PURPOSE:There is a clear sexual dimorphism in circulating concentration of leptin in adulthood. However, we don' know when such dimorphism begins and how much pubertal development influences on it. So we examined body composition and circulating concentrations of leptin according to Tanner stage(TS). METHODS:We examined 112 children(M; 56, F; 56, Age; 8.5-17 yr) to evaluate the relationship of leptin and body composition. Body composition was determined by bioelectric impedence measurements(BIA) and by anthropometry. Leptin was measured by human specific RIA. Leptin level was analysed according to TS, body mass index(BMI), fat mass(FM), and lean body mass. RESULTS:BMI and free FM was correlated with TS in both sexes. FM was closely correlated with TS in girls but not in boys(M; r=0.08, P=0.54. F; r=0.73, P>0.001). Leptin levels increased in girls with advanced TS(r=0.355, P<0.01), but decreased in boys(r=-0.339, P<0.01). A strong exponential relationship was observed for leptin levels with BMI, FM, and percentage body fat as determined by BIA. There was significant sexual dimorphism of leptin level at TS VI/V. Because leptin level was significantly related FM, leptin level was normalized to FM(Leptin/FM). Leptin/FM of females(0.67+/-.27 ng/mL/kg) was also significantly higher then that of males(0.31+/-.15 ng/mL/kg)(P<0.001). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that plasma leptin levels increase in girls and decrease in boys after TS II as pubertal development proceeds; they show a significant gender difference, especially late puberty, even after adjustment for FM. Sexual dimorphism in leptin during puberty reflects not only differential changes in body composition but also different leptin resistance; reference ranges of leptin could be modified by TS and gender.
Adipose Tissue ; Adolescent* ; Anthropometry ; Body Composition* ; Child* ; Female ; Humans ; Leptin* ; Plasma ; Puberty ; Reference Values

PURPOSE:There is a clear sexual dimorphism in circulating concentration of leptin in adulthood. However, we don' know when such dimorphism begins and how much pubertal development influences on it. So we examined body composition and circulating concentrations of leptin according to Tanner stage(TS). METHODS:We examined 112 children(M; 56, F; 56, Age; 8.5-17 yr) to evaluate the relationship of leptin and body composition. Body composition was determined by bioelectric impedence measurements(BIA) and by anthropometry. Leptin was measured by human specific RIA. Leptin level was analysed according to TS, body mass index(BMI), fat mass(FM), and lean body mass. RESULTS:BMI and free FM was correlated with TS in both sexes. FM was closely correlated with TS in girls but not in boys(M; r=0.08, P=0.54. F; r=0.73, P>0.001). Leptin levels increased in girls with advanced TS(r=0.355, P<0.01), but decreased in boys(r=-0.339, P<0.01). A strong exponential relationship was observed for leptin levels with BMI, FM, and percentage body fat as determined by BIA. There was significant sexual dimorphism of leptin level at TS VI/V. Because leptin level was significantly related FM, leptin level was normalized to FM(Leptin/FM). Leptin/FM of females(0.67+/-.27 ng/mL/kg) was also significantly higher then that of males(0.31+/-.15 ng/mL/kg)(P<0.001). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that plasma leptin levels increase in girls and decrease in boys after TS II as pubertal development proceeds; they show a significant gender difference, especially late puberty, even after adjustment for FM. Sexual dimorphism in leptin during puberty reflects not only differential changes in body composition but also different leptin resistance; reference ranges of leptin could be modified by TS and gender.
Adipose Tissue ; Adolescent* ; Anthropometry ; Body Composition* ; Child* ; Female ; Humans ; Leptin* ; Plasma ; Puberty ; Reference Values

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to describe Magnetic Resonance(MR) findings of two epidural cavernous malformations of the spine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR imaging was performed in 2 patients(29-year-old man and 54-year-old woman). Sagittal T1 -, T2-weighted images and Gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced axial and sagittal images were acquired. Two patients had surgery and MR findings were compared with surgical and histopathological findings. RESULTS: MR imaging showed high- and low-signal intensity components of these lesions that were characteristic of an epidural cavernous malformation in one case. The other case showed a high signal intensity on T2- and strong enhancement on Gd-enhanced T1 -weighted images. We think that the former may be due to mixed subacute and chronic hemorrhage and the latter may be due to blood within the endotheliumlined sinusolds without hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: These findings were well correlated with the surgical and histo-pathological findings of cavernous malformation.
Gadolinium ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Middle Aged ; Spine*

