Cardioprotective effect of fimasartan, a new angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), was evaluated in a porcine model of acute myocardial infarction (MI). Fifty swine were randomized to group 1 (sham, n=10), group 2 (no angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor [ACEI] or ARB, n=10), group 3 (perindopril 2 mg daily, n=10), group 4 (valsartan 40 mg daily, n=10), or group 5 (fimasartan 30 mg daily, n=10). Acute MI was induced by occlusion of the left anterior descending artery for 50 min. Echocardiography, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) were performed at baseline, 1 week, and 4 weeks. Iodine-123 meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scan was done at 6 weeks for visualization of cardiac sympathetic activity. Left ventricular function and volumes at 4 weeks were similar between the 5 groups. No difference was observed in groups 2 to 5 in SPECT perfusion defect, matched and mismatched segments between SPECT and PET at 1 week and 4 weeks. MIBG scan showed similar uptake between the 5 groups. Pathologic analysis showed similar infarct size in groups 2 to 5. Infarct size reduction was not observed with use of fimasartan as well as other ACEI and ARB in a porcine model of acute MI.
3-Iodobenzylguanidine ; Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers/therapeutic use ; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists/*therapeutic use ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors/therapeutic use ; Animals ; Anterior Wall Myocardial Infarction/*drug therapy/physiopathology ; Biphenyl Compounds/*therapeutic use ; Cardiotonic Agents/*therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Echocardiography ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Perindopril/therapeutic use ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Pyrimidines/*therapeutic use ; Random Allocation ; Swine ; Tetrazoles/*therapeutic use ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon ; Valsartan/therapeutic use ; Ventricular Function, Left/*physiology

We aimed to determine the changes in 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in the spinal cord on two serial positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans in a healthy population. We retrospectively enrolled healthy people who underwent PET/CT twice for cancer screening. We excluded those who had degenerative vertebral disease, neurologic disease, or a history of a vertebral operation. The standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the spinal cord of each mid-vertebral body was obtained by drawing a region of interest on an axial image of PET/CT. For analysis, the cord-to-background ratio (CTB) was used (CTB=SUVmax of each level/SUVmax of L5 level). Differences in pattern, sex, age, and intervals of the two serial PET/CT scans were analyzed. A total of 60 PET/CT images of 30 people were analyzed. The mean interval between the two PET/CT imaging studies was 2.80+/-0.94 years. On the follow-up PET/CT, significant change was shown only at the level of the C6 and T10 vertebrae (p<0.005). Mean CTB showed a decreasing pattern from cervical to lumbar vertebrae. There were two peaks at the lower cervical level (C4-6) and at the lower thoracic level (T12). Neither sex nor age significantly affected CTB. The FDG uptake of the spinal cord changed significantly on follow-up PET/CT only at the level of the C6 and T10 vertebrae. This finding is valuable as a baseline reference in the follow-up of metabolic changes in the spinal cord.
Early Detection of Cancer ; Electrons ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Follow-Up Studies ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord ; Spine

We investigated the diagnostic value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for restaging of treated uterine cervix squamous cell cancer with tumor maker elevation that was not explained by other conventional evaluation. We enrolled 32 cases who underwent PET/CT for the restaging of treated cervical cancer with tumor marker elevation that was not explained by recent conventional evaluation. All enrolled cases had squamous cell carcinoma. Increased tumor markers included squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC Ag) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). PET/CT findings were determined by pathologic confirmation or clinical follow-up. We compared PET/CT accuracy and clinical parameters including normalization of tumor markers in both the SCC Ag elevation group and the CEA elevation group. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of PET/CT in detecting recurrence were 100%, 83.3%, 82.4%, and 100%, respectively. Accuracy was significantly different between the SCC Ag elevation group and the CEA elevation group (p=0.0169). PET/CT with SCC Ag elevation was more accurate (100%) than PET/CT with CEA elevation (66.7%). Normalization of tumor markers was observed more often in the SCC Ag elevation group than in the CEA elevation group (p=0.0429). PET/CT showed high negative predictive value and sensitivity in the restaging of cervical cancer with unexplained tumor marker elevation. PET/CT was more accurate in patients with SCC Ag elevation than in those with CEA elevation.
Antigens, Neoplasm ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cervix Uteri ; Electrons ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Neoplasms, Squamous Cell ; Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography ; Recurrence ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Serpins ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Juvenile dermatomyositis is a common inflammatory muscle disease of childhood, characterized by weakness in proximal muscles and specific skin rash. In case of juvenile dermatomyositis without characteristic clinical features, non-invasive imaging tools such as (99m)Tc-HDP three-phase bone scan are very helpful in diagnostic workup of myopathies. We report a case of 13-year old female with juvenile dermatomyositis, in which (99m)Tc-HDP three-phase bone scan was useful in diagnosis and assessing therapy response.
Dermatomyositis ; Exanthema ; Female ; Humans ; Muscles ; Muscular Diseases ; Myositis

