The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlations between tumor-to-background ratio (TBR) obtained from breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI) and the prognostic factors of breast cancer. Sixty-seven patients with invasive ductal carcinoma who underwent preoperative BSGI were enrolled. The BSGI images were visually scored from 1 to 5 according to a breast imaging reporting and data system (BIRADS). The TBR results obtained from positive BSGI images were compared according to the following prognostic factors: tumor size; axillary lymph node metastasis; nuclear grade (NG); histologic grade (HG); subtype; Ki-67; and the expression profile of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Among 67 images, 60 were classified as a positive finding (sensitivity 89.6%). A higher TBR value was significantly correlated with tumor size ≥ 2 cm (P = 0.001), axillary lymph node metastasis (P = 0.007), high HG (P = 0.029), negative PR status (P = 0.036), and Ki-67 ≥ 14% (P = 0.007). The TBR showed a significant difference between the luminal A and non-luminal A subtypes (P = 0.007). On multivariate analysis, TBR had a high correlation with tumor size ≥ 2 cm, axillary lymph node metastasis, and negative PR status (P = 0.003, 0.048, and 0.030, respectively). A high TBR on BSGI was significantly correlated with poor prognostic factors of breast cancer. Luminal A subtype, a breast cancer subtype with more favorable prognosis, was associated with a low TBR on BSGI.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Estrogens ; Humans ; Information Systems ; Lymph Nodes ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Phenobarbital ; Prognosis ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Receptors, Progesterone

No abstract available.

PURPOSE: A cranioremodeling helmet for correcting plagiocephaly was recently developed. However, no discrete objective methods to evaluate how the deformity is being corrected have been developed. We have established an easy and cost-effective method that can be used not only to show the correction process, but can also be used by physicians to assess the degree of plagiocephaly two-dimensionally. METHODS: For two-dimensional evaluation, a length of malleable memory wire (2 mm in diameter) resembling "Sun-Wukong's headband" was placed on the patient's head. The wire around the patient's head was positioned on a plane including points 1 cm above the eyebrow and 1 cm above the auricle. The wire was placed on a sheet of paper and the outline was marked using pens of various colors during each visit. The degree of plagiocephaly correction could then be shown to the patient's parents at every consultation. RESULTS: The method established by the present study easily shows the horizontal cross-section transformation of the head, illustrates plagiocephaly correction by the helmet, and shows the degree of correction in a two-dimensional manner. CONCLUSION: A soft-shell helmet is widely used for correcting plagiocephaly. However, evaluating the effectiveness of the helmet has been determined in a subjective manner, and a more objective method is now in demanded. Our study found that a "Sun-Wukong's headband" wire can accurately measure two-dimensional changes. Future studies will be required to identify landmarks needed for assessing plagiocephaly correction.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Eyebrows ; Head ; Head Protective Devices ; Humans ; Memory ; Parents ; Plagiocephaly ; Plagiocephaly, Nonsynostotic

The traditional treatment of nasal bone fracture is closed manual reduction. Disadvantage of the method arises from frequent recurrence and inaccurate correction because open method is nonused in anatomical result. In addition, since the interest about cosmetic problems rapidly rises, people who want aesthetic correction during reduction surgery are increasing. From June 2007 to June 2009, This study includes 121 patients who had been performed by correction of nasal bone fracture in our center. 98 out of 121 patients, were undergone with nasal tip plasty, septoplasty was done in 51 patients. Cartilage graft for augmentation rhinoplasty was performed in 36 patients. Average period of follow-up was 6 months and existence of complications such as nasal deviation, nasal obstruction, infection and etc were investigated. Reoperation was done in one patient who showed nasal obstruction, and patients who complained about other complications, such as nasal deviation, were observed. There is the need of more accurate reduction method than traditional non-invasive reduction maneuver, in order to reduce the occurrence of secondary deformation after nasal bone fracture. Hence the authors operated precise reduction by extended endonasal approach without columellar scar, and aesthetic correction rather than anatomical correction was done with variable cartilage if needed.
Cartilage ; Cicatrix ; Cosmetics ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Morinda ; Nasal Bone ; Nasal Obstruction ; Recurrence ; Reoperation ; Rhinoplasty ; Transplants

Up to this date, the forehead contouring augmentation surgery was perfomed with silicone or microfat graft. However, augmentation with silicone has given complications such as postoperative infection, extrusion, long linear scar, and displacement of implant. Moreover, augmentation using microfat graft often requires re-operation due to fat resorption. Surgical technique was performed in 10 patients from September 2008 to April 2009. Eight patients had macrogenia and two had prognathism. Particulated bone was harvested from squared mandibular bone. The particulated mandibular bone was then grafted on the frontal bone through a 2cm incision posteriorly to the midforehead line. As a result from the three-dimensional Computer Tomogram, the frontal bone was engrafted 6 months after the particulated bone graft. Even though, traditional concept using prothesis for forehead augmentation is still popular, the author suggests autologous augmentation can make better facial contour which is named as 'facial bone redistribution concept'. Facial bone redistribution concept is the distribution of residual bone(mandible or zygoma) to deficient area(frontal bone) to achieve better facial contour. To achieve better survival rate of bone, bone marrow stem cell and platelet rich plasma(PRP) should be applied in next study to increase the survival rate of particulated bone.
Blood Platelets ; Bone Marrow ; Bone Transplantation ; Cicatrix ; Displacement (Psychology) ; Facial Bones ; Forehead ; Frontal Bone ; Humans ; Mandible ; Prognathism ; Silicones ; Stem Cells ; Surgery, Plastic ; Survival Rate ; Transplants

