An asymptomatic 26-year-old man was initially admitted with a suspicious mediastinal mass. On the basis of the contrast-enhanced chest CT findings, aneurysm formation involving the left cervical aortic arch associated with subaortic left innominate vein was diagnosed. The aneurysm was confirmed by MR angiography and DSA. The arch aneurysm was surgically removed. We describe this case, and review the literature.
Adult ; Aneurysm* ; Angiography ; Aorta, Thoracic* ; Brachiocephalic Veins* ; Humans ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND AND METHOD: For decades, the presence of aortic insufficiency (AI) has been considered a potential hazard in military aviation and has generally excluded aircrew from high performance flight. The cardiovascular effect of repeated exposure of high +Gz forces associated with AI is largely unknown. To evaluate whether the flying of High Performance Aircraft (HPA) was detrimental to subjects with AI, we performed a retrospective review. we studied 32 asymptomatic patients in whom 16 of them had flying time with AI in HPA(Group I), others(GroupII, Control Gr.) in Low-G Aircraft(LGA). Among them, the data of 24 patients were available, 12 in group I., and 12 in group II. The two groups were matched for age, severity of AI, and flying time. RESULTS: Interval echocardiographic, and cineangiographic studies were obtained over a mean period of 4.6+/-2.6 years in group I and 5.9+/-4.2 years in group II (range, 0.9 to 12.7 years) and mean flying time with AI of 528.1+/-435.0 hours in group I and 865.0+/-816.1 hours in group II (range, 50 to 2290 hours). By paired-t test, there were no significant differences between both groups in left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD), end-systolic dimension (LVESD), aortic dimension (Ao.D) and fractional shortening (FS) by echocardiography (p>0.05) and by multiple linear regression, there were no significant interval changes of above values in Gr. I according to increasing of flying time with AI (p>0.05). Visual grade by doppler echocardiography or aortic cineangiography increased 1 patient in Gr.I and 2 patients in Gr.II within no more than one grade. CONCLUSION: Thus, this study demonstrated that : 1) Quantitative echocardiographic measurements such as LEVDD, LVESD, Ao.D and FS didn't show significant interval change in Gr.I.2) A single subject with a minor increase in AI severity together with no difference between the HPA and LPA groups argue for a relatively chronic effect of high G exposure in aircrew with mild AI.
Aircraft ; Aviation ; Cineangiography ; Diptera* ; Echocardiography* ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Military Personnel ; Retrospective Studies

The empty sella syndrome is characterized by obesity, frequent pregnancy, headache and high blood pressure, but its exact cause remains unknown. Usually the incomplete diaphragmatic sella has been considered as the cause of the empty sella syndrome, but some authors recently have suggested that the antipituitary antibody way be related to development of pituitary atrophy and the pituitary empty sella syndrome, and thus it may be clinically useful as screening test for the empty sella syndrome. We experienced two empty sella syndromes associated Graves disease and applied the antipituitary antibody as the diagnostic tool of the empty sella syndrome. But none of this two patients had antipituitary antibody and we report these cases with reviews of literatures.
Atrophy ; Empty Sella Syndrome ; Graves Disease ; Headache ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Mass Screening ; Obesity ; Pregnancy

From August, 1981 to November, 19S5, the Hoffmann and Monofixateur apparatus were employed in the treatment of thirty five open tibial fractures that we considered to have a poor prognosis with more conventional forms of treatment. The results were obtained as follows; l. Application of Monofixateur was minimum iatrogenic soft tissue injuries and easier, simpler than Hoffmann and two external fixators were favorable device with rigidity in wound management. 2. Two external fixators could obtained sufficient stability when 3 or more pins were applied at each fragment of fracture in Hoffmann and 2 or more pins in Monofixateur. Monofixateur could obtained high stability with small number of fixation components and more stronger against anterior-posterior bending and in Hoffmann more stronger against lateral bending. 3. External components of Monofixteur was located in anterior surface, therefore dynamization converted tensile force of anterior surface of tibia to compression force and then bone union was activated. 4. After operation, in Hoffmann correction of compression, distraction and angular, rotational deformity were possible and in Monofixateur correction of compression distraction, and anterior or posterior angulation was possible. 5. Because of rigid stability of two external Bxators, these allowed early movement, avoiding joint stiffness and duration ambulation unilateral assembly of device in position biomechanically favorable. 6. The lateral view of fracture site could not be confirmed accurately due to overlapping of Hoffmann's adjustable connecting rod and bony shadow. In Monofixateur A-P and lateral view of Fx. site could be confirmed. 7. Accurate reduction and compression played a important role in bone union. 8. The time to fixation for all of the fractures averaged 20 weeks in Hoffmann and 16 weeks in Monofixateur. The time to union averaged 24 weeks in Hoffmann and 20 weeks in Monofixateur.
Clinical Study ; Congenital Abnormalities ; External Fixators ; Joints ; Prognosis ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Tibia ; Tibial Fractures ; Walking ; Wounds and Injuries

No abstract available.
Humans ; Male

PURPOSE: Recently, urine reflux into prostate during abnormal micturition has been proved and suggested to be an important pathogenetic factor that evoked the symptoms of prostatitis syndrome. The evaluation of voiding dysfunction in these patients may give the useful information to select the treatment methods or the next step of study. The objectives of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of voiding symptom score and uroflowmetry as the screening methods for patients with nonbacterial prostatitis syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For patients with prostatitis syndrome, evaluations of urine, prostatic secretion, voiding symptom scores(IPSS: international prostate symptoms score), and uroflowmetry were performed. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the patterns of uroflow curve[type N; normal bell shape with Qmax(maximal flow rate) > 20ml/sec, type I; irregular shape, regardless of Qmax, type P; plateau shape with Qmaxf15ml/sec]. For patients with cutie patterns of type I and p, G-blockers were tried initially for 1-2 months and the effectiveness of o-blockers according to the changes of IPSS, Qmax and patterns of uroflow cutie was estimated. Patients with the pattern of type N and non-responders to o-blockers were further investigated to rule out any other cause. RESULTS: Among total 64 patients, 55 patients(86%) showed the abnormal uroflow cuties(Type I or P). 34(61.8%) of these 55 patients responded to alpha-blockers with changes of IPSS from 18.3 to 8.1(p<0.001) and of Qmax from 13.gm1/sec to 20.0ml/sec(p<0.001). The response to o-blockers was expected highly in group of type I with more than 10m1/sec of Qmax and less than 20points of IPSS(14.7folds). Of the 9 of type N patients, 6 were revealed to have idiopathic detrusor instability and 18 of 21 non-responders to alpha-blockers were diagnosed to have the bladder neck obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: The results that the effectiveness to o-blockers and the possibility of other disease could be characterized by IPSS and uroflowmetry suggest IPSS and uroflowmetry may be the useful screening methods for patients with prostatitis syndrome.
Humans ; Mass Screening* ; Prostate ; Prostatitis* ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction ; Urination

The optimal management of uveal melanoma is still a matter of controversy. To determine the effect of Gamma Knife surgery on patients with uveal melanoma, the authors reviewed the outcome of five operations performed between September 1993 and August 1996. The mean age of the patients was 60.7(range 42 to 76) years; the median follow-up period was 10 months, and four patients were followed up for more than 6 months. The mean tumor volume was 3442mm3(mean diameter 15.3mm) and all patients were irradiated with a mean maximum dose of 74Gy (range 60-80Gy), using a 50% isodose on the tumor margin. In one patient, the tumor disappeared completely 32 months after Gamma Knife surgery; because the tumor did not regress, one patient subsequently required enucleation, and two remained stable. During a mean follow-up period of 10 months, vision was preserved in two patients, but one went blind; in one, enucleation was performed because the tumor did not regress. These results suggest that in cases of uveal melanoma Gamma Knife surgery can effectively control local tumors, can spare the eyeball, and may prevent loss of vision.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Melanoma* ; Tumor Burden

No abstract available.
Brain Stem* ; Cysticercus* ; Granuloma*

BACKGROUND: Recently, a lower incidence of late potentials has been reported in patients with acute myocardial infarction after successful thrombolysis when compared with conventionally treated patients. In another recent study, however, no significant effect of thrombolytic therapy on any abnormal signal average electrocardiography was found at 13 days after acute myocardial infarction. The present study was designed to determine the prognostic significance of the signal average electrocardiography and to evaluate the possible value of this technique as a noninvasive tool for monitoring of coronary occlusion and reperfusion. METHODS: Signal averaging was performed by using a signal average electrocardiography with bidirectional filterings before coronary artery occlusion, at 5 minutes after coronary occlusion and on reperfusion in 20 cats. Three of them died due to malignant ventricular arrhythmia during reperfusion. In all cats, approximately 250 beats were averaged. All data were analysed at filter frequency 25 to 250Hz, 40 to 250Hz and 80 to 250Hz. The following quantitative high resolutional electrocardiographic variables were calculated by computer : 1) filtered total QRS duration, 2) duration of HFLA(high frequency low amplitude) signals under 40uV, 3) RMS voltage of terminal 40ms, 4) mean Voltage of terminal 40ms, 5) average noise voltage. RESULTS: At the filter frequency of 40 to 250Hz and 80 to 250Hz, the filtered QRS duration and duration of HFLA signals 40uV were significantly prolonged at 5 minutes after coronary artery occlusion than before coronary occlusion(p<0.01). At the filter frequency of 40 to 250Hz and 80 to 250Hz, the RMS voltage(terminal 40ms) and mean voltage(terminal 40ms) were significantly prolonged at 5 minutes after coronary artery occlusion than before coronary occlusion(p<0.01, p<0.01 respectively). At the filter frequency of 80 to 250Hz, the filtered QRS duration and at the filter frequency of 25-250Hz, the duration of HFLA signals at 40uV were significantly shortened during reperfusion than at 5 minutes after coronary artery occlusion(p<0.01, p<0.05 respectively). At the filter frequency of 40 to 250Hz and 80 to 250Hz, the RMS voltage(terminal 40ms) and mean Voltage(terminal 40ms) were significantly shortened during reperfusion than at 5 minutes after coronary artery occlusion(p<0.01, p<0.01 respectively). There was no significant change of the filtered QRS duration, duration of HFLA signals 40uV,RMS voltage(terminal 40ms) and mean Voltage(terminal 40ms) after reperfusion compared with those of control at the filter frequency of 25 to 250Hz, 40 to 250Hz and 80 to 250Hz respectively. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the signal average electrocardiography could be a valuable tool for monitoring the state of coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion.
Animals ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Cats* ; Coronary Occlusion ; Coronary Vessels* ; Electrocardiography* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Myocardial Infarction ; Noise ; Reperfusion* ; Thrombolytic Therapy

PURPOSE: To determine the influence of manganese dipyridoxyl diphosphate (Mn-DPDP) on MRI and proton MRS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In an in-vitro study designed to determine changes in the lipid peak at 1.3 ppm, 4.7T MR equipment was used to obtain proton MR spectrographic images of a lipid solution of varying concentration, with and without Mn-DPDP. Before; at 10, 20, and 30 minutes; and at 1, 2, 4, and 24 hours after the IV injection of Mn-DPDP (10umol, 1ml/kg), the concentration of Mn in liver tissue was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. At the same intervals, T1-weighted MR images were obtained, the signal intensity ofthe liver was thus determined, and the relative enhancement ratio was calculated. MRS of rabbit liver was performed serially at the same intervals, and the peak areas of metabolites, as well as their peak areas relative to lipids, were calculated. The findings were correlated with tissue Mn concentration. RESULTS: At 1.3 ppm with Mn-DPDP, MRS showed that the peak area of the lipid had decreased. Tissue Mn concentration increased just after Mn-DPDP injection and peaked after 20 minutes, decreasing to a level within the normal range after 24 hours. Serial changes in the signal intensity of the liver, as seen at MRI, showed a similar pattern to that of Mn concentration. There was reverse correlation between serial change in the peak area of lipids at 1.3 ppm and Mn concentration after Mn-DPDP injection. CONCLUSION: At T1-weighted MR imaging, the injection of Mn-DPDP led to the enhancement of liver tissue, and at MRS, the lipid peak at 1.3 ppm decreased. There was close correlation between these effects and tissue Mn concentration.
Absorption ; Liver* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy* ; Manganese ; Protons* ; Reference Values ; Spectrum Analysis