Development of Coronary Vasospasm during Adenosine-Stress Myocardial Perfusion CT Imaging

Adenosine is a short-acting coronary vasodilator, and it is widely used during pharmacological stress myocardial perfusion imaging. It has a well-established safety profile, and most of its side effects are known to be mild and transient. Until now, coronary vasospasm has been rarely reported as a side effect of adenosine during or after adenosine stress test. This study reports a case of coronary vasospasm which was documented on stress myocardial perfusion CT imaging during adenosine stress test.

Accuracy of Pedicle Screw Insertion Using Fluoroscopy-Based Navigation-Assisted Surgery : Computed Tomography Postoperative Assessment in 96 Consecutive Patients

OBJECTIVE: Two-dimensional fluoroscopy-based computerized navigation for the placement of pedicle screws offers the advantage of using stored patient-specific imaging data in providing real-time guidance during screw placement. The study aimed to describe the accuracy and reliability of a fluoroscopy-based navigation system for pedicle screw insertion. METHODS: A total of 477 pedicle screws were inserted in the lower back of 96 consecutive patients between October 2007 and June 2012 using fluoroscopy-based computer-assisted surgery. The accuracy of screw placement was evaluated using a sophisticated computed tomography protocol. RESULTS: Of the 477 pedicle screws, 461 (96.7%) were judged to be inserted correctly. Frank screw misplacement [16 screws (3.3%)] was observed in 15 patients. Of these, 8 were classified as minimally misplaced (4 mm). No complications, including nerve root injury, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, or internal organ injury, were observed in any of the patients. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of pedicle screw placement using a fluoroscopy-based computer navigation system was observed to be superior to that obtained with conventional techniques.

Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis with Pneumoperitoneum Complicating Systemic Sclerosis: A Case Report / 대한내과학회지

The gastrointestinal tract is commonly involved in patients with systemic sclerosis. The manifestations include motility disorder, pseudo-obstruction, malabsorption, bacterial overgrowth, diverticuli, and, less commonly, pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI). PCI is characterized by the presence of air in the submucosal or subserosal layer of the bowel wall and is often accompanied by pneumoperitoneum. Although PCI is a benign condition that often responds to conservative management, it is a poor prognostic factor of systemic sclerosis. We report a case of PCI in a patient with systemic sclerosis. The chest and abdominal radiographic findings comprised pneumoperitoneum, marked dilation of the bowels, and intramural air, compatible with PCI. The patient's symptoms improved spontaneously. It is important to recognize PCI as a gastrointestinal manifestation of systemic sclerosis, and physicians should differentiate it from serious complications-such as intestinal perforation-based on clinical manifestations.

Treatment of Refractory Lateral Epicondylitis with Platelet-Rich Plasma

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical results of a single percutaneous injection of platelet-rich plasma in patients with refractory lateral epicondylitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between Jan and Dec 2009, fifteen patients (5 male, 10 female) received a diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis of the elbow and were evaluated in this study. Their average age was 43.5 years. All patients were initially given a variety of non-surgical treatments for more than 1year. All patients were considering surgery. These patients were given a single percutaneous injection of 3cc of platelet-rich plasma. To assess pain, we used a visual analogue scale (VAS) at rest and during work & the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) score. We compared the score before treatment with scores 4 and 12 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: Average VAS scores at rest improved from 4.6 before treatment to 2.5 at week 4, and 1.8 at week 12. The average VAS score while working also improved from 7.8 before treatment to 6.2 at week 4, and 4.25 at week 12. The average PRTEE score improved from 60.13 before treatment to 46.12 at week 4 and 24.6 at week 12. CONCLUSION: Treatment using a single percutaneous injection of platelet-rich plasma in patients with refractory lateral epicondylitis appears to be an effective treatment modality. Platelet-rich plasma should be considered before surgical intervention.

