The authors experienced a case of gastroduodenojejunal trichobezoar detected by ultrasongraphic examination. We thought that tricholbezoar had relatively specific ultrasonographic findings such as a broad hyperechogenic superficial bandlike rim with a complete posteior sonic shadowing and multiple linear echogenic strands on its surface representing hairs, which were better seen after water ingestion. So we were able to get the correct diagnosis of trichobezoar prior to conventional barium studies in a patient who could not be suspected suspected clinically.
Barium ; Bezoars* ; Diagnosis ; Eating ; Hair ; Humans ; Shadowing (Histology) ; Ultrasonography* ; Water

No abstract available.
Gangwon-do* ; Hepacivirus* ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis* ; Liver Diseases* ; Liver* ; Prevalence*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the characteristic CT findings of neuroblastoma, we studied neurobalstomas. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We analysed CT findings of available 25 cases among pathologically proved 51 neurobalstomas from Jan. 1983 to Sept. 1990. RESULTS: The most frequent site of origin is adrenl gland (40%) and the second is retroperitoneum (32%) and the third ismediastinum (16%). Characteristic CT findings are as follows:Calcifications within the tumor is detected in 86% of abdominal neuroblastomas and 50% of mediastinal origin. Hemorrhagic and necrotic changes within the tumor is noted at 86% in the tumor of abdominal origin and 25% in mediastinal neuroblastomas. Contrast enhanced study showed frequently septated enhanced appearance with/without solid contrast enhancement. Encasements of major great vessels such as aorta and IVC with/without displacement by metastatic lymphnodes or tumor are frequently seen in 90% of abdominal neuroblastomas. Multiple lymphadenopathy are detected in 95% of abdominal neurobalstomas and 25% of mediastinal neuroblastomas. The most common organ of contiguous direct invasion is kidney in 6 cases and the next one is liver but intraspinal canal invasion is also noted in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: We concluded that diagnosis of neuroblastoma would be easily obtained in masses of pediatric group from recognition of above characteristic findings.
Aorta ; Diagnosis ; Kidney ; Liver ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Neuroblastoma*

When the tumor is advanced with distant metastasis or unresectable initially, preoperative chemotherapy could be applied in the treatment of Wilms' tumor We experienced 6 cases of favorable type of Wilms' tumor, 1 case of clear cell sarcoma and 1 case of renal cell carcinoma. They were treated with preoperative chemotherapy and underwent CT Scans before and after the therapy. Pathologic changes after chemotherapy in Wilms' tumor were known from previous reports as subtotal hemorrhagic necrosis, cystic change, clusters of foamy histiocytes, granulation tissue formation, primitive nephrogenic tissues and peripherally remained focal areas of blastemal infiltration. Changes of CT findings after chemotherapy were internal necrosis(6/6), decrease in size(5/6), decrease and absence of regional lymph node enlargement(4/6) and improved or disappeared metastatic lesions(3/3). Although our study had some limitations such as small numbers of cases and all cases were favorable types, we thought that there were good correlations between change of CT findings and subtotal hemorrhagic necrosis after preoperative chemotherapy in Wilms' tumor.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Drug Therapy* ; Granulation Tissue ; Histiocytes ; Lymph Nodes ; Necrosis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Sarcoma, Clear Cell ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Wilms Tumor

No abstract available.
Candida albicans* ; Candida*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the clinical utility of multiplanar reformation images of helical CT in the evaluation of pancreatic diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Helical CT scans of the pancreas were obtained in 30 patients with pancreatic diseases. Helical CT was performed with 5mm collimation at 5mm/sec table speed during rapid injection of intravenous contrast agent using power injector. After scanning, helical volume data were reconstructed at 2mm interval and then multiplanar reformation of the pancreas and adjacent structures was done. In both prospective reconstructed axial images and multiplanar reformation images, detection of pancreatic lesion, extent of lesion, and vascular and bile ductal changes were analyzed with a grading system of 1,2, 3. RESULTS: The mean grade of detection of pancreatic lesions was 2.37 in the prospective axial image and 2.83 in multiplanar reformation image, extent of diseases was 2.40 in prospective axial image and 2.97 in multiplanar reformation image, and vascular and bile ductal changes was 2.00 in the prospective axial image and 2.97 in multiplanar reformation image. All the differences were statistically significant (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Multiplanar reformation images of helical CT are useful in the evaluation of pancreatic diseases and especially in the demonstratibn of complex anatomic relationships between the pancreas and surrounding structures.
Bile Ducts ; Humans ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Diseases* ; Prospective Studies ; Tomography, Spiral Computed*

