Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)has proved to be a valuable method for evaluation of the head and neck. Unfortunately, metallic devices associated with certain dental fillings and applicances often cause variable artifacts that can obscure normal or pathologic conditions on MR and computed tomography. In this work, we assessed the MR appearance of dental prosthetic materials in vitro and in vivo including precious alloys. Nonprecions alloys, resin, amalgam and titanium alloy, For in vivo studies, these materials were placed in healthy volunteer's mouths and then images were assesed. Analyis of the appearance of shape and extent of artifact,and observed influence of these artifacts on the image interpretation at 0.2 Tesla permanent type MR scanner were valuated. Material used as temporary or permanent filling of crowns such as amalgam. precious alloy and, microfilled resin did not cause artifact on the image. The size of the artifact produced by the nonprecious alloys was influenced by the ferromagnetism of the object and the volume prosthesis, and was related to the scanning sequence. Nonprecious alloys produced minimal local signal distortions, where precious alloys, and dental resin had no effect on the MR image in vivo. These results were mainly from a low field strength MR scanner used in this study.
Alloys ; Artifacts* ; Crowns ; Dental Materials* ; Equidae ; Head ; In Vitro Techniques ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Magnets ; Methods ; Mouth ; Neck ; Prostheses and Implants ; Resins, Synthetic ; Silicone Elastomers ; Titanium

The present study was performed to compare maternal and perinatal outcomes in triplet and twin pregnancies with the result of ART(Assisted Reproductive Technology). Each pregnancy of 18 triplet pregnancies with 18 weeks or more was matched for maternal age, EDC(estimated date of confinement), parity, history of preterm delivery, indication of ART with two sets of twin pregnancies. Triplet pregnancies had a significantly shorter gestational age at delivery than twin pregnancies(30.4 versus 34.6 weeks), and a significantly lower mean birth weight(1,514 versus 2,286g). The mean hospital stay was significantly longer in triplets(22.3 versus 10.1 days). The incidences of 5 min Apgar score less than 7, neonatal deaths were significantly more often in triplets than twins; 18(33.3%) vs 6(8.3%), 15(27.8%) vs 7(9.72%), respectively. There were significant differences in the incidence of neonatal complications such as respiratory distress syndrome; 14(25.9%) vs 7(9.72%), ventilatory support; 18(33.3%) vs 5(6.9%), neonatal seizure; 9(16.7%) vs 0, btween the two groups. However, there were no significant differences between the groups in maternal complications or neonatal morbidity such as congenital malformations or hyperbilirubinemia, intraventricular hemorrhage, or bronchopulmonary dysplasia. We suggest that counseling patient regarding the anticipated perinatal outcomes of triplet pregnancies with the result of ART should be conducted with our data.
Apgar Score ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; Counseling ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Length of Stay ; Maternal Age ; Parity ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Triplet ; Pregnancy, Twin* ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted* ; Seizures ; Triplets*

OBJECTIVE: It is known that normal follicular growth and pregnancy are possible using Follicular stimulating hormon(FSH) alone during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation(COH) for IVF-ET. The purpose of this study was to compare and analize the results of COH for IVF-ET between a group using only FSH-HP and a group using FSH/hMG METHOD: 111 cycle of the total 280 COH for IVF-ET cycles belonged to the FSH-HP group, and the FSH/hMG group accounted for remaining 169 cycles. The amount of gonadotropin administered, the duration of hormonal therapy, the number of embryos transfered, the endometrial thickness, and the pregnancy rate were compared between the two groups and statistically analized using the t-test. p values less than 0.05 deemed statistically significant. RESULT: There were no statistical differences on the amount of gonadotropin administered, the duration of hormone therapy, number of oocytes retrieved, nor the endometrial thickness between the two groups. However,the serum E2 level was significantly lower, and the number of embryos of high quality(GradeIandII) significantly higher in the FSH-HP group. In pregnancy rate, FSH-HP group shows higher than FSH/hMG group(38.8% VS 34.2%). but the difference was not large enough to be considered statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that compared to using FSH/hMG, treatment with FSH-HP alone allowed the retrieval of more embryos of high quality, and although not statistically significant, achieved a higher pregnancy rate, thus indicating that it can be used as an effective method for COH.
Embryo Transfer* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Fertilization in Vitro* ; Gonadotropins ; Oocytes ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans ; Lupus Nephritis*

