This study was conducted to evaluate the health hazards and to develop diagnostic methods of glass fiber workers. We examined 40 male glass fiber workers (exposure group) and 57 male non-glass fiber workers (reference group) with a questionnaire, physical examination, chest x-ray and pathological examination in Mar, 1997. Also we examined 65 male glass fiber workers (exposure group) and 42 male non-glass fiber workers (reference group) with the same methods also we did some energy-dispersive x-ray analyses with a scanning electron microscopic examination in Sep. 1997. Most of the clinical symptoms were significantly more frequent among the exposure group than the reference group. Coughing (32.5%), itching of the nose (30.0%), irritation of eyes (27.5%), irritation of the nose (25.0%) and sputum (22.5%) were the major symptoms among the exposure group in Mar. 1997. Only itching of the nose was significantly more frequent in Sep. 1997. No cases of pneumoconiosis were observed among the groups and there were no differences in chest abnormalities between the exposure group with the reference group on both examinations. The prevalence of dermatosis among the exposure group was 20.0% (8 cases) and the cumulative prevalence was 72.5% (29 cases) in Mar. 1997. The prevalence of dermatosis among the exposure group was 23.1% (15 cases) and the cumulative prevalence was 58.5% (38 cases) in Sep. 1997. Onset of dermatosis among the exposure group was most frequent within one month after handling. The frequent sites of skin lesions were the hands and arms on both examinations. Glass fiber induced skin lesions can be diagnosed by the scotch tape method or KOH mount and then can be examined under the light, polarizing and phase-contrast microcopies. Glass fibers can be identified by some energy-dispersive x-ray analyses with a scanning electron microscopic examination.
Arm ; Cough ; Glass* ; Hand ; Humans ; Male ; Nose ; Physical Examination ; Pneumoconiosis ; Prevalence ; Pruritus ; Questionnaires ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Sputum ; Thorax

No abstract available.
Pulmonary Artery*

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to find out the effect of ApoE genotype on correlation between head circumference and cognition of the elderly in the community. METHODS: A total of 1,152 subjects (380 men and 772 women) aged 60-91 years were analyzed from preliminary data of GDEMCIS (Gwangju Dementia and MCI Study). The study questionnaire consisted of demographic characteristics, current and past illness history, drug history and K-MMSE (Korean version-Mini Mental State Examination). We also measured the head circumference and examined ApoE genotype. RESULTS: On regression analysis, as head circumference becomes smaller, K-MMSE scores decreased adjusted by age, sex, educational level, ApoE epsilon4 allele, current smoking and alcohol drinking status (beta=0.15, p=0.04). Only in the lowest quartile group, presence of ApoE epsilon4 allele reduced K-MMSE scores adjusted by age, sex, educational level, height, current alcohol drinking and smoking status (beta=-1.39, p=0.008). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that head circumference may have an influence on K-MMSE scores, and presence of ApoE epsilon4 allele may be a medicating factor.
Aged* ; Alcohol Drinking ; Alleles ; Apolipoproteins E* ; Cognition* ; Cognitive Reserve ; Dementia ; Genotype* ; Head* ; Humans ; Male ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Smoke ; Smoking

PURPOSE: To compare functional MR imaging of the motor cortex during active and passive movement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven healthy, right-handed volunteers (M:F=6:1; age:25-30 years) were included in this study. A 1.5-T whole body scanner and the multislice EPI BOLD method were used. The motor paradigm was flexion-extension of a thumb against rest. In the active motion task, the thumb was flexed voluntarily once a second, while in the passive task, it was tied with a thread and pulled to flex and extend passively at the same interval and with the same intensity as in the active task. For image postprocessing, an SPM 96 program was used. The sites, numbers, and signal intensity of the activated pixels were determined, and the threshold for significance was set at p<0.001 to p<0.01. RESULTS: In the active motion task, strong activation at the contralateral side of the primary sensorimotor cortex and supplementary motor cortex occurred in all 14 examples in all seven volunteers. Additionally, the ipsilateral primary sensorimotor cortex and supplementary motor area were activated in 12/14 and 11/14 such tasks, respectively. During passive motion tasks, on the other hand, weak activation occurred at the contralateral side of the primary sensorimotor cortex in all cases, but in the contralateral supplementary motor cortex in only three. In the ipsilateral primary sensorimotor cortex and supplementary motor area, there was no activation. CONCLUSION: Compared with the active motion task, activation occurring in the contralateral primary sensorimotor cortex and supplementary cortex was weaker and less frequent during the passive task, and during this latter, the ipsilateral motor cortex remained inactive. These results may be useful for the clinical application of functional MR imaging in unconscious patients or in animal studies.
Animals ; Hand ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Motor Cortex* ; Thumb ; Volunteers

