This review-article is aimed at shedding a light upon the nature of age-associated changes in the human skeletal system. When the anatomical, physiological and biochemical consequences of bone aging are considered together with the hardening, drying and the diminished repair capabilities of the elderly, it can be seen that fractures assume greater importance as a clinical problem in the geriatric population. Older people start out with a deficit of cortical bone, making them more fracture prone and once fractures occur, the necessary treatments (immobilization, use of casts, etc.) accelerate the rate of bone loss. In addition, aged individuals stand a higher risk for complications of the hospital and enforced bed rest that may ensue. The problems resulting from bone loss in the elderly may be partially alleviated by providing adequate health service support which should include consideration of the following points : 1. Age, sex and general health status ; 2. Habits and inclinations towards physical activities ; 3. Nutritional and endocrine background ; 4. Presence of any specific bone diseases, including osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, osteomalacia and ankylosis ; 5. Psychosocial adaptability and other behavioral elements.
Aged ; Aging ; Ankylosis ; Bed Rest ; Biology* ; Bone Diseases ; Health Services ; Humans* ; Motor Activity ; Osteoarthritis ; Osteomalacia ; Osteoporosis

Cutaneous metastases from internal carcinomas are relatively rare, especially from pancreatic carcinoma. Pancreatic carcinomas are usually adenocarcinomas which arise in the head of the gland, and are known to rapidly metastasize to the lymphatic system by permeation and embolization. We report a case of cutaneous metastasis from pancreatic adenocarcinoma. in 74-year-old male patient who have two pea sized, slight erythematous nodules on the lower abdomen and posterior side of the neck.
Abdomen ; Adenocarcinoma* ; Aged ; Head ; Humans ; Lymphatic System ; Male ; Neck ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Peas

This study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic effect between single(A group) and five-day(B group) administration of IV gammaglobulin in the patients with Kawasaki disease from June 1987 to September 1993, who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrcs, Hanyang University College of Medicine. The clinical and echocardiographic results were as follows. 1) Of 90 cases, 40 cases belong to A group, and 50 cases to B group. The ratio of male to female was 2.60 : 1, and 85% of A group and 76% of B group was under the age of 3 years. 2) In 90% of A group and 88% of B group, peak level of platelet count was above 400,000.mm3, and as a whole peak level of platelet in 88.9% above 400,000/mm3. 3) Complications in S group were hepatitis(22.5%), coronary arterial involvement(12.5%), and gall bladder hydrops(7.5%), and in B group hepatitis(26%), gall bladder hydrops(18%), coronary arterial involvement(12%), pericardial effusion(4%), and meningitis(2%). 4) All 5 cases with mild coronary arterial dilatation in a group had improved in follow up echocardiography after 6 months. And in B group, 5 of 6 cases with coronary arterial involvement had improved, but coronary pathology in one case with large coronary aneurysm sustained after 2 years. In conclusion, we could not find the significant difference in reduction of the duration of illness or the coronary arterial disease between two groups, but we recommend single intravenous infusion of gammaglobulin as soon as possible to prevent severe coronary arterial disease.
Blood Platelets ; Coronary Aneurysm ; Dilatation ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome* ; Pathology ; Platelet Count ; Urinary Bladder

No abstract available.

Spinal dimensions (anterior, mid, and posterior height of the vertebral body) and shape variation (wedge compression, biconcave, and crush ratio) were obtained from plain radiographs of healthy Korean men and women. The purpose of this study was to define vertebral fracture from normal spinal morphometry of Korean men and women and to compare spinal dimension between men and women. Healthy 100 men and 100 women were included in this study. Plain lateral radiographs of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae were taken with standard method. Quantitative morphometry (anterior, mid, and posterior height of the vertebral body) was performed with plain radiographs. Spinal shape variations (wedge compression, biconcave, and crush ratio) were calculated from morphometric data. Spinal dimensions and shape variation of Korean men and women were presented, and morphometric cut-off vaiues for vertebral fracture were evaluated(mean-3xSD). Spinal dimensions of men were greater than women in all level (p<0.01). Wedge compression ratios (T6, 7, 8, 9, 12, L5 level) and biconcave ratios (T12, Ll, 4, 5 level) and crush ratios (Tll, L4, L5 level) were different between men and women (p<0.01). Spinal dimensions and shape variation from quantitative morphometry can be used in objective definition of vertebral fracture which can be used in medicolegal problem, workers compensation and medical insurance.
Female ; Humans ; Insurance ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Spine ; Workers' Compensation

No abstract available.
Femur* ; Tibia*

No abstract available.
Leiomyosarcoma* ; Rectum*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the normal value of the anal canal structures by transvaginal sonography in normal woman and compare this technique with the more commonly used transanal technique. METHODS: Transvaginal ultrasonography was performed in 25 parous patients between 4th and 8th decade of age, using a Bruel and Kajer type-1890. This procedure was followed by transanal sonography using the same system. The thickness of mucosa and submucosa, internal and external anal sphincter and puborectalis muscle were measured by both methods. RESULTS: The thickness of mucosa- submucosa, internal anal sphincter, external anal sphincter and puborectalis muscle by transvaginal sonography were 2.84 0.2 (2.6~3.0) mm, 2.98 0.4 (2.6~3.3) mm, 7.4 0.3 (7.1~7.7) mm, 7.5 0.5 (7.4~7.6) mm respectively(mean value standard deviation and range). The detection rate of external anal sphincter and puborectalis muscle by transvaginal sonography were between 55.5% (5/9) and 71.4% (5/7). CONCLUSIONS: The thickness of internal anal sphincter was increased with age(p<0.05). The thickness of mucosa-submucosa, internal anal sphincter measured.
Anal Canal* ; Female ; Humans ; Mucous Membrane ; Reference Values ; Ultrasonography*

No abstract available.
Animals ; Lordosis*