Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to L Chiu.
Intraspinal epidermoid cysts are considered rare lesions. We report such a case in a 12-year-old boy that was diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging. The magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of the lesion and the importance of proper imaging sequences are discussed.
Skeletal muscle hemangiomas are uncommon tumors of young adults. More than 90% are misdiagnosed preoperatively. Plain-film examinations, bone scans, CT studies, and angiography may not always be specific for this tumor. Seven MR examinations were performed in five young adult patients with pathologically proved skeletal muscle hemangiomas. All five hemangiomas showed high signal intensity on both T1- and T2-weighted images. The signal intensity in these tumors was less than that of subcutaneous fat on relatively T1-weighted images and greater than that of fat on relatively T2-weighted images. Four tumors had a serpiginous pattern. Four patients had focal muscle atrophy. Three patients had all three findings (high signal intensity on both T1- and T2-weighted images, serpiginous pattern, and associated focal muscle atrophy) while the other two patients had at least two of the three findings. These three patients did not undergo angiography or needle biopsies before surgery because the MR findings were highly suggestive of hemangioma. Our experience with this small series of patients suggests that skeletal muscle hemangiomas have a consistent appearance on MR. MR may be able to contribute significantly to the preoperative diagnosis of this tumor and may also supply valuable information about the extent of the lesion.
Ninety patients with musculoskeletal soft-tissue tumors and tumorlike masses examined with conventional radiography, ultrasonography, computed tomography, and other imaging modalities were reviewed. Computed tomography plays a key role in the preoperative assessment of primary malignant skeletal tumors, particularly in the detection of intramedullary and extraosseous tumor component. Ultrasonography is particularly helpful in defining benign soft-tissue masses and primary malignant soft-tissue tumors. Radionuclide bone scan is of value in evaluating the extent of osseous involvement or in detecting unsuspected skeletal metastases or skip lesions in patients with an apparent solitary skeletal tumor.
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Ethylene inhibits polar cell expansion of etiolated pea (Pisum sativum) internode tissue and results in a radial cell expansion, swelling. A special gas-tight growth chamber was developed to monitor continuously the induction of cell expansion inhibition of excised internode segments in the presence of ethylene. Following a complex induction period which lasts about 3 hours, a low, but steady-state growth rate is achieved. Ethylene removal experiments indicate that the gas induces an irreversible change in the cell expansion mode. If the tissue was transferred to an ethylene-free chamber after the steady-state rate had been achieved, this rate continued in the absence of the gas. If the gas was removed during an intermediate phase, that intermediate rate of growth continued after removal. In other experiments, segments were incubated with intact apical hooks and the induction period was much shorter than with isolated segments. Changes in imino acid metabolism have been correlated with the induction of swelling. Although total proline and hydroxyproline levels were not affected by ethylene treatment, incorporation of [(14)C]proline into a wall-associated protein was inhibited during the period when swelling occurred. These results suggest that ethylene is affecting proline pool sizes.
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Winged infusion sets are useful for short term venous infusion in a variety of applications and may be used without problem during CT scanning, ultrasound, or most other medical imaging applications. Drawbacks of using these standard winged infusion sets during MR scanning are torque and imaging artifacts. We describe a new MR compatible infusion set that overcomes these problems.
The magnetic resonance (MR) appearance of hemorrhagic acoustic neuromas has not previously been reported. Four patients with surgically proven acoustic neuromas containing spontaneous hemorrhage were preoperatively evaluated with MR imaging. All patients presented with new onset of symptoms and three had subarachnoid hemorrhage. Signal changes on T1- and T2-weighted spin echo sequences were characteristic for acute, subacute and chronic intraparenchymal hemorrhage. Recognition of hemorrhagic changes on MR is important since more rapid surgical intervention is required in this patient subgroup.
This study compares the cost of long-term care provided at patient homes with that of long-term care provided in nursing homes in southern Taiwan. Caring for a patient with a high degree of dependence at home is more expensive than caring for a patient in a nursing home facility when family costs and provider costs are considered together. This phenomenon is not demonstrated for patients with medium degrees of dependence. To be cost-effective, home care services should target patients with medium physical disability, and nursing home care should focus on patients with high levels of dependence.
This study sought to determine the factors that influence the attitudes of family caregivers of dementia patients toward nursing home placement. A telephone survey of primary caregivers was conducted in two metropolitan areas of Taiwan. Caregivers of dementia patients were recruited from the neurology and psychiatry outpatient departments of two medical centers in Taipei (a highly urbanized area, n=144) and two medical centers in Kaohsiung (an area of mixed farm and nonfarm sectors, n=134). Family caregivers were asked if they would place patients in a nursing home if their dementia progressed. The mental status of dementia patients was the most significant variable affecting caregivers attitudes toward nursing home placement. Family manpower available for caregiving at home was especially emphasized as a determining factor affecting the decision to use nursing home care by primary caregivers in highly urbanized areas.
A patient with disseminated cysticercosis involving orbit, tongue, parotid glands, epicardial fat, muscle, and subcutaneous tissues is presented. Magnetic resonance findings are described with emphasis on intraorbital and extracranial lesions.