No abstract available.
Pneumocephalus*

Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa is a rare, chronic non-inflammatory bullous disease, which easily forms bullae by minor mechanical trauma or spontaneously, is inherited either in an autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive fashion. We report herein two cases which presented with bullae, erosions and ulcers on extremities, buttock, chest, abdomen and face and loss of all nail since birth in two sisters. Bulla occured bencath the basal lamina histopathologically, anchoring fibrils were almost absent on electron miaoscopy in both cases. The two sisters represented dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa considering the absence of family history inheritcd in an autosomal dominant fashion and the clinical, histological and electronmicroscopic findings.
Abdomen ; Basement Membrane ; Buttocks ; Epidermolysis Bullosa Dystrophica* ; Extremities ; Humans ; Parturition ; Siblings* ; Thorax ; Ulcer

No abstract available.
Neck Dissection* ; Neck*

PURPOSE: N-(3-[18F]Fluoroporpy)-2beta- carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-iodophenyl) nortropane ([18F]FP-CIT) has been shown to be very useful for imaging the dopamine transporter. However, synthesis of this radiotracer is some what troublesome. In this study, we used a new method for the preparation of [18F]FP-CIT to increase radiochemical yield and effective specific activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: [18F]FP-CIT was prepared by N-alkylation of nor-beta-CIT (2 mg) with 3-bromo-l-[18F]fluoropropane in the presence of Et3N (5-6 drops of DMF/CH3CN, 140 degree C, 20 min). 3-Bromo-l-[18F]fluoropropane was synthesized from 5 microliter of 3-bromo-l-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxypropane (3-bromopropyl -l-triflate) and nBu4N18F at 80 degree C. The final compound was purified by reverse phase HPLC and formulated in 13% ethanol in saline. RESULTS: 3-Bromo-l-[18F]fluoropropane was obtained from 3-bromopropyl-l-triflate and nBu4N18F in 77-80% yield. N-Alkylation of nor-beta-CIT with 3-bromo-l-[18F]fluoropropane was carried out at 140 degree C using acetonitrile containing a small volume of DMF as the solvents. The overall yield of [18F]FP-CIT was 5-10% (decay-corrected) with a radiochemical purity higher than 99% and effective specific activity higher than the one reported in the literature based on their HPLC data. The final [18F]FP-CIT solution had the optimal pH (7.0) and it was pyrogen-free. CONCLUSION:: In this study, 3-bromopropyl-l-triflate was used as the precursor for the [18F]fluorination reaction and new conditions were developed for purification of [18F]FP-CIT by HPLC. We established this new method for the preparation of [18F]FP-CIT, which gave high effective specific activity and relatively good yield.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins* ; Dopamine* ; Ethanol ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Solvents

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical significance of abnormal bronchi originating from the trachea or main bronchi. METHODS: 21 patients (male:female ratio, 13:8; mean age, 58.2 years, range 34-77), who were diagnosed with major tracheobronchial anomalies by bronchoscopy from January 2001 to March 2005, were enrolled in this study. The anomalous bronchi consisted of 13 tracheal bronchi and 8 cardiac accessory bronchus. The clinical features, bronchoscopic findings, and outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Common symptoms, including hemoptysis, cough and dyspnea, resulted from the underlying lung disease regardless of the bronchial anomalies. In this series of 13 tracheal bronchi, 7 cases originated from the trachea within 1cm of the carina (carinal type) and 6 cases originated at a higher level(tracheal type). Most patients had favorable outcome with conservative treatment for the underlying lung disease. CONCLUSION: Most tracheobronchial anomalies are found incidentally in the process of diagnosing lung disease. The clinical outcome of patients with a bronchial anomaly depends on the underlying lung disease.
Bronchi* ; Bronchoscopy ; Cough ; Dyspnea ; Hemoptysis ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; Retrospective Studies ; Trachea*

