In recent years, the rate of the thracolumbar and lumbar fractures rends to be increasing as the traffic accidents and industrial accidents frequently occurs. The purpose of this study is to review the results of conservative treatment for 73 patients with thoracolumbar and lumbar fractures and to review the failed 6 cases after conservative treatment, who were admitted and treated at National Medical Center during the period the period from January 1986 to June 1992. The following results were obtained: 1. Among the 65 cases of compression fracture, we performed hyperextension body cast in patient with height loss more than 30% and bed rest & brace in patient with height loss less than 30%, And in 63 cases, it showed good results. But two cases treated by bed & brace showed complaint such as radicular pain and persisdent back pain. 2. Among the 6 cases of burst fracture without neurological involvement, two cases treated by casting showed good result, but four cases treated by bed rest & brace showed complaint such as claudication and persistent back pain. 3. All cases of Chance fracture treated by casting showed good result. 4. There was no correlation between loss of correction of kyphotic angle and overall result. 5. Among the cases of poor result, we operated four cases which included two cases of instability & two cases of spinal stenosis and their results were good.
Accidents, Occupational ; Accidents, Traffic ; Back Pain ; Bed Rest ; Braces ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Spinal Stenosis ; Spine

The purposes of this clinical study are to observe the clinical findings of the high lumbar disc herniation, to analyze the of the posterior approach and to define the surgical indications of the high lumbar disc herniation. We analyzed the 13 cases which were treated at the Deparment of the Orthopaedic Surgery, National Medical Center from March 1988 to December 1992(Mean follow up rate : 17. 2 months). 1. We operated 10 cases by posterior approach and 1 case by anterior approach due to marked degenerative osteophyte. 2. We evaluated the post-operative results by modified Macnab criteria, the 2 cases showed no symptomatic improvement because of respectively associated high lumbar osteophyte and lower lumbar spinal stenosis. 3. On conclusion, suspicion is important in cases of incompatible clinical symptoms and signs of the intervertebral disc herniation. MRI is the most recommended diagnostic tool, because it can provide the high lumbar levels with saggital section image and differentiate herniation from degenerative osteophyte. As for the surgical indications of high lumbar disc herniations, we suggest marked dural compression by disc or sequestered disc materials in MRI, definite neurological complications such as ankle clonus, increased DTR, weakness of quadriceps and hip flexor muscle and severe radiating pain on the anterior thigh. We recommended the posterior approach for the surgical intervention of high lumbar disc herniation except cases marked degenerative osteophytes.
Ankle ; Clinical Study ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip ; Intervertebral Disc ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Osteophyte ; Spinal Stenosis ; Thigh

Pemphigus foliaceus is a chronic vesiculobullous dermatosis which seems to be an autoimmune etiology, and favorable results are usually able to obtain with massive doses of corticosteroids administration and Imuran or other anticancer drugs. Two cases of typical pemphigus foliaceus, who showed cutaneous candidiasis, one with clinical improvements, and the other one who had lung abscesses of aspergilli as a complication of the long-term corticosteroid treatment, have been presented. The diagnosis of pemphigus foliaceus was confirmed by histopathologically subcorneal bullae containing acantholytic cells, also Tzank test and Nikolsky's sign. First case, 37 year old man who has the history of corticostcroid therapy for 3 years tor rheumatoid arthritis, was treated with high dosage of prednisolone and antibiotics with nystatin for cutaneous candidiasis, but lung abscesses of aspergilli developed while we couldn't even notice its progress and he died suddenly because of it although skin lesions showed marked improvement. Second case, 36 year old house wife who has the history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis like eruptions was recovered from pemphigus foliceus after steroid treatment and cutaneous candidiasis after using antibiotics and nystatin. As the complication of corticosteroid therapy, cushingoid feature, blurred vision, and cutaneous candidiasis were occurred in both patients, especially in the first case, hyperglycemia and metabolic alkaloses were developed. And so, as mention of Saunders, we checked the patient's complete history, body weight everyday, and CBC and occult blood every week, but urine sugar or blood sugar and chest X-ray not periodically. We used anabolic agent for osteoporosis, antibiotics, mycostatm, diuretics, and antacid regimen, but failed to deveIopment of aspergillosis.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Adult ; Alkalosis ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Aspergillosis ; Azathioprine ; Blood Glucose ; Body Weight ; Candidiasis, Cutaneous ; Diagnosis ; Diuretics ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Lung Abscess ; Nystatin ; Occult Blood ; Osteoporosis ; Pemphigus* ; Prednisolone ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Spouses ; Stomatitis, Aphthous ; Thorax

These are the first reported cases of granuloma faciale in two Koreans. Unilateral, slightly elevated violaceous plaque with illdefined margin on cheeck since 20 years ago was observed in 36 year old house-wife, and 40 year old male has had bilateral plaques on both cheek areas since 10 years ago, These plaques were showed the typical histological appearance of granuloma faciale respectively on both of two patients. Literature was briefly reviewed for the discussion of clinical and microseopic findings of this disease. Both patients were treated by intralesional injections and ointment of steroid with relative clinical improvements.
Adult ; Cheek ; Granuloma* ; Humans ; Injections, Intralesional ; Male

No abstract available.
Esophageal Fistula* ; Tuberculosis, Spinal*

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Animals ; Lordosis* ; Spine*

A case of glomus tumor was reported with literature review. 36 year old Korean male has had a single corn sized painful nodular eruption on flexor surface of right side forearm since 2 years ago. This single nodule was confirmed histopathologically as glomus tumor but patient had not any trauma and injury history. Simple surgical excision was very excellent for complete cure of this tumor.
Adult ; Forearm ; Glomus Tumor* ; Humans ; Male ; Zea mays

No abstract available.

Sclerema neonatorum is a lesion of degeneration, necrosis or crystallization of adipose tissue of new born, and is classified into two types; the generalized type in which death occurs usually within one week without treatment, and the nodular type which is localized and heals spontaneously. In this report, nodular type was presented. Nut to palm sized indurated plaques on deltoid region, upper back and hip were noted 3 weeks after birth. Histopathologic findings of necrosis of subcutaneous tissue with early granulomatous reaction were showed in biopsy specimen. Literature was briefly reviewed for the discussion of clinical and microscopic findings of this disease.
Adipose Tissue ; Biopsy ; Crystallization ; Hip ; Necrosis ; Nuts ; Parturition ; Sclerema Neonatorum ; Subcutaneous Tissue