No abstract available.
Dacryocystorhinostomy*

Hepatie hilar ductal carcinoma is relatively rare, but the prognosis is known to be poor because an early diagnosis is difficult. Because the majority of patients are already infiltrated into adjacent organ by itself at the diagnosis, the rate of resectability is low. The best method of treatment is curative resection, and the range of tumor invasion is very important. The preoperative diagnosis is difficult because the cholangiography may be normal in cases of superficial invasion. Multifocal lesions within the biliary tract may be identified in as many as 10 percent of patients, Especially, the papillary type has the best prognosis and is associated with multiple tumors within the bile duct. We report a case that percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram showed normal distal common bile duct, but the hepatic hilar confluence and ampulla of Vater lesion was confirmed as adenocarcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma ; Ampulla of Vater* ; Bile Ducts ; Biliary Tract* ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Cholangiocarcinoma* ; Cholangiography ; Common Bile Duct ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Pancreas* ; Prognosis

Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) of the temporomandibular joint(TMJ) is very useful method to diagnose internal derangement of the TMJ because of its high specificity for identification of condyle-disc relationships. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the existence, incidence and severity of internal derangement of th TMJ by the MRI of patients who are suspected to have TMJ disorder. MRI sample was composed of 50 subjects(10 males, 40 females) and the mean age was 22.9 years. 43 subjects of the sample were found to have positive findings. 56% of the subjects with positive findings had ADD(anterior disc displacement) without reduction, and 65% had internal derangement of bilateral joints. Distributions in the types of malocclusion in patients with positive findings, the Angle's classification had shown : the largest 41.9% for Cl II (39.6 for Cl II div 1 and 2.3% for Cl II div 2), 37.2% for Cl III, and 2.3% for the nuidentified. 8.6% of the subjects with positive findings had facial asymmetry and 55.8% had openbite. We can conclude that the percentage of CI II is the highest in patients with internal derangement of the TMJ. Openbite or facial symmetry is considered to be uncompensated or compensated deformity which results from facial skeleton remodeling in the process of degenerative joint disease(DJD) due to TMJ degeneration. Therefore it is recommended to screen the patients with facial asymmetry or openbite by MRI before the beginning of orthodontic treatment. Differential diagnosis is essential because the tendency of relapse is high after the orthodontic treatment and continuous observation of TMJ is needed in patients with TMJ disorder.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Facial Asymmetry ; Humans ; Incidence ; Joints ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Male ; Malocclusion ; Open Bite ; Recurrence ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Skeleton ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders* ; Temporomandibular Joint*

OBJECTIVE: The biomechanical properties of the Coflex(TM) (Paradigm Spine, NY, USA), a device designed to provide dynamic stabilization without lumbar fusion, have not been clearly defined. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and biomechanical effect of Coflex(TM) using finite element model (FEM). METHODS: A 3D geometric model of the L3-L5 was created by integrating computerized tomography (CT) images. Based on the geometric model, a 3D FEM was created and the Coflex(TM) model was incorporated into the base model. Mechanical load dependent on the postural changes and boundary conditions, were imposed to simulate various 3D physiological states. The simulation analysis included stress and strain distributions, intervertebral disc deformation, and the range of motion of the facet joint and lumbar spinous process. RESULTS: Coflex(TM) significantly restrained displacement in extension, lateral bending and compression of joint between the L4-5 as one in the experimental group was observed -1.3% of flexion, -24.5% of extension, -44.5% of lateral bending and -37.2%. The average intradiscal pressure of the L4-5 decreased by 63% and the average facet contract force of the L4-5 decreased markedly by 34% in the experimental group. A load of 120 MPa from extension was observed at the base of spinous process in the experimental group. CONCLUSION: The Coflex(TM) can be safely used for achieving functional dynamic stabilization of the lumbar vertebral column while preserving the intactness of the other components. However, the fatigue fracture of the L4 spinous process should be carefully monitored.
Contracts ; Displacement (Psychology) ; Equipment Design ; Finite Element Analysis ; Fractures, Stress ; Intervertebral Disc ; Joints ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Spine ; Sprains and Strains ; Zygapophyseal Joint

