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Biomedical subjects

H S Byun

Publications and source records attributed to H S Byun.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Surgical treatment for congenital arteriovenous malformation: 10 years' experience.

OBJECTIVES: We report our 10 years experience of the surgical treatment of congenital arteriovenous malformation (AVM). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 145 patients with AVM who visited Samsung Medical Center in Korea from 1994 to 2003. Among the 145 patients, 21 patients were operated on. Preoperative embolo/sclerotherapy was done in 20 out of the 21 patients. RESULTS: The surgically treated AVMs were 13 cases of head and neck lesions, four cases of upper extremity lesions, one case each of back lesion, uterus lesion, lower extremity lesion and multiple site lesions. There were 10 patients with the extratruncular infiltrating type, nine patients with the extratruncular limited type, one patient with a truncular superficial AV fistula and one patient with a mixed type. Fourteen cases were operated on for cosmetic reasons and since they had localized lesions, and five cases were operated on for tissue necrosis. Fourteen cases were cured by a single operation, yet seven cases needed several sessions of operation to cure the AVM or to promote wound healing after surgery. CONCLUSION: The surgical treatment of AVM is a challenging issue for vascular surgeons. To minimise the complications related to surgery, a multidisciplinary team approach should be considered.

Adolescent↗

Combined spinal intramedullary arteriovenous malformation and lipomyelomeningocele.

Combined spinal arteriovenous malformation and lipomyelomeningocele are extremely rare. We present a rare combined case of a lipomyelomeningocele with an intramedullary arteriovenous malformation (AVM) occurred at the L3-L4 level in a 30-year-old man who suffered from low back pain radiating to the lower extremities, dysuria, and frequency for 5 years. The MR studies showed an intradural mass with high-signal intensity on both T1-weighted and T2-weighted images, intermingled with multiple signal-void structures. The mass extended extradurally toward a subcutaneously forming fatty mass on the patient's back. Spinal angiography showed an AVM supplied by the radiculopial branches of the lumbar arteries and drained by tortuous, dilated, perimedullary veins. Endovascular embolization and surgical resection were performed.

Adult↗

Correlation of ventricular asymmetry with metabolic asymmetry in frontotemporal dementia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The clinical presentation of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is often asymmetrical in terms of both its clinical features and atrophy on MRI. Asymmetry in the lateral ventricle size on structural neuroimaging in FTD patients may have clinical significance. However, this has not been systematically investigated yet. This study compares the ventricular asymmetry seen on MRI with that of the asymmetric glucose metabolism using FDG-PET in patients with FTD. METHODS: Nineteen FTD patients who underwent both brain MRI and FDG-PET were retrospectively selected. As control groups, 23 and 11 age and sex-matched healthy normal subjects underwent either brain MRI or FDG-PET, respectively. The ventricular asymmetry index (VAI) was obtained in two ways: by visual rating (VAI-V) and by measuring the lateral ventricular volumes (VAI-ROI). The hemispheric asymmetry of the glucose metabolism on FDG-PET (MAI) was assessed in three ways: 1) by visual rating (MAI-V), 2) by counting the FDG activity of each hemisphere on normalized and smoothed PET images (MAI-ROI) and 3) by counting the number of voxels with significant hypometabolism based on statistical parametric mapping results (MAI-SPM). RESULTS: The VAIs on MRI (VAI-V and VAI-ROI) were highly correlated, as were the MAIs (MAI-V, MAI-ROI, and MAI-SPM) on FDG-PET. More importantly, the VAIs on MRI and the MAIs on FDG-PET showed high correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Ventricular asymmetry in FTD patients was common (78.9%) and there was a high correlation between the ventricular structural asymmetry and the hemispheric metabolic asymmetry. Therefore, it would be reasonable to interpret that the hemisphere with larger ventricle on MRI in FTD patients is undergoing a more active degenerative process.

Adult↗

Advanced management of venous malformation with ethanol sclerotherapy: mid-term results.

