Clinical observation on fire needles at bones combined with cupping and Tuina for knee osteoarthritistis / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore a better therapy for knee osteoarthritis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred cases were randomly divided into a comprehensive group and an acupuncture group, 50 cases in each one. The comprehensive treatment of fire needles at bones combined with cupping and Tuina on local area of affected knee was applied in the comprehensive group. The Ashi points were mainly selected in the fire needles at bones therapy, once every other day. The cupping and Tuina therapy was adopted once a day. The conventional acupuncture was applied in the acupuncture group, in which Dubi (ST 35), Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Xuehai (SP 10), Liangqiu (ST 34) and so on were selected, once a day. Ten days of treatment were taken as a treatment course in both two groups, and totally 1 to 2 courses was required. The pain score of joint before and after the treatment was observed and efficacy was assessed in two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared before the treatment, the pain score of joint after the treatment was obviously improved in two groups (both P<0.05), and the score in the comprehensive group was lower than that in the acupuncture group (P<0.05). The clinical cured rate was 38.0% (19/50), which was superior to 20.0% (10/50) in the acupuncture group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The comprehensive treatment of fire needles at bones combined with cupping and Tuina, considered as a better therapy for knee osteoarthritis, could improve joint pain, swelling and action function, which is superior to the conventional acupuncture.</p>

Observation on influence of bone metabolism biochemical indices of senile osteoporosis treated with distant acupuncture and nearby tuina / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the influence of bone metabolism biochemical indices of senile osteoporosis treated with distant acupuncture and nearby tuina, and to probe the better therapy for senile osteoporosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-four cases were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group. In control group (30 cases), Calcium Carbonate D, Tablet was orally taken for 12 weeks continuously. In observation group (34 cases), "distant acupuncture and nearby tuina" therapy were applied, that was puncture at Weizhong (BL 40) and Taixi (KI 3), and tuina therapy on lumber region, 30 times treatment was applied totally. The changes of blood calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), ALP, BGP and urine DPD in bone metabolism biochemical indices were observed and compared before and after treatment in two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were significant differences in P, BGP, DPD in bone metabolism biochemical indices in both groups before and after treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), the contents of blood P decreased, blood BGP increased and urine DPD decreased. But, there were no significant differences in above indices between two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The calcium with oral administration and "distant acupuncture and nearby tuina" therapy can effectively improve the bone metabolism biochemical indices of senile osteoporosis, and they have positive significance in prevention of osteoporosis, however, it hasn't proved that which method is better for calcium protecting.</p>

Double-center randomized controlled trial on post-stroke shoulder pain treated by electroacupuncture combined with Tuina / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate clinical therapeutic effect of post-stroke shoulder pain treated by acupuncture combined with Tuina.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three hundred cases of post-stroke shoulder pain were randomly divided into an acupuncture and Tuina group and a rehabilitation group by double-center randomized controlled clinical trial method. In acupuncture and Tuina group, normalized electroacupuncture and Tuina therapy were applied, that was electroacupuncture at main points, such as Chize (LU 5), Quze (PC 3), Shaohai (HT 3), Jianyu (LI 15), Jianliao (TE 14) and Jianjing (GB 21),etc., combined with traditional Tuina manipulations; in rehabilitation group, the rehabilitation methods such as the electrostimulation through nervus cutaneus and the squeezing and stabilizing manipulations of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), etc. were applied. The treatment courses of both groups were 6 weeks. The main therapeutic effect indices were the Assessment Face Scale (AFS) for pain when shoulder was in passive motion and the Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment for upper limbs active function; the secondary indices were the moditied Rankin Scale (mRS) and the clinical incidences of shoulder-hand syndrome of hemiplegia and shoulder joint subluxation of hemiplegia.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 6 weeks treatment and 12 weeks follow-up, AFS score, Fugl-Meyer motor assessment of upper limbs active function and mRS evaluation in acupuncture and Tuina group were more obviously improved than those in rehabilitation group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Although the clinical incidences of shoulder-hand syndrome of hemiplegia and shoulder joint subluxation of hemiplegia in acupuncture and Tuina group was equal to those in rehabilitation group [3.55% (5/141) vs 8.45% (12/142), 1.42% (2/141) vs 5.63% (8/142), both P > 0.05], the data indicated that there was a superiority tendency in acupuncture and Tuina group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The combined therapy of electroacupuncture and Tuina is a normative manipulation, and the therapeutic effect is satisfying for post-stroke shoulder pain, superior to that of comprehensive rehabilitation treatment.</p>

