PURPOSE: A common finding of carotid artery on magnetic resonance angiograms(MRAs) is a signal dropout along the posterior wall of carotid bulb due to reverse flow. The purpose of this study is to evaluate variable flow patterns on bifurcated carotid arterial phantoms using steady-state flow. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We designed phantoms of a bifurcated carotid artery with acrylic materials. Flow patterns were evaluated with axial and coronal imaging of MRA(2D-TOF, 3D-TOF), color Doppler imaging, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) within the phantoms constructed of an automated closed-type circulatory system filled with 4% sugar solution. These findings were compared with findings obtained from normal volunteers. RESULTS: Axial 3D-TOF MRA images exhibited closer resemblance to the contour of the inner wall of phantoms when compared to coronal 2D-TOF MRA imaging. However, 2D-TOF MRA showed good contrast difference of signal intensities between forward flow area and reverse flow area. Dark zones with reduced signal intensities due to reversed flow were separated from the outer wall of the internal and external carotid arteries by a thin layer of forward flow along the wall on the source slice image of MRA. The general hemodynamics of the phantoms on MRA were identical to hemodynamics on color Doppler imaging and CFD. The results obtained with the phantoms matched the findings on normal volunteers. CONCLUSION: Although representations of bifurcated carotid arterial phantoms on axial 3D-TOF MRA were excellent if ideally desinged, the zone of reversed flow could be a significant factor in creating distorted image when the zone of reversed flow contacted directly with curved or deformed arterial wall.
Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery, External ; Healthy Volunteers ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hydrodynamics ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography* ; Patient Dropouts

OBJECTIVE: Although anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is the standard treatment for degenerative cervical disc disease, concerns regarding adjacent level degeneration and loss of motion have suggested that arthroplasty may be a better alternative. We have compared clinical and radiological results in patients with cervical disc herniations treated with arthroplasty and ACDF. METHODS: We evaluated 53 patients treated for cervical disc herniations with radiculopathy, 21 of whom underwent arthroplasty and 32 of whom underwent ACDF. Clinical results included the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for upper extremity radiculopathy, neck disability index (NDI), duration of hospital stay and convalescence time. All patients were assessed radiologically by measuring cervical lordosis, segmental lordosis and segmental range-of-movement (ROM) of operated and adjacent disc levels. RESULTS: Mean hospital stay (5.62 vs. 6.26 days, p<0.05) and interval between surgery and return to work (1.10 vs. 2.92 weeks, p<0.05) were significantly shorter in the arthroplasty than in the fusion group. Mean NDI and extremity VAS score improved after 12 months in both groups. Although it was not significant, segmental ROM of adjacent levels was higher in the fusion group than in the arthroplasty group. And, segmental motion of operated levels in arthroplasty group maintained more than preoperative value at last follow up. CONCLUSION: Although clinical results were similar in the two groups, postoperative recovery was significantly shorter in the arthroplasty group. Although it was not significant, ROM of adjacent segments was less in the arthroplasty group. Motion of operated levels in arthroplasty group was preserved at last follow up.
Animals ; Arthroplasty ; Convalescence ; Diskectomy ; Extremities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Lordosis ; Neck ; Radiculopathy ; Return to Work ; Upper Extremity

No abstract available.
Adenoids* ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether the aspects of Pap smear affect cervical abnormality in our country. METHODS: We compared the sensitivity of Pap smear of 241 cases of pathologic proven CIN & invasive cancer, compared to that of 655 cases with normal cervical biopsy, and reviewed the history of the test of 138 cases, retrospectively. RESULTS: The sensitivity of the test was 89.6%, 92.7% in CIN & invasive cancer group, respectively, with 96.9% specificity. Among 241 cases, 138 cases were examined for the frequency of test during the 3 years with the result of 2.42, 2.17/3yr in CIN and invasive cancer. And distribution of the test was not different between the two groups. The mean intervals of last two Pap smear before diagnosing final pathology in CIN and cancer were 12.1, 13.7 months, respectively, with no statistical significance (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: We concluded that in our country the aspects of Pap smear such as frequency and interval do not influence the result of cervical abnormality, so recommend the annual Pap test as a screening.
Biopsy ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia* ; Mass Screening ; Papanicolaou Test* ; Pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity

BACKGROUND: Serious organ shortage necessitates ABO incompatible (ABOi) kidney transplantation (KT). Recent reports utilizing rituximab instead of splenectomy and tacrolimus (FK)-based triple immunosuppressants showed excellent graft outcome. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirteen cases of ABOi living donor KT have been performed since Feb. 2007 in our center. Donor and recipient blood group was B to O (n=5), A1 to O (2), AB to B (2), AB to A1 (1), A1 to B (2) and B to A1 (1). Rituximab was given at 4 weeks before transplantation. Plasmapheresis (PP) was initiated at 7~14 days before transplantation with concurrent immunosuppressants. The number of pretransplant PP was 5.7+/-1.4. Posttransplant PP was also performed in 6 patients with higher initial titer of ABO antibody (IgG > or =256; n=2), rapidly rising antibody titer during the critical period of 2 weeks posttransplantation (n=2), or increase in serum creatinine during the critical period while awaiting pathology report of graft biopsy (n=2). Mean number of posttransplant PP in these 6 patients was 2.2+/-1.3. Median IgG anti-ABO antibody titer before precondition, at transplantation, at 2 weeks and at 6 months was 64 (8~512), 2 (1~8), 2 (1~16) and 6 (1~16), respectively. IgM titer at corresponding time point was 16 (2~128). 1 (1~1), 1 (1~2) and 1.5 (1~4), respectively. Median follow up was 8 (5~27) months. No patient or graft was lost. No patient developed acute humoral rejection. Graft function remained stable with latest serum creatinine 1.2+/-0.3 mg/dl. CONCLUSIONS: ABOi living donor KT without splenectomy can be safely performed with the use of current preconditioning and immunosuppressive regimen, and is therefore a valuable option for expanding donor pool and should be actively performed in Korea.
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; Biopsy ; Creatinine ; Critical Period (Psychology) ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation ; Living Donors ; Plasmapheresis ; Rituximab ; Rejection (Psychology) ; Splenectomy ; Tacrolimus ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

PURPOSE: It has been suggested that an ulceration or hemorrhage within an atheroma on a stenotic carotid artery is a clinically important cause of transient ischemic attack(TIA). In previous studies, due to its inherent signal loss by static or turbulent flow, magnetic resonance angiography(MRA) proved to be an unreliable methed for the evaluation of subtle changes of ulceration. To improve the detectability of the ulceration within atheroma, avascular phantom was filled with gadolinium solution of various concentrations during various MR sequences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Several vascular phantoms made of elastic silicon mimicking an ulcerated stenotic internal carotid artery(ICA) were constructed, and gadolinium solution of different concentrations (1:1000 and 1:200 of Gd-DTPA) and distilled water were introduced into the vascular phantoms using a computerized pulsatile pump. To evaluate maximum intensity projection(MIP), multiple planar reconstruction(MPR) and source images, axial and coronal images of MRA with 2D-TOF(time of flight) and 3D-TOF were reviewed. Each image of various sequences was compared with plain X-ray films of each phantom filled with barium. RESULTS: On all MR suquences, the images of the phantom of the normal carotid bifurcation were superior to the images of ulcerated and stenotic phantoms. MPR and MIP were the optimal image for detecting and defining ulceration and stenosis. Better quality images were obtained when a higher concentration of Gd-DTPA was used and when the 3D-TOF technique instead of the 2D-TOF technique was applied. CONCLUSION: This study reveals that a combination of higher concentration gadolinium with MPR and MIP on 3D-TOF technique could be optimal for the evaluation of ulceration and/or stenosis at the bifurcation of the carotid artery.
Barium ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery, Internal* ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Gadolinium ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Hemorrhage ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography* ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Silicones ; Ulcer* ; Water ; X-Ray Film

Malignant melanoma may show a predisposition for vulvar skin. Although 37% of all melanomas in women affect the vulva, the skin in this area accounts for only 12% of the total surface area of body. Malignant melanoma of the vulva presented as polypoid tumours in 35% of patients. The most common sites of disease were the clitoral area and the labia majora, which accounted for more than 60% of all lesions. Only 15% of tumours were located primarily in hair-bearing areas. Two women who were diagnosed vulvar melanoma in Uijongbu St. Mary's Hospital were evaluated. We reviewed their medical records. One woman underwent the radical vulvectomy with bilateral inguinal and femoral lymph node dissection, and the other underwent wide local excision with both inguinal lymph nodes dissection. We experienced 2 cases of vulvar melanoma, so we report it with a brief review of literature.
Female ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Medical Records ; Melanoma* ; Skin ; Vulva

3-Deazaadenosine (DZA), a cellular methylation blocker was reported to induce the caspase-3-like activities-dependent apoptosis in U-937 cells. In this study, we analyzed the activation pathway of the caspase cascade involved in the DZA-induced apoptosis using specific inhibitors of caspases. In the U-937 cells treated with DZA, cytochrome c release from mitochondria and subsequent activation of caspase-9, -8 and -3 were observed before the induction of apoptosis. zDEVD-Fmk, a specific inhibitor of caspase-3, and zLEHD-Fmk, a specific inhibitor of caspase-9, prevented the activation of caspase-8 but neither caspase-3 nor caspase-9, indicating that caspase-8 is downstream of both caspase-3 and caspase-9, which are activated by independent pathways. zVAD-Fmk, a universal inhibitor of caspases, kept the caspase-3 from being activated but not caspase-9. Moreover, ZB4, an antagonistic Fas-antibody, exerted no effect on the activation of caspase-8 and induction of apoptosis by DZA. In addition, zVAD-Fmk and mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) inhibitors such as cyclosporin A (CsA) and bongkrekic acid (BA) did not block the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. Taken together, these results suggest that in the DZA-induced apoptosis, caspase-8 may serve as an executioner caspase and be activated downstream of both caspase-3 and caspase-9, independently of Fas receptor-ligand interaction. And caspase-3 seems to be activated by other caspses including IETDase-like enzyme and caspse-9 seems to be activated by cytochrome c released from mitochondria without the involvement of caspases and CsA- and BA- inhibitory MPTP.
Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones/pharmacology ; Apoptosis/*drug effects ; Bongkrekic Acid/pharmacology ; Caspases/*metabolism ; Cell Line ; Cyclosporine/pharmacology ; Cytochrome c/drug effects/metabolism ; Enzyme Activation ; Human ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear/cytology ; Ligands ; Membrane Glycoproteins/metabolism ; Tubercidin/*pharmacology ; U937 Cells

