• Title/Summary/Keyword: Head neck

Search Result 4,542, Processing Time 0.032 seconds

Morphometric Study of the Irradiation Effect on the Cartilage Formation in the Rat Mandibular Condyle (방사선 조사가 백서 하악과두 연골 형성에 미치는 영향에 관한 형태계측학적 연구)

  • Kim Jeong-Hwa;Heo Min-Suk;Lee Sam-Sun;Choi Soon-Chul
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
    • /
    • v.29 no.1
    • /
    • pp.87-103
    • /
    • 1999
  • Purpose: This study was undertaken to quantitatively estimate the degree of the damage and recovery of the irradiated rat condylar cartilage using the Image Analyzer. Materials and Methods: Experimental animals were 16 male rats of the Sprague-Dawley strain at the age of 20 day irradiated with the dose of 10 Gy in their head and neck region. Four rats were sacrificed at the each of the following time intervals - 1, 4, 7 and 14 days, respectively. The same number of control group animals were sacrificed at the each age of 21. 24, 27 and 34 days, respectively. The specimens were stained with 0.5% toluidine blue and examined with light microscope. The condylar cartilage was divided into 4 zones; fibrous zone, proliferating zone, upper hypertrophic zone, and lower hypertrophic zone. And then, the proliferating zone was subdivided into 2 layers - upper and lower layer, and upper and lower hypertrophic zone were subdivided into three layers, respectively - upper, middle and lower layer. With the aid of Image Analyzer, morphometric analysis was performed. The thickness, the numerical density of cells, the cell area density, the extracellular matrix area density, the mean area of single cell, the mean area of extracellular matrix per single cell were measured and analysed. Results: In the experimental group, the thickness of the fibrous zone was slightly increased and that of the proliferating zone and the upper and the lower hypertrophic zone was markedly decreased. With time, the thickness of the fibrous zone was gradually increased and that of the proliferating zone and the upper and the lower hypertrophic zone was steadily in the decreased state. The numerical density of cells of the proliferating zone was increased on post-irradiated 1 day, but decreased after post-irradiated 4 day, and that of the upper hypertrophic zone was decreased. The numerical density of cells of the lower hypertrophic zone was decreased in the early stage and then was decreased or not significantly different from that of the control group with time. In the experimental group, the cell area density of the fibrous zone and the proliferating zone was decreased in the early stage and then gradually increased or not significantly different from that of the control group with time. The cell area density of the upper and the lower hypertrophic zone was varied with time. The extracellular matrix area density value were totally opposite to the cell area density values: The mean area of single cell of the fibrous zone and the proliferating zone was .decreased on post-irradiated 1 day, and increased after post-irradiated 4 day. The mean area of single cell of the upper hypertrophic zone was varied with each layer and time. In the experimental group, the mean area of extracellular matrix per single cell of the fibrous zone was not significantly different with control group, and that of the proliferating zone was decreased on post-irradiated 1 day, and increased after post-irradiated 4 day. The mean area of extracellular matrix per single cell of the lower hypertrophic zone was increased in the early stage. and that of upper hypertrophic zone was varied with each layer and time. Conclusion: The condylar cartilages of rats were affected by irradiation, but the changes were vaned with each layer and time. By morphometric analysis. the changes of the cells of the condylar cartilage of irradiated rat could be calculated quantitatively.

  • PDF

Enhancement of Image Contrast in Linacgram through Image Processing (전산처리를 통한 Linacgram의 화질개선)

  • Suh, Hyun-Suk;Shin, Hyun-Kyo;Lee, Re-Na
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
    • /
    • v.18 no.4
    • /
    • pp.345-354
    • /
    • 2000
  • Purpose : Conventional radiation therapy Portal images gives low contrast images. The purpose of this study was to enhance image contrast of a linacgram by developing a low-cost image processing method. Materials and Methods : Chest linacgram was obtained by irradiating humanoid Phantom and scanned using Diagnostic-Pro scanner for image processing. Several types of scan method were used in scanning. These include optical density scan, histogram equalized scan, linear histogram based scan, linear histogram independent scan, linear optical density scan, logarithmic scan, and power square root scan. The histogram distribution of the scanned images were plotted and the ranges of the gray scale were compared among various scan types. The scanned images were then transformed to the gray window by pallette fitting method and the contrast of the reprocessed portal images were evaluated for image improvement. Portal images of patients were also taken at various anatomic sites and the images were processed by Gray Scale Expansion (GSE) method. The patient images were analyzed to examine the feasibility of using the GSE technique in clinic. Results :The histogram distribution showed that minimum and maximum gray scale ranges of 3192 and 21940 were obtained when the image was scanned using logarithmic method and square root method, respectively. Out of 256 gray scale, only 7 to 30$\%$ of the steps were used. After expanding the gray scale to full range, contrast of the portal images were improved. Experiment peformed with patient image showed that improved identification of organs were achieved by GSE in portal images of knee joint, head and neck, lung, and pelvis. Conclusion :Phantom study demonstrated that the GSE technique improved image contrast of a linacgram. This indicates that the decrease in image quality resulting from the dual exposure, could be improved by expanding the gray scale. As a result, the improved technique will make it possible to compare the digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRR) and simulation image for evaluating the patient positioning error.

  • PDF

The Evaluation and Development of Head and Neck Radiation Protective Device for Chest Radiography in 10 Years Children (소아(10세) 흉부 방사선촬영에서의 두경부 방사선 방어기구 개발 및 평가)

  • Lee, Jun Ho;Lim, Hyun Soo;Lee, Seung Yeol
    • Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
    • /
    • v.40 no.2
    • /
    • pp.118-123
    • /
    • 2015
  • The frequency of diagnostic radiation examinations in medical institutions has recently increased to 220 million cases in 2011, and the annual exposure dose per capita was 1.4 mSv, 51% and 35% respectively, compared to those in 2007. The number of chest radiography was found to be 27.59% of them, the highest frequency of normal radiography. In this study, we developed a shielding device to minimize radiation exposure by shielding areas of the body which are unnecessary for image interpretation, during the chest radiography. And in order to verify its usefulness, we also measured the difference in entrance surface dose (ESD) and the absorbed dose, before and after using the device, by using an international standard pediatric (10 years) phantom and a glass dosimeter. In addition, we calculated the effective dose by using a Monte Carlo simulation-based program (PCXMC 2.0.1) and evaluated the reduction ratio indirectly by comparing lifetime attributable risk of cancer incidence (LAR). When using the protective device, the ESD decreased by 86.36% on average, nasal cavity $0.55{\mu}Sv$ (74.06%), thyroid $1.43{\mu}Sv$ (95.15%), oesophagus $6.35{\mu}Sv$ (78.42%) respectively, and the depth dose decreased by 72.30% on average, the cervical spine(upper spine) $1.23{\mu}Sv$ (89.73%), salivary gland $0.5{\mu}Sv$ (92.31%), oesophagus $3.85{\mu}Sv$ (59.39%), thyroid $2.02{\mu}Sv$ (73.53%), thoracic vertebrae(middle spine) $5.68{\mu}Sv$ (54.01%) respectively, so that we could verify the usefulness of the shielding mechanism. In addition, the effective dose decreased by 11.76% from $8.33{\mu}Sv$ to $7.35{\mu}Sv$ before and after wearing the device, and in LAR assessment, we found that thyroid cancer decreased to male 0.14 people (95.12%) and female 0.77 people (95.16%) per one million 10-year old children, and general cancers decreased to male 0.14 people (11.70%) and female 0.25 people (11.70%). Although diagnostic radiation examinations are necessary for healthcare such as the treatment of diseases, based on the ALARA concept, we should strive to optimize medical radiation by using this shielding device actively in the areas of the body unnecessary for the diagnosis.

