The use of alginate impression materials today is prevalent because of its efficiency and simplicity in clinical settings. Unfortunately, the simplicity of the procedure tends to lull the dentist into a sense of well-being, and lead him into using careless or sloppy technique. Alginate impression materials are used to fabricate diagnostic and preliminary casts, and the final cast. Incorrect use of this material is known to affect the accuracy of the final prosthesis. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of different mixing methods of alginate impression material and tray adhesive on the accuracy of the stone cast produced by each method. A total of 30 stone casts were produced by using 3 different types of mixing methods (10 stone cast for each mixing method, respectively) The first method utilized an automatic-mixing machine to mix alginate while the second method was carried out manually, strictly following manufacturer's instructions. The third method also involved manual mixing, but did not follow the manufacturer's instructions and was done in a random fashion. Also, 20 additional stone casts were produced by using alginate with or without tray adhesives were included in the study to evaluate effects of tray adhesives on the accuracy of alginate impression. 10 stone casts were produced by adding tray adhesives to the interior surface of the impression tray prior to taking the impression. The other 10 excluded this step. A total of 50 stone casts were analyzed by the three-dimensional measuring machine to measure and compare the dimensional changes of the impression material of each group. The results are as follows. 1. No significant difference was found between the automatic mixing group and the manually-mixing group(p>0.05). 2. For the group that followed manufacturer's instructions, less dimensional changes were recorded than the group that didn't in measuring distance d4(p<0.05) 3. The group that used tray adhesives showed less dimensional changes(p<0.05). The findings revealed that mechanical methods of mixing alginate impression materials had little influence on dimensional changes. However, it is proven that following manufacturers instructions in alginate impression taking is an important step in acquiring accurate impressions and tray adhesives may play an important role in enhancing the results.
Adhesives* ; Dentists ; Humans ; Prostheses and Implants

In order to evaluate the ability of spin-echo MR imaging to differentiate slow flow from mural thrombus in aortic diseases, we reviewed the spin-echo MR images of 13 patients with intraaortic thrombus documented by CT (N=11) or aortography (N=2). Six patients had aortic aneurysms and seven had aortic dissection. Intraaortic mural thrombi were accompanied by flow-related intraluminal signal of various patterns and extents in all 13 patients. On 10 gated MR studies, slow flow regions showed even-echo rephasing phenomenon (N=8), interslice variation of signal intensities of the intraluminal signal (N=7) and flow-related ghost artifact (N=2). However, these MR flow phenomena were obscured on two of three non-gated studies. Seven of 13 intraaortic thrombi remained hyperintense on T2-weighted second-echo images. In these circumstances, a hypointense boundary layer between slow flow and mural thrombus, which was caused by either 'boundary layer dephasing phenomenon' of slow flow or 'paramagnetic T2 shortening' of fresh clot at the edge of mural thrombus, was useful in discriminating the area of slow flow from that of mural thrombus. Proper interpretation of spin-echo MR images may obviate the need for phase display imaging or gradientecho imaging in differentiating slow flow and mural thrombus.
Aortic Aneurysm ; Aortic Diseases* ; Aortography ; Artifacts ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Thrombosis*

In order to evaluate the ability of spin-echo MR imaging to differentiate slow flow from mural thrombus in aortic diseases, we reviewed the spin-echo MR images of 13 patients with intraaortic thrombus documented by CT (N=11) or aortography (N=2). Six patients had aortic aneurysms and seven had aortic dissection. Intraaortic mural thrombi were accompanied by flow-related intraluminal signal of various patterns and extents in all 13 patients. On 10 gated MR studies, slow flow regions showed even-echo rephasing phenomenon (N=8), interslice variation of signal intensities of the intraluminal signal (N=7) and flow-related ghost artifact (N=2). However, these MR flow phenomena were obscured on two of three non-gated studies. Seven of 13 intraaortic thrombi remained hyperintense on T2-weighted second-echo images. In these circumstances, a hypointense boundary layer between slow flow and mural thrombus, which was caused by either 'boundary layer dephasing phenomenon' of slow flow or 'paramagnetic T2 shortening' of fresh clot at the edge of mural thrombus, was useful in discriminating the area of slow flow from that of mural thrombus. Proper interpretation of spin-echo MR images may obviate the need for phase display imaging or gradientecho imaging in differentiating slow flow and mural thrombus.
Aortic Aneurysm ; Aortic Diseases* ; Aortography ; Artifacts ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Thrombosis*

