Tentative diagnosis of meniscal pathology is very helpful for the successful operative management including arthroscopy. Conventional arthrography has long been used to meet this purpose, but it has some limitations due to complex views and some difficulties in imaging the whole anatomical structures. Recent diagnostic advancement produced post-arthrographic HRCT and MRI for the compensation of these problems of conventional arthrography. Arthrography and post-arthrographic HRCT has been carried out on 49 knees in 43 patients. 38 knees among them could be confirmed by arthroscopy and following results were obtained. 1. Diagnostic accuracies of post-arthrographic HRCT for medial and lateral meniscal injuries of knee were 94.7% and 92.1% repectively. 2. Shape, contour of torn meniscus and the relationships between the torn fragments were better demonstrated with HRCT. 3. Horizontal tear could also be suspected by HRCT. 4. Peripheral detachment could be differentiated with synovial recess on the HRCT, especially in the reformat view, but was more clearly visible in arthrography. 5. Arthrography and HRCT can be used as a good complementary study for the evaluation of meniscal injuries.
Arthrography ; Arthroscopy ; Compensation and Redress ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Knee ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pathology ; Tears

No abstract available.
Spine*

No abstract available.
Cytomegalovirus* ; DNA* ; Humans* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction*

Bone formation by osteoblast may be closely related to the increase in intracellular Ca2+ activity of osteoblast. In order to study the effects of changes in Ca2+ activity of osteoblast-like cell on fracture healing, we changed intracellular Ca2+ activity of osteoblast-like cells by vanadate and verapamil. And the process of fracture healing was observed after injection of the treatment osteoblast-like cells into the fracture site by hematoxylin-eosin (H-E) stain and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) stain. The results were as follow: 1) The most effective range of concentration which could facilitate bone formation was 10-6 to 10-5 M. 2) H-E stain showed more abundant osteoblast and osteoid tissues, more active mitotic division of osteoblast, and earlier appearance of chondroblast and chondroid tissue, making the maturation of woven bone faster in the vanadate-treated group than in the control group. The opposite was true in the verapamil-treated group compared with the control group. 3) BrdU labeling index showed more active osteoblastic proliferation in the vanadate-treated than in the control group. The opposite was observed in the verapamil-treated group compared with the control group. From these results, the fracture healing appears to be facilitated and decelerated by vanadate which apparently increase intracellular Ca2+ activity of osteoblast and verapamil which decreases it, repectively. Therefore the change of intracellular Ca2+ activity of osteoblast can be considered to be one of fracture healing mechanisms and expected to be applied for clinical purpose.
Bromodeoxyuridine ; Chondrocytes ; Fracture Healing ; Osteoblasts ; Osteogenesis ; Vanadates ; Verapamil

We report a patient who developed a Barrett,s esophageal ulcer 10 years after esophagomyotomy for achalasia. A-59-year-old female was admitted to the hospital with dysphagia for 2 months. In 1982, she had undergone a modified Heller esophagomyotomy for achalsia. After esophagogram, esophageal manometry, 24hr esophageal pH monitoring, esophagoscophy achalasia and Barrett,s esophageal ulcer was diagnosed. So, she had been treated with omeprazole and sucralfate and has been followed up in a asymtomatic state currently. In Barrett,s esophagus, there is a metaplasia of the normal stratified squamous mucosa to columnar epithelium, caused by the reflux of acid. It appears in approximately 10% of patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux and is associated with increased probability of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Among the predis- posing factors of gastroesophageal reflux, there is treatment of esophageal achalsia by forceful dilatation or by the esophagomyotomy. The resultant ralaxation of lower esophageal sphinter, combined with deficient propulsive esophageal peristalsis, predisposed to gastroesophageal reflux. Actually an increased incidence of gastroesophageal reflux, esophagitis and stricture are well-known complications after esophagomyotomy. But in spite of higher risk of gastroesophageal reflux after esophagomyotomy the development of Barrett,s mucosa has been rarely reported and only recently recognized. Diagnosis of Barrett,s esophagus in such patients is difficult and the cumulative effects of achalasia and Barrett's esophagus predispose these patient to higher risk of developing esophageal carcinoma. So, high index of awareness and regular endoscopic surveillance are required.
Adenocarcinoma ; Barrett Esophagus ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Deglutition Disorders ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Epithelium ; Esophageal Achalasia* ; Esophageal pH Monitoring ; Esophagitis ; Esophagus ; Female ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Humans ; Incidence ; Manometry ; Metaplasia ; Mucous Membrane ; Omeprazole ; Peristalsis ; Sucralfate ; Ulcer*

