PURPOSE: To evaluate dysphagia objectively and quantitatively, and ta clarify the effect of neck position and viscosity changes in patients with aspiration and laryngeal penetration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 35 patients with dysphagia and 21 normal controls using videofluoroscopy and scintigraphy. Videofluoroscopy was performed with barium with three different viscosity, and scintigraphy was done, with water, yogurt, and steamed egg mixed with Tc-99m tin colloid. 1f aspiration was found during videofluoroscopic examination, patients neck position was changed and study repeated. Videofluoroscopy was analyzed qualitatively. We calculated 7 quantitative parameters from scintigraphy. According to the videofluoroscopic findings, we divided patients into 3 subgroups; aspiration, laryngeal penetration, and no-aspiration group. RESULTS: The result of videofluoroscopy revealed that the most cornmon finding was the delay in triggering pharyngeal swallow. Pharyrigeal transit time (PTT) and pharyngeal swallowing efficiency(PSE) in patients with aspiration were significantly different from other groups. After neck position change, aspiration could be reduced in all of 7 patients, and laryngeal penetration reduced hy about 82%. PTT ancl PSE were also improved after position change. Aspiration and laryngeal penetration occurred more frequently in thin liquid swallowing than in thick liquid and solid swallowing. CONCLUSION: PTT and PSE were useful for the evaluation of dysphagia. Aspiration and laryngeal penetration could be reduced when appropriate position assumed, We could decrease the chance of aspiration by changing the patient diet consisIency. Scintigraphy might be useful tool to quantitate and follow up these changes.
Barium ; Colloids ; Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders* ; Diet ; Evaluation Studies as Topic* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Neck ; Ovum ; Radionuclide Imaging* ; Steam ; Tin ; Viscosity ; Water ; Yogurt

The oropharyngeal swallow of 26 patients with dysphagia was studied quantitatively and qualitatively using videofluoroscope. Videofluoroscopic examination was done with head in neutral position, and with three different c onsistency of test meals; thin liquid, thick liquid, and solid, When aspiration or laryngeal penetration was noted in neutral position, the study was repeated with different head positions, We compared them with each other and with 25 normal subject(previously presented). 11/26(42%) patients revealed laryngeal penetration or aspiration at least with one consistency of test meal. Aspiration occurred more frequently in thin liquid than thick liquid or solid, Head position change successfully eliminated aspiration in 10/10 patients(100%). Other one patient could not change his head position. 9 numerical parameters were derived and calculated for quantitative examination, Liquid meal oral discharge time, pharyngeal delay time, and pharyngeal transit time were significantly increased in patients with aspiration than in patients without aspiration. Also significantly increased than those of normal controls. Because different test meal consistency gave different values, direct comparison of values regardless of meal consistency was fruitless. And because all the process of swallowing cannot be expressed as numerical parameters qualitative examination of videofluoroscopic result was essential. In conclusion, liquid meal oral discharge time, pharyngeal delay time, and pharyngeal transit time were useful parameters in differentiating and quantifying dysphagia. Aspiration can be reduced when appropriate position assumed. Calculated values were different a according to the consistency of the test meal. Quantitative analysis was helpful, but qualitative examination of videofluoroscopy was essential.
Deglutition Disorders* ; Deglutition* ; Head ; Humans ; Meals ; Posture* ; Viscosity*

Hereditary anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia is a rare condition characterized by underdeveloped ectodermal structure including the skin, teeth or skin appendages. The patient has characteristic feature of anhidrosis, hypotrichosis and defective dentition. We experienced a case of hereditary anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia in a l-month-old male infant who had unexplained recurring fever, anhidrosis and characteristic facial feature, so we established the diagnosis with clinical feature and skin biopsy.
Biopsy ; Dentition ; Diagnosis ; Ectoderm ; Ectodermal Dysplasia* ; Fever ; Humans ; Hypohidrosis ; Hypotrichosis ; Infant ; Male ; Skin ; Tooth

Giant cell myocarditis(GCM) is a rare inflammatory heart disease which is characterized by multinucleated giant cells and a granulomatous reaction. It usually progresses rapidly and results in a fatal course. We report a patient with giant cell myocarditis who was treated by cardiac transplantation. A 35-year-old male was admitted with dyspnea which had developed 4 months before. On echocardiography, the right and left ventricles were markedly dilated and severe global hypokinesia was noted. He was diagosed with dilated cardiomyopathy with secondary severe mitral regurgitation. His cardiac function deteriorated progressively. He underwent orthotopic heart transplantation. Grossly the heart was enlarged, weighing 420gm and round with a blunt apex. Both right and left ventricles were markedly dilated. There were numerous white patches, measuring up to 4cm, throughout the epi- and myocardium. Microscopically, extensive fibrosis and multiple exuberant granulomas with numerous scattered multinucleated giant cells were seen. Lymphocytes and eosinophils were also frequent. Coronary arteries were unremarkable. Neither microorganisms nor foreign materials were found. By serial endomyocardial biopsies of the transplanted heart, only mild perivascular lymphocytic infiltration was occasionally observed without any evidence of rejection or recurrence of giant cell myocarditis. The patient's postoperative course has been uneventful so far(postoperative 21 months). The etiology of GCM remains to be clarified, although various factors are suspected. No matter what the cause, our experience suggests that this grave disease might be treated well by heart transplantation.
Male ; Humans ; Biopsy