PURPOSE: To analyse the parameters of in vivo pharmacokinetics such as absorption, distributionin , and excretion of adriamycin patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, and investigate the stagnation of adriamycin, in the liver. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five patients in whom hepatocellular carcinoma was diagnosed and who were admitted for transhepatic chemoembolization were involved in this study. Fifty mg of adriamycin was mixed with 2.5 mL of water-soluble contrast material and 12 -15 mL of lipiodol, and the emulsion was injected into a selected tumor-supplying artery using a 3-F catheter. Between 1 minute and 72 hours after chemoembolization, peripheral blood samples were then obtained, and from these the blood concentration curve of adriamycin was calculated and applied to a two-compartment model. Using the model, several pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated. RESULTS: The volume of the central and the peripheral compartment was 45 L and 4090.6 L, respectively. 75.14% of adriamycin was delivered to the liver directly, and the absorption rate constant was 2.448/hr. Distribution clearance was 969.3 L/hr, and excretion and metabolic clearance was 136.4 L/hr. CONCLUSION: Using a two-compartment model, the in vivo pharmacokinetics of adriamycin after hepatic arterial chemoembolization were successfully analyzed. On the basis of the parameters determined, it may be concluded that in these five patients, adriamycin remained in the liver in much greater quantities and for longer. Index words : Liver neoplasms Liver neoplasms, chemotherapeutic embolization Chemotherapy, regional
Absorption ; Arteries ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Catheters ; Doxorubicin* ; Drug Therapy ; Ethiodized Oil ; Humans ; Liver ; Liver Neoplasms ; Pharmacokinetics*

BACKGROUND: Even though there were developments in various treatment techniques for acute arterial occlusion this disease still has high rate of mortalities and limb amputations. We investigated the combined diseases symptoms location of occlusion type of treatment complication and prognosis in our patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study recruited 48 patients (42 men, 6 women, mean age 57.7 years) who received the operation from January 1995 toDecember 1998. We investigated the post-operation course via medical record review or telephone interview with patients or their family members. RESULT: The most common combined diseases were atherosclerosis in 30 patients. other diseases were 17 diabetes mellitus 16 hypertension and 12 atrial firillation. Pain and clod sensation were noticed in all patients paresthesia in 5 patients fibrillation. Pain and cold sensation were noticed in all patients paresthesia in 5 patients and lower extremity paralysis in 11 patients. In 29 patients the time interval from the onset of symptom to admission was over 72 hours and 15 patients were admitted within 24 hours. The distribution of arterial occlusion location was at 28 femoral arteries 14 popliteal arteries and 6 iliac arteries. All the patients were received embolectomy and 5 patients were received additional bypass grafting. Postoperative complications were 12 reocclusions. 6 compartment syndromes 6 skin necrosis and 2 acute renal failure. The mortality rate was 16.7% (8/48) and the amputation rate was 25%. CONCLUSION: This study revealed 25% reocclusion 25% limb amputation and 16.7% mortaliyt. To improve the prognosis of acute lower extrements arterial occlusion early diagnosis and understand the underlying diseases prompt treatment and operation additional operation including interventional radiologic examination and thorough postoperative care would be appreciated.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Amputation ; Atherosclerosis ; Compartment Syndromes ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Early Diagnosis ; Embolectomy ; Extremities ; Female ; Femoral Artery ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Iliac Artery ; Interviews as Topic ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Necrosis ; Paralysis ; Paresthesia ; Popliteal Artery ; Postoperative Care ; Postoperative Complications ; Prognosis ; Sensation ; Skin ; Transplants

PURPOSE: MRI is known to be an effective imaging modality of the aorta and its role is steadily increasing in the evaluation of acquired aortic diseases including aortic dissections and aortic aneurysms. However, differentiation of the aortic dissections with thrombosed false lumen from the aortic aneurysm with mural thrombus in MRI has not been easy. Therefore, the authors tried to find the characteristic MR featrses which would to differentiate the two diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR images of 6 patients with thrombosed aortic dissection and 7 patients with thrombosed aortic aneurysms were reviewed retrospectively and compared in regand to shape and extent of thrombus, dimension of aorta, and luminal flow signal. RESULTS: Thrombosed aortic dissections showed sharply demarcated crescent shaped aortic wall thickening of even thickness involving long segment of the aorta, whereas thrombosed aortic aneurysms showed irregular aortic wall thickening of uneven thickness localized in the short dilated segment of the aorta. Characteristically aortic aneurysm with mural thrombus showed eccentric intraluminal slow flow signal. In contrast to the signal void of the true lumen in aortic dissections, the residual lumen of the aortic aneurysm with mural thrombus revealed intraluminal signal due to slow flow. CONCLUSION: Familiarity to these MRI findings of thrombosed aortic dissections and aortic aneurysms may lead to the accurate differential diagnosis in majority of cases.
Aorta ; Aortic Aneurysm* ; Aortic Diseases ; Diagnosis, Differential* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Phenobarbital ; Recognition (Psychology) ; Retrospective Studies ; Thrombosis

As a new interventional procedure for the control of variceal bleeding, a portosystemic shunt can be established with the installment of metallic stent through the transjugular approach. In order to evaluate the clinical usefulness of the procedure, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic chunt procedure were performed in 5 patients with variceal bleeding due to liver cirrhosis. The metallic stents were mainly a self expandable Wallstent(Schneider, Switzerland). An 8 to 10 mm shunt was formed by the insertion of the stent and balloon dilatation after puncture of the proximal portal vein from the right or middle hepatic vein. The patency of the shunt was proven by portography after the procedure. The portal pressure measured in 3 patients before and after the procedure improved with decrease from 31 mmHg to 25 mmHg. The procedure failed in 1 patient due to preexsisting portal vein thrombosis. During the follow-up period from 1 month to 4 months, shunts were patent in all 4 patients. However, hepatic encephalopathy occured in one patient one week following the procedure. Though the follow-up period was not long enough for full evaluation. We found the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was a safe and effective procedure for the control of variceal bleeding by lowering the portal pressure. For the appropriate application for this procedure, the optimal size of the shunt and optimal degree of the resultant decompression are yet to be determined in the future.
Decompression ; Dilatation ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatic Encephalopathy ; Hepatic Veins ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Portal Pressure ; Portal Vein ; Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical ; Portography ; Punctures ; Stents ; Venous Thrombosis

We performed 70 proceudres of transarterial chemoembolization (TAE) through extrahepatic collateral vessels (n=27) or parasitic feeders (n=18) in 45 hepatocellular carcinoma patients. The collaterals developed after interruption of the hapatic artery due to repeated TAE(n=17), surgical ligation(n=7) and primary celiac occlusion (n=3). Radiologic findings suggesting the existence of parasitic or collateral supply for hepatocellular carcinoma were 1) a focal defect of Lipiodol retention on CT or plain film after TAE via the hepatic artery, 2) dilated and tortuous vessels around the mass on angiography, 3) persistent elevation of the level of serum alpha fetoprotein or continuous clinical symptoms in spite of sufficient devascularization of the tumor via the hepatic artery, and 4) radiological findings of direct invasion into adjacent organ. The sites of the catheter placement were the inferior phrenic artery (n=19), omental branches (n=16), periportal collaterals (n=6), pancreaticodenal arcade (n=3), gastroduodenal artery (n=3), internal mammary artery (n=2), intercostal artery (n=2), lateral thoracic artery (n=1), bronchial artery(n=1), and colic branches(n=1). Masses feeded by the inferior phrenic and chest wall collaterals were usually located at the dome area of the liver, and the omental and gastroduodenal collaterals developed in the masses located at the inferior tip of the liver. After TAE via collateral vessels, 37 patients underwent follow-up study. In 18 cases(48%), the tumor favorably responded to TAE. Specific complications of collateral TAE were epigastric soreness (n=10), severe shoulder pain (n=4), and embolization of the spinal artery during embolization through the intercostal artey (n=1). In conclusion, various extrahepatic collaterals are important alternative or additional routes for effective chemoembolization in patients with advanced hepatoma, and early recognition of the parasitic supply and the effort to perform TAE via collaterals is very important for effective management of the patients with the hepatoma.
alpha-Fetoproteins ; Angiography ; Arteries ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Catheters ; Colic ; Ethiodized Oil ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatic Artery ; Humans ; Liver ; Mammary Arteries ; Shoulder Pain ; Thoracic Arteries ; Thoracic Wall

