PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of axial CT imaging and 3D imaging by spiral CTin the detection and evaluation of gastric lesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-seven patients with pathologically-proven gastric lesions underwent axial CT and 3D imaging by spiral CT. There were 49 cases of advanced gastric carcinoma(AGC), 21 of early gastric carcinoma (EGC), three of benign ulcers, three of leiomyomas, and one case of lymphoma. Spiral CT was performed with 3-mm collimation, 4.5 mm/sec table feed, and 1-1.5-mmreconstruction interval after the ingestion of gas. 3D imaging was obtained using the SSD technique, and on analysis a grade was given(excellent, good, poor). Axial CT scan was performed with 5-mm collimation, 7mm/sectable feed, and 5-mm reconstruction interval after the ingestion of water. RESULTS: Among 49 cases of AGC, excellent 3D images were obtained in seven patients (14.3%), good 3D images in 30(61.2%), and poor 3D images in12(24.5%). Among the 12 patients with poor images, the cancers were located at the pyloric antrum in eight cases, were AGC Borrmann type 4 in three cases, and EGC-mimicking lesion in one case. Using axial CT scan alone, Borrmann's classification based tumor morphology were accurately identified in 67.3% of cases, but using 3D imaging, the corresponding figure was 85.7%. In 33 cases receiving surgery, good correlation between axial CT scanand pathology occurred in 72.7% of T class, and 69.7% of N class. Among 21 cases of EGC, excellent 3D images were obtained in three patients (14.3%), good 3D images in 14 (66.7%), and poor 3D images in two (9.5%). The other twocases of EGC were not detected. By axial CT scan, no tumor was detected in four cases, and there were two doubtful cases. 3D images of three benign ulcers were excellent in one case and good in two. 3D images of three leiomyomas and one lymphoma were excellent. CONCLUSION: Combined axial CT imaging and 3D imaging by spiral CT has the potential to accurately diagnose gastric lesions other than AGC Borrmann type 4 or tumors located at the pyloricantrum.
Classification ; Eating ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; Pathology ; Pyloric Antrum ; Silver Sulfadiazine ; Tomography, Spiral Computed* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ulcer ; Water

PURPOSE: To determine the preferred method of drinking water before spiral CT scanning of a gastric lesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Spiral CT scans of 92 patients with gastric lesion were obtained and evaluated. Patients drank tap water as oral contrast material and were scanned in the prone position; they were divided into two groups according to the method by which water was ingested. Group 1 patients drank 500ml 60 minutes before scanning; 500mL, 30 minutes before scanning; and 500mL just before scanning, while those in group 2 drank 800-1000mL just before scanning. In all cases, precontrast images were obtained, and an additional 300mL of water was given if the stomach was not adequately distended. Postcontrast images were obtained at 35 seconds, 80 seconds and 3 minutes after the start of infusion of contrast material. For 35- and 80-second scans, spiral CT was performed with 5-mm collimation, 7mm/sec table feed, and 5-mm reconstruction interval; for precontrast and 3-minute scans, 10-mm collimation, 10mm/sec table feed, and 10-mm reconstruction interval were used. There were 40 patients in group 1, and 52 in group 2. The images of the two groups were evaluated according to three criteria: gastric distension, mucosal enhancement, and tumor distinction. For each criterion, the images were evaluated by grading; an 'excellent' image scored 3, 'good' 2, 'ordinary' 1, and 'poor' 0. The differences in imaging quality between the two groups were statistically evaluated. Images obtained at 35 and 80 seconds, and at 3 minutes after the start of infusion of contrast material were compared, and the detectability of 18 confirmed cases of early gastric cancer was evaluated. RESULTS: For gastric distension, the mean score was 1.65 in group 1, and 1.81 in group 2 (P=0.33); the corresponding figures for mucosal enhancement were 1.45 and 1.65 (P=0.11), and for tumor distinction, 1.30 and 1.52 (P=0.09). Between the two groups, there was therefore no statistical difference in image quality. With regard to postcontrast images, those obtained after a delay of 35 seconds were best; those obtained at 80 seconds were better than those obtained at 3 minutes. Fifteen of 18 case of early gastric cancer were detected on spiral CT, and the detection rate was 83.8%. CONCLUSION: No statistically significant difference was seen between the two groups, and a single drink of water-just before scanning- is thus preferable to several drinks. Two scans, with images delayed for 35 and 80 seconds after contrast enhancement, are adequate. The use of these methods may improve the image quality of gastric lesions and the detection rate of early gastric cancer.
Drinking Water ; Eating* ; Humans ; Prone Position ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Tomography, Spiral Computed* ; Water*

