No abstract available.
Hemangioblastoma* ; Spinal Cord*

The authors report a case of thoracic meningomyelocele. The patient had not have any presenting symptoms until adult age. We confirmed it with radiological(postmyelography CT and MRI) and pathological diagnosis. Pre-, post- and intraoperative SSEP(somatosensory evoked potential) monitoring were performed. Characteristically, the mass contained accessory cord which attached to inner cyst wall with multiple fibrous bands. Meningomyelocele was completely removed without any neurologic sequelae.
Adult ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Meningomyelocele*

Between 1986 and 1990, four children with recurrent CNS leukemia who had previous CNS prophylaxis therapy were treated with intermittent central nervous system irradiation and intrathecal chemotherapy (IIIC). There was no isolated CNS recurrence. One patient died form bone marrow relapse. Three patients are alive without evidence of disease for 3E3/12 year to 3E6/12 year after the diagnosis of recurrence of CNS leukemia. This experience suggests that IIIC may be an effective treatment for preventing the recurrence of CNS leukemia without any serious side effects.
Bone Marrow ; Central Nervous System* ; Child* ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy* ; Humans ; Leukemia* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Recurrence

The pectus carinatum or anterior protrusion of the sternum is a less common than pectus excavatum. It occurs more frequently in boys than girls and associated musculoskeletal abnormalities, spinal scoliosis is most common. Ravitch first reported correction of chondromanubrial prominence in 1952, resecting the multiple deformed costal cartilages and performing a double osteotomy on sternum. We have experienced one case of pectus carinatum and obtained satisfactory postoperative results. The deformity was corrected by the subchondral resection of multiple deformed costal cartilage, bilaterally, with single osteotomy on sternum and fracture of the posterior cortex to correct anterior angulation. Postoperative course was uneventful. We report this case with brief review of the literature.
Cartilage ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Female ; Funnel Chest ; Humans ; Musculoskeletal Abnormalities ; Osteotomy ; Scoliosis ; Sternum

For evaluating the lumbar disc space, the fact that the postmyelography computed tomography was more accurate than computed tomography or myelography is well-known. But the technical difficulty is limitation of gantry angle. The prone position scanning may help to lessen this trouble. A prospective computed tomographic scanning was performed in both the prone and supine position on 43 patients, who had low back pain. The angle between the vertebral end plate and vertical line was measured in both position at L3-4, L4-5 and L5-S1 interspaces. The advantages of prone scanning in spinal aligment was noted at L5-S1 disc space(79.1%) and also more desirable if computed tomography was performed with metrizamide. With above advantages, the evaluation of bulging annulus was became more easier.
Humans ; Low Back Pain ; Metrizamide ; Myelography ; Prone Position* ; Prospective Studies ; Spine* ; Supine Position

Recently, along with technology development of endoscopic equipment, a stent has been developed for the convenience of operation, shortening of recovery times, and reduction of patient's pain. To this end, optimal factors are simulated for the stent structure and mechanical reaction and verified using finite element analysis. In order to compare to present commercialized product such as Zilver (Cook, Bloomington, Indiana, USA) and S.M.A.R.T (Cordis, Bridgewater Towsnhip, New Jersey, USA), mechanical impact factors were determined through Taguchi factor analysis, and flexibility and expandability of all the products including ours were tested using finite element analysis. Also, important factors were sought that fulfill the optimal condition using central composition method of response surface analysis, and optimal design were carried out based on the important factors. From the centra composition method of Response surface analysis, it is found that importat factors for flexibility is stent thickness (T) and unit area (W) and those for expandability is stent thickness (T). In results, important factors for optimum condition are 0.17 mm for stent thickness (T) and 0.09 mm2 for unit area (W). Determined and verified by finite element analysis in out research institute, a stent was manufactured and tested with the results of better flexibility and expandability in optimal condition compared to other products. Recently, As Finite element analysis stent mechanical property assessment for research much proceed. But time and reduce expenses research rarely stent of optimum coditions. In this research, Important factor as mechanical impact factor stent Taguchi factor analysis arrangement to find flexibility with expansibility as Finite element analysis. Also, Using to Center composition method of Response surface method appropriate optimized condition searching for important factor, these considering had design optimized. Production stent time and reduce expenses was able to do the more coincide with optimum conditions. These kind of things as application plan industry of stent development period of time and reduce expenses etc. be of help to many economic development.
Academies and Institutes ; Finite Element Analysis ; Indiana ; New Jersey ; Pliability ; Stents

