No abstract available.
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli* ; Enterotoxins*

Object: To treat hydrocephalus by ventriculo-peritoneal shunt operation, the correct positioning of the proximal catheter in the ventricle is very important. The purpose of this study was to develop the "shunt guiding kit" for the proper positioning of the proximal shunt catheter to the ventricle in the ventriculo-peritoneal shunt operation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The "shunt guiding kit" is made of tungsten alloy and it consists of one frame, two screws and one guider. Through the guider, the proximal shunt catheter operates by mechanically coupling the posterior burr hole to the anterior target point. RESULTS: We have treated three hydrocephalus patients with use of the "shunt guiding kit", and achieved good location of proximal shunt catheters. CONCLUSION: We developed the "shunt guiding kit" for the proper positioning of the proximal shunt catheter to the ventricle, and this would be very useful for preventing ventriculo-peritoneal shunt malfunction and preventing possible brain injury during the procedures.
Alloys ; Brain Injuries ; Catheters* ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Lateral Ventricles* ; Tungsten ; Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt*

BACKGROUND: In the case of rotator cuff tears, the biceps pulley can be stressed by the unstable biceps tendon, and this can subsequently affect the stability of the subscapularis tendon. Therefore, it is important to distinguish between normal variations and lesions of the biceps pulley that affect anterosuperior lesions in cases of rotator cuff tears. METHODS: From January 2002 through November 2010, we observed biceps pulley and associated anterosuperior lesions in 589 of 634 cases (93%) of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, including 72 cases (12.2%) of small tears, 219 cases (37.2%) of medium tears, 134 cases (22.8%) of large tears, and 164 cases (27.8%) of massive tears. We classified normal stretched biceps pulleys as type I, stretched biceps pulleys with mild changes as type II, those with a partial tear as type III, and torn pulleys as type IV. RESULTS: We were able to classify 589 cases of biceps pulleys as type I, II, III, or IV associated lesions in rotator cuff tears. Type I was seen in 91 cases (15.4%), type II in 216 cases (36.7%), type III in 157 cases (26.7%), and type IV in 101 cases (17.1%); unidentified cases numbered 24 (4.1%). Nearly three-quarters, 73.3%, of the cases (432/589) had associated anterosuperior lesions, and combined treatment for the associated lesions was administered in 29.2% (172/589) of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Biceps pulley lesions with more than partial tears were identified in 48% of rotator cuff tear cases. The incidence and severity of pulley lesions were related to the rotator cuff tear size, the status of the long head of the biceps tendon and subscapularis tendon lesion, and the treatment methods.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Rotator Cuff/*pathology/*surgery ; *Tendon Injuries/epidemiology/pathology/surgery

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of US-guided percutaneous gun biopsy through the left lobe of the liverwith compression for the diagnosis of diffuse hepatic diseases and prevention of post-biopsy complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 35 patients with diffuse hepatic diseases, we performed US-guided percutaneous biopsy via the left lobe of the liver. After biopsy, we immediately applied an extrinsic hands-on compression maneuver at the biopsy site. The integrity of tissue architecture and numbers of portal triad visible in each specimen were histologically examined and post-biopsy complications were documented. RESULTS: A histopathologic diagnosis could be made in all patients except one(97.1%). Microscopically, no significant crush artifact or fragmentation was demonstrated in these 34 patients. The average number of portal triad per specimen was about 4.1. Although two patients complained of severe pain at the biopsy site, no serious post-biopsy complication was noted. CONCLUSION: US-guided percutaneous gun biopsy through the left lobe of the liver with compression appears to be an effective and safe procedure for the evaluation of diffuse hepatic diseases.
Artifacts ; Biopsy* ; Diagnosis ; Hemostasis* ; Humans ; Liver*

