In spite of recent introduction of such highly sophisticated diagnostic modalities as computerized tomography,cardioangiography and polytomography the simple PA chest remaines as an essential and important method of chestdiagnosis especially in terms of vascular diseases of the lung and heart. Until recently, however, theinterpretation of chest x ray has been largely dependent on much subjective observation of roentgen anatomy of thechest. Several years ago Simon proposed a quantitative approach to interpretation of the chest in an attempt tomake the judgement more objective. In the present study we have carried out a clinical study on normalities of thestandard PA chest of Korean adults. The materials consisted of 216 normal chest films. Age ranged from 20 to 60years and sex distribution 103 males and 113 females, We counted the number of vessels in both lung fields,measured the diameter of the basal artery and investigated the level of hilum points as well as hilar distance.There were 9 to 11 vessels in the upper zone and 9 to 12 in the lower zone. There were no significant sexdifference. The number of vessels was not affected by aging. The average diameter of the basal artery was11.7±2.4mm in the right lower zone and 10±1.8mm in the left lower zone in female. There was significant sexdifference (p 0.01). Aging seemed not to be affected the size of the basal artery. The majority of hilum point waslocated at the level of 5-6th rib at axillary portion and the left hilar point is 0.3-2.0cm higher in locationthan the right. The hilar distance was 4.1±0.4cm on the right 5.0±1.1cm on the left in male and 4.0±0.7cm onthe right and 4.7±0.5cm on the left in female. There was significant sex difference (p 0.01). There wassignificant difference in size of the basal arteries and hilar distance between the Koreans and Englishmen but thenumbers of vessels were not significantly different.
Adult ; Aging ; Arteries ; Clinical Study ; Female ; Heart ; Humans ; Lung ; Male ; Methods ; Ribs ; Sex Characteristics ; Sex Distribution ; Thorax ; Vascular Diseases

Chemical destruction of Gasserian ganglion by either alcohol or phenol has remained a popular form of treatment for tic pain. However, control of the lesion size is inaccurate and various complications have often resulted. With advent of radiofrequency generator, percutaneous coagulation of the Gasserian ganglion is now possible, and the need for open surgery or chemical destruction have been drastically reduced. We treated 3 cases of trigeminal neuralgia with the radiofrequency current. Modified Hartel's anterior appaorch for the injection of the Gasserian ganglion is utilized and the radiofrequency lesions were made in the second branches of the trigeminal nerve selectively preserving the touch sensation in our patients. We reviewed the literature and described the technical procedures.
Humans ; Phenol ; Sensation ; Tics ; Trigeminal Ganglion ; Trigeminal Nerve ; Trigeminal Neuralgia*

Experimental spinal cord compression was successfully produced in the rabbit by the expansion of the stalks of "laminaria", a sea weed, which was placed in the spinal epidural space at the level of fifth lumbar vertebrae. The experimental spinal cord compression and subsequent edema at the site of compression and its adjacent area were studied at interval of 6, 12 and 24 hour's compression by measuring wet weight and dry weight, and by calculating percent water contents, swelling percent and changesa of water content to that in control group. The oxygen consumption of cord tissues at the site of compression and its distal adjacent area of the spinal cord was investigated by using Warburg's manometric apparatus supplying 100% oxygen. In the normal rabbit, the average water content of the spinal cord was 63.38+/-0.9%. The percentage of water and swelling of the cord tissues in experimental group were higher than those in the control during the period of 24 hour's compression, and that at the site of compression they showed a tendency of rapid increase in value at an early stage, and the area adjacent to the compression demonstrated values increasing gradually during the process of compression. In control group, the average value of oxygen consumption of the cord tissue was 0.48+/-0.01---lO2 mg(dry weight)/30 min. The values of oxygen consumption of cord tissue at the site of compression and distal adjacent area were higher than in control group at an early stage and gradually decreased thereafter. It was noted that the changes of water content and oxygen consumption of spinal cord were well and influenced by the mechanical compression with "laminaria" insertion in the rabbit, resulting in spinal cord edema.
Edema ; Epidural Space ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Oxygen Consumption* ; Oxygen* ; Spinal Cord Compression* ; Spinal Cord*

The cerebral compression and edema were successfully produced by the expansion of the stalk of laminaria in the right epidural space of the rabbits. By weighting the wet and dry brain tissues, and by calculating the percentage of water content and that of swelling, with the rate of per cent water content to that of control group, the studies of the occurrence and changes of experimental brain edema have been observed. In the normal rabbits, the average per cent water content of cerebral gray and white matters were 79.9+/-0.7% and 73.0+/-1.0% respectively. The percentage of water content and swelling of cerebral gray and white matters in the compression site showed higher values than those in control group. As compared with normal group, the rate of per cent water content of cerebral gray matter at the site of compression showed gradual increasing tendency as time elapsed by 24 hours, while that of white matter demonstrated rapid increased of it by 6 hours and decreased gradually thereafter. And it appeared that the value of the cerebral white matter showed higher than that of gray matter throughout the period of 24 hour's compression. Cereral edema induced by laminaria compression was more evident and severe in the white matter than in the gray, which was more striking at the early stage of cerebral compression.
Brain Edema ; Brain* ; Edema ; Epidural Space ; Laminaria ; Rabbits ; Strikes, Employee

A case has been reported in which stereotaxic percutaneous cordotomy has been performed for the treatment of an intractable pain in the arm. The 60-year-old male was admitted to this hospital because of right arm pain which was persistant, so severe and intractable to various medical treatment for 2 months prior to admission. The pain in association with right Horners' syndrome has been produced by the involvement of carcinoma in the right apex of the lung to the cords of brachial plexus and superior cervical ganglion. Since the patient was so emaciated and distressed with the pain, the percutaneous cordotomy was indicated for him to cure the pain. Under the local anesthesia the patient was maintained in the supine position with his head held lightly on the head holder. And unilateral high cervical cordotomy by the percutaneous stereotaxic method was performed on the left through C-C2 interlaminar space under radiographic and impedance measurements, which relieved the pain completely with no development of significant postoperative complications. It was simple, safe and effective for the patient who has poor general condition because it does not require a general anesthesia or a period of wound healing and the cooperation of the alert patient eliminates the possibility of paralysis and enhances the changes of securing the desired sensory loss.
Anesthesia, General ; Anesthesia, Local ; Arm ; Brachial Plexus ; Cordotomy* ; Electric Impedance ; Head ; Humans ; Lung ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain, Intractable ; Paralysis ; Postoperative Complications ; Superior Cervical Ganglion ; Supine Position ; Wound Healing