PURPOSE: To evaluate the MR imaging findings of ankylosing spondylitis involving the thoracolumbar spine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed MR imaging findings in ten patients with ankylosing spondylitisinvolving the thoracolumbar spine. All were male and ranged in age from 24 to 47 (mean, 33)years. MR images wereobtained using a 1.5T imager, and signal intensity changes of vertebral bodies were evaluated on sagittal T1- andT2-weighted images. Plain radiographic findings were also evaluated. RESULTS: On T1-weighted images, five casesshowed focal high-, two cases low-, two cases high- and low-, and one case iso-signal intensities at the cornersand/or along the anterior borders of the vertebral bodies. On T2-weighted images, seven cases showed focal high-and three, iso-signal intensities in those areas of the vertebral bodies. In one case which showed focal highsignal intensity on T1-weighted images and iso-signal intensity on T2-weighted images, multiple Schmorl's nodeswere seen in thoracolumbar spines. In all cases, signal intensity changes were more prominent in anterior portionsof the vertebral bodies. The shapes of abnormal signal intensities were vertical wedge, vertical band, and rounddot. Plain radiographs showed bamboo spine in three cases, squaring and focal sclerosis of vertebral bodies intwo, focal syndesmophyte in one, Schmorl's node in one, and no abnormal findings in three. CONCLUSION: Characteristic MR imaging findings of ankylosing spondylitis involving the thoracolumbar vertebral bodies werefocal signal intensity changes at the corners and along the anterior borders of the vertebral bodies.
Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Sclerosis ; Spine* ; Spondylitis ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing*

OBJECTIVE: In a rabbit model using hysteroscopy-guided inoculation of E.coli with antibiotic administration, we determine the effects of persistent intrauterine infection on perinatal outcome including fetal death, congenital sepsis, and abnormal fetal-placental growth and amniotic fluid volume in live fetuses. METHODS: Rabbits with timed pregnancies underwent hysteroscopy at 20 to 21 days of gestation(70%). Animals were inoculated with E. coli (0.2 ml containing 10 cfu/ml) and administered ampicillin-sulbactam(100 mg/kg/day; Unasyn; Pfizer) every 8 hours beginning 30 minutes after microbial inoculation until they were killed 5 days after hysteroscopy. In the first study, the following outcome parameters were evaluated between fetuses with and without pe#rsistent intrauterine infection: fetal survival, congenital sepsis, maternal morbidity, and placental pathology. In second study was performed in 16 rabbits having only both live fetuses with and without persistent intrauterine infection in a rabbit simultaneously. We evaluate the effects of persistent intrauterine infection on fetal-placental weight and amniotic fluid volume in live fetuses. RESULTS: 1) Fetuses with persistent intrauterine infection had significantly fewer live fetuses, more positive cord blood cultures than those without (live fetuses: 44% vs 82%, p<0.000001; positive cord blood cultures: 44% vs 3%, p<0.000001, respectively; Fishers exact test). However the rates of maternal morbidity and placental inflammatory lesions were similar between the two groups. 2) The placental weight and amniotic fluid volume were significantly less in live fetuses with than in those without persistent intrauterine infection. Moreover the fetal weight was decreased in live fetuses with persistent intrauterine infection, but it was not statistically significant(placental weight: p<0.05; amniotic fluid volume: p<0.05; fetal weight: p 0.051, respectively; Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed ranks test). CONCLUSION: Fetal complications including fetal death, congenital sepsis, and decreased fetal-placental weight and amniotic fluid volume wae produced in utero when pasistent intrauterine infection was present with antibiotics administration after inoculstion of E. coli. Therefore, when treating with antibiotics in intrauterine infection, it is needed to observe and monitar the presence of persistent intrauterine infection, and if it is peristent, delivery may be considered for the improvement of pregnancy outcome.
Amniotic Fluid ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; Fetal Death ; Fetal Weight ; Fetus ; Hysteroscopy ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Pathology ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Rabbits ; Sepsis

Intraosseous lipoma is one of the rarest primary benign tumors of bone and it is characterised by a neoplastic overgrowth of univacuolar fat cells. The incidence is less than one per 1,000 bone tumors. Most commonly, long bones are affected, with a tendency for metaphyseal involvement. Because of its rarity and nonspecific clinicopathologic findings, biopsy is needed for accurate diagnosis. Currettage and bone-grafting is the treatment of choice if the lesion is painful or if structural stability is threatened. We report 3 cases of intraosseous lipoma in long tubular bones with review of literatures. Two cases were treated by surgical intervention and the other case by conservative management.
Adipocytes ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Incidence ; Lipoma*

No abstract available.
Pulmonary Artery*

No abstract available.
Child* ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary* ; Humans

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate whether verbal and spatial working memory functions were impaired not only in patients with schizophrenia but also in people at ultra-high risk for first-episode psychosis. METHODS: Twenty-five patients (M 13, F 12) with schizophrenia (SPR), 21 people at ultra-high risk for psychosis (UHR)(M 10, F 11) and 19 normal controls (NC)(M 10, F 9) were recruited. The working memory was assessed by using the verbal and spatial n-back test. The working memory load increased incrementally from the 0-back to the 3-back condition. RESULTS: SPR performed significantly lower than NC and UHR in terms of hit rates of verbal and spatial n-back test. UHR subjects conducted significantly lower than NC and higher in trend-level than SPR in terms of hit rates of verbal and spatial n-back test. These differences were derived from the high working memory load (2-back and 3-back), not from the low working memory load (0-back and 1-back). There was no significant difference between the verbal and spatial n-back test across the three groups. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that verbal and spatial working memory dysfunction may be general rather than differential in terms of stimuli modality, and this working memory deficit may be an important trait factor in schizophrenia.
Humans ; Memory, Short-Term ; Psychotic Disorders ; Schizophrenia

We report a 43-yr-old man manifesting bacterial meningoencephalitis and multiple abscesses by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Serial magnetic resonance (MR) imagings and MR spectroscopy showed the evolution of multiple brain abscesses over 4 weeks: the enhanced rings became thicker and the dimension of whole lesions larger despite shrinkage of the ring-enhanced regions. These findings may be evidence of active inflammation working to sequestrate the lesion and protect the surrounding normal brain parenchyma from additional damage, even in the final stage of the brain abscess.
Brain Abscess/*diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Meningoencephalitis/*diagnosis ; Middle Aged ; Pneumococcal Infections/*diagnosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of Ki-67 and p53 expressions in patients with pancreatic head cancer. METHODS: Between May 2008 and April 2013, immunohistochemical staining for Ki-67 and p53 was performed in 34 patients with pancreatic head cancer (ductal adenocarcinoma). All 34 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy at Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Korea. Clinical and histopathological characteristics were analyzed, relative to p53 expression. RESULTS: Thirty (88.2%) and twenty-one (61.7%) of the 34 pancreatic head cancers exhibited positive expression of Ki-67 and p53, respectively. Patients expressing Ki-67 and p53 experienced more frequent tumor recurrences within 1 year after surgical resection (P = 0.003 and P = 0.030, respectively). However, no correlation was detected between Ki-67 and p53 expression. Ki-67 expression was correlated with pathological grade, lymph node metasatsis, and clinical stage (P < 0.05). Importantly, Ki-67 was the independent predictive factor for postoperative recurrence within 1 year in both univariable and multivariable analyses (odds ratio, 27.219; 95% confidence interval, 1.403-528.135; P = 0.029). CONCLUSION: The expression of Ki-67 and p53 are significantly related to early postoperative recurrence within 1 year after surgical resection in pancreatic head cancer. Especially, Ki-67 was the independent predictive factor for postoperative recurrence within 1 year. Therefore, immunohistochemical staining for Ki-67 and p53 may be applied as a predictive marker for early postoperative recurrence in pancreatic head cancer.
Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal ; Head ; Head and Neck Neoplasms* ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Jeollanam-do ; Ki-67 Antigen ; Korea ; Lymph Nodes ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Recurrence* ; Risk Factors ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53

Pancreatic pseudocyst is a common complication of acute pancreatitis. Pseudocysts are commonly observed in the lesser sac and retroperitoneum; they are rarely seen in the liver. Herein, we report a case of intrahepatic pseudocyst, complicated by asymptomatic groove pancreatitis, that has successfully been treated with hepatic resection. A 70-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with severe upper abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography scan showed 11×10 cm sized cystic lesion in the left lateral section of the liver. Appearance of the pancreas was relatively normal. Endoscopic aspiration revealed a high level of amylase in the cystic fluid. After endoscopy, signs of peritonitis were observed; then, a left hemihepatectomy was performed. Pathologic examination revealed an intrahepatic pancreatic pseudocyst. The presence of intrahepatic cystic lesion in patients with suspected pancreatitis should raise the suspicion of intrahepatic pseudocyst. Intrahepatic pancreatic pseudocysts may be the only clinical manifestation even without an episode of acute pancreatitis.
Abdominal Pain ; Aged ; Amylases ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Pseudocyst* ; Pancreatitis* ; Peritoneal Cavity ; Peritonitis

The coronary vasospasm has usually been readily reversible by sublingual, intravenous or intracoronary nitroglycerin. Relief of spasm, either spontaneous or following nitrate therapy, results in reperfusion. Occurence of ventricular tachyarrhythmia during release of coronary spasm is attractive as a possible cause of sudden death because of significant proportion of sudden death victims do not have acute myocardial infarction. Recently, we experienced a 36 year old man who developed spontaneous coronary vasospasm, and the patients suffered from repetitive reperfusion ventricular tachyarrhythmia, and died suddenly in spite of administration of isosorbide dinitrate, lidocaine and several trials of cardioversion and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and we report.
Adult ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Coronary Vasospasm ; Death, Sudden* ; Electric Countershock ; Humans ; Isosorbide Dinitrate ; Lidocaine ; Myocardial Infarction ; Nitroglycerin ; Reperfusion* ; Spasm ; Tachycardia*