Pulmonary aspergilloma may usually demonstrate the classic "air-crescent sign" in the conventional radiograph. However, this lesion is often seen as a pulmonary nodule or is obscured by the surrounding scarred and fibrotic lung tissue, which may limit the value of the conventional techniques and hinder the diagnosis. We retrospectively analysed the plan film findings of 44 lesions of 40 patients and CT findings of 29 lesions of 26 patients with pulmonary aspergilloma with special emphasis upon the atypical manifestation. The cases with classic "air-meniscus sign" in conventional radiograph accounted for 50%, while 30%, presented with a pulmonary nodule and 20% were unrecognized forms due to surrounding parenchymal lesion. CT findings of 28 aspergillomas were analyzed according to the shape of the intracavitary space(space between the cavity wall and the fungal ball) and the fungal ball itself. The intracavity space showed "air-meniscus sign" (62%), filling cavity (28%), peripheral air bubble (3%) and high density due to hemorrhage (3%), in descending order of frequency, The shape of the fungal ball itself showed homogeneous low density mass (62%) and spongeform or irregular air bubble contained mass (34%), CT was more accurate than conventional radiograph in the diagnosis and evaluation of number and location of atspergilloma, particularly in the case of atypical presentaion and was useful to assess the associated disease and to predict postoperative outcome.
Cicatrix ; Diagnosis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Lung ; Retrospective Studies

No abstract available.
Cervix Uteri* ; Female ; Lymph Nodes* ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Risk Factors*

Constrictive pericarditis is caused by fibrosis of the pericardium leading to decrease in ventricular compliance. The diagnosis is often delayed due to nonspecific signs and symptoms. The authors experienced eight cases of constrictive pericarditis detected on chest CT scan while being treated for considerable length of time under the clinical impressions of intrathoracic tumor, tuberculous pleural effusion, liver cirrhosis, etc. Constrictive hemodynamics of these patients were confirmed by echocardiogram and cardiac catheterization. Among them five cases were due to tuberculosis. In four cases with pathologically proven tuberculous granuloma, the pericardium was markedly thickened and intensely enhanced. Associated pericardial effusion (n=3), and mediastinal lymphadenitis (n=3) were present, but pericardial calcifications were not seen. On the other hand, the fibrosis group (n=3) displayed mild pericardial thickening. All the three patients showed pericardial calcifications, mild or absent enhancement of pericardium, but no mediastinal lymphadenitis. The cardiovascular changes such as inferior or superior vena caval distension, left ventricular deformity, interventricular septum angulation, and biatrial enlargements were more severe than those in patients with active granuloma. In patients with constrictive pericarditis with nonspecific signs and symptoms, CT scan is very helpful in making the diagnosis and can give informations about the evolution of the disease.
Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Compliance ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Diagnosis* ; Fibrosis ; Granuloma ; Hand ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Lymphadenitis ; Pericardial Effusion ; Pericarditis, Constrictive* ; Pericardium ; Pleural Effusion ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculosis

Constrictive pericarditis is caused by fibrosis of the pericardium leading to decrease in ventricular compliance. The diagnosis is often delayed due to nonspecific signs and symptoms. The authors experienced eight cases of constrictive pericarditis detected on chest CT scan while being treated for considerable length of time under the clinical impressions of intrathoracic tumor, tuberculous pleural effusion, liver cirrhosis, etc. Constrictive hemodynamics of these patients were confirmed by echocardiogram and cardiac catheterization. Among them five cases were due to tuberculosis. In four cases with pathologically proven tuberculous granuloma, the pericardium was markedly thickened and intensely enhanced. Associated pericardial effusion (n=3), and mediastinal lymphadenitis (n=3) were present, but pericardial calcifications were not seen. On the other hand, the fibrosis group (n=3) displayed mild pericardial thickening. All the three patients showed pericardial calcifications, mild or absent enhancement of pericardium, but no mediastinal lymphadenitis. The cardiovascular changes such as inferior or superior vena caval distension, left ventricular deformity, interventricular septum angulation, and biatrial enlargements were more severe than those in patients with active granuloma. In patients with constrictive pericarditis with nonspecific signs and symptoms, CT scan is very helpful in making the diagnosis and can give informations about the evolution of the disease.
Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Compliance ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Diagnosis* ; Fibrosis ; Granuloma ; Hand ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Lymphadenitis ; Pericardial Effusion ; Pericarditis, Constrictive* ; Pericardium ; Pleural Effusion ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: The relationship between type II diabetes and congnitive function has been explored in several studies. But the result was controversial. The purpose of the study was to determine whether diabetes mellitus in older patients(>or=65 years) is assiciated with cognitive dysfunction and to discover the related factors with th cognitive dysfunction. METHOD: Twenty patients with type 2 diabetes and twenty subjects with non-diabetes are studied with cognitive function test at Hwachun health center and county hospital. Cognitive function was assessed using Mini-Mental State Examination and Clock Drawing test and the score was analyzed. The diabetes groups were subdivided with duration of diabetes, HbAlc, chronic diabetic complications and then analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 6(30%) diabetic subjects scored below 24 on mini-mental state examination, compared with 3(15%) of controls(p=0.2560). The mean socres were 20.1+/-2.7 and 19.0+/-3.5 respectively. Clock drawing test demonstrated that 13(65%) diabetic subjects inconectly placed the numbers and hands, compared with 7(35%) of controls(p=0.0578>0.05). The duration of diabetes mellitus, HbAlc, chronic diabetic com- plications were not associated with cognitive dysfun- ction among diabetic subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that type 2 diabetes mellitus in the elderly is not associated with cognitive dysfunction, but further study should be done.
Aged ; Diabetes Complications ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Hand ; Hospitals, County ; Humans

Congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia is the most severe form of CAH, leading to impaired production of all steroid hormones including glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoid, and sex steroids. The affected individuals are all phenotypically female with a severe salt-losing syndrome that is fatal if steroid replacement is not begun immediately after birth. The lesion of this disorder has been suggested to be in the first step of steroidogenesis of conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone by P450scc. Recently, molecular defect of this disease has been located in the transport of cholesterol into mitochondria due to defective regulatory protein called 'steroidogenic acute regulatory protein' while the enzyme P450scc itself is normal, differing from other types of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. We experienced 2 1/2 month old phenotypical girl who was admitted due to lethargic state and persistent vomiting with severe hyperkemia and hyponatremia. Blood levels of cortisol, aldosteron, and 17-OH progesteron were low and levels of ACTH, angiotensin, and plasma renin activity were high, urinary levels of 17-KS and 17-OHCH were low. The patient was found to have karyotype of 46, XY and has been being treated with predinisolone, fluorocortisol and sodium supplement in diet and doing well. The molecular study for P450scc gene and StAR gene of patient and family is in progress.
Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Angiotensins ; Cholesterol ; Diet ; Female ; Glucocorticoids ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hyperplasia* ; Hyponatremia ; Karyotype ; Mitochondria ; Parturition ; Plasma ; Pregnenolone ; Renin ; Sodium ; Steroids ; Vomiting

No abstract available.
Acoustic Stimulation* ; Acoustics*

PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term effects of maintenance of intraocular pressure (IOP) after peripheral laser iridotomy (PLI) in patients with closed angle. METHODS: The patients who received PLI were assessed and divided into 2 groups. There were 38 patients (41 eyes) with a history or ocular findings of acute angle-closure attack in Group A, and 54 patients (70 eyes) who underwent prophylactic PLI in Group B. IOP over 18 mm Hg was considered to be re-elevated. The number of patients with re-elevated IOP and the duration until the re-elevation was investigated. RESULTS: The amount of IOP elevation immediately after PLI at 6, 24, and 48 months was 0.9, 2.5, and 2.6 mm Hg in Group A, and 0.1, 0.5, 0.5 mm Hg in Group B, respectively. The IOP re-elevation rate was 26.8, 40.0, and 51.4% at 6, 24, and 48 months in Group A and 8.6, 27.2, and 30.4% in Group B with statistically significant difference (p = 0.02, log-rank test). CONCLUSIONS: Close, long-term observation for patients who receive PLI is recommended because there is a high risk of IOP re-elevation within 1 year after PLI. After prophylactic PLI, IOP was maintained under 18 mm Hg for a longer period than after acute angle-closure attack, thus performing preventive PLI should be considered.
Humans ; Intraocular Pressure

No abstract available.
alpha-Fetoproteins* ; Chorion* ; Chorionic Gonadotropin* ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, First*

Magnetic Resonance image(MRI) is used as the diagnostic modality for evaluation of suspected intramedullary tumors and differential diagnosis of these tumors at the spinal cord. We experienced intramedullary astrocytoma of cerviced cord with large syrinx and multiple peritumoral cysts consisted of subacute and chronic hemorrhage at the margin and within the syrinx and cysts on MRI.
Astrocytoma* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hemorrhage* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Spinal Cord*