PURPOSE: We studied to determine whether the degenerative spondylolisthesis has rotary deformity in addition to forward displacement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have made an analysis of difference of rotary deformity between the 31 study groups of symptomatic degenerative spondylolisthesis and 31 control groups without any symptom,statistically. We also reviewed CT findings in 15 study groups. RESULTS: The mean rotary deformity in study groups was 6.1 degree(the standard deviation is 5.20), and the mean rotary deformity in control groups was 2.52 degree(the standard deviation is 2.16)(p <0.01) CONCLUSION: The rotary deformity can be accompanied with degenerative spondylolisthesis. We may consider the rotary deformity as a cause of symptomatic degenerative spondylolisthesis in case that any other cause is not detected.
Congenital Abnormalities* ; Spondylolisthesis*

Schwannomas are benign tumors derived from the Schwann cells of the nerve sheath. These are rare tumors that can be found in any part of the body although fewer than 4% of these tumors involve the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Here, we present three cases of sinonasal schwannoma. The tumor masses were removed by endoscopic excision under general anesthesia. Pathological examination of the excised specimens confirmed schwannoma and the tumor cells were immunoreactive for S-100 protein. The patients are doing well with no evidence of recurrence.
Anesthesia, General ; Humans ; Nasal Cavity ; Neurilemmoma ; Nose ; Paranasal Sinuses ; Recurrence ; S100 Proteins ; Schwann Cells

The most common disease process involving the frontal sinus is infection secondary to inadequate drainage through the frontal recess. Obstruction of the frontal recess may result from rhinosinusitis, allergic rhinitis, nasal polyposis, tumor and traumatic injury. The principle treatments are not only ventilation and drainage but also removal of predisposing factors. If there is no response to conservative treatment, surgical treatment is considered. To prevent closure of the frontal recess, external approach, endoscopic approach, grafts, indwelling tubes and mucoperiosteal flaps have been used. Insertion of silicone tube in frontal recess is a simple and easy method of drainage through frontal recess. We report a case of traumatic recurrent frontal sinusitis which was treated by endoscopic sinus surgery with silicone T-tube insertion.
Drainage ; Frontal Sinus ; Frontal Sinusitis ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; Silicones ; Transplants ; Ventilation

PURPOSE: The purpose is to correlate computed tomographic findings classified according to the degree of disease severity(grading A-E) with clinical course of acute pancreatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: in a retrospective review of 42 patients with acute pancreatitis, computed tomographic scans were classifed according to the degree of disease severity, and were correlatd with the clinical course. RESULTS: Pancreatic abscesses were seen in 14.3% and occured in 35.7% of grade D and E patients. Three patients with abscess died. Fatty infiltration of the liver was noted in 16.7%, pleural effusion in 21.4%.. stones and thickened wall of the gallbladder were present in 7.1% and in 9.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that phlegmonous extrapancreatic spread on initial CT scan had a high predictive value of the patients, prognosis.
Abscess ; Cellulitis ; Gallbladder ; Humans ; Liver ; Pancreatitis* ; Pleural Effusion ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of lung cancer in animals and humans has been described in previously published reports. The aim of this study was to present our preliminary experience of treatment of lung cancer involving this approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight patients with lung malignancies [stage IIIB or IV bronchogenic adenocarcinoma (n=6), metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (n=1), metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (n=1)] underwent RFA treatment. In all cases LeVeen-type electrodes were employed and CT was used to monitor the procedure. One-day and one-month follow-up CT scans were obtained and analyzed. RESULTS: Prior to treatment, tumor diameter ranged from 2.5 to 5 cm; afterwards, low attenuation consistent with coagulative necrosis was observed. Complications included a small amount of pneumothorax (n=4), pleural effusion (n=8), and subcutaneous emphysema (n=1). Tumor size decreased in five patients, was unchanged in two, and increased in one. CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency ablation of lung cancer is safe and may result in a reduced tumor burden.
Adenocarcinoma ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Catheter Ablation* ; Electrodes ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Necrosis ; Pleural Effusion ; Pneumothorax ; Subcutaneous Emphysema ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tumor Burden

PURPOSE: To compare the three-dimensional gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for evaluation of the pedal artery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 12 extremities of 11 patients, both digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MR angiography) were performed during the same week. Among ten of the 11 patients, the following conditions were present: atherosclerosis (n=4), diabetic foot (n=3), Buerger's disease (n=1), calciphylactic arteriopathy (n=1) and arteriovenous malformation of the foot (n=1). The remaining patient underwent angiography prior to flap surgery. For MR angiography, a 1.5T system using an extremity or head coil was used. A three-dimensional FISP (fast imaging with steady state precession) sequence was obtained before enhancement, followed by four sequential acquisitions (scan time, 20 secs; scan interval time, 10 secs) 10 seconds after intravenous bolus injection of normal saline (total 10 cc), following intravenous adminstration of gadolinium (0.02 mmol/kg, 3 ml/sec). Arterial segments of the ankle and foot were classified as the anterior or posterior tibial artery, the distal peroneal artery, the medial or lateral plantar artery, the pedal arch, and the dorsalis pedis artery. Two radiologists independently analysed visualization of each arteraial segment and the mean of visible arterial segments in one extreminty using CE-MR angiography and DSA. RESULTS: Among 84 arterial segments, 16 were invisible at both CE-MR angiography and DSA, while 39 were demonstrated by both modalities. Twenty-six segments were visible only at CE-MR angiography and three only at DSA. CE-MR angiography displayed a higher number of arterial segments than DSA (mean, 5.42 vs. mean 3.50, respectively), a difference which was statistically significant (p<0.000). The difference between each arterial segment was not statistically significant, except for the dorsalis pedis artery (t test, p<0.000). CONCLUSION: In that it provides additional information for the planning of treatment of lower-extremity arterial disease, three-dimensional CE-MR angiography is superior to DSA for evaluation of the pedal artery.
Angiography* ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction* ; Ankle ; Arteries* ; Arteriovenous Malformations ; Atherosclerosis ; Diabetic Foot ; Extremities ; Foot ; Gadolinium ; Head ; Humans ; Thromboangiitis Obliterans ; Tibial Arteries

PURPOSE: To assess the performance of contrast-enhanced three-dimensional(3-D) magnetic resonance venography (MRV) of the pelvis and lower extremities in patients with varicose veins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ascending and MR venography were performed in seven legs of seven patients, and duplex Doppler sonography and MR venography in 15 legs of 12 patients, all referred for evaluation of varicose veins. For analysis, the venous system as revealed by ascending and MR venographic images was divided into 13 segments. For detection of reflux to the great saphenous vein, duplex Doppler sonography and MRV were performed. RESULTS: In ascending venography and MRV, 91 venous segments were potentially visible; both modalities depicted 78 of these, but failed to detect four. Ascending venography and MRV detected 17 and 19 varices, respectively. When two tourniquets were placed around the ankle and knee using the Valsalva maneuver, MRV and duplex Doppler sonography detected reflux in 8 of 11 and 13 of 15 legs, respectively. CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced 3-D MRV comprehensively displays the venous system of the lower extremities and permits assessment of varicose veins. MRV using the Valsalva maneuver allows assessment of reflux to the great saphenous vein.
Ankle ; Humans ; Knee ; Leg ; Lower Extremity* ; Pelvis ; Phlebography* ; Saphenous Vein ; Tourniquets ; Valsalva Maneuver ; Varicose Veins*

OBJECTIVE: To assess the technical feasibility of a newly designed stent-like electrode in rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A stent-like electrode was knitted from a single thread of nitinol wire and interconnected to a generator using similar wire. In order to gauge the extent of radiofrequency ablation (RFA), we measured the depth of the ablated area in cow liver using a combination of 180-sec time intervals and 20-watt power increments. For data processing, Cox regression analysis was used. RFA was also applied to the small intestine of rabbits using this stent-like electrode under six different sets of conditions: 10 watts for 1 min, 10 watts for 2 mins, 20 watts for 1 min, 20 watts for 2 mins, 30 watts for 1 min, and 30 watts for 2 mins. To determine the gross and microscopic findings, six animals were sacrificed immediately after the procedure and the results obtained under the different sets of conditions were correlated. Eight rabbits were monitored for 4 weeks prior to sacrifice. RESULTS: For both ex-vivo and in-vivo ablations, the depth of the thermal lesion showed linear correlation with both the duration of RFA and the power applied. RFA of the duodenum was technically successful in all 14 rabbits. The acute changes occurring in the rabbits' small intestine included color change, cytoplasmic denaturation, fibrin deposition and hemorrhage, among which hemorrhage of the mucosal layer was the earliest finding. RF ablation for 2 mins at 30 watts caused serosal hemorrhage. The gross and histologic changes occurring showed close correlation under all six sets of conditions. CONCLUSION: Use of the stent-like electrode proves technically feasible but to determine the nature of the chronic change occurring in the gastrointestinal tract after RF ablation, further investigation and long-term follow-up in animals are required.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a stress-management program on stress coping methods, interpersonal relations and quality of life in patients with chronic mental illness. METHODS: A nonequivalent control group pre-posttest design was used for this quasi-experimental study. The study was conducted from May 1 to December 30, 2010. The 41 participants in this study were selected from patients with chronic mental illness (20 for the experimental group and 21 for the control group). Datas were analyzed chi2-test, t-test, paired t-test, and one-way ANCOVA with the SPSS/WIN 15.0 program. RESULTS: There were significant changes in stress coping methods scores, interpersonal relations scores and quality of life scores in the experimental group before and after treatment, which were significantly different from those in the control group. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that the stress-management program resulted in significant improvement in stress coping methods, interpersonal relations and quality of life for patients with chronic mental illness. Therefore, this study shows stress-management programs are useful in clinical practice as effective nursing interventions in patients with chronic mental illness.
Humans ; Interpersonal Relations* ; Nursing ; Quality of Life*

Silicone fluid(polydimethylsiloxane) is widely used in breast augmentation and other cosmetic procedures because of little incidence of complications and low mortality rate. However, local reaction following silicone injections can be occurred sometimes leading to serious complications. Especially, illicit silicone injections have resulted in severe reactions within the pulmonary area, and some have resulted in acute respiratory distress syndrome subsequently. We experienced a case of acute respiratory distress syndrome induced by subcutaneous injections of silicone at vaginal wall. The patients was 39-year-old, previously healthy woman who had complained of dyspnea related to silicone injection at vaginal wall. Chest X-ray and chest CT scan show diffuse air consolidation with ground glass opacities and perfusion lung scan revealed likelihood of pulmonary embolism as showing multiple perfusion defects. We report a case of acute respiratory distress syndrome after silicone injection with review of literature.
Adult ; Breast ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Glass ; Humans ; Incidence ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Lung ; Mortality ; Perfusion ; Pulmonary Embolism* ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult* ; Silicones* ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed