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In this paper, we present the first method for precisely controlling the heat generated by microwave heating by tuning the number of graphene layers grown by chemical vapor deposition. The conductivity of the graphene increases linearly with the number of graphene layers, indicating that Joule heating plays a primary role in the temperature control of the graphene layer. In this method, we successfully synthesize TiO2 and MoS2 thin films, which do not interact well with microwaves, on a layer-controlled graphene substrate for a very short time (3 min) through microwave heating.

Purpose: To determine the diagnostic value of CT-guided biopsy or aspiration of the spine and paraspinal soft tissue in infectious spondylitis. Materials and Methods: Between January 2000 and June 2002, 58 patients underwent 67 biopsies and/or aspirations under CT guidance to identify the organism causing infectious spondylitis, and were included in this study. Nine underwent rebiopsy. In all patients, MR images were available before biopsy and/or aspiration. In 63 of 67 procedures, the specimens or aspirates obtained were prepared for culture and smear, and for histological examination, four procedures involved aspiration only. In ten patients with suspected tuberculosis, a polymerase chain reaction test was performed. For all procedures, the transpedicular, transcostovertebral or paravertebral route was involved, according to the level and shape of the lesions, and 14-, 16-, or 18-gauge core biopsy needles and/or 20-gauge aspiration needles were employed. Lesions invloved a paravertebral (n=17), psoas (n=8) or epidural (n=1) abscess; an intervertebral disc (n=20); or a vertebral body (n=21). The levels at the mid-thoracic spine were T4-T10 (n=11); at the thoracolumbar junction, T11-L1 (n=14); at the lumbar spine, L1-L4 (n=25); and at the lumbo-sacral junction, L5-S1 (n=17). In nine of 58 patients, rebiopsy was performed. Results: Diagnosis was confirmed in 22 of 58 patients (38%), and was as follows: tuberculous spondylitis (n=17), pyogenic spondylitis (n=4), and fungal spondylitis (n=1). Thirty-six unconfirmed cases were diagnosed as nonspecific inflammation (n=21), fibrosis involving cortical bone (n=1), necrotic material (n=5) and inadequate specimen without evidence of malignancy (n=9). Only one of the nine cases in which biopsy was repeated was confirmed as tuberculous spondylitis. Diagnosis was confirmed in 7 of 17 paravertebral abscesses (41%), 8 of 21 vertebral bodies (38%), 6 of 20 intervertebral discs (30%) and 1 of 8 psoas abscesses (13%). Conclusion: In infectious spondylitis, the overall diagnostic yield of CT-guided needle biopsy and/or aspiration is relatively low, but the procedure seems to be effective for excluding malignancy. In identifying the organisms involved in infectious spondylitis, a paravertebral lesion is in a more favoured location than a psoas lesion.

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Objective : To analyze the clinical outcomes of computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy-guided selective nerve root block (SNRB) for severe arm pain caused by acute cervical disc herniation. Methods : The authors analyzed the data obtained from 25 consecutive patients who underwent CT fluoroscopy-guided SNRB for severe arm pain, i.e., a visual analogue scale (VAS) score of 8 points or more, caused by acute soft cervical disc herniation. Patients with chronic arm pain, motor weakness, and/or hard disc herniation were excluded. Results : The series comprised 19 men and 6 women whose mean age was 48.1 years (range 35-72 years). The mean symptom duration was 17.5 days (range 4-56 days) and the treated level was at C5-6 in 13 patients, C6-7 in 9, and both C5-6 and C6-7 in 3. Twenty-three patients underwent SNRB in 1 session and 2 underwent the procedure in 2 sessions. No complications related to the procedures occurred. At a mean follow-up duration of 11.5 months (range 6-22 months), the mean VAS score and NDI significantly improved from 9 and 58.2 to 3.4 and 28.1, respectively. Eighteen out of 25 patients (72%) showed successful clinical results. Seven patients (28%) did not improve after the procedure, and 5 of these 7 underwent subsequent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Conclusion : CT fluoroscopy-guided SNRB may play a role as a primary conservative treatment for severe arm pain caused by acute cervical disc herniation. KEY WORDS :Cervical vertebrae˙ Intervertebral disc˙ Nerve block.

