PURPOSE: The residual intrahepatic stones with biliary strictures are difficult to remove percutaneously via T-tube tract after surgery in patients with recurrent pyogenic cholangitis. We evaluated the effectiveness of percutaneous balloon dilatation of benign biliary strictures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The balloon dilatations with 6-12mm angioplasty balloon catheter and stone extractions were performed via a T-tube tract after surgical treatment in 15 patients with recurrent pyogenic cholangitis. The balloons were inflated for 3-4minutes under 5 atm. until disappearance of waist of the stricture site, from one to seven session. After balloon dilatation, residual stones were extracted with saline irrigation or stone basket. RESULTS: Among total 42 strictures, the balloon dilatation was succesful in 27 strictures(64.3%), partially successful in 12 strictures(28.6%), and failed in three strictures(7.1%). Single or central biliary strictures were dilated easily rather than multiple ductal strictures. Of 26 sites with residual intrahepatic stones, stone extraction was complete in 17 sites(65.4%), incomplete in seven sites(26.9%) due to impacted or large stone and acute ductal angulation, and failed in two sites(7.7%). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous balloon dilatation of benign biliary strictures is an effective procedure for extraction of residual intrahepatic stones associated with recurrent pyogenic cholangitis.
Angioplasty ; Catheters ; Cholangitis ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Dilatation* ; Humans

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study OBJECTIVES: To study the socio-psychological adaptation through the psychoanalysis in the patients with spinal cord injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From May 1998 to Aug. 2003 we chose the 15 patients who have been undergone surgery for spinal cord injury after spinal fracture. Psycological analysis were based on the Korean version of Beck Depression Index(K-BDI), Hamilton Anxiety Scale, and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory(MMPI), and valuation of quality of life. RESULTS: K-BDI applied results showed an average of 33.5+/-10.3, having a higher average than normal. Hamilton Anxiety Scale resulted with an average of 32.4+/-9.4. 4 patients were taken intensive care psychologically beause of depression. The Lie score out of the MMPI`s suitability scale showed 43.3+/-9.7, Validity score as 75.4+/-23.6, and Defensiveness score with 47.7+/-10.6 as average and standard deviation, resulting a higher as to normal. Further more, clinical scales of Hypochondriasis scale was 69.9+/-12.6, Depression as 65.5+/-15.3, Hysteria scale as 67.9+/-11.5, Psychopathic deviate as 65.6+/-12.1, Paranonia as 71.9+/-17.6, Psychasthenia scale as 67.9+/-12.3, Schizophrenia as 70.4+/-17.8, Hypomania scale as 54.0+/-11.3, and social introversion scale as much as 60.1+/-15.0 higher than normal. In evaluation the quality of life, there was a prominent issue in the occupation(0.1) and economic independence(0.5) out of the total 6 items, difference was 0.6, social adaptation was 0.8, physical independence was 0.7 and orientation(1.6) was similar to normal person. CONCLUSION: As the physical and the psychological changes abrupt at the same time with the spinal cord injury, it is important to encourage the patients to have a strong ego to have an optimistic confidence of recuperation.
Anxiety ; Depression ; Ego ; Humans ; Hypochondriasis ; Hysteria ; Critical Care ; Introversion (Psychology) ; Minnesota ; Psychoanalysis ; Quality of Life* ; Retrospective Studies ; Schizophrenia ; Spinal Cord Injuries* ; Spinal Cord* ; Spinal Fractures* ; Weights and Measures

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study OBJECTIVES: To study the socio-psychological adaptation through the psychoanalysis in the patients with spinal cord injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From May 1998 to Aug. 2003 we chose the 15 patients who have been undergone surgery for spinal cord injury after spinal fracture. Psycological analysis were based on the Korean version of Beck Depression Index(K-BDI), Hamilton Anxiety Scale, and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory(MMPI), and valuation of quality of life. RESULTS: K-BDI applied results showed an average of 33.5+/-10.3, having a higher average than normal. Hamilton Anxiety Scale resulted with an average of 32.4+/-9.4. 4 patients were taken intensive care psychologically beause of depression. The Lie score out of the MMPI`s suitability scale showed 43.3+/-9.7, Validity score as 75.4+/-23.6, and Defensiveness score with 47.7+/-10.6 as average and standard deviation, resulting a higher as to normal. Further more, clinical scales of Hypochondriasis scale was 69.9+/-12.6, Depression as 65.5+/-15.3, Hysteria scale as 67.9+/-11.5, Psychopathic deviate as 65.6+/-12.1, Paranonia as 71.9+/-17.6, Psychasthenia scale as 67.9+/-12.3, Schizophrenia as 70.4+/-17.8, Hypomania scale as 54.0+/-11.3, and social introversion scale as much as 60.1+/-15.0 higher than normal. In evaluation the quality of life, there was a prominent issue in the occupation(0.1) and economic independence(0.5) out of the total 6 items, difference was 0.6, social adaptation was 0.8, physical independence was 0.7 and orientation(1.6) was similar to normal person. CONCLUSION: As the physical and the psychological changes abrupt at the same time with the spinal cord injury, it is important to encourage the patients to have a strong ego to have an optimistic confidence of recuperation.
Anxiety ; Depression ; Ego ; Humans ; Hypochondriasis ; Hysteria ; Critical Care ; Introversion (Psychology) ; Minnesota ; Psychoanalysis ; Quality of Life* ; Retrospective Studies ; Schizophrenia ; Spinal Cord Injuries* ; Spinal Cord* ; Spinal Fractures* ; Weights and Measures

PURPOSE: To evaluate changes of pancreatic size with aging in control subjects and in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two groups of non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients were examined; one had been treated with an oral hypoglycemic agent(n=59), and the other with insulin(n=56). The CT findings of 175 patients without clinical evidence of pancreatic disease were included as a normal control. RESULTS: In control subjects, pancreatic size and age correlated. The pancreas was smaller in non-insulin-dependent diabetics than incontrol subjects and smaller in insulin- treated non-insulin-dependent diabetics than in non-insulin treated patients. CONCLUSION: The pancreas was smaller in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients than in control subjects within the same age range.
Aging ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* ; Humans ; Pancreas* ; Pancreatic Diseases

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*

Alveolar Bone Grafting ; Alveolar Process ; Bone Marrow ; Bone Transplantation ; Busan ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Maxilla ; Surgery, Oral ; Transplants

PURPOSE: A number of researchers have suggested the use of sodium hyaluronate carboxymethyl cellulose (HA-CMC) membrane for preventing postoperative adhesion. This study evaluated the antiadhesive effect and safety of HA-CMC membrane in thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid cancer. METHODS: One hundred sixty-two patients who underwent thyroidectomy were prospectively randomized. In the study group of 80 patients, the 7.5 cm x 13 cm HA-CMC membrane was applied to the operative field after thyroidectomy. The subjects were asked about complications including adhesive symptoms using an 8-item questionnaire at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. In addition, items on the appearance of neck wrinkles and scars were evaluated by a physician who had no information about the patient's allocation. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in complications such as swallowing difficulty, and wrinkles between study and control groups. Both groups presented significantly decreased scores over time in swallowing difficulty, and wrinkles. There were no complications regarding the HA-CMC membrane. CONCLUSION: The antiadhesive effect of HA-CMC membrane in thyroid surgery is still uncertain, although it is biologically safe. Further investigation is needed to confirm the antiadhesive effect of HA-CMC membrane in thyroid surgery.
Adhesives ; Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium ; Cellulose* ; Cicatrix ; Deglutition ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Membranes* ; Neck ; Prospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Sodium* ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroidectomy

STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective study to evaluate the nerve fibers in human nucleus pulposus. OBJECTIVE: To study the changes in the pain receptor, including the nerve fiber of the disc, immunohistologic studies were performed for S-100, synaptophysin and CD 31. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Degeneration in a human intervertebral disc is one of the most important causes of back pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study used disc materials obtained from patients that had undergone an operation. According to the patient`s age and diagnoses, the disc materials were subdivided into 3 groups. Group 1; HNP patients aged in their twenties and thirties, with a mean age of 28.3 years. Group 2; HNP patients aged above forty, with a mean age of 43.8 years. Group 3; patients diagnosed with degenerative disc disease through preoperative MRI or discogram, with a mean age of 40.2 years. There were ten in each group. H & E staining, immunohistologic studies for S-100, synaptophysin and CD 31 staining were investigated to find the relationship between blood vessels and nerve fibers. RESULTS: From the H & E staining, inflammatory cells were detected in groups 1 and 2, and partially detected in group 3, but no significant differences were detected between the groups. The chondrocyte morphologies were similar in groups 1 and 2, but the number of chondrocyte in group 3 was significantly decreased, and degeneration was also detected. From the S-100 staining, 0, 10 and 40% positive findings were detected in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. For the synaptophysin staining, no positive findings were detected in groups 1 and 2, whereas, 30% positive findings were detected in group 3. No positive results for the CD 31 staining were seen in any of the three groups. CONCLUSION: Pain due to a degenerative disc can be explained by the above results, but its relationship to blood vessels was insufficient. Further study on the changes in the vertebral endplate and annulus fibrosus is recommended.
Back Pain ; Blood Vessels ; Chondrocytes ; Diagnosis ; Humans* ; Intervertebral Disc ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Nerve Fibers* ; Nociceptors ; Retrospective Studies ; Synaptophysin

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study OBJECTIVE: To categorize and analyze clinical results of degenerative lumbar deformity patients according to the degree of scoliosis and kyphosis. SUMMARY AND LITERATURE REVIEW: A degenerative spinal deformity is classified into a coronal and sagittal deformity. There are some reports about treatment according to each classification but the classification is sometimes inappropriate and the treatment can vary. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 1998 to June 2003, 79 patients, who were diagnosed with a degenerative lumbar deformity and underwent conservative or operative treatment, were studied retrospectively. Group I had scoliosis ranging from 10 to 20degrees , and group II had scoliosis > 20degrees Each group was subdivided into A, B, and C according to the lordosis, group A > 30degrees , group B between 20 to 30degrees , and group C < 20degrees . Scoliosis and lordosis were measured from the radiographs and the clinical results were evaluated using the Kirkaldy-Willis criteria and VAS score before and after surgery. RESULTS: In group I, 9 cases underwent surgery and 11 cases underwent conservative treatment, without any significant differences in the clinical results. In group II, 35 cases underwent surgery and 24 cases underwent conservative treatment. Excellent results were obtained in 18(51.4%) cases, good in 15(42.9%) and 2(5.7%) were below fair. The average VAS score in group II given conservative treatment 8.9 preoperatively and 6.5 at the final follow up. Tn group II given surgical treatment the average VAS score was 9.2 preoperatively and 4.1 at the final follow up. There was a significant difference in the outcome (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with a degenerative lumbar deformity with accompanying lumbar scoliosis and kyphosis, scoliosis > 20degrees or lordosis < 20degrees are expected to show more improvement in symptom after surgery than after conservative treatment.
Animals ; Classification* ; Congenital Abnormalities* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; Lordosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis

PURPOSE: To evaluate two-phase dynamic CT with water as oral contrast agents in the CT diagnosis of gastric stromal tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the CT findings in 21 patients with pathologically proven gastric stromal tumors. Six were found to be benign, twelve were malignant, and there were three cases of STUMP (stromal tumor uncertain malignant potential). Two-phase dynamic CT scans with water as oral contrast agents were obtained 60-70secs (portal phase) and 3 mins (equilibrium phase) after the start of IV contrast administration. We determined the size, growth pattern, and enhancement pattern of the tumors and overlying mucosa, the presence or absence of ulceration and necrosis, tumor extent, and lymph node and distant metastasis. The CT and pathologic findings were correlated. RESULTS: All six benign tumors and three STUMP were less than 5.5 cm in size, and during the portal phase showed round endogastric masses with highly enhanced, intact overlying mucosa. Twelve malignant tumors were 4.5-15.5 cm in size (mean, 11.5cm); an endogastric mass was seen in three cases, an exogastric mass in one, and a mixed pattern in eight. On portal phase images the tumors were not significantly enhanced, but highly enhanced feeding vessels were noted in five larger tumors (> 10 cm). All 12 malignant tumors showed ulceration and necrosis, and interruption of overlying mucosa was clearly seen during the portal phase. We were readily able to evaluate tumor extent during this phase, and in ten malignant tumors there was no invasion of adjacent organs. Seven malignant tumors showed air density within their necrotic portion (p<0.05). On equilibrium phase images, all malignant tumors showed heterogeneous enhancement due to necrosis, and poorly enhanced overlying mucosa. CONCLUSION: Dynamic CT during the portal phase with water as oral contrast agents was useful for depicting the submucosal origin of gastric stromal tumors and for evaluating the extent of malignant stromal tumors. Our results suggest that these CT findings may be helpful for differentiating between benign and malignant stromal tumors, and in distinguishing them from other gastric tumors.
Contrast Media* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Mucous Membrane ; Necrosis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ulcer ; Water*