No abstract available.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Tuberculosis, Spinal*

The goals of medical treatment for advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET) are to control hormone-related symptoms and to prolong overall survival. Somatostatin analogues have been used for decreasing the secretion of peptides and relieving symptoms. Recent studies showed that these agents also have an anti-tumor effect and could prolong the survival of patients with advanced PNET. For well-differentiated PNET, streptozocin-based combination chemotherapy has been used for a long time and recent several studies showed survival benefit of targeted agents including angiogenesis inhibitor and mTOR inhibitor. For poorly-differentiated tumors, the number of clinical studies is very limited and the combination of etoposide and cisplatin is widely used. Based on the recent progress in the understanding of tumor biology, newer targeted agents are tested and some of these agents showed promising activity.
Biology ; Cisplatin ; Consensus ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Etoposide ; Humans ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; Pancreas ; Peptides ; Somatostatin

Authors have anthropologically measured the human skeleton from a Dugmoe Tomb of the technopolis of Kwang-ju city. The results obtained were as follows : 1. The human skeleton was thought to be constructed at the beginning of the period of the Chosun, judging from the Dugmoe Tomb. 2. It is female and its stature is estimated as about 163-165cm. The age of the skeleton is estimated to be late 50. 3. The cranial index is 77.09mm and the type is mesocephaly. 4. The cranial length-height index and the cranial breadth-height index were hypsicrane and acrocephaly. 5. The orbital index 95.0mm and the type is hypsiconch. 6. The humerus is comparatively long, slender and has more rounded diaphysis. 7. The femur is similar that of present day, and the type is platyer. 8. The abrasion of the occlusal surface of the teeth was 2.5 point.
Craniosynostoses ; Diaphyses ; Female ; Femur ; Gwangju* ; Humans* ; Humerus ; Orbit ; Skeleton* ; Tooth

PURPOSE: To compare the precise roles of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) in the evaluation of patients presenting with hemoptysis and to determine the optimal timing for HRCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The results of HRCT and FOB were compared in 23 patients (15 men, 8 women) presenting with hemoptysis. Etiologies included bronchietasis (n=4), parenchymal pulmonary tuberculosis (n=4), lung cancer (n=4), endobronchial tuberculosis (n=2), and broncholithiasis (n=2). Hemoptysis was proved to be due to miscellaneous causes in an additional three cases and to be cryptogenic in four. The diagnostic results of FOB performed before and after HRCT were compared as were those of HRCT performed within and after the first 48 hours of active bleeding. RESULTS: FOB and HRCT offered a correct diagnosis in 39% and 65% of cases, respectively (p=0.005). HRCT demonstrated three cases of bronchiectasis and three of parenchymal pulmonary tuberculosis which were beyond the range of a bronchoscope. In two of five cases in which HRCT findings were nonspecific, chondromatous hamartoma and lung cancer were confirmed by FOB. In cases where HRCT was performed prior to FOB, the latter demonstrated the location and diagnosis in 82% and 47% of cases, respectively (p=0.303) ; when HRCT was performed after FOB, HRCT was correct in 67% and 17% of cases, respectively (p=0.178). In none of three cases (0%) in which HRCT was performed during the first 48 hours of active bleeding did the procedure allow a specific diagnosis. In 15 of 20 (75%) cases in which HRCT was performed after the first 48 hours, however, the diagnosis provided by CT was correct. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that in patients presenting with hemoptysis, both HRCT and FOB should be used for evaluation, since they are diagnostically complementary. FOB is more useful for the diagnosis of endobronchial lesion, and HRCT for bronchiectasis and parenchymal pulmonary tuberculosis. If, in cases of hemoptysis, initial diagnosis is attempted within the first 48 hours of active bleeding, FOB should be the initial step, and HRCT images should not be obtained until active bleeding has been shown on plain chest radiograph to have abated. If this initial approach takes place after the first 48 hours of active bleeding, FOB and HRCT are equally suitable.
Bronchiectasis ; Bronchoscopes ; Bronchoscopy* ; Diagnosis ; Hamartoma ; Hemoptysis* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Male ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

BACKGROUND: Accurate quantitative testing of HBV DNA is very important for choosing antiviral treatment targets and evaluating treatment response in chronic HBV patients. We evaluated the performance of LG AdvanSure HBV Real-Time QPCR kit (LG) utilizing real-time quantitative PCR. METHODS: The LG kit was conducted for 201 chronic hepatitis patients undergoing treatment at the Korea University Ansan hospital and 48 normal control volunteers. The precision, limit of detection, sensitivity, and specificity of LG Kit were evaluated. Correlation analysis was done with Abbott Real Time HBV kit (Abbott) and the Cobas Amplicor HBV Monitor kit (Cobas) and the concordances rate of the three methods were calculated. RESULTS: The LG assay showed linear range of detection from 10(2) to 10(6) and coefficient of variation (CV) was 1.10~0.52% at > or =1,000 IU/mL and 1.19% at 100 IU/mL. The coefficient of determination for precision analysis was 0.997. The limit of detection for detection of 95% of positive samples was 9.71 IU/mL (54.4 copies/mL). In 201 clinical samples, the log HBV DNA/ml showed good correlation between Roche vs Abott, Roche vs LG and Abott vs LG, respectively (n=105, 108, 133, r2=0.91, 0.89, 0.94, P<0.0001). The overall concordance rate of three methods were 79.1% (159/201), 82.1% (165/201), and 85.1% (171/201), respectively, showing no stastically significant difference (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: LG AdvanSure HBV Real-Time QPCR kit showed outstanding precision, linearity, limit of detection, good correlation with previous methods, and is a valuable tool in treatment monitoring of chronic HBV infections.
DNA ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Humans ; Korea ; Limit of Detection ; Organothiophosphorus Compounds ; Sensitivity and Specificity

PURPOSE: To determine the MR imaging findings of synovial sarcoma, with emphasis on the signal characteristicsof pathologically correlated T2-weighted images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR images of 14 cases ofpathologically-proven synovial sarcomas were retrospectively reviewed and correlated with the histopathologicfindings. We analyzed the signal intensity of T1- and T2-weighted images and the incidence of triple signalintensity, and evaluated the frequency of fluid-fluid levels, internal fibrous septa, calcification, the invasionof bone or neurovascular bundles and the involvement of joint capsules, as well as the size, location and marginof the tumors and pattern of contrast enhancement. RESULTS: Necrosis, cystic change or hemorrhage was suggested in11 cases, ten of which showed triple signal intensity, and in all cases, was pathologically confirmed. Fluid-fluidlevels were found in three cases and internal septa in ten. In four cases, maximum diameter was less than 5cm, andin nine, was greater than this. No mass was detected in one case. The tumor was located in the low extremity(n=9),pelvic girdle and hip joint area(n=2), scapular(n=1), shoulder joint area(n=1), and scalp(n=1). Eleven casesshowed a relatively well-defined margin and nine showed lobulation. Except in the area of necrosis and cysticchange, the pattern of contrast enhancement was diffuse and inhomogenous. Bony invasion was detected in two cases,neurovascular encasement in four, calcification in four, and joint capsule invasion in four. CONCLUSION: OnT2-weighted images, synovial sarcoma frequently showed triple signal intensity and internal septa with fluid-fluidlevels ; this was induced by cystic changes due to necrosis and hemorrhage.
Hemorrhage ; Hip Joint ; Incidence ; Joint Capsule ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Necrosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Sarcoma, Synovial* ; Shoulder Joint

Steroid cell tumors, not otherwise specified (NOS), are infrequently encountered ovarian neoplasms. They constitute <0.1% of all ovarian tumors. They usually occur in younger individuals (mean age, 43 years) and, in contrast to other steroid cell tumors, occasionally occur before puberty. The majority of these tumors produce steroids with testosterone being the most common. Various virilizing symptoms such as hirsutism, temporal baldness, and amenorrhea are common in these patients; however massive ascites is an infrequent symptom. We report a case of steroid cell tumor, not otherwise specified, with hypertension, obesity, ascites and elevated CA 125 with brief review of literature.
Alopecia ; Amenorrhea ; Ascites ; Female ; Hirsutism ; Hypertension ; Obesity ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Puberty ; Steroids ; Testosterone

OBJECTIVES: Recurrent mucosal disease and anatomic obstruction are commonly cited causes of failed endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Hyaluronic acid (HA) has been reported to reduce scarring and to promote wound healing in sinonasal surgery. HyFence is HA stabilized by 1, 4-butandiol diglycidyl ether, which makes it less-water-soluble and highly viscoelastic. The purpose of this study is to examine the anti-adhesion effect of HyFence after ESS compared to that of HA-CMC (Guardix-Sol). METHODS: Seventy-four patients with chronic rhinosinusitis who underwent ESS were included in the study. After the ESS procedure, Merocel was placed in the ethmoidectomized areas of the both sides. Five milliliters of Guardix-Sol was then applied to the Merocel of one side and HyFence LV was applied to the other side. The effect of the agents was evaluated at one, two, and four weeks after surgery by endoscopic examination. The severity of adhesion, edema, infection and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative adhesion between the HyFence group and the Guardix-Sol group (P>0.05). Mean postoperative grades of edema and infection showed no significant difference between groups (P>0.05). There was no significant postoperative complications associated with either anti-adhesion agent (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: HyFence has equivalent anti-adhesion effect compared to Guardix-Sol following ESS.
Cicatrix ; Edema ; Ether ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Incidence ; Postoperative Complications ; Wound Healing