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to find the optimal stiffness and volume of bone cement and their biomechanical effects on the adjacent vertebrae to determine a better strategy for conducting vertebroplasty. METHODS: A three-dimensional finite-element model of a functional spinal unit was developed using computed tomography scans of a normal motion segment, comprising the T11, T12 and L1 vertebrae. Volumes of bone cement, with appropriate mechanical properties, were inserted into the trabecular core of the T12 vertebra. Parametric studies were done by varying the volume and stiffness of the bone cement. RESULTS: When the bone cement filling volume reached 30% of the volume of a vertebral body, the level of stiffness was restored to that of normal bone, and when higher bone cement exceeded 30% of the volume, the result was stiffness in excess of that of normal bone. When the bone cement volume was varied, local stress in the bony structures (cortical shell, trabecular bone and endplate) of each vertebra monotonically increased. Low-modulus bone cement has the effect of reducing strain in the augmented body, but only in cases of relatively high volumes of bone cement (>50%). Furthermore, varying the stiffness of bone cement has a negligible effect on the stress distribution of vertebral bodies. CONCLUSION: The volume of cement was considered to be the most important determinant in endplate fracture. Changing the stiffness of bone cement has a negligible effect on the stress distribution of vertebral bodies.
Bone Cements ; Finite Element Analysis ; Spine ; Sprains and Strains ; Vertebroplasty

We report the imaging findings in a case of fetal lymphangioma involving the retroperitoneum and right lower extremity, and diagnosed by ultrasonography and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at 26 weeks of gestation. Prenatal ultrasonograms and T2-weighted single-shot fast spin-echo MR images clearly revealed an extensive, multilocular cystic mass with internal hemorrhage in the retroperitoneum extending to the lower extremity.
Abortion, Eugenic ; Adult ; Female ; Fetal Diseases/*pathology/*ultrasonography ; Human ; Lower Extremity/pathology/ultrasonography ; Lymphangioma/*pathology/*ultrasonography ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/*methods ; Pregnancy ; Retroperitoneal Space/pathology/ultrasonography ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal

Purpose: We evaluated the improvement in the rate of prostate cancer detection with the use of an extensive 12-site biopsy protocol in patients with only an elevated level of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Materials and Methods: A total of 109 men with elevated PSA levels between 3 and 20ng/ml, but with no abnormal finding on digital rectal and transrectal ultrasound examinations, received transrectal ultrasound- guided prostate biopsies, which were performed at 12 sites, including the routine sextant and 6 far lateral regions (lateral apex, mid-lobe and base). The improvement in the detection rate was assessed according to the PSA level and prostate volume. Results: The mean age and PSA level of the patients were 63.5 8.6 years and 7.0 3.7ng/ml, respectively. Twenty-eight (25.7%) out of 109 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer. A traditional sextant biopsy detected 19 (67.9%) of the 28 prostate cancer patients, while 9 (32.1%) cancers were detected in the lateral region only. Overall, this extensive protocol resulted in a significant improvement, 8.3% (17.4 to 25.7%), in the detection rate (p=0.032). The improvement in men with a PSA of 10 ng/ml or less was 8.1% (14.0% to 22.1%, p=0.007) and in those with a PSA greater than 10 ng/ml the improvement was 8.7% (30.4% to 39.1%, p=0.162). The improvement in men with a prostate volume of 50cc or less was 8.0% (22.3% to 30.3%, p=0.083) and in those with a prostate volume greater than 50cc this was 9.1% (6.1% to 15.2%, p=0.043). Conclusions: The twelve-site biopsy protocol is a more efficient method in men with a PSA and prostate volume of 10ng/ml or less and greater than 50cc, respectively, compared to the sextant protocol.
Biopsy* ; Humans ; Male ; Prostate ; Prostate-Specific Antigen* ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy and safety of the intra-arterial administration of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor for resolving acute in-stent thrombosis complicating stent-assisted angioplasty for intracranial atherosclerosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We placed 60 therapeutic stents (24 internal carotid arteries, 20 vertebrobasilar arteries, and 16 middle cerebral arteries) for the treatment of symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis. Among the 60 stenting procedures, acute in-stent thrombosis occurred after stent deployment in 11 cases (18.3%). As the method of dissolving the acute in-stent thrombosis, 2 mg abciximab were intra-arterially administered through a guiding catheter. Angiography was then performed after 10-20 minutes to identify any undissolved material resulting from the thrombosis. If the thrombosis was still observed on the angiography, an additional 2 mg of abciximab were administered, and this procedure was repeated until complete thrombolysis was obtained. Post-procedural non-enhanced brain CT was performed for the evaluation of possible hemorrhagic complications. RESULTS:After each intra-arterial administration of 2 mg of abciximab, successive angiographies showed the process of resolution of the acute thrombosis. All 11 acute in-stent thromboses were completely dissolved within 40 to 80 minutes. The total dosage of infused abciximab was 8 mg in one case, 10 mg in eight cases, and 16 mg in two cases. Post-procedural non-enhanced brain CT revealed no hemorrhagic complications. CONCLUSION: The intra-arterial administration of abciximab can be a safe and effective therapeutic method for acute in-stent thrombosis complicating the stenting of stenotic intracranial arteries.
Angiography ; Angioplasty ; Arteries ; Brain ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Catheters ; Glycoproteins ; Intracranial Arteriosclerosis ; Stents ; Thromboembolism ; Thrombosis*

