PURPOSE: To determine the extent to which magnetic resonance(MR) imaging findings can help differentiate between tuberculous arthritis (TA) and rheumatoid arthritis(RA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study involved sixteen patients with pathologically proven arthritis of the knee. In eight patients(mean age, 29.6 years; M:F=4:4) this was of the tuberculous variety, while eight (mean age, 47.5 years; M:F=2:6) suffered from the rheumatoid variety, which was monoarticular. For 14 patients, contrast enhancement studies were available. We retrospectively analyzed MR findings according to the demonstrated pattern of synovial thickening (regular and even, or irregular and nodular), bone erosion or abscess,bone marrow(BM) edema, the sites at which bursae were present, para-articular mass formation, and lymphadenopathy. RESULTS: In five of eight TA cases (62.5 %), irregular and nodular enhanced synovial thickening was present, while in six of eight RA cases (75%), thickening was regular and even. Bone erosions or subarticular abscesses were found in six TA cases (75%) and small erosions in three cases (37.5%) of RA. BM edema surrounding the erosion was found in four cases of TA (50%) and two of RA (25 %). In TA, edema was more extensive. In both TA and RA, all suprapatella bursae were distended while popliteal bursae were present in two cases of TA(25 %) and four of RA (50%). Para-articular masses with rim like enhancement were found in six cases of TA (75%) and in one case of RA (12.5 %). In particular, para-articular lymphadenopathy was seen in six cases of TA(75%), but not in RA. CONCLUSION: MR findings of irregular and nodular synovial thickening, extensive bone erosion, extensive BM edema, particular, para-articular abscess formation and ymphadenopathy, may help differentiate tuberculous arthritis of the knee from the rhumatoid variety.
Abscess ; Arthritis* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Diagnosis, Differential* ; Edema ; Humans ; Knee* ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Retrospective Studies

Coloring Agents ; Cytomegalovirus ; Endothelial Cells ; Humans ; Intranuclear Inclusion Bodies ; Male ; Methenamine ; Mouth ; Oral Manifestations ; Stomatitis ; Tongue ; Ulcer

The criteria of suitability for a cochlear implant has been extended postlingual deaf adult including prelingual deaf children in their difficulty with speech and vocabulary development. The cognitve ability of deaf students has been investigated in a deaf school using Kedi-WISC. The results are as follows; 1) The deaf students were not inferior in intelligence when compared with normal hearers, but the intelligence between deaf students and normal hearers was different in quality. 2) In subtest they made higher scores at object assembly, block design and coding in senior group 3) It is supposed for deaf student that performance under vision and memory is relatively excellent although concrete and abstract tasks is retarded. No emotional disordered cases is found in this study.
Adult ; Child ; Clinical Coding ; Cochlear Implants ; Deafness* ; Humans ; Intelligence ; Memory ; Vocabulary

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate differences in olfactory thresholds and odor discrimination between the two sides of the nose in relation to the right hand and the right eye. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Eighty subjects (40 women, 40 men) participated in this study. All were in excellent health without any nasal or health problems. The olfactory function tests designed by Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Reserch Center (CCCRC) were performed. RESULTS: We found a slight tendency for lower thresholds and better discrimination on the right nostril; this phenomenon was not influenced by the subjects' handedness. However, the left-handers performed better at the right side compared with the left nostril than right-handers and the differences between the two sides of the nose were larger in the left-handers. There were no relationships between the ocular and nasal dominance. CONCLUSION: The data indicate that olfactory functions exhibit a certain degree of lateralization to the right side.
Connecticut ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Female ; Functional Laterality ; Hand ; Humans* ; Nose ; Odors ; Smell

In the current years, it has now become necessary to establish standards for micronutrient intake based on scientific evidence. This review discusses issues related to the development of the 2020 Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRI) for magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu), and future research directions. Following issues were encountered when establishing the KDRI for these minerals. First, characteristics of Korean subjects need to be applied to estimate nutrient requirements. When calculating the estimated average requirement (EAR), the KDRI used the results of balance studies for Mg absorption and factorial analysis for Zn, which is defined as the minimum amount to offset endogenous losses for Zn and Mg. For Cu, a combination of indicators, such as depletion/repletion studies, were applied, wherein all reference values were based on data obtained from other countries. Second, there was a limitation in that it was difficult to determine whether reference values of Mg, Zn, and Cu intakes in the 2020 KDRI were achievable. This might be due to the lack of representative previous studies on intakes of these nutrients, and an insufficient database for Mg, Zn, and Cu contents in foods. This lack of database for mineral content in food poses a problem when evaluating the appropriateness of intake. Third, data was insufficient to assess the adequacy of Mg, Zn, and Cu intakes from supplements when calculating reference values, considering the rise in both demand and intake of mineral supplements. Mg is more likely to be consumed as a multi-nutrient supplement in combination with other minerals than as a single supplement. Moreover, Zn-Cu interactions in the body need to be considered when determining the reference intake values of Zn and Cu. It is recommended to discuss these issues present in the 2020 KDRI development for Mg, Zn, and Cu intakes in a systematic way, and to find relevant solutions.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of neural axis abnormalities and the relevant risk factors in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: The use of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess the whole spine in patients with idiopathic scoliosis is controversial, and indications for such MRI evaluations have not been definitively established. However, we routinely use whole-spine MRI in patients with scoliosis who are scheduled to undergo surgical correction. METHODS: A total of 378 consecutive patients with presumed AIS who were admitted for spinal surgery were examined for neural axis abnormalities using MRI. To differentiate patients with normal and abnormal MRI findings, the following clinical parameters were evaluated: age, sex, menarcheal status, rotation angle (using a scoliometer), coronal balance, shoulder height difference, and low back pain. We radiographically evaluated curve type, thoracic or thoracolumbar curve direction, curve magnitude and flexibility, apical vertebral rotation, curve length, coronal balance, sagittal balance, shoulder height difference, thoracic kyphosis, and the Risser sign. RESULTS: Neural axis abnormalities were detected in 24 patients (6.3%). Abnormal MRI findings were significantly more common in males than in females and were associated with increased thoracic kyphosis. However, there were no significant differences in terms of the other measured parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Among the patients with presumed AIS who received preoperative whole-spine MRI, 6.3% had neural axis abnormalities. Males and patients with increased thoracic kyphosis were at a higher risk.
Adolescent* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kyphosis ; Low Back Pain ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Male ; Pliability ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Scoliosis* ; Shoulder ; Spine

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of whole body positron emission tomography (PET) using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) for cancer screening in asymptomatic subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were 1,762 men and 259 women who voluntarily underwent 18F-FDG PET for cancer screening as a part of a routine health examination. Final diagnosis was decided by other diagnostic studies, pathological results or clinical follow-up for 1 year. RESULTS: Of 2,021 subjects, 40 (2.0%) were finally proved to have cancer. Abnormal focal 18F-FDG uptake suggesting malignancy was found in 102 subjects (5.0%). Among them, 21 subjects (1.0%) were proved to have cancer. Other tests in the routine health examination could not find 9 of 21 cancers (42.9%) detected by PET. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of PET for cancer screening were 52.5%, 95.9%, 20.6%, and 99.0%, respectively. Pathologies of cancers missed on PET were adenocarcinoma (n=9; 3 colon cancers, 3 prostate cancers, 2 stomach cancers, and 1 rectal cancer), differentiated thyroid carcinoma (n=6), bronchioalveolar cell carcinoma (n=2), urinary bladder cancer (n=1), and melanoma (n=1). More than half of cancers which were not detected by PET were smaller than 1 cm in diameter. CONCLUSION: 18F-FDG PET might be useful for cancer screening in asymptomatic subjects due to its high specificity and negative predictive value and play a supplementary role to the conventional health check-up, but it could not replace due to limited sensitivity for urological cancers, small-sized tumors and some hypometaboic cancers.
Adenocarcinoma ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Melanoma ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Urologic Neoplasms

