INTRODUCTION: Premature ejaculation is the most prevalent form of male sexual dysfunction, but its cause has not been well established. Recently some studies indicated that penile sensitivity is decreased in men with premature ejaculation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To clarify the association between penile sensitivity and premature ejaculation, we evaluated penile sensitivity in 18 patients with premature ejaculation without erectile dysfunction and neurologic deficit, and 15 normal potent male volunteers by SMV-5 digital vibrometer (Teknologue, Tokyo, Japan), which has higher precision and reproducibility than analogue type biothesiometers. Vibration thresholds were recorded at the glans penis, penile shaft, and frenulum of the penis in flaccid and erectile state induced by PGE1 10 ug. We also recorded those at ulnar process and medial maleolus of the tibia. RESULTS: There was no difference in vibration threshold at the ulnar process and the medial maleolus of the tibia between the two groups (p>0.05). And we found no difference in penile sensitivity at the glans penis, penile shaft, frenulum of the penis between the two groups, in both erectile and flaccid states (p>0.05). Penile sensitivity was decreased in erectile state compared to flaccid state, but it is not statistically significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Based on our results, penile hypersensitivity measured by SMV-5 vibrometer does not appear to be a major factor contributing to premature ejaculation. And further study aimed at other somatic or cognitive factors awaits implementation.
Alprostadil ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Male ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Penis ; Premature Ejaculation* ; Tibia ; Vibration ; Volunteers

BACKGROUND: The external jugular vein (EJV) is a useful intravenous (IV) cannulation site for anesthesiologists, although it has a relatively high failure rate. Unlike other central veins, visualization of the EJV is important during IV cannulation, and the Valsalva maneuver distends the jugular venous system. However, the relationship between the maneuver and EJV visibility remains unknown. This study compared EJV visibility before and after the Valsalva maneuver. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study that included 200 participants. After the induction of anesthesia, EJV visibility grade, depth from the skin to the EJV superficial surface (EJV depth), and EJV cross-sectional area (CSA) before the Valsalva maneuver were measured. The same parameters were measured after the Valsalva maneuver was performed. The EJV visibility grade was defined as grade A: good appearance and good palpation, grade B: poor appearance and good palpation, and grade C: poor appearance and poor palpation. RESULTS: Patient body mass index and EJV depth affected the EJV visibility grade before the Valsalva maneuver (p < 0.05), although EJV CSA did not. The Valsalva maneuver distended EJV CSA and reduced EJV depth, although these changes were not correlated with EJV visibility grade. With regard to EJV visibility, 34.0% of grade B cases and 20.0% of grade C cases were improved by the Valsalva maneuver. CONCLUSIONS: Although the Valsalva maneuver improved EJV CSA and EJV depth, it did not greatly affect EJV visibility grade.
Anesthesia ; Body Mass Index ; Catheterization ; Humans ; Jugular Veins* ; Observational Study ; Palpation ; Prospective Studies ; Skin ; Ultrasonography ; Valsalva Maneuver* ; Veins

PURPOSE: We assessed the usefulness of magnetic resonance angiography(MRA) and its techniques for differential diagnosis of hemorrhagic causes in patients with non-traumatic intracranial hemorrhagic disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 74 patients with non-traumatic intracranial hemorrhagic diseases, which were confirmed by radiological examinations(36 cases) and operations(38 cases). We compared the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) alone from MRI with MRA in evaluation of hemorrhagic causes. MRA was obtained by Time-of-Flight(TOF) and Phase Contrast(PC) technique. We investigated the usefulness of TOF and PC technique. RESULTS: MRI with MRA for detection of hemorrhagic causes(89%, 66 cases) was better than MRI only (64%, 47 cases). PC was better than TOF for evaluation of arteriovenous malformation and aneurysm due to subtraction of background noise(hemorrhage). CONCLUSION: MRI with MRA in more useful than MRI alone for evaluation of non-traumatic intracranial hemorrhagic causes.
Aneurysm ; Angiography* ; Arteriovenous Malformations ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Retrospective Studies

Malignancy may cause variable musculoskeletal symptoms which resemble connective tissue disorder. This symptoms as a fine sign of hidden neoplasm can precede the diagnosis of underlying malignancy. But only one case of stomach cancer associated with cancer arthritis was reported in the world. This fact is very interesting in Asia which has high prevalence of stomach cancer. We experienced one case of gastric adenocarcinoma with oligoarthritis involving both knee and right elbow. A 48-year-old man was diagnosed stomach cancer by gastric endoscope and biopsy. After then, he complained pain, tenderness, heating sensation, swelling of both knee and right elbow with high fever. Both knee MRI showed abundant synovial effusion and soft tissue edema. Full dose of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug was not effective to control fever and arthritis. But fever and arthritis were gone after resection of tumor.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Arthritis ; Asia ; Biopsy ; Connective Tissue ; Diagnosis ; Edema ; Elbow ; Endoscopes ; Fever ; Heating ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Knee ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Sensation ; Stomach Neoplasms

