A simple technique for transpedicular screw fixation of L5 is presented. This percutaneous screwing allows up-and-in screw placement without excessive lateral stretching and lessens the length of incision.
Spine*

A simple technique for transpedicular screw fixation of L5 is presented. This percutaneous screwing allows up-and-in screw placement without excessive lateral stretching and lessens the length of incision.
Spine*

Congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is the most common intra-abdominal disease required surgery during the first few months of life. The expression of pyloric stenosis is dependent upon the genetic influence of ancestors affected with the disease, as well as unknown environmental influences in the postnatal period. Pyloric stenosis has been reported in multiple sibs in a family, which suggests the genetic influence on the expression of this disease. Until now, the genetic influence is thought a sex-modified polygenic or multifactorial background which facilitates the expression of a common dominant gene. We experienced a case of congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in a two siblings. The siblings suffered projectile vomiting for 2~4 days at 16 days old of age and 15 days old of age. After we confirmed the diagnosis by upper gastrointestinal series and abdominal sonogram, the Fredet-Ramstedt pyloromyotomy was done successfully. This case suggests the genetic influence on the expression of this disease.
Diagnosis ; Genes, Dominant ; Humans ; Pyloric Stenosis ; Pyloric Stenosis, Hypertrophic* ; Siblings* ; Vomiting

The current paper reports on a case of subdural empyema secondary to frontal sinusitis in an otherwise healthy child. Sinusitis is a common and benign condition in most pediatric cases. Because of the widespread use of antibiotics, intracranial extension of pediatric sinusitis is rarely seen today; however, complications (e.g., cavernous sinus thrombosis, orbital infection, meningitis, and subdural empyema) are potentially life threatening. A 15-year-old right-handed male presented with a 3-day history of fever, headache, and left-sided palsy. Computed tomography revealed right-sided subdural empyema with right frontal sinusitis and maxillary sinusitis. A postoperative inpatient neurological consultation was requested 2 months post-surgery due to motor function deficits. The results suggested that early and accurate diagnosis of subdural empyema leads to prompt treatment and a favorable outcome for the patient.
Adolescent ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Brain Abscess ; Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis ; Central Nervous System ; Child* ; Diagnosis ; Empyema, Subdural* ; Fever ; Frontal Sinus ; Frontal Sinusitis ; Headache ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Male ; Maxillary Sinus ; Maxillary Sinusitis ; Meningitis ; Orbit ; Paralysis ; Sinusitis*

Cytogenetic techniques were used to detect specific chromosomal losses and / or stuctural changes in 6 meningioma cell population of 11meningioma patients. Polymorphic DNA markers were uti.lized to investigate the loss of constitutional heterozygosity on chromosomes 8. 17 and 22 in 9 meningioma cell population of 1l meningioma patients. As a result, 5 cases(M-2.4,5.9, and 10) represented 45. XX. -22 or 45, XY.-22 as stem line. In addition to chromosome 22, other chromosomes were lost randomly. In one case(M-3) normal karyotypic pattern was oberved. The 9q+ structural change was also noted in case M-2. This structural change was thought to be the chromosomal involvement secondary to the loss of chromosome 22 in meningioma. Retentions of constitutional heterozygosity on chromosomes 8 and 17 were found in all cases. Loss of constitutional hererozygosity on chromosome 22 were found at Hind m RFLP of v-sis in cases M-1 and M-7. EcoRI RFLP of v-sis in case M-1. Bgl II RFLP of v-sis case M-1. Xba I RFLP of v-sis in cases M-6. M-9 and M-11. And EcoRI RFLP of bcr in all cases. Rearrangement of chromosome 22 in case M-1 was detected on the Xba I RFLP of v-sis as extra band(3.14kb). The reduction to hemizygosity on chromosome 22 was one important step in tumorigenesis of meningioma. Monosomy 22 might operate at the primary level of tumor initiation. Random losses of other chromosomes or structural changes as 9q+ were postula!ed to be related to tumor development.
Carcinogenesis ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22 ; Cytogenetic Analysis ; Cytogenetics* ; Genetic Markers ; Humans* ; Meningioma* ; Monosomy ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