In Korea, brain death was established by the law in year 2000 but organ procurements from brain dead donors have been performed before the law era under the social tacit approval. Contrary to expectations, organ transplantation from brain dead donor have been much decreased in the law era. Electroencephalogram (EEG) is mandatory to confirm brain death in Korea. However EEG has several shortcomings and EEG wave may persist several hours after declaration of brain death by other tests. PURPOSE: To evaluate the significance of EEG and single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) as a confirming test of the brain death. METHODS: Clinical records of 42 cadaveric donor and their kidney recipients were reviewed retrospectively. Flat EEG was declared by two board certified neurologist or neurosurgeon. Tc99m-ECD SPECT was done in recent 10 donors who didn't show flat EEG at 24 hours after declarartion of brain death on clinical examination. And compared interval from renal transplantation to the moment when serum creatinine level went down below 2.0 mg/dl. RESULTS: Among 42 donors, 3 went to cardiac arrest while waiting flat EEG. And one another donor also went to cardiac arrest just after taking flat EEG. All the ten donors who took brain SPECT showed absence of cerebral blood flow. After showing circulatory arrest to the brain on SPECT another 3 to 23 hours were needed to get the flat EEG. There was no difference in interval between EEG only group (9.8 days) and EEG plus SPECT group (9.2 days). But the interval was prolonged in cardiac arrest group up to 20 days. CONCLUSION: We could get the falt EEG 3 to 23 hours after circulatory arrest to the brain on SPECT scan. While waiting to get flat EEG three donors went to cardiac arrest and kidneys from these cardiac arrest donor showed delayed graft function in all cases. Brain SPECT should be used as a confirming test of brain death.
Brain Death* ; Brain* ; Cadaver ; Creatinine ; Delayed Graft Function ; Electroencephalography ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Jurisprudence ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation ; Korea ; Organ Transplantation ; Retrospective Studies ; Tissue and Organ Procurement ; Tissue Donors ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon* ; Transplants

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: For centuries, fragrance had beneficial psychological and physiological effects on humans. Aromatherapy, the use of concentrated essential oils extracted from herbs, flowers, and other parts of plants to treat various diseases, is becoming more commonly accepted within the health service. However, there are very few published articles, which provide a sound rationale for the use of aromatherapy as a medical intervention. The purpose of this study was to find a scientific explanation for the effect of aromatherapy by investigating 1. whether or not essential aroma oils caused increased brain activity and 2. which areas of the brain were activated by the essential aroma oils. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Olfactory fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging), which is capable of monitoring and recording regional pathophysiological fluctuations in living brains, was performed on 11 healthy adult humans during exposure to essential aroma oils (lavender and lemon oils) and buthanol. The c-fos immunohistochemical staining was also performed on brain tissues of 24 Mongolian gerbils after exposure to the essential aroma oils. RESULTS: In the human fMRI study, the olfactory cortex was activated in all subjects by the essential aroma oils and buthanol. Additionally, lavender oil also activated the hearing and language-related regions of brain. In the animal study, similar results were observed: immunoreactive cells were detected in the hearing and language related regions of gerbil brains that had been exposed to lavender oil. CONCLUSION: The lavender oil activated not only the olfactory region but also the hearing and language-related regions of the brain. These results imply that the essential aroma oil introduced through the olfactory pathway has effects on other regions of the brain.
Adult ; Animals ; Aromatherapy ; Brain* ; Complementary Therapies ; Flowers ; Gerbillinae ; Health Services ; Hearing ; Humans ; Lavandula ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Oils* ; Oils, Volatile ; Olfactory Pathways ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The upper airway caliber shows rhythmic changes according to the respiratory cycle. The dynamic imaging technique is needed to demonstrate nonfixed oropharyngeal obstruction in patients with snoring and/or obstructive sleep apnea. This study was designed with the purpose to determine the level, extent, and dynamics of the oropharyngeal closure from the dynamic view of the oropharynx and to estimate the usefulness of electron beam tomography (EBT) in the snoring and/or obstructive sleep apnea patients. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The upper airway was scanned in 18 patients with snoring by using EBT while awake, asleep, pre and post UPPP (six patients), and pre and post oral appliance (seven patients) during at least two full respiratory cycles. RESULTS: The oropharyngeal stenosis and collapsibility were increased during sleep, especially in the minimum cross sectional area level. In most cases, the sites of stenosis of wakefulness and sleep did not coincide. The degree of stenosis as well as collapsibility of the oropharynx were reduced after UPPP and oral appliance. CONCLUSION: The dynamic study during sleep is needed to evaluate sleep induced airway disease. EBT has the potential to provide information quickly and non-invasively on upper airway dynamics and has certain definite advantages over conventional studies.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Humans ; Oropharynx ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; Snoring* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed* ; Wakefulness