PURPOSE: The accuracy of CT in the detection of injuries of the solid visceral organ is well established, but the value of CT in diagnosing small bowel rupture after abdominal trauma is controversal. This study was conducted to ascertain CT finding of small bowel rupture result from abdominal trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of preoperative abdominal CT findings in 40 patients was performed. Small bowel rupture was confirmed by surgery. Precontrast and postcontrast enhanced CT images were obtained in all patients. RESULTS: Diagnostic findings of small bowel rupture including pneumoperitoneum or retroperitoneal air, discontinuity of the bowel wall and extravasation of oral contrast materials were observed in 33 cases(83%). Intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal free air was seen in 31 cases(78%) and intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal free fluid collection was seen in 38 patients(95%). Small bowel wall was thickened in 31 cases(78%), bowel wall was enhanced in 12 cases(30%) and bowel wall discontinuity and extravasation of oral contrast material was seen in 5 cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: The CT scan is sensitive and effective modality for evaluation of small bowel rupture after abdominal trauma, because of high detectability of diagnostic and suggestive CT findings.
Contrast Media ; Humans ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

This study was conducted on the nutritional status of 1,805 patients with allergic diseases (atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma) aged 19 to 64 years according to their state of depression, based on the data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to diagnose depression. Subjects with a score of 10 or more were categorized into the depression group (n=152) and the rest into the non-depression group (n=1,653). The results of this study were as follows: The proportion of women (75.7%) was higher than that of men (24.3%) in the depressed group (P＜0.01). In terms of energy intake per 1,000 kcal, both men and women in the depressed group showed a lower energy intake than the non-depressed group and this intake was less than the estimated energy requirement (EER). The nutrient intakes of protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, and vitamin C were below the estimated average requirement (EAR). Also, the intakes of fiber and potassium were less than the adequate intake (AI) (P＜0.001). In the lifestyle parameters, the ratio of eating alone at lunch was 54.1%:33.1%, indicating that more than half of the depression group ate alone. In conclusion, it was observed that the nutritional status of allergic disease patients was imbalanced. The nutritional imbalance was due to insufficient energy intake and inadequate intake of nutrients, which was below the average requirements of vitamins and minerals and this was more evident in the depression group than in the non-depression group.

From the young neurosurgeon's standpoint, the authors analyzed eighty patients of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage who were admitted to the department of neurosurgery in Taejeon Eulji General hospital from May 1989 to Jan. 1992. The results of analysis were as follow: 1) Of 80 total cases, sixty six were managed from beginning to end, and forty two were operated on for neck clipping. The most common cause of SAH was aneurismal rupture(70%), and the idiopathic comprised 30%. The male versus female ratio was 1:1.7, and the most frequently involved decade was the 7th. 2) Fifty six of total aneurismal cases turned out to be ruptured prior to admission. Common locations of aneurysms were A-com., P-com., and M.C.A. in order of descending frequency. Mirror aneurysms were 4%, and the multiple, 21%. The smallest size of aneurysm that had already ruptured was 3mm in its largest diameter of sac. The giant cases were 2(4%). 3) The most common chief complaint was headache(62.5%), and the most common symptom and/or sign was vomiting(90%). The hypertension accompanied in 29% and the most common neurological sign was nuchal rigidity(71%). 4) The brain CT was performed with the frequency of 1.44 per patient, and it detected SAH in 86%, The most frequently obliterated cistern was basal cistern. In 11 cases(14%), there were no evidence of SAH at all. Contrastingly in 12 cases(15%), aneurismal sacs were directly visualized in post-contrast films. 5) The angiographic study was performed in 59 cases(74%) to detect abnormality in 54 cases all of which turned out to be aneurysms. The mean size of detected 69 sacs was 7.7mm in diameter, and of 26 cases(44%) of normal variation, hypoplasia was the most frequent type. It occurred most frequently at right A1 portion. 6) Of 66 patients who were managed from start to finish, the mortality was 43%, and that of 46 operated cases, 21%. The best operative results were harvested in delayed operation group, the next in intermediate one, and the worst in early one.
Aneurysm ; Brain ; Daejeon ; Female ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Mortality ; Neck ; Neurosurgery ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

