No abstract available.
Reticulocyte Count* ; Reticulocytes*

No abstract available.
Reticulocyte Count* ; Reticulocytes*

No abstract available.
Antibodies* ; Immunoglobulin G* ; Immunoglobulin M*

BACKGROUND: The detection of specific autoantibodies in the sera of patients with systemic rheumatic diseases plays a key role in the differential diagnosis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) is known as sensitive and semiquantitative method to detect autoantibodies and ELISA kits using a recombinant fusion protein as antigen have been developed. So, various commercial ELISA have recently become available in a diagnostic laboratory. We investigated the clinical value of antinuclear autoantibodies using commercial ELISA kits. METHODS: The serum of 90 patients were tested for autoantibodies to SSA/Ro, SSB/La, nRNP/Sm and Sm antigens by ELISA using four commercial kits, EL-ANA(TM) (TheraTest, IL, USA), DIASTAT(TM)(SHIELD, DUNDEE, UK), QUANTALit(TM) (INOVA, CA, USA), Varelisa(TM) (elias, WI, USA). We evaluated the clinical usefulness of panel test of Varelisa(TM) in the diagnosis of systemic rheumatic diseases. RESULTS: The concordance rates of four ELISA kits for autoantibodies to SSA/Ro, SSB/La, RNP/Sm and Sm antigens were 83.6%, 74.5%, 87.5% and 80.0%, respectively. Using panel test of Varelisa(TM), positive rates of autoantibodies to Ul-snRNP, nRNP/Sm, Sm, SSA/Ro, SSB/La, Scl-70, CENP and Jo-1 antigens in SLE were 30.0, 40.0, 33.3, 46.7, 20.0, 20.0, 10.0, and 0%, respectively. Of 30 patients with SLE, 16 (53.3%) were positive for 2 or more antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: EL-ANA(TM), QUANTALite(TM) and Varelisa(TM) show more positive rates than DIASTAT(TM). The difference in the positive rates among four commercial ELISA kits may come from the different antigen sources. The panel test of 8 autoantibodies using Varelisa(TM) ELISA kit offers discriminative power and enhances the specificity of the assay in patients who lack clear evidence of clinically definite autoimmune disease.
Antibodies ; Autoantibodies* ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay* ; Histidine-tRNA Ligase ; Humans ; Rheumatic Diseases ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Staphylococcal Protein A

PURPOSE: To evaluate morphologic characteristics of the clustered microcalcifications in benign lesions and to compare with that of malignant lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 33 patients with clustered microcalcifications( five calcifications in number per square centimeter)on mammography. We analyzed mammographic findings with regard to shape, size, number/cm2, irregularity of size and shape, presence of central lucency, and accompanied mass density. RESULTS: Of 12 benign lesions, the most frequent shape was dot or round form (4/12, 33.3%) followed by ring form (3/12, 25%). The size was smaller than 0.5mm in 5 patients (41.7%), 0.5-1 mm in one and more than 1 mm in 6 patients(50%). The number of calcifications per square centimeter were five to ten in 41.7%, more than ten in 58.3%. Of all 21 malignant lesions, the most frequent shape was branching form (8/21, 38.1%). The sizes of calcification were less than 0.5ram in 76.1%(16/21). Central lucency within the calcification was seen only in benign lesions (3/14, 21%). Irregularity ih size and shape of calcifictions was noted in both benign and malignant lesions. Accompanied parenchymal mass density was more commonly associated with malignant lesions(80. 9%) than benign lesions(58.3%). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that benign clutered microcalcifications on mammography could be differentiated from malignant calcifications with the criteria of larger size, central lucency and infrequent accompanied mass.
Humans ; Mammography* ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To evaluate morphologic characteristics of the clustered microcalcifications in benign lesions and to compare with that of malignant lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 33 patients with clustered microcalcifications( five calcifications in number per square centimeter)on mammography. We analyzed mammographic findings with regard to shape, size, number/cm2, irregularity of size and shape, presence of central lucency, and accompanied mass density. RESULTS: Of 12 benign lesions, the most frequent shape was dot or round form (4/12, 33.3%) followed by ring form (3/12, 25%). The size was smaller than 0.5mm in 5 patients (41.7%), 0.5-1 mm in one and more than 1 mm in 6 patients(50%). The number of calcifications per square centimeter were five to ten in 41.7%, more than ten in 58.3%. Of all 21 malignant lesions, the most frequent shape was branching form (8/21, 38.1%). The sizes of calcification were less than 0.5ram in 76.1%(16/21). Central lucency within the calcification was seen only in benign lesions (3/14, 21%). Irregularity ih size and shape of calcifictions was noted in both benign and malignant lesions. Accompanied parenchymal mass density was more commonly associated with malignant lesions(80. 9%) than benign lesions(58.3%). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that benign clutered microcalcifications on mammography could be differentiated from malignant calcifications with the criteria of larger size, central lucency and infrequent accompanied mass.
Humans ; Mammography* ; Retrospective Studies

Computed tomographic findings of 24 cases of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis were retrospectively analyzed. We classified the CT findings as 4 types: type 1(homogeneous soft tissue density mass), type 2(central low density with peripheral rim enhancement and with preservation of surrounding fat plane), type 3(central low density with peripheral rim enhancement and with obliteration of surrounding fat plane), type 4(large confluent low density mass, so called "cold abscess") As a result, there were 2 cases(8.3%) of type 1, 7 cases(29.2%) of type 2, 9 cases(37.5%) of type 3, 3 cases(12.5%) of type 4, 1 cases(4.2%) of type 1 combined with type 3, and 2 cases(8.3%) of type 2 combined with type 4. So 22 cases(91.7%) revealed central low density and peripheral rim enhancement, which suggest necrosis. The maximum thickness of enhancing rim was above 2mm in all of 64 definable necrotic lymph nodes and above 4mm in 42(65.5%) lymph nodes, suggesting that the wall of necrotic tuberculous lymphadenitis tends to be thick. We conclude that CT is useful not only for the diagnosis but also for the evaluation of the extent and the status of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis.
Diagnosis ; Lymph Nodes ; Necrosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis, Lymph Node*

This paper presents a clinical analysis of 11 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism treated by surgical operation during last 13 years from 1963 to 1976 in Korea. For all the cases presented, histopathological diagnosis was confirmed by the surgical specimens. The results of the study were as follows: 1) The sex distribution was 55% in female and 45% in male. 2) The age distribution was from 17 to 65 years in age and the peak age incidence was between 30 to 39 years. 3) The most frequent presenting clinical manifestation was skeletal symptoms with 9 cases (81.8%) and followed by renal symptoms with 5 cases (45.4%). In the series of this study, the skeletal symptom was more common and prominent than the renal symptoms. 4) The initial diagnosis was estabilished by the findings of increased calcium level in serum and decreased phosphorus level adjunct with X-ray examination of bone series. 5) The location of lesion was more common in the right side of parathyroid than the left side. There were no difference between upper and lower parts of parathyroids. 6) Histopathological findings disclosed that 10 of the 11 patients were found at surgery to have a single adenoma and with low grade cancer. 7) surgical excision of parathyroid tumor was performed for all cases.
Adenoma ; Age Distribution ; Calcium ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperparathyroidism, Primary* ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Phosphorus ; Sex Distribution

We introduce a new silicone implanting method to correct facial depression caused by trauma or congenital anomaly. It resulted in good facial aesthetics in patients with facial depression. From August 1997 to January 1999, 5 patient (3 males and 2 females), in ages from 19 to 34 years, underwent silicone implantation for facial depression using our method. Three males were injured by traffic accident and had facial depression with or without bone defect. Two females had congenital forhead depression and requested aesthetic contouring. An impression of the face was taken with alginate backed with quick setting plaster. When set, a further stone plaster model was taken from the alginate-plaster, which was removed after fixation. Wax was then carved into the patient's stone model to fill the depression. Another stone cover was taken to cover this was-stone model. Then wax was melted away and medical implant grade room temperature vulcanized silicone adhesive was squeezed into the empty space. After cured, this precisely-shaped silicone imlant was inserted into the patient. We did not experience major complicaion such as infection, implant extrusion during 4 to 18 months' follow-up periods. All patients were satisfied with the results. The clinical result of this technique would be useful for accurate and excellent aesthetic implantation.
Accidents, Traffic ; Adhesives ; Depression* ; Esthetics ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Silicones*

PURPOSE: To assess the usefulness of MRI in preoperative diagnosis of congenital anorectal malformation MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR findings of 11 cases with surgically proved anorectal malformations were retrospectively reviewed and compared with operative findings, according to the level of atresia, the development of sphincter muscle, fistula and associated anomalies of other organs. RESULTS: Four of 11 cases were low type of anorectal atresia, 3 cases were intermediate type, and 3 cases were high type. There was one case of Currarino triad with low type of anorectal stenosis. MRI demonstrated the levels of atresia correctly in all cases and revealed fistulas in all high type of anomalies. Degrees of the development of the sphincter muscles were good in all cases of low types and fair in a case of intermediate type and an anorectal stenosis, whereas the development was poor in 2 cases of intermediate type and all 4 cases of high type. The associated anomalies in anorectal malformation were renal agenesis, congenital hip dysplasia and sacral defect with presacral teratoma in Currarino triad. CONCLUSION: MRI was a simple and useful study to confirm the level of atresia, fistula and associated anomalies in the diagnosis of the congenital anorectal malformation.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis ; Fistula ; Hip Dislocation, Congenital ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Muscles ; Retrospective Studies ; Teratoma