We retrospectively reviewed the MRI findings of 100 temporomandibular joints in 78 patients who had complained temporomandibular joint dysfunction. MRI findings were classified according to Wilke's staging criteria. And these findings were compared with arthrographic findings in 22 joints and surgical findings in 44 joints. According to Wilkes's staging. They were classified into 6 stages of abnormality: stage 0 (33 cases), stage I (19 cases), stage II (10 cases), stage III (18 cases), stage IV (6cases), stage V (14 cases). Among the 22 cases in which arthrography and MRI were done, both studies were well correlated in 10 joints. In 7 joints, MRI was superior to arthrography, which correctly demonstrated the meniscal displacement in 2 joints and . Meniscal deformity in 5 joints. In 5 joints, arthrography was superior to MR, which demonstrated the perforation (1 joint), adhesion (2 joint) and recapture of meniscus (2 joints). Compared with surgical findings, MRI correctly demonstrated the displacement of meniscus in all 44 joints. However, in case of the 10 meniscal perforation, MRI demonstrated the meniscal discontinuity in only 4 joints. Retrospective MR findings in 10 proven cases were the defect in posterior attachment in 4, far anterior meniscal displacement without recapture in 8m condylar spur in 4, and close bone to bone contact in 1. In conclusion, MRI as a primary Fiagnostic modality of temporomandibular joint derangment, is superior for the grading of displacement and deformity of meniscus but inferior for the evaluation of perforation, adhesion and recapture of meniscus to conventional arthrography. In case of the suspected meniscal perforation, arthrographic correlation is recommanded preoperatively.
Arthrography ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Humans ; Joints ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Retrospective Studies ; Temporomandibular Joint*

The venous malformation in head and neck is a developmental vascular disease which arises from the arrest in the certain stage of vascular embryogenesis. However, the lesion extends along the fascia and has a tendancy to recur after incomplete therapy. Retrospectively, the authors reviewed radiologic studies of 20 patients diagnosed as venous malformation during the last 5 years. The diagnosis was verified by histopathology (5 patients) and direct puncture angiography (15 patients). The radiologic studies included. CT with intravenous contrast injection (20 patients), RI angiography with 99m Tc-pyrophosphate (6 patients), and direct puncture angiography (15 patients). Multiplicity of venous malformation was noted in 9 patients. On CT scan, the lesions had lobulated irregular shape, with heterogeneous appearance, showed delayed enhancing characteristics, and had the phleboliths(21 lesions). The venous malformations were located at the masticator space (including masseter muscle) (n=12), retrobulbar space(n=6), submandibular space(n=4), paravertebral space(n=3) and so on. In two cases, the lesions were very extensive involving entire neck and parapharynx. On RI angiography using 99mTc-pyrophosphate, all of the lesions showed persistent and delayed uptake. With direct punture angiography the lesions could be classified as acinar pattern (n=17) and mixed pattern (acinar and saccular) (n=2). Venous connections were noted in 10 lesions. In conclusion, if a soft tissue mass on head and neck shows a heterogeneous attenuation density with or without calcified phlebolith on CT scan, RI angiography is recommended as a next diagnostic study. If it shows delayed persistent uptake, venous malformation can be suspected. Finally direct puncture angiography can verify the nature and extent of the lesions.
Angiography ; Diagnosis* ; Embryonic Development ; Fascia ; Female ; Head* ; Humans ; Neck* ; Pregnancy ; Punctures ; Retrospective Studies ; Technetium Tc 99m Pyrophosphate ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vascular Diseases

