Ultrasound is a sound wave beyond the audible frequency. Owing to technological development, the extent of use of ultrasound in orthopaedics is expanding. Ultrasound is produced by a piezoelectric effect and matter is requires for propagation. According to the characteristics of matter, the velocity of propagation differs and the images are the overall result of the interaction of reflection, refraction, absorption, scattering, transmission, and attenuation. The most important device is the transducer, which differs according to the array of piezoelectric elements and shapes the way it used and where it is used. Mode B is currently the most common image and many images which help to make diagnosis easier, such as doppler flow imaging, extended field of view imaging, compound imaging and three-dimensional imaging, are under developments. Ultrasound produces variable artifacts and during interpretation of ultrasound images, artifacts could interfere with correct diagnosis. In order to avoid creation of artifacts, profound knowledge of each artifact is needed. Therefore, precise understanding and interpretation of the ultrasound image is essential for proper diagnosis and use of ultrasound.
Absorption ; Artifacts ; Comprehension* ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Sound ; Transducers ; Ultrasonography*

BACKGROUND: High-resolution carotid ultrasonography is considered a fundamental technique for the investigation of the vascular system. However, it is still very unclear whether ultrasonographic studies of carotid arteries are useful for the prediction of cardiovascular events in patients with coronary heart disease. We have tried to assess the usefulness of carotid ultrasonography to predict the severity of coronary artery stenosis in the patients with ischemic heart disease. METHODS: We studied in 80 patients(53 men, 27 women) with acute chest pain, mean ages 63.1 10.8 yr(35 to 84 yrs), who underwent both coronary angiography and carotid ultrasonography with 10 MHz transducer. The patients who had received revascularization procedure were excluded. We classified the patients into two groups, the control group without significant coronary stenosis(23 patients) and the coronary artery disease(CAD) group(57 patients) with significant stenosis(>50%). The intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured in the far wall of CCA at 10 mm proximal to carotid bulb and the abnormal IMT was defined when the measurement was greater than mean IMT+2 SD of control group(>0.99 mm). Serum total cholesterolQlC), low density lipoprotein(LDL), high density lipoprotein(HDL), triglyceride(TG) and lipoprotein (a) (LP(a)) were measured and history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and smoking were investigated. RESULTS: A significant difference in IMT of the CCA was found between control and CAD group(0.75+/-0.12mm vs. 1.02+/-0.34 mm; p<0.001). Also a significant difference in the existence of plaque(control; 26.1% vs. CAD; 73.7%, p<0.00l) and the number of plaque(control; 0.39+/-0.94 vs. CAD; 2.20+/-1.87 p<0.001) was found. The existence and number of carotid plaque were more conelated with coronary artery stenosis severity than carotid IMT. The sensitivity of IMT for prediction of significant CAD was 42.1%, the specificity 95.7%, the positive predictive value 96%, and the negative predictive value 40%. The sensitivity of plaque presence on the carotid artery for prediction of CAD was 73.7%, the specificity 73.9%, the positive predictive value 87.5% and the negative predictive value 53.1%. Among the risk factors, age and LP(a) were correlated with IMT of CCA, and diabetes, hypertension, age were correlated with the presence of plaque. Smoking and hypertension were correlated with coronary artery disease. CONCLUSION: Carotid atherosclerosis was significantly correlated with severity of coronary atherosclerosis. We therefore suggest that carotid ultrasonography is useful to predict the severity of coronary artery stenosis and that the best index of coronary artery stenosis severity may be carotid plaque rather than carotid intima-media thickness.
Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Chest Pain ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Disease ; Coronary Stenosis* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Lipoprotein(a) ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Risk Factors ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Transducers ; Ultrasonography*

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the cognition of 119 emergency medical technician (EMT) on dental emergency treatment. METHODS: A total of 184 subjects completed the questionnaire composed of 14 items during which, 119 EMT participated in periodic refresher training in Jeju province. Independent sample t-test and chi-square test were used to assess the state of 119 EMT on dental emergency treatment. RESULTS: Qualified region of respondents were both in the Jeju province (71.7%) and outside of the Jeju province (28.3%). The class of education on dentistry in formal education that answered 0 hour was 64.7% and 1-3 hours was 16.8% of respondents. The class of refresher training on dentistry that answered 0 hour was 78.3% and 1-3 hours was 13.0%, aggregately 91.3%. The results showed low score in reduction (1.93+/-1.10) and fixation (1.88+/-1.02) of dislocated temporo-madibular joint by 5-point Likert scale. Likewise, the scores were 2.30+/-0.92 in the treatment of maxillofacial trauma, 3.21 +/-1.20 in emergent care of avulsed tooth, and 3.42+/-1.26 in treatment time of avulsed tooth, respectively. The class of education on dentistry in formal education between the qualified regions showed a statistically significant difference (P <.05) and the refresher training time was observed to be borderline (P =0.069). There was no significant difference on the cognition of emergency dental treatment, according to the qualified region. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the result of this study, we think the education of dental emergency could play an important role in the initial management of injuries and suggest a further co-study with EMT.
Cognition ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Dentistry ; Emergencies ; Emergency Medical Technicians ; Emergency Treatment ; Humans ; Joints ; Tooth Avulsion

