PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of shear wave ultrasound elastography for differentiating superficial benign soft tissue masses through a comparison of their shear moduli. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 48 masses from 46 patients from February 2014 to May 2016. Surgical excision, fine-needle aspiration, and clinical findings were used for the differential diagnosis. The ultrasonographic examinations were conducted by a single musculoskeletal radiologist, and the ultrasonographic findings were reviewed by two other radiologists who were blinded to the final diagnosis. Conventional ultrasonographic features and the median shear modulus were evaluated. We compared the median shear moduli of epidermoid cysts, ganglion cysts, and lipomatous tumors using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Additionally, the Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare two distinct groups. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in the median shear moduli of epidermoid cysts, ganglion cysts, and lipomatous tumors (23.7, 5.8, and 9.2 kPa, respectively; P=0.019). Epidermoid cysts showed a greater median shear modulus than ganglion cysts (P=0.014) and lipomatous tumors (P=0.049). CONCLUSION: Shear wave elastography may contribute to the differential diagnosis of superficial benign soft tissue masses through a direct quantitative analysis.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Elastic Modulus ; Elasticity Imaging Techniques* ; Epidermal Cyst ; Ganglion Cysts ; Humans ; Lipoma ; Retrospective Studies ; Shear Strength ; Ultrasonography

Nasal osteotomy for aesthetic results is required in patients who have broad nasal bone. Since the procedure is difficult, many operators hesitate the surgery. From January 2007 to July 2009, we performed 77 cases of nasal osteotomy, consisting of paramedian oblique medial osteotomy or median oblique-medial osteotomy and percutaneous lateral osteotomy. Most of the patients had satisfying results, however three patients had asymmetric shape and inappropriate inward movement of nasal bone which required revision with percutaneous lateral osteotomy. Osteotomy procedure varies, depending on surgeon's preference and experience, however, each surgeon should be aware of good and weak points of those procedures and use the most suitable method. In order to achieve maximal satisfying results, preoperative analysis of patients and minimal invasive handling should be done. Based on these efforts, this method could broadly be used in the aesthetic field.
Handling (Psychology) ; Humans ; Nasal Bone ; Nose ; Osteotomy ; Rhinoplasty

Purpose: This study aimed to apply MR elastography (MRE) to achieve in vivo evaluation of the elastic properties of thigh muscles and validate the feasibility of quantifying the elasticity of normal thigh muscles using MRE. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 10 volunteer subjects [mean age, 32.5 years, (range, 23–45 years)] who reported normal activities of daily living and underwent both T2-weighted axial images and MRE of thigh muscles on the same day. A sequence with a motion-encoding gradient was used in the MRE to map the propagating shear waves in the muscle. Elastic properties were quantified as the shear modulus of the following four thigh muscles at rest; the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, adductor magnus, and biceps femoris. Results: The mean shear modulus was 0.98 ± 0.32 kPa and 1.00 ± 0.33 kPa for the vastus medialis, 1.10 ± 0.46 kPa and 1.07 ± 0.43 kPa for the vastus lateralis, 0.91 ± 0.41 kPa and 0.93 ± 0.47 kPa for the adductor magnus, and 0.99 ± 0.37 kPa and 0.94 ± 0.32 kPa for the biceps femoris, with reader 1 and 2, respectively. No significant difference was observed in the shear modulus based on sex (p < 0.05). Aging consistently showed a statistically significant negative correlation (p < 0.05) with the shear modulus of the thigh muscles, except for the vastus medialis (p = 0.194 for reader 1 and p = 0.355 for reader 2). Conclusion MRE is a quantitative technique used to measure the elastic properties of individual muscles with excellent inter-observer agreement. Age was consistently significantly negatively correlated with the shear stiffness of muscles, except for the vastus medialis.

