STUDY DESIGN: The operative treatment methods of twenty-one patients with Denis type B burst fractures were evaluated according to the level of pedicle screw fixation. OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of short segment pedicle screw fixation with long segment pedicle screw fixation in Denis type B burst fractures treated anteriorly with short bone graft. SUMMARY OF BACK GROUND DATA: Relatively good results(Short fusion time, good union rate, less loss of lordosis postoperatively etc.) were obtained in long segment fixation group during follow-up period. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with Denis B type burst fractures of thoracolumbar and lumbar spine were divided into two groups depend on the level of pedicle screw fixation in operative treatment methods, one group consisted of 10 cases which were treated by posterior short segment pedicle screw fixation and anterior interbody fusion with short bone graft(Group I : one level above and below posteior pedicle screw fixation of the fracture site and upper end plate of fracture site was fused with autogenous iliac bone or rib to adjacent vertebral body anteriorly through involved disc space) and the other groups consisted of 11 cases which were treated by posterior long segment pedicle screw fixation and anterior interbody fusion with short bone graft (Group II : more than two level above and below posterior pedicle screw fixation of the fracture site and additionally, anterior interbody fusion with short bone graft performed same as Group I). Bony union rate, union period, changes of height of bone and disc, kyphotic angle loss, interscrew angle and complications were measured using pre-, post-operative and follow-up radiographs and chart review. RESULTS: Comparing the two groups, there were no significant postoperative and follow-up results in both groups, especially, change of body & disc height, change of kyphotic angle and change of interscrew angle. However, relatively short fusion time, good union rate, less kyphotic angle loss, and low complication rates were obtainecl and maintained during follow-up period in long segment fixation lion group(Group II). CONCLUSIONS: Long segment pedicle screw fixation and anterior interbody fusion with short bone graft group could effectiyely treat Denis B type burst fractures of thoracolumbar & lumbar spine and maintain their postoperative results during follow up peroid.
Animals ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lions ; Lordosis ; Ribs ; Spine ; Transplants*

No abstract available.
Femoral Neck Fractures* ; Femur Neck* ; Femur* ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary*

Tibial Plateau fracture is relatively common injury which often produce major disability, and their treatment has been in controversy. Recent studies suggest that early knee motion and perhaps better surgical techniques have improved clinical end results. Protection from weight bearing and length of immobilization have varied among authors and variable treatment methods. Thirty-eight tibial plateau fractures treated at Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital from March in 1984 to December in 1988 were analized and the followings were obtained. l. Of 38 patients, 29 patients were male and 9 female. 2. The most common associated injury was an ipsilateral fibular fracture. 3. Average duration of immobilization was 4 to 6 weeks in conservative treatment and 2 to 4 weeks in operative treatment. 4. We started partial weight bearing in 24 patients within 6 weeks and full weight bearing in 28 patients between 8 and 12 weeks, and good end results were obtained.
Clinical Study ; Female ; Heart ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Knee ; Male ; Weight-Bearing

No abstract available.
Urachus*

STUDY DESIGN: We have analyzed vertebral fractures caused by osteoporosis to find the clinical correlations with fracture types, level of lesion sites, numbers of involved vertebrae, age of patients, and the degree of osteoporosis. OBJECTIVES: To analyze osteoporotic vertebral fractures clinically and it help us to increase our understandings of osteoporotic vertebral fractures and treat the patients more effectively. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There are increasing number of patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures. However, there are few articles analyzing patients according to their correlating factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated sixty-three patients who were diagnosed and treated conservatively with osteoporotic compression fractures from January 1995 to June 1997. Plain radiographs and DEXA were taken to compare wedge compression ratio, biconcavity ratio, crush ratio according to fracture pattern, level of injury, number of injured vertebral body, and bone mineral density(BMD). All datas were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among fracture pattern, level of injury and BMD. However, BMD was more sig-nificantly decreased in patients who was fractured their back at thoracic spine. BMD was lowered at multiply(3 or more vertebral bodies)injured, continuously involved(2 level or more) vertebral bodies. CONCLUSION: We have concluded that careful observation and the efforts to differentiate osteoporotic compression fractures according to fracture pattern, injury level, BMD, and any objective clinical datas would be needed to manage these osteoporotic patients effectively.
Follow-Up Studies* ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Osteoporosis ; Spine

