There is a growing interest in the factors related to insufficiency fractures. We are going to report three insufficiency fracture cases which are considered to be caused by osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, steroid use and femoral shaft bowing among the patients not taking bisphosphonate. All cases are caused by low energy trauma and among these cases, one patient is being presented with a prodromal symptom and another patient complains of both prodromal symptoms and bilateral lesions.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Femur ; Fractures, Stress ; Humans ; Osteoporosis ; Prodromal Symptoms

OBJECTIVE: The Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndrome (SIPS) from Yale University is intended to diagnose prodromal syndrome of psychosis and to measure the severity of prodromal symptoms. Here, a Korean version of SIPS is presented, and its reliability, validity, and factor structures are examined using a representative Korean sample. METHODS: The Korean version of SIPS was administered to 40 participants over a period of 1 year. The inter-rater reliability and internal consistency of the SIPS were then evaluated. In addition, its factor structure was investigated using principal-axis factor analysis. Concurrent validity was explored using Pearson correlation coefficients with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). RESULTS: Of the 40 subjects, 12.5% developed psychotic disorders during the 1-year follow-up period. Inter-rater reliability was good (intra-class correlations=0.96), and internal consistency was acceptable (Cronbach's alpha=0.83). A three-factor resolution displayed the best simple structure and accounted for 52.6% of all item variance. Factors 1 and 2 showed strong correlations with negative symptoms and cognitive dysfunction, respectively, on the PANSS. Factor 3 was not correlated with any factor on the PANSS. CONCLUSION: The Korean version of SIPS is a reliable instrument for the assessment of prodromal symptoms in subjects and may be used to evaluate prodromal psychosis.
Follow-Up Studies ; Prodromal Symptoms ; Psychotic Disorders ; Reproducibility of Results ; Schizophrenia

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There are currently few studies on clinical profiles of reflex epilepsy induced by thinking and spatial tasks. We studied the clinical characteristics of reflex epilepsy induced by playing oriental card and board games. METHODS: This study included 17 patients who presented with seizures that occur predominantly while playing games. We collected clinical data via protocol-based interviews. EEGs and brain MRI were performed. RESULTS: All of the subjects were men, and all of them were older than 30 years at the onset of seizure. Thirteen patients (76%) experienced their seizures while playing the oriental card game "Go-stop" and the remaining four patients (24%) experienced them while playing the oriental board game "Baduk". Generalized tonic-clonic seizures were frequently preceded by prodromal symptoms, but myoclonus was not evident. Most patients had no spontaneous seizures and generalized epileptiform discharges on EEGs, and infrequent seizures that were well controlled. CONCLUSIONS: Our patients exhibited some features that differ from those described previously in the literature, suggesting that the clinical spectrum of reflex epilepsy induced by thinking and spatial tasks is wide.
Brain ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsy, Reflex* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Myoclonus ; Prodromal Symptoms ; Reflex* ; Seizures ; Thinking

Recently we have experienced 3 cases of IOL dislocations. There are 2 cases of PCL and a case of iridocapsular lens. In case 1 and 2, they received ECCE and PCL implantations and had managed well good visual acuity before the dislocation of the IOL had occurred. In case 1, he gained good vision by replacing with ACL but in case 2, he lost his vision due to secondary glaucoma with optic nerve atrophy which did not seem to be related directly with PCL dislocation. In case 3, the patient had received iridocapsular lens implantation 7 years ago and had three times of episodes of subluxation of his IOL. Last September he had another episode of subluxation of IOL loop inferiorly. The medical therapy of the reposition of IOL was failed and IOL was removed and replaced by ACL. Now he lost his vision due to bullous keratopathy as a result of repeated episodes of endothelial touch. The three cases of this report remind us that the patient can restore good vision if he or she visit to the ophthalmologist as immediately as possible when the blurred vision has developed as prodromal symptom of dislocation of IOL.
Atrophy ; Dislocations* ; Glaucoma ; Humans ; Lenses, Intraocular* ; Optic Nerve ; Prodromal Symptoms ; Visual Acuity

Systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS) is a rare devastating condition that is caused by unexplained marked capillary hyperpermeability, resulting in hypovolemic shock, hemoconcentration, and hypoproteinemia. Most patients have prodromal symptoms such as non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms, myalgia, or dizziness. In the current case, we observed the patient with recurrent SCLS show perivascular lymphocytic infiltration on skin biopsy and eosinophilic infiltrates on random biopsies from duodenum to colon. This finding might be due to distinct eosinophilic enterocolitis or secondary to SCLS. However, there has been rare data for the prevention of the recurrent attack of SCLS, although the mortality is high. Therefore, we report a case of frequently relapsing SCLS responding to the corticosteroid therapy.
Biopsy ; Capillaries ; Capillary Leak Syndrome ; Colon ; Dizziness ; Duodenum ; Enterocolitis ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Hypoproteinemia ; Prodromal Symptoms ; Shock ; Skin

OBJECTIVES: Cognitive behavioral therapy for treatment of schizophrenia was designed as a psychological therapy for treatment of drug resistant patients with schizophrenia. This therapy is currently being widely applied from early psychosis to chronic condition. The aim of this article is to review the main results of research articles on cognitive behavioral therapy of schizophrenia and prompt practicing the therapy in Korean mental health services. METHODS: The important original and review articles were referred in order to understand the main results of research from published international books, and the English website Pubmed was searched in order to update recent findings. This article reviewed the results of four areas of different phases and types of cognitive behavioral therapy for treatment of schizophrenia: drug resistant chronic patients, acute psychotic state, prodromal phase, and group cognitive behavioral therapy. RESULTS: Cognitive behavioral therapy for treatment of drug resistant patients with schizophrenia can attenuate the positive and general symptoms more than that for patients who receive supportive psychotherapy or treatment as usual. However, the effect appears to be less than previously expected, small to moderate. Cognitive behavioral therapy for patients of acute psychotic state can reduce the time of recovery from acute psychotic symptoms by approximately 25%. The result of cognitive behavioral therapy for patients of prodromal phase shows that the therapy can reduce the rate of transition to schizophrenia by up to one third. Group behavioral therapy has recently been tested. Group therapists have suggested that the therapy should be applied through the way of groups with relatively homogenous symptoms. However, whether the therapy can reduce the severity of hallucination in the voice hearer group is inconclusive. CONCLUSION: Alongside pharmacotherapy for treatment of schizophrenia, cognitive behavioral therapy is a distinct psychological therapy for attenuation of psychotic symptoms. The effect of cognitive behavioral therapy appears to last for one year and requires additional therapeutic sessions after one year. The effect is not still clear in group cognitive behavioral therapy for treatment of schizophrenia. Cognitive behavioral therapy for treatment of schizophrenia should be practiced widely in the Korean mental health system.
Cognitive Therapy ; Hallucinations ; Humans ; Mental Health ; Prodromal Symptoms ; Psychotherapy ; Psychotic Disorders ; Schizophrenia ; Voice

We reviewed 15 cases of necrotizing fascitis of the male genitalia. The clinical courses could be divided into two different types. In about one half of the patients the symptoms and signs progressed slowly within 122 weeks and in the remained they progressed rapidly. In the former, the prodromal signs were noted, usually low abdominal and inguinal pain. In 8 of fifteen patients, the locations of infectious focus were difficult to determine. The diagnosis were made after the development of scrotal necrosis in all of the cases. There were no differences in the causative pathogens comparing to 1hose of previous reports. The common underlying diseases were liver cirrhosis and diabetes. Hypoalbuminemia and leukocytosis were found in all. Of course, the strategy of treatment is same between two types, we would like to propose to use the term Fourier`s gangrene, a specific form of necrotizing fascitis, only to whose clinical course in acute and the location of primary infecious foci are obscure.
Diagnosis ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing* ; Gangrene ; Genitalia, Male* ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Leukocytosis ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Male ; Male* ; Necrosis ; Prodromal Symptoms

We reviewed 15 cases of necrotizing fascitis of the male genitalia. The clinical courses could be divided into two different types. In about one half of the patients the symptoms and signs progressed slowly within 122 weeks and in the remained they progressed rapidly. In the former, the prodromal signs were noted, usually low abdominal and inguinal pain. In 8 of fifteen patients, the locations of infectious focus were difficult to determine. The diagnosis were made after the development of scrotal necrosis in all of the cases. There were no differences in the causative pathogens comparing to 1hose of previous reports. The common underlying diseases were liver cirrhosis and diabetes. Hypoalbuminemia and leukocytosis were found in all. Of course, the strategy of treatment is same between two types, we would like to propose to use the term Fourier`s gangrene, a specific form of necrotizing fascitis, only to whose clinical course in acute and the location of primary infecious foci are obscure.
Diagnosis ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing* ; Gangrene ; Genitalia, Male* ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Leukocytosis ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Male ; Male* ; Necrosis ; Prodromal Symptoms

