OBJECTIVES: Several studies have shown that performance related musculoskeletal disorders present a significant and common health problem for instrument players. This study was conducted to investigate the symptom prevalence rate of performance-related musculoskeletal disorders and risk factors on symphony orchestra players. METHODS: The symptom prevalence rate of musculoskeletal disorders and related factors including demographic factors, occupational factors, psychosocial factors, practice and performance-related behaviors of on 156 symphony orchestra players in Taegu city were surveyed with a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Instrument players have performed for 14. 6 years in average and worked 4. 9 for years in average as a member of symphony orchestra. The subjects consisted of 106 string players, 48 wind players, and 8 percussion players. The symptom prevalence rate of musculoskeletal disorders according to the NIOSH surveillance criteria was 79. 6 % and operational criteria by authors was 45. 9 %. The prevalence rate of viola players was higher than violin players, and the prevalence rate of the bass players was higher than that of the cello players. In univariate analysis, job insecurity, irregular performance, stress from family problems, and performance related psychosomatic strains had a significant association with the prevalence rate of musculoskeletal disorders. In multiple logistic regression, job insecurity, irregular performance, and stress from family problems were significant variables affecting the prevalence rate of musculoskeletal disorders of instrument players. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggest that symphony orchestra players are high risk group of musculoskeletal disorders. Irregular performance schedule and psychosocial stress including job insecurity, and psychosomatic strain were important risk factors of players musculoskeletal disorders. An exercise program such as stretching before and after performance, regular performance schedule and reduction of psychosocial stress might be helpful for prevention of musculoskeletal disorders of instrument players.
Appointments and Schedules ; Bass ; Daegu ; Demography ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (U.S.) ; Percussion ; Prevalence ; Psychology ; Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; Viola ; Wind

Tricho-rhion-phalangeal syndrome is characterized by the triad of slow growing, brittle hair and early loss of hair, distinctive faces which include a long philtrum and pear-shape nose, and peripheral cone shape epiphysis with brachyphalangia. Tricho-rhion-phalangeal syndrome is probably not so much uncommon. The tricho-rhion-phalangeal syndrome, however, is not well recognized to orthopaedic surgeons due to the minor finger deformities. We report a case of tricho-rhion-phalangeal syndrome with brief review of literature.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Epiphyses ; Fingers ; Hair ; Lip ; Nose ; Surgeons

Heterotopic pregnancy is the coexistency of intrauterine and extrauterine pregnancy. The incidence of heterotopic pregnancy is about 1 to 30,000 pregnancy in a natural cycle. However, the frequency of heterotopic pregnancy has steadily increased because of rising incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease, pelvic surgery and the development of ovulation induction and assisted reproduction. Because heterotopic pregnancy is difficult to diagnose and it has high morbidity and mortality rate, one should always take this into consideration and should conduct careful and thorough gynecologic evaluation. We have experienced a case of heterotopic pregnancy in a 29-year old woman who presented with acute abdominal pain in a natural cycle and report this case with a brief review of literature.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mortality ; Ovulation Induction ; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Heterotopic* ; Reproduction

No abstract available.
Chylous Ascites*

No abstract available.
Adult* ; Humans ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma*

Purpura fuIminans is a rare form of nonthrombocytapenic purpura characterized by sudden onset, fever, prostration, anemia and symmetrical massive ecchymoses, usually of the lower extremities, and hypotension associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). A 18 years old female patieat with characteristic clinical manifestations of purpura fulminans was seen at the department of Dermatology, St. Pauls Hospital. With intensive systemic corticasteroid and heparin treatmemts, the ecchymoses and necrosis began to heal, leaving multiple, thick esehar formation from 8th day, Although purpura fulminana has been known to attack mainly children, this case was of adolescent age.
Adolescent ; Anemia ; Child ; Dermatology ; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation ; Ecchymosis ; Female ; Fever ; Heparin ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Lower Extremity ; Necrosis ; Purpura Fulminans* ; Purpura*

OBJECTIVES: A cross sectional study was carried out in the welders exposed to manganese and control group. The aim of this study was to assess the adverse effects of manganese on central nervous system of welders. METHODS: The study group consisted of 49 welders and the reference group, 49 workers matched with welders for age and educational level in automobile manufacturing company. Concentration of manganese in welding hume, in blood, and cumulative exposure index(CEI) were determined for each subject. For each group, computerized neurobehavioral test including Simple Reaction Time, Digit Symbol, Digit Span, and Finger Tapping Speed of Swedish Performance Evaluation System were applied. RESULTS: Exposure level of manganese in welders were very low(mean CEI 0.069). Welders exposed to manganese had slower response speed, slower motor steadiness, and shorter memory span than control group. But these differences were not statistically significant. The performance of Finger Tapping Speed tended to lower as environmental and biological exposure index got higher. Other neurobehavioral tests were found to have a little association with the exposure indices. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference of neurobehavioral performance between welders and control group. This study indicates that Finger Tapping Speed measuring motor steadiness might be a one of useful tests for early detection of adverse effects of welding on central nervous system.
Automobiles ; Central Nervous System ; Fingers ; Manganese* ; Memory ; Reaction Time ; Welding

Osteogenesis imperfecta is a rare congenital disease. It is a heterogeneous group of inherited disorders characterized by multiple bone fracture, blue sclera, hearing loss, abnormalities of dentition and widespread connective tissue ahnormality. We experienced a case of osteogenesis imperfecta diagnosed in utero by ultrasonogram and confirmed hy postnatal radiograph after delivery. We present the case with a hrief review of the literature.
Connective Tissue ; Dentition ; Fractures, Bone ; Hearing Loss ; Osteogenesis Imperfecta ; Sclera ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: Arsenics have been used for various medical purposes. These arsenics can cause different kinds of cutaneous and internal malignancies. The arsenic-induced malignancies can be fatal or cause severe morbidity. OBJECTIVE: For early detection and prevention of the arsenic-induced malignancies, the authors analyzed the clinical characteristics of arsenic-induced skin diseases. METHODS: Medical records of 15 patients(10 males, 5 females) with arsenical keratosis(AK) during a period from September 1994 to October 1999 were reviewed. Interview, physical examinations, skin biopsy, and laboratory tests were performed. RESULTS: 14 patients used Korean proprietary pills(KPP, "Hwan-Yak"), which were suspected to contain certain amount of arsenics, as a drug for treatment of certain diseases such as vitiligo(4 patients, 26.7%), laceration, syphilis, etc. The other formulation of medication was Salvarsan injection. Age at KPP or Salvarasan medication was from seven to thirty-five years old. Duration of medication was from one month to four years. Bowen's disease(BD), squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) and basal cell carcinoma(BCC) were detected in ten(66.7%), three(20%) and one(6.7%) patients, respectively. One(6.7%) patient had lung cancer. Sites of predilection were palmoplantar area(100%) for AK, trunk(60%) for BD and lower extremities(45%) for SCC and BCC. CONCLUSION: Chronic exposure to arsenic can induce the cutaneous and systemic malignancies. To prevent these malignancies, strict managements and supervising programs on certain arsenic-containing drugs(probably KPPs) are required, and regular cutaneous and systemic examinations for the patients with AK should be performed.
Arsenic ; Arsphenamine ; Biopsy ; Humans ; Keratosis* ; Lacerations ; Lung Neoplasms ; Male ; Medical Records ; Physical Examination ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Skin Neoplasms ; Syphilis

No abstract available.
Pregnancy* ; Uric Acid*