Emphysematous cystitis is a rare condition characterized by gas collection in the wall and lumen of the bladder. We experienced three cases of emphysematous cystiris. All patients were female; one was associated with a long term history of diabetes mellitus and another with urinary indwelling catheter. All of the cases were easily diagnosed on plain radiograph and CT scan, and were successfully treated with antibiotic therapy. In one of the cases, however, associated abscess due to perivesical extension of inflammation was treated by combined external drainage.
Abscess ; Catheters, Indwelling ; Cystitis* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Drainage ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Urinary Bladder

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a demyelinating disease of probable autoimmune etiology. The MR images of patients with clinically suspected ADEM were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical symptoms occurred 5 days to 1 month after viral upper respiratory infection (4) and Coxsakie viral infection(1). The symptoms had begun with fever(3), headache(3), sore throat(1), and drowsy mental state (1), which progressed with monophasic course to altered mental change(2), extremity weakness(2), seizure(1) and/or cerebellary symptom(I) MRI findings of ADEM showed patchy(4), nonhemorrhagic(5), asymmetric(5) high signal intensity lesions on T2-weighted images. The number of the lesions was mostly multiple(4). The lesions mainly involved the brain stem(3) and subcortical white matter(3). Follow-up MR images of 13 days to 20 days after high dose steroid therapy showed marked improvement in two of three, which well correlated with clinical manifestations. MR findin of multiple, patchy, nonhemorrhagic and asymmetric lesions in subcortical white matter and brain stem on T2-weighted images seem to be characteristic features of ADEM, but nonspecific. Therefore, clinical correlation is required in evaluating ADEM.
Brain ; Brain Stem ; Demyelinating Diseases ; Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated ; Extremities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Retrospective Studies ; White Matter

A nineteen year-old boy with progressive enlargement of the joints and distal extremities, clubbing, coarse facial features and hyperhidrosis was investigated. In physical examination, thickening of the scalp with furrowing (cutis verticis gyrata) and greasy thickening of skin (pachyderma) was prominent. His endocrine profile was normal. Radiological studies demonstrated bilateral symmetrical periosteal new bone formation with acroosteolysis and incidental microadenoma of pituitay gland. After extensive investigation to exclude systemic and endocrine causes, the patient was diagnosed as pachydermoperiostosis (PDP). PDP is a rare syndrome manifested clinically by finger clubbing, extremity enlargement, hypertrophic skin changes, and periosteal bone formation. The pathogenesis of the disorder has not been clarified though few endocrine abnormalities were seen. To aware of these clinical phenotype would help to differentiate PDP from acromegaly.
Acro-Osteolysis ; Acromegaly ; Extremities ; Fingers ; Humans ; Hyperhidrosis ; Joints ; Male* ; Osteoarthropathy, Primary Hypertrophic* ; Osteogenesis ; Phenotype ; Physical Examination ; Scalp ; Skin ; Young Adult*

No abstract available.
Lissencephaly* ; Walker-Warburg Syndrome

PURPOSE: Pilocytic astrocytoma is a benign tumor predominantly arising from cerebellum in pediatric age. But it occasionally arises in supratentorium. We describe radiologic findings of supratentorial pilocytic astrocytoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven CT and 7 MR examinations in 11 patients were retrospectively reviewed with attention to location, CT density, MR signal intensity, and degree and pattern of contrast enhancement on CT and MR. RESULTS: The tumors were located around the third ventricle (hypothalamus in three cases, optic chiasm in three cases) and in cerebral hemisphere (temporal lobe in three cases, frontal lobe in one case, thalamus in one case). On CT, the tumors were all sharply demarcated and rarely associated with edema. The tumors showed moderate to strong contrast enhancement. Necrosis appeared frequently in tumors around the third ventricle in contrast to frequent cyst formation in hemispheric masses. On MR, the tumors appeared hypo- or isointense on T1- weighted images and hyperintense on T2- weighted images. After administration of contrast agent, the tumors showed intense enhancement more than that of CT. CONCLUSION: The typical location and radiologic findings described above are helpful in the diagnosis of the supratentorial pilocytic astrocytoma.
Astrocytoma* ; Cerebellum ; Cerebrum ; Diagnosis ; Edema ; Frontal Lobe ; Humans ; Necrosis ; Optic Chiasm ; Retrospective Studies ; Thalamus ; Third Ventricle