Efficacy of Lumbar Segmental Stabilization Exercises and Breathing Exercises on Segmental Stabilization in Lumbar Instability Patients

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of breathing exercises and lumbar segmental exercises on the segmental stability of patients with chronic back pain. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients, who suffered from chronic low back pain, were enrolled in this examination. They were divided randomly into three groups: experiment group 1 underwent breathing and segmental stabilization exercises (n=20), experiment group 2 experienced segmental stabilization exercises (n=20), and the control group was given the modality treatment (n=19). The measurements were assessed through an Oswestry disability questionnaire (ODQ), as well as a lumbar segmental instability test (LSIT). RESULTS: The ODQ results for experimental groups 1 and 2 were similar (p 0.05). The differences in segmental instability of each of the three groups were similar (p < 0.05), and also similar among the three groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that lumbar segmental stabilization exercises are efficient in increasing the segmental stability and alleviating pain in patients with chronic back pain. Additional studies on this subject will be needed to improve the clinical applications in the future.

Endoscopic Screening of Esophagus with Lugol's Solution in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES : Second primary esophageal cancer has been reported to comprise 6-9% of head and neck cancer cases, which are frequently detected in the advanced stage. Thus, detecting esophageal cancer in the early stage is important in the prognosis of head and neck cancer. However, it is difficult to detect early lesions using the conventional endoscopy. In the current study, the feasibility of endoscopic screening using Lugol's solution was assessing for detecting early esophageal cancer in patients of head and neck cancer. SUBJECTS AND METHOD : Sixty-two patients (Group I-synchronous cancer study group) diagnosed with head and neck cancer between November, 2003 and November, 2004 were prospectively studied. Fortysix patients (Group II-metachronous cancer study group) under the follow-up care with head and neck cancer during the same period were also evaluated. The esophagus was initially observed under direct endoscopic view and then Lugol dye was sprayed at the esophagus. Any unstained area was biopsied. RESULTS : Of 34 patients (54.8%) with unstained lesions in Group I, 10 (16.1%) showed dysplasia and 4 (6.4%) had cancer. Of 21 patients (45.6%) with unstained lesions in Group II, 2 (4.3%) showed dysplasia and 5 (10.8%) had cancer. Among 9 (8.3%) second primary esophageal cancer, 6 were detected with superficial esophageal cancer while the other 3 were found to be in the advanced stage of cancer. This superficial cancer revealed nonspecific mucosal findings in the direct endoscopic view and was difficult to be visualized as a pathologic lesion; however, it revealed unstained areas when Lugol's solution was sprayed, thus could be diagnosed as cancer through biopsy of the area. CONCLUSION : Endoscopy of esophagus with Lugol's solution could be highly effective as a screening method to detect second primary esophageal cancer in patients with head and neck cancer.

A Case of Acute Toxic Hepatitis induced by brief exposure to Dimethylformamide / 대한산업의학회지

Dimethylformamide (DMF), a widely used industrial solvent, has been reported to induce subtle to clinically overt hepatotoxicity. Liver injury due to occupational exposure through inhalation and skin contact has been sporadically reported. We report a 23-year-old male who developed intermittent abdominal pain, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, chest discomfort, and general weakness for 4 days after working in a plastic-coated-glove factory. An acute hepatitis episode occurred after working in an enclosed workplace for 3 days. Other causes of hepatitis such as viral, drug induced or alcoholic hepatitis, could be excluded or were considered to be unlikely. Based on occupational history, serological examination and serial liver function examinations, the case was compatible with DMF-induced acute toxic hepatitis. Hepatotoxicity due to occupational exposure to solvents (e.g., DMF) should be considered in any patient with unexplained hepatitis. The fast improvement of the clinical symptoms and the progressive normalization of the liver function tests once the DMF exposure has been stopped, supports the diagnosis.

A Case of Partial Trisomy of 3p (Trisomy of 3p23)

Partial Trisomy of 3p (Trisomy of 3p2, dup (3) (p23-->pter)) is a characteristic syndrome of chromosomal duplication of distal part of 3p, but breakpoints seem to vary in location. This syndrome shows multiple congenital anomalies with severe mental retardation, characteristic craniofacial change and absence of other gross external abnormalities. The craniofacial dysmorphism includes frontal bossing and temporal indentation, square face, marked hypertelorism, thick and short nose, full lips and a large mouth with downturned corners. Congenital heart defect, most frequently ASD and VSD, are found in most patients. In the majority of patients, the 3p2 duplication is the unbalanced product of a parental autosomal translocation involving 3p2 and another chromosome. We report a case of female baby who has facial dysmorphism, ASD and hyptonia and was found to have 3p2 duplidation (46XX-9, +der(9)t (3:9)(p23:p24)) by chromosomal analysis. Also we found her father was a carrier of blanced translocation of 3p2 and chromosome 9p (46XY, t(3:9)(p23:p24)).