Increased death rate resulted from cardiovascular disease called for the study on the autonomic nervous system and cardiovascular system. It is known that an HRV (heart rate variability) spectrum analysis based on ECG (electrocardiograph) signals could be used to define activity of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system noninvasively. However, it is important to prove whether suggested HRV analysis method could provide the useful information for observing autonomic nervous system quantitatively and objectively before clinical application. In this study, 14 rats were used and divided into two groups, sympathectomy group and vagotomy group, respectively. During the experiment, ECGs of rats were collected three times at each experimental condition. After the application of Berger's series algorithm to the ECG raw data, HRV spectrum was obtained via FFT (fast Fourier transform). Power contents for each frequency bands were calculated from HRV waveforms. Two peak values, HF (high frequency) and LF(low frequency), representing autonomic nervous system status were used to extract the parameter, HF/LF ratio. Results showed that HF/LF values were increased for the sympathectomy group and decreased for the vagotomy group. It implies that the variations in HF/LF components exhibits the information for the classification of ANS(autonomic nervous system) function quantitatively. HRV analysis algorithm developed from this study could be expanded for the observation of autonomic nervous system variations in human.
Animals ; Autonomic Nervous System ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cardiovascular System ; Classification ; Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Mortality ; Parasympathetic Nervous System ; Rats ; Spectrum Analysis ; Sympathectomy* ; Vagotomy*

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma is a rare entity. Various definitions for spontaneous epidural hematoma have been reported in the literature. The expression of nontraumatic spinal epidural hematoma seems to be less ambiguous and includes idiopathic hematomas and hematomas secondary to coagulopathy, vascular malformations, and tumors. We report three cases of nontraumatic spinal epidural hematomas observed from 1991 to 2000. The causes of the spinal epidural hematomas were not clear in two cases among them, but in the another one case, the cause was determined to be an acquired coagulopathy. We reviewed 24 cases reported in the Korean Journal of Neurosurgery and our three cases with particular emphasis on the various causes such as coagulopathy, vascular malformations and tumors. Among the 27 cases, numerous causes were detected such as three cases of vascular malformation, one case of anticoagulant treatment, five cases of combined lumbar disc herniation, two cases associated with pregnancy and postpartum, one case associated with hypertension, and one case associated with ossification of ligamentum flavum. No causes were detected in the ten cases. The authors reviewed the literature.
Hematoma ; Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal* ; Hypertension ; Ligamentum Flavum ; Neurosurgery ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Vascular Malformations

PURPOSE: Glomus tumors are neoplasms that are composed of modified smooth muscle cells of the glomus body and multiple glomus tumor comprises 10% of all glomus tumors. We report a case of disseminated multiple glomus tumors. METHODS: A 14-year-old boy presented with multiple subcutaneous purple nodules on the right cheek, back, right arm, right hand dorsum, right fourth finger, and left ankle. Nodules on the back and right fourth finger were completely excised under local anesthesia and histopathologic examination was followed. RESULTS: Histopathologic findings showed numerous dilated, cavernous-like, thin-walled vascular spaces surrounded by one or a few layers of glomus cells. On immunohistochemical examination, glomus cells stain for smooth muscle actin, and endothelial cells stain for CD31. Those revealed multiple glomangiomas. CONCLUSION: A review of Korean literature revealed only one reported case of disseminated multiple glomus tumors, so this is the second case to be reported in the Korean literature. In case of multiple soft tissue tumors, thorough physical examination and preoperative evaluation are needed.
Actins ; Adolescent ; Anesthesia, Local ; Animals ; Ankle ; Arm ; Cheek ; Endothelial Cells ; Fingers ; Glomus Tumor ; Hand ; Humans ; Muscle, Smooth ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Physical Examination

No abstract available.
Osteosarcoma* ; Sphenoid Bone*

No abstract available.
Drainage* ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus*

Intracranial Hemorrhage due to Moya-moya disease in the pregnancy women is rarely documented. We present a 31-years old woman who had intracranial hemorrhage at 34 weeks of gestation. She had stuporous state(Glouscow coma scale 2-3-5) with normal blood pressure at emergency room. Computed tomography revealed intraventricular hemorrhage and scanty intracerebral hemorrhage at left paraventricular area. External ventricular drainage enabled her symptoms to improve gradually. Additional MRI and angiography revealed finding of Moya-moya disease at left middle cerebral artery. Generally, intracranial hemorrhage during pregnancy, caused by aneurysmal rupture and AVM, is treated extensively regardless of pregnancy. In Moya-moya disease intracranial hemorrhage should be removed with a simple and safe procedure as soon as possible. And cesarean section should be considered in selected cases who has hypertension during labor.
Adult ; Aneurysm ; Angiography ; Blood Pressure ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Cesarean Section ; Coma ; Drainage ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Moyamoya Disease* ; Pregnancy* ; Rupture ; Stupor