OBJECTIVE: We report six patients with traumatic intracerebellar hematomas between 1997 and 2003 at our hospitals. METHODS: Each data about patients' clinicoradiologic findings, management, and outcomes, which were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: All patients had skull fracture on occiput and five patients with large hematomas(three cm or greater) were operated on. In the results of surgery, three patients were good outcome but two patients were fatal due to compression of brain stem. One patient with small hematoma (1.5cm) was treated conservatively and recovered. CONCLUSION: In our cases, the clinical course and prognosis of traumatic intracerebellar hematoma were grave. The results of this study support that early diagnosis based on strict observation in patients with occipital fracture will lead to best results.
Brain Stem ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Early Diagnosis ; Hematoma* ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Skull Fractures

OBJECTIVE: The lack of anatomical knowledge for the anterior cervical microforaminotomy is liable to injure the neurovascular structures. The surgical anatomy is examined with special attention to the ventral aspect exposed in anterior cervical microforaminotomy. METHODS: In 16 adult formalin fixed cadaveric cervical spine, the author measured the distances from the medical margin of the longus colli to the medical wall of the ipsilateral vertebral artery and the angle for the ipsilateral vertebral artery. The distances from the lateral margin of the posterior longitudinal ligament to the medial margin of the ipsilateral medial wall of the vertebral artery, to the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglion was measured too. RESULTS: The distance from the medial margin of the longus colli to the ipsilateral vertebral artery was 13.3~14.7mm and the angle for the ipsilateral vertebral artery was 41~42.5 degrees. The range of distance from the lateral margin of the posterior longitudinal ligament to the ipsilateral vertebral artery was 11.9~16.1mm, to the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglion was 11.6~12.9mm. CONCLUSION: These data will aid in reducing neurovascular injury during anterior cervical approaches.
Adult ; Cadaver ; Formaldehyde ; Ganglia, Spinal ; Humans ; Longitudinal Ligaments ; Spine ; Vertebral Artery

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the frequency of nasal septal perforation at the suture fixation site of a silastic sheet inserted during nasal surgery. METHODS: Seven hundred and twenty-one patients with silastic sheet insertion during common nasal surgeries were examined. The frequency of perforations and subjective symptoms of the patients were evaluated. RESULTS: Nasal septal perforation at the suture fixation site occurred in seven patients (0.97%). In three patients, perforations occurred immediately after removal of the sheet, while four patients developed perforations 2 to 4 weeks later. In most cases, perforations were small and did not exceed 2 to 3 mm in diameter. No patient complained of nasal symptoms related to the septal perforation postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The frequency of the septal perforation at the suture fixation site of a silastic sheet was very low and subjective symptoms were absent.
Dimethylpolysiloxanes ; Humans ; Nasal Septal Perforation ; Nasal Septum ; Nasal Surgical Procedures ; Sutures

After von Rokitansky's description in 1984 of a calcified chronic subdural hematoma, the number of such lesions has reached so far a total of 108. The majority of patients reported have been children and young adults. On review of the literature, elderly patients reported over the age of sixty five years are only 5, so far as we know. A 68-year-old Korean male with a calcified chronic subdural hematoma is reported. He was admitted to our department because of a status epilepticus. During Korean war (1950), abut 37 years before admission, he had been suffered from a blunt head injury, but mistreated then, and afterwards th had several episodes of convulsion. Neurological examination on admission revealed only a drowsy consciousness and mild papilledema on the left. Plain skull X-ray films and brain CT scan demonstrated a left sided biconvex type of intracranial calcification. A left frentoparietal craniotomy was performed. After opening the dura mater, the thickened outer membrane, the subdural hematoma and the thin bone like plate were removed thoroughly. Content of the subdural hematoma was brown muddy substance. In the eight months following the operation, the generalized seizure did not appear. Postoperative CT scan demonstrated complete re-expansion of the brain parenchyme.
Aged* ; Brain ; Child ; Consciousness ; Craniotomy ; Dura Mater ; Head Injuries, Closed ; Hematoma, Subdural ; Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic* ; Humans ; Korean War ; Male ; Membranes ; Neurologic Examination ; Papilledema ; Seizures ; Skull ; Status Epilepticus ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; X-Ray Film ; Young Adult

Anterior sacral meningocele is a rare congenital lesion. The authors report a case of anterior sacral meningocele in a 51-year-old male who complained of lower abdominal pain and small caliber stool. Myelogram and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) revealed a meningocele on anterior part of the sacrum communicating to the spinal canal. Total laminectomy on S 3, 4 and a ligation of the spinal canal between normal dura and meningocele on S 2/3 level were carried out. The patient returned to home 2 weeks postoperatively with complete relief of symptoms.
Abdominal Pain ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Ligation ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Meningocele* ; Middle Aged ; Sacrum ; Spinal Canal