Tetrodotoxin is a neurotoxin, so gastrointestinal symptoms are very rare ; these described in the literature are merely nausea and vomiting. Severe complications in the gastrointestinal tract caused by tetrodotoxin have not been radiologically reported. US and CT show thickening of the gastric wall and contraction of the lumen, andupper gastrointestinal series show shortening, lobulation and irregularity of the lesser and greater curevature ofthe body and antrum similar to the findings of corrosive gastritis.
Barium ; Eggs* ; Gastritis* ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Nausea ; Ovum* ; Tetraodontiformes* ; Tetrodotoxin ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiologic findings of gastric MALToma, and to correlate these with its pathologic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the pathologic slides of gastrectomy and gastroscopic biopsy specimens obtained between 1982 and 1996 and collected nine cases of gastric MALToma. Eight of these had been surgically confirmed, and one had been diagnosed by gastroscopic biopsy. A gastrointestinal series comprised eight cases ; five involved sonography and five, CT. RESULTS: The lesions were located at the body in five cases, at the antrum in one, and at the body and antrum in three cases. Pathologic diagnosis was low grade MALToma in four cases, and mixed high and low grade MALToma in five cases. Initial radiologic diagnosis was gastric lymphoma in four cases, early gastric carcinoma in three, and advanced gastric carcinoma in two cases. On retrospective analysis, radiologic diagnosis was changed to lymphoma in both cases initially diagnosed as advanced gastric carcinomas. One case showed marked thickening of the gastric wall, with poor enhancement on CT, and the other case showed a very small and shallow ulcer in comparison to diffuse infiltration of tumor in the upper gastrointestinal series. The final radiologic diagnosis was gastric lymphoma in six cases, and early gastric carcinoma in three. Radiologic findings of gastric MALToma were EGC II c-like lesion in three cases, marked gastric wall thickening in two, multiple discrete lesions in two, hyperugosity of gastric folds with discrete lesions in one, and diffuse infiltrative lesion with small ulcer in one case. The pathologic diagnosis of gastric MALToma was made by the presence of lymphoepithelial lesions, centrocyte-like cells, reactive follicles, plasma cell infiltration, and follicular colonization. There were no significant correlations between radiologic findings and pathologic results such as depth of tumor invasion, low grade MALToma or mixed high and low grade MALToma. CONCLUSION: There are no specific radiologic characteristics of gastric MALToma, but a gastric MALToma might show the radiologic findings of gastric lymphoma. Further radiologic evaluations of many cases of gastric MALTomas are needed in the future.
Biopsy ; Colon ; Diagnosis ; Gastrectomy ; Lymphoma ; Plasma Cells ; Retrospective Studies ; Ulcer

The limb-body wall malformation complex is a sporadic congenital anomaly characterized by protean manifestations. The diagnosis is based upon the presence of at least two out of craniofacial anomaly, body wall defect, and limb abnormalities. We present a case of limb-body wall malformation complex. This case shows abdominal and pelvic wall defects with eventration of the viscera. It also shows an absence of right kidney, polycystic left kidney, absence of external genitalia and anus, and lower extremity abnormalities. The right lower extremity is absent and the deformed left leg shows malformed foot-like structure attached to the shin in addition to a normally positioned left foot. Our patient is the first case of complete absence of the external genitalia associated with limb-body wall malformation complex in Korean publications and the seventh in English publications.

CT has an important role in the evaluation of gastric adenocarcinoma. It clearly demonstrates the primary tumor itself and reveals the spread of cancer to adjacent or distant structures. It is therefore useful in the staging of gastric carcinoma, and has proved valuable in the differential diagnosis of this and other gastrictumors. Recent advances in technology such as spiral CT with water ingestion, improve the value of CT. This report describes the characteristic findings of gastric adenocarcinomas by spiral CT, and elucidates its role in the staging of gastric carcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Eating ; Tomography, Spiral Computed* ; Water

No abstract available.
Finger Injuries* ; Fingers*

PURPOSE: We tried to outline the incidence and characteristics of meniscal tears in recent lesions and chronic insufficiency of the ACL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Through this retrospective study of 103 reconstructions of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) performed between Jun 1996 to Sep 1998, according to a more accurate evaluation, ACL-deficient knees can be classified into two different stages (recent, chronic injuries). RESULTS: Overall, there was a significantly increasing incidence of meniscal tears in chronic injuries (P<0.05). A predominance of lateral meniscal tears were demonstrated with recent injuries, whereas the incidence of medial meniscal tears increased significantly with chronic injuries (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the increase of lateral meniscal lesion in recent ACL rupture and increase of severe meniscal lesion, especially medial meniscus, with progressive worsening of knee instability after an ACL injury. Although not significant, meniscal tears in the recent injuries were more amenable to repair. The results suggest that maximal meniscal preservation is best achieved with ACL reconstruction shortly after injury.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament* ; Incidence ; Knee* ; Menisci, Tibial ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture*

No abstract available.
Blood Cell Count* ; Blood Cells* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma* ; Prognosis* ; Remission Induction*

Primary sclerosing cholangitis, a chronic cholestatic liver disease, is uncommon and is characterized byinflammation and fibrosis of the bile ducts. It frequently occurs in association with ulcerative colitis. Wedescribe two cases of primary sclerosing cholangitis in patients with ulcerative colitis.
Bile Ducts ; Cholangitis ; Cholangitis, Sclerosing* ; Colitis, Ulcerative* ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; Ulcer*