PURPOSE: To date, the high spatial frequency algorithm (HSFA) which reduces image smoothing and increases spatial resolution has been used for the evaluation of parenchymal lung diseases in thin-section high-resolution CT. In this study, we compared the ultrahigh spatial frequency algorithm (UHSFA) with the high spatial frequency algorithm in the assessment of thin section images of the lung parenchyma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Three radiologists compared the UHSFA and HSFA on identical CT images in a line-pair resolution phantom, one lung specimen, 2 patients with normal lung and 18 patients with abnormal lung parenchyma. RESULTS: Scanning of a line-pair resolution phantom demonstrated no difference in resolution between two techniques but it showed that outer lines of the line pairs with maximal resolution looked thicker on UHSFA than those on HSFA. Lung parenchymal detail with UHSFA was judged equal or superior to HSFA in 95% of images. Lung parenchymal sharpness was improved with UHSFA in all images. Although UHSFA resulted in an increase in visible noise, observers did not found that image noise interfered with image interpretation. The visual CT attenuation of normal lung parenchyma is minimally increased in images with HSFA. The overall visual preference of the images reconstructed on UHSFA was considered equal to or greater than that of those reconstructed on HSFA in 78% of images. CONCLUSION: The ultrahigh spatial frequency algorithm improved the overall visual quality of the images in pulmonary parenchymal high-resolution CT.
Humans ; Lung Diseases ; Lung* ; Noise

PURPOSE: The chemoembolization with Lipiodol and doxorubicin hydrochloride is used in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. What condition is the ideal emulsion of Lipiodol and doxorubicin for excellent anticancer effect? METHOD AND MATERIALS: Microscopic evaluation was performed on the emulsions, which were varied with different specific gravities of doxorubicin solutions, degrees in mixing of the emulsion, and amount of Lipiodol. RESULT: 1. Maximal amount of doxorubicin solution was contained in Lipiodol droplets and the release of doxorubicin from the droplets were delayed, when specific gravity of doxorubicin was equal to that of Lipiodol (SG, 1.28). 2. The optimal therapertic ratio of Lipiodol and doxorubicin was 3:2 at least, as in the emulsion less than 3:2, unmixed free forms of doxorubicin solution were increased. 3. The emulsion mixed by pumping 50--100 times had smaller Lipiodol droplets and contained larger amount of doxorubicin solution in the droplets than by pumping 20 times. CONCLUSION: We recommend the emulsion with specific gravity of doxorubicin equal to Lipiodol (SG. 1.28), the ratio of Lipiodol and doxorubicin closo to 3:2, and the mixture prepased with puming 50--100 times.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Doxorubicin ; Emulsions ; Ethiodized Oil ; Humans ; Specific Gravity

No abstract available.
Colon* ; Rectum*

No abstract available.
Bone Regeneration* ; Bone Substitutes*

No abstract available.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the high-resolution CT features of Swyer-James syndrome with special attention to the airway lesions and to determine the clinical utility of high-resolution CT compared with that of chest radiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In seven patients with Swyer-James syndrome, we retrospectively reviewed chest radiographs obtained during inspiration and expiration and high-resolution CT scans obtained in inspiration. The high-resolution CT appearance was evaluated and compared with that of chest radiography. RESULTS: On both chest radiographs and high-resolution CT, the affected lung volume was relatively diminished in four patients and normal in three patients. In all seven patients, chest readiographs showed hyperlucency of the lung which was unilateral in four and bilateral in three patients. Unilateral small hilum was seen in six patients and bronchiectasis was demonstrated in one patient on chest radiographs. The hyperlucent lung volume was not diminished on expiratory radiographs in all seven patients. In all patients, high-resolution CT demonstrated low attenuation regions of the lung either bilaterally(n=5) or unilaterally(n=2). Pulmonary vessels were markedly decreased in size and number in the lung parenchyma with low attenuation. Six patients had bronchiectasis on high-resolution CT, which were cylindrical or varicose in five and cystic in one. Bronchiolectasis was observed in three patients on high-resolution CT. CONCLUSION: The high-resolution CT findings are characteristic of Swyer-James syndrome. High-resolution CT is more sensitive than chest radiography in detecting regions of low attenuation and bronchiectasis and may be useful for the diagnosis of Swyer-James syndrome. Our results suggest that bronchiectasis is a frequently associated airway lesion of Swyer-James syndrome and bronchiolectasis may be associated in some cases.
Bronchiectasis ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung, Hyperlucent* ; Radiography ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Retrospective Studies ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: It has been a standard practice in many institutions to combine light general anesthesia with epidural block for abdominal and pelvic surgery. We attempted to prove the effectiveness of prehydration and to find an suitable epidural local anesthetic dose in terms of hemodynamic stability for upper abdominal surgery. METHODS: For preliminary studies, 11 patients scheduled for elective upper abdominal surgery had received general anesthesia immediately after epidural anesthesia. After epidural injection of 10~16 mL of 2% plain lidocaine into the T9~10 intervertebral space, the changes in blood pressure were observed. Thirty-two patients scheduled for elective upper abdominal surgery were divided into two groups. In group A (study group), after prehydration with Hartmann solution (10 mL/kg), 5~7 mL of 2% plain lidocaine was injected into T8~9 or T9~10 intervertebral space and general anesthesia was then induced. Group B (control group) received general anesthesia only. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in hemodynamics between the epidural with general anesthesia and the control group except SVR (systemic vascular resistance). SVR in group A increased in contrast to the group B in which it remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: The combined epidural and general anesthesia, using prehydration and 0.5~1 mL/segment of 2% plain lidocaine at the T8~9 or T9~10 intervertebral space was safe without significant hemodynamic changes.
Anesthesia, Epidural ; Anesthesia, General* ; Blood Pressure ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Injections, Epidural ; Lidocaine

We report a case of cutaneous sarcoidosis which occurred in a 32-year-old female who had, in addition to some cutaneous nodules, recently developed an acute spontaneous erythematous area of induration in old scars on her forehead and lower lip. Histopathologic findings revealed well-demarcated islands of epitheloid cells with a few giant, cells. In addition, slight admixture of lyrnphoid cells with present. at the margins of the epitheloid cell granulomas. Complete regression of the skin lesions was obtained with systemic steroid therapy without recurrence for some 8 months.
Adult ; Cicatrix ; Female ; Forehead ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Islands ; Lip ; Recurrence ; Sarcoidosis* ; Skin

PURPOSE: It is important for the physician and a rape counselor to understand epidemiology studies of the incidence, prevalence, spread, prevention, and control of sexual assault in a local community or a specific group of individuals. We did this study in order to find an effective treatment for the sexual assault victims and to establish a data base on them. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated sexually assaulted patients who visited the Medical Supportive Center for Women at the National Police Hospital from Oct. 11, 2001, to Oct. 10, 2002. The data were obtained from the records of the ER (emergency room) and OB & GY (obstetric & gynecologic) clinic; a total of 169 patients were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age was 20.1 years old. The age distribution of sexual assault victims was divided into four: 14 cases under 7 years of age (8.3%), 26 cases between ages 7 and 13 years (15%), 43 cases between ages 14 and 19 years (26.3%), and 86 cases over 20 years of age (52.6%). Of the patients, 157 (92.9%) were unmarried and 117 (69.2%) were examined within 1 hour after visiting the hospital. The physical injuries were 15 vaginal injuries (26.9%), 34 ruptures of the hymen (16.9%), 1 sexually transmitted disease (0.6%), 57 abnormal sensations of the genital organ (28.3%), and 55 minor injuries including abrasions, contusions, and lacerations (27.3%). The psychological injuries were 105 phobias (21.4%), 92 anxieties (18.8%), 68 angers (13.9), 51 guilts (10.4%), and the like. Eighty-eight patients (52.1%) were acquainted with the assailant. CONCLUSION: Optimal management of sexual assault victims should involve continuous epidemiologic analysis and the estalishment of an assault-victim data base.
Age Distribution ; Anger ; Anxiety ; Contusions ; Counseling ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Genitalia ; Guilt ; Humans ; Hymen ; Incidence ; Lacerations ; Phobic Disorders ; Police ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Rape ; Rupture ; Sensation ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases ; Single Person

No abstract available.
Hemoptysis*