Effect of Tuina at breast on postpartum lactation / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the efficacy of Tuina for postpartum lactation and work out a optimal protocol involved.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>With a randomized, controlled and clinical method, 84 primiparas were divided into a Tuina group and a control group. While patients in the control group received rooming-in conventional managements, those in the Tuina group were additionally treated with Tuina, including local manipulations on breasts combined with acupoint manipulations. The colostrum-time, lactation quantity and prolactin were observed to make the comparisons between two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The scores of lactation quantity after 1th, 2nd, 3rd of the treatment were 1.660 +/- 0.785, 2.530 +/- 1.030, 2.880 +/- 1.171 in Tuina group and 1.270 +/- 0.533, 1.460 +/- 0.811, 1.500 +/- 0.583 in control group respectively, where there were significant differences in each time stage between two groups (all P < 0.001). The time of colostrum was (21.6 6 +/- 10.508) h in the Tuina group and (22.5 +/- 9.762) h in the control group, in which the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The levels of prolactin (314.35 +/- 110.37) ng/mL and (321.56 +/- 109.61) ng/mL in Tuina group, (385.78 +/- 85.19) ng/mL and (340.12 +/- 103.10) ng/mL in control group before and after treatment, there were no significant differences (both P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Postpartum Tuina on breasts could increase the quantity of lactation and delay the decreasing of the levels of prolactin, which contributes primiparas to lactate more and sooner.</p>

Impacts on biomechanics of senile osteoporosis of kidney deficiency pattern treated with acupuncture and Tuina therapy / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanism on senile osteoporosis of kidney deficiency pattern in the prevention and treatment with acupuncture and Tuina therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-four cases were randomized into an acupuncture and Tuina therapy group (group A, 34 cases) and a calcium carbonate group (group B, 30 cases). In group A, the patients were treated with acupuncture at the distal acupoints and Tuina therapy in the local area. Acupuncture was applied to bilateral Weizhong (BL 40) and Taixi (KI 3). Tuina therapy was given in the lumbar region. Totally 30 treatments were required. In group B, the Calcium Carbonate D3 were prescribed for oral administration, continuously for 12 weeks. The changes in lumbar curvature, lumbar lordosis index, sacral inclination angle, lumbosacral angle, L5 vertebral index and L3 vertebral index of lumbar biomechanical indices were observed and compared before and after treatment in two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In group A, the lumbar lordosis index and sacral inclination angle were increased after treatment, indicating the statistical significant differences before and after treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The improvement of lumbar lordosis index in group A was superior to that in group B [(19.59 +/- 19.16)mm vs (14.47 +/- 13.28)mm, P < 0.05]. After treatment, in group B, L5 vertebral index was improved as compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05). It was required to have a study on the reasons of its lumbar morphological change.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The acupuncture and Tuina therapy regulate the lumbar biomechanical structure through the positive stress stimulation and reconstruct the mechanical equilibrium of the lumbar vertebra. It plays the active significance in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.</p>

Involucrin Expression in Epidermal Tumors / 대한피부과학회지

Involucrin is a recently recognized structural component of mature squamous epithelial cells and is considered as a marker of normal eratinocyte differentiation and ma.turation. In this study peroxidase-antiperoxidase techniques were used to assess involucrin expression in histologic sections of normal skin and a variety of epidennal tumors including squamous cell carcinomas(25 cases), keratoacanthomas(11 cases), basal cell carcinomas(20 cases), trichoepitheliomas(5 cases), Howens diseases(12 cases), arsenic keratoses(10 cases), actinic keratoses(10 cases) and Pagets diseases(2 cases). The results were as follows : l. In normal skin, the upper third of the viable epidermis showed diffuse cytoplasmic staining for involucrin. In hair follicles, the lower area of inner root sheath and inner area of the outer root sheath stained positively. The sebareous glands did not stain, but the ducts of sebaceous glands were positive. 2. Keratoacanthomas showed a relatively homogeneous staining pattern for inirolucrin ', all cells except basal cells stained with mild to moderate intensity. In contrast, squamous cell carcinomas disclosed a highly irregular involucrin staining pattern with marked variation in staining intensity from cell to cell. 3. Basal cell carcinomas were negative for involucrin except squamous horn cysts, and the epidermis overlying basal cell carcinomas showed the field effect, that is, the epidermis overlying the tumors exhibited diffuse, homogeneous positive staining of cells in all layers of the epidermis. 4. ln trichoepitheliomas, the involucrin reactivity was negative as in basal cell carcinoma.s, but the field effect was not observed. 5. In Elowens disease, actinic keratosis, arsenic keratosis and Pagets disease, the positivit.y for involucrin staining extended deeper into the stratum malpighii than was observed wit,h normal epidermis. And areas showing irregular patchy pattern of involucrin staining were considered to have the potentiality of malignant invasive change much more than the negative or homogeneous areas. Paget's cells were negative for involucrin as the adjoining keratinocytes in the lower portion af epidermis.

