PURPOSE: To determine the plain film findings of acute neuropathic joint in diabetic foot. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acute neuropathic joint in diabetic foot was considered when fragmentation of the articular ends of bone and subluxation of the affected joint developed within eight weeks after clinical onset of diabetic gangrene. Eight toes of six diabetics were satisfactory to our criteria. We analyzed plain radiographic findings of the affected joint and soft tissue, interval changes in follow-up radiographs, and deformities after healing. RESULTS: The time interval between clinical onset of gangrene and bone destruction ranged from 2 weeks to 4 weeks(mean 2.6 weeks). Plain radiographs showed fragmentation of the articular ends, subluxation, and soft tissue swelling of the metatarsophalangeal joint or interphalangeal joint. The significant feature of these patients was rapid progression of the lesions. Clinically, all patients had diabetic gangrene in affected toes, however, there was no evidence of osteomyelitis in our series. Amputation was done in 2 cases, and lesions in 3 of the remaining 4 cases were repaired spontaneously with regression of gangrene, leaving radiological residua such as pointed-end, tapered-end, and ball and socket deformity. CONCLUSION: Rapid disorganization of the joint with associated evidence of soft tissue gangrene in plain radiograph is believed to be valuable for the diagnosis of diabetic osteoarthropathy.
Amputation ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Diabetic Foot* ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gangrene ; Humans ; Joints* ; Metatarsophalangeal Joint ; Osteomyelitis ; Toes

No abstract available.
Decompression* ; Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament*

When the hypopharynx is examined in the frontal view during modified Valsalva maneuver after barium swallow anoutpouching of the lateral wall of the hypopharynx resembling a deverticulum is commonly observed. Review of theliterature however fails to disclose provious documentation of systematic prospecative observation of this phenomenon. The present study has been undertaken to detemine the incidence and degree of outpouching according tothe age and sex and to assess the clinical implication of the outpouching. The clinical materials consist of 100 consecutive cases of routine upper GI series with a particular effort directed to induce hypopharyngeal out pouching by a modified Valsalva maneuver at the Department of Radiology, St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Medical College during 6 months period from Jan. 1982. Technically, outpouching was best demonstrated in the erectposition with a slight extension of the neck during the pharyngeal phase of barium swallowing while the subjectwas instructed to blow through the closed lips. Observation were made ofhhte incidence and intensity of theoutpouching by an arbitrary line drawning to measure the depth of outpouchings. Our study revealed thathypopharyngeal outpouchings occure bilaterally in every case studied. There was definite dominancy on the rightside(p<0.01) and the outpouching was greater in intensity in male (p<0.05) and the depth varied from a few to 15mm. And there was no statistically significant difference according to the age. Outpouchings collapsed and disappeared completely after release of Valsalva maneuver and did not appear to produce any clinical symptoms. The reason of right-side dominancy should further be investigated.
Barium ; Deglutition ; Humans ; Hypopharynx ; Incidence ; Lip ; Male ; Neck ; Spectinomycin ; Valsalva Maneuver

Objectives: Physicians experience high occupational stress due to heavy workload, responsibility and stressful situations in the medical field. Although occupational stress decreases productivity and increases medical accidents, occupational stress on Korean psychiatrists is not well studied. In this study, we investigated the occupational stress and career satisfaction of Korean psychiatrists. Methods: Electronic surveys were conducted via e-mail, and a total of 266 psychiatrists fully answered the surveys. The surveys consisted of the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS), career satisfaction and stress inventory for the health professional. Results: The mean KOSS score of Korean psychiatrists was lower than the score of other Korean professions (43.99 vs. 46.03). There are significant differences in the sub-items of KOSS, depending on the lifestyle, the career and the hospital on duty. Psychiatric residents scored significantly higher in job control and occupational climate than psychiatrists. On the other hand, workplace relationships and job insecurity scored significantly higher in psychiatrists. Psychiatrists working in general and university hospitals had higher stress in job demand than psychiatrists working at private psychiatric hospitals. Job control and lack of reward scores were high in psychiatrists working in national psychiatric hospitals, and 21.8% of psychiatrists answered that they would not become a psychiatrist again. Conclusion This study showed the overall job stress level of psychiatrists in Korea, and they were experiencing high job stress in different areas depending on factors, such as position, working environment and living habits.

