No abstract available.
Surgery, Computer-Assisted*

The authors defined precaval retropancreatic space as the space between pancreatic head with portal vein and IVC analyzed the CT findings of this space to know the normal structures and size in this space, We evaluated 100 cases of normal anbdominal CT scan to find out normal anatomic structures of precaval retropancreatic space retrospectively. We also measured the distance between these structures and calculated the minimum, maximum and mean values. At the splenoportal confluence level, normal structures between portal vein and IVC were vessel (21%), lymph node (19%), and caudate lobe of liver (2%) in order of frequency. The maximum AP diameter of portocaval lymph node was 4mm. Common bile duct(CBD) was seen in 44% and the diameter was mean 3mm and maximum 11mm. CBD was located in extrapancreatic (75%) and lateral (60.6%0 to pancreatic head. At IVC-left renal vein level, the maximum distance between CBD and IVC was 5mm and the structure between posterior pancreatic surface and IVC was only fat tissue. Knowledge of these normal structures and measurement will be helpful in differentiating pancreatic mass with retropancreatic mass such as lymphadenopathy.
Bile ; Head ; Liver ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Portal Vein ; Renal Veins ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: A and B transferase are glycosyltransferase that transfer N-acetylgalactosamine and D- galactose to H antigen, respectively and lead to the expression of A and B phenotypes in ABO blood group system. Reduced or no activities of serum A and B transferase were observed in some A and B subgroup individuals. Determining the activities of serum A and B transferase can be useful in discriminating rare A and B subgroups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ABO typing, saliva test, adsorption elution test and serum transferase assay were performed on samples from 12 individuals showing ABO discrepancy or weakened cell typing reactions which were referred to the Seoul National University Hospital to confirm their ABO blood types. Serum transferase activity was assayed by determining the ability of serum to convert group 0 RBCs into A or B cells. RESULTS: Determination of serum ABO transferase activity was useful in the identification of Ael (3 cases), B. (2 cases), Bm (1 case), Am (1 case), Bx (1 case), 0 with weakened anti-A or anti-B (3 cases), and A without anti-B due to hypogammaglobulinemia (1 case). CONCLUSION: Determining serum A and B glycosyltransferase activity was proven to be a simple and useful tool for the classification of several ABO subgroups.(Korean J Blood Transfusion 10(1): 27-33, 1999)
ABO Blood-Group System ; Adsorption ; Agammaglobulinemia ; B-Lymphocytes ; Blood Transfusion ; Classification* ; Galactose ; Phenotype ; Saliva ; Seoul ; Transferases

OBJECTIVE: Thoracoscopic spinal surgery provides minimally invasive approaches for effective vertebral decompression and reconstruction of the thoracic and thoracolumbar spine, while surgery related morbidity can be significantly lowered. This study analyzes clinical results of thoracoscopic spinal surgery performed at our institute. METHODS: Twenty consecutive patients underwent video-assisted thoracosopic surgery (VATS) to treat various thoracic and thoracolumbar pathologies from April 2000 to July 2006. The lesions consisted of spinal trauma (13 cases), thoracic disc herniation (4 cases), tuberculous spondylitis (1 case), post-operative thoracolumbar kyphosis (1 case) and thoracic tumor (1 case). The level of operation included upper thoracic lesions (3 cases), midthoracic lesions (6 cases) and thoracolumbar lesions (11 cases). We classified the procedure into three groups: stand-alone thoracoscopic discectomy (3 cases), thoracoscopic fusion (11 cases) and video assisted mini-thoracotomy (6 cases). RESULTS: Analysis on the Frankel performance scale in spinal trauma patients (13 cases), showed a total of 7 patients who had neurological impairment preoperatively : Grade D (2 cases), Grade C (2 cases), Grade B (1 case), and Grade A (2 cases). Four patients were neurologically improved postoperatively, two patients were improved from C to E, one improved from grade D to E and one improved from grade B to grade D. The preoperative Cobb's and kyphotic angle were measured in spinal trauma patients and were 18.9+/-4.4 degrees and 18.8+/-4.6 degrees, respectively. Postoperatively, the angles showed statistically significant improvement, 15.1+/-3.7 degrees and 11.3+/-2.4 degrees, respectively (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Although VATS requires a steep learning curve, it is an effective and minimally invasive procedure which provides biomechanical stability in terms of anterior column decompression and reconstruction for anterior load bearing, and preservation of intercostal muscles and diaphragm.
Decompression ; Diaphragm ; Diskectomy ; Humans ; Intercostal Muscles ; Kyphosis ; Learning Curve ; Pathology* ; Spinal Fractures ; Spinal Fusion ; Spine ; Spondylitis ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; Weight-Bearing

