Oral mucositis continues to be a major complaint of patients who have chemotherapy for the acute leukemia. An innovative and inexpensive remedy which produces favorable results for those afficted is not yet introduced. So we tried to develop two oral care protocols for reducing the level of oral mucositis during cytotoxic therapy through literature review and our clinical experience. The one is sodium bicarbonate-normal saline gargling, and the other consists of chlorhexidine gargling. This quasi-experimental study was performed to compare the efficacy of these two different oral care protocols. Twenty subjects were assigned to one of the two specific diagnosis of leukemia, aim of the chemotherapy. The Oral Assessment Guide(OAG), the Beck's perception of oral comfort, WHO Grading system fot mucositis and the discomfort of oral gargling solution were used to assess oral status and subject's oral discomfort during chemotherapy. Each subjects were observed daily from the start of the chemotherapy until Absolute Neutrophil Count(ANC) reached 1,000. It continued about 2-4 weeks. The data analyzed by Mann-Whittney U test and ANCOVA. The result was follows as: The patient who used sodium bicarbonate-normal saline gargling showed significantly higher mean score of the discomfort of oral gargling solution than chlorhexidine gargling. The other scores were not significantly different between two groups. However the subjects using the sodium bicarbonate-normal saline gargling showed a lower level of oral mucositis. We concluded that oral using sodium bicarbonate-normal saline gargling was between to reduce the level of oral mucositis during chemotherapy and nursing assessments of the oral cavity seemed to promote patient's compliance with the oral care regimen.
Chlorhexidine* ; Compliance ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Leukemia* ; Mouth ; Mucositis ; Neutrophils ; Nursing Assessment ; Sodium* ; Stomatitis*

It is the purpose of this article to determine various normal anatomic measurements of temporomandibular joint and normal range of condylar movement using relatively simple X-ray equipment and radiographic technique in consideration of popular clinical application. Author's cases condisted of 100 clinically normal adult males and temporomandibular joint radiographs of 3 serial position so condylar head were taken by transcranial obliquelateral pojection in each case. The serial positions are centric occlusion, 1 inch opening and maximal opening position. The results were as follows; 1. In cetric occlusion, the length between the condylar head and glenoidfossa was 2.23±0.58mm in anterior part, 3.55±0.80mm in upper part and 2.76±0.72mm in posterior part. 2. Incentric occlusion, the angle (alpha) between the horizontal standard line(AB) and anterior slope (BC) was 37.22±3.87 degrees. 3. In 1 inch opening position, the distance between the summit of condylar head from thestandard point of articular eminence (B) was
Adult ; Head ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; Reference Values ; Temporomandibular Joint

Because melanocytes are found throughout the leptomeninges, primary melanotic pigmented tumors such as pigmented meningioma, malignant melanoma, melanoblastosis, and melanocytoma can arise from this region. Melanocytomas have been described in the literature as isodense or hyperdense compared with brain parenchyme, as seen on noncontrast-enhanced CT, and as showing relatively homogeneous enhancement. MR imaging demonstrates a high signal on T1-weighted images, and an iso to hypointense signal on T2- weighted images. We report the imaging findings of a melanocytoma that showed hyperdense attenuation on precontrast CT with homogeneous enhancement and hyperintense signal intensity on T1-weighted images and dark signal intensity enhancement on T2-weighted images, and also review the literature.
Brain ; Cerebellopontine Angle* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Melanocytes ; Melanoma ; Meninges ; Meningioma

