The minor fissure is an important anatomical landmark in the localization of the pulmonary diseases. For the evaluation of the normal feature of the minor fissure, we analyzed the high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scans in 51 normal patients. The purposes of this study are to evaluate the normal appearance of the minor fissure on high-resolution CT scans and to compare it with that on the coventional CT and chest radiographs. We analysed the morphologic feature of the minor fissure on the high-resolution CT scans in 51 normal patients, and compared it with that on the conventional CT scans. On the high-resolution CT scans, we particularly paid attention to the completeness and types according to Berkmen classification. And finally, we compared the types determined by the high-resolution CT scans with those by the plain radiographs. In most patients (n=47), the minor fissure was seen as a hyperattenuating line or hand on the high-resolution CT scans. In contrast, it was mostly seen as a lucent zone on the conventional CT scans (n=44). Of 47 patients having a hyperattenuating line or band on the high resolution CT scans, the minor fissure was considered to be complete in 17 patients (36%), and incomplete in 30 patients (64%), who had defect at medial portion of the minor fissure. The most common type of the minor fissure seen on the high-resolution CT scans was type I variety (n=23), followed by type IIa (n=10) and type II (n=8). We could not determine the type in six patients. The type determined by the high resolution CT scans was highly well correlated with that determined by the plain radiographs (p<0.05). In conclusion, the minor fissure was seen on CT studies as variable appearances and high-resolution CT scans were superior to the conventional CT scans in the evaluation of the minor fissure. The type of the minor fissure determined by the high-resolution CT scans were well correlated with those seen on the radiographs.
Classification ; Hand ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The minor fissure is an important anatomical landmark in the localization of the pulmonary diseases. For the evaluation of the normal feature of the minor fissure, we analyzed the high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scans in 51 normal patients. The purposes of this study are to evaluate the normal appearance of the minor fissure on high-resolution CT scans and to compare it with that on the coventional CT and chest radiographs. We analysed the morphologic feature of the minor fissure on the high-resolution CT scans in 51 normal patients, and compared it with that on the conventional CT scans. On the high-resolution CT scans, we particularly paid attention to the completeness and types according to Berkmen classification. And finally, we compared the types determined by the high-resolution CT scans with those by the plain radiographs. In most patients (n=47), the minor fissure was seen as a hyperattenuating line or hand on the high-resolution CT scans. In contrast, it was mostly seen as a lucent zone on the conventional CT scans (n=44). Of 47 patients having a hyperattenuating line or band on the high resolution CT scans, the minor fissure was considered to be complete in 17 patients (36%), and incomplete in 30 patients (64%), who had defect at medial portion of the minor fissure. The most common type of the minor fissure seen on the high-resolution CT scans was type I variety (n=23), followed by type IIa (n=10) and type II (n=8). We could not determine the type in six patients. The type determined by the high resolution CT scans was highly well correlated with that determined by the plain radiographs (p<0.05). In conclusion, the minor fissure was seen on CT studies as variable appearances and high-resolution CT scans were superior to the conventional CT scans in the evaluation of the minor fissure. The type of the minor fissure determined by the high-resolution CT scans were well correlated with those seen on the radiographs.
Classification ; Hand ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) of pancreatic pseudocyst has been reported to have good therapeutic results, low complications, and short hospital course. To find the clinical and radiological findings which can predict the treatment period for PCD, we retrospectively correlated the clinical data (presence of invection, initial and 1 week follow-up serum and aspirate amylase level, daily drainage amount) and radiological findings (evidence of fistula, PCD route, inital size of pseudocyst) with the treatment period in each case. The age ranged from 20 to 64 years(mean:39.8 years) and male to female ratio was nine to one. When the cavity was obliterated after PCD and did not recur after tube removal without a surgical treatment, we regarded the patient to be cured. Mean treatment period was 20.2 days and nine patients(90%) were cured. We think that the factors shortening treatment period are the presence of superimposed infection and the abrupt decrease of the amount of daily drainage for the first week. But the presence of fistula to the pancreatic duct may prolong the treatment period. In conclusion, PCD is safe and effective in the treatment of pancreatic pseudocyst, and the clinical ad radiological findings are expected to be able to predict the treatment period of PCD.