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of clinical use of a intrauterine Sengstaken-Blakemore tube (S-B tube) in postpartum hemorrhage not controlled with medication and conservative treatment. METHODS: Retrospective review was done in 18 women with insertion of S-B tube into intrauterine cavity who did not controlled with medication and conservative treatment for postpartum hemorrhage. After third stage of labor, women were treated with prophylactic intramuscular Methylergonovine 0.2 mg and intravenous infusions of oxytocin routinely. If the postpartum bleeding continued, Misoprostol 800 microgram (per rectal) and intravenous infusions of Dinoprost 2 mg mixed with 5% D/S 500 cc were employed. And then women were examined for retained placenta and laceration of birth canal. Where necessary, retained placenta was removed and lacerations were sutured. If the postpartum bleeding did not controlled despite all of procedures, we decided use of intrauterine S-B tube. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 30.9+/-4.4 (27-39) years, their mean body weights and parities were 67.8+/-8.2 (56.2-85.7) kg, 1.8+/-0.8 (1-4) and mean gestational age was 38.5+/-2.9 (37-42) weeks respectively. The mean time from delivery to insertion of S-B tube was 107.6+/-94.0 (24-360) minutes. The mean filled normal saline amount was 190.5+/-35.2 (120-230) cc. Of 18 who was inserted of S B tube, 15 cases needed not additional surgical therapy. So success rate was 83.3%. CONCLUSION: Insertion of intrauterine S-B tube appears as a simple and effective means of treating postpartum hemorrhage not controlled with medication and conservative treatment.
Body Weight ; Dinoprost ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Lacerations ; Methylergonovine ; Misoprostol ; Oxytocin ; Parturition ; Placenta, Retained ; Postpartum Hemorrhage* ; Postpartum Period* ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To compare the ability of tumor detection and the lesion conspicuity between T1- and T2-weighted fast scanning sequences and T1- and T2-weighted conventional spin echo techniques in MR imaging of hepatic tumors. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Hepatic tumors were induced on 13 male Sprague-Dawley rats by feeding 3'-methyl-dimethylethylaminoazobenzene mixed with Miller's III formula for 12 weeks. MR images were obtained with 1.5T magnet with dual TMJ coil(Signa, GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, USA). Animals were anesthesized with 150mg/kg of ketamine hydrochloride. T2 weighted fast spin echo(FSE), conventional spin echo(CSE) T2- and T1WI, fast multiplanar spoiled gradient recalled(FMPSPGR) imaging were obtained. Number of detected, tumors and contrast-to-noise ratio of the tumors were compared for each sequence. RESULTS: Overall 110 tumors were developed. 75% of the tumors were detected on FSE, 65% on FMPSPGR, 41% on conventional T2WI, and 41% on T1WI images. For tumors more than 5mm in diameter, sensitivity was 88% on FMPSPGR, 65% on conventional T2WI, and 81% on TIWI images respectively. CNR of the tumor was 28.94 +/- 21.6 on FSE, 13.57 +/- 8.64 on FMPSPGR, 12.62 +/- 10.65 on CSE T2WI, and 9.47 +/- 8.05 on CSE TIWI images, which was significantly high on FSE (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Fast spin echo T2 WI shows highest sensitivity and tumor-to-liver contrast. FMPSPGR imaging is also favorably comparable with conventional T1WI. Therfore, these two pulse sequences can be useful in clinical condition for hepatic MR imaging.
Animals ; Humans ; Ketamine ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Temporomandibular Joint