Candidemia is increasing cause of mortality, especially in intensive care unit patients. And Candida endophthalmitis, developed with or without symptoms, has poor outcome. Prompt use of antifungal agents and early diagnosis of Candida endophthalmitis are clinically important to treat candidemia. In this study, we compared clinical, microbiological, ophthalmological characteristics and treatment outcomes whether infectious disease (ID) specialists mediate candidemia or not in a tertiary hospital by retrospective chart review. Group A includes patients who had candidemia at least one time from January 2012 to July 2013, without ID specialists mediation. Group B includes patients who had candidemia at least one time from August 2013 to December 2014, with ID specialists surveillances and mediations. We compared clinical manifestations of candidemia, uses of antifungal agent, ophthalmologic evaluations and treatment outcomes between two groups. In group A, rate of ophthalmologic evaluations was 4.4% and mean duration was 64.60 hours from blood culture to use of antifungal agents. In group B, the rate of ophthalmologic evaluations was 43.2% and mean duration was 50.15 hours. There was no statistically significant difference in clinical characteristics and 30-day mortality between two groups. Increasing rate of ophthalmologic evaluations and decreasing mean duration from blood culture to use of antifungal agents was shown in surveillance and mediation group.
Antifungal Agents* ; Candida ; Candidemia* ; Communicable Diseases ; Early Diagnosis ; Endophthalmitis ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Mortality ; Negotiating ; Retrospective Studies ; Specialization ; Tertiary Care Centers

OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of tissue harmonic imaging (THI) and pulse-inversion harmonic imaging (PIHI) in the evaluation of normal and abnormal fetuses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one pregnant women who bore a total of 31 normal and ten abnormal fetuses underwent conventional ultrasonography (CUS), and then THI and PIHI. US images of six organ systems, namely the brain, spine, heart, abdomen, extremities and face were compared between the three techniques in terms of overall conspicuity and the definition of borders and internal structures. RESULTS: For the brain, heart, abdomen and face, overall conspicuity at THI and PIHI was significantly better than at CUS (p < 0.05). There was, though, no significant difference between THI and PIHI. Affected organs in abnormal fetuses were more clearly depicted at THI and PIHI than at CUS. CONCLUSION: Both THI and PIHI appear to be superior to CUS for the evaluation of normal or abnormal structures, particularly the brain, heart, abdomen and face.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have explored the effects of bisphosphonates on bony healing in patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery. Most previous studies used animal models and found that bisphosphonate shows negative effects on spinal fusion consolidation. We intended to evaluate the effect of a single-dose of zoledronic acid on the volume of the fusion-mass in lumbar spinal fusion. METHODS: A retrospective review was carried out on 44 patients with symptomatic degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis who underwent one or two-level posterolateral fusion from January 2008 and January 2011. They were divided into 4 groups: group 1, autograft and zoledronic acid; group 2, allograft and zoledronic acid; group 3, autograft alone; and group 4, allograft alone. Functional radiography and three-dimensional computed tomography scans were used to evaluate and quantify the volume of the fusion-mass. The visual analog scale (VAS), the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and the short form 36 (SF-36) were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes. RESULTS: The mean volume of the fusion-mass per level was 8,814 mm3, 8,035 mm3, 8,383 mm3, and 7,550 mm3 in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively, but there were no significant differences between the groups (p = 0.829). There were no significant decreases in the volume of the fusion-mass (p = 0.533) in the zoledronic acid groups (groups 1 and 2). The VAS, the ODI, and the SF-36 at the 6-month follow-up after surgery were not significantly different (p > 0.05) among the 4 groups. The VAS, the ODI, and the SF-36 were not correlated with the volume of the fusion-mass (p = 0.120, 0.609, 0.642). CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of zoledronic acid does not decrease the volume of the fusion-mass in patients undergoing spinal fusion with osteoporosis. Therefore, we recommend that zoledronic acid may be used after spinal fusion in osteoporotic patients.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Density Conservation Agents/*therapeutic use ; Diphosphonates/*therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Imidazoles/*therapeutic use ; Lumbar Vertebrae/drug effects/pathology/radiography/surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis/drug therapy ; Pain Measurement ; Pain, Postoperative ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion/adverse effects/*methods ; Spinal Stenosis/pathology/radiography/*surgery ; Treatment Outcome

