PURPOSE: To obtain magnetization transfer ratio(MTR) of the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus and to assess the feasibility of utilizing the changes of these MTRs as an early indicator of disk degeneration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR images of lumbar spine with magnetization transfer(MT) technique in 42 patients were obtained. spin echo techniques (600/14) with same TR/TE with 1KHz off-resonance saturation were employed in 1.0T MR system. MTRs were calculated in two regions, anterior annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus, and the results were compared between the normal and degenerative disks, from grade I to IV, on T2-weighted images. RESULTS: MTRs of the nucleus pulposus were 17.6% in the normal disks, and 26.7%, 28.4%, 29.1%, 29.7% in degenerative disks, from grade I to IV, respectively, with a significant difference(P<0.05). On the other hand, MTRs in the annulus fibrosus were 30.2% in the normal disks and 31.5%, 33.2%, 32.1% and 35.6% in degenerative disks, from grade I to IV, respectively, without significant difference. CONCLUSION: Since MTRs are significantly higher in degenerative nucleus pulposus than those of the normal disks, increased MTRs in the nucleus pulposus can be used as an early sign of the degeneration of the nucleus pulposus.
Hand ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Spine

No abstract available.
Macrophages* ; NAD* ; NADP* ; Niacinamide* ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease* ; Reactive Oxygen Species*

BACKGROUND: Pertechnetate ( Tc) has been widely employed for thyroid imaging. While pertechnetate and radioiodide have usually similar results in identifying thyroid nodules, occasionally differences have been noted. We intended to observe that the thyroid nodules which appeared to be hot on pertechnetate and to compare them with the images by radioiodide. METHODS: 'I scan was performed to thirty-eight cases (mean age: 48.9 +/- 13.2) presenting as hot nodule on Tc scan. Thyroid function test and pathologic diagnosis were obtained in all patients. RESULTS: Of the 38 patients, 24 had euthyroidism, 13 had hyperthyroidism, and 1 had hypothyroidism. Thirty patients had adenomatous goiter, 4 papillary carcinoma, 3 Hashimotos thyroiditis, and 1 had HQrthle cell tumor. 28 of 38 patients showed similar images, but the remaining 10 patients(26.3%) revealed discordant images on Tc and 131I scan. Among the concordant cases, 23 had adenomatous goiter, 3 had papillary carcinoma, and 2 had Hashimotos thyroiditis. Among the discordant cases, 7 had adenomatous goiter, 1 had papillary carcinoma, 1 had Hashimotos thyroiditis, and 1 had HQrthle cell tumor. The incidence of malignancy was 10.7% of concordant cases, and 20% of discordant cases and was revealed statistically insignificant (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: We observed higher incidence of malignancy in patients presenting hot nodules on 99mTc scan than ever reported. Fine needle aspiration should be performed to all patients with hot nodules and the 'I scan would not be recommended for further diagnostic study.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Diagnosis ; Goiter ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Hypothyroidism ; Incidence ; Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Nodule ; Thyroiditis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the early trauma history between young/middle adulthood patients and earlier/later older adulthood patients with panic disorder (PD). METHODS: 216 patients with PD and 76 healthy controls (HCs) were included for analysis. Patients with PD were operationally dichotomized into two groups of young/middle adulthood (age below 50 years) and earlier/later older adulthood (age 50 years or over) to compare the early trauma history between two groups. Data of sociodemographic factors, self-reported shortened form of the Early Trauma Inventory (ETI), and the Albany Panic and Phobia Questionnaire (APPQ) were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients with PD showed higher scores of ETI than HCs. Young/middle adulthood PD showed statistically significantly higher levels of general trauma (t=-2.088, p=0.041), physical abuse (t=-2.456, p=0.014), emotional abuse (t=-3.690, p=0.000), and total scores of trauma (t=-3.534, p=0.001) except sexual abuse. In the young/middle adulthood PD group, ETI scores were significantly correlated with APPQ scores while no significant correlation with ETI was found in earlier/later older adulthood PD. CONCLUSION: These results show that PD is statistically associated with early trauma history and that early trauma history is more significantly related with PD in young/middle adulthood than earlier/later older adulthood. These findings suggest that the age factor should be considered in clinical practice for patients with PD.
Age Factors ; Humans ; Panic Disorder* ; Panic* ; Phobic Disorders ; Physical Abuse ; Sex Offenses