Changes in the pathogenicity of Naegleria fowleri by several brain passage in mice

The pathogenicity of free-living amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, is influenced according to the strain, cultural condition and host (Culbertson et al., 1968; Carter, 1970; Wong et al., 1975). Phillips (1973) demonstrated that Entamoeba histolytica became avirulent after more than 2 year maintenance in axenic culture in vitro. This study was carried out to compare the difference in pathogenicity between two strains of N. fowleri, one of a prolonged maintenance in axenic medium and the other one obtained by serial brain passage in mice. The 0 strain was that N. fowleri had cultivated axenically more than 7 years in CGVS medium. The 2-1 strain was obtained from the brain of mouse inoculated intranasally with a strain, which was from the mouse brain infected with 0 strain, and cultured for 15 weeks until the beginning of this experiment. White male mice weighing 18-22 g were used. Mice were anesthetized by an intraperitoneal injection of about 1 mg secobarbital, and inoculated intranasally with 10 x 10(4) live N. fowleri trophozoites in a 5 microliter cell suspension. Sluggish behaviour, nervousness, rotation and leg paralysis were developed earlier and more frequently in the 2-1 experimental group than the control 0 group. Pathological changes such as inflammatory and necrotic lesion were observed in the olfactory and anterior portion of brain, and these changes were more extensive in the 2-1 group. The edematous and inflammatory changes in lung were demonstrated in mice died after 13th day post-inoculation. The experimental mice of 2-1 group began to die suddenly from 7th day post-inoculation, and the survival time in 2-1 group mice was shorter than 0 group mice. The typical primary amoebic meningoencephalitis was developed in the mice inoculated intranasally with N. fowleri. The prolonged maintenance of N. fowleri amoebae in axenic CGVS medium was observed to have lost their original pathogenicity for mice, but their pathogenicity was restored by serial brain passage in mice.

Triflupromazine , Methoxyflurane and Alcuronium for Pheochromocytoma Anesthesia / 대한마취과학회지

A 21 year-old female underwent resection of a pheochrocytoma under general anesthesia. The patient was treated with phenoxybenzamine for 5 days preoperatively and premedicated with triflupromazien, Librium, Seconal, pethidine, hydroxyzine and atropine in combination. Following indution of anesthesia with intravenous morphine and thiopental sodium, succinylchoine was administered intravenously and endotracheal intubation was performed. Anesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide, oxygen and methoxyflurane, using a semiclosed carbon dioxide absorption circle system, and alcuronium was injection intermittently. Blood pressure during manipulation of tumor was increased up to 190/130 torr without arrhythmia and transiently dropped to 70/50 torr immediately after removal. Blood pressure was controlled by i.v. Hartmann's solution and whole blood with Solucortef and Effortil but not norepinephrine was needed. There was no marked tachycardis or arrhythmia during anesthesia, so a beta-adrenergic blocker(Inderal) was not used. The importance of preoperative preparation, premedication and selction of anesthetics is discussed.

