Enlargement of the extraocular muscles may cause diplopia and exophthalmos. The most common cause of the exophthalmos is thyroid associated ophthalmopathy(TAO), followed by inflammatory diseases and orbital tumors. TAO has the classical features of proptosis and lid retraction. However, the diagnosis is frequently confused with other eye diseases due to various symptoms and signs. Therefore, measurement of the size of extraocular muscles in both normal and TAO patients will make diagnosis and treatment plan easier in TAO and other muscular diseases of the orbit. For the clinical application, we measured the size of muscle with and without magnification and the results were compared. Normal mean values of cross sectional length and thickness of the extraocular muscles measured by CT scan showed 8.83x 3.60 in the inferior rectus, 9.20x3.20 in the superior muscle group, 9.45x 3.48 in the medial rectus and 9.65x3.23 mm in the lateral rectus muscle with no sex differences. All four muscles showed statistically significant enlargement in TAO and the thickness showed greater increase than the length. Superior muscle group(superior rectus and levator muscle)was the most frequently involved in TAO in both sexes. There was no significant statistical difference in the methods of measurement.
Diagnosis ; Diplopia ; Exophthalmos ; Eye Diseases ; Graves Ophthalmopathy* ; Humans* ; Korea* ; Muscles* ; Muscular Diseases ; Orbit ; Sex Characteristics ; Thyroid Gland* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Troleandomycin

BACKGROUND: Serologic markers are used to screen and diagnose the hepatitis B virus infection. In endemic area of hepatitis B, the coexistence of HBsAg and anti-HBs was frequently observed. This finding is unusual and difficult to interpret. In this study, we performed three molecular biologic assays-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), chemiluminescent molecular hybridization assay (CMHA), branched DNA (bDNA) nucleic acid hybridization assay- to detect HBV-DNA in the sera which showed both HBsAg and anti-HBs positivity. To define the patients` exact clinical conditions, we analysed the characteristics of the patients according to their diagnoses, other serologic markers and clinical findings. METHODS: HBsAg and anti-HBs were detected by EIA (Enzygnost, Behringwerke, Germany) from clinical specimens of Yonsei University College of Medicine Severance Hospital collected In the period between January 1996 and December 1996. Eighty three specimens from Severance Hospital and twenty two specimens from Health Care Center were randomly selected and were subjected to HBV PCR, HBV CMHA and HBV bDNA assay for the presence of HBV-DNA. RESULTS: The patients were arbitrarily divided into 4 groups on the basis of the optical density values of enzyme immunoassay results. Group I (high HBsAg and high antral-HBs) consisted of 6 cases; group II (high HBsAg and low anti-HBs) consisted of 70 cases, group III (low HBsAg and high anti-HBs) consisted of 1 case; group IV (low HBsAg and low antral-HBs) consisted of 6 cases. Among 83 cases, the positive rate was 51.8% (43 cases) using PCR method, 53.0% (44 cases) using CMHA, 60.2% (50 cases) using bDNA assay. HBeAg and anti-HBc IgM were helpful to predict the presence of HBV-DNA in the sera. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the patients who showed both HBsAg and anti-HBs positivity were positive for HBV-DNA by molecular biologic methods. In contrast, no one whose serologic markers with only anti-HBc positivity with out HBsAg and anti-HBs positivity showed HBV-DNA positive in the sera from Health Care Center. Taken together, the management and follow-up of the patients of both HBsAg and anti-HBs positivity could be greatly aided by combined adoption of any one molecular biologic assay of HBY-DNA with other serologic markers such as HBeAg and anti-HBc IgM.
Biological Assay ; Branched DNA Signal Amplification Assay ; Delivery of Health Care ; Diagnosis ; DNA ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens* ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Immunoglobulin M ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

PURPOSE: To study the relation between the progression of glaucoma and the expression of zone beta in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). METHODS: One hundred thirty eyes with POAG and 62 with NTG were enrolled in this study. We classified them based on the expression of zone beta and compared their optic nerve head parameters. We looked for changes in optic nerve head parameters depending on the expression of zone beta in patients who received HRT at least 1 year previously, and whose maximal intraocular pressure (IOP) during the follow-up periods was controlled under 21 mmHg. RESULTS: In the POAG patients, the group with zone beta had significantly larger cup-to-disc (C/D) ratio, and significantly smaller neural rim area and volume, than the group without zone beta. In the NTG patients optic nerve head parameters did not show statistically significant difference. Compared with the previous values, C/D ratio, neural rim area and volume showed significant progression in POAG with zone beta, but did not show significant change in POAG without zone beta and in NTG. CONCLUSIONS: In POAG, the expression of zone beta was associated with more severe optic nerve damage and faster progression than in patients without zone beta. In NTG, the expression of zone beta was not associated with significant changes in the optic nerve shape or the progression of glaucoma.
Atrophy* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glaucoma* ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle* ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Optic Disk ; Optic Nerve

