No abstract available.
Myositis Ossificans* ; Myositis*

In patients with end-stage renal disease, depressed taste acuity may often affect their food intake and causes malnutrition. We measured mean recognition thresholds for the four primary tastes before and after hemodialysis to evaluate the efficacy of hemodialysis on taste acuity and measured serum zinc concentrations to determine the relationship between taste acuity and zinc status in 21 patients undergoing hemodialysis. The results were as follows : 1) Mean taste recognition thresholds of sour(0.0034+/-0.0021 N), sweet(0.027+/-0.012 M), and salty(0.027+/-0.014 M) were significantly higher than those of controls(0.0012+/-0.0007 N, 0.016+/-0.008 M, and 0.015+/-0.008 M, respectively)(P<0.05). 2)After hemodialysis, mean taste recognition thresholds of sour(0.0014+/-0.0011 N), sweet(0.015+/-0.011 M), and salty(0.020+/-0.011 M) were significantly decreased(P<0.05) but were not different from those of controls. 3) The mean recognition threshold for bitter was not improved after hemodialysis and was not different from that of controls. 4) The serum zinc concentration of patients with chronic renal failure was not different from that of controls. Finally, the mean taste recognition thresholds for sour, sweet, and salty were decreased in patients with end-stage renal disease and were improved after hemodialysis. The mean taste recognition threshold for bitter was not improved after hemodialysis and was not different from that of controls.
Eating ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Malnutrition ; Renal Dialysis* ; Zinc

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Abdominal distension from the insufflation of air can create more troublesome discomfort after colonoscopy (CFS) than after upper endoscopy. Many patients report difficulty in expelling insufflated air after CFS. One previous study demonstrated that insertion of rectal tube at the conclusion of CFS significantly improves patient satisfaction with the procedure. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of rectal tube placement for abdominal decompression after CFS in an effort to limit patient discomfort by carefully applying air suction during CFS. METHODS: We conducted a prospective trial in 103 consecutive patients undergoing elective CFS. Patients were randomized to receive rectal tube placement at the end of the procedure or simple air suction during the procedure. Patients were evaluated by clinical symptoms and signs 10 minutes after completion of CFS. RESULTS: All 103 patients had a complete examination of the colon to the cecum. No specific complications occurred during and a day after examination. The two groups were well matched with respect to age, sex, height, weight, chief complaints. There were no significant differences between the two groups for bowel preparation, duration of examination, abdominal pain during procedure, abdominal disten-sion 10 minutes after CFS, and abdominal pain 10 minutes after CFS (p >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Meticulous air suction during CFS reduces abdominal discomfort and distension after CFS and is as effectively as the placement of a rectal tube at the con-clusion of CFS.
Abdominal Pain ; Cecum ; Colon ; Colonoscopy* ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Insufflation ; Lower Body Negative Pressure ; Patient Satisfaction ; Prospective Studies ; Suction

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy and availability of Multidetector-Row Computed Tomography (MDCT) and Color Doppler Sonography as a method for making an early diagnosis of DVT after joint arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 71 cases (63 patients) were selected. 32 cases (32 patients) underwent a THRA and 39 cases (31 patients) underwent a TKRA between April 2004 to August 2004. All cases underwent both Color Doppler Sonography and MDCT, before and after surgery. No prophylactic medications for DVT were given. Patients who previously had DVT or pulmonary embolism or a medication history of anticoagulation therapy were excluded. RESULTS: DVT was found by MDCT in 33 cases (46.5%) and by Color Doppler Sonography in 15 cases (21.1%). In the 33 cases of DVT diagnosed by MDCT, 24 cases developed in the calf vein, among them, only 4 cases were positive and remaining 20 were negative in Color Doppler Sonography. In the 15 cases of DVT diagnosed by Color Doppler Sonography, 13 cases were positive and only 2 cases were negative in MDCT. CONCLUSION: MDCT is effective in diagnosing DVT after joint arthroplasty in terms of the objectivity, efficacy and accuracy.
Arthroplasty* ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Joints* ; Multidetector Computed Tomography ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Veins ; Venous Thrombosis*