• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2006

Purpose: Many factors influence the occurrence and severity of geriatric trauma, and regional weather is regarded as one factor that influences geriatric trauma. In this study, to predict the type, severity, and incidence of geriatric trauma patient, we analyzed the influence of regional weather on geriatric trauma. Methods: The subjects of our investigation were trauma patients over sixty-five years of age who visited the Emergency Department (ED) of Yeungnam University Hospital during a one-year period. We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of 436 geriatric trauma patients, and the data were analyzed by using SPSS 12.0 for Window. The weather was based on data from the Korea Meteorological Administration. Results: The average age was 72.8 years old, and the ratio of males to females was 1:1.1. The mean spell out ISS was 10.8, and no difference was found between males and females. Slips were the most common cause of trauma. The largest numbers of aged trauma patients, 46, visited the ED in May, and the smallest number of such patients, 24, visited the ED in December. In addition to, summer saw the largest number of aged trauma patients. The type of trauma, the Injury Severity Score, and the number of patients had no relationship with season. On sunny days, the ISS was larger in patients who had hypotension and who had tachycardia. On rainy day, the ISS was larger in male patients and cultivator accident patients. The number of patients was larger on partly cloudy days. Conclusion: In spring and summer and on partly cloudy days, we must be prepared to treat aged traumatized patients in the E.D. On rainy days, visual sensation, tactual sense, and acoustic sense must be closely examined. In addition,on rainy day, aged male traumatized patients or cultivator accident patients must to be closely observation.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.471-480
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• 1995

The modification of Nl -N2 Audiograms before and after loudtone exposure onto the tympanic membrane of guinea pigs was examined. The exposure was a loud continuous tone of 106 dB SPL intensity at 10 KHz for 10 minutes. The comparison between Wl-H2 Audiograms pre and post loudtone exposure indicates that the exposed cochlea permanently lost its normal hearing function. The largest threshold shifts wore found between 12-13.2KHz. The functional change of the cochlea after the loudtone exposure depends on the state of the cochlea before the trauma. More sensitive cochlea is more critically damaged in its function after the trauma than less sensitive cochlea.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.626-632
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• 2010

Purpose: Nasal bone fractures are often classified as minor injury. However, the incidence of posttraumatic nasal deformity remains alarmingly high. It is because of unnoticed septal fracture. This study was conducted to determine the necessity of septoplasty for patients with nasal bone fracture accompanying grade I septal fractures. Methods: Among 105 patients with nasal bone fractures, 52 who had grade I septal fracture were diagnosed based on physical examination and computed tomography. Patients' age ranged from 14 to 65 years (mean 29.25 years), and 35 were male and 17 female. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to surgical treatment methods: patients who underwent closed reduction only (group 1, n=28) and those who underwent simultaneous closed reduction and septoplasty (group 2, n=24). The treatment outcomes were evaluated by comparing changes in nasal airway volume measured by acoustic rhinometry before the surgery, 3 months and 6 months after the surgery according to the timing of surgical repair and surgical treatment methods. Results: Nasal airway volume increased after the surgery by 17.8% in 3 months after the surgery, 25.2% in 6 months in group 1 and by 22.7% in 3 months, 35.8% in 6 months in group 2. The increase in airway volume after the surgery by 26.3% in 3 months after the surgery, 34.2% in 6 months after the surgery in operation within 1 week after trauma and by 12.1% in 3 months, 22.2% in 6 months after the operation later 1 week after trauma. The difference was statistically significant. Three patients in group 1 complained of intermittent nasal obstruction, two of whom showed a decrease in nasal airway volume by acoustic rhinometry. Conclusion: Most patients with nasal bone fractures accompanying grade I septal fractures have been treated with closed reduction in clinical settings. However, the results of this study suggest that septoplasty be performed after a correct diagnosis of septal fracture is made through comprehensive physical examination and computed tomography. Septoplasty is important to obtain more favorable outcomes and reduce complication.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.1E
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• pp.1-6
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• 2005

The inner hair cell stereocilia of the guinea pig cochlea was examined under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) after loud tone exposure onto the ear drum of the animal. Before and after guinea pigs were exposed to intensive and continuous tone such as 106 dB SPL in intensity, the functioning of the cochlea was monitored by N1-N2 audiograms. The structural damage of the stereocilia of inner hair cells (IHCs) and outer hair cells (OHCs) was examined using the SEM in x 1500 magnification. The comparison between the functional change of the cochlea and the structural damage of the IHC stereocilia is done by means of photographic observation. It can be shown that the functional change might be related to the structural damage of the IHC stereocilia after intensive acoustic trauma.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.58-62
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• 2011

Purpose: The focal ossification of auricular cartilage is an unusual clinical entity in which the ear becomes partially or totally rigid and immalleable. This condition may result from cold injury, local trauma, inflammation, or various systemic diseases. Patients may feel mild discomfort, but there are usually no other serious symptoms. We present a case of focal ossification of auricular cartilage in which the cause is unknown. Methods: A healthy 58-year-old man presented with a 2-year history of hard mass of right posterior auricular area. He denied any precipitating historical events like cold injury and inflammation. Routine testing did not demonstrate systemic abnormalities. Ultrasonographic examination revealed a $22{\times}10{\times}11mm$ sized heterogenous isoechoic mass showing an acoustic shadow. Results: Excisional biopsy was performed under local anesthesia. Histological examination revealed the ossification with deposition of trabecular bone in normal elastic cartilage. The patient was healed without any problems and satisfied with the result. Conclusion: We report clinical experience of focal ossification of auricular cartilage, which is quite a rare clinical entity. It should be considered that there is the possibility of ossification of cartilage when it meets the benign mass of the ear.