No abstract available.
Animals ; Rats* ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction* ; Urinary Bladder*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and the most accurate element of the diagnostic criteria of the Japan Society of Uitrasonics in medicine(JSUM, Nov. 1989) for distinguishing between benign and malignant solid breast masses on the US. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We analyzed the ultrasonic findings of histopathologically proved 51 fibroadenomas, 12 fibrocystic disease, and 39 breast cancers in relation to the diagnostic criteria of the JSUM (shape, border, boundary echo, internal echo, posterior echo, lateral echo, and depth/width ratio). RESULTS: The number of cases of fibroadenoma, fibrocystic disease, and breast cancer corresponding to the diagnostic criteria was in the shape(26/51, 5/12, 33/39), border(41/51, 9/12, 29/39), boundary echo(48/51, 12/12, 27/39), internal echo(43/51, 9/12, 24/39), posterior echo(32/51, 3/12, 21/39), and lateral shadowing(15/51, 1/12, 35/39). All diagnostic criterias showed statistical significance for differentiation of benign/malignant breast mass on the US(Chi-square test: p<0.05). The order of accuracy was boundary echo, internal echo, and border. The mean of depth/width ratio was 0.54 +/- 0.15, 0.52 +/- 0.12, and 0.69 +/- 0.21 in fibroadenoma, fibrocystic disease, and breast cancer respectively and it had statistical significance for differentiation of benign/malignant breast mass on the US(ANOVA test: p=0.0002). CONCLUSION: The diagnostic criteria of JSUM is effective for differentiation of benign/malignant breast solid masses on the US and has accuracy in the order of boundary echo, internal echo, and border. Depth/width ratio also has statistical significance.
Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Fibroadenoma ; Japan* ; Ultrasonics*

Splenic artery pseudoaneurysm is a relatively rare and potentially life-threatening complication of chronic pancreatitis. The authors present a case of splenic artery pseudoaneurysm complicating ,chronic pancreatitis. It was converting into a pseudoaneurysm by vessel rupturs. In this case report, color doppler US, CT, and MRI made the definite diagnosis.
Aneurysm, False* ; Diagnosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pancreatitis, Chronic* ; Splenic Artery*

Aspirin(ASA) and NSAIDs can induce bronchoconstriction in 10~20% of adult asthmatics patients. Inhalation of lysine-ASA(L-ASA) has been described as an alternative method for diagnosis of ASA-sensitive asthma. To further understand the characterlstics of ASA-sensitive asthmas. we studied 38 asthmatic patients with ASA -sensitivity (36 intrinsic and 2 extrinsic asthma) proven by L-ASA bronchoprovocation test (BPT). Most were female (male to female ratio was 27:73). Twenty (53%) of them had no previous history of adverse reactions when exposed to ASA. Twenty nine (79%) had rhino-sinusitis symptoms. Early asthmatic response was observed in 16 (42%) patients, late only response in 16(42%), and dual response in 6(16%) patients. The threshold of L-ASA to provoke a positive response ranged from 11.2 to 180 mg/ml and most (68.3%) had a positive response after the inhalation of 180 mg/ml. Concurrent sensitivity to sulfite was noted in 14 (36%) patients, followed by sensitivity to tartrazine in one (3%) patient. None showed a positive response to sodium benzoate. After the avoidance from ASA/ NSAIDs with administration of anti-asthmatic medications, symptom and medication scores reduced in 26(87%) patients among 30 followed patients. They were classified into the improved group: four (13%) patients belonged to the not-improved group. There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics between the improved and not- improved group (p>0.05). In conclusion, L-ASA BPT could be considered as a useful method to diagnose ASA -sensitive asthma and be used to screen the causative agent for asthmatic patients with intrinsic type, especially in female patients with rhino-sinusitis and/or nasal polyp, even though they do not have arty history of adverse reactions. Cessation of exposure and proper treatment may allow to reduce symptom and medication scores.
Adult ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Asthma* ; Bronchoconstriction ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Nasal Polyps ; Sodium Benzoate ; Tartrazine