PURPOSE: This paper is an update of previously published data on the basis of a retrospective review of midterm results of ethanol sclerotherapy on 87 patients (January 1995 to December 2000) for assessment of its efficacy as an improved treatment method for venous malformation (VM). According to this assessment, VMs were defined with a new classification and studied with advanced diagnostic technology and an advanced care system. METHODS: The average follow-up period was 24 months after completion of a multisession treatment (mean, 8.2 months). Classification of VM was based on a modification of the Hamburg classification. Advanced diagnostic technology, mostly noninvasive, was used on 226 of 520 patients with congenital vascular malformation registered at the Congenital Vascular Malformation Clinic at the Samsung Medical Center. Of the 226 patients with VM, 87 with infiltrating extratruncular lesions had a total of 399 sessions of sclerotherapy. Follow-up assessment with periodic clinical examinations by the multidisciplinary team was supplemented with body blood pool scans, duplex scans, and magnetic resonance imaging, according to protocol, once the multisession therapy was completed. Angiographic assessment was seldom included. The endpoint of this phase II study was 24 months. RESULTS: Of 399 sessions, initial success was seen in 379 sessions (95.0%) and failure was seen in 20 sessions (5%). This was mostly caused by forced abandonment from technical difficulty in delivering ethanol safely to the lesion (eg, direct drainage of VM into normal deep vein system). Later results after completion of the multisession therapy with a minimum follow-up of 24 months on 71 VMs have shown no evidence of recurrence. Eighty-seven patients have shown the same results without recurrence on an average of 18.2 months of follow-up. Fifty-one minor to major complications, mostly skin damage, developed after 47 sessions among the 379 sessions (12.4% in 24/87 patients; 27.9%). However, complications resolved spontaneously or were managed successfully, except for one permanent facial nerve palsy and one peroneal nerve palsy. CONCLUSION: Absolute ethanol sclerotherapy can deliver excellent results as an independent therapy to the infiltrating type of extratruncular form of VM, which was once taboo because of prohibitively high morbidity. Absolute ethanol may be accepted as an effective treatment method because no recurrence has been observed in the relatively long-term observation period and the morbidity has been acceptable. However, it should be reserved only for individuals and centers with expertise. The morbidity involved should be clearly understood and accepted by the patient or family, and the risk of acute and chronic complications, both major or minor, should be explained to the patient. Long-term assessment of the complication's sequelae is warranted.

Adolescent↗

Novel ceramide analogues display selective cytotoxicity in drug-resistant breast tumor cell lines compared to normal breast epithelial cells.

The sphingolipid ceramide is involved in diverse cell signaling pathways related to proliferation and differentiation. Elevated ceramide also triggers apoptosis. Synthetic ceramide derivatives have been shown to be cytotoxic to tumors, yet few studies have evaluated whether cytotoxicity of synthetic ceramides is selective for tumor cells. We have evaluated the cytotoxic potency of several novel ceramide analogues in the drug-resistant breast tumor cell lines, SKBr3 and MCF-7/Adr, and compared their cytotoxicity in normal breast epithelial cells. Cytotoxicity was assessed using release of lactate dehydrogenase into the culture medium. (2S, 3S)-3-(6'-Dodecylpyridin-2'-yl)-2-butanoylamidopropane-1,3-diol (pyridine-C4-ceramide) produced non-selective cytotoxicity across the three cell types (EC50= 12.8-16.7 microM, at 24 hr). However, 2S,5R-2-(octanoylamido-(3E))-octadecene-1,5-diol (5R-OH-3E-C8-ceramide), (2S,3R)-2-(N-adamantoyl)-(4E)-octadecen-1,3-diol (adamantyl-ceramide), and (2S,3R)-3-(3'-dodecylphenyl)-2-butanoylamidopropane-1,3-diol (benzene-C4-ceramide) exhibited increased cytotoxicity in the tumor cell lines compared to the normal breast epithelial cells. The EC50 values (microM) at 24 hr for these compounds in SKBr3 cells, MCF-7/Adr cells, and normal breast epithelial cells, respectively, were as follows: 5R-OH-3E-C8-ceramide, 18.3, 21.2 and 58.7; adamantyl-ceramide, 10.9, 24.9 and >100; benzene-C4-ceramide, 18.9, 45.5 and >100. At a concentration of 30 microM, the fold increase in cytotoxicity in breast tumor cell lines compared with normal breast epithelial cells was as follows: 5R-OH-3E-C8-ceramide, 23.7 and 19; adamantyl-ceramide, 11.2 and 10.3 and benzene-C4-ceramide, 79.3 and 77.2, for SKBr3 and MCF-7/Adr cells, respectively. Possible mechanisms accounting for selectivity are discussed. Ceramide analogues with relatively selective toxicity against tumor cells may have potential as therapeutic agents. Elucidating the mechanisms of selective cytotoxicity could identify novel targets that may lead to development of anti-neoplastic agents with a higher therapeutic index.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Investigation of juxtasellar and cerebellopontine angle meningiomas and neurogenic tumours: two-phase helical CT.

