The Effect of Cognitive-behavioral Characteristics on Depression of Caregivers in Brain-injured Patients

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between depression and cognitive-behavioral characteristics of caregivers using social problem solving inventory (SPSI), social support or conflict scale (SSS or SCS) and somatic symptoms (SS). METHOD: Fifty five couples of brain-injured patients and caregivers participated in this study. We conducted a questionnaire survey of caregivers with Beck depression index (BDI), SPSI, SSS, SCS and SS for cognitive-behavioral characteristics. And also we studied demographic factors of patients and caregivers, clinical features of brain-injured patients, care- giving duration and time per day through interview and review of medical records. The statistical analyses were performed by independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation test and linear regression analysis-stepwise method. RESULTS: BDI of the caregivers showed a negative correlation with SPSI, SSS, patients' MMSE and caregivers' education level, also a positive correlation with SCS, SS and patients' GDS (p<0.05). And married caregivers showed more depressive mood (p<0.05). Of these factors, the most influencing factors on BDI were GDS and SCS through linear regression analysis (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: MMSE, GDS and education level as cognitive- mental factors rather than physical and economic strain had a statistical correlation with depression of caregivers. Especially, SPSI, SSS and SCS as cognitive-behavioral characteristics should be considered on evaluation of depression of caregivers and will be helpful for successful rehabilitation for patients and caregivers.

A Case of Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia Presenting with Musculoskeletal Manifestations / 대한류마티스학회지

Leukemia is a heterogenous group of neoplasms that arise from the malignant transformation of hematopoietic cells. The usual presentation is one of lethargy, pallor, fever, purpura, bleeding, etc, and all this is secondary to a decrease in the production of normal blood components. However, leukemia often manifests with musculoskeletal symptoms without a systemic presentation. Musculoskeletal symptoms that precede the recognition of leukemia are much less frequent in adults as compared to those in children, and this causes diagnostic confusion and a delayed diagnosis. We describe here a case of adult acute myeloid leukemia in which pain and weakness of the limbs were the main manifestations and these were suspected as being symptoms of musculoskeletal disease.

Striatal Hand in Traumatic Brain Injury: A case report

Striatal hand is characterized by flexion in metacarpopharyngeal (MCP) joints and hyperextension in proximal interphalangial (PIP) joints and flexion in distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint. In clinical practice, this problem is often overlooked or misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis and the opportunity for an early diagnosis and a correct management of the patient's is missed. In this report, a case with striatal hand following traumatic brain injury (TBI) without cardinal Parkinsonian signs is presented, and the differential diagnosis of the disease is discussed. A-62-year-old man presented with hemiplegia subsequent to traumatic brain injury. During the last two years, "swan neck" deformity of the hands occurred. We could diagnose this case as striatial hand with exclusion of similar rheumatologic causes by careful study and its characteristic deformity pattern. Clinician should consider the possibility of striatal hand when the patient with TBI presents swan neck deformity for an early diagnosis and a correct management.

The Change of Blood Glucose and Cortisol Levels after Three Consecutive Epidural Steroid Injections

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the change of blood glucose and cortisol levels after three consecutive epidural steroid injections METHOD: Fifteen patients with low back pain and radiating pain were included. Three consecutive epidural injections were performed weekly. The serum glucose, insulin and cortisol levels were measured 30 minutes before the 1st injection and at 24 hours and l week after each injection. RESULTS: There were significant changes in the result of glucose and insulin levels at 24 hours after each injection (p<0.05), but no signigicant changes at 1 week compared with pre-injection level. The cortisol level significantly decreased at 24 hours after 1st injection and did not return to pre-injection level at 1 week after 1st injection (p<0.05). There were no further increases in the glucose and insulin levels and no further decrease in the cortisol level after each of the three consecutive injections. CONCLUSION: Three consecutive epidural injections at 1 week interval seems to be as safe procedure. But significant suppression of cortisol kept on for 1 week, so it should be taken into account when patients with previous epidural injection undergo major stress.

