No abstract available.
Liver Abscess* ; Liver*

PURPOSE: Recent developments in minimally invasive techniques have the potential to reduce surgical morbidity, promote patient recovery, accelerate surgical procedures, and thus improve cost-effectiveness in case management. In this study, we compared the treatment efficacy and results of supraorbital keyhole approach (SOKA) with those of conventional unilateral frontal craniotomy (CUFC) for traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (TICH) in the frontal lobe. METHODS: We analyzed the data of 38 patients who underwent CUFC (n=30) and SOKA (n=8) and retrospectively reviewed their medical records and radiological findings. Furthermore, we tried to identify the best surgical method for such lesions by including patients who underwent burr hole aspiration and drainage (BHAD) (n=9) under local anesthesia due to various circumstances. RESULTS: The difference in the initial Glasgow coma scale score, operative time, and length of hospitalization between the CUFC and SOKA were statistically significant. All radiological features between the two groups including associated skull fracture, amount of pre- and postoperative hematoma, percentage of complete hematoma removal, pre- and postoperative midline shifting of the hematoma, and development of postoperative delayed hematoma were not statistically significant. Our experience of 46 patients with TICH in the frontal lobe with any of the three different surgical methods including BHAD enabled us to obtain valuable findings. CONCLUSIONS Although it is difficult to insist that one particular approach is more useful than the other, we are confident that SOKA will have more advantages over CUFC in carefully selected patients with frontal TICH depending on the surgical experience of a neurosurgeon.

BACKGROUND: To compare the diagnostic value between Phalen's test and reverse Phalen's test using a morphological change of the median nerve and the carpal tunnel in diabetics and normal controls seen by high-resolution ultrasonography and to research on an ultrasonography as an available tool for the screening and follow up aid-test of the carpal tunnel syndrome(CTS). METHODS: A cross-sectional area and a flattening ratio of the median nerve, and a cross-sectional area of the carpal tunnel were measured in neutral, maximally flexed(Phalen's test), and maximally extended (reverse Phalen's test) positions in 59 wrists of 30 normal controls and 60 wrists of 30 diabetics. RESULTS: 1) In controls and diabetics, the mean cross-sectional area of median nerve at the hamatum were 8.8/10.2 mm2, 8.0/9.5 mm2, 8.3/9.4 mm2, the mean flattening ratio were 3.0/3.0 mm2, 2.4/2.0 mm2, 3.2/3.0 mm2, the mean cross-sectional area of carpal tunnel were 176.5/197.7 mm2, 157.9/187.0 mm2, 170.6/192.5 mm2 in neutral, maximal flexion and maximal extension. 2) In controls, the cross-sectional area of median nerve and carpal tunnel were significantly decreased in maximal flexion(p<0.01), and in maximal extension(p<0.01). 3) In controls, the mean flattening ratio of median nerve was revealed significant change in maximal flexion(p<0.01), and in maximal extension(p<0.01). 4) In diabetics, the flattening ratio was significantly decreased in maximal flexion(p<0.01) with com- paring to neutral position. 5) In diabetics, the cross-sectional area of median nerve and carpal tunnel were significantly increased in all positions(p<0.05), and the mean flattening ratio of median nerve was similar to controls. CONCLUSION: In diabetics, increased cross-sectional area of median nerve can be explained by swelling of median nerve, also increased cross-sectional area of carpal tunnel is can be said to have taken place by the decreasing of the useful space in between the median nerve and carpal tunnel, this show that the diabetics have the high risk of the CTS. Phalen's test reveals higher degree of irritation to median nerve, The high-resolution ultrasonography is suggested as an available tool for the screening and follow up aid-test for the CTS
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; Follow-Up Studies ; Mass Screening ; Median Nerve* ; Ultrasonography ; Wrist*

Pigmented extraadrenal paraganglioma is an unusual neoplasm that has rarely been reported in the literature. Based on histochemical staining or electron microscopy, pigment has been classified as lipofuscin, neuromelanin or true melanin. We report a case of pigmented extraadrenal paraganglioma in the posterior mediastinum of a 70-year-old woman. Histologically, the tumor had a characteristic organoid architecture of "zellballen" pattern with rich delicate microvasculature. Tumor cells contained numerous coarse brown-black pigment granules. Ultrastructurally, the tumor showed abundant large electron-dense pigment granules that vary in size and shape and smaller membrane-bound neurosecretory granules. The larger granules were consistent with neuromelanin or lipofuscin. Histochemically, the pigment is most likely neuromelanin, which is a waste product of catecholamine metabolism.
Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lipofuscin ; Mediastinum ; Melanins ; Metabolism ; Microscopy, Electron ; Microvessels ; Organoids ; Paraganglioma* ; Waste Products

No abstract available.
Lung Injury* ; Lung* ; Paraquat*

Nerve Conduction studies are used not only in diagnosis of compression neuropathy, but also as a prognostic evaluation after is treatment. Authors analyzed the changes of nerve conduction studies in the 21 hands of 19 patients of carpal tunnel syndrome which was confirmed by clinical and electrodiagnostic methods, and treated by surgical release of transverse carpal ligament. The changes of nerve conduction and clinical studies were completed just before surgery, and at 2-week, 1-month, 3-month and 6-month of postoperative periods, and summarized as follows; 1. The distal sensory and motor latencies were significantly(P < 0.05) improved at the 3-month of postoperative periods, respectively. 2. The sensory conduction velocities across the carpal tunnel was significantly(P < 0.05) improved at the 6-month of postoperative periods. 3. The distal motor amplitude was significantly(P < 0.05) improved at the 6-month of postoperative periods. 4. The changes in sensory conduction studies were more sensitive value for evaluation of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. 5. The distal latencies reflected the progress of clinical improvement, accurately. These conduction studies are considerable value in the evaluation of the post-carpal tunnel release patient.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; Diagnosis ; Hand ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Neural Conduction ; Postoperative Period

Retroperitoneal teratoma is comparatively rare and yet difficult to treat and predict the prognosis. Recently we experienced 2 cases of retroperitoneal teratoma in the infancy, which was suspected by radiologic investigation and confirmed by exploration and microscopic examination.
Prognosis ; Teratoma*

PURPOSE: To determine (1) the relationship between the cortical defects seen on 99 mTc-DMSA renal scans and age, and (2) the presence and degree of vesicoureteral reflux, and then to depict the risk factors for cortical defects in children with acute urinary tract infection (UTI). Furthermore, to assess the diagnostic value of VCUG in predicting a defect on 99 mTc-DMSA renal scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 134 kidneys in 67 children aged 15 days-10 years (M:F=39:28) in whom symptomatic UTI was present. In all these children, both DMSA renal scans and voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) were performed. Scanning took place within 7 days of diagnosis and VCUG was performed after one month of diagnosis. Scintigraphic findings were graded according to the extent and number of cortical defects. We evaluated the relationships between the cortical defects seen on DMSA scans and age, and the grade of vesicoureteral reflux. The diagnostic value of VCUG in predicting cortical defects was analysed. Results: The prevalence of cortical defects was greater in patients older than two years (38/54, 70%) than in those aged less than two (38/80, 48%). The frequency of cortical defects was related to vesicoureteral reflux (p<0.05) and grade of reflux (p<0.05). As this latter increased, the extent of cortical defects also increased (p<0.05), and DMSA scans revealed the presence of these in 76 of the 134 kidneys (57%) with acute UTI. In 30 of these 76 (39.5%), VCUG demonstrated the presence of vesicoureteral reflex. On the other hand, vesi-coureteral reflex was found in 36 of the 134 kidneys (27%), and in 30 of these 36 (83%), cortical defects were noted. The sensitivity of VCUG in predicting cortical defect was 39.5%, while specificity was 89.7%. The positive predictive value for defects was 83.3%, and the negative predictive value was 53.1%. The relative risk of cortical defect in the presence of vesicoureteral reflux was 1.78. CONCLUSION: Renal cortical defects are significantly related to age and grade of vesicoureteral reflux. Risk factors for developing cortical defects were older age (> or =2yrs) at the time of acute UTI, and high grade of vesicoureteral reflux. The specificity of VCUG in predicting cortical defects is relatively high but the sensitivitiy is low, and a significant proportion of cortical defects therefore occurred in the absence of vesicoureteral reflux.
Child* ; Diagnosis ; Hand ; Humans ; Kidney ; Prevalence ; Radionuclide Imaging* ; Reflex ; Risk Factors* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Succimer* ; Urinary Tract Infections* ; Urinary Tract* ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux

Coronary restenosis is still regarded as Achilles' Hill of interventional cardiology despite relentless efforts of many investigators. Recent experimental and clinical studies have suggested that both gamma and beta radiation can be reduce restenosis after angioplasty. Currently, intracoronary brachytherapy for the prevention of restenosis has become a new evolving treatment modality in interventional cardiology. This report discusses a physical aspect of gamma and beta radiation, initial clinical results and delivery systems used in intracoronary brachytherapy. We shall take a brief overview of methods and their advantages in intracoronary brachytherapy. Future work should provide further insight for the best way of treating restenosis.
Angioplasty ; Beta Particles ; Brachytherapy ; Cardiology ; Coronary Restenosis ; Humans ; Research Personnel

No abstract available.