PURPOSE: To obtain the findings of normal variant types of lower cervical body configuration for the purpose of differention from compression fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed simple true lateral radiographs of cervical spine from C3 to C7 in 157 pediatric patients who did not have definitive clinical symptoms of cervical spinal injury. We classified the variations of normal cervical spine into 5 types by their configuration. In case of rounded upper corner or anteriorly wedged type, we measured the height and the width of vertebral body to classify these types, and undertook ANOVA test and multiple range test to determine the correlation between the gross configuration and the measured values. RESULTS: Type 1 was similarly observed at each of C3 to C7 in age of 1-4 group but the frequency was markedly decreased in age of 5-8 group. Type 2a was frequently observed at both age groups, and its incidence increased considerally at C3 and C4 with advancing age. Type 2b was more frequently observed at C3 body and Type 3 was observed only at C3 body in age group 1-4. Type 4 was markedly increased at 5-8 age group. Type 2b and 3 were seen mostly at C3, but sometimes at C4 body. Height of body was statistically more significant than width of body in classification of type 2a, 2b and 3. CONCLUSION: The configuration of lower cervical spine in infants and children changes from immature oval type(type 1) to mature rectagular type(type 4) with increasing age. Among the 4 types, the rounded upper corner type or anterior wedging type of lower cervical spine should be differentiated from compresson fracture. We concluded that the height of cervical body is more significant than the width of body in simple radiographic classification of types 2a, 2b and 3.
Child* ; Classification ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant* ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Injuries ; Spine

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The advent of magnetic resonance imaging has enabled surgeons to detect small intracanalicular tumors. Therefore, many patients with acoustic tumors can be candidates for hearing preservation. This study was designed to analyze hearing results following acoustic tumor removal through the extended middle cranial fossa approach (EMCFA) and to determine the prognostic factors associated with successful hearing preservation. MATERIALS & METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 11 patients whose tumor was removed via EMCFA (10:acoustic tumor, 1:lymphangioma). RESULTS: In 9 patients, the tumors were completely removed with EMCFA and in one patient, the suboccipital approach was combined with EMCFA. However, the approach was transformed to the translabyrinthine approach in one patient, because the tumor adhered to the cochlear nerve. The overall success rate of hearing preservation was 60% (6 of 10). In 20% of patients, the hearing was worse and other 20% of patients lost their hearing. Preoperative hearing level, location of tumor and origin of tumor affect the postoperative hearing. But tumor size did not relate to hearing preservation. CONCLUSION: In most cases, we could preserve the patient's hearing with EMCFA. However, the patients with poor preoperative hearing and tumor originated from the superior vestibular nerve were at risk for hearing loss.
Cochlear Nerve ; Cranial Fossa, Middle* ; Hearing Loss ; Hearing* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neuroma, Acoustic ; Retrospective Studies ; Vestibular Nerve

Most of treatments have been performed laparotomy, but the rapid advances in laparoscopic operative and laboratory techniques and instrument allowed to apply laparoscopic surgery to this disease. We have reviewed 342 cases of ectopic pregnancy from march 1994 to march 2001.The cornual pregnancies were 21 case (6.1%), and the laparoscopic management in 11 cases. The mean gestational age at the time of laparoscopic surgery was 9.1 1.2 (n=11) weeks, and laparotomy was 9.4 1.3 (n=10) weeks. There were no significant difference. The mean operation time of laparoscopic surgery was 72.8 25.5minutes, and laparotomy was 68.3 24.3minutes. The mean hospital days of laparoscopic surgery were 4.9 2.4days, and laparotomy were 6.6 2.3days. In conclusion, laparoscopic surgery can be used as effective and safe as laparotomy for cornual pregnancy.
Female ; Gestational Age ; Laparoscopy* ; Laparotomy* ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnancy, Ectopic

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of bone health in women working in agriculture and analyze the associations between bone health and various vitamin D-related biomarkers. Methods: This observational study enrolled women working in agriculture (n = 210) and control occupations (n = 180). The concentration of serum total 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] was measured using the Elecsys Vitamin D Total Kit, and serum vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Along with albumin, 25(OH)D and VDBP were used to calculate the concentrations of bioavailable and free 25(OH)D. Bone mineral density (BMD) and T-score were measured at lumbar 1–4 and the femur neck using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. To identify factors affecting BMD, log-linear model and linear regression analysis were performed for statistical analysis. Results: Agricultural women workers showed higher serum concentrations of bioavailable 25(OH)D (12.8 ± 3.7 vs. 8.7 ± 5.1 ng/mL) and lower VDBP concentrations (201.8 ± 45.0 vs. 216.0 ± 68.2 μg/ mL) than control women. The association between these two vitamin D related-biomarkers and femur neck BMD were confirmed through univariable and multivariable linear model analysis. Although lumbar BMD did not differ between groups, the agricultural group displayed a lower femur BMD and a 4.3-fold increase in the risk of osteoporosis compared with the control group. Conclusions Women working in agriculture showed lower femur BMD than the control group. Of the vitamin D-related biomarkers tested, bioavailable 25(OH)D and VDBP were associated with BMD. As bioavailable 25(OH)D levels are affected mainly by VDBP levels, VDBP may play a role in the lower femur neck BMD values observed in the agricultural group. Thus, the measurement of VDBP concentration might be considered a simple and non-invasive method for measuring bone health status.