Red blood cells that agglutinate with most normal adult sera but never with own sera are termed polyagglutinable and can be separated by patterns of lectin reactivity into various types. Among these polyagglutination, activation of the T cryptantigen occurs when carbohydrate structures on glycophorins A and B lose sialic acid and express the disaccharide Gal beta-l-3 GalNac which reacts with the peanut agglutinin, a lectin from Arachis hypogaea. T activation is a temporary condition due to exposure of the membrane antigen to the action of microbial neuraminidase. In T activated red cells, the following hazards, which are theoretically possible, are spontaneous polyagglutination of red cells in vitro, in vivo and severe blood transfusion reactions. We experienced a case of T activation in 6 month old girl with bacterial meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. The reactivity to lectins indicated the patient's red cells were T activated. We report a case of T activation in an infant with the review of literature.
Adult ; Arachis ; Blood Transfusion ; Erythrocytes ; Female ; Glycophorin ; Humans ; Infant ; Lectins ; Membranes ; Meningitis, Bacterial ; N-Acetylneuraminic Acid ; Neuraminidase ; Peanut Agglutinin ; Streptococcus pneumoniae

Pulmonary aspergilloma may usually demonstrate the classic "air-crescent sign" in the conventional radiograph. However, this lesion is often seen as a pulmonary nodule or is obscured by the surrounding scarred and fibrotic lung tissue, which may limit the value of the conventional techniques and hinder the diagnosis. We retrospectively analysed the plan film findings of 44 lesions of 40 patients and CT findings of 29 lesions of 26 patients with pulmonary aspergilloma with special emphasis upon the atypical manifestation. The cases with classic "air-meniscus sign" in conventional radiograph accounted for 50%, while 30%, presented with a pulmonary nodule and 20% were unrecognized forms due to surrounding parenchymal lesion. CT findings of 28 aspergillomas were analyzed according to the shape of the intracavitary space(space between the cavity wall and the fungal ball) and the fungal ball itself. The intracavity space showed "air-meniscus sign" (62%), filling cavity (28%), peripheral air bubble (3%) and high density due to hemorrhage (3%), in descending order of frequency, The shape of the fungal ball itself showed homogeneous low density mass (62%) and spongeform or irregular air bubble contained mass (34%), CT was more accurate than conventional radiograph in the diagnosis and evaluation of number and location of atspergilloma, particularly in the case of atypical presentaion and was useful to assess the associated disease and to predict postoperative outcome.
Cicatrix ; Diagnosis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Lung ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate client satisfaction with mental health services across sociodemographical and service utilization characteristics and to identify the predictors for quality of life for schizophrenic patients who registered in community mental health center. METHODS: One hundred five schizophrenic patients who had received intensive or continuing care completed questionnaires, which included Consumer Satisfaction Scale and the Korean version of World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument-Brief (WHOQOL-BREF). Subject's sociodemographic and service utilization characteristics were compared using t-test or one-way analysis of variance. To examine the influence of these variables on quality of life, stepwise multiple regression was conducted. RESULTS: Consumer satisfaction scores differed significantly depending on the length of contact with a current mental health staff. In a stepwise multiple regression model, service relevance and occupation together explained 20.5% of variance in quality of life. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that continuity in contact with a current mental health staff was important in consumer satisfaction. Service relevance and occupation had an impact on quality of life.
Consumer Satisfaction ; Humans ; Mental Health Services* ; Mental Health* ; Occupations ; Quality of Life* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Schizophrenia* ; World Health Organization

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

Cri-du-chat syndrome is a rare genetic disorder in which the patient presents with a characteristic high-pitched monotonous cry and recurrent aspiration pneumonia, attributed to abnormalities in the larynx, epiglottis, and nervous system. The most prominent brain MRI findings are the presence of pontine and cerebellar hypoplasia, which primarily involve posterior cranial fossa structures. Although atrophy of supratentorial structures were also a common radiological finding, it was considered to be a secondary change due to pontine hypoplasia. Here, we present the case of a three-month-old patient presenting with cri-du-chat at our institution. The patient also showed the presence of prominent pontine hypoplasia similar to previously reported cases; however, contrary to other cases, there was a general delayed myelination of brain instead of decreased myelination of anterior limb of internal capsule. Since the larynx, pons, and cerebellum all originated from similar notochord level, which suggests anomaly in early stage of development, laryngeal, and brain anomaly characteristically observed in the cridu- chat syndrome.

Fentanyl intoxication has occasionally been reported since fentanyl patches became available for medical use. Delayed post-hypoxic leukoencephalopathy is a complication of hypoxia. However, its neuropsychiatric symptoms can be delayed, and it can progress to leukoencephalopathy even after full recovery from coma due to acute intoxication. Herein, we report a case of fentanyl intoxication in a 65-year-old man who was presented to the hospital because of unconsciousness for 13 hours after using ten fentanyl patches simultaneously. Initial brain CT findings were non-specific. Twenty days later, delayed neuropathologic symptoms manifested, and MRI showed bilaterally symmetrical, heterogeneous, confluent high signal intensities on T2-weighted/fluid attenuated inversion recovery MRI in the cerebral white matter with diffusion restriction. This was followed by rapid exacerbation of neuropathological symptoms with diffuse severe cerebral atrophy over 1 year.

