PURPOSE: We evaluated internal and marginal features of solitary pulmonary nodules on CT to differentiate between benign and malignant pulmonary nodules. Materials and Uethods:CT findings of 43 cases with solitary pulmonary nodule were reviewed, restrospectively. Independent T-test between benign and malignant nodules was used. RESULTS: Twenty-one cases were proved as benign nodules and 22 cases as malignant. CT air bronchogram was observed more frequently in the malignant lesions(36.4%) than in the benign ones (p=0.01). ,Air bubble shadow was observed in 5 cases of benign nodule, whereas none of the malignant lesions revealed it. Internal homogeneity or central low density was not different between the two groups. Cavitation was observed in 3 cases of tuberculoma and in 1 case of adenocarcinoma. Calcification was observed in 7 cases of benign and in 2 cases of malignant lesions. Differences in these two features were not statistically significant Mean size of malignant nodules was 3.23cm, and was larger than 2.16cm of benign nodules (p=0.002). Margin of benign nodules was more smooth (42.9%) than that of malignant nodules (p=0.01), and malignant nodules showed more Iobulated contour (90.9%) than benign nodules (42.9%) (p=0.00). The incidence of spiculation was not significantly different (benign 85.7% vs malignant 86.4%). Statistically, pleural tail and satellite lesions were not significantly different between two groups. CONCLUSION: Lobulated margin and CT air bronchogram are the most suggestive findings of malignant pulmonary noule on chest CT.
Adenocarcinoma ; Incidence ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculoma

No abstract available.
Pneumothorax*

No abstract available.
Joints*

Breast reconstruction following mastectomy has, become increasingly popular in recent years. Reconstruction surgeons have responded to patients' needs for effective and versatile procedures that will restore the normal shape and symmetry of breasts. Among the various techniques for these purpose, transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous(TRAM) flap is now cosidered as the most acceptable technique. However, there are some limitations to use the TRAM flap, such as heavy smoker, obesity, and previous abdominal surgery. Also TRAM flaps are not good candidates for the patients with absent anterior axillary fold. In these respects, latissimus dorsi flap can be used as an alternative method for successful breast reconstuction. Latissiomus dorsi flaps have several advantages as compared to TRAM flaps, such as reliable blood supply, versatility of skin paddle orientation, and low donor site morbidity. It is also available for patients without anterior axillary fold, such as radical mastectomy defect or Poland syndrome. Latissimus dorsi flaps, however, and implants to obtain projection and symmetry of the reconstructed breast. Main disadvantages of latissimus dorsi flap method are difference in color and texture between skins of flap and chest, and capsular contracture resulted in high riding implant or distortion of breast contour. In this study, we performed latissimus dorsi flap for reconstruction fo breast and anterior axillary fold in 10 cases. To minimize the above problems more fullness and natural shape, implants were completely covered with muscle and overexpanded for more than 3-months and then deflated to the desired volume. These maneuvers produced aesthetically acceptable results during the latissimus dorsi breast reconstruction.
Breast* ; Contracture ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty* ; Mastectomy ; Mastectomy, Radical ; Obesity ; Poland Syndrome ; Rectus Abdominis ; Skin ; Superficial Back Muscles* ; Thorax ; Tissue Donors

Various kinds of spinal instrumentation have been developed for treatment of spinal disorders which are associated with instability. Recently, newly designed devices using pedicle screw were developed with advantages of short segment fixation and firm internal fixation. This is a retrospective clinical and roentgenographic study to evaluate the effectiveness of Cotrel 1. Of the 27 cases, spinal stenosis were 11, spondylolisthesis were 8, spondylolysis were 4, burst fracture were 2, metastatic bone tumor was 1, and failed back syndrome was 1 case. 2. Result of clinical evaluation by Hanley's criteria at last follow up were excellent in 7(27%), Good in 15(58% ), fair in 4(15%). (1 case of metastatic bone tumor was excluded). 3. In the cases of spondylolisthesis, we tried to reduce the displacement in 2 cases of Meyerding Grade II, and 1 case was reduced and 1 case was not reduced. In the cases of of Meyerding Grade I, no further displacement was developed. 4. The complications were observed in 10(37%)cases. A) Generalized complications were 2 cases of hematoma, 3 cases of superficial infection of wound, and 1 case of nerve root irritation. B) Failure in instrmentation were 1 case of screw breakage, 1 case of complete loss of fixation between screw and rod, and 2 cases of partial loss of fixation. 5. To prevent above mentioned complications in fixation of the instrument, the following factors are recommended: 1) Selection of the adequate length of rod. 2) Fixation of the additional implant such as security bolt when instability between screw and rod is predictable. 3) Selection of the closed head screw in the fixation of proximally sided screw if possible. 6. Cotrel-Dubousset instrument has many advantages such as rigid internal fixation, anatomical reduction, and good maintenance and also effective in reduction and maintenance of spondylolisthesis and in wide posterior decompression of spinal stenosis, but for prevention of some complications, precise use of instrument and good application of surgical technique will be needed.
Decompression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Hematoma ; Internal Fixators ; Pedicle Screws ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Stenosis ; Spine ; Spondylolisthesis ; Spondylolysis ; Wounds and Injuries

