BACKGROUND: Mirror movements are symmetric, identical, contralateral involuntary movements that accompany vol-untary movements on one side of the body. The aim of this study is to examine the patterns of brain activation during motor and sensory tasks using a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and to compare them between normal subjects and a patient with congenital mirror movements. METHODS: A 19 year-old patient with congenital mirror movements and seven normal volunteers (mean age: 29 years old), performed finger-tapping and tactile stimulation tasks with the right, left, and both hands, while gradient echo EPI (echo planar imaging) images were acquired in a 1.5T scanner. RESULTS: During the motor and sensory tasks, the patient showed a bilateral activation of the primary motor and sensory cortices, whereas normal subjects showed only unilateral activations. Activations related to the motor task was observed in the primary sensory cortex, the supplementary motor area, and the cerebellum as well as the primary motor cortex in the case of the patient, while only the primary motor cortex was significantly activated in normal subjects. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the abnormality underlying congenital mirror movements involves not only the primary motor cortices and interhemispheric connections between them, but also the more extended motor-sensory circuitry including the primary sensory cortex, supplementary motor area, and cerebellum.
Brain ; Cerebellum ; Dyskinesias ; Hand ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Motor Cortex ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Mirror movements are symmetric, identical, contralateral involuntary movements that accompany vol-untary movements on one side of the body. The aim of this study is to examine the patterns of brain activation during motor and sensory tasks using a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and to compare them between normal subjects and a patient with congenital mirror movements. METHODS: A 19 year-old patient with congenital mirror movements and seven normal volunteers (mean age: 29 years old), performed finger-tapping and tactile stimulation tasks with the right, left, and both hands, while gradient echo EPI (echo planar imaging) images were acquired in a 1.5T scanner. RESULTS: During the motor and sensory tasks, the patient showed a bilateral activation of the primary motor and sensory cortices, whereas normal subjects showed only unilateral activations. Activations related to the motor task was observed in the primary sensory cortex, the supplementary motor area, and the cerebellum as well as the primary motor cortex in the case of the patient, while only the primary motor cortex was significantly activated in normal subjects. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the abnormality underlying congenital mirror movements involves not only the primary motor cortices and interhemispheric connections between them, but also the more extended motor-sensory circuitry including the primary sensory cortex, supplementary motor area, and cerebellum.
Brain ; Cerebellum ; Dyskinesias ; Hand ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Motor Cortex ; Young Adult

Metaphyseal cysts are common findings in Legg-Calv Perthes(LCP) disease, though usually disappear within 6-12 months. Several studies have described the MR imaging findings of these cysts, though serial MRI findings have not been documented. In this report, therefore, we report the serial MRI results of metaphyseal cyst in LCP patients.
Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) cause neurologic dysfunction by blocking the voltage-gated sodium channels located in all of the peripheral nerves and muscles. We experienced two patients presenting with generalized motor weakness after ingestion of pufferfish. The nerve conduction study showed diffuse slowing of motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity, prolonged motor terminal latency and decreased sensory nerve action potentials without temporal dispersion or conduction block. Abnormal findings of nerve conduction study improved rapidly without any deterioration. Clinical symptoms and signs ameliorated in accordance with findings of nerve conduction study without any neurologic sequelae. These imply that tetrodotoxication is reversible and functional neurologic disorder. We suggest that nerve conduction studies can be available in serial monitoring of tetrodotoxication as an objective means.
Action Potentials ; Eating ; Humans ; Muscles ; Nervous System Diseases ; Neural Conduction ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Peripheral Nerves* ; Tetraodontiformes ; Tetrodotoxin ; Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels

Retroperitoneal liposarcoma comprises 12 to 45 percent of all liposarcoma. It has been a therapeutic dilemma and a less prognosis because of its tendency to attain a tremendous size due to early silent growth and difficult wide en bloc excision in the retroperitoneum. Here in we report a case of retroperitoneal liposarcoma in 51 year old male patient with a brief review of the literatures.
Humans ; Liposarcoma* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of topically applied capsaicin cream for the treatment of chronic low back and posterior neck pain. Fourty-one patients with chronic low back or posterior neck pain of more than 6 months despite comprehensive management in our rehabilitation department were selected for this study. Of these subjects, a group of 21 patients used capsaicin cream, and the other 21 patients used NSAID gel as a control group. Pain intensities in both groups were measured with the visual analogue scale(VAS) before the treatment, 2 weeks and 5 weeks after the treatment. McGill Pain Questionnaire(MPQ) was used before and 5 weeks after the treatment. According to followed-up VAS, MPQ-number of words chosen, and MPQ-pain rating index, there was an evidence of effective pain relief by capsaicin cream for the low back and posterior neck pain 5 weeks after the treatment. We conclude that continuous use of capsaicin cream for 5 weeks can be beneficial for the chronic pain patients in relieving pain and subsequently helping their rehabilitation process.
Capsaicin* ; Chronic Pain ; Humans ; Neck Pain* ; Rehabilitation

Myofascial trigger point(TP) is characterized as an impaired energy metabolism. We hypothesized that the use of dextrose as an energy supplement for TP injection would be more effective than saline or lidocaine. Sixty four typical myofascial pain patients were treated with TP injections. Among them 23 were injected with 5% dextrose water(D/W Group), 20 with normal saline (N/S Group), and 21 with 0.5% lidocaine (Lidocaine Group). Visual analogue scale(VAS) and pressure threshold algometer(kg/cm2) were used as measuring tools before, immediately after, and 7 days after the injection therapies. Mean VAS scores were 6.78 before, 5.19 immediately after, and 3.39 seven days after the injections, and the treatment effects were greater after the second and third injections. Mean differences of pressure threshold were 0.37 before and immediately after injections, and 0.42 before and 7 days after injections. Significant elevation of threshold was noted after the second and third injections. Mean VAS were not significantly different in three groups before and immediately after injections. But after 7 days, only D/W Group showed significantly lower score of 2.39, compared to 3.85 in N/S Group and 4.05 in Lidocaine Group(P<0.01). Mean pressure threshold before and immediately after injections was not different in each group. After seven days D/W Group also showed significantly higher value of 2.49, compared to 1.91 in N/S Group and 2.07 in Lidocaine Group(P<0.05). We have concluded that 5% dextrose water would be the preferable choice for TP injection.
Energy Metabolism ; Glucose* ; Humans ; Lidocaine* ; Trigger Points* ; Water*

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood psychiatric disorder. Recently, it has been suggested that brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) may play a role in the pathogenesis of ADHD. Our aim of this review is to understand the physiological functions of BDNF and its potential relationship with ADHD and therapeutic approaches of ADHD. Searches were conducted in Pubmed and Research Information Service System (RISS). In this review, we summarized important literatures for the physiological functions of BDNF in neurodevelopment, change of serum BDNF level in ADHD, association of BDNF polymorphism and ADHD and potential association of treatment of ADHD with serum BDNF level. Further studies are required to more clearly understand the source and the role of BDNF in ADHD and to develop BDNF based-ADHD treatement.
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Information Services

PURPOSE: This study was performed to determine the natural history of histologically confirmed IgA nephropathy in pediatric patients who presented with hematuria and proteinuria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the clinical course of 57 patients diagnosed with IgA nephropathy at the age of 15 years or younger from 1981 to 2000. All patients presented with hematuria or minimal proteinuria(<40 mg/m2/day) and had normal renal function and blood pressure at the time of renal biopsy. Based on the clinical and pathological findings at the time of diagnosis, we sought for complications of IgA nephropathy such as heavy proteinuria(> or =40 mg/m2/day), hypertension, and chronic renal failure. RESULTS: The mean age at presentation was 9.5+/-2.8 years(4 to 15 years) and 42(74%) were male. Isolated gross hematuria was observed in 20 patients(35%), microscopic hematuria in 3(5%), minimal proteinuria in 4(7%), both gross hematuria and minimal proteinuria in 15(26 %), and both microscopic hematuria and minimal proteinuria in 15(26%). During a median follow-up of 7.0+/-3.5 years, 38(67%) had complete resolution of hematuria and proteinuria, 12(21%) had persistently abnormal urinalysis without development of adverse events. Only 7(12%) developed adverse events:4(7%) developed severe proteinuria, 1(2%) became hypertensive, and 2(3%) developed impaired renal function. By univariate analysis using the chi-square test, the age at presentation(>10 years)(P<0.01) and poor histological classes of the Lee or Haas classification at onset(P<0.05) were significantly correlated with adverse events, whereas sex and clinical signs at onset were less concordant. CONCLUSION: We can conclude that the prognosis of IgA nephropathy diagnosed in early childhood is better and a good correlation exists between the clinical manifestations of this disease and the histological classes.
Biopsy ; Blood Pressure ; Child* ; Classification ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA* ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Immunoglobulin A* ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Male ; Natural History ; Prognosis* ; Proteinuria ; Urinalysis

PURPOSE: To determine the frequency and distribution of parenchymal changes on mammography before and after hormone replacement therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mammograms of 100 postmenopausal women who underwent hormone replacement therapy without breast disease were evaluated. Mammograms obtained annually after hormone replacement were analysed and compared with that of pretreatment. In addition, mammograms of control group and treatment group were compared. RESULTS: An increase in density of breast parenchyma was seen on the mammogram of 20 women(20%) receiving therapy. The mammograms from the control group showed no change. Mammographic changes were detected at first year in 13 women, 2nd year in 4 women, 3rd year in 2 women, and 4th year in 1 woman (average,19 months). CONCLUSION: We conclude that increase in mammographic density following postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy is not uncommon(20%).
Breast Diseases ; Breast* ; Estrogen Replacement Therapy* ; Female ; Hormone Replacement Therapy ; Humans ; Mammography*