BACKGROUND: Intussuseception is one of the most common diseases requiring abdominal emergency care in early childhood. The delay in diagnosis increases morbidity and, in particular, reduces the success rate of the non-surgical method of reduction. In this report, the authors determined the clinical characteristics of pediatric patients with intussusception, and the factors involved in delayed diagnosis and the efficacy of doppler ultrasonography in diagnosis. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective study of 44 cases in 42 patients with intussusception who had visited the emergency room of SamSung medical center from January 1st to December 31, 1996. RESULTS: The sex ratio was equal and 64.3% of the patients were under 1 year of age. The prevalent complaints were vomiting(36.4%) and abdominal pain(33.8%). Ultrasonography was used in 11 cases, 3 of them were performed because of obscure symptoms and the rest were due to diagnostic delay. The average time past from visit to diagnosis was 4 hours and 20 minutes, and there were 4 diagnostic delays. Air enema reductions were unsucessful in 11 cases(25%) and that was related to hospital-visit delays and long time past from symptom onset to diagnosis. There were no motalities. CONCLUSION: To reduce delays in diagnosis and unnecessary operations, the use of doppler ultrasonography is recommanded in suspicious cases. And to reduce the hospital-visit delays, related to the failure on non-surgical reduction, the education about this disease is necessary.
Delayed Diagnosis ; Diagnosis ; Education ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Medical Services ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Enema ; Humans ; Intussusception* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Ratio ; Ultrasonography ; Ultrasonography, Doppler

PURPOSE: Magnetization transfer imaging(MTI) is a new imaging contrast technique. Our MT pulse sequence is designed as fixed time interval between echo and MT pulse. This study was peformed to evaluate the influence of variations in TR/TE on MTR in T1 weighted image of normal brain tissue on this kind of MT pulse sequence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven healthy volunteers in twenties of age as the objectives, MRI was taken under various TR/TE(TR/TE ;700/14, 650/14, 750/14, 700/20 and 1500/20 msec). MTR was calculated from signal intensities measured at the same point in both pre and post MT images and statisticslly analyzed. The MR imager used in this study was 1.0T Magnetom 42SP(Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) and the parameters of additional MT pulse sequence were offset 1000Hz and bandwidth 250Hz, and posteriorly located to echo with 7.7 msec fixed interval. Offset of this MT pulse was variable. RESULT: In white matter of brain tissue from a normal person, MTR was 34-39%(average 37%) for TR and TE of 700/14 in T1WI and 33-36%(average 35%) for TR/TE of 650/14, and 34-38%(average 35%) for TR/TE of 750/14 which showed no statistical difference. However, in case of 1500/20 of TR/TE, MTR was 26-28%(average 26%) which is statistically significant. With TR/TE of 700/14 as the standrd value, the MTR of gray and white matter were 37% and 29% respectively, showing a definite difference of statistical means. Signal from CSF in ventricles is rarely influenced by MT pulse. CONCLUSION: Conclusively, a subtle variation in TR/TE in T1WI has little influence on MTR but wide range of variation in TR/TE as in proton density image induces significant difference in MTR on this kind of MT pulse sequence. Therefore, the exchangeable usage of MTR data would be possible in narrow range of TR/TE change but difficult in wide range of variation.
Brain* ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Protons ; Reference Values*

PURPOSE: To obtain magnetization transfer ratio(MTR) of the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus and to assess the feasibility of utilizing the changes of these MTRs as an early indicator of disk degeneration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR images of lumbar spine with magnetization transfer(MT) technique in 42 patients were obtained. spin echo techniques (600/14) with same TR/TE with 1KHz off-resonance saturation were employed in 1.0T MR system. MTRs were calculated in two regions, anterior annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus, and the results were compared between the normal and degenerative disks, from grade I to IV, on T2-weighted images. RESULTS: MTRs of the nucleus pulposus were 17.6% in the normal disks, and 26.7%, 28.4%, 29.1%, 29.7% in degenerative disks, from grade I to IV, respectively, with a significant difference(P<0.05). On the other hand, MTRs in the annulus fibrosus were 30.2% in the normal disks and 31.5%, 33.2%, 32.1% and 35.6% in degenerative disks, from grade I to IV, respectively, without significant difference. CONCLUSION: Since MTRs are significantly higher in degenerative nucleus pulposus than those of the normal disks, increased MTRs in the nucleus pulposus can be used as an early sign of the degeneration of the nucleus pulposus.
Hand ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Spine

Hydranencephaly is congenital absence of the cerebral hemispheres which are replaced by a large fluid-filled cavity. The brain stem and basal ganglia are well formed and rudiments of frontal k occipital cortex may be present. We experienced a case of hydranencephaly caused by both internal carotid artery stenosis. We diagnosed it through the brain CT sonogram and doppler sonogram. A brief review of the related literatures was made.
Basal Ganglia ; Brain ; Brain Stem ; Carotid Artery, Internal* ; Carotid Stenosis* ; Cerebrum ; Hydranencephaly*

This study includes 19 cases of complicated low extremity injury to whom underwent microvascular free-tissue transfer in cases of open comminuted fracture, osteomyelitis, and vascular compromise or extensive soft tissue defect from Nov. 1994 to July 1997. The average time after injury to coverage was 25 days. The nineteen patients underwent a total of nineteen free tissue transfers primarily, and eighteen (94.7 per cent) of the transfers survived. Major complications were encountered recurrent failure of the free tissue transfer in one patient and partial necrosis in the other flap, which were successfully treated by flow-through radial forearm free flap and distally based superficial sural artery flap respectively. Two patients were sustained below knee amputation, one above knee amputation, despite of survival of flaps. This reveals limb salvage in 84 percent. The microvascular reconstruction is a versatile and reliable methods in complicated cases after severe trauma. Free tissue transplantation should be considered as a primary treatment in such complicated cases.
Amputation ; Arteries ; Extremities ; Forearm ; Fractures, Comminuted ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Humans ; Knee ; Limb Salvage ; Lower Extremity* ; Necrosis ; Osteomyelitis ; Tissue Transplantation ; Transplants

No abstract available.

