PURPOSE: To clarify the chracteristic sonographic features of benign soft tissue tumors and to evaluate the usefulness of sonographic imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed ultrasonographic images of 70 cases in 68 patients with histologically proved benign soft tissue tumors. RESULTS: The tumors included 33 lipomas, 11 hemangiomas. 11 lymphangiomas, 7 neurilemmomas, 4 epidermold cysts, 2 fibromas, 1 mesenchymoma, and 1 myxoma. The SOhographic appearances of the lesions were mainly solid in 53 cases(33 lipomas, 8 hemangiomas, 2 lymphangiomas, 7 neurilemmomas, 2 fibromas and 1 mesenchymoma), mainly cystic in 14 cases(1 hemangioma, 8 lymphangiomas, 4 epidermoid cysts, and 1 myxoma), and mixed in 3 cases(2 hemangiomas and 1 lymphangioma). Although an accurate histologic prediction could not be made in most cases, certain patterns appeared to be characteristic of specific tumor types. 26 cases(78%) of lipoma were seen as lentiform, iso- or hyperechoic, solid mass. Hemangioma had variable appearance and chacteristic calcifications were seen in 3 cases. Unicameral or multiseptated cystic mass with variable thickness of echogenic septa and solid portion was the characteristic finding of lymphangioma. Neurilemmoma showed Iobulated, oval to round, relatively hypoechoic mass with or without internal cystic portion. CONCLUSION: Sonographic evaluation of benign soft tissue tumros is useful in demonstrating the location, size, extent, and internal characteristics of the mass. A relatively confident diagnosis can be made when the characteristic features of the benign soft tissue tumor are present on sonographic imaging.
Diagnosis ; Epidermal Cyst ; Fibroma ; Hemangioma ; Humans ; Lipoma ; Lymphangioma ; Mesenchymoma ; Myxoma ; Neurilemmoma ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography

Dural metastasis associated with chronic subdural hematoma is very rare in patients with malignant neoplasms; it may be difficult to distinguish malignant neoplasms from chronic subdural hematoma. Chronic subdural hematoma is usually a late manifestation of malignant tumors, which contributes to the severity of the prognosis. The scans obtained by using magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography may be misleading when a subdural hematoma masks the underlying tumor. Herein, we report a case of a subdural hematoma with dural metastasis of unknown origin in a 45-year-old woman; however, the neoplasm was not detected until autopsy.
Adenocarcinoma ; Autopsy* ; Female ; Hematoma, Subdural* ; Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Masks ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis

PURPOSE: This study compared the accuracy of an abutment-framework (A-F) taken with open tray impression technique combining cementon crown abutments, a metal framework and resin cement to closed tray and resin-splinted open tray impression techniques for the 3-implant definitive casts. The effect of angulation on the accuracy of these 3 techniques was also evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three definitive casts, each with 3 linearly positioned implant analogs at relative angulations 0, 30, and 40 degrees, were fabricated with passively fitted corresponding reference frameworks. Ten impressions were made and poured, using each of the 3 techniques on each of the 3 definitive casts. To record the vertical gap between reference frameworks and analogs in duplicate casts, a light microscope with image processing was used. Data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance and the Tukey test. RESULTS: The open tray techniques showed significantly smaller vertical gaps compare to closed tray technique (P < .05). The closed tray and the resin-splinted open tray technique showed significantly different vertical gaps according to the angulation of implant (P < .05), but the A-F impression technique did not (P > .05). CONCLUSION: The accuracy of the A-F impression technique was superior to that of conventional techniques, and was not affected by the angulation of the implants.
Crowns ; Light ; Resin Cements

Intussusception is the most common cause of acquired intestinal obstructions during infancy and early childhood. Barium reduction and pneumoreduction have been sued widely as nonsugical method of treatment in radiologic department. In the past, attempts at barium reduction of intussusception were contraindicated in the presence of frank intestinal obstruction, shock, fever, dehydration, bowel perforation, peritonitis and longstanding symptoms. At present, however, there is no agreement on the contraindications, except for shock, peritonitis and bowel perforation. Especially, there is no consensus regarding its application on patient presenting with sign of frank intestinal obstruction. The authors analyzed the effect of pneumoreduction in the intussusception with sign of frank intestinal obstruction. Pneumoreduction was attempted in 53 cases of intussusception with sign of frank intestinal obstruction. Reduction was successful in 43 cases(81%). The mean fluroscopic time was 15.1 minutes and mean maximal pressure was 121.8mmHg in successful reduction. As complications, two cases of bowel perforation were observed, but could be treated surgically without any significant problem. In conclusion, pneumoreduction is a useful substitute for barium reduction in the management of pediatric intussusception with sign of frank intestinal obstruction.
Barium ; Consensus ; Dehydration ; Fever ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction* ; Intussusception* ; Methods ; Peritonitis ; Shock

Scrub typhus (Tsutsugamushi disease)is an acute febrile systemic illness caused by Rickettsia tsutsugamushi that is transmitted to humans by the bite of larval-stage trombiculid mites (chiggers). The authors analyzed chest radiographic findings of scrub typhus in 160 patients in Ulsan area. One hundred and eight (67.5%) of160 patients showed abnormal findings which included lung lesions in 108 patients (67.5%), cardiomegaly in 37 patients (23.1%), lymphadenopathy in 25 patients (15.6%) and pleural effusion in 11 patients (6.9%). Among the lung lesions, interstitial patterns were seen in 107 patients (66.9%), mostly fine or medium reticulonodular, and air-space patterns in 14 patients(8.8%) and combined interstitial and air-space patterns in 13 patients (8.1%). Sixty-four patients(40%) had combined chest radiographic findings. The typical chest radiographic findings of scrub typhus would be helpful in evaluation of the causes of acute febrile illness that occur during late fall in the endemic area.
Cardiomegaly ; Humans ; Lung ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Orientia tsutsugamushi ; Pleural Effusion ; Radiography, Thoracic* ; Scrub Typhus* ; Thorax* ; Trombiculidae ; Ulsan*