Glucose Transporter Gene Expression in Human Lung Cancer Cell Lines (사람 폐암 세포주에서 포도당 운반 단백 유전자의 발현)

  • Kim, Woo-Jin;Yim, Jae-Joon;Lee, Jae-Ho;Yoo, Chul-Gyu;Chung, Hee-Soon;Han, Sung-Koo;Chung, June-Key;Shim, Young-Soo;Kim, Young-Whan
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
    • /
    • v.45 no.4
    • /
    • pp.760-765
    • /
    • 1998
  • Background: Glucose uptake has been found to be increased in cancer cells, and FDG-PET imaging is used for diagnosis of cancer using this phenomenon. However, the exact mechanism of increased glucose uptake in cancer cells has not been clarified. Recent studies demonstrated the presence of glucose transporter(GLUT) mRNA expression in gastrointestinal cancer and head and neck cancer, and suggested that GLUT may be associated with glucose uptake in cancer cells. In lung cancer cells, glucose metabolism is also known to be increased. We evaluated GLUT mRNA expression in human lung cancer cell lines in order to find out the mechanism of increased glucose uptake in lung cancer. Method: Total RNA was isolated from 15 human lung cancer cell lines and immortalized bronchial epithelial cell line(BEAS-2B). After electrophoresis of $20{\mu}g$ total RNA, Northern blot analysis was done using GLUT1 cDNA and GLUT3 cDNA as probes. Results: Thirteen of 14 human lung cancer cell lines expressed GLUT1 mRNA and 10 of 14 human lung cancer cell lines expressed GLUT3 mRNA. Eight human lung cancer cell lines expressed both GLUT mRNAs. BEAS-2B expressed GLUT1 mRNA and did not express detectable GLUT3 mRNA. Conclusion: The increase of glucose metabolism in lung cancer may be associated with GLUT1 and GLUT3 expression.

  • PDF

Prognostic Significance of Cyclin D1 Overexpression in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (Cyclin D1의 발현이 비소세포폐암의 예후에 미치는 영향)

  • Yang, Seok-Chul;Shin, Dong-Ho;Park, Sung-Soo;Lee, Jung-Hee;Keum, Joo-Seob;Kong, Gu;Lee, Jung-Dal
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
    • /
    • v.45 no.4
    • /
    • pp.776-784
    • /
    • 1998
  • Background: The cyclin D1 gene is one of the most frequently amplified chromosomal regions(11q13) in human carcinomas. In laryngeal and head and neck carcinomas, its overexpression has been shown to be associated with advanced local invasion and presence of lymph node metastases. Cyclin D1 may therefore playa key role in cell growth regulation and tumorigenesis. Lung cancer is a worldwide problem and in many contries it is the most lethal malignancy. As relapse is frequent after resection of early stage non-small cell lung cancer, there is an urgent need to define prognostic factors. Purpose: This study was undertaken to evaluate the prognostic value of the cyclin D1, that is one the G1 cyclins which control cell cycle progression by allowing G1 to S phase transition, on the patients in radically resected non-small cell lung cancer. Method: Total 81 cases of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks from resected primary non-small cell lung cancer from January 1, 1983 to July 31, 1995 at Hanyang University Hospital were available for both clinical follow-up and immunohistochemical staining using monoclonal antibodies for cyclin D1. Results : The histologic classification of the tumor was based on WHO criteria, and the specimens included 45 squamous cell carcinomas, 25 adenocarcinomas and 11 large cell carcinomas. Cyclin D1 overexpression was noted in 26 cases of 81 cases tested (30.9%). Cyclin D1 expression was not significantly associated with cell types of the tumor, pathological staging and the size of the tumor. But cyclin D1 overexpression was significantly correlated with positive lymph node metastasis(p=0.035). The mean survival duration was $22.76{\pm}3.50$ months in cyclin D1 positive group and $45.38{\pm}5.64$ months in eyclin D1 negative group. There was a nearly significant difference in overall survival between cyclin D1 positive and negative groups(p=0.0515) in radically resected non-small cell lung cancer. Conclusion: Based on this study, cyelin D1 overexpression appears an important poor prognostic indicator in non-small cell lung cancer and may have diagnostic and prognostic importance in the treatment of resectable non-small cell lung cancer.

