PURPOSE: The present study was intended to evaluate the effect of soldering techniques with infrared ray and gas torch under different gap distances (0.3 mm and 0.5 mm) on the tensile strength and surface porosity formation in Ni-Cr base metal alloy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty five dumbbell shaped Ni-Cr alloy specimens were prepared and assigned to 5 groups according to the soldering method and the gap distance. For the soldering methods, gas torch (G group) and infrared ray (IR group) were compared and each group was subdivided by corresponding gap distance (0.3 mm: G3 and IR3, 0.5 mm: G5, IR5). Specimens of the experimental groups were sectioned in the middle with a diamond disk and embedded in solder blocks according to the predetermined distance. As a control group, 7 specimens were prepared without sectioning or soldering. After the soldering procedure, a tensile strength test was performed using universal testing machine at a crosshead speed 1 mm/min. The proportions of porosity on the fractured surface were calculated on the images acquired through the scanning electronic microscope. RESULTS: Every specimen of G3, G5, IR3 and IR5 was fractured on the solder joint area. However, there was no significant difference between the test groups (P > .05). There was a negative correlation between porosity formation and tensile strength in all the specimens in the test groups (P < .05). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in ultimate tensile strength of joints and porosity formations between the gas-oxygen torch soldering and infrared ray soldering technique or between the gap distance of 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm.
Alloys ; Collodion ; Diamond ; Electronics ; Electrons ; Infrared Rays ; Joints ; Porosity ; Tensile Strength

Gas pseudocysts are a rare cause of lumbar radiculopathy and most symptomatic gas pseudocysts are found within the confines of the spinal canal. A gas pseudocyst in the foramen causing lumbar radiculopathy is very rare. We present a case of a 67-year-old woman suffering from severe pain in the right leg. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a gas pseudocyst compressing the L2 root at the right L2-3 foramen. The patient underwent cyst excision using the lateral transmuscular approach and her leg pain was improved after the operation.
Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Leg ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Radiculopathy ; Spinal Canal ; Stress, Psychological

The purpose of this case report is to describe a rare case of a cervicothoracic spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) after anterior cervical spine surgery. A 60-year-old man complained of severe neck and arm pain 4 hours after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion at the C5-6 level. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a postoperative SEH extending from C1 to T4. Direct hemostasis and drainage of loculated hematoma at the C5-6 level completely improved the patient's condition. When a patient complains of severe neck and/or arm pain after anterior cervical spinal surgery, though rare, the possibility of a postoperative SEH extending to non-decompressed, adjacent levels should be considered as with our case.
Arm ; Diskectomy ; Drainage ; Hematoma ; Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal ; Hemostasis ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Spine

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship of concomitant foraminal lumbar disc herniation (FLDH) with postoperative leg pain after microdecompression for extraforaminal lumbar disc herniation (EFLDH) at the L5-S1 level. METHODS: Sixty-five patients who underwent microdecompression for symptomatic EFLDH at the L5-S1 level were enrolled. According to the severity of accompanying FLDH, EFLDH was classified into four categories (Class I : no FLDH; Class II : mild to moderate FLDH confined within a lateral foraminal zone; Class III : severe FLDH extending to a medial foraminal zone; Class IV : Class III with intracanalicular disc herniation). The incidence of postoperative leg pain, dysesthesia, analgesic medication, epidural block, and requirement for revision surgery due to leg pain were evaluated and compared at three months after initial surgery. RESULTS: The incidences of postoperative leg pain and dysesthesia were 36.9% and 26.1%, respectively. Pain medication and epidural block was performed on 40% and 41.5%, respectively. Revision surgery was recommended in six patients (9.2%) due to persistent leg pain. The incidences of leg pain, dysesthesia, and requirement for epidural block were higher in Class III/IV, compared with Class I/II. The incidence of requirement for analgesic medication was significantly higher in Class III/IV, compared with Class I/II (p=0.02, odds ratio=9.82). All patients who required revision surgery due to persistent leg pain were included in Class III/IV. CONCLUSION: Concomitant FLDH seems related to postoperative residual leg pain after microdecompression for EFLDH at the L5-S1 level.
Humans ; Incidence ; Intervertebral Disc ; Leg ; Paresthesia

PURPOSE: Pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE) primarily occurs in preterm infants suffering from respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and kept under mechanical ventilator care. Therefore, this study aimed to examine various risk factors for PIE, to identify conditions that can decrease the possibility of PIE development. METHODS: PIE classification was conducted for 183 patients diagnosed to have RDS and receiving mechanical ventilator care with pulmonary surfactant between March 2000 and February 2007. The characteristics of each patient were analyzed through retrospective examination of their medical histories. RESULTS: Among 183 patients, 17 had PIE; all factors, including birth weight, gestational age, RDS grade III or above, chorioamnionitis, and premature rupture of membranes, were statistically significant (P<0.05). The period of mechanical ventilator use was statistically significant, but the peak mean airway pressure and peak partial pressure of inspired oxygen were not. PIE mainly occurred on the right side or both sides rather than the left side and mostly developed within 72 h. The PIE group showed higher mortality rate than the control group, and the major cause of mortality was pneumothorax. CONCLUSION: Risk factors for PIE in infants suffering from RDS and kept under mechanical ventilator care include low gestational age, low birth weight, chorioamnionitis, and premature rupture of membranes. If any risk factors are noted, the infant must be observed closely for at least 72 h after birth.
Birth Weight ; Chorioamnionitis ; Emphysema ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Membranes ; Oxygen ; Partial Pressure ; Parturition ; Pneumothorax ; Pregnancy ; Pulmonary Surfactants ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Rupture ; Stress, Psychological ; Ventilators, Mechanical

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans ; Urinary Tract Infections* ; Urinary Tract*

Systemic scleroderma is a collagen-vascular disease of unknown etiology. Although the pathogenesis is poorly understood, disease progression involves the vasculature, the immune system and extracellular matrix deposition. systemic scleroderma occurs 3~8 times more frequently in women than men and pathogenesis of systemic scleroderma may be related to female X chromosome. but the role of X chromosome in autoimmunity has not been illustrated yet. Most recently reports, the disturbances in X chromosome and inactivation of X chromosome may be the cause of autoimmunity in abnormal sex chromosome syndrome. Also autoimmune diseases such as systemic scleroderma is increased in Turner's syndrome. the author had experienced a woman with systemic scleroderma who had been diagnosed to triple X syndrome due to infertility in the past. which was very rare case and not reported yet. So the author report a case of systemic scleroderma with triple X syndrome with literature review.
Female ; Male ; Humans

PURPOSE: As modern society has became more open, interest in healthy internal and external growth has increased, including that pertaining to penile length in children. A micropenis is defined as one where penile length is more than 2 SD (standard deviation) below the mean, and it can be traced back to chromosome and endocrine disorders. The authors executed this study to suggest guidelines for the study of the micropenis and standard information for penile length in Korean newborns. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 168 male infants between 37 and 42 weeks of gestational age, none of whom had any complications during pregnancy or birth; each had been born in Daegu Fatima Hospital between February and June 2007. Penile length was measured using conventional stretched penile length measurement (CPLM) and syringe methods. RESULTS: Penile length was 3.02+/-0.25 cm (F=36.467, R(2)=0.180, P<0.001) when measured with CPLM, and 3.29+/-0.26 cm (F=9.149, R(2)=0.052, P<0.001) with the syringe method. There was no statistically significant difference in the penile length of newborn infants as a result of taking measurements with the two methods, and both methods showed significance at 0.631 in terms of Pearson's correlation coefficient, at the level of P=0.01. CONCLUSION: In this study, penile length tended to be longer when gestational age was longer, and a micropenis can be assumed to be one less than 2.5 cm using CPLM and less than 2.8 cm using the syringe method. In the case of a concealed penis, the syringe method is helpful. When a micropenis is assumed, close observation by outpatient department personnel, and additional endocrine and chromosome studies should be undertaken after sufficiently consulting the parents.
Child ; Genital Diseases, Male ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Outpatients ; Parents ; Penis ; Pregnancy ; Reference Values ; Syringes

PURPOSE: As modern society has became more open, interest in healthy internal and external growth has increased, including that pertaining to penile length in children. A micropenis is defined as one where penile length is more than 2 SD (standard deviation) below the mean, and it can be traced back to chromosome and endocrine disorders. The authors executed this study to suggest guidelines for the study of the micropenis and standard information for penile length in Korean newborns. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 168 male infants between 37 and 42 weeks of gestational age, none of whom had any complications during pregnancy or birth; each had been born in Daegu Fatima Hospital between February and June 2007. Penile length was measured using conventional stretched penile length measurement (CPLM) and syringe methods. RESULTS: Penile length was 3.02+/-0.25 cm (F=36.467, R(2)=0.180, P<0.001) when measured with CPLM, and 3.29+/-0.26 cm (F=9.149, R(2)=0.052, P<0.001) with the syringe method. There was no statistically significant difference in the penile length of newborn infants as a result of taking measurements with the two methods, and both methods showed significance at 0.631 in terms of Pearson's correlation coefficient, at the level of P=0.01. CONCLUSION: In this study, penile length tended to be longer when gestational age was longer, and a micropenis can be assumed to be one less than 2.5 cm using CPLM and less than 2.8 cm using the syringe method. In the case of a concealed penis, the syringe method is helpful. When a micropenis is assumed, close observation by outpatient department personnel, and additional endocrine and chromosome studies should be undertaken after sufficiently consulting the parents.
Child ; Genital Diseases, Male ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Outpatients ; Parents ; Penis ; Pregnancy ; Reference Values ; Syringes

We present an elderly patient with unilateral foraminal stenosis treated by isthmus resection. An 83-year-old female could not walk due to severe leg pain along right L5 sensory dermatome. Despite the laminotomy for spinal stenosis on the right side at the L4-5 level, her leg pain did not improve. Careful review of computed tomography scans and coronal source images of magnetic resonance myelography revealed foraminal stenosis on the right side at the L5 vertebra. Because of medical problem, she underwent isthmus resection on the right side at the L5 level instead of total facetectomy and fusion. After surgery, her leg pain was markedly improved. Isthmus resection showed successful result for this medically compromised elderly patient with unilateral foraminal stenosis.
Aged* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Female ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Leg ; Myelography ; Radiculopathy ; Spinal Stenosis ; Spine