BACKGROUND: Conventional echocardiography provides fundamental information about mitral valve morphology and function but is often subjective and has a relatively low specificity in evaluating valve calcific deposit, which is critical information for the preoperative decision. We hypothesized that mitral valvular calcification could be detected in standard two-dimensional echocardiograms of mitral valve in vivo by evaluating regional gray level(echo amplitude) using computerized image analysis so that we could overcome the subjectivity and low specificity of conventional echocardiography. METHODS: We tested this hypothesis by performing standard 2.5MHz two-dimensional echoes on mitral valve and myocardium in 30 patients with mitral stenosis, scheduled to undergo mitral valve replacement. We compared gray level of each region of interest in mitral valve and myocardium in stop-frame images with the degree of calcifications identified by pathologic and radiographic examinations. RESULTS: Ratio of mean gray level of mitral valve to mean gray level of myocardium was the most reliable value in evaluating degree of calcification. Quantitatively, region of calcification displayed the ratio of significantly higher value than that of no calcification. In case of anterior mitral valve, the ratio of the evident calcified region was greater than 3.11, that of the region without calcification was less than 2.42 and that of microcalcification was betwwn 2.42 and 3.11. For posterior mitral valve, the ratio of the evident calcified region was greater than 3.50, that of the region without calcification was less than 2.19 and that of microcalcification was between 2.19 and 3.50. The sensitivity and specificity of this method for assessment of degree of calcification was 75% and 100% for anterior mitral valve and 9% and 87.5% for posterior mitral valve. CONCLUSION: Mitral valvular calcification could be detected quantitatively in standard two dimensional echocardiograms of mitral valve in vivo by evaluating regional gray level(echo amplitude) using computerized image analysis.
Echocardiography ; Humans ; Mitral Valve ; Mitral Valve Stenosis* ; Myocardium ; Sensitivity and Specificity

BACKGROUND: Total obstruction of the left main coronary artery is a common cause of sudden death but is rarely seen in patients who survive to undergo diagnostic evaluation or treatment. METHODS: During twenty six-year period, we encountered 5 patients with chronic total obstruction of the left main coronary artery out of about 4,000 patients who underwent coronary angiography. RESULTS: All patients have undergone coronary bypass surgery. These patients present with increasingly severe angina. A right dominat coronary anatomy is always found, usually with well-developed right-to-left collaterals. Left ventricular function was severely impaired in two patients out of five patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results of surgical revascularization in our patients and others described in the literature can support the safety and efficacy of this approach.
Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Vessels* ; Death, Sudden ; Humans ; Ventricular Function, Left

Radilogy plays an important role in evaluating patients with suspected adrenal gland pathology. Morphologicdelineation of adrenal gland is especially valuable in patients with clinical and/or biochemical evidence of adisturbance in adrenal function. Many diagnostic radiologic methods are avilable for demonstrating adrenallesions. CT overcomes many of the disadvantages of these other radiologic techniques. The high degree of spatialand density resolution allows precise demonstration of the normal adrenal glands as well as detection of bothsmall and large tumors in almost all patients. So CT of adrenal gland is an excellet nonivasive screening methodand definitive imaging technique. The authers have investigated the capability of CT to image the nomral size,location and shape of both glands. Knowledge of the range of normal is useful for optimal interpretation of CTscans in patients with suspected aderenal pathology. We reviewed CT scan of 150 cases without evidence of adrenaldisease. The following results were obtained: 1. There were 90 male and 60 female patients. 2. Their ages rangedfrom 20 to 60 years. 3. On CT, both gland were shown in 135 (90.0%), the right in 143(95.3%), the left in142(94.6%). 4. In the shape of adrenal glands, most of right adrenal gland was linear or comet shaped; 68(47.6%),most of left adrenal gland was inverted-Y shaped: 103(72.6%). 5. In the length of adrenal glands, theright was2.5+-0.77cm, the left was 2.9+-0.75cm. 6. In the width of adrenal glands, the right was 3.2+-0.74cm, the left was2.7+-0.57cm. 7. In the thickness of adrenal glands, the right was 0.5+-0.14cm, the left was 0.6+-0.16cm.
Adrenal Glands ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Pathology ; Pheniramine ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The population aged 95 years and older in Seoul approximately increased to five-fold over the past 10 years, while nationwide rates increased to three-fold. In order to examine the dietary habit and nutritional status of oldest-old population living in Seoul, we recruited 87 subjects (25 males and 62 females) aged 95 years and older. The prevalence of underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI > or = 25 kg/m2) were 18.2% and 18.2% in males, and 20.8% and 9.4% in females, respectively. In self-assessment of health, only 25.3% answered to be unhealthy. More males exercised regularly and reported a wide range of activities than females. The average of %Kcal from carbohydrate, protein and fat (C : P : F) was 64.9 : 13.8 : 21.2 in males and 68.1 : 14.2 : 17.7 in females. The average daily energy intake was 1,307 kcal in males and 1,304 kcal in females. More than 75% of subjects were taking under estimated average requirements (EAR) for vitamin B1, B2 & C and Ca. The average of mean adequacy ratio (MAR) was 0.66 in males and 0.70 in females, and 28.8% of males and 12.9% of females were in MAR < 0.50. Based on MAR, 32.0% of males and 14.5% females were classified as normal and 16.0% of males and 25.8% of females were classified as malnourished. Our subjects were taking more animal food, especially milk and its products, compared to those living, in rural areas. However, a significant proportion did not meet the EAR for vitamin B1, B2 & C and Ca.
Aged ; Animals ; Ear ; Energy Intake ; Female ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Male ; Milk ; Nutritional Status ; Obesity ; Prevalence ; Self-Assessment ; Thiamine ; Thinness

