Assessing the accuracy and reliability of ultrasonographic three-dimensional parathyroid volume measurement in a patient with secondary hyperparathyroidism: a comparison with the two-dimensional conventional method

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy and reliability of the semi-automated ultrasonographic volume measurement tool, virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL), for measuring the volume of parathyroid glands. METHODS: Volume measurements for 40 parathyroid glands were performed in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism caused by chronic renal failure. The volume of the parathyroid glands was measured twice by experienced radiologists by two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) methods using conventional sonograms and the VOCAL with 30°angle increments before parathyroidectomy. The specimen volume was also measured postoperatively. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and the absolute percentage error were used for estimating the reproducibility and accuracy of the two different methods. RESULTS: The ICC value between two measurements of the 2D method and the 3D method was 0.956 and 0.999, respectively. The mean absolute percentage error of the 2D method and the 3D VOCAL technique was 29.56% and 5.78%, respectively. For accuracy and reliability, the plots of the 3D method showed a more compact distribution than those of the 2D method on the Bland-Altman graph. CONCLUSION: The rotational VOCAL method for measuring the parathyroid gland is more accurate and reliable than the conventional 2D measurement. This VOCAL method could be used as a more reliable follow-up imaging modality in a patient with hyperparathyroidism.

White matter plasticity in the cerebellum of elite basketball athletes / 대한해부학회지

Recent neuroimaging studies indicate that learning a novel motor skill induces plastic changes in the brain structures of both gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) that are associated with a specific practice. We previously reported an increased volume of vermian lobules VI-VII (declive, folium, and tuber) in elite basketball athletes who require coordination for dribbling and shooting a ball, which awakened the central role of the cerebellum in motor coordination. However, the precise factor contributing to the increased volume was not determined. In the present study, we compared the volumes of the GM and WM in the sub-regions of the cerebellar vermis based on manual voxel analysis with the ImageJ program. We found significantly larger WM volumes of vermian lobules VI-VII (declive, folium, and tuber) in elite basketball athletes in response to long-term intensive motor learning. We suggest that the larger WM volumes of this region in elite basketball athletes represent a motor learning-induced plastic change, and that the WM of this region likely plays a critical role in coordination. This finding will contribute to gaining a deeper understanding of motor learning-evoked WM plasticity.

20-Year History of Korean Society of Interventional Neuroradiology (KSIN) / 신경중재치료의학

No abstract available.

Remote Cerebral and Cerebellar Hemorrhage after Massive Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage

Dural tears can occur during spinal surgery and may lead to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage which is rarely involved in remote cerebellar hemorrhage. Only a few of cases of simultaneous cerebral and cerebellar hemorrhage have been reported in the English literature. We experienced a case of multiple remote cerebral and cerebellar hemorrhages in a 63-year-old man who exhibited no significant neurologic deficits after spinal surgery. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed 4 days after the surgery showed a large amount of CSF leakage in the lumbosacral space. The patient underwent the second surgery for primary repair of the dural defect, but complained of headache after dural repair surgery. Brain MRI taken 6 days after the dural repair surgery revealed multifocal remote intracerebral and cerebellar hemorrhages in the right temporal lobe and both cerebellar hemispheres. We recommend diagnostic imaging to secure early identification and treatment of this complication in order to prevent serious neurologic deficits.

Remote Cerebral and Cerebellar Hemorrhage after Massive Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage

Dural tears can occur during spinal surgery and may lead to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage which is rarely involved in remote cerebellar hemorrhage. Only a few of cases of simultaneous cerebral and cerebellar hemorrhage have been reported in the English literature. We experienced a case of multiple remote cerebral and cerebellar hemorrhages in a 63-year-old man who exhibited no significant neurologic deficits after spinal surgery. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed 4 days after the surgery showed a large amount of CSF leakage in the lumbosacral space. The patient underwent the second surgery for primary repair of the dural defect, but complained of headache after dural repair surgery. Brain MRI taken 6 days after the dural repair surgery revealed multifocal remote intracerebral and cerebellar hemorrhages in the right temporal lobe and both cerebellar hemispheres. We recommend diagnostic imaging to secure early identification and treatment of this complication in order to prevent serious neurologic deficits.

