No abstract available.
Ankle Fractures* ; Ankle*

PURPOSE: Cough is a frequent symptom in bronchial asthma. Acoustic digital analysis of cough has been reported using digital signal processing techniques. Differences between asthmatic and control cough sounds are presented. The main purpose of this study was to examine whether overall spectral energy and the visual observation of the fine details of the cough spectrographs, explain the differences in cough between normal subjects and asthmatic patients. METHODS: We presented data from 7 asthmatic patients and 8 non-asthmatic subjects using a new method of acoustic analysis. Cough sound was digitalized at a sampling rate of 5 kHz. Individual coughs were divided into two or three phases, presents the data of RMS (Root Mean Square), duration, RMS in the frequency band. Factor analysis and iogistic regression analysis were performed to identify groups of variables. RESULTS: Duration of cough was longer in asthmatics cough. The number of additional cough sounds showed no difference. RMS of cough in total cough and 2nd phase cough was stronger for asthmatics cough. Energy of frequency band is significantly different in 1,000-1,500 Hz, 1,500-2,000 Hz, 5,000-5,500 Hz, 5,500-6,000 Hz, 6,000-6,500 Hz, 9,000-9,500 Hz at total phase, 0-500 Hz, 1,000-1,500 Hz, 2,000-2,500 Hz, 5,000-5,500 Hz, 6,000-6,500 Hz, 9,000-9,500 Hz at 1st phase. Factor analysis and logistic regression analysis for the two groups provoded a classification table of 96.3% of sensitivity and 86.0% of specificity. CONCLUSION: We provided a new approach to the analysis of cough sounds. Significant differences were found between asthmatic and non-asthmatic cough sounds. It has potential as a tool with which to study the pathophysiology of cough and diagnosis the respiratory disease.
Acoustics ; Asthma ; Classification ; Cough* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted

A study was performed to investigate a relationship between the status of T lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood and the pathogenesis of erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) reactions. T lymphocyte subsets, B lymphocytes and serum immnnoglobulin levels were explored in 40 leprosy patients (10 tuberculoid (TT), 17 lepromatous (LL), and 13 lepromatous with ENL). In patients with LL, suppressor cells increased and helper cell diminished, resulting in a decrease in the helper/suppressor (Th/Ts) ratio to 0.86 + 0.20, as compared with controls (1. 77 + 0.41). But in ENL patients, there was a significant diminution of suppressor cells and an increase of helper cells, resulting in an increase in Th/Ts ratio to 2.08 + 0.30. Four weeks after treatment of ENL, Th/Ts ratio decreased to l.18+ 0.31 again. The mean percentages of B cells and serum immunoglobulin levels in with LL. and ENL increased significantly compared with controls. Only IgG increased in patients with ENL compared with patients with LL. The results in patiients with TT did not differ significantly from those of controls. The findings suggest that cell-mediated immune responses, imbalance in T lymphocyte subsets, may play a role in the pathogenesis of ENL, either directly or by inducing an antibody critical to the formation of the immune complex
Antigen-Antibody Complex ; B-Lymphocytes ; Erythema Nodosum* ; Erythema* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulins ; Leprosy ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets* ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer

A 25 year old patient who had low back pain and sciatica was diagnosed as having a lumbar intraspinal extradural synovial cyst adjacent to a facet joint between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae. The extradural defects defined with positive contrast myelography and postmyelographic computed tomographic scanning were posterolateral to the dural sac. Biopsy revealed the findings compatible with synovial cyst. Treatment consisted of laminectomy and surgical excision of the cyst.
Biopsy ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Low Back Pain ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Myelography ; Sciatica ; Synovial Cyst ; Zygapophyseal Joint

Between August 1994 and June 1995, seventeen patients diagnosed as having partial or complete ruptures of the anterior cruciate ligament on MRI were managed by non-operative methods. Among them four patients were excluded due to operation during follow-up and the results were evaluated at a one year follow-up. We selected the patients prospectively for non-operative care using the selection criteria of age, degree of instability, activity level and patient compliance. The average age of them was 37.7 years. Initially knee stress test and MRI were checked, and Cybex study and Lysholm knee scoring were done at post-trauma one year follow-up. They were managed conservatively by ROM and muscle strengthening exercises and a brace fitting schedule for three months. Among them, six cases had partial tears and seven had a complete tear initially. At the one year follow-up, five of six cases who had shown partial ruptures, and two of seven cases with complete tears, recovered continuity of the ruptured ACL on MRI. Their Lysholm knee score was 84.4, and the Cybex test showed no difference in muscle power between the injured and uninjuried side. Those patients who had loss of continuity on follow-up MRI showed Lysholm score of 57.4 and decreased muscle power on Cybex study. Although there are still controversies about the adequate management of ACL injuries, our study suggests that conservative management is a viable alternative to surgery as long as the patients are selected prudently. For more concrete results, however, careful analysis based on a longer follow up period is necessary.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament* ; Appointments and Schedules ; Braces ; Exercise ; Exercise Test ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Patient Compliance ; Patient Selection ; Prospective Studies ; Rupture*

