Isolated radial head dislocation, without an associated fracture of the ulna in adult, is rare. Two cases which can be thought as old unreduced isolated radial head dislocation were experienced in this hospital. Dislocated radial heads have not been reduced, however the cases revealed normal elbow motion including pronation and supination. We report these cases with a review of the literature.
Adult ; Dislocations ; Elbow ; Head ; Humans ; Pronation ; Supination ; Ulna

This is a comparative study based on the data of legal autopsies performed at the National Institute of Scientific Investigation, Seoul, during the year of 2000. In South Korea, the pathologists usually do not attend the death scene, and the scene investigation is performed only by the law enforcement agency. The latter collects the information needed for clarifying the cause and manner of death. The authors tried to estimate the efficiency of the death investigation through the discrepancy between the presumed and the most possible cause of death. We presumed the cause of death on the ground of police investigation and external examination by the general physicians, The most possible cause of death means the best diagnosis after autopsy by pathologists, with the consideration of police information. Followings are the summary of the results. The coincidence rate with the most possible death are over 90% in presumed trauma, asphyxia, thermal injuries, electrocution, starvation/neglect, and over 80% in drowning and natural deaths. The rate was low in medical injuries(26.6%) and poisoning(67.2%). 7.3 to 8.2% were natural in presumed blunt trauma, traffic injury and fall down injuries. Among 48 cases of presumed ligature strangulation, 6 were other type of asphyxia or other injuries, and 2 unknown. The coincidence rate was only 30.8% in acute alcohol poisoning. 5.9% of presumed fire death was proved other type of violent injuries. In the field of medical practices, only 6.3% of accused general medical procedures were proved dead due to themselves. But the rate was increased up to 49.0% in presumed surgery/anesthetic deaths. 12.9% were violent death in presumed natural death, and 64.6% were dead due to violent causes in the cases of no presumable cause of death.
Asphyxia ; Autopsy* ; Cause of Death* ; Diagnosis ; Drowning ; Fires ; Humans ; Korea ; Law Enforcement ; Ligation ; Poisoning ; Police ; Seoul

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results between open reduction and internal fixation with the plate and percutaneous reduction by towel clip and intramedullary fixation with Steinmann pin for clavicle shaft fractures in adult. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have studied the results in 33 cases with the plate, 35 cases with the Steinmann pin among total 68 cases of clavicle shaft fracture. The patients were followed up over a period of at least 12 months. The final postoperative outcome was analyzed with the clinical outcomes using Kang's criteria, radiological union time and operation time. RESULTS: The clinical outcome that was good or excellent according to the Kang's criteria showed a distribution of 88% in the group using the plate with 29 cases out of total 33 cases, 91% in the group using the Steinmann pin with 32 cases out of total 35 cases. The mean radiological union time was 8.9 weeks in the group using the plate, 9.1 weeks in the group using Steinmann pin. The mean operation time was 72 minutes in the group using the plate, whereas was 18 minutes in the group using Steinmann pin. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of adult clavicle shaft fracture, two groups did not show a significant statistical difference in clinical and radiological outcomes. However, the operation time and postoperative functional recovery was significantly shorter and faster in the group using Steinmann pin. Additionally economic and cosmetic aspect was more satisfactory in the group using Steinmann pin.
Adult* ; Clavicle* ; Humans

This is a statistical analysis based on the data of legal autopsies performed at the Headquarters of the National Institute Scientific Investigation(NISI), requested by every kind of law enforcement agencies during the year of 2001. NISI is located in Seoul, Korea and has three branches throughout the country. The Seoul NISI covers all legal autopsies in Seoul City, Incheon City, and Kyunggi Province and some cases referred from other regions. This report aims to analyse various aspects of 2,807 unusual deaths in Korea, chiefly Seoul and its surrounding area. Followings are the summary of the results. 1. The number of male was 2,043 cases (72.8%) and that of female 764 (27.2%). Male was over twice more than female. The forties were 723 cases (25.8%), the thirties 641 (22.8%), and these two decades occupied 48.6%. 2. Unnatural deaths were 1,690 cases (60.2%), natural 1020 (36.3%), and the unknown 97 (3.5%). Among 1,690 unnatural deaths, suicide was 415 (24.6%), homicide 418 (24.7%), accident 505 (29.9%), and the unclear 352 (20.8%). Homicide occupied 37.1% of trauma, 44.1% of blunt force injury excluding traffic and fall-down injury, and 83.5% of sharp force injury. The homicide rate in asphyxia was 32.5%, but it went up to 62.7% excluding hanging. It showed only 1.0% of homicide in poisoning. 3. Traumatic deaths were 825 cases, occupying 48,8% of 1,690 unnatural deaths, followed by asphyxial death (249 cases). Blunt trauma was 295 cases (35.8%) and the leading cause of death in traumatic death. Poisoning was 213 cases, among which the agrochemicals were dominant (68 cases). Thermal injuries were 193 cases, electrocution 31 cases, and starvation/neglect 10 cases. 36 cases were direct- 4. Among 1,020 natural deaths, heart diseases were 398 cases (39.0%), and vascular diseases 145 (14.2%), and these two categories were added up to 543 (53.2%). 5. Child deaths under the age of 10 were 194 cases. Homicide was 43 cases (48.9%) out of 88 unnatural deaths. Neonates including still births were the leading period of age in unnatural death, counting 64 cases(33.0%).
Agrochemicals ; Asphyxia ; Autopsy* ; Cause of Death ; Child ; Female ; Gyeonggi-do ; Heart Diseases ; Homicide ; Humans ; Incheon ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Law Enforcement ; Male ; Parturition ; Poisoning ; Seoul ; Suicide ; Vascular Diseases

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical and radiological results using 3.5 mm & 2.4 mm volar locking compression plate (LCP) in distal radius fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study reviewed the results of 115 cases of distal radius fractures treated with 3.5 mm volar LCP (73 cases) & 2.4 mm volar LCP (42 cases) from September 2003 to June 2009. The radiographic results were evaluated by radiographic assessment, and the clinical results were evaluated by Knirk and Jupiter's criteria, Modified Mayo wrist scoring system and DASH score. RESULTS: Radiological evaluation of the radial length, radial inclination, volar tilt and intraarticular step off were improved both 3.5 mm volar LCP and 2.4 mm volar LCP. Nine cases of arthritis occured in 3.5 mm volar LCP and 7 cases in 2.4 mm volar by using the Knirk and Jupiter's criteria. The mean score evaluated by Modified Mayo was 86.7 in 3.5 mm volar LCP and 84.8 in 2.4 mm volar LCP. DASH score was 11.2 point in 3.5 mm volar LCP, 10.9 point in 2.4 mm volar LCP. All cases showed bone union showing no evidence of malunion, nounion, nor metal failure. CONCLUSION: Distal radius fractures treated with 3.5 mm volar LCP and 2.4 mm volar LCP show satisfying radiological and clinical outcome.
Arthritis ; Radius ; Radius Fractures ; Wrist

PURPOSE: We evaluated the results of operative treatment with F or H plates and screws using extensile lateral approach in intraarticular calcaneal fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From August 2003 to July 2006, twenty intraarticular calcaneal fractures which were operated with open reduction and internal fixation with F or H plates and screws were evaluated retrospectively. According to the Essex-Lopresti classification, 3 cases were tongue type and 16 were joint depression type. With the Sanders classification, 2 cases were II A type, 7 were II B, 5 were III AB, 2 were III AC and 3 were IV. We have analysed the Bohler angle, Gissane angle, and calcaneal width in radiologic evaluation, and evaluated clinical result according to the Creighton-Nebraska Health Foundation Score. RESULTS: Radiologic changes showed as follows: Bohler angle improved from 5.8 degrees to 25.9 degrees, Gissane angle from 119.0 degrees to 113.3 degrees, and calcaneal width from 50.4 mm to 37.8 mm. In the clinical results, excellent cases were noted in 8 cases, good in 8 cases, fair in 2 cases, poor in 1 case. CONCLUSION: Operative treatment with F or H plates and screws using extensile lateral approach in intraarticular calcaneal fractures was thought to be a useful operative method allowing anatomical reduction.
Classification ; Depression ; Intra-Articular Fractures ; Joints ; Retrospective Studies ; Tongue

