Attention and Short-term Memory Impairments in Patients with Acute Bipolar Disorder: A Comparison Study with Schizophrenia and Normal Controls / 대한정신약물학회지

INTRODUCTION: There are several studies that suggest bipolar and schizophrenic patients have similar pattern of cognitive impairments. The goal of this study is to examine whether there are common cognitive deficits between bipolar and schizophrenic patients in the attention and short-term memory domains using Vienna Test System. METHODS: Cognitive functions were assessed with a computerized neurocognitive test (Vienna Test System) in admitted patients with bipolar disorder (N=63), schizophrenia (N=65), and normal controls (N=64). The assessments were done with four subtests of Vienna Test System including Cross-over, Continuous Attention, Corsi's block tapping test and Work performance series. RESULTS: The performances of the bipolar and schizophrenic groups were significantly below that of the control group on the measures of attention and short-term memory. there were no significant differences between bipolar and schizophrenic groups. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that acute bipolar disorder and acute schizophrenia are not distinguishable in some neurocognitive domains such as attention and short-term memory. We may suggest that there is possible common factor underlying the neurocognitive impairments of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Omental Cyst

An omental cyst is an uncommon intra-abdominal tumor. The pathogenesis of omental cysts are unknown, as the majority are asymptomatic and if found at all are discovered incidentally during abdominal exploration or radiologic examination. A correct preoperative diagnosis of an omental cyst is very difficult as the information provided by CT and ultrasound imaging is often insufficient to support a differential diagnosis. However, with the increasing availability of ultrasound and CT, preoperative diagnoses of omental cysts are being made more frequently. An exception to this occurs in children, in whom abdominal pain secondary to the cyst may be dominant, necessitating surgical intervention. The most common symptoms and physical findings are abdominal pain and a smooth, non-tender, mobile, palpable mass. Recently, we encountered a case of an omental cyst in a surgically removed omentum. This case is reported with a review of the literature.

Clinical Analysis of Small Bowel Tumor

PURPOSE: Primary tumor of the small bowel is uncommon but as its clinical features are non-specific and diagnosis is difficult, treatment is delayed in many cases and its prognosis is poor. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical features of small bowel tumor. METHODS: We reviewed 60 patients with primary small bowel tumor who underwent operation from January, 1990 to December, 2000. We retrospectively analyzed the following factors; age, sex, anatomical distribution and histologic features, symptoms and signs, diagnostic method, operation and its complications, morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: The primary sites of benign tumor were the duodenum in 6 cases, jejunum in 6 and ileum in 3. The primary sites of malignant tumor were duodenum in 16 cases, jejunum in 17 and ileum in 12. Leiomyoma was the most common benign tumor and leiomyosarcoma was the most common malignant tumor. The most common symptom and sign were abdominal and palpable mass and anemia. In cases of malignant tumor, curative resection was performed in 30 cases (66.7%), palliative resction in 13 (28.9%) and bypass procedure in 2 (4.4%). In cases of benign tumor, the type of surgery were excision (6 cases), segmental resection (8) and right hemicolectomy (1). CONCLUSION: Because the clinical features of primary tumor of the small bowel are obscure and its diagnosis is difficult, it is important to maintain a high degree of suspicion and recognition for possibility of primary small bowel tumor.