PURPOSE: We studied to determine whether the degenerative spondylolisthesis has rotary deformity in addition to forward displacement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have made an analysis of difference of rotary deformity between the 31 study groups of symptomatic degenerative spondylolisthesis and 31 control groups without any symptom,statistically. We also reviewed CT findings in 15 study groups. RESULTS: The mean rotary deformity in study groups was 6.1 degree(the standard deviation is 5.20), and the mean rotary deformity in control groups was 2.52 degree(the standard deviation is 2.16)(p <0.01) CONCLUSION: The rotary deformity can be accompanied with degenerative spondylolisthesis. We may consider the rotary deformity as a cause of symptomatic degenerative spondylolisthesis in case that any other cause is not detected.
Congenital Abnormalities* ; Spondylolisthesis*

A retrospective study of 46 patients with primary superficial bladder tumor was performed to identify the prognostic parameters which affect tumor recurrence. We examined 4 parameters such as stage, grade, size and number of tumor and each parameter was compared with recurrence rate respectively. The recurrence rate of stage Ta and T1 within 2 years was 33.3 % and 71% (p<0.05) and that of grade I, II and III was 40%, 60% and 100% respectively(p<0.05). Tumor recurrence was observed in 44% of patients with single tumor, 76.2% of those with multifocal tumors(p>0.05) and tumor size had no effect on tumor recurrence(p>0.06). Early recurrence rate within 1 year of grade I, II and III was 20%, 32% and 100% respectively(p< 0.01 ) but stage, number of tumor and tumor size were not correlated significantly with early recurrence rate within 1 year. A separate evaluation of the 4 parameters showed that stage and grade have a significant influence on tumor recurrence. Therefore more aggressive therapy and intensive follow-up should be considered for patients with high stage and high grade tumors.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Recurrence* ; Retrospective Studies ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* ; Urinary Bladder*

Pheochromocytoma is a rare endocrine tumor arising from the chromaffin tissue, and it is able to produce and secrete catecholamines. Lymph nodes, liver, lung and bone are the most frequent sites of metastasis. We report here on a case of pheochromocytoma arising from the dura in a patient who was surgically treated for bilateral pheochromocytoma five years previously.
Catecholamines ; Humans ; Liver ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pheochromocytoma*

PURPOSE: The present study was undertaken to assess whether the results of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture are related to prognosis. METHODS: Subjected to this study were 51 cases admitted to our department who had been diagnosed as bacterial meningitis. They were divided into two groups, Group l (20) with positive CSF culture and Group ll (31) with negative outcome, then both groups were compared. RESULTS: Group l cases tended to be younger than Group ll cases. The male/female ratio was 1.2 in Group l and 1.6 in Group ll. Laboratory findings of CFS were not significantly different in either groups, except for the glucose level, which was markedly lower in Group l than in Group ll. The causative organisms identified from CSF culture were E. coli (5), group B Streptococcus (4) and S. aureus (1) among the 10 cases aged under 2 months. On the other hand, S. pneumoniae were isolated in 7 and H. influenzae in 3 among the 10 older cases. Mortality rate and the incidence of complications were higher in Group l than in Group ll. Mortality rate as related to the causative organism was highest with E. coli, followed by group B Streptococcus, H. influenzae. CONCLUSION: Bacterial meningitis cases with positive CSF culture have significantly lower glucose concentration in the CSF, and also higher rates of mortality and incidence of serious complications than those with negative culture.
Cerebrospinal Fluid* ; Glucose ; Hand ; Incidence ; Influenza, Human ; Meningitis, Bacterial* ; Mortality ; Pneumonia ; Prognosis* ; Streptococcus

