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*

We analyzed records at Chonnam university hospital from Sep. 1. 1993 to Aug. 31. 1996 to assess clinical significance of the foreign body in the gastrointestinal tract. There were 133 episodes consisting of 79 pediatric and 54 adult patients as possible to review. In the pediatric patients, the coin was the most common cause of foreign body ingestion, while adult patients were usually caused by bones and meat. We removed foreign bodies in the oral cavity and oropharynx in 12 cases using direct laryngophanmgoscpy and forcep. Endoscopy was performed successfully in 47 of 51 patients in which was attempted; there were two complications composed of an aspiration pneumonia and a mediastinitis due to esophageal perforation. There were spontaneous passage of foreign bodies in 48 cases. We observed complications in 6 cases in which 4 cases needed operations due to complications. Foreign bodies which pass into the stomach can be observed for development of complications, as 94% of foreign bodies which reach the stomach spontaneously pass. Only 4 patients required interventions, which was done without mortality.
Adult ; Eating* ; Endoscopy ; Esophageal Perforation ; Foreign Bodies* ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Jeollanam-do ; Meat ; Mediastinitis ; Mortality ; Mouth ; Numismatics ; Oropharynx ; Pneumonia, Aspiration ; Stomach ; Surgical Instruments

Jimson weed, also known as Datura stramonium, is a member of the Solanaceae family. Jimson weed was used by American Indians for medicinal and religious purposes. All parts of the Jimson weed plant are poisons, containing the alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine. So, it is caused by these components to make a anticholinergic toxicity within 6h after ingestion. Initial manifestations include dry mucus membrane, blurred, vision, thirst, difficulty swallowing and speaking, and photophobia, and may be followed by hyperthermia, confusion, agitation, combative behavior, hallucination, urinary retention, seizure and coma. We experienced two patients who developed combative behavior and agitation with pupil dilation caused by Jimson weed. They discharged with improvement after supportive for 2days.
Alkaloids ; Animals ; Atropine ; Coma ; Comb and Wattles ; Datura stramonium* ; Deglutition ; Dihydroergotamine ; Eating* ; Fever ; Hallucinations ; Humans ; Hyoscyamine ; Indians, North American ; Membranes ; Mucus ; Photophobia ; Plants ; Poisons ; Pupil ; Scopolamine Hydrobromide ; Seizures ; Solanaceae ; Thirst ; Urinary Retention

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although the necessity of hearing aids as one of the rehabilitation methods is increasing, many hearing impaired persons are avoiding the use of behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids and prefer the complete-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids. CIC hearing aids have cosmetic and acoustic advantages but have problems of acoustic feedback and discomfort in wearing. Changes in the external auditory canal (EAC) by mandibular movements are a primary factor for the acoustic feedback and discomfort. The purpose of this research is to study the pattern of changes in the EAC by mandibular movement using the Korean population as subjects and to get basic data concerning the manufacture of impressions and shells for CIC hearing aids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects were 19 men with a fit external ear diameter to make CIC hearing aid. Impressions were made by taking 5 different conditions of jaw into consideration : fully opened state, 1/2 opened state, biting state, chewing state and resting state. Impressions were scanned at intervals of O.1mm using a 3D Laser digitizing system. We measured anterior to posterior (AP) width and superior to inferior (SI) height of each impression at the first bend, interbend and the 2nd bend of 5 conditions. RESULTS: Compared with the resting state, statistically significant changes in the AP width of the ear canal were observed at the interbend in the following order : fully opened jaw, 1/2 opened jaw (p <0.05), at 1st bend: 1/2 opened jaw (p<0.05). The 2nd bend biting state showed maximal AP width of the ear canal (p<0.05). The SI height of ear canal revealed statistically insignificant changes. CONCLUSION: We recommend making of ear impressions in the chewing state and shells to be supported at the interbend of the ear canal. The SI dimension of a shell tip should be more ground than AP dimension.
Acoustics ; Ear Canal* ; Ear* ; Ear, External ; Hearing Aids ; Humans ; Jaw ; Male ; Mandible ; Mastication ; Persons With Hearing Impairments ; Rehabilitation

Adult ; Architecture as Topic ; Body Weight ; Bone Density ; Bone Regeneration ; Collagen ; Elastin ; Extracellular Matrix ; Hand ; Humans ; Mandible ; New Zealand ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; Osteotomy ; Rabbits ; Temporomandibular Joint