BACKGROUND: Aside from its well known peripheral antihypertensive effects, calcium also lowers blood pressure, when administered into the cerebral ventricle. The present study was aimed to determine whether the central depressor response to calcium is mediated by a stimulation of endogenous L-arginine-nitric oxide (NO) pathway. METHODA: Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were continuously recorded from the femoral artery in anesthetized rats. Administration of calcium was performed into the right lateral cerebral ventricle. The effects of N G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on the cardiovascular response to calcium were examined. RESULTS: Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of calcium consistently produced a decrease in MAP and HR. The depressor and bradycardiac responses to calcium showed a dose-dependent fashion. Pretreatment with a calcium channel blocker, diltiazem (1 micromol, ICV), attenuated cardiovascular responses to calcium. ICV infusion (1 microl/min) of L-NAME (200 microgram/kg and 20 microgram/kg/min for 60 min) increased MAP without significant changes in HR. Chronic ingestion of L-NAME (5 mg/100 ml in drinking water, 4 weeks) also increased the systolic blood pressure as compared with control. The depressor effect of ICV calcium was significantly diminished in acute or chronic L-NAME treated rats. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the central depressor response to calcium, at least in part, is NO-dependent.
Animals ; Arterial Pressure ; Blood Pressure ; Calcium Channels ; Calcium* ; Cerebral Ventricles ; Diltiazem ; Drinking Water ; Eating ; Femoral Artery ; Heart Rate ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; Nitric Oxide* ; Rats

PURPOSE: To evaluate the functional and cosmetic results of trichiasis treatment between the argon laser epilation(Group A) and tarsotomy(Group B). METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with diffuse lower lid trichiasis, whose post-treatment follow-up periods were longer than 3 months, were reviewed retrospectively. Functionally, 14 of 16 patients(89.6%) in group A were satisfied, whereas 9 of 11 patients(84.0%) were in group B. And cosmetically, 10 of 16 patients(62.9%) in group A were satisfied, whereas 8 of 11 patients(79.0%) were in group B. The functional results were similar between the two groups(p>0.05), but the cosmetic results were better in group B than in group A(p<0.05) CONCLUSIONS: The inferior tarsotomy appears to be an effective surgical procedure in patients with diffuse lower lid trichiasis.
Argon ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Trichiasis*

PURPOSE: Wernicke's syndrome, which is characterized by nystagmus, abducent and conjugate gaze palsies, ataxia, mental confusion, and amnesia, is caused by a deficiency in levels of thiamine and is observed mainly in persons who abuse alcohol. Recognized predisposing conditions other than alcoholism include chronic dietary deprivation(imbalanced diet, prolonged intravenous feeding.) and impaired absorption or intake of dietary nutrients. METHODS: We have experienced a 31-year-old female presented 15 weeks into pregnancy who complained of icteric skin color, diplopia, and gait disturbance after prolonged vomiting for 2 months. Neurologic examination demonstrated obtunded sensations, nystagmus and ataxia of gait. EEG showed a mild degree of slowly diffuse activity. The neurological signs pointed to a diagnosis of Wernicke's encephalopathy. RESULTS: We report a case of Wernicke's syndrome induced by hyperemesis gravidarum with the review of literature.
Absorption ; Adult ; Alcoholism ; Amnesia ; Ataxia ; Diagnosis ; Diet ; Diplopia ; Electroencephalography ; Female ; Gait ; Gait Ataxia ; Humans ; Hyperemesis Gravidarum* ; Neurologic Examination ; Paralysis ; Pregnancy ; Sensation ; Skin ; Thiamine ; Thiamine Deficiency ; Vomiting ; Wernicke Encephalopathy*

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the correlation of anemia and conjunctival vasculature on slit lamp biomicroscopy. METHODS: Through random sampling, 118 subjects who were either inpatients or outpatients in the hematology department were selected for examination. Palpebral conjunctival hue (PCH) and bulbar conjunctival blood column (BCBC) were observed by a single physician to whom the diagnosis and hemoglobin level of the patient were strictly masked. Three different threshold levels were defined for anemia : <10 mg/dl, <11 mg/dl, and <12 mg/dl. RESULTS: Mean hemoglobin concentration was 10.39+/-2.9 mg/dl. Sensitivity of the BCBC and PCH for anemia was 86% and 41%, respectively. Specificity of BCBC improved with increasing hemoglobin threshold level for anemia. BCBC was significantly associated only with anemia of hemoglobin <12 mg/dl (p<0.02). PCH was significantly associated only with anemia of <11 mg/dl (p<0.05). BCBC showed a significant association with anemia: sensitivity was higher and specificity was slightly less than PCH. CONCLUSIONS: It was not easy to detect moderate anemia solely on slit lamp biomicroscopic findings unless hemoglobin concentration was given. In conclusion, BCBC was useful in detecting moderate anemia than PCH.
Anemia* ; Diagnosis ; Hematology ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Masks ; Outpatients ; Sensitivity and Specificity