Background parenchymal enhancement in the contralateral normal breast of patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy measured by DCE-MRI.

The purpose of this study was to analyze background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) in the contralateral normal breast of cancer patients during the course of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Forty-five subjects were analyzed. Each patient had three MRIs, one baseline (B/L) and two follow-up (F/U) studies.

Risk factors for internal carotid artery injury in adults during simple nasopharyngeal surgeries.

The purpose of this study attempted to analyze the potential risk factors for internal carotid artery injury during simple nasopharyngeal surgeries with or without an endoscopic aid. One hundred and seventy magnetic resonance imaging scans (340 halves) of the brain were retrospectively reviewed and studied. Anatomic variations of carotid arteries were classified, and various distances from the internal carotid arteries to the nasopharyngeal subsites were directly measured on the scans.

Effect of taxane-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy on fibroglandular tissue volume and percent breast density in the contralateral normal breast evaluated by 3T MR.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the change of breast density in the normal breast of patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Forty-four breast cancer patients were studied. MRI acquisition was performed before treatment (baseline), and 4 and 12 weeks after treatment.

A nationwide population-based study shows increasing incidence of cholangiocarcinoma.

Purpose: An increasing incidence of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) has been reported in Western countries, but evidence is lacking in Asia. We investigated the incidence of CCA in a nationwide cohort.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a nationwide cohort study based on data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) between 1998 and 2008.

Comparative in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility and synergistic activity of antimicrobial combinations against Helicobacter pylori isolates in Taiwan.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a major determinant of Helicobacter pylori treatment failures. We conducted a population-based survey to monitor changing antimicrobial susceptibility of H. pylori isolates in Taiwan, with a focus on combinatorial effects of synergism and the influence of acidity.

Opiate-induced constipation related to activation of small intestine opioid μ2-receptors.

Aim: To investigate the role of opioid μ-receptor subtype in opiate-induced constipation (OIC).

Methods: The effect of loperamide on intestinal transit was investigated in mice. Ileum strips were isolated from 12-wk-old male BALB/c mice for identification of isometric tension.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide and size of the atrial septal defect in new-onset migraine after transcatheter closure: results of a preliminary study.

Background: New-onset migraine headache attacks (MHAs) can occur after atrial septal device implantation in patients without previous migraine. Plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which plays a crucial role in migraine pathophysiology, has shown to be released from specific cardiac tissues.

Methods And Results: We prospectively collected patients before and after closure and measured plasma CGRP levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Development of a set of functional hierarchical balance short forms for patients with stroke.

Objective: To develop a set of 3 hierarchical balance short forms (HBSF; containing sitting, standing, and stepping forms) to measure balance function in patients with stroke.

Design: First, we developed the HBSF, based on a previous data set, with each short form containing 6 items. Second, we examined the psychometric properties and efficiency of the HBSF.

Unusual spinal cord lesions in late-onset non-ketotic hyperglycinemia.

Non-ketotic hyperglycinemia is a disorder of glycine metabolism with severe neurologic regression in the infantile stage, while late-onset non-ketotic hyperglycinemia is a rare form characterized by variable clinical, biochemical, and imaging features. This report describes a boy of late-onset non-ketotic hyperglycinemia presenting with an unusual long tract-like lesion of the spinal cord aside by magnetic resonance imaging. This is the first reported child of non-ketotic hyperglycinemia with abnormal imaging features of spinal cord.

Focal bone abnormality as a complication of ultrasound diathermy: a report of eight cases.

Purpose: To review the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings in eight patients who developed marrow lesions after undergoing physiotherapy with use of ultrasound diathermy.

Materials And Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed the medical charts and MR images of eight patients (six women and two men aged 22-69 years) who received ultrasound diathermy treatment for a variety of soft tissue injuries involving primarily the knee, shoulder, and wrist. All patients underwent MR imaging without the use of intravenous gadolinium-based contrast material.

Current status of Barrett's esophagus research in Asia.

In Western countries, the epidemiology of esophageal cancer has changed considerably over the past decades with a rise in the ratio of adenocarcinoma to squamous cell carcinoma. Although the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux is increasing in Asia, the prevalences of Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) have remained low in most Asian countries. The Asian Barrett's Consortium recently conducted a review of published studies on BE from Asia to assess the current status of BE research in Asia, and to recommend potential areas for future BE research in the region.

Staged external and internal locked plating for open distal tibial fractures.

Background And Purpose: Based on reported success with staged treatment of distal tibial fractures, we designed a 2-stage protocol including external/internal locked plating. We retrospectively assessed the outcome of open distal tibial fractures treated according to this protocol.

Patients And Methods: From March 2006 through July 2008, 16 patients who sustained open distal tibial fractures were treated by a two-stage protocol.