BACKGROUND: The effect of Video Display Terminals(VDT) Syndrome is well documented. The purpose of this study is to examine the difference in systemic subjective symptoms between long term users of computers with that of the general population and to help plan to avoid the risk of developing Video Display Terminal Syndrome. METHOD: Data was collected for this study between August 1996 and February 1997. Two groups consisting of seventy(70) long term computer users(Exposed Subjects) and fifty nine(59) non users (Non Exposed Subjects), were selected for the survey. Data was gathered from the exposed subjects through their response to the survey questionnaire posted on the internet requiring detailed responses concerning ten systemic subjective symptoms that were experienced as a result of the long term exposure to VDT. Data was gathered from the non exposed subjects through written responses to the questionnaire. RESULTS: Among the more significant difference was the experience of ocular symptoms among the exposed group. The exposed group experienced in descending order eleven items of ocular symptoms. Congestion, strain, decreased visual acuity, ocular pain, and dryness. Among seven items of lifestyle, the exposed group characteristically exercised less(P<0.05) and did more home activity (P<0.05), characteristically lead healthier life than the non exposed group. Participation in exercise differed most among the groups. The exposed group participating in moderate exercise scored 517+/-551.6 compared to the non exposed group which exercised very vigorously(p<0.05). In comparison of subjective symptom and life styles per daily exposure time(over 8,10,16 hours daily) there was significant difference between 8 and 10hour exposers only in the stress item(P<0.05). In the exposure group there were less cardiovascular symptoms(P<0.05) due to more art activity(P<0.05), more cardiovascular symptoms and less sleep activity(P<0.001) and more ocular symptoms(P<0.05) due to higher levels of stress. CONCLUSIONS: By exercising, exposers can decrease the respiratory symptoms, and by seeking methods that enable efficient management of work time, the subjects can benefit from the reduced work time, and by seeking methods so that one receive less stress and can resolve them they can reduce their ocular symptoms, sleep problems, cardiovascular symptoms. And in their spare time, the subjects can be recommended to involve in art activity for each person, through PC indirectly. Designing the development of cyber gallery, museum, literature room, concert can reduce the oecur-rence rate of cardiovascular symptoms.
Computer Terminals ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Humans ; Internet ; Life Style* ; Museums ; Visual Acuity ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C(PLC) is known as a key enzyme which produces two major second messengers: diacylglycerol and inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate. Although it has been suggested that PLC beta isozymes have important roles in nervous system, less is known about the function of PLC beta in development of nervous system. We have localized the mRNA expressions of PLC beta isozymes in the postnatal rat brains by id firm hybridization histochemistry. In the postnatal rat brains, each isozyme of PLC beta showed differential expression pattern. The expression of PLC beta1 mRNA was found in various areas including olfactory bulb, cerebral cortex, caudate putamen, hippocampus, dentate gyrus, and cerebellum. In general, the expression in these areas was gradually increased after birth (PO) until postnatal day 21 (P2l) and slightly decreased to adult level. The expression of PLC beta2 mRNA was not found in postnatal rat brains. The expression of PLC beta3 mRNA was found from P0, peaked at Pl4, and decreased to adult level in the purkinje cells of cerebellum. PLC beta4 mRNA was strongly expressed in the thalamus, cerebellum, cerebral cortex, and olfactory bulb. In these areas, the expression was gradually increased after birth, peaked at P2l, and decreased to adult level. In whole body parasagittal sections of 18 day old rat embryo, PLC betal mRNA was exclusively expressed in nervous tissue, PLC beta3 and PLC beta4 were expressed in various tissues, and the expression of PLC beta2 was not found in any kind of rat tissues. From the different spatiotemporal mRNA expression patterns of PLC beta isozymes in the postnatal rat brains, it is suspected that each PLC beta isozyme may have specific role in signal transduction for postnatal development of rat brain.
Adult ; Animals ; Brain* ; Cerebellum ; Cerebral Cortex ; Dentate Gyrus ; Embryonic Structures ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Inositol ; Isoenzymes* ; Nervous System ; Olfactory Bulb ; Parturition ; Phospholipase C beta* ; Phospholipases* ; Purkinje Cells ; Putamen ; Rats* ; RNA, Messenger* ; Second Messenger Systems ; Signal Transduction ; Thalamus

