PURPOSE: To obtain magnetization transfer ratio(MTR) of the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus and to assess the feasibility of utilizing the changes of these MTRs as an early indicator of disk degeneration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR images of lumbar spine with magnetization transfer(MT) technique in 42 patients were obtained. spin echo techniques (600/14) with same TR/TE with 1KHz off-resonance saturation were employed in 1.0T MR system. MTRs were calculated in two regions, anterior annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus, and the results were compared between the normal and degenerative disks, from grade I to IV, on T2-weighted images. RESULTS: MTRs of the nucleus pulposus were 17.6% in the normal disks, and 26.7%, 28.4%, 29.1%, 29.7% in degenerative disks, from grade I to IV, respectively, with a significant difference(P<0.05). On the other hand, MTRs in the annulus fibrosus were 30.2% in the normal disks and 31.5%, 33.2%, 32.1% and 35.6% in degenerative disks, from grade I to IV, respectively, without significant difference. CONCLUSION: Since MTRs are significantly higher in degenerative nucleus pulposus than those of the normal disks, increased MTRs in the nucleus pulposus can be used as an early sign of the degeneration of the nucleus pulposus.
Hand ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Spine

PURPOSE: Magnetization transfer imaging(MTI) is a new imaging contrast technique. Our MT pulse sequence is designed as fixed time interval between echo and MT pulse. This study was peformed to evaluate the influence of variations in TR/TE on MTR in T1 weighted image of normal brain tissue on this kind of MT pulse sequence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven healthy volunteers in twenties of age as the objectives, MRI was taken under various TR/TE(TR/TE ;700/14, 650/14, 750/14, 700/20 and 1500/20 msec). MTR was calculated from signal intensities measured at the same point in both pre and post MT images and statisticslly analyzed. The MR imager used in this study was 1.0T Magnetom 42SP(Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) and the parameters of additional MT pulse sequence were offset 1000Hz and bandwidth 250Hz, and posteriorly located to echo with 7.7 msec fixed interval. Offset of this MT pulse was variable. RESULT: In white matter of brain tissue from a normal person, MTR was 34-39%(average 37%) for TR and TE of 700/14 in T1WI and 33-36%(average 35%) for TR/TE of 650/14, and 34-38%(average 35%) for TR/TE of 750/14 which showed no statistical difference. However, in case of 1500/20 of TR/TE, MTR was 26-28%(average 26%) which is statistically significant. With TR/TE of 700/14 as the standrd value, the MTR of gray and white matter were 37% and 29% respectively, showing a definite difference of statistical means. Signal from CSF in ventricles is rarely influenced by MT pulse. CONCLUSION: Conclusively, a subtle variation in TR/TE in T1WI has little influence on MTR but wide range of variation in TR/TE as in proton density image induces significant difference in MTR on this kind of MT pulse sequence. Therefore, the exchangeable usage of MTR data would be possible in narrow range of TR/TE change but difficult in wide range of variation.
Brain* ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Protons ; Reference Values*

No abstract available.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Sputum*

No abstract available.
Humans* ; Lymphokines* ; Monocytes* ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium*

Cutaneous fistula of dental origin is the most common type of cutaneous fistula that is formed on the face and neck. This lesion can be a diagnostic challenge to clinicians who are not familiar with cutaneous fistula since many patients with cutaneous fistula of dental origin do not have any complaints such as toothache. Diagnostic errors may result in multiple excisions, biopsies, and ineffective long-term antibiotic therapy. However, if the lesion could be suspected of being of dental origin, the diagnosis can be easily confirmed by radiologic examinations. We report four cases of cutaneous fistula of dental origin. All four patients had a characteristic cutaneous findings with chronically draining, fixed, erythematous papule on their nasolabial fold or submental region. Ultrasonography, fistulography or plain roentgenography were needed to confirm the diagnosis of cutaneous fistula originating from dental problems.
Biopsy ; Cutaneous Fistula* ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Errors ; Humans ; Nasolabial Fold ; Neck ; Radiography ; Toothache ; Ultrasonography

No abstract available.
Age Factors* ; Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic*

No abstract available.
Aneurysm* ; Arteries*

No abstract available.
Humans* ; Lymphocytes* ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium*

No abstract available.
Teratoma*

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to assess the epidemiology of DSM-IV posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD), including information on lifetime and current prevalence, the kinds of traumas most often associated with PTSD, and sociodemographic correlates. METHOD: For this survey, an urban area with total population of 611,921 persons was chosen. Modified version of traumatic event checklist and Clinician Administered PTSD Scale were administrated to a representative sample of 850 persons aged 15 to 65 years above through home visiting. RESULTS: The lifetime and current prevalence of PTSD in survey area was 4.71% and 2.12%. the lifetime and current prevalence in male and female were of no significant statistical differences(p>.05). And the lifetime prevalence by age, and education were of no significant statistical differences. Only the lifetime prevalence by marital status was of significant statistical differences(p<0.001). The lifetime prevalence to any traumatic exposure was 78.79%. Sudden unexpected death of a close person was the most prevalent traumatic event(51.06%). Among the traumas, natural disaster, fire and explosion, motor vehicle accident, serious accident at work or home, physical assault, assault with a weapon, combat, life-threatening illness, and serious injury to death you caused to someone else were more commonly associated with male sex, and sexual assault was more commonly associated with female sex. The traumas commonly associated with PTSD were natural disaster, fire and explosion, motor vehicle accident, serious accident at work or home, physical assault, sexual assault, combat, and life-threatening illness. CONCLUSION: The lifetime and current prevalence in survey area were lower than those of previous studies. This study found differences between men and women on the type of trauma experienced, and the type of trauma associated with PTSD. Future epidemiological studies to assess PTSD from all lifetime traumas rather than from only a small number of retrospectively reported ones will be required, and larger sample size covering the country will be required for better estimation.
Checklist ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Disasters ; Education ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Epidemiology ; Explosions ; Female ; Fires ; House Calls ; Humans ; Male ; Marital Status ; Motor Vehicles ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Sample Size ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* ; Weapons