PURPOSE: To compare the ability of tumor detection and the lesion conspicuity between T1- and T2-weighted fast scanning sequences and T1- and T2-weighted conventional spin echo techniques in MR imaging of hepatic tumors. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Hepatic tumors were induced on 13 male Sprague-Dawley rats by feeding 3'-methyl-dimethylethylaminoazobenzene mixed with Miller's III formula for 12 weeks. MR images were obtained with 1.5T magnet with dual TMJ coil(Signa, GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, USA). Animals were anesthesized with 150mg/kg of ketamine hydrochloride. T2 weighted fast spin echo(FSE), conventional spin echo(CSE) T2- and T1WI, fast multiplanar spoiled gradient recalled(FMPSPGR) imaging were obtained. Number of detected, tumors and contrast-to-noise ratio of the tumors were compared for each sequence. RESULTS: Overall 110 tumors were developed. 75% of the tumors were detected on FSE, 65% on FMPSPGR, 41% on conventional T2WI, and 41% on T1WI images. For tumors more than 5mm in diameter, sensitivity was 88% on FMPSPGR, 65% on conventional T2WI, and 81% on TIWI images respectively. CNR of the tumor was 28.94 +/- 21.6 on FSE, 13.57 +/- 8.64 on FMPSPGR, 12.62 +/- 10.65 on CSE T2WI, and 9.47 +/- 8.05 on CSE TIWI images, which was significantly high on FSE (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Fast spin echo T2 WI shows highest sensitivity and tumor-to-liver contrast. FMPSPGR imaging is also favorably comparable with conventional T1WI. Therfore, these two pulse sequences can be useful in clinical condition for hepatic MR imaging.
Animals ; Humans ; Ketamine ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Temporomandibular Joint

We report a rare case of tricuspid valve and pulmonary valve endocarditis associated with a double-chambered right ventricle in an adult female with pulmonary artery aneurysm and septic pulmonary embolism by Streptococcus mitis. She was treated with aggressive antibiotic therapy followed by debridement of the infective lesion of tricuspid valve, pulmonary valve replacement using xenograft and resection of obstructing muscular bundles in right ventricle.
Adult ; Aneurysm ; Debridement ; Endocarditis* ; Endocarditis, Bacterial ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Heart Ventricles* ; Heterografts ; Humans ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Pulmonary Valve* ; Streptococcus mitis ; Tricuspid Valve

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to investigate the level of quality of life (QOL) and to identify its related factors among the elderly using a hall for the aged. METHODS: The study subjects were 350 elderly people living in Nam Gu, Gwangju City. They were interviewed by questionnaire to collect information on social-demographic characteristics, health behaviors, health-related characteristics and QOL. We used statistical analysis methods such as T-test, ANOVA and multiple regression analysis to find which factors affected QOL. RESULTS: The characteristics relating to physical functions were as follows: presence of spouse, education, alcohol drinking, teeth condition, arthritis, frequency of visiting the hall for the aged, and depression. Age, arthritis and depression were significantly related to role limitation due to physical problems. General health was related to gender, age, and depression, and vitality was related to education, frequency of visiting the hall, and depression. Role limitation due to emotional problems was related to age and depression, and mental health was related to age, hypertension, arthritis and depression. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed QOL of the elderly was significantly influenced by socio-demographic factors, and physical or emotional conditions. To improve QOL of the elderly, we need to develop programs to promote health and to manage chronic diseases of the elderly.
Age Factors ; Aged ; *Community Health Centers ; Day Care/*psychology ; Female ; *Health Behavior ; *Health Services for the Aged ; *Health Status ; Humans ; Male ; Quality of Life/*psychology ; Sex Factors ; Socioeconomic Factors

PURPOSE: To assess the ability of MR imaging with an endorectal surface coil for the depiction of noraml anatomical structure of prostate and its adjacent organs. MATERIALS AND METHOD: MR imaging using an endorectal surface coil was performed in 23 male patients (age;20-75) to evaluate various prostatic and vasovesicular disorders, i.e., 14 cases of ejaculatory problems, 3 cases of hypogonadism, and 4 cases of prostatic cancers and 2 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia. MR images were obtained with axial, sagittal and coronal fast spin echo long TR/TE images and axial spin echo short TR/TE images. Field of views was 10--12 cm and scan thickness was3--5 mm. RESULTS: Depiction of normal anatomcial structures was excellent in all cases. On T2WI, zonal anatomy of the prostate and prostatic urethra, urethral crest, and ejaculatory duct were cleary visualized. On T1WI, periprostatic fat plane is more cleary visualized.
Ejaculatory Ducts ; Fluconazole ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Male ; Prostate* ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Urethra