Background: Limited longitudinal evidence exists regarding the potential association between smoking status and hip fracture among individuals with type 2 diabetes. We investigated this association using large-scale, nationwide cohort data for the Korean population. Methods: This nationwide cohort study included 1,414,635 adults aged 40 and older who received Korean National Health Insurance Service health examinations between 2009 and 2012. Subjects with type 2 diabetes were categorized according to their smoking status, amount smoked (pack-years), number of cigarettes smoked per day, and duration of smoking. The results are presented as hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between smoking status parameters and risk of hip fracture in multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. Results: Compared with never-smokers, an increased adjusted HR (aHR) for hip fracture was observed in current smokers (1.681; 95% CI, 1.578 to 1.791), and a comparable aHR for hip fracture was found in former smokers (1.065; 95% CI, 0.999 to 1.136). For former smokers who had smoked 20 pack-years or more, the risk was slightly higher than that for never-smokers (aHR, 1.107; 95% CI, 1.024 to 1.196). The hip fracture risk of female former smokers was similar to that of female current smokers, but the hip fracture risk in male former smokers was similar to that of male never-smokers. Conclusion Smoking is associated with an increased risk of hip fracture in patients with type 2 diabetes. Current smokers with diabetes should be encouraged to quit smoking because the risk of hip fracture is greatly reduced in former smokers.

Malignant colonic obstruction can lead an emergency operation for decompression, and this can cause post-operative complications due to poor bowel preparation. Self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) insertion is useful for avoiding an emergency operation and unnecessary complications. However, SEMS insertion for dual malignant colonic obstructions is very rare. We report here on a case of two SEMS that were inserted in dual malignant colonic obstructions caused by synchronous colon cancer. A 66-year-old man visited our hospital due to abdominal distension. Sigmoidoscopy and an abdominopelvic computerized tomographic (CT) scan revealed synchronous colon cancer at the splenic flexure and distal descending colon with dual obstruction. The initial SEMS insertion on the descending colon was not effective for decompression due to the proximal obstruction. After the second SEMS insertion on the splenic flexure through the first stent, all the signs and symptoms due to obstruction disappeared. SEMS insertion is considered to be useful for treating dual malignant colonic obstruction caused synchronous colon cancer.
Aged ; Colon ; Colon, Descending ; Colon, Transverse ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Decompression ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Sigmoidoscopy ; Stents

Tailgut cysts (TGCs) are rare congenital cysts that occur in the retrorectal or presacral spaces. Although most tailgut cysts have been reported as benign, there have been at least 9 cases associated with malignant change. We report herein on an unusual case of a 40-year-old woman with a carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) -producing adenocarcinoma arising within a TGC who underwent surgical resection and local radiation therapy. Despite the complete resection, metastatic adenocarcinoma developed five months after surgery. CEA-producing adenocarcinoma from a TGC is extremely rare and only two cases, including this case, have been reported in the English medical literature. Besides CEA, the serum levels of CA 19-9 became markedly elevated in this patient. Given that the serum CEA level decreased to the normal range after complete resection of tumor and that the tumor recurrence was associated with a rebound of the CEA serum level, our case shows that serial measurements of serum CEA can be used for treatment planning and for assessing the patient's treatment response for this rare disease.
Adenocarcinoma/blood/pathology/*therapy ; Adult ; CA-19-9 Antigen/blood ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen/*blood ; Cysts/blood/pathology/*therapy ; Female ; Hamartoma/blood/pathology/*therapy ; Humans ; Rectal Neoplasms/blood/pathology/*therapy ; Sacrococcygeal Region

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of a posterior procedure with segmental pedicle screw fixation in severe adolescent idiopathic scoliosis > or =70 degrees. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three adolescent idiopathic patients with a curve magnitude > or =70 degrees subject to segmental pedicle screw fixation were analyzed retrospectively with a minimum follow-up of 2 years (2-7.8 years). There were 19 females and 4 males with a mean age of 14.9 years. All patients, except for 4 patients with King type I, were subjected to thoracic curve fusion. Twenty patients showed a thoracic curve > or =70 degrees (70-96), and 4 patients had a lumbar curve > or =70 degrees (70-77), preoperatively. The preoperative and postoperative standing roentgenograms were used to check the radiological parameters. RESULTS: The mean preoperative thoracic curve was corrected from 79.5+/-9.1 degrees to 25.3+/-5.8 degrees at the most recent follow-up, showing a correction of 67.9+/-7.8% and loss of correction of 2.5+/-1.9%. The mean preoperative lumbar curve was corrected from 72.3+/-3.3 degrees to 30.0+/-10.1 degrees at the most recent follow-up (58.4+/-14.8% curve correction, 2.4+/-2.5% loss of curve correction). The mean preoperative lowest instrumented vertebral tilting was corrected from 30.0+/-7.4 degrees to 10.5+/-5.6 degrees, showing a correction of 64.8+/-20.9%. The preoperative thoracic kyphosis improved from 28.3+/-11.2 degrees (0-50 degrees) to 35.0+/-9.1 degrees (22-53 degrees) postoperatively. There was neither pseudoarthrosis nor complications related to the pedicle screws at the most recent follow-up. CONCLUSION: Segmental pedicle screw fixation without an anterior release procedure in severe adolescent idiopathic scoliosis produced a satisfactory deformity correction with no significant loss of the curve correction. This procedure obviates the need for the anterior release and reduces the complications associated with anterior surgery.
Adolescent* ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; Male ; Pseudarthrosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis*

PURPOSE: In order to enhance the quality of IMRT as employed in Korea, we developed a remote monitoring system. The feasibility of the system was evaluated by conducting a pilot study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The remote monitoring system consisted of a head and neck phantom and a user manual. The phantom contains a target and three OARs (organs at risk) that can be detected on CT images. TLD capsules were inserted at the center of the target and at the OARs. Two film slits for GafchromicEBT film were located on the axial and saggital planes. The user manual contained an IMRT planning guide and instructions for IMRT planning and the delivery process. After the manual and phantom were sent to four institutions, IMRT was planed and delivered. Predicted doses were compared with measured doses. Dose distribution along the two straight lines that intersected at the center of the axial film was measured and compared with the profiles predicted by the plan. RESULTS: The measurements at the target agreed with the predicted dose within a 3% deviation. Doses at the OARs that represented the thyroid glands showed larger deviations (minimum 3.3% and maximum 19.8%). The deviation at OARs that represented the spiral cord was 0.7~14.8%. The percentage of dose distributions that showed more than a 5% of deviation on the lines was 7~27% and 7~14% along the horizontal and vertical lines, respectively. CONCULSION: Remote monitoring of IMRT using the developed system was feasible. With remote monitoring, the deviation at the target is expected to be small while the deviation at the OARs can be very large. Therefore, a method that is able to investigate the cause of a large deviation needs to be developed. In addition, a more clinically relevant measure for the two-dimensional dose comparison and pass/fail criteria need to be further developed.
Capsules ; Head* ; Korea ; Neck* ; Pilot Projects* ; Thyroid Gland

PURPOSE: To evaluate the technical performance of stress myocardial perfusion magnetic resonance (MR) imaging using saturation-recovery steady-state free precession (SR- SSFP) and to assess the diagnostic accuracy of this examination for depiction of significant coronary artery stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 167 patients underwent stress myocardial perfusion MR imaging at rest and adenosine-induced stress by using a 1.5-T cardiac MR imaging unit. The first-pass MR perfusion was performed using SR-SSFP sequence. Coronary angiography was performed in 113 patients. Image analysis was performed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of MR imaging with that of coronary angiography. RESULTS: During the MR examination, minor side effects of adenosine-induced stress occurred, most commonly chest discomfort (29%), followed by dyspnea (4%), and facial flushing (0.8%). The overall sensitivity of MR imaging for depicting at least one coronary artery with significant stenosis was 91%. The sensitivities of MR imaging for depiction of stenoses were as follows: 80% for single-vessel stenosis, 81% for double-vessel stenosis, and 100% for triple-vessel stenosis.. The specificity of MR imaging for identification of patients with significant coronary artery stenosis was 78%. CONCLUSION: Stress myocardial magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion imaging using SR-SSFP sequence is safe and useful for the detection of significant coronary artery disease.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Stenosis* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Dyspnea ; Flushing ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Myocardium ; Perfusion Imaging ; Perfusion* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thorax