Isolated angiitis of the central nervous system is a rare clinicopathologic entity characterized by vasculitis restricted to the vessels of central nervous system without other apparent systemic vasculitis. It manifests headache, higher cortical dysfunction. focal neurologic dysfunction and cranial nerve palsies. We experienced a case of isolated angiitis of the central nervous system in 6 year-old girl who was admitted to out unit because of headache, hemiparesis and altered consciousness. The laboratory test for blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid are all within normal ranges. There was no evidence of systemic vasculitis. The contrast enhanced brain CT scan showed low densities along the left cerebellar hemisphere and posterior aspect of temporal lobe without enhancement, and left lateral internal carotid angiogram showed poorly contrast filling along the territory of left posterior cerebral artery due to narrowing or ischemic changes of the vessels. Axial T2WI (TR/TE, 2190/80) of magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple scattered high signal intensities at left pons with cerebellar hemisphere and diffuse high signal intensity along the left occipital lobe with enlarged surrounding gyral patterns, and axial T1WI(TR/TE, 665/25) showed intense gyral pattern contrast enhancement along the left occipital lobe. Steroid was tried with apparent benefit. We report a case of isolated angiitis of central nervous system with review of literature.
Brain ; Central Nervous System ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Child ; Consciousness ; Cranial Nerve Diseases ; Female ; Headache ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Nervous System* ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Occipital Lobe ; Paresis ; Pons ; Posterior Cerebral Artery ; Reference Values ; Systemic Vasculitis ; Temporal Lobe ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vasculitis*

Migration of roundworms, Ascaris lumbricoies, into the biliary tract is a relatively common cause of biliary symptoms in endemic areas, but the number of reported gallbladder ascariasis was scanty even in these areas. Some diagnostic methods might provide suggestive informations, but there are no pathognomonic clinical features for biliary ascariasis, so it is discovered usually after surgical exploration, which is especially the case of gallbladder ascariasis. A young female patient with 4 months' history of right upper quadrant pain which did not respond to medical control and was aggravated recently, presented normal level of peripheral blood leukocyte count with no eosinophilia, normal liver function test, normal serum amylase level and subjectively no febrile sense. Abdominal ultrasonogram disclosed a long, thick, linear, non-motile echogenic structure, not accompanied by acoustic shadowing, within the gallbladder. The intra-and extra-hepatic bile ducts were not dilated and the pancreas was revealed as normal echogenecity and contoru. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was performed immediately thereafter, and it showed a thin linear filling defect in the gallbladder. Cholecystectomy was performed under the impression of gallbladder ascariasis. A mummified Ascaris lumbricoides was found in the lumen of the gallbladder. There was no stones and the histologic examination of the gallbladder revealed chronic cholecystitis.
Acoustics ; Amylases ; Ascariasis* ; Ascaris ; Ascaris lumbricoides ; Bile Ducts ; Biliary Tract ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholecystectomy ; Cholecystitis ; Eosinophilia ; Female ; Gallbladder* ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Liver Function Tests ; Pancreas ; Shadowing (Histology) ; Ultrasonography

Migration of roundworms, Ascaris lumbricoies, into the biliary tract is a relatively common cause of biliary symptoms in endemic areas, but the number of reported gallbladder ascariasis was scanty even in these areas. Some diagnostic methods might provide suggestive informations, but there are no pathognomonic clinical features for biliary ascariasis, so it is discovered usually after surgical exploration, which is especially the case of gallbladder ascariasis. A young female patient with 4 months' history of right upper quadrant pain which did not respond to medical control and was aggravated recently, presented normal level of peripheral blood leukocyte count with no eosinophilia, normal liver function test, normal serum amylase level and subjectively no febrile sense. Abdominal ultrasonogram disclosed a long, thick, linear, non-motile echogenic structure, not accompanied by acoustic shadowing, within the gallbladder. The intra-and extra-hepatic bile ducts were not dilated and the pancreas was revealed as normal echogenecity and contoru. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was performed immediately thereafter, and it showed a thin linear filling defect in the gallbladder. Cholecystectomy was performed under the impression of gallbladder ascariasis. A mummified Ascaris lumbricoides was found in the lumen of the gallbladder. There was no stones and the histologic examination of the gallbladder revealed chronic cholecystitis.
Acoustics ; Amylases ; Ascariasis* ; Ascaris ; Ascaris lumbricoides ; Bile Ducts ; Biliary Tract ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholecystectomy ; Cholecystitis ; Eosinophilia ; Female ; Gallbladder* ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Liver Function Tests ; Pancreas ; Shadowing (Histology) ; Ultrasonography