Female External Genitalia and Urethra on MR Imaging: Optimal Pulse Sequence and Comparison of Anatomy in Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women

PURPOSE: To describe normal anatomy and compare the differences of external genital organs and urethra on MR imaging in pre- and postmenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 19 pre- and 18 postmenopausal healthy women underwent pelvis MR imaging at 1.5 T. Two radiologists retrospectively scored and compared the image quality of female external genitalia and urethra on axial T2-weighted images (T2WI) and axial fat-suppressed contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images (FSCE-T1WI) by using Wilcoxon signed ranks test. The radiologists compared the wall thickness or size of external genital organs and urethra on FSCE-T1WI between two groups by using Student t test. RESULTS: Image quality was better with FSCE-T1WI than with T2WI in all subjects (p < 0.05). The vestibular bulb, clitoris and labium minor were more clearly visualized on FSCE-T1WI in premenopausal subjects rather than in postmenopausal subjects (p < 0.05). The urethra had a target-like appearance with three layers in premenopausal and postmenopausal subjects. Postmenopausal subjects were observed to have significantly smaller vaginal wall thickness, urethral wall thickness and vestibular bulb width than premenopausal subjects (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The anatomy and morphologic changes of female external genital organs and urethra were well discernible on FSCE-T1WI.

Simultaneous Liver, Kidney Transplantation: A Single Center Experience / 대한이식학회지

BACKGROUND: Simultaneous liver and kidney transplants have proved to be a favorable treatment for combined renal and hepatic end-stage diseases. However, it is extremely difficult to find a simultaneous liver and kidney donor in Korea due to the narrow requirements. This study had three aims: to explore the therapeutic experience of simultaneous liver and kidney transplants in Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH), to compare the overall survival outcome between simultaneous liver and kidney transplants and liver transplants alone in patients with liver and renal failure, and to determine the indications for simultaneous liver and kidney transplants. METHODS: The clinical data of 8 simultaneous liver and kidney transplants at SNUH from November 2004 to October 2010 were retrospectively studied. Indications for simultaneous liver and kidney transplants, patient and graft survival, and the causes of death were analyzed and compared with 5 liver transplants alone performed on patients experiencing liver and renal failure. RESULTS: The clinical characteristics of the recipients for simultaneous liver and kidney transplants and liver transplants alone were similar with regards to age, renal function, and the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score (all P>0.05). One patient died at 15 months after simultaneous liver and kidney transplants due to HBV related HCC recurrence, and three patients died at 2, 3, and 21 months after liver transplants due to ARDS, bleeding, and hepatic failure, respectively. Only one liver graft loss in simultaneous liver and kidney transplant cases occurred on POD 3 due to primary non-function. The outcome analysis demonstrated a superior overall survival in simultaneous liver and kidney transplants recipients compared with recipients of only liver transplants (P=0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous liver and kidney transplants showed a superior outcome in patients with end-stage liver disease and chronic renal failure compared with liver transplants alone. The allocation criteria of simultaneous liver and kidney transplants in Korea should be changed to expand its indications.

Simultaneous Liver, Kidney Transplantation: A Single Center Experience / 대한이식학회지

BACKGROUND: Simultaneous liver and kidney transplants have proved to be a favorable treatment for combined renal and hepatic end-stage diseases. However, it is extremely difficult to find a simultaneous liver and kidney donor in Korea due to the narrow requirements. This study had three aims: to explore the therapeutic experience of simultaneous liver and kidney transplants in Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH), to compare the overall survival outcome between simultaneous liver and kidney transplants and liver transplants alone in patients with liver and renal failure, and to determine the indications for simultaneous liver and kidney transplants. METHODS: The clinical data of 8 simultaneous liver and kidney transplants at SNUH from November 2004 to October 2010 were retrospectively studied. Indications for simultaneous liver and kidney transplants, patient and graft survival, and the causes of death were analyzed and compared with 5 liver transplants alone performed on patients experiencing liver and renal failure. RESULTS: The clinical characteristics of the recipients for simultaneous liver and kidney transplants and liver transplants alone were similar with regards to age, renal function, and the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score (all P>0.05). One patient died at 15 months after simultaneous liver and kidney transplants due to HBV related HCC recurrence, and three patients died at 2, 3, and 21 months after liver transplants due to ARDS, bleeding, and hepatic failure, respectively. Only one liver graft loss in simultaneous liver and kidney transplant cases occurred on POD 3 due to primary non-function. The outcome analysis demonstrated a superior overall survival in simultaneous liver and kidney transplants recipients compared with recipients of only liver transplants (P=0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous liver and kidney transplants showed a superior outcome in patients with end-stage liver disease and chronic renal failure compared with liver transplants alone. The allocation criteria of simultaneous liver and kidney transplants in Korea should be changed to expand its indications.

