• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.229-238
• /
• 2004

Purpose: This study was perfonned to elucidate the clinical pictures of acute focal bacterial nephritis(nephronia) in children. Methods: We reviewed 9 children with nephronia diagnosed by ultrasonography or computed tomography of kidneys from September 1994 to August 2004. Results: The overall male to female ratio was 2:1, and the age distribution ranged from 0.1 to 6 years(mean $2.8{\pm}2.2$). The cardinal symptoms were fever, chills, abdominal pain and dysuria/frequency. The initial leukocyte count was $21,000{\pm}5,600/uL$, ESR $60{\pm}23mm/hr$, CRP $17{\pm}10\;mg/dl$. Pyuria was noted in every patient and persisted for $10.5{\pm}7.8$ days after antimicrobial treatment. Abdominal sonography demonstrated focal lesion of ill-defined margin and low echogenicity in 5 of 9 patients(55.6%), while computed tomography revealed nonenhancing low density area in all patients(100%). Three of 9 patients(33.3%) had vesicoureteral reflux, greater than grade III. The initial $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ scan showed one or multiple cortical defects in every patient, and improvements were noted in 2(33.3%) of 6 patients who received follow up scan after 4 months. Intravenous antibiotics was given in every patient under admission. Total febrile period was $11.8{\pm}6.3$ days(pre-admission, $4.0{\pm}3.0;$ post-admission, $7.8{\pm}5.5$ days) and the patients needed hospitalization for $17.2{\pm}8.1$ days. Conclusion: For the early diagnosis of 'acute focal bacterial nephritis' we should perform renal computed tomography first rather than ultrasonography, when the child has toxic symptoms and severe inflammatory responses in blood and urine.

• Neonatal Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.224-231
• /
• 2010

Purpose: Hospital readmissions have recently increased due to early hospital discharge and increased trends in breast-feeding. Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia can lead to fatal permanent neurological sequelae without appropriate management. Early detection and intervention are critical. We evaluated the clinical features, risk factors, and brain MRI findings of Korean newborns with idiopathic nonhemolytic hyperbilirubinemia to determine the optimal management policy. Methods: A retrospective review of the medical records of 79 newborns with idiopathic nonhemolytic hyperbilirubinemia was performed at the NICU of the Kyungpook National University Hospital from January 2006 to September 2009. All patients were 35 or more weeks of gestation, and their peak level of serum total bilirubin was more than 20 mg/dL. Results: The mean gestational age was $38^{+3}{\pm}1^{+4}$ weeks, and the mean age on admission was 8.8$\pm$4.0 days. The mean body weight (3,105$\pm$479 g) was decreased by 2.8$\pm$6.4 percent compared to the mean birth weight (3,174$\pm$406 g). There were no statistically significant differences for the peak serum bilirubin level or the duration and effects of phototherapy between the patients with and without risk factors, which included: breastfeeding, cephalohematoma, subdural hemorrhage, and/or ABO incompatibility. Patients were grouped according to change of body weight. Group I consisted of patients that gained weight compared to birth weight, and group II of patients that lost weight compared to birth weight. There were significant differences in the peak serum total bilirubin level between the two groups. Thirty nine patients had brain MRI evaluation; 21 patients had bilateral symmetric signal intensity increases in the globus pallidus compared to adjacent corticospinal tract and putamen on T1-weighted images. Conclusion: Bilirubin encephalopathy is preventable with early screening and proper management. Parents require instruction on feeding practices and follow-up to prevent complications from idiopathic nonhemolytic hyperbilirubinemia.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.74-82
• /
• 2007

Purpose : To analyze the clinical characteristics, spontaneous resolution rate and predictive factors of resolution in children with primary vesicoureteral reflux(VUR). Methods : Between October 1991 and July 2003, 149 children diagnosed with primary VUR at Chonbuk National University Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. All of the patients were maintained on low-dose antibiotic prophylaxis and underwent radionuclide cystograms at 1 year intervals over 3 years after the initial diagnosis of VUR by voiding cystourethrogram was made. Results : The median time to resolution of VUR was 24 months and the total 3 year-cumulative resolution rate of VUR was 61.7%. The following variables were associated with resolution of VUR according to univariate analysis-; age<1 year, male gender, mild grade of reflux, unilateral reflux, congenital hydronephrosis as clinical presentation at time of diagnosis of VUR, absence of focal defects in the renal scan at diagnosis, absence of recurrent UTI, renal scars and small kidney during follow-up. After adjustment by Cox regression model, five variables remained as independent predictors of VUR resolution; age<1 yew, relative risk 1.77(P<0.05), VUR grade I+II 2.98(P<0.05), absence of renal scars 2.23(P<0.05), and absence of small kidney 5.20(P<0.01) during follow-up. Conclusion : In this study, spontaneous resolution rate of VUR, even high grade reflux, is high in infants during medical management, and it was related to age, reflux grade at diagnosis, absence of renal scars and small kidney during follow-up. Therefore early surgical intervention should be avoided and reserved for the selected groups.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.57 no.1
• /
• pp.19-24
• /
• 2004