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is one of the glycoproteins families synthesized by the placenta, and consists of 2 noncovalently joined subunits, namely, alpha and beta. The alpha and beta-subunits have a structural homology with the alpha and beta-subunits of TSH and LH. The thyrotropic action of HCG results from its structural similarity to TSH, so beta-HCG can bind to the TSH receptor in the thyroid gland. A high level of HCG, accompanied by an increased thyroid hormone level, can be observed in gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTD), such as a hydatidiform mole or a choriocarcinoma. However, the clinical symptoms of hyperthyroidism in GTD are rarely observed. A 27-years-old woman, admitted due to an amenorrhea of 11 weeks duration, with thyrotoxic symptoms, such as weight loss, palpitation, sweating, tremor, heat intolerance and anxiety, was evaluated. Her serum free T4 level was 8 times higher than normal, and her serum beta-HCG level was over 1,000,000IU/L. She had a curettage operation, with the pathological findings of a complete hydatidiform mole. These thyrotoxic symptoms developed due to a hydatidiform mole, and were accompanied with a highly increased serum beta-HCG level. After evacuation of the molar tissue, the thyroid hormone and thyrotoxic symptoms normalized. Here, this case is reported, with brief review of the literature.
Amenorrhea ; Anxiety ; Choriocarcinoma ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; Curettage ; Female ; Gestational Trophoblastic Disease ; Glycoproteins ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Hydatidiform Mole* ; Hyperthyroidism ; Molar ; Placenta ; Pregnancy ; Receptors, Thyrotropin ; Sweat ; Sweating ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyrotoxicosis* ; Tremor ; Weight Loss

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence indicates that elevated COX-2 expression is associated with the carcinogenesis of numerous neoplasms. In this study, we investigated COX-2 expression in various thyroid specimens in order to elucidate its physiological role in pathologic conditions, and to evaluate the efficiency of COX-2 protein expression as a molecular marker of malignancy in the thyroid gland. METHODS: COX-2 expression was studied immunohistochemically in 19 papillary carcinomas, 8 follicular carcinomas, 14 follicular adenomas, 2 H rthle cell carcinomas, 4 H rthle cell adenomas, 8 nodular hyperplasias, 3 Graves' diseases, 3 Hashimoto's thyroiditis, 2 medullary carcinomas, 1 anaplastic carcinoma, and 20 normal thyroid tissues. RESULTS: COX-2 staining was not seen in any of the normal thyroid, Graves' disease, or nodular hyperplasia specimens. In contrast, COX-2 staining was observed in all of papillary carcinomas, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, H rthle cell carcinomas, and H rthle cell adenomas tissues. Moreover, 7 of 8 follicular carcinomas and 11 of 14 follicular adenomas showed COX-2 staining. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that COX-2 is not useful as a marker of malignancy. Since COX-2 expression was evident in follicular adenomas and in papillary and follicular carcinomas. Thus, the enzyme may be involved in the early process of thyroid tumorigenesis.
Human ; *Immunohistochemistry ; Isoenzymes/*analysis ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthase/*analysis ; Thyroid Nodule/*enzymology/*pathology ; Tumor Markers, Biological/*analysis