No abstract available.
Hepacivirus* ; Hepatitis C Antibodies* ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis*

Background: There have been many reports on microbial contamination of antiseptics and disinfectant used in the hospitals. Mid to low level disinfectants such as chlorhexidine gluconate, quaternary ammonium, phenols and benzalkonium are reported to be the one with high risk of microbial contamination. We investigated microbial contamination of 0.05% chlorhexidine gluconate solution used in our hospital. Methods: 0,05% chlorhexidine gluconate solution and 0.05% chlorhexidine gluconate cotton balls used in the general ward and intensive care unit were randomly collected for microbial culture. Also, sterile water, 20% chlorhexidine gluconate and staining solution, which is mixed in the preparation room to make 0,05% chlorhexidine gluconate solutions, were collected for bacterial culture to evaluate the focus of microbial contamination. Results: Total of 31 chlorhexidine gluconate samples was randomly collected from general wards. intensive care unit and preparation room for microbial culture. Seven of thirteen 0.05% chlorhexidine gluconate solution and 5 of twelve 0.05% chlorhexidine soaked cotton balls kept in a canister were contaminated by Burkholderia cepacia. Sterile water used for dilution of 20% chlorhexidine gluconate to make 0.05% chlorhexidine and originally purchased 20% chlorhexidine gluconate were not contaminated by microorganism. But staining solution that is used as an additive to differentiate from other diluted disinfectants was contaminated by Bukholderia cepacia. 0.05% chlorhexidine gluconate solutions that were mixed in the preparation room were also contaminated by same organism. Source of contamination was thought to be staining solution. All the previously made chlorhexidine. solutions and staining solution were discarded. Staining solution was not used afterward. Several processes in the handling of chlorthexidine solution were corrected and no microbial contamination was found afterward. Conclusion: Diluted chlorthexidine gluconate solutions are always under a risk of microbial contamination if any of the process in the handling is overlooked. Staining solution as an additive to disinfectants should be used carefully.
Ammonium Compounds ; Anti-Infective Agents, Local ; Benzalkonium Compounds ; Burkholderia cepacia ; Chlorhexidine* ; Disinfectants ; Intensive Care Units ; Patients' Rooms ; Phenol ; Phenols ; Water

Measurement of the normal pituitary gland height was performed on magnetic resonance (MR) images of 144 subjects with no known or suspected pituitary or hypothalamic diseases. Midsagittal T1 weighted images (T1WI) were used for measurement, and mean vertical height according to age and sex group was obtained. In all age groups, the pituitary height was greater in females than in meles, The group of 0-9 years in both genders showed the minimum mean pituitary height, The maximum mean height was observed in the 10-19 years age group in both genders. The height gradually decreased with increasing age after age 20 years. There was no subject with a height more than 9.0 mm in females or 8.0 mm in males. In conclusion the measurement of the normal pituitary pland height using mid sagittal MR imaging can be used for the evaluation of the pituitary gland lesions.
Female ; Humans ; Hypothalamic Diseases ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Pituitary Gland* ; Sex Differentiation*

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Merkel Cell* ; Epidermal Cyst* ; Immunosuppression

No abstract available.
Ear* ; Pilomatrixoma*

No abstract available.
Cervix Uteri* ; Female

A purpose of present study is to provide basic information evaluating the utility of Magnetic Resonance imaging as a biological marker estimating manganese effects to central nervous system among welders, which is conducted by comparing urinary and blood manganese concentrations and signal intensities of brain MR images between exposed group and non-exposed group, evaluating the objectivity of subjective grading estimated by correlations between Pallidal signal intensity index (P. I) and subjective grades among exposed group, and comparing the difference of signal intensities according to presence of neurologic symptoms, signs and exposure variables among the exposed group. The exposed group is composed of 11 welders complaining severe symptoms or showing neurological signs, and the non-exposed group is composed of 5 patients who admitted a hospital. Urinary manganese concentrations and signal intensities in T1-weighted MR images among exposed group were higher than those of the non-exposed group significantly, which exhibits that increased signal intensities in T1-weighted MR image represent the effect of manganese exposure. P. Is among the exposed group revealed relatively high correlations with subjective grades ( gamma =0.63, p=0.037) , which suggests the objectivity of subjective grade. Signal intensity in globus pallidus was a suitable single variable representing the effect of manganese accumulation in C.N.S system appropriately, which was verified as follows ; Increased signal intensities among the exposed group had the highest frequency and intensity in the globus pallidus, and the P.I. had a relatively high correlation coefficient ( gamma 0.62, p=0.044) with total score of subjective grades. Signal intensity with subjective grading in globus pallidus represented very high correlation gamma =0.97, p=0.00) with total score of subjective grades, and had a similar correlation coefficient with many variables. It is hard to argue that signal intensities are markers representing pathologic change in C.N.S system or can be used as a diagnostic tool for manganese intoxication, because signal intensities had no difference between the exposed group and the non-exposed group according to presence of neurological signs.
Biological Markers ; Brain ; Central Nervous System ; Globus Pallidus ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Male* ; Manganese ; Neurologic Manifestations

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is an uncommon illness but most common form of thrombocytopema in pregnancy. Corticosteroids, splenectomy, immunosuppressive drugs, and immunoglobulin therapy have been recommended for manaaement. The optimal method of delivery is controversial. We have experienced a case of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura diagnosed previously and managed with corticosteroid and vincrstine, which was followed by pregnancy, vaginal delivery and postpiirtum splenectomy.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Immunization, Passive ; Pregnancy* ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic* ; Splenectomy

No abstract available.
Adult* ; Colloids* ; Humans ; Scalp*

To examine the usefulness of cardiac MRI in assessing patients (pt) with congenital heart diseases(CHD), informations obtained from MRI and echocardiogrphy (echo) were compared in 91 consecutive pt with CHD and was correlated with findigs at cardiac catheterization (53pt) and at surgery (71pt). Pt were studied with 1.5 Tesla MRI unit and multiplanar images of the heart and great vessels were obtained using ECG-gated multislice spin-echo technique. Age ranged from newborn to 22 years. We obtained the following results. MRI was vary useful in providing important diagnostic informations in 19pt, provided informations which was not crucial to the clinical decision in 28pt, and did not provide additional informations in 44pt. MRI was very useful in assessing complex lesions, particularly in identifying atrial situs, rudimentary ventricular chamber, criss-cross atrioventricular connection, total anomalous pulmonary venous connection, anatomy of ventricular septal defect in double outlet right ventricle, anomalous ventricular muscles, aortopulmonary collateral artery and distal pulmonary artery anatomy. En face view of the ventricular septum was very useful in clearly outlining the ventricular septal defect. MRI gave false information in 17pt. Diagnostic accuracy of MRI was poor for coarctation of the aorta in neonates and small infants, patent ductus arteriosus and pulmonary stenosis. Cardiac MRI is recommended for preoperative planning in selected pt with CHD, particularly with complex lesions.
Aortic Coarctation ; Arteries ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Double Outlet Right Ventricle ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Echocardiography* ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Heart* ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Muscles ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Valve Stenosis ; Ventricular Septum