This report presents an analysis of 49 patients with metastatic spinal cord tumors who were admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Hospital from November 1957 to August 1978. During this period, there were 220 cases of spinal cord tumors of which 22.3% was metastatic in origin. The results are as following: 1) The ratio of male to female was 31:18 and 36 cases(74%) were above the age of 40 year. 2) The most frequent site of primary malignancy was lung and the nexts were G-I tract, uterus, brain, kidney, thyroid and liver in order. 3) The most frequent site of spinal cord involvement was thoracic and the nexts were lumber and cervical in order. 4) Pain was the most frequent symptom and the nexts were moter dysfunction, sensory change, sphincter disturbance in order. 5) The duration from the onset of spinal cord compression symptoms to the date of admission was within two months in 21 cases and generally short. 6) The location of metastatic spinal cord tumors was nearly extradural. 7) Total protein level in CSF of the metastatic spinal cord tumors were raised beyond the normal level(Mean value:271 mg per 100 ml). 8) The result of treatment was better in the cases with laminectomy and radiation therapy than the case with laminectomy only or radiation therapy only.
Brain ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; Laminectomy ; Liver ; Lung ; Male ; Neurosurgery ; Seoul ; Spinal Cord Compression ; Spinal Cord Neoplasms* ; Spinal Cord* ; Thyroid Gland ; Uterus

BACKGROUND: Due to its anatomical location and vague symptom, early diagnosis of traumatic pacreatic injury is difficult. Furthermore it is very difficult to carry out appropriate management for the injury, so morbidity and mortality rates of traumatic pancreatic injuries remain high. Patients and METHODS: We reviewed medical records of 35 cases of patients who had been diagnosed as pancreatic injury and operated at Department of Surgery, Busan National University College of Medicine between January 1995 and December 2000. RESULT: 1) The male to female ratio was 2.5:1 and the highest incidence occurred in the 4th decade(31.3%). 2) Thirty two cases(91.4%) were injured by blunt trauma and 3 cases(8.6%) were injured by penetrating trauma. 3) The most common clinical manifestation was abdominal pain. 4) Twenty two patients(62.9%) were operated within 24hours after injury, and the mean time interval between injury and operation was 26.4 hours. 5) The serum amylase levels higher than 150 somogi unit were recorded in 20 cases(57.1%) of the patients. 6) Twenty seven patients(77.1%) had another associated injury with an average of 2 associated intraabdominal injuries. The most frequently injured intraabdominal organ was mesentery. 7) Complications occurred in 20 of 35 patients(57.1%) and the most common complication was pancreas-related complications, such as fistula, pseudocyst, abscess, pancreatitis. 8) Six patients(17.1%) were died due to hypovolemic shock, sepsis, respiratory failure and renal failure. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and appropriate operative methods may reduce morbidity and mortality from traumatic pancreatic injury
Abdominal Pain ; Abscess ; Amylases ; Busan ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Fistula ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Medical Records ; Mesentery ; Mortality ; Pancreatitis ; Renal Insufficiency ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Sepsis ; Shock

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) having neuropathic symptoms, and to investigate the relationship between electrophysiological findings of peripheral neuropathy and clinical findings of RA. METHODS: Patients with a clinical diagnosis of RA and who had tingling or burning sensation in any extremity were electrophysiologically examined for evidence of peripheral neuropathy. Study parameters, including age, gender, laboratory parameters, duration of RA, and medication, were recorded. The symptoms and signs of neuropathy were quantified with the neuropathy symptom score, and the functional statuses of these patients were assessed. RESULTS: Out of a total of 30 RA patients, 10 (33%) had peripheral neuropathy: 2 had bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), 5 had unilateral CTS, 1 had sensory polyneuropathy, and 2 had motor-sensory polyneuropathy. The mean ages of the patients with and without peripheral neuropathy were 69.4 and 56.5 years, respectively (p<0.05). A significant relationship was found between peripheral neuropathy and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody. However, no relationship was found between peripheral neuropathy and the type of medication, RA duration, the patients' functional status, neuropathic symptoms, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein values. CONCLUSION: Neuropathic symptoms are common in RA patients, and it is difficult to distinguish peripheral neuropathy symptoms from those of arthritis. Patients with RA, particularly elderly patients and anti-CCP antibody positive patients who complain of neuropathic symptoms should undergo electrophysiological examination.
Aged ; Arthritis ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Blood Sedimentation ; Burns ; C-Reactive Protein ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; Diagnosis ; Extremities ; Humans ; Neurologic Manifestations* ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases* ; Polyneuropathies ; Prevalence ; Sensation

