No abstract available.
Animals ; Embryonic Structures* ; Mice*

PURPOSE: The usefulness and radiographic findings of the angiography in cerebral infarction are well known. We attempted to evaluate the anglographic causes, findings, and the usefulness of DSA in cerebral infarction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors reviewed retrospectively DSA images of 51 patients who were diagnosed as having cerebral infarction by brain CT and/or MRI and clinical settings. DSA was performed in all 51 patients, and in 3 patients, conventional anglogram was also done. Both carotid DSA images were obtained in AP, lateral, oblique projections, and one or both vertebral DSA images in AP and lateral. The authors reviewed the patient's charts for symptoms, operative findings and final diagnosis, and analysed DSA findings of cerebral atherosclerosis with focus on 6 major cerebral arteries. RESULTS: Among the 51 patients of cerebral infarction 43 patients(84.3%) had cerebral atherosclerosis, 1 dissecting aneurysm, 1 moyamoya disease and 6 negative in anglogram. DSA findings of cerebral atherosclerosis were multiple narrowings in 42 patients(97,7%), tortuosity in 22(51.2%), dilatation in 14, occlusion in 12, avascular region in 8, collaterals in 7, ulcer in 6, and delayed washout of contrast media in 3. In cerebral atherosclerosis, internal carotid artery was involved in 37 patients(86.0%), middle cerebral artery in 29(67.4%), posterior cerebral artery in 28, anterior cerebral artery in 26, vertebral artery in 22, and basilar artery in 15. Intracranial involvement of cerebral atherosclerosis (64.9%) was more common than extracranial involvement(16.2%). CONCLUSION: In cerebral infarction MRA may be the screening test, but for more precise evaluation of vascular abnormality and its extent, DSA should be considered.
Aneurysm, Dissecting ; Angiography ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction* ; Anterior Cerebral Artery ; Basilar Artery ; Brain ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Cerebral Arteries ; Cerebral Infarction* ; Contrast Media ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Humans ; Intracranial Arteriosclerosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mass Screening ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Moyamoya Disease ; Posterior Cerebral Artery ; Retrospective Studies ; Ulcer ; Vertebral Artery

PURPOSE: To describe plain radiographic and thin-section CT findings of hematogenous candida pneumonia in major burn patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We reviewed nine cases of hematogenous candida pneumonia in major burn patients who had positive blood culture for candida and findings of pneumonia on plain chest radiograph. On five of nine cases, thin-section CT was done. We evaluated retrospectively nine cases for onset, the pattern, distribution, and size of lesions on plain chest radiograph and thin-section CT. RESULTS: On plain chest radiograph, randomly distributed 2-10mm nodules were seen in six cases(66%) and randomly distributed 10-15mm consolidations in remaining three cases{33% ). Lesion occured in 11th to 75th post-burn day{average, 34th post-burn day). Other findings were cardiomegaly in three cases, atelectasis in three cases, and pulmonary edema in one case. Thin-section CT showed variable shaped subpleural nodules in all five cases. The size of nodules were 1-5mm in two cases(40%) and 5-10mm(60% ) in three cases. Feeding vessel signs were seen in two cases. Other findings were atelectasis in three cases, cardiomegaly in three cases, ground-glass opacity and interlobular septal thickenings by pulmonary edema in two cases. CONCLUSION: Plain chest radiographic findings of hematogenous candida pneumonia in major burn patients are randomly distributed nodules or consolidations of variable size. Thin-section CT findings are variable shaped subpleural nodules less than 1 cm.
Burns* ; Candida* ; Cardiomegaly ; Humans ; Pneumonia* ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Pulmonary Edema ; Radiography, Thoracic* ; Retrospective Studies ; Thorax*

PURPOSE: To characterize the MR findings for a differential diagnosis and to make a plan for treatment by interventional technique of the vascular masses with/without hypertrophic feeding vessels of the head and neck. SUBJCETS AND METHODS: Seven patients with vascular masses of the head and neck proved by pathology, angiography, clinical findings were included. Vascular masses included 4 venous malformations, a capillary hemangioma, and a hemangiopericytoma, a hemangioma combined with arteriovenous malformation. 7 patients had MR studies with 1.0T and 1.5T using routine TI-, T2- weighted spin echo sequences, and contrast enhancement. 4 MR angiography, 3 inversion recovery, and 6 contrast angiography were studied from 7 patients RESULTS: All vascular masses demonstrated higher than muscle signal intensity on Tl-weighted images, bright signal intensity on T2-weighted images, and prominent enhancement, except AV hemangioma combined with prominent arteriovenous malformation on postcontrast scan. Three hemangiomas demonstrated distinct serpiginous signal voids. Venous malformations demonstrated venous lakes seen as homogenous regions of high signal intensity and phleboliths seen as low signal foci on images. Inversion recovery was the best pulse sequence for evaluation of the extent of lesion. CONCLUSION: MR findings of the vascular masses of the head and neck are useful in delineating the extent of the disease, differentiating venous malformation or cavernous hemangioma from other hemangiomatous lesions including hypertrophic feeding vessels, and making a plan for treatment by interventional technique also.
Angiography ; Arteriovenous Malformations ; Diagnosis, Differential* ; Head* ; Hemangioma ; Hemangioma, Capillary ; Hemangioma, Cavernous ; Hemangiopericytoma ; Humans ; Lakes ; Neck* ; Pathology

