The venous malformation in head and neck is a developmental vascular disease which arises from the arrest in the certain stage of vascular embryogenesis. However, the lesion extends along the fascia and has a tendancy to recur after incomplete therapy. Retrospectively, the authors reviewed radiologic studies of 20 patients diagnosed as venous malformation during the last 5 years. The diagnosis was verified by histopathology (5 patients) and direct puncture angiography (15 patients). The radiologic studies included. CT with intravenous contrast injection (20 patients), RI angiography with 99m Tc-pyrophosphate (6 patients), and direct puncture angiography (15 patients). Multiplicity of venous malformation was noted in 9 patients. On CT scan, the lesions had lobulated irregular shape, with heterogeneous appearance, showed delayed enhancing characteristics, and had the phleboliths(21 lesions). The venous malformations were located at the masticator space (including masseter muscle) (n=12), retrobulbar space(n=6), submandibular space(n=4), paravertebral space(n=3) and so on. In two cases, the lesions were very extensive involving entire neck and parapharynx. On RI angiography using 99mTc-pyrophosphate, all of the lesions showed persistent and delayed uptake. With direct punture angiography the lesions could be classified as acinar pattern (n=17) and mixed pattern (acinar and saccular) (n=2). Venous connections were noted in 10 lesions. In conclusion, if a soft tissue mass on head and neck shows a heterogeneous attenuation density with or without calcified phlebolith on CT scan, RI angiography is recommended as a next diagnostic study. If it shows delayed persistent uptake, venous malformation can be suspected. Finally direct puncture angiography can verify the nature and extent of the lesions.
Angiography ; Diagnosis* ; Embryonic Development ; Fascia ; Female ; Head* ; Humans ; Neck* ; Pregnancy ; Punctures ; Retrospective Studies ; Technetium Tc 99m Pyrophosphate ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vascular Diseases

BACKGROUND: The appearance of multiple-drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains has been seriously compromising successful control of tuberculosis. Rifampin-resistance, caused by mutations in the rpoB gene, can be indicative of multiple-drug-resistance, and its detection is of great importance. The present study aimed to develop an oligonucleotide chip for accurate and convenient screening of drug-resistance. METHODS: In order to detect point mutations in the rpoB gene, an oligonucleotide chip was prepared by immobilizing specific probe DNA to a microscopic slide glass by a chemical reaction. The probe DNA that was selected from the 81 bp core region of the rpoB gene was designed to have mutation sites at the center. A total of 17 mutant probes related to rifampin-resistance including 8 rifabutin-sensitive mutant probes were used in this study. For accurate determination, wild type probes were prepared for each mutation position with an equal length, which enabled a direct comparison of the hybridization intensities between the mutant and wild type. RESULTS: Mycobacterial genomic DNA from clinical samples was tested with the oligonucleotide chip and the results were compared with those of the drug-susceptibility test in addition to sequencing and INNO-LiPA Rif. TB kit test in some cases. Out of 15 samples, the oligonucleotide chip results of 13 samples showed good agreement with the rifabutin-sensitivity results. The two samples with conflicting result also showed a discrepancy between the other tests, suggesting such possibilities as existence of mixed strains and difference in drug-sensitivity. Further verification of these samples in addition to more case studies are required before the final evaluation of the oligonucleotide chip can be made. CONCLUSION: An oligonucleotide chip was developed for the detection of rpoB gene mutations related to drug-susceptibility. The results to date show the potential for using the oligonucleotide chip for accurate and convenient screening of drug-resistance to provide useful information in antituberculosis drug therapy.
DNA ; Drug Therapy ; Glass ; Mass Screening ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium* ; Point Mutation* ; Rifabutin ; Rifampin ; Tuberculosis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the scintigraphic findings and diagnostic accuracy of double-phase Tc-99m sestamibi scan in primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 16 cases of primary (18 lesions) and 11 cases of secondary HPT (44 lesions) who underwent Tc-99m-sestamibi scan before the surgical intervention. Scan was performed using LEM camera (Siemens, Germany) after the injection of 740MBq of Tc-99m sestamibi. Routine image consisted of baseline and 3-hour delayed images and each image was obtained using both parallel and pine hole collimator. The study population was 27 patients (male/female=5/22, age: 49.1+/-10.8). RESULTS: Eighteen lesions of primary HPT consisted of 13 adenomas and 5 hyperplasias, while all lesions of secondary HPT were hyperplasias. Among the case of primary HPT, we could detect all the lesions of 13 adenomas but only 2 lesions of 5 hyperplasias (40%) could be detected by double phase scintigraphy. Three cases of primary lesion showed decreased uptake in delayed images compared with baseline. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and accuracy of primary and secondary HPT were 58.8% (10/17), 83.3% (10/12), 83.3% (10/12), 75.9% (22/29), and 37.5% (15/40), 50% (2/4), 88.2% (15/17), 38.6% (17/44), respectively. Overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and accuracy were 43.9% (25/57), 75% (12/16), 86.2% (25/29), and 53.4% (39/73). There were no statistical difference between the weight of primary and secondary HPT lesion (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Tc-99m sestamibi scan is fairly good modality to detect parathyroid lesion in patient with primary HPT before the surgical intervention. However, since some of cases may reveal decreased uptake in delayed image, a careful attention to the findings of baseline images may be helpful. Still the low accuracy of sestamibi scan in diagnosis of secondary HPT prohibits routine use of it for this disease.
Adenoma ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Hyperparathyroidism, Primary ; Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary* ; Hyperplasia ; Parathyroid Glands ; Radionuclide Imaging* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity

No abstract available.
Hemangioma* ; Liver* ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

No abstract available.
Hemangioma* ; Liver* ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

PURPOSE: In order to determine the effect of neuronal nitric oxide synthase(nNOS) in seizure-related neuronal vulnerability of the hippocampus, the expression patterns of nNOS were examined in pentylenetetrazole(PTZ)-induced seizure groups and in PTZ seizure groups which were pretreated with nNOS inhibitors. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-300 g were used in PTZ(40 mg/kg)-induced seizure experiments. A specific inhibitor, 50 mg/kg 7-nitroindazole(7-NI), and a non-specific inhibitor, 50 mg/kg nitro-L-arginine(L-NA) were treated 30 min before the administration of PTZ to block nNOS. nNOS expression was evaluated by using immunohistochemical staining in the hippocampus of each group. RESULTS: The onset time of the first myoclonic jerk was markedly delayed in the 7-NI and the L- NA pretreated groups in comparison to the PTZ group. In addition, 7-NI markedly suppressed the severity of PTZ-induced seizures. The expression of nNOS in the hippocampal CA3 area was higher than that in CA1 area in the PTZ treated groups. In the L-NA pretreated groups, the expression levels in the CA3 and CA1 areas were lower than those of the PTZ treated groups. Interestingly, in the 7-NI pretreated groups, the nNOS expression levels in CA1 and CA3 areas were makedly lower than those of PTZ and L-NA pretreated groups. There was no expression in CA2 area of all groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the hippocampal neurons expressing nNOS may be vulnerable to PTZ-induced seizures and that nNOS may play an important role in seizure-related neuronal vulnerability.
Animals ; Hippocampus* ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Myoclonus ; Neurons* ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I* ; Pentylenetetrazole ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seizures*

BACKGROUND: Lidocaine is a well known antiarrhythmic agent. However, recent reports indicate that indocaine has myocardial protective effects on acute myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. The exact mechanism of myocardial protection of lidocaine is still not clearly understood. In this study we intended to assess the effects of lidocaine on high energy phosphate metabolism in cats subjected to myocardial ischemia-reperfusion by using 31P MR spectroscopy. Effect of lidocaine on size of infarct will also be evaluated by 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining. METHODS: Twenty-seven cats were used for this study. The animals were divided into three groups : for group 1(n=10) and group 2(n=7), animals were subjected to a 90 min of LAD occlusion followed by a 90 min of reperfusion ; for group 3(n=10), a 20 min of occlusion followed by a 90 min of reperfusion. In group 2 and group 3, lidocaine(5mg/kg/hr) was infused continuously during the occlusion and reperfusion periods with an initial bolus injection(1mg/kg) before ligation of LAD. In-vivo MR spectroscopy was performed on a 4.7T Biospec System(Bruker, Switzerland). A home-made surface coil(diameter : 1.5cm) was used to receive31p signals from the myocardium underwent ischemic and reperfusion damage. RESULTS: Decrease of PCr during ischemic period was not different between each groups : PCr showed less than 30% of the baseline value at L-30 in group 1 and group 2 and at L-20 in group 3. More than 90% recovery of PCr was achieved at R-30 in group 2 and group 3, whereas less than 50% of PCr was recovered in group 1. Decrease of ATP during ischemic period was less pronounced in group 2 than in group 1 : in group 2 ATP depleted down to 25% of the baseline at L-90, whereas in group 1 ATP decreased to 50% of the baseline. Recovery of ATP during reperfusion period was not signiflcant in all three groups. On TTC staining, evidence of infarct was seen in all cases of group 1 : the area of infarct was 12.3+/-2.7% of the left ventricular mass and 23.9+/-6.1% of the area at risk. On the contrary, there was no evidence of infact in any case of group 2 and group 3. CONCLUSION: In this study, we found that lidocaine has myocardial protecitve effects on ischemia-reperfusion in cats. Lidocaine improves high energy phosphorous metabolism during ischemia and reperfusion as well as reduces infarct size.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Animals ; Cats* ; Ischemia ; Lidocaine* ; Ligation ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Metabolism ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Myocardium ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reperfusion ; Reperfusion Injury

PURPOSE: There have been some efforts to diagnose intracranial aneurysm through a non-invasive method using MRA, although the process may be difficult when the lesion is less than 3mm. The present study prospectively compare the results of high resolution, fast speed slice interpolation MRA and DSA therapy examing the potentiality of primary non-invasive screening test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 26 cerebral aneurysm lesions from 14 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage from ruptured aneurysm (RA) and 5 patients with unruptured aneurysm(UA). In all subjects, MRA was taken to confirm the vessel of origin, definition of aneurysm neck and the relationship of the aneurysm to nearby small vessels, and the results were compared with the results of DSA. The images were obtained with 1.5T superconductive machine(Vision, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) on 4 slabs of MRA using slice interpolation. the settings include TR/TE/FA=30/6.4/25, matrix 160x512, FOV 150x200, 7minutes 42seconds of scan time, effective thickness of 0.7mm and an entire thickness of 102.2mm. The images included structures from foramen magnum to A3 portion of anterior cerebral artery. MIP was used for the image analysis, and multiplanar reconstruction(MPR) technique was used in cases of intracranial aneurysm. RESULTS: A total of 26 intracranial aneurysm lesions from 19 patients with 2 patients having 3 lesion, 3 patients having 2 lesions and the rest of 14 patients having 1 lesion each were examined. Among those, 14 were RA and 12 were UA. Eight lesions were less than 2mm in size, 9 lesions were 3-5mm, 7 were 6-9mm and 2 were larger than 10mm. On initial exams, 25 out of 26 aneurysm lesions were detected in either MRA or DSA showing 96% sensitively. Specificity cannot be estimated since there was no true negative of false positive findings. When MRA and MPR were used concurrently for the confirmation of size and shape, the results were equivalent to those of DSA, while in the confirmation of aneurysm neck and parent vessels, the concurrent use of MRA and MPR was far superior to the sole use of either MRA or DSA. CONCLUSION: High resolution MRA using slice interpolation technique showed equal results as those of DSA for the detection of intracranial aneurysm, and may be used as a primary nin-invasive screening test in the future.
Aneurysm ; Aneurysm, Ruptured ; Angiography* ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction* ; Anterior Cerebral Artery ; Foramen Magnum ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Mass Screening ; Neck ; Parents ; Prospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Pancreatoblastoma has been described in children and characterized by unique histologic features and excellent clinical course. Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical studies of pancreatoblastoma reveal either exocrine alone or both endocrine and exocrine differentiation. We present two cases of pancreatoblastoma in children in which immunohistochemical and ultrastructural examination failed to demonstrate features of either enzyme or hormone production and which became worse in clinical course. We assume that pancreatoblastomas are tumors which differentiate more toward acinar or ductal elements than toward islet cell.
Carcinoma/*pathology/ultrastructure ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Pancreatic Neoplasms/*pathology/ultrastructure

Congenital complete atrioventicular block is uncommon which has a heterogenous etiology. According to recent studies, about one-third of the mothers of the patients who were diagnosed as congenital complete atrioventricular block, had symptoms or signs of connective tissue disease. Even though the outlook is usually regarded as favorable, the mortality is highest in the neonatal period, much lower during childhood and adolescence and increases slowly later in life. In the neonatal period the predominant indication for pacing was heart failure. It is difficult to make a prognosis in the individual patient. A slow, fixed or decreasing venticular rate neonatally and a prolonged QT interval seem to be bad prognostic sign. We report a case of congenital complete atrioventricular block who was diagnosed by fetal echocardiography. Her mother was asymptomatic, but had positive serologic test to anti-Ro antibody and anti-La antibody. We report a case of congenital complete atrioventricular block with a brief review of related literatures.
Adolescent ; Atrioventricular Block* ; Connective Tissue Diseases ; Echocardiography* ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Mortality ; Mothers ; Prognosis ; Serologic Tests