BACKGROUND: The infection rate of intestinal parasites has been abruptly decreased during a couple of decades, but the report that Clonorchis sinensis has been decreased in infection rate was not shown. Because Clonorchis sinensis could induce the serious complications such as cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, cholangiocarcinoma, authors thought that clonorchiasis requird early diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Therefore the authors surveyed the infection pattern of Clonorchis sinensis for inhabitants who lived in Miryang city, well-known as endemic area for a long time, located at lower basin of Nakdong river. METHODS: The 661 subjects that received workers health examination in Miryang Youngnam General Hospital from September to November, 1996, were surveyed by using questionnaire, skin test and stool egg examination. This questionnaire contained history, duration, frequency of raw freshwater fish ingestion, history and treatment of clonorchiasis, history of other hepatic disease. The authors performed laboratory examination to 54 stool egg positive subjects. RESULTS: Among 661 subjects, the stool egg positive subjects were 54 and showed 8.2% in infection rate. In male(8.9%), stool egg positive rate was higher than female(4.9%). As age increased, stool egg positive rate also increased. Compared to the age group less than 30, stool egg positive rate was higher among age group 30 or over, particularly, in age group 50 or over, stool egg positive rate showed highest infection rate, 31.6%. And stool egg positive rate was increased according to increase of period, frequency of raw freshwater fish ingestion. Subjects with history of clonorchiasis and administrating Praziquantel had higher infection rate than the other subjects without the history. CONCLUSIONS: In this survey, the authors thought that high risk factors of clonorchiasis were male, age of 30 or over(particularly age of 50 or over), more than 10 years in raw freshwater fish ingestion period, more than twice per month in raw freshwater fish ingestion frequency. Then people having these risk factors must be performed various examinations for clonorchiasis, although they had not clinical symptoms, signs and abnormal laboratory findings.
Cholangiocarcinoma ; Cholecystitis ; Cholelithiasis ; Clonorchiasis ; Clonorchis sinensis* ; Early Diagnosis ; Eating ; Fresh Water ; Gyeongsangnam-do ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Male ; Ovum ; Parasites ; Praziquantel ; Risk Factors ; Rivers* ; Skin Tests ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Ossification and calcification of the spinal ligaments frequently cause pressure upon the spinal cord andnerve roots. Authors reviewed 150 cases of C-spine CT, 80 cases of T-spine CT, and 725 cases of L-spine CT whichwere carried out a Pusan Natina University Hospital for 2 years from May 1983 to May 1985. We analysed 34 caseswhich showed ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and ligamentum flavum (OLF) of these 955cases. The results are follows: 1. The male ot female ratio of spinal ligamentous ossification was 26:8. The 5thdecade group (24.41%) was the most prevalent age group. 4th decade(26.4%), 6th decade(23.52%), 7th decade(11.76),3rd decade (8.8%), and 8th decade(2.94%) in that order. 2. Of 955 cases of spine CT, the incidence of OPLL was 25cases(21.51%) and that of OLF was 10 ases(1.05%). 3. Regional incidence of spinal ligamentous ossification was asfollows. 1) In case of OPLL, cervical area was 19/150(12.67%) and lumbar area was 6/725 (0.83%). 2) In cases ofOLF, Thoracic area was 3/80(3.75%) and lumbar area was 8/725(1.10%). 4. The most frequent length of OPLL was 4body length (32%) and the most frequent locations are C4 and C5(68%). The types fo OPLL were 15 cases(60%) ofsegmental type, 8 cases(32%) of continuous type, and 2 cases(8%) of mixed type in that order. All segmental typeswere degree 1 or 2 and most continuous and mixed type (80%) were degree 2 or 3 dural sac effect. 5. The number ofinvolved interlaminar spaces in OLF was 1 to 5 interspaces and most of OLF were found at low thoracic and lumbararea. 6. There could be noted high correlation between the spinal ligamentous ossification and degenerative discdisease, The incidence of associated disc disease was 18/25(72%) in OPLL and 8/10(80%) in OLF.
Busan ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Ligaments ; Ligamentum Flavum ; Male ; Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ; Spinal Cord ; Spine

