Retention of the Mother and Child Health Handbook and Additional Immunization of Japanese Encephalitis and Tetanus Vaccine / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Improvement of additional immunization rate is indicated as an important factor for effective immunization of diseases. In this study, the relationship between retention of mother and child health handbook and additional immunization rate of Japanese encephalitis and tetanus was examined. METHODS: A survey via questionnaire was performed against parents of students of middle schools in Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do, and elementary schools in Seoul. Among 350 copies of the questionnaire delivered via post mail, 261 copies were collected and used in the analysis. The questionnaire included general features of subjects and their children, retention of the mother and child health handbook, and recognition of additional immunization of the Japanese encephalitis and tetanus vaccine. RESULTS: It was found that 80.8% of subjects answered affirmative to retaining the mother and child health handbook, and the group retaining the handbook had higher recognition rate of the need for additional immunization than the group that did not, for the Japanese encephalitis vaccine (83.2% vs. 51.2%, P < 0.001) and for the tetanus vaccine (66.5% vs. 31.7%, P < 0.001). Although the group retaining the handbook had a significantly higher additional immunization rate of the tetanus vaccine of 48.6% vs. 17.1% (P = 0.001), the immunization rate of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine did not show a significant difference (P = 0.231). The group recognizing the need for additional immunization of the Japanese encephalitis and tetanus vaccine had a significantly higher additional immunization rate than the counterpart (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It was considered that retention of the mother and child health handbook was related to recognition and execution of additional immunizations.

Diffuse Interstitial Infiltrative Lung Metastasis of Malignant Melanoma: a Case Report

A diffuse interstitial infiltrative pattern of lung metastasis in a patient with malignant melanoma is rare and can be confused with benign conditions such as pulmonary edema or drug-induced pneumonitis. We experienced a case of diffuse interstitial infiltrative lung metastasis in malignant melanoma in a 37-year-old man. This case was confirmed by a transbronchial lung biopsy. We herein describe the findings on CT and positron emission tomography scan.

High Resolution CT Findings of Pseudoalveolar Sarcoidosis

PURPOSE: To determine the specific high-resolution CT features of sarcoidosis in which the observed pattern is predominantly pseudoalveolar. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the HRCT findings in 15 cases in which chest radiography demonstrated pseudoalveolar consolidation. In all 15, sarcoidosis was pathologically proven. The distribution and characterization of the following CT features was meticulously scrutinized: distribution and characterization of pseudoalveolar lesions, air-bronchograms, micronodules, thickening of bronchovascular bundles and interlobular septa, lung distortion, ground-glass opacities and combined hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Follow-up CT scans were available in three cases after corticosteroid administration. RESULTS: Between one and 12 (mean, 5.6) pseudoalveolar lesions appeared as dense homogeneous or inhomogeneous opacities 1-4.5 cm in diameter and with an irregular margin located either at the lung periphery adjacent to the pleural surface or along the bronchovascular bundles, with mainly bilateral distribution (n=14, 93%). An air-bronchogram was observed in ten cases. Micronodules were observed at the periphery of the lesion or surrounding lung, which along with a thickened bronchovascular bundle was a consistent feature in all cases. Additional CT features included hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy (n=14, 93%), thickened interlobular septa (n=12, 80%), and ground-glass opacity (n=10, 67%). Lung distortion was noted in only one case (7%). After steroid administration pseudoalveolar lesions decreased in number and size in all three cases in which follow-up CT was available. CONCLUSION: The consistent HRCT features of pseudoalveolar sarcoidosis are bilateral multifocal dense homogenous or inhomogenous opacity and an irregular margin located either at the lung periphery adjacent to the pleural surface or along the bronchovascular bundles. Micronodules are present at the periphery of the lesion or surrounding lung. The features are reversible at steroid administration.

Diagnostic Usefulness of MRI for Pulmonary Hamartoma: CT, MRI and Histopathologic Correlations

PURPOSE: To determine the diagnostic usefulness of MRI in pulmonary hamartoma, and the significant MRI features other than fat or characteristic calcification, both revealed by CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively studied chest MR images in five patients with pulmonary hamartoma. All underwent narrow-collimated CT scanning and conventional MRI, specimen MRI was available in three cases. Pulmonary nodular size, shape and margin and the presence of intratumoral fat density, calcification and a cleft-like structure were determined. At MRI, the presence and signal intensity (SI) of the cleft-like structure, including intratumoral cystic space and SI of the main portion of the tumor, were analyzed and compared with the findings of specimen MRI, and correlated with the histopathologic findings. In three cases, the typical enhancement pattern revealed by post-contrast MRI was also evaluated. RESULTS: Narrow-collimated CT scanning revealed fat density or popcorn-shape calcification in two cases and a cleft-like structure in one. The other two cases showed neither fat nor calcification. At MRI, however, all five cases showed a cleft-like structure, which was especially evident on T2WI. The detectability of this did not vary between conventional and specimen MRI. The cleft-like structure showed varying SI on T1, and T2WI correlated to variable mesenchymal component including with respiratory epithelial cells lining the cleft. Marginal rim enhancement was noted on all three post-contrast MR images, and correlated with the relatively rich vascularity of the tumor's marginal portion. An enhanced cleft-like structure was noted in two cases. CONCLUSION: The presence of a cleft-like structure, especially prominent on T2WI and with variable SI, is a useful MR finding for the diagnosis of pulmonary hamartoma, and marginal rim enhancement is an ancillary diagnostic MR finding. In particular, MRI is a useful diagnostic tool in cases where a simple pulmonary nodule demonstrates neither fat nor calcification.