It has been studied that a variety of fauna and flora are sensitive biological indicators which reflect the severity of regional pollution of heavy metals, but in the center of part of Taegu city the controversial issue of lead poisoning attributable to the atmosphere which contains an increased concentrations of lead has been raised recently, it is usually hard to find suitable plants or animal in the areas with heavy traffic. Pigeons are ubiquitous in and around Taegu city area, inhabiting even the most densely populated areas with heavy traffic with its small body size, high metabolic turnover, and rather limited mobility, a pigeon, as a biological indicator is expected. This study was conducted to monitor lead pollution in the Taegu and kyongju city in Korea. We measured the lead content of the various tissue of three groups of feral pigeon(Columbia livia) and soil and atmospheric lead concentration. First group was obtained io heavy traffic area in Taegu City, the second group was obtained a park in Taegu city and the third group was obtained light traffic area in kyongju city. The air and soil lead concentration of heavy traffic area in Taegu city was 0.11 microgram/m2, 4.96 microgram/g, that of park in Taegu city was 0.05 microgram/m3, 2.65 microgram/g and that of light traffic area in kyonngju city was 0.03 microgram/m3, 0.01 microgram/g. The lead content of lung, blood, kidney, femur and liver of feral pigeons in heavy traffic area in Taegu city was significantly higher than pigeons obtained in a park in Taegu city and low traffic density area in Kyonfju city(p<0.01). But stomach lead content of three group did not reflect a significant difference. In this study positive correlation was found between atmospheric lead concentrations and the concentration of lead in the pigeon's lung(r=0.5040, p<0.001), blood(r=0.3322, p<0.01), kidney(r=0.4824, p<0.001), femur(r=0.7214, p<0.001) and liverer (r=0.4836, p<0.01). we can also found positive correlation between soil lead concentrations and the concentration of lead in the pigeon's femur(r=0.4850, p<0.001), kidney(r=0.4850, p<0.001) and liver(r=0.4386, p<0.01). In the pigeon`s tissue there were significant correlations between concentration of lead in the blood and kidney(r=0.4818, p<0.001), femur(r= 0.6157, p<0.001) and liver(r=0.3889, p<0.001). In conclusion, at the heavy traffic area in Taegu city, lead concentrations found in the atmosphere and soil are reflected in the lead concentrations of different tissue of urban pigeons. It is suggested that the tissue of pigeons can be good biological indicators of environmental lead pollution.
Animals ; Atmosphere ; Body Size ; Columbidae ; Daegu ; Femur ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Kidney ; Korea ; Lead Poisoning ; Liver ; Lung ; Metals, Heavy ; Soil* ; Stomach

The influence of vitamin A acetate on the induction of bladder carcinogenesis by N-butyl-N-(4- hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine(BBN) was studied in male Wistar rats. Animals were divided into 4 groups : Group I and II received BBN and/or vitamin A acetate for 12 and 20 weeks. respectively. Group I and II were further divided into 3 subgroups : Subgroup a received BBN only, subgroup b BBN and vitamin A acetate in 100 IU per gram diet and subgroup c BBN and vitamin A acetate in 200 IU per gram diet, respectively. Group E received only vitamin A acetate and Group IV only basal diet. Animals were killed at 20 weeks after first carcinogen exposure and bladder was examined by both light and electron microscopy. At the two dose levels. vitamin A acetate significantly reduced the incidence and extent of carcinoma in Group I, as well as in Group X Vitamin A acetate of lower and higher dosage were nearly same in the inhibitory effect of development of carcinoma. Vitamin A acetate did not reduce the incidence of papilloma, but reduced the extent of papilloma in group I significantly. Vitamin A acetate also reduced the incidence of high grade neoplasm and deeply invasive cancer. Hypervitaminosis A did not develop at both lower and higher dosage of vitamin A acetate. Cancer cells in animals which received both vitamin A acetate and BShl often showed cytolysis, pyknosis and disruption of cellular membrane. The present findings indicate that vitamin A acetate inhibits or delays the development of bladder carcinoma without significant toxicity.
Animals ; Carcinogenesis* ; Diet ; Humans ; Hypervitaminosis A ; Incidence ; Male ; Membranes ; Microscopy, Electron ; Papilloma ; Rats* ; Rats, Wistar ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Urinary Bladder* ; Vitamin A* ; Vitamins*

