Arachnoid Remodeling by Clipping Technique Facilitates Surgical Maneuverability during Transsphenoidal Surgery for Pituitary Macroadenoma

Objective@#: Pituitary adenomas frequently extend into the suprasellar space. After a suprasellar tumor is removed, the superiorly extended arachnoid becomes redundant and sinks down into the intrasellar space which often hiders visualization and accessibility to the hidden space behind the evaginated arachnoid. We introduced arachnoid remodeling by clipping technique, and evaluated its usefulness and safety during TSS. @*Methods@#: Total 223 patients who underwent arachnoid remodeling with our new clipping technique were included. Redundant arachnoid was clipped along the dural edge with multiple 2.6-mm titanium clips until the redundant arachnoid membrane no longer blocked the surgical route. To check for possible deterioration of hormonal function by this technique, we assessed anterior pituitary function of 166 patients who underwent arachnoid remodeling by clipping and compared this with those of other 429 control patients. @*Results@#: Our technique greatly enhanced the accessibility and visualization of intrasellar and parasellar spaces, both of which are generally hindered by redundant arachnoid during transsphenoidal surgery (TSS). We found no difference in anterior pituitary function between a clip-assisted arachnoid remodeling group and the control group, implying that this technique does not result in hypopituitarism. @*Conclusion@#: During TSS for pituitary adenomas with suprasellar extension, arachnoid remodeling by clipping technique is very useful and convenient for the management of the redundant arachnoid membrane to enhance visualization and surgical accessibility.

Angioleiomyoma in the Orbital Apex: A Case Report

A 56-year woman presented eyeball pain and blurred vision. MRI revealed a small well-delineated solid tumor in the apex of right orbit with optic nerve compression. Intraoperatively, the tumor was found very fibrous, hypervascular and adhesive to surrounding structures. The tumor was completely removed with the combination of endoscopic and microscopic technique. Patient experienced transient oculomotor nerve palsy, which completely recovered 3 months after surgery. Herein we report a rare case of angioleiomyoma in the orbital apex.

Vestibular Schwannoma Atypically Invading Temporal Bone

Vestibular schwannoma (VS) usually present the widening of internal auditory canal (IAC), and these bony changes are typically limited to IAC, not extend to temporal bone. Temporal bone invasion by VS is extremely rare. We report 51-year-old man who revealed temporal bone destruction beyond IAC by unilateral VS. The bony destruction extended anteriorly to the carotid canal and inferiorly to the jugular foramen. On histopathologic examination, the tumor showed typical benign schwannoma and did not show any unusual vascularity or malignant feature. Facial nerve was severely compressed and distorted by tumor, which unevenly eroded temporal bone in surgical field. Vestibular schwannoma with atypical invasion of temporal bone can be successfully treated with combined translabyrinthine and lateral suboccipiral approach without facial nerve dysfunction. Early detection and careful dissection of facial nerve with intraoperative monitoring should be considered during operation due to severe adhesion and distortion of facial nerve by tumor and eroded temporal bone.

Granular Cell Tumor in the Pituitary Stalk: A Case Report

Granular cell tumors (GCTs) have been reported in various tissues, especially the skin and subcutaneous soft tissue of the head and neck. We report a 60-year-old man who presented with intermittent headache and dizziness for 3 months, but no other neurological symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed the presence of a mass in the pituitary stalk, and contrast-enhanced MRI showed nodular enhancement in this region. The lesion was completely excised microscopically via a frontotemporal (pterional) approach. On pathological examination, a final diagnosis of a typical GCT was made.

Association of nasal inflammation and lower airway responsiveness in schoolchildren based on an epidemiological survey

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We sought to increase our understanding of the rhinitis-asthma relationship and improve strategies for the treatment of patients with these diseases. The aim of this study was to identify a connection between upper airway inflammation and lower airway responsiveness. METHODS: We counted eosinophils on nasal smears, and performed spirometry, allergic skin tests, and methacholine challenge tests in 308 schoolchildren plus a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms. The methacholine concentration causing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (PC20 0.05). No difference in BHR was detected when comparing subjects with and without nasal eosinophils. There were significant differences in the PC20 between subjects with greater than 50% nasal eosinophils and without nasal eosinophils (11.01 +/- 2.92 mg/mL vs. 17.38 +/- 0.61 mg/mL; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrated that nasal eosinophilic inflammation might contribute to lower airway responsiveness in schoolchildren, based on an epidemiological survey.