This is a statistical analysis based on the data of legal autopsies performed at the Headquarters of the National Institute Scientific Investigation(NISI), requested by every kind of law enforcement agencies during the year of 2002. NISI is located in Seoul, Korea and has three branches throughout the country. The Seoul NISI covers all legal autopsies in Seoul City, Incheon City and Kyunggi Province and some cases referred from other regions. This report aims to analyse various aspects of 3,045 unusual deaths in Korea, chiefly Seoul and its surrounding area. Followings are the summary of the results. 1. The number of male was 2,199 cases (72.2%) and that of female 846 (27.8%). Male was over twice more than female. The forties were 766 cases (25.2%), the thirties 692 (22.7%), and these two decades occupied 47.9%. 2. Unnatural deaths were 1,810 cases (59.5%), natural 1082 (35.5%), and the unknown 153 (5.0%). Among 1,810 unnatural deaths, suicide was 416 (23.0%), homicide 394 (21.8%), accident 592 (32.7%), and the unclear 408 (22.5%). Homicide occupied 33.3% of trauma, 49.3% of blunt force injury excluding traffic and fall-down injury, and 88.2% of sharp force injury. The homicide rate in asphyxia was 31.7%,but it went up to 59.2% excluding hanging. It showed only 0.4% percent of homicide in poisoning. 3. Traumatic deaths were 867 cases, occupying 47,9% of 1,810 unnatural deaths, followed by poisoning deaths (269 cases). Blunt trauma was 284 cases (32.8%) and the leading cause of death in traumatic death. Poisoning was 269 cases, among which the agrochemicals were dominant (64cases). Thermal injuries were 193 cases, electrocution 16 cases, and starvation/neglect 9 cases. and 17 cases were directly due to medical procedures.4. Among 1,082 natural deaths, heart diseases were 450 cases (41.6%), and vascular diseases 186 (17.2%), and these two categories were added up to 636 (58.8%). 5. Child deaths under the age of 10 were 179 cases. Homicide was 35 cases (37.2%) out of 94 unnatural deaths. Neonates including still births were the leading period of age in unnatural death, counting 48 cases (26.8%)
Agrochemicals ; Asphyxia ; Autopsy* ; Cause of Death ; Child ; Female ; Gyeonggi-do ; Heart Diseases ; Homicide ; Humans ; Incheon ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Law Enforcement ; Male ; Parturition ; Poisoning ; Seoul ; Suicide ; Vascular Diseases

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate mammographic findings of invasive ductal carcinoma(IDC) and invasive lobular carcinoma(ILC)and to find differential points between the two. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 239 patients, who underwent mammography prior to surgery and were proved to have IDC(224 patients) or ILC(15 patients)pathologically, were analized retrospectively. On mammogram, presence of mass and micro calcification were analized. When there was a mass on mammogram, lesion opacity was classified into high, equal, or low opacity andborder of the mass was classified into spiculated, poorly marginated, and well-marginated. When there was nodefinite mass, mammographic findings were classified into asymmetric opacity and no mass. RESULTS: Masses were observed in 168 patients(75%) of IDC and 12 patients(80%) of ILC. Border of the masses were spiculated(n=50,22.3%), poorly marginated(n=112, 50%), or well-marginated(n=6, 2.7%) in patients with IDC. Spiculated and poorly marginated borders were observed in 8 patients(53.3%) and 4 patients(26.7%) respectively, in patients with ILC. Microcalcifications were seen in 88 patients(39.3%) of IDC and 2 patients(13.3%) of ILC. Equal or low opacities ofthe lesions were observed in 29 patients(17.3%) of IDC and 5 patients(33.3%) of ILC. CONCLUSION: Although equalor low opacities were observed more frequently in ILC and microcalcifications were noted more frequently in IDC,it was difficult to differentiate the two diseases based on mammographic findings.
Carcinoma, Ductal* ; Carcinoma, Lobular* ; Humans ; Mammography ; Retrospective Studies