It is well known that anatomic variations affecting the ostiomeatal unit (OMU) become one of the causes of mucosal abnormalities of paranasal sinuses (PNS). Findings of coronal plane CT scans of PNS were analyzed in 95 patients with sinusitis or sinusitis-like complaints. Anatomical variations were seen in 88 cases of 60 patients. Mucosal abnormalities were seen in 27 of 47 cases with concha bullosa, 23 of 37 cases with enlarged ethmoid bulla, 8 of 33 cases with Agger nasi, 20 of 26 cases with nasoseptal deviation, 7 of 8 cases with Haller cell, 3 of 6 cases with duoble middle turbinate, 4 of 6 cases with medially bent uncinate process, 1 cases with laterally bent uncinate process, and 33 of 40 cases with mixed variations. Mucosal abnormalities in cases with antomical variations were detected in 61 cases, including maxillary sinus(51 cases), anterior ethmoid sinus (26 cases), frontal sinus (4 cases), and mixed (32 cases). Mucosal abnormalities without anatomical variations were detected in 13 cases involving maxillary sinuses (7 cases), anterior ethmoid sinuses (5 cases), and frontal sinus(1 cases). In conclusion, as coronal plane CT scan has the capability of dolineating anatomical variations and mucosal abnormalities of PNS, it is considered useful in evaluating the treatment and prognosis of chronic or recurrent sinusitis.
Ethmoid Sinus ; Frontal Sinus ; Humans ; Maxillary Sinus ; Meperidine ; Paranasal Sinuses ; Prognosis ; Sinusitis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Turbinates

It is well known that anatomic variations affecting the ostiomeatal unit (OMU) become one of the causes of mucosal abnormalities of paranasal sinuses (PNS). Findings of coronal plane CT scans of PNS were analyzed in 95 patients with sinusitis or sinusitis-like complaints. Anatomical variations were seen in 88 cases of 60 patients. Mucosal abnormalities were seen in 27 of 47 cases with concha bullosa, 23 of 37 cases with enlarged ethmoid bulla, 8 of 33 cases with Agger nasi, 20 of 26 cases with nasoseptal deviation, 7 of 8 cases with Haller cell, 3 of 6 cases with duoble middle turbinate, 4 of 6 cases with medially bent uncinate process, 1 cases with laterally bent uncinate process, and 33 of 40 cases with mixed variations. Mucosal abnormalities in cases with antomical variations were detected in 61 cases, including maxillary sinus(51 cases), anterior ethmoid sinus (26 cases), frontal sinus (4 cases), and mixed (32 cases). Mucosal abnormalities without anatomical variations were detected in 13 cases involving maxillary sinuses (7 cases), anterior ethmoid sinuses (5 cases), and frontal sinus(1 cases). In conclusion, as coronal plane CT scan has the capability of dolineating anatomical variations and mucosal abnormalities of PNS, it is considered useful in evaluating the treatment and prognosis of chronic or recurrent sinusitis.
Ethmoid Sinus ; Frontal Sinus ; Humans ; Maxillary Sinus ; Meperidine ; Paranasal Sinuses ; Prognosis ; Sinusitis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Turbinates

A pathological study was done to elucidate sequential changes of the lungs in various time intervals following experimental paragonimiasis in 15 dogs and 15 cats. The dogs and cats were fed with 30-50 metacercariae of Paragonimus westermani, and were sacrificed at 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 days after infection respecively. Autopsies were performed immediately after death. Gross and microscopic examination of the lungs showed following findings: There were no qualitative difference in pathological findings between dogs and cats. Pathological findings were first noticed at 20 days of infection in thoracic cavity, which consisted of fibrinous plueritis along with superficial hemorrhage. Although no worm was found in the lung parenchyma at this period, juveniles were seen in pleural cavity together with turbid effusion. Paragonimus juveniles were first recognized inside the lung parenchyma by 30 days of infection. This was the period when the lungs showed multiple areas of hemorrhage and probably active penetration by smaller worms. Hemorrhagic bronchopneumonia was quite pronounced from this stage through 45 days of infection. Paragonimus worm cyst was essentially composed of fibrous scar and heavy inflammatory cellular infiltrate. The lining epithelial cells were first became noticed by 2 months of infection. And these epithelial cells were thought to be probably transformed alveolar lining cells rather than bronchiolar epithelial cells. As the infection progress, the cyst wall became more stabilized and often showed squamous metaplasia. Fibrinous pleuritis with pleural effusion was very prominent finding in early periods of infection. Bronchiolitis and focal vascular sclerosis were often seen in experimental paragonimiasis.
parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; Paragonimus westermani ; paragonimiasis ; pneumonia ; cyst ; hemorrhage ; pleuritis ; effusion ; bronchiolitis ; sclerosis

No abstract available.
Cyclosporine* ; Humans