Thalamonal-Ketamine Infusion without Intubation / 대한마취과학회지

Despite its many disadvantages ketamine may offer a partial answer to the pollution of the operating room by gases and vapours. It is a relatively long-acting drug with good analgesic action and does not require supplementation with nitrous oxide. This study was carried out to investigate the efficiency of the ketamine I.V. drip technique in patients undergoing operations not requiring tracheal intubation, muscle relaxation and controlled ventilation. The only contraindications to the use of its technique were hypertension, a history of a cerebrovascular accident or undetermined history of psychiatric upset. Twenty patients, ranging in age from 20 to 60 years, were premedicated with atropine and secobarbital, diazepam or hydroxyzine. Anesthesia was induced with 0.15mg/kg droperidol in Thalamonsl and was maintained with 0. 1% ketamine in 5% dextrose or balanced salt solution. The average dosage of ketamine was 1.175 mg/kg/hr for induction and 2. 33 mg/kg/hr for maintenance during operations with duration from 20 minutes to 5 hours and 35 minutes. No supplementary general anesthesia was given, but when the depth of anesthesia was :not adequate, the rate of the ketamine infusion was increased. After the induction with Thalamonal the respiration rates were decreased temporarily, but the tidal volume and arterial gas study were clinically within normal limits. The incidences of complications of anesthesia, namely increased B.P. (20mmHg above preoperative value), involuntary movements, dreams and hallucinations were 60, 40, 10 and 5% respectively. The verbal response time from the end of operation was within 30 minutes in 75% cases. It may be concluded that Thalsmonal and ketamine I.V. drip anesthesia without intubation can be used relatively satisfactorily in operations in which muscle relaxation, endotracheal intubation and controlled respiration are not needed.

Changes in Serum Potassium after Induction with Propanidid-Succinylcholine / 대한마취과학회지

Three groups of healthy adults were premedicated with diaxepam or secobarbital and anesthetized with propanidid or thiopental. The concentration of serum potassium wes measured before induction and after succinylchaline iodide administration. The increases of potassium in diazepam-thiopental, diaxepam-propanidid and secobarbital propanidid groups were 0. 14, 0. 06, and 0. llmEq/L (3. 29, l. 38 and 2. 58%) respectively. Serum potassium changes were least in diazepam-propanidid group, but there were no significant differences among the 3 groups. The choice of induction agent is of importance for the changes in serum potassium which follow the subsequent injection of succinylcholine iodide. For instance, intravenous induction by barbiturate is followed by a lesser increase in serum potassium after succinylcholine injection than induction by halothane. As barbiturates are so commonly used as intravenous induction agents, we chose thiopental and succinylcholine iodide as standard with which to compare the other induction agents, propanidid and succinylcholine iodode. And also, we wanted compare two premedicants, secobarbital and diaepam. The results were as follows: (1) The thiopental-succinylcholine iodide group and the propaaidid-succinylcholine iodide group revealed no significant differences in serum potassium level. (2) There was a lesser increase in serum potoassium level after premedication with diazepam than premedicstion with secobarbital in the propanidid-succinylcholine iodide group. (3) Induction by propanidid succinylcholine iodide and premedication by diazepam are recommendable for least increasing the serum potassium level.

Clinical Study of General Anesthesia for Open-Heart Surgery with Hypothermia and Cardiopulmonary By-Pass / 대한마취과학회지

Under hypothermia and extracorporeal circulation 187 cases of open-heart surgery were done between November 1963 and October 1974. The results obtained are summarized as follows. 1. Out of 187 cases, 116 cases were male (62.0%) and 71 cases were female (37. 9%). 2. There were 134 cases (72%) in A.S.D., V.S.D., and T/F, and 70 cases (37%) were under 10 years of age and 154 cases (82%) under 30 year age group. 3. Premedicants were secobarbital (83.8%) and atropine sulphate (27.9%) 4. Induction of anesthesia was mainly by the use of thiopental and succinylcholine after preoxygenation with 100% O2, and anesthesia was maintained by N2O-O2, halothane or methoxyuflrane during maintenance. 5. During by-pass, anesthesia was maintained by hypothermia, muscle relaxants or ketamine. 6. From 1963 to 1966, low flow and moderate hypothermia were used with a Zuhdi-Greer oxygenator and a sigma pump and since then high flow was used, utilizing various bubble oxygenators with a De-Bakey's roller pump. 7. Blood pressure, electrocardiogram (ECG), central venous pressure, respiration, temperature, urine output, hemoglobin, hematocrit, arterial blood gas study, pH, intake, output, and electrolytes were monitored before and during anesthesia. 8. There were 28 fatalities (15%) among 187 cases. Death were mostly from bleeding, renal failure, lung edema, low cardiac output syndrome and complete heart block.

