The CT findings and their differential points were evaluated by reviewing the CT scans of 47 patients with destructive lesions of vertebral bodies which included tuberculous spondylitis(23), pyogenic infection(9), syphilitic spondylitis(1) and malignant lesions(14). Twenty-one(91.3%) of 23 patients with tuberculous spondylitis showed mixed osteolytic and osteosclerotic patterns of bony destruction. Six(66.7%) of 9 patients with pyogenic infection and 10(71.4%) of 14 malignant lesions showed osteolytic pattern of bony destruction. Thirty(90.9%) of 33 infections lesions including pyogenic infection and tuberculous spondylitis involved intervertebral disc, while the involvement of intervertebral disc was not found in malignant lesions. The Swisscheese appearance of bony destruction was commonly seen in tuberculous spondylitis, but pyogenic infections and malignant lesions more commonly revealed geographic or moth-eaten appearance. The sequestral pattern and sclerotic rims in and around bony destruction were mainly seen in tuberculous spondylitis, and they were thought to be specific findings in tuberculous spondylitis. CT of the spine appears to offer the detailed findings of vertebral body destruction and may be a useful adjunct in differentiation between tuberculous spondylitis, pyogenic infections and malignant lesions of the spine.
Diagnosis, Differential* ; Humans ; Inflammation* ; Intervertebral Disc ; Spine ; Spondylitis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: Herpes zoster oticus is a reactivation of latent varicella-zoster infection associated with otalgia, vesicle, facial nerve palsy, sensorineural hearing loss & vertigo. Facial paralysis is rapid in onset, usually severe in degree, and poor in prognosis. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the treatment and prognosis of Herpes zoster oticus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 12 cases of Herpes zoster oticus from May 1992 to February 1996, which had been treated with acyclovir and steroid was done. RESULTS: All patients had otalgia, vesicle and facial palsy. All patients had been treated with adequate dosage of prednisolone & acyclovir. The complete recovery rate from facial palsy was 58%. CONCLUSION: Factors predicting good prognosis are as follows. 1) low degree of facial palsy on admission 2) delayed onset of facial palsy from initial symptom 3) early treatment for facial palsy 4) electrical test: Nerve excitability test(<3.5 mA difference) Electroneurography(>10%).
Acyclovir ; Earache ; Facial Nerve ; Facial Paralysis ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; Herpes Zoster Oticus* ; Herpes Zoster* ; Humans ; Paralysis ; Prednisolone ; Prognosis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Vertigo

Renal artery stenosis may be a cause of hypertension and a potential contributor to progressive renal insufficiency. However, the prevalence of renal artery disease in a general population is poorly defined. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of angiographically-determined renal artery narrowing in a patient population undergoing routine cardiac catheterization, and to identify the risk factors for renal artery stenosis. After left ventriculography, abdominal aortography was performed to screen for the presence of renal artery stenosis. A total of 427 patients (274 males, 153 females) were studied and the mean age was 59 years. Renal artery narrowing was identified in 10.5% of patients. Significant (> or = 50% diameter narrowing) renal artery stenosis was found in 24 patients (5.6%) and insignificant stenosis was found in 21 patients (4.9%). Significant unilateral stenosis was present in 4.2% of patients and bilateral stenosis was present in 1.4%. The stem of the renal artery was a more common site of stenosis in 62.2% of patients than in the ostium (37.8%), but the severity of stenosis was not significantly different according to the site of stenosis. By univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, the association of clinical variables with renal artery stenosis was assessed. Multivariable predictors included age, hypertension and peripheral vascular disease (p < 0.05). The variables such as sex, smoking history, hyperlipidemia, renal insufficiency, as well as the presence of obesity, severity of coronary heart disease and D.M., were not associated. In conclusion, the prevalence of angiographically-determined renal artery narrowing in a patient population undergoing cardiac catheterization is 10.5%. Old age, hypertension and evidence of peripheral vascular disease represent the predictors of renal artery stenosis.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Heart Catheterization* ; Human ; Hypertension/etiology ; Male ; Middle Age ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prevalence ; Renal Artery Obstruction/etiology ; Renal Artery Obstruction/epidemiology* ; Risk Factors

