Perioptic Neuritis ls a very rare clinical condition, in which optic disc swelling and inflammation is seen despite of normal intracranial pressure and visual acuity. These condition can be seen in syphilis, sarcoidosis, viral encephalitis, fungal infection. We have seen that the 45 years old woman with perioptic neuritis shows papilledema without IICP in spinal tapping, thought to be due to cryptococcal meningitis.
Encephalitis, Viral ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Intracranial Pressure ; Meningitis, Cryptococcal ; Middle Aged ; Neuritis* ; Papilledema ; Sarcoidosis ; Spinal Puncture ; Syphilis ; Visual Acuity

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to design an integrated data management system based on the POCT1-A2, LIS2-A, LIS2-A2, and HL7 standard to ensure data interoperability between mobile equipment, such as point-of-care testing equipment and the existing hospital data system, its efficiency was also evaluated. METHODS: The method of this study was intended to design and realize a data management system which would provide a solution for the problems that occur when point-of-care testing equipment is introduced to existing hospital data, after classifying such problems into connectivity, integration, and interoperability. This study also checked if the data management system plays a sufficient role as a bridge between the point-of-care testing equipment and the hospital information system through connection persistence and reliability testing, as well as data integration and interoperability testing. RESULTS: In comparison with the existing system, the data management system facilitated integration by improving the result receiving time, improving the collection rate, and by enabling the integration of disparate types of data into a single system. And it was found out that we can solve the problems related to connectivity, integration and interoperability through generating the message in standardized types. CONCLUSIONS: It is expected that the proposed data management system, which is designed to improve the integration point-of-care testing equipment with existing systems, will establish a solid foundation on which better medical service may be provided by hospitals by improving the quality of patient service.
Clinical Laboratory Information Systems ; Database Management Systems ; Dietary Sucrose ; Hospital Information Systems ; Humans ; Information Systems ; Medical Order Entry Systems ; Point-of-Care Systems

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is an important and common medical problem in postmenopausal women. Depression is another major public health concern. Due to the high prevalence of both depression and osteoporosis, even a weak association between them might result in a greater health problem. We have investigated whether depression is associated with bone mineral density (BMD) in peri- and postmenopausal women. METHODS: The study subjects who visited the office of family medicine department and the health screening and diagnosis center in one general hospital from January to May, 2000 were selected. BMD was measured at the lumbar spine using Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry. We evaluated the depression scale using the Beck Depression Inventory. The subjects who had disorders known to interfere with bone metabolism or those who had taken medication related to depression were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Significant positive correlation were noted between BMD and height and weight (P<0.05) but no correlation was found with depression in perimenopausal women. In postmenopausal women, significant negative correlation was noted between BMD and age, and postmenopausal duration and depression. Significant positive correlation was found between BMD and height and weight (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results showed that depression was associated with BMD in postmenopausal women which was independent of other factors strongly associated with osteoporosis.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Bone Density* ; Depression* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Menopause ; Metabolism ; Osteoporosis ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Spine

PURPOSE: The purpose of this radiologic study was to evaluate the geographic patterns of low-energy trochanteric fractures using multiplanar computed tomography (CT) images for application of intramedullary nailing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 117 trochanteric fractures (stable fracture, 39 cases, unstable fractures, 78 cases) sustained from simple slip-down were assessed. The mean age was 78.4 years (range, 60-96 years). Multiplanar CT images were assessed for evaluation of geographic features of trochanteric fracture, and the fracture exit and geographic patterns were analyzed. RESULTS: The medial and lateral exit of the trochanteric fracture showed no statistical difference by age, bone density, and comorbid disease. The exit was located at an average distance of 10.2 mm (range, 1.0-22.2 mm) from the tip of the greater trochanter (GT), and the medial exit, average distance of 8.1 mm (range, 0.0-18.3 mm) from the tip of the lesser trochanter. It was also found that there was no comminution around the anteromedial cortex of the fracture, and its contact loss was from fracture deformity. CONCLUSION: Because of no comminution, the contact restoration of the anteromedial cortex resulted in correction of fracture deformity and reduction. Trochanteric nailing by GT tip could be fixed through the proximal fragment of the fracture because the lateral exit is placed at an average distance of 10.2 mm from the GT tip.
Bone Density ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Femur* ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Hip Fractures