  • PDF

The essay of Bijeung by chinese doctors in 20th century - Study of - (20세기(世紀) 중의사(中醫師)들의 비증(痺證)에 대(對)한 논술(論述) 연구(硏究) - 《비증전집(痺證專輯)》 에 대(對)한 연구(硏究) I -)

  • Kim, Myung Wook;Oh, Min Suk
    • Journal of Haehwa Medicine
    • /
    • v.9 no.1
    • /
    • pp.547-594
    • /
    • 2000
  • I. Introduction The essence of Oriental medicine consists of ancient books, experienced doctors and succeeded skills of common society. Many famous doctors studied medical science by their fathers or teachers. So the history of medical science is long. $\ll$DangDaeMyeongIImJeungJeongHwa(當代名醫臨證精華)$\gg$ written by SaWoogWang(史宇廣) and DanSeoGeon(單書健) has many medical experience of famous doctors. So it has important historical value. Bi(痺) means blocking. BiJeung is one kind of symptoms making muscles, bones and jonts feel pain, numbness or edema. For example it can be gout or SLE etc. So I studied ${\ll}BiJeungJuJip{\gg}$. II. Final Decision Following decisions of Chinese doctors of 20th century are as follows ; 1. JuYangChun(朱良春) emphasized on IkSinJangDok(益腎壯督) to treat BiJeong. And he devided WanBi(頑痺) as PungHanSeup(風寒濕), DamEo(痰瘀), YeolDok(熱毒), SinHeo(腎虛). He used insects for medicine. 2. ChoSuDoek(焦樹德) introduced past prescription. He used ChiBiTang(治痺湯) to treat HaengBi(行痺), TongBi(痛痺), ChakBi(着痺). He insisted that Han(寒; coldness) and Seup(濕; dampness) be Eum(陰) and Pung(風; wind) can change his character to be Eum. After all BiJeung is usually EumJeung. So he used GaeJi(桂枝) and BuJa(附子). By the way he used ChungYeolSanBiTang(淸熱散痺湯) for YeolBi, BoSinGeoHanChiWangTang SaBok(王士福) emphasized on the importance of medicine. He introduced many treatments like CheongYeol(情熱) for YeolBi and YiO(二烏) for HanBi. And he divided BiJeung period for three steps. At 1st step, we must use GeoSa(祛邪), at 2nd step, we must use BuJeong(扶正) and at 3rd step, we must use BoHyeol(補血), he insisted. And he introduced many herbs to treat BiJeung. 4. JeongGwangJeok(丁光迪) said that GaeJi(桂枝), MaHwang(麻黃), OYak(烏蘖) and BuJa(附子) are very important for TongRak(通絡). And pain usually results from Han(寒), so he liked to use hot-character herbs. 5. MaGi(馬志) insisted that BiJeung usually result from ChilJeong(七情). And he liked to use insects for treatment of BiJeung. 6. WeolSeokMu(越錫武) introduced 8 kinds of treatments and divided BiJeung period. Also he divided BeJeung for PungBi(風痺), HanBi(寒痺) and SeupBi(濕痺). 7. SeoGeaHam(徐季含) observed many patients and concluded that 86.7% of BiJeung is HeuJeung(虛症). 8. YuJiMyeong(劉志明) said that YeolBi is important and CheongYeol is also important. So he emphasized on DangGyuiJeomTongTang(當歸拈痛湯) and SeonBiTang(宣痺湯). 9. WangLiChu(汪履秋) studied cause of WanBi. Internal cause is GiHyeolHeo(氣血虛) and GanSinHeo(肝腎虛) and external cause is SaGi(邪氣) he insisted. 10. WangSaSang(王士相) said that YeolBi can be SeupYeolBi or EumHeuYeolBi(陰虛熱痺) and HanSeupBi(寒濕痺) is rare. He use WooBangJaSan(牛蒡子散) and BangPungHwan(防風丸) for SeupYeolBi, DangGyuiSaYeokTang(當歸四逆湯) for HanSeupBi. 11. JinTaekGang(陳澤江) treated YeolBi with BaekHoGaGyeJiTang(自虎加桂枝湯) and SaMyoSan(四妙散). If they don't have effect, he tried to cure BiJeung step by step. And he used e term of GeunBi(筋痺) and BangGiMogwaEIInTang(防己木瓜薏苡仁湯) was good for GeunBi. 12. MaSeoJeong(麻瑞亭) said that PungSeupYeokJeul(風濕歷節) is BiJeung and it is related to GanBinSin(肝脾腎; liver, Spleen, Kindey). And he emphasized on balance WiGi(衛氣) and YoungHeul(營血). 13. SaJeJu(史濟桂) said that GeunGolBi(筋骨痺) is similar to arthritis and sometimes called ChakBi. And SinBi(腎痺) is terminal stage of ChakBi, he said. He also used insects for treatment. 14. JeongJeNam(丁濟南) tried to cure SLE and used GyeJi, CheonCho(川椒), SinGeunCho(伸筋草), SunRyeongBi(仙靈脾), HyconSam(玄蔘) and GamCho(甘草). 15. JinGYungHwa(陳景和) emphasized on diagnosis of tongue. If the color of tongue is blue, it usually has EoHyeol(瘀血), for example. And he also used insects. 16. JuSongI(朱松毅) tried to devide YeolBi with OnByeong(溫病), Wi(衛), Gi(氣) and Hyeol(血). 17. RuDaBong(蔞多峰) said that JyeongHeo(正虛), OiSa(外邪) and EoHyeol are closely related. And he explained BiJeung by deviding the body into the part, for example head, neck, shoulder, waist, upper limb and lower limb. 18. YuMuBo(劉茂甫) defined PungHanSyubBi as chronic stage and YeolBi as acute stage.

