To evaluate the radiographic characteristics of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) and useful parameter for predicting mechanical stability, we retrospectively analysed 26 plain radiographic examinations and seven MR imagings in 28 cases of OCD in 24 patients. Typical radiologic findings were osteochondral defect with sclerotic rim of variable thickeness and osteochondral fragment. Sites of osteochondral defect were medial (35.9%) or lateral (32%) femoral chondyle and medial (7.1%) or lateral (25%) side of talar dome. Sclerotic rim was seen in 24 cases (85%) and osteochondral fragments including nine loose bodies were seen in 21 cases (75%). The size of osteochondral defect with unstable fragment (average 2.05cm) and loose body (2.04cm) in the knee joint were similar to, but statistically larger than that with stable fragment (1.35cm). All osteochondral defects were well visualized on MR images. Abnormalities of articular cartilage and effusion in the interface between the parent bone and fragment were seem in five cases of which there were confirmed three unstable cases arthroscopically. We conclude that size of defect may be a good parameter for predicting mechanical stability and MRI may be useful in the diagnosis of OCD and determining the methods of treatment.
Cartilage, Articular ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Osteochondritis Dissecans* ; Osteochondritis* ; Parents ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To assess the spinal canal and neural foraminal stenosis associated with spondylolisthesis on MR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed MR findings of 63 cases of spondylolisthesis(degenerative type:23 cases, isthmic type:40 cases) regarding the type and grade of spondylolisthesis, prensence or absence of associated spinal canal stenosis, and the severity of associated neural foraminal stenosis. RESULTS: Central canal stenosis were more frequent in degenerative type(91%) than isthmic type(33%), and more frequent in grade II spondylolisthesis of degenerative type(100%) and isthmic type(89%) than in grade spondylolisthesis of degenerative type(45%) and isthmic type(20%). There was positive correlation between the severity of neural foraminal stenosis and the grade of spondylolisthesis, whereas there was no significant difference between degenerative and isthmic types. CONCLUSION: Degenerative spondylolisthesis were frequently associated with central canal stenosis more than isthmic type. When the grade of spondylolisthesis was higher, it was more frequently associated with central canal stenosis and severe neural foraminal stenosis.
Constriction, Pathologic* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Canal ; Spondylolisthesis*

This study was designed to evaluate the potential applicability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the diagnosis of acute renal vein thrombosis. Renal vein thrombosis was experimentally induced by surgical ligation of the left renal vein in a total of 21 rabbits. MRI was performed with a 0.5 Tesla superconductive magnetic system. Spin echo technique was used with varying TR and TE parameters. Spin echo images of the rabbit kidney were analysed for morphology and signal intensity. T1 and T2 relaxation times of the renal cortex and medulla were calculated from the images. After venous ligation, kidneys became enlarged. Low signal band along the outer medulla in T2 weighted images were characteristically shown from 1 hour to 3 days after ligation, Changes of cortex to medullar contrast (CMC) values were significant (p<0.05) in T1 - and T2- weighted images of the ligated side. T1 and T2 relaxation times were significantly prolonged (p<0.05) on the ligated side, both in the cortex and medulla from 1 hour to 2 weeks after the ligation, while T2 relaxation time on the contralateral side was significantly prolonged both in the cortex and medulla 2 weeks after venous ligation. The most useful MRI criteria for the diagnosis of renal vein thrombosis were enlarged renal size, and the low signal band along the outer medulla of ligated kidney. The relative intensity difference between cortex and medulla (CMC) in T1-and T2-weighted images, and T1 and T2 relaxation times were suggested to be the useful MR parameters for the diagnosis of acute renal vein thrombosis.
Diagnosis ; Kidney* ; Ligation* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Rabbits ; Relaxation ; Renal Veins* ; Thrombosis

This study was designed to evaluate the potential applicability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the diagnosis of acute renal vein thrombosis. Renal vein thrombosis was experimentally induced by surgical ligation of the left renal vein in a total of 21 rabbits. MRI was performed with a 0.5 Tesla superconductive magnetic system. Spin echo technique was used with varying TR and TE parameters. Spin echo images of the rabbit kidney were analysed for morphology and signal intensity. T1 and T2 relaxation times of the renal cortex and medulla were calculated from the images. After venous ligation, kidneys became enlarged. Low signal band along the outer medulla in T2 weighted images were characteristically shown from 1 hour to 3 days after ligation, Changes of cortex to medullar contrast (CMC) values were significant (p<0.05) in T1 - and T2- weighted images of the ligated side. T1 and T2 relaxation times were significantly prolonged (p<0.05) on the ligated side, both in the cortex and medulla from 1 hour to 2 weeks after the ligation, while T2 relaxation time on the contralateral side was significantly prolonged both in the cortex and medulla 2 weeks after venous ligation. The most useful MRI criteria for the diagnosis of renal vein thrombosis were enlarged renal size, and the low signal band along the outer medulla of ligated kidney. The relative intensity difference between cortex and medulla (CMC) in T1-and T2-weighted images, and T1 and T2 relaxation times were suggested to be the useful MR parameters for the diagnosis of acute renal vein thrombosis.
Diagnosis ; Kidney* ; Ligation* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Rabbits ; Relaxation ; Renal Veins* ; Thrombosis

To evaluate the usefulness of MR in the osteomyelitis, we reviewed MR examinations of 14 patients with pyogenic osteomyelitis of the long bone. All 14 patients were confirmed to have osteomyelitis either surgically (13/14) or by aspiration (1/14). MRI was performed with 0.5R (n=8) or 2.0T (n=6) SE technique, and Gd-DTPA enhanced T1WI was obtained in 10 examinations. Anatomic location of lesions were femur (8/14), tibia (5/14),m and fibula (1/14). The marrow cavity and soft tissue were involved in 13/14, 12/14 respectively. The signals of both intraosseous and extraosseous infected area were iso to low signal intensity to muscles on T1WI and high signal intensity on PDWI & T2WI. Rim or diffuse enhancement of the marrow cavity and soft tissue were seen in all (10/10) cases. Sequestra, periosteal reaction. And cortical defect were found in 12/14, 10/14, 9/14. MR provided more accurate and detailed anatomic information including extent of disease and possible activity than bone scintigraphy, CT, or conventional radiography. We conclude that MR might be the choice of modality in the diagnosis of osteomyelitis of the long bone.
Bone Marrow ; Diagnosis ; Femur ; Fibula ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Muscles ; Osteomyelitis* ; Radiography ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Tibia

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing psychosocial well-being in family caregivers of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS: A descriptive correlational design was used. The transactional model of stress and coping was used to investigate the psychosocial well-being of 137 family caregivers of patients with ALS. Data were collected through self-reported questionnaires from January to November 2016. Data were analyzed using an independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis with the SPSS WIN 21.0 program. RESULTS: The regression model had an adjusted R2 of .49, which indicated that meaning-focused coping, social support, ALS patient-family caregiver relationship (especially a spousal relationship), and tracheostomy were significant predictors of caregivers' psychosocial well-being. CONCLUSION: Meaning-focused coping and social support significantly influenced caregivers' psychosocial well-being. Therefore, interventions to improve caregivers' psychosocial well-being must focus on increasing meaning-focused coping and social support resources.
Adaptation, Psychological ; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis* ; Caregivers* ; Humans ; Social Adjustment ; Tracheostomy

PURPOSE: To understand the MR findings of extraabdominal desmold tumors by correlation with histopathologic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR images of histologically proved 12 patients with extraabdominal desmold tumor were retrospectively reviewed. Three types of MR features were defined; type I had signal changes on T1 and T2 weighted images and relatively homogeneous nature, type II had homogeneously low signal intensities on T1 and T2 weighted images and type III was a mixed form of type I and type II. Signal intensity, enhancement pattern and margin of the lesions were analyzed on MR images. Pathologic features were analyzed by three aspects, which were cellularity, amount of collagen and vascularity, and were correlated with MR images. RESULTS: The signal intensities of type I desmolds were intermediate on T1 weighted image and higher on T2 weighted image with localized margin and gadolinium enhancement. Pathologically this type showed predominant cellularity and vascularity. The signal intensities of type II desmold were homogenous low signal intensities on both T1 and T2 weighted images without enhancement. Pathologically this type showed predominant collagen components and hypovascularity. Type III desmolds were mixed form of type I and type II on MR images as well as on pathologic features. Type I and type II desmold tumors had localized margins, however type III had both localized and infiltrative margins. CONCLUSION: The MR findings of extraabdominal desmold tumors would reflect the pathologic background of the tumor.
Collagen ; Gadolinium ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies

A 58-years-old man came to the hospital because of progressive intellectual deterioration, gait disturbance and postural instability for 6 months. Neuropsychological tests showed severe impairment of memory and executive functions, and dural arteriovenous fistula of the superior sagittal sinus (dAVF of SSS) was found on brain MRI and angiography. The symptoms were markedly improved after selective transvascular embolization treatments. Even though the dAVF of SSS is a rare cause of dementia, we suggest that it can be one of the treatable causes of dementia.
Angiography ; Brain ; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations* ; Dementia* ; Executive Function ; Gait ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Memory ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Superior Sagittal Sinus*

The aims of the study were to evaluate the effect of epinephrine-containing local anesthetics on pulpal blood flow (PBF) and to investigate its effect on cavity preparation-induced PBF change. PBF was recorded using a laser Doppler flowmeter (Perimed Co., Sweden) from canines of nine cats under general anesthesia before and after injection of local anesthetics and after cavity preparation. 2% lidocaine hydrochloride with 1 : 100,000 epinephrine was administered by local infiltration given apical to the mandibular canine at the vestibular area and the same volume of isotonic saline was injected on the contralateral tooth as a control. A round carbide bur was operated at slow speed with isotonic saline flushing to grind spherical cavities with increasing depth through the enamel and into the dentin on both teeth. The obtained data was analyzed with paired t-test. Cavity preparation caused significant increase of PBF (n = 9, p < 0.05). Local infiltration of lidocaine with epinephrine resulted in decreases of PBF (n = 9, p < 0.05), whereas there was no significant change of PBF with the physiologic saline as a control. Cavity preparation on tooth anesthetized with lidocaine with epinephrine caused significantly less increase of PBF than in control tooth (p < 0.05). Therefore, the result of the present study demonstrates that local infiltration of 2% lidocaine with 1 : 100,000 epinephrine effectively reduces PBF increase caused by cavity preparation.
Anesthesia, General ; Anesthesia, Local* ; Anesthetics, Local ; Animals ; Cats ; Dental Enamel ; Dentin ; Epinephrine ; Flowmeters ; Flushing ; Lidocaine ; Neurogenic Inflammation ; Tooth*

Pregnancy is rarely encountered in women with liver cirrhosis, but can occur in all forms of liver cirrhosis. The amount of data regarding pregnancy in cirrhotic patients is not great and thus no clear-cut guidelines for management can be outlined. Another interesting point of pregnancy in liver cirrhosis would be how pregnancy affects liver function in cirrhotic patients. In Korea, only 6 pregnancies in 5 patients have been reported. Recently, we experienced a case of pregnancy in a patient with liver cirrhosis. A 36 year-old, primigravida woman presented at 23 weeks of gestation. B-viral liver cirrhosis was diagnosed 2 months earlier when she had developed generalized edema and ascites. We observed a recovery of hyperbilirubinemia and hypoalbuminemia after a therapeutic termination of pregnancy. This case may illustrate that pregnancy can deteriorate liver function in some patients with liver cirrhosis. We report this case with an analysis of the reported cases in Korea.
Adult ; Ascites ; Edema ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Korea* ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver* ; Pregnancy*