PURPOSE: Small breast cysts, which can be resolved by fine-needle aspiration, are often presented as hypoechoic masses on ultrasound examinations. They can be misinterpreted as benign tumors and cause unnecessary follow-ups or biopsies. The aim of this study was to find out the proportion of atypical breast cysts, which can be resolved by needle aspiration, among hypoechoic masses less than 1 cm in size and to investigate the relationship between the characteristics of a mass and its probability of being cystic. METHODS: Between March 2003 and May 2003, we found and aspirated 119 hypoechoic masses less than 1 cm in size from 104 consecutive patients. RESULTS: Mass size ranged from 2.5 mm to 9.8 mm, with a median size of 5.5 mm. Among the 119 hypoechoic masses, 40 masses (33.6%) were cystic and 79 masses (66.4%) were solid. Among the 40 cystic masses, 37 were completely resolved by needle aspiration, one mass was reduced to half, and the 2 remaining masses were reduced to a third of their sizes. In patients in their 20's, 11.1% of the hypoechoic masses were cystic masses, the ratios for patients in their 30's, 40's, 50's, and 60's were 11.4%, 32.0%, 76.2%, and 75%, respectively (P<0.001). With decreasing internal echo of mass, the likelihood of being a cyst increased (P=0.026). However predicting the probability of being a cyst by the margin, the degree of posterior acoustic enhancement, and the location of the mass was difficult (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Needle aspiration must be considered in small hypoechoic masses not speculated as definite solid masses.
Acoustics ; Biopsy ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle* ; Breast Cyst ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Needles ; Ultrasonography ; Ultrasonography, Mammary

The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes(EDS) are a heterogenous group of inherited connective tissue disorders characterized clinically by skin fragility, skin hyperextensibility, joint hypermobility, and excessive bruising. At least 11 different subtypes of EDS have been classified based on genetic, biochemical, and clinical characteristics. We report a 25-year-old man with EDS type II who presented mild extensibility of skin and joint, skin fragility, and "cigarette paper" like atrophic scar. The EDS type II is more common than other different subtypes. While it may present with subtle clinical features, recognition is important so that good advice can be given to reduce the risks associated with certain careers and sports and to prevent the potential complications of pregnancy and surgery.
Adult ; Cicatrix ; Connective Tissue ; Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; Joints ; Molecular Biology ; Pregnancy ; Skin ; Sports

Sacral schwannoma is a rare lesion with a tendency to reach large proportions. The authors report a case of giant intrasacral schwannoma in a 49-year-old man who had persistent lumbago and sciatica over 15 years period. Plain spine X-ray revealed destruction of the sacrum and myelogram demonstrated a complete ampu-tation of the lumbosacral cul-de-sac at the L5/S1 level. CT and MRI showed a destructive mass lesion within the upper part of sacrum with a large mass extending into the presacral space. The patient underwent su rgery consisted of posterior lumbosacral laminectomy and subtotal removal of tumor. Pathologic examination revealed a benign schwannoma. The patient returned to work 1 month postoperatively with improvement of symptoms. Characteristics of this case with a pe rtinent literature are reviewed.
Humans ; Laminectomy ; Low Back Pain ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Neurilemmoma* ; Sacrum ; Sciatica ; Spine

The term Proteus syndrome was coined in 1983 to describe a disorder of skeletal, hamartoinatous and other mesodermal malformations. The syndrome was named after the Greek god Proteus, whose name means "the Polymorphous". Major manifestations are hemihypertrophy, macrodactyly, exostoses, epidermal nevi, characteristic cerebriform masses involving the plantar or palmar surfaces, a variety of subcutaneous masses and scoliosis. We report a 12-year-old boy with Proteus syndrome who had the unique features of this syndrome.
Child ; Exostoses ; Humans ; Male ; Mesoderm ; Nevus ; Numismatics ; Proteus Syndrome* ; Proteus* ; Scoliosis