Anesthesia for Coarctation of Thoracic Aorta under Mild Hypothermis and Partial Bypass / 대한마취과학회지

Special problems face the anesthesiologist in anesthetizing patients with coarctation of aorta. Two patients each 7 years old, a boy and a girl were admitted for surgical correction of coarctation of the thoracic aorta. These patients were premedicated with secobarbital and atropine. One to 1 (1/2) hours later, anesthesia was induced with sodium thiopental and succinylcholine followed by intubation. Anesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide, oxygen and halothane. A radial artery was cannulated for blood gas sampling and direct arterial pressure, E.K.G., C.V.P. and rectal temperature were monitored continuously. Mild hypothermia (about 34degrees C) was induced by surface cooling technique with mattress. In each case, in order to repair of coarctation by dacron graft and prosthesis, left atriofemoral by pass was used. Acute hemodynamic changes, such as sudden hypertension of the upper extremity and head following cross clamping of the aorta or profound hypotension following declamping, did not develop with this technique. Possible causes and prevention of hemodynamic changes are discussed.

General Anesthesia for Cardiac Catheterization in Children / 대한마취과학회지

Cardiac catheterization in man was first deseribed by Forasmann in 1929 and introduced as a diagnostic procedure by Caurnand in 1941. The purpose of the catheterization is to evaluate the nature of cardiac abnormalities. The information from the ivnestigation includes pressure and oxygen content of blood in the various chamhers of the heart and the presence of abnormal communications between them. Most of the blood samplings and recordings of pressure at the various sites are not carried out simultaneously but are collected continuously. Therefore, a steady cardiorespiratory state is essential during the procedure in order to allow comparison of pressure and oxygen saturation observed at all stages of the procedure. Inhalation anesthesia used to provide a steady state in children might alter the pressures or oxygen saturatian because of its higher inspired oxygen content. Therefore room air breathing is essential far this investigation. In Yonsei Medical Center, from September 1964 to December 1974 we used thiopental (1964~1970) and ketamine (1971 ~1974) with spontaneous respiration in 170 children with congenital .heart disease, ranging in age from 50 days to 13 years. Thiopental was administered rectally (38 cases) intravenously (10 cases) and both together (10 cases), Ketamine was administered intravenously (13 cases), intramuscularly (8 cases) and both together 119 cases). For premedication, secobarbital was given orally one and a half hours before. Atropine was omitted. The rate of administration, time of operation, anesthesia and. recovery, and alteration in body temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate were observed statistically. It was concluded that: In the ketamine groups. 1) General anesthesia was obtained satisfactorily without frequent administration and supplementary administration of meperidine or diazepam. Furthermore the drug is stable and requires no prior mixing. 2) Sleep occurs quickly after both intravenous ar intramuscular injection and analgesia is profound. Therefore investigation was begun quickly after injection, and time of operation and anesthesia was shorter. 3) Postoperative increase in body temperature was observed but less than when thiopental was administered. 4) Blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate were increased 5~18% after induction. but returned to previous state after about 15 minutes. 5) Cardiovascular complication was minimal. Profuse salivation was seen in 0.8% of patients, but there were preservation of jaw tone and laryngo-pharyngeal reflexes, so maintenance of the airway was excellent if suction was available. In conclusion, general anesthesia using ketamine was superior to thiopental for cardiac catheterization in children.

