In systemic rheumatic disease, marker antibodies such as anti-Sm, anti Scl-70 and anti Jo-1 are helpful in the diagnosis of disease, but in rheumatoid arthritis, the diagnosis is difficult due to the low sensitivity and specificity of the rheumatoid factor(RF). So, a new maker antibody with high sensitivity and specificity was needed. Recently, the antiperi- nuclear factor(APF) has gained particular attention. The results of the APF and RF test in 165 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 77 patients with osteoarthritis, and 109 normal healthy persons, which were taken between January, 1994 through December 1994 were as follows; 1. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of positivity of the RF test in patients with rheumatoid arthritis were 58.2%, 93.5%, and 95.0%, and that of the APF test were 72.1%, 94.6% and 92.2%, respectively. 2. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of positivity when combining the APF with the RF were 83.0%, 85.7%, and 92.6%, respectively. 3. The disease status of the patients correlated with intensity of the APF test, that is, the more severe the disease status, the higher intensity. In conclusion, the APF was useful in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, and may be used as an indicator of disease status. When combining test the APF with RF, the incidence of sero-negative rheumatoid arthritis decreased.
Antibodies ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Osteoarthritis ; Rheumatic Diseases ; Sensitivity and Specificity

PURPOSE: To compare the bleb morphology and surgical outcomes of a limbus-based group with those of a fornix-based group who underwent trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC). METHODS: Sixty-five eyes of 59 patients who had undergone trabeculectomy with MMC and who were observed for one year or more were included in the present study. A limbus-based conjunctival flap was used for 34 eyes of 31 patients and a fornix-based conjunctival flap for the other 31 eyes of 28 patients. The bleb morphologies were classified and compared after one year or more postoperatively according to the Moorfield Bleb Grading System, and intraocular pressure and success rates were evaluated. RESULTS: The central bleb vascularity of the limbus-based group was statistically significantly lower than that of the fornix- based group (1.79 +/- 0.64; 2.16 +/- 0.73, p = 0.042). The risk of cystic bleb formation was higher in the limbus-based group (38.2%; 16.5%, p = 0.047). There were no differences in the IOP or success rate between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: There were no differences between the two groups with regard to the IOP or cumulative success rate. However, in the fornix-based group, the central bleb vascularity was lower and the risk of avascular cystic bleb formation was higher than those in the limbus-based group.
Blister ; Eye ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Mitomycin ; Trabeculectomy

The ultimate goal of periodontal disease therapy is to promote the regeneration of lost periodontal tissue, there has been many attempts to develop a method to achieve this goal, but none of them was completely successful. This study was designed to compare the effects of treatment using resorbable barrier membrane(Biomesh?) in combination with autogenous bone graft material with control treated by only modified Widman flap. 22 infrabony defecs from 10 patients with chronic periodontitis were used for this study, 10 sites of them were treated with resorbable barrier membrane and autogenous bone graft material as experimental group and 12 site were treated by only modified Widman flap as control group. Clinical parameters including probing depth, gingival recession, bone probing depth and loss of attachment were recorded at 6-8 months later, and the significance of the changes was statistically analyzed. The results are as follows : 1. Probing depth of the two group was reduced with statistically significance(P<0.05), but this changes were not different between the two experiment, control group with statistically significance. 2. Gingival recession showed statistically significant increase in control group(P<0.05), but not in experimental group, and initial values of the two group were in statistically significant difference(P<0.05). 3. Bone probing depth showed statistically significant decrease in experimental group(P<0.05), but not in control group, and this changes were different between the two experiment, control group with statistically significance(P<0.05). 4. Loss of attachment showed statistically significant decrease in experimental group(P<0.05), but not in control group, and this changes were different between the two experiment, control group with statistically significance(P<0.05) On the basis of these results, treatment using resorbable barrier membrane in combination with autogenous bone graft material improve the probing depth, bone probing depth and loss of attachment in infrabony defects.
Chronic Periodontitis ; Gingival Recession ; Humans ; Membranes* ; Periodontal Diseases ; Regeneration ; Transplants*

