Objective To study CT and MRI features of intracranial chondrosarcomas. Methods CT and MRI of 3 cases with intracranial chondros arcomas proved by pathology were retrospectively analyzed.Results CT scans showed the tumors were lobular mass, per itumoral edema were not serious, intratumorous calcification and bone invasion w ere seen in 2 cases.MRI showed that tumor had low to intermediate signal intensi ty or hypointensity on T 1WI, high signal intensity on T 2WI. On contrast enha nced MRI,the center of lesions which was low signal intensity on T 2WI was no e nhancement, but there was observable enhancement at periphery of tumors.Conclusion Intracranical chondrosarcomas are often orgina ted from synchondrosis of the skull base,the lesions are often associated with c alcification, and bone invasion, the accurate dignosis should depend on microsco pic examination and immunohistochemical staining.

Objective To study the microsurgical and anatomic structures of brachial plexus roots and vertebral canal to find the best approaches for reimplantation of avulsed brachial plexus ventral roots into the spinal cord.Methods On nineteen cervicothoracic spine specimens,the brachial plexus nerves were exposed along to intervertebral foramen,and the spinal cord and brachial plexus roots were exposed by excising the vertebral arch and sectioning the spinal dura mater.The anatomy of brachial plexus roots and vertebrae,and the relative positions of spinal cord segments to vertebral discs were measured and observed.Results The relative positions of spinal cord segments to vertebral discs are:C5-7 spinal cord segments face C3,4,C4,5 and C5,6 vertebral discs;and C8 and T1 spinal cord segments face C6 and C7 vertebrae.Based on the anatomic finding,four approaches were found out: the lateroventral approach,the lateral approach by enlarging intervertebral foramen,the laterodorsal approach and the lateral and dorsal combined approach.Conclusions The brachial plexus ventral roots can be best reimplanted into the spinal cord by the lateroventral approach and the lateral approach.Although the laterodorsal approach and the lateral and dorsal combined approach are not the best,they are less difficuh and dangerous.

OBJECTIVE:To observe the efficacy and safety of alprazolam by progressive dose increasing in the treatment of chronic tinnitus. METHODS:Totally 50 patients with chronic tinnitus were included. They were orally treated with Alprazolam tab-let 0.4 mg in the first 1 and 2 week(s),once every night at bedtime;0.4 mg in 3 and 4 weeks,once in the morning and once in the evening;0.4 mg in 5 and 6 weeks,three times a day. If the treatment of tinnitus was invalid,then the gradual withdrawl was conducted by twice a day for continuous 3 d,0.4 mg each time;then once a day,0.4 mg each time,for continuous 3 d. The re-sponders were maintained 12 weeks,and gradual withdrawal was conducted,and followed by follow-up for 3 months. The clinic data was observed,including the clinical efficacy,tinnitus disability scale(THI)score,visual analogue scale(VAS)score,tinnitus loudness(TI)and incidence of adverse reactions before and after treatment. RESULTS:The effective rate was 66.67%;after treat-ment,the scores of THI and VAS,and TI were significantly lower than before,with significant differences(P<0.05). There were no obvious adverse reactions during treatment. CONCLUSIONS:The alprazolam by progressive dose increasing has obvious effica-cy in the treatment of chronic tinnitus,with good safety.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic myelopathy results from liver disease, which lacks of effective cure method. Liver transplantation has attempted to cure this disease; however, the long-term therapeutic effect is rarely reported. OBJECTIVE: To explore the long-term therapeutic effect of liver transplantation in patients with hepatic myelopathy. METHODS: The clinical data of 2 patients with hepatic myelopathy, who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation, in August 2002 and November 2004, at the 309 Hospital of Chinese PLA, were analyzed retrospectively. The time of follow-up was 18 and 43 months, respectively. The muscle strength of double lower limbs in 2 patients was assessed prior to and after operation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Two patients recovered well at 4 weeks after transplantation, the clinical symptom and physical signs of patients were improved obviously, the blood routine examination and other biochemical index were normal,and the function of transplanted kidney was normal. Two patients discharged at 6 weeks after transplantation. Patient 1 could stand for a long time at months 6 after transplantation, walked slowly with the supporter after 12 months and without the supporter at 43 months. The muscular strength of two lower limbs was grade 4. And the liver function was normal. Patients 2 could move his lower limbs in bed at months 6 after transplantation, walked with the supporter at 18 months. The muscular strength of two lower limbs was grade 3. The liver function was normal. It demonstrated that liver transplantation is beneficial to control hepatic myelopathy and recover muscular strength of two lower limbs. It is a newly developed, effective curing method for treating hepatic myelopathy. However, the numbers were small with short time observation, thus, the long-term therapeutic effect still need to be explored.

