OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of electrodiagnostic studies with the severity of disc herniation, measured digitally by picture archiving and communication system (PACS) from the images of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHOD: MRI images were reviewed from thirty two patients who were diagnosed electrodiagnostically as unilateral S1 radiculopathy. Areas of herniated disc and spinal canal were measured and the ratio of disc herniation was calculated from the axial images stored and analyzed by PACS. The radiologic measurements were compared with the results of electrodiagnostic studies. RESULTS: The presence of abnormal spontaneous activities in needle EMG and no response in H reflex were associated with larger disc herniation (p<0.05). There was no other single electrodiagnostic study that showed correlation with any of radiologic measurements. With increasing number of abnormal electrodiagnostic tests, area of disc herniation grew larger (p<0.05). Area of spinal canal and the ratio of disc herniation did not show difference between normal and abnormal groups in most of electrodiagnostic studies. CONCLUSION: There were limited correlations between electrodiagnostic results and severity of disc herniation. The size of disc herniation, regardless of the size of spinal canal, was associated with abnormal results of electrodiagnostic tests.
Electromyography ; H-Reflex ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Needles ; Radiculopathy ; Spinal Canal

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare mechanical and physical properties of injection-molded thermoplastic denture base resins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, six commercially available products (VA; Valplast, LC; Lucitone, ST; Smiltone, ES; Estheshot-Bright, AC; Acrytone, WE; Weldenz) were selected from four types of thermoplastic denture base materials (Polyamide, Polyester, Acrylic resin and Polypropylene). The flexural properties and shore D hardness have been investigated and water sorption and solubility, and color stability have evaluated. RESULTS: For the flexural modulus value, ES showed the highest value and WE showed significantly lower value than all other groups (P < .05). Most of experimental groups showed weak color stability beyond the clinically acceptable range. CONCLUSION: Within the limits of this study, thermoplastic denture base resin did not show sufficient modulus to function as a denture base. In addition, all resins showed discoloration with clinical significance, and especially polyamides showed the lowest color stability.
Denture Bases ; Dentures ; Hardness ; Nylons ; Polyesters ; Solubility ; Water

OBJECTIVE: To know whether nerve conduction study (NCS) could predict later development of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in asymptomatic hands of the patients with unilateral CTS. METHOD: Thirty four patients with unilateral CTS were studied. Subjects were divided into groups with or without the delay of latency, based on the results of initial NCS of asymptomatic hands. After follow up for more than 6 months clinically and electrodiagnostically, the development of CTS in initially asymptomatic hands was compared between groups. RESULTS: At follow up, CTS was diagnosed in 83% of the subjects in the group with motor latency delay at first study, while it was diagnosed in 32% of the subjects in the group without motor latency delay. In the group with sensory latency delay at first study, CTS was diagnosed in 78% of subjects at follow up, whereas only 19% of the subjects developed CTS in the group without sensory latency delay. The incidence of CTS at follow up was significantly higher in the group with motor or sensory latency delay at first study. CONCLUSION: In unilateral CTS, latency delay in motor or sensory NCS of asymptomatic hands may suggest a greater risk of later development of CTS.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome* ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Hand* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Neural Conduction

PURPOSE: The biallelic expression of insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF2) and H19 has been reported to be associated with the progression of several tumors. Here, the promoter usage and expression levels of IGF2 and H19 are reported to be altered in cervical and endometrial cancers showing loss of imprinting (LOI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The imprinting status of IGF2 and H19 was examined in 32 cervical carcinomas, their matched normal tissues, 13 endometrial cancer and 33 normal endometrial tissues. RESULTS: The LOI of IGF2 was observed in 7 of 18 (39%) and 1 of 13 (8.3%) informative cervical carcinomas and informative endometrial cancers, respectively. The LOI of the H19 gene was detected in 5 of 14 (36%) and in all 11 (100%) informative cervical carcinoma cases and informative endometrial cancer cases, respectively. The use of promoter P1 was observed in the LOI tumors of IGF2, but not in the tumors showing maintenance of IGF2 imprinting (MOI), or in cervical and endometrial cancers. Unlike MOI tumors, some LOI tumors revealed a lack of IGF2 transcription from the promoter P3. The LOI tumors of IGF2 showed increased expression of the IGF2 level, but a down-regulation of the H19, relative to normal tissues, whereas the MOI tumors revealed no significant alterations. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the promoter P1 could be involved in the biallelic expression of IGF2, and that the altered expression of the IGF2 and H19 levels might be associated with the progression of cervical and endometrial cancers that exhibit biallelic IGF2 expression.
Down-Regulation ; Endometrial Neoplasms* ; Female ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

OBJECTIVE: To provide more useful guidelines for methotrexate (MTX) treatment in ectopic pregnancy, including patient selection, therapeutic dose, and reproductive outcome. METHODS: Retrospectively, records of 54 patients treated for ectopic pregnancy with systemic MTX were reviewed. MTX was administered 1.0 mg/kg intramuscularly, alternatively with leucovorin 0.1 mg/kg intramuscularly for up to four daily doses of each drug. Samples for beta-hCG detection were obtained on days +3, +7 after beginning of the therapy and then weekly until values were undetectable. RESULTS: 50 patients (92.6%) were treated successfully. 4 patients (7.4%) for whom MTX therapy failed, were treated surgically. The endometrial thickness significantly increased in the failed group, compared to the successful group (14.3+/-4.0 mm vs 7.0+/-2.8 mm, P=0.0001). The serum hemoglobin levels significantly changed in the failed group, compared to the successful group (2.1+/-0.9 g/dL vs 1.0+/-0.8 g/dL, P=0.044). Patients were divided into increasing group and decreasing group according to beta-hCG levels on day 0, that were higher or lower than day -2 level. The resolution time of beta-hCG between increasing group and decreasing group was significantly different (27.6+/-14.0 days vs 17.7+/-8.6 days, p=0.016). In 8 patients (15.1%), an immediate rise of beta-hCG was recorded on day 3 after MTX treatment, but on day 7, a rapid decrease was recorded. Women were treated with significantly different therapeutic dose of MTX according to initial level of serum beta-hCG (p=0.021). There were mild complications (12%). MTX treatment preserved the fallopian tube and thus preserved fertility (70%). CONCLUSION: Systemic MTX use with the dose according to initial level of serum beta-hCG is a safe and highly effective treatment in clinically stable ectopic pregnancy.
Fallopian Tubes ; Female ; Fertility ; Humans ; Leucovorin ; Methotrexate* ; Patient Selection ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic* ; Retrospective Studies

Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome is characterized by multiorgan involvement without any cause, and peripheral eosinophilia(1,500/microliter) for more than 6 months. Clinically, many organs can be involved, but the heart is the most commonly involved organ. Although lung involvement is usual(20-30%)1) in hypereosinophilic syndrome, there are few reports of eosinophilic pneumonia proven by biopsy confirmation in Korea. We experienced a case of hypereosinophilic syndrome with eosinophilic pneumonia and bronchitis confirmed by biopsy, and we report it here with a review of the literature.
Biopsy ; Bronchitis* ; Eosinophils* ; Heart ; Hypereosinophilic Syndrome* ; Korea ; Lung ; Pulmonary Eosinophilia*

A 47-year-old-man was admitted to the emergency department with dyspnea, right pleuritic pain, and high fevers for 3 days. He had a nonproductive cough that exacerbated the chest pain. A clinical examination revealed distressed and slightly tachypneic patient, with blood pressure of 110/90 mmHg, temperature of 39degrees C, pulse of 90 beats/min, respiratory rate of 24 breaths/min. A chest examination showed significantly diminished breath sounds in the right lung with dullness to percussion. Laboratory investigation demonstrated leukocytosis and a raised C-reactive protein. The results of arterial blood gas analysis revealed moderate hypoxemia. A radiograph and a CT scan of the chest showed extensive consolidation with multifocal low densities, and pleural effusion in the right lung. A diagnostic thoracentesis revealed straw-colored fluid, which was found to be a neutrophil-predominant exudate. At 7 days after admission, the clinical symptoms had not improved and the temperature was still 39degrees C despite the aggressive therapy of community- acquired pneumonia. After comprehensive history taking, we realized then that he accidentally aspirated kerosene while siphoning from fuel tank to put into the boiler 3 days ago. Bronchoscopy with bronchial washings could be successful in establishing the diagnosis of hydrocarbon pneumonitis by demonstration of a high lipid-laden macrophage index. Thereafter, the symptoms and radiographic opacities gradually improved, and he was discharged several days later.
Anoxia ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Blood Pressure ; Bronchoscopy ; C-Reactive Protein ; Chest Pain ; Cough ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Exudates and Transudates ; Fever ; Humans ; Kerosene ; Leukocytosis ; Lung ; Macrophages ; Percussion ; Pleural Effusion ; Pneumonia* ; Respiratory Rate ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

An 82-year-old female non-smoker with a history of hypertension presented with increasing dyspnea, cough and some purulent sputum without fever. Upon admission, the patient was in a distressed condition. Auscultation revealed diminished breath sounds with no rales over the right lung. An examination of the heart revealed a regular rhythm and a systolic murmur radiating from the apex of the heart. There was no pitting edema in the lower extremities. The blood tests showed mild leukocytosis and an increased C-reactive protein level. The O2 saturation was 98 % whilst breathing room air. The electrocardiogram demonstrated sinus tachycardia. The chest radiograph showed a moderate cardiomegaly, right lobe infiltrates, and blunting of the both costophrenic sulcus suggesting a small pleural effusion. Three days after admission, the symptoms became slightly aggravated despite being treated with empirical antibiotics for presumed community-acquired pneumonia. Transthoracic color Doppler echocardiography indicated an ejection fraction of 48 %, mild left ventricular enlargement, and moderate left atrial enlargement resulting in severe mitral regurgitation. The clinical symptoms and right pulmonary edema resolved quickly with intravenous furosemide treatment.
Aged, 80 and over ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Auscultation ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cardiomegaly ; Cough ; Dyspnea ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Color ; Edema ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Fever ; Furosemide ; Heart ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Leukocytosis ; Lower Extremity ; Lung ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency* ; Pleural Effusion ; Pneumonia ; Pulmonary Edema* ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Respiration ; Respiratory Sounds ; Sputum ; Systolic Murmurs ; Tachycardia, Sinus

Pharyngeal involvement of tuberculosis is rare and is seen only in massive sputum positive patients with cavitating pulmonary tuberculosis. The pharyngeal lesions are secondary to aspiration of heavily infected sputum from lung and consist of painful shallow ulcers in pharynx. Chronic sore throat and unexplained dysphagia should alert the clinician to possibility of tuberculosis, especially in the countries where tuberculosis is endemic. We report two cases of pharyngeal tuberculosis with pulmonary tuberculosis, one of which has concurrent laryngeal and intestinal tuberculosis. Histological and bacteriological examinations established the diagnosis of pharyngeal tuberculosis associated with pulmonary focus.
Deglutition Disorders ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Lung ; Pharyngitis ; Pharynx ; Sputum ; Tuberculosis* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary* ; Ulcer

Pharyngeal involvement of tuberculosis is rare and is seen only in massive sputum positive patients with cavitating pulmonary tuberculosis. The pharyngeal lesions are secondary to aspiration of heavily infected sputum from lung and consist of painful shallow ulcers in pharynx. Chronic sore throat and unexplained dysphagia should alert the clinician to possibility of tuberculosis, especially in the countries where tuberculosis is endemic. We report two cases of pharyngeal tuberculosis with pulmonary tuberculosis, one of which has concurrent laryngeal and intestinal tuberculosis. Histological and bacteriological examinations established the diagnosis of pharyngeal tuberculosis associated with pulmonary focus.
Deglutition Disorders ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Lung ; Pharyngitis ; Pharynx ; Sputum ; Tuberculosis* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary* ; Ulcer