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(983)) (B. Brown, Melsungen, Germany) were mixed in a 5cc bottle at concentrations of 25 -50 % (glue: lipiodol= 1: 1 to 1: 3) and observed for two weeks. The hardness of polymerized GLM was classified as liquid, geL semi-solid or solid. After the addition of tungsten or tantalum powder (0.2 gm) and a drop of blood to GLM, different series of experiments were performed. pH was measured in distilled water mixed with tungsten or tantalum(O.1 to 0.5 gm) .Resu Its: At a concentration of 50 %, most GLM turned into solid casts within 48 hours; at one of 25 %, most GLM gelled within 24hrs. At concentrations of 28 and 33 %, hardness was between that of a solid and that of a gel. After the addition of tungsten to 50 % and 25 % GLM, this remained in a liquid state until two weeks later, regardless of lipiodol products. 1n 5cc distilled water with 0.1 to 0.5 gm tungsten, pH changed from 3.5 to 2.6, and on the addition of tantalum from 6.4 to 5.7. The addition of blood to the mixture immediately turned the cast solid at a GLM concentration of 50 %, and semi-solid at one of 25 %.Conclusion: The reaction time of GLM differed according to the lot number of lipiodol. The ad dition of tungsten seemed to prevent premature cast formation by decreasing pH; the mechanism was similar to that observed when acetic acid was added.Index words: 1nterventional procedures, experimental Arteries, therapeutic blockade Address reprint requests to:

Purpose : To characterize the CT and MR findings in patients with meningioangiomatosis(MA).Materials and Methods : Four patients (18 to 53 years old, two females and two males) with MA were retrospectively reviewed. CT was used in four cases and MR in three . Pathologic specimens were obtained from all four.Results : All lesions were located in the cortical and subcortical areas and showed spotty(n = 1), popcornlike(n = 2), or gyral(n = 1) calcification. The masses were associated with surrounding edema and gliosis . In two patients, lesions were multiple and were accompanied by eccentric cysts. Conclusion : MA is a surgically correctable benign disease. Its radiologic characteristics are cortical or subcortical mass with various calcifications, associated peripheral edema and gliosis.Index words : Brain, CT Brain, MR Meninges, neoplasms MA is a rare benign harmatomatous lesion ofthe cerebral cortex and leptomeninge 않 s 야(1ω1) . Grossl)η y and microsc ∞ op 센 ica 떠 IIηY it is c 야 ha 값 rac 야 t 않 enz 똥 ed by cortical meningovascular proliferation and leptomeningeal calcification (2), though its pathogenesis is unknown. In almost 50 % of reported cases it was associated with neurofibromatosis(NF)(3). The reported CT findings of MA are various types of calcification with little or no contrast enhancement, or a hypodense round mass in the corti cal or leptomeningeal area. In several cases, MR findin gs have been reported; abnormalities are confined to the cortex and consists of isointensity or h ypointensity on T 1 weighted images and T2 weighted images show a heterogenous cortical mass surround by an area of increased intensity due to edema or gliosis(3 -5). We describe the characteristic CT and MR findings of MA. Materials& MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed six lesions in four patients with MA Two were men and two were women, and their ages ranged from 18 to 53 years , Two had a history of seizures, and two had suffered seizures and headaches, but none had a family history or stigmata of NF.Using a Simens Somatom Plus 4B scanner (Erlangen, Germany), all patients underwent unenhanced and contrast CT ; three underwent MR on a Simens 1, OT Magnetom Expert, and on a 0 .5T scanner at an outside institution. In three cases, T 1 (420 /1 4/2, repetition time/echo time/excitations), proton density(2600/22/ 2) and T2(2600 /90 /2) weighted spin-echo images were obtained, and in two, gadolinium enhanced T1 weighted images were acquired . Alllesions were evaluated for pattern of calcifications, associated cysts with mass, edema, location and extent of enhancement. One patient underwent angiography at an outside institution and all underwent surgery for tumor removal.-1057 -