The reliability of emergency ultrasonographic(US) detection of hemoperitoneum and solid organ injury in blunt abdominal trauma was evaluated retrospectively. From October 1,1995 to August 31,1996,90 patients were included in the study. Ultra- sonographic findings showed a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 97.6%, 97.9%, and 98.1%, respectively, in detecting intraabdominal fluid collection. We believe that US in an emergency center is a quick, safe screening method in the evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma. In our department, US has replaced diagnostic peritonaeal lavage(DPL) and computed tomography(CT) as the screening study of first choice.
Emergencies* ; Hemoperitoneum* ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography*

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of an intervention that combined the abdominal drawing-in maneuver and frequency-specific neuromuscular electrical stimulation on changes in trunk muscle activity, muscle fatigue, and balance in stroke patients. Methods: Thirty stroke patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Fifteen subjects were assigned to group I which performed the abdominal drawing-in maneuver combined with low-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation and the other 15 subjects to group II where the abdominal drawing-in maneuver was combined with high-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation. Muscle activity and fatigue were measured using surface electromyography before the intervention. Balance was measured using the Trunk Impairment Scale and re-measured after six weeks of intervention for comparative analysis. Results: Both groups showed a significant increase in muscle activity and balance (p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). In the changes in muscle fatigue, only the experimental group II showed a significant increase in muscle fatigue (p < 0.05). The difference between the groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion It was confirmed that among stroke patients, the combination of the abdominal drawing-in maneuver and low-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation was more effective in changing the muscle activity and balance of the trunk by minimizing the occurrence of muscle fatigue compared to the combination of the abdominal drawing-in maneuver and high-frequency stimulation. These results can be used as basic data for clinical trunk stabilization training.

Our objective is to describe the characteristic CT findings of gastrointestinal (GI) tract perforations at various levels of the gastrointestinal system. It is beneficial to localize the perforation site as well as to diagnose the presence of bowel perforation for planning the correct surgery. CT has been established as the most valuable imaging technique for identifying the presence, site and cause of the GI tract perforation. The amount and location of extraluminal free air usually differ among various perforation sites. Further, CT findings such as discontinuity of the bowel wall and concentrated free air bubbles in close proximity to the bowel wall can help predict the perforation site. Multidetector CT with the multiplanar reformation images has improved the accuracy of CT for predicting the perforation sites.
Gastrointestinal Tract/*radiography ; Humans ; Intestinal Perforation/etiology/*radiography ; Peptic Ulcer Perforation/*radiography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disorder. Treatment strategies for CD are targeted toward various components of the proinflammatory mediators and subsequent immune response. Recently, the anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) monoclonal antibody, infliximab has been used in patients with CD. However, uncommon and unusual infections have been reported during anti-TNF-alpha therapy and immunomodulator. Here, we report a case of pityriasis versicolor occurring in a patient with CD receiving infliximab treatment. The patient was successfully treated with topical ketoconazole.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Crohn Disease ; Humans ; Infliximab ; Ketoconazole ; Malassezia ; Necrosis ; Tinea Versicolor

PURPOSE: Until now, many kinds of treatment modalities for facial bone fractures have been proposed. Among them, the semi-rigid fixation using miniplates has become the most popular procedure due to its simplicity and good clinical results. However, achieving anatomic reduction of bone fragments with miniplates may be difficult because of inadequate instrumentation for fracture fragment stabilization. We examined the use of inter-maxillary fixation screws or titanium screws tied with stainless steel wire to assist in positioning of fractured segment. METHODS: We used this method for reduction in 50 cases of facial bone fractures. Inter-maxillary fixation screws or titanium screws tied with stainless steel wire were used to assist in aligning bony segment. Postoperative radiologic and clinical follow-ups were performed. RESULTS: Radiologic follow-up showed correct reduction and fixation in all cases. Nonnunion and malunion were not shown. Clinical follow-up showed an satisfactory results. CONCLUSION: By using Inter-maxillary fixation screws tied with stainless steel wire, it was shown that reducing the bony segment to their preinjury position is easy to perform and it enables us to make more accurate reduction, ensure wider visual field.
Dietary Sucrose ; Facial Bones ; Follow-Up Studies ; Stainless Steel ; Titanium

No abstract available.
Cyclophosphamide* ; Doxorubicin* ; Drug Therapy* ; Sarcoma* ; Vinblastine*