PURPOSE: Results of 181 percutaneous needle aspiration biopsies performed with an 18-gauge needle during a period of 3 years were analyzed to determine efficacy and safety of the procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biposies were performed in patients that could not be diagnosed by bronchoscopy or sputum cytology. The biopsy procedure with 18-gauge Crown needle was guided by fiuoroscopy. The biopsy specimen placed in 10% formalin solution were histologically confirmed. RESULTS: In 160 patients(89%), the positive diagnosis was made by percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy. There were 153 lung lesions(120 malignant and 33 benign lesions) and 7 mediastinal lesions. the diagnostic accuracy of malignant and benign disease was 91% and 80% respectively. Complications included pneumothorax(n=11) and hemothorax(n=l):six of them required treatment with chest tube and the remainder showed spontaneous resporption. CONCLUSION: PCNB with an 18-gauge needle provided a reliable, relatively safe diagnostic tool to establish the diagnosis of both malignant and benign chest lesions.
Biopsy ; Biopsy, Needle* ; Bronchoscopy ; Chest Tubes ; Crowns ; Diagnosis ; Formaldehyde ; Humans ; Lung ; Needles* ; Sputum ; Thorax*

PURPOSE: Results of 181 percutaneous needle aspiration biopsies performed with an 18-gauge needle during a period of 3 years were analyzed to determine efficacy and safety of the procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biposies were performed in patients that could not be diagnosed by bronchoscopy or sputum cytology. The biopsy procedure with 18-gauge Crown needle was guided by fiuoroscopy. The biopsy specimen placed in 10% formalin solution were histologically confirmed. RESULTS: In 160 patients(89%), the positive diagnosis was made by percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy. There were 153 lung lesions(120 malignant and 33 benign lesions) and 7 mediastinal lesions. the diagnostic accuracy of malignant and benign disease was 91% and 80% respectively. Complications included pneumothorax(n=11) and hemothorax(n=l):six of them required treatment with chest tube and the remainder showed spontaneous resporption. CONCLUSION: PCNB with an 18-gauge needle provided a reliable, relatively safe diagnostic tool to establish the diagnosis of both malignant and benign chest lesions.
Biopsy ; Biopsy, Needle* ; Bronchoscopy ; Chest Tubes ; Crowns ; Diagnosis ; Formaldehyde ; Humans ; Lung ; Needles* ; Sputum ; Thorax*

No abstract available.
Infection Control* ; National Health Programs*

Endobronchial metastasis from extrapulmonary carcinoma, both clinically and radiologically similar in appearance to a primary lung cancer, is rare. We present a case of endobronchial metastasis from parosteal osteosarcoma. The first abnormality noted on the chest radiography was tramline calcification with branching pattern along the right upper lobe bronchus and intermediate bronchus. This lesion progressed into a solid calcified nodule which increased in size. Another lesion with same pattern was also observed in the left lower lung zone.
Bronchi ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Osteosarcoma* ; Radiography ; Thorax

In an attempt to assess the evidence of abnormal central vision before the development of either overt retinopathy or a reduction in visual acuity in patients with diabetes mellitus, hue discrimination and ccntrast sensitivity were tested in diabetic patients with background diabetic retinopathy(N=57) or no-retinopathy(N=28). The results were as follows: 1. There were statistically significant differences in the mean square root of total error score, blue-yellow and red-green partial error score between the normal controIs, the no-retinopathy group and the background diabetic retinopathy groups, respectively(P<0.001). 2. In the no-retinopathy group contrast sensitivity was decreased in high spatial frequency only in comparison with the normal controls. On the other hand, in the background diabetic retinopathy group contrast sensitivity was decreased in all spatial frequency in comparison with the normal controls and the no-retinopathy group(P<0.05). 3. The proportion of diabetic patients with statistically significant color vision and contrast sensitivity deficits in the no-retinopathy and the background diabetic retinopathy groups were 3.6% and 38.6% respectively.
Color Vision ; Contrast Sensitivity* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Discrimination (Psychology)* ; Hand ; Humans ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of correction of a malfunctioning peritoneal dialysis catheter with guidewire and stiffener under fluoroscopic guidance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between November 1994 and March 1997, we performed 15 manipulations in 12 patients in whom a dual-cuff, straight Tenckhoff peritoneal dialysis catheter had been implanted due to chronic renal failure. The causes of catheter malfunctioning were inadequate drainage of the dialysate (n=14) and painful dialysis (n=1). Under fluoroscopic guidance, adhesiolysis and repositioning of the malfunctioning catheter were performed with an Amplatz Super Stiff guidewire and the stiffener from a biliary drainage catheter. The results of procedures were categorized as either immediate or durable success, this latter being defined as adequate catheter function for at least one month after the procedure. RESULTS: Immediate success was achieved in 14 of 15 procedures (93%), and durable success in 7 of 15 (47%). The mean duration of catheter function was 157 (range, 30 to 578) days. After manipulation, abdominal pain developed in eight patients and peritonitis in two, but with conservative treatment, these symptoms improved. CONCLUSION: The correction of a malfunctioning peritoneal dialysis catheter with guidewire and stiffener under fluoroscopic guidance is an effective means of restoring catheter function and may be an effective alternative to surgical reimplantation of the catheter, or hemodialysis.
Abdominal Pain ; Catheters* ; Dialysis ; Drainage ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Peritoneal Dialysis* ; Peritonitis ; Renal Dialysis ; Replantation