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the regional amyloid burden and myocardial deformation using T1 mapping and strain values in patients with cardiac amyloidosis (CA) according to late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) patterns. Materials and Methods: Forty patients with CA were divided into 2 groups per LGE pattern, and 15 healthy subjects were enrolled. Global and regional native T1 and T2 mapping, extracellular volume (ECV), and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-feature tracking strain values were compared in an intergroup and interregional manner. Results: Of the patients with CA, 32 had diffuse global LGE (group 2), and 8 had focal patchy or no LGE (group 1). Global native T1, T2, and ECV were significantly higher in groups 1 and 2 than in the control group (native T1: 1384.4 ms vs. 1466.8 ms vs. 1230.5 ms; T2: 53.8 ms vs. 54.2 ms vs. 48.9 ms; and ECV: 36.9% vs. 51.4% vs. 26.0%, respectively; all, p < 0.001). Basal ECV (53.7%) was significantly higher than the mid and apical ECVs (50.1% and 50.0%, respectively; p < 0.001) in group 2. Basal and mid peak radial strains (PRSs) and peak circumferential strains (PCSs) were significantly lower than the apical PRS and PCS, respectively (PRS, 15.6% vs. 16.7% vs. 26.9%; and PCS, -9.7% vs. -10.9% vs. -15.0%; all, p < 0.001). Basal ECV and basal strain (2-dimensional PRS) in group 2 showed a significant negative correlation (r = -0.623, p < 0.001). Group 1 showed no regional ECV differences (basal, 37.0%; mid, 35.9%; and apical, 38.3%; p = 0.184). Conclusion Quantitative T1 mapping parameters such as native T1 and ECV may help diagnose early CA. ECV, in particular, can reflect regional differences in the amyloid deposition in patients with advanced CA, and increased basal ECV is related to decreased basal strain. Therefore, quantitative CMR parameters may help diagnose CA and determine its severity in patients with or without LGE.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the regional amyloid burden and myocardial deformation using T1 mapping and strain values in patients with cardiac amyloidosis (CA) according to late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) patterns. Materials and Methods: Forty patients with CA were divided into 2 groups per LGE pattern, and 15 healthy subjects were enrolled. Global and regional native T1 and T2 mapping, extracellular volume (ECV), and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-feature tracking strain values were compared in an intergroup and interregional manner. Results: Of the patients with CA, 32 had diffuse global LGE (group 2), and 8 had focal patchy or no LGE (group 1). Global native T1, T2, and ECV were significantly higher in groups 1 and 2 than in the control group (native T1: 1384.4 ms vs. 1466.8 ms vs. 1230.5 ms; T2: 53.8 ms vs. 54.2 ms vs. 48.9 ms; and ECV: 36.9% vs. 51.4% vs. 26.0%, respectively; all, p < 0.001). Basal ECV (53.7%) was significantly higher than the mid and apical ECVs (50.1% and 50.0%, respectively; p < 0.001) in group 2. Basal and mid peak radial strains (PRSs) and peak circumferential strains (PCSs) were significantly lower than the apical PRS and PCS, respectively (PRS, 15.6% vs. 16.7% vs. 26.9%; and PCS, -9.7% vs. -10.9% vs. -15.0%; all, p < 0.001). Basal ECV and basal strain (2-dimensional PRS) in group 2 showed a significant negative correlation (r = -0.623, p < 0.001). Group 1 showed no regional ECV differences (basal, 37.0%; mid, 35.9%; and apical, 38.3%; p = 0.184). Conclusion Quantitative T1 mapping parameters such as native T1 and ECV may help diagnose early CA. ECV, in particular, can reflect regional differences in the amyloid deposition in patients with advanced CA, and increased basal ECV is related to decreased basal strain. Therefore, quantitative CMR parameters may help diagnose CA and determine its severity in patients with or without LGE.

Insufficiency fracture of the calcaneus is a rare entity. In the absence of trauma, evaluating a painful ankle in an elderly patient can be difficult and also it might be overlook the insufficiency fracture. We experienced a case of insufficiency calcaneus fracture that occurred after ipsilateral total knee arthroplasty. Here, we report our case with a review of literatures.
Aged ; Ankle ; Arthroplasty* ; Calcaneus ; Fractures, Stress* ; Humans ; Knee*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the number of leiomyoma patients-exposed to bisphenol A (BPA) and to observe whether the serum concentration of BPA is related to leiomyoma growth. METHODS: A total of 158 patients were recruited for this study. Leiomyoma patients were divided into three groups, mild (n = 48), moderate (n = 32) and severe (n = 28), according to the size of leiomyomas. The control (n = 30) group was defined as having no leiomyomas. Transvaginal ultrasonography was used to identify and measure the leiomyomas. Serum BPA concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: BPA was detected in 87.0% out of a total of 158 samples, and in 86.0% out of 108 leiomyoma patients. In detail, the detection rates of serum BPA were 88.0% in the control group, 77.2% in the mild group, 90.0% in the moderate group and 96.0% in the severe group. The mean BPA concentration in the control group was 0.558 +/- 0.097 ng/mL, the leiomyoma groups, the mean BPA concentrations were 0.274 +/- 0.063 ng/mL (mild), 0.346 +/- 0.064 ng/mL (moderate) and 0.647 +/- 0.039 ng/mL (severe) (P = 0.0003). Values represent the mean +/- standard error. CONCLUSION: The detection rates of serum BPA in the control and leiomyoma groups were 88.0% and 86.0%, respectively. However, there was no significant difference in the serum BPA concentrations between the control and leiomyoma groups. To verify the effect of BPA on leiomyoma growth, a close and sequential monitoring is recommended for people who are at risk for uterine leiomyoma.
Endocrine Disruptors ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Leiomyoma* ; Ultrasonography ; Uterus

A primary adenosquamous carcinoma of the liver is a rare subtype of a cholangiocarcinoma. Adenosquamous carcinoma is known to have an aggressive biologic behavior and is associated with a poor prognosis. Recently, we experienced a case of a primary adenosquamous carcinoma of the liver. A 69-year-old man was subjected to a right hemicolectomy five months ago due to an ascending colon cancer. At a periodic check-up, abdominal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a ~1.1 cm-sized hepatic mass which was highly suspicious of being a hepatic metastasis from the ascending colon cancer. A hepatic segmentectomy was performed. The tumor was microscopically composed of an adenocarcinoma and a squamous cell carcinoma, and it was different from the previous colon cancer as determined by immunohistochemistry. Three months after the hepatic segmentectomy, multiple hepatic metastasis was found and the patient has been treated as an outpatient with capecitabine.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Adenosquamous* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; Colon* ; Colon, Ascending ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Outpatients ; Prognosis ; Ultrasonography ; Capecitabine

PURPOSE: This study examined the outcomes of reconstruction of the coracoclavicular ligaments with using two suture anchors and performing coracoacromial ligament transfer in patients with acromioclavicular dislocation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty patients with complete acromioclavicular dislocation were included in this study. According to the preoperative radiographs, 5 patients with AC dislocations were diagnosed as type III, 4 patients as type IV and 31 patients as type V. Two 3.5mm suture anchors with four strands of nonabsorbable sutures were separately placed on the anterolateral and posteromedial portion of the base of the coracoid process to stabilize the distal clavicle. The coracoacromial ligament was then transferred to the undersurface of the distal end of the clavicle for augmentation. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 28 months, the average Constant score improved to 97 points. All the patients returned to normal life at an average of 3.2 months postoperatively. At the last follow-up, 37 patients achieved anatomical reduction and three patients showed complete redislocation. However, the clinical results of the patients with redislocation were satisfactory. CONCLUSION: Anatomical coracoclavicular reconstruction using two suture anchors and coracoacromial ligament transfer for treating complete acromioclavicular dislocation is a safe, effective procedure for restoring a physiologically stable acromioclavicular joint.
Clavicle ; Dislocations ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Suture Anchors ; Sutures

Focal subarachnoid hemorrhage occasionally presents as transient focal neurologic episodes mimicking transient ischemic attack (TIA). Unless properly diagnosed, it may aggravate cerebral hemorrhage by administering antithrombotic agents. Therefore, clinicians need to be aware that such focal subarachnoid hemorrhage sometimes cannot be detected on noncontrast computed tomography and blood-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging can detect even a small amount of hemorrhage. We describe an 85-year-old woman with focal subarachnoid hemorrhage and possible cerebral amyloid angiopathy who presented transient left arm weakness recurrently, which mimicked TIA.
Aged, 80 and over ; Arm ; Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Female ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Ischemic Attack, Transient ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage