OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in three-dimensional (3D) morphology of the hard palate between Korean adults with and without mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) using cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) data. METHODS: The protocol for the two-dimensional (2D) and 3D mathematical modeling was established by analyzing CBCT images of 30 adults with OSA and 30 matched controls without OSA, using MIMICS software. The linear and angular measurements were also determined using this software. The measurements were repeated for 30 palates, by the same operator, to assess reliability. RESULTS: The palates of OSA patients were higher in the posterior part and narrower in the anterior-superior part than those of the control group (p < 0.05). The nasal cavities of patients with OSA were narrower (p < 0.05) than those of controls. The increasing angle of the first molar palatal root is a compensation of the upper dental arch to improve occlusion. However, for most palatal measurements, there were no significant differences between the OSA and control groups (p > 0.05). The results of 2D and 3D mathematical models were consistent for linear and angular measurements, indicating that 2D and 3D mathematical modeling of the palate is a reliable methodology. CONCLUSIONS: OSA is a multifactorial disease; the palates of adults with mild-to-moderate OSA do not have specific morphological features distinct from those of healthy controls.
Adult* ; Compensation and Redress ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Dental Arch ; Humans ; Models, Theoretical ; Molar ; Nasal Cavity ; Palate ; Palate, Hard* ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive*

Clear thermoplastic retainers have been widely used in daily orthodontics; however, they have inherent limitations associated with thermoplastic polymer materials such as dimensional instability, low strength, and poor wear resistance. To solve these problems, we developed a new type of clear orthodontic retainer that incorporates multi-layer hybrid materials. It consists of three layers; an outer polyethylenterephthalate glycol modified (PETG) hard-type polymer, a middle thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) soft-type polymer, and an inner reinforced resin core. The resin core improves wear resistance and mechanical strength, which prevent unwanted distortion of the bucco-palatal wall of the retainer. The TPU layer absorbs impact and the PETG layer has good formability, optical qualities, fatigue resistance, and dimensional stability, which contributes to increased support from the mandibular dentition, and helps maintain the archform. This new type of vacuum-formed retainer showed improved mechanical strength and rate of water absorption.
Absorption ; Dentition ; Fatigue ; Orthodontic Retainers* ; Orthodontics ; Polymers ; Polyurethanes ; Water

BACKGROUND: Community-acquired pneumonia(CAP) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recently, the evolution of drug-resistant microorganisms has become a serious problem in CAP management. Specific antimicrobial therapy is the cornerstone of CAP management. However, obtaining an accurate etiologic diagnosis clinically is not easy and empirical antimicrobial treatment is usually administered prior to the correct microbiologic diagnosis. In this study, the clinical usefulness of empirical CAP treatment was investigated. METHODS: A total 35 cases were studied prospectively over a 16-month period in Mokpo Catholic Hospital from Dec. 1995 to Mar. 1997. The microbiologic diagnosis was made by sputum, blood culture, a specific serum antibody test and an immunologic study. RESULTS: The causative organisms were isolated in 10 (30%) out of 33 cases: 8 cases and 1 case on the sputum culture and blood culture respectively, and 1 case by an indirect hemagglutinin test. 12 cases had underlying diseases: pulmonary tuberculosis 4, alcoholism 4, diabetes mellitus 3, and liver cirrhosis 1. Antimicrobial treatment was given empirically and all cases recovered. CONCLUSION: A definite microbiologic diagnosis before commencing the appropriate treatment in CAP is not straightforward. Empirical therapy according to a clinical assessment is important and helpful. However, every effort to make the correct etiologic diagnosis should be taken.
Alcoholism ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diagnosis ; Hemagglutinins ; Jeollanam-do* ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Mortality ; Pneumonia* ; Prospective Studies ; Sputum ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

No abstract available.
Blood Pressure* ; Pancreatectomy* ; Subclavian Artery* ; Subclavian Steal Syndrome*

