PURPOSE: To determine the necessity of site-specific bone mineral density(BMD) measurement and the difference between the BMD of the two femora using DXA in the evaluation of osteoporosis. MATERIALS & METHODS: Total BMD and regional BMD(Lumbar spine, femoral neck, Ward's area, intertrochanter area) were measured on seventy-eight healthy persons without previons diseases, and the statistical significance analyzed. RESULTS: Total BMD did not reliably reflect the site-specific BMD. There was a high correlation between BMD in opposing femora. Correlation coefficients between the femoral neck, Ward's area, trochanter area were 0. 939, 0.874 and 0.916 respectively. CONCLUSION: We conclude that a measuremnt of site-specific BMD is necessory because the total BMD can not reliably predict the regional BMD. The measurement of BMD in one femur can predict the BMD of the contralateral femur. If there is no history of femoral neck disease, unilateral BMD measurement is recommended for femoral evaluation.
Absorptiometry, Photon* ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; Humans ; Osteoporosis ; Spine

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate differentiating features of spinal compression fractures between benign and metastatic lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed MR imaging in 52 patients (benign 38, metastasis 14) with vertebral compression fracture. Signal intensity of fracture and uninvolved areas, presence of contrast enhancement, fragmentation, and paravertebral mass were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Signal intensity of fracture site was variable in benign lesions, but low signal intensity on T1-weighted image and high on T2*-weighted image were seen in all cases of metastasis. Signal intensity of uninvolved area was high on T1-weighted image and low on T2*-weighted image in 84% of benign lesions. On the contrary, normal marrow signal intensity was not seen in the uninvolved areas of all metastatic fractures. Contrast enhancement were observed in all cases of benign & metastatic compression fractures. Fragmentation were seen in 1 case of metastasis(7%) and in 11 cases of benign lesions(29%). Paravertebral mass were seen in 5 cases of metastasis(36%) and in 7 cases of benign lesions(18%). CONCLUSION: Presence of normal marrow signal intensity in the uninvolved area of fracture site could be the most useful sign for differentiating benign causes from metastasis.
Bone Marrow ; Fractures, Compression* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Retrospective Studies

The computed tomography (CT) number is closely related to hematocrit level according to many of the previous reports. We measured the CT number in various organs, such as the frontal white matter, basal ganglia, occipital white matter, cerebrospinal fluid, liver, abdominal aorta, spleen, kidney, and psoas muscle. We correlated the CT numbers of the organs with hematocrit levels which were graded into 10% increments (20.0-29.9%, 30.0-39.9%, 40.0-49.9%). Thus the change of CT numbers in various organs according to the hematocrit level was analyzed. The increased CT numbers according to the 10% increment of hematocrit in the frontal white matter, basal ganglia, occipital white matter, liver, abdominal aorta, spleen, and psoas muscle were 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 3.3, 5.3, 3.8, 2.4 respectively. Even though the CT numbers of the cerebrospinal fluid and kidney were not influenced by hematocrit level the CT numbers in most of the there organs postitively correlated with hematocrit level. Therefore, it was concluded that in the differential diagnosis using CT numbers, the hematocrit level of patient must be taken into consideration.
Aorta, Abdominal ; Basal Ganglia ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hematocrit* ; Humans ; Kidney ; Liver ; Psoas Muscles ; Spleen ; White Matter

PURPOSE: To assess the characteristic features of MR imaging in the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed MR imaging of 27 cases with pathologically-proven spinal tuberculosis and analyzed the MR findings including the extent of the lesions on non-contrast T1, proton density, and T2*VI, and the specific contrast enhancement patterns of the lesion on Gd-DTPA enhnced TIWI. RESULTS: The inflammatory lesions showed low signal intensity on T1WI in 25 patients(93%) and high signal intensity on T2*gradient echo image in 25 patients(93%). Bone destruction was noted in 15 patients(55%), disc-space narrowing in 21 patients(77%), paravertebral abscess in 16 patients(59%), subligamentous extension in 23 patients(85%), kyphosis in 8 patients(29%), and spinal canal narrowing in 19 patients(70%). After Gd-DTPA was administrated, rim-enhancement was noted in all patients(100%). CONCLUSION: We conclude that MR imaging is an excellent imaging modality for establishing the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis as well as delineating the extent of soft tissue involvement. Characteristic peripheral rim enhancement after injection of Gd-DTPA may provide rather specific diagnosis in spinal tuberculosis.
Abscess ; Diagnosis ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Kyphosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Protons ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Canal ; Tuberculosis, Spinal*

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans ; Natural History* ; Ureter* ; Ureterocele*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine differential findings between Type I degenerative endplate changes and diskitis on MR images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR images(T1, T2 weighted or Gradient echo) of L-spine in twelve patients with a Type I degenerative endplate change and nine patients with diskitis were reviewed for the morphologic and signal intensity changes of intervertebral disc, vertebral endplate and vertebral body. RESULTS: involvement of the marrow of one side of intervertebral disk was noted in 33%(4/12) of Type I endplate changes, and 11%(1/9) of diskitis. Decreased signal intensity of intervertebral disc was seen in 92% (11/12) of Type I endplate changes, and 11%(1/9) of diskitis on T2 weighted or Gradient echo image. Loss of intranuclear cleft signal was noted in 17%(2/12) of Type I endplate changes, and 78%(7/9) of diskitis. Even disc space narrowing was seen in all cases of Type I endplate changes, but uneven narrowing was seen in 44%(4/9) of diskitis. Only partial cortical disruption was noted in 42%(5/12) of Type I endplate changes, while partial or total cortical disruption was noted in 89%(8/9) of diskitis. The extent of marrow involvement more than 2/3 was noted in 8%(1/12) of Type I endplate changes, but 56%(5/9) of diskitis. The margin of signal intensity change was well defined in 33%(4/12) of Type I endplate changes, but that of diskitis was ill defined in all cases(9/9). Gadolinium enhancement was homogeneous in all cases(5/5) of Type I endplate changes, and 63%(5/8) of diskiris. CONCLUSION: We conclude that involvement of one side of endplate, decreased signal intensity of intervertebral disc on T2 weighted or gradient echo image, even narrowing of disc space, lesser extent of marrow involvement, well defined margin and homogeneous enhancement pattern are the findings of Type I degenerative endplate changes on MR images.
Bone Marrow ; Diagnosis, Differential* ; Discitis* ; Gadolinium ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging*

PURPOSE: The medial meniscus is injured much more than the lateral meniscus. Because the medial meniscus is much larger in diameter, is thinner in its periphery and narrower in body than the lateral meniscus, and does not attach to either cruciate ligament. We evaluated correlations with sites of tear and history of trauma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We reviewed retrospectively in 43 patients with meniscal tears on MRI(51 cases) and correlated them with history of trauma. RESULTS: The most common site of injury was the posterior horn of the medial meniscus(32/51), but high incidence of lateral meniscal tear compared with previous reports was seen. In the cases which had history of trauma, the posterior horn of medial meniscus was most commonly injured(26/34) and 5 meniscal tears were combined with meniscal tear in the other site. The tear in the anterior horn of the medial meniscus was seen only in a patient which had history of trauma and combined with meniscal tear in the other site. But in the meniscal tears without definite history of trauma, the incidence of meniscal tear was different from the meniscal tear with history of trauma. The incidence of lateral meniscal tear(11/17) was highter than medial meniscal tear and the posterior horn of lateral meniscus was commonly injured. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the medial meniscus was commonly injured, especially posterior horn, but in the cases which had no definite history of trauma, the lateral meniscus was commonly ipjured. An awareness of prevalent site of meniscal injuries may be helpful in the diagnostic interpretation of MR imaging of knee.
Animals ; Horns ; Humans ; Incidence ; Knee ; Ligaments ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Menisci, Tibial ; Retrospective Studies

Benign tumors of the testis are rare, accounting for one percent of all testicular tumors including epidermoid cyst of the testis. Herein we report one case of epidermoid cyst of the testis and discuss the pathological criteria for diagnosis and clinical management of the lesion.
Diagnosis ; Epidermal Cyst* ; Testicular Neoplasms ; Testis*

A spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality(SCIWORA) was defined by Pang and Wilberger in 1982 as the "objective signs of myelopathy as a result of trauma" in which no evidence of fracture, subluxation, or instability on plain radiographs, or computed tomography is demonstrable. Inherent elasticity of the vertebral column in infants and young children, among other age-related anatomical peculiarities, render the pediatric bony cervical and thoracic spine exceedingly vulnerable to deforming forces. We report here on a case of SCIWORA in a 3-year-old girl who presented with lower extremity paralysis, paresthesia, and voiding difficulty. The mechanism of neural damage in this case was purely longitudinal distraction. Such stress on the spine resulted from severe pulling up the lower extremity by her father, which was not thought to be damaging at that time.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Elasticity ; Fathers ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Lower Extremity ; Paralysis ; Paresthesia ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Spinal Cord Injuries* ; Spinal Cord* ; Spine

To evaluate MR findings of soft tissue masses in extremities and to find the helpful findings of distinguish benignity from malignancy, 28 soft tissue masses (22 benign and 6 malignant) in extremities were reviewed. T1-weighted, proton density, T2-weighted and Gd-DTPA enhanced images were obtained. MR images allowed a specific diagnosis in a large number of benign masses, such as hemangioma(8/9), lipoma(2/2), angiolipoma(1/1), epidermoid cyst(2/2), myositis ossificans(1/1), synovial chondromatosis(1/1) and pigmented villonodular synovitis (1/2). Specific diagnosis was difficult in the rest of the masses including malignancy. However, inhomogenous signal intensities with necrosis and inhomogenous enhancement may suggest malignant masses.
Diagnosis ; Extremities ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Myositis ; Necrosis ; Protons ; Synovitis, Pigmented Villonodular