PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to observe high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings of lung parenchyme in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants between the corrected age of 38-42 weeks who were treated with oxygen after birth, and to compare them to the clinical severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). METHODS: The lungs of fourty-four VLBW infants with gestational ages of less than 32 weeks and birth weights of less than 1,500 g who were treated with oxygen after birth were examined using HRCT taken when the corrected age was between 38-42 weeks. Common findings among the infants and the frequency of their occurrences were noted. Total CT scores obtained by the summation of air trapping and actelectasis scores and the ratio of bronchus-to-pulmonary artery diameter were used to quantitatively evaluate HRCT findings and correlate them with the clinical severity of BPD as defined by Jobe-Bancalari diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: 1) The most common findings in HRCT images of the lungs were air trapping (56%), atelectasis (70.5%), linear opacity (77%), and distortion of the bronchopulmonary bundle (65.9%). These findings were more commonly observed in infants with BPD in a mixed pattern than those without (P<0.05). However, abnormal findings were also found in HRCT images of some infants without BPD. In infants with BPD, air trapping, atelectasis and total CT scores were higher than those without BPD. Also infants with BPD had a lower bronchus-to-pulmonary artery diameter than those without BPD (P<0.05). 2) The total CT scores (r=0.799, P<0.0001) and the ratio of bronchus- to-pulmonary artery diameter (r=0.576, P<0.0001) showed a linear correlation with the clinical severity of BPD. CONCLUSION: HRCT findings in VLBW infants between the corrected age of 38-42 weeks who had been treated with oxygen after birth are useful in revealing pathologic changes in the lung parenchyme and show a good correlation with the clinical severity of BPD.
Arteries ; Birth Weight ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant* ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight* ; Lung* ; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy ; Oxygen* ; Parturition ; Pulmonary Atelectasis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We assessed twelve cases of suspected chronic pesticide intoxication, with medically unexplained physical symptoms. METHODS: Complete blood cell count (CBC), blood chemistry, routine urinalysis, chest X-ray, ECG, gastrofiberscopy, abdominal ultrasonography, neuroselective sensory nerve conduction threshold, and psychological assessment were performed on 12 farmers who believe themselves to have suffered from chronic pesticide intoxication. RESULTS: No specific abnormalities were observed on CBC, routine urinalysis, chest X-ray, ECG, gastroscopy, abdominal ultrasonography, or peripheral nerve conduction velocity test. They persistently manifested helplessness, depression, and anxiety. The results of both psychological assessment and general physical examination revealed the following clinical features: depression (8 cases), multiple chemical hypersensitivity syndrome (2 cases), alcoholism (1 case), and religious preoccupation (1 case). CONCLUSION: In those living in the western rural area of South Korea, depression is a prominent ongoing presentation in pesticide-exposed farmers, in addition to unexplainable physical symptoms.
Aged ; Agricultural Workers' Diseases/*diagnosis/psychology ; Chronic Disease ; Environmental Illness/*diagnosis/psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Observation ; *Occupational Exposure ; Pesticides/*poisoning ; Psychological Tests

Tick paralysis is caused by a neurotoxin secreted by female tick. Characteristic initial manifestation is bilateral flaccid ascending paralysis similar to Guillain-Barr? syndrome. The predominant electrophysiological abnormality is a reduction in complex muscle action potentials. Here, we present a 62-year-old man who initially experienced a sudden biting pain on his scalp. Subsequently he developed bilateral lower extremity paralysis that ascended symmetrically involving the upper extremities. Within 2 weeks, the patient showed a full recovery without treatment.
Action Potentials ; Bites and Stings ; Female ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Middle Aged ; Muscles ; Paralysis ; Scalp ; Tick Paralysis ; Ticks ; Upper Extremity