PURPOSE: This study evaluated the feasibility of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography and characterized the sonographic features of lymph nodes (LNs) with Kikuchi disease in pediatric patients. METHODS: Seventy-six cervical LN biopsies were performed for the diagnosis of cervical lymphadenopathy. ARFI imaging was performed, and the characteristic ultrasound features of the biopsied LNs and the contralateral LNs were analyzed. We also reviewed clinical and conventional ultrasonographic findings. RESULTS: On histology, 56 patients were diagnosed with Kikuchi disease. These LNs were large and elongated, with increased perinodal echogenicity and capsular thickening. In 38 of them, ARFI elastography was performed, and the median shear wave velocity (SWV) of the biopsied LNs with Kikuchi disease (2.19 m/sec; range, 1.45 to 4.57 m/sec) was higher than of the contralateral LNs (1.72 m/sec; range, 0.95 to 2.65 m/sec; P < 0.001). In patients with reactive hyperplasia, the mean SWV of the biopsied LNs (2.00 m/sec; range, 1.49 to 2.26 m/sec) was higher than that of the contralateral LNs (1.55 m/sec; range, 1.21 to 2.32 m/sec; P=0.031). CONCLUSION: The SWV of LNs with Kikuchi disease was significantly higher than that of the contralateral LNs. Morphologically, LNs with Kikuchi disease showed an enlarged, elongated, and oval shape, increased perinodal echogenicity, and capsular thickening. In addition to the conventional ultrasonographic findings, the application of ARFI is feasible even in pediatric patients for the evaluation of cervical lymphadenopathy.
Acoustics* ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Elasticity Imaging Techniques* ; Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis* ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Pediatrics ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: As outdoor allergen, pollen and mold are increasely drawing attention all over the country in Korea. The peninsula is located in a temperate zone and has four distinct seasons. In this study, we described the seasonal variation of the pollen and mold distributions in Korea, which may be used to evaluate the pollenosis prevalence for the first time. METHODS: Rotorod samplers were installed on the 10 stations at each state in Korea. Outdoor allergens were collected daily in each station from July 1, 1997 to June 30, 1999. After staining they were identified, counted and recorded with the weather in each state. RESULTS: The pollens were found in the beginning of February through the middle of December. The earliest pollen was found from Pusan which is a south region, and followed by Chonju, Daegu which are midsouth. The peak season for pollen was from the end of April to the middle of May(major pollen: Tree, Grasses), the second peak was depicted from the end of August to the middle of September (major pollen : sagebrush, ragweed) the outdoor molds were largely collected from the July to the middle of October. Cladosporium and Alternaria were prevalent all year round and Ascospores of Leptospheria was peak in monsoon season. CONCLUSION: The pollens were found during the whole year except from middle of the December through the middle of the January. Molds were found all year round.
Allergens ; Alternaria ; Artemisia ; Busan ; Cladosporium ; Daegu ; Fungi* ; Jeollabuk-do ; Korea* ; Pollen* ; Prevalence ; Seasons ; Weather