Bok Hwan Park

Significance of the AFP Level and HBsAg in Differentiation of Hepatic Masses

Hepatic masses show different enhancing patterns in IV bolus computed tomography: Hepatocellular carcinoma shows high-attenuation in the early enhancing phase and low-attenuation in the late enhancing phase, hemangioma shows peripheral dot-like high-attenuation in the early enhancing phase and central high-attenuation in the late enhancing phase, and metastatic cancer and cholangiocelluar carcinoma show peripheral high-attenuation rim in the early enhancing phase and central portion gradulally high-attenuation in the late enhancing phase. but sometimes enhancing patterns of the hepatic masses are confuse. To evaluate the significance of the AFP level and HBsAg in differentiation of the hepatic masses, we retrospectively analyzed AFP level and HBsAg in 228 pathologically or radiologically confirmed hepatocellular carcinomas, and 137 pathologically nonhepatocellular cacinomas. The results were as follows : In hepatocellular carcinoma, AFP level above 20ng/ml was 77.8% and HBsAg positve was 72.6%. In nonhepatocellular carcinoma, AFP level above 20ng/ml was 3.7% and HBsAg positve was 16.1%. We concluded that AFP level and HBsAg are helpful to distinguish hepatocellular carcinoma from nonhepatocellular carcinoma, when IV bolus computed tomogram finding is uncertain.

Changes of the Renal Arteries Accordding to Various Embolic Materials

The transarterial embolization has been widely used to control bleeding. It has a variety of clinical utility; to reduce bleeding on the surgical field, to reduce the size of malignant tumor as a preopearative treatment, to treat arteriovenous malformation or arterial aneurysm as a curative method and to promote life quality of patient with diffuse or multiple hepatocellular carcinoma as a palliative treatment, etc. With the advance of modem technology, various embolic materials have been also developed. However, it has not been fully investigated of histopathologic changes of the embolized organs according to the embolic materials used. This study was undertaken to investigate the histopathologic changes of embolized renal artery in rabbit by various embolic materials, according to each embolic material and to time passed by after embolization. Of the 5 arteries embolized by ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer(EVAL), one showed abscess formation in embolized kidney. The other 4 allowed to perform further pathologic study: within a week after embolization there was no any specific change in vessels, however, minimal endothelial hypertrophy was observed following 2 weeks of embolization. Of the 8 renal arteries embolized by N-buthyl-2-cyanoacrylate(Histoacryl), 4 showed total occlusion of the main renal arteries as well as renal infarction, which reflects the strong adhesiveness of Histoacryl to vascular wall. The other 4 showed fibrinoid degeneration in vascular wall within a week. However, further change was not observed thereafter. In all the 5 renal arteries embolized by polyvinyl alcohol(Ivalon), there were infiltration of inflammatory cells along the vessel walls, within one week, which represents vasculitis. They showed some fibrosis with appearance of giant cells in the vessel wall two weeks after embolization and also showed marked fibrosis of connective tissues surrounding vessels two months after embolization, respectively. The results suggest that EVAL is useful for the embolization of hypervascular lesion with limited arteriovenous fistula, Histoacryl for the curative treatment of the lesion with high blood flow or severe arteriovenous fistula, and Ivalan for palliative treatment of malignant tumor or arteriovenous malformation, respectively.

Computed tomographic findings of malignant ovarian germ cell tumors

Diagnosis of malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary is usually difficult because many ovarian neoplasms have similar clinical and radiologic manifestations. We reviewed retrospectively 12 cases of ovarian malignant germ cell tumor and evaluated with respect to size, mass characteristics on computed tomography for differential diagnosis. Endodermal sinus tumors were mainly cystic mass with some solid component and septations. Immature teratomas showed typical manifestations, such as fatty tissue, calcifications, cysts, and irregular shaped soft tissue densities. Dysgerminoma was mainly solid mass without cystic component, and mixed germ cell tumor showed nonspecific manifestations. All cases were relatively large in size, and young in age. In conclusion, CT findings of malignant germ cell tumors are helpful in differential disgnosis.

Advantades of the intravenous bolus CT scan in differentiation of hepatic masses

W e performed IV bolus CT scan in 40 patients with final diagnosis of various hepa tic m asses in order to evaluate hemodynamic changes and differentiating characters of the lesions. Preenhanced , early and late phase post enhanced , and delayed CT scans were obtained with rapid IV bolus injection of contrast m aterials and table sliding method for pertinen t scans. In hepa tom as , early enhanced CT scan directly showed hypervascula r change and active viable portion of the m ass and late phase CT scan showed capsular enhancemen t. In addition , extracapsular invasion and post-embolization recurrence were more easily visualized In hem angiomas , early and late enhancing types could be categorized according to the time of m aximal enhancem en t. In metastatic Iiver m alignancies and cholangiocarcinom as , specific findin gs were seen in early phase and delayed CT scans and not in conventional C T scan . In conclusion , IV bolus C T scan is a very useful CT method in demonstra ting the characteristic hem odynamic patterns and in differential diagnosis of the hepa tic m asses lndex Words: Liver, Computed tomography, 76 1. 1211 Liver , Primary malignant neoplasm , 761 .32 Liver, Metastatic m alignant neoplasm , 761. 33 Liver , Benign neoplasm , 76 1. 31

Treatment of Traumatic Carotid-Cavernous Fistulas using Debrun's Detachable Balloons

The goal of therapy in patients with traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas is to occlude the fistula, preferably while maintaining the carotid blood flow. Since the introduction of the concepts of detachable balloon technique to occlude arteriovenous fistulas, the technique has become the treatment of choice in the management of traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas. The major symptoms of traumatic CCFs are (1)pulsating exophthalmos, (2)orbital and cephalic bruit and murmur, (3) headache, (4) chemosis. (5) extraocular palsies, and (6) visual failure. Traumatic CCFs are combined with multiple associated lesions. We tried the occlusion of fistulas using Goldvalve balloons in 8 consecutive cases of traumatic CCF and the result of our experience is reported. Transarterial approach with manually-tied latex balloons is tried in all cases and the fistulas was successfully occluded in all cases. In 5 cases. the internal carotid artery was preserved and the arterial lumen was occluded along with fistula opening in :3 cases. In one case, surgical ligation was done because of symptoms recurred and incomplete occlusion of fistula. We experienced hemiparesis as a major complication in one case during occlusion tolerance test, which was remitted spontaneously. The results of Debrun balloon treatment were relatively excellent. We consider that the first choice of treatment of traumatic CCF is occlusion of the fistula by a detachable balloons.

Diagnostic Value of Computed Tomography in Acetabular Fracture

We retrospectively analysed 22 patients pelvic CT, in whom the acetabular fracture were suspected in plain film. And compared and analysed the computed tomogram findings and plain radiographic findings. The results were as follows. CT enables better evaluation of shape, extent, and degree of separation of fragment. CT was helpful in detecting the combinded fracture and soft tissue injuries. CT showed intraarticular loose bodies, which were invisible on plain film. In patients with pelvic trauma, no necessary changing position during CT examination. CT was useful demonstrates the remnant of intraarticular osseous fragment and adequacy of reduction after surgery.

Radiologic Evaluation of Intraabdomenal Masses in Childhood

The abdominal tumors in children are different from those of adult. These tumors are the third most common one, preceded by leukemia and brain tumors, in children under 15 years. X-ray examination is the most important method among diagnostic approaches. The role of diagnostic imaging is to identify the precise anatomic location and extent of pathologic process with the minimal number of imaging procedures. 23 cases of abdominal tumors were reviewed in respect of age incidence, site of origin, radiologic findings. The results are briefly summarized as follows : 1. Neuroblastoma was the most common(6 cases) and wi1ms tumor(5 cases), choledocal cyst(4 cases), ovarian mass(3 cases), hydronephrosis(2 cases), were descending order in frequency. 2. The most common site was retroperitoneum(60%). Kidney was the single most common site of origin. 3. Radiologic findings. The most common findings of plain radiography was ill defined soft tissue mass and this method was helpful in the presence of calcification especially in neuroblastoma. Ultrasonographic pattern was anechoic(cystic), echoic or mixed pattern, but this method provide less precise anatomical details, nevertheless ultrasonography wes paticullary useful imaging modality for the pediatric abdominal tumors. IVP findings were renal displacement, caliceopelvic system distortion or nonvisualization of kidney, these information was helpful in determining the location of tumors. CT scan showed homogenous or inhomogenous, cystic or solid, mass with their anatomic location. 4. Ultrasonography was the most widely used specific diagnostic method, but had limited value in detecting the anatomic location of tumors. CT scan was superior to ultrasound for determining the extent of tumors.