Authors presented the serial changes of brain MRI findings in two cases of cryptococcal meningitis. The MRI findings of the first patient (53-year-old female) consisted of dilated Virchow-Robin spaces, leptomeningeal enhancement, cryptococcomas and hydrocephalus. Dilated Virchow-Robin spaces were noted on the first MR obtained 33 days after symptom onset. The size and number of dilated Virchow-Robin space gradually decreased since 119 days after symptom onset (62 days after treatment). Faint leptomeningeal enhancement was found at cerebellar region on the first MRI, which became more distinct and intense on the day 119, probably due to improper treatment. The leptomeningeal enhancement decreased on the day 156. Mild hydrocephalus was noted on MRI obtained 70 days after symptom onset, which markedly aggravated on the day 119. It decreased after steroid therapy alone. Enhancing crytococcomas of variable size were noted at the right temporal lobe and cerebellum on MRI of the day 119, which decreased in size and number on the day 156. On the day 295 MRI showed nearly disppearance of the dilated Virchow-Robin space, but faint leptomeningeal enhancement, cerebellar crytococcomas and hydrocephalus still remained. The MRI findings of the second patient (36-year-old female) showed the findings similar to those of the first patient. Initial MRI obtained 18 days after symptom onset showed no abnormal findings. Dilated Virchow-robin spaces were noted on the day 36 (13 days after treatment onset), which nearly disappeared on the day 109. Enhancing cryptococcomas in both basal ganglia and cerebral cortex and leptomeningeal enhancement were noted on MRI of the day 136. Both cryptococcomas and leptomeningeal enhancement decreased in size and enhancing degree on the day 157. Hydrocephalus was noted on the day 109.
Basal Ganglia ; Brain ; Cerebellum ; Cerebral Cortex ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Meningitis, Cryptococcal ; Temporal Lobe

Authors presented the serial changes of brain MRI findings in two cases of cryptococcal meningitis. The MRI findings of the first patient (53-year-old female) consisted of dilated Virchow-Robin spaces, leptomeningeal enhancement, cryptococcomas and hydrocephalus. Dilated Virchow-Robin spaces were noted on the first MR obtained 33 days after symptom onset. The size and number of dilated Virchow-Robin space gradually decreased since 119 days after symptom onset (62 days after treatment). Faint leptomeningeal enhancement was found at cerebellar region on the first MRI, which became more distinct and intense on the day 119, probably due to improper treatment. The leptomeningeal enhancement decreased on the day 156. Mild hydrocephalus was noted on MRI obtained 70 days after symptom onset, which markedly aggravated on the day 119. It decreased after steroid therapy alone. Enhancing crytococcomas of variable size were noted at the right temporal lobe and cerebellum on MRI of the day 119, which decreased in size and number on the day 156. On the day 295 MRI showed nearly disppearance of the dilated Virchow-Robin space, but faint leptomeningeal enhancement, cerebellar crytococcomas and hydrocephalus still remained. The MRI findings of the second patient (36-year-old female) showed the findings similar to those of the first patient. Initial MRI obtained 18 days after symptom onset showed no abnormal findings. Dilated Virchow-robin spaces were noted on the day 36 (13 days after treatment onset), which nearly disappeared on the day 109. Enhancing cryptococcomas in both basal ganglia and cerebral cortex and leptomeningeal enhancement were noted on MRI of the day 136. Both cryptococcomas and leptomeningeal enhancement decreased in size and enhancing degree on the day 157. Hydrocephalus was noted on the day 109.
Basal Ganglia ; Brain ; Cerebellum ; Cerebral Cortex ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Meningitis, Cryptococcal ; Temporal Lobe

