MRI(Magnetic Resonance Imaging) have provided for greater image resolution, detailed tissue contrast without use of contrast media and images acquired in any plane. The purpose of this study was to examine the anatomy and dimension of the epidural space using MRI(Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and to compare the information obtained with that from other investigative technique. The anatomy of the lumbar epidural space was studied retrospectively using lumbar MRI scans of 90 patients. The epidural width(E.W.) is divided into three distance between the anterior surface of the ligamentum flavum and the dura at the caudal end of the lumbar segment(A), at the mid point of the ligamentum flavum(B) and at the cranial end of the lumbar segment(C). The distance from skin to supraspinous ligament(S-L) and from supraspinous ligament to epidural space(L-E) were measured. And then with adding both the distance, We measured the distance from skin to epidural space(S-E). Results were as follows; I) Posterior to the dural sac, epidural fat which is of high signal(white) on Tlw(T1 weighted) image is demonstrated at levels Tl I-T12 to L5-Sl giving 'Saw toothed' pattem to the epidural space. The fat is divided into segments by the interposing laminar, and the epidural space is deeper at cranial end than caudal end. 2) It was the relatively wide epidural space in L2-3 and L3-4 level, and the narrowest epidural space in L5-Sl level. 3) The distance from skin to supraspinous ligament was noted marked variation(2-40mm) according to the individual disparity. And the distance from supraspinous ligament to epidural space is 17-43mm. In distance from skin to epidural space, the most narrow place is Ll-21evel (37.95+/-7.65mm). The most deep place is IA-5 level(46.35+/-7.20mm). As the age increase, epidural width is decreased at L3-4 level (p<0.05).
Contrast Media ; Epidural Space* ; Humans ; Investigative Techniques ; Ligaments ; Ligamentum Flavum ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of immediate or delayed composite resin filling on dentinal microtensile bond strength (microTBS) after applied the adhesive. The coronal dentin of human third molars was exposed. Single-Bond or One-Step was applied on the dentin surfaces, and composite resin were constructed immediately (group 1) or 5 min., 10 min., 15 min., 20 min. and 30 min. (groups 2-6) after an adhesive was applied. The specimens were sectioned and made bar-shaped. Each surface area of them was about 1mm2. The microTBS test was performed by EZ test. The results were analysed by One-way ANOVA and Tukey's test at 95% significance level. The results suggested that the microTBS of Single-Bond to dentin was decreased when the composite resin was constructed 20 min. and 30 min. after Single-Bond was applied. But the microTBS of One-Step was not affected by delayed composite resin filling.
Adhesives ; Dentin ; Humans ; Molar, Third

This study evaluated the microleakage and interfacial gap between enamel and composite resin under the dry and wet condition of the enamel surface. V shaped class 5 cavities were prepared on the occlusal portion of extracted human molars. Samples were divided into three groups: D group (air dry for 10-15 s), BD group (blot dry with moist cotton pellet), and DR group (air dry for 10-15 s and rewet with Aqua-Prep F for 20 s). Cavities were filled using Aelitefil composite resin after applied One-Step. Microleakage was tested by 2% methylene blue dye solution and the data were statistically analysed by Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney test. Also Enamel-resin interface was observed under SEM. Group BD showed statistically lower microleakage than group D (p < 0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference between group BD and DR (p > 0.05). At the enamel-resin interface, group D showed the gap of 2 microm thickness, but group BD and DR showed close adaptation. In conclusion, the use of blot dry and rewetting agent (Aqua-Prep F) resulted in decreased microleakage and improved adhesion between enamel and resin when using One-Step.
Dental Enamel* ; Humans ; Methylene Blue ; Molar

This study evaluated the marginal microleakage of five single step adhesives. Class V cavity preparations with occlusal margins in enamel and gingival margins in dentin were prepared on both buccal and lingual surfaces of extracted human molar teeth. Prepared teeth were randomly divided into five groups and restored using one of the single step adhesives and composite resins: Prompt L-Pop/Filtek Z-250 (Group 1), AQ Bond/Metafil CX (Group 2), One-Up Bond F/Palfique Toughwell (Group 3), Futurabond/Admira (Group 4), Xeno III/Spectrum TPH (Group 5). The restored teeth were thermocycled. Microleakage was assessed by dye penetration using 2% methylene blue dye solution. The teeth were bisected buccolingually and evaluated for microleakage under steromicroscope. The data were statistically analysed by Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney tests. The results of this study were as follows; 1. Microleakage of enamel margins in group 3 was statistically higher than that in groups 1, 2, 4, 5 (p < 0.05). 2. Microleakage of dentin margins in group 1 was statistically higher than that in groups 2, 5, and that in group 3 was statistically higher than that in groups 2, 4, 5 (p < 0.05). 3. Dentin marginal microleakage was higher than enamel marginal microleakage in all experimental groups. In conclusion, Prompt L-Pop showed the least leakage at enamel margin, and AQ Bond showed at dentin margin in this study. Marginal miroleakage in dentin was higher than that in enamel.
Adhesives* ; Composite Resins ; Dental Enamel ; Dentin ; Humans ; Methylene Blue ; Molar ; Tooth

This study investigated that the effect of rewetting agent on dentinal microtensile bond strength (microTBS). Human molars were sectioned to expose the superficial dentin surfaces. Samples were divided into two groups according to type of adhesives-Single Bond (S) and One-Step (O)], and again subdivided into five groups by different dentin surface treatment-dry for 15s (D), blot dry (BD) or dry for 15s, and rewet with different rewetting agents [distilled water (DW), Gluma Desensitizer (GD) and Aqua-Prep (AP)] for 30s. After application of adhesive, composite resin was built up on the bonding surface. Each tooth was sectioned to obtain stick with 1 mm2 cross sectional area and the microTBS was determined by EZ test. In the S group, the mean microTBS of GD, AP and BD group was significantly higher than that of DW and D group (p < 0.05). In the O group, the mean microTBS of AP, GD, BD and DW group was significantly higher than that of D group (p < 0.05). The data suggested that Gluma Desensitizer and Aqua-Prep could be successfully used as rewetting agents, and Distilled water could be acceptable in aceton based adhesive system only.
Adhesives ; Dentin* ; Humans ; Molar ; Tooth ; Water

This study evaluated the influence of application time of self-etching primers on microtensile bond strength (microTBS) to dentin using three self-etching primer adhesive systems. Dentin surfaces were exposed from forty-eight human molars. They were conditioned with three self-etching primers (Clearfil SE Bond [SE], Unifil Bond [UF], Tyrian SPE + One Step Plus [TY]) and different primining times (10s, 20s, 30s and 40s). Composite resins were bonded to dentin surfaces and specimens were made. microTBS was tested and statistically compared using by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's Test The results of this study presented that priming time for 10s in SE and UF groups and for 30s and 40s in TY group was highly decreased microTBS to dentin.
Adhesives ; Composite Resins ; Dentin* ; Humans ; Molar

The purpose of this study was to compare the microhardness and the fluoride content of enamel and dentin around fluoride- or non fluoride-containing restorations. Forty extracted human teeth were used and prepared cervical cavities on proximal surface. Experimental teeth were divided into five groups. Group 1 : Prime & Bond NT and Z100, Group 2 : Prime & Bond NT and F2000, Group 3 : Scotchbond Multi-Purpose and Z100, Group 4 : Scothcbond Multi-purpose and F2000, Group 5 : Fuji II LC. The cavities were filled with dentin adhesives and restorative materials. After each tooth was bisected, one half was tested microhardness and the other half was analyzed the fluoride at the enamel and dentin by an EPMA-WDX device. The results were as follows: 1. There was no statistical difference among the microhardness of enamel surface in all group. 2. The microhardness at dentin of 100 microm point in Group 2 and 20 microm point in Group 4 was lower than that of normal dentin (p>0.05). 3. There was no statistical difference among the fluoride content of enamel surface in all group. 4. The fluoride content at the dentin of 30 microm point in Group 2 and 5 were higher than those at 100 microm and 200 microm point in Group 2 and normal dentin (p<0.05). 5. At the dentin of 30 microm point, Group 2 showed higher fluoride content than Group 1 and 3, and Group 5 showed higher fluoride content than other groups.
Adhesives ; Dental Enamel ; Dentin ; Fluorides* ; Humans ; Tooth*

Video assisted thoracoscopic bullectomy has brought us the relief of postoperative pain and wound infection,cosmetically good results, short hospital admission and early return to society. Especially, we have tried to decrease operative wound minimally for better cosmetic results by using 2 mm videothoracoscope. From November 18, 1999 to April 19, 2000, we have performed 20 cases of video-assisted thoracoscopic bullectomy using 2 mm video-thoracoscope in primary spontaneous pneumothorax surgically indicated without conversion to open thoracotomy. Operative wound was almost similar to that in closed thoracostomy. The lesion of primary spontaneous pneumothorax was localized and pleural adhesion was absent or not severe. Thus, we cauld perform bullectomy using 2 mm videothoracoscope in primary spontaneous pneumothorax and decrease operative wound.
Pain, Postoperative ; Pneumothorax* ; Thoracoscopy ; Thoracostomy ; Thoracotomy ; Wounds and Injuries

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effectiveness of scalp acupuncture (SA), a modern acupuncture technique specialized to neurological disorders, in managing motor function and symptoms for Parkinson's disease (PD) patients.

METHODSTwo independent reviewers extracted data from all of the randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that assessed the efficacy of SA for PD compared with conventional therapies (CTs). Sixteen electronic databases were searched. The risk of bias was appraised with the Cochrane Collaboration tool, and the reporting of the included studies was evaluated by the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) 2010 checklist and the revised Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA) guidelines.

RESULTSIn total, 4 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. As assessed by the Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS), 2 RCTs showed that SA combined with CTs proved superior to CTs alone [60 cases; weighted mean difference, -3.94; 95% confidence interval (CI), -6.05 to -1.84, P=0.01; I(2) =0%]. Based on the Webster scale, however, 3 RCTs showed no superior effect of SA when combined with CTs with high heterogeneity (154 cases; risk ratio, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.79 to 2.12, P=0.30; I(2) =84%). The Cochrane risk of bias, adherence to the CONSORT and the STRICTA checklist showed that the quality of all the included RCTs was generally low.

CONCLUSIONSThe result of our systematic review and meta-analysis suggested that the effectiveness of SA for PD is promising, however, the evidence is not convincing. A sham-controlled RCT design that adheres to the CONSORT and STRICTA guidelines to overcome methodological weakness and that includes a large sample size is strongly recommended to confirm the precise effect of SA on PD.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Parkinson Disease ; therapy ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Scalp ; pathology ; Treatment Outcome

Primary cardiac myxosarcoma is extremely rare, which is uncommon in primary cardiac tumors. We report a primary cardiac myxosarcoma in a 40-year-old female patient who was admitted to the hospital because of exertional dyspnea and palpitation. The patient underwent emergency operation immediately after the intracardiac (left atrium) tumor was discovered by an echocardiography. Palliative tumor removal was done and final pathologic diagnosis was primary cardiac myxosarcoma. She was discharged without complications.
Adult ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Echocardiography ; Emergencies ; Female ; Heart Neoplasms ; Humans ; Myxoma ; Myxosarcoma*