PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of MR imaging in assessing the response of carcinomas of the uterinecervix to the combined therapy of interferon alpha-2a, 13-cis-retinoic acid and radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients with untreated, locally advanced squamous cell cervical carcinoma were treated for eight weeks with 13-cis-retinoic acid plus interferon alpha-2a and radiotherapy. Axial and sagittal T1-weighted spin echo and fast spin echo MR images were obtained before and after treatment, using a 1.5-T MR scanner. MR images were correlated with biopsy findings. In each patient, pre- and post-treatment images were prospectively analyzed andcompared. RESULTS: In all patients, tumor volume could be calculated by three dimensional measurement on MR images. Initial response to the combined therapy was complete in eight patients, partial in four and progressivein one. Evidence of tumor recurrence was noted in two patients during the follow-up period. MR images correlated well with biopsy findings. CONCLUSION: MR imaging is useful in the evaluation of tumor response to the combined biologic and radiation therapy, which can be an effective first-line therapy against locally advanced squamouscell carcinoma of the cervix.
Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cervix Uteri* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Interferons* ; Isotretinoin ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Prospective Studies ; Radiotherapy ; Recurrence ; Tumor Burden

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of heat treatment on mechanical properties in 0.016" x 0.022" blue Elgiloy wires and to measure the amounts of nickel and chromium released from the wires in artificial saliva. Ultimate tensile strength, yield strength and elongation were measured with universal testing machine (Instron). and the amounts of nickel and chromium released from the sample were measured with atomic absorption spectrophotometer after one week immersion in the artificial saliva. Ultimate tensile strength and yield strength were progressively increased below 1000degreesF, but elongation was decreased. And the results were reversed above 1100degreesF. After heat treatment of the sample for 9 minutes at 1000degreesF, the maximum tensile strength and yield strength were 213.6kg/mm2, 140.1kg/mm2, respectively. Both tensile strength and yield strength were decreased progressively above 1100degreesF. Elongation was appeared the minimum value (8.6%) after heat treatment for 9 minutes and 12 minutes at 1000degreesF. There was a pronounced increase in nickel and chromium liberation with increasing time and temperature. The maximum amounts of nickel and chromium released form the sample were 4.947microgram/cm2, 3.088microgram/cm2, respectively after heat treatment for 12 minutes at 1300degreesF. Heat treatment is applied to orthodontic wires, especially cobalt-chromium alloys, for the purpose of stress-relievning and hardening. When the heat-treatment of orthodontic wires, the heating procedure should be well controlled in order to have no effect on corrosion resistance and mechanical properties.
Absorption ; Chromium ; Chromium Alloys ; Corrosion ; Heating ; Hot Temperature* ; Immersion ; Nickel ; Orthodontic Wires ; Saliva, Artificial ; Tensile Strength

We had a retrospective study for taumatic fracture of spines with simple X-ray and CT. During the period of 2years from June 1983, the radiological and clinical evaluation had been made on 36 patients suffered from traumatic fracture of spines which were confiremd by the radilgocial examination. The results were as follows; 1.Among 36 patients, single spinal injury was 26 cases(72.2%), multiple level injuries was 10 cases(27.7%). 2. Levelof spinal injuries were as follows; Most frequent site was thoracolumbar junction (T11-L2) in 19 cases(52.7%), andlower cervical spine(C3-C7) in 9 cases(25%). 3. Simple fracture was in 15 cases(41.6%), burst fractures was in 21cases(58%). Neurologic symptoms were appeared in 11 cases(52%) in 21 cases of burst fractures. 4. Manifestationsof spinal canal narrowing: 2 of 15 cases in simple fracture, all of 21 cases of burst fractures,and we were foundexactly posterior element fractures with CT, which were difficult to detect with simple X-ray film. 5. Multiplanar reconstruction images were more favorable to detect the distraction of facet joint, fracture through the vertebralendplate, subluxation and kyphosis, which were difficult to detect with axial CT images.
Humans ; Kyphosis ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Canal ; Spinal Fractures ; Spinal Injuries ; Spine ; X-Ray Film ; Zygapophyseal Joint

Dermoid is a kind of choristoma and rare congenital benign tumor. It is ugly in appearance and especially dermoid appears at corneal limbus. The above 2 cases which we report invade cornea and it is especially giant compared with the report which has been reported untill now.
Choristoma ; Cornea ; Dermoid Cyst* ; Limbus Corneae

PURPOSE: To assess the accuracy of MR cholangiography(MRC) in the diagnosis of cholelithiasis, and to determine interobserver agreement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March and September 1999, 43 consecutive patients with biliary obstruction [24 men and 19 women aged 25 -85 (mean, 58) years] underwent MRC using the single-shot fast spin-echo technique. Heavily T2-weighted source images(axial and coronal) 3 -5 mm thick and 12 projection images with 15- degree rotation and 5-cm thickness were obtained. All images were reviewed blindly and indepen-dently by two radiologists specialized in the interpretation of abdominal imaging information. Choledocholithiasis was evaluated in eight segments of the intrahepatic duct(IHD), extrahepatic duct(EHD) and gall bladder lumen. Final diagnosis was established on the basis of operative (n=31) and other radiological (n=12) findings. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the MRC findings were assessed, and using kappa measurement (cross-table analysis,SPSS Windows for 8.0), interobserver agreement was determined. RESULTS: Thirty of the 43 patients, had choledocholithiasis (IHD stones in 7 cases, EHD stones in 15, and GB stones in 18). For radiologist 1, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 86%, 100% and 98%, respectively, in the diagnosis of IHD stones; 100%, 89% and 93%, respectively, in the diagnosis of EHD stones; and 81%, 96% and 91%, respectively, in the diagnosis of GB stones. For radiologist 2, the corresponding figures were 86%, 94% and 93% (1HD stones); 87%, 89% and 88% (EHD stones); and 81%, 86% and 84% (GB stones). Interobserver agreement for the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis was excellent in all cases. The kappa mesurement was 0.91 for 1HD stones, 0.77 for EHD stones, and 0.70 for GB stones. CONCLUSION: MRC is an excellent imaging modality for the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis, and interobserver agreement was also excellent.
Cholangiography* ; Choledocholithiasis ; Cholelithiasis* ; Diagnosis* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Urinary Bladder