We performed two-phase helical CT in 31 patients with juxtasellar region and cerebellopontine angle tumours to evaluate its usefulness in differentiating meningiomas from neurogenic tumours. After the intravenous injection of 90 ml contrast medium at 3 ml/s, axial helical images were obtained with delays of 30 and 120 s. After the delayed axial images, we acquired coronal images. Changes in attenuation were assessed visually and quantitatively (by comparing the attenuation in Hounsfield units). There were 17 meningiomas and 14 neurogenic tumours, all pathologically proven. Two-phase helical CT showed a decrease in attenuation in 15 (88%) meningiomas and an increase in 14 (100%) neurogenic tumours from early to delayed axial images. Coronal images showed a decrease in attenuation in all 17 meningiomas and an increase in 13 (93%) of the neurogenic tumours. The mean HU and their ratios were significantly different between meningiomas and neurogenic tumours.

Adult↗

New experiences with absolute ethanol sclerotherapy in the management of a complex form of congenital venous malformation.

BACKGROUND: Complex forms of congenital venous malformation have defied proper classification and confounded therapy. Through a newly designed multidisciplinary approach, these venous defects were properly diagnosed and classified according to the Hamburg classification. Absolute ethanol was adopted as a new scleroagent for this complex form of venous defects to improve overall treatment results with acceptable morbidity and recurrence rates. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Among 318 patients aged 2 months to 60 years (130 men: mean age, 24.6 years; 188 women: mean age, 24.5 years), 143 patients were confirmed as having venous defects predominantly (45%). We conducted diagnostic evaluation with magnetic resonance imaging, whole body blood pool scan, duplex scans, transarterial microalbumin lung scans, air plethysmography, bone x-ray film, and angiography. Thirty of 143 patients were indicated for the absolute ethanol sclerotherapy for the complex form of venous defects, and they completed 98 sessions of multistage therapy with direct puncture technique. Follow-up assessment (minimum, 6 months; average, 10.2 months) was made as early results after completion of therapy. RESULTS: The immediate success rate at the completion of treatment through 98 sessions on 30 patients was 92% (90/98). The reason for the failure of 8% (8/98 sessions) was mainly due to the lesion's inaccessibility to the nidus to deliver the alcohol safely. On follow-up assessment available on 28 of 30 patients, overall improvement of the lesions with good to fair response on clinical assessment was obtained in 27 (96%) of 28 patients. Similar good to fair responses were obtained on whole body blood pool scan assessment (14 [93%] of 15 patients) and also on magnetic resonance imaging assessment (12 [93%] of 13 patients). Various major to minor acute complications developed during the procedure in eight (26.7%) of 30 patients through 16 (16.3%) of 98 sessions of the therapy: ischemic bullae, tissue fibrosis, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, peripheral nerve palsy, and temporary pulmonary hypertension. All 24 incidences of complication were successfully managed with full recovery except one case of permanent peroneal nerve palsy that was present during 18 months of follow-up. No single recurrence has been detected to date. CONCLUSION: Absolute ethanol sclerotherapy alone can deliver excellent results in complex forms of venous malformations with considerable but acceptable morbidity and may be able to reduce the morbidity involved with the conventional surgical therapy alone on complex forms of venous malformation. No recurrence or deterioration of the therapy results was observed during the follow-up period (average, 10.2 months) after the completion of multistaged therapy.

Adolescent↗

A stereocontrolled, efficient synthetic route to bioactive sphingolipids: synthesis of phytosphingosine and phytoceramides from unsaturated ester precursors via cyclic sulfate intermediates.

An efficient and highly enantioselective method for the preparation of D-ribo- and L-lyxo-phytosphingosines (1a,b, respectively) and phytoceramides (2a,b) has been developed. The key steps in the syntheses are as follows: (i) osmium-catalyzed asymmetric dihydroxylation of 4-O-protected (E)-alpha,beta-unsaturated ester 5 (generated by dihydroxylation of 1-hexadecene, followed by oxidation to the aldehyde and Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination), (ii) conversion to cyclic sulfate intermediate 7, and (iii) regioselective alpha-azidation of 7. Reduction of 4-O-protected 2-azido ester 8 via alpha-azidolactone 9 afforded phytosphingosine 1a. Staudinger reduction of the azido group of 8, followed by in situ N-acylation in aqueous media and reduction of the ester functionality with NaBH(4)/LiBr, provided phytoceramide 2a. By using a similar approach, phytosphingosine 1b was synthesized. D-erythro-4, 5-Dihydrosphingosine 1c and D-erythro-4,5-dihydroceramide 2c were synthesized in high yield from 1-hexadecanol via cyclic sulfate intermediate 15. The desired configurations at C-2, C-3, and C-4 of the sphingoid chain can be accessed readily by the route described here.

Ceramides↗

Stereoselective preparation of ceramide and its skeleton backbone modified analogues via cyclic thionocarbonate intermediates derived by catalytic asymmetric dihydroxylation of alpha,beta-unsaturated ester precursors.

A novel and efficient synthetic route to ceramide 1a and skeleton backbone modified ceramide analogues 1b,c is reported. The syntheses utilize osmium-catalyzed asymmetric dihydroxylation of (E)-alpha, beta-unsaturated ester 5a-c as the chiral induction step, with the desired configurations in the products 1a-c, 2a, and 13 being generated by regioselective azide substitution at the alpha position of alpha,beta-dihydroxyesters 6a-c via a cyclic thionocarbonate intermediate. Azido esters 10a-c are converted to the corresponding ceramides 1a-c by a sequence of azide reduction, N-acylation, ester reduction (NaBH(4)/LiBr), and Birch reduction of the triple bond (Li, EtNH(2)). These seven- to eight-step syntheses afford the target compounds 1a-c with excellent stereocontrol and in 30-42% overall yields. Furthermore, propargylic alpha-azido-beta-hydroxyester 10a is converted to D-erythro-sphingosine 2a via simultaneous reduction of the triple bond, azido, and ester functional groups with LiAlH(4), providing a highly concise and practical four-step synthesis of this key naturally occurring sphingolipid. The L-erythro stereoisomers are also available in high enantiomeric purity by the method described herein.

Catalysis↗

Synthesis of ceramide analogues having the C(4)-C(5) bond of the long-chain base as part of an aromatic or heteroaromatic system.

Two efficient and stereoselective methods are described for the preparation of aryl and heteroaryl ceramide analogues 2 and 3. The first route involves the addition of an aryllithium or a heteroaryllithium reagent (7a or 25a, respectively) to the L-serine-derived aldehyde 4, followed by hydrolysis of the oxazolidine, liberation of the amino group, and N-acylation. The second route, which was used to prepare arylceramide analogue 2 in eight steps and 28% overall yield starting with 3-bromobenzaldehyde, utilizes a Heck reaction to afford (E)-alpha,beta-unsaturated ester 16, then osmium-catalyzed asymmetric dihydroxylation for the introduction of the desired chirality at C-2 and C-3. Regioselective alpha-azidation of alpha-O-nosyl-beta-hydroxyester 18 with sodium azide, followed by LiAlH(4) reduction of the azido and ester groups and N-acylation, complete the synthesis of arylceramide analogue 2.

