PURPOSE: To obtain the findings of normal variant types of lower cervical body configuration for the purpose of differention from compression fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed simple true lateral radiographs of cervical spine from C3 to C7 in 157 pediatric patients who did not have definitive clinical symptoms of cervical spinal injury. We classified the variations of normal cervical spine into 5 types by their configuration. In case of rounded upper corner or anteriorly wedged type, we measured the height and the width of vertebral body to classify these types, and undertook ANOVA test and multiple range test to determine the correlation between the gross configuration and the measured values. RESULTS: Type 1 was similarly observed at each of C3 to C7 in age of 1-4 group but the frequency was markedly decreased in age of 5-8 group. Type 2a was frequently observed at both age groups, and its incidence increased considerally at C3 and C4 with advancing age. Type 2b was more frequently observed at C3 body and Type 3 was observed only at C3 body in age group 1-4. Type 4 was markedly increased at 5-8 age group. Type 2b and 3 were seen mostly at C3, but sometimes at C4 body. Height of body was statistically more significant than width of body in classification of type 2a, 2b and 3. CONCLUSION: The configuration of lower cervical spine in infants and children changes from immature oval type(type 1) to mature rectagular type(type 4) with increasing age. Among the 4 types, the rounded upper corner type or anterior wedging type of lower cervical spine should be differentiated from compresson fracture. We concluded that the height of cervical body is more significant than the width of body in simple radiographic classification of types 2a, 2b and 3.
Child* ; Classification ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant* ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Injuries ; Spine

The vast majority of foreign bodies (FBs) that enter the stomach pass through the gastrointestinal tract spontaneously. When the FB enters the small bowel-beyond the reach of conventional endoscopy-daily radiographs are needed to ensure its safe passage. However, endoscopic intervention is an appropriate management strategy for a sharp-pointed FB, because sharp FBs have a higher risk of intestinal perforation. We describe here a case in which a 1.5-cm, sharp-pointed screw nail in the proximal jejunum was removed successfully by double-balloon enteroscopy from a 19-year-old-male with autism. This case adds to the growing body of evidence demonstrating the value of therapeutic double-balloon enteroscopy in the field of FB ingestion
Autistic Disorder ; Double-Balloon Enteroscopy* ; Eating ; Foreign Bodies ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Intestinal Perforation ; Jejunum* ; Stomach

Pincer nail is a dystrophy characterized by an increase of transverse curvature along the longitudinal axis of the nail and reaches its greatest proportion at the distal part. We report a case of a 20-year-old woman with pronounced pincer nails on both toe nails. By median longitudinal incision with use of CO2 laser, her nail plate was separated, and aluminum splint was applied on nail plate. Her pain disappeared one month after treatment. The treated nail showed a normal shape even at the 12 months of follow-up. We recommend nail plate separation as a good method for treatment of pincer nail.
Aluminum ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lasers, Gas ; Splints ; Toes ; Young Adult

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*

Palmar digital vein thrombosis causing one or more nodules seems to be a relatively rare condition. Only 20 cases of palmar digital vein thrombosis have been reported worldwide in the English language literature. It presents with a painful, firm and blue nodule located at or in close proximity to one of the flexion creases. The etiology remains unknown, but changes in the vessel wall related to the anatomic characteristics of the palmar digital veins may play a role, along with intraluminal stasis. Two patients with blue nodule located in close proximity to flexion creases on the volar side of the finger presented to our hospital. Histological examination showed organizing thrombus within the dilated vessel. We report here on these two cases of palmar digital vein thrombosis.
Fingers ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Humans ; Thrombosis ; Veins

BACKGROUND: Triangular alopecia, previously known as temporal or congenital triangular alopecia, is a kind of alopecia typically observed in infants and children. Triangular alopecia is rarely reported, and little is known about its histopathology and response to treatment. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and histopathological features, as well as response to treatment of triangular alopecia in Korean patients. METHODS: A total of 15 patients, diagnosed at our department from 2000 through 2012, were evaluated. RESULTS: All patients were presented with a triangular or oval, skin colored hairless patches on the frontotemporal sutureline, except one patient who had hairless patch on the occipital sutureline. Average age of onset was 4.13 years old and there was no sexual predilection. The histopathologic features were similar in all patients with a few vellus hairs, no terminal hair and without any abnormalities at the epidermis and dermis. Ten out of 15 patients were treated with topical minoxidil solution and 2 patients showed mild improvement. CONCLUSION: Some cases of triangular alopecia are recognized at birth; however, other cases appear to develop during the first three or four years of life. These later development can be best explained as a result of hair miniaturization leading to vellus hair formation.
Age of Onset ; Alopecia ; Child ; Dermis ; Epidermis ; Hair ; Humans ; Infant ; Miniaturization ; Minoxidil ; Skin

Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs) are new anticancer agents that act by inhibiting EGFR signaling transduction pathways, thus decreasing tumor growth. They have made anti-cancer treatment more tolerable and have also reduced systemic side effects. However, they have many cutaneous side effects. Alopecia is an uncommon cutaneous side effect of EGFRIs, and cicatricial alopecia has been reported more rarely. A 59-year-old woman presented with itching and hair loss on the scalp, which started 2 months ago. She had been taking gefitinib for 7 months. A physical examination revealed localized erythematous hairless patches with scattered thick crusts on the scalp. Histopathologic examination showed a decreased number of hair follicles with perifollicular lymphocytes infiltration and perifollicular fibrosis, consistent with a scarring alopecia. We report a rare and interesting case of cicatricial alopecia after using the EGFRI, gefitinib.
Alopecia ; Antineoplastic Agents ; Cicatrix ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Hair ; Hair Follicle ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Physical Examination ; Pruritus ; Quinazolines ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Scalp

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) frequently coexists with allergic rhinitis (AR) and nasal polyp. The eosinophil is known to play a pivotal role in allergic reaction and chronic inflammation of respiratory epithelium in paranasal sinus. Therefore, we evaluated the peripheral eosinophilia (PE) in patients with CRS and then investigated its relationship with the AR. We also investigated the correlation of the prevalence of nasal polyp with the incidence of nasal polyp and the severity of PNS CT scoring. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: One hundred and three CRS patients who had persisting symptoms more than 3 months and were refractory to medical management were enrolled. Thirty-six patients with AR only were selected on the basis of allergy rhinitis workup and PNS CT. PE was defined as eosinophil count of more than 4% of the peripheral differential blood count. The scoring system of PNS CT imaging was adopted from Ikeda, et al. RESULTS: CRS with AR had the higher prevalence of PE and nasal polyp (p=0.005 and p=0.046, respectively) than non-AR. CRS with AR had the higher prevalence rate of PE than AR (p=0.001). PE was not related with the prevalence of nasal polyp in the presence of CRS with AR. Peripheral eosinophil partition rate also did not correlate with severity of PNS CT score, irrespective of AR. There was no statistical difference in PNS CT score between AR group and non-AR group, either. CONCLUSION: CRS with AR may be associated with nasal polyp and PE but PE itself had no relationship with the disease severity on PNS CT and prevalence of nasal polyp in the presence of CRS.
Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Incidence ; Inflammation ; Nasal Polyps ; Prevalence ; Respiratory Mucosa ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial

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

No abstract available.
Uterus*