PURPOSE: To evaluate the US findings of soft tissue hemangiomas in extremities and to correlate the echo-pattern with MR signal characteristics of hemangiomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied forty-two patients either with pathologically proven cases or with characteristic features of hemangiomas on MRI, US and plain film. Hemangiomas were divided into two types according to the locations;subcutaneous and intramuscular. Analytic points on US and MR findings were gross morphology of the mass, internal echo-pattern or signal characteristics. We correlated the echo-pattern with MR signal characteristics in hemangiomas. RESULTS: Subcutaneous hemangiomas revealed homogeneously anechoic mass on US, which were well correlated with MR signal characteristics' homogeneous low singnal intensity(SI) on Tl-weighted image(WI) and high SI on T2-WI. Intramuscular hemangiomas showed heterogeneously mixed echoic masses on US. An anechoic component on US corresponded to dilated vascular channels on MRI. The signal intensity of intramuscular hemangioma was less than that of subcutaneous fat on T1-WI and greater than that of fat on T2-WI. Both types of hemangiomas had tubular or lace-like appearance with interspersed fibrofatty septa. CONCLUSION: The echo-patterns in US were well associated with MR signal characteristics on MRI. Regarding US and MR features, intramuscular hemangiomas were different to subcutaneous hemangiomas.
Extremities* ; Hemangioma* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Subcutaneous Fat

PURPOSE: To evaluate MR characteristics of periosteal reactions and subperiosteal abscesses in osteomyelitis as compared with radiographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 28 patients(18 males, 10 females) with osteomyelitis. Nineteen patients underwent MR imaging with 0.5 T. We analyzed for morphologic patterns, intervals of appearance and disappearance of periosteal reactions after symptom onset. Twenty-three patients were confirmed by surgery and 5 patients by the radiologic findings, clinical and laboratory data. RESULTS: Periosteal reaction appeared as low signal intensity arc on the T1- and T2-weighted axial images. In 3-7 days after symptom onset, periosteal reactions and subperiosteal abscesses were noted on MR imaging, and only two of eleven patients were noted in radiographs. Periosteal reactions of 8-14 days after symptom onset were demonstrated in all of 13 patient on MR, and 9 on plain radiographs. All patients with 2 weeks after symptom onset showed perioste.al reaction in plain film and MR. The periosteal reactions persisted until approximately 2 to 3 months after treatment on follow up radiographs. CONCLUSION: Periosteal reactions in osteomyelitis are detected on the MR imaging earlier than plain film. MR is valuable in detecting subperiosteal abscess which is not appecent in simple radiographs. Periosteal reactions can be seen on MR in 3 days after symptom onset and persist for 2-3 months after treatment.
Abscess ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Male ; Osteomyelitis* ; Retrospective Studies

The purpose of this study was to compare the usage of beef and foodservice managers' perceptions of beef quality by foodservice type. A survey was conducted on 546 dietitians, and 499 acceptable responses were used for data analysis. By weight, pork was the most used meat in foodservice institutions, followed by poultry and beef. More than half of the foodservices selected meat suppliers by competitive bidding. Approximately 85.8% of the respondents used Hanwoo beef, followed by Australian beef and Youku beef. Beef type differed significantly by foodservice type (P<0.001): most of the schools and social welfare facilities used Hanwoo beef, whereas most hospitals and business/industry operations used Australian beef. When purchasing beef, safety of beef was rated the most important, while eco-friendliness was rated the least important. Most of the dietitians understood that marbling is one of the determinants of the beef quality, but were not aware of other components. Dietitians that selected Hanwoo and Youku beef were more satisfied with quality, taste, nutrition, freshness, country of origin, package, customer, preference, and availability for various menus than those who used imported beef. Dietitians who used Hanwoo beef were the most satisfied with country of origin, whereas the others were the most satisfied with safety. Since the dietitians are in charge of planning menus and selecting meat suppliers at foodservice institutions, they should make knowledgeable decisions by understanding meat supply systems and quality of beef.
Competitive Bidding ; Humans ; Meat ; Nutritionists ; Poultry ; Red Meat* ; Social Welfare ; Statistics as Topic ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Neurofibromatosis is a rare systemic disease, and genitourinary tract involvement is especially uncommon. Bladder is the most frequently involved organ in the genitourinary tract. Bladder neurofibromatosis may present as a diffuse infiltrative process or an isolated neurofibroma. The symptoms vary, ranging from urinary incontinence to retention. Treatment is usually conservative. The patient should be worked up to rule out other manifestation of tumor enlargement and followed to evaluate the development of new lesion. We report a case of the development of invasion of bladder in a patient with neurofibromatosis.
Humans ; Neurofibroma ; Neurofibromatoses ; Neurofibromatosis 1 ; Retention (Psychology) ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Incontinence ; Urinary Retention

Acute pyelonephritis (APN) is a relatively common bacterial infection in children. In previously healthy children, acute kidney injury (AKI) is very rare in the course of APN without urinary tract obstruction, renal hypoperfusion due to hypotension or exposure to nephrotoxic agents. We describe a case of AKI secondary to APN and renal abscess in a child with vesicoureteral reflux. With antibiotic treatment and adequate hydration, the patient was improved. APN should be included in the differential diagnosis of AKI and adequate treatment by proper antibiotics is crucial for full recovery of renal function.
Abscess ; Acute Kidney Injury ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacterial Infections ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Pyelonephritis ; Urinary Tract ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux

PURPOSE: The incidence of community-acquired urinary tract infection (UTI) due to extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli (ESBL(+) E. coli) has increased worldwide. ESBL causes resistance to various types of the newer beta-lactam antibiotics, including the expanded spectrum cephalosporins and monobactams. We aimed to investigate the severity of UTI and associated genitourinary malformations in children with febrile UTI caused by ESBL(+) E. coli. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 290 patients diagnosed as febrile UTI caused by E. coli between January 2008 and October 2010 at Korea University Medical center. We classified the patients into two groups with ESBL(+) and ESBL(-) E. coli group according to the sensitivity of urine culture. Fever duration, admission period, white blood cell (WBC) counts and C-reactive protein (CRP) in peripheral blood, the presence of hydronephrosis, cortical defects, vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and renal scar were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Patients with ESBL(+) E. coli were 32, and those with ESBL(-) E. coli were 258. If we excluded those tested with a sterile urine bag, patients with ESBL(+) E. coli were 22, and those with ESBL(-) E. coli were 212. Whether the results of sterile urine bag tests were included or not, there was no significant difference in all parameters between the two groups statistically. CONCLUSION: Our data shows that ESBL(+) E. coli may not be related to the severity of UTI and associated genitourinary malformations.
Academic Medical Centers ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; beta-Lactamases ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cephalosporins ; Child ; Cicatrix ; Escherichia ; Escherichia coli ; Fever ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Incidence ; Korea ; Leukocytes ; Medical Records ; Monobactams ; Retrospective Studies ; Urinary Tract ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux

PURPOSE: To describe the radiographic and MR characteristics of subacute diaphyseal osteomyelitis of the long bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed plain radiographs and MR images in nine children and two young adults with surgically-proven diaphyseal osteomyelitis of the long bones. MR imaging was carried out before and after Gd-DPTA administration. Patients charts were reviewed for clinical and laboratory data and histologic correlation was available in all cases. RESULTS: All patients had a history of a minimum of 2 weeks' duration. All presented with an insidious onset of mild pain; they showed apyrexia and normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate. In all patients, plain radiographs showed single or multiple linear periosteal reaction with cortical irregularity. Medullary abnormality was not found except in one case which showed an abscess cavity. MR images revealed thickening or irregularity of the cortex, periosteal reaction, bone marrow signal alteration, and perilesional edema. CONCLUSION: Subacute diaphyseal osteomyelitis of the long bone is broadly based on the cortex, and elicits more sclerosis and periosteal reaction. Familarity with plain radiographs and MR features may be useful in the diagnosis of subacute diaphyseal osteomyelitis.
Abscess ; Blood Sedimentation ; Bone Marrow ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Edema ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Osteomyelitis* ; Periostitis ; Retrospective Studies ; Sclerosis ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVES: The purpose was to investigate the distributions and the effects of genetic polymorphism of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2(ALDH2), cytochrome P450 1A1(CYP1A1), and cytochrome P450 2E1(CYP2E1) on the toluene metabolism. METHODS: The subjects consisted of 160 workers who were exposed to toluene in different industries such as paint manufacturing, painting on steel and wood products, printing, bonding, and coating. The exposed toluene level was monitored by passive air sampler, and the questionnaire variables were age, sex, smoking, drinking, previous nights drinking, use of personal protective equipment, work duration, and taking benzoic acid containing food. The urinary hippurric acid collected in the end of shift was corrected by urinary creatinine concentration. The genotypes of ALDH2, CYP1A1, and CYP2E1 were investigated using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) methods with DNA extracted from venous blood. RESULTS: The geometric mean and the geometric standard deviation of urinary hippuric acid concentration were 0. 44 g/g creatinine and 2. 80. The urinary hippuric acid concentration was significantly related to personal exposed toluene level among personal exposed toluene level, use of personal protective equipment, and benzoic acid containing food diet. The slope differences of the regression for ALDH2, CYP1A1, and CYP2El genetic polymorphism, age, smoking, and work duration tended to be significant. In multiple regression analysis, the regression coefficient of toluene, ALDH2, CYP1A1, CYP2E1 genetic polymorphism were significant. CONCLUSIONS: Prom the above results, urinary hippuric acid level after toluene exposure was significantly affected by the genetic polymorphism of ALDH2, CYP1A1, CYP2E1. It is needed further investigation of the urinary hippuric acid level considering the effect of genetic polymorphism.
Aldehyde Dehydrogenase ; Benzoic Acid ; Creatinine ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; Diet* ; DNA ; Drinking ; Genotype ; Humans ; Life Style* ; Metabolism ; Paint ; Paintings ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Questionnaires ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Steel ; Toluene* ; Wood

A survey was conducted to determine the perception of youku meat among college students majoring in food and/or nutrition. The survey participants were located nationwide, and the responses from the 2,454 students were analyzed. More male and higher grade students answered that they had heard about youku while only 20.0% had learned about Youku from class. Approximately 37.8% of the subjects recognized youku as 'dairy cattle which are too old to produce milk', 54.0% as 'all cattle grown for the purpose of meat', and 23.1% as 'all cattle except for Hanwoo'. Only 37.4% recognized youku correctly. Compared with the same quality grade, 25.3% recognized youku meat as being cheaper than imported beef, and only 25.6% of them recognized that youku meat has less fat than imported beef. As much as 83.3% of subjects did not know whether or not they were served youku meat, and 23.7% of subjects wanted increased availability of youku meat. As much as 22.9% of subjects opposed the increased use of youku meat, and the reasons were "it does not taste good" (18.1%), "it is not Hanwoo" (15.1%), "it is not sanitary" (13.1%), and "it is imported" (6.0%). The findings provide basic information on barriers regarding youku meat promotion among subjects who will be dieticians in food service or managers in purchase departments of catering companies in the future.
Animals ; Cattle ; Food Services ; Humans ; Male ; Meat* ; Nutritionists

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the positive rate of 3 serologic methods and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the changes of IgG and IgG subclasses in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MP). METHODS: Fifty children with pneumonia admitted to Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, Korea, during MP outbreaks were evaluated for the diagnostic antibody status using 3 serologic methods: indirect micro-particle agglutinin assay (MAA, Serodia-Myco II, Fujirebio, Tokyo, Japan), cold agglutinins and enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA, Platelia M. pneumoniae IgM & IgG BIO-RAD, Marnes-la-Coquette, France) and PCR. The levels of antibody for MP in each method were measured 2 times during hospitalization: at presentation and at discharge (mean interval, 6.5 days). The levels of IgG and IgG subclasses (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4) were also analyzed 2 times (at presentation and at discharge) using stored sera. RESULTS: At presentation, the positive rates of the diagnostic methods were 52%, 38%, 30% and 12% for MAA, cold agglutinins, EIA and PCR assay, respectively. Following analysis of the repetitive measurement of the antibody, the positive rates of the diagnostic methods were 76%, 60% and 56% for MAA, cold agglutinins and EIA, respectively. The mean IgG level of MP patients increased during hospitalization (973+/-184 vs. 1,040+/-205 mg/dL; P=0.008). Among the IgG subclasses, the levels of IgG1 and IgG3 showed a significant increase during hospitalization (553+/-129 vs. 611+/-151 mg/dL, P=0.003 for IgG1; 43+/-27 vs. 47+/-30 mg/dL, P=0.005 for IgG3). CONCLUSION: For the accurate and relatively rapid diagnosis of MP, a paired sample examination is mandatory, especially within a short-time period. The sensitivity of serologic tests for the diagnosis of MP may differ among commercially available kits. IgG1 and IgG3 appear to be the main IgG subclasses that show an increase after MP infection.
Agglutinins ; Child ; Cold Temperature ; Cryoglobulins ; Disease Outbreaks ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Korea ; Mycoplasma ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Serologic Tests ; Tokyo