Long-Term Outcomes of Cytomegalovirus Reactivation in Patients with Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis: A Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivations are frequently observed in patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC), and ganciclovir therapy is effective in patients with steroid-refractory UC. This study aimed to determine the long-term outcomes of CMV reactivation and the long-term therapeutic efficacy of ganciclovir treatment. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter study included a cohort of 72 patients with moderate-to-severe UC who were evaluated for CMV reactivation at the time of their initial UC flare. Colectomy, disease relapse, and the recurrence rate of CMV reactivation were investigated. RESULTS: The mean duration of follow-up for the 72 patients was 43.16+/-19.78 months (range, 1 to 67 months). The cumulative colectomy (log-rank, p=0.025) and disease flare-up rates (log-rank, p=0.048) were significantly higher in the CMV-positive group. Of the 11 patients who were successfully treated with ganciclovir in the initial treatment, three patients (27.3%) experienced CMV reactivation, and six patients (54.5%) experienced poor outcomes, such as the need for colectomy or a steroid-dependent state. CONCLUSIONS: The patients who had CMV-reactivated UC showed poor outcomes at the long-term follow-up, and the long-term efficacy of ganciclovir therapy was marginal. Careful assessment is necessary for patients who exhibit evidence of CMV reactivation.

The Rapid Establishment of Human Clonal Adipose Derived Stem Cell (hADSC) Lines with Aspirated Adipose Tissue

PURPOSE: This study aims to establish a new strategy that provides for the rapid establishment of human clonal adipose derived stem cell (hADSC) lines with aspirated adipose tissue and to characterize newly generated hMSC lines for their cell phenotype, differentiation potential, lineage-specific gene expression. METHODS: Human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hADSCs) were isolated from subcutaneous adipose tissue based on standard protocols. After incubation for 2 h, only the cell culture supernatant was transferred to a new dish. This process was repeated several times with 30 h incubations. RESULTS: We confirmed the difference in growth rate, however, differences were not seen in the differentiation capabilities and stemness of the each cell lines. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to establish cell lines via single cell level for application to disease specific tissue engineering.

Reasons for Investigators to Participate Industry Sponsored Clinical Trials

BACKGROUND: It is getting more difficult to involve appropriate investigators in clinical trials. Knowing what investigators want from sponsor initiated clinical trials would help industry cooperate with investigators more efficiently. This study aims to describe the incentives for investigators choosing to participate or not and perform well in sponsored clinical trials. METHODS: Investigators who have participated in GSK sponsored clinical trials were interviewed face-to-face or through e-mail using the standardized questionnaire. Investigators were asked to choose five items and determine the ranking or those five items. RESULTS: Questionnaires answered by 122 investigators were collected. The top three incentives were "Academic merit" (108, 88.5 %), "Expectation of treatment potentially helpful to patient" (101, 82.8 %), and "Access to new treatments" (92, 75.4 %). The disincentives and the factors affecting an investigator's performance were analyzed separately because of the different questionnaire between investigators for medicine and vaccine. Investigators for medicine choose as disincentives "Insufficient time" (43, 61.4 %), "Difficult protocol" (41, 58.6 %), and "Adverse event concerns" (41, 58.6 %). Vaccine investigators pointed out "Limited support staff" (41, 78.8 %), "Insufficient time" (40, 76.9 %), and "Difficult blood sampling" (333, 63.5 %) as disincentives. Factors adversely affecting an investigator's performance showed similar results to those of disincentives. CONCLUSION: Investigators focused on academic curiosity and patients and insufficient time mostly inhibits them from participating and performing clinical trials. Our results would help industry cooperate with investigators more efficiently, finally making companies perform clinical trials more effectively.