PURPOSE: To evaluate the dynamic enhancement patterns of focal hepatic lesions using breath-hold dynamic MR imaging for differential diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Thirty three patients (24 men and 12 women, mean age of 55 years) with 56 known liver masses on CT scan and US underwent MR imaging with 1.5T. After Tl-weighted fast multiplanar spoiled gradient recalled (FMPSPGR) imaging, breath-hold FMPSPGR images were obtained at 0, 1, 3, 5, and 10 minutes after bolus injection of Gd-DTPA. The cases consisted of 16 hepatocellular carcinomas, 24 hemangiomas, 6 metastases, 3 cholangiocellular carcinomas, and 7 hepatic cysts. The dynamic enhancement patterns were evaluated on the basis of initial enhancement study and, the degree of enhancement was also levaluaied. RESULTS: Of 24 hemangiomas, most cases showed centripetal filling-in pattern of enhancement except 3 cases which showed homogeneous enhancement pattern on the early dynamic phase. All hemangiomas showed very high signal intensity which persisted to the delayed phase. The eccentric enhancement pattern was the most common type in hemangiomas (63%). Hepatocellular carcinomas had heterogeneous enhancement pattern on early and delayed phase (81, 88%) and showed diminished signal intensity on the delayed images. 14 of 16 hepatocellular carcinomas (88%) had peritumoral halo. Variable enhancement pattern was observed in metastases including progressive centripetal filling-in pattern (67%). All metastases showed prominent peritumoral halos and low signal intensity. Cholangiocellular carcinomas showed early centripetal filling-in and heterogeneous enhancement pattern on delayed phase. None of hepatic cysts showed enhancement. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic breath-hold MR imaging with Gd enhancement allows accurate assessment of hemodynamic status of hepatic lesions and is useful in differential diagnosis of focal hepatic lerions.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Hemangioma ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Liver ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: To evaluate the dynamic enhancement patterns of focal hepatic lesions using breath-hold dynamic MR imaging for differential diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Thirty three patients (24 men and 12 women, mean age of 55 years) with 56 known liver masses on CT scan and US underwent MR imaging with 1.5T. After Tl-weighted fast multiplanar spoiled gradient recalled (FMPSPGR) imaging, breath-hold FMPSPGR images were obtained at 0, 1, 3, 5, and 10 minutes after bolus injection of Gd-DTPA. The cases consisted of 16 hepatocellular carcinomas, 24 hemangiomas, 6 metastases, 3 cholangiocellular carcinomas, and 7 hepatic cysts. The dynamic enhancement patterns were evaluated on the basis of initial enhancement study and, the degree of enhancement was also levaluaied. RESULTS: Of 24 hemangiomas, most cases showed centripetal filling-in pattern of enhancement except 3 cases which showed homogeneous enhancement pattern on the early dynamic phase. All hemangiomas showed very high signal intensity which persisted to the delayed phase. The eccentric enhancement pattern was the most common type in hemangiomas (63%). Hepatocellular carcinomas had heterogeneous enhancement pattern on early and delayed phase (81, 88%) and showed diminished signal intensity on the delayed images. 14 of 16 hepatocellular carcinomas (88%) had peritumoral halo. Variable enhancement pattern was observed in metastases including progressive centripetal filling-in pattern (67%). All metastases showed prominent peritumoral halos and low signal intensity. Cholangiocellular carcinomas showed early centripetal filling-in and heterogeneous enhancement pattern on delayed phase. None of hepatic cysts showed enhancement. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic breath-hold MR imaging with Gd enhancement allows accurate assessment of hemodynamic status of hepatic lesions and is useful in differential diagnosis of focal hepatic lerions.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Hemangioma ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Liver ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The widespread application of coronary angiography and poen heart surgery have resulted in more frequent detection of patients with coronary artery anomaly. In 0.6 to 1.2 percent of individials, the coronary arteries arise aberrantly from the aorta. Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the fight coronary sinus with subsequent coursing between the aorta and pulmonary artery is a rare and sometimes fatal coronary amonaly. This anomaly has been reported in young and healthy men who died suddenly during or immediately forllowing vigorous physical exercise. The exact mechanism of sudden death is unclear. It is believed to be related to either extrinsic compression of the left coronary artery or distorsion of the vessel orifice, with resultant global ischemia and ventricular fibrllation. A 13-years old healthy boy, who was completely asymptomatic until he had sudden chest pain after running, arrived at hospital with typical clinical picture of acute myocardial infarction. The electrocardiography taken on admission demonstrated pathologic Q wave changes on lead I, aVL, V2, V3 and V4. Cardiac enzymes were elevated. The selective coronary angiography demonstrated that left coronary artery arose from the right coronary sinus. The anomalous left coronary artery passed posterioly around aortic root to reach its normal position in the interventricular groove. We report the patient with anomalous origined left coronary artery which causes the acute myocardial infarction.
Adolescent ; Aorta ; Chest Pain ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Sinus* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Death, Sudden ; Electrocardiography ; Exercise ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Pulmonary Artery ; Running ; Thoracic Surgery

