Calcification so of the basal ganglia are rarely found at routine autopsies and in skull radiographs. CT is superior to the plain skull radiographs in detecting intracranial attenuation differences and may be stated to bethe method of choice in the diagnosis of intracranial calcifications. Of 5985 brain CT scans performed in KyungHee Univeristy Hospital during past 3 years, 36 cases were found to have high attenuation lesions suggesting within basal ganglia. 1. The incidence of basal ganglia calcification on CT scan was about 0.6%. 2. Of these 36 cases, 34 cases were bilateral and the remainder was unilateral. 3. The plain skull films of 23 cases showed visible calcification of basal ganglia in 3 cases (13%). 4. No specific metabolic disease was noted in the cases.
Autopsy ; Basal Ganglia ; Brain ; Diagnosis ; Incidence ; Metabolic Diseases ; Methods ; Skull ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: Visual internal urethrotomy is a standard therapy for incomplete urethral stricture, and may also be a reasonable initial treatment for a short complete urethral stricture. The success rate and final results of the repeated internal urethrotomy were retrospectively assessed to figure out the appropriate indication for visual internal urethrotomy as an initial treatment for incomplete pendulous and bulbous urethral stricture; according to the stricture free month. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1990 and December 1999, an internal urethrotomy was primarily performed on 166 patients with urethral strictures. The exclusion criteria were complete urethral and posterior urethral stricture. Retrograde urethrography was performed under fluoroscopic control. When the stricture recurred, the urethrotomy was repeated as the primary procedure. RESULTS: With regard to the time to recurrence, the success rate of the group of stricture recurrence at 6 months was significantly lower than that of the stricture free group at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: With regard to the stricture site and length, the stricture free month might be considered as an important predictor of the outcome of a repeated internal urethrotomy, and visual internal urethrotomy might be considered as an initial treatment method for incomplete urethral stricture under the following conditions; a bulbous stricture, a stricture length under 20mm, and stricture free at 6 months.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Urethral Stricture*

Roentgenograms of the chest were reviewed from 122 childrens with acute glomeruloneph ritis. Abnormalities were found in 110 roentgenograms. These included cardiomegaly in 82(67.2%), prominent pulmonary vasculature in 98(80.3%), pleural effusion in 35(28.6%), pulmonary edema in 24(19.6%), and pulmonary consolidation in 20(16.3%). The roentgen findings in the chest, although not pathognomic, may have diagnostic values occasionally.
Cardiomegaly ; Child* ; Humans ; Pleural Effusion ; Pulmonary Edema ; Thorax*

Six different brain tumors in middle cranial fossa are presented which are studied by CT and proved pathologically. The authors experienced rare tumors in middle cranial fossa such as cavernous hemangioma, cysticmeningioma, Schwannoma, Masson's vegetant intravascular hemangioendothelioma and other tumors (arteriovenousmal formation and metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma) whose CT findings were atypical. The results are as follows; 1. I case of tumors in middle cranial fossa, basal and coronal sections are necessary for further evaluation of the relation with dura and adjacent bone changes. 2. In suspicion of metastasis, bone setting should be done to find out bone involvement. 3. Internal carotid angiography gave little help in the differential diagnosis of tumors in middle cranial fossa.
Adenoids ; Angiography ; Brain Neoplasms ; Cranial Fossa, Middle ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hemangioendothelioma ; Hemangioma, Cavernous ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neurilemmoma

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to measure and compare the operator specific success rate of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), performed by 12 urologists in 1 unit, to determine the interoperator variation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 1995 and September 2002, 1,434 patients with renal or ureteral stones received 2,697 ESWL treatments by 12 urologists (surgeons A to L), using a Storz Modulith SLX lithotripter. Measures of the patient outcomes included demographics, stone characteristics, technical details of lithotripsy, and session stone-free and final success rates according to operating urologist. RESULTS: The mean session stone-free and final success rates were 44.8 (22.1-65.3) and 94.5% (86.7-99.4), respectively. Significant differences existed in mean number of shocks, fluoroscopy time and maximum treatment voltage delivered among the surgeons (p<0.05). Surgeon H had significantly higher session stone-free (65.3%, p<0.05) and final success rates (99.4%, p>0.05). The mean number of shocks was higher for surgeons J (3,683) and H (3,606) than for the others (p<0.05). The mean fluoroscopy time was higher for surgeon H, 4.44 minutes, than for the others (p<0.05). Mean maximum treatment voltage was higher for surgeons H (8.27), J (8.10) and I (8.05) than for the others (p<0.05). Multiple analyses were performed by surgeon H. The fluoroscopy time (p=0.001) and the maximum treatment voltage (p=0.012) contributed greatly to the best results. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated clinically and statistically significant intra-institutional differences in the final success rate following ESWL. The best results were obtained by the urologist who used the longest fluoroscopy time and highest maximum treatment voltage.
Demography ; Fluoroscopy ; Humans ; Lithotripsy* ; Shock* ; Ureter ; Urinary Calculi

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to estimate the comorbidity rate of ADHD in a group of patients with alcohol dependency and to find out the characteristics of alcoholic patients with ADHD using the diverse clinical and genetic variables. METHODS: Eighty five patients with alcohol dependency were recruited from 4 mental hospitals in Kyoung-Nam and Kyoung-Ki province. For the evaluation of ADHD symptoms in both childhood and adulthood, the highly structured Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children-IV (DISC-IV)-ADHD module was used. The various standardized scales and questionnaires were also applied to evaluate the comorbid conditions and psychopathological status. All the subjects' blood was collected and genetic study for the polymorphism of DRD2, TH, 5-HTTLPR, COMT, ALDH2 was performed. RESULTS: 1) The comorbid rate of definite ADHD in alcoholic patients was 38% (28/85). 2) The frequency of unmarried status was significantly higher in ADHD group compared non-ADHD group. 3) The onset of pathologic drinking and auditory hallucination was significantly earlier in ADHD group than non-ADHD alcholic group. 4) In ADHD alcoholic group, antisocial behavior was more frequently reported, and the score of co-dependency scale, depression/anxiety, aggression and obsessive compulsive drinking scales were significantly higher compared to non-ADHD alcoholic group. 5) No signficant difference was found in the frequency of polymorphic alleles in COMT, DRD2, 5-HTTLPR, ALDH2, TH between ADHD and non-ADHD alcoholic group. CONCLUSION: In alcoholic patients, the rate of adult type ADHD was higher than expected rate in general population. The alcoholic patients with ADHD suffered from more sever degree of alcohol dependency and earlier alcohol related problems. ADHD-alcoholic group showed higher diverse comorbid psychopathology and lower marital status compared to non-ADHD-alcoholic group. No difference, however, was found in genetic data between two groups.
Adult ; Aggression ; Alcoholics ; Alleles ; Appointments and Schedules ; Comorbidity ; Drinking ; Hallucinations ; Hospitals, Psychiatric ; Humans ; Marital Status ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Psychopathology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Single Person ; Statistics as Topic* ; Weights and Measures

Spinal epidural abscess is one of the rare disease, especially in child. We had experienced a case in 15 months old who was diagnosed by spinal tapping and epidurogram. Total laminectomy of L 1-2 and drainage of the abscess was successfuly performed and he recovered without residual symtoms after operation. A brief review of literatures was made.
Abscess ; Child* ; Drainage ; Epidural Abscess* ; Humans ; Infant ; Laminectomy ; Rare Diseases ; Spinal Puncture

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the rates, correlates, methods, and precipitating factors of suicide attempts among adolescent patients admitted for psychiatric inpatient care from 1999 to 2010 in a university hospital in Korea. METHODS: The subjects consisted of 728 patients who were admitted for psychiatric inpatient care in a university hospital over a 12-year period and who were aged 10-19 years at the time of admission. We retrospectively investigated the information on suicidal behaviors and other clinical information by reviewing the subjects' electronic medical records. Whether these patients had completed their suicide on 31 December 2010 was determined by a link to the database of the National Statistical Office. RESULTS: Among 728 subjects, 21.7% had suicidal ideation at admission, and 10.7% admitted for suicidal attempts. Female gender, divorced/widowed parents, and the presence of mood disorders were associated with a significantly increased likelihood of suicide attempts. Most common method of suicide attempts was cutting, and most common reason for suicide attempts was relationship problems within the primary support group. A diagnosis of schizophrenia was associated with increased risk of death by suicide after discharge. CONCLUSION: These results highlight the role of specific psychosocial factor (e.g., relational problems) and psychiatric disorders (e.g., mood disorders) in the suicide attempts of Korean adolescents, and the need for effective prevention strategies for adolescents at risk for suicide.
Adolescent* ; Diagnosis ; Electronic Health Records ; Female ; Humans ; Inpatients* ; Korea ; Mood Disorders ; Parents ; Precipitating Factors* ; Psychology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Schizophrenia ; Self-Help Groups ; Suicidal Ideation ; Suicide*

An unusual case of meningioma with a large cyst on the sellar region which was misinterpreted to craniopharyngioma was reported. A 6-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital on May 8, 1980 because of headache, blurred vision and walking disturbance. On admission, neurological examination revealed marked diminished visual acuity associated with optic atrophy in both eyes, gait disturbances, incoordination and precocious puberty. Plain skull film showed marked digital markings and seperation of the coronal suture. Right carotid angiography in AP view revealed widening of the U-loop and space occupying lesion on the suprasellar region in lateral view. Neither detection of the tumor feeding artery nor tumor stain was seen. Conary ventriculography revealed marked dilation of the both lateral ventricles and blockage of the foramen of Monro. CT scan disclosed a well defined low density area and small multilobulated cysts in the suprasellar region. The margin of the tumor and low density area were markedly enhanced by contrast media. At operation, the tumor was found to consist of a yellowish brown nodule firmly adherent to the diaphragma sellae and a large cyst. The tumor was partially removed together with the whole cyst wall. The resected nodule was relatively hard and had multiple small cysts in it's cut surface. Postoperative course was uneventful. The neurological deficits except precocious puberty were much improved on discharge time. Reviewing the literature and the pathogenesis of cystic change in meningiomas were discussed.
Angiography ; Arteries ; Ataxia ; Central Nervous System Cysts* ; Cerebral Ventricles ; Child ; Contrast Media ; Craniopharyngioma* ; Gait ; Headache ; Humans ; Lateral Ventricles ; Male ; Meningioma* ; Neurologic Examination ; Optic Atrophy ; Puberty, Precocious ; Skull ; Sutures ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Visual Acuity ; Walking

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the association of the ADRA2A MspI and DraI polymorphisms with methylphenidate (MPH) response in Korean children with ADHD. METHODS: The present study included 112 children and adolescents with ADHD (mean age=9.1+/-2.1 years), consisting of 92 boys (82.1%) and 20 girls (17.9%). ADHD was diagnosed based on the DSM-IV criteria using the Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL). For the clinical evaluation of the ADHD subjects, the ADHD Rating Scale-IV (ADHD-RS) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) were administered at baseline and 8 weeks after MPH treatment. ADRA2A MspI and DraI polymorphisms were genotyped. The chi2 test was used to evaluate the relationship between the ADRA2A genotype and the response to MPH. The correlation between the genotype of ADRA2A and the change in the ADHD-RS scores after MPH treatment was assessed using the analysis of variance test and t-test. The significance level was set at p=0.01. RESULTS: No significant association was found between the genotypes of the ADRA2A MspI or DraI polymorphisms and MPH treatment response according to the CGI-improvement score (p>0.05). Comparing the changes in ARS scores after MPH treatment according to the genotypes of the MspI or DraI polymorphisms, we found no significant differences between subjects with different genotypes (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results do not support the significant association between the MspI genotype and MPH response in Korean ADHD subjects, which was previously reported. In addition, we document no evidence of association between the DraI polymorphism and MPH treatment response in the Korean ADHD population.
Adolescent ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity ; Child ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Genotype ; Humans ; Methylphenidate ; Mood Disorders ; Phenazines