National survey on accidental low back pain in workplace.

Out of the "Report on Workers" Casualties" presented by the employers in the entire nation in 1986 and 1988 to the Labor Standards Inspection Offices, 13,166 cases diagnosed as low back pain (5,820 cases in 1986 and 7,346 cases in 1988) were sampled and studied. This survey revealed that its incidence in men was about 4 times greater than that in women, being noted uniformely in all age groups except the 50 or older age group in men. As to types of industry, it was seen to be high in those working in the mining and cargo industries, as well as those working in the transport, traffic, forestry and agriculture, livestock, and fishing industries. As to the types of occupation, the incidence of low back pain was high in those working in transportation and construction. Onset was noted every month throughout the year, but a little less in December. It was pronounced at the beginning of the week, and seemed to peak immediately after starting the day's work, at 9 a.m. followed by 10 a.m. There was a trend toward accidental low back pain being caused frequently when one worked in an unnatural posture, especially in regular work when acting single-handed.

Adverse effects of colophony.

Regarding colophony, the use in industries, adverse effects, diagnosis, pathophysiology and control are reviewed. Colophony is an unhomogeneous mixture of resin acids as like abietic acid and neutral substances. Colophony is used everywhere, in industry, daily life and medical supplies. Soldering workers are exposed to the colophony fumes heated up to the temperature of soldering irons. The effects of exposure to colophony are classified into bronchial asthma and contact dermatitis. Colophony fumes cause bronchial asthma by its nonspecific irritation. Inhalation challenge test and repeated spirometry during working day may help the diagnosis of colophony induced asthma. Improvement of working environment for soldering and development of new flux instead of colophony will be necessary. A study on contact dermatitis revealed that colophony and its related compounds are one of major causes for contact dermatitis. Cases of dermatitis by depilatory agents used to remove hair from slaughtered swine, anti-slipping cream for ballet shoes or resin for cello strings have been reported. Patch test may contribute to the diagnosis of dermatitis caused by colophony.

[Pyomyositis of iliopsoas muscle with infection of renal cyst: a case report].

We report a case of pyomyositis of iliopsoas muscle with infection of renal cyst. A 50-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital complaining of left lumbago, and we suspected that she had a left ureteral stone at first. Ultrasonogram and intravenous pyelography showed bilateral multilocular renal cyst and enlargement of the left iliopsoas muscle. Finally she was diagnosed with left pyomyositis of iliopsoas muscle with infection of renal cyst by ultrasonogram, computerized tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging. She had no complaints after she had received antibiotic therapy for a week.

Combined cisplatin and radiation therapy for advanced bladder cancer.

Since September 1985, 44 patients with advanced urinary bladder cancer have been treated by combined cisplatin and full-dose radiotherapy. The patients were 32 males and 12 females, and their ages ranged from 33 to 83 years, with a median of 67.4 years. Radiotherapy consisting of a tumor dose of 50-60 Gy was administered with cobalt-60. Cisplatin was infused 5 days at a daily dose of 20 mg on the 1st and 4th weeks of treatment. Of the 39 evaluable patients 27 (69.2%) achieved a complete response. Toxicity was also evaluated for those 44 patients. Mainly gastrointestinal toxicity was noted: loss of appetite in 28 (64%), nausea and/or vomiting in 21 (48%), and diarrhea in 8 (18%). Leukocytopenia was noted in 16 (33%) and mild thrombocytopenia in 5 (11%). Mild dermatitis was noted in 8 (18%).