Comparison of Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Native Valve Endocarditis between 1979~1984 and 1991~1996 / 감염

BACKGROUND: The changes in the epidemiology of native valve endocarditis have been known in western countries recent years due to the decrease in the inci-dence of rheumatic heart disease, increased longevity of patients with valvular or congenital heart diseases, and the increase in degenerative heart disease due to the in-crease in the average life span of the general popula-tion. In this study, we analyzed and compared the epide-miological and clinical characteristics of patients with na-tive valvular endocarditis fro two different time periods. METHODS: We compared native valve endocarditis patients diagnosed from 1979 - 1984(group I) with those diagnosed from 1991 - 1996(group II). We used modified Duke' s criteria for the diagnosis and statistical analysis was done using SPSS window program. RESULTS: In our study, mean age of the population was higher in group II and significantly larger number of patients were over the age of 50 in group II. Involve-ment of multiple valves with vegetations and peri-valvular abscess were found more frequently in group II. Also, significantly higher percentage of patients from group II underwent surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the epidemiolocaland clinical characteristics of infective endocarsitis in Korea may change to resemble those in western countries. Further studies regarding this subject are needed.

Chronic Subdural Hematoma Superimposed on Posttraumatic Subdural Hygroma: A Report of Three Cases

Three cases of chronic subdural hematoma superimposed on posttraumatic subdural hygroma are presented, with discussion of the development of the chronic subdural hematoma particularly. In all of these three cases the chronic subdural hematoma had occurred consequently to the posttraumatic subdural hygroma, but these diagnoses were done in variable periods of 20 days to 60 days. Therefore, it is suggested that the posttraumatic subdural hygroma have, at least, some relation to the genesis of the chronic subdural hematoma.

Clinical Study on Spontaneous Intracerebral Hematoma Mixed with CSF

An analysis and CT findings in 21 adult patients of spontaneous intracerebral hematoma(SICH) mixed with CSF who were admitted to the Fatima Hospital from December 1986 to May 1989. The following results were obtained; 1) We could differentiated SICH that have inhomogenous density and thought that it is composed of blood, CSF and blood-CSF mixture. 2) Previously reported pathways that intracerebral hematoma rupture into the ventricle are caudate nucleus and thalamus but intracerebral hematoma can be mixed with CSF through the subarachnoid space of Sylvian fissure as an another route. 3) Intracerebral hematoma mixed with CSF was removed easily, safely and enoughly with simple aspiration method as like resoluted hematoma in subacute or chronic phase. 4) The prognosis of patients with SICH mixed with CSF was very good unlike to that of patients with pure intracerebral hematoma and/or ventricular hemorrhage.

Ganglioneuroma of the Cerebellum: Case Report

A case of ganglioneuroma of the cerebellum is reported in 31-year-old woman. The clinical features were dull headache, dizziness, nausea and gait disturabance. Computerized tomography revealed a nonenhancing mass lesion surrounded by focal area of calcification. Subtotal resection and vetriculoperitoneal shunt were effective in this case.

A Simplified Method by CT Guided Needle Placement of Intracranial Lesions Using U-Loop

The biopsy and cyst aspiration of central nervous lesions by computerized tomography(CT) scan has become a popular method. Authors can simply make a needle placement in deep intracranial hematomas, brain abscesses and cystic tumors by using U-loop with CT guided external markers. Our method is believed to deserve reporting in that it is easy, safe and less expensive.