Three cases of chronic subdural hematoma superimposed on posttraumatic subdural hygroma are presented, with discussion of the development of the chronic subdural hematoma particularly. In all of these three cases the chronic subdural hematoma had occurred consequently to the posttraumatic subdural hygroma, but these diagnoses were done in variable periods of 20 days to 60 days. Therefore, it is suggested that the posttraumatic subdural hygroma have, at least, some relation to the genesis of the chronic subdural hematoma.
Diagnosis ; Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic* ; Subdural Effusion*

An analysis and CT findings in 21 adult patients of spontaneous intracerebral hematoma(SICH) mixed with CSF who were admitted to the Fatima Hospital from December 1986 to May 1989. The following results were obtained; 1) We could differentiated SICH that have inhomogenous density and thought that it is composed of blood, CSF and blood-CSF mixture. 2) Previously reported pathways that intracerebral hematoma rupture into the ventricle are caudate nucleus and thalamus but intracerebral hematoma can be mixed with CSF through the subarachnoid space of Sylvian fissure as an another route. 3) Intracerebral hematoma mixed with CSF was removed easily, safely and enoughly with simple aspiration method as like resoluted hematoma in subacute or chronic phase. 4) The prognosis of patients with SICH mixed with CSF was very good unlike to that of patients with pure intracerebral hematoma and/or ventricular hemorrhage.
Adult ; Caudate Nucleus ; Hematoma* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Rupture ; Subarachnoid Space ; Thalamus

The biopsy and cyst aspiration of central nervous lesions by computerized tomography(CT) scan has become a popular method. Authors can simply make a needle placement in deep intracranial hematomas, brain abscesses and cystic tumors by using U-loop with CT guided external markers. Our method is believed to deserve reporting in that it is easy, safe and less expensive.
Biopsy ; Brain Abscess ; Hematoma ; Needles* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

We conducted this study, to obtain basic data of lead concentrations in children of Ulsan industrial area and to evaluate the difference in blood lead levels between industrial area and suburban area. The study subjects were composed of 348 school children residing in industrial area and 100 school children of suburban area. There is no difference in age and sex distribution of study participants between industrial and suburban area. The obtained results were as follows: l. The geometric means of blood lead levels of study participants were 4.90 ng/dl, which is lower than current acceptable value 10 ng/dl. 2. The children residing in industrial area had the higher blood lead levels(5.26 ng/dl) than suburban children(3.81 ng/dl) with statistical significance(P<0.001).
Child* ; Humans ; Sex Distribution ; Ulsan*

OBJECTIVES: We conducted this study to obtain basic data of urinary levels of arsenic, cadmium, and zinc in children of Ulsan industrial area and to evaluate the difference in urinary levels of these metals between industrial area and suburban area. METHODS: The study subjects were composed of 348(male 182, female 166) school children residing in industrial area and 100(male 50, female 50) school children of suburban area. We analyzed urinary levels of arsenic, cadmium, and zinc using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. RESULTS: The geometric means of urinary levels of arsenic, cadmium, and zinc of study participants were 3.69, 0.99, 282.49 microgram/L respectively. The adjusted geometric means of urinary levels of arsenic, cadmium, and zinc of study participants were 3.92, 1.05, 299.92 microgram/g creatinine respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The children residing in industrial area had the higher urinary levels of arsenic and cadmium than suburban children with statistical significance(p<0.01).
Absorption ; Arsenic* ; Cadmium* ; Child* ; Creatinine ; Female ; Humans ; Metals ; Ulsan* ; Zinc*

Visual evoked potentials(VEPs) were recorded in 30 patients with multiple sclerosis who had been diagnosed and classified as definite(10), probable(15) and possible(5) MS by clinical criteria. This study was performed to detect clinically unsuspected lesions in optic nerves, to confirm the diagnosis, and then to reclassify the patient group. The incidence of abnormal VEPs in groups classified by clinical criteria as definite, probable and possible MS was 90%(9/10), 60%(9/15) and 20%(1/5) respectively. The overall incidence was 63.3%(19/30). Of the 16 patients who had not been suspected the lesions in optic nerves, six(37%) had abnormalities in VEPs. In consideration of the clinical and VEPs findings, the patient group was reclassified into 15(50%), 11(36.6%) and 4(13.7%) respectively. Six subjects shifted toward the next superior classification degree (probable-definite;5, possible-probable;1). In conclusion, the authors predict that in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis VEPs would be very useful, noninvasive, simple and reproducible procedures not only in confirming clinically suspected lesion but also in detecting clinically unsuspected lesion of optic nerve.
Classification ; Diagnosis* ; Evoked Potentials, Visual* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Multiple Sclerosis* ; Optic Nerve

A case of ganglioneuroma of the cerebellum is reported in 31-year-old woman. The clinical features were dull headache, dizziness, nausea and gait disturabance. Computerized tomography revealed a nonenhancing mass lesion surrounded by focal area of calcification. Subtotal resection and vetriculoperitoneal shunt were effective in this case.
Adult ; Cerebellum* ; Dizziness ; Female ; Gait ; Ganglioneuroma* ; Headache ; Humans ; Nausea

BACKGROUND: The changes in the epidemiology of native valve endocarditis have been known in western countries recent years due to the decrease in the inci-dence of rheumatic heart disease, increased longevity of patients with valvular or congenital heart diseases, and the increase in degenerative heart disease due to the in-crease in the average life span of the general popula-tion. In this study, we analyzed and compared the epide-miological and clinical characteristics of patients with na-tive valvular endocarditis fro two different time periods. METHODS: We compared native valve endocarditis patients diagnosed from 1979 - 1984(group I) with those diagnosed from 1991 - 1996(group II). We used modified Duke' s criteria for the diagnosis and statistical analysis was done using SPSS window program. RESULTS: In our study, mean age of the population was higher in group II and significantly larger number of patients were over the age of 50 in group II. Involve-ment of multiple valves with vegetations and peri-valvular abscess were found more frequently in group II. Also, significantly higher percentage of patients from group II underwent surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the epidemiolocaland clinical characteristics of infective endocarsitis in Korea may change to resemble those in western countries. Further studies regarding this subject are needed.
Abscess ; Diagnosis ; Endocarditis* ; Epidemiology ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Korea ; Longevity ; Rheumatic Heart Disease

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to clarify which biological manganese exposure indices reflect the pallidal signal intensities in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in liver cirrhotics. METHODS: We examined whole blood, plasma, RBC and urinary manganese concentrations, as well as, brain MRI in 22 cirrhotic patients and 10 healthy controls. From MRI scans we calculated the signal intensity of the globus pallidus using the pallidal index (PI), the ratio of the globus pallidus to subcortical frontal white-matter signal intensity in axial T1-weighted MRI planes multiplied by 100. In addition, we studied the relationships between PI and other measurements. RESULTS: The high signal intensity in the globus pallidus on T1-weighted MRI was observed in 18 (81.8%) patients. There was a significant correlation between whole blood and RBC manganese concentration, and PI on MRI. According to multiple linear regression, whole blood and RBC manganese concentration reflected PI on MRI better the other indices did. CONCLUSIONS: Whole blood and RBC manganese concentrations could be useful as biological manganese exposure indices that reflect PI on MRI.
Brain ; Globus Pallidus ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Liver* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Manganese* ; Plasma