PURPOSE: Children with acute colonic diverticulitis(ACD), can be misdiagnosed with acute appendicitis. METHODS: We reviewed 15 cases of ACD during five years, from January 1998 to June 2002 retro spectively. RESULTS: Most patients(80%) with ACD in children presented with right lower quadrant pain. The primary diagnosis on admission was mostly acute appendicitis(87%), and all ACD in children occurred in the right colon. Fourteen patients were managed by conservative treatment including antibiotics. A follow-up study was performed in 15 patients. There were symptomatic recurrences in two patients, but no significant complication was noted. The frequency of ACD was 11.7 per 1000 acute appendicitis. CONCLUSION: ACD in children can mostly be cured by conservative treatment. It is prudent to choose the management through the diagnostic work up, including abdominal sonography and computed tomography, because there was no significant difference of clinical findings between ACD and acute appendicitis.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Appendicitis ; Child* ; Colon* ; Diagnosis ; Diverticulitis ; Diverticulitis, Colonic* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Recurrence

OBJECTIVE: Suprasellar meningioma have in general been difficult lesions to treat because of their vicinity to the optic apparatus and major vessels, and high vascularity. This study was performed to analyze clinical outcome of patients with histopathologically identified suprasellar meningioma. METHOD: Between 1989 and 1998, 37 patients(30 women, 7 men: average 47.5years) with histopathologically identified meningiomas originating from the suprasellar region underwent surgical tumor removal in our institution. The medical records and clinical data of these patients are retrospectively analyzed. RESULT: The tumor size ranged from 2.1cm to 6.5cm(average 5.1cm) in diameter. The tumors have been approached basically through the pterional and bifrontal routes. Skull base technique was also applied in large or complicated cases. Total resection rates and overall outcome including visual function was better in patients with tumor of less then 3cm. A considerable increase of mortality, morbidity and failure of visual improvement were seen in case of the tumors size of 3cm or more. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and treatment were important factors in the successful management of these suprasellar meningioma. In large complicated cases encasing major vessels or invading cavernous sinus or anterior skull base, surgeons need to operate with extreme caution and piecemeal removal of the tumor without injuring optic apparatus and major vessels utilizing skull base technique.
Cavernous Sinus ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Records ; Meningioma* ; Mortality ; Retrospective Studies ; Skull Base

Anterior basal meningiomas, which belong the olfactory groove and suprasellar meningioma account for 12 to 22% of all intracranial meningioma. Anterior cranial base meningioma are difficult to operate on because of their proximity to the important neurovascular structure. The authors report 25 cases of large meningiomas of the anterior. cranial base operated on during recent 5-year period. The tumor ranged from 3cm to 6.5cm in diameter. Fifteen tumors were located in the suprasellae(included tuberculum sellae, planum sphenoidale, diaphragma sellae,and anterior clinoid process), ten on olfactory groove. The mean age of 19 female and 6 male patient was 55years. The main clinical symptom were visual disturbance, anosmia, headache, and psychotic syndrome. Tumors were approached in 11 cases by pterional, in 9 cases by bifrontal, in 3 cases by transbasal, in 2 case by orbitozygomatic infratemporal and in 1 case by combined approach with tranabasal and orbitozygomatic infratemporal. Total tumor removal was performed in 80% of cases. Postoperative complication include accentuated psychotic syndrome in two cases, worsening of visual function in two, major vessel injury in one, infection in one, CSF rhinorrhea in one, and oculomotor palse in one. Postoperative death was in four(16%). Results at follow up of the 21 survivours were good in 17(68%), fair in 4(16%). Selection criteria for operative approach is discussed with review of pertinent literature.
Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Headache ; Humans ; Male ; Meningioma* ; Olfaction Disorders ; Patient Selection ; Postoperative Complications ; Skull Base ; Temazepam

