BACKGROUNDS: Percutaneous radiofrequency neurotomy of posterior primary ramus has been in use as a treatment for persistent, mechanical low back pain for two decades. However, there has been limited studies regarding to prognostic factors related to outcome. We report our experience with at least 2-year follow up with special aftention on prognostic factors. METHODS: Of total 228 patients who underwent percutaneous radiofrequency neurotomy (PRN) of posterior primary ramus for refractory low back pain during last 3 years, 128 patients whose pain was considered to be originated from facets joints or their surrounding soft tissue and responded to temporary blocks were assigned to a group II. All patients had more than 6 months of pain. These patients were compared with 100 patients to whom PRN were provided for chronic nonspecific low back pain without all inclusion criteria (Group I). RF procedures were done under local anesthesia with C-arm intensifier guidance. Pain reliefs were estimated at 1week, 1month, 6months and 2 years using visual analog scale(VAS). For patients with more that 50% reduction of previous pain was regarded as positive responder. Various clinical variables such as age, sex, symptom duration, types of pain, bilaterality, and previous surgery were studied for prognostic factors. RESULTS: Positive responders were 56% at 1week, 46% at lmonth, 18% at 6months, and 13% at 2years after PRN in group I, and 78.9% at lweek, 75.4% at lmonth, 62.5% at 6months, and 54.7% at 2years in group II. Some variables were found to be significantly related to outcome including prominent local tenderness, percussion tenderness, combination of symptoms with pain on gefting up, extension, transitional movement, pain radiating to buttock and/or posterior thigh, and good immediate response. Age, sex, symptom duration, bilaterality, imaging study results, previous lumbar surgery, and degrees of pain relief from diagnostic block were not related to outcome. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that PRN of posterior primary ramus has a moderate overall long-term beneficial effect, with no morbidity in our series. But, the long-term good results will be anticipated only in properly selected patients with low back pain originating from facet joints and surrounding structures.
Anesthesia, Local ; Buttocks ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Joints ; Low Back Pain* ; Percussion ; Thigh ; Zygapophyseal Joint

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ethanol on the regulation of vascular tone. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using rat aorta ring, isometric contraction and 45Ca uptake were measured. Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), phenylephrine, KCl were used for the regulation of smooth muscle tone. RESULTS: Ethanol induced transient contraction in rat aorta ring by dose-dependent manner. Ethanol suppressed the dose dependent contractile responses of vascular strip by phenylephrine, KCl and PDBu. Endothelium-dependent relaxation by acetylcholine was inhibited by ethanol. Ethanol depressed 45Ca uptake by high KCl but not by phenylephrine or PDBu in rat aorta. n-butanol selectively suppressed tonic contraction by high KCl, but t-butanol did not at the same concentration of butanol in rat aorta. PDBu-induced contraction was selectively suppressed by n-butanol but not by t-butanol. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the action of ethanol on phospholipase D is involved in the decreased response of rat aorta strip by vasoconstrictors.
1-Butanol ; Acetylcholine ; Animals ; Aorta* ; Ethanol* ; Isometric Contraction ; Muscle, Smooth* ; Phenylephrine ; Phorbol 12,13-Dibutyrate ; Phospholipase D ; Protein Kinase C ; Rats* ; Relaxation ; tert-Butyl Alcohol ; Vasoconstrictor Agents

No abstract available.
Corpus Callosum*

The mesoblastic nephroma is a rare benign renal tumor that frequently appears as a neonatal abdominal mass. This benign tumor is composed primarily of connective tissue that growth between intact nephrons and often replaces most of the renal parenchyme. Contrast media within the calyceal systems are seen within the tumor representing function by nephrons trapped within the mass. Prognosis after complete excision is excellent.
Connective Tissue ; Contrast Media ; Nephroma, Mesoblastic* ; Nephrons ; Prognosis

A case of multiple hamartomas of the unilateral chest wall in a four month old infant is presented. There have been a few reports on the CT findings of the chest wall hamartoma in infancy. We describe bone changes of the ribs and mineralization of this rare tumor on the CT scan, and the locations of two separate masses.
Hamartoma ; Humans ; Infant ; Miners ; Ribs ; Thoracic Wall* ; Thorax* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Recently we experienced two cases of cerebral cavernous hemangioma in children at Pediatric Department of Yonsei Medical School. We are reporting these two cases with literature review.
Child* ; Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System* ; Humans ; Schools, Medical

No abstract available.
Progeria*

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Nail-Patella Syndrome*

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the brain is a rare malignancy and there are known to occur almost exclusively in brain parenchyme. Recent immunological advances and immunohistochemical techniques have provided new insights into the pathogenesis and diagnosis of the malignant lymphoma even in the small biopsied tissue and the majority of these CNS tumors is thought to be derived from B lymphocytes. A 22-year old man was admitted due to headack, dizziness and walking difficulty for 2 months. On the initial CT scan, there were two enhancing lesion in the suprasellar area and pineal gland which were completely disappeared with steroid therapy and three new lesions appeared on the follow-up CT and MRI studies in corpus callosum, third ventricle and left cerebral peduncle. The serial cytologic smears of cerebrospinal fluid and a stereotaxic biopsy tissue from the corpus callosum mass showed diffusely homogenous infiltration of neoplastic large noncleaved lymphocytes with focal perivascular arrangement. On the immunocytochemical stains, the reaction was negative for GFAP, positive for LCA and MB2, and negative for MT1. After radiation therapy, the masses completely disappeared on the follow-up CT scan and the patient was discharged free of all the clinical symptoms.
Male ; Humans ; Biopsy