Adventitial cystic disease (ACD) is an uncommon vascular disease of an unknown origin, and this malady can be suspected in a young, healthy patient who has sudden onset of claudication. We describe here a case of ACD of the right popliteal artery. A 43-year-old male presented with 4 month history of severe right leg claudication. He had no other atherosclerotic predisposing history except for 10 pack years of smoking. On examination, the right femoral pulses were normal, the popliteal artery absent and the dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial artey pulses were decreased. The ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI) was 0.4. Ultrasonography showed a hypoechoic cystic lesion with a well-defined marin along the arterial wall. Computed tomography showed a round hypodense cystic mass with thin enhancing rim and a non-enhancing center in the popliteal fossa. Operatively, the 2.5 cm-sized expanding cyst indented the popliteal artery, which involved half of its diameter with adhesion to the adhesion to the adjacent structures. The artery had no thrombosis and it was a short-segment lesion with luminal patency, but half of the arterial wall was thickened with inflammation. Partial excision of the cyst wall and evacuation of the gelatineous materials was performed. Postoperatively, his symptoms improved somewhat, but ABI was 0.6. On the angiography, there was residual stenosis and contrast pooling. These findings disappeared after balloon angioplasty. he was asymptomatic 6 months later with an ABI >1 in the right side.
Adult ; Angiography ; Angioplasty* ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; Arteries ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Cystotomy* ; Gelatin ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Leg ; Male ; Phenobarbital ; Popliteal Artery ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Thrombosis ; Ultrasonography ; Vascular Diseases

Adventitial cystic disease (ACD) is an uncommon vascular disease of an unknown origin, and this malady can be suspected in a young, healthy patient who has sudden onset of claudication. We describe here a case of ACD of the right popliteal artery. A 43-year-old male presented with 4 month history of severe right leg claudication. He had no other atherosclerotic predisposing history except for 10 pack years of smoking. On examination, the right femoral pulses were normal, the popliteal artery absent and the dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial artey pulses were decreased. The ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI) was 0.4. Ultrasonography showed a hypoechoic cystic lesion with a well-defined marin along the arterial wall. Computed tomography showed a round hypodense cystic mass with thin enhancing rim and a non-enhancing center in the popliteal fossa. Operatively, the 2.5 cm-sized expanding cyst indented the popliteal artery, which involved half of its diameter with adhesion to the adhesion to the adjacent structures. The artery had no thrombosis and it was a short-segment lesion with luminal patency, but half of the arterial wall was thickened with inflammation. Partial excision of the cyst wall and evacuation of the gelatineous materials was performed. Postoperatively, his symptoms improved somewhat, but ABI was 0.6. On the angiography, there was residual stenosis and contrast pooling. These findings disappeared after balloon angioplasty. he was asymptomatic 6 months later with an ABI >1 in the right side.
Adult ; Angiography ; Angioplasty* ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; Arteries ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Cystotomy* ; Gelatin ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Leg ; Male ; Phenobarbital ; Popliteal Artery ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Thrombosis ; Ultrasonography ; Vascular Diseases

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts are artificial vascular grafts commonly utilized for reconstructing the middle hepatic vein during living donor liver transplantation. In this report, we present three cases of expanded PTFE (ePTFE) graft migration into the gastrointestinal tract. These migrations were incidentally discovered and later migrated grafts were successfully removed endoscopically. The first case involved a patient presenting with epigastric discomfort, with a migrated ePTFE graft observed in the duodenal lumen during esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). In the second case, a patient who visited the emergency room with hematochezia was found to have a migrated ePTFE graft in the colonic lumen on colonoscopy. The third case involved a patient undergoing regular EGD after endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer; graft migration into the duodenal lumen was documented over time through sequential surveillance EGDs. The graft was endoscopically removed after complete migration. Contrary to previous reports, the three cases presented here did not exhibit serious clinical symptoms, and they were successfully treated through endoscopic foreign body removal without complications. We believe these occasions were possible due to the slow migration of the graft and the concurrent spontaneous closure of the fistula tract.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts are artificial vascular grafts commonly utilized for reconstructing the middle hepatic vein during living donor liver transplantation. In this report, we present three cases of expanded PTFE (ePTFE) graft migration into the gastrointestinal tract. These migrations were incidentally discovered and later migrated grafts were successfully removed endoscopically. The first case involved a patient presenting with epigastric discomfort, with a migrated ePTFE graft observed in the duodenal lumen during esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). In the second case, a patient who visited the emergency room with hematochezia was found to have a migrated ePTFE graft in the colonic lumen on colonoscopy. The third case involved a patient undergoing regular EGD after endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer; graft migration into the duodenal lumen was documented over time through sequential surveillance EGDs. The graft was endoscopically removed after complete migration. Contrary to previous reports, the three cases presented here did not exhibit serious clinical symptoms, and they were successfully treated through endoscopic foreign body removal without complications. We believe these occasions were possible due to the slow migration of the graft and the concurrent spontaneous closure of the fistula tract.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts are artificial vascular grafts commonly utilized for reconstructing the middle hepatic vein during living donor liver transplantation. In this report, we present three cases of expanded PTFE (ePTFE) graft migration into the gastrointestinal tract. These migrations were incidentally discovered and later migrated grafts were successfully removed endoscopically. The first case involved a patient presenting with epigastric discomfort, with a migrated ePTFE graft observed in the duodenal lumen during esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). In the second case, a patient who visited the emergency room with hematochezia was found to have a migrated ePTFE graft in the colonic lumen on colonoscopy. The third case involved a patient undergoing regular EGD after endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer; graft migration into the duodenal lumen was documented over time through sequential surveillance EGDs. The graft was endoscopically removed after complete migration. Contrary to previous reports, the three cases presented here did not exhibit serious clinical symptoms, and they were successfully treated through endoscopic foreign body removal without complications. We believe these occasions were possible due to the slow migration of the graft and the concurrent spontaneous closure of the fistula tract.

OBJECTIVE: The decision of optimal age for administration of recently approved prophylactic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines in the world depend on the basis of the sexual behavior of each countries. The aim of the study was to survey the age-specific sexual behavior including the sexual debut time and sexual experience in the Korean young women to design the tailored HPV vaccination. METHODS: This study was conducted by the Synovate Healthcare in the 6 city of Korea e.g. Seoul, Pusan, Daegu, Incheon, Kwangju and Daejon. By a stratified sampling methods 2,400 women aged 12-29 years old were included. The measures of sexual behavior presented in this report were collected by a Computer-Assisted Self-Interviewing (ACASI), in which the respondent enters her own answers into a computer without telling them to an interviewer. RESULTS: Among women 12-29 years of age, 39 percent of women (934 persons in 2,400 women) and 33 percent of single women (724 persons in 2,190 women) have had vaginal intercourse; 8 percent of women under 19 years old single women (79 persons in 1,045) and 56 percent of single women with 20-29 years old (645 persons in 1,145). Number of sexual partner was 2.8 person and 54 percent of women had more than 2 partners. Age of the first sexual activity (sexual debut) was 21 years old. The age of partner at the sexual debut was 23.2 years old. Sexual experience before 15 years old was only 2%. About the condom, 41% did not use or rarely use. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that the sexual debut time of young Korean women differ from other countries in which the prophylactic HPV vaccine had already used. We conclude that the optimal age for HPV vaccination in Korea would be determined at 15-17 years old by this situation.
Adolescent ; Busan ; Condoms ; Daegu ; Daejeon ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Delivery of Health Care ; Female ; Gwangju ; Humans ; Incheon ; Korea ; Seoul ; Sexual Behavior* ; Sexual Partners ; Vaccination ; Vaccines ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence and clinical features of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Korea. METHODS: Web-based (www.armd-nova.or.kr) registration was conducted for AMD patients aged 50 or more who were newly diagnosed by retinal specialists in Korea from August 20, 2005 to August 20, 2006. Patient data including ophthalmologic examination, fundus photography, fluorescein angiogram and/or indocyanin green angiogram (ICG), past medical history, behavioral habit, combined systemic diseases were up-loaded. RESULTS: Among finally enrolled 1,141 newly diagnosed AMD patients, 690 patients (60.5%) were male and 451 patients (39.5%) were female. The average age of AMD patients was 69.7+/-8.0. Early AMD was observed in 190 patients and 951 patients had late AMD. Classic choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) was observed in 18.6% of exudative AMD patients and 63.4 % had occult CNVM. Subfoveal CNVM was observed in 80.4% of the patients with CNVM. Among the 580 exudative AMD eyes that performed indocyanin green angiography (ICG), 184 eyes (31.7%) had polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and 36 eyes (6.2%) showed retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP). Age, male gender, smoking, diabetes and hypertension significantly increased the risk of the AMD among Koreans. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the low rate of participation by retinal specialists, definite incidence of AMD was not obtainable. However, the estimated 1-year AMD incidence in the Pusan area of Korea is at least 0.4%. In contrast to Western people, 31.7% of exudative AMD cases were revealed to be PCV and 6.2% were revealed to be RAP. This discrepancy between ethnic groups should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment modality selection of Korean AMD patients.
Aged ; Angiography ; Choroid ; Ethnic Groups ; Eye ; Female ; Fluorescein ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Korea ; Macular Degeneration ; Male ; Membranes ; Photography ; Retinaldehyde ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Specialization