Intracranial developmental venous anomalies (DVAs) are the most common cerebral vascular malformation and are usually asymptomatic. Movement disorders are rarely associated with DVAs within basal ganglia regions. We report a case of markedly asymmetric parkinsonism due to unilateral DVA in the basal ganglia, which occurred together with symmetrical nigrostriatal dopaminergic deficits. A 57-year-old woman presented with resting tremor in the right hand lasting for 6 months. She also experienced problems with gait and started falling while walking one month ago. The neurological examination found a resting tremor in the right hand and moderate rigidity and bradykinesia in the right extremities. She reported light headedness on standing up. The patient displayed minimal response to treatment with 300 mg levodopa. The FP-CIT PET scan revealed symmetrical decrease of radiotracer uptake in bilateral basal ganglia. Brain MRI and cerebral angiography identified a large DVA draining the basal ganglia, thalamus, and surrounding deep white matter in the left side. Conclusion: A DVA may contribute to the prominent asymmetrical manifestation in our patient, in combination with symmetrical dopaminergic loss from neurodegenerative Parkinsonian syndrome. A marked asymmetry in patients with signs of atypical Parkinsonism can be a clue for further imaging investigation to exclude superimposed structural lesions such as DVAs.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar transforaminal epidural injections (LTEIs) have been utilized in the treatment of radicular pain, and LTEIs have the advantage of target-specificity. However, there have not been enough studies on the contrast patterns in LTEIs with using fluoroscopy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the spreading epidural contrast patterns that are seen during real-time fluoroscopic guided LTEIs. METHODS: A total of 131 patients who underwent fluoroscopic guided LTEIs were studied. The inclusion criteria were those patients with low back pain and/or lower extremity pain that was caused by a herniated nucleus pulposus, lumbar spinal stenosis, failed back surgery syndrome, and herpes zoster-associated pain. We classified the contrast patterns in regard to the contrast flow spreading to the nerve root and/or the unilateral, bilateral or cylinderic type of epidural spreading on the AP view of the fluoroscopy and the ventral or dorsal epidural filling on the lateral view. In addition to the pattern analysis, we evaluated the range of contrast spreading from the cranial to the caudal epidural filling and the incidence of an intravascular flow pattern. RESULTS: Epidural spreading was seen in 126 cases (96.2%) of the total patients through the nerve root. Ventral spreading occurred in 120 cases (95.2%). On the AP view, a nerve root with unilateral, bilateral and cylinderic epidural filling was noted for 108 (85.7%), 9 (7.1%) and 9 (7.1%) cases, respectively. The contrast spreading to vertebral segments was smaller for the patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and failed back surgery syndrome than for the other groups (P < 0.0083). The incidence of intravascular injection was 11.1% (14/126). CONCLUSIONS: LTEIs using fluoroscopic visualization provided excellent assessment of the ventral epidural filling as well as nerve root filling. However, unilateral epidural spreading was prominent for the LTEIs.
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome ; Fluoroscopy ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; Incidence ; Injections, Epidural ; Low Back Pain ; Lower Extremity ; Nitro Compounds ; Spinal Stenosis

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: It could be hypothesised that attachments, which provide more retention against vertical and horizontal dislodgement, will be associated with more favorable parameters of oral function. PURPOSE: This study was to provide data of initial retentive force and retention loss of different bar attachment systems recommended for use with maxillary implant overdentures. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 4 implants were placed in the anterior region of edentulous maxilla, five different systems of bar attachment were fabricated as follows: cantilevered Hader bar using clips (Type 1), Hader bar using clips without cantilever (Type 2), Hader bar using clip and ERA attachment orange male (Type 3), Hader bar using clip and ERA attachment white male (Type 4), and Bar using magnets (Type 5). Each samples were placed in the universal testing machine for determination of retentive forces(at initial and after every 200 cycles up to 1,000 cycles). Results and Conclusion 1. Attachment type 1 showed the biggest initial retentive force followed by type 3, type 2, type 4, and lastly type 5( p<0.001). 2. After 1,000 cycles of repeated removals of attachments, significant loss of retentive forces was taken place except for attachment type 5. 3. After 1,000 cycles of repeated removals, the loss of retentive force between type 1 and type 2, which used Hader bar and clip attachments, was greater in type 1 that had wider clip formation. And between type 3 and type 4, which used ERA attachments, the loss of retentive force was greater in type 4 that had white male attached (p<0.001). 4. After 1,000 cycles of repeated removals, attachment type 3 showed the biggest retentive force followed by type 2, type 4, type 1 and lastly type. 5. There was no significant difference between attachment type 3 and 4, and type 4 and 1(p<0.001).
Citrus sinensis ; Denture, Overlay* ; Humans ; Male ; Maxilla

Varicocele is the most frequent cause of male subfertility. Because it is the most common surgically correctable cause of male infertility, its diagnosis is important. For diagnosis of varicoceles, venography, thermography, and doppler stethoscope were available, but they involved invasiveness, inaccuracy, lack of objectivity and cosiliness. Two noninvasive methods for detecting varicoceles. scrotogram using Technetium and digital infrared thermography imaging(DITI), were evaluated in 52 patients complaining of infertility. The results of scrotogram and thermography were not consistent in these patients. When the varicoceles were confirmed with internal spermatic venography or high ligation of internal spermatic vein, the physical examination was the most accurate method. compared with scrotogram and thermography. Scrotogram (0.73) was more sensitive than thermography(0.64). The each combination of the two of physical examination scrotogram and thermography increased the accuracy in terms of sensitivity and positive predictive value. This study suggest that the combination of scrotogram and thermography with physical examination would increase the diagnostic accuracy in the varicoceles.
Diagnosis* ; Humans ; Infertility ; Infertility, Male ; Ligation ; Male ; Phlebography ; Physical Examination ; Stethoscopes ; Technetium ; Thermography* ; Varicocele* ; Veins

BACKGROUND: This randomized, controlled study was designed to compare the effects of recruitment maneuvers (RMs) with a 15 cmH₂O positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on the systemic oxygenation and lung compliance of patients with healthy lungs following robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP). METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing a RALP with an intraoperative 15 cmH₂O PEEP were randomly allocated to an RM or a Control group. The patients in the RM group received a single RM through the application of a continuous positive airway pressure of 40 cmH₂O for 40 s 15 min after being placed in the Trendelenburg position. The arterial oxygen tension (PaO₂, primary endpoint) and the pulmonary dynamic and static compliances (secondary endpoints) were measured 10 min after the anesthetic induction (T1), 10 min after establishment of the pneumoperitoneum (T2), 10 min after establishment of the Trendelenburg position (T3), 10 min after the RM (T4), 60 min after the RM (T5), and 10 min after deflation of the pneumoperitoneum in the supine position (T6). RESULTS: The intergroup comparisons of the PaO₂ showed significantly higher values in the RM group than in the Control group at T4 and T5 (193 ± 35 mmHg vs. 219 ± 33 mmHg, P = 0.015, 188 ± 41 mmHg vs. 214 ± 42 mmHg, P = 0.005, respectively). However, the PaO₂ at T6 was similar in the two groups (211 ± 39 mmHg vs. 224 ± 41 mmHg, P = 0.442). Moreover, there were no statistical differences between the groups in the dynamic and static compliances of the lungs at any time point. CONCLUSIONS: The arterial oxygenation of the patients with a healthy lung function who had undergone a RALP with intraoperative 15 cmH₂O PEEP was improved by a single RM. However, this benefit did not last long, and it did not lead to an amelioration of the lung mechanics.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ; Head-Down Tilt ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Compliance ; Mechanics ; Oxygen* ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Positive-Pressure Respiration* ; Prostatectomy* ; Supine Position

Two cases of teratoma on sacrococcygeal region in newborn are reported with pathological findings, and a brief review of related literature is included in this report.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Sacrococcygeal Region* ; Teratoma*

BACKGROUND: Many recent results of clinical trials show that pre-operative concurrent chemoradiotherapy and surgical resection could increase the survival of N2 positive stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer. This study was performed to assess the feasibility, toxicity, and affect rates of concurrent chemoradiotherapy and surgical resection in N2 positive stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty-one patients who underwent preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy for N2 positive stage IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer from May 1997 to April 1999 were entered into the study. Mean age was 61 yrs (43-70 yrs), There were 24 men and 7 women. The confirmation of N2 disease were achieved through mediastinoscopic biopsy (24) and CT scans (7). Induction was achieved by two cycles of cisplatin and etoposide(EP) plus concurrent chest radiotherapy to 45 Gy. Resections were done at 3 weeks after the complection of preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Resections were performed in 23 patients, excluding 5 refusals and 3 distant metastasis. All patients were compled the thoracic radiotherapy except one who had distant metastasis. Twenty three patients were completed the planned 2 cycles of EP chemotherapy, and 8 patients were received only 1 cycle for severe side effects (6), refusal (1), and distant metastasis(1). There was one postoperative mortality, and the cause of death was ARDS. Three patients who had neutropenic fever and one patient who had radiation pneumonitis were required admission and treatment. Esophagitis was the most common acute side effect, but relatively well-tolerated in most patients. The complection rate of concurrent chemoradiotherapy was 74%, resection rate was 71%, pathologic complete remission rate was 13.6%, and pathologic down-staging rate was 68%. CONCLUSION: Morbidity related to each treatment was acceptable and many of the patients have benefited down staging of its disease. Further prospective, preferably randomized, clinical trials of larger scale may be warranted to confirm the actual benefit of preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy and surgical resection in N2-positive stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer.
Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Cause of Death ; Chemoradiotherapy* ; Cisplatin ; Disulfiram ; Drug Therapy ; Esophagitis ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Male ; Mortality ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Radiation Pneumonitis ; Radiotherapy ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

A study was undertaken during the past 2 years of patients who visited the infertility clinic of this hospital. The patients included those with male infertility, scrotal mass, scrotal pain or impotence. These patients were studied by means of reviewing the clinical applications of 'Scrotogram' and the following results were obtained. A total of 122 cases underwent a 'Scrotogram' study and among them 80 cases were diagnosed as varicocele, which included 14 cases( 18%) of subclinical varicocele which are difficult to be diagnosed by initial physical examination. There was statistical significance in the varicocele index between the control group and the Grade I varicocele group(p<0.01) and between the control group and subclinical varicocele group(p<0.01), and between the Grade I and Grade II group.(p<0.01), and between the Grade II and Grade II group(p<0.05). Among 66 clinical varicocele patients, 63 cases(80% ) were diagnosed by varicocele index, and 54 cases(82% ) were diagnosed by static image. A combination of the above two methods allowed 61 cases(92%) to be diagnosed. Among 48 patients who underwent high ligation of internal spermatic vein, 25 patients were subject to postoperative follow-up 'Scrotogram', which revealed 12 cases with excellent results, 8 cases with good results, and 5 cases with poor results. The average varicocele index before and after surgery was 1.78 and 1.24 and there were statistical significance(p<0.01). There was statistical significance, in sperm count and motility between the control group and clinical varicocele group(p <0.01) and between the control group and subclinical varicocele group(p <0.01). However, there appeared no statistical significance in semen character between the clinical varicocele and subclinical varicocele group. Among the 13 patients who were subject to postoperative follow-up semen analysis 11 patient showed improved results, and there was marked improvement in sperm count(p<0.05). There was slight improvement in sperm motility and morphology but showed no statistical significance. At present, 2 patients were impreged. Among 110 patients with infertility and olieoasthenoteratozoospermia, 22 were initially diagnose as varicocele by physical examination only, and 7 patients were diagnosed as subclinical varicocele after a 'Scrotogram' was taken. In conclusion, the 'Scrotogram' is able to identify varicocele objectively, and also identify subclinical varicocele which is an important contributing factor to male infertility. Also, this method of study is able to assess the postoperative result of varicocele accurately.
Erectile Dysfunction ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infertility ; Infertility, Male ; Ligation ; Male ; Physical Examination ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; Varicocele ; Veins

Nonsurgical endoscopic or percutaneous dilatation and insertion of an endoprosthesis is the treatment of choice in the majority of patiens with incurabie malignant biliary obsturction. But these palliative treatment of extrahepatic cholestasis with an endoscopic or percutaneous biliary endoprosthesis is limited by clogging. One of the factors thought to be of importance is the diameter of the stent. So in order to avoid being limited by the size of the instrumentation channel of the endoscope, expandable stents have been developed. Wallstent is braided in the form of a tubular mesh from surgical grade stainless alloy. This prosthesis is geometrically stable, pliable and self expanding. Its elastic properties are such that its diameter can be substantially reduced by moderate elongation. The stent is constrainded on a small diameter delivery catheter(total outside diameter: 9 French). During the implantation procedure the final position of the partially released endoprosthesis can be adjusted by gradual removal of the delivery catheter. If full expansion to 30 French occurs, the stent will be shortened by approximately 30% to their normal length range between 34-102mm. Now in this article we report a new method for endoscopic retrograde placement of biliary Wallstent in a patient with obsturctive jaundice due to periampullary choangiocacrcinoma.
Alloys ; Catheters ; Cholestasis, Extrahepatic ; Dilatation ; Endoscopes ; Humans ; Jaundice ; Palliative Care ; Prostheses and Implants ; Stents

The elderly population growth rate is extremely high in Korean society, and life expectancy is close to 85 years old for women and 80 for men as of people born in 2015. The future hip fracture prediction model of Korea shows that the elderly hip fracture rate will increase by 1.4 times by 2025, which will impose a serious socioeconomic burden on Korean society and become a key issue of public health management. The fracture liaison service (FLS) is defined adequate treatment and services for patients over 50 years old with fragility fractures, enabling systematic identification and decreasing the risk of subsequent osteoporotic fractures. In Korean society, the introduction of FLS, which is verified not only in the socioeconomic aspects but also in the treatment of patients, is thought to be essential. However, the challenges that need to be addressed in order to implement FLS include the lack of awareness regarding the necessity of this system, the lack of healthcare systems, and inadequate policies. In the future, further studies on the FLS and its clinical and socioeconomic effects for the Korean medical system will be necessary.
Aged ; Delivery of Health Care ; Female ; Hip ; Hip Fractures ; Humans ; Korea ; Life Expectancy ; Male ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; Population Growth ; Public Health ; Secondary Prevention