A 75-year-old man with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) underwent F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT for staging. PET/CT showed distant metastases to intra-abdominal lymph nodes (LNs) as well as bilateral mediastinal LNs (stage IV). He underwent PET/CT (restaging PET/CT) 1 week after the completion of first-line chemotherapy (docetaxel + carboplatin). It showed markedly increased FDG uptake in primary tumor, whereas tumor size decreased significantly, compared to prior PET/CT. This lesion was aggravated on follow-up CT 3 months after the completion of chemotherapy. Although there are several reports that FDG PET has potential to evaluate early response to chemotherapy and prognosis, there are a few cases to show mismatch between FDG uptake and size on PET/CT. Thus we report a case of NSCLC showed increased FDG uptake of primary tumor while decreased tumor size on restaging PET/CT.
Aged ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis

Ectopic thyroid is not common disease and double ectopic thyroid is rare. Until January of 2008, dual ectopic thyroid has been reported only 23 cases in international literatures. Tc-99m sodium pertechnetate scan is playing an important role in the diagnosis of ectopic thyroid. In most of the cases, dual lingual thyroid tissues could be detected as two radiotracer uptake foci. We report a case of dual lingual thyroid mimicking mono-lingual thyroid in the anterior view of thyroid scan. Lateral view helped in this case to detect the dual lingual thyroid. With lateral view, the anatomical position and relationship could be examined in more detail.
Lingual Thyroid ; Sodium ; Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m ; Thyroid Dysgenesis ; Thyroid Gland

Tetrofosmin is a ligand that forms a lipophilic, cationic complex with Tc-99m.1) Tc-99m tetrofosmin was developed as a myocardial perfusion imaging agent and also used to depict tumors.1-3) Mediastinal tumors is also detected by Tc-99m tetrofosmin.2-5) We report a case of extracardiac mediastinal activity detected by Tc-99m tetrofosmin scintigraphy, which revealed thymoma.
Myocardial Perfusion Imaging ; Thymoma ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

PURPOSE: To report the results of the orbital reconstruction with microvascular free flap following orbital exenteration in patients with orbital malignancy. METHODS: We performed microvascular free-tissue reconstruction for extensive orbital defects immediately after exenteration in 6 patients. RESULTS: The causes for exenteration were adenocystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland (2), squamous cell carcinoma of the upper eyelid (1), the nasolacrimal duct (1), maxillary sinus (1), and the ethmoid sinus (1). The extensive orbital defects were reconstructed with the rectus abdominis flaps in 3 patients, with the radial forearm flaps in two, and with the scapular flap in one patient. There was no flap loss. There was no donor site complication. CONCLUSIONS: Microvascular free-tissue transfer allowed successful facial reconstruction in patients with extensive orbital and periorbital defects. It seemed to permit reliable, expeditious, one-stage reconstruction of the orbital defects.
Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Ethmoid Sinus ; Eyelids ; Forearm ; Free Tissue Flaps* ; Humans ; Lacrimal Apparatus ; Maxillary Sinus ; Nasolacrimal Duct ; Orbit* ; Rectus Abdominis ; Tissue Donors

The popularity of elective day surgery has increased significantly over the past two decades. Potential advantages of day surgery are alleviation of parental burden on time and money, less social disruption for the child and family due to the shorter period hospitalization and the absence of overnight stay. Between January of 1996 and December of 2000, we studied 391 cases that underwent day surgery (age 1 mo.-15.0 yrs). This practice is reviewed with regard to initial assessment, preparation for surgery, postoperative complications and management, and immediate follow-up by telephone visit. Up to 28% of all pediatric plastic surgical cases were performed on day-care basis mainly in laser therapy and excision of benign soft tissue mass. The incidence of postoperative minor medical complications was 3.1 In addition, we reviewed 14 patients who underwent ambulatory surgery with syndactyly and/or polydactyly of the hand. Then we compared 3 parameters (hospital charge, postoperative complications and degree of postoperative satisfaction in parents) with those of 84 inpatient children who underwent the same surgical procedures. As results, ambulatory surgery group is more economical than inpatient surgery group with postoperative satisfaction higher than inpatients surgery group with negligible complications.And based on a 5-year experience of authors, day-surgery system in pediatric plastic surgery is safe, effective and in the best interest of a select but significant proportion of children requiring elective operation.
Ambulatory Surgical Procedures* ; Child ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inpatients ; Laser Therapy ; Parents ; Polydactyly ; Postoperative Complications ; Surgery, Plastic* ; Syndactyly ; Telephone

The augmentation of soft-tissue defects in the facial region is a challenging task for plastic and reconstructive surgeons. Numerous materials, both autologous and nonautologous materials including alloplastic implants, have been used for augmentation of soft-tissue defects of the face. Each has its limitations. There is no ideal material for soft-tissue augmentation. Acellular human dermal allograft (Alloderm, LifeCell Corporation, Woodlands, Texas, U.S.A.) combines the benefits of autografts and allografts. Alloderm does not appear to be resolved, it is a much more cost- effective treatment than fat injection, collagen injection, or other treatments that require multiple surgical operations or repeated application. Using Alloderm eliminates the need for creating a donor site. The authors report its use in 13 patients who have soft-tissue defects in the face. No serious complications such as rejection, absorption, dislocation, or extrusion were encountered. Alloderm appears to be an easily handled, safe material to use as an implant for permanent soft-tissue augmentation. Further long-term tudies are warranted to monitor the persistent volume maintenance of Alloderm.
Absorption ; Allografts* ; Autografts ; Collagen ; Dislocations ; Humans* ; Plastics ; Texas ; Tissue Donors