No abstract available.
Osteoblastoma*

Purpose: This study was performed to identify the effects of the alpha1A adrenoceptor antagonist on the urethral perfusion pressure (UPP), and also to assess its therapeutic potentials for female bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). Materials and Methods: A cannula was placed in the femoral artery for drug administration and systemic blood pressure monitoring in each female rat. The UPP and vesical pressure (Pves) were monitored using a triple-lumen catheter. Tamsulosin (group I), doxazosin (group II) and phentolamin (group III) were injected into female rats via the femoral cannula. Tamsulosin was also injected to male rats (group IV) for comparison with Group I. Results: After administration of tamsulosin in group I, the frequency was significantly decreased and the duration of minimal urethral relaxation with high frequency oscillations (Dhfo) was significantly prolonged. None of the parameters were significantly different compared with groups II and III, with the exception of the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP). The changes of MAP after tamsulosin were significantly lower than those after doxazosin and phentolamin. In the male rats (group IV), prior to the administration of tamsulosin, the UPP and Pves curves were similar to those of the female rats, but the maximal Pves was significantly higher than in group I. After the administration of tamsulosin to group IV, the prolongation of the frequency and Dhfo were significant. Conclusions: In the female rat urethra, the alpha1A adrenergic receptor may be a functional subtype. The alpha1A adrenoceptor antagonist was found to prolong the Dhfo and decrease the frequency of involuntary bladder contraction. It might be possible that the alpha1A adrenoceptor antagonist improves not only the obstructive symptoms, but the bladder irritative symptoms also, by prolonging the Dhfo and frequency of an involuntary bladder contraction.
Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists ; Animals ; Arterial Pressure ; Blood Pressure Monitors ; Catheters ; Doxazosin ; Female* ; Femoral Artery ; Humans ; Male ; Perfusion* ; Rats* ; Receptors, Adrenergic ; Relaxation ; Urethra ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction

Subacute sensory neuropathies associated with primary Sjogren's syndrome have been reported rarely. We describe a woman with primary Sjogren's syndrome who developed a widespread, pure sensory neuropathy with a subacute onset. An electrophysiological study showed the typical absence or decreased amplitude of sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs). A sural nerve biopsy showed a loss of large myelinated fibers and axonal degeneration without inflammation. The clinical course of long-standing subacute sensory neuropathy, the biopsy-documented axonal degeneration, and the neurophysiological findings suggest involvement of the dorsal root ganglia.
Action Potentials ; Axons ; Biopsy ; Female ; Ganglia, Spinal ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Myelin Sheath ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Sjogren's Syndrome* ; Sural Nerve

We report a case of decreased cerebrospinal fluid glucose with lymphocytic pleocytoisis in a patient with herpes zoster meningoencephalitis. The finding was likely to be confused with that of tuberculous meningoencephalitis. The concentration of CSF glucose is a critical point in the differential diagosis of various causes of nervous system infection. Although the herpes zoster meningoencephalitis isa well recognized, cases with markedly low, level of CSF glucose has been rare. We reviewed such unusual cases in the literature that were accompanied by hypoglycorrhachia. The duration of hypoglycorrhachia was transient. This suggests a differential point from that of tuberculous meningitis.
Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Encephalitis, Varicella Zoster* ; Glucose* ; Herpes Zoster* ; Humans ; Meningoencephalitis ; Nervous System ; Tuberculosis, Meningeal

Myasthenia gravis has been associated with a variety of autoimmune diseases, but the association of myasthenia gravis with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura has been rarely reported. A previously healthy 33-year-old female presented with a 10-month history of easy fatigability, motor weakness, diplopia and menorrhage. Clinical and labora-tory findings supported the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. After a thymecto-my, there were surprising improvements not only in muscle strength, but also of thrombocytopenia. Though this associ ?ation may be incidental, the patient's progress suggests that idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura may be closely relat-ed to myasthenia gravis immunologically because both diseases developed simultaneously and showed good therapeu-tic responses after a thymectomy.
Adult ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Diagnosis ; Diplopia ; Female ; Humans ; Muscle Strength ; Myasthenia Gravis* ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic* ; Thrombocytopenia ; Thymectomy

Midurethral tension-free sling procedure has become one of the most popular techniques for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. As the time elapsed, however, complications associated with a synthetic tape have been reported to occur. Recently, we experienced a rare case of urethral erosion with perineal cellulitis at anterior wall of vagina after midurethral sling procedure. So our experience was presented with a review of literature.
Cellulitis ; Suburethral Slings ; Urethra ; Urinary Incontinence ; Vagina