Factors Affecting the Ocular Response Analyzer Parameters in Normal Korean

PURPOSE: To identify the normal range of factors which can be measured with Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA, Reichert Inc., Depew, NY, USA) in normal Korean, and to analyze factors affecting ORA by measuring intraocular pressure (IOP) of noncontact tonometer (NCT) and central corneal thickness (CCT). METHODS: Three hundred and one normal Korean subjects who did not have specific ophthalmological diseases and surgeries in the past were recruited for this study. Corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal response factor (CRF), corneal-compensated IOP (IOPcc), and Goldmann correlated IOP (IOPg) were measured using ORA. In addition, IOP of NCT and CCT were measured and the results and factors analyzed. RESULTS: The mean CH measured among normal Korean subjects in this study was 10.70 mmHg. The mean CRF was 10.40 mmHg. CH and CRF were significantly higher in the juvenile group. IOPcc and IOPg as measures of IOP using the ORA had significant correlation with IOP of NCT. In particular, IOPcc appeared to be independent of CCT. CONCLUSIONS: CH and CRF were different according to age, indicating a difference in biomechanical properties of the cornea. In particular, IOPcc is more important as it is independent of corneal thickness and should be compensated in general measurements of IOP reflecting biomechanical properties.

Complete Hematopoietic Recovery after Continuous Iron Chelation Therapy in a Patient with Severe Aplastic Anemia with Secondary Hemochromatosis

A 16-yr-old male patient with hemochromatosis due to multiple packed red blood cell transfusions was referred to our emergency center for the treatment of severe aplastic anemia and dyspnea. He was diagnosed with aplastic anemia at 11-yr of age. He had received continuous transfusions because an HLA-matched marrow donor was unavailable. Following a continuous, approximately 5-yr transfusion, he was noted to develop hemochromatosis. He had a dilated cardiomyopathy and required diuretics and digitalis, multiple endocrine and liver dysfunction, generalized bleeding, and skin pigmentation. A total volume of red blood cell transfusion before deferoxamine therapy was about 96,000 mL. He received a regular iron chelation therapy (continuous intravenous infusion of deferoxamine, 50 mg/kg/day for 5 days q 3-4 weeks) for approximately seven years after the onset of multiple organ failures. His cytopenia and organ dysfunctions began to be gradually recovered since about 2002, following a 4-yr deferoxamine treatment. He showed completely normal ranges of peripheral blood cell counts, heart size, and liver function two years ago. He has not received any transfusions for the last four years. This finding suggests that a continuous deferoxamine infusion may play a role in the immune regulation in addition to iron chelation effect.

Hepatitis B virus reactivation during chlorambucil and prednisolone treatment in an HBsAg-negative and anti-HBs-positive patient with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia / 대한간학회지

It is generally accepted that seroconversion of hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) to an antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs) indicates clearance of HBV. Here we report a case of severe hepatitis that manifested during chemotherapy in a female patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who had been initially seronegative for HBsAg and seropositive for anti-HBs. The patient received chlorambucil and prednisolone for the treatment of CLL. After 6 months the serum levels of aminotransferases were increased, and HBsAg and HBV DNA were present in serum. Lamivudine was administered immediately after confirming the HBV reactivation, which considerably improved jaundice and aminotransferase levels after 3 weeks. The patient was able to resume the chemotherapy whilst continuing lamivudine treatment. This case report highlights the need for physicians to be aware of the potential risk of HBV reactivation even in an HBsAg-negative person but with detectable anti-HBc and/or anti-HBs, underscoring the need for future studies that explore the role of antiviral prophylaxis in this setting.

The Long Term Remission Effect of Rituximab in Two Patients with Autoimmune-associated Cytopenias that were Refractory to Standard Treatments

Rituximab, anti-CD20 chimeric monoclonal antibody directed against the CD20 antigen on B lymphocytes, induces a targeted B lymphocytes depletion in the aim of eradicating autoreactive clones in various autoimmune disorders. Because of its biological properties, it has been used as a treatment option for a variety of autoimmune diseases. We report two complicated patients: a 26-year-old female with steroid induced Cushing's syndrome and avascular necrosis of both femur heads, and a 56-year-old female with multiple spine compression fractures due to osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus and cataracts. They had long lasting, more than 10 years, lupus-associated hemolytic anemia and Evans syndrome, refractory to corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents. The patients were treated with Rituximab, 375mg/m2 once weekly for 3 consecutive weeks. They showed a remarkable recovery about 5th week and have been free of transfusion after the treatment with Rituximab. Therapy was well tolerated, and no infectious complications occurred. They are still in complete remission at 20 and 4 months following the treatment, respectively. We suggest that Rituximab can be a valuable agent in the management of autoimmune cytopenias refractory to standard treatments.