Background : It is difficult to differentiate between tuberculous pneumonia and Community Acquired Pneumonia, so the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculous pneumonia can be delayed frequently. In this study, we attempted to retrospectively evaluate the clinical and radiologic characteristics of tuberculous pneumonia. Methods : We conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical characteristics of 58 patients diagnosed with tuberculous pneumonia from Nov. 1997 to May 2001 at Korea university kuro hospital. Result : The male to female ratio was 1:1 and the mean age at diagnosis was $54.5{\pm}18.6$ years. Fifty five patients were confirmed microbiologically and three patients pathologically. There were 20 patients(34.5%) who had diabetes mellitus(8cases), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(3cases), malignancy(3cases), bronchiectasis(2cases), chronic renal failure(1cases) or long term history of corticosteroid treatment(3cases). Many patients had multilobar infiltration in chest X-ray, dominantly in the lower lobe. thirty two patients(55.2%) had infiltration in more than 2 lobes and 5 patients in more than 4 lobes. The significant correlation between the diabetes mellitus and the infiltrated Rt lower lobe(RLL) was found on the borders of confidence limit.(P=0.07<0.1). There was significant correlation between woman and infiltrated lobe(RML, RLL, LLL) excluding the both upper lobe(P=0.029). Conclusion : We must consider tuberculous pneumonia when lobar pneumonia with consolidation resistant to antibiotics, especially in the patients who have diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, malignancy, bronchiectsis, chronic renal failure or long term history of corticosteroid treatment.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.39 no.6
• /
• pp.438-444
• /
• 2005

Purpose: Anhedonia has been proposed to be the result of a basic neurophysiologic dysfunction and a vulnerability marker that precede and contribute to the liability of developing schizophrenia. We hypothesized that anhedonia, as a construct reflecting the decreased capacity to experience pleasure, should be associated with decreased positive hedonic affect trait. This study examined the relationship between anhedonia and positive hedonic affect trait and searched for the brain legions which correlate with anhedonia in normal subjects. Materials and Methods: Using $^{18}F$-FDG PET scan, we investigated the brain activity of twenty one subjects during resting state. Questionnaires were administrated after the scan in order to assess the self-rated individual differences in physical/social anhedonia and positive/negative affect traits. Results: Negative correlation between physical anhedonia score and positive affect trait score was significant (Pearson coefficient =-0.440, p<0.05). The subjects physical and social anhedonia scores showed positive correlation with metabolic rates in the cerebellum and negative correlation with metabolic rates in the inferior temporal gyrus and middie frontal gyrus. In addition, the positive affect trait score positively correlated with various areas, most prominent with the inferior temporal gyrus. Conclusion: These results suggest that neural substrates, such as the inferior temporal gyrus and prefrontal-cerebellar circuit, which dysfunction has been proposed to be involved with the cognitive deficits of schizophrenia, may also play a significant role in the liability of affective deficits like anhedonia.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.23-32
• /
• 2001

Purpose: Cortical dysplasia (CD) designates a diverse group of malformations resulting from one or more abnormalities in the development of the cerebral cortex. We investigated the findings of interictal SPECT and the diagnostic usefulness of interical and ictal SFECT according to pathological grading (PG) in comparison with MRI. Materials and Methods: This study included 16 patients (M:F=9:7, age: $19.9{\pm}11.8$ yrs) with pathologically proven CD. Tc-99m ECD SPECT was performed in all patients: interictal 11, interictal and ictal 3, ictal 2. MRI were obtained in all patients and image analysis was done blindly as to the result of SPECT. Pathologic findings of CD were classified into grade 1 G1, dyslamination), grade 2 (G2, dysplastic neurons) and grade 3 (G3, balloon cells). We compared SFECT with MRI in lesions-to-lesions and analyzed the result according to PG. Results: In SFECT and MRI. 38 and 27 lesions were visually recognized. In 14 interictal SPECT, variable findings in 35 lesions were demonstrated: 25 were hypoperfusion, 7 hyperperfusion, 2 heterotopic perfusion in the white matter. By comparison between two studios, missed lesions were founded: SPECT were 1 lesion, MRI 12. Review of missed 12 lesions of MRI were followed according to PG: G1 patients were 16.7% (4/19), G2 40.0% (6/15), and G3 50% (2/4). Conclusion: Interictal SFECT in CD showed variable findings such as hypoperfusion, hyperperfusion or heterotopic perfusion. However, for detection of missed CD on MRI, SFECT may help to detect a functional abnormality of the lesion with high PG.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.52-60
• /
• 2003

Purpose: To analyse their end results and also to differentiate the single or multiple giant cell tumor(GCT) of tendon sheath in hand. Materials & Methods: Total 21 cases with GCT of tendon sheath in hand were treated surgically and analyzed their end results with clinically, radiologically and pathologically to allowed for average 16 months after surgical excision. Results: The finger flexor tendons, especially on index and ring finger, involving distal interphalangeal joint and mid-phalanges in fourth decades (average age of 47 years old) were frequently involved, and the mass was not exceed than 2 cm in size, fixed on tendon sheath with rubbery hard tenderness but rare bony involvements except 4 cases of bony erosion and cortical perforation. The three cases with multiple GCT of hand was also combined with familial hypercholesterolemia, and are commonly involved the extensor tendons as well as achilles tendons bilaterally, treated with partial excision because of multiplicity. Average 16 months after surgical excision for single GCT cases was followed and showed the recurrence in 3 cases(3/18,16.7%), treated with wide excision. The single and multifocal GCT are similar in pathologic changes but different soft tissue tumors in their pathogenesis, treatment and prognosis. Conclusion: Incomplete excision of GCT of tendon sheath in hand are thought to be the cause of recurrence, especially in cases with incomplete lesional excision, in multilobular and bony involvement etc. So careful wide excision is necessary to prevent the recurrence.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.13-21
• /
• 2004

Purpose: We analyzed the result of autologous bone marrow stromal cell transplantation with or without cancellous chip bone allograft for benign long bone lesions. Materials and methods: Since July 1996, eight benign bone lesions treated by curettage, cancellous chip bone allograft and bone marrow or marrow stromal cell transplantation were observed for resolution of clinical symptoms, new bone formation and consolidation. There were 6 males and 2 females. Average age was 24 (range 8 to 47) years old. Histologic diagnoses were 5 fibrous dysplasia, 2 simple bone cysts and one chondroblastoma and fibrous cortical defect each. Mean follow-up period was 16.3 (range 3 to 84) months. Results: In all four symptomatic patients, the pain was subsided in two weeks after surgery. New bone formation in the lesion was observed at 4 weeks, which incorporated into surrounding normal bone around 8 weeks. There were one pathologic fracture through the lesion at 3 weeks and one recurrence of simple bone cyst at 5 months postoperatively. Conclusion: Bone marrow or marrow stromal cell transplantation for bone defects from curettage of benign bone lesions, with or without cancellous chip bone allograft revealed rapid healing. Though it was the result of short-term follow up, it supports that bone marrow stromal cell transplantation will be very useful for the treatment of benign long bone cysts or other lesions. The complete curettage of inner cystic wall is important to prevent later recurrence, and the rigid internal fixation is also needed in selected high risk lesions of fracture.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.30 no.8
• /
• pp.985-991
• /
• 2001

Objectives : The craniopharyngioma is a benign tumor located at least in part in the suprasellar cistern. However, the symptoms and signs from this tumor may be determined not only by the location of the tumor but also by its size and the age of the patient. The objective of our study is to analyze retrospectively the clinical manifestations of craniopharyngiomas with regards to tumor characteristics in children and adults. Material and Methods: Twenty-three patients(16 adults, 7 children) treated for craniopharyngioma between 1990 and 1999 were studied to demonstrate the relationship of tumor size, growth pattern, and its invasiveness with clinical symptoms. As part of the assessment, 16 adults(M : F=8 : 8, mean age : 43.7 years) and 7 children(M : F=5 : 2, mean age : 10.1 years) underwent magnetic resonance(MR) imaging and computerized tomography(CT) scanning with a three-dimensional volume acquisition sequence. Results : The three major cardinal signs were defined to increased intracranial pressure, endocrine dysfunction, and visual problems. The tumor size in child group was larger than that in adult group. Also, visual problems, symptoms of increased intracranial pressure and hydrocephalus were more frequently observed in child group. However, endocrine dysfunction and neuropsychological symptoms related with hypothalamic connections to the thalamus, pituitary, frontal lobe, and other cortical areas were more frequent in adult group. Conclusions: In our series, the tumor size and invasiveness of craniopharyngioma revealed to be relevent with initial symptoms of increased intracranial pressure and visual symptoms which were more frequent in child group. As for the growth pattern, we did not find major difference between adults and children.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.103-107
• /
• 1997

Purpose: To investigate the localization and functional lateralization of the supplementary motor area (SMA) in motor activation tests in comparison to that of the primary motor area. Materials and Methods: Seven healthy volunteers obtained echoplanar imaging blood oxygen level dependent technique. This study was carried on 1.5T Siemens Magnetom Vision system with the standard head coil. Parameters of EPI were followed as; TR/TE : 1.0/66.0msec, flip angle: $90^{\circ}$, field of view: $22cm{\times}22cm,{\;}matrix:{\;}128{\times}128$, slice number/slice thickness/gap: 1O/4mm/0.8mm with fat suppression technique. Motor task as finger opposition in each hand consisted of 3 sets of alternative rest and activation periods. Postprocessing were done on Stimulate 5.0 by using cross-correlation statistics. To compare the functional lateralization of the SMA in the right and left hand tests, each examination was evaluated for the percent change of signal intensity and the number of activated voxels both in the SMA and in the pri¬mary motor area. Hemispheric asymmetry was defined as difference of summation of the activted voxels between each hemisphere. Results: Percent change of signal intensity in the SMA (2.49 -3.06%) is lower than that of primary motor area(4.4 -7.23%). Percent change of signal intensity including activated voxels were observed almost equally in the right and left SMA. As for summation of activated voxels, primary motor area had significant difference between each hemisphere but not did the SMA. Conclusion: Preferred contralateral dominant hemisphere and hemispheric asymmetry were detected in the primary motor area but not in the SMA.