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of Gd-ethoxybenzyl-DTPA(Gd-EOB-DTPA) in MR imaging of primary hepatictumors in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary hepatic tumors had been induced on 12 male Sprague-Dawley rats byoral administration of an experimental diet containing 3'-methyl-4'-dimethylaminobenzene for 12 weeks. T1-weighted spin echo images were obtained with 1.5 T system before and after injection of 25 micro mol/kg ofGd-EOB-DTPA. The detection rate of tumors in each image was compared to that in resected specimens. Signal intensity of the liver and the largest tumor were measured in each rat on pre- and postcontrast images. Signal tonoise ratio(SNR) of the liver and liver-to-tumor contrast to noise ratio(CNR) were calculated. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-five liver tumors were identified on gross examination. Fifty one lesions(41%) on precontrast images, and 80(64%) on postcontrast images were demonstrated (p<0.01). Of the 33 tumors larger than 5mm, 28lesions(85%) were demonstrated on precontrast image, and 31(94%) on postcontrast image (p>0.05). Of the 92 lesions smaller than 5mm in diameter, 23(25%) were seen on precontrast image and 49 the (53%) on postcontrast image(p<0.01). After contrast enhancement, the signal intensity of both liver and tumor increased(p<0.05), though background noise also increased (p>0.05). Consequently, SNR increased significantly in the liver from 10.89 +/-1.96(mean standard error) to 15.59 +/- 2.34(p<0.05), but not in tumors(from 8.21 +/- 3.71 to 8.85 +/- 5.42). Liver-to-tumor CNR increased from 5.55 +/- 0.94 to 13.25 +/- 2.50 (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The use of Gd-EOB-DTPA canincrease the detection rate of primary hepatic tumors in rats, especially of small lesions.
Animals ; Diet ; Gadolinium ; Humans ; Liver ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Male ; Noise ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

No abstract available.
Female ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors* ; Humans ; Liver* ; Middle Aged* ; Neoplasm Metastasis*

Hypoglossal neurinoma is vary rare cranial base neoplasm. With the recent advances in the neuroimaging and surgical technique, radical surgical resection is amenable. A case of hypoglossal neurinoma which is located ventral to the medulla is reported. The patient was presented with right hypoglossal nerve palsy, glossal hemiatrophy, and decreased gag reflex on the right side. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) revealed an ovoid mass ventral to the medulla with enlarged hypoglossal canal. Because of the ventral location of the mass, far lateral transcondylar approach was selected to minimize the postoperative morbidity. Radical total resection was achieved. This report describes that far lateral transcondylar approach is better than conventional suboccipital approach in regards to satisfactory exposure of the hypoglossal canal and prevention of excessive retraction of the neuraxis.
Humans ; Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases ; Neurilemmoma* ; Neuroimaging ; Reflex ; Skull Base

In vitro studies have shown that the nonsteroidal antiestrogen tamoxifen can suppress deoxyribonucleic acid(DNA) synthesis and cell proliferation in cultured human gliomas. This growth suppression is independent on its antiestrogenic properties. Tamoxifen may act through the inhibition of the enzyme protein kinase C(PKC), which transduces mitogenic signals from the cell surface to the nucleus. In order to evaluate the therapeutic response and side effect of high-dose tamoxifen, we performed a clinical study of 28 patients with malignant gliomas who were treated with high-dose tamoxifen in our hospital between February 1991 and January 1993. An effect was defined as a statistically improved survival times/rates. In patients who were assigned to receive high-dose tamoxifen, it was first administered at standard antiestrogen doses(20mg orally bid/day) to observe for any side effect and if tolerated, the dose was increased weekly to achieve target doses(100mg orally bid/day) over a 1 month period. We compared the survival times/rates between anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastoma mutiformes. Although the median survival time was slightly longer in anaplastic astrocytomas than that of glioblastoma multiformes, there was no statistical difference of survival curves between two groups at the p=0.05 level. We also examined the survival times/rates of malignant gliomas according to treatment modalities(radiotherapy alone, radiotherapy plus ACNU, and radiotherapy plus tamoxifen). Although the survival rate and time were slightly higher in radiotherapy plus tamoxifen group than those of another treatment groups, we could not find the statistical significance of survival curves between three treatment groups(p>0.05). High-dose oral tamoxifen appeared to be well tolerated in most patients. Five patients developed anorexia following dose escalation of tamoxifen. Another complications were amenorrhea, nausea/vomiting, and constipation. There were no changes in hematological studies that could be attributed to tamoxifen. We think that high-dose tamoxifen cah be administered safely to malignant gliomas patients. Our results were not impressive. We conclude that the definition of the true efficacy of high-dose tamoxifen in patients harboring malignant gliomas is not possible from this limited study, and a further large scale, randomized trial of this agent is necessary.
Amenorrhea ; Anorexia ; Astrocytoma ; Cell Proliferation ; Constipation ; Estrogen Receptor Modulators ; Female ; Glioblastoma ; Glioma* ; Humans ; Nimustine ; Protein Kinase C ; Protein Kinases ; Radiotherapy ; Survival Rate ; Tamoxifen*