PURPOSE: Early degeneration of articular cartilage is accompanied by a loss of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and the consequent change of the integrity. The purpose of this study was to biochemically quantify the loss of GAG, and to evaluate the Gd(DTPA)2--enhanced, and T1, T2, rho relaxation map for detection of the early degeneration of cartilage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cartilage-bone block in size of 8mmx10 mm was acquired from the patella in each of three pigs. Quantitative analysis of GAG of cartilage was performed at spectrophotometry by use of dimethylmethylene blue. Each of cartilage blocks was cultured in one of three different media: two different culture media (0.2 mg/ml trypsin solution, 1mM Gd (DTPA)2- mixed trypsin solution) and the control media (phosphate buffered saline (PBS)). The cartilage blocks were cultured for 5 hrs, during which MR images of the blocks were obtained at one hour interval (0 hr, 1 hr, 2 hr, 3 hr, 4 hr, 5 hr). And then, additional culture was done for 24 hrs and 48 hrs. Both T1-weighted image (TR/TE, 450/22 ms), and mixed-echo sequence (TR/TE, 760/21-168ms; 8 echoes) were obtained at all times using field of view 50 mm, slice thickness 2 mm, and matrix 256x512. The MRI data were analyzed with pixel-by-pixel comparisons. The cultured cartilage-bone blocks were microscopically observed using hematoxylin & eosin, toluidine blue, alcian blue, and trichrome stains. RESULTS: At quantitation analysis, GAG concentration in the culture solutions was proportional to the culture durations. The T1-signal of the cartilage-bone block cultured in the Gd(DTPA)2- mixed solution was significantly higher (42% in average, p<0.05) than that of the cartilage-bone block cultured in the trypsin solution alone. The T1, T2, rho relaxation times of cultured tissue were not significantly correlated with culture duration (p>0.05). However the focal increase in T1 relaxation time at superficial and transitional layers of cartilage was seen in Gd(DTPA)2- mixed culture. Toluidine blue and alcian blue stains revealed multiple defects in whole thickness of the cartilage cultured in trypsin media. CONCLUSION: The quantitative analysis showed gradual loss of GAG proportional to the culture duration. Microimagings of cartilage with Gd(DTPA)2--enhancement, relaxation maps were available by pixel size of 97.9x195 micrometer. Loss of GAG over time better demonstrated with Gd(DTPA)2--enhanced images than with T1, T2, rho relaxation maps. Therefore Gd(DTPA)2--enhanced T1-weighted image is superior for detection of early degeneration of cartilage.
Alcian Blue ; Cartilage ; Cartilage, Articular* ; Coloring Agents ; Culture Media ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Hematoxylin ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Patella ; Relaxation ; Spectrophotometry ; Swine ; Tolonium Chloride ; Trypsin

PURPOSE: Amniotic membrane has been used as an effective graft intraabdominally to prevent postoperative adhesion formation. We evaluated whether amniotic membrane would be effective in preventing adhesion after strabismus surgery in the rabbits. METHODS: After bilateral recessions of superior rectus(SR) were performed on 10 rabbits, iatrogenic bleeding was induced by scratching the surface of SR with a blade. For the experimental group, the SR was enveloped with folded, epithelial side-out, human amniotic membrane in the right eyes of all rabbits, while the left SR was left in each rabbit to act as a control. At two weeks postoperatively, both eyes were enucleated after being sacrificed. Masson's trichrome staining was performed and the degree of fibrous proliferation and inflammation were evaluated and scored grade 0 to 3. RESULTS: The degree of fibrosis was observed to be lower in the experimental group than in the control group (1.67:2.33). However, there was no statistical significance(p>0.05). Also, there was no statistical significance in the degree of inflammation between experimental and control groups(p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The amniotic membrane showed no significant effect of prevention of adhesion after strabismus surgery in the rabbit model.
Amnion* ; Fibrosis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Rabbits* ; Strabismus* ; Transplants

There is still no effective treatment for retinal degenerative diseases, in which the loss of photoreceptor cells causes visual loss and eventually blindness. Despite the current studies show that intraocular injection of basic fibrobalst growth factor rescues damaged and dystrophic rat photoreceptor in transgenic animal, there is a few evidence that endogenous neurotrophic factor promotes photorecptor cell survival in retina. In the present study, retinal degeneration (rd)neonate mice were exposed to hyperoixa for 5 days, and then were returned to room air, which was presumed to cause relative hypoxia of nonperfused retina, producing a neovascular response. Using this model, we investigated the effect of relative hypoxia on degenerative process in rd mice. As a control, rd neonate mice were remained at room air from birth. At the postnatal 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 21 days, the ratio of total retinal thickness and outer nuclear layer (ONL)thickness, and neovascularization of experimental right eyes were compared with those of control. Extent of vascularization of experimental left eyes was compared with that of left eyes in control group. In rd mice, extraretinal neovascularization was observed in 62%of 93 eyes of the experimental group exposed to hyperoxia. Extent of vascularization in experimental group was smaller than that of in control. There was an oxygen-induced modulation of rates of death in experimental group, where-as the death of photoreceptor progressed in control group. In experimental group, the ratio of total retinal thickness and ONL thickness was higher than that of in control group at 18 and 21 days of age. These results suggest that the relative hypoxia in the rd mice may have rescue effect on photoreceptor in rd mice.
Animals ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; Anoxia ; Blindness ; Cell Survival ; Humans ; Hyperoxia ; Infant, Newborn ; Injections, Intraocular ; Mice* ; Oxygen* ; Parturition ; Photoreceptor Cells ; Rats ; Retina ; Retinal Degeneration* ; Retinaldehyde*

Delayed absorption of subretinal fluid[SRF]occurs not so infrequently after scleral buckling for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and needs to be differenciated from the condition caused by incomplete closure of retinal break or by proliferative vitreoretinopathy.The purpose of this study was to identify perioperative factors associated with delayed absorption of SRF after scleral buckling.Eighty-four consecutive cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment had undergone scleral buckling and been followed for more than 3 months.The duration was shorter than 7 days in early reattachment group[group A, n=65]and the duration was the same as 7 days or longer in delayed absorption group[group B, n=19].Perioperative demographic and ocular factors were analysed.Old age, inferior retinal detachment, operculated tear and proliferative vitreoretinopathy were more prevalent in group B than in group A[p<0.05]. Subretinal gliotic band, demarcation line and subretinal precipitate were detected in group B.Our results suggest that the hypofunction of retinal pigment epithelium and the vitreous traction may play a role in delayed absorption of SRF.
Absorption* ; Retinal Detachment* ; Retinal Perforations ; Retinal Pigment Epithelium ; Retinaldehyde* ; Scleral Buckling* ; Subretinal Fluid* ; Traction ; Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the CT findings of parasitic ectopic infestation in theperitoneal cavity, a transitional route for parasites invading the gastrointestinal tract, to migrate to varioustarget organs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT scans of nine patients with pathologically(n=8) or serologically(n=1)proven intraperitoneal involvement of parasitic infestation were retrospectively reviewed. The primary causes ofparasitic infestation in nine patients were Paragonimus westermani(n=5), Sparganosis(n=2), and hepaticfascioliasis(n=2). We analyzed the CT findings with regard to the sites and patterns of lesions in the peritonealcavity and gastrointestinal track, as well as in other solid organs. The clinical features of these patients werealso evaluated. RESULTS: The clinical symptoms and signs were chronic abdominal pain and general weakness inseven patients, while peripheral blood eosinophilia was observed in four. The CT features of these nine patientsincluded multiseptated cystic masses of 2 -6cm, diameter (mean 4.1 +/-1.7cm) in the omentum or mesentery insix(67%), omental or mesenteric infiltration in seven(78%), focal peritoneal thickening in seven(78%),lymphadenopathy in five(56%), and ascites in four(44%). In six of the nine patients, the gastrointestinaltract(stomach in four, colon in one, both stomach and colon in one) was concomitantly involved with focal wallthickening. Branching patterns of hypoattenuating lesions were noted in the liver of three patients ; two of thesehad hepatic fascioliasis and one had paragonimiasis. CONCLUSION: Ectopic parasitic infestation in the peritonealcavity manifests as mass formation, adjacent gastrointestinal wall thickening, and focal peritonitis. Anunderstanding of these image features is important for both early diagnosis and adequate treatment.
Abdominal Pain ; Ascites ; Colon ; Early Diagnosis ; Eosinophilia ; Fascioliasis ; Gastrointestinal Tract* ; Humans ; Liver ; Mesentery ; Omentum ; Paragonimiasis ; Paragonimus ; Parasites ; Peritonitis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The recurrence is common problem to treat pterygium. Many surgical procedures were adopted to reduce the recurrence rate. We evaluated the surgical results of limbal conjunctival autograft transplantation (LCAT) accompanying application of 0.02% mitomycin C intraoperatively in 10 patients (10 eyes) who had a recurrent pterygium. There were 7 eyes with first recurrence and 3eyes with second recurrence. Mean age of the patients was 57.4 years, and mean follow-up period was 9.3 months. After a pterygium was excised, a sponge soaked in a solution of mitomycin C 0.02% was applied to the sclera at the site of the surgical bed for 2 minutes, then superior temporal limbal tissue was taken with conjunctival flap and transplanted to the excised area. None of all cases recurred for follow-up period and donor conjunctival site was well reepithelialized. In concluion, LCAT accompanying application of 0.02% mitomycin C intraoperatively was effective and safe method for recurrent pterygium.
Autografts* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mitomycin* ; Porifera ; Pterygium ; Recurrence ; Sclera ; Tissue Donors

Kimura's disease is a benign chronic inflammatory condition with good prognosis, commonly involving the headand neck area. With regard to abdominal manifestat ions, howeve r, the information contained in the literature islimited. Diagnosis on the basis of imaging is difficult, especially in abdominal cases manifesting aslymphadenopathy. The purpose of this report is to illustrate and discuss an abdominal case of the diseasemanifesting as lymphadenopathy.
Diagnosis ; Ions ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Neck ; Prognosis