Benzene Derivatives↗

Usefulness of triphasic perfusion computed tomography for intravenous thrombolysis with tissue-type plasminogen activator in acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke has been investigated in several clinical trials without enough information on collateral blood flow and perfusion deficit in the ischemic areas. The therapeutic time window varies from patient to patient depending on these factors. Triphasic perfusion computed tomography (TPCT) can provide this information as reliably as conventional angiography. OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and efficacy of thrombolysis within 3 or 7 hours of stroke onset according to the extent of perfusion deficit on TPCT. METHODS: In 46 patients with acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory stroke, TPCT was performed with power injector-controlled, intravenous administration of contrast media after taking precontrast CT scans. Sequential scans of early, middle, and late phases were performed. The entire procedure took 5 minutes. Depending on collateral blood flow, the perfusion deficit on TPCT was graded as "severe perfusion deficit" or "moderate perfusion deficit." Twenty-nine patients were excluded based on clinical, laboratory, and TPCT findings. Seventeen patients were treated with an intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator, 0.9 mg/kg. The 17 treated patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 with small severe perfusion deficit (</=33% of the presumed MCA territory) and group 2 with medium-sized severe perfusion deficit (>33% but </=50% of the presumed MCA territory). The 13 patients in group 1 were treated within 7 hours of onset and the 4 patients in group 2 were treated within 3 hours. RESULTS: Initial mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 12.1 (range, 6.0-20.0) in group 1 and 19.0 (range, 18.0-21. 0) in group 2. The initial score correlated better with the total extent of moderate perfusion deficit and severe perfusion deficit than that of severe perfusion deficit alone. Mean time lapse to thrombolysis was 4.2 hours (range, 1.5-7.0 hours) in group 1 and 2.2 hours (range, 1.9-2.5 hours) in group 2. Eight patients (47%), 7 from group 1 and 1 from group 2, improved by 4 points or more from baseline Stroke Scale score within 24 hours of thrombolysis. Patients with moderate perfusion deficit of 50% or more of MCA territory (n = 4) had a better chance of early improvement than did those (n = 13) with moderate perfusion deficit of less than 50% (4 of 4 vs 4 of 13). No fatal hemorrhage occurred. Only 1 patient (6%) had symptomatic small basal ganglia hemorrhage after thrombolysis. CONCLUSIONS: Thrombolysis can be safely performed within 3 or 7 hours of stroke onset according to the extent of severe perfusion deficit on TPCT. A larger extent of moderate perfusion deficit on TPCT may predict early improvement after thrombolysis.

Adult↗

Triphasic perfusion computed tomography in acute middle cerebral artery stroke: a correlation with angiographic findings.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of triphasic perfusion computed tomography (TPCT) in diagnosing middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion and in assessing the perfusion deficit and collateral circulation in patients with acute ischemic stroke. BACKGROUND: Conventional angiography is the criterion standard for the diagnosis of MCA occlusion and for the assessment of perfusion deficit and collateral blood supply. The risk of hemorrhagic transformation after recanalization of occluded arteries by thrombolytic therapy is considered high when pretherapeutic residual flow is markedly reduced. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 8 patients within 3 hours of onset of acute MCA stroke, precontrast computed tomographic scans were taken, and then TPCT was performed after power-injector controlled intravenous administration of contrast media. Sequential images of early, middle, and late phases were obtained. The whole procedure took 5 minutes. Perfusion deficit on TPCT was graded as "severe" or "moderate," depending on the state of collateral flow. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed in all patients within 6 hours of acute stroke. Direct intra-arterial urokinase infusion was begun immediately after the angiographic superselection of the MCA occlusion site in 6 of the 8 patients within 7 hours of onset (range, 4.3-6.2 hours). RESULTS: The DSA findings showed occlusion of the MCA stem (n = 1) and at the bifurcation (n = 4). The sites of proximal MCA occlusion could be identified on the early and middle images of TPCT in all 5 patients. On DSA findings, all 8 patients had a zone of perfusion deficit with markedly slow leptomeningeal collaterals and a zone of perfusion deficit with no collaterals. The zone of severe perfusion deficit on TPCT corresponded to the zone of perfusion deficit with no or few collaterals on angiography, and the zone of moderate perfusion deficit on TPCT corresponded to that of perfusion deficit with markedly slow leptomeningeal collaterals. Early parenchymal hypoattenuation on precontrast computed tomography was confined to the zone of severe perfusion deficit on TPCT. The initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score correlated better with the total extent of severe perfusion deficit and moderate perfusion deficit on TPCT than that of severe perfusion deficit alone. After direct intra-arterial thrombolysis within 7 hours of onset, symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation did not develop in 4 patients with small severe perfusion deficit (33% or less of the presumed MCA territory). However, the remaining 2 patients with large severe perfusion deficit (more than 50% of the presumed MCA territory) deteriorated to death with hemorrhagic transformation. CONCLUSIONS: Triphasic perfusion computed tomography is useful for diagnosing proximal MCA occlusion and assessing perfusion deficit and collateral circulation as reliably as DSA. The zone of severe perfusion deficit on TPCT may be presumed to be the ischemic core, and that of moderate perfusion deficit, the penumbra zone. Triphasic perfusion computed tomography may be used as a rapid and noninvasive tool to make thrombolysis safer.

Acute Disease↗

The relationship between the angiographic findings and the clinical features of carotid artery plaque.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the histological characteristics of atheromatous carotid plaque, and to analyze the relationship between the angiographic findings and the clinical features. We retrospectively reviewed 55 cases of carotid endarterectomy for extracranial internal carotid artery stenosis, who were treated at our institute from January 1995 to December 1997. The histological examination included hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson-trichrome staining, and immunostaining for antismooth muscle antibody and anti-CD68 antibody. The main compositions of the carotid plaque included synthetic type vascular smooth muscle cells and extracellular matrix. The histological findings showed ulceration in 49 (89.1%) cases, calcium deposits in 42 (76.4%) cases, and an inflammatory reaction in 44 (80.0%) cases. Neurological abnormalities were strongly associated with plaque ulceration (P = 0.045) and an inflammatory reaction (P = 0.013), whereas no correlation existed regarding calcium deposits (P = 0.173). The angiographic findings showed ulceration in 46 (83.6%) cases. Plaque ulceration in the angiography findings showed no statistically significant correlation with the histologic findings (P = 0.410) and preoperative neurologic abnormalities (P = 0.059). All of the atherosclerotic risk factors such as hypertension, smoking, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and myocardial infarction had no statistically significant correlation with the histological features of the carotid plaque. In conclusion, the main compositions of carotid plaque were synthetic-type vascular smooth muscle cells and extracellular matrix. The histological ulceration and inflammatory reaction of the plaque showed a statistically significant correlation with the preoperative neurologic symptoms, whereas no correlation was seen in the calcium deposits. Angiographic ulceration showed no correlation with the histological findings or preoperative neurologic abnormalities. In addition, the histological findings showed no correlation with the atherosclerotic risk factors.

Aged↗

Contralateral EEG slowing and amobarbital distribution in Wada test: an intracarotid SPECT study.

PURPOSE: To relate the occurrence of contralateral electroencephalogram slowing (CES) to amobarbital distribution, we performed electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring and intracarotid single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) during an intracarotid amobarbital procedure (IAP). METHODS: IAP was performed on 22 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. CES was defined as the occurrence of significant EEG slowing on the contralateral hemisphere (>50% of the ipsilateral hemisphere slowing) after amobarbital injection. To map the distribution of the amobarbital, we injected a mixture of amobarbital and (99m)technetium-ethylcysteinate dimer (99mTc-ECD) into the internal carotid artery and performed a brain SPECT 2 h later. In the SPECT images, regions of interest were determined by ipsilateral and contralateral anterior cerebral artery territories (iACA, cACA), ipsilateral and contralateral middle cerebral artery territories (iMCA, cMCA), and ipsilateral and contralateral posterior cerebral artery territories (iPCA, cPCA), as well as ipsilateral and contralateral anterior and posterior mesial temporal regions (iAMT, cAMT, iPMT, cPMT). The perfusion of amobarbital was interpreted visually in each region. RESULTS: Amobarbital was distributed in the iMCA in all the patients; in the iACA in 20 (90.9%) patients; in the iAMT in 14 (63.5%); and in the iPCA and iPMT in only two (9.1%). CES was observed in 13 (59.1%) patients. Cross-perfusion of amobarbital in limited areas of the cACA were observed in only four of 13 patients. Wada retention memory scores (WRMS) showed no significant difference between the CES- (n = 9) and CES+ (n = 13) groups. CONCLUSIONS: Amobarbital rarely perfused the iPCA territory and the iPMT region and was rarely delivered to the contralateral hemisphere. The occurrence of CES was not related to the cross-perfusion of amobarbital. CES appears to be produced by a transient functional disconnection from the ipsilateral hemisphere.

Adolescent↗

Salivary gland tumors: evaluation with two-phase helical CT.

PURPOSE: To evaluate two-phase helical computed tomography (CT) in the characterization of salivary gland tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four patients with major salivary gland tumors underwent two-phase helical CT. The histopathologic diagnosis was obtained by means of surgical resection or biopsy in all patients. After the injection of 90 mL of contrast material at a rate of 3 mL/sec, helical CT scans were obtained at early and delayed phases with scanning delays of 30 and 120 seconds, respectively. The attenuation change and enhancement patterns in the tumors were assessed. The attenuation change in the tumor also was assessed quantitatively as the ratio of the CT number (in Hounsfield units) at delayed phase scanning to that at early phase scanning. RESULTS: There were 35 pleomorphic adenomas, nine Warthin tumors, and 20 malignant tumors. Two-phase helical CT showed increase in attenuation in 30 (86%) pleomorphic adenomas, decrease in eight (89%) Warthin tumors, and increase in 11 (55%) and no change in eight (40%) malignant tumors at delayed phase scanning. A multinodular enhancement pattern was found in only 12 (34%) pleomorphic adenomas. The ratio of CT numbers was significantly different between Warthin tumors and pleomorphic adenomas and between Warthin tumors and malignant tumors. CONCLUSION: The analysis of enhancement patterns by using two-phase helical CT will be helpful in the differential diagnosis of salivary gland tumors.

Adolescent↗

Prevalence and risk factors of silent cerebral infarction in apparently normal adults.

Cerebrovascular disease is a major cause of death and disability in adults. Silent cerebral infarction (SCI) portends more severe cerebral infarctions or may lead to insidious progressive brain damage resulting in vascular dementia. This study was designed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of SCI in an apparently normal adult population. Nine hundred ninety-four consecutive symptom-free adults (mean age 49.0+/-7.7; men:women 830:164) who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging at the Center for Health Promotion at Samsung Medical Center were assessed. All were neurologically normal in history and physical examination. A total of 121 SCI lesions was observed in 58 subjects. The lesion prevalence adjusted for patient age was 5.1%. There was no gender difference in prevalence. Ninety-nine lesions were <1 cm in diameter, 15 were between 1 and 2 cm, 3 were between 2 and 3 cm, and 4 were >3 cm in diameter. The most frequent site of the SCI lesion was basal ganglia, after which the periventricular white matter, cerebral cortex, and thalamus were the most frequent sites. Old age, hypertension, a history of coronary artery disease, evidence of cardiomegaly in chest radiographs, and high fasting glucose/hemoglobin A1c levels were associated with SCI on univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis demonstrated old age and hypertension to be independent risk factors for SCI, and mild alcohol consumption was revealed as an independent protective factor against SCI.

Adult↗

MR angiography of moyamoya disease before and after encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the usefulness of MR angiography in revealing moyamoya disease before and after encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients (51 hemispheres) with angiographically confirmed moyamoya disease who underwent encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis were included in the study. Findings on preoperative MR angiography were compared with those on conventional angiography. Postoperative neurologic status was categorized as poor, fair, good, or excellent. Postoperative MR angiography was examined for the appearance of the superficial temporal artery, changes in moyamoya vessels, and transdural collateral vessels into the middle cerebral artery territory. RESULTS: Preoperative MR angiography revealed moyamoya disease in all patients (diagnostic accuracy, 100%). MR angiography correctly depicted the degree of internal carotid artery stenosis in 37 arteries (73%), moyamoya vessels in 33 hemispheres (65%), and the degree of stenosis in the middle, anterior, and posterior cerebral arteries in 125 (82%) of 153 arteries. After surgery, 39 hemispheres showed an excellent outcome, eight showed a good outcome, two a fair outcome, and two a poor outcome. On postoperative MR angiography, vascular supply to the middle cerebral artery territory via transdural collateral vessels increased in 28 hemispheres (55%) and decreased in four (8%). The size of the superficial temporal artery increased in 41 (80%) of 51 hemispheres. The extent of moyamoya vessels decreased in 27 hemispheres (53%) after surgery. CONCLUSION: MR angiography can show the changes in the superficial temporal artery and development of transdural collateral vessels after encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis. Because MR angiography is noninvasive, it is valuable for evaluating postoperative changes.

Adolescent↗