The normal function of the ureterovesical junction was fundamental to prevent vesicouretera1 reflux but the role of ureter in preventing vesicoureteral reflux has not been defined. To clarify the role of ureter in vesicoureteral reflux, a total 34 reimplanted juxta-vesical ureters from 22 patients were examined by light microscope, polarized microscope and computerized image analyzer. As the degree of reflux was increasing, the amount of ureteral muscle did not change significantly but that of ureteral collagen increased significantly In 6 patients with bilateral vesicoureteral reflux, which were different in grade each other, the amount of ureteral muscle and collagen were not different significantly between the lower grade and the higher grade. The amount of ureteral muscle tended to increase with grade of reflux in the dilated terminal ureters in excretory urography but not in the non-dilated. Inflammatory cell infiltration to ureteral wall gave no effect to the contents of ureteral muscle and collagen. It was suggested that the content of ureteral muscle decreased and the content of ureteral collagen increased with degree of reflux and the dilation of terminal ureter with muscle hypertrophy was a compensatory response to the increased workload.
Collagen ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Ureter* ; Urography ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux*

PURPOSE: To evaluate potential usefulness of dynamic Gd-DTPA enhanced MRI in the diagnosis of HgCI2 induced acute tubular necrosis of rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen rabbits were used as control group, and 14 rabbits and 12 rabbits were used as acute tubular necrosis groups of 24 hours and 48 hours after HgCI2 injection, respectively. Sequential dynamic MR imagings were acquired using Gd-DTPA(0.25mmol/kg), and time-signal intensity curves were obtained from cortex, outer medulla and inner medulla. RESULTS: In control group, a dark band, which reflects concentrated Gd-DTPA, migrated from cortex to inner medulla of the kidney, and the ratio of the signal intensity of post Gd-DTPA injection to the signal intensity of pre Gd-DTPA injection(RSI) decreased below 1 at 13sec and 26sec (mean:17 +/- 6.2sec) in cortex, at 52sec (mean :52sec) in outer medulla, and after 117sec(mean :112 +/- 33.9sec) in inner medulla of the kidney. In acute tubular necrosis group of 24 hours after HgCI2 injection, the dark band did not appear and signal intensity in cortex and medulla increased diffusely, and RSI increased above 1 in all locations. In acute tubular necrosis group of 48 hours after HgCI2 injection, the dark band appeared only in the cortex and no sign of migration was observed, and RSI is little changed except in cortex at 13sec(0.76 +/- 0.05) and 26sec(0.86 +/- 0.06). There were statistically significant differences in the time-RSI curves among cortex, outer medulla, and inner medulla in study groups, respectively (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Dynamic Gd-DTPA enhanced MRI of the kidney could be utilized to evaluate both renal structure and functional changes.
Diagnosis ; Gadolinium DTPA* ; Kidney ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Necrosis* ; Rabbits*

No abstract available.
Acromioclavicular Joint* ; Acromion* ; Dislocations*

70 cases free fiap were performed from March 1978 to July 1985. The donor fiap were dorsalis pedis flap in 34 cases, groin flap in 8 cases, osteocutaeous flap in 3 cases, gracilis flap in 17 cases, and latissimus dorsi flap in 8 cases respectively. The success rate was 90% in total including partial success. The causes of failure were 2 cases infection necrosis, and 1 case kinking of drain vessel. The gracilis and latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap were very satisfactory method for the reconstruction of the upper extremity flexion power, especially in the case of Volkmann's ischemic contracture. The neurovascular dorsalis pedis flap was regarded as excellent method for the heel pad reconstruction, and tactile sensation reconstruction of the hand.
Free Tissue Flaps ; Groin ; Hand ; Heel ; Humans ; Ischemic Contracture ; Methods ; Microsurgery ; Myocutaneous Flap ; Necrosis ; Sensation ; Superficial Back Muscles ; Tissue Donors ; Upper Extremity

Spinal stenosis was defined as any type of narrowing of the vertebral canal, nerve canals or intervertebral foramina. It is difficult to diagnose spinal stenosis due to obscure symptoms and signs, and there is not established theory on its surgical treatment. Two hundred and three patients who had been treated surgically for lumbar spinal stenosis between 1979 and 1985 at Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, were studied in an attempt to define the etiology and the diagnosis, and to assess the results of surgical treatment. They were followed up from 1 year to 8 years with average duration of 3.5 years. 1. Degenerative change in the lumbar spine was the principal etiologic factor in 142 patients (70.0%) Spondylolisthesis was found in 47 patients (23 1%). 2. Back pain(81.3%) and intermittent claudication(71.4%) were the predominant symptoms, and sensory (61.1%) and motor(59.6%) deficit were the leading signs. Limitation of straight leg raising was observed only in 12.3%. 3. The most common myelographic finding was hourglass defect(38.4%) and that of CT was facet joint hypertrophy(97.6%). Preoperative CT with myelographic findings were confirmed intraoperatively in 97.4%, revealing their diagnostic significance. 4. Total laminectomy combined with foraminotomy and posterolateral fusion was the most frequently employed procedure and performed in 153 patients(75.4%). 5. The results were classified as excellent or good in 88.2%. Whether or not Knodt rod was used for internal fixation, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in reation to the results(P>0.05). Factors for satisfactory results were adequate decompression and posterolateral fusion with sufficient bone graft.
Decompression ; Diagnosis ; Foraminotomy ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Leg ; Orthopedics ; Seoul ; Spinal Stenosis ; Spine ; Spondylolisthesis ; Transplants ; Zygapophyseal Joint

Hip fusion has provided disease eradication, stabilization, pain relief and strenuous activity, but the possible complication of pseudarthrosis as well as loss of all motion is a drawback. Total hip replacement arthroplasty has not been a good procedure for active young patients. This study was perforrned to clarify the indications, the best position, the functional results of hip fusion and the effect of hip fusion on the adjacent joint. The authors reviewed 32 cases of hip fusion performed at the Department of Orthopedic Sugery, Seoul National University Hospital during the period of 11 years from April 1973 to June 1984 and the following results were obtained. 1. The average age of the patients at the time of operation was 20.3 years. 2. Tuberculosis of the hip was the most common cause (56.2%). 3. The satisfactory fusion was obtained in 26 cases (81,2 %). 4. The average position of fusion was 20±9 degrees of flexion, 1±5 degrees of abduction and 10±4 degrees of external rotation. 5. Although there was a disability due to limitation of motion after hip fusion, leg length discrepancy was reduced from 3cm (preoperative) to 2.5cm (postoperative) and scoliosis was decreased from 18' of Cobbs angle (preoperative) to 12' of Cobbs angle (postoperative). 6. After hip fusion, walking capacity was increased and back pain was reduced. 7. Age was barely correlated with absolute clinical scores, but better functional results were obtained in younger patients than in older patients. 8. The results were excellent or good in 24 cases (75%).
Arthroplasty ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Back Pain ; Disease Eradication ; Hip ; Humans ; Joints ; Leg ; Orthopedics ; Pseudarthrosis ; Scoliosis ; Seoul ; Tuberculosis ; Walking

This study both measured and compared the mesopic contrast sensitivity function and the visual acuity in both normal and amblyopic eyes from amblyopic children using an ACV (visual acuity analyzer). Twenty one amblyopic children (mean age, 8.48 years; S.D., 1.68 years), 11 strabismic amblyopes and 10 anisometropic amblyopes, were tested. Based on a display of the standard optotypes, the minimal contrast level, at which the optotypes were correctly read for all sizes of displays from a distance of 1m, was measured. The contrast ranged from 1% to 99% and the spatial frequencies ranged from 0.6 to- 30cpd using a Landolt ring composed of low (0.6- 2.9 c.p.d.), intermediate (3.0 - 12.9 c.p.d.) and high level (13.0- 30.0 c.p.d.) frequencies. As the visual acuity decreased, the mesopic contrast sensitivity function decreased along the contrast sensitivity axis. However, the peak sensitivity was noted at the same spatial frequencies. A comparison between the normal eye and the corresponding amblyopic eye showed that under mesopic conditions, the contrast sensitivity functions decreased more in the intermediate spatial frequencies than in the other spatial frequencies. The mesopic contrast sensitivity function decreased in the amblyopic eyes, which suggests the possibility of its use an adjunct to an evaluation of amblyopia.
Amblyopia/*physiopathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; *Contrast Sensitivity ; Female ; Human ; Male ; Visual Acuity