Primary intimal sarcoma of the pulmonary artery is a rare disease and there has been no report of any case originating from the pulmonary valve. Recently we experienced a 62 year-old female patient who had a primary intimal sarcoma of the pulmonary valve with distal metastasis. She was brought to medical attention due to exertional dyspnea facial edema productive coughing and general weakness for 1 month. Chest CT and echocardi-ography suggest an acute pulmonary thromboembolism or tumor. Exploration showed a large polypoid mass arising from the pulmonary leaflets and multiple masses on distal pulmonary arteries. We replaced the pulmonary valve and reconstructed the pulmonary artery. She received radiotherapy 1 month postoperatively and now 4 months after surgery she has begun receiving chemotherapy.
Cough ; Drug Therapy ; Dyspnea ; Edema ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Pulmonary Valve* ; Radiotherapy ; Rare Diseases ; Sarcoma* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

No abstract available.
Leukemia*

We report a case of gastro-colic fistula caused by ectopic gastric mucosa developed at transverse colon. Fistula was detected by colonofiberscopy. And fistulous tract was proved by barium enema. Meckel's diverticulum scan finding was similar to that of GI bleeding; e.g. injected radioactivity was secreted into the lumen and moved along the lumen. There was no bleeding. And there was no diverticulum in the colon. Absence of diverticular pouch may explain this unusuaal GI bleeding-like scan finding rather than focal collection of radioactivity, which is typical of ectopic gastric mucosa found in the Meckel's diverticulum. Ectopic gastric mucosa was confirmed by colonfiberscopic biopsy. We suggest GI bleeding-like pictures should be included differential diagnosis of Tc-99m-O4 (ectopic gastric mucosa or Meckel's diverticulum) scan.
Barium ; Biopsy ; Colon ; Colon, Transverse ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diverticulum ; Enema ; Fistula* ; Gastric Mucosa* ; Hemorrhage ; Meckel Diverticulum ; Radioactivity ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m*

Renal oncocytoma has been recently defined histopathologically but many controversies have arised about its origin and differential diagnosis. Until the present time nearly all renal oncocytoma were considered to be benign nature, but rare cases have been reported to be metastasized. We reported a case of renal oncocytoma and synchronous contralateral renal cell carcinoma treated by radical nephrectomy on one side and enucleation on the other side.
Adenoma, Oxyphilic* ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Nephrectomy

Renal oncocytoma has been recently defined histopathologically but many controversies have arised about its origin and differential diagnosis. Until the present time nearly all renal oncocytoma were considered to be benign nature, but rare cases have been reported to be metastasized. We reported a case of renal oncocytoma and synchronous contralateral renal cell carcinoma treated by radical nephrectomy on one side and enucleation on the other side.
Adenoma, Oxyphilic* ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Nephrectomy

The hypotensive effect of tripamide(Normonal(R)) were evaluated in 31 cases of essential hypertension. Fifteen to thirty mg of tripamide per day were administered continuously for 8 weeks. The results were as follows; 1) The systolic blood pressure was significantly lowered from 175+/-15 mmHg(Mean+/-SD) before treatment to 144+/-17 mmHg after treatment(p<0.01), and the diastolic blood pressure was significantly lowered from 106+/-11 mmHg before treatment to 90+/-12 mmHg after treatment(p<0.01). 2) The systolic blood pressure was lowered 20 mmHg or more in 25 out of 31 cases(80.7%), and the diastolic blood pressure was decreased 10 mmHg or more in 25 out of 31 cases(80.7%) at the end of 8 weeks treatement. 3) There was no significantl differences in the level of SGOT, serum cholesterol, serum electrolytes(Na+, K+, Cl-), BUN, creatinine and urinc acid before and after treatment with tripamide. 4) In most cases the subjective symptoms disappeared or became easier after tripamide treatment. 5) Profound weakness was developed in 2 cases during tripamide administration.
Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Blood Pressure ; Cholesterol ; Creatinine ; Hypertension*