Lack of Relationship between Vitamin D Receptor Polymorphism and Bone Erosion in Rheumatoid Arthritis

We performed this study to investigate the possible association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism and the focal bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in Korea. One hundred and fifty-seven RA patients were enrolled and two control groups were selected. The focal bone erosion score was assessed by modified Sharp's method. Genotyping of VDR polymorphisms was performed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis using two restriction enzyme Taq I and Bsm I. Notably, the distribution of VDR genotype in Korean population was different from Caucasians. The frequencies of "tt" and "BB" genotypes were very rare both in RA patients and in control groups. The frequency distribution of the Taq I and Bsm I genotype was not different between RA patients (TT, 93.6%; Tt, 6.4%; tt, 0%; BB, 0.6%; Bb, 5.1%; bb, 94.3%) and control groups (TT, 90.8%; Tt, 7.5%; tt, 1.7%; BB, 1.4%; Bb, 8.1%; bb, 90.5%). There was no significant difference in the focal bone erosion score (mean+/-SD) according to the VDR genotypes of RA patients (TT, 0.92+/-1.79; Tt, 0.4+/-0.79; Bb, 0.43+/-0.80; bb, 0.92+/-1.79; p>0.05). In conclusion, these results suggest that VDR gene polymorphisms are not associated with the focal bone erosion in RA patients in Korea.

Renal Streaky Artifact during Contrast-Enhanced Abdominal and Pelvic CT' Comparison of High versus Low Osmolality Contrast Media

PURPOSE: Introduction of low osmolality contrast agent(LOCA) has allowed safer, more comfortable contrast-enhanced CT examination, but there has been significant increase in image degradation when evaluating the kidneys due to streaky artifact. The authors reviewed findings of contrast-enhanced abdominal and pelvic computed tomography(CT) to know the difference of renal streaky artifact between a high osmolality contrast agent (HOCA) and LOCA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included two hundred contrast-enhanced CT in 200 patients, 100 performed with HOCA(meglumine ioglicate, 150ml) and 100 performed with LOCA (iopromide, 150ml). The severity of renal streaky artifact was compared between HOCA and LOCA groups. RESULTS: Of the scans performed with HOCA, 40 had no artifact, 52 had grade I artifact, 6 had grade II artifact, and 2 had grade III artifact Of the scans performed with LOCA, 23 had no artifact, 44 had grade I artifact, 29 had grade II artifact, and 4 had grade III artifact. There was significant difference in the degree of the streaky artifact depending upon the osmolality of the contrast media used(by {{{{x

CT findings of exophytic hepatocellular carcinoma

We retrospectively evaluated the characteristic computed tomographic (CT) findings in nine patients with exohepatic hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) pathologically prove by surgery(n=2) or percutaneous needle biopsy(n=7). The CT findings of exohepatic HCC were correlated with clinical findings and compared with those of usual HCC Lesions were in the left lobe lobe(n=7) and right lobe(n=2) of the liver. All lesions showed a well-marginated hypodense mass with capsular enhancement on enhanced CT scan. The patterns of capsular enhancement were complete in five and partial in four cases. The portal vein thrombosis was seen only in one case. There was no difference between exohepatic HCC and usual HCC in clinical findings such as increased α-fetoprotein(α-FP), positive Hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg), and underlying liver cirrhosis. In conclusion, the CT findings of exohepatic HCC were a well-defined hypodense mass with complete or partial capsular enhancement and these findings may be useful in differentiation from the tumors of adjacent organs.

Clinical Study of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Since the discovery of CT scan for brain, the detection of hydrocephalus became easier than before. Of those hydrocephalus, non-parenchymatous in origin, in order words, normal pressure hydrocephalus can be differentiated by RISA cisternography. The etiology, symptomatology and surgical outcome of 16 cases of normal pressure hydrocephalus were presented. Followings are the results. 1) All of the cases revealed ventriculomegaly in brain CT scan and prolonged ventricular retention of dye in RISA cisternogram. 2) Ventriculoperitoneal shunt was done on all of the patients and outcome was excellent:3, good:6, fair:3 and poor:4. 3) It is thought that the prognosis is much related duration of clinical manifestation; the earlier surgery, the better outcome.