Recently, brainstem auditory evoked potential is very important for the evaluation of functions of the 8th nerve & brainstem. Especially, it appears that waves I, III, and V primarily represent volume- conducted electrical activity from the acoustic nerve, pons and midbrain, respectively, and that latencies between these three potentials indirectly reflect neural conduction in the corresponding segments of the central auditory pathway. For example, wave I to wave III interpeak latency(I-III IPL) is a measure of conduction in the more caudal segment of the brainstem auditory pathway-acoustic nerve and potomedullary portion-while the III-V IPL is a measure of conduction in the more rostral pontine and midbrain portions of the pathway. This study was undertaken to identify the normal measurements of the waves I, III and V and I-III IPL, III-V IPL in order to for provide basic data for clinical use in diagnosis, monitering in operation and management of patients with brainstem lesions. The literature is reviewed and results compared to the current study.
Auditory Pathways ; Brain Stem* ; Cochlear Nerve ; Diagnosis ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem* ; Humans ; Mesencephalon ; Neural Conduction ; Pons

Recently for 2 years, 24 cases of microabscesses have been experienced and treated at St. Paul's Hospital, Catholic Medical College. Investigations had been made & analyzed to characteristic clinical symptoms and signs, typical CT findings and therapeutic management and prognosis. The CT scan is most choice of and early and accurate diagnosis and has made feasible the follow up of the evolution and eventual resolution of abscess lesions. In the authors opinion and experience, when microabscess is diagnosed at it early stage, it could be treated in 2week with the administration of antibiotics & not need any other surgical interventions.
Abscess ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Diagnosis* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Prognosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Prognostic factors for colorectal cancer with hepatic metastasis are not well-established. We investigated the factors that predicted survival following surgical resection of hepatic metastases in patients with colorectal cancer. METHODS: Fifty-three patients underwent resection of hepatic metastases of colorectal cancer between January 2000 and December 2005, with follow-up periods that ranged from 3 to 119 months. In this retrospective study, the effects of sex, age, type of hepatic resection, T stage and N stage of the primary cancer, number and size of metastatic hepatic tumors, synchronicity or metachronicity of the liver metastases, surgical resection margins, and preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels on 1-year and 3-year survival were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log rank test. RESULTS: Median survival was 39.9 months and the 3-year survival rate was 62.2%. Twenty patients died during the follow-up period of 3 to 119 months (mean, 48.8+/-34.24). In univariate analysis, only the surgical margin of the hepatic metastasis resection correlated significantly with 3-year survival. Sex, age, T stage and N stage of the primary cancer, synchronicity or metachronicity of the metastases, number and size of hepatic metastases, type of hepatic resection and preoperative CEA levels did not predict long-term outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic resection provides a safe and effective treatment in patients with hepatic metastasis from colorectal cancer. In this study, only the surgical resection margin of the hepatic metastasis of colorectal cancer significantly predicted survival.
Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the actual condition of the disabled due to Occupational accidents based on the functional evaluation tool. METHOD: The data were collected from 2 Workers Accident Medical Corporation, 311 subjects between February and August, 2007. The tool comprised of six components including physical function, cognitive function, communication, emotional and disturbing behavior, nursing skills and rehabilitation needs. RESULTS: Among the disabled, the average point of physical function of 5 was found in 61.92% and to express and understand were evaluated as normal in 36.69% and 33.44%, respectively. Also, hearing and vision were evaluated as normal in 53.50% and 37.98%, respectively. 19.01% of the disabled had emotional problems and 13.78% had disturbing behavior. Most disabled were in need of nursing skills with 97.73% ROM and activities. The 78.18% and 76.90% of disabled were in need of rehabilitation because of right and left leg in full movement disorders, respectively. CONCLUSION: The evaluation score for the disabled caused by Occupational accidents was diverse showing 10 to 19 points and 140 to 150 points. The result means the care cost should be determined depending on the care needs of the disabled because there is such a diverse range of care needs for them.
Accidents, Occupational ; Hearing ; Leg ; Movement Disorders ; Vision, Ocular