Respiratory distress syndrome of preterm infants remains a significant cause of morbidyty and mortality. Early, just after birth, prediction and recognition of RDS is so important. The precision and reliability of the stable microbubble test (SMR)and shake test as a predictor of respiratory distress syndrome were studied. A 110-neonate who was born at Chungnam National University Hospital between November 1991 to September 1992was selected randomely and studied. The results were as follows; 1) Among the 110 neonates, 13 cases were noticed as RDS. 2) Among the 13 infants with RDS, SMR results were zero and very weak in 11 cases, weak in 2 cases. Of the 97 infants with Non-RDS, 9 cases were weak, 88cases were medium and strong, positive predictive value and negative predictive value was 100%, 98% respectively. 3) Of the 13 infants with RDS, Shake test result were negative in 8 cases, 1+in 1 case, 2+in 1 case and 4+in 3 case. Of the 97 infants with Non-RDS, 3 cases were negative, 9 cases were 1+, 9cases were 2+ and 63 cases were 4+, positive predictive value and negative predictive value was 72.7%, 9 However, frequent relapses and severe side effects caused by such therapy necessitate development of a more specific and effective therapeutic regimen.Recently, a T cell derived cytokine, interleukin 4 (IL-4)is being recognized as a major cytokine up-regulating IgE production and response, while interferon- (IFN- )counteracts IL-4 actions to down-regulate the IL-4 induced IgE response. Hence, the present study is aimed to investigate the role of IL-4 in MCNS. Using freshly isol 4.9% respectively. We conclude that the rapidity, simplicity and reliability of the stable microbubble test is more useful as a bedside procedure in identifying of predicting the infants who are likely to develop RDS than shake test.
Chungcheongnam-do ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Interleukin-4 ; Microbubbles* ; Mortality ; Parturition ; Recurrence

The purpose of this study is to observe histopathologic changes in the bilateral craniomandibular joints after allowing 6 weeks of consolidation by varying the amount of distraction in rabbit mandible. Eight rabbits weighing about 2 to 3kg were used. After corticotomy was performed on the left mandibular body between the first premolar and the second premolar region, a unilateral fixation device was placed. Then, a 7-day period was allowed without distraction of the device. The mandible was lengthened 0.5mm/day. Corticotomy and lengthening of mandible were not performed in control group. After the completion of the lengthening process, a 6-week-consolidation period was allowed. Then, the rabbits were sacrificed, and histologic examination of the craniomandibular joints was performed. Proliferative changes were observed in the craniomandibular joints in all groups. With the increasing amount of distraction, hypertrophy of the cartilage layer became more severe, bone formed was dense and enchondral ossification was clearly shown in subchondral bone. Hypertrophy of the cartilage layer was also seen in the non-distracted side as the distracted side in the experimental group. These results indicate that when physical force is applied constantly to joints, the proliferation of articular cartilage and bone formation are present. When more than 6 weeks of consolidation period is allowed at the time of performing distraction for more than 5mm, articular changes, especially, in the contralateral side should also be noted.
Bicuspid ; Cartilage ; Cartilage, Articular ; Hypertrophy ; Joints* ; Mandible ; Osteogenesis ; Osteogenesis, Distraction* ; Rabbits*

We found a mistake in our recently published article.

Although visible collateral vessels on computed tomography (CT) has been considered as an important finding in superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome, there is no systematical concerning correlation between the CT evidence of collateral vessels and clinical evidence of SVC syndrome. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how accurately we predict the clinical presence of SVC syndrome by the collateral vessels in patients with apparent SVC obstruction on CT. Forty-seven patients having a CT evidence of obstruction or compression of SVC and/or its major tributaries were included in this study. Lung cancer was the most common underlying disease (n=40). The enhanced CT scans were obtained through either arm vein using a combined bolus and drip-infusion technique. Analyzing the CT scans, we particularly paid attention to the site and pattern of venous compromise, presence of collateral vessels, and if present, heir location, without knowing whether symptoms and signs were present or not, and then compared them with clinical data by a thorough review of charts. To verify the frequency of visible collateral vessels in normal subjects, we also evaluated the CT scans of 50 patients without mediastinal disease and clinical SVC syndrome as a control group. On CT, collateral vessels were found in 24 patients, among whom three patients had a single collateral and 21 patients had two or more collateral channels. There were two false positive cases, in which clinically overt SVC syndrome appeared 10days and three months after CT examination respectively, and one false negative case. The presence of collateral vessels on CT, respectively, and one false negative case. The presence of collateral vessels on CT, regardless of the number and location of collateral vessels and the pattern of venous obstruction, was a good clue for predicting the presence of clinical SVC syndrome with the sensitivity and the specificity of 95.7% and 91.7%, respectively. In control group, collateral vessels were seen in three patients (6%). We conclude that the presence of collateral vessels on CT is a highly sensitive and specific sign of clinical SVC syndrome.
Arm ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Mediastinal Diseases ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Veins ; Vena Cava, Superior*

Although visible collateral vessels on computed tomography (CT) has been considered as an important finding in superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome, there is no systematical concerning correlation between the CT evidence of collateral vessels and clinical evidence of SVC syndrome. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how accurately we predict the clinical presence of SVC syndrome by the collateral vessels in patients with apparent SVC obstruction on CT. Forty-seven patients having a CT evidence of obstruction or compression of SVC and/or its major tributaries were included in this study. Lung cancer was the most common underlying disease (n=40). The enhanced CT scans were obtained through either arm vein using a combined bolus and drip-infusion technique. Analyzing the CT scans, we particularly paid attention to the site and pattern of venous compromise, presence of collateral vessels, and if present, heir location, without knowing whether symptoms and signs were present or not, and then compared them with clinical data by a thorough review of charts. To verify the frequency of visible collateral vessels in normal subjects, we also evaluated the CT scans of 50 patients without mediastinal disease and clinical SVC syndrome as a control group. On CT, collateral vessels were found in 24 patients, among whom three patients had a single collateral and 21 patients had two or more collateral channels. There were two false positive cases, in which clinically overt SVC syndrome appeared 10days and three months after CT examination respectively, and one false negative case. The presence of collateral vessels on CT, respectively, and one false negative case. The presence of collateral vessels on CT, regardless of the number and location of collateral vessels and the pattern of venous obstruction, was a good clue for predicting the presence of clinical SVC syndrome with the sensitivity and the specificity of 95.7% and 91.7%, respectively. In control group, collateral vessels were seen in three patients (6%). We conclude that the presence of collateral vessels on CT is a highly sensitive and specific sign of clinical SVC syndrome.
Arm ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Mediastinal Diseases ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Veins ; Vena Cava, Superior*

No abstract available.
Ultrasonography*

Adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder, including urachal carcinoma, is a rare tumor with incidence in the range between 0.5% and 2.2% of all epithelial bladder neoplasms. Ten cases of adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder(eight cases of primary adenocarcinoma and two cases of urachal carcinoma)are presented. We described the computed tomography(CT)appearances of adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder and tried to find out the characteristic CT findings of urachal carcinoma. CT scan were evaluated for the location of the tumors, presence of calcification in the tumor, and the tumor extension. Seven tumors were located at the dome of the bladder(70%0, two were at lateral walls, and one was at anterior wall. Seven were single mass and three were multicentric masses in the bladder. Fine punctate calcifications scattered within the tumors were detected in four cases(40%); three of the eight, primary adenocarcinoma, and one of the two, urachal carcinoma. Two urachal carcinomas were characterized by midline position and predominantly extravesical growth along the urachus. Gross extravesical extension with distant metastasis were presented in seven cases(70%) at the time of initial diagnosis. CT may be useful in evaluating the adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder and differentiating urachal carcinoma from bladder cancer.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Diagnosis ; Incidence ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Urachus ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Urinary Bladder*

A case of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the bladder in a 6-month-old male infant, who presented dysuria with straining and dribbling, and a suprapubic palpable hard mass distinct from the distended bladder, was reported with brief review of literatures.
Dysuria ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Rhabdomyosarcoma, Embryonal* ; Urinary Bladder*

The minor fissure is an important anatomical landmark in the localization of the pulmonary diseases. For the evaluation of the normal feature of the minor fissure, we analyzed the high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scans in 51 normal patients. The purposes of this study are to evaluate the normal appearance of the minor fissure on high-resolution CT scans and to compare it with that on the coventional CT and chest radiographs. We analysed the morphologic feature of the minor fissure on the high-resolution CT scans in 51 normal patients, and compared it with that on the conventional CT scans. On the high-resolution CT scans, we particularly paid attention to the completeness and types according to Berkmen classification. And finally, we compared the types determined by the high-resolution CT scans with those by the plain radiographs. In most patients (n=47), the minor fissure was seen as a hyperattenuating line or hand on the high-resolution CT scans. In contrast, it was mostly seen as a lucent zone on the conventional CT scans (n=44). Of 47 patients having a hyperattenuating line or band on the high resolution CT scans, the minor fissure was considered to be complete in 17 patients (36%), and incomplete in 30 patients (64%), who had defect at medial portion of the minor fissure. The most common type of the minor fissure seen on the high-resolution CT scans was type I variety (n=23), followed by type IIa (n=10) and type II (n=8). We could not determine the type in six patients. The type determined by the high resolution CT scans was highly well correlated with that determined by the plain radiographs (p<0.05). In conclusion, the minor fissure was seen on CT studies as variable appearances and high-resolution CT scans were superior to the conventional CT scans in the evaluation of the minor fissure. The type of the minor fissure determined by the high-resolution CT scans were well correlated with those seen on the radiographs.
Classification ; Hand ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The minor fissure is an important anatomical landmark in the localization of the pulmonary diseases. For the evaluation of the normal feature of the minor fissure, we analyzed the high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scans in 51 normal patients. The purposes of this study are to evaluate the normal appearance of the minor fissure on high-resolution CT scans and to compare it with that on the coventional CT and chest radiographs. We analysed the morphologic feature of the minor fissure on the high-resolution CT scans in 51 normal patients, and compared it with that on the conventional CT scans. On the high-resolution CT scans, we particularly paid attention to the completeness and types according to Berkmen classification. And finally, we compared the types determined by the high-resolution CT scans with those by the plain radiographs. In most patients (n=47), the minor fissure was seen as a hyperattenuating line or hand on the high-resolution CT scans. In contrast, it was mostly seen as a lucent zone on the conventional CT scans (n=44). Of 47 patients having a hyperattenuating line or band on the high resolution CT scans, the minor fissure was considered to be complete in 17 patients (36%), and incomplete in 30 patients (64%), who had defect at medial portion of the minor fissure. The most common type of the minor fissure seen on the high-resolution CT scans was type I variety (n=23), followed by type IIa (n=10) and type II (n=8). We could not determine the type in six patients. The type determined by the high resolution CT scans was highly well correlated with that determined by the plain radiographs (p<0.05). In conclusion, the minor fissure was seen on CT studies as variable appearances and high-resolution CT scans were superior to the conventional CT scans in the evaluation of the minor fissure. The type of the minor fissure determined by the high-resolution CT scans were well correlated with those seen on the radiographs.
Classification ; Hand ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed