OBJECTIVE: To analyze the indications, clinical features, cytogenetic results and complications of amniocentesis and to determine the efficacy of antenatal genetic amniocentesis. METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively maternal age, gestational age, indications, transplacental puncture, frequency, discoloration of amniotic fluid, karyotype and complications in 325 cases of prenatal genetic amniocentesis performed at Chungnam National University Hospital from January 2000 to December 2002. RESULTS: The most common age group was from 30 to 34 (31.4%) and mean age was 32.7 years old. 85.3% of cases were performed at 16th-20th gestational weeks. Abnormal maternal serum markers were the most common indication of amniocentesis (56.0%) and the second most common indication was maternal age over 35 (33.2%). Abnormal karyotypes were found in 12 cases (3.6%) and normal variants were 21 cases (6.5%). Numerical aberration were 9 cases (2.7%) and structural aberration were 3 cases (0.3%). Among the autosomal aberrations, Down syndromes were 5 cases and Edward syndrome was 1 case. Among the sex chromosomal aberrations, 47,XXX were 2 cases and Turner syndrome was 1 case. As the increasing maternal age, the incidence of abnormal karyotype was increased. Procedure-related complications occurred in 11.7% of cases and fetal loss rate was 7.4%. No significant associations were found between procedure-related complications and maternal age, gestational age, transplacental puncture, frequency, discoloration of amniotic fluid, and antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSION: Amniocentesis is useful for prenatal genetic diagnosis in pregnancies with increasing risk of chromosome aberrations, such as advanced maternal age, abnormal maternal serum markers or abnormal US findings. Further studies are necessary to identify risk factors of complications after invasive procedure.
Abnormal Karyotype ; Amniocentesis* ; Amniotic Fluid ; Biomarkers ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Cytogenetic Analysis* ; Cytogenetics* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Karyotype ; Maternal Age ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second* ; Punctures ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Turner Syndrome

The purpose of this study was investigating serum lipid, apolipoprotein levels and their correlations in healthy adults of Gyeongnam area. The BMI (body mass index) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in male (25.2 +/- 2.7 kg/m2) than female (23.8 +/- 1.5 kg/m2), however PBF (percent body fat) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in female (29.6 +/- 4.3%) than male (22.7 +/- 5.0%). The WHR (waist to hip ratio) and blood pressure in the groups showed there was no significant differences. The levels of serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein B were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in male (208.7 +/- 27.7 mg/dl, 129.0 +/- 26.9 mg/dl, 1.0 +/- 0.2 g/L) than female (193.6 +/- 29.1 mg/dl, 112.5 +/- 29.5 mg/dl, 0.9 +/- 0.2 g/L, but HDL-cholesterol level was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in female (54.9 +/- 6.6 mg/dl) than male (49.9 +/- 7.3 mg/dl). The LDL-C/HDL-C, Apo B/Apo A-I and AI (atherogenic index) were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in male (2.6 +/- 0.6, 0.8 +/- 0.2, 3.3 +/- 0.7) than female (2.1 +/- 0.5, 0.6 +/- 0.2, 2.6 +/- 0.5). The triglyceride level was positively correlated with apolipoprotein B concentration (p < 0.05) and negatively correlated with HDL-cholesterol concentration (p < 0.05), however no significant correlation was found with apolipoprotein A-I. According to these results, we conclude that male adults are expecting higher incidence of cardiovascular disease than female adults and we suggest the serum triglyceride should be kept normal level for the prevention of these diseases.
Adult* ; Apolipoprotein A-I ; Apolipoproteins* ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Female ; Hip ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Triglycerides

The association of thyroid carcinoma and Hashimotos thyroiditis in same thyroid gland is controversial. Incidence of carcinoma who has Hashimotos thyroiditis has been reported from 0.5 to 22.5 per cent by Crile and by Hirabayashi et al. The reason that there are such great diffarences in the reported incidences of carcinoma in Hashimotos disease is the result of the way the material is reported. The carcinomas of the thyroid which occur in association with Hashirnotos thyroiditis are predominently papillary tumors of lower grade malignancy. Thyroid carcinoma need not be feared in patimts with Hashimotos thymiditis, if one examines the ghmd catefully. When patients with Hashimotos disease are treated with thyroxine, there is little or no tendency for Hashimotos disease propess to clinieally detectable carcinoma of the thymid, and the microcarcinoma does not appear. In this case, single thyroid nodule was detected in Hashiimotos disease patient who was treated with thyroxine. There was no significant volume change of thyroid nodule despite of TSH suppression therapy during six months. Therefore we perforrned FNABC twice, the results were highly suspicious thyroid malignancy and subtotoal thyroidectomy was performed. The final pathologic result was microscopic papillary carcinoma with background Hashlmotos thyroiditis. In conclusion, we experienced a case of subsequent microscopic papillary carcinoma of the thyroid in patient with Hashimotos thyroiditis who was TSH suppression therapy with thyroxine.
Carcinoma, Papillary ; Hashimoto Disease ; Humans ; Incidence ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroid Nodule ; Thyroidectomy ; Thyroiditis ; Thyroxine

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of the methods of anesthesia on fetal acidemia following elective cesarean delivery among uncomplicated healthy parturients at term, with a single fetus and is to see the correlation of that results with maternal age, Apgar score. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The gestational age more than 37 weeks, singleton, estimated birth weight more than 2.5 kg with ultrasonographic profiles, 98 cases of uncomplicated parturients were included. Three methods of anesthesia - general, epidural, spinal - were chosen randomly. Umbilical artery blood samples just after delivery were obtained from a double clamped segment of cord using a 3 ml syringe that had been flushed with heparin, then transported in ice to the laboratory. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the three anesthesia groups in regarding to maternal age, birth weight, and Apgar score. The incidence of fetal acidemia was more prevalent in the epidural anesthesia group than the others, and less in the general anesthesia group. No clinically pathologic neonatal outcome was happened even one case of pathologic fetal acidemia among the spinal anesthesia group. The average PO2 of umbilical artery was 19.7 mmHg, and there was no statistically significant difference between the three anesthesia groups. The average PCO2 of umbilical artery was statistically high in the epidural anesthesia group. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the fetal acidemia can occur in three methods of anesthesia. Because there is no difference between the three methods of anesthesia with regarding to 1-minute, 5-minute Apgar scores and there is no specific finding for postpartum follow up of 1month. In conclusion, any method of anesthesia can be used safely in the view of neonatal outcome for elective cesarean delivery.
Anesthesia* ; Anesthesia, Epidural ; Anesthesia, General ; Anesthesia, Spinal ; Apgar Score ; Birth Weight ; Fetus ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gestational Age ; Heparin ; Ice ; Incidence ; Maternal Age ; Postpartum Period ; Syringes ; Umbilical Arteries

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of the methods of anesthesia on fetal acidemia following elective cesarean delivery among uncomplicated healthy parturients at term, with a single fetus and is to see the correlation of that results with maternal age, Apgar score. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The gestational age more than 37 weeks, singleton, estimated birth weight more than 2.5 kg with ultrasonographic profiles, 98 cases of uncomplicated parturients were included. Three methods of anesthesia - general, epidural, spinal - were chosen randomly. Umbilical artery blood samples just after delivery were obtained from a double clamped segment of cord using a 3 ml syringe that had been flushed with heparin, then transported in ice to the laboratory. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the three anesthesia groups in regarding to maternal age, birth weight, and Apgar score. The incidence of fetal acidemia was more prevalent in the epidural anesthesia group than the others, and less in the general anesthesia group. No clinically pathologic neonatal outcome was happened even one case of pathologic fetal acidemia among the spinal anesthesia group. The average PO2 of umbilical artery was 19.7 mmHg, and there was no statistically significant difference between the three anesthesia groups. The average PCO2 of umbilical artery was statistically high in the epidural anesthesia group. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the fetal acidemia can occur in three methods of anesthesia. Because there is no difference between the three methods of anesthesia with regarding to 1-minute, 5-minute Apgar scores and there is no specific finding for postpartum follow up of 1month. In conclusion, any method of anesthesia can be used safely in the view of neonatal outcome for elective cesarean delivery.
Anesthesia* ; Anesthesia, Epidural ; Anesthesia, General ; Anesthesia, Spinal ; Apgar Score ; Birth Weight ; Fetus ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gestational Age ; Heparin ; Ice ; Incidence ; Maternal Age ; Postpartum Period ; Syringes ; Umbilical Arteries

PURPOSE: This study was performed to determine the optimal tile size for the fractal dimension of the mandibular trabecular bone using a tile counting method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Digital intraoral radiographic images were obtained at the mandibular angle, molar, premolar, and incisor regions of 29 human dry mandibles. After preprocessing, the parameters representing morphometric characteristics of the trabecular bone were calculated. The fractal dimensions of the processed images were analyzed in various tile sizes by the tile counting method. RESULTS: The optimal range of tile size was 0.132 mm to 0.396 mm for the fractal dimension using the tile counting method. The sizes were closely related to the morphometric parameters. CONCLUSION: The fractal dimension of mandibular trabecular bone, as calculated with the tile counting method, can be best characterized with a range of tile sizes from 0.132 to 0.396 mm.
Bicuspid ; Fractals ; Humans ; Incisor ; Mandible ; Molar ; Trabecular Meshwork

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical characteristics of ileal neobladder as orthotopic bladder substitution, we examined the urodynamic characteristics, clinical symptoms and radiologic findings of 11 patients who had undergone ileal nobladder substitution following cystectomy or cystoprostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHOD: From February 1993 to July 1996, 11 patients underwent lower urinary tract reconstruction with ileal neobladder. Cystectomy or cystoprostatectomy was done, and reservoirs were connected to the proximal urethra or urethrovesical junction. Urodynamic and radiologic studies were performed to evaluate neobladder function and upper tract. Clinical symptoms were evaluated via a detailed patient questionaire. RESULTS: Mean cystometric capacity was 434m1(293-640m1). All patients voided by Valsalva maneuver and achieved good peak flow rates(mean value was 22.6m1/sec). Of the patients 10 emptied bladder to near completion with a mean post-void residual of 30m1, while 1 had post-void residuals of 110m1 The neobladder demonstrated good compliance for the storage of urine Phasic neobladder contractions were present during filling cystometrography. While the number of phasic contractions increased at higher neobladder volumes, the mean length and mean pressure of phasic contractions were not Increased a higher neobladder volumes. Daytime continence was obtained in all patients(100%), while nighttime continence was achieved in 8 patients (73%). Of these 8 nighttime continent patients, 4 patients(50%) had to void at least once a night to keep dry. No difference was found in any urodynamic parameter between nighttime continent and incontinent patients. There was no difference in any important urodynamic parameter between patients who had and had not received post-operative chemotherapy. Renal function, based on serum creatinine levels, had remained stable and no significant electrolyte or acid-base imbalance was found in all patients. Voiding cystourethrograms obtained in 9 patients revealed 3 patients(33%) had grades ll-lll/V reflux IVP in 9 patients revealed hydronephrosis in 1/18(5.5%) of renal units. CONCLUSIONS: Neobladder constructed from detubularized ileum achieves adequate capacity at low pressures with a satisfactory continence rate. We conclude that neobladder may be the best choice of urinary diversion after cystectomy in the aspect of quality of life.
Acid-Base Imbalance ; Compliance ; Creatinine ; Cystectomy ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Ileum ; Quality of Life ; Urethra ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Diversion ; Urinary Tract ; Urodynamics ; Valsalva Maneuver

Coronoid impingement can cause limitation of mouth opening. In many cases, it appears to be related to the coronoid hyperplasia. We present a case of mouth opening limitation caused by coronoid impingement on the posterior surface of the zygomatic bone without coronoid hyperplasia. The bony changes in coronoid and zygoma including surface irregularity and discontinuity of the cortex and sclerotic change of inner medullary space were noted on computed tomography (CT) scans in different level of axial planes. Through another CT scans in open mouth position could demonstrate that those bony changes were caused by the contact of both surfaces against each other. In case coronoid impingement is suspected of the many possible causes, the open mouth CT scans will be needed to reveal the direct impingement of coronoid on zygoma even without coronoid hyperplasia.
Diagnosis* ; Hyperplasia ; Mouth ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Trismus ; Zygoma

Acute duodenal ischemia and periampullary intramural hematoma are rare complications after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). A 77-year-old man with splenomegaly complained of abdominal pain caused by common bile duct (CBD) stone. After successful removal of the CBD stone without immediate complications, the patient developed intramural hematoma around the ampulla of Vater along with diffuse duodenal edema. The findings were compatible with acute intestinal ischemia, and further evaluation revealed that he had underlying primary myelofibrosis. Myeloproliferative diseases are known to be significantly associated with an increased risk of thrombohemorrhagic complications. Therefore, particular attention should be given to this group of patients when a high-risk procedure such as ERCP is performed.
Abdominal Pain ; Aged ; Ampulla of Vater ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde* ; Common Bile Duct ; Edema ; Hematoma* ; Humans ; Ischemia* ; Primary Myelofibrosis* ; Splenomegaly

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the kV on fractal dimension of trabecular bone in digital radiographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 16 bone cores were obtained from patients who had taken partial resection of tibia due to accidents. Each bone core along with an aluminum step wedge was radiographed with an occlusal film at 0.08 sec and with the constant film-focus distance (32 cm). All radiographs were acquired at 60, 75, and 90 kV. A rectangular ROI was drawn at medial part, distal part, and the bone defect area of each bone core image according to each kV. The directional fractal dimension was measured using Fourier Transform spectrum, and the anisotropy was obtained using directional fractal dimension. The values were compared by the repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: The fractal dimensions increased along with kV increase (p<0.05). The anisotropy measurements did not show statistically significant difference according to kV change. The fractal dimensions of the bone defect areas of the bone cores have low values contrast to the non-defect areas of the bone cores. The anisotropy measurements of the bone defect areas were lower than those of the non-defect areas of the bone cores, but not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Fractal analysis can notice a difference of a change of voltage of x-ray tube and bone defect or not. And anisotropy of a trabecular bone is coherent even with change of the voltage of x-ray tube or defecting off a part of bone.
Aluminum ; Anisotropy* ; Fourier Analysis ; Fractals* ; Humans ; Tibia