No abstract available.
Creatine Kinase* ; Electrophoresis*

Recently ankylosing spondylitis have been found to be the most common one among the joint diseases which is associated with anterior uveitis. About 10 to 60% of patients with Marie-Strumpells' ankylosing spondylitis have anterior uveitis. Ankylosing spondylitis is mostly found in young male and characterized by makedly elevated sedimentation and radiological changes; earliest finding in sacro-iliac joints are subchondral sclerosis or demineralization of the bone near the sacro-iliac joints. The joint margins gradually become less distinct until ankylosis develope. The vertebral bodies show "squaring" and the longitudinal ligaments show calcification and ossification on x-ray film (Bamboo spine). The uveitis associated with ankylosing spondylitis is a mild to severe non-granulomatous type (sometimes granulomatous) involving the anterior segment exclusively. Usually it affects one eye at a time. Recurrent attacks may lead to permanent damage depending on the severity and frequency of the attacks and the adequacy of treatment. The main treatment is the administration of steroids. A 35 year old man was seen in our clinic and found to have recurrent anterior uveitis with: hypopyon in his right eye and ankylosing spondylitis while was confirmed by char;acteristic radiological findings. Pathients with acute recurrent non-granulomatous iridocyclitis without apparent cause should have an x-ray of the lumbosacral spine and sacro-iliac joints.
Adult ; Ankylosis ; Humans ; Iridocyclitis ; Joint Diseases ; Joints ; Longitudinal Ligaments ; Male ; Sclerosis ; Spine ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing* ; Steroids ; Uveitis ; Uveitis, Anterior* ; X-Ray Film

The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence rate of hepatitis B in the military service and to examine the effect of the asymptomatic HBsAg carriers on the incidence of hepatitis B. The subject were 223,270 men who were conscripted to the Korean Army from 1991 to 1994 year. According to the conscripted year, four conscription cohort were constructed. At the screening examination for military service no test for hepatitis B were performed in 1991 and 1992. In 1993, a screening test for hepatitis B were performed and those who were confirmed as HBsAg positive or > or = SGPT 100IU were excluded from conscription. In 1994, the criteria for conscription was changed and those who were HBsAg positive were not excluded from conscription. Only those who were > or =SGPT 100IU were excluded. The main results were as follows ; 1. The positive rate of HBsAg is 5.5% in the conscripted men. 2. The incidence rates of the hepatitis B in 1991 and 1992 conscription cohort were 9.96 and 8.10 per ten thousand per son - year, respectively. The incidence rate of the hepatitis B was 1.34 per ten thousand per son - year in 1993 conscription cohort which was confirmed as HBsAg negative at the screening test, and 7.41 per ten thousand per son - year in 1994 conscription cohort which included the HBsAg positive. 3. The incidence rate of hepatitis B was 99.98 per ten thousand per son- year in HBsAg positive group and 2.25 per ten thousand per son - year in HBsAg negative group. The incidence rate of the group with high SGPT and HBsAg positive was 255 times higher than that of normal population. 4. The incidence of hepatitis B in HBsAg negative group did not increase even though the probability of personal contact with HBsAg positive had been increased. From the above result s, the men who have high SGPT with HBsAg positive should be excluded from military service, and it can not be said that asymptomatic HBsAg carrier s influence on the hepatitis B incidence among the HBsAg negative through personal contact.
Alanine Transaminase ; Cohort Studies ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens* ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Military Personnel*

PURPOSE: To evaluate antioxidative and preventive effects of sea tangle extract on selenite-induced cataract formation. METHODS: Eighty SD rat pups were randomized into 8 groups. Group 1 received no injection of reagent (normal); Group 2 to 8 received injection of selenite (15 micromol/Kg, s.c.) was injected. In group 2 (control) and group 3, normal saline (i.p.) and ascorbic acid (i.p.) was injected on days 3~31. In groups 4~8, sea tangle extract (i.p.) was injected at a concentration of 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200 mg/kg, respectively. Development of cataract was assessed and photographed weekly under slit lamp. Rat lenses were analyzed for antioxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde. Furthermore, an amino acid analysis of sea tangle extract was performed. RESULTS: Significant differences (p<0.05) were seen in cataract development in group 7. Dense nuclear cataracts developed in 8 of 10 of the control group (group 2); Group 4~8 developed nuclear cataract with proportion of 6/10, 3/10, 2/10, 1/10, and 6/10 rats. In sea tangle injected group, levels of GPx were higher than in the ascorbic acid and control groups. In particular, group 7, injected with 100 mg/kg of sea tangle extract, showed significantly high level of enzyme. Results of the amino acid analysis showed sea tangle includes glutamate-glycine-cysteine, major constituents of glutathione (GSH). CONCLUSIONS: The glutamate-glycine-cysteine in sea tangle is supposed to increase the level of lens GSH and this may contribute to lowering cataract development. This study strongly supports the activity of sea tangle as an endogenous antioxidant and anticataract agent.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; Ascorbic Acid ; Cataract ; Glutathione ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Malondialdehyde ; Rats ; Sodium Selenite ; Superoxide Dismutase