The Usefulness of the Computed Tomography for Diagnosing DeepVenous Thrombosis of the Lower Extremities

PURPOSE: This study aims to access the usefulness of indirect computed tomographic venography (CTV) after performing computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) to detect deep venous thrombosis. METHODS: Eighty six patients who were diagnosed with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) were retrospectively enrolled in this study. All the patients had CTPA & CTV performed within 24 hours after Doppler ultrasound (US). The CTV was compared with Doppler US for their ability to diagnose DVT. Pulmonary embolism (PE) and other findings that were detected by CTPA & CTV were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 86 patients, 83 had thrombi detected by Doppler US. CTV did not detect DVT in 11 of the 83 patients. Among the 11 patients, 8 had below the knee thrombosis, which was not in the scan area of CTV. In 2 patients, their Doppler US results could not be guaranteed. One case was a false positive result on Doppler US. The results for determining the thrombi level between Doppler US and CTV were roughly concordant. In addition to DVT or PE, 32 new lesions in 27 patients were incidentally detected by CTPA & CTV. CONCLUSION: Compared with Doppler US, CTPA & CTV are not inferior to detect DVT of the lower extremities and these modalities can also provide information about incidental disease, as well as pulmonary embolism.

Ultrasonographic Findings of Aspergillus Bursitis in a Patient with a Renal Transplantation: A Case Report

Aspergillus bursitis is an uncommon condition demonstrated as a nonspecific soft tissue mass. To our knowledge, the ultrasonographic findings of aspergillus bursitis in immunocompromised patients have not been previously reported. Here, we report a case of aspergillus bursitis in a renal transplant recipient, accompanied by the associated ultrasonographic findings.

A Primary Leiomyoma in the Neural Foramen of the Lumbar Spine: A Case Report

A primary leiomyoma in the neural foramen of the lumbar spine is a very rare condition. We examined a 23-year-old female presented with back and right flank pain. A plain radiography showed a well-defined, osteolytic lesion in the L3 body. In addition, MR images showed a mass lesion with intense enhancement, after intravenous injection with contrast material, in the right neural foramen at the L2/3 level. A histopathologic examination of the resected specimen revealed a benign leiomyoma.

Surgical therapy of Sprengel deformity by Woodward procedure: A case report

Congenital undescended scapula is congenital structural abnormality which affects only one side usually. Scapula located higher than the usual and rotating deformity that inferior angle to medial side, superior angle to lateral side is common. This report presents one case of the surgical therapy of a sprengel deformity patient who passed an optimal operation period with age 3~7years old, and includes brief review of the literature. 7 years old boy whose chief complaint was the limitation of left scapular-thoracic movement and he had an omovertebral bone bridge and periscapular muscle atrophy. There was improvement of motion ranges and cosmetic problems after surgical treatment.

A Case of Primary Sjogren's Syndrome Associated with Acute Transverse Myelitis / 대한류마티스학회지

Sjogren's syndrome is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder characterized by dryness of the eyes, mouth, and other mucous membranes with multiple abnormalities of cellular and humoral immunity. There are numerous neurologic symptoms in Sjogren's syndrome involving the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous system. Transverse myelitis is an uncommon and serious complication of Sjogren's syndrome. It is an inflammatory process affecting one or more segments of the spinal cord that interrupts most of the large tracts across the greater part of the horizontal extent of the cord at the level of the lesion. The dramatic presentation with rapidly progressive symptoms involving motor, sensory, and autonomic functions makes transverse myelitis a medical emergency. We describe a patient of Sjogren's syndrome associated with transverse myelitis, manifest as paraparesis and urinary retention. MRI showed involvement of the spinal cord from C3 to T3. The patients symptoms improved to the therapy with corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide.

Bilateral Fatigue Fractures of the Femoral Neck

Stress fractures occur as a result of repetitive loading, which can lead to mechanical failure and fracture of the bone. They occur most commonly in the tibia and are progressively less common in the tarsals, metatarsals, femur, fibula, pelvis, sesamoids, and spine. Femoral neck stress fractures are unusual but not rare. Most cases of them occur in the elderly, in athletic individuals, or in military trainees. But, they often not initially considered when assessing hip pain. Patients often stoically persevere with mobilization, increasing the risk of fracture displacement with its associated morbidity of delayed union, non-union, and avascular necrosis. Radiographic evaluation may be unremarkable, especially if obtained within 1 week of the onset of symptoms. The diagnosis is often missed initially because of that reasons. Bilateral fatigue fractures of the femoral neck with no known medical conditions are very rare. We present the rare case of an apparently healthy military male recruit with bilateral femoral neck fatigue fractures diagnosed by using MRI.

Corpus Luteum Cyst Rupture - US Findings and Clinical Features

PURPOSE: To describe the US findings of corpus luteum cyst rupture in order to elucidate the associated clinical features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with proven corpus luteum cyst rupture were included in this study. The US findings of these patients were retrospectively analyzed in terms of the presence of designable cyst, size of the cyst, thickness and blood flow of the cyst wall, extension and echogenicity of peritoneal fluid, and involved site (right or left ovary). We also surveyed the clinical features such as the onset period according to the menstrual cycle, and the presence of suspectable cause. RESULTS: Fourteen of the 20 patients revealed designable cysts (mean diameter of 2.6 cm) with thick walled cysts (mean thickness, 4.6 mm, 2.4 -6.8 mm) and increased blood flow. Six patients didn 't reveal any cyst but only hematoma in adnexa. All patients had hemoperitoneum in the pelvic cavity, and the hemoperitoneum was extended to Morrison's pouch in 8 patients and to the subphrenic space in 6. The cysts occurred in the right adnexa in 15 patients and in the left in 5. Mean interval from the last menstrual period (LMP) was 26 days (13-44 days) and 6 of the 8 patients for whom it had been possible to obtain detailed history taking had had coitus just before the occurrence of symptom. CONCLUSION: When women who are hospitalized for acute abdomen and who are in luteal phase reveal US findings of hematoma or thick-walled cyst in adnexa and hemoperitoneum, a corpus luteum cyst rupture is highly suspected. In our case study the corpus luteum cyst rupture predominantly occurred in the right side, and the most suspectable cause was trauma such as coitus in the luteal phase.

US Guided Fine-needle Non-suction Technique: A Useful and Comfortable Method for Thyroid Nodule

as useful as the conventional suction technique for the cytopathological evaluation of thyroid nodules.

Muscular Hamartoma of the Breast: A Case Report

Muscular hamartoma is a variant of breast hamartoma shown at microscopic examination to be composed of abundant smooth muscle cells. We report a case of muscular hamartoma occurring in a 35-year-old woman with an incidentally discovered breast mass, and confirmed by excisional biopsy. We also describe the radiologic and pathologic findings.

Diffuse Telangiectatic Type of Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation Diagnosed with CT Scan using Slab Maximum Intensity Projection Technique: A Case Report

Diffuse telangiectatic type of pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is an uncommon disease entity in which numerous small arteriovenous connections occur throughout the lungs. It has rarely been confirmed by pulmonary angiography. We report a case of diffuse telangiectatic pulmonary AVM occurring in a patient with dyspnea and confirmed by CT using the slab maximum intensity projection (MIP) technique and conventional direct pulmonary angiography.

A Comparative Study of Arrhythmogenic Doses of Epinephrine during Sevoflurane or Halothane Anesthesia in the Dogs / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Epinephrine used in surgery to provide hemostasis may elicit ventricular arrhythmias. A desirable anesthetic would not sensitize the myocardium to exogenously administered epinephrine. So the effect of sevoflurane, which was introduced to clinical anesthesia recently, on cardiac arrhythmias induced by the infusion of epinephrine was compared with those of halothane which was already known to epinephrine-induced arrhythmia in the 14 mongrel dogs. METHODS: The authors compared the arrhythmogenicity (three or more premature ventricular contractions, PVCs)of intravenously administered epinephrine in 14 mongrel dogs who were randomly assigned to receive sevoflurane (1.7 vol%) or halothane (0.75 vol%) anesthesia equipotently. The arrhythmogenic doses of epinephrine determined in this comparative study were expressed by both infusion rates of epinephrine during sevoflurane and halothane anesthesia. RESULTS: The mean values of the arrythmogenic infusion rates of epinephrine were 27.1 7.6 g/kg for sevoflurane and 2.7 0.8 g/kg for halothane. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the arrythmogenic doses of epinephrine during sevoflurane were significantly higher than those during halothane anesthesia.