BACKGROUND: Recently, according to many studies, variable factors have been known to be associated with physical fitness. The factors such as obesity and inactivity are associated with poor physical fitness, but regular exercise is associated with good physical fitness. In our country, these studies are not yet reported. And so, this study was designed to investigate the factors associat,ed with physical fitness. METHODS: From May 1st, until July 30th 1996, we recruited the 411 subjects who visited the Health Promotion Center at Seoul National University Hospital. Data related to sex, age, exercise, job, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption were obtained by self-administered Questionnaire. Obesity index was calculated by the percentage of standard body weight. And VO2max were obtained by submaximal bicycle ergometer test. High level exercise group was defined as the persons who had taken exercise more than 3 times a week and 20 minutes per session, and moderate exercise group was defined as the persons who had taken exercise one or two times a week and 20 minutes per session, and sedentary group was defined as the persons who had taken exercise more than 20 minutes less than one time per week. RESULTS: The subjects were 230 males(56%), total numbers were 411. The results were as follows. Compaired to women and nonexercise group, men and exercise group had high VO2max(p<0.005). The relationship between VO2max and age showed negative, and the VO2max of obese group(obesity index>_120) was greater than that of nonobese group. Any significant relationships between VO2max and job, disease were not found. In multiple regression analysis, significant relationships between VO2max and age, sex, exercise type, and obesity index were observed(p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that there were significant relationships between VO2max and obesity index, exercise group.
Alcohol Drinking ; Body Weight ; Female ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; Physical Fitness* ; Seoul ; Smoking ; Surveys and Questionnaires

No abstract available.
Drug Therapy* ; Lung*

No abstract available.
Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome*

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans ; Reye Syndrome*

Neomorphogenesis of cartilage using chondrocyte-polymer constructs is a potential source for development of cartilage reconstruction. Current tissue engineering techniques of neocartilage rely on in vivo implantation of polymer-chondrocyte constructs. The purpose of this study was to find a way to bioengineer cartilage in vitro by entrapping chondrocytes in a molded autologous fibrin glue. Chondrocytes isolated from the cartilage of rabbit joints were combined with fibrinogen extracted by a single cryoprecipitation of autologous plasma, and they were then polymerized with thrombin to create a fibrin glue with a final cell density of 2.5x10(6) cells/ml. The collagen for a control study was used as a polymer. The polymer-chondrocyte constructs were cultured for 4 weeks and the fibrin-chondrocyte constructs molded in the shape of a human ear were cultured for 6 weeks in vitro. Morphometric, histochemical, and histomorphometric analysis including glycosaminoglycan quantitation confirmed the following results: 1) Highly-concentrated autologous fibrinogen was easily extracted by a single cryoprecipition of autologous olasma. 2) The fibrin-chondrocyte constructs demonstrated the presence of actively proliferating chondrocytes with the production of cartilaginous matrix(collagen and glycosaminoglycan) at 1 week after culture, as well as gross and histologic evidence similar to those of normal cartilage at 3-4 weeks after culture. 3) The collagen-chondrocyte constructs demonstrated lower degrees of hardness and transparency, as well as a lower density of cells and glycosaminoglycan during the culture period. 4) Neocartilage generated from fibrin-chondrocyte constructs in the shape of a human ear nearly retained their original configuration and size without degeneration for 6 weeks of culture in vitro. This study demonstrated a novel method for bioengineering the molded cartilage in vitro using autologous fibrin glue as a matrix scaffold. The generated cartilage showed gross and histologic evidence similar to those of normal cartilage, retaining the original gross dimension. With further refinement, this may be a new application of tissue engineering for the reconstruction of cartilage.
Bioengineering ; Cartilage* ; Cell Count ; Chondrocytes* ; Collagen ; Ear ; Fibrin Tissue Adhesive* ; Fibrin* ; Fibrinogen ; Fungi ; Hardness ; Humans ; Joints ; Plasma ; Polymers ; Thrombin ; Tissue Engineering*