PURPOSE: To characterize the MRI appearance of the peripherally located schwannoma as compared with pathologic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 11 cases of 13 lesions of the schwannoma confirmed by pathology were analyzed, retrospectively. T11 T2 and Gadolinium-enhanced T1 weighted sagittal and axial images were obtained. The signal intensity, contour of lesion, and relationship with surrounding tissue were analyzed. All cases were correlated with MRI and pathologic findings. RESULTS: In 9 out of the 11 cases, schwannoma was connected to the main nerve trunk. Among them, tumors were located centrally in 6 cases and eccentrically in 3 cases. MR findings of schwannoma were iso signal intensity on T1WI(8 cases) with muscle intensity, high signal intensity on T2WI(all cases), strong heterogenous enhancement in all cases. 8 cases showing heterogenous appearance on T2WI, showed mixture of Antoni-A and B area and multifocal hemorrhage. Central low and peripheral high signal intensity on T2Wl(Target sign) was mainly high cellular component in the central portion and diffuse myxoid degeneration at the periphery, pathologically. Reversed target appea.rance(central high, peripheral low on T2WI) revealed central cystic degeneration with low cellular component and hemorrhage in the central portion, and high cellular component at the periphery. Linear band-like low signal intensity on T2WI, suggesting capsule of the schwannoma, was not the true capsule proven by pathology. Thin true capsule was not visualized on T2WI. CONCLUSION: MR appearance of schwannoma was non-specific. The signal intensity on T2 weighted MR imaging was determined by the presence of multifocal hemorrhage, focal cystic and myxoid degeneration, admixture of Antoni-A and B area.
Hemorrhage ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Neurilemmoma* ; Pathology ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To characterize the MRI appearance of the peripherally located schwannoma as compared with pathologic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 11 cases of 13 lesions of the schwannoma confirmed by pathology were analyzed, retrospectively. T11 T2 and Gadolinium-enhanced T1 weighted sagittal and axial images were obtained. The signal intensity, contour of lesion, and relationship with surrounding tissue were analyzed. All cases were correlated with MRI and pathologic findings. RESULTS: In 9 out of the 11 cases, schwannoma was connected to the main nerve trunk. Among them, tumors were located centrally in 6 cases and eccentrically in 3 cases. MR findings of schwannoma were iso signal intensity on T1WI(8 cases) with muscle intensity, high signal intensity on T2WI(all cases), strong heterogenous enhancement in all cases. 8 cases showing heterogenous appearance on T2WI, showed mixture of Antoni-A and B area and multifocal hemorrhage. Central low and peripheral high signal intensity on T2Wl(Target sign) was mainly high cellular component in the central portion and diffuse myxoid degeneration at the periphery, pathologically. Reversed target appea.rance(central high, peripheral low on T2WI) revealed central cystic degeneration with low cellular component and hemorrhage in the central portion, and high cellular component at the periphery. Linear band-like low signal intensity on T2WI, suggesting capsule of the schwannoma, was not the true capsule proven by pathology. Thin true capsule was not visualized on T2WI. CONCLUSION: MR appearance of schwannoma was non-specific. The signal intensity on T2 weighted MR imaging was determined by the presence of multifocal hemorrhage, focal cystic and myxoid degeneration, admixture of Antoni-A and B area.
Hemorrhage ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Neurilemmoma* ; Pathology ; Retrospective Studies

It is now generally accepted that most, if not all, colon cancers originate within previously benign adenomas. Endoscopic polyp resection and regular follow up endoscopic examination are essential for prevention of carcinoma fro benign adenoma. However, small colorectal polyps are difficult to recognize during follow up endoscopic examinations because of the lack of reliable endoscopic landmarkers. Endoscopic Indiaink marking of the colon was first described by Ponsky and King in l975. The method has subsequently been advocated by expert as the best available means to mark the site of a colonic lesion. We prospectively studied the effectiveness of India ink as a long term colonic mucosal marker. Twelve patients who were diagnosed as colorectal polyp had a India ink marking with standard sclerotherapy needle. All patients who were followed at 6 months interval (mean duration 13 months) continue to display intensely stained mucosa at the original sites. No side effects or complications were encountered. India ink appears to be a safe and effective long term marker for colonic mucosal lesions.
Adenoma ; Colon* ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; India* ; Ink* ; Mucous Membrane* ; Needles ; Polyps ; Prospective Studies ; Sclerotherapy