A case of aggressive angiomyxoma in female retroperitoneum / 대한내과학회지

Aggressive Angiomyxoma is a rare, benign but locally aggressive mesench ymal neoplasm, predominently involving the pelvis and perineum of young omen. We experienced a case of aggressive angiomyxoma in the retroperitoneum. A 47-year-old woman patient visited our hospital because of constipation and an abnormal intraabdominal mass in routine examination. Examination by abdominal ultrasonography and MR imaging indicated that it was a well capsulated large soft tissue tumor in the retroperitoneum. Thus, she underwent excision of the retroperitoneal tumor. A 15 x 10 x 2 cm yellow-whitish mass was noted. The cut surface was homogenous, tannish yellow and mucoid. Microscopic findings represent that a mass was composed of widely scattered spindle-shaped and stallate-shaped cells and variable sized vascular channels within a myxoid matrix. So we report this case with a review of literature.

Efficacy and Safety of Lamivudine on Hepatitis B after Renal Transplantation / 대한신장학회잡지

Renal graft recipients with hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection are at increased risk of fatal outcome, when 1they have serological evidence of active viral replication, such as HBV-DNA and/or HBeAg. Some patients have been treated successfully with interferon. But the major drawback of this therapy is acute rejection. Lamivudine is a potent inhibitor of hepatitis B virus replication. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of lamivudine therapy in HBsAg positive renal recipients with active viral replication. Of the 20 HBsAg positive renal transplants, 12 patients with positive HBV-DNA, determined by hybridization method, were given lamivudine. The doses of lamivudine ranged from 37.5 to 150mg/day according to the graft function of patients. Alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBe, HBV-DNA and creatinine were regularly monitored. Lamivudine was well tolerated without significant side effect. Viral replication was effectively suppressed, as evidenced by negative conversion of serum HBV-DNA in 11 of 12 patients and reduction in HBV-DNA titer in 1 patient. In 3 patients who stopped lamivudine due to economic reason, HBV-DNA promptly increased to high titer, but decreased to undetectable level after retrial of medication. In 2 patients with initial negative conversion of HBV-DNA and under continued medication, HBV-DNA reappeared at 7 and 16 months respectively after initiation of lamivudine, with deterioration of hepatic function in 1 patient. These patients with lamivudine-resistant mutant continued medication with persistent low titer of HBV-DNA and without further aggravation of hepatic dysfunction. Lamivudine seems to inhibit HBV replication effectively in HBV-infected renal recipients and seems to be helpful in delaying the progression of liver disease. However, the optimal duration of treatment and long term efficacy and safety remain to be determined.

A Case of Solitary Cecal Diverticulitis Misdiagnosed as a Cecal Tumor / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Cecal diverticulitis is a rare entity and remains a difficult diagnostic problem. Most patients are presented with an acute pain in the abdomen, which is nearly indistinguishable from that of appendicitis. Preoperative diagnostic studies are not helpful. Even with an operation, the correct diagnosis may be difficult to predict with certainty. The differential diagnosis between a cecal malignant tumor and a mass caused by inflammation due to cecal diverticulitis is difficult. Suspicion of a neoplastic process continues to prompt colectomy in an emergency setting. If diagnosed preoperatively, it can be treated effectively with a broad spectruum of antibiotics without surgical intervention. The physician must be aware this condition and be prepared to choose the most apropriate treatmetn. A case was experienced involving of solitary cecal diverticulitis misdiagnosed as a cecal tumor in a 61-year-o0ld female. This unique form of diverticulitis is herein reported with literature review.

A Case of Massive Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding from a Duodenal Diverticulum / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Duodenal diverticulum is well-known pathologic entity. The incidence of duodenal diverticulum varies from 5% to 23% in the general population. Most of diverticula are asymptomatic and have been incidentally observed in upper gastrointestinal series or upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. It usually occurs in the second portion and the medial side of duodenum. The complications of duodenal diverticulum are rare but often result in significant morbidity. They include obstruction, cholelithiasis, ascending cholangitis, ulcers, hemorrhage and perforation. Major gastrointestinal hemorrhage resulting from an inflamed or ulcerated duodenal diverticulum is an uncommon event and it can be treated endoscopically. We report a case of massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding from a duodenal diverticulum which was treated endoscopically.