PURPOSE: In this research the informational contents of websites related to postnatal care were evaluated. This was done in order to inform people of qualified information on postnatal websites. METHOD: Instruments from Oh(2001) and the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs(2000) were utilized to evaluate the contents in respect to purpose, reliability, easiness, authoritativeness, feedback, and maintenance. Seventy-three postnatal websites were evaluated for this research conducted from June 10 to July 10, 2006. RESULT: There were no portal sites connected with purely informational postnatal websites. In the evaluation of postnatal websites, the lowest and the highest scores were 11 and 42, respectively. The average score was 24 with 52.1% scoring below the average. By category, the scores of purpose, reliability, and feedback were relatively high while easiness, authoritativeness, and maintenance showed very low scores. As a result, it was revealed that there were no specific postnatal websites with sufficient postnatal care information. CONCLUSION: Thus, the establishment of a professional postnatal portal system through a professionally certified organization is required in order to supply correct information to people who wish to get information on postnatal care.
Internet* ; Korea ; Portal System ; Postnatal Care

Portal pyelophlebitis is extremly rare in its incidence and associated with high mortality. It usually occurs secondary to infection in the region drained by the portal systems or in the structure contiguous to the portal vein. We report two cases of septic thrombophlebitis of the portal and superior mesenteric veins caused by acute appendicitis. Both the patients had good outcomes after medical and surgical treatment. An early diagnosis and treatment are vital for the good treatment results.
Appendicitis* ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mesenteric Veins ; Mortality ; Portal System ; Portal Vein ; Thrombophlebitis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare true-fast imaging with steady state precession(t-FISP) with enhanced fast low-angle shot(e-FLASH) imaging of the abdomen in the assessment of the normal and abnormal portal venous(PV) system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to evaluate the PV system, MR images using both t-FISP and e-FLASH sequences were obtained in 62 patients with hepatic mass. In 56 cases in which PV thrombosis was not demonstrated, images were evaluated for homogenity and artifacts within the lumen of the PV system and the margin of the main PV. In the other six cases of PV thrombosis, conspicuity and extent of the thrombus were also compared . RESULTS: For each vessel, the mean score for homogeneity and artifacts was significantly higher in t-FISP images than in e-FLASH images(P<.05), as were mean scores for the margin of the main PV (P < .05). In six patients with PV thrombosis, conspicuity of the thrombus as seen on t-FISP images was superior to that seen on e-FLASH images; similarly, the exact extent of the thrombus was more accurately defined on the former type of image. CONCLUSION: For evaluation of the PV system, t-FISP MRI provides better imaging quality and better conspicuity with regarded to the site and extent of PV thrombus, as compared with e-FLASH images.
Abdomen ; Artifacts ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Portal System* ; Thrombosis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare true-fast imaging with steady state precession(t-FISP) with enhanced fast low-angle shot(e-FLASH) imaging of the abdomen in the assessment of the normal and abnormal portal venous(PV) system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to evaluate the PV system, MR images using both t-FISP and e-FLASH sequences were obtained in 62 patients with hepatic mass. In 56 cases in which PV thrombosis was not demonstrated, images were evaluated for homogenity and artifacts within the lumen of the PV system and the margin of the main PV. In the other six cases of PV thrombosis, conspicuity and extent of the thrombus were also compared . RESULTS: For each vessel, the mean score for homogeneity and artifacts was significantly higher in t-FISP images than in e-FLASH images(P<.05), as were mean scores for the margin of the main PV (P < .05). In six patients with PV thrombosis, conspicuity of the thrombus as seen on t-FISP images was superior to that seen on e-FLASH images; similarly, the exact extent of the thrombus was more accurately defined on the former type of image. CONCLUSION: For evaluation of the PV system, t-FISP MRI provides better imaging quality and better conspicuity with regarded to the site and extent of PV thrombus, as compared with e-FLASH images.
Abdomen ; Artifacts ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Portal System* ; Thrombosis

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to develop Internet health information evaluation checklist for medical professionals, web coordinators or managers, and general health information consumers. METHODS: Based on the literature review, evaluation model and prototype of evaluation checklist for Internet health information were developed. Expert group of Internet quality evaluation reviewed and refined original evaluation checklist through intensive focus group meetings. Revised web-based evaluation checklist for Internet health information was verified by medical professionals, web health information managers, and online members of National Health Insurance Corporation. RESULTS: The checklist for medical professionals consisted of 28 items to check 3 categories such as disease information, operation/procedure/examination information, and health/life pattern information. The checklist for health information managers focused on primary filtering of health information and consisted of 14 items. This can be utilized for automatic selection of health information in portal systems. The checklist for consumers consisted of 10 items and focused on convenience and utility of the evaluation tool for enhancing the acceptability. CONCLUSION: Continuous development and revision of health information evaluation checklist like this study can be useful way for improving Internet health information quality.
Checklist* ; Focus Groups ; Internet* ; National Health Programs ; Portal System