CT Findings of Focal Organizing Pneumonia

PURPOSE: Focal organizing pneumonia (FOP) is a benign condition which is often difficult to differentiate from bronchogenic carcinoma, and many patients with FOP undergo invasive procedures. We tried to determine which CT features might help provide a confident diagnosis of FOP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records, chest radiographs and CT scans of 13 patients with histopathologically proven FOP. Initial chest radiographs in all 13 suggested bronchogenic carcinoma. The CT scans were reviewed by three radiologists, and final decisions were reached by consensus. They were analyzed in terms of the size, shape, contour and localization of the lesion, internal characteristics of the nodule, changes in surrounding structures, and changes in any of these findings, as revealed by follow-up chest CT scanning. RESULTS: FOP lesions were oval or triangular in shape and between 1.8 and 6.5 cm in their largest diameter. All had irregular margins and all but one were peripherally located. Eight (61.5%) were in contact with the pleura and five (38.5%) were located along the peripheral bronchovascular bundle, with pleural indentation; in eight (61.5%), post-contrast CT scanning revealed inhomogeneous enhancement, and four (30.8%) had pleural tags. In five (38.5%), there was coarse spiculation; for six (46.2%), air bronchograms were available, and in four (30.8%), satellite nodules were present. Spotty calcification and lymph node enlargement were each evident in one case only. Follow-up CT scanning, available in four cases, showed that the mass decreased in size in three and disappeared completely in one. CONCLUSION: Although there were no consistent CT features for differentiating focal organizing pneumonia from lung cancer, the possibility of the former should be considered when a peripherally-located oval or triangular-shaped mass is in broad contact with the pleura or is located along the bronchovascular bundle, and satellite nodules are also present.

Usefulness of Dynamic Contrast Enhanced Lumbar Spine MR Imaging in Postoperative Herniated Lumbar Disc

PURPOSE: To compare the usefulness of dynamic contrast enhanced lumber spine MR Imaging with that ofconventional delayed contrast enhanced MR imaging in the assessment of postoperative herniated lumbar disc. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one postoperative herniated lumbar disc (HLD) lesions of 32 patients with back painwere examined with MR imaging(1.5T, Vision, Siemens, Germany). Five-phase dynamic 2D FLASH sagittalimages(TR/TE=118.1 msec) was obtained every 19 seconds with a 4 minutes delayed image after contrast injection. Asseen on delayed images, the discs were assessed as recurred, fibrosis, or no change. On dynamic images, thepattern of enhancement was evaluated as follows : Type I(no change in peripheral disc enhancement between theearly and late phase);or Type II(minimal internal extension of marginal smooth enhancement during the latephase);or Type III(marked internal extension f peripheral irregular enhancement). Dynamic and delayed imaging werecompared, and early epidural space enhancement with rapid wash-out was also evaluated. RESULTS: of 41postoperative HLDs, 39 lesions showed peripheral contrast enhancement. Evaluation depended on delayed imaging, andwas as follows:recurred HLD(n=27);fibrosis(n=5);no change in postoperative disc(n=7). On dynamic contrast-enhancedimaging, enhancement patterns were Type I(n=29), Type II(n=7), and Type III(n=3). In 29 Type-I lesions, there wereno significant differences in image findings between dynamic and delayed images. However, in the lesions(typeII:n=7, type III:n=3), findings additional to those revealed by delayed images were demonstrated by dynamiccontrast-enhanced MR imaging. Nine of the ten Type-II and III lesions were diagnosed as recurred HLD. On dynamicOn dynamic images, five lesions showed early epidural space enhancement. CONCLUSION: dymamic contrast-enhancedlumbar spine MR imaging provided additional findings such as increased peripheral disc enhancement, and epiduralspace enhancement, which cannot be detected on conventional delayed images. Inrecurred postoperative herniatedlumbar discs, these findings are frequent.

Tc-99m ECD Brain SPECT in MELAS Syndrome and Mitochondrial Myopathy: Comparison with MR findings / 대한핵의학회잡지

PURPOSE: We evaluated brain perfusion SPECT findings of MELAS syndrome and mitochondrial myopathy in correlation with MR imaging in search of specific imaging features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects were five patients (four females and one male; age range, 1 to 25 year) who presented with repeated stroke-like episodes, seizures or developmental delay or asymptomatic but had elevated lactic acid in CSF and serum. Conventional non-contrast MR imaging and Tc-99m-ethyl cysteinate dimer (ECD) brain perfusion SPECT were performed and imaging features were analyzed. RESULTS: MRI demonstrated increased T2 signal intensities in the affected areas of gray and white matters mainly in the parietal (4/5) and occipital lobes (4/5) and in the basal ganglia (1/5), which were not restricted to a specific vascular territory. SPECT demonstrated decreased perfusion in the corresponding regions of MRI lesions. In addition, there were perfusion defects in parietal (1 patient), temporal (2), and frontal (1) lobes and basal ganglia (1) and thalami (2). In a patient with mitochondrial myopathy who had normal MRI, decreased perfusion was noted in left parietal area and bilateral thalami. CONCLUSION: Tc-99m ECD SPECT imaging in patients with MELAS syndrome and mitochondrial myopathy showed hypoperfusion of parieto-occipital cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus and temporal cortex, which were not restricted to a specific vascular territory. There were no specific imaging features on SPECT. The significance of abnormal perfusion on SPECT without corresponding MR abnormalities needs to be evaluated further in larger number of patients.