The formation of cysts in the parameatal area has been reported as rare. A parameatal urethral cyst is a congenital anomaly and has been reported even more rarely in adults. In this study, we present two cases of parameatal urethral cyst and aim to investigate their causes and treatment methods. The extent of cyst spread was assessed using a urethroscope prior to cyst excision, and the excision range was determined accordingly. Complete excision of the cyst was performed as the treatment for parameatal urethral cyst. Both patients were adults who presented with urinary symptoms related to the cyst, necessitating the excision of the congenital parameatal urethral cyst.

Osteoporosis and osteoporosis related fractures contribute a large part of the medical cost in developed countries. Considering the preventive effect of osteoporotic medications, high rate of mortality and complications, poor quality of life after osteoporosis related fractures, the growing trend of older populations in the future, osteoporosis and osteoporosis related fractures are important targets of preventive treatment and also targets of socioeconomic cost reduction. Treating osteoporosis and preventing osteoporosis related fractures have become an essential element in Korean medical system. Despite the various differences in the health care system, hospitals in many other countries are operating fracture liaison service and they have confirmed its cost-effectiveness. In Korea's health care system, further research on cost-effectiveness as well as its clinical effects is needed.

The vertebral artery injuries are rare in frequency and penetrating injuries are most likely to damage the vertebral artery as a sort of a collateral damage from striking the bony cervical spine. A 49-year-old man was struck in the face with a metal bar. The plain skull X-ray showed a long nail penetrating from the maxilla to the suboccipital area. Digital subtraction angiography revealed an injury of the left vertebral artery with a strong retrograde flow down the rostral segment and a filling with thrombus within the distal portion from injured segment. The patient underwent Guglielmi detachable coils embolization for complete isolation of the injured segment. The manual removal of the foreign body was attempted and was successfully completed.
Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Maxilla ; Middle Aged ; Skull ; Spine ; Strikes, Employee ; Thrombosis ; Vertebral Artery*

OBJECTIVES: To report on the skin discoloration experienced by three workers handling 2 , 5 -hexanedione METHODS: Three workers, who showed orange-brown discoloration of the palms during observation under the Kumi occupational disease surveillance system, had their history evaluated and underwent physical examination. A workplace survey was performed by an occupational physician and an industrial hygienist. RESULTS: The three workers were determined to have been experiencing skin discoloration since the introduction of a new cleaning solvent. The new solvent contained 2,5-hexanedione, which is reported in the literature to be possibly capable of causing orangebrown discoloration of the skin. After discontinuation of solvent use, the workers recovered within a week. CONCLUSIONS: These cases demonstrate that 2,5-hexanedione can produce skin pigmentation.
Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Occupational Diseases ; Physical Examination ; Skin Pigmentation* ; Skin*

PURPOSE: The olecranon osteotomy in intra-articular comminuted distal humerus fractures is a suggested technique for excellent exposure of articular fractures. However, complications including delayed union, nonunion of osteotomy site have been reported. Authors have applied predrilling for cannulated screw before osteotomy for achievement of rapid and accurate reposition of separation part and added wire fixation for secure stability. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of this fixation procedure following the olecranon osteotomy during the internal fixation of intra-articular fracture of the distal humerus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed 14 cases (9 women and 5 men) of intra-articular distal humerus fractures in which the olecranon osteotomy was applied. The mean age of patients was 53.4 years (range, 25 to 83 years), and the average follow-up period was 15.9 months. Eleven cases were classified as AO 13-C3, and the other 3 cases were AO 13-C2. Reduction accuracy, union period of osteotomy site on follow-up radiographs and postoperative complications related to olecranon osteotomy were evaluated. RESULTS: All osteotomized parts showed no position change and solid union with normal alignment at the last follow-up. The mean period of bony union was 3.5 months (range, 2 to 5 months). There were no complications related to olecranon osteotomy except one case of non-displaced fracture of the proximal ulnar shaft at the level of cannulated screw tip caused by forceful passive physical therapy. It was managed by conservative treatment without further problem. CONCLUSION: Predrilled cannulated screw and wire fixation following the olecranon osteotomy during internal fixation of intra-articular comminuted distal humerus fractures showed satisfactory results in the union of osteotomy site and it could be a recommendable procedure when fractures require olecranon osteotomy.
Elbow ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Humerus* ; Intra-Articular Fractures ; Olecranon Process* ; Osteotomy* ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies