OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of wrist position on the ulnar nerve conduction velocity. METHOD: Ulnar motor nerve conduction studies were performed bilaterally in twenty healthy adult volunteers. For each limb, nerve conduction study was carried out in two different positions. In the first position, shoulder were abducted, elbow and wrist flexed to 90o. For the second position, all joints were kept constant except for the wrist where it was extended. Routine conduction study was performed in both wrist positions. All data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The average conduction velocities in the wrist flexed position were 61.6 m/sec for the forearm segment and 62.3 m/sec across elbow. With the wrist extended, the average was 62.6 m/sec and 64.1 m/sec, respectively. The differences in conduction velocities between two different wrist positions were statistically significant (p<0.05). In the wrist flexed position, the average measured latencies were 2.3 msec with wrist, 5.4 msec below elbow, and 7.4 msec above elbow stimulation, compared to wrist extended which showed 2.4, 5.4 and 7.2 msec, respectively. The difference of latencies at wrist between the two wrist positions was statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The authors conclude that wrist position affect ulnar nerve conduction velocity.
Adult ; Elbow ; Extremities ; Forearm ; Humans ; Joints ; Neural Conduction ; Shoulder ; Ulnar Nerve* ; Volunteers ; Wrist*

Primary retroperitoneal mucinous tumor is very rare. In the worldwide literature, only 14 cases have been reported. Herein, we report two cases of retroperitoneal mucinous tumor found at laparotomy. The patients were females, aged 24 and 21 years, respectively. They had bilateral normal ovaries. Histologically, one was mucinous cystadenoma and the other showed borderline histology. The connective tissue wall resembling ovarian stroma was noted in one case. The pathogenesis was discussed.
Female ; Humans

PURPOSE: To determine the preferred method of drinking water before spiral CT scanning of a gastric lesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Spiral CT scans of 92 patients with gastric lesion were obtained and evaluated. Patients drank tap water as oral contrast material and were scanned in the prone position; they were divided into two groups according to the method by which water was ingested. Group 1 patients drank 500ml 60 minutes before scanning; 500mL, 30 minutes before scanning; and 500mL just before scanning, while those in group 2 drank 800-1000mL just before scanning. In all cases, precontrast images were obtained, and an additional 300mL of water was given if the stomach was not adequately distended. Postcontrast images were obtained at 35 seconds, 80 seconds and 3 minutes after the start of infusion of contrast material. For 35- and 80-second scans, spiral CT was performed with 5-mm collimation, 7mm/sec table feed, and 5-mm reconstruction interval; for precontrast and 3-minute scans, 10-mm collimation, 10mm/sec table feed, and 10-mm reconstruction interval were used. There were 40 patients in group 1, and 52 in group 2. The images of the two groups were evaluated according to three criteria: gastric distension, mucosal enhancement, and tumor distinction. For each criterion, the images were evaluated by grading; an 'excellent' image scored 3, 'good' 2, 'ordinary' 1, and 'poor' 0. The differences in imaging quality between the two groups were statistically evaluated. Images obtained at 35 and 80 seconds, and at 3 minutes after the start of infusion of contrast material were compared, and the detectability of 18 confirmed cases of early gastric cancer was evaluated. RESULTS: For gastric distension, the mean score was 1.65 in group 1, and 1.81 in group 2 (P=0.33); the corresponding figures for mucosal enhancement were 1.45 and 1.65 (P=0.11), and for tumor distinction, 1.30 and 1.52 (P=0.09). Between the two groups, there was therefore no statistical difference in image quality. With regard to postcontrast images, those obtained after a delay of 35 seconds were best; those obtained at 80 seconds were better than those obtained at 3 minutes. Fifteen of 18 case of early gastric cancer were detected on spiral CT, and the detection rate was 83.8%. CONCLUSION: No statistically significant difference was seen between the two groups, and a single drink of water-just before scanning- is thus preferable to several drinks. Two scans, with images delayed for 35 and 80 seconds after contrast enhancement, are adequate. The use of these methods may improve the image quality of gastric lesions and the detection rate of early gastric cancer.
Drinking Water ; Eating* ; Humans ; Prone Position ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Tomography, Spiral Computed* ; Water*

No abstract available.
Spine*

Although the ultlrasonography has been regarded as a main procedure in the diagnosis of bile duct andgallbladder diseases, a few reports concerning the ultrasonographic findings of biliary ascariasis appeared in theliterature. Seven cases of real-time ultrasonographic diagnosis of biliary ascariasis were made in our hospitalduring last 15 months. In six, the diagnosis was confirmed by surgery or radiographic examination. The resultswere as follows; 1. The characteristic long, thick, highly reflective echo without distal acoustic shadowing inthe extra and/or in tra-hepatic ducts were seen in all six proven cases. 2. The echogenic, nonshadowing images ofthe worms were seen as single stripe in five cases(containing a central longitudinal, anechoic tube, suggestingits digestive tract in three cases ) or multiple stripes in one case. But so-called coiled appearance or amorphousfragments were not seen in our cases. 3. Associated findings were as follows; mild to moderate dilatation of theextrahepatic duct in all six duct in 1 case, intrahepatic stone in 1 case, contracted gallbladder containingsingle stone in 1 case and evidence of cholecystitis in 4 cases. 4. One false positive diagnosis of ascariasis inthe gallbladder is considered due to reverberation artefact. No false negative was seen.
Acoustics ; Artifacts ; Ascariasis ; Bile Ducts ; Cholecystitis ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Gallbladder ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Shadowing (Histology)

Although the ultrasonography has been regarded as a important procedure in the diagnosis of intraabdominalabscess, there were relatively few papers concerning the ultrasonographic findings of periappendiceal abscess.Nineteen cases of surgically proven periappendiceal abscess caused by perforated appendicitis were studied byultrasonography at the Kyung Hee University Hospital during last 34 months. The results were as follows; 1.Diagnostic accuracy of the real-time ultrasonography was 94.7%(18/19). There were only one false positive and onefalse negative. 2. The location of abscesses were ; periappendiceal 68.4%(13/19), pelvic 21.0%(4/19), subhepatic5.3%(1/19) and subphrenic 5.3%(1/19) in order of frequency. 3. Variable echo-patterns of abscesses wereencountered. But irregular, thick walled, posteriorly reinforcing, echo-free or mixed echo-patterns were mostcommon.
Abscess ; Appendicitis ; Diagnosis ; Ultrasonography

In spite of numerous dinical and patho-anatomical studies made in the past, there are still different opinions concerning the mechanism of low back pain. The sciatic symptoms in degenerative lumbar disc disease may arise from the direct mechanical effect of pressure exerted by protruding disc material on nerve roots, and that such symptoms may therefore be relieved by surgical decompression of the nerve roots, has been widely accepted for nearly 40 years. There is, however, a good deal of evidence, both from operative and histological findings as well as from indirect sources, which suggests that inflammatory changes present in and around affected nerve roots may also be of importance in the production of sciatic symptoms in lumbar disc disease. The possibility that, at least in some cases, these inflammatory changes could contribute significantly or even predominantly to the production and persistence of sciatic symptoms, has stimulated many attempts to treat sciatica by means of local antiinflammatory measures in particular, corticosteroid injections. We have studied the effect of the injection of mixture triamcinolone and local anesthetic (1% xylocaine or 0.5% marcaine) comparing with the effect of usual conservative treatment of low back pain and sciatica. Of the 92 patients suffered from lumbago & sciatica, who were treated from 1979. 7 to 1981. 7 in Korea and Jae Il general hospital, 44 patients were treated with intermittent epidural block, 12 patients with continuous epidural block and 36 patients were treated only with usual conservative treatment. The results of clinical observation were as follows: 1. The causative disease were herniated nucleus pulposus in 60 patients (64%), lumbar sprain in 12 (13%), degenerative joint disease of spine in 11 (12%),… 2. The epidural block cases were divided into acute group (symptoms less than 3 months) and chronic group (symptoms longer than 3 months). The over all improvement of the acute group was 22 of 27(81%) and of the chronic group was 22 of 29(76%). The duration of symptoms didnt influenced significantly the effect of epidural block. 3. Therapeutic effect of epidural block was as follows; complete relief 22 of 56(39%), marked relief 13 of 56(23%), slight relief 9 of 56(16%), no improvement 12 of 56(22%). The over all improvement was resulted in 44 of 56(78%): intermittent epidural block 34 of 44(77%), continuous epidural block 10 of 12(83%). 4. Therapeutic effect of conservative treatment was as follows; complete relief 10 of 36(28%), marked relief 7 of 36(19%), slight relief 4 of 36(11%), no improvement 15 of 36(42%). The over all improvement of symptoms was resulted in 21 of 36(58%). 5. Follow up period of epidural block patients were 3 months in average, and persistent relief of symptom were obtained in 12 out of 20 patients(60%), and recurrence of symptom were in 6 of 20 patients(30%). It is considered that epidural block will shorten the time of recovery from severe pain, avoid hospitalization or long periods of bed rest and allow earlier physiotherapy. In addition it may avoid the need for surgical intervention to produce rapid relief of acute pain and give to patient economic, psychologic benefit.
Acute Pain ; Bed Rest ; Decompression, Surgical ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospitalization ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Joint Diseases ; Korea ; Lidocaine ; Low Back Pain ; Recurrence ; Sciatica ; Spine ; Sprains and Strains ; Triamcinolone

The spleen is the most common intraabdominal organ injured in blunt trauma, Although physical signs andsymptoms, coupled with abdominal paracentesis & peritoneal lavage confirm intraabdominal injury, but isolatedsplenic injury especially delayed rupture, the diagnosis and clinical course is variable. We are reevaluation ofplain roentgenologic findings for the light of early diagnosis of isolated splenic injury. 24 patiens of theautopsy and surgically proven isolated splenic injury at Chosun University Hospital in the period from 1980January to 1986 June were analyzed plain roentgenogram retrospectively. The results were as follows: 1. Malepatients predominate, constitution 87.5%. Incidence has been greatest in second to fourth decade. 2. Mode oftrauma causing isolated splenic injury is most common in motor vehicle accident and others are fall down, struckby fist, blow to object, uncertain blunt trauma. 3. Delayed rupture of spleen occured in 2 cases(8.3%). 4. Commonpatterns of splenic injury is simple laceration that involves both the capsule and the parenchyma and a lacerationthat involves the splenic pedicle. 5. Plain chest roentgenographic findings were abnormal in 4 cases (16.7%). Themost common plain abdominal roentgenographic findings was the evidence of intraabdominal fluid in 21 cases(87.5%).The others are included in order of frequency: gastric dilatation, prominent mucosal folds on greater curvature ofthe stomach, evidence of pelvic fluid, displacement of stomach to the right or downward, mass density in theregion of spleen. 6. No relationship can be shown between patterns of injury, time lapse after trauma and plainroentgenological findings. But the evidence of intraabdominal fluid is most important in the light of earlydiagnosis. 7. Diagnosis of splenic injury may be most helpul that in combination with clinical history, clinicalsymptoms & signs and plain film findings. In delayed rupture, diagnostic value of serial examination and surgicalobservation is emphasized.
Constitution and Bylaws ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Gastric Dilatation ; Incidence ; Lacerations ; Motor Vehicles ; Paracentesis ; Peritoneal Lavage ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture ; Spleen ; Stomach ; Thorax

OBJECTIVES: Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) is one of the most frequently used scales to evaluate apathy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the AES (K-AES) and to apply the K-AES in examining the characteristics of apathy in the Korean patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: 129 healthy people and 29 patients with schizophrenia have been evaluated using the K-AES, Physical Anhedonia Scale (PAS), Social Anhedonia Scale (SAS), and the Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI). Split-half reliability and internal consistency were evaluated and factor analysis and correlation analysis was conducted. Between-group comparison was conducted using independent sample t-tests. RESULTS: K-AES showed good reliability and validity. Factor analysis confirmed 3 factors, which represented interest and drive, initiative, self-awareness and self-assessment. Patients with schizophrenia showed significantly higher K-AES and BDI scores than the healthy group. K-AES scores in patients with schizophrenia were significantly correlated with the PAS score, but did not correlate with SAS and BDI scores. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the reliability and validity of the K-AES. Our findings also suggest that the K-AES may be a reliable instrument in assessing apathy as a negative symptom in patients with schizophrenia.
Anhedonia ; Apathy* ; Depression ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Humans ; Reproducibility of Results* ; Schizophrenia* ; Self-Assessment ; Weights and Measures

BACKGROUND: The recent experimental observations suggested that location of M. leprae in the Schwann cells was mediated by epineurial and endoneurial endothelial cells, giving M. leprae access to the inner compartment of nerves and thus to Schwann cells. CD1 is a family of nonpolymorphic beta2-microglobulin-associated transmembrane glycoproteins that is structurally related to classical MHC Ag-presenting molecules, but is encoded by a separate genetic locus. Recent reports have described that human T cells specifically recognize foreign lipid and glycolipid antigens presented by CD1 proteins. Thus, it appeared likely that CD1 represents the key component of a MHC - independent pathway for antigen presentation to T cells. OBJECTIVE: we observed expression of antigen presenting molecules, such as MHC class I, II and CD1, in the vascular endothelial cells and inflammatory cells of leprosy skin lesion. METHODS: MHC class I, II and CD1 expression were studied using immunohistochemical stains. RESULTS: 1. In immunohistochemical stain of HLA-A, B, C, the level of expression in vascular endothelial cells of the borderline tuberculoid leprosy is higher than that of borderline lepromatous leprosy, but lower than that of normal skin tissue. 2. In HLA-A,B,C expression of the inflammatory cells, the level of borderline tuberculoid leprosy is higher than that of borderline lepromatous leprosy and of normal skin tissue(p>0.05). 3. Expression levels of HLA-DP, DQ, DR on endothelial cells decrease significantly in order of normal tissue, borderline tuberculoid leprosy, borderline lepromatous leprosy, lepromatous leprosy(p<0.05). 4. Expression levels of HLA-DP, DQ, DR on inflammatory cells decrease in order of lepromatous leprosy, borderline lepromatous leprosy, borderline tuberculoid leprosy, normal tissue, but statistical significance did not exist. 5. In immunohistochemical stains of CD1b, 3 sections of all 4 normal skin sections and 1 section of 3 borderline tuberculoid leprosy sections showed focal positivity on the dermal inflammtory cells, but borderline lepromatous leprosy sections did not show any positive inflammatory cells. 6. Epidermal Langerhans cells showed positivity on immunohistochemical stains of CD1a and CD1b. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that expression of MHC class I and II on the vascular endothelial cells and expression of CD1b on the inflammatory cells decrease in order of immunity of lepromatous skin lesion and that vascular enothelial cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of leprosy.
Antigen Presentation ; Coloring Agents ; Endothelial Cells* ; Genetic Loci ; Glycoproteins ; HLA-A Antigens ; HLA-DP Antigens ; Humans ; Langerhans Cells ; Leprosy* ; Leprosy, Borderline ; Leprosy, Lepromatous ; Leprosy, Multibacillary ; Leprosy, Paucibacillary ; Leprosy, Tuberculoid ; Schwann Cells ; Skin* ; T-Lymphocytes