  • PDF

Convolution-Superposition Based IMRT Plan Study for the PTV Containing the Air Region: A Prostate Cancer Case (Convolution-Superposition 알고리즘을 이용한 치료계획시스템에서 공기가 포함된 표적체적에 대한 IMRT 플랜: 전립선 케이스)

  • Kang, Sei-Kwon;Yoon, Jai-Woong;Park, Soah;Hwang, Taejin;Cheong, Kwang-Ho;Han, Taejin;Kim, Haeyoung;Lee, Me-Yeon;Kim, Kyoung Ju;Bae, Hoonsik
    • Progress in Medical Physics
    • /
    • v.24 no.4
    • /
    • pp.271-277
    • /
    • 2013
  • In prostate IMRT planning, the planning target volume (PTV), extended from a clinical target volume (CTV), often contains an overlap air volume from the rectum, which poses a problem inoptimization and prescription. This study was aimed to establish a planning method for such a case. There can be three options in which volume should be considered the target during optimization process; PTV including the air volume of air density ('airOpt'), PTV including the air volume of density value one, mimicking the tissue material ('density1Opt'), and PTV excluding the air volume ('noAirOpt'). Using 10 MV photon beams, seven field IMRT plans for each target were created with the same parameter condition. For these three cases, DVHs for the PTV, bladder and the rectum were compared. Also, the dose coverage for the CTV and the shifted CTV were evaluated in which the shifted CTV was a copied and translated virtual CTV toward the rectum inside the PTV, thus occupying the initial position of the overlap air volume, simulating the worst condition for the dose coverage in the target. Among the three options, only density1Opt plan gave clinically acceptable result in terms of target coverage and maximum dose. The airOpt plan gave exceedingly higher dose and excessive dose coverage for the target volume whereas noAirOpt plan gave underdose for the shifted CTV. Therefore, for prostate IMRT plan, having an air region in the PTV, density modification of the included air to the value of one, is suggested, prior to optimization and prescription for the PTV. This idea can be equally applied to any cases including the head and neck cancer with the PTV having the overlapped air region. Further study is being under process.