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of Gd-ethoxybenzyl-DTPA(Gd-EOB-DTPA) in MR imaging of primary hepatictumors in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary hepatic tumors had been induced on 12 male Sprague-Dawley rats byoral administration of an experimental diet containing 3'-methyl-4'-dimethylaminobenzene for 12 weeks. T1-weighted spin echo images were obtained with 1.5 T system before and after injection of 25 micro mol/kg ofGd-EOB-DTPA. The detection rate of tumors in each image was compared to that in resected specimens. Signal intensity of the liver and the largest tumor were measured in each rat on pre- and postcontrast images. Signal tonoise ratio(SNR) of the liver and liver-to-tumor contrast to noise ratio(CNR) were calculated. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-five liver tumors were identified on gross examination. Fifty one lesions(41%) on precontrast images, and 80(64%) on postcontrast images were demonstrated (p<0.01). Of the 33 tumors larger than 5mm, 28lesions(85%) were demonstrated on precontrast image, and 31(94%) on postcontrast image (p>0.05). Of the 92 lesions smaller than 5mm in diameter, 23(25%) were seen on precontrast image and 49 the (53%) on postcontrast image(p<0.01). After contrast enhancement, the signal intensity of both liver and tumor increased(p<0.05), though background noise also increased (p>0.05). Consequently, SNR increased significantly in the liver from 10.89 +/-1.96(mean standard error) to 15.59 +/- 2.34(p<0.05), but not in tumors(from 8.21 +/- 3.71 to 8.85 +/- 5.42). Liver-to-tumor CNR increased from 5.55 +/- 0.94 to 13.25 +/- 2.50 (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The use of Gd-EOB-DTPA canincrease the detection rate of primary hepatic tumors in rats, especially of small lesions.
Animals ; Diet ; Gadolinium ; Humans ; Liver ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Male ; Noise ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is being widely used in an attempt to treat many hematological diseases such as leukemia, anemia, and lymphoma. To evaluate the success of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, it is very important to determine how rapidly engraftment occurs. Therefore, this retrospective study was conducted to determine which factors affected the term of engraftment during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, while focusing on the oral intake status. To accomplish this, 416 patients who underwent transplant operations at St. Mary's hospital from May 2006 to April 2008 were evaluated. The long-term engraftment group was characterized as having longer fasting days and more frequent vomiting, diarrhea, and oral mucositis incidences than the short-term engraftment group. In addition, the inhibitors of oral intake such as vomiting, diarrhea, and oral mucositis developed frequently between the pre-transplantation and 2 weeks after transplantation. A significantly negative correlation was observed between the oral intake volume and the duration of the oral intake inhibitors. A multiple regression analysis revealed that the frequency of vomiting and oral mucositis during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the length of hospitalization, and the hematocrit level in the 2 weeks after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were significant predictors of engraftment. The results of this study could be used to establish a guideline for nutritional assessment, nutritional goals, and nutritional support for patients during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Anemia ; Diarrhea ; Fasting ; Hematocrit ; Hematologic Diseases ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Leukemia ; Lymphoma ; Nutrition Assessment ; Nutritional Status ; Nutritional Support ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomatitis ; Transplants ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) treated with intravitreal dexamethasone implants and intravitreal bevacizumab injections.METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was designed using 66 patients with DME treated with intravitreal dexamethasone (n = 35; 35 eyes) and intravitreal bevacizumab (n = 31; 31 eyes). Post-treatment changes in hyperreflective foci in the inner and outer retina were characterized using optical coherence tomography, central macular thickness, outer limiting membrane, and photoreceptor inner segment-outer segment junctions. Visual acuities were analyzed 4 weeks after bevacizumab injections and 8 weeks after dexamethasone injections.RESULTS: Both groups showed a decrease in the number of hyperreflective foci after treatment: from 10.6 ± 11.8 to 6.3 ± 5.9 (p = 0.005) in the intravitreal dexamethasone implant group and from 11.6 ± 8.5 to 7.7 ± 6.7 (p < 0.001) in the intravitreal bevacizumab injection group. The mean central macular thickness in the dexamethasone group changed significantly from 586.8 µm to 297.7 µm after treatment and the visual acuity improved significantly from 0.33 logMAR to 0.38 logMAR after treatment (p < 0.001 and p = 0.018, respectively). The mean central macular thickness in the bevacizumab group showed a significant decrease from 467.1 µm to 353.2 µm after treatment (p < 0.001), but there was no significant change in the visual acuities: 0.34 logMAR to 0.32 logMAR after treatment (p = 0.464).CONCLUSIONS: Both intravitreal dexamethasone implants and bevacizumab treatments in patients with DME showed improved outcomes including a decrease in hyperreflective foci shown by optical coherence tomography.
Bevacizumab ; Cohort Studies ; Dexamethasone ; Humans ; Intravitreal Injections ; Macular Edema ; Membranes ; Retina ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Visual Acuity