Open reduction and internal fixation of the displaced fractures of the acetabulum represents one of the greatest challenge in fracture surgery. The purpose of our study is to report the results of operative treatment and establish the guideline for the operative treatment of the displaced acetabular fractures with the analysis of the clinical and radiological results. This retrospective study reports the results of 21 fractures in 21 patients(19 male and 3 female) treated by open reduction and internal fixation from January 1990 to July 1994. The patients were followed up more than 1 year and mean length of follow-up was 2.3 years. According to Letournel's classification, we had 9 elementary fractures(42.8%) and 12 associated fractures(57.2%). Among the elementary fractures, the posterior wall fracture was the most common type(7 cases, 33.3%) and the transverse-posterior wall fracture was the most common type among associated fractures(4 cases, 19.0%). Surgical approaches were 14 Kocher-Langenbeck, 6 Ilioinguinal and 1 extended iliofemoral. Indirect reduction and specially designed reduction method using C-arm and radiolucent operating table were also helpful to achieve satisfactory reduction. Overall quality of clinical results was graded according to the D'Aubigne and Postel rating score. Satisfactory reduction was gained in 16 cases(76.1%). Unsatisfactory reduction was gained in 5 cases(23.8%). Among the cases within category of satisfactory reduction, there were 7 excellent and 8 good clinical results. But among unsatisfactorily reduced 5 cases, there were 2 good clinical results. It seems that the satisfactory operative reduction of the fracture is the factor that correlates with a satisfactory clinical result. There were complications such as 3 secondary osteoarthritis(14.2%), 3 wound infection(14.2%, 2 superficial and 1 deep), 2 iatrogenic nerve palsy(9.5%, 1 sciatic and 1 obturator nerve) and 1 intrapelvic protrusion acetabuli(4.7%) and no postoperative ectopic ossification.
Acetabulum ; Classification ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Methods ; Operating Tables ; Ossification, Heterotopic ; Retrospective Studies ; Wounds and Injuries

The minor fissure is an important anatomical landmark in the localization of the pulmonary diseases. For the evaluation of the normal feature of the minor fissure, we analyzed the high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scans in 51 normal patients. The purposes of this study are to evaluate the normal appearance of the minor fissure on high-resolution CT scans and to compare it with that on the coventional CT and chest radiographs. We analysed the morphologic feature of the minor fissure on the high-resolution CT scans in 51 normal patients, and compared it with that on the conventional CT scans. On the high-resolution CT scans, we particularly paid attention to the completeness and types according to Berkmen classification. And finally, we compared the types determined by the high-resolution CT scans with those by the plain radiographs. In most patients (n=47), the minor fissure was seen as a hyperattenuating line or hand on the high-resolution CT scans. In contrast, it was mostly seen as a lucent zone on the conventional CT scans (n=44). Of 47 patients having a hyperattenuating line or band on the high resolution CT scans, the minor fissure was considered to be complete in 17 patients (36%), and incomplete in 30 patients (64%), who had defect at medial portion of the minor fissure. The most common type of the minor fissure seen on the high-resolution CT scans was type I variety (n=23), followed by type IIa (n=10) and type II (n=8). We could not determine the type in six patients. The type determined by the high resolution CT scans was highly well correlated with that determined by the plain radiographs (p<0.05). In conclusion, the minor fissure was seen on CT studies as variable appearances and high-resolution CT scans were superior to the conventional CT scans in the evaluation of the minor fissure. The type of the minor fissure determined by the high-resolution CT scans were well correlated with those seen on the radiographs.
Classification ; Hand ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed