ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Objective evaluation of breast asymmetry surgical treatment should consider not only breast shape but also breast volume. METHODS: For this study, 22 patients with primary breast asymmetry were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as well as linear measurements preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. The mean difference between the pre- and postoperative linear measurements was graduated from excellent to poor. Breast volume was estimated by MRI from axial reconstruction for three-dimensional application using the Cavalieri formula and specific software. RESULTS: A strong correlation (r = 0.817) was found between the pre- and postoperative breast volumes, as increased or decreased by the surgical procedure. Patients with less postoperative volume differences tended to have the best ratings with linear measurements. When the same surgical procedure was performed bilaterally or when only one breast was treated by surgery, greater volume symmetry was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Linear measurements and MRI are objective methods for evaluating postoperative symmetry, and when used in association, can help plastic surgeons to achieve favorable results in mammary asymmetry treatment.
Subject(s)
Body Weights and Measures , Breast Diseases/diagnosis , Breast Diseases/surgery , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Mammaplasty , Adolescent , Adult , Breast/surgery , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Organ Size , Postoperative Care , Preoperative Care , Young AdultABSTRACT
Here, we investigate the effects of electroacupunture on the depressive-like symptoms in learned helplessness and forced swim tests in rats. Electroacupuncture stimulation (EA) was provided at ST-36 (Zusanli) and SP-6 (Sanyinjiao) acupoints. A positive control group was treated with imipramine. To verify the effects of EA over serotonergic system, other additional groups received daily, for three days, p-chlorophenylalanine and after two days, were submitted to behavioral tests. EA, like imipramine, enhanced the successful active avoidance in the learned helplessness and diminished the time spent in immobility position in the forced swim test, without affecting the number of squares crossed in the open field test. The administration of p-chlorophenylalanine abolished the antidepressive-like effect of EA. EA generates a clear antidepressant effect in two different animal models of depression, and this effect is related, at least in part, to the serotonergic system.