Several extraction cases with advanced bone loss as a result of periodontal disease, root or labial bone fracture, extensive caries, and periapical lesions occur esthetic, functional problems and severe bone loss. Therefore, to treat these cases used several surgical methods and socket preservation among this therapies have been evaluated simple, effective and good prognosis in the implant placement. Socket preservation therapy have been used with barrier membranes or/and graft materials. Deproteinized bovine bone mineral have been evaluated ideal grafting materials. Recently, calcium-phosphate thin film coated bovine bone powders were developed in our country, but the study for these material wasn't reported. When two types of xenograft materials were implanted in extraction sockets of Beagle dogs, the effects of these were analyzed after 4 weeks and 8 weeks histological views. The results of this study were as follows. 1.In control groups, 4 weeks after implantation, the extraction sockets were filled with connective tissue which has dilated vessels and epithelial growth. And after 8 weeks, irregular connective bundles were observed. But new bone formation was not seen. 2.In Bio-Oss groups, epithelial growth was not seen and bone powder was covered with connective tissue fiber. New bone formation was found around the interproximal bone. There was no special change seen after 8 weeks, connective tissue fibers became more regular, and bone growth near bone powder was not made well. 3.In Ca-P BBP groups, epithelial cells didn't grow in the extraction sockets, there was a lot of new bone made around the bone powder after 8 weeks, new bone around bone powder was replaced with mature bone. It is thought that bone powder grafting into the extraction sockets is very useful for conservation of ridge, and Ca-P BBP is more effective in bone formation than Bio-Oss.
Animals ; Bone Development ; Connective Tissue ; Dogs* ; Epithelial Cells ; Fractures, Bone ; Heterografts ; Membranes ; Osteogenesis ; Periodontal Diseases ; Powders ; Prognosis ; Transplants

We present two rare cases of anomalous vertebral artery (VA) with retroesophageal right subclavian artery. One patient had a right VA arising from the right common carotid artery (CCA), and a left VA originating from the third branch off the aorta. Both VAs ascended anteriorly to the transverse foramen of C5 to C6 vertebra and entered the transverse foramen of C4. The other patient had a right VA arising from the right CCA and entering the transverse foramen of C5. The presence of anomalous variations of the origin and course of vertebral artery might have serious implications in angiographic and surgical procedures, and it is of great importance to be aware of such a possibility.
Aorta ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Humans ; Spine ; Subclavian Artery ; Vertebral Artery

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma is a rare cause of spinal cord compression. Recently, at our hospital, the author et al had the opportunity of observing case with spontaneous cervical epidural hematoma in a 28 years old woman who had suddenly felt a strong pain in interscapular area. Rapidly after she noticed weakness in her legs and one day later she was completely paraplegia. The MRI of spine was done. There show tubular like low signal intensity at posterior epidural space of C7 level and ghigh signal intensity of cord at C7 level due to cord compression effect. In this article, we are adding one more rare case of spontaneous cervical spinal epidural hematoma confirmed by MRI.
Adult ; Epidural Space ; Female ; Hematoma ; Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal* ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Leg ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Paraplegia ; Spinal Cord Compression ; Spine

BACKGROUND: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents are associated with a high incidence of gastrointestinal side effects due to nonspecific inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzymes, COX-1 and 2. Selective inhibition of COX-2 would minimize the potential for gastrointestinal toxicity without compromising efficacy. This study was conducted to investigate 1) the clinical efficacy and 2) the safety of meloxicam, a preferential inhibitor of COX-2, compared with piroxicam in chronic osteoarthritis patients. METHODS: This was designed as a randomized, open labeled, multi-clinic prospective trial. Patients received either meloxicam 7.5 mg or piroxicam 10 mg twice daily for two weeks. Parameters measured were demographic data, disease characteristics, static and dynamic visual analog scale scores (VAS score: 0 = no pain, 10 = extremely severe pain), side effects and their incidences, weekly drop out rates, global efficacy assessed by patients and physicians (1 = extremely satisfactory, 2 = satisfactory, 3 = unsatisfactory, 4 = extremely unsatisfactory), and the changes of disease status assessed by the patients (1 = remarkably improved, 2 = improved, 3 = no change, 4 = worse). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups in respect to demographic data and disease status. VAS scores at one week showed significant decrease from the baseline, but had no further improvement when compared with those at two weeks. These trends were similar in both groups. At the first week, the meloxicam group had lower incidences of side effects, but at the end of the study, these numbers were compatible between the two groups. Global efficacy evaluated by patients and physicians were highly satisfactory. The changes of disease status assessed by patients also revealed good improvements in both groups. Conclusion: Meloxicam had an analgesic effect for chronic osteoarthritis comparable to piroxicam. It appeared to have a better safety profile for short term therapy, but not in long term.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Humans ; Incidence ; Osteoarthritis* ; Piroxicam ; Prospective Studies ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases* ; Visual Analog Scale