PURPOSE: To evaluate the findings and the role of CT in plexiform neuro-fibromatosis of the mediastinum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retropectively reviewed the CT scans of five patients with plexiform neurofibromatosis of the mediastinum. The CT scans were reviewed with attention to the distribution of the lesions, appearance and attenuation of mediastinal lesions, enhancement pattern after intravenous contrast infusion and associated findingssuch as intercostal neurofibroma. RESULTS: In all five patients CT scans demonstrated fusiform low attenuated masses which were oriented longitudinally and extended over multiple contiguous scans along the distribution of major mediastinal nerves. In four patients, mediastinal lesions appeared infiltrative, obliterating adjacent mediastinal fat plane. One patient had well defined fusiform masses along the major mediastinal nerves. Postcontrast enhanced CT scans revealed slight central enhancement in two patient and no contrast enhancement in three patients. Associated findings such as neurofibromas of intercostal nerves and sympathetic trunk, or subcutaneous neurofibromas were detected on CTscans in all five patients. CONCLUSION: Characteristic CT findings of low attenuation masses along the major mediastinal nerves are helpful to differentiate plexiform neurofibromatosis from mediastinal lymphadenopathy and to prevent from misreading as a malignant disease.
Humans ; Intercostal Nerves ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Mediastinum* ; Neurofibroma ; Neurofibromatoses* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Recently, many authors have reported about the relationship of the volumes of hemorrhage in the brain parenchyma, hemorrhagic sites, optimal operation time, and the effects of mannitol and steroid on control of ICP to clinical manifestations. Many attempts to measure ICP in hydrocephalus, brain tumor, and head injury have been reported. But the measurements of intracranial pressure in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage are rare. Intracranial pressure was monitored prospectively in 30 patients who had stereotaxic surgery for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. The results are as follows. 1. Intracranial pressure was increased in high PaCO₂. 2. There were no correlation in ICP, rebleeding and ADL ad discharge (P>0.05). 3. ICP was the most high level in 72 hours after operation. 4. There was 63.2% decrease in ICP after irrigation with 6000 IU urokinase in the site of hemorrhage. 5. There was no correlation between the numbers of natural drainage and ADL at discharge (P>0.05). 6. The higher the initial GCS, the higher the postoperative GCS.
Activities of Daily Living ; Brain ; Brain Neoplasms ; Cerebral Hemorrhage* ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Drainage ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Intracranial Pressure* ; Mannitol ; Prospective Studies ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator

PURPOSE: To evaluate the early clinical results of lumbar microdiscectomy using minimally invasive tubular retractor (METRx-MD system, Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Memphis, TN), and to validate the merits of minimally invasive spinal surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April, 2003 to April 2004 we retrospectively studied a consecutive series of 45 patients who underwent lumbar microdiscectomy using minimally invasive tubular retractor. In all cases, minimally invasive approach using the tubular retractor were performed with a 2 cm sized paramedian incision. The following data were collected: clinical outcomes, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, need for blood replacement, time needed before ambulation, length of hospital stay, and complications. The clinical outcomes were assessed by the modified MacNab criteria. RESULTS: Minimally invasive tubular microdiscectomy was performed in 45 patients over a 12-month period with an average follow-up of approximately 8 months. The clinical outcomes assessed by MacNab criteria were excellent in 33 patients (73%), good in 10 patients (22%). The average operative time was 63 minutes (range, 35 to 95 minutes). The average blood loss was 62 mL (range, 50 to 110 mL). None of the patients needed blood replacement. With the exception of 2 patients, all patients could walk at the day of surgery. The average hospital stay was 2.3 days. None of the patients had dural tear, wound problem, or other complications. CONCLUSION: Lumbar microdiscectomy using tubular retractor can offer a useful modality for the treatment of lumbar herniated disc with the merits of minimally invasive spinal surgery. Further long-term, randomized, prospective investigations are needed to fully evaluate the impact of this technique.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; Length of Stay ; Operative Time ; Wounds and Injuries

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disease of the colonic and rectal mucosa, which affects children as well as adults. Inflammation caused by ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon and rectum, to the mucosa and submucosa, and is involved continuously, with varying degrees of ulceration, hemorrhage, edema, and regenerating epithelium. Ulcerative colitis most commonly presents with the onset of diarrhea, later associated with hematochezia, but usually without systemic signs of fever, weight loss, or hypoalbuminemia. Approximately 30% of cases have moderate signs of systemic illness. Although less commonly seen than in Crohn's disease, the first sign of ulcerative colitis may be growth failure characterized by decreased linear growth velocity. We experienced a case of ulcerative colitis with growth disturbance and treated with sulfasalazine. During follow up for a year, the symptoms subsided, and the height and weight increased.
Adult ; Child ; Colitis, Ulcerative* ; Colon ; Crohn Disease ; Diarrhea ; Edema ; Epithelium ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Inflammation ; Mucous Membrane ; Rectum ; Sulfasalazine ; Ulcer* ; Weight Loss

Testicular teratoma contains more than one germ cell layer in various stages of maturation and differentiation. The teratoma occurs at all ages but is most common in the 25-30 year age group. It is relatively infrequently seen in childhood and infancy. In these age group, teratoma is a benign tumor. Recently, we experienced one case of incidental testicular teratoma during hydrocelectomy in 22 month-old child, The hydrocele is frequently associated with teratoma under age 4 years and is the most common misdiagnosis. So we report this one case of testicular teratoma with review of related literatures.
Child ; Diagnostic Errors ; Germ Cells ; Humans ; Infant ; Teratoma* ; Testis

A case of one of the largest stone in a giant penile urethral diverticulum which disturbed voiding and ejaculation was responded with review of some literatures.
Diverticulum* ; Ejaculation ; Male ; Urethra

The XYY syndrome is a rare entity, which is a phenotypic man with a 47 XYY It was first reported by Sandberg and associates in 1961. The XYY individual is seldom detected during childhood or even in adult because the features of XYY syndrome are often subtle and not overtly suggestive of a chromosomal abnormalities. We have reported a case of XYY syndrome associated with absence of pubic and axillary hair, no voice mutation and azoospermia. Clinical, endocrinologic and genetic studies were presented and theories regarding the etiology of the XYY syndrome were discussed with review of the literature.
Adult ; Azoospermia* ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Hair ; Humans ; Voice

PURPOSE: To evaluate patterns of recurrence and factors which influence them in radiofreqency (RF) ablation for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 1999 and March 2000, 69 patients with 82 HCCs underwent RF ablation for complete necrosis. They were diagnosed by tissue biopsy or tumor marker, and the results of triphasic spiral CT. The indications were that nodular lesions were clearly visualized at sonography, less than 5 cm in size and less than four in number, and that patients had no history of previous treatment. Local therapeutic efficacy such as complete necrosis and marginal recurrence, and new lesions were evaluated by means of triphasic spiral CT performed at least six months after the completion of ablation. We then analyzed the correlation between local therapeutic efficacy and various influential factors such as tumor size, whether the tumor was attached to the portal vein, gross morphology, Child-Pugh classification, and alpha- fetoprotein level before the procedure, as well as the correlation between new lesions and influential factors which included the alpha-fetoprotein level before the procedure, Child-Pugh classification, and multiplicity per person. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up period of 8.95 (range, 6-14) months after RF ablation, the rate of complete necrosis and of marginal recurrence was 91% and 12%, respectively. When a tumor was larger and was attached to a large branch of the portal vien, the incidence of incomplete necrosis and marginal recurrence was greater. The occurrence rate of new lesion was 19.4%. When the alpha-fetoprotien level before the procedure was higher and a tumor was multiple in number, new lesions occurred more frequently. CONCLUSION: Sufficient knowledge of patterns of recurrence and the factors which influence them might improve the therapeutic effects of RF ablation in patients with HCC.
alpha-Fetoproteins ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Catheter Ablation* ; Classification ; Fetal Proteins ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Necrosis ; Portal Vein ; Recurrence ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of distraction osteogenesis for fourth brachymetatarsia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven patients (10 cases) who were treated by distraction osteogenesis for fourth brachymetatarsia from March 2000 to December 2003 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The average length gain of fourth metatarsus was 16.6 mm (37%) and the average healing index was 50 days/cm. The final results according to AOFAS functional scale were excellent in 8 cases and good in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: Distraction osteogenesis is an effective treatment for fourth brachymetatarsia in spite of some minor complications.
Humans ; Metatarsus ; Osteogenesis, Distraction* ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of distraction osteogenesis for fourth brachymetatarsia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven patients (10 cases) who were treated by distraction osteogenesis for fourth brachymetatarsia from March 2000 to December 2003 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The average length gain of fourth metatarsus was 16.6 mm (37%) and the average healing index was 50 days/cm. The final results according to AOFAS functional scale were excellent in 8 cases and good in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: Distraction osteogenesis is an effective treatment for fourth brachymetatarsia in spite of some minor complications.
Humans ; Metatarsus ; Osteogenesis, Distraction* ; Retrospective Studies