CD44 is a hyaluronic acid receptor that exists as a standard 90-kd form (CD44H) as well as several CD44 variants isoforms are produced through alternative splicing. Alternatively spliced variants of the CD44 molecule have been found to be associated with invasive and metastatic potential of cancer cells and poor prognosis in several types of carcinoma. The purpose of the present study is to define the expression of CD44H and CD44v6 in ovarian tumors and to investigate whether the expression of these molecules is associated with adverse prognosis. We evaluated the expression of CD44 isoforms in 58 ovarian tumors by means of immunohistochemistry, and correlated between CD44 expression and the histologic types, tumor grade, peritoneal implants, pseudomyxoma peritonei and FIGO stage. While the CD44H was commonly expressed in ovarian tumors, the CD44v6 was expressed in a minor proportion of serous tumors in comparison with frequent expression of v6 isoform in mucinous tumors. The CD44H expression was significantly higher in stage I/II than in stage III. However, there was no correlation between the expression of CD44 and the presence of peritoneal implants or pseudomyxoma peritonei. These results suggest that CD44H could play an important role in the adhesive function in the lower stage of the ovarian tumor and reduced expression in the higher stage might be related to the metastasis and widespread invasion of ovarian carcinoma cells.
Adhesives ; Alternative Splicing ; Female ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mucins ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Ovary ; Prognosis ; Protein Isoforms ; Pseudomyxoma Peritonei

PURPOSE: To evaluate types of gray matter heterotopias, associated brain anomalies, and its correlation with the patterns of seizure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated retrospectively 19 patients(male :female=10:9, mean age 21 years) with gray matter heterotopias on brain MRI. Using 1.0T superconducting MR unit, spin echo TI-, proton-density- and T2-weighted images in axial, coronal and sagittal planes were obtained. RESULTS: Types of gray matter heterotopias were single subependymal in four patients, multiple subependymal in one, focal subcortical in eight, diffuse subcortical in two, mixed multiple subependymal and focal subcortical in four. Associated anomalies were seen in 11 patients:other neuronal migration anomalies in eight patients, corpus callosum agenesis in two, and combined holoprosencephaly and Dandy-Walker malformation in one. Fifteen patients had seizure. The patterns of seizure were not correlated with the types of heterotopias. CONCLUSION: In addition to subependymal, focal subcortical, and diffuse subcortical types, gray matter heterotopias included mixed variant of of multiple subependymal and subcortical type. Schizencephaly was the most common form of accompanying anomalies, and patterns of seizure were not correlated with types of gray matter heterotopias, even though main clinical menifestation was seizure.
Agenesis of Corpus Callosum ; Brain ; Dandy-Walker Syndrome ; Holoprosencephaly ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Malformations of Cortical Development ; Neurons ; Retrospective Studies ; Seizures

The thickness of the glomerular basement membrane may vary not only in glomerular disease, but also in normal persons according to age and sex. But there has been no data on the normal thickness of the basement membrane in Korea. This study was designed to determine the glomerular basement membrane thickness as a reference value according to age and sex, in 50 cases of minimal change disease obtained from patients aged 2~67 years. Measurement of glomerular basement membrane was made on electron micrograph using an image analyzer. The thickness of each case was estimated by the arithmetic and harmonic mean methods. The mean thickness of the glomerular basement membrane was 291.9 47.9 nm by harmonic mean method and 284.2 43.7 nm by arithmetic mean method. And the harmonic mean thickness of the glomerular basement membrane according to age was 249.1 32.5 nm (1~5 years), 256.6 45.3 nm (6~10 years), 279.2 57.9 nm (11~15 years), 303.2 43.8 nm (16~20 years), 335.3 37.5 nm (21~30 years), and 291.1 22.5 nm (over 30 years), respectively. There was a trend that the thickness of glomerular basement membranes increased with the age till 30 years of age. There was no significant sex-related difference. In conclusion, the mean glomerular basement membrane thickness is comparable to the data from western people and shows a trend of increasing thickness according to the age.
Basement Membrane ; Glomerular Basement Membrane* ; Humans ; Kidney ; Korea ; Nephrosis, Lipoid* ; Reference Values

No abstract available.
Carnitine* ; Renal Dialysis*

BACKGROUND: Herpes zoster with generalized varicelliform eruptions occurs in 2 to 10% of patients with herpes zoster. It occurs mainly in old or debilitated persons especially those who have immunologic defects such as lymphoproliferative diseases, AIDS, or recipients of immunosuppressive therapy. The reported incidence of herpes zoster with generalized varicelliform eruptions is variable. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the incidence and clinical features of herpes zoster with generalized varicelliform eruptions. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical data of 962 patients with herpes zoster by retrospective methods. The annual incidence, age, sex, seasonal variation, predilection sites, and associated conditions of herpes zoster with generalized varicelliform eruptions were analyzed from January 1990 to December 1996 (7 years). RESULTS: 1. Among 962 patients, 8 patients with herpes zoster revealed generalixed varicelliform eruptions (0.83%). 2. The age ranged from 20 to 85 and the majority of cases occurred in the 6th decade. There were 4 females and 4 males. 3. Past histories of malignancy were observed in 2 patients. However, there were no signs of malignancy at the time of diagnosis of herpes zoster with generalized varicelliform eruptions. 4. The most common site of initial lesion was the thoracic dermatome,followed by the lumbar and the cervical ones. CONCLUSION: From our observation, it is suggested that herpes zoster with generalized varicelliform eruptions may occur in patients without underlying malignancy or immunosuppressive disorders. Sudden incidental uprising of herpes zoster with generalized varicelliform eruptions was observed in 1996.
Clinical Study* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Herpes Zoster* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Seasons

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head after renal transplantation, evaluate plain radiographic and MR findings, and compare known predisposing factors between the AVN group and the control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 1990 and June 1998, 256 renal transplantations were carried out at the Maryknoll hospital. The incidence of AVN was determined clinically, and in the AVN group, plain radiographic and MR findings were evaluated. A control group of 29 cases was randomly selected from among the remaining 241 patients, and acute rejection, mean daily steroid dose and osteopenia were compared between the AVN group and the control group. RESULTS: The incidence of AVN of the femoral head was 5.9 %(15/256). Involvement was bilateral in nine cases and unilateral in six and 24 femoral heads were thus affected. The mean period required for diagnosis of this condition was 10.7 months(within 6 months: 2 hips, between 6 -12 months: 10, between 12 -24 months: 9, over 24 months: 3). Plain radiographs showed that three cases were Ficat stage I, five were stage II, seven were stage III, and nine were stage IV. MRI indicated that 15 cases were Mitchell class A, one was class C, and three were class D. Correlation between Ficat stage and the period required for diagnosis showed that the longer the latter, the higher the Ficat stage. A comparison of risk factors between the AVN group and the control group showed that the incidence of acute rejection and osteopenia, and the mean daily steroid dose, were higher in the AVN group than in the rejection group and that the difference was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The incidence of AVN of the femoral head after renal transplantation was 5.9 %. The longer the period required for diagnosis of AVN, the higher the Ficat stage. A comparison of risk factors between the AVN group and the rejection group showed that the incidence of acute rejection and osteopenia as well as the mean daily steroid dose, were higher in the AVN group than in the rejection group, and these may thus be pre-disposing factors for AVN. In patients with these risk factors, even though plain radiographic findings are normal, MRI is necessary if AVN is to be diagnosed during its early stages.
Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Causality ; Diagnosis ; Head* ; Hip ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Necrosis* ; Risk Factors