BACKGROUND: Menopause leads to rapid bone loss, mainly as a result of estrogen deficiency and peri and postmenopausal symptoms are related with estrogen deficiency. We investigated the relationship between peri and postmenopausal symptoms and vertebral bone mineral density(BMD). METHODS: Study subjects were women aged above 40 years underwent a vertebral bone density measurement with dual energy x-ray absorptiometry(DEXA). We examined the relationship between the menopausal symptoms by Kupperman index including vasomotor symptom and vertebral BMD in 74 perimenopausal and 205 postmenopausal women. RESULTS: On the basis of vertebral fracture threshold, 169 subjects were osteoporotic group and the others were nonosteoporotic group. Menopausal index was significantly high in osteoporotic group. And the osteoporotic one also complained of vasomotor symptom more severely. These findings were more definite during perimenopausal and early postmenopausal periods than late period. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that menopausal symptoms of peri and early menopausal period are significantly related with vertebral bone loss and helpful in predicting the vertebral osteoporosis.
Bone Density* ; Estrogens ; Female ; Humans ; Menopause ; Osteoporosis ; Postmenopause

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that regular exercise may increase bone mineral density. However, the effects on bone mineral density are different depending on the types of exercises and recent studies on the effects of different exercises on bone mineral density are insufficient. This study was conducted to assess the effects of 2 different exercises(Judo, Taekwondo) and physical fitness(back muscle strength, grip strength, broad jump, vertical jump, flexibility, sit ups) on regional BMD. METHODS: Subjects were healthy adults female volunteers aged 19 to 22 years and consisted of eight Judo athletes, twelve Taekwondo athletes, and eight nonathletic controls. We measured their bone mineral density of lumbar spine, femoral neck, femoral greater trochanter, Wards triangle, femoral shaft and distal radius using dual energy X ray absorptiometry and assessed their physical fitness. We investigated the mean differences of regional bone mineral density between the groups and the relationships between physical fitness and regional bone mineral density. RESULTS: ANCOVA revealed that there were significant differences in the regional bone mineral density between the groups. The Judo athletes group had significantly higher bone density of greater trochanter, femoral shaft, distal radius, femoral neck and lumbar spine than the control group and had significantly higher bone density of greater trochanter, femoral shaft and distal radius.than the Taekwondo atheletes group. There were no significant differences of bone density in all the regions between the Taekwondo atheletes and the control groups. Partial correlation coefficients between the back muscle strength and the bone density of Wards triangle, greater trochanter, distal radius, femoral neck, femoral shaft, and lumbar were 0.581, 0.570, 0.526, 0.502, 0.424, and 0.418, Respectively (P<0.05). Correlation coefficients between the broad jump and the bone density of femoral neck, greater trochanter, and femoral shaft were 0.577, 0.539, and 0.457, respectively(P<0.05). Correlations of the grip strength, flexibility, sit ups and vertical jump with bone density of all regions were not high(r< or=0.5). CONCLUSIONS: Different types of exercises showed different effects of bone density. The back muscle strength among the physical fitness factors was considered to be the most important predictor of bone density. In the future, further studies are necessary for the effects of other exercises on bone density.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adult ; Athletes* ; Back Muscles ; Bone Density* ; Exercise* ; Female* ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Martial Arts ; Muscle Strength ; Physical Fitness ; Pliability ; Radius ; Spine ; Volunteers ; Young Adult*

OBJECTIVES: Despite remarkable development of pharmacotherapy for schizophrenia, some patients continuously have had violence problems. The violence of psychotic patients is recently becoming the focus of the attention. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on patients with schizophrenia having violence related history. METHODS: 15 Patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder of crime history were treated with individual CBT for 12 sessions, and assessed with 4 scales (Korean version of Aggression Questionnaire, Korean version of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11-Revised, Beck Cognitive Insight Scale and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) to evaluate anger, impulse, insight and clinical symptoms respectively at baseline and post treatment. The comparison group consisted of 15 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder of crime history. They were also assessed with the same scales during the same period. RESULTS: Although impulsivity is not changed significantly after treatment, but there was significant improvement in clinical symptom, insight and aggression, especially self-reflectiveness and anger respectively. CONCLUSION: CBT can be one of the good therapeutic tools for patients with schizophrenia having violence problems in that it reduces aggression and enhances insight of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder.
Aggression ; Anger ; Case-Control Studies* ; Cognitive Therapy* ; Crime* ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Impulsive Behavior ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Schizophrenia* ; Violence ; Weights and Measures

BACKGROUND: It is widely accepted tht Tai Chi has been suited for whole aged people, especially old aged women and improves bone mineral density and physical fitness levels. To investigate the efficacy of Tai Chi in postmenopausal women, we compared the bone mineral density and physical fitness levels between Tai Chi and control groups. METHODS: The study subjects were 10 Tai Chi and 18 control group who were postmenopausal women aged 40 years and older. Bone mineral density(BMD) was measured at the lumbar spine and femoral area using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and maximal O2 intake, flexibility, grip strength, sit up, broad jump, balance, side-to-side step were checked for assessment of fitness levels. Other data was gathered from the questionnaire. RESULTS: The BMD of lumbar spine and Ward's triangle was significantly higher in control group(P<0.05) and the results of maximal O2 intake(P<0.05), grip strength(P<0.05), sit up(P<0.05), balance(P<0.01) were significantly higher in the control group. Logistic regression analysis showed that the results of grip strength, sit up, balance were significantly higher in the control group(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Tai Chi improve physical finess levels and bone mineral density and can be a useful exercise type for menopausal women.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Bone Density* ; Female ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Physical Fitness* ; Pliability ; Spine ; Tai Ji* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

No abstract available.
Animals ; Rats* ; Reperfusion*

PURPOSE: To compare the usefulness of double-dose contrast-enhanced CT (DDCE-CT) and conventional contrast-enhanced CT (CCE-CT) in the detection of metastatic brain lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients with brain metastases were evaluated with both CCE-CT and thinslice DDCE-CT. For CCE-CT, an initial injection of 100 ml contrast medium was given, and DDCE-CT with both 10-mm and 5-mm thickness was performed after the addition of an extra 100 ml of contrast medium. The numbers of metastatic lesions detected by CCE-CT and by DDCE-CT were compared, as were the findings of contrast-enhanced MRI (CE-MRI) and thin-slice DDCE-CT in seven patients who underwent both these procedures. RESULTS: Fourteen metastatic brain lesions were detected by CCE-CT, 22 by 10-mm-thickness DDCE-CT, and 36 by 5-mm thickness DDCE-CT. Thus, almost 2.6 times more lesions were detected by thin-slice DDCE-CT than by CCE-CT. Metastatic lesions were detected by 10-mm-thickness DDCE-CT in 16 patients and by CCECT in seven; in five, edema only was detected, while in four there were no detectable metastases. CCE-CT detected four lesions of less than 5 mm in diameter, while 10-mm-thickness DDCE-CT and 5-mm-thickness DDCE-CT detected seven and 18 lesions, respectively. Eleven lesions were detected by thin-slice DDCE-CT and 17 by CE-MRI in the seven patients who underwent both CE-MRI and DDCE-CT. The lesions detected only by CE-MRI were less than 5 mm in diameter and were discovered in the cerebellum or inferior temporal lobe. CONCLUSION: Thin-slice DDCE-CT was superior to CCE-CT in detecting metastatic brain lesions.
Brain* ; Cerebellum ; Edema ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Temporal Lobe ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

We report a case of a 45-year-old man with a complaint of both leg weakness and hypoesthesia. Radiological evaluation revealed an osteolytic lesion of the ninth thoracic vertebra. The patient underwent posterior corpectomy with total excision of the tumor, mesh cage insertion with posterior screw fixation and subsequent radiotherapy. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). This case report presents the diagnostic work-up, histopathological evaluation, and the treatment procedures of rare LCH in the thoracic spine.
Adult* ; Diagnosis ; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell* ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Leg ; Middle Aged ; Radiotherapy ; Spine*

No abstract available.
Diagnosis* ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic* ; Ultrasonography*

In Korea, cases of direct insertion of foreign bodies into the rectum are rare in the literature. Most cases of rectal insertion of foreign bodies are associated with sexual acts and psychiatric disorder such as schizophrenia. Objects inserted into the anus are usually blunt and shaped like the male genitalia. The removal method can be varied depending on the size and shape of the foreign object, its anatomical location, and the accompanying complications. In cases wherein attempts to remove the object fail or there are rectal perforation and peritonitis complications, immediate laparotomy may be required in order to prevent serious complications such as sepsis. Here, we report on a case of rectal perforation and peritonitis due to insertion of a foreign body in a middle-aged patient, with a literature review. He inserted a sharp pig backbone in his rectum and he only had depression. The patient underwent a Hartmann's operation as well as psychiatric counseling and treatment. Thus, after removal of foreign bodies, psychiatric counseling and treatment should be carried out in order to prevent similar accidents and to minimize the need for trauma medicine.
Anal Canal ; Counseling ; Depression* ; Foreign Bodies ; Genitalia, Male ; Humans ; Korea ; Laparotomy ; Male ; Peritonitis ; Rectum ; Schizophrenia ; Sepsis

No abstract available.
Aneurysm* ; Carotid Artery, Internal* ; Cluster Headache ; Headache* ; Intracranial Aneurysm