We present 15 patients with progressive neurological deterioration while on medical treatment for massive cerebral or cerebellar edema due to large cerebral or cerebellar infarction. Clinical signs of uncal herniation were present in 10 of these patients. Remaining five patients showed progressive neurological deterioration accompanied with impending herniation. Brain CT confirmed mass effect from cerebral or cerebellar edema in all cases. All 15 patients were treated with decompressive craniectomy, duroplasty and/or ventriculostomy. Nine patients showed good results and six patients had poor results. As compared with poor result group, good result group had high score of Glass Gow Coma Scale(GCS) on admission(12.8 vs. 8.3 on average) and time from worsening to operation is shorter(8.8 vs. 21.3hrs on average). Infarction was all on right side and hearniation sign just before operation appeared infrequently in good result group. These results suggest that decompressive surgery can be effective life saving procedure for massive cerebral edema after large brain infarction, especially in cases with right side lesion, high GCS score on admission, and pertinent timing of operation(before occurrance of irreversible brain stem damage due to herniation).
Brain Edema ; Brain Infarction* ; Brain Stem ; Brain* ; Coma ; Decompression, Surgical* ; Decompressive Craniectomy ; Edema ; Glass ; Humans ; Infarction ; Ventriculostomy

A 45-year-old woman was admitted due to severe headache and neck stiffness. She had visited a local clinic for back pain and received a lumbar nerve root steroid injection 10 days before admission. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed psoas abscess, pneumocephalus, and subdural hygroma. She was diagnosed with psoas abscess and meningitis. The abscess and external ventricle were drained, and antibiotics were administered. Unfortunately, the patient died on hospital day 19 due to diffuse leptomeningitis. Lumbar nerve root steroid injections are commonly used to control back pain. Vigilance to "red flag signs" and a rapid diagnosis can prevent lethal outcomes produced by rare and unexpected complications related to infection. Here, we report a case of fatal meningitis after infection of the cerebrospinal fluid following a lumbar nerve root steroid injection.
Abscess ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Back Pain ; Cerebrospinal Fluid* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Headache ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Meningitis ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Pneumocephalus ; Psoas Abscess ; Subdural Effusion

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The caudal-related homeobox transcription factor, Cdx2, plays an important role in proliferation and differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells. Its expression is confined to normal and neoplastic intestinal epithelium. We evaluated Cdx2 expression in advanced colorectal cancers to determine the correlation between Cdx2 expression and clinicopathologic characteristics. METHODS: Four hundreds twenty consecutive colorectal cancers were included in the study. Cdx2 expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry using tissue microarrays constructed from surgically resected specimens. 145 invasive breast cancers, normal tissues from gastric mucosa, liver, lung, kidney and ovary were used as control. Nuclear staining was considered to be positive and the result was divided into 3 categories. RESULTS: In the colorectal cancers, Cdx2 was expressed in 380 of 420 (90.5%) cases, and 349 of 380 (83%) cases showed strong and diffuse staining and 31 of 420 (7.5%) cases showed weakly positive staining. Forty patients (9.5%) of colorectal cancer were negative for Cdx2. All of the invasive breast cancers and all non-neoplastic control tissues except the regions of intestinal metaplasia in gastric mucosa, which showed strong Cdx2 expression, were negative for Cdx2. Loss of Cdx2 expression was observed more frequently in cases with deeper invasion (p<0.05), lymph node metastasis (p<0.05), poor histologic differentiation (p<0.001), and distant metastasis (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Cdx2 could be a highly sensitive marker to detect metastasis from intestine and might be useful as a novel prognostic marker in colorectal cancers.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colorectal Neoplasms/*metabolism/pathology ; Female ; Homeodomain Proteins/*metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tumor Markers, Biological/analysis