Pelioid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a type of atypical HCC, is a rare histologic type of HCC. The radiologic findings of the pelioid HCC is differ from the typical type of HCC. To our knowledge, this case report is the second literature to show the enhancing features of a pelioid HCC on dynamic computed tomography (CT). Here we describe the dynamic CT findings in a case of surgically confirmed pelioid HCC.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular

Hepatic involvement of amyloidosis is common. Diffuse infiltration with hepatomegaly is a usual radiologic finding of hepatic amyloidosis. To our knowledge, this is the first case of amyloidosis involving the liver that presented as a mass.
Aged ; Amyloidosis/*radiography/ultrasonography ; Biopsy, Needle ; Contrast Media/diagnostic use ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Diseases/*radiography/ultrasonography ; *Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the outcomes of percutaneous unilateral metallic stent placement in patients with a malignant obstruction of the biliary hila and a contralateral portal vein steno-occlusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with a malignant hilar obstruction and unilobar portal vein steno-occlusion caused by tumor invasion or preoperative portal vein embolization were enrolled in this retrospective study from October 2010 to October 2013. All patients were treated with percutaneous placement of a biliary metallic stent, including expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE)-covered stents in 27 patients and uncovered stents in 33 patients. RESULTS: A total of 70 stents were successfully placed in 60 patients. Procedural-related minor complications, including self-limiting hemobilia (n = 2) and cholangitis (n = 4) occurred in six (10%) patients. Acute cholecystitis occurred in two patients. Successful internal drainage was achieved in 54 (90%) of the 60 patients. According to a Kaplan-Meier analysis, median survival time was 210 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 135-284 days), and median stent patency time was 133 days (95% CI, 94-171 days). No significant difference in stent patency was observed between covered and uncovered stents (p = 0.646). Stent dysfunction occurred in 16 (29.6%) of 54 patients after a mean of 159 days (range, 65-321 days). CONCLUSION: Unilateral placement of ePTFE-covered and uncovered stents in the hepatic lobe with a patent portal vein is a safe and effective method for palliative treatment of patients with a contralateral portal vein steno-occlusion caused by an advanced hilar malignancy or portal vein embolization. No significant difference in stent patency was detected between covered and uncovered metallic stents.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biliary Tract Neoplasms/surgery ; Cholangitis/etiology ; Cholestasis/*surgery ; Female ; Hemobilia/etiology ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Liver/blood supply/pathology/surgery ; Liver Neoplasms/surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Palliative Care/methods ; Polytetrafluoroethylene ; Portal Vein/pathology/*surgery ; Retinal Vein Occlusion/*surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents/*adverse effects ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Several studies have utilized physical models or casts of the nasal cavity in an effort to understand the relationship between nasal anatomy and the distribution of inspired or expired airflow. This paper deals with the evaluation of nasal airflow characteristics during physiologic breathing in normal conditions. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The choana of a nasal model casting by a combination of rapid prototyping and solidification of clear silicone was connected to a pump that simulated physiological pressure in the upper airway system. Glycerin-water mixture was used as medium. The airstream was marked with polyvinyl spherical particles, and was observed through an solidificated clear silicone and analyzed with particle image velocimetry. RESULTS: Turbulence is clearly visible at the level of the head of the middle turbinate. The maximal velocity was recorded at the superior meatus. The flow rate was highest at the middle meatus. CONCLUSION: This model allows the investigation of airflow distribution and velocity under physiologic conditions. The main flow stream passes through the middle meatus.
Head ; Nasal Cavity ; Polyvinyls ; Respiration ; Rheology* ; Rivers ; Silicones ; Turbinates

OBJECTIVES: This research aimed to know the actual condition and problems of medical information protection at a workplace with the target of industrial health care managers of small and medium-sized enterprises. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was given to industrial health-care managers of 216 enterprises from March 15 to May 17, 2010. The questionnaire was produced by referring to the Act on Personal Information Protection of Public Institutions, etc. This research evaluated agreement of cognition and practice according to 10 items of medical information protection using kappa and cross-analysis of significant factors between cognition and practice of medical information protection and general characteristics. RESULTS: Cognition about medical information protection appeared to be 85.4-97.1% and its practice appeared to be 44.1-95.3%, so practice was lower than cognition. In addition, the agreement of cognition and practice appeared significantly low (kappa 0.082-0.387). The practice of medical information protection tended to be lower when the managers were older and held a higher job title. Health examination results were being delivered only to workers except for an employer (94.2%), but there were many industrial health-care managers who felt discomfort about their work in group occupational health-care systems (58.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The practice of protecting medical information by industrial health-care managers was clearly lower than the cognition. Therefore, introduction of educational programs about personal information protection and provision of an independent place for group occupational health care service is urgent. In addition, in order to use the health examination results conveniently in group occupational health services, an institutional complement is necessary.
Cognition ; Complement System Proteins ; Computer Security ; Delivery of Health Care ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Occupational Health ; Occupational Health Services ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Questionnaires

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to identify the relationship between fish consumption and blood mercury levels in a sample of adult Koreans. METHODS: The study subjects were 299 residents of Busan (male: 65, female: 234) and 185 residents of Namhae (male: 69, female: 116), South Korea. Demographic characteristics, current smoking, current drinking, fish consumption per week, past history of amalgam treatment, and residential district were recorded by trained interviewers in June and July, 2009. We considered a portion of fish to be equivalent to 70 gm weight, and calculated amounts of fish consumed per week. Using chi-square tests, t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression analysis, we estimated the relationships between blood mercury levels and amount of fish consumed per week and other factors. RESULTS: The mean blood mercury level of our subjects was 6.61 microgram/L, higher than the criterion defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (5.8 microgram/L). In multiple linear regression analysis, residential district and amount of fish consumed per week were associated with blood mercury levels. However, marital status, current drinking, and gender, and age were not associated with blood mercury levels. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we suggest the implementation of systematic and periodic population-based studies to decrease the risks of mercury poisoning among South Koreans who consume fish as a regular part of the diet.
Adult ; Diet ; Drinking ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Marital Status ; Mercury Poisoning ; Republic of Korea ; Smoke ; Smoking ; United States Environmental Protection Agency ; Surveys and Questionnaires