Acute Q fever and scrub typhus, southern Taiwan.

Acute Q fever and scrub typhus are zoonoses endemic to southern Taiwan. Among the 137 patients with acute Q fever (89, 65.0%) or scrub typhus (43, 31.

Postoperative lumbar spine: modified radiographic projections for detection of bone defects in cadavers.

Purpose: Special radiographic projections were evaluated in two cadaveric specimens for depicting postoperative changes after five different lower lumbar surgical procedures. Available literature concerning special radiographic projections of the lumbar spine is limited. The objective of this study was to establish a special radiographic projection that is useful for depicting postoperative changes after lumbar surgical procedures.

Diagnostic performance of MR imaging in the assessment of subchondral fractures in avascular necrosis of the femoral head.

Objective: A prospective study was conducted to determine the accuracy of routine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in correctly identifying subchondral fracture in avascular necrosis of the femoral head without apparent focal collapse on standard radiographs.

Materials And Methods: Spiral computed tomography (CT) with coronal and sagittal reformations and routine MR imaging with spin-echo T1WI and fat-suppressed spin-echo T2WI coronal, axial, and sagittal images were performed in 28 hips of 25 patients (M/F = 20:5; age 16-76 years) suffering from early-stage avascular necrosis of the femoral head on standard radiographs. The MR images were reviewed by a musculoskeletal radiologist and a general radiologist in blinded fashion.

The effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass on gastroesophageal reflux disease in morbidly obese Chinese patients.

Background: The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is increasing in Eastern and Western countries. Obesity is recognized as a risk factor of gastroesophageal reflux disease. However, little information is available on the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in morbidly obese Chinese patients.

Worker's compensation and return-to-work following orthopaedic injury to extremities.

Objective: To explore the influence of workers' compensation coverage on injury patterns and return-to-work outcome in orthopaedic injuries of the extremities.

Design: Prospective and follow-up study.

Subjects: A total of 154 subjects were recruited and 37.

Open-door laminoplasty for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy: good outcome in 12 patients using suture anchor fixation.

Background And Purpose: In the classic Hirabayashi procedure, the lamina door is tethered open by sutures between the spinous process and facet capsule or para-vertebral muscle. Our early experiences showed, however, that the loosened sutures result in dislodgement and reclosure of the lifted lamina. We present a modified method to ensure secure fixation and prevent restenosis due to hinge closure.

Long term follow-up results of dorsal root entry zone lesions for intractable pain after brachial plexus avulsion injuries.

Brachial plexus avulsion injury is one of the major complications after traffic, especially motorcycle accidents and machine injuries. Intractable pain and paralysis of the affected limbs are the major neurological deficits. During the past 18 years, we have encountered and treated more than 500 cases with brachial plexus avulsion injuries.

Indigenous case of disseminated histoplasmosis, Taiwan.

We report the first indigenous case of disseminated histoplasmosis in Taiwan diagnosed by histopathology of bone marrow, microbiologic morphology, and PCR assay of the isolated fungus. This case suggests that histoplasmosis should be 1 of the differential diagnoses of opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients in Taiwan.

Carpal tunnel syndrome in male visual display terminal (VDT) workers.

Background: The association between working at a video display terminal (VDT) and development of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is not well-established. The study surveyed the prevalence of CTS symptoms, explored the risk factors and evaluated the clinical application of hand diagrams, physical tests and electrodiagnosis among male VDT workers.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in an information and communication technology company.

Lumbar spinal dural arteriovenous fistula presenting with brainstem symptomatology: A case report.

This report is about a rare case of a lumbar spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) with distant brainstem symptoms of vertigo and ataxia. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a high signal abnormality in the lower pons, medulla, and cervico-medullary junction, presumably related to venous hypertension. Spinal MRI revealed markedly dilated veins along the dorsal aspect of the cord, while spinal angiography confirmed the presence of a lumbar spinal DAVF.

Mitochondrial dysfunction and ultrastructural damage in the hippocampus during kainic acid-induced status epilepticus in the rat.

Purpose: Prolonged and continuous epileptic seizure (status epilepticus) results in cellular changes that lead to neuronal damage. We investigated whether these cellular changes entail mitochondrial dysfunction and ultrastructural damage in the hippocampus, by using a kainic acid (KA)-induced experimental status epilepticus model.

Methods: In Sprague-Dawley rats maintained under chloral hydrate anesthesia, KA (0.

Imaging predictors of intracranial ependymomas.

Objective: To identify significant imaging prognostic factors for intracranial ependymomas.

Methods: This series includes 32 patients (18 male and 14 female), with an age at surgery ranging from 1 to 69 years (median, 20.5 years).