The Difference of Variceal Distribution in the Portal Hypertension on CT between Hemorrhagic and Nonhemorrhagic Groups

PURPOSE: To determine whether there is any difference in variceal distribution between patients with and without a history of esophageal variceal bleeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To compare the distribution of varices, abdominal CT scans of 24 patients with a history of esophageal variceal bleeding (hemorrhagic group) and 90 patients without a history of bleeding (non-hemorrhagic group) were retrospectively assessed. RESULTS: The most common varices in both the hemorrhagic (n = 21, 87.5 %) and nonhemorrhagic group (n = 53, 58.9 %) were coronary varices, with a statistically significant frequency (p < .01). Esophageal varices were also more common in the hemorrhagic than the nonhemorrhagic group (n=19, 79.2 % vs n = 36, 40.0 % : P < .005). Splenorenal shunts were more common in the nonhemorrhagic (n = 8, 8.9 %) than in the hemorrhagic group(n = 0, 0 %) (P < .05). Other types of varice such as paraumbilical (n = 10, 41.7 % vs n = 21, 23.3 %), perisplenic (n = 6, 25 % vs n = 15, 16.7 %) and retroperitoneal-paravertebral (n = 11, 45.8 % vs n = 24, 26. 7 %) were more common in the hemorrhagic group, but without a statistically significant frequency. CONCLUSION: The frequency of coronary and esophageal varices was significant in patients with a history of esophageal variceal bleeding. In patients without such a history, splenorenal shunts were seen.

Histologic Change of Liver of Normal Rat After Injection of Ethanol, Hot Normal Saline and Hypertonic Saline

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the degree of liver injury after injection of ethanol, hot normal saline and hot hypertonic saline into normal rat liver. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty white rats weighing 200-300g were used. There were three groups (ethanol, hot normal saline, and hot hypertonic saline), and these were divided into subgroups (5 rats in each) according to amount of injected material and duration. Under either anesthesia, each drug (ethanol -0.05ml, 0.1ml, 0.2ml ; hot normal saline -0.1ml, 0.2ml, 0.4ml ; hot hypertonic saline -0.1ml, 0.2ml, 0.4ml ) was introduced directly into the liver. Pathologic specimens were obtained 7 and 14 days after injection. RESULTS: With regard to histologic change after 7 days, the ethanol group showed less tissue damage such as coagulation necrosis and inflammatory infiltration-than the hot saline group. There was however, no significant difference among the three groups in tissue damage 14 days. Nor was there any significant histologic difference between the different saline concentration groups. CONCLUSION: Histologically, there was no significant difference among the three groups in tissue damage at 14 days, and it is suggested that this is due to irreversible change in damaged tissue. Tissue damage was caused mainly by the high temperature of saline rather than by high osmolarity.

Normal Position of the Cerebellar Tonsils in Korean

PURPOSE: To evaluate normal tonsillar position at different ages, using MR images. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We measured the position of the cerebellar tonsils with respect to the inferior aspect of the foramen magnum on middle sagittal MR T1 weight images in 210 patients(9 days to 83 years) who were not considered to have any disorder that would affect tonsillar position. RESULTS: The mean distance between tonsillar tip and inferior aspect of the foramen magnum was 0.0 +/-1.9mm in the first decade of life, 0.7 +/-2.8mm in the fourth decade, and3.4 +/-2.3 mm in the eighth and ninth decades. The tonsillar position is significantly lower in youth(first and second decades) than in old age(seventh to ninth decades). CONCLUSION: We believe that a single reference standard that indicates the normal distance of the cerebellar tonsils from the foramen magnum is inappropriate unless age is considered. We suggest that the following distance below the foramen magnum(more than 2 standard deviations out of the normal range) be used as criteria for ectopia of the cerebellar tonsils in koreans : firstand second decades, 5mm ; third to sixth decades, 4mm ; seventh and eighth decades, 3mm.

Macrodystrophia Lipomatosa: One Case Report

Macrodystrophia lipomatosa is a rare congenital disease characterized by and increase in all mesenchymal elements, particularly fibroadipose tissue. We experienced a case of surgically proven macrodystrophia lipomatosa of index finger in a 44-year-old male. MR imaging showed hypertrophy of fibroadipose tissue that characterizesthis condition.