Craniopharyngioma is one of the most challenging, Frustrating, and humbling benign intracranial tumors of childhood. Its behavior is a clinical malignancy even though it is benign tumor in microscopically. There is no single treatment of craniopharyngioma and there must be a plan customized for eacg patient. This decision may, be made from diagnostic studies alone, but in most cases exploration of the tumor and the testing of its adherence to its surroundings will be the only thorough and fair way to determine whether it can be totally excised or not. So the choice of treatment is "individualize". We experienced one case of giant cystic craniopharyngioma and performed combined operaion whih were percutaneous intermittent drainage of cystic fluid through Ommaya reservoir and following microsurgical radial excision. There was no complication and marked intellectual and psychological improvement until todays for 20 months.
Craniopharyngioma ; Drainage* ; Humans

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The transmission properties of the middle ear directly influence otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) which are transmitted from the cochlea to the ear canal via middle ear. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of middle ear effusion (MEE) on detectability of various OAEs and to assess the potential applicability of DPOAE measurements in monitoring the middle ear status. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAEs), transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were recorded for 44 normal ears and 32 ears with MEE. DPOAEs were collected in two basic forms consisting of distortion product audiograms(DPgrams) and input-output (I-O) functions, elicited by two primary tones fl and f2 with varying geometric mean frequencies between 1-6 kHz. RESULTS: SOAEs were absent in 21 ears of 32 ears with MEE, TEOAEs were diminished in 28 ears with MEE, and DPgrams were eliminated in 17 ears with MEE. I-O function curves at 3 kHz and 4 kHz were significantly diminished by equal levels of fl and f2 primary tones of 45 & 55 dB SPL under the condition of MEE (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that MEE affects the detectability of various OAEs and that the DP I-O function curve measurement at 3 and 4 kHz may be valuable to monitor the middle ear status in pediatric patients.
Cochlea ; Ear ; Ear Canal ; Ear, Middle* ; Humans ; Otitis Media with Effusion* ; Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous

Herniation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) into the external auditory canal (EAC) has been reported to occur spontaneously or as a result of trauma, neoplasia, infection, or inflammatory processes. It was postulated that spontaneous herniations were attributable to a patent foramen of Huschke, which represents a non-ossified portion of the tympanic plate. Eight cases of spontaneous herniation of the TMJ into the EAC were reported internationally. Recently, we experienced a case of a patent foramen of Huschke confirmed during a tympanoplasty. We reviewed the intimate relation of the TMJ to the temporal bone as well as the characteristic location, clinical and radiographic findings of a patent foramen of Huschke.
Ear Canal ; Temporal Bone ; Temporomandibular Joint ; Tympanoplasty*

BACKGROUND: Cases of low-energy-induced distal radius fracture (DRF) are increasing. Sarcopenia is considered to be an independent risk factor for fragility fractures. We compared body appendicular lean muscle mass (ALM) and bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with DRF and a comparable control population. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between skeletal muscle mass and DRF. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients diagnosed with fragility DRF. The DRF group included 87 patients treated at our institute. The control group comprised data for 87 individuals in the general population from among 2,124 selected using nearest-neighbor propensity scoring, based on age, weight, height, and body mass index. All medical conditions and past history were also compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The relative overall ALM, combining arm and leg lean body mass divided by height squared, was not significantly different (DRF group, 6.093 kg/m²; controls, 5.945 kg/m²). T-score, a parameter of BMD, was significantly different between groups (DRF, −2.42; controls, −2.05). The proportion of patients with osteoporosis was significantly different (DRF, 44 [50.6%] vs. control, 29 [33.3%], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with DRF did not have significantly lower average lean body mass. BMD was significantly lower in patients with DRF than in controls.
Arm ; Body Mass Index ; Bone Density ; Humans ; Leg ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Osteoporosis ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; Propensity Score* ; Radius Fractures* ; Radius* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Sarcopenia*

Optimal treatments for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are still limited and their prognosis remains dismal. Yet, there have been rare cases that have shed light on longer survival in these patients assisted by various treatments. This paper aims to present an extraordinary case of far advanced HCC that had been properly managed in spite of continuous recurrence. A patient visited the hospital with a ruptured large HCC with main portal vein tumor thrombosis but survived longer than 14 years owing to active and prompt interventions.