Comparison of mandibular arch forms of Korean and Vietnamese patients by using facial axis points on three-dimensional models / 대한치과교정학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at comparing the mandibular arch forms of Korean and Vietnamese patients by using facial axis (FA) points on three-dimensional (3D) models. METHODS: Mandibular casts of 68 Korean (Class I malocclusion, 30; Class II malocclusion, 38) and 78 Vietnamese (Class I malocclusion, 41; Class II malocclusion, 37) patients were scanned in their occluded positions and grouped according to arch form (tapered, ovoid, and square). The FA point of each tooth was digitized on the 3D mandibular models. The measurements and frequency distributions of the arch forms were compared between the ethnic groups. RESULTS: The Vietnamese patients had significantly greater intercanine depth and intercanine and intermolar width-to-depth ratios than the Korean patients (p < 0.05). The frequency distributions of the arch forms were also significantly different (p = 0.038), but no sexual dimorphism was found. CONCLUSIONS: Vietnamese people tend to have deeper and wider arches than Korean people. The three arch forms are evenly distributed in Korean people, but Vietnamese people frequently have square arches. Clinicians should identify the correct arch form of an ethnic group before initiating orthodontic treatment.

CT Findings of Peritoneal Tuberculosis and Peritoneal Carcinomatosis: Relationship between Peritoneal Change and Omental Infiltration

PURPOSE: To compare the CT findings of peritoneal tuberculosis (PT) and peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) based on the morphologic features of the peritoneum and assess the relationship between the degree of peritoneal thickness and the severity of omental infiltration in PT and PC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the CT findings of 15 patients with PT and 14 with PC. We checked the morphologic changes of the peritoneum as seen on CT, for the following points: 1) the presence of peritoneal change: 2) the pattern of any change-diffuse thickening, plaque or nodularity, combined thickening (diffuse and plaque, or nodularity); 3) the degree of thickness on the whole peritoneum - mild (grossly definite, but not more than 3 mm), moderate (more than 3mm); 4) the presence of irregularity on the peritoneal surface. We also evaluated the significance of the relationship between peritoneal thickness and omental infiltration in both disease entities. The degree of omental infiltration was described as follows : grade I (no change or focal smudge pattern); grade II ( diffuse smudge), grade III (omental cake regardless extent). RESULTS: Peritoneal change was seen in 12 of 15 PT patients and in 7 of 14 PC patients. In all 12 PT patients, the pattern of change was diffuse thickening, and among the seven PC patients, there was diffuse thickening in one, plaque or nodular thickening in four, and combined thickening in two. In PT patients, the degree of thickness on the whole peritoneum was mild in six and moderate in six, and in PC patients it was mild in two and moderate in one. An irregular peritoneum surface was seen in one patient with PT and in two with PC. The degree of omental infiltration in PT was grade I in four patients, grade II in six andgrade III in five. In PC, it was grade I in six patients, grade II in two and grade III in six. Smooth diffuse thickening of the peritoneum was seen in 11 of 15 PT cases and in one of 14 PC (P0.5). CONCLUSION: In PT and PC different CT findings based on peritoneal morphologic changes might be useful in differentiating these two entities. In addition, careful observation of relationship between the peritoneal change and the severity of omental infiltration is necessary.

Thickened Wall-Type GB Cancer and Complicated Cholecystitis: Comparison of CT Findings

PURPOSE: We compared CT findings of thickened wall-type gallbladder cancer with those of complicated cholecystitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed abdominal CT scans of ten patients with thickened wall-type gallbladder cancer and eight patients with complicated cholecystitis, from March 1991 to November 1995. RESULTS: CT findings of thickened wall-type gallbladder cancer showed diffuse or focal wallthickening. Wall thickness was 5.3-18.0 mm(mean value, 12.2mm ; n=10). Gallbladder wall thickness of complicatedcholecystitis was 3.0-14.0mm (mean value, 6.6mm ; n=8). Statistical significance was noted between thickened wall-type gallbladder cancer and complicated cholecytitis(p<0.0029). Irregular wall thickening was noted in 7/10cases of thickened wall-type gallbladder cancer(70%). Regular wall thickening was noted in 6/8 cases of complicated cholecystitis(75%). The luminal diameter of thickened wall-type gallbladder cancer was 3.3-5.4cm (meanvalue, 4.2cm ; n=10). The luminal diameter of complicated cholecystitis was 5.2-8.0cm (mean value, 6.5cm ; n=8).Statistical significance was noted between thickened wall-type gallbladder cancer and complicated cholecystitis(p<0.0003). The halo sign was noted in only 3/8 cases of complicated cholecystitis(38%). Secondary findings of thickened wall-type gallbladder caner was lymphadenopathy in 3/10 cases(30%), and liver invasion in 2/10 cases(20%). Secondary findings of complicated cholecystitis were liver abscess in 2/8 cases(25%), and RLQ abdominal fluid collection and pleural effusion in 4/8 cases(50%). CONCLUSION: Differential factors of thickened wall-type gallbladder cancer from complicated cholecystits are gallbladder wall thickness, regularity of wall thickness, halo sign, secondary findings and luminal distention.

PNS CT in Symptomatic Patients without Mucosal Abnormality: The Relationship between Anatomic Variations and Symptomas

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to investigate the correlation between the symptoms and the incidence of anatomical variant without mucosal abnormality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of 892 patients with CT performed for the evaluation of sinus disease symptoms between March 1991 and March 1993, we observed the anatomic variations in 82 symptomatic patients without mucosal abnormality(male:female=43:39, mean age 36. 4 years). The control group included 88 patients with facial bone CT performed for the evaluation of trauma during the same period while patients with recent paranasal sinusitis were excluded. (male:female=76:12, mean age 22. 4 years). The scouis were performed with 5-ram section thickness from posterior margin of sphenoid sinus to anterior margin of posterior ethmoid and then with 3 mm thickness from anterior margin of posterior ethmoid to anterior margin of frontal sinus. The artatomic variations included nasoseptal deviation, concha bullosa, Hailer cells, Agger nasi cells, etc. RESULTS: The anatomic variations were demonstrated in 71 our of 82 symptomatic patients(86. 5%), whereas they were seen 26 of 88 patients(29. 5%) in control group. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that there is a possible causal relationship between anatomic variations and symptomas. Even though without accompaning mucosal abnormalities, anatomic variations could contribute simply to its symptomas.

Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage Using Large Needle: Complications and Usefulness

PURPOSE: To analyse complications and to review usefulness of large needle(18G) in percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage(PTBD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 46 patients underwent PTBD in 52 occassions using large needle. 44 of 46 patients had either definite or suspicious malignant biliary obstruction, and most patients were poor in general dondition. Complications were classified as acute type if developed within 30 days and as delayed type if developed after 30 days. Acute type was subdivided into severe and mild forms. RESULTS: Severe forms of complications were death(5.8%), septicemia(3.8%), and bile peritonitis(1.9%). There were not different from the rate of complication in PTBD using fine needle but the procedure was much more simple. CONCLUSION: We PTBD using large neddie is a simple and safe procedure for prompt bile decompression.