BACKGROUND: Mucoceles of the paranasal sinus are slowly expanding epithelial lined lesions containing inspissated mucus that may erode bone and extend intraorbitally or intracranially. Mucoceles are thought to arise as a result of obstruction of the sinus ostium secondary to inflammation, fibrosis, trauma, previous surgery, or a mass lesion. Mucoceles most frequently arise from the frontal sinus and anterior ethmoid air cells, presenting with proptosis, frontal headaches, and reduced ocular mobility, especially on upward gaze. OBJECTIVES: The surgical approach to paranasal sinus mucoceles has followed two lines. The first is radical exenteration of the mucoceles and its whole lining: the other is marsupialization, leaving part of the lining intact. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This paper was analyzed 9 cases of paranasal sinus mucoceles which had operated in Chonbuk National University Hospital between January 1992 and August 1996. Eight cases were treated via intranasal endoscopic sinus surgery and one case via extranasal approach. RESULTS: There were no significant complications following surgery with a follow-up of 5 months to 2 years. CONCLUSION: So, we report the clinical findings, surgical treatment of 9 cases of mucoceles with review of literature.
Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; Exophthalmos ; Fibrosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Frontal Sinus ; Headache ; Inflammation ; Jeollabuk-do ; Mucocele* ; Mucus

The purpose of the study was to find prognostic indicators of dysphagia recovery after stroke. 26 dysphagic patients with history of aspiration divided into two groups, oral feeding group and persisting aspirating group(c ontinue tube feeding after acute stage of stroke rehabilitation). We evaluated the neurologic locus of stroke lesion. Functional Independence Measure(FIM) score, parameters of the bedside swallowing test and videofluoroscopic modified barium swallow. The neurologic locus of stroke lesion was not correlate with the recovery of aspiration due to stoke. The low FIM score(less than 50), large amount of pharyngeal residue, decreased clearing ability of residue, and delayed pharyngeal transit time(over 3 sec) were bad prognostic indicators of dysphagia recovery. We may use criteria for recommendation of continuous tube feeding especially, Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy(PEG) in dysphagic patients after stroke.
Barium ; Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders* ; Enteral Nutrition ; Gastrostomy ; Humans ; Stroke

Purpose: The study investigated the results of direct surgical scleral depression using four ports and the chandelier lighting system in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Methods: Anatomical and functional success rates and complications were analyzed in 179 eyes diagnosed with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment that underwent primary vitrectomy using four ports at our hospital between March 2012 and February 2022. Results: A total of 168 (93.9%) eyes had anatomical success without reoperation while 11 (6.1%) developed recurrence. However, the final success rate was 100%. The best-corrected visual acuity improved significantly from logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) 1.03 ± 0.92 to logMAR 0.24 ± 0.39 after surgery (p < 0.001). Complications included a temporary increase in the intraocular pressure (n = 3, 1.7%), leakage through the scleral incision (n = 2, 1.1%), hyphema and vitreous hemorrhage (n = 10, 5.6%), and iatrogenic retinal break (n = 1, 0.6%), but these improved after treatment. Conclusions Four-port vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in which scleral depression is directly performed using the chandelier lighting system is a useful surgical method. It allows effective visualization of the peripheral retina regardless of the assistant’s proficiency which results in a more meticulous surgery. The anatomical and functional results of this technique were similar to the conventional technique.

Purpose: We report a patient with compressive optic neuropathy (CON) in whom visual acuity (VA) was restored after removing conjunctival emphysema through the conjunctiva.Case summary: A 55-year-old man was transferred to emergency department complaining of decreased VA in the right eye after trauma to the right temporal side of the head. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.6 in the right eye. We confirmed a relative afferent pupillary defect and limited eye movement inferiorly in the right eye. The patient had blown his nose several times while being transferred to the hospital. On silt-lamp examination, there was conjunctival emphysema of the right eye. Orbital computed tomography showed a medial wall fracture of the right orbit and orbital emphysema above the optic canal. The P100 wave was delayed in the visual evoked potential (VEP) exam, and there was a decreased peripheral visual field on the Humphrey visual field test. Based on these findings, we diagnosed CON and treated him accordingly. To decompress the intra-orbital area, we injected mannitol intravenously, applied intraocular pressure-lowering and antibiotic eye drops in the right eye, and removed part of the conjunctival emphysema through the conjunctiva. At the 3-week follow-up, the BCVA had improved to 1.0 in the right eye with a normalized P100 wave on the VEP exam. Conclusions In a case of CON caused by orbital emphysema after trauma, it is important to decrease the intra-orbital pressure as soon as possible to enable a good prognosis for the VA.