Mi Soo Hwang

Analysis of the result and merit of computed tomography guided percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy of focal lung lesion

Percutaneous needle biopsy of pulmonary lesion with use of fluoroscopic guidance is well established as a diagnostic tool but limited by the small size and inaccessibility of certain lesions. However, percutaneous needle biopsy has been used increasingly in relation to advance and the safty of smaller biopsy needle and new imaging modalities such as ultrasound and CT. CT, because of its characteristics of high resolution, allows tissue sampling with considerable safety from area that heretofore could not be visualized under fluoroscopy. The authors summarized 44 pulmonary lesions that underwent CT-guided transthoracic biopsy with fine-needle over a 14 month period and analyzed the sensitivity of PTNB. CT-guided PTNB was done with 20 gauge or 22 gauge Westcott biopoy needle(Manan medical products, USA). A diagnosis was made in 27 of 44 cases(61%) including malignany in 19 of 24 cases and benignancy in 8 of 20 cases. The pulmonary mass lesions were located at the peripheral zone of the lung field in 33 cases and at the central zone in 11 cases. Complications were observed in 2 cases which were pneumothorax and hemoptysis each but specific therapy was not required. The sensitivity of PTNB by one session was 61%(27/44). The sensitivity of malignancy was 79%(19/24) and benignancy was 40%(8/20). These results suggest the usefulness of PTNB using fine needles be increased in earlier diagnosis and improved staging of pulmonary nodular lesions without significant complications.

The analysis of ultrasonographic findings in breast carcinoma

Authers retrospectively analyzed ultrasonographic findings of 12 cases of breast carcinomas which were proven pathologocally at Yeungnam University Hospital from March 1992 to August 1992. Classically, breast carcinomas were described as irregular and lobulated hypoechoic solid masses with inhomogenous internal echoes and frequent attenuation of the sound beam. And other additional ultrasonographic findings were echogenic rim, disruptions of superficial layer, microcalcification, skin thickening and so on. In our studies, not all of these findings of breast carcinomas were found in each case, but most of these findings were noted. However, several studies have demonstrated considerable overlap in the ultrasonographic appearance of benign lesions and carcinoma. Thus, accurate sonographic determination of the type of solid mass is not possible with current ultrasonographic imaging techniques and criteria. For more accurate diganosis of breast lesions, sonographic and other imaging techniqes are interpreted together.

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.

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.

Characteristics of Magnetic Resonance(M.R.) and Comprehension of its Imaging Mechanism

Magnetic Resonance (M.R.) is rapidly emerging technique that provides high quality images and potentially provides much more diagnostic information than do conventional imaging modalities. M.R.I. is conceptually quite different from currently used imaging methods. The complex nature of M.R.I. allows a great deal of flexibility in image product ion and available information, and key points are as follows. 1. M.R.I. offers a non-invasive technique with which to gene rate in vivo human images without ionizing radiation and with no known adverse biological effects. 2. Imaging mechanism of M.R.I. is quite different from conventional imaging modality and for more accurate diagnostic application, It is necessary for physician to understand imaging mechanism of M.R.I. 3. M.R. makes available basic chemical parameters that may provide to be useful for diagnostic medical imaging and more specific pathophysiologic information which are not available by alternate techniques. 4. M.R. can be produced by number of different methods. This flexibility allows the imaging technique to be applicated for particular clinical purpose. Multiplanar and three dimensional imaging may extend the imaging process beyond the single section available with current CT. 5. Future directions include efforts to; a. Further development of hard ware b. More fasternning scan time c. Respiratory and cardiac gated imaging d. Imaging of additional nuclei except hydrogen e. Further development of contrast media f. M.R. in vivo spectroscopy g. Real time M.R. imaging.

Radiologic Analysis of Congenital Origin Intestinal Obstruction in Neonate and Childhood

Congenital origin intestinal obstruction are important disease due to required emergency operation. So accurate and rapid diagnosis is needed for decreased mortality and morbidity. Radiologist must detect to accurate obstruction site and also associated other congenital anomalies. And also embriological bases are very important role to the diagnosis of theses diseases. We were analysed radiologically and clinically 25 cases with congenital origin intestinal obstruction with review of literature. 1. Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis 6 cases, midgut malrotation 4 cases, congenital megacolon 8 case, imperforated anus 5 cases, ileal atresia 1 case and duodenal atresia 1 case. 2. Male and female radio were 16:9. Especially on hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, 5 cases were male infants. 3. All cases of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis represented string sign and also pyloric beak sign shoulder sign on UGI. 4. I case duodenal atresia showed double bubble sign on simple abdomen x-ray and ileal atresia showed mechanical small bowel obstruction sign with microcolon. 5. On midgut malrotation, cecum was located in right upper abdomen on 4 cases. And 2 cases were associated with Ladds band. I case with volvulus and 1 case with mesenteric defect. 6. Involved site of all congenital megacolon were localized to rectosigmoid colon. 7. On 5 cases imperforated anus, 3 cases were low type and 2 case high type. Rectoperineal and rectourogenital fistula were demonstrated on 4 cases.