The main goal of the surgical treatment of maxillofacial deformity is improved esthetic appearance and masticatory function. Recently, the purpose of orthognathic surgery has been focused on esthetic improvement of the patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in gonial angle to orthognathic surgery. For this study 30 patients were randomly selected. All patients with mandibular prognathism were operated upon with bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy and mandibular setback. The patients were cephalmetric lateral radiographs for 1 hear. Lateral cephalmetric radiographs taken preoperatively, over 6-months and 1 year follow up were traced and analysed. The following conclusions were reached. : 1. During following up period for 1 year, the change of gonial angle after orthognathic surgery was decreased, except 3 cases. The mean gonial angle change was decreased from 128.6 degrees(+/-4.83) to 123.4 degrees(+/-5.52) in female(p<0.05). 2. During follow up period for 1 year, the mean gonial angle was decreased after orthognathic surgery from 129.7 degrees(+/-6.47) to 123.3 degrees(+/-7.52), in all male patients(p<0.05). 3. The mean gonial angle changes after orthognathic surgery was about 5.2 degrees in female and 5.4 degrees in male. There was less statistical significance between male and female. 4. The ratio of mandibular setback amount from 6mm to 15mm was 83.3%, and from 1mm to 5mm was 10%.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Orthognathic Surgery ; Osteotomy, Sagittal Split Ramus ; Prognathism

STUDY DESIGN: A case report. OBJECTIVES: To document that Gelfoam(R) (Pharmacia & Upjohn, Kalamazoo, MI) contributes to granuloma formation and spinal cord irritation by immune response. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The Gelfoam(R) or microfibrillar collagen applied during various operation for hemostasis. Some complications of Gelfoam(R), such as mechanical cord compression, postoperative swelling and mass effect in closed cavity have been reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patient was underwent posterior decompression and instrumented posterolateral fusion under the diagnosis of the ossification of ligamentum flavum at T10-11 and T11-12. In operation, Gelfoam(R) was used at epidural space. She complained of sensory deterioration and muscle weakness around lower extremities after 10days postoperatively. A second operation was performed. RESULTS: Postoperatively, the patient immediately improved motor grade except spasticity. She is under observation. CONCLUSIONS: Gelfoam(R) at epidural space after posterior decompression can result hyperactive immune reaction and irritate spinal cord.
Collagen ; Decompression ; Epidural Space ; Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable ; Granuloma ; Hemostasis ; Humans ; Ligamentum Flavum ; Lower Extremity ; Muscle Spasticity ; Muscle Weakness ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Spinal Fusion

No abstract available.
Catheters* ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory*

Isolated torsion of the fallopian tube in postmenopausal women is rare. In this case report, we detail the case of a 53-year-old patient who presented with adenomyosis and a left hydrosalpinx with high levels of CA 125 and CA 19-9. The isolated torsion of the left hydrosalpinx was observed during the operation. The serum levels of CA 125 and CA 19-9 were reduced from 129.62 and 348 to 58.2 and 12.41 U/mL, respectively, after total laparoscopic hysterectomy with salpingectomy. On radiologic evaluation, there were no other factors that may have influenced the increase in serum levels of CA 125 and CA 19-9 in this patient, which were reduced after operation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of association between perioperative changes in CA 19-9 levels and isolated torsion of the fallopian tube.
Adenomyosis ; CA-125 Antigen ; CA-19-9 Antigen ; Fallopian Tubes ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Middle Aged ; Salpingectomy

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective comparative study. PURPOSE: To provide an ideal correction angle of lumbar lordosis (LL) in degenerative flat back deformity. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: The degree of correction in degenerative flat back in relation to pelvic incidence (PI) remains controversial. METHODS: Forty-nine patients with flat back deformity who underwent corrective surgery were enrolled. Posterior-anterior-posterior sequential operation was performed. Mean age and mean follow-up period was 65.6 years and 24.2 months, respectively. We divided the patients into two groups based on immediate postoperative radiographs-optimal correction (OC) group (PI-9degrees< or =LL or =55degrees). Radiological and clinical results were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients in OC group had significantly less correction loss and maintained normal sagittal alignment (sagittal vertical axis<5 cm), as compared to patients in UC group (p<0.05). LL of low PI group significantly maintained within 9degrees better than high PI group (p<0.05). Oswestry disability index (ODI) significantly decreased at last follow-up, as compared to preoperative state. However, there was no significant difference in last follow-up ODI between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: In flat back deformity, correction of LL to within 9degrees of PI will result in better sagittal balance. Thus, we recommend sufficient LL to prevent correction loss, especially in patients with high PI.
Animals ; Congenital Abnormalities* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lordosis* ; Retrospective Studies

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*