The reliability of emergency ultrasonographic(US) detection of hemoperitoneum and solid organ injury in blunt abdominal trauma was evaluated retrospectively. From October 1,1995 to August 31,1996,90 patients were included in the study. Ultra- sonographic findings showed a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 97.6%, 97.9%, and 98.1%, respectively, in detecting intraabdominal fluid collection. We believe that US in an emergency center is a quick, safe screening method in the evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma. In our department, US has replaced diagnostic peritonaeal lavage(DPL) and computed tomography(CT) as the screening study of first choice.
Emergencies* ; Hemoperitoneum* ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography*

Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI) with 2.0 Tesla superconductive magnet developed by Korea Advanced Institute ofScience was performed in 25 patients with various abdominal diseases and compared with x-ray CT. MRI was obtainedwith spin echo technique using a variety of pulse sequence and various slice orientation including axial, sgittaland coronal section in order to evaluate the diagnostic value, limitation and to determine the optimal pulsesequency in various abdominal diseases. MRI demonstrated the capability of detecting the lesions shown on CT inall cases and also detected one case of diffuse hepatocellular carcinoma which was not seen on CT. MRI showedcapability of differentiation of various liver mass including hepatocellular carcinoma, hemangnioma and simplecyst. MRI showed better anatomical resolution of tumor in retroperitoneum and pelvis, however CT delineatedalimentary tract disease better than MRI did.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Humans ; Korea ; Liver ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pelvis

Granulocytopenia, which can be seen in patients with Graves' disease during treatment with antithyroid agents, could be a self resolving transient episode or can imply the beginning of life threatening agranulocytosis requiring a change in treatment modality. Transient granulocytopenia could be a manifestation of hyperthyroidism itself, or a mild side effect of antithyroid drugs. Aganulocytosis is a rare, but major complications of the termination drug, propylthiouracil (PTU), requiring prompt termination of the medication, and intensive care. Therefore, differentiation of agranulocytosis and transient granulocytopenia, is important, but is not practically easy. We introduce a case of transient granulocytopenia, which was detected in a patient with Graves'Disease, accompanied by underlying type 1 diabetes mellitus, during treatment with PTU. Diagnosis of transient granulocytopenia was made by a normal granulocyte count following a single injection of G-SCF, and the patient was treated with conservative therapy. This case confirms a diagnostic tool for differentiating transient granulocytopenia and PTU-induced agranulocytosis.
Agranulocytosis* ; Antithyroid Agents ; Beginning of Human Life ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1* ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential* ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor* ; Granulocytes ; Graves Disease* ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Critical Care ; Propylthiouracil

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cilostazol is a potent antiplatelet agent with antiproliferative properties. Few data are available about the effect of cilostazol on post-stenting restenosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of cilostazol on post-stenting restenosis. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Four hundred and nine patients (494 lesions) scheduled for elective stenting were randomized to receive aspirin plus ticlopidine (group A, n=01, 240 lesions) or aspirin plus cilostazol (group B, n=08, 254 lesions), starting 2 days before stenting. Ticlopidine was given for 1 month and cilostazol for 6 months. Follow-up angiography was performed at 6 months, and clinical evaluation at regular intervals. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. Procedural success rate was 99.6% in group A and 100% in group B. There were no cases of stent thrombosis after stenting. Angiographic follow-up was performed in 380 of the 494 eligible lesions and angiographic restenosis rate was 27% in group A, and 22.9% in group B (p=S). However, diffuse type in-stent restenosis was more common in group A than in group B (54.2% vs 26.8%, respectively, p<0.05). In diabetic patients, angiographic restenosis rate was 50% in group A and 21.7% in group B (p<0.05). Clinical events during the follow-up did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The combination therapy with aspirin plus cilostazol seems to be an effective antithrombotic regimen with comparable results to aspirin plus ticlopidine, but it does not reduce the overall angiographic restenosis rate after elective coronary stenting.
Angiography ; Aspirin ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Stents* ; Thrombosis ; Ticlopidine

We cloned the full-length cDNA of O Manisa, the virus for vaccinating against foot-and-mouth disease. The antigenic properties of the virus recovered from the cDNA were similar to those of the parental virus. Pathogenesis did not appear in the pigs, dairy goats or suckling mice, but neutralizing antibodies were raised 5-6 days after the virus challenge. The utilization of O Manisa as a safe vaccine strain will increase if recombinant viruses can be manipulated by inserting or removing a marker gene for differential serology or replacing the protective gene from another serotype.
Animals ; Antibodies, Neutralizing ; Clone Cells* ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary* ; Foot-and-Mouth Disease ; Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus* ; Goats ; Humans ; Mice ; Parents ; Swine ; Virulence*

PURPOSE: Any battery impacted in the esophagus must be removed urgently because of the possibility of serious complications such as perforation, fistula, and mediastinitis. The use of endoscopic procedures was compared to find the most rapid, effective, and safe method to remove disk batteries. METHODS: The cases of 24 children (9 males, mean age, 1.5 years) that had accidentally ingested disk batteries were reviewed. The patients had visited the Department of Pediatrics, Kyungpook National University Hospital from July 1997 to June 2007 for the removal of disk batteries. Endoscopic removal was attempted using a retrieval net or a magnetic extractor with a balloon (condom). The procedure times for removing the ingested battery were compared. RESULTS: Children that ingested batteries with a larger diameter (20 mm) had a greater chance to have esophageal impaction with serious injury, such as esophageal mucosal necrosis or ulcers, as compared to the ingestion of smaller diameter batteries (10 mm) (p<0.01). Endoscopic removal of disk batteries was attempted either using a retrieval net in 10 children or by using a magnetic extractor with a balloon in 6 children. Endoscopic removal using a retrieval net was more effective (mean procedure time: 1.5 min) as compared to using a magnetic extractor with a balloon (mean procedure time: 3.3 min) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Both procedures, either using a retrieval net or a magnetic extractor with a balloon were effective in removing ingested disk batteries. Based on our experience, an endoscopic procedure using a retrieval net was a more effective method for foreign body removal.
Child* ; Eating ; Endoscopy ; Esophagus ; Fistula ; Foreign Bodies ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Male ; Mediastinitis ; Necrosis ; Pediatrics ; Ulcer

PURPOSE: Any battery impacted in the esophagus must be removed urgently because of the possibility of serious complications such as perforation, fistula, and mediastinitis. The use of endoscopic procedures was compared to find the most rapid, effective, and safe method to remove disk batteries. METHODS: The cases of 24 children (9 males, mean age, 1.5 years) that had accidentally ingested disk batteries were reviewed. The patients had visited the Department of Pediatrics, Kyungpook National University Hospital from July 1997 to June 2007 for the removal of disk batteries. Endoscopic removal was attempted using a retrieval net or a magnetic extractor with a balloon (condom). The procedure times for removing the ingested battery were compared. RESULTS: Children that ingested batteries with a larger diameter (20 mm) had a greater chance to have esophageal impaction with serious injury, such as esophageal mucosal necrosis or ulcers, as compared to the ingestion of smaller diameter batteries (10 mm) (p<0.01). Endoscopic removal of disk batteries was attempted either using a retrieval net in 10 children or by using a magnetic extractor with a balloon in 6 children. Endoscopic removal using a retrieval net was more effective (mean procedure time: 1.5 min) as compared to using a magnetic extractor with a balloon (mean procedure time: 3.3 min) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Both procedures, either using a retrieval net or a magnetic extractor with a balloon were effective in removing ingested disk batteries. Based on our experience, an endoscopic procedure using a retrieval net was a more effective method for foreign body removal.
Child* ; Eating ; Endoscopy ; Esophagus ; Fistula ; Foreign Bodies ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Male ; Mediastinitis ; Necrosis ; Pediatrics ; Ulcer