The evaluation of radiological and clinical findings of bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis means a permanent abnormal dilatation of one or more large bronchi owing to destruction of theelastic and muscular components of the bronchial wall. Radiological study is the most importat and mandatory procedure. Especially bronchography is essential for the definitive diagnosis of bronchiectasis and for theprecise delineation of the type and extent of the disease. The radiological and clinical findings of 48 cases ofbronchiectasis diagnosed by bronchography and treated at Chosun University Hospital during the 5 years fromJanuary 1980 to Dec. 1984 were analyzed retrospectively. The results were as follows; 1. Among the 48 cases, 34cases(70.8%) were male and 14 cases(29.2%) were female. Peak incidence was in second decade. 2. Chronic cough,productive sputum and hemoptysis are main symptoms and others are chest pain, dyspnea and recurrent bouts ofpneumonia. The most common physical sign is persistent moist rales over the involved area in 23 cases(47.9%).Others are no sign in 17 cases(35.4%), wheezing in 11 cases(22.9%) and digit clubbing in 3 cases(6.3%). 3. Thepresumed causes were composed of not known in 30 cases(62.5%) and complications of measles in 7 cases(14.6%),pertusis in 5 cases(10.4%) and pneumonia in 4 cases(8.3%). Two cases were Kartagener's syndrom and unilateralhyperlucent lung. 4. Plain chest roentgenographic findings were abnormal in 42 cases(87.5%) but normal in 6cases(12.5%). The most common radiological findings was accentuation of lung markings in 36 cases(85.7%) theothers are include in order of frequency; pneumonic infiltration, linear radiolucencies, cystic radiolucencies,decreased affected lung volume air-fluid level and pleural thickening. 5. Bilateral bronchiectasis was demonstrated in 11 cases(22.9%) and the disease was much more often involved left lung than right. The mostcommonly involved lobe is left lower lobe, and the most common site of involvement was the posterior basal segmentof the lower lobe. The type of bronchiectasis is cylindrical in 22 cases(45.8%), varicose in 11 cases(22.9%),saccular in 9 cases(18.8%) and mixed type in 6 cases(12.5%)

The clinical and radiological evaluation of pyogenic arthritis

Pyogenic arthritis remain a difficult problem, despite the availability of a wide range of powerful modernantibiotics. Early and correct diagnosis is imperative to assure the prompt initiation of an effective therapeuticregimen and the prevent of late sequela. Careful clinical, laboratory and roentgenological analysis arefundamental to early and precise diagnosis. Therefore, plain roentgenogram shold not be overlooked. A radiologicaland clinical observation was made in 51 cases of pyogenic arthritis admittted to Chosun University Hospital duringthe period from January 1976 to Dec. 1983 and following results were obtained. 1. Among the 51 cases, 36 cases(70.6%) were male and 15 cases(29.4%) were females. The most prevalent age was 5 to 9 (27.6%). 2. Symptom durationless than 5 days was in 21 cases (41.2%) and more than 31 days was in 6 cases (11.7%). 3. The most common symptomon admission was pain around the involved joint and others are limitation of motion, swelling, tenderness, fever,local heating and erythema. 4. The underlying causes were composed of unknown in 21 cases(41.2%), trauma in 18cases(35.3%), infections focus in 8 cases (15.7%) and iatrogenic reasone 4 cases(7.8%) 5. The msot commonlyaffected joint was hip joint (45.1%). The other affected sites in order of frequency were knee, ankle, shoulder,S-I and elbow joint. In infants and children, hip and knee joint are commonly affected; In adults, knee joint ismost commonly affected. 6. In laboratory findings, the number of W.B.C and E.S.R were increased in 56.9%. Symptomduration more than 31 days in 5 cases were increased E.S,R only. Causative microorganism was isolated in 31 cases;the most common microorganism was Staphylococcus auterus in 22 cases. Others are B-hemolytic Streptococcus,Enterobacteriaceae species and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 7. In 26 cases(50.9%) of the patients, roentgenographicfinding was negative. The most common radiological findig was soft tissue swelling and the others are include inorder of frequency: joint space widening, small erosions in articular cortex, subchondral osteoporosis. The comonradiological findings of symptom duration more than 31 days in 6 cases were lost of entire cortex, ankylosis andjoint space narrwoing.