• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2000

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of MR imaging for diseases of the small intestine, emphasizing a comparison with CT. Materials and Methods: Thirty-four patients who underwent both CT and MR imaging using FLASH 2D and HASTE sequences were analyzed. All patients had various small bowel diseases with variable association of peritoneal lesions. We compared the detectabilities of CT and MR imaging using different MR pulse sequences. The capability for analyzing the characteristics of small intestinal disease was also compared. Results: MR imaging was nearly equal to CT for detecting intraluminal or peritoneal masses, lesions in the bowel and mesentery, and small bowel obstruction, but was definitely inferior for detecting omental lesions. The most successful MR imaging sequence was HASTE for demonstrating bowel wall thickening, coronal FLASH 2D for mesenteric lesions, and axial FLASH 2D for omental lesions. MR imaging yielded greater information than CT in six of 12 inflammatory bowel diseases, while it was equal to CT in six of seven neoplasms and inferior in five of seven mesenteric ischemia. In determining the primary causes of 15 intestinal obstructions, MR imaging was correct in 11 (73%) and CT in nine (60%) patients. Conclusion: MR imaging can serve as an alternative diagnostic tool for patients with suspected inflammatory bowel disease, small intestinal neoplasm or obstruction.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.12
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• pp.1601-1605
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• 2002

Henoch-Sh${\ddot{o}}$nlein Purpura(HSP) is an immuologically mediated systemic vasculitis of small blood vessels affecting predominantly the skin, gastrointestinal tract, joints, and kidneys. Clinical neurological manifestations such as headaches, behavioral changes, mental changes, seizures, and visual loss are described, but neurological complication are rare during the course of HSP. We experienced a case of an 8 year-old male with HSP who presented with seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) showed multiple high signal intensity in both cortical and subcortical areas of frontal and parieto-occipital lobes and magnetic resonance(MR) angiogram showed stenosis of cerebral arteries, compatible with MRI and MR angiogram findings of cerebral vasculitis. We report this case with related literature.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.81-88
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• 2006

Purpose : To evaluate the MR imaging findings of bowel wall thickening in patients with minimal to moderate cirrhosis, and analyze their clinical significances comparing with laboratory findings. Materials and Methods : We assessed retrospectively the MRI findings of 123 patients with minimal to moderate cirrhosis, and compared these with the clinical laboratory findings. We evaluated the involved sites and MR image findings of thickened bowel wall, as well as the presence of collateral vessels, ascites, and splenic size. These were compared with serum albumin and bilirubin levels, and prothrombin time. Results : Gastrointestinal wall thickening was detected at 37 sites in 25 patients (20%), and more frequently detected in moderate cirrhosis (29%) than in minimal cirrhosis (17%). Jejunum and ascending colon were the most common sites of bowel wall thickening; each was involved at 22 and 9 sites, respectively. Ascending colonic wall thickening was more commonly detected in moderate cirrhosis than in minimal cirrhosis. The thickened bowel wall showed symmetric contour, high signal intensity on T2-weighted images, mixed iso- and low signal intensity on T1-weighted images, and homogeneous or target-like enhancement. Serum albumin level was significantly lower in patients with bowel wall thickening ($3.3{\pm}0.9$ g/dl vs. $3.9{\pm}0.7$ g/dl; p=0.0024). Serum bilirubin level was significantly higher in patients with bowel wall thickening ($1.7{\pm}1.0$ mg/dl vs. $1.4{\pm}1.2$ mg/dl; p=0.0160). Bowel wall thickening did not significantly correlate with the presence of collateral vessels, ascites, splenic size, and prolongation of prothrombin time. Conclusion : In minimal to moderate cirrhosis, the MR imaging evaluation of bowel wall thickening was useful for estimating the severity of cirrhosis and laboratory findings.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.118-126
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• 2004

The aqueous extract of European mistletoe (Viscum album, L.) has been used in cancer therapy. The purified mistletoe lectins, main components of mistletoe, have demonstrated cytotoxic and immune-system-stimulating activities. Korean mistletoe (Viscum album L. coloratum), a subspecies of European mistletoe, has also been reported to possess anticancer and immunological activities. A galactose- and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine-specific lectin (Viscum album L. coloratum agglutinin, VCA) with Mr 60 kDa was isolated from Korean mistletoe. Mistletoe preparations have been given subcutaneously due to the low stability of lectin in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In the present study, we investigated the possibility of alginate/chitosan microcapsules as a tool for oral delivery of mistletoe lectin. In addition, our strategy has been to develop a system composed of stabilizing cores (granules), which contain mistletoe lectin, extract or powder, coated by a biodegradable polymer wall. Our results indicated that successful incorporation of VCA into alginate/chitosan microcapsules has been achieved and that the alginate/chitosan microcapsule protected the VCA from degradation at acidic pH values. And coating the VCA with polyacrylic polymers, Eudragit, produced outstanding results with ideal release profiles and only minimal losses of cytotoxicity after manufacturing step. The granules prepared with extract or whole plant produced the best results due to the stability in the extract or whole plant during manufacturing process.