Multiple symmetric lipomatosis (MSL), or Madelung's disease, is a rare disease of unknown etiology. It is characterized by the presence of loose adipose tissue deposits localized in the cervical region and upper body. MSL presenting as bilateral huge gynecomastia is an extremely rare phenomenon. The present report describes a case of MSL in a 66-year-old man. The patients presented with bilateral breast bulging. He had a history of cigarette and alcohol use. His condition was treated with a bilateral nipple-sparing mastectomy. MSL can present as a form of gynecomastia, for its accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of MSL, increasing awareness of the clinical characteristics of the disease is required, especially amongst breast surgeons. Herein, we review the literature and discuss the clinical characteristics, pathology, and surgical treatment of MSL.
Adipose Tissue ; Aged ; Breast ; Diagnosis ; Gynecomastia* ; Humans ; Lipomatosis ; Lipomatosis, Multiple Symmetrical* ; Male ; Mastectomy ; Pathology ; Rare Diseases ; Tobacco Products

A 53-year-old man consulted an ophthalmologist with a chief complaint of diplopia and bilateral eyelid swelling. He was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 2 years prior at a local clinic and had been taking levothyroxine 150 mcg daily. CT scan of the orbits showed enlargement of bilateral extraocular muscles. Laboratory findings revealed hyperthyroidism due to high dose levothyroxine. Active ophthalmopathy with Hashimoto's hypothyroidism was diagnosed and the patient was treated with steroid pulse therapy. We reported a rare case of severe ophthalmopathy with Hashimoto's thyroiditis that needed steroid pulse therapy.
Diplopia ; Eyelids ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Hypothyroidism ; Middle Aged ; Muscles ; Orbit ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroiditis* ; Thyroxine ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

A 53-year-old man consulted an ophthalmologist with a chief complaint of diplopia and bilateral eyelid swelling. He was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 2 years prior at a local clinic and had been taking levothyroxine 150 mcg daily. CT scan of the orbits showed enlargement of bilateral extraocular muscles. Laboratory findings revealed hyperthyroidism due to high dose levothyroxine. Active ophthalmopathy with Hashimoto's hypothyroidism was diagnosed and the patient was treated with steroid pulse therapy. We reported a rare case of severe ophthalmopathy with Hashimoto's thyroiditis that needed steroid pulse therapy.
Diplopia ; Eyelids ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Hypothyroidism ; Middle Aged ; Muscles ; Orbit ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroiditis* ; Thyroxine ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: To assess the utility of hysterosonography (HS) as a screening method in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) and HS for 105 patients whose diagnosis was confirmed pathologically. All 105 patients were initially evaluated on the same day with both TVS and HS. On TVS and HS examination, endometrial cavitary lesions were classified as diffuse hyperplasia, endometrial polyp, endometrial cancer, uterine synechia and submucosal leiomyoma. Hysteroscopy with biopsy (n=35), curettage (n=60) or hysterectomy (n=10) was performed, and the results of TVS and HS examination were correlated with the pathological findings. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity were 79.0% and 45.8% for TVS, and 95.1% and 83.3% for HS, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 83.0% and 39.3% for TVS, and 95.1% and 83.3% for HS, respectively. Twenty-seven showed a discrepancy between the TVS and HS, and eight cases showed a discrepancy between HS and the pathologic diagnosis. CONCLUSION: TVS is a sensitive method to evaluate the endometrial cavitary lesions, but it often does not provide the physician with sufficient diagnostic information. With its higher sensitivities, specificities and positive and negative predictive values, HS can be better used than TVS in evaluating those patients with abnormal uterine bleeding.
Adult ; Aged ; Comparative Study ; *Endosonography/methods ; Female ; Human ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Uterine Hemorrhage/etiology/*ultrasonography