In this report we describe twenty-two cases of intracranial tumors studied with an MR imager operating at a field strength of 0.064 T for evaluation of the clinical utility of low tesla MRI. The comfirmed diagnoses were meningioma(9 cases), astrocytoma(4 cases), glioblastoma multiforme(1 case), craniopharyngioma(2 cases), intracranial metastasis(1 case). pituitary microadenoma (1 case), hemangioblastoma (1 case), and trigerminal neurilemmoma(1 case). Meningiomas appeared as well-marginated, homogenous signal intensity masses(67%) in most cases. Most meningiomas showed iso-signal intensity(78%) on T1-weighted images, and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. After Gd-DTPA enhancement, diffuse homogeneous contrast enhancement(75%) was well see. The multiple hemorrhagic foci within the glioblastoma multiforme were identified, which shoed high signal intensity on T1-weighted images and low signal intensity on T2-weighted images(intracellular methemoglobin), or high signal intensity on both T1 and T2-weighted images(extracellular methemoglobin). One case of cerebellar hemangioblastoma was a well-defined cystic mass with contrast enhanced mural nodule but no identification of characteristic signal void vessels. The remianing tumors showed low signal intensity on T1-weighted images, and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Gd-DTPA enhancement was helpful in separating the lesion from the surrounding edema or normal tissue, but had limited diagnostic value in characterizing the nature of the mass. The advantages of low tesla MRI are as follows on requirement of cooling water or electricity, open design, shorter T1 relaxation time compared with high tesla unit that increases the difference of T1-relaxation time between tissues, ease of installation, and cost effectiveness. In conclusion, the low tesla MRI is useful for the detection and evaluation of the brain tumors.
Brain Neoplasms ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Diagnosis ; Edema ; Electricity ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Glioblastoma ; Hemangioblastoma ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Meningioma ; Relaxation ; Water

PURPOSE: This study is for the evaluation of low tesla(0.064T) MR imaging diagnostic accuracy in the internal derangement of the knee. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the MR images of 36 injured knees of 35 patients. The presence of tear was determined by arthroscopy or surgery in all cases. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, negative predictive value of low tesla MRI for the diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament injury were 83%, 88%, 86%, 77%, 91%, for the posterior cruciate ligament 75%, 95%, 86%, 92%, 83%, for the medial collateral ligament 83%, 96%, 92%, 91%, 92%, for the lateral collateral ligament 67%, 97%, 94%, 67%, 97%, for the menisci 75%, 93%, 89%, 75%, 93%. CONCLUSION: The low tesla MRI is an accurate method in detection and evaluation of the internal derangement of the knee.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; Arthroscopy ; Collateral Ligaments ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Knee* ; Lateral Ligament, Ankle ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Paragonimiasis is a parasitic infection that occurs after ingesting freshwater crayfish or crabs, and Paragonimus westermani (P. westermani) species are the most important in clinical practice. Cerebral paragonimiasis is one of the most important extra-pulmonary forms with severe outcomes and higher mortality compared to the pulmonary forms. Epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) is defined as a variant of focal motor status epilepticus in which frequent repetitive muscle jerks, usually arrhythmic, continue over 1 hour. Cerebral infections of P. westermani often cause simple epileptic seizures, but cases progressing to EPC are very rare. The authors report a case of confirming and treating a newly developed recurrent focal onset seizures in a patient with chronic cerebral paragonimiasis treated over 30 years ago.

Paragonimiasis is a parasitic infection that occurs after ingesting freshwater crayfish or crabs, and Paragonimus westermani (P. westermani) species are the most important in clinical practice. Cerebral paragonimiasis is one of the most important extra-pulmonary forms with severe outcomes and higher mortality compared to the pulmonary forms. Epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) is defined as a variant of focal motor status epilepticus in which frequent repetitive muscle jerks, usually arrhythmic, continue over 1 hour. Cerebral infections of P. westermani often cause simple epileptic seizures, but cases progressing to EPC are very rare. The authors report a case of confirming and treating a newly developed recurrent focal onset seizures in a patient with chronic cerebral paragonimiasis treated over 30 years ago.

Paragonimiasis is a parasitic infection that occurs after ingesting freshwater crayfish or crabs, and Paragonimus westermani (P. westermani) species are the most important in clinical practice. Cerebral paragonimiasis is one of the most important extra-pulmonary forms with severe outcomes and higher mortality compared to the pulmonary forms. Epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) is defined as a variant of focal motor status epilepticus in which frequent repetitive muscle jerks, usually arrhythmic, continue over 1 hour. Cerebral infections of P. westermani often cause simple epileptic seizures, but cases progressing to EPC are very rare. The authors report a case of confirming and treating a newly developed recurrent focal onset seizures in a patient with chronic cerebral paragonimiasis treated over 30 years ago.