Stent-Assisted Coil Embolization for the Proximal Middle Cerebral Artery Fusiform Aneurysm

Middle cerebral artery (MCA) fusiform aneurysms often have an unfavorable geometry that may limit surgical or endovascular treatment. Herein, we present a case of a fusiform aneurysm of the proximal MCA, which was successfully treated using stent-assisted coil embolization. A 42-year-old man presented with repeated headache and syncope. Five years earlier, a right MCA aneurysm had been treated by aneurismal wrapping. Magnetic resonance images (MRI) revealed a partially-thrombosed proximal MCA aneurysm at the right perisylvian region. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) revealed a multilobulated fusiform-shaped aneurysm. The patient underwent stent-assisted coil embolization under general anesthesia and symptoms resolved postoperatively. A three-month follow-up angiography revealed no recanalization of the aneurysm and indicated tolerable blood flow through the right MCA, as compared to the preoperative angiography. We suggest that in selected patients, stent-assisted coil embolization of proximal MCA fusiform aneurysms can be an effective treatment modality.

Clinical Efficacy of Primary Tumor Volume Measurements: Comparison of Different Primary Sites

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of study was to determine the clinical efficacy of primary tumor volume measurements of different primary sites in the oropharynx compared to the oral cavity. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 85 patients with oral cavity or oropharynx cancer. The tumor area was manually outlined from axial magnetic resonance (MR) series. The software calculated the tumor volumes, automatically. The values of the primary tumor volumes were then subdivided into separate groups (3,500 mm3). RESULTS: The prognostic indicators were the cT and cN (oral cavity); age, primary site, cT, cN, and primary tumor volume (oropharynx) on the univariate analysis. There was no significant prognostic factor for oral cavity cancer on the multivariate analysis. Primary site, cN, and primary tumor volume were independent prognostic indicators for oropharynx cancer by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Primary tumor volume measurement is a reliable way to stratify outcome, and make up for the weak points in the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system with oropharynx cancer.

Emergent Endovascular Treatment of Ruptured Dissecting Aneurysm of the Intradural Vertebral Artery Using a Self-Expandable Intracranial Stent and a Bioactive Hydrophilic coil / 신경중재치료의학

Ruptured dissecting aneurysm of the vertebral artery requires a rapid treatment because of the high rate of fatal early rebleeding. Stent-assisted coil embolization has been introduced as an effective procedure for both aneurysmal occlusion and parent artery preservation. We report a case of successful urgent treatment of ruptured dissecting aneurysm using a self-expandable, intracranial stent (Neuroform(R)) and a coated coil (HydroCoil(R)).

Evaluation of Morphological Plasticity in the Cerebella of Basketball Players with MRI

Cerebellum is a key structure involved in motor learning and coordination. In animal models, motor skill learning increased the volume of molecular layer and the number of synapses on Purkinje cells in the cerebellar cortex. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the analogous change of cerebellar volume occurs in human population who learn specialized motor skills and practice them intensively for a long time. Magnetic resonance image (MRI)-based cerebellar volumetry was performed in basketball players and matched controls with V-works image software. Total brain volume, absolute and relative cerebellar volumes were compared between two groups. There was no significant group difference in the total brain volume, the absolute and the relative cerebellar volume. Thus we could not detect structural change in the cerebellum of this athlete group in the macroscopic level.

