PURPOSE: To clarify the chracteristic sonographic features of benign soft tissue tumors and to evaluate the usefulness of sonographic imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed ultrasonographic images of 70 cases in 68 patients with histologically proved benign soft tissue tumors. RESULTS: The tumors included 33 lipomas, 11 hemangiomas. 11 lymphangiomas, 7 neurilemmomas, 4 epidermold cysts, 2 fibromas, 1 mesenchymoma, and 1 myxoma. The SOhographic appearances of the lesions were mainly solid in 53 cases(33 lipomas, 8 hemangiomas, 2 lymphangiomas, 7 neurilemmomas, 2 fibromas and 1 mesenchymoma), mainly cystic in 14 cases(1 hemangioma, 8 lymphangiomas, 4 epidermoid cysts, and 1 myxoma), and mixed in 3 cases(2 hemangiomas and 1 lymphangioma). Although an accurate histologic prediction could not be made in most cases, certain patterns appeared to be characteristic of specific tumor types. 26 cases(78%) of lipoma were seen as lentiform, iso- or hyperechoic, solid mass. Hemangioma had variable appearance and chacteristic calcifications were seen in 3 cases. Unicameral or multiseptated cystic mass with variable thickness of echogenic septa and solid portion was the characteristic finding of lymphangioma. Neurilemmoma showed Iobulated, oval to round, relatively hypoechoic mass with or without internal cystic portion. CONCLUSION: Sonographic evaluation of benign soft tissue tumros is useful in demonstrating the location, size, extent, and internal characteristics of the mass. A relatively confident diagnosis can be made when the characteristic features of the benign soft tissue tumor are present on sonographic imaging.
Diagnosis ; Epidermal Cyst ; Fibroma ; Hemangioma ; Humans ; Lipoma ; Lymphangioma ; Mesenchymoma ; Myxoma ; Neurilemmoma ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography

A reproducible noninvasive technique for measuring right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) was developed using first pass quantitative radionuclide angiocardiography. Tests were carried out in the right anterior oblique position with a computerized multicrystal scintillation camera with high count rate capabilities. RVEF was calculated on beat to beat basis from the high frequency components of the background-corrected right ventricular time-activity curve. The following results were obtained; 1) In 10 normal adults, RVEF averaged 50.9+/-8.2. In 20 patients with chronic obstructive lung diseases (COPD), RVEF was 37.9+/-6.1% and significantly lower than that of normal persons(P<0.005). 2) There was meaningful correlation between RVEF and forced expiratory volume (FEVI) in patients with COPD (r=0.51). And there was significant difference of RVEF between 13 patients with FEVI less than IL/min (6 patients with right ventricular failure, 7 patients with patients without that) and 7 patients with FEVI IL/min or more (35.7+/-6.0%, 42.1+/-3.2% respectively. P<0.005). 3) All 6 patients with clinical manifestation of right heart failure had abnormal RVEF and had FEVI less than IL/min, which was significantly lower than that of 14 patients without clinical manifestation of right heart failure (33.6+/-4.8%, 39.8+/-5.6%, respectively. P<0.005). 4) In 14 patients without clinical manifestation of right heart failure, 11 patients among whom 7 patients had FEVI less than IL/min, had abnormal RVEF.
Adult ; Angiocardiography ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Gamma Cameras ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Lung Diseases, Obstructive* ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Radionuclide Ventriculography* ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Function, Right*

Intussusception is the most common cause of acquired intestinal obstructions during infancy and early childhood. Barium reduction and pneumoreduction have been sued widely as nonsugical method of treatment in radiologic department. In the past, attempts at barium reduction of intussusception were contraindicated in the presence of frank intestinal obstruction, shock, fever, dehydration, bowel perforation, peritonitis and longstanding symptoms. At present, however, there is no agreement on the contraindications, except for shock, peritonitis and bowel perforation. Especially, there is no consensus regarding its application on patient presenting with sign of frank intestinal obstruction. The authors analyzed the effect of pneumoreduction in the intussusception with sign of frank intestinal obstruction. Pneumoreduction was attempted in 53 cases of intussusception with sign of frank intestinal obstruction. Reduction was successful in 43 cases(81%). The mean fluroscopic time was 15.1 minutes and mean maximal pressure was 121.8mmHg in successful reduction. As complications, two cases of bowel perforation were observed, but could be treated surgically without any significant problem. In conclusion, pneumoreduction is a useful substitute for barium reduction in the management of pediatric intussusception with sign of frank intestinal obstruction.
Barium ; Consensus ; Dehydration ; Fever ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction* ; Intussusception* ; Methods ; Peritonitis ; Shock

Scrub typhus (Tsutsugamushi disease)is an acute febrile systemic illness caused by Rickettsia tsutsugamushi that is transmitted to humans by the bite of larval-stage trombiculid mites (chiggers). The authors analyzed chest radiographic findings of scrub typhus in 160 patients in Ulsan area. One hundred and eight (67.5%) of160 patients showed abnormal findings which included lung lesions in 108 patients (67.5%), cardiomegaly in 37 patients (23.1%), lymphadenopathy in 25 patients (15.6%) and pleural effusion in 11 patients (6.9%). Among the lung lesions, interstitial patterns were seen in 107 patients (66.9%), mostly fine or medium reticulonodular, and air-space patterns in 14 patients(8.8%) and combined interstitial and air-space patterns in 13 patients (8.1%). Sixty-four patients(40%) had combined chest radiographic findings. The typical chest radiographic findings of scrub typhus would be helpful in evaluation of the causes of acute febrile illness that occur during late fall in the endemic area.
Cardiomegaly ; Humans ; Lung ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Orientia tsutsugamushi ; Pleural Effusion ; Radiography, Thoracic* ; Scrub Typhus* ; Thorax* ; Trombiculidae ; Ulsan*

Tuberculous bronchoesophageal fistula is a rare disease. We experienced a case of the tuberculous bronchoesophageal fistula, which was found by endoscopy and surgically confirmed. A sixty seven years old female patient complained of foreign body sensation in the throat and frequent aspiration, especially after liquid meal. Esophagoscopic ex- aminatian showed the orifice of the fistula in the midesophagus at the level of 28 cm from the incisors. Esophagogram showed bronchoesophageal fistula between midesophagus and the right intermediate bronchus. A bronchoscopy visualized fistulous tract with granulation in the right intermediate bronchus. Biopsy specimens obtained from the bronchus revealed the esophageal tissue with granulation and multinucleated giant cells. Fistulectomy with wrapping procedure was performed successfully. Surgical pathologic findings confirmed a small focal granuloma and chronic inflammations, compatible with tuberculosis. There was no evidence of malignancy at the specimens. She was treated with anti-tuberculous agents and became well.
Biopsy ; Bronchi ; Bronchoscopy ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Fistula* ; Foreign Bodies ; Giant Cells ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Incisor ; Inflammation ; Meals ; Pharynx ; Rare Diseases ; Sensation ; Tuberculosis

STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS: In an attempt to reduce screw loosening, dry lubricant coatings such as pure gold or tefron have been applied to the abutment screw. However, under repeated tightening and loosening procedures, low wear resistance and adhesion strength of coating material produced free particles on the surface of abutment screw and increased frictional resistance resulting in screw tightening problems. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare friction coefficient, adhesion strength, vickers hardness and evaluate coating surface of titanium alloy specimens coated with TiN(titanium nitride), ZrN(zirconium nitride) and WC(tungsten carbide). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Titanium alloy(Ti-6Al-4V) discs of 12mm in diameter and 1mm in thickness divided into 4 groups. TiN, ZrN and WC was coated for the specimens of 3 groups respectively, and those of 1 group were not coated. Each group was made up of 4 specimens. In this study, sputtering method was used among the PVD(Physical Vapor Deposition) techniques available for TiN, ZrN and WC coatings. Friction coefficient, adhesion strength, vickers hardness and coating surface of 4 groups were measured. RESULTS: 1. For all three coating conditions, friction coefficient was significantly decreased. Especially, ZrN coated surface showed the lowest value. TiN(0.39+/-0.02), ZrN(0.24+/-0.01), WC(0.31+/-0.03). 2. TiN coating showed the highest adhesion strength, however ZrN coating had the lowest value. TiN(25.3N+/-1.6), ZrN(14.8N+/-0.6), WC(18.4N+/-0.7). 3. Vickers hardness of all three coatings was remarkably increased as compared with that of none coated specimen. TiN coating had the highest Vickers hardness, however WC coating showed the lowest value. TiN(1865.2+/-33.8), ZrN(1814.4+/-18.6), WC(1008.5+/-35.9). 4. The ZrN or WC coated specimen showed a homogeneous and smooth surface, however the rough surface with defects was observed for TiN coating. CONCLUSIONS: When TiN, ZrN and WC coating applied to the abutment screw, frictional resistance would be reduced, as a result, the greater preload and prevention of the screw loosening could be expected.
Alloys* ; Friction ; Hardness ; Tin* ; Titanium*

Streptococcus suis causes meningitis and sepsis in pigs, but human infection has increased over the past few years in those who are exposed to pigs or raw pork. Most cases have occurred in Southeast Asia, but only two cases have been reported in South Korea, presenting with arthritis and meningitis. Here, we report a rare case of S. suis infection, a 60-year-old sailor, who visited the emergency room presenting septicemia, pneumonia with empyema and meningitis, showed full recovery; however, neurologic sequale of severe cognitive dysfunction was present after the usage of antibiotics and percutaneous drainage. S. suis was isolated from blood and pleural fluid and the strain was susceptible to penicillin and vancomycin. Increased awareness of S. suis infection and prevention are warranted.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Arthritis ; Asia, Southeastern ; Drainage ; Emergencies ; Empyema ; Humans ; Korea ; Meningitis ; Middle Aged ; Military Personnel ; Penicillins ; Pneumonia ; Republic of Korea ; Sepsis ; Sprains and Strains ; Streptococcus ; Streptococcus suis ; Swine ; Vancomycin

Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder joint is a common disorder characterized by a gradual increase of pain and limitation in range of motion of the shoulder joint. The pathophysiological process involves fibrous inflammation of the capsule leading to capsular thickening and contracture. Intra-articular corticosteroid injection is commonly performed in patients with adhesive capsulitis. However, there is no consensus as to the best injection site. Corticosteroid injection sites for the treatment include posterior capsule approach, rotator interval approach, multi-site, and subacromial injection. All injection methods lead to improvement in adhesive capsulitis cases. In this review article, we provide an overview of current corticosteroid injection methods for adhesive capsulitis.

Acinetobacter baumannii (AB) is a common pathogen found in patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia all over the world. Community-acquired AB pneumonia, however, is very rare and has seldom been reported in Asia-Pacific countries. Community-acquired AB pneumonia has a fulminant course and is associated with a higher mortality than hospital-acquired AB pneumonia. In Korea, no case of fatal community-acquired AB pneumonia has been reported to date. Here, we describe the first fatal case of fulminant community-acquired AB pneumonia in Korea.
Acinetobacter Infections/diagnosis/*microbiology/therapy ; Acinetobacter baumannii/*isolation & purification ; Community-Acquired Infections/diagnosis/*microbiology/therapy ; Disease Progression ; Fatal Outcome ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Republic of Korea ; Time Factors ; Treatment Failure

Insulinoma is a functional endocrine tumor arising from the beta cells of islets of Langerhans of pancreas. The only effective treatment of insulinoma was surgical removal of the tumor. Recently, laparoscopic surgery for islet cell tumors of the pancreas is introduced. Laparoscopic enucleation or resection of benign islet tumors results in a shorter hospital recovery and is a good alternative to open surgery We report a case of insulinoma that was treated sucessfully by laparoscopic enucleation.
Adenoma, Islet Cell ; Insulinoma* ; Islets of Langerhans ; Laparoscopy ; Pancreas