Effect of Elderly Organized Vestibular Rehabilitation for Presbystasis / 대한평형의학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recently, The number of patients who have been complaining of the vertigo or dizziness has been increasing due to rapid growth of the elderly population and senile change. Aging is associated with decreased balance abilities, resulting in an increased risk of fall. The purpose of this study is to analyze the result of elderly organized vestibular rehabilitation therapy for presbystasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was performed on elderly population over sixty-five years. 148 dizzy patients who were admitted to Hallym University Medical Center. We recruited 64 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of presbystasis and treatment of rehabilitation. They were asked to complete the Korean vestibular disorders activities of daily living scale (K-VADL) for the functional aspect before and two to twelve weeks after elderly organized vestibular rehabilitation therapy. The result was analyzed by statistical methods. RESULTS: The K-VADL scores were decreased in patient of presbystasis compared with first questionnaire. There were statistically significant differences in the K-VADL scores between before and after rehabilitation therapy. CONCLUSION: Most patients can effectively and safely utilize the modified vestibular rehabilitation therapy. Our results suggest that the vestibular rehabilitation therapy could provide a recovery for dizzy symptoms in presbystasis.

Laryngotracheal Stenosis in Burned Patients with Inhalation Injury: Analysis of Risk Factors / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) in burned patients with inhalation injury have features distinct from other stenosis after intubation or tracheotomy. However, the risk factors for LTS in burned patients with inhalation injury have not been thoroughly assessed. The aim of this study is to identify the risk factors for and evaluate the pattern of LTS in burned patients with inhalation injury. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: From May 2005 to April 2007, 227 burned patients with inhalation injury treated at the Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical Center were investigated retrospectively. The risk factors analyzed for LTS in burned patients with inhalation injury were gender, age, duration of intubation, size of the endotracheal tube, previous tracheotomy, number of intubations, severity of inhalation injury. RESULTS: Among 81 patients who survived and could be followed up until the study period, 10 (12%) patients developed LTS. The stenosis involved the subglottis.cervical trachea (5), subglottis.cervical tracheal and glottis (1), glottis (4). According to Myer-Cotton classification, there were 6 (60%) patients with grade III, IV stenoses on subglottis.cervical trachea. The number of intubations and previous tracheotomy were found to be risk factors for the development of LTS in burned patients with inhalation injury. CONCLUSION: LTS by inhalation injury is usually shown on web at the anterior and posterior glottic areas or circumferential narrowing of the subglottis. Repeated endotracheal intubations and previous tracheotomy in patients with inhalation injury may increase the prevalence of LTS.