Ketamine Anesthesia for the Shocked Patient / 대한마취과학회지

In order to determine the usefulness of Ketamine for the shocked patient, 31 cases were divided into 3 groups. Group 1: No hemorrhage or shock. Well maintained vital signs, 10 cases Group 2: Mild to moderate degree of hemorrhage. Fluid and blood replaced, 10 cases. Group 3: Hemorrhagic or septic shock state, 11 cases. The result of case analysis and change of vital sign after ketamine injection were as follows: 1. Physical status: Range of class of physical states in group 1, 2 and 3 were 1~3, 2~4 and 3~4 respectively, and 50% of group 1 and all cases of group 2 and 3 were emergency surgery. 2. Age distribution: The range of age distribution in groups 1, 2 and 3 was 23~62, 18~65 and 16~64 years old respectively. 3. Type of operation: In group 1, lobectomy, laparotomy and other operations were performed. Howrever in group 2 and 3, thoracotomy, laparotomy and other procedures were performed for hemostatic purposes. except one total hysterectomy for sepsis. 4. Premedicants: In one third of the total cases, mostly in group 1, secobarbital, meperidine or diazipam were: given. Atropire was given in 45% of the total cases, and 45%, mostly in group 2 snd 3, were not given any premedicants. 5. Anesthesia induction: Following preoxygenation, mastly in group 2 and 3, anesthesia was induced with ketamine (1~2 mg/kg) and intubation was done with succinylcholine, except for 3 cases in group 1. 6. Anesthesia maintenance: Ketamine as a sole anesthetic agent was given to 9 cases in operations of less than 1(1/2) hrs. duration. In other cases N2O or N2O with ether, halothane or methoxyflurane were administered according to the vital signs, and muscle relaxants (succinylcholine or gallamine) were given if necessary. 7. Duration of anesthesia: The range of duration of anesthesia in group 1, 2 and 3 was 40~360, 60~315 and 85~4845 min respectively. The average duration was 2.6, 2.5 and 4.3 hr in each group. 8. Blood and fluid replacement during anesthesia: The average blood replacement in each group was 259.6, 886.7 and 954.5 ml/hr for the entire surgical procedure, whole fluid replacement averaged 243.1, 228.0 and 432. 3 ml/hr respectively. 9. Hemoglobin: The range of Hb in preanesthetic state 8.2~14,9.5~12.8 and 7, 913.9 gm/dl in groups 1,2 and 3 and averaged 11 .8, 10.9 and 10.8. These Hb values increased after operation with blood and fluid to 12. 3, 11.0 and 12.3 gm/dl respectively. 10. Blood pressure: Before anesthesia the average systolic and diastolic Bp was 122.5/84.0, 94.5/68.0 and 108/79 mmHg in each group. Following the administration of ketamine, the systolic pressure increased 5.3, 14.3 and 26.7% respectively after 10 min. 11. Pulse rate: Change in pulse rate after ketamine injection was not significant in mast of cases. 12. Respiration: No remarkable change in respiration was observed however respiration was assiteded or controlled adequately through the anesthesia. With the above results, the rise of BP induced by ketamine during the induction period was found to be advantageous with such patients. We concluded that ketamine anesthesia for shocked patients of any etiology was safe, useful and satisfactory.

Intraosseous Epidural Venography of the Skull Base by the Injection of a Contrast Medium into the Occipital Condyle

Intraosseous venographic features of the skull base have been studied by the injection of a water-soluble radiopaque medium in the occipital condyle. By this method, the whole intracranial epidural venous structures of the skull base were demonstrated without overlapping of the extracranial vein, except jugular veins and upper cervical vertebral venous plexi. Since 1966, a total of 82 venographies have been performed for the diagnosis of various lesion in the skull base. This series consisted of acoustic neurinoma(3), jugular glomus. Tumor(2), pituitary adenoma(6), sphenoid ridge meningioma(1), metastatic tumor(7), venous malformation(8), pachymeningitis externa(22), parasite infestation(3), trigeminal neuralgia(3), pseudotumor cerebri(16) and others(11). METHOD: Under premedication of Seconal 100 mg and Demerol 50 mg, the patient is placed in the Bowen-Hirtz position. However, until the plain roentgenogram is taken the patient may used a pillow for a comfortable interval. The skin of the mandibulomastoid region is prepared with iodine. A procaine wheal on superficial tissue is made 0.5cm below the lowest attachment of the pinna. Through the wheel an 18-guage spinal puncture needle is introduced in a slightly superior and posterior direction(superior 20 degrees Angle, posterior 10 degrees Angle) until the body surface is touched. The needle is further introduced through the body cortex by steady pressure and rotation. When the needle is firmly fixed the stylet is withdrawn and blood is aspirated from the needle as if in a vein. If free injection with 3-5cc of a saline is established easily by hand, the stylet should be replaced as before. The pillow is then removed and a plain X-ray film, submentovertical view, is taken. After confirmation of an adequate placement of the needle to the occipital condyle on the roentgenogram, an injection of 30cc of 60% angioconray is made as rapidly as possible by hand or a pressure injector. This is the only part of the examination that may cause discomfort to the patient. A film should be taken toward the end of the injection. One film is usually sufficient. Manual jugular compression and/or Vasalva maneuvers, to increase opacification, may be used but its efficacy is not always sufficiently constant. Satisfactory jugular compression can be obtained by use of a sphygmomanometer cuff, adjusted around the neck and inflated up to about 50 mmHg. With this technique the whole venous structure of the skull base, including the middle meningeal and orbital sinuses, can be visualized. This method, because of the close situation of the occipital condyle, has the advantage of demonstrating the whole marginal sinus of the foramen magnum and the upper cervical vertebral venous plexi. To date no complication have been encountered. Its diagnostic significance is gratifying in detecting the extent and localization of space-occupying lesion, inflammatory processes and venous thrombosis or malformation of the skull base.