A study on dosimetric comparison of craniospinal irradiation using tomotherpy and reproducibility of position (토모테라피를 이용한 뇌척수조사의 선량적 비교와 자세 재현성에 대한 고찰)

  • Lee, Heejeong;Kim, Jooho;Lee, Sangkyu;Yoon, Jongwon;Cho, Jeonghee
    • The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
    • /
    • v.29 no.1
    • /
    • pp.69-76
    • /
    • 2017
  • Purpose: The purpose of this study was to verify dosimetric results and reproducibility of position during craniospinal irradiation (CSI) using tomotherapy (Accuray Incorporated, USA). Also, by comparing with conventional CSI Technique, we confirmed the efficiency of using a Tomotherapy. Materials and Methods: 10 CSI patients who get tomotherapy participate. Patient-specific quality assurances (QA) for each patient are conducted before treatment. When treating, we took Megavoltage Computed Tomography (MVCT) that range of head and neck before treatment, L spine area after treatment. Also we conducted in-vivo dosimetry to check a scalp dose. Finally, we made a 3D conventional radiation therapy(3D-CRT) of those patients to compare dosimetric differences with tomotherapy treatment planning. Results: V107, V95 of brain is 0 %, 97.2 % in tomotherapy, and 0.3 %, 95.1 % in 3D-CRT. In spine, value of V107, V95 is 0.2 %, 18.6 % in tomotherapy and 89.6 %, 69.9 % in 3D-CRT. Except kidney and lung, tomotherapy reduced normal organ doses than 3D-CRT. The maximum positioning error value of X, Y, Z was 10.2 mm, -8.9 mm, -11.9 mm. Through in-vivo dosimetry, the average of scalp dose was 67.8 % of prescription dose. All patient-specific QA were passed by tolerance value. Conclusion: CSI using tomotherapy had a risk of parallel organ such as lung and kidney because of integral dose in low dose area. However, it demonstrated dosimetric superiority at a target and saved normal organ to reduce high dose. Also results of reproducibility were not exceeded margins that estimated treatment planning and invivo dosimetry showed to reduce scalp dose. Therefore, CSI using tomotherapy is considered to efficient method to make up for 3D-CRT.

  • PDF

Dose Alterations at the Distal Surface by Tissue Inhomogeneity in High Energy Photon Beam (조직 불균질성에 의한 고에너지 광자선의 선량변화)

  • Kim, Young-Ai;Choi, Tae-Jin;Kim, Ok-Bae
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
    • /
    • v.13 no.3
    • /
    • pp.277-283
    • /
    • 1995
  • Purpose : This study was performed to measure dose alteration at the air-tissue interface resulting from rebuild-up to the loss of charged particle equilibrium in the tissues around the air-tissue interfaces. Materials and Methods : The 6 and 10-MV photon beam in dual energy linear accelerator were used to measure the surface dose at the air-tissue interface The polystyrene phantom sized $25{\times}25{\times}5\;cm^3$ and a water phantom sized $29{\times}29{\times}48\;cm^3$ which incorporates a parallel-plate ionization chamber in the distal side of air gap were used in this study. The treatment field sizes were $5{\times}5\;cm^2,\;10{\times}10\;cm^2\;and\;20{\times}20\;cm^2$. Air cavity thickness was variable from 10 mm to 50 mm. The observed-expected ratio (OER) was defined as the ratio of dose measured at the distal junction that is air-tissue interface to the dose measured at the same point in a homogeneous phantom. Results : In this experiment, the result of OER was close or slightly over than 1.0 for the large field size but much less (about 0.565) than 1.0 for the small field size in both photon energy. The factors to affect the dose distribution at the air-tissue interface were the field size, the thickness of air cavity. and the photon energy. Conclusion : Thus, the radiation oncologist should take into account dose reduction at the air-tissue interface when planning the head and neck cancer especially pharynx and laryngeal lesions, because the dose can be less nearly $29{\%}$ than predicted value.