PURPOSE: The laser processability of dental prosthesis is investigated using two ceramic composites, including 3M, Lava Ultimate and Ivoclar vivadent, IPS e.max. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CO₂ laser, picosecond laser and femtosecond laser are used to assess the processing power of dental prosthetic materials Lava Ultimate and IPS e.max and the line processing shape was measured using a confocal microscope. RESULTS: The brittleness, carbonization and micro crack of the ceramic composite were influenced by heat accumulation of the material and could be controlled by the laser power and pulse time. CONCLUSION: In the case of CO₂ lasers, micro crack and carbonation occurred immediately, and in the picosecond laser processing, the micro cracks are partially improved, but the carbonization occurs continuously. Finally, we confirmed the high efficiency of laser processing with femtosecond laser. In particular, Lava Ultimate, a ceramic resin composite material, showed the best processability when processed using a femtosecond laser.
Carbon ; Ceramics* ; Dental Prosthesis ; Hot Temperature ; Lasers, Gas

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical usefulness of the transdermal scopolamine patch applied to control drooling of saliva in patients with cerebral palsy. METHOD: We enrolled twenty two patients with cerebral palsy residing in a rehabilitation center. The mean age of the patients was 24.0 years old. Transdermal scopolamine patch was applied to the patients for 2 weeks. We measured drooling quantity, severity of drooling, and visual analog scale of care givers' labor intensity at pre-application, post 1 week, and post 2 weeks. RESULTS: Drooling quantity decreased significantly from 4.1+/-1.9 ml to 2.8+/-1.5 ml at post 1 week (p<0.01), and 2.2+/-1.6 ml at post 2 weeks (p<0.01). Severity of drooling decreased from 4.1+/-0.8 to 2.9+/-1.1 at post 2 weeks (p<0.01). Visual analog scale of care givers' labor intensity decreased from 78.2+/-17.4 (mm) to 52.7+/-18.6 at post 1 week (p<0.01), and 45.9+/-22.8 at post 2 weeks (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that the transdermal scopolamine patch is effective to reduce the drooling of saliva in patients with cerebral palsy within short term.
Cerebral Palsy ; Humans ; Rehabilitation Centers ; Saliva ; Scopolamine Hydrobromide ; Sialorrhea

Intraspinal gas collection is rare and also can be a cause of lumbar radiculopathy. Occasionally, the gas formation makes a severe pain which results from nerve root compression. We report a patient who had a radiculopathy caused by the gascontaining cyst in L3-L4 associated with severe spondylosis.
Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; Lumbosacral Region ; Radiculopathy ; Spondylosis

The management of thoraco-lumbar fractures remains controversial. Different authors have advocated immobilization, external bracing or internal fixation by either anterior or posterior approaches. To stabilize the fracture and avoid an unne cessary fixation of an uninjured segment, posterior monosegmental fixation was performed in Type B1 fractures according to the classification of Magerl et al, with nearly intact vertebral body for load support. Two patients underwent fixation with 4 titanium pedicle screws, one level above and directly into the fractured vertebra body. Patients had a stable fixation at 6 months following surgery. No patients experienced neurological deficit or had developed a delayed kyphotic deformity. Single level fixation for selected cases of thoracolumbar fracture(Type B1 fractures) may be considered as an effective procedure to obtain fixation and fusion. But it is necessary to get a further follow-up period, further cases and especially biomechanical support.
Braces ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Spine ; Titanium

We report here on an uncommon case of metastatic choriocarcinoma to the lung, brain and lumbar spine. A 33-year-old woman was admitted to the pulmonary department with headache, dyspnea and hemoptysis. There was a history of cesarean section due to intrauterine fetal death at 37-weeks gestation and this occurred 2 weeks before admission to the pulmonary department. The radiological studies revealed a nodular lung mass with hypervascularity in the left upper lobe and also a brain parenchymal lesion in the parietal lobe with marginal bleeding and surrounding edema. She underwent embolization for the lung lesion, which was suspected to be an arteriovenous malformation according to the pulmonary arteriogram. Approximately 10 days after discharge from the pulmonary department, she was readmitted due to back pain and progressive paraparesis. The neuroradiological studies revealed a hypervascular tumor occupying the entire L3 vertebral body and pedicle, and the tumor extended to the epidural area. She underwent embolization of the hypervascular lesion of the lumbar spine, and after which injection of polymethylmethacrylate in the L3 vertebral body, total laminectomy of L3, subtotal removal of the epidural mass and screw fixation of L2 and L4 were performed. The result of biopsy was a choriocarcinoma.
Adult ; Arteriovenous Malformations ; Back Pain ; Biopsy ; Brain ; Cesarean Section ; Choriocarcinoma ; Dyspnea ; Edema ; Female ; Fetal Death ; Headache ; Hemangioma ; Hemoptysis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Lung ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Paraparesis ; Parietal Lobe ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; Pregnancy ; Spine