A Dieulafoy's lesion is an uncommon, but important, cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. It is associated with massive, life-threatening hemorrhage and is typically difficult to diagnose. Although originally described in the stomach and rarely found below the proximal stomach, identical lesions have been reported in other gastrointestinal organs, including the duodenum, jejunum, colon, and rectum. Most cases occur with bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. However, we present an incidental asymptomatic Dieulafoy's lesion in the colon, which was treated successfully by using an endoscopic hemoclipping technique.
Colon ; Duodenum ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Hemorrhage ; Jejunum ; Rectum ; Stomach

PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy of lateral radiography of the spine with that of morphometric X-rayabsorptiometry(MXA) in vertebral morphometry, and to evaluate normal vertebral morphometry using MXA in Koreanwomen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A spine phantom was constructed using copper pipe. Its anterior and posteriorheights were measured directly, with lateral radiographs and with MXA, and the values thus obtained were compared.Inter -and intra -observer variations were evaluated by three radiologists. The vertebral morphometry of 30 youngwomen volunteers were imaged using thoracic and lumbar lateral radiographs and MXA, and analysis included themeasurement of anterior and posterior heights from T4 to L4. We also obtained the vertebral morphometry of 200normal Korean women who underwent MXA between March 1995 and February 1996, though those with osteoporosis andother spinal lesions were excluded from this study. Thoracolumbar vertebral indexes were statistically correlatedwith age, height and bone mineral. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the heights ofspine phantom measured by MXA compared with actual size (mean difference=0.28mm). Simple radiographs weremagnified by 23.7% at a phantom-table distance of 15cm, and distortion ranged from 0.5% to 22.5%, depending onphantom level and phantom-table distance. In the study of volunteers, the magnification rate between a simpleradiograph and MXA was about 26.6%. Anterior height increased progressively from the thoracic to the lumbar spine,though posterior height peaked at L2, and L4 was less than anterior height. In Korean women, indices of vertebralmorphometry decreased significantly with aging, with the most prominent decrease occurring during the seventhdecade. The mineral density of spinal bone decreased markedly after the sixth decade. CONCLUSION: Radiographsshowed more magnification and distortion than did MXA, though between morphometric X-ray absorptiometry (MXA) andactual size, there was no significant difference. The vertebral morphometric indices of Korean women and referredbone mineral density may provide useful data for determining and evaluating follow-up changes in spinalmorphology.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Aging ; Copper ; Female ; Humans ; Osteoporosis ; Radiography ; Spine* ; Volunteers

Epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica is a rare skin disease characterized by milia, nail dystrophy, andblistering of the skin and mucous membranes in response to minimal trauma. A forty years old man had typical skinlesions on the extremities, and the presence of distal phalangeal wedge deformity with soft tissue webbing wasnoted. multiple segmental strictures and ulceration involved the cervical and distal esophagus. Esophageal balloondilatation was therefore performed and dysphagia was relieved. The authors describe a case involving multipleesophageal strictures and musculoskeletal lesion, with clinically and radiologically documented epidermolysisbullosa dystrophica.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Deglutition Disorders ; Epidermolysis Bullosa Dystrophica* ; Epidermolysis Bullosa* ; Esophagus ; Extremities ; Mucous Membrane ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Ulcer

Venous aneurysm of the superior vena cava(SVC) is a rare congenital lesion and can be classified morphologically as either fusiform or saccular. Although there is a controversy with regard to the need for either conservative or surgical treatment, surgery is recommended for the saccular type as major complications of the aneurysm may occur. We report a case of saccular aneurysm of the SVC, treated by means of an endoluminal stent-graft.
Aneurysm* ; Vena Cava, Superior*