PURPOSE: Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is known to be associated with ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and cognitive impairment. In this retrospective observational study, we explored SVD markers on MRI relevant to spontaneous ICH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ICH group consisted of 150 consecutive patients with a first primary parenchymal ICH, and the control group consisted of 271 age- and sex-matched individuals who underwent brain MRI in a health care center. We compared cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), enlarged perivascular space (EPVS), and lacunae in the ICH and control groups. RESULTS: A total of 1278 CMB lesions were identified in 121 of the 150 patients in the ICH group (80.6%), while 77 CMB lesions were found in 32 of the 271 individuals in the control group (11.8%). WMH and EPVS were more severe and lacunae were more frequent in the ICH patients than in the control group. When receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted, number of CMBs most significantly predicted ICH. All imaging markers were significantly associated with ICH in every age group. The location of CMBs coincided with the location of ICH, and ICH volume correlated with CMB count. CONCLUSION: All MRI markers for SVD were worse in ICH patients than in healthy controls, and these markers were prominent even in young ICH patients. Lacunae, WMH, EPVS, and CMB should be considered as factors related with spontaneous ICH.
Brain ; Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Cerebral Small Vessel Diseases ; Cognition Disorders ; Delivery of Health Care ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Observational Study ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Stroke ; White Matter

Midtrimester genetic amniocentesis has been a gold standard for prenatal diagnosis in antenatal care since last 25 years. After the triple serum marker test was introduced as a prenatal screening method for Down syndrome, the frequency of genetic amniocentesis was increased. OBJECTIVE: To determine the complication, risk of amniocentesis and detection rate of chromosomal abnormality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective clinical analysis of 1,064 midtrimester genetic amnicentesis in IL Sin Christian Hospital antenatal clinic from Jan 1995 to Dec 1997. Chi square test was used for the statistical analysis and p value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Amnicentesis were significantly increased in the age of 35-39 yrs and 40yrs over. And also the incidence of chromosomal abnormality was higher than younger age group. The indications of amnicentesis were screen positive of triple marker test(43%), advanced maternal age(20.8%), abnormal beta-hCG level, past history of chromosome abnormality or malformed baby and abnormal alpha-FP level in order. Total number of chromosomal abnormalities was 30 and the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities was 2.8%(30/1,064). The complications were developed in 13 cases and fetal loss rate was 0.78%(9/1,064). CONCLUSION: The detection rate of chromosomal abnormality in midtrimester amnicentesis for prenatal diagnosis was high and relatively safe procedure but, we should be attention to more careful manipulation.
Amniocentesis ; Biomarkers ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Down Syndrome ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second* ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: A Phenomenological study was conducted to investigate the experiences of infertile women who had an unsuccessful in vitro fertilization (IVF) attempt and the structure of these experiences was identified in a socio-cultural context. METHOD: In-depth interviews were done with five participants from Nov. 1997 to Feb. 1998. Data was recorded and analyzed by Colazzi's method. RESULT: Significant statements were extracted from the data resulting in 4 themes and 11 concepts. The concepts were: 'lack of information', 'unable to anticipate the outcome', 'reaffirmation of need', 'financial strain', 'emotional suppression', 'change of social relationships', 'physical fatigue', 'blaming oneself or God', 'trying different ways', 'famous place shopping', and 'praying to God'. The significant themes of the participants' experiences with IVF emerged as: "uncertainty", "burden", "blaming" and "vigorous desire". CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the care of infertile women with an unsuccessful IVF attempt should be based on a deep understanding of their personal experiences. Also, information on alternative choices should be offered and supported.
Female ; Fertilization in Vitro* ; Humans ; Infertility ; Life Change Events

No abstract available.
Mass Screening*

No abstract available.
Apgar Score* ; Depression* ; Humans ; Psychology*

No abstract available.
Apgar Score* ; Depression* ; Humans ; Psychology*

This study was done to examine consciousness and preventive strategies of adolescent drug abuse. This study design was descriptive survey. The data were collected from 1,830 students from 32 middle and high schools from November 11 to December 20, 1997, using questionnaires. The data were analyzed using SAS computer programs. The study results are as follows : Most of adolescent get the information on narcotics and drug abuse from TV, newspaper, magazine and advertisement. Some of them(48.8%) have received education on drug prevention. However, respondents(49.3%) answered unsatisfactory on preventive education. 69.2% of respondents do not know the legal regulation on alcohol and cigarette. The survey on the degree of cognition on drug abuse shows the serious results : cigarette(79.1%), alcohol(74.1%), bonds(55.1%), gas(49.8%), excitants(48.5%), narcotics(29%), marihwana(27.8%) and, diuretics(21.9%). The situation of adolescent drug abuse is also serious in the order of alcohol 38.2%, cigarette 14.3%, marihwana 9.4%.
Adolescent* ; Cognition ; Consciousness* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Education ; Humans ; Narcotics ; Periodicals ; Periodicals as Topic ; Substance-Related Disorders* ; Tobacco Products

This study was done to examine consciousness and preventive strategies of adolescent drug abuse. This study design was descriptive survey. The data were collected from 1,830 students from 32 middle and high schools from November 11 to December 20, 1997, using questionnaires. The data were analyzed using SAS computer programs. The study results are as follows : Most of adolescent get the information on narcotics and drug abuse from TV, newspaper, magazine and advertisement. Some of them(48.8%) have received education on drug prevention. However, respondents(49.3%) answered unsatisfactory on preventive education. 69.2% of respondents do not know the legal regulation on alcohol and cigarette. The survey on the degree of cognition on drug abuse shows the serious results : cigarette(79.1%), alcohol(74.1%), bonds(55.1%), gas(49.8%), excitants(48.5%), narcotics(29%), marihwana(27.8%) and, diuretics(21.9%). The situation of adolescent drug abuse is also serious in the order of alcohol 38.2%, cigarette 14.3%, marihwana 9.4%.
Adolescent* ; Cognition ; Consciousness* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Education ; Humans ; Narcotics ; Periodicals ; Periodicals as Topic ; Substance-Related Disorders* ; Tobacco Products

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

Chordoma arising from the notochordal remnants is a rare primary bone tumor in the cervicosacral region and is even more unusual in the thoracic region. The authors experienced a case of thoracic chordoma and report its CT and MR findings.
Chordoma* ; Notochord