OBJECTIVES: To access the effectiveness of radiofrequency myolysis (RFM) in women with midline dysmenorrhea. METHODS: We designed RFM in two ways laparoscopic RFM (LRFM), vaginal ultrasound-guided RFM (URFM). One hundred and thirty-two patients were in the LRFM group and, 140 patients were in the URFM group. RESULTS: Upon receipt of surgery, both the LRFM and the URFM groups demonstrated a significant decrease (P < 0.001) in the mean pain score when compared to those before and after surgery. CONCLUSION: The RF uterine myolysis procedure provides an alternative for those patients who suffer from intractable midline dysmenorrhea. LRFM is an alternative choice because it is relatively safe and, simple to perform and moreover, it is satisfactory. LRFM appears to increasingly succeed in the treatment of midline dysmenorrhea.
Dysmenorrhea* ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Leiomyoma ; Ultrasonography

Desmoid-type fibromatosis (extra-abdominal desmoid tumor) arising in the breast is a rare benign disease entity, accounting for 0.2% of all breast tumors. The etiology of mammary fibromatosis is unknown, but has been reported to be associated with genetic factors, hormonal effects, Gardner syndrome, breast trauma or surgery, and breast implants. Fibromatosis associated with breast implants is extremely rare, and only 34 cases have been reported so far. We report the ultrasonographic, computed tomographic, and pathologic findings of breast fibromatosis in a 29-year-old woman, who underwent bilateral augmentation mammoplasty with silicone implants.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of foot orthosis on spinal curvature, by correction of foot pronation and limb length discrepancy METHOD: 38 cases of foot-pronated children were investigated for changes in Cobb's angle before and after applying foot orthosis, and followed up after 6 months. RESULTS: There were 25 males and 13 females, and the average age was 10.28+/-0.45 years. There were no significant correlation among Cobb's angle, limb length discrepancy, and difference of pronation. Cobb's angles were improved in 26 cases after applying foot orthosis, by mean 5.84+/-2.47 degree. 16 cases were followed up after 6 months, and Cobb's angle were maintained or improved in 11 cases. Mean correctability was 47.93+/-26.47%. CONCLUSION: This study showed that foot orthosis could be one of the effective method to improve spinal curvature.
Child ; Extremities* ; Female ; Foot Orthoses* ; Foot* ; Humans ; Male ; Pronation* ; Spinal Curvatures*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of motor point blocking using 70% alcohol for the treatment of spasticity in patients with cerebral palsy. METHOD: 16 patients with spastic cerebral palsy were injected at both hip adductor muscles with 70% alcohol. The severity of spasticity was assessed with the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) of adductor muscles, and the passive range of motion (PROM) of hip abduction. MAS and PROM were measured before, immediately after, and 1 and 3 months after the motor point block. Satisfaction of caregivers was also checked 3 months after the procedure. RESULTS: The MAS prior to the motor point block and at 3 months after the procedure were 4.44+/-0.62 and 3.63+/-1.16. The PROM before motor point block and at 3 months after the procedure were 21.81+/-14.14d egrees and 32.81+/-12.37 egrees. 11 out of 16 (68.8%) caregivers reported high satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Motor point block with 70% alcohol to the hip adductor muscles could be a safe and cost-effective procedure for relieving the localized spasticity of hip adductor muscles in spastic cerebral palsy.
Caregivers ; Cerebral Palsy* ; Hip* ; Humans ; Muscle Spasticity* ; Muscles* ; Range of Motion, Articular

Herein, we report two rare cases of renal infection. The first case was renal subcapsular urine reflux in a 8-month-old girl with recurrent urinary tract infection and the second was subcapsular abscess in a 14-year-old girl with diabetes, who was successfully treated with percutaneous drainage. It has been suggested that renal subcapsular abscesses could be caused by the direct reflux of urine into the subcapsular space, rather than spread of infection from an existing parenchymal lesion, and that complete recovery can be achieved if percutaneous drainage is performed in a timely manner. We propose primary subcapsular reflux, in which urine directly refluxes upwards into the subcapsular space of the kidney, as one of the mechanisms for development of renal subcapsular abscesses.