Hematopoietic Effects of Valproic Acid in Mouse / 대한소아혈액종양학회지

PURPOSE: Valproic acid (VPA) has been used as an anticonvulsant for a long time. Recently, there are many reports on VPA activity with regards to intracellular signal transduction, including differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. We experienced several hematologic toxicities during the long-term use of VPA. Therefore, we investigated whether VPA has effects on short-term or long-term hematopoiesis with respect to differing concentrations. METHODS: We obtained bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) from a 5 week old female C3H/He strain mouse. The BMMNC were cultured in semi-solid media mixed with VPA according to the concentrations of colony forming unit for granulocyte-monocytes (CFU-GM). The concentrations of VPA were used as follows: 0.01 mM, 0.1 mM, 1 mM, and 10 mM (therapeutic level: 0.07~1.1 mM). We performed long-term liquid culture under VPA to compare the frequency of long-term culture initiating cells (LTC-IC) according to various VPA levels. RESULTS: The number of CFU-GM was highest with 1 mM of VPA (45.2+/-13.5), with higher therapeutic level than control (25.7+/-11.9), in 0.01 mM of VPA (26.5+/-12.1) and in 0.1 mM of VPA (26.6+/-12.2). In 10 mM of VPA, a toxic level of VPA, was the lowest at 1.6+/-1.1 (P< 0.01). In long-term culture, the frequency of LTC-IC was increased in 0.1 mM of VPA (67.7+/-16.3%), lower therapeutic level than in control (5.5+/-10.6%). In 1 mM of VPA, the high therapeutic level decreased to 81.6+/-9.3%. With toxic levels of VPA, 10 mM, there was no hematopoiesis. CONCLUSION: The VPA might enhance short-term hematopoiesis at high therapeutic levels, while preserving LTC-IC in long-term hematopoiesis under low therapeutic concentrations. Therefore, we suggest that VPA to be used within a low therapeutic level to escape from hematopoietic suppression when using VPA as long-term medication for seizure control.

Clinical Result of Excimer Laser Park

We evaluated the effectiveness of photoastigmatic refractive Keratectomy(PARK) by excimer laser on patients with compound myopic astigmatism. Spherocylindrical PARK was performed on 181 myopic eyes with astigmatism(mean spherical equivalent : -6.61 D, range : -1.88~-14.5 D) using the visx excimer laser. The eyes were divided into three groups according to the amount of desired astigmatic correction : Group 1(-0.5~-1.0 D), Group 2(-1.25~3.0 D), and Group 3(-3.25~-5.5 D). Patients were followed up for 6 months. Uncorrected visual acuity at postoperative 6 month, was 0.80+/-0.27 in Group 1, 0.79+/-0.19 and 0.71+/-0.21bin Group 2 and 3 respectively. The mean spherical equivalent refraction was -0.24 D 6 months after PARK. Mean astigmatism was reduced from preoperative -0.85+/-0.51 D to postoperative -0.34+/-0.38 D in Group 1, from -2.08+/-0.65 D to -0.43+/-0.64 D and from -4.42+/-0.63 D to -1.23+/-1.25 D in Group 2 and 3 respectively. We also analyzed the angle of error, magnitude of error, index of success, and coefficient of afjustment by vector analysis. No significant complications were observed during the follow-up period. These results show that PARK by excimer laser was effective in correction of astigmatism. The effect of astigmatic correction in Group 2 and 3 were better than that of Group 1. Group 1 showed overcorrected tendency and Group 2 and 3 showed undercorrected tendency.

Clinical Result of Excimer Laser Park

We evaluated the effectiveness of photoastigmatic refractive Keratectomy(PARK) by excimer laser on patients with compound myopic astigmatism. Spherocylindrical PARK was performed on 181 myopic eyes with astigmatism(mean spherical equivalent : -6.61 D, range : -1.88~-14.5 D) using the visx excimer laser. The eyes were divided into three groups according to the amount of desired astigmatic correction : Group 1(-0.5~-1.0 D), Group 2(-1.25~3.0 D), and Group 3(-3.25~-5.5 D). Patients were followed up for 6 months. Uncorrected visual acuity at postoperative 6 month, was 0.80+/-0.27 in Group 1, 0.79+/-0.19 and 0.71+/-0.21bin Group 2 and 3 respectively. The mean spherical equivalent refraction was -0.24 D 6 months after PARK. Mean astigmatism was reduced from preoperative -0.85+/-0.51 D to postoperative -0.34+/-0.38 D in Group 1, from -2.08+/-0.65 D to -0.43+/-0.64 D and from -4.42+/-0.63 D to -1.23+/-1.25 D in Group 2 and 3 respectively. We also analyzed the angle of error, magnitude of error, index of success, and coefficient of afjustment by vector analysis. No significant complications were observed during the follow-up period. These results show that PARK by excimer laser was effective in correction of astigmatism. The effect of astigmatic correction in Group 2 and 3 were better than that of Group 1. Group 1 showed overcorrected tendency and Group 2 and 3 showed undercorrected tendency.