In the diagnosis of primary open angle glaucoma, it is very important to evaluate the outflow facility and intraocular pressure. Although tonography affords one of the most convenient methods for the estimating the outflow facility, there have been many efforts to overcome its inhernt inaccuracy. Honan introcular pressure reducer(HIPR) is widely used prior to cataract surgery because it is believed to be clinically safe and effective in reducing intraocular pressure, vitreous volume and the risk of vitreous loss. For the evaluation of the effects of HIPR in relation to outflow facility, the intraocular pressures were measured with applanation tonometer in 30 nonglaucomatous and 30 glaucomatous patients before and immediately after the application of HIPR at a pressure 30mmHg for 30 minutes, and then repeatedly at 5-minute intervals for 30 minutes thereafter. The results were as follows; 1. Mean initial IOPs were 15.6 +/- 2.71mmHg in nonglaucomatous patients and 20.7 +/- 2.71mmHg in glaucomatous patients. 2. Mean IOPs immediately after commpression were 4.3 +/- 1.38mmHg in nonglauco matous patients and 10.3 +/- 0.95mmHg in glaucomatous patients. 3. Mean IOP reductions were 11.20 +/- 1.89mmHg in nonglaucomatous patients and 10.45 +/- 1.69mmHg in glaucomatous patients. 4. Mean IOP reduction rates were 72.8% in nonglaucomatous patients and 50.3% in glaucomatous patients. 5. Mean IOP recovery times were 24.5 minutes in nonglaucomatous patients and more than 30 minutes in glaucomatous patients. 6. Rates of IOP recovery after 25 minutes elapsed were 76.6% in nonglaucomatous patients and 10% in glaucomatous patients. On the basis of the results HIPR may be considered to be beneficial in clinical diagnosis of open angle glaucoma.
Cataract ; Diagnosis ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure*

Postoperative endopthalmitis is one of the most serious complication of intraocular surgery. It has rarely been treated sucessfully. The high incidence of therapeutic failure in bacterial endophthalmitis results in many blind eyes and enucleations. Many species of bacteria may produce endophthalmitis. Staphylococcus aureus has long been generally accepted as the most common causative organism of bacteral endophthalmitis, but Staphylococcus epidermidis hed been known as non-pathogenic organism until Valenton et al (1973) reported two cases of Staphylococcus epidermidis endophthalmitis following lens extraction. In 42 year old Korean woman, bilateral endopthalmitis following bilateral cataract surgery were caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis which was identified by smear and culture of the anterior chamber aspirates.
Adult ; Anterior Chamber ; Bacteria ; Cataract Extraction* ; Cataract* ; Endophthalmitis* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Staphylococcus epidermidis* ; Staphylococcus*

Progressive liver fibrosis is a similar feature of all chronic liver diseases and eventually develops liver cirrhosis. The prognosis and treatment plans of chronic liver diseases depend strongly on the degree of liver fibrosis. These facts raise clinical interests in quantifying liver fibrosis. Although liver biopsy has been the gold standard for assessment of liver fibrosis, it has some technical limitations and risks. Accordingly, an increasing need for alternative non-invasive method to quantify liver fibrosis has been a major challenge that has stimulated search for new non-invasive methods. Such methods for diagnosing liver fibrosis have progressed significantly over the last few years notably with the appearance of several serological markers which have been reported to predict the presence of significant fibrosis or cirrhosis in patients with chronic liver disease with considerable accuracy. However, complicated calculation, cost problems, and influences of extrahepatic conditions make it less accessible to clinicians. Recently, liver stiffness measurement using FibroScan(R) is emerging as a new diagnostic method for liver fibrosis. It is totally non-invasive and reproducible and gives an immediate result without intra- and inter-observer variability. Its clinical use in comparison with liver biopsy and several available serologic markers is now intensively being investigated. Here, we review the currently available data on FibroScan(R).
Biopsy ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver Diseases ; Observer Variation ; Prognosis