Sulfuric acid can cause local or systemic effects after exposure by inhalation, ingestion, or topical application. Direct ingestion is the main exposure route for fatal sulfuric acid injury. Fatal accidents involving the inhalation of toxic sulfuric acid vapors are rare. Inhalation of sulfuric acid fumes causes severe irritation or corrosive damage to the upper respiratory tract. Consequently, severe congestion, edema, and inflammation of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory passages hinder the entry of air into the lungs, possibly leading to fatalities in victims. A 35-year-old man died at his home after complaining of a severe sore throat. One day earlier, he had worked in a sulfuric acid tank in a copper-smelting plant while wearing an ordinary gas mask that offered no protection against sulfurous acid vapors. Upon autopsy, the larynx and epiglottis showed pronounced edema, congestion, and inflammation that histologically mimicked an acute bacterial suppurative inflammation, accompanied by severe pulmonary edema. A field analysis of the air inside the sulfuric acid tank revealed SO4(2-) positivity and a 40% sulfuric acid concentration.
Adult ; Autopsy ; Eating ; Edema ; Epiglottis ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Inhalation* ; Larynx ; Lung ; Mucous Membrane ; Pharyngitis ; Plants ; Pulmonary Edema ; Respiratory Protective Devices ; Respiratory System ; Sulfur* ; Sulfuric Acids

A 74-year-old man presented with recurrent vomiting and aspiration pneumonia in the left lower lobe. He entered the intensive care unit to manage the pneumonia and septic shock. Although a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube was implanted for recurrent vomiting, vomiting and aspiration recurred frequently during admission. Subsequently, he complained of neck pain when in an upright position. A videofluoroscopic swallowing study showed compression of the esophagus by cervical osteophytes and tracheal aspiration caused by an abnormality at the laryngeal inlet. Cervical spine X-rays and computed tomography showed anterior cervical osteophytes at the C3-6 levels. Surgical decompression was scheduled, but was cancelled due to his frailty. Unfortunately, further recurrent vomiting and aspiration resulted in respiratory arrest leading to hypoxic brain damage and death. Physicians should consider cervical spine disease, such as diffuse skeletal hyperostosis as an uncommon cause of recurrent aspiration pneumonia.
Aged ; Bays ; Decompression, Surgical ; Deglutition ; Esophagus ; Gastrostomy ; Humans ; Hyperostosis ; Hypoxia, Brain ; Intensive Care Units ; Neck Pain ; Osteophyte* ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Aspiration* ; Shock, Septic ; Spine ; Vomiting

No abstract available.
Anemia* ; Erythropoietin* ; Humans* ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature*

PURPOSE: To analyze gray-scale US, color and duplex Doppler US, and angiographic findings in patients with acquired uterine arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), and to evaluate the usefulness of these modalities in the diagnosis of this disease and the effect of transcatheter arterial embolization in its treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a recent seven-year period, we diagnosed 21 cases of acquired uterine AVM. Nineteen of these patients had a history of causative D&C (between one and seven D&C procedures per patient), one had a history of causative cesarean section, and one had cervical conization. All patients underwent transabdominal and endovaginal gray-scale, color Doppler, and duplex Doppler US and angiography, with therapeutic embolization of bilateral uterine arteries. The majority underwent follow-up Doppler US after embolization. RESULTS: The gray-scale US morphology of uterine AVMs included subtle myometrial inhomogeneity and multiple distinct, small anechoic spaces in the thickened myometrium or endometrium. Color Doppler US showed a tangle of tortuous vessels with multidirectional, high-velocity arterial flow, which was focally or asymmetrically distributed. Duplex Doppler US depicted a waveform of fast arterial flow with low resistance, while angiography demonstrated a complex tangle of vessels supplied by enlarged uterine arteries, in association with early venous drainage during the arterial phase, and stasis of contrast medium within abnormal vasculature. Where AVMs were combined with a pseudoaneurysm, this finding was observed. Transcatheter arterial embolization provided a complete cure, without recurrence. CONCLUSION: Color and duplex Doppler US is an appropriate modality for the detection and diagnosis of uterine AVMs and for follow-up after embolization. Transcatheter arterial embolization is a safe and effective method of treating this disease.
Aneurysm, False ; Angiography ; Animals ; Arteriovenous Malformations* ; Cesarean Section ; Conization ; Diagnosis* ; Dilatation and Curettage ; Drainage ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Endometrium ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mice ; Myometrium ; Pregnancy ; Recurrence ; Uterine Artery

Measurement of the serum CA 125 level as a tumor marker in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer has been widely used to monitor disease status and predict survival of patient. While a number of benign gynecologic as well as benign or malignant non-gynecologic conditions are associated with elevations of serum CA 125 levels, the established normal range describes a healthy population of women. Because the metabolism and clearance of CA 125 is not well understood and mild or moderate degrees of renal impairment frequently occurs in ovarian cancer patients during treatment or course of disease, it is valuable to investigate the effect of impaired renal function on serum level of CA 125. Eighty-nine women on hemodialysis who had no other definite cause to elevate serum CA 125 level were selected at random. The age of the patients ranged from 19 to 83 and renal disease was secondary in most cases to diabetes mellitus, hypertension or glomeru-lonephritis. The creatinine clearance was less than 10cc/min for all patients. (continue)
Creatinine ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Metabolism ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Reference Values ; Renal Dialysis