ObjectiveTo demonstrate the project scope of the afferent nerves of the lumbar intervertebral disc,on which basis to explore the mechanism of the symptoms of discgenic low back pain.MethodsThirty Wistar rats were divided randomly into three groups of 10 rats each:the L4-5,L5-6,and L6 S1 group.Each group was further divided randomly into two subgroups,the experimental group and the control group,5 rats for each group.Intervertebral disc was exposed through the posterior approach under peritoneal cavity anesthesia,after the nerve roots were pull away,2 μl of 30％ cholera toxin-horseradish peroxidase (CT-HRP) was injected into the inner layer of the intervertebral disc in the experimental group,while 2 μl of 0.9％ Nacl was used in the control group.Forty-eight hours after the surgery,all rats were perfused and bilateral dorsal root ganglions(DRGs) of T10-L3 were resected and fixxied.Each DRG was sectioned at 30 μm thickness and processed by DAB method.The sections of DRGs were coverslipped and observed by optical microscopy for the neurons or axons labelled by CT-HRP.It was judged as positive that brownish-black particles were in the neurons or axons.ResultsNot in a single dorsal root ganglions,but in a scope of dorsal root ganglions axons labled by CT-HRP could be seen in the rats in the experimental groups.No CT-HRP labled neurons or axons were seen in dorsal root ganglions in the contral groups.ConclusionAfferent nerves of the lumbar intervertebral disc project to a scope of dorsal root ganglions,which is the anatomic basis of the mechanism of the symptoms of discgenic low back pain.

Objective To explore the roles of B lymphocyte and plasma cell in liver allograft re-jection to find the evidences of humoral factor participating in the rejection. Methods Immunohisto-chemical inspection of C4d, CD20+ B lymphocytes and CD138+ plasma cells were performed in 34 liver biopsy specimens from 25 patients with hepatic injury and their preoperative specimens. Then we ob-served the variances of the above parameters in the liver biopsy specimens and the differences of them with different hepatic injuries. We further observed the relation of the presence of CD20+ B lympho-cytes and CD138+ plasma cells to C4d positivity. Meanwhile, we compared the difficulties of clinical therapy with different presences of CD20+ B lymphocytes and CD138+ plasma cells in the liver biopsy specimens. Results The positive ratios of CD20+B lymphocytes and CD138+ plasma cells were signif-icantly higher in the acute rejection group than in the non-rejection group(P<0. 05 and P<0. 01).The positive ratios of CD20+ B lymphocytes were markedly higher in the chronic rejection group than in the non-rejection group(P<0. 05). There was no difference in CD138+ plasma cells between the 2 groups. The degrees of hepatic injury could not influence the positive ratioes of CD138+ plasma, but the positive ratioes of CD20+ B lymphocytes in the heavy hepatic injury groups was higher than in the slight hepatic injury groups(P<0. 05). CD20+ B lymphocytes and CD138+ plasma cells presented fol-lowing C4d(P<0. 01 and P<0. 05). The effective power of steroid in the all-positive group was obvi-ously lower than in the all-negative group(P<0. 05). Conclusion Humoral immune may participate in some liver allograft rejection. It would be more favorable for observing and prewarning the humoral re-jection by finding CD20, CD138 and C4d by immunohistochemical staining in liver biopsy specimens with hepatic injury after liver transplantation. It would be helpful for choosing the therapeutic regi-mens of liver allograft rejection.