Superior mesenteric vein thrombosis and portal vein thrombosis are rare conditions that are difficult to diagnose due to vague symptoms, but they are usually fatal when they occur. Appendicitis is the one of the most common causes of superior mesenteric vein thrombosis, via venous drainage from the appendiceal area into the portal system. We report a case of superior mesenteric vein thrombosis and portal vein thrombosis secondary to appendicitis presenting with diarrhea, low abdominal pain, and jaundice. The patient was treated with antibiotics and anticoagulants, without fatal complications, but developed a chronic sequela of portal vein thrombosis. It is important to consider thrombosis of the superior mesenteric vein and portal vein in patients who have intra-abdominal infection with specific or non-specific symptoms.
Abdominal Pain ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Anticoagulants ; Appendicitis ; Diarrhea ; Drainage ; Humans ; Intraabdominal Infections ; Jaundice ; Mesenteric Veins ; Portal System ; Portal Vein ; Thrombosis

Budd-Chiari Syndrome (BCS) is unusual form of portal hypertension caused by occlusion of the hepatic venous outflow and it is often frequently complicated by inferior vena cava (IVC) occlusion. It may vary in its presentation from very mild symptomatology, suggestive of a viral illness, to a very acute form with a fulminant course. In the cases of BCS caused by occlusion of IVC and hepatic vein, none of the standard portal-systemic shunt can be utilized for satisfactory decompression of the liver. We have experienced two cases of BCS, 43 year-old male and 40 year-old male patients, caused by hepatic vein thrombosis associated thrombosis of the IVC. Cavoatrial shunt using Dacron graft and interposition graft between portal vein to cavoatrial graft were performed. Combined porto-cavo-atrial bypass that decompress both the portal system and IVC has been effective in relieving BCS caused by occlusion of hepatic vein with IVC.
Adult ; Budd-Chiari Syndrome* ; Decompression ; Hepatic Veins ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; Liver ; Male ; Polyethylene Terephthalates ; Portal System ; Portal Vein ; Thrombosis ; Transplants ; Vena Cava, Inferior

Pylephlebitis is defined as an inflammation of the portal system, which is a rare but dreaded complication of intra-abdominal inflammatory processes. In the past it was observed as a sequela of neglected or complicated appendicitis. With earlier diagnosis, modern surgical technique and antibiotics, the incidence has declined even further. In addition, thrombosis in portal system (pylethrombosis) can complicate the pylephlebitis, followed by obstruction of the portal system, leading to portal hypertension in the late stage. Proper recognition of early thrombosis and an accompanying intra-abdominal inflammatory process should arouse the suspicion of septic thrombophlebitis and lead to the early institution of adequate therapy to prevent the almost universally fatal outcome. We report the case of woman who had pylephlebitis and presented with fever of unknown origin, probably associated with acute appendicitis.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Appendicitis ; Diagnosis ; Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Fever of Unknown Origin* ; Fever* ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; Incidence ; Inflammation ; Portal System ; Portal Vein* ; Thrombophlebitis* ; Thrombosis

Portal hypertension can arise from any condition interfering with normal blood flow at any level within the portal system. Herein, we presented two uncommon cases of the portal hypertension and its treatment with brief literature review. A 71-year-old man who underwent right hemihepatectomy revealed a tumor recurrence adjacent to the inferior vena cava (IVC). After radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with lymph node dissection, he was referred for abdominal distension. The abdomen computed tomography scan showed severe ascites with a narrowing middle hepatic vein (MHV) and IVC around the RFA site. After insertion of two stents at the IVC and MHV, the ascites disappeared. Another 73-year-old man underwent right trisectionectomy of liver and segmental resection of the portal vein (PV). After operation, he underwent conservative management due to continuous abdominal ascites. The abdomen computed tomography scan showed severe ascites with obliteration of the left PV. After insertion of stent, the ascites disappeared. A decrease of the pressure gradient between the PV and IVC is one of the important treatment strategies for portal hypertension. Vascular stent is useful in the reduction of pressure gradient and thus, can be a treatment option for portal hypertension.
Abdomen ; Aged ; Ascites ; Catheter Ablation ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Hepatic Veins ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal* ; Liver ; Lymph Node Excision ; Portal System ; Portal Vein ; Recurrence ; Stents ; Vena Cava, Inferior

Eight patients with intracranial tumors or arteriovenous malformation (AVM)s which were less than 3 cm in diameter were treated by a technique of stereotactic radiotherapy during the 4 months period from July 1988 through October 1988 at the Division of Radiation Therapy, Kang-Nam St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University Medical College. The patients were diagnosed as AVMs in 3 cases, acoustic neurinoma, craniopharyngioma (recurrent), hemangioblastoma, pineocytoma, and pituitary microadenoma in each case. There are several important factors in this procedure, such as localization system, portal, field size, radiation dose, and perioperative supportive care. It is suggested that stereotactic radiotherapy may be performed safely with a radiation dose of 12-30 gy. So this noninvasive procedure can be used to treat unresectable intracranial tumors or AVMs. Of these, clinical symptoms had been regressed in AVMs in 2 cases at 3 months and 2 months after Stereotactic radiotherapy, one of whom was confirmed slightly regressed on the follow-up angiogram. And also craniopharyngioma and pineocytoma was minimally regressed on 3 month follow-up CT.
Arteriovenous Malformations ; Craniopharyngioma ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemangioblastoma ; Humans ; Neuroma, Acoustic ; Particle Accelerators* ; Pinealoma ; Portal System ; Radiotherapy*