No abstract available.
Abdominal Pain* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Abdominal Pain* ; Humans

For many years, healing membranous bone fractures have been known to show a persistent lucency at the fracture interface. Radiographic follow-up has proven to be of little value as a guideline for healing of mandibular fractures. Recently, a fracture has been treated by rigid internal fixation by metallic plate and screws rather than closed reduction and wire fixation, we expected that some difference in the radiographic features of fracture healing. To investigate these questions we undertook a retrospective radiographic and clinical analysis of 33 followed patients with fractures of the body and angle of the mandible from 1993 to 1997. There were 26 male and 7 female patients ranging in age between 5 and 74 years, with an average of 29.7 years. All patients were managed by open reduction with metallic plates and screws. The length of follow-up ranged from 9 to 187 weeks. Total 81 radiographic follow-up films were obtained and divided into 3 grades according to the degree of radiolucency of fracture lines; grade 0 radiolucent fracture line and no evidence of fracture interface calcification, grade 1 decreased radiolucent area and evidence of fracture interface calcification, and grade 2 disappearance of fracture line.Until follow-up of 8 weeks, all of the radiographs showed grade 0. From 8 weeks to 16 weeks, 62.5 percent showed grade 0 and 37.5 percent showed grade 1. From 16 weeks to 48 weeks, 38.5 percent showed grade 1 and 61.5 percent showed grade 2. After follow-up of 48 weeks, all showed grade 2.In this study we have shown that the radiographic disappearance of mandibular fracture lines was usually accomplished by 48 weeks. We feel that radiographic union of the mandible is lagging well behind clinical union, but disapperance of the fracture line in rigidly fixated mandibular fracture was occurred earlier than healed by fibrous union. We propose that radiographic union of the mandible by approximately 1 year can be a guideline for the normal mandibular bone healing.
Female ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Fracture Healing ; Fractures, Bone ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; Mandibular Fractures* ; Retrospective Studies

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle* ; Diagnosis, Differential* ; Radionuclide Imaging* ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Nodule* ; Ultrasonography*

No abstract available.
Methotrexate* ; Skin*

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

The pattern of thickening of the extrahepatic bile duct on computed tomography was analysed in 30 cases with recurrent pyogenic cholangitis diagnosed by surgery (n=19) or clinical basis (n=11). The mean wall thickness of the extrahepatic bile duct was 3.3mm (range, 1-6.3mm). Diffuse thickening of the extrahepatic bile ductal wall was demonstrated in 26 of 30 cases. Diffuse thickening of the extrahepatic bile duct in recurrent pyogenic cholangitis may be differentiated from focal thickening of duct in a common duct cancer or pancreatic cancer.
Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic* ; Cholangitis* ; Pancreatic Neoplasms

The pattern of thickening of the extrahepatic bile duct on computed tomography was analysed in 30 cases with recurrent pyogenic cholangitis diagnosed by surgery (n=19) or clinical basis (n=11). The mean wall thickness of the extrahepatic bile duct was 3.3mm (range, 1-6.3mm). Diffuse thickening of the extrahepatic bile ductal wall was demonstrated in 26 of 30 cases. Diffuse thickening of the extrahepatic bile duct in recurrent pyogenic cholangitis may be differentiated from focal thickening of duct in a common duct cancer or pancreatic cancer.
Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic* ; Cholangitis* ; Pancreatic Neoplasms

We report 2 cases of midface defect reconstructed with latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap. In these cases, the main points to cover the defects were as follows: 1. For the contour of zygoma and maxilla, it was well preserved without bone graft which was not used for second stage reconstruction. In first case, for application of artificial eyes and in second case, for operation after full development. 2. For the drainage of paranasal sinuses, we made the nostril with skin graft, and it was well preserved without any complications during follow up. 3. It was sufficient to cover the defect with latissimus dorsi muscle well designed before surgery and thick enough to fill the defect. 4. In second case, the remained defect of palate and maxilla was not covered for the appropriate reconstructions after full development. In conclusions, we experienced two cases of midface defect reconstructed with latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap without any complication and with good results.
Drainage ; Eye, Artificial ; Follow-Up Studies ; Free Tissue Flaps* ; Maxilla ; Palate ; Paranasal Sinuses ; Skin ; Superficial Back Muscles* ; Transplants ; Zygoma