Platelet agglutinating protein (PAP p37) from a patient with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is identical with prethrombin 2 / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is characterized by widespread platelet thrombi with little fibrin in the arterioles and capillaries. Unusually large or multimeric von Willebrand factor (vWF) and one or more platelet-agglutinating factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of TTP. However, there had not been any satisfactory explanations regarding the actual mechanisms of platelet agglutination until now. Recent studies suggested 37 kDa platelet agglutinating protein (PAP p37) to be responsible for the formation of platelet thrombi in the patients with TTP. We already purified and reported 37 kDa platelet agglutinating protein (PAP p37) in a patient with TTP. To identify PAP p37, we studied more characteristics and sequenced N-terminal 21 amino acid residues of PAP p37. METHODS: PAP p37 was purified from the plasma which was obtained during the first plasmapheresis in a 31-year-old male Korean patient with acute TTP by ammonium sulfate fractionation, DEAE-Sephacel, concanavalin A-Sepharose and Superose 12 gel filteration chromatographies. In each step, agglutinating activity of platelet was studied by platelet aggregometer. N-terminal 21 amino acid of PAP p37 was sequenced using automatic amino acid sequence analyzer (Beckmann, USA), Sequence Homology Analysis (NCBI BLAST 2.0 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/BLAST1), and Multiple Sequence Alignment (GeneDoc 2.6.0 from http://www.psc.edu/biomed/genedoc/). After we found out that the amino acid sequence of PAP p37 is identical with prothrombin 285-305 amino acid sequence, prothrombin gene was sequenced by the Amersham and CircumVent thermal cycle DNA sequencing kit for detecting gene mutation. RESULTS: The results are as follows: 1) N-terminal 21 amino acid sequence of PAP p37 was T-F-G-S-G-E-A-D-X-G-L-R-P-L-F-E-K-K-S-L-E and appeared to be identical to that of 285-305 amino acid residues of human prothrombin (prethrombin 2) Compared with thrombin by SDS-PAGE with or without beta-mercaptoethanol, PAP p37 was suggested that is unsuccessfully cleaved thrombin light chain which was not cleaved disulfied bond between A-chain and B-chain in prethrombin 2. 2) No gene DNA mutation was found in any prothrombin gene. 3) PAP p37 revealed competitive binding against anti-thrombin antibody with thrombin by ELISA method and their antigenicity was similar with thrombin. CONCLUSION: PAP p37 has potent platelets agglutinating activity and the N-terminal 21 amino acid residues, the pattern of SDS-PAGE with beta-mercaptoethanol and the antigenicity were the same as prethrombin 2 of procoagulant. This prethrombin 2 in TTP may develop due to unsuccessful cleaving of the thrombin light chain. These results suggest that there are defects in procoagulant proteolysis of TTP.

A Case of Thyrotropin - Secreting Pituitary Adenoma with Normal alpha-subunit / TSH Molar Ratio / 대한내과학회지

Thyrotropin(TSH)-secreting pituitary adenoma is a rare disorder causing hyperthyroidism, which is one of the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of TSH. It is characterized by high serum T4, T3 as well as elevated serum TSH. Generally serum free alpha-subunit concentration is also increased and alpha- subunit/TSH molar ratio is more than 1. This alpha- subunit/TSH molar ratio is a clue of diagnosis as well as a useful marker of therapeutic response. We experienced a case of 29-years old man with hyperthyroidism due to TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma. He was underwent 1.5cm sized pituitary tumor removal via transsphenoidal approach in our neurosurgery department. In immunohistochemical stain monotonous tumor cells showed strong positive reaction to antihuman TSH antibody and equivocal reaction to ACTH antibody. After operation, goiter size was progressively decreased and also serum T4, T3 and TSH were decreased in nearly normal range. However, he showed elevated serum T4, T3 and TSH after 1 month due to residual tumor. So he received radiation therapy thereafter. In this case the alpha-subunit and alpha-subunit/TSH molar ratio were not increased. So we report a case of TSH-secreting pituitary macroadenoma which had low alpha-subunit/TSH molar ratio with a literature review.

A Family Case of May-Hegglin Anomaly / 대한혈액학회지

No abstract available.

Topotecan-based combination chemotherapy in patients with transformed chronic myelogenous leukemia and advanced myelodysplastic syndrome

BACKGROUND: Patients with transformed chronic myelogenous leukemia(CML) and advanced myelodysplastic syndrome(MDS) have poor prognosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of second chronic phase induction in accelerated phase(CML-AP) or blastic crisis of CML(CML-BC) and remission induction in advanced MDS by combining topoisomerase I inhibitor (topotecan) with topoisomerase II inhibitor(mitoxantrone). METHODS: Twenty-four evaluable patients were entered on this study with a median age of 34 years. Eighteen patients with transformed CML(7 CML-AP, 11 CML-BC) and 6 patients with advanced MDS were treated. Topotecan was administered as 1.5 mg/m2/day by continuous infusion over 24 hours daily for 5 days every 4 to 8 weeks until remission. To enhance the tumoricidal effects, mitoxantrone(12 mg/m2/day, Days 1-3) was added. RESULTS: Eight patients(33+ACU-) achieved a complete remission(CR). Four of 7 patients with CML-AP(57+ACU-), 2 of 4 patients with CML-lymphoid blastic crisis (-LBC)(50+ACU-) and 2 of 6 patients with advanced MDS(33+ACU-) had CR lasting more than 45 days(45 to 400 days). There was no CR in the patients with CML-myeloid blastic crisis(-MBC). The dose level of 1.5 mg/m2/day(7.5 mg/m2/course) of topotecan was well tolerated in all patients. Mucositis occurred in 69+ACU- of patients (severe in 5+ACU-) and diarrhea in 67+ACU-(severe in 8+ACU-). In addition, there were no new or unexpected toxicities in the patients who were treated at this dose(7.5 mg/m2/course). In patients who recovered their neutrophil count, the absolute neutrophil count(ANC) remained below 500/microL for a period of 13 to 58 days(median 21 days) and the time to ANC recovery was associated with pretreatment severity of bone marrow fibrosis(mainly CML patients). Likewise, in the patients who recovered unsupported platelets, the platelets remained below 20,000/microL for a period of 0 to 37 days (median 19 days). CONCLUSION: The combination of topotecan-mitoxantrone has shown modest activity in CML-AP, CML-LBC and advanced MDS with acceptable toxicities.

A Comparative Study of Bile Compositions From patients with Gallbladder Stones and Common Bile Duct stones

To clarify the mechanisms of stone formation in gallbladder and in common bile duct, the bile composition, such as cholesterol, total bile acid, major bile acids, phospholipid, protein and calcium, from patients with gallbladder stones, common bile duct stones and control groups were analyzed for comparison. The control group consisted of patients who had neither biliary stone nor biliary tract disease. The results obtained are as follows; 1. In the mean concentrations of bile cholesterol and protein from each disease group, no statistically significant difference of these compositions was observed according to sorts of stone(p > 0.05). 2. In the cholesterol stone group the mean concentration of total bile acid of bile from gallbladder stone group was higher than that of common bile duct stone group (p < 0.05). In the pigment stone group, T/D ratio of bile from gallbladder stone group tended to be higher than that of CBD stone group. But these differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.09). 3. In the pigment stone groups, the mean concentration of bile phospholipid from gallbladder stone group was significantly higher than that of CBD stone group (p < 0.05). 4. The mean concentration of bile protein from gallbladder stone group was higher than that of CBD stone group in the pigment stone group (p < 0.05). 5. The mean concentration of bile calcium was significantly higher in gallbladder stone group than that in CBD stone group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, supersaturation of cholesterol in bile may not be sufficient to explain cholesterol gallstone formation. The increase in total bile acid especially LCA, DCA, CDCA may be involved in cholesterol gallbladder stone formation, whereas pigment gallbladder stone formation is thought to be related to decreased T/D ratio of bile which means high dihydroxycholanic acid of bile. Additionally, the results suggest that phospholipid, protein and calcium contribute to pigment gallbladder stone formation by playing great roles in forming matrix as nucleus in pigment stone, but further investigation may be needed to detect calcium ion critical for calcium crystal formation.