Radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT) via trans-oval approach is effective treatment modalities for trigeminal neuralgia. Clear identification of the foramen ovale (FO) is the most important initial step for successful percutaneous procedures. The purpose of this study was to verify whether the medial end of the temporomandibular joint and the distance between the mandibular angle and the occipital inner line can be used as a fluoroscopic landmark to determine the proper angulation of the C-arm. Analysis of previously saved fluoroscopic FO images during RFT was performed. As a fluoroscopic landmark to guide a proper lateral and axial oblique rotation of the C-arm, the position of the medial end of the temporomandibular joint and the vertical distance between the mandibular angle and the occipital inner line were evaluated. When the FO was located at the most central point within the H-figure, the medial end of TMJ was always located within the mandibular notch. The maximum view of the FO was defined when the FO showed maximal short axis to long axis ratio. The FO showed the best view when the vertical distance between the mandibular angle and occipital inner line was 20.04 (5.1) mm. This study demonstrated that the medial end of the temporomandibular joint and the vertical distance between the mandibular angle and occipital inner line as a fluoroscopic landmark for obtaining the optimal view of the FO.

To know the infection status of zoonotic trematode metacercariae in brackish water fish, we surveyed mullets collected from 18 coastal areas in the Republic of Korea. The metacercariae of Pygidiopsis summa were detected in 236 (68.2%) out of 346 mullets examined. They were found in mullets from 15 areas except for those from Boseong-gun (Jeollanam-do), Pohang-si, and Uljin-gun (Gyeongsangbuk-do). Especially in mullets from Taean-gun (Chungcheongnam-do) and Geoje-si (Gyeongsangnam-do), their prevalences were 100% and 95.5%, and the average metacercarial density was more than 1,000 per fish. They were also detected in mullets from 3 coastal lakes, Gyeongpoho, Songjiho, and Hwajinpoho, in Gangwon-do, and their average densities were 419, 147, and 672 per infected fish, respectively. The metacercariae of 5 other heterophyid species, including Heterophyes nocens, Heterophyopsis continua, Metagonimus sp., Stictodora fuscata, and Stictodora lari, were found in the mullets examined. The metacercariae of H. nocens were detected in 66.7, 100, 28.6, 81.6, 3.9, 61.5, and 27.3% of mullets from Muan-gun, Shinan-gun, Haenam-gun, Gangjin-gun, and Boseong-gun (Jeollanam-do), Hadong-gun, and Geoje-si (Gyeongsangnam-do), and their metacercarial intensities were 64, 84, 119, 99, 1, 24, and 24 per fish infected, respectively. From the above results, it has been confirmed that P. summa metacercariae are heavily infected in mullets from coastal areas of Korea. It is suggested that residents who frequently consume raw mullet dish can be easily infected with heterophyid flukes.
Gangwon-do ; Heterophyidae ; Korea ; Lakes ; Metacercariae ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea* ; Saline Waters ; Smegmamorpha* ; Trematoda