STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-eight patients with thoracolumbar and lumbar burst fractures were evaluated according to the treatment methods of the retropulsed fragments. OBJECTIVE: To confirm the pure effect of ligamentotaxis according to the approaching methods to tile involved area. SUMMARY OF BACK GROUND DATA: Retropulsed fragments were effectively treated by indirect posterior reduction. Regardless of size of the retropulsed fragments, remodelling process of the retropulsed fragments was progressed during follow-up period. METHODS: 38 patients with burst fractures of thoracolumbar and lumbar spine were divided into two groups according to tile reduction method of the retropulsed fragments ; the one group consisted of 18 cases which were treated by posterior instrumentation and indirect reduction(Group I: ligamentotaxis) and the other groups consisted of 20 cases which were treated by posterior instrumentation and posterior direct reduction(Group II). Change of neural canal compromise rate, neurologic status, remodelling process of the retropulsed fragments were measured using pre-, post-operative and follow-up radiographs and CT. RESULTS: Comparing the two groups, neural canal compromise rates were decreased at postoperative period but, there were no significant differences in both groups. There were no correlation of neurologic status and neural canal compromise rate. We could confirm the remodelling process of the retropulsed fragments, but there were no significant changes according to the size of the retropulsed fragments between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Indirect reduction by posterior instrumentation( ligamentotaxis ) could effectively treat the retropulsed fragments in burst fractures of thoracolumbar and lumbar spine without directs posterior reduction.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Neural Tube ; Postoperative Period ; Spine

With the progress of farming and foresting, the demand of agricultural pesticide has been remarkably increased and accordingly, its intoxication has been widely publicized. Among the pesticides, organophosphorus chemicals has been believed to be almost nontoxic because they are not accumulative in the tissue. This study is attempted to examine the effects of DDVP which has been used most frequently on the kidney. And they were divided into normal and experimental groups. The results obtained from this experiment are as follows. 1) BUN, serum creatinine are increased in the group of DDVP administered while serum cholinesterase is suppresed significantly. 2) Microscopically, swelling and degeneration of tubular cells and hyaline casts in tubules. Ultrastructually swelling of mitochondria, partial fragmentation of cristae and electron dense bodies in the kidney are observed in the group of DDVP administered.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that diabetic patients are under high oxidative stress and plasma MDA concentration is a reliable marker for oxidative stress. However, some studies showed that plasma MDA is not a good marker for oxidative stress. Reeently, the total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAPc) has been proposed as a marker for the overall antioxidant property of plasma samples. Therefore, in this study, we tried to evaluate whether MDA and TRAPc are reliable markers of the oxidative stress-antioxidant system or not. METHODS: The plasma samples from 67 type 2 diabetic patients and 31 normal subjects were collected. The plasma MDA, protein-bound SH groups, uric acid and vitamin C were determined by fluorophotometry or spectrophotometry. Plasma vitamin E concentration was analyzed by HPLC. Calculated TRAP (TRAPc) were determined by the proposed calculation methods. RESULTS: 1. Diabetic patients had significantly lower TRAPc, compared with normal subjects. 2. SH groups, uric acid, vitamin C and vitamin E were not different between the two groups. 3. MDA and MDA/TG were significantly higher in diabetic subjects. CONCLUSION: From the results of this study, TRAPc seems to be a reliable parameter of overall plasma antioxidant system and the plasma MDA may be used as a marker of oxidative stress, but further long-term logitudinal studies are needed.
Ascorbic Acid ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Fluorophotometry ; Humans ; Oxidative Stress ; Plasma ; Spectrophotometry ; Uric Acid ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins

Ocular rosacea is the eye manifestations of rosacea, which involves the lids, conjunctiva, and cornea. A recent study revealed that all patients with cutaneous rosacea had some degree of ocular involvement which is often undiagnosed. It is difficult to make a diagnosis of ocular rosacea because it lacks clinical or pathological hallmarks. However, early diagnosis and treatment are emphasized to decrease morbidity and prevent potential blindness. We report a case of ocular rosacea in a 49 year-old man who showed blepharoconjunctivitis, keratitis, and cutaneous manifestations of persistent erythema, telangiectasia, and papules. The ocular symptoms and signs had improved significantly with tetracycline therapy.
Blindness ; Conjunctiva ; Cornea ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Erythema ; Eye Manifestations ; Humans ; Keratitis ; Middle Aged ; Rosacea* ; Telangiectasis ; Tetracycline

Generally, the hemolytic disease of newborn caused by anti-c is characterized by the abnormal titer of anti-c in mother's serum and neonatal progressive jaundice caused by IgG induced hemolytic anemia. A female neonate delivered by cesarean section was admitted to Hangang Sacred Hospital due to severe jaundice and apnea on Jul. 7 1998. On admission, laboratory work up was revealed immune hemolytic anemia, but no incompatibility of ABO and Rh(D) system between mother and baby. Minor blood groups of mother and this second baby was ce and Cce. The serologic examination showed positive direct and indirect Coombs' test and the cause of jaundice was proved as the result of hemolytic disease due to anti-c via antibody screening and identification. After 2 times of exchange transfusion, the jaundice was subsided. So we reported a case of hemolytic disease due to anti-c with review of previous literatures.
Anemia, Hemolytic ; Apnea ; Blood Group Antigens ; Cesarean Section ; Coombs Test ; Erythroblastosis, Fetal* ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Infant, Newborn ; Jaundice ; Mass Screening ; Mothers ; Pregnancy