Objective To analyze causes of death and risk factors of acute myocardial infarction(AMI)、Methotis 118 AMI patients who died f selected from 1252 hospitalized patients with AMI from January 2003 to June 2008)were retrospectively enrolled for analysis of risk factors and death causes.Resuits The overall mortality of hospitalized patients with AMI was 9.42%(118/1252).The mortality rate in the males was 8.91%(84/943)while in the females was 11.00%(34/309)which was higher than the males but there was no statistical difieFence (P=0.2739).Mortality rate rose along with age and showed significant statistical difference(P＜0.0001)among different age group[＜40 yrs:6.45%(2/31),40～54:2.56%(6/234),55～64:5.11%(16/313),≥65:13.95%(94/674)].Pump failure occurred in 77 cases(65.25%)which was the main cause of death,cardiac arrest occurred in 21 cases(17.80%)and heart rupture in 13 cases(11.02%).There existed other causes of death including cerebral hemorrhage.digestive tract bleeding and pneumonia in 7 cases(5.93%).The mortality of patients with PCI was 4.24%(39/920)while23.80%(79/332)of those witbout PCI(P＜0.0001).Rate of cardiac rupture was 1.04%(13/1252),2.91%(9/309)in females and 0.42%(4/943)in males(P＜0.0001).The time was＜24 h(23.72%.28/118)when death occurred from onset,24 h～1 week(55.93%,66/118)and 1～4 week (20.34%,24/118).There was no statistical difference of mortality related to different infarction locations[antior 12.47%(59/473),anteroseptal 9.23%(12/130),inferior 6.73%(28/416),lateral 8.70%(4/46),ventricle postwall 5.97%(4/67),and ST-segmental elevated myocardial infarction 9.17%(11/120)(P=0.0852)].Conclusions There is a high mortality in aged patients with AMl with heart failure as the most common cause of death which usually occurs at early stage of AMI.The females have more cardiac ruptures than the males.PCI significantly decreases rates of mortality and cardiac rupture.Moreover.gender and location of AMI might be another important risk factor which affect mortality.

Objective To study the effect of urodynamic factors on the urinary retention of the patients with cervical cancer received radical hysterectomy. Methods Seventy-two patients with cervical cancer Ininternational Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage Ⅰ bl to Ⅱ a hospitalized in Fujian Provincial Maternity and Child Health Hospital between June 2006 and August 2009, who were not found any abnormal representation of urodynamics before the operation, were divided into the group with urinary retention and the group without urinary retention based on whether urinary retention after the operation. All patients were detected by urodynamic examination following radical hysterectomy. Data obtained from urodynamic examination were analysed by logistic regression to evaluate the influence of urodynamic factors on the urinary retention postoperation. Results Twenty-one patients out of all were found with urinary retention after the operation , the incidence rate of urinary retention was 29%. The first sensation after operation in both groups were increased significantly than those before operation[ ( 171 ±61 )ml vs.(126 ±28)ml, (134±39)ml vs. (119 ± 17)ml,all P＜0.05], while the maximum volume[ (337 ±66) and (300 ±66)ml, respectively], the compliance[ (31 ±25) and (29 ± 18) ml/cm H2O (1 cm H2O =0. 098 kPa), respectively], the maximum flow rate[ (10 ±4) and (12 ±5) ml/s, respectively] and the pressure at the maximum flow rate [ (27 ±9) and (32 ±8) cm H2O, respectively] were decreased obviously after radical hysterectomy in both the group with urinary retention and the group without urinary retention ( all P ＜0.05), compared with the corresponding value before the operation. The urodynamic changes in urinary retention group was much more severe than those in group without urinary retention ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). The single factor analysis results showed that bladder destusor dysfunction ( OR = 8. 20, 95% CI: 2.62 - 25. 66, P ＜0. 01 ) and lack of sensation ( OR = 6. 90, 95% CI: 1.95 - 24. 43, P ＜ 0. 01 ) were relevant to the urinary retention post-operation. While there were not relationship was found between low compliance bladder( OR =1.99, 95% CI:0. 70 - 5.63, P = 0. 195 ), detrusor overactivity ( OR = 2. 51, 95% CI: 0. 73 - 8.67, P =0. 144), bladder outlet obstruction ( OR = 3.77, 95% CI: 0. 76 - 18. 57, P = 0. 104 ) or dyssynergia of urethral external sphincter( OR =2. 67, 95% CI:0. 49- 14. 45, P =0. 255 ) and urinary retention following the operation. There were an antagonistic effects ( OR = 7.60, 95% CI: 1.43 - 40. 39, P = 0. 017 ) of detrusor overactivity and bladder destrusor dysfunction on urinary retention. The multiple factors analysis results revealed that bladder destusor dysfunction( OR = 7.01, P ＜ 0. 01 ) and lack of sensation( OR = 5.45, P =0. 018)were the independent risk factors influening on the urinary retention post-operation. Conclusions There are obvious urodynamic change in cervical cancer patients following radical hysterectomy. Bladder destrusor dysfunction and lack of sensation are the independent urodynamic risk factors influencing on urinary retention following radical hysterectomy, while detrusor over activity may be a protective effect on bladder destrusor dysfunction post-operation in some degree. Urodynamic test is important for analysis and treatment of urinary retention following radical hysterectomy.

