PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of the impedance index of the renal vein for the diagnosis of acute obstructive uropathy in rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ligation of the left ureter was done in 12 rabbits. Doppler sonography of the interlobar veins in both kidneys was checked before and 30 minutes, 1, 3, 6, 9 and 24 hours after ureteral ligation. The venous impedance index [(peak flow signal-least flow signal)/peak flow signal]was compared between the obstructed and non-obstructed kidneys for all periods. The change in the impedance index after ureteral ligation was also compared between the obstructed and non-obstructed kidneys. RESULTS: A decrease in the impedance index of the intrarenal vein was observed starting from 30 mins after ureteral ligation, and the index remained low up to 24 hours after ureteral ligation. The obstructed kidneys had a significantly lower impedance index than the contralateral kidneys for all six of the postligation measurements (p< 0.05). There were significant differences in the change of impedance index after ureteral ligation between the obstructed and non-obstructed kidneys (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: The impedance index of the intrarenal vein was significantly decreased in the obstructed kidneys. The measurement of the impedance index of the intrarenal vein using Doppler sonography could provide a useful method of diagnosing obstructive uropathy.
Diagnosis ; Electric Impedance* ; Kidney ; Ligation ; Rabbits* ; Renal Veins* ; Ureter* ; Ureteral Obstruction* ; Veins

No abstract available.
Hemispherectomy*

We investigated normal response of bithermal caloric stimulation after repeated monothermal caloric stimulation. 12 subjects were selected for cold(30degreesC) water stimulation. 8 subjects were stimulated by warm(44degreesC) water. After the bithermal caloric test, caloric stimuli(cold or warm) was repeated 5 times on both ear with a 10 minute time interval and the next bithermal caloric test was performed. Monothermal caloric stimuli was done at the same temperature as the previous test a day later. The bithermal caloric test was repeated after 4 days. We checked the maximum slow phase eye velocity(SPEV) and calculated the canal paresis and directional preponderance. The SEPV was changed from 26.4(+/-10.9) degrees/sec to 26.7(+/-20.5) degrees/sec in repeated warm stimulation; from 25.0(+/-11.4) degrees/sec to 27.3(+/-11.1) degrees/sec in cold stimulation. Canal paresis was changed from 12.4(+/-8.7)% to 6.3(+/-5.1)% in repeated warm water stimulation; from 9.6(+/-9.9)% to 6.9(+/-3.1)% in cold stimuli. Directional preponderance was changed from 11.9(+/-6.9)% to 8.7(+/-9.9)% in warm stimuli; from 11.5(+/-7.6)% to 10.6(+/-5.5)% in cold stimuli. There was no significant change of caloric response after repeated monothermal caloric stimulation.
Caloric Tests ; Ear ; Paresis ; Water

PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiologic findings and detectability of parathyroid masses in ultrasonograph computed tomography(CT), and radionuclide study(201TI-99mTc pertechnetate subtraction scintigraphy). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Surgically-proven 11 cases with parathyroid masses consisted of adenoma(n=8), adenomatous hyperplasia(n:2) and adenocarcinoma(n:l) were retrospectively analyzed. We performed US in all cases, CT in 8 cases, and radionuclide study in 7 cases. The parathyroid masses were analysed in regard to anatomic localization and imaging appearance on three modalities. RESULTS: Ten of the 11 parathyroid masses(91%) were located posterior to the thyroid gland and the remainder in the left superior mediastinum. Nine of the 11 cases(82%) were detected on US. The majority were well-defined hypoechoic mass on US. Six of the 8 cases(75%) were detected on CT scan. In the precontrst CT, all of the 8 masses were hypodense as compared with thyroid gland and most showed mild enhancement on post-contrast CT. Six of the 7 cases(86%) were detected on RI study as hot nodule. CONCLUSION: The typical radiological findings of the parathyroid mass were well-defined ovoid or round hypoechoic mass on US, hypodense mass with variable contrast enhancement on CT, and hot nodule on radionuclide study. US was a convenient and reliable imaging modality in detecting parathyroid masses. Improved diagnostic accuracy could be achieved with complementary CT scan and radionuclide study in addition to ultrasonography.
Mediastinum ; Retrospective Studies ; Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m ; Thyroid Gland ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography

No abstract available.
Hepatocytes* ; Macrophages* ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular* ; Nitric Oxide* ; Rhodiola*

A 38-year-old female with arthralgia in right elbow joint for 6 months was referred for a bone scan which showed diffuse uptakes of 99mTc-MDP in the liver and spleen without hepatosplenomegaly. She had a history of hepatitis B vaccination 3 days ago. These uptakes were disappeared on the follow-up bone scan after 4 months. We suggest this transient diffuse hepatic uptake after vaccination of hepatitis B might be due to aluminum component within the hepatitis B vaccine as adjuvant.
Adult ; Aluminum ; Arthralgia ; Elbow Joint ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Liver ; Spleen ; Technetium Tc 99m Medronate* ; Vaccination*

No abstract available.
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy* ; Reflex*

PURPOSE: Docetaxel-based chemotherapy (DTX) improves overall survival (OS) of men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Considering the potential existence of androgen receptors that remain active at this stage, we aimed to assess the impact of the combined use of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with DTX for mCRPC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a single-institutional retrospective analysis of patients with mCRPC who received either DTX alone (DTX group, n=21) or concurrent DTX and ADT (DTX+ADT group, n=26) between August 2006 and February 2014. All patients received DTX doses of 75 mg/m2 every three weeks for at least three cycles. In the DTX+ADT group, all patients used luteinizing hormone releasing hormone agonist continuously as a concurrent ADT. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 24.0 months (interquartile range 12.0-37.0) for the entire cohort. The median radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) was 9.0 months and 6.0 months in the DTX+ADT and DTX groups, respectively (log-rank p=0.036). On multivariable Cox regression analysis, concurrent administration of ADT was the only significant predictor of rPFS [hazard ratio (HR)=0.525, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.284-0.970, p=0.040]. The median OS was 42.0 and 38.0 months in the DTX+ADT and DTX groups, respectively (log-rank p=0.796). On multivariable analysis, hemoglobin level at the time of DTX initiation was associated with OS (HR=0.532, 95% CI 0.381-0.744, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In chemotherapy-naive patients with mCRPC, the combined use of ADT with DTX improved rPFS. Our result suggests that the concurrent administration of ADT and DTX is superior to DTX alone.
Adenocarcinoma/blood/*drug therapy/secondary ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/*therapeutic use ; Disease-Free Survival ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/administration & dosage/agonists ; Hemoglobins/metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant/blood/*drug therapy/pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Taxoids/administration & dosage

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of 99mTc DMSA scintigraphy on the dignosis of a renal scar in children with urinary tract infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty three patients were included in this study, who were diagnosed as the urinary tract infection on the basis of symptom, urinalysis and urine culture. 99mTc DMSA scintigraphy and voiding cystoureterography were performed within 7days before the treatment in all patients. We classified the scintigraphic findings as follows: 1; a large hypoactive upper or lower pole. 2; a small hypoactive area. 3; single defect resulting in localized deformity of the outlines. 4; deformed outlines in a small or normal sized kidney. 5; multiple defects. 6; diffuse hypoactive kidney without regional impairment. Follow-up scintigraphy was done at least 6 months after the initial study. When the abnormality on the initial scintigraphy was not completely resolved on the follow-up scan, the lesion was defined as containing a scar. RESULTS: One hundred and fifteen renal units of 166 units (69.3%) showed abnormal findings on the DMSA scintigraphy. 65 units (56.5%) was diagnosed as containing renal scars on follow-up scintigraphies. Incidences of renal scar among renal units showing pattern 3, 4 and 5 on the initial scan was 75%, 78% and 78%, respectively. Whereas many of renal units showing 1, 2 and 6 pattern were recovered (65%, 76%, 50%). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of pattern-based DMSA scintigraphic findings on the diagnosis of renal scar was 76.9%, 85.1% and 81.9%, respectively. VUR was significantly associated with the renal scar when the initial DMSA shows unrecoverable findings (pattern 3, 4, 5). Odds ratio of the renal scar in a kidney showing unrecoverable initial scintigraphic findings was 19.1. Odds ratio in a kidney with mild or moderate-to-severe VUR was 3.5 and 14.4 respectively. CONCLUSION: In the urinary tract infection, renal scar was significantly developed in a kidney showing unrecoverable findings on the initial DMSA scan and VUR on voiding cystoureterography.
Child* ; Cicatrix* ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney ; Odds Ratio ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Succimer ; Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid ; Urinalysis ; Urinary Tract Infections* ; Urinary Tract* ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux

Thirty-one patients with previously untreated and locally advanced nasopharyngeal caner were retrospectively reviewed for comparing the effects of radical radiotherapy alone with that of combining chemotherapy and radiotherapy from 1983 to 1989 at Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital. 23/31 were evaluable for recurrence and survival. There were 8 patients for stageIII , and 15 patients for stageIV. Eleven patients were treated with radical radiation therapy alone (am I). Twelve patients were given 1~3 courses of cisplatin-5FU or cisplatin-bleomycin-vincristine prior to radiation therapy (am II). The two arms were comparable in patients characteristics of 11 radiotherapy patients, complete response was 55% (6/11) and partial response 45% (5/11). Among 12 patients after induction chemotherapy, complete response was 25% (3/12) and partial response 75% (9/12). After subsequent radiotherapy, complete response was increased to 83% (10/12) and partial response was 17% (2/12). Treatment failure was 36% (local recurrence; 3/11, and regional recurrence; 1/11) in arm l and 33% (local recurrence; 1/12, regional recurrence; 2/12 and distant metastasis; 1/12) in arm II. There was no significant difference in survival between am I and arm II (p>.05). The toxicities of treatment were acceptable. More controlled clinical trails must be completed before acceptance of chemotherapy as part of a standard radical treatment for locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer.
Arm ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Induction Chemotherapy ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Radiotherapy* ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Failure