To determine if the involuntary contractions of eyelids may have any effects on the development of corneal astigmatism, we performed this prospective study which includes 19 patients with either essential blepharospasm or hemifacial spasm. In hemifacial spasm, the degree of corneal astigmatism was evaluated between two eyes. Then the topographic changes were checked using vector analysis technique before and after passively opening the eyelids. They were also measured before and at 1 and 6 months after the injection of Botulinum toxin. Resultantly, 20 eyes had the with-the-rule (group1) and 9 eyes against-the-rule (group2) astigmatism. In hemifacial spasm, significantly more astigmatism was found at spastic eyes. The corneal topographic changes after passively opening the eyelids showed 10 eyes with the astigmatic shift to the with-the-rule, while the remaining 19 to the againstthe- rule. At 1 month after injection of Botulinum toxin, group 1 showed reduced average corneal astigmatism, whereas group 2 showed increased astigmatism. The astigmatic change vector showed significantly more against-the-rule. In the contrary, 6 months after treatment, corneal astigmatism again increased in group 1 and decreased in group 2. So they took on the appearance of pretreatment astigmatic status eventually. Conclusively eyelids may play an important role in corneal curvature.
Aged ; Astigmatism/*drug therapy/physiopathology ; Blepharospasm/*drug therapy/physiopathology ; Botulinum Toxin Type A/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use ; Cornea/drug effects/physiopathology ; Corneal Diseases/*drug therapy/physiopathology ; Eyelids/drug effects/physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Injections ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

No abstract available.
Anoxia* ; Neurons*

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study are to find out the long-term effect of motor point block using phenol on spasticity and gait pattern of spastic cerebral palsy children and to examine contributing factors for success of phenol block in functional implication of cerebral palsy. METHOD: We injected 5% phenol into muscles of 35 cases with spastic cerebral palsy under the electromyographic monitoring. Pre, immediate post, and follow-up evaluations for type and severity, grade of spasticity, range of motion, and gait patterns by locomotion rating scale (LRS) were analyzed. RESULTS: The degree of spasticity was reduced dramatically by block, but this effect returned back to the level of pre-block state on follow-up evaluation. There was much improvement in pes equinus, genu recurvatum and scissoring tendency, while little change was observed in crouch gait and hind foot instability. These effects have been sustained on follow-up evaluation. The gait speed, deviation to normal gait, and instability in walking were significantly improved after block and on follow-up. Maintenance of adequate range of motion and good standing balance were the most important contributing factors determining the success in phenol block. Initial spasticity, initial and post LRS score were not significant. CONCLUSION: After phenol block, spasticity returned back to the level of pre-block state but improvement in locomotion activity was maintained over 8 months on follow-up evaluation. The maintenance of adequate range of motion and good standing balance were the most important contributing factors determining the success in motor point block for improving locomotion activity.
Cerebral Palsy* ; Child ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Foot ; Gait ; Humans ; Locomotion ; Muscle Spasticity* ; Muscles ; Phenol* ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Walking

Agenesis of the dorsal pancreas is a rare congenital anomaly that arises from the failure of the dorsal pancreatic bud of endodermal cells to form the body and tail of the pancreas and can manifest as diabetes. A 24-year-old man, who had been treated with insulin for 7 years, presented with epigastric pain, vomiting, and watery diarrhea. Abdominal computed tomography showed only the head of the pancreas without visualization of the pancreatic body and tail. Left renal agenesis and absence of the left vertebral pedicle in T12 were also observed. The duct of Santorini and the duct in the body and tail were not visible in magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. The associated anomalies reported here are very rare globally. We report a case of complete agenesis of the dorsal pancreas with multiple congenital abnormalities and diabetes mellitus.
Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diarrhea ; Endoderm ; Head ; Humans ; Insulin ; Kidney ; Kidney Diseases ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Vomiting ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the prognostic significance of Magnetic resonance angiography(MRA) in patients with cerebral infarction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Magnetic Resonance imaging(MRI) and 2 dimensional or 3 dimensional Time-of-Flight MR were performed subsequently in 83 patients with cerebral infarction proven by brain CT and clinical manifestations, using GE Signa Advantage 1.5T. We classified the size of infarction on MRI as Extent I((2cm), Extent 11(2-6cm), Extent ill( > 6cm) and classified the intracranial vascular occlusion according to visualizations of intracranial vascular branches on MRA as Grade 0, Grade I, Grade II, Grade III. And we evaluated clinical outcomes of these patients according to Rankin's disability scale, compared with MRI and MRA. RESULTS: In 72 cases(86.8%), the larger the size of infarction on MRI, the more severe vascular occlusion on MRA, the worse the clinical outcomes were noted(p < 0.01). However, in 7 cases(8.4%) who showed huge cerebral infarction on MRI with low grade intracranial vascular occlusion on MRA, the clinical outcomes were improved. In 4 cases(4.8%) who noted small sized cerebral infarction on MRI with high grade vascular occlusion on MRA, the clinical outcomes were worsened. CONCLUSION: MRA provides additional useful information to that provided by MRI in predicting the prognosis of patients with cerebral infarction.
Angiography* ; Brain ; Cerebral Infarction* ; Humans ; Infarction ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Prognosis

In patient with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, it is difficult to localize gastrinoma because the tumor is frequently small and multiple. However, accurate localization of the tumor is important for the treatment. Among various imaging modalities, somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) has been recognized to be the most sensitive tool for the detection of neuroendocrine tumors such as gastrinomas based on the presence of high-affinity binding sites for somatostatin. Recently, we experienced a case of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome caused by gastrinomas which was localized by SRS. This is the first case report of gastrinoma detected by SRS in Korea. SRS can facilitate tumor detection in patient with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and should be considered as the first-line diagnostic method in the early course of the disease.
Binding Sites ; Gastrinoma* ; Humans ; Korea ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Receptors, Somatostatin ; Somatostatin ; Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome*