We retrospectively analyzed the MR findings of 12 patients with herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) (8 months 64 years old). MR imaging was performed on either a 0.5T (6 patients) or 2.0T (6 patients) superconducting unit with spin echo pulse sequence. The most common and characterristic MR finding consisted of non-hemorrhgic lesions in the cortices of the temporal lobes(12), and insula(6), either bilateral(7) or unilateral(5). The frontal lobe and cingulate gyrus were involved in 4 and 2 patients respectively. Petechial hemorrhge was found in 3 patients. Non-hemorrhagic lesions were shown as high signal intensities on proton and T2WI,and iso-or low signal intensities on T1WI. In conclusion, MR imaging findings described above appear to be characteristic of HSE and were found to be extremely valuable in the diagnosis of HSE.
Diagnosis ; Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex* ; Frontal Lobe ; Gyrus Cinguli ; Herpes Simplex* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Protons ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: Corticosteroid has been used as the mainstay therapy of childhood NS. But SIO is one of the serious complications of long-term steroid therapy, especially in growing children. Recently calcium, calcitonin, PTH, vitamin D and bisphosphonate has been used to treat or prevent SIO in adult, which is rare in children with NS. We studied the effect of 1alpha-(OH)D3 and Pamidronate on SIO using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied thirty patients who admitted in the Dept. of Pediatrics of Kyung Hee Medical Hospital with NS. All patients was received longterm steroid therapy. There was no history of bone, liver, or endocrine disease. The samples, serum protein, albumin, BUN, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, and BMD were obtained before and the six months after the dose of 1alpha-(OH)D3 and Pamidronate, respectively. RESULTS: The mean age was 6.9+/-3.3 and 6.5+/-2.5 years old. The mean duration of steroid therapy was 28.8+/-1.8 and 27.6+/- 1.0 months. The changes of serum protein, albumin, BUN, creatinine, calcium and phosphorus level between pre-treatment and post-treatment did not show statistical significance in both 1alpha-(OH)D3 and Pamidronate treatment group. However, BMD was increased in both from 0.472+/-0.12 and 0.457+/-0.10 g/cm2 to 0.533+/-0.12 and 0.529+/-0.09 g/cm2 after treatment. (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Both 1alpha-(OH)D3 and Pamidronate appears to be effective in treating and preventing SIO in children with nephrotic syndrome requiring long-term steroid therapy.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adult ; Calcitonin ; Calcium ; Child* ; Creatinine ; Endocrine System Diseases ; Humans ; Liver ; Nephrotic Syndrome* ; Osteoporosis* ; Pediatrics ; Phosphorus ; Vitamin D

No abstract available.
Eczema* ; Hand* ; Rubber*

Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) usually presents as an immediate swelling and itching sensation of the mouth and throat after ingestion of a food allergen. OAS may be the most common food allergy-related manifestation. Watermelon and melon belong to the Cucurbitaceae family and often show allergenic cross reactivity. Profilin is a 13 kda protein that is identified as a relevant pollen allergen in airborne pollen and related plant food allergies. Profilin is found in both watermelon and melon. Here we report a case of OAS to watermelon and melon in an 11 year-old boy. He was positive to the skin prick test, patch test and oral challenge test with watermelon and melon.
Citrullus ; Cucurbitaceae ; Eating ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Mouth ; Patch Tests ; Pharynx ; Plants ; Pollen ; Profilins ; Pruritus ; Sensation ; Skin

No abstract available.
Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell* ; Scabies*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the MR findings of the spectrum of the Currarino triad and to discuss the potential role of MR imaging in evaluating these anomalies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven children (age range: 2-12 months) with Currarino triad were evaluated using MR imaging, plain radiography, and barium study. In addition, CT scans (n=3) and sonography (n=2) were performed. We retrospectively analyzed MR imaging findings and correlated these with the findings of other imaging modalities. RESULTS: Anorectal anomalies included anorectal stenosis in five patients and an imperforate anus in two. MR imaging findings of anorectal stenosis included an elongated thick-walled anorectal canal and dilatation of the proximal segment of the rectum. In the patients with an imperforate anus, the location of the blind rectal pouch and sphincteric musculature was delineated. In one case, a transcolostomy enema revealed a fistula not evident on MR images. Presacral masses included four teratomas and three lipomas associated with various spinal anomalies. On MR imaging, which gave better results than CT or sonography, a detailed evaluation of presacral masses and associated anomalies was possible. Sacral anomalies included a typical scimitar-shaped sacral defect in five patients, abnormal curvature in one, and malsegmentation in one. In all cases, MR imaging showed the abnormal sacrum, but plain radiography more clearly demonstrated its anomalous shape. CONCLUSION: Various anorectal anomalies, presacral masses, and other associated anomalies were demonstrated by MR imaging. When the Currarino triad is suspected, MR imaging should therefore follow plain radiographs.
Anal Canal ; Anus, Imperforate ; Barium ; Child ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Dilatation ; Enema ; Fistula ; Humans ; Lipoma ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Radiography ; Rectum ; Retrospective Studies ; Sacrum ; Teratoma ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECT: To analyze the CT findings of intracranial tuberculosis in children at initial stage and during follow-up after treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 25 patients who were diagnosed by CSF analysis or response to anti-tuberculous medication as suffering from intracranial tuberculosis. There were 13 boys and 12 girls aged between 4 months and 14 years. Twenty-five initial and sixty-three follow-up CT scans were retrospectively analyzed. We evaluated the pattern of cisternal enhancement, the locations of infarction, and the presence of calcification and parenchymal granuloma. The changes of hydrocephalus and related complications, aswell as cisternal abnormality during anti-tuberculous medication were also evaluated. RESULTS: The initial findings on CT scan were hydrocephalus(75%), cisternal obliteration in precontrast study(64%), thick-line orring-shaped cisternal enhancement on postcontrast study(44%), infarctions(32%), calcifications(32%), periventricular edema(28%), and parenchymal granulomas(16%). On follow-up CT scan, hydrocephalus and cisternal enhancement had decreased to 35% and 82%, respectively, and the granulomas had changed to calcified nodules(100%). Ventriculo-peritoneal shunt or external ventricular drainage was needed in nine patients, and ventriculitis or complication of shunt procedure developed in four. CONCLUSION: Intracranial tuberculosis in children presented predominantly as meningitis involving basal cisterns and was associated with hydrocephalus. Infarction and calcification may be seen as parenchymal lesion. In spite of medical treatment, drainage was needed in about half the patients. During this treatment, the resolution of hydrocephalus, decreased cisternal enhancement, and calcification of the granulomas were seen.
Child* ; Drainage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Infarction ; Meningitis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculosis* ; Tuberculosis, Central Nervous System

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is an angioproliferative disease of the skin and viscera, with the multifactorial origin arising in different clinic-epidemiologic forms. We report a case of a patient with generalized cutaneous and visceral KS, which was successfully treated with paclitaxel. A 78-year-old woman presented with a 2-month history of multiple purpuric nodules and plaques of Kaposi's sarcoma on the face, trunk, and lower extremities. She had not acquired an immunodeficiency syndrome or undergone organ transplantation, but had suffered with osteoarthritis and had taken unknown medication the year prior to presentation. Oral analgesics had also been used as required. Biopsies of both skin and stomach mucosal lesion confirmed KS. The patient was treated with bi-weekly doses of paclitaxel for 5 months. 6 months after the treatment course, histopathological findings on the resolving lesion showed no evidence of Kaposi's sarcoma.
Aged ; Analgesics ; Biopsy ; Female ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Organ Transplantation ; Osteoarthritis ; Paclitaxel* ; Sarcoma, Kaposi* ; Skin ; Stomach ; Transplants ; Viscera

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic scar following a burn is caused by the excessive deposit of collagen resulting in an exaggerated wound healing response. The burn patient complains of pain and itching over the scar, which can give rise to cosmetic and functional problems. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and histological correlation of a hypertrophic burn scar for itching and pain sensations. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients underwent a scar release and skin graft. the modified Vancouver scar scale and the verbal numerical rating scale were recorded. All biopsies were taken from scar tissue (scar) and normal tissue (normal). Histologically, tissues were observed in the epidermis, the monocytes around the vessels, the collagen fiber, elastic fiber, and the mast cells. RESULTS: The mean total score of MVSS was 8.4+/-2.7 (pliability 2.0+/-0.9; thickness 1.8+/-0.9; vascularity 2.0+/- 0.9; and pigmentation 2.1+/-0.9). Pain and itching were 2.4+/-2.0 and 2.9+/-3.0. Epidermis were 7.9+/-2.8 layers (scar) and 4.0+/-0.8 layers (normal). The collagen fibers were thin and dense (scar) and thicker and loose (normal). The elastic fibers were thin and nonexistent (scar) and thin and loose (normal). Mast cells were 11.2+/-5.8/high power field (scar) and 7.4+/-4.1 (normal). CONCLUSION: As the scar tissue thickens, the itching becomes more severe. The stiffness of the scar with the pain appeared to be associated with the condition of the tissue. The correlation between clinical and histological post-burn hypertrophic scars will help further studies on the scar. This helped with the development of the base material for therapeutic strategies.
Biopsy ; Burns ; Cicatrix ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic* ; Collagen ; Elastic Tissue ; Epidermis ; Humans ; Mast Cells ; Monocytes ; Pigmentation ; Pruritus* ; Sensation* ; Skin ; Transplants ; Wound Healing

BACKGROUND: With the development of bioengineering techniques for noninvasive characterization of skin pathophysiology, the induction of irritant dermatitis by surfactants has been extensively studied. OBJECTIVE: We performed this study to compare the skin responses in terms of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and erythema induced by benzalkonium chloride (BAC), a well-known non-corrosive irritant, in comparison with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a representative corrosive irritant. METHOD: We applied 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, and 2% solutions of BAC and SLS on volar forearm skin for 24 hours using a large Finn chamber with filter paper disc on 19 normal healthy subjects. TEWL and erythema index (E-index) were measured prior to testing, then at 30 minutes, one day, two days, three days, one week, and two weeks after the removal of the patches. RESULTS: TEWL values of BAC and SLS patch areas increased with concentration. However, BAC induced a significantly lower TEWL increase than SLS did at the corresponding concentrations. TEWL induced by BAC was highest at 30 minutes after the removal of the patch, whereas TEWL induced by SLS was highest at one day. TEWL values had recovered with the passage of time to baseline values at 2 weeks after removal of the patch at lower concentrations (0.1, 0.2, 0.5%) of SLS, but still showed significantly high TEWL values at 1% and 2% concentration SLS patch areas. TEWL values of BAC in 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1% concentrations had recovered to the baseline values at 2 weeks after the removal of the patch, but not in 2% concentration BAC patch areas. E-indices of BAC and SLS increased with concentration in a similar reaction pattern. E-index induced by BAC was highest at 30 minutes after the removal of the patch, and E-index induced by SLS was highest at 30 minutes or 1 day after the removal of the patch. E-index of each concentration, except 2%, had recovered with the passage of time to baseline values on both BAC and SLS patch areas at 2 weeks, but E-indices of both 2% BAC and SLS did not recover at 2 weeks. CONCLUSION: Benzalkonium chloride showed much less damage to the skin barrier function compared to the corresponding concentration of SLS, whilst they showed a similar degree of erythema. Skin barrier function affected by the corrosive irritant SLS would need a more prolonged recovery time than skin barrier disruption by non-corrosive irritant BAC.
Benzalkonium Compounds* ; Bioengineering ; Dermatitis, Irritant ; Erythema ; Forearm ; Skin* ; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate* ; Sodium* ; Surface-Active Agents