Analysis of Esophageal Voice: Videofluoroscopic & Acoustic Study / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Advanced laryngeal cancer is frequently treated by total laryngectomy. This operation is effective but results in gross functional disability because of the permanent loss of voice. As an alternative using voice, esophageal speech has been employed as a natural and satisfactory means of communication for laryngectomized patients. Unfortunately, during past decades the success rate has ranged 40-60%. The purpose of this study was to determine which factors contribute to the proficiency of esophageal speech. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Videofluoroscopy and voice analysis of fourteen alaryngeal male patients who had trained esophageal speech were performed. RESULTS: Aerophagia and air ejection were impossible in poor esophageal speakers. Fluent esophageal speakers had short pseudoglottis, longer maximum phonation time, more efficient jitter, shimmer and harmonic-to-noise ratio. CONCLUSION: Aerophagia and air ejection are essential for esophageal speech. Short pseudoglottis (less than 2 cm) affords better esophageal speech. Natural repetitive movements of aerophagia and air ejection with accurate articulatory motion can improve the quality of esophageal speech.

Laparoscopy-assisted Hepatic Resection in a Patient with Eosinophilic Liver Abscess by Toxocaris Cani Involving Liver

The laparoscopy-assisted hepatic resection has been introduced for solitary benign or malignant hepatic tumors. We successfully had undergone left lateral sectionectomy with assistance of laparoscopy. Forty-three year old male patient was admitted for diagnosis of liver mass. Abdominal computed tomography showed a 2 cm sized single nodular tumor in segment 3 which was consistent with hepatoma. He underwent laparoscopy-assisted left lateral sectionectomy using Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator and Ultrasonic Shears. The patient discharged without any complications in the 8th postoperative day. The pathologic findings of nodule were consistent with the eosinophilic abscess of liver. Left lateral sectionectomy of liver can be conducted safely with assistance of laparoscopy.

MRI in Movement Disorder Patients: "Hot cross bun" sign

Clinically, multiple system atrophy is difficult to differentiate from other basal ganglia disorders such as idiopathic Parkinson's disease or other types of cerebellar ataxia. The "hot cross bun"sign is a radiological sign which, it has been claimed, is highly specific for multiple system atrophy, and we describe four cases in which this sign occurred. In one patient, multiple system atrophy was clinically diagnosed, but in the other three, the respective clinical diagnosis was spinocerebellar ataxia type 1, type 2 (genetically), and old cerebellar hemorrhage. We therefore suggest that the hot cross bun sign reflects degeneration of transverse pontocerebellar fibers and is not a pathognomic sign of multiple system atrophy.

MR Imaging Findings of Gliosarcoma: Report of Three Cases

Gliosarcoma is a rare primary brain tumor composed of neoplastic glial cells and a sareomatous spindle-cell element. We report three cases of gliosarcoma, and describe their MR findings, which in many respects are very similar to those of malignant astrocytomas. Gliosarcomas are, however, more peripherally located, abutting and/or invading the dura mater, and at T2-weighted imaging their signal intensity is lower than is usually the case with malignant astrocyomas. Despite its rarity, the possibility of gliosarcoma should be considered when MR findings of this nature are apparent.

Sonographic Evaluation of Breast Nodules: Comparison of Conventional, Real-Time Compound, and Pulse-Inversion Harmonic Images

OBJECTICE: To compare the use of conventional, real-time compound, and pulse-inversion harmonic imaging in the evaluation of breast nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two breast nodules were included in this study, conducted between May and December 2000, in which conventional, real-time compound, and pulse-inversion harmonic images were obtained in the same plane. Three radiologists, each blinded to the interpretations of the other two, evaluated the findings, characterizing the lesions and ranking the three techniques from grade 1, the worst, to grade 3, the best. Lesion conspicuity was assessed, and lesions were also characterized in terms of their margin, clarity of internal echotexture, and clarity of posterior echo pattern. The three techniques were compared using Friedman's test, and interobserver agreement in image interpretation was assessed by means of the intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: With regard to lesion conspicuity, margin, and internal echotexture of the nodules, real-time compound imaging was the best technique (p < 0.05); in terms of posterior echo pattern, the best was pulse-inversion harmonic imaging (p < 0.05). Real-time compound and pulse inversion harmonic imaging were better than conventional sonography in all evaluative aspects. Interobserver agreement was greater than moderate. CONCLUSION: Real-time compound and pulse-inversion harmonic imaging procedures are superior to conventional sonography in terms of both lesion conspicuity and the further characterization of breast nodules. Real-time compound imaging is the best technique for evaluation of the margin and internal echotexture of nodules, while pulse-inversion harmonic imaging is very effective for the evaluation of the posterior echo patterns.

