Percutaneous drainage of liver abscess is an effective treatment, but the success rate is low for liver abscess that has septa and is multilocular. We experienced one case of successful treatment of multilocular liver abscess using administration of Urokinase into an abscess cavity during the course of percutaneous drainage.
Abscess ; Catheters* ; Drainage* ; Liver Abscess* ; Liver* ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator*

Percutenous transluminal angioplasty is world wide prevalent method for treatment of vascular occlusivedisease. Its advantage is avoidance of major surgery as well as decreased cost with shortened hospital days. Inrenal arterial stenosis, successful angioplasty produces draumatic reduction of blood pressure in renin dependent hypertension. Even in renin independent hypertension, blood pressure may be easier to control withantihypertensive medication following renal arterial dilatation. We have performed 2 cases of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in renal arterial stenosis recently. One patient, 58-year-old female, has gained normalblood pressure after angioplasty, while the other showed not very satisfactory blood pressure control because ofchronic bilateral renal parenchymal damage.
Angiography ; Angioplasty ; Blood Pressure ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Dilatation ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Methods ; Middle Aged ; Renin

The use of intravacular catheterization for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes increased the incidence of iatrogenic foreign bodies, which might cause many complications such as cardiac arrythmias, perforation of cardiac chamber or blood vessels, sepsis and thromboembolism. The authors experienced 5 cases of successful retrieval of intravascular iatrogenic foreign bodies: three cases of subclavian catheter wire and two cases of subclavian catheter. Subclavian catheter was introduced into right subclavian venous route for hyperalimentation or central venous pressure monitoring. The foreign bodies were located in superior vena cava and inferior vena in four cases and in left main pulmonary artery in the other case. We have successufully removed the foreign bodies by interventional procedures. The loop-snare technique is a safe and effective method for retrieval of iatrogenic foreign bodies in great vessels.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Blood Vessels ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Central Venous Pressure ; Foreign Bodies* ; Incidence ; Methods ; Pulmonary Artery ; Sepsis ; Thromboembolism ; Vena Cava, Superior

PURPOSE: Our objective was to identify a coronary ligament of the knee joint on MR images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 50 MR knee studies. Using MR imaging, the thickness and length of the anteroinferior portion of the capsule were measured and compared at the medial and lateral compartments. We also carefully dissected 5 fixed cadaveric knees and took photographs. RESULTS: The thickened synovial membrane(coronary ligament) of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus appeared as a band of low signal intensity on MR images. On anatomic dissection of the knee joints, the inferior synovial attachment of the lateral meniscus was more redundant than the medial side. CONCLUSION: Anatomic correlation revealed that the coronary ligament contributed to the band-like structure at the anteroinferior aspect of the lateral meniscus.
Animals ; Cadaver* ; Horns ; Knee Joint* ; Knee* ; Ligaments* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Menisci, Tibial ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE:To evaluate the factors influencing the prognosis in avascular necrosis(AVN) of the femoral head by MR. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Radiographic and MRI findings of twenty-three patients(30 cases, aged 23-67 years) with AVN identified clinically and radiologically were evaluated. The radiography included follow up study for at least 6 months. The mean age of these patients was 43 years and M: F ratio was 20: 3. MR imaging was performed at 1. 5T unit using T1- and T2-weighted coronal and Tl-weighted sagittal and axial spin echo sequences. We categorized the changes of the femoral head on radiographic follow-ups to three grades of mild, moderate and severe. We also analyzed the changes of the signal intensity and sizes of the lesion at sagittal and coronal MR images. On MR imaging we classified the extent of AVN of the fernoral head to 2 grades according to the size of lesion. RESULTS:In the cases of mild changes in fernoral head on radiography, the mean age of the patient was 37 years and the extent of AVN was below 1/2 in eleven out of seventeen cases. In the cases of moderate changes, the mean age was 43 years and the extent was above 1/2 in five out of seven cases. In the cases of severe changes, the mean age was 60 years and the extent was above 1/2 in all 6 cases. With 95% confidence coefficient, comparisons in the age and necrosis extent revealed statistical significance in severe versus moderate changes and in severe versus mild changes. Comparisons in the change of signal intensity on T1 and T2 weighted images showed no statistical relationship between each other. CONCLUSION: We conclude that if patient is younger and has smaller extent of the AVN, bone destruction is slower that these factors may be helpful in predicting the prognosis of AVN. However, the modes of the changes of the signal intensity on T1- and T2- weighted images may not be useful in predicting the prognosis of AVN.
Follow-Up Studies ; Head* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Necrosis* ; Prognosis ; Radiography

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness, patency and safty of a self-expandable nitinol stent for palliative treatment of malignant stricture of gastroesophageal junction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An esophageal stent was inserted in five consecutive patients with malignant stricture of esophagogastric junction. Histologicaily, four cases were adenocarcinoma, and one was squamous cell carcinoma. The location and severity of stricture were evaluated with gastrografin just before stent insertion. In one patient with past subtotal gastrectomy, esophagography revealed fistulous tract at stricture site. RESULTS: No technical failure or procedural complications occurred, and improvement of dysphagia was noted in all patients soon after stent insertion. On follow up esophagograms performed 3 to 7 days after stent insertion, all stents were completely expanded and unchanged in positions. In one patient with fistulous connection at stricture site, esophagogram immediately after the procedure revealed complete occlusion of the fistula. Three patients died within 4, 7 and 8 consecutive months after stent insertion. Two patients are alive maintaining adequate body weight and passing most diet. CONCLUSIONS: Self-expandable nitinol stent with it's good longitudinal flexibility and efficient radial force was effective in the palliative treatment of dysphagia in patient with malignant stricture at esophagogastric junction.
Adenocarcinoma ; Body Weight ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Deglutition Disorders* ; Diatrizoate Meglumine ; Diet ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Fistula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Palliative Care ; Pliability ; Stents*

No abstract available.

PURPOSE: Lymphoma is considered when multiple, nonnecrotic lymph nodes are present in the superficial and deep lymphatic chains, especially if they are large and bilateral, on CT scan. It is reported that combined nodal and extranodal presentation of HD is uncommon. However, we found central low density in involved lymph node of NHL, and combined nodal and extranodal disease in HD, not infrequently. The purpose of this study is to ascertain whether our findings may be characteristics of NHL and HD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT findings with contrast enhancement were reviewed in 23 patients with untreated neck lymphoma:18 NHL and 5 HD. The followings were analyzed in each case: nodal or extranodal involvement; unilateral or bilateral involvement; presence or absence of central low density with peripheral enhancement in nodal lesion ;infiltration into adjacent structures. Nodal and extranodal lesions were confirmed by pathologic studies. RESULTS: Of 18 patients with NHL, nine cases had nodal disease and the rest had combined nodal and extranodal disease. Lymphadenopathy was bilateral in ten cases and unilateral in eight. Five cases with HD were composed of three combined nodal and extranodal diseases and two nodal diseases. Central low density of involved lymph node was shown in eight cases of 18 NHL and in one case of five HD. CONCLUSION: Central low density with peripheral enhancement was not uncommon in NHL, in contrast to HD. Hence, it is suggested that in case of nodal necrosis, NHL be also considered, besides tuberculous lymphadenitis and metastatic lymphadenopathy. It is not considered that nodal or extranodal disease, and unilateral or bilateral involvement are of high significance in differentiation of NHL from HD.
Hodgkin Disease* ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin* ; Neck* ; Necrosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculosis, Lymph Node

PURPOSE: In vitro sonography of lymph nodes was performed to ascertain the differential point between benignancy and malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninty-one lymph nodes were obtained at gastric cancer surgery and pathologically proved as benignancy in 68 and malignancy in 23 cases. Sohographic and pathologic correlation of resected ninty one lymph nodes was done in terms of size, the ratio of longest diameter versus shortest diameter, central hyperechogenicity, and peripheral cortical echo. RESULTS: Sonographic findings of benign lymph node were small size, oval shape(85%), narrow central high echogenicity(44%), and symmetric cortical thickening(41%). Sonographic findings of malignant lymph node were large size, round contour(39%), loss of central high echogenicity(82%), and diffuse increase of cortical thickness(82%). CONCLUSION: The most reliable sonographic criterion for differentiation of benignancy from malignancy was size of a lymphnode.
Lymph Nodes* ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Ultrasonography

Thombolytic therapy and placement of vascular metallic stent can be used for the treatment of lilac venous stenosis and thrombosis, but these treatments increase the risk of pulmonary thromboembolism. Inferior vena cava filter was developed for the prevention of recurrent pulmonary thromboembolism due to lower extremity deep vein thrmobosis and has been regarded as relatively safe and effective treatment modality. We experienced good result of combined treatment of inferior vena filter, thrombolytic therapy and placement of right lilac venous metallic stent in a patient with severe stenosis and thrombosis at both common lilac veins.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Stents* ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Thrombosis* ; Veins* ; Vena Cava Filters* ; Vena Cava, Inferior*