Regional hub neonatal intensive care centers are opening supported by Ministry of Health and Welfare, with the need for more neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) beds response to increasing number of prematurity. Besides beds expansion, functional role of NICU is important and the evaluation tool of functional analysis of NICU is necessary. In this review, admission of preterm infant born before 32 gestational weeks was considered as a functional component and the annual number of those babies was used as an activity marker. The activity of NICU was higher with increased bed number, but also increased equipment, NICU personnel, obstetric personnel were independent factors for the higher NICU activity. Levels of NICU can be defined according to the activity, and reference bed size, equipment, personnel can be defined according to each level. In reverse, functional analysis of NICU can be performed with known bed size or equipment predicting activity level. Meanwhile, the evaluation of 13 regional hub NICU revealed that they partially contributed to the regionalization of NICU, and the activity was increased in all regional hub NICUs. Three regional hub NICUs showed markedly increased activity after opening, and those centers showed increased NICU personnel and obstetric personnel compared to other centers. In terms of regional hub government support, multilateral plan should be operated, besides simple bed size, considering distribution of different functional level of regional NICUs and leaking patient in the region.
Hospital Bed Capacity ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Intensive Care, Neonatal

PURPOSE: To evaluate the anatomic and functional outcome of retrograde intramedullary single wire fixation for metacarpal shaft fractures of the little finger. MATERIALS AND METHODS: hirty one consecutive patients with closed metacarpal shaft fractures of the little finger who have been treated with retrograde intramedullary single wire fixation were evaluated. Fracture union and angulation were analyzed radiologically, and clinical evaluations were performed including range of motion, DASH score and complications. RESULTS: Fracture union was achieved in all cases and callus formation was obvious at postoperative 41 days. Average angulation of fracture site was 3degrees in the coronal plane and 1.2degrees in the sagittal plane at the last follow up and no measurable metacarpal shortening was observed. Mean TAM was 253degrees and DASH score was 2.6. There were two cases of pin migration as intermediate complications. CONCLUSION: Closed reduction with subsequent percutaneous retrograde K-wire fixation produced good radiological and functional results. We recommend this minimally invasive technique which provides adequate fixation of displaced little finger metacarpal shaft fractures with good functional results and low morbidity.
Bony Callus ; Fingers ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Range of Motion, Articular

BACKGROUND: In survivors of acute myocardial infarction(ANI), reduced heart rate variability(HRV) has been demonstrated to be an independent predictor of sudden cardiac death and mortality. The heart rate variability can be examined and analyzed non-invasively and quantitated with 24-hour ambulatory ECG monitoring. In general, the patency of infarct-related artery appears to be one of the most important prognostic factor after AMI. Therefor, the correlation between infarct artery patency and HRV was examined in survivors of AMI. METHODS: The 24-Hour ambulatory electrocardiogram was performed in 23 patients with AMI and 20 normal controls, and analyzed for frequency & time domain HRV. HRV was recorded dwithin 7 days after AMI, and coronary angiogram was performed at 7th day after AMI. The AMI patients were divided into two groups, depending upon patency of infarct-related artery and correlated to clinical manifestations. Thirteen patients had patent vessel(Group 1) and ten patients had non-patent vessel(Group 2). Parameters of frequency domain HRV include LF, HF & LF/HF ratio and time domain HRV include SDNN, SDANN, SD, rMSSD and pNN50. RESULTS: All parameters of HRV was depressed in patients of AMI than in normal control(p<0.05). The mean left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) was 54.1+/-10.6% in group 1 and 42.6+/-12.2% in group 2(p<0.05). The mean values of LF, SDNN, SDANN, and SD in group 1 and group 2 were 5.09+/-0.83msec2/Hz & 4.09+/-0.53msec2/Hz, 84.5+/-24.2msec & 59.0+/-11.8msec, 73.2+/-22.8msec & 50.5+/-12.6msec, and 37.8+/-13.1msec & 27.2+/-4.4msec(p<0.05), respectively. There was no difference between two groups in HF,rMSSD and pNN50. The location of infarction and thrombolytic therapy itself did not influence of HRV. The mean values of HF, SDANN, rMSSD and pNN50 in patients with LVEF<40% were reduced significantly than in patients with LVEF> or =40%. There was a significant correlation between LVEF and LF, between LVEF and HF and between LVEF and LF/HF ratio(r:0.55, p<0.05;r:0.67, p<0.05;r:-0.56, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: HRV was depressed due to reduced vagal activity in patients with AMI. The values of LF, SDNN, SDANN, and SD in group of patent infarct-related artery were reduced significantly than in non-patent group.
Arteries* ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Rate* ; Heart* ; Humans ; Infarction ; Mortality ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Survivors ; Thrombolytic Therapy