The objectives of this study were to investigate the efficacy and dose-effect relationship for glycopyrrolate in the suppression of the oculocardiac reflex, and to compare glycopyrrolate with the reported equivalent dose of atropine. Glycopyrrolate 5 and 7.5ug/kg and atropine 10 and 15ug/kg were studied in 40 paediatric patients to assess more fully the dose of glycopyrrolate required for adequate prevention of the oculocardiac reflex. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1) The increase in the mean heart rate 5 min after the test drug was statistically significant in all of the four groups. 2) Both drugs showed a dose-related response for reduction in slowing of heart rate after rectus muscle traction. 3) There is great individual variation in response to muscle traction within each group, no group being fully protected from marked slowing in heart rate. 4) The frequency of arrhythmias with low doses of both drugs was more than in high doses with both drugs.
Anesthesia* ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Atropine* ; Child* ; Glycopyrrolate* ; Heart Rate* ; Heart* ; Humans ; Reflex, Oculocardiac ; Traction

This study was conducted to explore the feasibility of using the lead level in the hair of children as a screening test for lead intoxication of children and as an indicator for environmental pollution. Lead concentration of hair was measured for 268 seven to nine-year-old elementary school children in Taegu city (147 children) and Gampo. town(121 children). The lead level in hair was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer equipped with a graphite furnace atomizer. The following information was obtained for all children : sex, age, father's occupation and smoking habits, kinds of hair cleaner, fingernail biting habits, and status of the child's hands and clothing. The mean lead level in hair was 8.7+/-2-9 microg/g in the urban area and 7.7+/-2.2 pg/g in the rural area. There were significant differences between two groups(p(0.01). The difference of lead levels in hair measured by cleanliness of the child's hands (clean : 7.4+/- 2.7 pg/g, dirty : 8.2+/- 2.6 pg/g) and child's clothing(clean : 8.0+/- 2.5 microg/g, dirty : 9.3+/- 2.6 microg/g) were statistically significant, but other factors were not significant. In multiple regression analysis, difference of residency and age were significant variables for lead level in the hair of children. These findings suggest that measurement of lead level in the hair is a useful method for the screening of the lead intoxication of children and monitoring environmental conditions.
Absorption ; Child* ; Clothing ; Daegu ; Environmental Pollution ; Graphite ; Hair* ; Hand ; Humans ; Internship and Residency ; Mass Screening ; Nails ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers ; Occupations ; Smoke ; Smoking

Morphometry of nuclei of the benign and malignant prostatic lesions was performed to study the relationship between nuclear size and shape and the prognosis of prostatic adenocarcinoma. Fifty one cases of prostatic adenocarcinoma and 13 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia were included to evaluate area, perimeter, Dmax, Dmin, and 5 form factors of the nuclei by image analyzer (Zeiss Ibas 2000) using hematoxylin-eosin stained slides. All analytic factors of nuclear size and shape were significantly different between benign lesions and adenocarcinomas. Increased nuclear size was associated with nu- clear irregularity, presence of metastasis, advanced clinical stage, and high Gleason's grade and score of prostatic adenocarcinoma. On Kaplan-Meier method, survival was decreased with older age, no hormonal treatment, stage D, high Gleason's grade and stage as well as with larger size and irregular shape of the nuclei. In conclusion, morphometry of nuclei of the prostate can be a helpful tool to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions. Nuclear morphology is thought to be associated with prognosis of prostatic adenocarcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma ; Breast ; Fibroadenoma ; Hepatitis B e Antigens* ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens* ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Prostate ; Prostatic Hyperplasia