Septic arthritis of hip is a serious problem. Delay in diagnosis and treatment can results in crippling. From September 1983 to May 1993, we have experienced 17 cases of pyogenic arthritis of the hip in neonates and infants. Ten cases were under the age of 1 month old, four were from 1 month to 2 months, and the rest of 3 cases were 11 months old with depicting high incidence in neonates within 1 month. Laboratory findings according to lag periods were as follows; The patients group (n=9) who visited within 3 days after symptom onset manifested high fever (over 38oC) in 2 cases only and 7 cases revealed normal or mild fever. The patients group (n=8) being seen later than 3 days showed high fever in most of cases. Leukocytosis was mostly unspecific in both groups. The average WBC counts tested on admission were 16,052/mm3, ESR 38.3mm/hr,and WBC count dropped to 11,264/mm3, ESR to 27.3 mm/hr after operation. Microbial culture was positive in 10 cases (58.8%), of which 4 were staphylococcus, 5 were streptococcus and 1 was ancinetobacter. Surgical drainage was done through the posterior approach. Long term follow up showed no recurrence and severe complications such as dislocation of head, avascular necrosis and osteomyelitis of proximal femoral metaphysis In conclusion, pyogenic arthritis of hip occurred more common in neonates less than month old and laboratory findings were not always accompanied by fever and hematologic changes especially when the symptom onset was less than 3 days.
Arthritis* ; Arthritis, Infectious ; Diagnosis ; Dislocations ; Drainage ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Hip* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant* ; Infant, Newborn* ; Leukocytosis ; Necrosis ; Osteomyelitis ; Recurrence ; Staphylococcus ; Streptococcus

We have had an opportunity to study a patient with acute sensory neuronopathy. The patient was a 32-yearold housewife; the rapidly spreaded tingling sensation along both arms and legs developed, rendering her severely ataxic. There was no history of antecedent illness, familial neurological disease, or exposure to toxins and special drugs. On examinations, there was no abnormality in her mental and cranial nerve function. There was no motor weakness. She showed the profound loss of kinesthetic sense which was acutely progressive and associated with severe sensory ataxia and pseudoathetosis. All tendon reflexes were absent. However, cutaneous senses were preserved. There was no significant abnormal laboratory finding except elevated CSF protein content. On electrophysiologic findings, the decrease in the amplitude of action potentials with only mild slowing of conduction velocities of sensory nerves were found even though motor nerve conduction studies were normal. Median and tibial somatosensory evoked potentials could be elicited, although the median N19 scalp response and tibial N45 waveforms were prolonged in latency. Plasmapheresis were provided; clinical features improved. However, the electrophy-siological abnormalites remained. Thus we wish to report an additional case of woman suffering from the acute sensory neuronopathy, complementing the cases described by Stemm, Schaumburg and Asbury.
Action Potentials ; Arm ; Ataxia ; Complement System Proteins ; Cranial Nerves ; Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory ; Female ; Humans ; Kinesthesis ; Leg ; Neural Conduction ; Plasmapheresis ; Reflex, Stretch ; Scalp ; Sensation

PURPOSE: Iodine contrast media used in computed tomography (CT) often induces nausea in patients. This study evaluated the prophylactic effect of metoclopramide against nausea induced by intravenous contrast media. METHODS: A prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial was performed in the emergency department of an urban teaching hospital. Adult patients(>15 years old), who required enhanced CT scans, were infused with 52 ml normal saline solution mixed with either 10 mg/2 ml metoclopramide or 2 ml normal saline over 10 minutes prior to the CT scan. After the scan, the patients were asked about nausea. Patients who had any other cause for their nausea or had received metoclopramide prior to the study were excluded. RESULTS: In total, 69 patients were analyzed. The metoclopramide group contained 37 patients, and the placebo group contained 32 patients. Five patients in the placebo group complained of nausea(15.6%), whereas none of the patients in the metoclopramide group experienced nausea (Fisher's exact test, p=0.018). CONCLUSION: Metoclopramide can prevent nausea induced by intravenous iodine contrast media.
Adult ; Antiemetics ; Contrast Media ; Emergencies ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Humans ; Iodine ; Metoclopramide ; Nausea ; Prospective Studies ; Sodium Chloride