The fabella, which means little bean is a sesamoid bone located in the lteral head of the gastrocnemius muscle. It has been estimated from radiographic studies, that fabella presents in 11.5%-12.9% of adult knees, and bilaterally in more than 50% of the adult population. The salient features of the fabellar syndrome includes intermittent pain in the posterolateral region, accentuated by knee extension and localized tendemess caused by compression against the femoral condyle. We experienced a case of fabella impingement syndrome which includes symptom of intermittent pain in the posterolateral region, intermittent locking and limitation of knee motion, gd report with review of literatures where it has not ever been introduced.
Adult ; Head ; Humans ; Knee ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Sesamoid Bones

This study was performed to investigate the factors related to tooth wear. For this study, 78 patients with temporomandibular disorders and 76 dental students without any signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders were selected as the patients group and as the normal group, respectively. Preferred chewing side, Angle's classification, lateral guidance pattern, head and shoulder posture wee observed clinically. Electromyographic activity of anterior temporalis and masseter muscle were recorded with BioEMG and occlusal status were recorded with T-Scan . Wear facet area of each tooth was measured from working model of upper arch corresponding to the occlusal status from T-Scan, Wear facet area were measured with planimeter in mm2. Total area were divided into incisal, canine, posterior tooth area. Anterior wearfacet area was incisor area plus canine area, and unilateral area was anterior area plus posterior area. The data collected were analyzed by SAS statistical program and the results of this study were as follows: 1. There was no significant difference between the two groups in total werafacet area, and male subjects showed tendency to have larger area in the normal group but female subjects showed tendency vice versa. 2. There was no significant difference related to preferred chewing side and Angle's classification, however, some difference was observed by lateral guidance pattern. Anterior wear facet area in subjects of canine guidance was the largest in the three subgroups. 3. Subjects with head tilting to right side had larger posterior and total area, and subjects with higher shoulder in right side had larger canine and anterior area than any other subgrous. 4. Electromyographic activity of masseter muscle was more correlated with wear facet area than anterior temporalis muscle, and tooth contact number and force were significantly correlated with wear facet area, but the most important factor affecting tooth attrition was age.
Dental Occlusion ; Female ; Head ; Humans ; Incisor ; Male ; Malocclusion ; Masseter Muscle ; Mastication ; Posture ; Shoulder ; Students, Dental ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; Tooth Attrition ; Tooth Wear* ; Tooth*

The suprapatellar plica is a remnant of the embryonic septum separating the suprapatellar pouch from the knee joint. Complete type of suprapatellar plica is rarely reported and its clinlical significance is controversial. The purpose of this study is to verify the complete type of suprapatellar plica as an important cause of anterior knee pain and to evaluate the clinical results after arthroscopic excisien of it. From September 1991 to April 1997, we studied prospectively 54 patients, 90 knees which were diagnosed as cornplete type of suprapatellar plica preoperatively. The mean age was 32 years (15-57 years) and sex distribution was 14 males and 40 females. For the preoperative diagnosis, we checked clinical symptom, past history, physical finding and plain X-ray routinely and performed bone scan, double contrast arthrogram and MRI, if necessary. All patients complained vague anterior knee pain at standing, sitting, stair climbing and exercise for long times. All 90 knees were examined arthroscopically. Among them, 80 knees had complete type of suprapatellar plica and remaining 10 knees had other findings. After all, positive predictive value of preoperative diagnosis for complete type of suprapatellar plica was 89%. Among 36 patients diagnosed as bilateral preoperatively, 33 patients(92%) were confirmed as bilateral in arthroscopic examination. After arthroscopic excision of plica, clinical results were total relief of pain in 19 knees(24%), improvement in 55 knees(69%), no change in 6 knees(7%) and none of worsening. In conclusion, complete type of suprapatellar plica should be considered as an important cause of anterior knee pain especially which is vague, intermittent and bilateral.
Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Knee ; Knee Joint ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Sex Distribution

Ligament injuries of the knee joint are very common among competitive athletes. Acrurate assessment ot the nature of these injuries is a prerequisite for appropriate therapy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the significance of MRI findings in assesing the status of ACL tear and associated injuries. 31 cases of ACL injuries were examined and reconstructed arthroscopically from Jan. 1997 to Sep. 1997 at Kyung Hee University Hospital. 1n all cases, we reviewed preoperative physical and MRI findings and performed postoperative radiologic assessments. Results were as follows; 1. Lachman test and Pivot shift test were positive in all 31 cases but anterior drawer test was positive in 29 case,s. 2. In MRI findings, 24 cases were interpretated as complete ACL tear and / cases as inccomplete ACL tear. But these 7 cases were confirmed as complete tear in mthroscopic exanunation with careful probing of ACL fiher. 3. MRI showed associated meniscal injuries in 19 cases(61%)-14 cases(74%) at medial meniscus, 5 cases(26%) at lateral meniscus. All cases were confirmed arthroscopically. In conc1usion, physical findings are more reliable than MRI findings in diagnosing the complete ACL tear and deciding the ACL reconstruction. But MRI findings are very helpful to assess the associated injuries and plan the treatments.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; Athletes ; Equidae ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; Knee Joint ; Ligaments ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Menisci, Tibial

Generally, exposure and the operative technique are common difficulty encountered in the total knee arthroplasty of ankylosed knee due to old infection sequelae. Also the postoperative range of motion and relief of pain is poor due to deformity and excessive soft tissue contracture around knee. There have heen few reports, however, that address the reconstructive challenge of total knee arthroplasty in a previously infected ankylosed knee. We perfoined TKA in thirty six patients who had ankylosed knee between July l986 and Dec. 199S. After follow up of average five years and one month, we analysed the results. The definition of ankylosis was a knee ROM less than 90 degree. Average age of patients were 36.7 years old. Twelve patients were meii and twenty four patients were women. Sixteen patients of partial ankylosis and twenty patients of complete ankylosis were performed operation. There were nineteen cases of healed tubercuiosis knees and seventeen cases of healed pyogenic knees. For the release of soft tissue contracture in 9 cases, we lengthened quadrceps tendon with the method of modified V-Y advancement technique. Patella tendon was proximally reattached with staples and suture in 6 cases and tibial tubercle was proximally transferred in 3 cases. As results, the postoperative average range of motion was 79.3 (30 - l21') in complete ankylosis, 107 (60 - 135 ) in partial ankylosis. The average Hospital for Speciai Surgery knee rating score improved from 56.3 points preoperatively to 84.8 points postoperatively. Radiolucent line was observed in two Knees with less than 2mm width in three years and four months, and four years postoperatively, hut the patient had no pain. In five patients who had poor gain of range of motion after operation, we perfonned arthroscopic adhesiolysis. In conclusion, regarding patient selection, reasonable hony development, relative]y healthy extensor mechanism and adequate soft tissue condition are important for success of TKA in old intection sequelae. TKA of ankylosed knee in old infection sequelae is a successful procedui which can ohtain the restoration of function of the ankylosed knee.
Ankylosis ; Arthroplasty* ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Contracture ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee* ; Patellar Ligament ; Patient Selection ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Sutures ; Tendons

We would like to correct the affiliation for the first author.

PURPOSE: To analyse the survival rate and influencing factors and evaluate functional results in total knee arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The survival of total knee replacement between 1982 and 1997 with a follow-up period of up to 16 years was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. We analyzed clinically and radiologically 852 patients (1294 knees) who were followed up for more than one year (average 10 years, 3 months) . The average age at operation was 59.6 years. The patients had osteoarthritis in 913 knees (70.5%) and rheumatoid arthritis in 287 knees (22.2%) . Also, the knee function was evaluated according to the Functional Knee Scores of Hospital for Special Surgery. RESULTS: The HSS knee score was improved from an average of 57.7 points preoperatively to an average of 90.2 points postoperatively. The results were satisfactory in 1189 knees (91.8%) . Revision surgery was performed in 53 knees of the 1294 knees (4.1%) . The survival rate with reliability, 13 years after operation, was 88.2%. CONCLUSION: Factors influencing the survival rate were the diagnosis of disease, kind of implant and postoperative tibiofemoral angle. Total knee replacement is an effective and satisfying procedure which can relieve pain, correct deformity, restore function, improve quality of life and achieve long-term survival.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Arthroplasty ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee* ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee ; Osteoarthritis ; Quality of Life ; Survival Rate

Anthracosis is a very common disease of the bronchus, while anthracosis of the gastrointestinal tract is extremely rare. Only a few cases of anthracosis of the esophagus have been reported and no cases of anthracosis of the terminal ileum are known, except one patient in Korea who was described as having melanosis ilei. A black pigmented lesion was detected in the terminal ileum on colonoscopic examination of a 51-year-old woman. Histological examination revealed a pigmented lesion beneath the mucosal epithelial layer and lymphoid follicular hyperplasia. The lesion consisted of an aggregation of histiocytes containing abundant tiny black pigments. She has taken oral charcoal for 7 years. We diagnosed anthracosis of the terminal ileum caused by oral charcoal and report a case of charcoal-induced anthracosis of the terminal ileum.
Anthracosis ; Bronchi ; Charcoal ; Esophagus ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Histiocytes ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Ileum ; Korea ; Melanosis ; Middle Aged

Male breast cancer is very rare, with the incidence of 0.15-1% of all breast cancers and less than 1% of all cancers in men. The prognosis of male breast cancer is poorer than that of female because the median age of detection of the disease is in more late stage. It usually involves higher axillary lymph nodes. We report two cases of male breast cancer to describe characteristic mammographic and ultrasonographic findings and to compare with the findings of gynecomastia.
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms, Male* ; Female ; Gynecomastia ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Male* ; Prognosis

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a systemic disorder which has frequent involvement of gastrointestinal tract. Non specific symptoms such as anorexia, nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain are well known symptoms when the gastrointestinal tract is involved. The most feared gastrointestinal complication of systemic lupus erythematosus is lupus enteritis. The pathological change in lupus enteritis is usually a result of mesenteric vasculitis. Major complications such as intestinal bleeding and perforation may occur and sometimes result in sugery. Because of high mortality rate in case of major complications, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment is very important. We experienced three patients with lupus enteritis who presented with severe abdominal pain and dirrhea. They were diagnosed by characteristic radiographical findings of small bowel series and barium study. All radiographical findings has been resolved completely with the steroid therapy. Conclusively we can induce complete remission by steroid therapy alone, if we diagnose lupus enteritis in the early period of disease course.
Abdominal Pain ; Anorexia ; Barium ; Diarrhea ; Early Diagnosis ; Enteritis* ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Mortality ; Nausea ; Vasculitis