No abstract available.
Bone Marrow* ; Head* ; Neck*

Anticancer effect and complications were evaluated after transcatheter arterial embolization(TAE) in 12patients with hepatocellular carcinoma until 2 weeks and 4 weeks after TAE, respectively. The results were asfollows: 1. Serum alpha-fetoprotein value decreased in 7 out of 9 patients wih high value prior to TAE. 2. Loss ofenhancement and better definition on enhanced CT were seen in the tumors in all cases, and low-density areas in9/10 . Gas bubbles were seen in low-density areas in 4/10 and highdensity area caused by lipiodol in 6/10. 3.Post-embolization syndrome was develped in most patients but improved clinically within a week after TAE. 4. Onlaboratory examination, impairment of liver function was developed in most patients but improved within 4 weeksafter TAE. 5. Complications on CT included splenic infarction and thickening of wall of the gallbladder, whichdidn't require specific treatment. The authors conclude that TAE for hepatocellular carcinoma reveals apparentanticancer effect on shortterm evaluation, and resultant complications are transient and improved by conservativetreatment.
alpha-Fetoproteins ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Ethiodized Oil ; Gallbladder ; Humans ; Liver ; Splenic Infarction

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), a new and potentially curative method for treating gastrointestinal neoplasms, may have longer procedure time and the risk of complications when compared to conventional endoscopic mucosal resection. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of ESD in patients with comorbid diseases. METHODS: The outcomes of 337 patients who underwent ESD for early gastric cancer at Samsung Medical Center from April 2003 to December 2006 were analyzed retrospectively. The Charlson comorbidity scale was used to divide the patients into low-risk (no risk factor) and high-risk (at least one risk factor) groups. The outcomes and complications were compared between the high- and low-risk groups. RESULTS: The low- and high-risk groups comprised 240 and 97 patients with mean ages of 61.1 and 64.7 years, respectively (p=0.002). Tumor location, tumor size, depth of invasion, procedure duration, and rates of en bloc resection, complete resection, complication, and recurrence did not differ significantly between the two groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ESD may be a safe and effective treatment for early gastric cancer in patients with comorbid diseases.
Comorbidity ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms

BACKGROUND/AIMS: When undergoing endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) may suffer from a high risk of bleeding, bacteremia and tissue vulnerability. There have been few reports evaluating the efficacy and safety of ESD in patients with LC. METHODS: From January 2004 to March 2010, 23 patients with LC (cirrhosis group) underwent ESD for superficial gastric neoplastic lesions. The number of patients with a liver function in the Child-Pugh classes A and B were 20 and 3, respectively. The clinical outcomes and complications were compared with 69 patients without LC (control group) that were matched for age and sex. RESULTS: The en bloc resection, R0 resection and en bloc plus R0 resection rates of the cirrhosis group were 82.6%, 91.3%, and 82.6%, respectively, and did not show significant differences from the rates of the control group. No local recurrence was found in either group during the follow-up period. The procedure length of time (41.0 vs 39.0 minutes), rate of bleeding (4.3% vs 7.2%) and rate of perforation (0.0% vs 1.4%) in the cirrhosis group were also comparable to the results from the control group. CONCLUSIONS: ESD was safely performed in patients with LC, and satisfactory outcomes were achieved with high en bloc and R0 resection rates for superficial gastric neoplastic lesions.
Bacteremia ; Fibrosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Second-look endoscopy is performed to check for the possibility of post-endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) bleeding and to perform prophylactic hemostasis in most hospitals; however, there is little evidence about the efficacy of second-look endoscopy. We investigated whether second-look endoscopy after ESD is useful in the prevention of post-ESD bleeding. METHODS: A total of 550 lesions with gastric epithelial neoplasms in 502 patients (372 men and 130 women) were treated with ESD between August 18, 2009 and August 18, 2010. After the exclusion of three lesions of post-ESD bleeding within 24 hours, 547 lesions (335 early gastric cancers and 212 gastric adenomas) were included for the final analysis. RESULTS: The occurrence rate of delayed post-ESD bleeding was not significantly different between the second-look group and the no second-look group (1% vs 2.5%, p>0.05). The only predictor of delayed bleeding was tumor size, regardless of second-look endoscopy after ESD (22.8+/-9.87 vs 15.1+/-10.47, p<0.05). There was no difference between the prophylactic hemostasis and nonprophylactic hemostasis groups, including the occurrence rate of delayed bleeding. In the second-look group with prophylactic hemostasis, the hospital stay was more prolonged than in the second-look group without prophylactic hemostasis, but there was no significant difference (p=0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Second-look endoscopy to prevent delayed bleeding after ESD provides no significant medical benefits.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Gastrectomy/adverse effects ; Gastric Mucosa/surgery ; *Gastroscopy ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Hemorrhage/*diagnosis/etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Second-Look Surgery ; Stomach/pathology/surgery ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology/*surgery ; Time Factors