Recently, the mathematical analysis of stent simulation has been improved, with the help of development of various tool which measure mechanical property and location of stent in artery. The most crucial part of the stent modeling is how to design ideal stent and to evaluate the interaction between stent and artery. While there has been great deal of researches on the evaluation of the expansion, stress distribution, deformation of the stent in terms of the various parameters, few verification through computer simulation has been performed about deformation and stress distribution of the stent. In this study, we have produced the corresponding results between experimental test using Universal Testing Machine and computer simulation for the ideal model of stent. Also, we have analyzed and compared stress distribution of stent in the cases of that with membrane and that without membrane. The results of this study would provide minimum change of plan and good quality for ideal stent replacing damaged artery through the analysis using computer simulation in the early stage of stent design.
Alloys ; Arteries ; Collodion ; Computer Simulation ; Exercise Test ; Finite Element Analysis ; Membranes ; Stents

Recently, the mathematical analysis of stent simulation has been improved, with the help of development of various tool which measure mechanical property and location of stent in artery. The most crucial part of the stent modeling is how to design ideal stent and to evaluate the interaction between stent and artery. While there has been great deal of researches on the evaluation of the expansion, stress distribution, deformation of the stent in terms of the various parameters, few verification through computer simulation has been performed about deformation and stress distribution of the stent. In this study, we have produced the corresponding results between experimental test using Universal Testing Machine and computer simulation for the ideal model of stent. Also, we have analyzed and compared stress distribution of stent in the cases of that with membrane and that without membrane. The results of this study would provide minimum change of plan and good quality for ideal stent replacing damaged artery through the analysis using computer simulation in the early stage of stent design.
Alloys ; Arteries ; Collodion ; Computer Simulation ; Exercise Test ; Finite Element Analysis ; Membranes ; Stents

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) plays an important role on cardiac muscle differentiation, cardiac septa and valve formation during heart development. However, the role of TGF-beta1 in cardiac valves of adult animals is largely unknown. Cardiac valves are target portion from repetitive, periodic and continuous physical loading in the body. Therefore, we examined the mRNA, protein levels, and protein distribution of TGF-beta1 in cardiac valves of adult animals to clarify the biological importance of TGF-beta1. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult mice, rats and pigs were used. Cardiac valves of pig were frozen and were pulverized with liquid nitrogen. To measure the mRNA levels of TGF-beta1 in cardiac valves, total RNA was extracted using Tri-reagent and performed Northern blot analysis. To measure the protein levels of TGF-beta1 in cardiac valves, total protein was extracted and performed Western blot analysis. To examine the TGF-beta1 distribution, immuno-histochemistry with anti-CC-1-30 antibody was performed. RESULTS: The mRNA level of TGF-beta1 in pulmonary valve was higher than those in the other valves. However, the protein levels of TGF-beta1 were similar among valves. The mRNA and protein levels of TGF-beta1 in cardiac valves were higher than those in atria or ventricles. The TGF-beta1 protein was located mainly in cellular interstitium in cardiac valves. The distribution of TGF-beta1 protein in surface area was higher than in the mid-portion of valves. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that synthesis and distribution of TGF-beta1 in cardiac interstitum is essential for maintaining of normal structure and function on various physical loading.
Adult ; Animals ; Blotting, Northern ; Blotting, Western ; Heart ; Heart Valves* ; Humans ; Mice ; Myocardium ; Nitrogen ; Pulmonary Valve ; Rats ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger ; Swine ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess long-term clinical outcomes and radiographic changes in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis with grade I degenerative spondylolisthesis who underwent microsurgical bilateral decompression via unilateral laminotomy, as a minimally invasive surgery. Method: Medical records of twenty-five patients who underwent the surgery between 1999 and 2005 were retrospectively evaluated. Clinical outcomes were evaluated through interviews over telephone with standardized questionnaires. Preoperative and postoperative radiographs were taken from all patients in neutral and dynamic lateral views. The mean follow-up period after surgery was 38.5 months(range 9-57 months). RESULTS: Seventy-two percent of patients were either pain free(48%) or doing well with occasional acetaminophens(24 %), and satisfied with the treatment. The most improved preoperative symptom was neurogenic intermittent claudication, which was ameliorated in 94.7% of patients(excellent 84.2%, good 10.5%, fair 5.3%). Postoperative vertebral slippage was also measured and appeared to be slightly increased but this was not statistically significant. Postoperative dynamic angulation did not change significantly compared to the preoperative value. CONCLUSION: Microsurgical bilateral decompression via unilateral laminotomy achieved a satisfactory decompression and symptomatic relief without extensive destruction of the weight-bearing structures and functional mobile segments. This treatment can be an effective modality for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis associated with mild degenerative spondylolisthesis.
Decompression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intermittent Claudication ; Laminectomy ; Medical Records ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Stenosis ; Spondylolisthesis ; Telephone ; Weight-Bearing