Amylases ; Catheters* ; Drainage* ; Female ; Fistula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Pancreatic Pseudocyst* ; Retrospective Studies

Core tissue for histologic study is believed by many pathologists to be more diagnostic than material from needle aspiration. Recently introduced automated biopsy gun simplifies core biopsies with increased quantity and quality of samples. Authors performed 38 percutaneous biopsies from 38 patients with 18G automated biopsy guns under US guide. Diagnostic target tissues were obtained in 33 biopsies(87%), inadequate tissues in 4 (11%), and adequate but not of target tissue in 1(3%). There was no major complication requiring treatment, but pain needing analgesics and pain with nausea/vomiting were experienced in 2 and 1 biopsies respectively. Average number of needle passes was 1.5(1-5) We concluded that US-guided gun biopsy was a easy and safe way to obtained tissue samples of good quantity and quality, especially useful in hospitals without constant availability of specialists in cytopathology.
Analgesics ; Biopsy* ; Firearms ; Humans ; Needles ; Specialization

The normal corneal endothelial cell count was measured by the non-contact(Nikon, AS-1, Japan) and contact type(Bio-optic, LSM 2000, USA) specular microscopy. The results of two types were compared to investigate the possible differences in types of specular microscopy. No statistically significant differences were found between the results from the non-contact type and those from the contact type; the mean number of normal Korean corneal endothelial cells according to the age was 2795 in the 2nd decade, 2615 in the 3rd decade, 2463 in the 4th decade, 2283 in the 5th decade, 2119 in the 6th decade, 2019 in the 7th decade and 1920 over the 8th decade.
Endothelial Cells* ; Microscopy*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence and the patterns of sterile gas shown at computed tomography(CT) after transarterial embolization(TAE) for primary hepatic tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 102 patients who performed TAE for hepatoma, thirty-four in whom follow-up CTwas underwent constituted the basis of our study. At CT, we evaluated the patterns and locations of intratumoral gas. We also reviewed the clinical data to exclude an infectious origin of intratumoral gas. RESULTS: Of 34 patients, intratumoral gas was detected in 11 patients(32%), in all of whom Gelfoam was used as an embolic material. The initial tumor size measured at pre-TAE CT was larger in patients with intratumoral gas than in patients without it(p < 0.005). No specific patterns or locations of intratumoral gas were noted on CT scans. No patients had clinical signs and symptoms that suggested infection. CONCLUSION: Intratumoral gas formation without clinical evidence of infection is not an infrequent finding after TAE for hepatoma, especially when Gelfoam is used and when the tumor is large in size. This finding may be a part of postinfarction syndrome and should not be misinterpreted as an postprocedural abscess formation.
Abscess ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable ; Humans ; Prevalence ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Although visible collateral vessels on computed tomography (CT) has been considered as an important finding in superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome, there is no systematical concerning correlation between the CT evidence of collateral vessels and clinical evidence of SVC syndrome. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how accurately we predict the clinical presence of SVC syndrome by the collateral vessels in patients with apparent SVC obstruction on CT. Forty-seven patients having a CT evidence of obstruction or compression of SVC and/or its major tributaries were included in this study. Lung cancer was the most common underlying disease (n=40). The enhanced CT scans were obtained through either arm vein using a combined bolus and drip-infusion technique. Analyzing the CT scans, we particularly paid attention to the site and pattern of venous compromise, presence of collateral vessels, and if present, heir location, without knowing whether symptoms and signs were present or not, and then compared them with clinical data by a thorough review of charts. To verify the frequency of visible collateral vessels in normal subjects, we also evaluated the CT scans of 50 patients without mediastinal disease and clinical SVC syndrome as a control group. On CT, collateral vessels were found in 24 patients, among whom three patients had a single collateral and 21 patients had two or more collateral channels. There were two false positive cases, in which clinically overt SVC syndrome appeared 10days and three months after CT examination respectively, and one false negative case. The presence of collateral vessels on CT, respectively, and one false negative case. The presence of collateral vessels on CT, regardless of the number and location of collateral vessels and the pattern of venous obstruction, was a good clue for predicting the presence of clinical SVC syndrome with the sensitivity and the specificity of 95.7% and 91.7%, respectively. In control group, collateral vessels were seen in three patients (6%). We conclude that the presence of collateral vessels on CT is a highly sensitive and specific sign of clinical SVC syndrome.