No abstract available.
Wernicke Encephalopathy*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aims of this study are to clarify the morphology of fundic gland polyp (FGP) and to compare the features of FGP between familial adenomatous polyposis-associated group and sporadic development group. METHODS: A total of 15 endo- scopic biopsy specimens of FGP from 13 patients were divided into three groups; Group A(3 cases; familial adenomatous polyposis family, multiple FGPs), Group B(3 cases; sporadic development, multiple FGPs) and Group C(7 cases; sporadic development, single FGP), and their endoseopic /microscopic features including mucin histochemistry and immunohistoc- hemistty(for PCNA) were compared. RESULTS: FGPs were confined to the gastric body and fundus in all 3 groups, and measured 2-8 mm. Their numbers varied even in Group A and Group B, The difference was observed in their median age: 26 years in Group A and 55 years in Group B, respectively, but there were no differences in endoscopic, histologic, mucin histochemical and immunohistochemical(for PCNA) features. Micro-scopically, all FGPs were composed of fundic glands and scattered microcysts with a spectrum of disordered glandular architecture which ranged from convoluted gland to Y-shaped gland, to stellateshaped gland, and to irregular tortuous glancl with dilated lumen. CONCLUSIONS: We assume that diversity af morphologic features of FGP may develop from progression of hyperplastic/hamartomatous fundic glandular proliferation which may end up with microcyst formation as an evolutional change. Familial adenomatous polyosis-associated FGPs were not endoscopically and histologically distingishable from sporadic deveoped FGPs.
Adenomatous Polyposis Coli* ; Biopsy ; Esophagus* ; Humans ; Intestines* ; Mucins ; Polyps* ; Stomach*

No abstract available.
Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Venous Thrombosis

BACKGROUND: Serum eosinophil cationic protein(ECP) level has been proposed as a indirect marker of eosinophilic inflammation of the airway in bronchial asthma. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate serum ECP against indirect clinical markers of disease, we compared bronchial obstruction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and peripheral blood eosinophil counts, total IgE with serum ECP levels in patients with bronchial asthma and normal controls. METHOD: Fourty-two patients with bronchial asthma and twenty-six normal controls were enrolled. Measurement were made by spirometry, inhalation challenge with methacholine, peripheral blood eosinophil counts, total IgE and FEIA(fluoroenzymatic immunoassay) of serum ECP RESULT: Serum ECP levels were significantly higher in asthmatic patients than normal controls(p<0.0,5). Serum ECP levels were correlated with peripheral blood eosinophil counts(p<0.01, r=0.544) and bronchial hyperresponsiveness(PC,)(p<0.01, r=-0.456) in patients with bronchial asthma. Serum ECP levels were correlated with degree of bronchial obstruction(FEV, % to predicted value, FEV1/FVC%) in total subjects, but not in asthmatic patients. CONCLUSION: Serum ECP level may be used as indicator of disease activity in bronchial asthma and be helpful in differentiation between normal person and asthmatic patients on simple serological method. Further studies on the changes of serum ECP levels according to disease course and therapeutic responses are needed.
Asthma* ; Biomarkers ; Eosinophil Cationic Protein* ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Inflammation ; Inhalation ; Methacholine Chloride ; Spirometry