PURPOSE: To assess the role of blood vessels in the formation of peritumoral abnormal signal intensity which exaggerates the size of malignant tumor on MR images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed MR-microangiographic-pathologic correlation using implanted VX-2 carcinoma in 16 rabbit thighs 1-28 days after tumor implantation. The shape and distribution of abnormal vessels were analyzed on microangiography and on histologic examination in correlation with peritumoral abnormal signal intensity on MR images. RESULTS: Dilated peritumoral blood vessels gave rise to irregular, tortuous tumor vessels penetrated into the tumor. With the tumor growth, hypervascular tumor vessels in peritumoral area and central avascular areas were increased. These hypervascular areas on microangiography were corresponded with abnormal signal intensity on MR images. CONCLUSION: Hypervascularity could be a cause of peritumoral abnormal signal intensity which exaggerates the size of experimentally induced malignant musculoskeletal tumors on MR images.
Blood Vessels* ; Thigh

Sarcoidosis can affect two or more members of the same family, and the reported occurrence of such familial sarcoidosis is variable from 0.5 to 14%. Recently we have experienced familial sarcoidosis affected mother and daughter, for the first time in Korea. Mother was diagnosed as Stage II sarcoidosis 4 years ago by transbronchial lung biopsy and cervical lymph node biopsy with compatible BAL finding in our hospital. This time, the daughter was admitted with bilateral hilar enlargement and anterior uveitis. Even though she had positive tuberculin skin test and atypical BAL finding(lymphocyte: 61%, CD4/CD8: 1.22). Transbronchial lung biopsy and mediastinal lymph node biopsy revealed noncaseating epithelioid granulorna without AFB. Slit lamp examination of the eyes showed severe anterior uveitis. Systemic steroid therapy was started due to progressive uveitis with antituberculous medication.
Biopsy ; Humans ; Korea* ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Mothers ; Nuclear Family ; Sarcoidosis* ; Skin Tests ; Tuberculin ; Uveitis ; Uveitis, Anterior

PURPOSE: Pediatric sedation is an important factor for obtaining the images of good quality. We performed this study to analyze the efficacy of our sedation protocol using chloral hydrate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected prospectively 151 sedation records of children(1 day-15 years old), who were sedated with chloral hydrate for MR(n=112) or CT(n=39) studies. We initially administered 50mg/Kg orally(n=94) or rectally(n=57) 30 minutes before the scheduled examinations, and then administered additionali dose (second dose :25-35mg/Kg, third dose:10-15mg/Kg) to patients whom initial dose failed to sedate. RESULTS: Satisfactory sedation was achieved by initial administration in 109 patients(72%) without si difference between oral(per oral: P.O.) and rectal(per rectal: P.R.) administration. Second dose was required in 28% and third dose in 5%. MR and CT examinations required second dose in 36(32%) and 6 patients(15%), respectively. P.O. -patients vomited in 5%. P.R. -patients defecated in 22% after initial administration. There were no other serious complications. Time interval from the drug administration to the start of examinations was 33 minutes in initial-dose-group and 64 minutes in additional-dose-group. Two patients could not complete MR examination due to early arousal. Prolonged sedation, requiring more than 30 minutes for alertness after MR and CT examinations, was encountered in twenty(18%) and two patients(5%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our protocol using chloral hydrate(P.O. or P.R.) is thought to be an effective and safe method for pediatric sedation for MR or CT imaging.
Arousal ; Child* ; Chloral Hydrate* ; Humans ; Prospective Studies

MR imaging of the brain in 34 patients were reviewed to characterize the MR findings of brain damage due to perinatal hypoxic insult All the patients had a history of perinatal hypoxia and showed abnormal brain MR findings. Out of 34, eight infants were born premature and twenty-six were born at term or post-term. MR findings were analysed for the extent and location of abnormalities of the white matter, cortical abnormality. Corpus callosum atrophy, and abnormal progression of myelination. The major abnormalities were abnormal signal lesions or atrophy of the cerebral white matter and gyral atrophy of the cerebral cortex. The distribution of white matter lesions well correlated with maturity of the brain at the time of hypoxic insult. Periventricular and deep white matter lesions predominated in the premature-born patients. Corpus callosum atrophy was frequently seen. Reflecting the location of white matter injury. Delay in myelination was present in 55%. MR is a very useful diagnostic imaging modality and guide for the prediction of prognosis by accurate depiction of the location and extent of brain damage due to perinatal hypoxic insult.
Anoxia* ; Atrophy ; Brain* ; Cerebral Cortex ; Corpus Callosum ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Humans ; Infant ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Myelin Sheath ; Prognosis ; White Matter

We retrospectively analysed plain radiographs and MR imaging of 16 conventional osteosarcoma cases(8 children, 8 adults) which underwent amputations or limb salvage operations. Pathologic correlation was performed with gross and microscopic sections to evaluate 1) whether the open epiphyseal plate can function as a barrier against transphyseal spread of osteosarcoma and 2) the diagnostic value of MR imaging for the detection of the detection of the epiphyseal involvement of osteosarcoma. In children with open epiphyseal plates, conventional radiographs suggested transphyseal tumor growth in one of eight cases(12.5% and MR imaging in seven cases(87.5%). Pathologic examination confirmed epiphyseal involvement in six of seven cases noted with MR imaging(75%). On the the other hand, in adult patients with closed epiphyseal plates, conventional radiographs showed transphyseal tumor growth in six of eight cases(75%), while MR imaging and pathologic exam demonstrated tumor invasion in all cases(100%). We conclude that open epiphyseal plate does not function as and effective barrier against tumor extension, and MR imaging is an excellent method in detecting the extent of transphyseal tumor growth.
Adult ; Amputation ; Child ; Growth Plate ; Hand ; Humans ; Limb Salvage ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Methods ; Osteosarcoma* ; Retrospective Studies