Bronchiolitis obliterans is a distinct pathologic entity, characterized by the accumulation of pigmented macrophages within respiratory bronchioles and adjacent to air spaces, and thickening of the peribronchial interstitium. It has been reported to be associated with viral infection, drug, toxic fume, bone marrow transplantation, and connective tissue disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. The etiology of bronchiolitis obliterans in the post-renal transplantation state is not yet clear, although several possibilities such as drug toxicity, graft-versus-host disease or postinfectious condition have been postulated. We presented three patient who had bronchiolitis obliterans, as a complication following renal transplantation. Chest radiograph showed bilateral perihilar reticular infiltration or ground glass appearances that progressed to either diffuse alveolar consolidations or solitary nodule. The main finding in each lung biopsy was the presence of macrophages within respiratory bronchioles as well as in the neighboring alveolar ducts and alveoli. Alveolar septa in these areas often showed nonspecific thickening by fibrosis, mild chronic inflammatory cell infiltrate, and hyperplasia of alveolar lining cells and type II pneumocytes.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Biopsy ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Bronchioles ; Bronchiolitis Obliterans* ; Bronchiolitis* ; Connective Tissue ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; Fibrosis ; Glass ; Graft vs Host Disease ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Kidney Transplantation ; Lung ; Macrophages ; Pneumocytes ; Radiography, Thoracic

Temporomandibular (TM) joint pain results from many etiologic factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of Bone SPECT in patients with TM joint pain. The subjects were 34 patients with TM joint pain. All patients underwent plain radiography, planar bone scan, and Bone SPECT. The intensity of radioisotope uptake at TM joint was graded into three; no increased uptake above three background activity as grade 0, uptake similar to occipital bone as grade I, and uptake similar to maxillary sinus as grade II. Clinical findings and therapeutic methods were reviewed. Twenty-seven patients (80%) out of 34 patients with TM joint pain had increased uptake in bone SPECT. Twenty-one (78%) out of 27 patients had increased uptake in the mandibular condyle and remaining six patients (22%) had uptake in the mandibular and maxillary arch, which proved to be dental problem. Seven patients out of 34 were grade as 0, four (12%) were grade I, 23 (68%) were grade II. Four patients with grade I had clicking sound and symptoms which were subsided with medication in all cases. Among 23 patients with grade II, 7 patients had clicking sound and 14 patients underwent medication and decompression therapy. With Planar bone scan, 11 cases (32%) had increased uptake in TM joint area. Plain radiography revealed narrowing, distension, erosion and limitation of TM joint in 16 cases (47%). Bone SPECT can be valuable for screening and managing the patients with TM joint pain. Patients with grade II needed intensive treatment such as joint aspiration. However degree of the radioisotope uptake did not well correlated with clinical symptoms.
Arthralgia ; Decompression ; Humans ; Joints ; Mandibular Condyle ; Mass Screening ; Maxillary Sinus ; Occipital Bone ; Radiography ; Temporomandibular Joint* ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

No abstract available.
Diagnosis* ; Hemangioma*

We reviewed the computed tomography (CT) of 32 patients with upper lobe collapse to assess the significance of small atypically redistributed pleural effusion (ARPE) in distinguishing the bronchogenic carcinoma (BC) form tuberculosis (TB). Upper lobe collapse was caused by BC in 21 and by TB in 11 of the 32 patients. Small ARPE was Present in 14 of 21 patients with BC and two of the 11 patients with TB, Among 16 patients with small ARPE, CT showd mediastinal invasion in 11 (69%) patients and mediastinal lymphadenopathyn 6 (38%). Our results suggest that small ARPE associated with upper lobe collapse can be used a an auxiliary sign in the differential diagnosis between BC and TB.
Carcinoma, Bronchogenic* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Pleural Effusion* ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of spiral CT in predicting the depth of tumor invasion in patients with gastric cancer by comparing with histopathological finding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied spiral CT scans of forty-eight patients, in whom gastric cancer was proven by gastrofibroscopic biopsy and surgery. After distending the stomach with 400ml tap water or effervescent granules, 100ml of contrast media was given intravenously at a rate of 3ml/sec. CT scanning was started at 45 sec after administration of the contrast material. Gastric tumors were subdivided into five types according to enhancing pattern from the inner layer of gastric wall to the outer layer. These pattern were correlated with histopathologic results. RESULT: The tumor masses were detected on CT scan in 10(77%) of 13 patients with early gastric cancer, while, the tumor masses were seen on CT scan in all patients with advanced gastric cancer. Of 9 patients with type 1 or type 2 enhancing pattern, early gastric cancer(T1) were proven in 7 patients(78%), serosal invasion (T3) in 2 patients(22%). In contrast, among 29 patients with type 4 and type 5, 22 patients(76%) were proven as serosal invasion(T3). Of 7 patients with type 3, 3 patients(43%) were proven as serosal invasion(T3), three(43%) as subserosal invasion(T2), one as early gastric cancer(T1). CONCLUSION: Analysis of morphological enhancing pattern on spiral CT is useful in predicting the depth of tumor invasion in patients with gastric cancer.
Biopsy ; Contrast Media ; Humans ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Tomography, Spiral Computed* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Water

