Use of the orbito-occipital line as an alternative to the Frankfort line / 대한해부학회지

Frankfort horizontal line, the line passing through the orbitale and porion, is one of the most widely used intracranial landmarks in cephalometric analysis. This study investigated the use of the orbito-occipital line extending from the orbitale to the external occipital protuberance as a novel horizontal line of the skull for substituting the Frankfort horizontal line. We evaluated the reproducibility of the new landmark and measured the angle between the orbito-occipital line and the Frankfort line. This study was conducted on 170 facial computed tomography (CT) scans of living adults from the Department of Plastic Surgery. After three-dimensionally reconstructed images were obtained from facial CT, the porion, orbitale, and external occipital protuberance were indicated by two observers twice. The angles between the orbito-meatal line (inferior orbital rim to porion; the Frankfort line) and the orbito-occipital line (inferior orbital rim to external occipital protuberance) were measured. There was no significant intraobserver or interobserver bias. The overall angle between the Frankfort line and orbito-occipital line was –0.5°±2.2° (mean±standard deviation). There was no statistically significant difference among side and sex. This study demonstrated good reproducibility of a new landmark—the external occipital protuberance—tested to replace the porion. The orbito-occipital line is a reliable, reproducible, and easily identifiable line, and has potential as a novel standard horizontal line to replace or at least supplement the Frankfort line in anthropological studies and certain clinical applications.

Use of the orbito-occipital line as an alternative to the Frankfort line / 대한해부학회지

Frankfort horizontal line, the line passing through the orbitale and porion, is one of the most widely used intracranial landmarks in cephalometric analysis. This study investigated the use of the orbito-occipital line extending from the orbitale to the external occipital protuberance as a novel horizontal line of the skull for substituting the Frankfort horizontal line. We evaluated the reproducibility of the new landmark and measured the angle between the orbito-occipital line and the Frankfort line. This study was conducted on 170 facial computed tomography (CT) scans of living adults from the Department of Plastic Surgery. After three-dimensionally reconstructed images were obtained from facial CT, the porion, orbitale, and external occipital protuberance were indicated by two observers twice. The angles between the orbito-meatal line (inferior orbital rim to porion; the Frankfort line) and the orbito-occipital line (inferior orbital rim to external occipital protuberance) were measured. There was no significant intraobserver or interobserver bias. The overall angle between the Frankfort line and orbito-occipital line was –0.5°±2.2° (mean±standard deviation). There was no statistically significant difference among side and sex. This study demonstrated good reproducibility of a new landmark—the external occipital protuberance—tested to replace the porion. The orbito-occipital line is a reliable, reproducible, and easily identifiable line, and has potential as a novel standard horizontal line to replace or at least supplement the Frankfort line in anthropological studies and certain clinical applications.

Position and size of the sphenoid door jamb in the lateral orbital wall for the orbital decompression / 대한해부학회지

The aim of this study was to identify the three-dimensional topography of the sphenoid door jamb (SDJ) in the lateral orbital wall and to propose navigational guidelines for safe deep lateral decompression using surgical landmarks. The 120 orbits and SDJs of 60 subjects were three-dimensionally reconstructed using Mimics software. The mean volumes of the orbit and SDJ were 24.3 mm³ and 2.0 mm³, respectively. The mean distances from the lateral orbital margin (LOM) to the anterior and posterior margins of the SDJ were 13.2 and 36.3 mm, respectively. The mean distances from the superior orbital fissure to the LOM and to the posterior margin of the SDJ were 40.2 mm and 4.6 mm, respectively. The mean distances from the inferior orbital fissure (IOF) to the anterior and posterior margins of the SDJ were 3.8 mm and 20.5 mm, respectively. In the superior approach of the orbit, it can be predicted that the area up to 3 cm posterior from the LOM is safe, while 1 cm posterior from the safe zone could be a dangerous zone. In the inferior approach of the orbit, the safe area will be about 1 cm posterior from the anterior tip of the IOF, and the area up to 1 cm posterior from the safe zone should be approached with extreme care.

Effect of balloon dilatation in ureteral stricture / 대한비뇨기과학회지

The recent advances in interventional radiology have made balloon catheter dilation the alternative treatment modality for ureteral stricture. However, it has not been widely accepted despite proven success in some case reports. Herein we analyzed the effect of antegrade balloon dilation on the 19 patients with various ureteral strictures. Twelve iatrogenic, 4 tuberculosis, 1 retroperitoneal fibrosis, 1 primary UPJ obstruction and 1 patient with unknown cause were included. The mean follow up period was 18.5 months. Symptomatic and radiologic success rate, factors influencing the outcome such as etiology. duration, length and site of stricture were evaluated. The overall success rates were 68% symptomatically and 63% radiologically. The success rate was not different between iatrogenic and non-iatrogenic strictures significantly. Most favorable results were obtained in the patients with tuberculosis and postsurgical strictures of less than 6 months in duration. Significant complications were not observed in all patients. Conclusively, balloon catheter dilation seems to be effective alternatives in the treatment of ureteral strictures of various etiology without severe complication. To improve the success rate, more experiences, development of equipment and method, and establishment of indications should be necessary.

Effect of balloon dilatation in ureteral stricture / 대한비뇨기과학회지

The recent advances in interventional radiology have made balloon catheter dilation the alternative treatment modality for ureteral stricture. However, it has not been widely accepted despite proven success in some case reports. Herein we analyzed the effect of antegrade balloon dilation on the 19 patients with various ureteral strictures. Twelve iatrogenic, 4 tuberculosis, 1 retroperitoneal fibrosis, 1 primary UPJ obstruction and 1 patient with unknown cause were included. The mean follow up period was 18.5 months. Symptomatic and radiologic success rate, factors influencing the outcome such as etiology. duration, length and site of stricture were evaluated. The overall success rates were 68% symptomatically and 63% radiologically. The success rate was not different between iatrogenic and non-iatrogenic strictures significantly. Most favorable results were obtained in the patients with tuberculosis and postsurgical strictures of less than 6 months in duration. Significant complications were not observed in all patients. Conclusively, balloon catheter dilation seems to be effective alternatives in the treatment of ureteral strictures of various etiology without severe complication. To improve the success rate, more experiences, development of equipment and method, and establishment of indications should be necessary.

Clinical Observation on Urinary Tract Tuberculosis in Childhood / 대한비뇨기과학회지

A clinical observation was made on 16 cases of urinary tuberculosis under 15 years old from 1975 through 1989. During this period, the incidence of urinary tract tuberculosis in childhood does not seem to decrease and in some cases, the diagnosis was delayed because the tuberculosis is not considered at initial diagnosis. Past history of tuberculosis or present active tuberculous disease other organ system and family history of tuberculosis were noted in half of the cases. We concluded that the children with family history or past history of tuberculosis should be examined for the presence of urinary tract tuberculosis although they are free of symptoms, and that tuberculosis should be considered in children who had recurrent urinary tract infection, but with negative culture for nonspecific organisms.