PURPOSE:The International Labor Organization (ILO) has established an international standard for chest X-ray diagnosis of pneumoconiosis since 1980. However, there is a need for improved diagnosis and staging in occupational disease. We evaluated Ga-67 citrate scintigraphy quantitatively and correlated the scintigraphic findings with pulmonary function tests and chest X-ray result. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients underwent whole body scintigraphy with additional chest and abdomen images 48 hrs after intravenous injection of 185 MBq of Ga-67 citrate. Ten normal controls were also studied. Regions of interest (ROI) were drawn on the posterior image to measure counts from the liver and lungs (Lung/Liver Ratio). RESULTS: L/L ratio according to the stages of chest X-ray classification were as follows; stage 0 (normal, n=10): 0.3948+/-0.0692, stage 1 (n=10): 0.5763+/-0.1837, stage 2 (n=11): 0.6849+/-0.1459, stage 3 (n=4): 0.9913+/-0.0712. There was a significant correlation between the scintigraphic L/L ratio and the X-ray stage (r=0.618, p<0.05). However, no significant correlation between L/L ratio and pulmonary function tests were observed (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Quantitative Ga-67 scintigraphy can be a useful method for staging of silicosis. However, it is not a method to assess pulmonary functional impairment.
Abdomen ; Citric Acid ; Classification ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Liver ; Lung ; Occupational Diseases ; Pneumoconiosis ; Radionuclide Imaging* ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Silicosis* ; Thorax*

Recently, the frequency of meniscal injury of knee has been increasing due to increase of sports activities. It has been known that bucket handle tear is the most common type of the entire injuries of the meniscus. We found 127 cases of meniscal tears and experienced 42 cases of bucket handle tears in the arthroscopic findings from Jan. 1991 to April 1994 in our hospital. We analysed 31 cases which were followed up for at least 1 year. The purpose of this study is to analyse the locking history and frequency, to discuss the several types of bucket handle tear in arthroscopic view, to introduce three portal techniques using posteormedial or posterolateral portal to resect the meniscus, and to analyse our clinical results. So we concluded as follows. 1. Among the 31 cases, 23 cases(74%) had an episode of locking. 2. We found many different types of bucket handle tears in arthroscopic view and the most common type was complete tear in a classic type(11 cases). 3. We were able to resect the meniscal fragment very easily using posteromedial or posterolateral portal. 4. We obtained satisfactory results in 24 cases(77%).
Knee ; Sports ; Tears

The ideal breast reduction should create beautiful breasts with limited scars. Unfortunately, no surgeon has ever been able to produce such a result. Most recent breast reduction techniques tend to produce minimal breast scars and avoid the classic inverted-T incision. The vertical mammaplasty can be used in mild to moderate cases of breast reduction, producing consistently good, stable results with limited scars. This technique uses adjustable preoperative markings, an upper pedicle for the areola, and a central breast reduction with limited skin undermining. The shape of the breast is created by suturing of the gland and does not rely on the skin. The adjunctive use of liposuction in fatty breasts can be considered safe and efficient. We have performed reduction mammaplasty using the vertical mammaplasty technique in 12 patients. Overall number and extent of complications were small, and patient satisfaction was high for this procedures. The advantages of vertical mammaplasty technique compared with other methods are as follows ; 1. The markings are adjustable to nearly all patients. 2. Stable contours are produced because the gland is strongly sutured. 3. Few postoperative complications occur. 4. Limited scars(only vertical scars) are created 5. The procedure is easy to learn and perform.
Breast ; Cicatrix ; Female ; Humans ; Lipectomy ; Mammaplasty* ; Patient Satisfaction ; Postoperative Complications ; Skin

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of balloon catheter dilatation in the treatment of esophageal achalasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven patients(three males and four females) with esopha-geal achalasia were treated with balloon catheter dilatation. Balloon catheters of variable sizes were used depending on patient's conditions. The patients were followed up over a period of 12-39months. RESULTS: Balloon catheter dilatation in esophageal achalasia was successful in all patients without esophageal perforation. All patients were relieved from dysphagia. Recurrence was not found in 5 patients on long term follow-up study, but was seen in 2 patients after 18 and 21 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Balloon catheter dilatation was a safe and effective method in the treatment of esophageal achalasia with low recurrence rate of 29% on follow-up study.
Catheters* ; Deglutition Disorders ; Dilatation* ; Esophageal Achalasia* ; Esophageal Perforation ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Male ; Recurrence

No abstract available.
Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal

No abstract available.
Oocyte Donation* ; Oocytes*

No abstract available.
Fertilization* ; Oocytes*

No abstract available.
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone* ; Gonadotropins*

No abstract available.
Lung* ; Pneumonia*

Twenty-seven consecutive patients who had post-traumatic stiffness of the elbow were treated by operative soft tissue release or by soft tissue release and distraction arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to describe the method of operation and postoperative management and to evaluate the results in the patients who had operative treatment for the post-traumatic stiffness of the elbow. The type of operative procedure was determined by whether the factors limiting motion were extra-articular (extrinsic) or intra-articular (intrinsic) and by pre-operative radiographic evaluation. The soft tissue release was performed by staged adhesiolysis through lateral or combined lateral and medial approaches. And if the factors limiting motion included a severe intraarticular lesions, distraction arthroplasty using the Judet or Oganesian apparatus was added to soft tissue release. The mean pre-operative arc of active motion was 42 degrees. At follow-up examination, nineteen to sixty-six months postoperatively, the mean post-operative arc of active motion was 103 degrees. There were nine complications (33 percent) in twenty-seven patients. All of them was transient ulnar nerve paresthesia. And we analysed the final results with Mayo elbow performance index for the evaluation of clinical outcome. Twenty-five (93%) of twenty-seven patients had satisfactory result according to Mayo elbow performance index. We conclude arthrolysis with or without distraction arthroplasty is useful for the treatment of posttraumatic elbow stiffness. However, the accurate anatomical knowledge, operative skill, and careful postoperative rehabilitation program were needed in the operative treatment of post-traumatic elbow stiffness.
Arthroplasty ; Elbow* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Paresthesia ; Rehabilitation ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Ulnar Nerve