BACKGROUND: A large number of studies have been focused on bacterial growth but limited number of literature has been reported regarding modification of fungal growth. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate effects of low alternating current on Microsporum (M.) canis and Trichophyton (T.) tonsurans growth. METHODS: Inoculums of M. canis and T. tonsurans were applied to twenty-four PDACT (potato dextrose agar-corn meal-Tween 80) plates with a sterile spreader. Petri dishes were allocated into 8 groups according to the fungi species and the amperage delivered to these dishes. Group A, B, C and D were M. canis group and E, F, G, H were T. tonsurans group. The given amperage of electric current was 0.5 µA in group A and E, 2 µA in B and F, 4 µA in C and G. No electric current was given in group D and H. RESULTS: In groups A, B, and C the average time elapsed for colony appearances were 42 hours, 43.17 hours, and 40.5 hours respectively. The average time elapsed in the control group D was 88.67 hours. In groups E, F, and G the average time elapsed for colony appearances were 63.67 hours, 61.83 hours, and 64.17 hours respectively. The average time elapsed in the control group H was 90.60 hours. CONCLUSION With electric current, faster fungal growth was observed in the amperage range used in this study. Based on these results, we hypothesized that microcurrent helps the fungal growth.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects and usefulness of fiuroscopy guided celiac ganglion block after marking of needle path with CT scan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Celiac ganglion block with 100% ethyl alcohol was performed in 50 cancer patients who were inoperable and had intractable abdominal pain. Duration and degree of pain relief after the procedure and its complication were analyzed. RESULTS: Early pain relief was observed in 98% and long term relief in 68% without serious complication. CONCLUSION: Fluoroscopy guided celiac ganglion block after marking of needle path with CT scan was a safe and valuable procedure in relieving intractable pain in terminal cancer patients and reduced the time in the CT room.
Abdominal Pain ; Ethanol ; Fluoroscopy* ; Ganglia, Sympathetic* ; Humans ; Needles ; Pain, Intractable ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be produced by abnormal mass effect due to trauma, ganglion cysts, various soft tissue tumors, musculotendinous variants, and aberrant vascular structures. Persistent median artery is one of the causes of the carpal tunnel syndrome. Thrombosed persistent median artery usually accompanies the anomaly of the median nerve and causes a sudden onset of severe pain and paresthesia. In contrast to previous literature, we report the rare case of gradual onset and mild symptom of a 53-year-old man with a thrombosed persistent median artery but without anomaly of the median nerve and abnormal finding of electrophysiologic study.
Arteries ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; Dilatation ; Ganglion Cysts ; Humans ; Median Nerve ; Middle Aged ; Paresthesia ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: Children with esophagitis express a variety of nonspecific symptoms and signs depending on their age, and diagnosis is limited because gastrointestinal endoscopy (GFS) and biopsy are difficult to perform. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of esophagitis in children with upper abdominal pain, to determine the necessity of esophageal biopsy, and to evaluate the associated risk factors. METHODS: We reviewed 266 pediatric patients with upper abdominal pain who underwent history-taking, physical examination, and GFS with esophageal and gastric biopsies between January 2006 and December 2007. Esophagitis was confirmed on biopsy. We analyzed the risk factors for histologic esophagitis and the necessity of esophageal biopsy. RESULTS: The prevalence of esophagitis was 19.9% (53/266 patients). The sensitivity and specificity of endoscopic diagnosis were 41.5% and 77%. Of 53 patients with histologic esophagitis, reflux esophagitis was seen in 50 patients, eosinophilic esophagitis was seen in 2 patients, and esophageal candidiasis was seen in 1 patient. Vomiting was a significant factor in patients under 8 yr of age (p<0.05). H. pylori infection was documented in 41.5% of patients with histologic esophagitis, compared with 58.5% of patients not infected with H. pylori (p<0.05). The possibility of histologic esophagitis was higher in patients with H. pylori infection (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.2544 to 4.8286) and in those who visited in the spring (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.2544 to 4.8286). CONCLUSION: We believe esophageal tissue biopsy should be performed in pediatric patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms who are undergoing GFS and stomach tissue biopsy, especially preschoolers and H. pylori-infected children in the spring.
Abdominal Pain ; Biopsy ; Candidiasis ; Child ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Eosinophilic Esophagitis ; Esophagitis ; Esophagitis, Peptic ; Humans ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stomach ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to measure the axillary recess (AR) thickness in an asymptomatic shoulder by using ultrasonography (US) and to analyze the factors affecting it. METHODS: We recruited 141 patients (52 males; 89 females; age, 57.7±9.9 years) with unilateral shoulder pain and performed US on the unaffected shoulder. Two physiatrists measured the AR thickness of the unaffected shoulder independently. All patients were examined in an upright sitting position with 90° shoulder abduction. The ultrasonographic transducer was placed longitudinally on the mid-axillary line and along the long axis of the humeral shaft. The factors affecting the AR thickness values were analyzed, and intra-class correlation coefficients were used for assessing the reproducibility of each measurement. RESULTS: The intrarater reliability values for the two physiatrists were 0.98 and 0.96, respectively. The inter-rater reliability of the mean AR thickness measurements was 0.91. The mean AR thickness in all subjects, males, and females was 2.8±0.6 mm, 3.1±0.6 mm, and 2.6±0.5 mm (P<0.01), respectively. No difference between the left and the right sides (males, P=0.086; females, P=0.535) or between the dominant and the non-dominant sides (males, P=0.173; female, P=0.244) was found. The AR thickness correlated positively with the height (r=0.313, P<0.01) and the weight (r=0.319, P<0.01). However, it did not correlate with the body mass index (r=0.152, P=0.077) or the age (r=-0.056, P=0.515). CONCLUSION: US measurements of the AR thickness in asymptomatic shoulders demonstrated excellent intrarater and inter-rater reliabilities. The AR thickness showed anatomical variation with sex, height, and weight.
Axilla ; Body Mass Index ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Shoulder Pain ; Shoulder* ; Transducers ; Ultrasonography