PURPOSE:We investigated the production of oxygen hydroxyl radicals in the striatum of neonatal rat brain after intrastriatal injection of dopamine (DA) and the effect of growth hormone (GH) on the apoptosis of striatal neurons injured by hypoxia-ischemia. METHODS:The extracellular striatal levels of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA) and 2,5-DHBA as indicators of hydroxyl radical(OH-) production were measured by in vivo microdialysis in the striatums of 7 day-old newborn rats (n=10) after direct intrastriatal infusion of dopamine hydrochloride (1.0 micromol/microL). The samples of perfused artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were collected every 10 minutes interval. The levels of DA, 2,3-DHBA and 2,5-DHBA of CSF were analysed by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography). Also, the brains were removed at 24 hour after hypoxic-ischemic injury by Rice-Vannucci method. The coronal sections (12 micrometer) of paraffin-fixed brains were stained by TUNEL (terminal transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end-labelling) technique, and the neuronal cells undergoing apoptosis in the striatum were observed by fluorescent microscopy and compared between GH-treated (50 mg/kg, Dong-Ah Pharmacy Co.) and saline-treated rats. RESULTS:The extracellualr striatal levels of 2,3-DHBA and 2,5-DHBA increased abruptly in the first 10 minutes samples after intrastriatal injection of DA. After then, the levels declined slowely. The levels of striatal extracelluar 2.3-DHBA increased up to 621.8+/-508.7% of basal levels (P<0.05), and the levels of 2.5-DHBA increased up to 262.8+/-198.1% of basal levels (P<0.05). GH reduced markedly the number of apoptotic neuronal cells in the striatum after hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. CONCLUSION: The level of hydroxyl radicals increased abruptly after intrastriatal injection of DA and GH reduced markedly the number of apoptotic neuronal cells in the striatum after hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.
Animals ; Apoptosis* ; Brain Injuries ; Brain* ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Dopamine* ; Growth Hormone* ; Humans ; Hydroxyl Radical* ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Infant, Newborn* ; Microdialysis ; Microscopy ; Neurons* ; Oxygen ; Pharmacy ; Rats*

A case of lipomatous meningioma is described. On pre-enhanced CT study the lesion was radioluscent but after enhancement almost half of the lesion was strongly enhanced and the other half was still radioluscent. A review of the literatures showed few similar reported cases.
Meningioma*

OBJECTIVES: Marijuana is one of the most frequently abused drug in Korea and its adverse health effects are controversial. p53 is known to be crucial in regulating the DNA damage responses, and adverse effects can occur when it is regulated by marijuana smoke. We evaluated a role of p53 on genotoxic effect and apoptosis in lung cancer cells exposed to marijuana smoke condensates (MSCs). METHODS: The p53-related genotoxicity and apoptosis of MSCs were evaluated using in vitro bioassay, viz., comet assay, cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay and apoptosis assay. We used two cell lines with differential p53 expression (p53-wildtype (WT) H460 and p53-null H1299). RESULTS: MSCs significantly increased DNA breakages and chromosomal changes in p53-WT H460 and p53-null H1299 cells. The genotoxicity induced by MSCs in p53-null H1299 cells showed greater sensitivity than p53-WT H460 cells. Moreover, MSCs showed a significant increase in reactive oxygen species production and apoptosis. The apoptotic responses induced by MSCs were higher in p53-WT H460 cells than in p53-null H1299 cells. Significantly increased mRNA expression or apoptosis related genes, including p53, caspase-3, and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio were observed in the p53-WT H460 cells exposed to MSCs. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that MSCs induce DNA/chromosomal damages and apoptosis in human lung cancer cells and p53 plays an important role in the cellular response to MSCs. The present study may have border implications for our understanding of pulmonary diseases.
Apoptosis ; Biological Assay ; Cannabis ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Line ; Comet Assay ; DNA ; DNA Damage ; Humans ; Korea ; Lung Diseases ; Lung Neoplasms ; Micronucleus Tests ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; RNA, Messenger ; Smoke ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53

No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn*

No abstract available.
Candidiasis* ; Fluconazole* ; Humans

Chylothorax or chylous ascites are rare manifestations of liver cirrhosis. We report a rare case of simultaneous chylothorax and chylous ascites in a patient with hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis. A 76-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a pleural effusion on her right side. She had no history of recent medical procedures, trauma or tumor. There was no evidence of mass or thoracic duct obstruction in a computed tomography scan. Pleural fluid and ascites were confirmed as chylothorax and chylous ascites by chemistry analysis. Despite thorough conservative care, there was no improvement. Pleurodesis was planned, but hepatic encephalopathy developed suddenly and she did not recover.
Aged ; Ascites ; Chemistry ; Chylothorax* ; Chylous Ascites* ; Female ; Hepatic Encephalopathy ; Hepatitis B ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Pleural Effusion ; Pleurodesis ; Thoracic Duct

Chylothorax or chylous ascites are rare manifestations of liver cirrhosis. We report a rare case of simultaneous chylothorax and chylous ascites in a patient with hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis. A 76-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a pleural effusion on her right side. She had no history of recent medical procedures, trauma or tumor. There was no evidence of mass or thoracic duct obstruction in a computed tomography scan. Pleural fluid and ascites were confirmed as chylothorax and chylous ascites by chemistry analysis. Despite thorough conservative care, there was no improvement. Pleurodesis was planned, but hepatic encephalopathy developed suddenly and she did not recover.
Aged ; Ascites ; Chemistry ; Chylothorax ; Chylous Ascites ; Female ; Hepatic Encephalopathy ; Hepatitis B ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Pleural Effusion ; Pleurodesis ; Thoracic Duct