Subclinical vitamin B12 deficiency is common in the elderly worldwide. We investigated the change of serum vitamin B12 concentration with aging and compared anthropometric data and clinical health indicators between normal (> or = 340 pg/mL) and low (< 340 pg/mL) serum vitamin B12 groups in 470 Korean women aged 65 years and over living in a rural area. Serum vitamin B12 concentration showed inverse correlation with age (r = -0.0992, p < 0.05). The normal B12 group showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit compared to the low B12 group, however, no difference in mean corpuscular volume was observed between the two groups. The normal B12 group showed significantly lower serum homocysteine concentration (p < 0.01) and prevalence of vitamin D (p < 0.01) or folate deficiency (p < 0.001). Bone mineral density (T-score) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the normal B12 group, compared with that in the low B12 group, and showed positive correlation (r = 0.1490, p < 0.01) with serum vitamin B12 concentration after adjusting for age, body weight, and body mass index. No differences in anthropometric data, physical activity, and smoking and drinking habits were observed between the two groups. In conclusion, it could be suggested that older female adults with normal serum vitamin B12 level would be less anemic and osteoporotic and more resistant to hyperhomocysteinemia associated chronic diseases than those with low serum vitamin B12 level.
Adult ; Aged ; Aging ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Bone Density ; Chronic Disease ; Drinking ; Erythrocyte Count ; Erythrocyte Indices ; Female ; Folic Acid ; Hematocrit ; Hemoglobins ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Hyperhomocysteinemia ; Korea ; Motor Activity ; Prevalence ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Vitamin B 12 ; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency ; Vitamin D ; Vitamins

Thrombus-in-transit appears to increase the risk of mortality compared to pulmonary embolism alone and can require alteration in therapeutic plan. We present the case of a biatrial thromboembolus caught in transit across a patent foramen ovale diagnosed by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiogram in a 69-year-old female with acute pulmonary embolism and subsequent acute cerebral infarction. We suggest that echocardiography should be performed in a patient with suspected pulmonary thromboembolism to evaluate right heart function and diagnose emboli in transit.
Aged ; Cerebral Infarction ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Foramen Ovale, Patent* ; Heart ; Humans ; Mortality ; Pulmonary Embolism* ; Thrombosis*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate enhancement patterns, as seen on two-phase spiral CT, of hepatic hemangiomas in which atypical features had been seen on sonography (US) MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two-phase spiral CT scanning was performed in 18 patients in whom 24 atypical hemangiomas had been seen on US. Two-phase images were obtained at 25-45 seconds (arterial dominant phase) and 2-5 minutes (equilibrium phase) after the initiation of a bolus injection of contrast material (150 ml, 5 ml/sec). Enhancement patterns of hemangiomas during each phase were classified as homogeneous high, peripheral high, or low attenuation, and were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: In the arterial dominant phase of spiral CT, low attenuation was seen in nine hemangiomas (38%), globular or spotty peripheral high attenuation in 14 (58%), and homogeneous high attenuation in one (4%). In the equilibrium phase, enhancement patterns were peripheral high attenuation (partial fill-in) in 18 lesions (75%), and homogeneous high attenuation (complete fill-in) in three (12.5%), In the other three (12.5%) enhancement showed no significant change; in one of these, density was slightly less than in the arterial phase, and two showed subtle peripheral high attenuation. Fourteen hemangiomas (58%) showed globular or spotty peripheral high attenuation in the arterial dominant phase and peripheral or homogeneous high attenuation with progressive centripetal enhancement in the equilibrium phase. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that two-phase spiral CT during the arterial dominant and equilibrium phase is useful in differentiating hepatic hemangiomas with atypical features seen on US from malignant hepatic tumors.
Hemangioma* ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Spiral Computed* ; Ultrasonography*

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus, using the Rashkind double umbrella occluder system, had been attempted in mulitcenter since non-surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus by Rashkind. METHODS: Between July 1991 and June 1993, transcatheter closure of patent ductus arterious was attempted in 20 adult patients(21 trials). RESULTS: Seventeen female and 3 male patients was consisted of the study. The patient age ranged from 17 to 54 years(mean 30+/-9 years). Mean pulmonary artery pressure before closure was 18.5+/-6.0mmHg(range from 10mmHg to 30mmHg). The diameter of ductus ranged from 3.5mm to 8.0mm(mean 5.2+/-1.5mm), as determined by contrast injection through 11F Mullin sheath or 7F catheter. There was significant decrease of Qp/Qs from 2.6+/-1.1 to 1.5+/-0.4 immediately after transcatheter closure of ductus(p<0.01). There was significant decrease of left ventricular end-diastolic dimension by echocardiogram from 58.7+/-7.6mm to 53.6+/-6.5mm after transcatheter closure of ductus(p<0.01). Among the 21 cases, 16 cases(76.2%) had the clinical improvement without the support of surgical closure. One 17mm Rashkind umbrella was retrieved because of position and problem of deployment. There was no device embolic experience in 21 cases. There were 2 cases of hemolytic anemia during the follow-up period ; one case was surgically ligated and another 17mm device was implanted in the other case. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus in adult patients can replace the surgical correction in selected patients.
Adult* ; Anemia, Hemolytic ; Catheters ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Pulmonary Artery

Dysgerminoma developed in a 21-year-old phenotypic female patient with 46,XY pure gonadal dysgenesis, Swyer syndrome. This patient presented with pelvic mass associated with abdominal pain and primay amenorrhea. Clinical characteristics showed a typical stigmata of gonadal dysgenesis: primary amenorrhea, sexual infantilism, a small uterus and left streak gonad. A 46,XY karyotype was made by lymphocyte culture. The patient was counseled to undergo operation, chemotherapy and hormon therapy. She underwent bilateral gonadectomy with total hysterectomy, partial omentectomy and multiple pelvic wall random biopsy. Histological examination revealed dysgenetic gonads with dysgerminoma. After surgery, the patient received chemotherapy and also was started on hormone replacement therapy. She is currently alive with no evidence of disease after 19 months from surgery.
Abdominal Pain ; Amenorrhea ; Biopsy ; Christianity ; Drug Therapy ; Dysgerminoma* ; Female ; Gonadal Dysgenesis ; Gonadal Dysgenesis, 46,XY* ; Gonads ; Hormone Replacement Therapy ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Karyotype ; Lymphocytes ; Sexual Infantilism ; Uterus ; Young Adult

We compared the histological diagnosis and activity between the right and left lobes in order to assess the sampling variability in HBsAg(+) chronic liver diseases. From May 1987 to September 1991, we prospectively evaluated 23 patients(male 19, female 4, mean age: 32.0+8.8)with HBsAg(-) chronic liver diseases. (continue...)
Diagnosis* ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Liver Diseases* ; Liver* ; Prospective Studies