The thickness of alveolar bone at the maxillary canine and premolar teeth in normal occlusion

PURPOSE: The main purpose of this study was to investigate bone thickness on the buccal and palatal aspects of the maxillary canine and premolars using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The differences between left- and right-side measurements and between males and females were also analyzed. METHODS: The sample consisted of 20 subjects (9 males and 11 females; mean age, 21.9+/-3.0) selected from the normal occlusion sample data in the Department of Orthodontics, The Catholic University of Korea. The thickness of the buccal and palatal bone walls, perpendicular to the long axis of the root were evaluated at 3 mm and 5 mm apical to cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) and at root apex. RESULTS: At the canines and first premolars regions, mean buccal bone thickness of at 3 mm and 5 mm apical to CEJ were less than 2 mm. In contrast, at the second premolar region, mean buccal bone thickness at 3 mm and 5 mm apical from CEJ were greater than 2 mm. Frequency of thick bone wall (> or =2 mm) increased from the canine to the second premolar. CONCLUSIONS: This result should be considered before tooth extraction and planning of rehabilitation in the canine and premolar area of maxilla. Careful preoperative analysis with CBCT may be beneficial to assess local risk factors and to achieve high predictability of success in implant therapy.

Enteropathogenic Bacteria Contamination of Unchlorinated Drinking Water in Korea, 2010

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the microbiological quality of unchlorinated drinking water in Korea, 2010. One hundred and eighty unchlorinated drinking water samples were collected from various sites in Seoul and Gyeonggi province. METHODS: To investigate bacterial presence, the pour plate method was used with cultures grown on selective media for total bacteria, total coliforms, and Staphylococcus spp., respectively. RESULTS: In the 180 total bacteria investigation, 72 samples from Seoul and 33 samples from Gyeonggi province were of an unacceptable quality (>10(2) CFU/mL). Of all the samples tested, total coliforms were detected in 28 samples (15.6%) and Staphylococcus spp. in 12 samples (6.7%). Most of the coliform isolates exhibited high-level resistance to cefazolin (88.2%), cefonicid (64.7%) and ceftazidime (20.6%). In addition, Staphylococcus spp. isolates exhibited high-level resistance to mupirocin (42%). Species of Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Cupriavidus, Hafnia, Rahnella, Serratia, and Yersinia were isolated from the water samples. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that consumption of unchlorinated drinking water could represent a notable risk to the health of consumers. As such, there is need for continuous monitoring of these water sources and to establish standards.

Analysis of Aortic Passage in the Thoracic Region by Magnetic Resonance Imaging / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: The relationships between aorta and thoracic vertebrae were analyzed by using MR images. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to provide information upon the thoracic aortic passage to prevent vascular compli-cations during anterior and posterior instrumentations for various spinal disorders and traumas. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: A number of morphometric investigations have been performed on the thoracic vertebrae, but the anatomical relationship between aorta and the thoracic vertebral body has not been analyzed. METHODS: The MR images of 32 patients with normal thoracic vertebral column were obtained. The angle between the transverse axis of the thoracic vertebral body and the thoracic aorta, the diameter of the thoracic aorta and the closest distance between the thoracic vertebral body and the thoracic aorta from T2 to T12 were measured on axial MR images. RESULTS: The smallest angle between the transverse axis of the thoracic vertebral body and the line connecting the centers of the vertebral body and aorta was 6.8 degrees/3.7 degrees(male/female) in the T5-6 region and highest angle observed was 56.3 degrees/55 degrees in the T12 region. The angle decreased between T2 and T5-6 and then increased after T6. The mean external diameter of the thoracic aorta was 32.8 mm, and the largest diameter of the thoracic aorta was 24.7/25.4 mm (M/F) in the T4-5 region. The aortic arch was first seen in the T2 region and it formed an arch in the T3-4 region. The shortest distance between the thoracic vertebral body and the thoracic aorta wall was 0.8/0.7 mm in the T12 region and the greatest distance between the vertebral body and the aorta was 11.84/6.75 mm in the T2-3 region. CONCLUSION: From T4 to T8, the aorta is located just left lateral to the vertebral body. In this area, the aorta is jeopardized by a screw penetrating the vertebral body during anterior instrumentation, if the screw protrudes beyond the pedicle during posterior instrumentation. The surgeon should be familiar with the anatomical relationship between aorta and the vertebral column when planning a surgical procedure or the use of instrumentation in this region.

A Bacteriologic Investigation of the Acute Appendicitis

A study on the microbiology of appendiceal tissue or peritoneal fluid was carried out by the authors. A total of 40 specimens were examined, 21 of them(52.5%) were found to be positive, of which 13(61.9%) were polymicrobial and 8(38.1%) were monomicrobial. The most represented species were Escherichia coli (37.8%), Klebsiella (16.2%), Streptococcus (10.8%), and Bacteroides (8.1%). The most active drugs in vitro were found to be aminoglycosides (gentamycin, amikacin, tobramycin) and cefotaxime. The infectious complication developed in 6 patients and consisted of wound infection only. In view of relation of presence or absence of perforation of appendix with infectious complication, 4 of them arose from perforative appendicitis(36.4%) and 2 of them arose from nonperforative appendicitis(6.9%). On the other hand, in view of relation of presence or absence of organism cultured from appendiceal tissue or peritoneal fluid with infectious complication, all of them arose from positive cultures(28.6%) and none arose from negative cultures. The most represented bacterias from wound infection were Escherichia coli(40%) and Bacteroides(20%). Therefore, we suggest that an agent against anaerobes should be recommended when the appendix is perforative.

Gastrointestinal Injuries from Blunt Abdominal Trauma

Hollow visceral injuries are far less commom in blunt abdominal trauma than in penetrating abdominal trauma. From June 1994 to Sep. 1996, we treated 46 patients with blunt injuries to the gut, defined as perforation or devascularization. Thirty five patients(76.1%) were injured in motor vehicle collisions. Of these, 22 were not using constraints; 13 were wearing seat belts. Small bowel injuries were the most frequent injuries, followed by colonic injuries, duodenal injuries, rectal injury and gastric perforation. Mortality rates were the lowest in small bowel injuries(11.1%) and higher in less common colonic(22.2%) and duodenal(20.0%) injuries. Except for those patients with perforations of the small bowel, most patients had associated injuries to the head, chest or abdominal solid organs that were largely responsible for morbidity and mortality. Injuries to the abdominal hollow viscera are unusual following blunt trauma, but are the result of very high energy truncal trauma and are associated with multiple additional injuries. Most alert patients had physical findings suggestive of peritoneal irritation, but when diagnostic testing was necessary, peritoneal lavage was superior to CT scanning ( false negative=10.5% versus 88.5% respectively). A high index of suspicion is necessary to avoid diagnostic delays that can lead to severe complications and death.

hernia Repair in Patients with Ascites

The hospital records of 7 patients with ascites and hernias ( 6 patients had inguinal, 1 patient had umbilical) were reviewed restrospectively. The causes of ascites were liver cirrhosis in 7 patients. Among the 7 patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites, 6 were Child C and 1 was Child B. Among the 7 patients, 5 of them underwent ascites control with diuretics and 2 underwent ascites control with large volume paracentesis. All patients underwent hernia repair as elective surgery. The only complication was primary peritonitis because of insufficient control during the preoperative period, and there were no perioperative deaths or ascites leaks. All patients were available for follow-up. In this group, recurrence did not occurr for a mean 14.3 months after repair. From this retrospective study, we suggest that surgeons should repair hernias with ascites if patients suffer from their hernias because elective hernia repair can be performed safely without any complications or ascites leaks. Child C hepatic dysfunction or uncontrolled ascites can not be contraindications.

Epidural Angiolipoma: A Case Report / 대한척추외과학회지

No abstract available.