PURPOSE: Childhood headache is different from adulthood headache and according to their age in clinical aspects. This study investigated the clinical differences of primary headache according to ages of children and adolescents. METHODS: A 300 children who did not show abnormalities on neurologic examination or brain CT or MRI were classified into two groups according to their ages. RESULTS: The percentage of those in the migraine group (24.2% vs. 35.9% in Groups 1 and 2 respectively) was higher in Group 2, but it was not statistically significant. In relation to the duration of headache, pain lasting for less than one hour accounted for 59.8% and 40% in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P=0.001). In relation to the location headaches developed, the frontal region (40.2%) and temporal region (48.1%) were the most common in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P<0.001). In relation to the nature of the headaches, tightening sensation accounted for the highest percentage in both groups; however, pulsating sensation were more common in Group 2 than in Group 1 (16.2% vs. 8.3%, P=0.038). In relation to the severity of headaches, severe to profound headaches accounted for 35.5% and 61.1% in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P<0.001). In relation to laterality, unilateral headaches accounted for 12.4% and 26.7% in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P=0.002). In relation to accompanying symptoms, the incidence of photophobia was higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 (P=0.047). CONCLUSION: Age factors should be considered in the diagnosis of childhood headaches. Also, we consider that there may be a need to establish diagnostic criteria specifically for childhood headaches separately from those for adulthood headaches.
Adolescent ; Age Factors ; Brain ; Child ; Headache ; Headache Disorders, Primary ; Humans ; Hydroxamic Acids ; Incidence ; Migraine Disorders ; Neurologic Examination ; Photophobia ; Sensation

Inadequate bowel preparation is observed in more than 25% of all colonoscopies. Identification of predictive factors for inadequate colon cleaning is helpful and more detailed preparation methods should be used for patients at high risk. Age, male sex, inpatient status, and comorbidities were identified as independent risk factors in several previous studies. In patients with insufficient colon preparation, colon irrigation with endoscopic pumps or next-day colonoscopy following further bowel cleaning should be performed. In order to improve the efficacy and safety of both bowel preparation and colonoscopy, the endoscopic team should identify the patient's medical conditions and choose the optimal bowel preparation agent and regimen.
Colon ; Colonoscopy* ; Comorbidity ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Male ; Risk Factors

No abstract available.
Pilomatrixoma*

Pseudohypoaldosteronism is a disorder in which synthesis of aldosterone is normal but unresponsiveness of the target to the aldosterone activates angiotensin-renin system which in turn elevates levels of renin and aldosterone. This salt-losing syndrome causes life-threatening hyponatremia and hyperkalemia. Despite of the normal renal and adrenal function, due to deficiency of aldosterone function, reabsorption of sodium and excretion of potassium in the kidney is impaired. Sodium loss not only from the kidney but also from sweat gland, salivary gland and colon may occur in some cases. We experienced two cases of pseudohypoaldosteronism in a 3-day-old male and 6-month-old female. The hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, elevation of plasma renin activity and aldosterone concentration were observed without renal and adrenal dysfunction. Brief review and related literatures were also presented.
Aldosterone ; Colon ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperkalemia ; Hyponatremia ; Infant ; Kidney ; Male ; Plasma ; Potassium ; Pseudohypoaldosteronism* ; Renin ; Salivary Glands ; Sodium ; Sweat Glands

We sought to gain insights on the prevalence of psychiatric disorders, the risk and protective factors and the prevention and intervention programs of mental health problems among disaster workers. The prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among disaster workers was higher than that of the general population and lower than that of disaster survivors. They might suffer from various mental health problems and comorbid disorders. Those mental problems could affect not only their physical health but also self-medication, life satisfaction, and job functioning. Heterogeneous and various factors were positively and negatively associated with psychiatric problems. Prevention and intervention programs were summarized for PTSD among disaster workers. Self-help technique 'RESCUE' and cognitive behavior therapy, developed especially for disaster workers was introduced. Future research and directions were suggested.
Cognitive Therapy ; Disasters* ; Humans ; Mental Health* ; Prevalence ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ; Survivors

We studied retrospectively on clinical assessment of treatment in myasthenic patients who visited on our department regularly since 1985. They were divided as a group based on therapeutic modalities such as a thymectomy, steroid therapy. Combined therapy(steroid and thymectomy), plasma exchange. And whole body irradiation. We evluated clinical effectiveness of these therapeutic modalities and come up with following conclusions. Alltherapeutic modalities showed effectiveness. In steroid therapy, thymectomy and the combined therapy. W needed at least 6-24 months for clinical improvement. In thymectomy, rognosis was depend on the number of germinal centers. In whole body irradiation. Effectiveness was shown at 5h week and continued to 6th to 12th months. We also noted that symptomatic improvement was correlated with decreased lymphocyte counts. The effect of plasma exchange was rapid but only short duration.
Germinal Center ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Count ; Myasthenia Gravis* ; Plasma Exchange ; Retrospective Studies ; Thymectomy ; Whole-Body Irradiation