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with metabolic syndrome including insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia, central obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. In NAFLD, insulin resistance plays an important role in the progression of liver damage. In this study, we evaluated insulin resistance, plasma adiponectin, hepatic steatosis, and their association in adults with normal liver transaminase concentrations. METHODS: We analyzed 111 subjects, aged over 20 years old, who visited the Health Management Center at Chung-Ang University Hospital between May 2006 and August 2006. They had neither history nor clinical evidence of diabetes, cardiovascular or liver disease. They were divided into three groups by the degree of hepatic steatosis based on ultrasound findings. Anthropometric parameters were measured and blood samples were drawn after eight hours of fasting. RESULTS: Hepatic steatosis had a positive correlation with body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, HOMA-IR, and QUICKI. Moreover, it had a negative correlation with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and adiponectin. Triglycerides, Adiponectin, and QUICKI were independent variables in predicting the degree of hepatic steatosis. CONCLUSION: This finding suggests that triglycerides and plasma adiponectin are independent predictors of hepatic steatosis in adults with normal liver transaminase concentrations.
Adiponectin ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Dyslipidemias ; Fatty Liver ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipoproteins ; Liver ; Liver Diseases ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Plasma ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference

No abstract available.
Pubic Bone* ; Technetium Tc 99m Medronate*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiologic findings and detectability of parathyroid masses in ultrasonograph computed tomography(CT), and radionuclide study(201TI-99mTc pertechnetate subtraction scintigraphy). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Surgically-proven 11 cases with parathyroid masses consisted of adenoma(n=8), adenomatous hyperplasia(n:2) and adenocarcinoma(n:l) were retrospectively analyzed. We performed US in all cases, CT in 8 cases, and radionuclide study in 7 cases. The parathyroid masses were analysed in regard to anatomic localization and imaging appearance on three modalities. RESULTS: Ten of the 11 parathyroid masses(91%) were located posterior to the thyroid gland and the remainder in the left superior mediastinum. Nine of the 11 cases(82%) were detected on US. The majority were well-defined hypoechoic mass on US. Six of the 8 cases(75%) were detected on CT scan. In the precontrst CT, all of the 8 masses were hypodense as compared with thyroid gland and most showed mild enhancement on post-contrast CT. Six of the 7 cases(86%) were detected on RI study as hot nodule. CONCLUSION: The typical radiological findings of the parathyroid mass were well-defined ovoid or round hypoechoic mass on US, hypodense mass with variable contrast enhancement on CT, and hot nodule on radionuclide study. US was a convenient and reliable imaging modality in detecting parathyroid masses. Improved diagnostic accuracy could be achieved with complementary CT scan and radionuclide study in addition to ultrasonography.
Mediastinum ; Retrospective Studies ; Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m ; Thyroid Gland ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography

No abstract available.
Stroke Volume*

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in acute depression with that in chronic depression. METHODS: Eighty subjects who met criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) were recruited. Patients experiencing at least their fourth episode or an episode of at least 24 months in duration were defined as chronically depressed (n=21). Other patients were classified as acutely depressed (n=59). Antidepressant medications were administered for 6 weeks. Serum BDNF and Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAM-D) scores were measure before and after the administration of medication. RESULTS: We found significant differences in serum BDNF between the two groups. Serum BDNF was significantly higher among those with chronic depression than among those with acute depression both at baseline and after medication. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that serum BDNF might constitute a potential biological marker for chronic depression.
Biomarkers ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Humans