade IV in 1 animal respectively. Pericardial adhesions more than grade II were 90.9% in group 1, 40 % in group 2, and 10% in group 3. Pericardial adhesions were significantly reduced in group 3 compared to group 1 or 2. Epicardial reactions more than grade II were 70 % in group 1, 70 % in group 2 and 30 % in group 3. We concluded that this 0.1mm thick polytetrafluoroethylene surgical membrane is a suitable pericardial substitute to minimize the development of pericardial adhesion or epicardial reaction following cardiovascular surgery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1270-1274
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• 1990

In mediastinum, teratoma frequently occur in anterior mediastinal compartment. Rarely discovered in pericardium, posterior mediastinum and lung parenchyme. The incidence of posterior mediastinal teratoma was 3%~8%. A young male patient was treated with posterior mediastinal teratoma. So we describe the rare disease.