In this report we describe twenty-two cases of intracranial tumors studied with an MR imager operating at a field strength of 0.064 T for evaluation of the clinical utility of low tesla MRI. The comfirmed diagnoses were meningioma(9 cases), astrocytoma(4 cases), glioblastoma multiforme(1 case), craniopharyngioma(2 cases), intracranial metastasis(1 case). pituitary microadenoma (1 case), hemangioblastoma (1 case), and trigerminal neurilemmoma(1 case). Meningiomas appeared as well-marginated, homogenous signal intensity masses(67%) in most cases. Most meningiomas showed iso-signal intensity(78%) on T1-weighted images, and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. After Gd-DTPA enhancement, diffuse homogeneous contrast enhancement(75%) was well see. The multiple hemorrhagic foci within the glioblastoma multiforme were identified, which shoed high signal intensity on T1-weighted images and low signal intensity on T2-weighted images(intracellular methemoglobin), or high signal intensity on both T1 and T2-weighted images(extracellular methemoglobin). One case of cerebellar hemangioblastoma was a well-defined cystic mass with contrast enhanced mural nodule but no identification of characteristic signal void vessels. The remianing tumors showed low signal intensity on T1-weighted images, and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Gd-DTPA enhancement was helpful in separating the lesion from the surrounding edema or normal tissue, but had limited diagnostic value in characterizing the nature of the mass. The advantages of low tesla MRI are as follows on requirement of cooling water or electricity, open design, shorter T1 relaxation time compared with high tesla unit that increases the difference of T1-relaxation time between tissues, ease of installation, and cost effectiveness. In conclusion, the low tesla MRI is useful for the detection and evaluation of the brain tumors.
Brain Neoplasms ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Diagnosis ; Edema ; Electricity ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Glioblastoma ; Hemangioblastoma ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Meningioma ; Relaxation ; Water

The nuclear accumulation of p53 protein is known to correspond with mutation of p53 tumor supressor gene. To investigate the relationsbip between clinico-pathologic features and expression of p53 mutations, 65 cases of primary cervical carcinoma were analysed by an immunohistochemieal method using monoclonal antibody of p53. Immunostaining demonstrated varioua nuclear stinings of cancer cells in 48.4% of squamous cell carcinoma(51.9% in large cell carcinoma and 25.0% in small cell carcinomas) and 23.5% of adenocarcinoma(p<0.05) No differences in clinical stage and p53 positivity were found. There was no significant correlation between p53 positive cases and status of recurrence. This data suggests that p53 protein is not correlated with the disease progression and prognosis.
Carcinoma, Large Cell ; Cervix Uteri* ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Genes, p53* ; Prognosis ; Recurrence

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects and usefulness of fiuroscopy guided celiac ganglion block after marking of needle path with CT scan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Celiac ganglion block with 100% ethyl alcohol was performed in 50 cancer patients who were inoperable and had intractable abdominal pain. Duration and degree of pain relief after the procedure and its complication were analyzed. RESULTS: Early pain relief was observed in 98% and long term relief in 68% without serious complication. CONCLUSION: Fluoroscopy guided celiac ganglion block after marking of needle path with CT scan was a safe and valuable procedure in relieving intractable pain in terminal cancer patients and reduced the time in the CT room.
Abdominal Pain ; Ethanol ; Fluoroscopy* ; Ganglia, Sympathetic* ; Humans ; Needles ; Pain, Intractable ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Clinical study was done on 119 patients with atrial fibrillation in the aspect of underlying diseases, particulary. The results were as follow : 1) In the underlying diseases of atrial finbrillation, rheumatic heart disease, hepertension and ischemic heart disease were common, which occupied 27.8%, 22.7% and and 15.1%, respectly. No apparent underlying disease was found in 21.0%, but in the transient atrial fibrillation, no apparent underlying disease in 42.9%. 2) There were no significant correlations between the ventricular rate, amplitude of f wave and underlying diseases of atrial fibrillation. 3) Complications were found in 29.4% of all cases, such as congestive heart failure(22.7%), embolism(6.7%). Otherwise, atrial fibrillation without underying cardiovascular diseases, congestive heart failure was found only(7.7%).
Atrial Fibrillation* ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Rheumatic Heart Disease

No abstract available.

Bleomycin is well recognized as an antineoplastic agent. Pulmonary toxicity is the most significant complication of bleomycin administration. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Captopril(an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor) can ameliorate pulmonary toxicity induced by bleomycin. Eighty mice were divided into two groups. The control group(n=40) received only bleomycin, and the other experimental group(n=40) received bleomycin in combination with captopril. Bleomycin was administered intraperitoneally to the mice, 8 mg/kg twice a week for 5 weeks. Captopril was administered in the feed at a regimen of 50 mg/kg everyday for 5 weeks. The animals were sacrified at 6 weeks later. Morphometric analysis with light microscopy was performed to the following parameters: the number of total pulmonary: cell count, percentage of consolidation of lung parenchyma and degree of fibrosis of lung parenchyma. The results were as follows; 1) In the control group, the number of total pulmonary cell count were 23.30+/-4.35/10(-8) m2 and the percentage of consolidation was 13.9+/-7.l%(P<0.01). 2) In the experimental group, the number of total pulmonary cell count were 18.39+/-3.48/10(-5) m2 and the percentage of consolidation was 9.8+/-4.8%(P<0.01). 3) There were no typical findings of pulmonary fibrosis in Massons trichrome stain, but early fibrotic change in the portion of severe consolidation and alveolar septal thickening in some control group. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that captopril ameliorates the pulmonary toxicity by bleomycin in the mice.
Animals ; Bleomycin* ; Captopril* ; Cell Count ; Fibrosis ; Lung ; Mice* ; Microscopy ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; Pulmonary Fibrosis

No abstract available.
Pregnancy*

The reported incidence of spontaneous rupture of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is up to 14.5%. However, rupture of the metastatic lesions of HCC is very rare. We describe here a case of massive retroperitoneal hemorrhage due to spontaneous rupture of right adrenal gland metastasis that was secondary to invasive HCC. This was successfully controlled by performing transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE).
Adrenal Glands* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Hemorrhage* ; Incidence ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Retroperitoneal Space ; Rupture ; Rupture, Spontaneous*

No abstract available.
Stroke Volume*

Although the patterns of arterial enhancement (AE) in gadolinium (Gd) enhanced MR imaging have been reported in patients with cerebral ischemia, the significance of AE has not been well established. The purpose of the study was to investigate the mechanisms and significance of AE in Gd-enhanced MR imaging. In particular, we tried to relate MR findings of AE to the hemodynamic alterations after acute cerebral ischemia. Twelve patients with acute ischemic stroke limited to the supratentorial region were subjected to this study. In all patients, MR imaging and Gd enhancement were performed using the 1. 0 T superconductive MR scanner by spin-echo sequence. Digital subtraction angiography was followed within 24hr of MR examination. MR images and angiograms were reviewed separately by two blinded investigators, giving special attention to the presence of AE, vascular abnormalities and degree of collateral circulation. The AE on Gd-enhanced MR imaging was noted in 7 of 12 patients with acute ischemic stroke(4, cortical; 2, striatocapsular; 1, lacunar). All these 7 patients had angiographic findings of stenosis or complete occlusion on the proximal portions of major intracranial arteries with prompt collateral circulations. Other five patients not showing (2, cortical; 3, lacunar) had complete occlusion of major arteries with poor collateral or normal angiographic findings. The AE is caused by slower arterial flow, which can be identified in cerebral angiograms demonstrating delayed opacification of contrast agents. The findings of AE may be regarded as equivalent to an angiographic findings of stenosis of the proximal artery or complete occlusion with excellent collateral circulation. Therefore, we conclude that the AE might reflect the underlying vascular abnormalities and may help to estimate, the hemodynamic alterations in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Angiography* ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Arteries ; Brain Ischemia ; Collateral Circulation ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Contrast Media ; Gadolinium ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Research Personnel ; Stroke*