This is a statistical analysis based on the data of legal autopsies performed at the Headquarters of the National Institute Scientific Investigation(NISI), requested by every kind of law enforcement agencies during the year of 2004. NISI is located in Seoul, Korea and has three branches throughout the country. The Seoul NISI covers all legal autopsies in Seoul City, Incheon City and Kyunggi Province and some cases referred from other regions. This report aims to analyse various aspects of 3,051 unusual deaths in Korea, chiefly Seoul and its surrounding area. Followings are the summary of the results. 1. The number of male was 2,214 cases(73%) and that of female 837(27%). Male was over twice more than female. The forties were 899 cases(29.5%), the thirties 561(18.4%), and these two decades occupied 47.9%. 2. Unnatural deaths were 1,816 cases(59.5%), natural 1,104(36.2%), and the unknown 131(4.3%). Among 1,816 unnatural deaths, suicide was 513(28.2%), homicide 414(22.8%), accident 505(27.8%), and the unclear 384(21.2%). Homicide occupied 38.4% of trauma, 62.9% of blunt force injury excluding traffic and fall-down injury, and 82.7% of sharp force injury. The homicide rate in asphyxia was 31.1%, but it went up to 67.7% excluding hanging. It showed only 0.4% percent of homicide in poisoning. 3. Traumatic deaths were 779 cases, occupying 42.9% of 1,816 unnatural deaths, followed by poisoning deaths(286 cases) and asphyxial deaths(283 cases). Blunt trauma was 240 cases(30.8%) and the leading cause of death in traumatic death. Poisoning was 286 cases, among which the ethanols were dominant( 76cases). Thermal injuries were 162 cases, electrocution 27 cases, and starvation/neglect 7 cases and 17 cases were directly due to medical procedures. 4. Among 1,104 natural deaths, heart diseases were 522 cases(47.3%), and vascular diseases 182(16.5%), and these two categories were added up to 704(63.8%). 5. Child deaths under the age of 10 were 147 cases. Homicide was 31 cases(51.7%) out of 60 unnatural deaths. Neonates including still births were the leading period of age in unnatural death, counting 48 cases(32.7%).
Asphyxia ; Autopsy* ; Cause of Death ; Child ; Ethanol ; Female ; Gyeonggi-do ; Heart Diseases ; Homicide ; Humans ; Incheon ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Law Enforcement ; Male ; Parturition ; Poisoning ; Seoul ; Suicide ; Vascular Diseases

This is a statistical analysis based on the data of legal autopsies performed at the Headquarters of the National Institute Scientific Investigation (NISI), requested by every kind of law enforcement agencies during the year of 2005. NISI is located in Seoul, Korea and has three branches throughout the country. The Seoul NISI covers all legal autopsies in Seoul City, Incheon City and Kyunggi Province and some cases referred from other regions. This report aims to analyse various aspects of 2,851 unusual deaths in Korea, chiefly Seoul and its surrounding area. Followings are the summary of the results. 1. The number of male was 2,007 cases (70.4%) and that of female 844 (29.6%). Male was over twice more than female. The forties were 807 cases (28.3%), the thirties 573 (20.1%), and these two decades occupied 48.4%. 2. Unnatural deaths were 1,716 cases (60.2%), natural 1011 (35.5%), and the unknown 124 (4.3%). Among 1,716 unnatural deaths, suicide was 497 (29.0%), homicide 426 (24.9%), accident 510 (29.6%), and the unclear 283 (16.5%). Homicide occupied 42.0% of trauma, 75.6% of blunt force injury excluding traffic and fall-down injury, and 85.5% of sharp force injury. The homicide rate in asphyxia was 31.1%, but it went up to 60.1% excluding hanging. It showed only 0.4% percent of homicide in poisoning. 3. Traumatic deaths were 716 cases, occupying 41.7% of 1,716 unnatural deaths, followed by asphyxial deaths(296 cases). Blunt trauma was 205 cases (28.6%) and the leading cause of death in traumatic death. Poisoning was 229 cases, among which the ethanols were dominant (58cases). Thermal injuries were 198 cases, electrocution 20 cases, and starvation/neglect 14 cases. and 18 cases were directly due to medical procedures. 4. Among 1,011 natural deaths, heart diseases were 481 cases (47.6%), and vascular diseases 193 (19.1%), and these two categories were added up to 674 (66.7%). 5. Child deaths under the age of 10 were 129 cases. Homicide was 40 cases (62.5%) out of 64 unnatural deaths. Neonates including still births were the leading period of age in unnatural death, counting 41 cases(31.8%)
Asphyxia ; Autopsy* ; Cause of Death ; Child ; Ethanol ; Female ; Gyeonggi-do ; Heart Diseases ; Homicide ; Humans ; Incheon ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Law Enforcement ; Male ; Parturition ; Poisoning ; Seoul ; Suicide ; Vascular Diseases