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and patent foramen ovale (PFO) are established sources of cardioembolism. We investigated differences in stroke outcome and patterns between PFO and AF. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the medical records and brain MR images of patients with AF or PFO from the prospective acute stroke and transient ischemic attack registry. Infarct pattern and volume on diffusion-weighted imaging, and the national institutes of health stroke scale (NIHSS) on admission were compared between patients with AF and PFO. RESULTS: From June 2005 to July 2008, a total of 289 subjects were enrolled (AF group, n=156; PFO group, n=133). Infarct pattern analyzed with MR images revealed that multiple vascular territorial infarction was more prevalent in AF group than in PFO group (26.9% vs. 8.3%, P<0.01). A probable cardiac embolism, radiologically defined as territorial infarction without symptomatic steno-occlusion of the corresponding artery, was more frequently documented in AF group than in PFO group (71.8% vs. 41.4%, P<0.01) The infarct volume of PFO was smaller than that of AF. Compared to AF, PFO was associated with the mild neurologic deficit (NIHSS< or =3) after adjusting age, sex and previous stroke history. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that AF and PFO had different characteristics such as infarct patterns and initial clinical severity although both are classified as cardioembolism.
Arteries ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Brain ; Embolism ; Foramen Ovale, Patent ; Humans ; Infarction ; Ischemic Attack, Transient ; Medical Records ; National Institutes of Health (U.S.) ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke

PURPOSE: The expression of Nitric oxide Synthase (NOS) and aquaporin (AQP) water channels in rat bladder is recently reported. The aim of this study is to evaluate the expression of inducible NOS (iNOS), aquaporin-3 (AQP-3) in cyclophosphamide (CYP) induced rat bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 32 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into cystitis group (n=20) and control group (n=12). In cystitis group, 100mg/kg CYP was injected every second day for 1 week whereas in control group, normal saline was injected. After extracting of the bladder and dividing dome, body and trigone of the bladder, independently H&E staining and immunohistochemical staining for iNOS and AQP-3 were performed. Expressions of iNOS and AQP-3 were analyzed with a confocal laser scanning microscope and an image analyzer. RESULTS: The expression of iNOS significantly increased in the mucosa, submucosa layer of dome in cystitis group (p<0.05). The expression of AQP-3 significantly increased in the mucosa, submucosa, vessel layer of dome in cystitis group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that inflammatory change activates NOS and AQP-3 expression in the bladder tissue of rats. These may imply that NOS and AQP-3 have a pathophyiological role in the cyclophophamide induced interstitial cystitis. Further study on the NOS and AQP-3 in bladder is needed for clinical application.
Animals ; Aquaporins ; Cyclophosphamide ; Cystitis ; Cystitis, Interstitial ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Mucous Membrane ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Urinary Bladder

PURPOSE: No tumor-specific markers for gastric cancer are currently known, although various tumor markers have been utilized. CEA, CA19-9 and AFP are the most commonly used tumor markers for gastric cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic significance of the preoperative CEA, CA19-9 and AFP levels in patients with gastric cancer. METHODS: A total of 366 patients who underwent curative surgery for gastric cancer were analyzed. The clinicopathologic characteristics and disease-free survival rate of the patients were compared between the positive and negative CEA, CA19-9 and AFP groups of patients, respectively. Also, the prognostic significance of each tumor marker was assessed by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The CEA, CA19-9 and AFP levels were elevated in 14.2%, 7.9% and 19.1% of the patients, respectively. Serosal invasion and advanced cancer were more frequently found in the groups of patients who were positive for CEA and CA19-9 (P<0.05). More lymph node metastasis and an advanced tumor stage were found in the group of patients who were positive for CA19-9 (P<0.05). On univariate analysis, the disease-free survival rate was significantly lower in the CA19-9 positive group (P<0.05). Serosal invasion and lymph node metastasis were the only significant prognostic factors on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: CEA, CA19-9 and AFP have proved unhelpful for the early detection of gastric cancer due to the low positive rate. CEA and AFP have no prognostic significance and only CA19-9 can be useful for estimating the severity of gastric cancer and as a limited prognostic factor for gastric cancer patients.
Biomarkers, Tumor ; Disease-Free Survival ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Stomach Neoplasms