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) having neuropathic symptoms, and to investigate the relationship between electrophysiological findings of peripheral neuropathy and clinical findings of RA. METHODS: Patients with a clinical diagnosis of RA and who had tingling or burning sensation in any extremity were electrophysiologically examined for evidence of peripheral neuropathy. Study parameters, including age, gender, laboratory parameters, duration of RA, and medication, were recorded. The symptoms and signs of neuropathy were quantified with the neuropathy symptom score, and the functional statuses of these patients were assessed. RESULTS: Out of a total of 30 RA patients, 10 (33%) had peripheral neuropathy: 2 had bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), 5 had unilateral CTS, 1 had sensory polyneuropathy, and 2 had motor-sensory polyneuropathy. The mean ages of the patients with and without peripheral neuropathy were 69.4 and 56.5 years, respectively (p<0.05). A significant relationship was found between peripheral neuropathy and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody. However, no relationship was found between peripheral neuropathy and the type of medication, RA duration, the patients' functional status, neuropathic symptoms, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein values. CONCLUSION: Neuropathic symptoms are common in RA patients, and it is difficult to distinguish peripheral neuropathy symptoms from those of arthritis. Patients with RA, particularly elderly patients and anti-CCP antibody positive patients who complain of neuropathic symptoms should undergo electrophysiological examination.
Aged ; Arthritis ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Blood Sedimentation ; Burns ; C-Reactive Protein ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; Diagnosis ; Extremities ; Humans ; Neurologic Manifestations* ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases* ; Polyneuropathies ; Prevalence ; Sensation

In malignant bone and soft tissue tumors, lung is the most predilection site of metastasis and multiple pulmonary metastases is a poor prognostic factor. Aggressive treatment of pulmonary metastases may offer a chance of long term survival in selected patients whose primary tumors were controlled. We wanted to know the feasibility of pulmonary metastasectomy, whether it can prolong the survival. From Apr. 1989 to Dec. 1993, pulmonary metastasectomies were carried out for 20 patients, and followed up to Sept. 1994, with average follow-up period of 18.7(2-65) months. The primary malignant tumors were 8 in bone and 12 in soft tissues. Mean age was 27.5(12-70) years. Fifteen cases showed late metastasis after control of primary tumor(late metastasis group), and 5 cases showed pulmonary metastasis at first visit(initial stage III group). As a control we analyzed the survival of 24 cases of no treatment after pulmonary metastasis from bone or soft tissue sarcoma, during the same period of investigation. At final follow-up, in late metastasis group, 4 cases were in no evidence of disease (NED), 4 alive with disease (AWD) and 7 dead of disease (DOD). Tumor free interval (TFI) of NED and AWD was averaged 30 months, and for DOD 9.8 months. Five among 11 cases (45%) of multiple lung metastases and 3 among 4 cases (75%) of single metastasis were alive. In initial stage III group, 1 case was in NED, 1 AWD and 3 DOD. For late metastasis group, Kaplan-Meier's 5-year estimated survival rate from the first metastasectomy was 37.4%. The median survival period of 15 cases was 44 months. For initial stage III group, Kaplan-Meier's 9 months estimated survival rate was 40%. Median survival period was 8 months. Twenty four cases of no treatment cases died within 14 months from diagnosis of pulmonary metastasis. Their median survival period was 6 months. Pulmonary metastasectomy appears to prolong survival and occupies an important mode of treatment for late pulmonary metastases in malignant bone and soft tissue tumor patients. In the cases of initial stage III, more cases and follow up period are needed to have a conclusion.
Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung ; Metastasectomy ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Sarcoma ; Survival Rate

Gastric cancer occurs with high frequency and is a significant cause of cancer motality in Korea. The most common metastatic sites of gastric cancer are liver, lung, bone and adrenal gland. Intramuscular metastasis from gastric cancer is an rare case. Skeletal muscle is one of the most unusual sites of metastasis from any malignancy. We report an elderly patient with gastric cancer developing multiple metastasis in skeletal musle.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Adrenal Glands ; Aged* ; Humans ; Korea ; Liver ; Lung ; Muscle, Skeletal* ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Stomach Neoplasms