Recently many domestic hospitals computerize and automatize the process to manage their own medical data. These medical data should be shared among the departments in the hospital and be held in common in case of patients transfers or references to the remote hospitals. However, there is no simple method to share data among the management systems to be shared due to their heterogeneous platforms. Schema sharing with systems and standard format data transfer could be a solution. In this paper, we propose HIES(Hospital Information Exchange System), which uses XML as a standard medical data transfer method. HIES uses XML, which is currently recognized as the standard of electronic documents, for integrating and managing heterogeneous and distributed medical data. Information Sharing Manager to maintain consistent schema information for heterogeneous database systems in hospital systems as well as Image Compression/Partition Manager for efficient image data transfer and reemergence among the systems are implemented.
Data Compression ; Humans ; Information Dissemination

PURPOSE: Three-dimensional(3D) magnetic resonance(MR) projection imaging was evaluated as a noninvasive alternative to direct cholangiography for the assessment of its reliability in patients with obsructive jaundice. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A heavily T2-weighted gradient-echo sequence(PSIF) was used for 3D MR projecion imaging of the biliary system in five healthy volunteers and 25 patients with obstructive jaundice. The 3D images of the bile ducts were formed by stacking consecutive coronal MR images obtained with a fast imaging method to a maximum-intensity projection algorithm. RESULTS: In the volunteers, MR cholangiography could demonstrate the anatomy of the biliary tract in only two subjects. The extrahepatic and intraheparic bile ducts were well visualized in 23 patients with obstructive jaundice. The leve of obstruction and the grade of dilatation were dipicted with MR cholangiography in all cases. And the cause of obstruction could be determined with MR cholangiography in 18 cases, MR cholangiography was successful in two patients in whom ERCP failed. The gallbladder or dilated pancreatic duct not demonstrated by means of direct cholangiography was demonstrated with MR cholangiography in six cases.
Bile Ducts ; Biliary Tract ; Cholangiography* ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Dilatation ; Gallbladder ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Jaundice ; Jaundice, Obstructive* ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Volunteers

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma(PXA) is a benign brain tumor with favorable prognosis in spite of its marked pleomorphism. We report a case with review of the literature. An eight-year-old boy presented with headache and vomiting. Plain skull X-ray showed findings of increased intracranial pressure. The MR imaging demonstrated superficially located large cystic mass with a Iobulated mural nodule in the left frontal lobe. The mural nodule abutting leptomeninges showed intense enhancement on postcontrast Tl-weighted images, but the cyst wall was not enhanced. Preoperative diagnosis of PXA with the MRI findings could lead to avoidance of more aggressive brain resection and therefore more favorable neurological outcome
Brain ; Brain Neoplasms ; Child* ; Diagnosis ; Frontal Lobe ; Headache ; Humans ; Intracranial Pressure ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Prognosis ; Skull ; Vomiting

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is a rare clinical disease in Korea. The authors experienced three cases of the superior mesenteric artery syndrome. All of patients complained of continuos bilious vomiting, epigastric discomfort, epigastric fullness, and weight loss. The superior mesenteric artery syndrome was diagnosed preoperative, by using physical examination, gastrofiberscopy, upper gastrointestinal series, abdominal computerized tomography (CT), and spiral CT angiogram. We performed a Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy. We measured the angle between the aorta and that superior mesenteric artery by using a spiral CT angiogram. The angles were 10o, 11o, and 11o. Postoperatively they were improved. A spiral CT angiogram was a noninvasive method of diagnosing the superior mesenteric artery syndrome compared with a femoral angiography. The Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy was the proper method of treatment for the superior mesenteric artery syndrome.
Angiography ; Aorta ; Humans ; Korea ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior* ; Physical Examination ; Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome* ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Vomiting ; Weight Loss

PURPOSE: In evaluation of the limb fracture, MR scan has been used in limited roles as evaluating the associated soft tissue injury not the fracture itself. This study aims at understanding the possible role of MR in fracture. METHODS AND MATERIALS: thirty three sets of MR scans in twenty nine patients were retrospectively analyzed. They included twelve tibial plateau fractures, four pateliar fractures, four distal femur fractures, five epiphyseal fractures and four others. RESULTS: All MRs except two showed better image and more information about the extent of the injury (93.9%). Evaluation of cartilage (which was impossible on other modalities) was possible in 28 MR scans (84.8%). Surrounding marrow change associated with fracture was also able to be evaluated. Associated soft tissue injury or other abnormality could be evaluated-cruciate or collateral ligament injury, meniscus tear, chodromalacia or osteonecrosis. In epiphyseal injury, direct demonstrability of premature bony fusion on MR took a critical role in making a management plan. CONCLUSION: MR scan in fracture has its value in evaluating the extent and degree of the injury and it is especially advantageous in detecting cartilage injury and early complication of growth plate injury.
Bone Marrow ; Cartilage ; Collateral Ligaments ; Extremities* ; Femur ; Growth Plate ; Humans ; Osteonecrosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Soft Tissue Injuries

Most acinic cell carcinomas arise within the parotid gland: extraparotid origin is rare. We encountered three cases of extraparotid acinic cell carcinoma arising in the buccal or palatal region, or the submandibular gland. All three tumors presented as a painless, slow-growing mass. CT imaging indicated that they were well defined, homogeneously enhanced, round masses. In one case, sonography demonstrated relatively homogeneous low echogenicity.
Acinar Cells* ; Carcinoma, Acinar Cell* ; Parotid Gland ; Salivary Glands ; Submandibular Gland

Kernicterus is a neurologic syndrome, resulting from the preferential deposition of unconjugated bilirubin in the globus pallidus, subthalamus, hippocampus, and brain stem. The characteristic finding of kernicterus revealed by T2-weighted MR imaging is irreversible, bilaterally symmetrical high signal intensities in the globus pallidus. We report an atypical case of kernicterus, in which follow-up MR imaging of the globus pallidus demonstrated reversible signal intensity.
Bilirubin ; Brain Stem ; Follow-Up Studies ; Globus Pallidus ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Kernicterus* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Subthalamus

Phlegmonous enteritis is a rare infective inflammatory disease of the intestine, predominantly involving the submucosal layer. It is difficult to diagnose and often fatal. Its association with alcoholism and various liver diseases, although rarely reported, is well documented. We report a case of phlegmonous enteritis in a male patient with congestive heart failure and colon cancer, and describe the ultrasonographic and CT findings.
Aged ; Case Report ; Colonic Neoplasms/*complications ; Enteritis/complications/*radiography/*ultrasonography ; Heart Failure, Congestive/*complications ; Human ; Male ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Primary branchiogenic carcinoma is a rare malignant tumor resulting from the malignant transformation of a branchial cleft cyst. In the case we describe, CT scanning and ultrasonography demonstrated the characteristic findings of a second branchial cleft cyst located in the anterior triangle of the neck, along the anterior margin of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. This lesion presented as a well-defined cystic mass with a thick irregular inner wall and central septa, and associated multiple neighboring necrotic lymph nodes. Microscopic examination revealed a transition zone from squamous epithelium to squamous cell carcinoma.
Branchial Region ; Branchioma ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Epithelium ; Lymph Nodes ; Neck ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography

Heterotopic pregnancy refers to the simultaneous development of an intrauterine pregnancy and an extrauterine pregnancy. We experienced a case of a ruptured heterotopic pregnancy for a patient with a history of a right segmental salpingectomy from an ectopic pregnancy. The 30-year-old patient with amenorrhea for six weeks complained of lower abdominal pain with hypovolemic shock. Transabdominal ultrasonography showed diffuse hemoperitoneum with a structure similar to an ectatic tube or a deformed cyst with no echogenic double ring or peripheral hypervascularity in the right adnexa and an intrauterine gestational sac. We considered a ruptured corpus luteum cyst as an ultrasonographic finding and found a ruptured tubal mass in the right salpinx and hemoperitoneum through an emergency laparotomy. We performed a right salpingectomy, and the histopathologic report confirmed ectopic pregnancy.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Amenorrhea ; Emergencies ; Fallopian Tubes ; Female ; Gestational Sac ; Hemoperitoneum ; Humans ; Laparotomy ; Ovarian Cysts ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic ; Pregnancy, Heterotopic ; Pregnancy, Tubal ; Salpingectomy ; Shock