[en] The purpose of the study is to investigate the correlation between the symptoms and the incidence of anatomical variant without mucosal abnormality. 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-mm 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 anatomic variations included nasoseptal deviation, concha bullosa, Haller cells, Agger nasi cells, etc. 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. 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. Anatomic variants may obstruct or narrow the airway, leading to turbulating air flow or interrupting ucociliary movement, and finally may produce a series os symptoms

[en] To analyse complications and to review usefulness of large needle(18G) in percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage(PTBD). 46 patients underwent PTBD in 52 occasions using large needle. 44 of 46 patients had either definite or suspicious malignant biliary obstruction, and most patients were poor in general condition. 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. 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. We PTBD using large needle is a simple and safe procedure for prompt bile decompression