Imaging Findings of Castleman's Disease Localized in the Axilla: A Case Report

Castleman's disease is a rare benign lymphoproliferative disorder of uncertain origin which most commonly involves the mediastinum but rarely affects the axilla. We report a case of localized Castleman's disease involving the axillary lymph node. Mammography revealed a well-defined, homogeneously dense ovoid mass, 3 cm in size, in the left axilla, while gray-scale ultrasonography (US) demonstrated a well-defined, uniformly hypoechoic ovoid mass with good through transmission. Peripheral hypervascularity was observed at power Dopper US, and early rapid homogeneous enhancement at contrast-enhanced dynamic CT.

Does Real-time Compound Imaging Improve Evaluation of Breast Cancer Compared to Conventional Sonography? / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: Real-time compound imaging obtains multiple coplanar tomographic ultrasound images and combines them into a single compound image, reducing acoustic artifacts and noise. The purpose of this study is to determine if real-time compound imaging improves evaluation of breast cancer compared to conventional sonography. METHODS: From May 2000 to July 2001, we scanned the same axial plane with conventional sonography and real-time compound imaging in 520 patients with solid breast nodules. Twenty-eight cancers in 25 patients which were confirmed pathologically were included in this study. Twenty-five of 28 cases were invasive ductal carcinoma and the remaining three were ductal carcinoma in situ. Each image pair consisted of a conventional ultrasound and a real-time compound image with a stationary probe, to maintain an identical projection. The evaluating points were 1) contrast between cancer and normal breast tissue, 2) depiction of margin, 3) clarity of internal echotexture, 4) clarity of posterior echo pattern, and 5) clarity of internal microcalcifi-cation. Two radiologists graded for quality of images on a 5-point scale and in a blinded fashion and Wilcoxon rank test was used for comparison between conventional and real-time compound images. RESULTS: For reviewer 1/reviewer 2, compound image showed grade improvements in 1) contrast (1.4?0.5/1.4?0.7), 2) margin (1.4?0.5/1.8?0.4), 3) internal echotexture (1.0?0.5/1.4?0.7), 4) posterior echo pattern (?0.9?0.7/?0.8?0.7), and 5) internal microcalcification (1.8?0.5/1.8?0.5). In all evaluating points, there was statistically significant difference between conventional and compound images (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Real-time compound imaging improves contrast, depiction of margin, and clarity of internal echotexture and internal microcalcification of the breast cancer. But compound image is not effective to evaluate posterior echo pattern of the breast cancer.

Primary Leptomeningeal Malignant Melanoma in Posterior Fossa and Upper Cervical Canal: A Case Report

The term 'primary melanocytic neoplasm' covers a wide disease spectrum, from well differentiated meningeal melanocytoma to malignant melanoma, its most aggressive malignant counterpart. Previous reports have shown that due to the paramagnetic effect of melanin, melanocytic neoplasms show high signal intensity on T1-weighted images and very low signal intensity on T2-weighted images, with relatively homogeneous contrast enhancement. The differentiation of leptomeningeal malignant melanoma from benign melanocytoma is important because of their different prognosis but on the basis of imaging findings alone is difficult. Ultrastructural immunohistochemical analysis is a possible alternative. We report the imaging findings of rare primary malignant melanoma, revealed by noncontrast-enhanced CT as a high-density mass, and demonstrating high signal intensity on T1-weighted images, and very low signal intensity on T2WI, with relatively good contrast enhancement.