The ultimate goal of periodontal disease therapy is to promote the regeneration of lost periodontal tissue, there have been many attempts to develop a method to achieve this goal, but none of them was completely successful. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of treatment using BBP(R) with control treated by only modified Widman flap. 22 intrabony defects from 12 patients with chronic periodontitis were used for this study, 10 sites of them were treated with BBP(R) as experimental group and 12 site were treated by only modified Widman flap as control group. Clinical parameters including probing depth, gingival recession, bone probing depth and loss of attachment were recorded at 6 months later, and the significance of the changes was statistically analyzed. The results are as follows: 1. Probing depth of control(delta2.7+/-1.3mm) and experimental group(delta3.6+/-1.8mm) weres reduced with statistically significance(P<0.05), but this changes were not different between the two experiment, control group with statistically significance. 2. Gingival recession showed statistically significant increase in control group(delta2.1+/-1.2mm)(P<0.05), but not in experimental group(delta0.5+/-0.7mm), and this changes were different between the two experiment, control group with statistically significance(P<0.05). 3. Bone probing depth showed statistically significant decrease in experimental group(delta2.9+/-1.0mm)(P<0.05), but not in control group(delta1.1+/-1.4mm), and this changes were different between the two experiment, control group with statistically significance(P<0.05). 4. Loss of attachment showed statistically significant decrease in experimental group(delta3.1+/-1.7mm), but not in control group(delta0.6+/-1.2mm), and this changes were different between the two experiment, control group with statistically significance(P<0.05) On the basis of these results, treatment using BBP(R) improves the probing depth, bone probing depth and loss of attachment in intrabony defects.
Chronic Periodontitis ; Gingival Recession ; Humans ; Periodontal Diseases ; Regeneration

BACKGROUND: This study examined the clinical utility of using indirect chest radiography during a physical examination of new conscripts for determine the presence of pulmonary tuberculosis. METHOD: Over an eight-month period, this study examined 25386 people who underwent a physical examination after conscription. The abnormal findings on mass miniature radiography were followed-up using direct chest radiography. The positive predictive value of mass miniature radiography and direct chest radiography was compared. The incidence, degree of infiltration and clinical outcome of active pulmonary tuberculosis were also evaluated during a follow-up examination. RESULTS: The positive rate of mass miniature radiography was 1.19% (n=302). Various lesions were identified: Parenchymal lesions (n=109), mediastinal lesions (n=6), cardiovascular lesions (n=45), pleural lesions (n=49), bony lesions (n=90) and miscellaneous lesions (n=7). The incidence of active pulmonary tuberculosis by mass miniature radiography was 0.26% (n=67). The first diagnosis was made in 50 people; active pulmonary tuberculosis (n=42), pneumonia (n=1), a mediastinal mass (n=1), a rib fracture (n=2) and a pneumothorax (n=4). Most cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis were mildly infiltrated and either improved or were cured by the follow-up examination. CONCLUSION: Although mass miniature radiography in a physical examination after conscription has limitations, but it is a useful means for detecting the presence of early disease, particularly in active pulmonary tuberculosis.
Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Incidence ; Mass Screening ; Physical Examination* ; Pneumonia ; Pneumothorax ; Radiography* ; Rib Fractures ; Thorax* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary*

PURPOSE: To study the impact of inversion of soft-copy chest radiographs on the detection of small solitary pulmonary nodules using a high-resolution monitor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 80 patients who had undergone posterior chest radiography; 40 had a solitary noncalcified pulmonary nodule approximately 1 cm in diameter, and 40 were control subjects. Standard and inverse digital images using the inversion tool on a PACS system were displayed on high-resolution monitors (2048x2560x8 bit). Ten radiologists were requested to rank each image using a five-point scale (1=definitely negative, 3=equivocal or indeterminate, 5=definite nodule), and the data were interpreted using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: The area under the ROC curve for pooled data of standard image sets was significantly larger than that of inverse image sets (0.8893 and 0.8095, respectively; p<0.05). Interpretation of both standard and inversion images did not lead to more accurate detection of small pulmonary nodules (area under the ROC curve: 0.8835 and 0.8893, respectively; p>0.05). CONCLUSION: For detecting small solitary pulmonary nodules, inverse digital images were significantly inferior to standard digital images.
Diagnosis* ; Humans ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; Radiography ; Radiography, Thoracic ; ROC Curve* ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule* ; Thorax

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It is recommended that duodenal ulcer patients who are infected with H. pylori should be treated with eradication therapy, whether the ulcer is active or in remission. However, there has been no report on the effect of eradication treatment in patients with incidentally found S-2 stage duodenal ulcer scar. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 80 H. pylori-positive patients with S-2 stage duodenal ulcer scar who have no past history of ulcer treatment. Treatment group received triple therapy consisted of omeprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin for 2 weeks, whereas control group received no treatment. The follow-up endoscopy was performed every 1 year and when the patients have symptoms of ulcer disease. Fifty-three patients were followed up for more than 1 year. RESULTS: The eradication rate of the treatment group was 92.9%. During the follow-up period of 14.7 months, 20% (5/25) of patients in the control group (2 gastric ulcers and 3 duodenal ulcers) and 3.6% (1/28) of patients in the treatment group (1 duodenal ulcer) developed active or healing stage peptic ulcers (p=0.089). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that H. pylori eradication may he effective in preventing peptic ulcers in patients with S-2 stage duodenal ulcer scar.
Amoxicillin ; Cicatrix* ; Clarithromycin ; Duodenal Ulcer* ; Endoscopy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Humans ; Omeprazole ; Peptic Ulcer ; Prospective Studies ; Stomach Ulcer ; Ulcer

PURPOSE: To assess the diagnostic value of dynamic perfusion MR imaging for differentiation between benign and malignant musculoskeletal lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dynamic perfusion MR imaging was performed using a 3.0 T system in 32 female and 30 male patients (aged 10-90 years, mean age, 43 years). Following the assessment of the precontrast imaging, a dynamic study was performed. This dynamic technique allowed for 638 images to be obtained at 11 levels throughout the lesion. Twenty-eight lesions originated within bone (8 benign, 20 malignant), whereas 34 lesions were of soft tissue origin (22 benign, 12 malignant). The final diagnosis was histopathologically confirmed in all patients. To differentiate between benign and malignant lesions, we analyzed the four parameters: (maximal relative enhancement (MRE), time to peak (TTP), wash in rate (WI), steepest slope (SS) and the distribution of time intensity curve (TIC) patterns. RESULTS: The TTP, WI, and SS values of malignant lesions were statistically significant from those of benign lesions (p < 0.05). However, the difference for the MRE values was not statistically significant. The distribution of TIC patterns was a helpful indicator of benign or malignant state, however the difference between the two states was not significant. CONCLUSION: Dynamic perfusion MR imaging is a helpful tool in differentiating benign and malignant musculoskeletal lesions.
Bone Neoplasms ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; Perfusion ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; Thymine Nucleotides ; Tics

BACKGROUND: Fascial free flaps have been widely used for reconstruction of the hand because they are thin. However, studies reporting objective data regarding the advantages of this approach are lacking. Thus, we report our experience with such flaps. METHODS: Forty-five cases of fascial free flaps between November 2006 and March 2014 were reviewed. Nine cases involving reconstructed dorsal or lateral defects were included. Four anterolateral thigh fascial free flaps and 5 lateral arm fascial free flaps were examined. Maximal flap contour was assessed by measuring reconstructed tissue thickness at the central area from the surface of the skin to below the bone in a vertical manner using ultrasonography and X-ray data. Contralateral regions were examined in the same manner and a comparative analysis was performed. A questionnaire survey regarding aesthetic satisfaction was also administered. RESULTS: All reconstructed parts had a thicker contour than the contralateral side. The average relative percentage of reconstructed tissue thickness was found to be 152% using ultrasonography and 143% using X-ray imaging. According to the aesthetic satisfaction survey, the average rate of satisfaction for patients was 62%, and satisfaction with the flap contour was 72%. CONCLUSIONS: Using a fascial free flap, the reconstructed tissue was approximately 1.5× as thick as the contour of the normal side, which led to positive responses regarding aesthetic satisfaction.
Arm ; Fascia ; Free Tissue Flaps* ; Hand* ; Humans ; Patient Satisfaction ; Skin ; Thigh ; Thinness ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: To compare observer performance using liquid-crystal display (LCD) and cathode-ray tube (CRT) monitors in the interpretation of soft-copy chest radiographs for the detection of small solitary pulmonary nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: By reviewing our Medical Center's radiologic information system, the eight radiologists participating in this study (three board-certified and five resident) retrospectively collected 40 chest radiographs showing a solitary noncalcified pulmonary nodule approximately 1 cm in diameter, and 40 normal chest radiographs. All were obtained using a storage-phosphor system, and CT scans of the same patients served as the gold standard for the presence of a pulmonary nodule. Digital images were displayed on both high-resolution LCD and CRT monitors. The readers were requested to rank each image using a five point scale (1 = definitely negative, 3 = equivocal or indeterminate, 5 = definitely positive), and the data were interpreted using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: The mean area under the ROC curve was 0.8901+/-0.0259 for the LCD session, and 0.8716+/-0.0266 for the CRT session (p > 0.05). The reading time for the LCD session was not significantly different from that for the CRT session (37.12 and 41.46 minutes, respectively; p = 0.889). CONCLUSION: For detecting small solitary pulmonary nodules, an LCD monitor and a CRT monitor are comparable.