Early and delayed 201Tl SPECT studies were performed on 20 patients with intracranial meningioma who were classified into 4 groups according to Helsinki Grading System: Grade I: benign(n=15), Grade II: atypical(n=5), Grade III: anaplastic(n=0) and Grade IV: sarcomatous(n=0). The early uptake indices(eTl, ratios of average counts/pixel in the lesion to those of contralateral area on early image) were relatively high in all types: Grade I, 3.05+/-1.44(mean+/-standard deviation): Grade II, 2.66+/-1.29. There was no statistical difference in relation to pathological grade. The delay uptake indices were 2.64+/-1.34 and 2.67+/-1.31 respectively, there was no statistical difference in relation to pathological grade. The retention indices(RI, ratios of delay to early uptake indices) were 0.92+/-0.35, 1.04+/-0.36 respectively. there was no statistical differences in relation to pathological grade. In ten cases presenting mitosis, RI was 1.11+/-0.30. But other cases not presenting mitosis RI was 0.80+/-0.34. There was significant difference between two groups p<0.05. The 99mTc-MIBI SPECT study was performed in 14 patients who classified into 4 group: Grade I(n=10) and Grade II(n=4). The uptake ratios were high in all types: Grade I, 6.70+/-3.63 and Grade II, 5.40+/-0.92. There were no statistical difference. In this study, there was no malignant case(Grade III, IV). In summary, if the further study including malignant cases, this study would aid in overcoming to overcome the limitation of CT, MRI about tumor differentiation, with regards to possible detection of presence of residual tumor and viability of tumor after treatment.
Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Meningioma* ; Mitosis ; Neoplasm, Residual ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

OBJECTIVES: Although genotype of endothelial nitric oxide synthase has been investigated in many neuropsychiatric disorders, results were controversial and even contradictory. The purpose of this study was to investigate the nature of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in Korean schizophrenic patients, and compare it with healthy control group in terms of distribution of e genotype and allele frequency of endothelial nitric oxide synthase. METHODS: Using polymerase chain reaction and amplified refractory mutation system, endothelial nitric oxide synthase genotypes were identified in 77 schizophrenics and 121 healthy controls. RESULTS: 1) When genotypes of endothelial nitric oxide synthase were classified as a/a, a/b, b/b, there was no statistical difference in genotypes between the two groups. 2) In terms of allele frequency, there was also no statistical difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene seem to be unrelated to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia in Korean population.
Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic* ; Schizophrenia

Although anterior cervical plate provide excellent fixation for anterior column, the potential risk for injury to spinal cord or soft tissue has been the reason why they have not gained universal acceptance. For this reason, anterior cervical locking plating systems were designed to avoid such surgical complications. The authors reviewed 98 patients who underwent anterior cervical fusion with anterior cervical locking unicortical system during the period of January 1995 to December 1997. Mean follow up period was 8.4months. Morscher plate placement was done in 24 and Orion plate was applied in 74. We compare the safety and efficacy of these tow plates. The two groups were comparable in demographic details, mean age(Morscher 41, Orion 47) average fusion level(Morscher 1.25, Orion 1.55) and fusion rate(Morscher 95.8%, Orion 100%). For comparison of hardware related complication, two patients(2.7%) showed screw loosening without without need for reoperation in Orion plate group. In Morscher plate group, 1 patient(4.1%) developed plate fracture and 1 patient (4.1%) developed screw loosening, but did not require delete(re) operation. Non-hardware related complications in Morscher group were seen in 2 patients(8.2%): one delete CSF leakage and the other being postoperative hematoma collection. In Orion plate group, complications were developed in 9 patients(12%): two nerve injuries(recurrent laryngeal and hypoglossal nerve), two CSF leakages, two wound infections, one postoperative hematoma collection, two donor graft site pains. Reoperations were done in two cases(2%) due to two postoperative hematoma collection one in Morscher plate group and one in Orion plate group. In one level fusion, longer operation time was required in Morscher plate group(217+/-93.7min) compared to Orion plate group(157+/-47min)(p<0.05). In this study two types of anterior cervical locking plate and screw system had good bony fusion and cervical stabilization with few instrument related complication. Moreover, allograft bone fusion with anterior cervical locking plate and screw system had good solid bony fusion without donor site morbidity. Instrument related complications were more common in Morscher locking plate and screw system.
Allografts ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Reoperation ; Spinal Cord ; Spine* ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants ; Wound Infection

A 14-year old boy was admitted with stuporous mentality. CT scan, MRI and cerebral angiogram revealed SAH and a giant aneurysm of right middle cerebral artery(4x5x5.3cm). To minimize surgical risk, endovascular treatment was done with MDS(mechanical detachable system)-spiral coil. Follow up MRI showed intraluminal thrombus formation of the aneurysm.