3-Deazaadenosine (DZA), a cellular methylation blocker was reported to induce the caspase-3-like activities-dependent apoptosis in U-937 cells. In this study, we analyzed the activation pathway of the caspase cascade involved in the DZA-induced apoptosis using specific inhibitors of caspases. In the U-937 cells treated with DZA, cytochrome c release from mitochondria and subsequent activation of caspase-9, -8 and -3 were observed before the induction of apoptosis. zDEVD-Fmk, a specific inhibitor of caspase-3, and zLEHD-Fmk, a specific inhibitor of caspase-9, prevented the activation of caspase-8 but neither caspase-3 nor caspase-9, indicating that caspase-8 is downstream of both caspase-3 and caspase-9, which are activated by independent pathways. zVAD-Fmk, a universal inhibitor of caspases, kept the caspase-3 from being activated but not caspase-9. Moreover, ZB4, an antagonistic Fas-antibody, exerted no effect on the activation of caspase-8 and induction of apoptosis by DZA. In addition, zVAD-Fmk and mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) inhibitors such as cyclosporin A (CsA) and bongkrekic acid (BA) did not block the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. Taken together, these results suggest that in the DZA-induced apoptosis, caspase-8 may serve as an executioner caspase and be activated downstream of both caspase-3 and caspase-9, independently of Fas receptor-ligand interaction. And caspase-3 seems to be activated by other caspses including IETDase-like enzyme and caspse-9 seems to be activated by cytochrome c released from mitochondria without the involvement of caspases and CsA- and BA- inhibitory MPTP.
Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones/pharmacology ; Apoptosis/*drug effects ; Bongkrekic Acid/pharmacology ; Caspases/*metabolism ; Cell Line ; Cyclosporine/pharmacology ; Cytochrome c/drug effects/metabolism ; Enzyme Activation ; Human ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear/cytology ; Ligands ; Membrane Glycoproteins/metabolism ; Tubercidin/*pharmacology ; U937 Cells

The purpose of this study is to identificate root canal system including ideal access placement, root curvature, canal configuration, incidence of isthmus in mandibular incisors for success of endodontic treatment. 200 mandibular incisors were selected. The ideal access placement was determimed as follows. The teeth were radiographed from mesiodistal and buccolingual views using intraoral dental film. The image was divided into coronal, middle and apical third using the proximal film. Straight line access was determined by measuring the faciolingual canal width and placing points at midway point between the buccal and lingual wall at the junction of the middle and apical third and at the juntion of coronal and middle third of the root canal. A line was drawn connecting these two points extending through the crown of the tooth. The point at which the line crossed the external crown surface was recorded as facial, incisal, lingual. Degree of root curvature was determined by Schneider Protractor Method. Both section method and clearing method were used in this study. By section method, 100 mandibular incisors were embedded in clear resin and transeverse serial sectioned at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0mm level from root apex. The resected surfaces were stained by methylene blue and examined under x40 magnification with a stereomicroscope. By clearing method, 100 mandibular incisors were cleared in methysalicylate after decalcification with 10% nitric acid and evaluated under x18 magnification with a stereomicroscope. The results were as follows ; 1. 29% had the center of the plotted straight-line access facial to incisal edge, whereas 71% had straight-line access at the incisal edge. When incisal wear classified as extensive, the straight-line access was plotted on the incisal edge 95.5%. When incisal wear classified as slight/none, the straight-line access was plotted on the facial 65.9%. 2. Degree of curvature of main canal was straight or almost straight, and only 10% in buccolingual direction had a degree of curvature greater than 20 degrees and 5.5% in mesiodistal direction had. 3. In section method, canal configuration analysis showed that 51% of the specimen classified as type I, 27% as type II, 12% as type III, 10% as type IV. For thoses setions with two canals, the incidence of an isthmus was 26.7%, 64.3%, 79.2%, 96.3%, 97.4%, 97.6% at each level and highest in 3~5mm sections. 4. In clearing method, canal configuration analysis showed that 74% of the specimen classified as type I, 11% as type II, 6% as type III, 9% as type IV. These results suggested that traditional access from lingual should be moved as far toward the incisal as possible to locate and debride the lingual canal and root canal system should be cleaned, shaped completely and obturated three dimensionally for successful endodontic treatment.
Crowns ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; Incidence ; Incisor ; Methylene Blue ; Nitric Acid ; Tooth