PURPOSE: The vertebral artery dissection is rare and increasingly recognized as a source of stroke. The purpose of this study is to describe causes, clinical manifestations, MRI and anglographic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Conventional anglograms(n=7) and magnetic resonance imaging(n=6) were retrospectively analyzed in seven patients of vertebral artery dissection. The classification of the Krayenbuhl and Yasargil for vertebral artery segmentation was used for localization of vertebral artery dissection. Additionally, etiology and clinical manifestations were also retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Six cases were spontaneous type and one case was traumatic type. The clinical diagnoses of 6 spontaneous arterial dissection cases were wallenberg syndrome(4 cases), subarachnoid hemorrhage(1 case), and infarction of the cerebellum corresponding to PICA territory(1 case). A linear bright signal caused by thrombus was well visualized at the dissection area on sagittal T1 weighted spin echo MR images in all 6 cases. The characteristic anglographic findings were profound narrowing in 4 cases, pearl and string sign(including dissecting aneurysm) in 3 cases, complete obstruction in 3 cases, and a double density lumen(true and false lumen) extending to proximal basilar artery in one case. Spontaneous dissections were located at the V4 segment in all 6 cases. One traumatic dissection was located at the V2 segment. CONCLUSION: The most common site of the spontaneous dissection of the vertebral artery was V4 portion and a linear bright signal caused by thrombus was well visualized on sagittal T1 weighted spin echo MR images.
Basilar Artery ; Cerebellum ; Classification ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Infarction ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pica ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke ; Thrombosis ; Vertebral Artery Dissection* ; Vertebral Artery*

No abstract available.

OBJECTIVES: Sexual dysfunction has been frequently experienced by male alcoholics. The possible etiologies of the sexual problems in alcoholics has been known to be hormonal rather than neuropathic or psychosocial. The main purpose of our study was, therefore, to examine the different parameters of the hypothalamic -pituitary- gonadal awis(testosterone, estradiol, luteinizing hormone, follic1e-stimulating hormone ; HPG axis) in chronic alcoholic men. On the other hand, cortisol and prolactin were included because they could influence the HPG axis. METHODS: Serum concentrations of testosterone, estradiol, luteinizing hormone, follic1e-stimulating hormone, cortisol, and prolactin were measured in 15 male patients with alcohol dependence once during withdrawal and once after 21 days of abstinence. The results were compared with those of 12 healthy male volunteers. RESULTS: During withdrawal, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, cortisol and prolactin levels were significantly enhanced. Estradiol and cortisol concentrations fell significantly during abstinence, whereas luteinizing hormone and prolactin concentrations remained elevated. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that normal serum concentrations of testosterone were maintained in chronic alcoholic men without hepatic cirrhosis. In contrast to this, estrogen and prolactin concentrations seemed to be markedly enhanced. Whether this increase in estrogen and prolactin concentrations is implicated in different clinical and psychological symptoms seen in chronic alcoholics remains to be investigated.
Alcoholics ; Alcoholism* ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Estradiol ; Estrogens ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones* ; Gonadotropins* ; Gonads ; Hand ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone* ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Male ; Prolactin* ; Testosterone ; Volunteers

No abstract available.
Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell*

OBJECTIVE: This study consists of a single open clinical trial to evaluate the treatment effects of paroxetine on symptoms of hwa-byung, a Korean culture-related anger syndrome. METHODS: Eighty-nine patients with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, or self-labeled hwa-byung were treated with paroxetine (Paxil CR) 12.5-37.5 mg/day for 8 weeks. Treatment effects were evaluated using the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), the State and Trait Anger Inventory (STAXI), and the Hwa-byung Scale. RESULTS: Scores on all items ; total score on the Hwa-byung Scale ; scores on state anger, trait anger, and anger-in ; total score on the STAXI ; and total score on the HAM-D decreased significantly after eight weeks of paroxetine treatment compared to baseline. CONCLUSION: Paroxetine was shown to be effective for treating symptoms of hwa-byung, a chronic anger syndrome.
Anger ; Anxiety Disorders ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder ; Humans ; Paroxetine ; Somatoform Disorders

PURPOSE: To investigate the usefulness of dynamic MR imaging in the differential diagnosis of brain tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dynamic MR imaging was performed in 43 patients with histopathologically proved brain tumrs. Serial images were sequentially obtained every 30 seconds for 3--5 minutes with use of spin-echo technique(TR 200msec/TE 15msec) after rapid injection of Gd-DTPA in a dose of 0.1mmol/kg body weight. Dynamics of contrast enhancement of the brain tumors were analyzed visually and by the sequential contrast enhancement ratio(CER). RESULTS: On the dynamic MR imaging, contrast enhancement pattern of the gliomas showed gradual increase in signal intensity(SI) till 180 seconds and usually had a longer time to peak of the CER. The SI of metastatic brain tumors increased steeply till 30 seconds and then rapidly or gradually decreased and the tumors had a shorter time to peak of the CER. Meningiomas showed a rapid ascent in SI till 30 to 60 seconds and then made a plateau or slight descent of the CER. Lymphomas and germinomas showed relatively rapid increase of Sl till 30 seconds and usually had a longer time peak of the CER. CONCLUSION: Dynamic MR imaging with Gd-DTPA may lead to further information about the brain tumors as the sequential contrast enhancement pattern and CER parameters seem to be helpful in discriminating among the brain tumors.
Body Weight ; Brain Neoplasms* ; Brain* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Germinoma ; Glioma ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Meningioma