PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate differentiating features of spinal compression fractures between benign and metastatic lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed MR imaging in 52 patients (benign 38, metastasis 14) with vertebral compression fracture. Signal intensity of fracture and uninvolved areas, presence of contrast enhancement, fragmentation, and paravertebral mass were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Signal intensity of fracture site was variable in benign lesions, but low signal intensity on T1-weighted image and high on T2*-weighted image were seen in all cases of metastasis. Signal intensity of uninvolved area was high on T1-weighted image and low on T2*-weighted image in 84% of benign lesions. On the contrary, normal marrow signal intensity was not seen in the uninvolved areas of all metastatic fractures. Contrast enhancement were observed in all cases of benign & metastatic compression fractures. Fragmentation were seen in 1 case of metastasis(7%) and in 11 cases of benign lesions(29%). Paravertebral mass were seen in 5 cases of metastasis(36%) and in 7 cases of benign lesions(18%). CONCLUSION: Presence of normal marrow signal intensity in the uninvolved area of fracture site could be the most useful sign for differentiating benign causes from metastasis.
Bone Marrow ; Fractures, Compression* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Retrospective Studies

Open carpal tunnel release has been the standard method of sumical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. Recently endoscopic carpal tunnel release has been introduced and is heing used by many authors. The advantages of this new technique are less postoperative pain, rapid restoration of power and rapid return-to-work. However many considerate authors, in spite of these advantages. insist that the inevitahle risk of neurovascular injury during the endoscopic procedure should not he underestimated. The purpose of our study is to compare the clinical results of endoscopic carpal tunnel release with those of open release. 20 open carpal tunnel releases in 16 patients and 15 endoscopic carpal tunnel reieases (single-portal technique) in 11 patients were performed hy the first author. Preoperative conditions of both groups are not different. Authors compared the clinical results between the two groups with some parameters. The overall clinical results were not different significantly hetween two groups. Rapid return-to-work(36 days in endoscopic group versus 60 days in open group) and less postoperative scar and pillar pain in endoscopic group were demonstrated. However, the major complication of one median nerve injury in endoscopic group seemed to overweigh these some benefits. We suggest that the standard operative technique for carpal tunnel syndrome should be open carpal tunnel release and more considerations should be takcn in choosing endoscopic method because of its inherent risk.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; Cicatrix ; Humans ; Median Nerve ; Pain, Postoperative ; Return to Work

PURPOSE: To assess the characteristic features of MR imaging in the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed MR imaging of 27 cases with pathologically-proven spinal tuberculosis and analyzed the MR findings including the extent of the lesions on non-contrast T1, proton density, and T2*VI, and the specific contrast enhancement patterns of the lesion on Gd-DTPA enhnced TIWI. RESULTS: The inflammatory lesions showed low signal intensity on T1WI in 25 patients(93%) and high signal intensity on T2*gradient echo image in 25 patients(93%). Bone destruction was noted in 15 patients(55%), disc-space narrowing in 21 patients(77%), paravertebral abscess in 16 patients(59%), subligamentous extension in 23 patients(85%), kyphosis in 8 patients(29%), and spinal canal narrowing in 19 patients(70%). After Gd-DTPA was administrated, rim-enhancement was noted in all patients(100%). CONCLUSION: We conclude that MR imaging is an excellent imaging modality for establishing the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis as well as delineating the extent of soft tissue involvement. Characteristic peripheral rim enhancement after injection of Gd-DTPA may provide rather specific diagnosis in spinal tuberculosis.
Abscess ; Diagnosis ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Kyphosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Protons ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Canal ; Tuberculosis, Spinal*

No abstract available.
Pyloric Stenosis, Hypertrophic*

BACKGROUND: The erythromycin-resistance rate and phenotype distribution of Streptococcus propenes are quite different by geographical variation and study period. The aim of the present study was to determine the evolution of resistance to erythromycin and the frequency of erythromycin resistance phenotype of S. pyogenes isolated from Wonju Christian Hospital. METHODS: The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of erythromycin and clindamycin for 94 S. pyogenes isolated from clinical specimens between 1990 to 1998 were investigated. Double disk test of erythromycin (78microgram) and clindamycin (25microgram) were performed for 15 isolates of erythromycin resistant S. pyogenes to evaluate the erythromycin resistance phenotype. RESULTS: The resistance rates of 94 isolates of S. pyogenes were 16%(15/94) to erythromycin and 4%(4/94) to clindamycin. The frequency of erythromycin resistance phenotype in decreasing order were M phenotype (47%), inducible resistance phenotype (40%), and constitutive resistance phenotype (13%). Erythromycin-resistant S. pyogenes did not exist until 1993, but was isolated since 1994, and ranged from 14.0% to 24.0% during the period of 1994-1998. CONCLUSIONS: Our finding documents the emergence of high resistance rates to erythromycin in S. pyogenes at Wonju area since 1994. The M phenotype (47%) and inducible resistance phenotype (40%) account for the majority of erythromycin-resistant S. pyogenes.
Clindamycin ; Erythromycin* ; Gangwon-do ; Phenotype* ; Streptococcus pyogenes* ; Streptococcus*

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Cervix Uteri* ; Female ; Lymph Nodes* ; Neoplasm Metastasis*

No abstract available.
Leukemia, Eosinophilic, Acute* ; Trisomy*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The clinical manifestation of Henoch-Schonlein purpura and existance of renal involvement may influence on its course and prognosis. To verify prevention with early administration of steroid, we studied the efficacy of corticosteroid treatment. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We analysed 65 children under 15 years of age with Henoch-Scho nlein purpura according to their age, sex, and seasonal incidence. Forty children showed typical skin lesions, arthralgia and abdominal pain. We have divided them two groups. Group A consisted of 20 children who received 1 mg/kg of prednisolone/perday for 2 weeks and group B did not. We carried out their physical examination and urinalysis monthly for a year. RESULT: The main clinical manifestations were skin rash(100% ), abdominal symptoms(41.5 %), joint symptoms (49.2%), and renal involvement(34%). As for gastrointestinal symptoms, abdominal pain(66.7% ) was most commonly observed one and others were nausea or vomiting (44.7%) and melena(25.9%). The joint involvement was observed mostly in knee(56.3%) and ankle joint(31.3% ), Hematuria was observed in all cases with renal involvement and proteinuria, in 28% of them. The improvement of renal manifestations were noted in 84.2% of them within 4 months. Mild elevation of IgA was more frequently observed in renal involvement group than non-involved group (p< 0.01). There were no significant differences in immonologic parameters such as IgG, IgM, IgE, duration of the acute phase and severity of cutaneous symptoms between two growps. None of steroid treated growp showed progression of nephropathy. Of the 20 non-steroid treated growp, 2(10%) developed nephropathy. Conclusion We may suggest that existance of renal involvement in Henoch-Schonlein purpura influences its course and prognosis.
Abdominal Pain ; Ankle ; Arthralgia ; Child ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Incidence ; Joints ; Nausea ; Physical Examination ; Prognosis ; Proteinuria ; Purpura* ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch ; Seasons ; Skin ; Urinalysis ; Vomiting

PACS (Picture Archiving and Communications System) is a computer-based image storage and retrieval system that can store, recall and display medical images rapidly on high resolution workstations. The image acquisition system consists of direct digital interface to computed radiography (CR) system. We reviewed X-rays of 84 patients who had both studies of Dual energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and AP, lateral views of lumbar vertebrae between January and December of 1995. We tried to verify the clinical implication of pixel values on PACS for DXA by comparing pixel values and bone mineral density (BMD) of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th lumbar vertebrae. They were all female between 44 and 72 years old, average age of 59. Bone mineral density (BMD), represented in DXA of a total of 252 vertebrae were mostly in the range of between 0.228 (22%) and 1.318 (121%). Pixel values of the AP and lateral views of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th vertebrae in the PACS workstation were closely correlated to bone mineral density (p=0.0001). The values of the DXA (bone mineral density and T score) get comparatively lower as the pixel values get smaller. In conclusion, the pixel value on PACS interfaced to CR could be utilized as an easy, speedy and economical tool for screening of osteoporosis.
Absorptiometry, Photon* ; Aged ; Bone Density ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Mass Screening ; Osteoporosis ; Radiography ; Spine