  • PDF

A Study on Fall Accident (1개 종합병원 환자의 낙상에 관한 조사)

  • Lee, Hyeon-Suk;Kim, Mae-Ja
    • The Korean Nurse
    • /
    • v.36 no.5
    • /
    • pp.45-62
    • /
    • 1998
  • The study was conducted from November 1995 to May 1996 at the one general hospital in Seoul. The total subjects of this study were 412 patients who have the experience of fall accident, among them 31 was who have fallen during hospitalization and 381 was who visited emergency room and out patient clinic. The purposes of this study were to determine the characteristics, risk factors and results of fall accident and to suggest the nursing strategies for prevention of fall. Data were collected by reviewing the medical records and interviewing with the fallers and their family members. For data analysis, spss/pc+ program was utilized for descriptive statistics, adjusted standardized $X^2$-test. The results of this study were as follows: 1) Total subjects were 412 fallers, of which 245(59.5%) were men and 167(40.5%) were women. Age were 0-14 years 79(19.2%), 15-44 years 125(30.4%), 45-64 years 104(25.2%), over 65 years 104(25.2%). 2) There was significant association between age and the sexes ($X^2$=39.17, P=0.00). 3) There was significant association between age and history of falls ($X^2$=44.41. P= .00). And history of falls in the elderly was significantly associated with falls. 4) There was significant association with age and medical diagnosis ($X^2$=140.66, P= .00), chief medical diagnosis were hypertension(34), diabetis mellitus(22), arthritis(11), stroke(8), fracture(7), pulmonary tuberculosis(6), dementia(5) and cataract(5), 5) There was significant association between age and intrinsic factors: cognitive impairment, mobility impairment, insomnia, emotional problems, urinary difficulty, visual impairments, hearing impairments, use of drugs (sedatives , antihypertensive drugs, diuretics, antidepressants) (P < 0.05). But there was no significant association between age and dizziness ($X^2$=2.87, P=.41). 6) 15.3% of total fallers were drunken state when they were fallen. 7) Environmental factors of fall accident were unusual posture (50.9%), slips(35.2%), trips (9.5%) and collision(4.4%). 8) Most of falls occurred during the day time, peak frequencies of falls occurred from 1pm to 6pm and 7am to 12am. 9) The places of fall accident were roads(22.6%), house-stairs 06.7%), rooms, floors, kitchen (11.2%), the roof-top, veranda, windows(10.9%), hospital(7.5%), ice or snowy ways(5.8%), bathroom(4.9%), playground, park(4.9%), subway-stairs(4.4%) and public-bathrooms (2.2%). 10) Activities at the time of fall accident were walking(37.6%), turning around or reaching for something(20.9%), going up or down stairs09.2%), exereise, working07.4%), up or down from a bed(2.7%), using wheelchair or walking aids, standing up or down from a chair(2.2%) and standing still(2.2%). 11) Anatomical locations of injuries by falls were head, face, neck(31.3%), lower extremities (29.9%). upper extremities(20.6%), spine, thorax, abdomen or pelvic contents(l1.4%) and unspecified(2.9%). 12) Types of injures were fracture(47.6%), bruises03.8%), laceration (13.3%), sprains(9.0%), headache(6.6%), abrasions(2.9%), intracranial hemorrage(2.4%) and burns(0.5%). 13) 41.5% of the fallers were hospitalized and average of hospitalization was 22.3 days. 14) The six fallers(1.46%) died from fall injuries. The two fallers died from intracranial hemorrage and the four fallers died of secondary infection; pneumonia(2), sepsis(1) and cell lulitis(1). It is suggested that 1) Further study is needed with larger sample size to identify the fall risk factors. 2) After the fall accident, comprehensive nursing care and regular physical exercise should be emphasized for the elderly person. 3) Safety education and safety facilities of the public place and home is necessary for fall prevention.

  • PDF