PURPOSE: To evaluate further the right minor and major fissure on thin-section narrow-interval CT scans with particular emphases on orientation, degree of completeness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thin section CT scans from 10 mm distal to carina to the proximal basal segmental bronchus were obtained at 5 mm invervals in 50 consectutive subjects. Orientation, degree of completeness, and the relationship of the minor and major fissure on thin-section CTscans were analyzed. RESULTS: Four principal types of the minor fissure could be identified according to the highest point of the upper surface of the middle lobe. At bronchus intermedius level, the major fissure appeared with its medial end anterior to lateral end in 45 subjects. The minor fissure was complete in only 10 subjects (20%). Completely absent minor fissure was noted in four subjects (8%). The major fissure was incomplete in 17 subjects (34%) at bronchus intermedius level. the minor and major fissure intersected each other in only 27 subjects (54%). The hig best point of intersection was variable. CONCLUSION: There are much more variations in the fissural complex in our study than in previous reports and these variations can be visualized well on thin-section CTscans.
Bronchi ; Lung* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

The CT findings were reviewed in two patients with injuries to the gallbladder following blunt trauma. In one patient high attenuation of intraluminal blood clot within the gallbladder and associated hemoperitoneum were identified. Another patient was represented hemoperitoneum and bile leakage into the peritoneal cavity due to laceration of the fundus of the gallbladder which appeared contrasted.
Bile ; Gallbladder ; Hemoperitoneum ; Humans ; Lacerations ; Peritoneal Cavity

BACKGROUND: Although a number of indices of diastolic function based on transmitral flow have been proposed, no single factor seems to be adequate for seperating patients with normal from with abnormal diastolic functions. Pulsed Doppler echocardiography of pulmonary venous flow(PVF) is another non-invasive method to evaluate left ventricular diastolic performance. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the normal PVF pattern by TEE. METHOD: We performed pulsed-wave Doppler studies of the PVF and of the mitral flow by transesophageal-(TEE) and transthoracic echocardiography(TTE) in a healthy young adults. RESULTS: In TEE, all sublects showed four phases of the PVE pattern ; two antewgrade systolic phase(early and late : SE and SL), one antewgrade diastolic phase(D) and one retrograde diastolic phase(A). In TTE, there were three phases of the PVF pattern ; two antewgrade phase(systolic, diastolic) and one retrograde diastolic phase but we couldn't find out early systolic phase flow. Peak velocity of each phase of PVF was as follows:SE was 48.9+/-14.1cm/sec, SL was 56.3+/-16.1cm/sec, D was 52.6+/-14.9cm/sec. The timing of SL flow was correlated significantly with that of peak aortic flow(r=0.42, p=<0.01), while the timing of D flow and that of A flow were correlated significntly with timing of mitral E peak and A peak, respectively(r=0.84, p<0.01 ; r=0.80, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In the young normal subject, PVF showed four phase of flow pattern and could be easily obtained by TEE. Furthermore it may be used for evaluation of left ventricular function.
Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal* ; Humans ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Young Adult*

BACKGROUND: Thromboembolism is the major complication in patients with the insertion of cardiac prosthetic valves. The purpose of this study is evaluate the risk factors about the formation of left atrial thrombi after cardiac valve replacement. METHOD: Transesophageal(TEE) and transthoracic echocardiography(TTE) were done to evaluate postoperative cardiac condition in 98 patients with cardiac prosthetic valves from Jan. 1991 to Oct 1991. Several clinical and echocardiographic parameters were analyzied to evaluate the relationship with the formation of left atrial thrombi. RESULT: In univariate analysis, important factors related to the formation of left atrial thrombi are type of operation (p=0.027), postoperative left ventricular function(p=0.003), preoperative(p=0.037) and postoperative systolic ventricular size(p=0.024). However, in multivariate analysis postoperative left ventricular size(p=0.017), presence of previous thrombi(p=0.014), preoperative left atrial size(p=0.014) and postoperative left atrial size(p=0.014) are significant factors. CONCLUSION: Patients with high risk and low risk for the formation of left atrial thrombi after valve replacement can be identified by readily available clinical and echocardiographic variables.
Echocardiography ; Heart Valves ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors* ; Thromboembolism

Chronic fatigue syndrome has been recency reconceptualized as a bio-psycho-social disorder. Although the up-to-date pathophysiological hypothesis of this disorder in Europe & America is based on viral origin, no medical therapy has been proven effective in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. The authors report a case with chronic fatigue syndrome treated successfully with combined psychotherapy and antidepressant. Emphasizing the effectiveness and utility of the psychiatric treatment, we also review the related literatures about the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.
Americas ; Europe ; Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic* ; Humans ; Psychotherapy

To present CT and clinical features of active tuberculomas, we analyzed retrospectively CT findings of 14 tuberculomas (n=14) in 13 patients which appeared as solitary pulmonary nodules on plain radiographs and evaluated the response of tuberculomas to antituberculous chemotherapy. Nine tuberculomas (64%) were ovoid in shape and 10 (72%) showed smooth margin. Twelve(86%) tuberculomas were shown as low density lesions on unenhanced or enhanced CT scans. Calcification and cavitation were noted in three (21%) and eight (57%) tuberculomas respectively. Seven (50%) tuberculomas were accompanied by satellite nodules. Acid-fast bacilli (AFB) was positive in all tuberculomas in sputum, lavage fluid, or percutaneous transhoracic needle aspiration (PTNA). Smear and culture of lavage fluid and PTNA aspirate were superior to the detection of AFB than sputum examination. Follow-up study with antituberculous chemotherapy in 14 tuberculomas resulted in complete disappearance in three, decrease in size in seven, and no visible change in the remaining four. These observations suggest that tuberculomas are well-defined, ovoid, and low-density nodules containing calcifications and/or cavitations. Tuberculomas are relatively indolent even with threatment.
Drug Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Needles ; Retrospective Studies ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule ; Sputum ; Therapeutic Irrigation ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculoma*

BACKGROUND: It was recently shown that human atherosclerotic plaque contains large numbers of T lymphocytes : this indicates that immune and inflammatory mechanism may be important factors in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. By measuring the soluble interleukin 2 receptor(sIL-2R) level we can evaluate the activation of T lymphocyte. The purpose of this study is to evaluate relationship between T cell activation and ischemic heart disease by measuring the soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) level in patient with ischemic heart disease. METHOD: Seventy-two patients(40 males and 32 female, mean age : 56.5+/-9.9 years) who were taken coronary angiography were included in this study. Among them, 49 patients showed abnormal coronary angiographic findings and 23 patients showed normal coronary angiographic findings. Ten mililiters of arterial blood was drawn at the time of coronary angiography. The blood was allowed to coagulate and then the serum was removed and tested in duplicate for soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) level by ELISA. RESULTS: 1) The soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) level was significantly different between abnormal coronary angiographic findings and normal coronary angiographic findings (P < 0.001). 2) According to clinical severity of ischemic heart disease (i.e. stable angina, unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction.), soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) level was not significantly different between single vessel disease group and multivessels disease groups (p > 0.05), but showed increasing tendency with clinical severity. 3) According to numbers of involved coronary vessels, soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) level was not significantly different between single vessel disease group and multivessels disease groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: T lymphocyte activation, as reflected in elevated soluble interlekin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) level, is frequent in patient with ischemic heart disease. In the further we will investigate relationship between clinical diagnosis of ischemic heart disease of the numbers of involved coronary vessels and T cell activation.
Angina, Stable ; Angina, Unstable ; Atherosclerosis ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Vessels ; Diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Lymphocytes ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia* ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Receptors, Interleukin-2 ; T-Lymphocytes

Pericardial cysts have been recognized as infrequent benign intrathoracic lesions, and are mainly found by accident. Recently, we experienced 3 cases of pericardial cysts. We report these case with the brief review of literature.
Mediastinal Cyst*

BACKGROUND: The prompt and accurate diagnosis of acute aortic dissection is decisive for the prognosis of the patient, since an effective surgical and medical therapy can improve the high rate of mortality due to this pathology. Among the various diagnostic methods, transesophageal echocardiography can provide a rapid and accurate method of diagnosing and evaluating dissecting aortic aneurysm and permits prompt initiation of appropriate treatment. Thus we performed transesophageal echocardiography in patients supected to dissecting aortic aneurysm, as a preliminary examination, and now we reported the result. METHODS: We have studied 4 case of dissecting aortic aneurysms among the patient received examination of cardiovascular system by transesophageal echocardiography, since January 1991 at Keimyung University hospital. In these 4 cases, 3 cases had CT scan, 2 cases had MRI scan, and all cases had transthoracic echocardiography simultaneously as a adjuvant diagnostic method. RESULTS: All 4 cases could be promptly and accuratoly diagnosed and typed by transesophageal echocardiography. As a consequence, patients could receive the early medical treatment and good clinical results. CONCLUSION: Transesophageal echocardiography is fast, inexpensive and accurate method in diagnosis of dissecting aortic aneurysm. So we recommend transesophageal echocardiography, as a preliminary examination in case of suspecting dissecting aortic aneurysm.
Aortic Aneurysm* ; Cardiovascular System ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mortality ; Pathology ; Prognosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Klippel-Feil syndrome is characterized by congenital fusion of cervical vertebrae with a wide range of associated anomaly. The authors present a 50-year-old Klippel-Feil syndrome patient with a minor trauma followed progressive quadriparesis. He had typical radiologic findings of type II Klippel-Feil syndrome and presented progressive myelopathy due to cord compression at foramen magnum level with cervical instability. The patient underwent craniocervical decompression and fusion. The authors reviewed the pertinent literatures and discussed this rare syndrome.
Cervical Vertebrae ; Decompression ; Female ; Foramen Magnum ; Humans ; Klippel-Feil Syndrome* ; Middle Aged ; Quadriplegia* ; Spinal Cord Diseases