Magnetization Transfer (MT) imaging generates contrast dependent on the phenomenon of magnetization exchange between free water proton and restricted proton in macromolecules. In biological materials in knee, MT or cross-relaxation is commonly modeled using two spin pools identified by their different T2 relaxation times. Two models for cross-relaxation emphasize the role of proton chemical exchange between protons of water and exchangeable protons on macromolecules, as well as through dipole-dipole interaction between the water and macromolecule protons. The most essential tool in medical image manipulation is the ability to adjust the contrast and intensity. Thus, it is desirable to adjust the contrast and intensity of an image interactively in the real time. The proton density (PD) and T2-weighted SE MR images allow the depiction of knee structures and can demonstrate defects and gross morphologic changes. The PD- and T2-weighted images also show the cartilage internal pathology due to the more intermediate signal of the knee joint in these sequences. Suppression of fat extends the dynamic range of tissue contrast, removes chemical shift artifacts, and decreases motion-related ghost artifacts. Like fat saturation, phase sensitive methods are also based on the difference in precession frequencies of water and fat. In this study, phase sensitive methods look at the phase difference that is accumulated in time as a result of Larmor frequency differences rather than using this difference directly. Although how MT work was given with clinical evidence that leads to quantitative model for MT in tissues, the mathematical formalism used to describe the MT effect applies to explaining to evaluate knee disorder, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear and meniscal tear. Calculation of the effect of the effect of the MT saturation is given in the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) which is a quantitative measure of the relative decrease in signal intensity due to the MT pulse.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; Artifacts ; Cartilage ; Knee Joint ; Knee* ; Pathology ; Protons ; Relaxation ; Water

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of functional MR imaging (fMRI) with a 1.0 T scanner, fMRI of normal cerebral motor cortex at 1.0 T was compared with that at 1.5 T. MATERIALS AND METHODS: FMRI of bilateral cerebral motor cortices (left, seven; right, six) was performed in seven healthy male volunteers aged 26-34 (mean 29) years, with BOLD contrast at both 1.0 T and 1.5 T units (Siemens MR scannners). Using both these systems, two-dimensional (2D) FLASH images were obtained with TR/TE of 90/56, flip angle of 40degrees, matrix size 128*128, slice thickness of 5 mm, and FOV 23 cm. A sequence consisting of five-image-off phase (rest phase) followed by five-image-on phase (activation with finger movement) was repeated four times without pause at a single plane. The same study was performed for the contralateral motor cortex in each volunteer. Using the z-test, activation images were obtained for the signal difference between on- and off-phases (p < 0.05) and were then superimposed on 2D FLASH anatomic images at the same plane. Percentage changes of signal intensities (PCSIs) and numbers of activated pixels were compared, using the non-parametric t-test, and periodicity of signal changes was compared, using the Mantel-Haenszel Chi-square test. RESULTS: Mean PCSIs at 1.5 T and 1.0 T in the left motor cortex were 3.13 +/-1.20% and 1.43 +/- 0.56%, respectively (p = 0.009), and in the right, 1.78 +/- 0.95% and 1.34 +/- 0.28%, respectively (p = 0.32). The mean number of activated pixels at 1.5 T and 1.0 T in the left cortex was 21.14 +/- 10.67 and 19.86 +/- 11.36, respectively (p = 0.83), and in the right, 22.5 +/- 6.47 and 16.8 +/- 8.47, respectively (p= 0.22). At 1.5 T, periodicity of signal changes was seen in the left cortex in six of seven volunteers, and in the right cortex, in four of six. At 1.0T, all showed periodicity (left : p = 0.32 ; right : p = 0.14). CONCLUSION: PCSIs in the dominant hemispheres were significantly higher at 1.5 T, but no other indicators showed significant differences between 1.0 T and 1.5 T. Acceptable fMRI can therefore be carried out with a 1.0 T field strength scanner.
Fingers ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Male ; Motor Cortex* ; Periodicity ; Volunteers