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical and epidemiological value of semi-quantitative regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF)imaging in children with school phobia. Methods A total of 20 cases diagnosed with school phobia were examined with rCBF.Twelve were males and the other 8 were females.The mean age was(14.2?2.1)years(11-18 years).Semi-quantitative analysis methods were used to investigate the correlations among gender,age and rCBF. ResultsThere were significant differences in the rCBF of right fronto-parietal lobe,right occipital lobe,caput and putamen,left thalamus and hippocampus,and temporo-occipital lobe between males and females(P0.05).Only the PI of left temporo-parietal lobe of those ≥ 15 years old was significantly different from that of those

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It has been reported that the difference in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype due to genetic heterogeneity of HCV influence the clinical features, prognosis of HCV associated liver disease and response to interferon therapy. Prevalence of different genotypes of HCV may also vary between geographic areas. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the response to interferon alpha (IFN-a) therapy and HCV genotypes in patients with chronic HCV infection in Taegu and its environs. METHODS: One hundred seventy six patients known to be HCV antibody and HCV-NA positive were evaluated for HCV genotypes by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Among patients who had elevated ALT levels, 67 patients have been investigated for the role of the HCV genotype on disease outcome and the response of IFN-a therapy. RESULTS: Genotype 1b were found in 59.0% of patients (103/176), genotype 2a in 37.5% (66/176). The mode of transmission of HCV infection was guessed as transfusion in genotype 1b, but as parenteral infection in genotype 2a. According to their response to IFN-a therapy, 73 patients were divided into three groups, complete response, 18 (60%) of 30 patients with genotype 2a and 21 (48.8%) of 43 patients with genotype 1b: partial response, 5 (16.7%) of 30 patients with genotype 2a and 7 (16.2%) of 43 patients with genotype 1b: no response, 7 (23.3%) of 30 patients with genotype 2a and 15 (34.9%) of 43 patients with genotype 1b. Good response to IFN-a therapy was observed among patients group showing normal platelet count in patients with genotype 1b and normal GGT in patients with genotype 2a. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequently identified genotype was genotype 1b in Taegu and its environs, followed by genotype 2a. The HCV genotype was not a reliable predictor of response to IFN-a therapy. When a standardized regimen of IFN-a was administered, pretreatment serum platelet counts and GGT level seem to be useful predictor of IFN-a therapy in HCV infection. Further investigations are required in order to establish a correlation between viral factors and therapeutic responses.
Daegu* ; Genetic Heterogeneity ; Genotype* ; Hepacivirus* ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; Interferons ; Liver Diseases ; Platelet Count ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Prevalence ; Prognosis