PURPOSE: We attempted to determine the differences in frequency, as well as clinical, radiologic characteristics of atypical femoral fracture between groups of patients who have taken bisphosphonate and those who have not by conduct of a retrospective analysis of patients with low energy subtrochanteric and shaft fractures of the femur. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 44 cases of 41 female patients over 60 years old who underwent surgery due to femoral shaft/subtrochanteric fractures from August 2001 to October 2011. The patients were divided into two groups: Group A, 22 cases in 19 patients with a history of bisphosphonate treatment; Group B, 22 cases in 22 patients without a history of bisphosphonate treatment as a control group. We assessed the duration of bisphosphonate treatment, presence of prodromal symptoms, and radiological results, and compared age, BMD results, union period, and nonunion rate between the two groups. RESULTS: Mean medication period was 56.8 months(12-132 months) and prodromal symptoms were observed in one case. Lateral cortical thickening and transverse fracture with a medial cortical bone beak were observed in all patients of Group A, and contralateral cortical hypertrophy of the femur was noted in 15 patients(17 cases) (77.3%). Mean age was 73.2 years in Group A and 78.2 years in Group B, which showed significant difference (P=0.021), while no difference was observed in BMD, union period, and nonunion rate. CONCLUSION: An atypical femoral fracture can occur in the subtrochanteric or shaft of the femur. The typical radiological characteristics of this fracture are lateral cortical thickening and transverse fracture with a medial cortical bone beak and contralateral abnormality of cortical bone. Findings of this study suggest that medical practitioners should be careful of atypical fractures with osteoporosis patients who use prolonged bisphosphonate.
Animals ; Beak ; Female ; Femoral Fractures ; Femur ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Osteoporosis ; Prodromal Symptoms ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Vasovagal syncope is a common cause of syncope. In some cases, syncopal episode is recurrent, resulting in physical injury. Head-up tilt test with or without isoproterenol provocation has been a tool to diagnose vasovagal syncope. But the protocol of head-up tilt test has not been settled. In this study, we evaluate the usefulness of a head-up tilt test with isoproterenol provocation in patients with syncope or presyncope of unexplained origin. METHODS: Head-up tilt test was performed with patients in the fasting state in the morning. After supine heart rate and blood prewwure were obtained, each patient was tilted to the 70 degree upright position for 30 minutes using a motorized tilt table with a footboard. If the test was negative in the baseline tilt, intravenous isoproterenol was started at 1 microg/min and then increased by 1 microg/min every three minutes to a maximum of 5 microg/min while maintaining 70 degree upright position. The end points of test were positive response, intolerance of isoproterenol, heart rate>150 beats/min, and completion of the protocol. When an end point reached, the patient was rapidly returned to the horizontal position. RESULTS: 1) Of 122 patients with syncope or presyncope, 113 patients(93%) had prodromal symptoms. 2) 23 patients(19%) had physical injury during episode. 3) 93 patients(76%) experienced episodes while they were standing or sitting. 4) A total of 83 patients(68%) had a positve response during head-up tilt test ; 7 patients(8%) of these 83 patients had a positive response during the baseline tilt. But, 76 patients(92%) required isoproternol provocation to elicit this response. 5) The pattern of positive response showed vasodepressive pattern in 55 patients(67%), mixed pattern in 26 patients(31%), and cardioinhibitory pattern in 2 patients(2%). 6) No significant side effect of isoproterenol was noted. 7) There were no significant differences between positive response group and negative response group in terms of clinical characteristics and hemodynamic findings during head-up tilt test. CONCLUSION: A head-up tilt test with isoproterenol provocation could be an useful tool for diagnosing vasovagal syncope or presyncope in adults.
Adult* ; Fasting ; Heart ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Isoproterenol ; Prodromal Symptoms ; Syncope* ; Syncope, Vasovagal