Increased splenic uptake of radiocolloid is a helpful sign in the scintigraphic diagnosis of diffuse hepatocellular diseases, but any attempt has been made to quantify this phsiologic phenomenon. The purpose of thestudy is to evaluate a simple computer quantitation of S/L ratio and to determine normal range and S/L ratios forvarious hepatic diseases. Authors analized S/L ratios of 194 cases of liver scintigraphy from July 1984 to May1985. The results are as follows; 1. The age distribution of normal and various heptic disases was most frequentin 30 to 40 decade. 2. The classification of studied groups were normal subjects (80 cases), hepatitis(30 cases),liver cirrhosis (59 cases), hepatoma(8 cases), metastasis(10 cases), and miscellaneous diseases(7 cases). 3. Thesimple computer quantitation method exhibits small interobserver variation.(r=0.92, p<0.001) 4. The mean S/L ratioin normal group was determined 0.34 (S.D=0.12) with a its range from 0.10 to 0.58 (0.34±2 S.D). The mean S/Lratios in various hepatic diseases were as follows; 0.52 (S.D=0.18) in hepatitis, 1.10 (S.D=0.43) in cirhhosis,0.77 (S.D=0.38) in hepatoma, 0.47 (S.D=0.21) in metastasis, and 0.43(S.D=0.17) in miscellaneous diseases. 5. Theelevated S/L ratios rather than normal values were found in hepatitis (30%), cirrhosis(51%), hepatoma(63%), and metastasis(20%). 6. The sensitivity of single scintigraphic diagnosis of liver cirrhosis was 63%, but thesensitivity was improved to 90% when combined with S/L ratio. 7. The simple computer quantitation of the S/L ratiois a valid and useful method in the interpreation of liver scintigraphy and also may increase the sensitivity inthe diagnosis of liver cirrhosis and hepatoma combined with cirrhosis.
Age Distribution ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Classification ; Diagnosis ; Fibrosis ; Hepatitis ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver ; Methods ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Reference Values

The authors would like to delete the acknowledgement part.

Bilateral coronoid hyperplasia causes painless progressive trismus, resulting from coronoid process impingement on the posterior aspect of the zygomatic bone. The etiology of coronoid hyperplasia is unclear, with various theories proposed. An endocrine stimulus, increased temporalis activity, trauma, genetic inheritance and familial occurrence have all been proposed, but no substantive evidence exists to support any of these hypotheses. Multiplanar reformatting of axial scans and 3-dimensional reconstruction permit precise reproduction of the shape and size of the coronoid and malar structures, and relationships of all structures of the temporal and infratemporal fossae. This case shows remarkably increased mouth opening by coronoidectomy in a patient who complained of trismus due to hyperplasia of coronoid process.
Humans ; Hyperplasia* ; Mandible ; Mouth ; Reproduction ; Trismus* ; Wills

Radiologic findings of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), a novel coronavirus infection, have been rarely reported. We report a 30-year-old male presented with fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, who was diagnosed with MERS. A chest computed tomographic scan revealed rapidly developed multifocal nodular consolidations with ground-glass opacity halo and mixed consolidation, mainly in the dependent and peripheral areas. After treatment, follow-up imaging showed that these abnormalities markedly decreased but fibrotic changes developed.
Adult ; Coronavirus Infections/pathology/*radiography ; Fever/virology ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Male ; *Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus ; Radiography, Thoracic/*methods ; Republic of Korea ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods

BACKGROUND: In survivors of acute myocardial infarction(ANI), reduced heart rate variability(HRV) has been demonstrated to be an independent predictor of sudden cardiac death and mortality. The heart rate variability can be examined and analyzed non-invasively and quantitated with 24-hour ambulatory ECG monitoring. In general, the patency of infarct-related artery appears to be one of the most important prognostic factor after AMI. Therefor, the correlation between infarct artery patency and HRV was examined in survivors of AMI. METHODS: The 24-Hour ambulatory electrocardiogram was performed in 23 patients with AMI and 20 normal controls, and analyzed for frequency & time domain HRV. HRV was recorded dwithin 7 days after AMI, and coronary angiogram was performed at 7th day after AMI. The AMI patients were divided into two groups, depending upon patency of infarct-related artery and correlated to clinical manifestations. Thirteen patients had patent vessel(Group 1) and ten patients had non-patent vessel(Group 2). Parameters of frequency domain HRV include LF, HF & LF/HF ratio and time domain HRV include SDNN, SDANN, SD, rMSSD and pNN50. RESULTS: All parameters of HRV was depressed in patients of AMI than in normal control(p<0.05). The mean left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) was 54.1+/-10.6% in group 1 and 42.6+/-12.2% in group 2(p<0.05). The mean values of LF, SDNN, SDANN, and SD in group 1 and group 2 were 5.09+/-0.83msec2/Hz & 4.09+/-0.53msec2/Hz, 84.5+/-24.2msec & 59.0+/-11.8msec, 73.2+/-22.8msec & 50.5+/-12.6msec, and 37.8+/-13.1msec & 27.2+/-4.4msec(p<0.05), respectively. There was no difference between two groups in HF,rMSSD and pNN50. The location of infarction and thrombolytic therapy itself did not influence of HRV. The mean values of HF, SDANN, rMSSD and pNN50 in patients with LVEF<40% were reduced significantly than in patients with LVEF> or =40%. There was a significant correlation between LVEF and LF, between LVEF and HF and between LVEF and LF/HF ratio(r:0.55, p<0.05;r:0.67, p<0.05;r:-0.56, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: HRV was depressed due to reduced vagal activity in patients with AMI. The values of LF, SDNN, SDANN, and SD in group of patent infarct-related artery were reduced significantly than in non-patent group.
Arteries* ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Rate* ; Heart* ; Humans ; Infarction ; Mortality ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Survivors ; Thrombolytic Therapy

BACKGROUND: The anterior spinal artery infarction constitutes a classical syndrome of vascular myelopathy. The causes of the anterior spinal artery syndrome are various, but most episode probably occur as the result of atherosclerosis or dissection of the aorta and its branches. However, few cases reported developed with spinal structural abnormalities. CASE: A 65-year-old man presented with sudden paraparesis. There was no evidence of hypertension, diabetes and smoking. Motor weakness was more prominent on the left side and progressed. Loss of pain and temperature senses were shown at the level of 71 with preservation of touch, joint perception and vibration senses. The DTR's of legs were depressed and extensor toe signs were presented. A C-spine MRI showed high signal intensity on 72 weighted image and low signal on 71 weighted image(C6-71) with cervical spinal stenosis at the C4-C7 spinal level and mild cervical disc protrusion (C6-C7, C7-T1). After three months later, follow up cervical MRI showed somewhat decreased size of high signal intensity on 72 weighted image and more prominent low signal on 71 image. DISCUSSION: In our case, we could not find any usual cause of anterior spinal artery infarction. However only cervical spinal stenosis associated with mild cervical disc protrusion was present. In stenotic cervical canal, the anterior spinal artery can be more vulnerable to extrinsic compression and the infarction may early develop with insignificant trigger event, such as disc protrusion. We concluded that the ischemic change of anterior two thirds of cervical spinal cord might develop due to the compression of the anterior spinal artery by cervical stenosis and mild cervical intervertebral disc protrusion.
Aged ; Anterior Spinal Artery Syndrome* ; Aorta ; Arteries ; Atherosclerosis ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Infarction ; Intervertebral Disc ; Joints ; Leg ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Paraparesis ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Spinal Stenosis* ; Toes ; Vibration