Arm ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Mediastinal Diseases ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Veins ; Vena Cava, Superior*

Although visible collateral vessels on computed tomography (CT) has been considered as an important finding in superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome, there is no systematical concerning correlation between the CT evidence of collateral vessels and clinical evidence of SVC syndrome. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how accurately we predict the clinical presence of SVC syndrome by the collateral vessels in patients with apparent SVC obstruction on CT. Forty-seven patients having a CT evidence of obstruction or compression of SVC and/or its major tributaries were included in this study. Lung cancer was the most common underlying disease (n=40). The enhanced CT scans were obtained through either arm vein using a combined bolus and drip-infusion technique. Analyzing the CT scans, we particularly paid attention to the site and pattern of venous compromise, presence of collateral vessels, and if present, heir location, without knowing whether symptoms and signs were present or not, and then compared them with clinical data by a thorough review of charts. To verify the frequency of visible collateral vessels in normal subjects, we also evaluated the CT scans of 50 patients without mediastinal disease and clinical SVC syndrome as a control group. On CT, collateral vessels were found in 24 patients, among whom three patients had a single collateral and 21 patients had two or more collateral channels. There were two false positive cases, in which clinically overt SVC syndrome appeared 10days and three months after CT examination respectively, and one false negative case. The presence of collateral vessels on CT, respectively, and one false negative case. The presence of collateral vessels on CT, regardless of the number and location of collateral vessels and the pattern of venous obstruction, was a good clue for predicting the presence of clinical SVC syndrome with the sensitivity and the specificity of 95.7% and 91.7%, respectively. In control group, collateral vessels were seen in three patients (6%). We conclude that the presence of collateral vessels on CT is a highly sensitive and specific sign of clinical SVC syndrome.
Arm ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Mediastinal Diseases ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Veins ; Vena Cava, Superior*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the frequently of low ahetenuation area in enhanced CT scans of non-Hodgkin lymphoma(NHL) and to find out if there is any pertinent relationship between this and the histopathologic classification. MATERIALS & METHODS: The authors reviewed CT scans in the newly diagnosed 53 patients with NHL. We defined the-low attenuation area as the one with CT attenuation value lower than that of the muscle, surrounding lesion, or other lymph nodes after contrast enhancement. NHL with the low attenuation areas were correlated with the histopathologic findings according to the classification based on the Working Formulation and the frequency of the lesion was evaluated. RESULT: Of the 53 patients, the low attenuation area was found in 13 patients (25%) at CT. The histopathologic classification could be made in 12 patients, among whom one patient was classified as low grade, six as intermediate grade, and five as high-grade. Concerning the specific cell typing, the diffuse large cell type was most common in intermediate-grade NHL seen in five patients and the large cell, immunoblastic type was most common in high-grade NHL seen ih three patients. CONCLUSION: The authors concluded that the low attenution area within lymphoma is not an infrequent finding at CT, and there was no stastistically significant correlation between this finding and the prognostic grading of the Working Formulation.
Classification ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors related to long-term hospitalization of schizophrenia. METHODS: The subjects were inpatients with schizophrenia who were constantly hospitalized for more than 12 months and their caregivers. They were compared with schizophrenia with no previous experience of sustained hospitalization for more than 12 months and their caregivers. Demographic and clinical data, Korea version of the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale, functional disability and family burden scale were analyzed. RESULTS: In this study long-term hospitalization of schizophrenia was influenced by the following measures. First, primary caregivers variables such as parents/non-parents and cohabitation with patients, second, negative symptom severity of passive/apathetic social withdrawal and lack of spontaneity and flow of conversation, and third, functional disability of go to hospital/take a dose regularly and using public transportation/facilities were associated with long-term hospitalization. And they were significant in logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: The above results suggest that long-term hospitalization of schizophrenic patients in Korea might be affected by caregiver's factor, negative symptoms, and functional disability.
Caregivers ; Hospitalization* ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Schizophrenia*