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1/55. The power of the visible: the meaning of diagnostic tests in chronic back pain.

    This article explores the meaning of diagnostic tests for people with chronic back pain. Lower back pain is one of the most common health problems in the US. Five to ten percent of the patients who visit a primary care provider for back pain ultimately develop a chronic condition. We draw on interviews with chronic back pain patients in Atlanta, Dallas and Seattle to argue that testing constitutes an important element in the legitimation of pain for these patients. We discuss three aspects that make testing an area of concern for patients: a strong historical connection between visual images and the medicalization of the interior of the body, a set of cultural assumptions that make seeing into the body central to confirming and normalizing patients' symptoms, and the concreteness of diagnostic images themselves. Our interviews show that when physicians cannot locate the problem or express doubt about the possibility of a solution, patients feel that their pain is disconfirmed. Faced with the disjunction between the cultural model of the visible body and the private experience of pain, patients are alienated not only from individual physicians but from an important aspect of the symbolic world of medicine. This paper concludes by suggesting that a fluid, less localized understanding of pain could provide a greater sense of legitimacy for back pain patients.
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ranking = 1
keywords = back pain, back
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2/55. work-related posttraumatic upper limb disorder. A case report.

    In this paper we describe a patient with mor-sensory loss in the right forearm and hand, which persisted more than 2 years after work-related crush trauma of the left hand. Radiographic and electromyographic investigations, somatosensory evoked potentials, CT scans of the encephalus as well as the minnesota Multiphasic personality inventory and the Roarschach test have been performed. On the basis of these investigations, we think this represents a case of conversion disorder with somatic features. Included is a brief overview of other psychological illness with physical findings involving the upper limb.
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ranking = 0.0426761693096
keywords = upper
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3/55. Psychosomatic disorders in pediatrics.

    Psychosomatic symptoms are by definition clinical symptoms with no underlying organic pathology. Common symptoms seen in pediatric age group include abdominal pain, headaches, chest pain, fatigue, limb pain, back pain, worry about health and difficulty breathing. These, more frequently seen symptoms should be differentiated from somatoform or neurotic disorders seen mainly in adults. The prevalence of psychosomatic complaints in children and adolescents has been reported to be between 10 and 25%. These symptoms are theorized to be a response to stress. Potential sources of stress in children and adolescents include schoolwork, family problems, peer pressure, chronic disease or disability in parents, family moves, psychiatric disorder in parents and poor coping abilities. Characteristics that favour psychosomatic basis for symptoms include vagueness of symptoms, varying intensity, inconsistent nature and pattern of symptoms, presence of multiple symptoms at the same time, chronic course with apparent good health, delay in seeking medical care, and lack of concern on the part of the patient. A thorough medical and psychosocial history and physical examination are the most valuable aspects of diagnostic evaluation. Organic etiology for the symptoms must be ruled out. Appropriate mental health consultation should be considered for further evaluation and treatment.
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ranking = 0.15157157264754
keywords = back pain, headache, back
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4/55. A case study of neurosis secondary to trauma in an eight-year-old girl. Comments on the tendency for psychogenic illness to become chronic.

    This case study deals with an eight-year-old girl who developed persistent abdominal pain and vomiting for which no physiological cause could be discovered. After two months of unsuccessful treatment for her illness, the girl was referred for a psychiatric consultation. During the psychiatric interview, the psychogenic nature of the girl's illness became readily apparent, as did the nature of the conflict which had produced it. The tendency is strong for psychogenic illness, such as this, to become chronic without psychiatric treatment. Many physicians are reluctant to apply clinically basic psychiatric techniques to the treatment of physical illness. A suggestion is made that closer collaboration between psychiatry and other medical specialties could be of great value in preventive medicine.
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ranking = 0.038956272491583
keywords = abdominal pain
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5/55. Psychogenic paraplegia in a patient with normal electrophysiologic findings.

    STUDY DESIGN: A case report of psychogenic paraplegia following a motor vehicle accident was clinically diagnosed using median (MN) and posterior tibial nerves (PTN) somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs). OBJECTIVE: To report an unusual case of paraplegia in spite of normal electrophysiological and non-compromising radiographic spine findings. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: conversion disorder with motor system symptoms or deficit is a subtype which includes symptoms such as impaired motor coordination or balance, paraplegia, muscle weakness, difficulty in swallowing, and urinary retention. methods: The SSEPs were performed by each PTN at the ankle region behind the medial malleolus or the MN at the wrist using square wave pulses in 15 mA intensity. The SSEPs revealed well-developed somatosensory peaks for all extremities. RESULTS: Well-resolved MN-SSEPs were seen with stimulation of either arm. The principal peaks of N20 and P22 were 17 and 21 ms for both upper extremities. The principal peaks of P37 and N45 were 35 and 46 ms for both lower extremities. No side-to-side latency difference was noted. The MRI scan finding was a non-displaced L1 fracture without spinal canal compromise. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of an apparent paraplegia, contradictory clinical findings, normal neurophysiologic tests, and normal neuroradiologic findings are positive criteria for paraplegia/quadriplegia with psychogenic etiology.
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ranking = 0.0085352338619199
keywords = upper
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6/55. Orgone (Reichian) therapy in tension headache.

    Orgone (Reichian) therapy, which utilizes a unique physical approach in addition to standard character-analysis, is illustrated in cases of muscle contraction (tension) headache. It offers a more direct technique for attacking the muscular tension (somatic armor) while undermining the psychic defenses.
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ranking = 0.20230230768216
keywords = headache
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7/55. Functional hearing loss.

    Functional hearing loss is a rather common entity, although it probably is overlooked more often than not. In most instances, the services of an experienced audiologist are necessary if one is to detect these cases. First, one must consider carefully the patient's behavior before and during the otologic and audiologic examination, and note the referral source, if any, since patients with certain backgrounds are more apt to exhibit functional hearing loss than others. Second, careful attention is given to certain aspects of the initial basic audiometric examination. Discrepancies here often stand out and point clearly toward functional loss. A so-called "modified approach" to conventional audiometry has enabled us to detect almost all cases of functional hearing loss without resort to the special audiometric tests designed for that purpose.
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ranking = 0.0063102600994554
keywords = back
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8/55. Central neurological abnormalities and multiple chemical sensitivity caused by chronic toluene exposure.

    multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a syndrome in which multiple symptoms occur with low-level chemical exposure; whether it is an organic disease initiated by environmental exposure or a psychological disorder is still controversial. We report a 38-year-old male worker with chronic toluene exposure who developed symptoms such as palpitation, insomnia, dizziness with headache, memory impairment, euphoria while working, and depression during the weekend. Upon cessation of exposure, follow-up neurobehavioural tests, including the cognitive ability screening instrument and the mini-mental state examination, gradually improved and eventually became normal. Although no further toluene exposure was noted, non-specific symptoms reappeared whenever the subject smelled automotive exhaust fumes or paint, or visited a petrol station, followed by anxiety with sleep disturbance. During hospitalization for a toluene provocation test, there was no difference between pre-challenge and post-challenge PaCO(2), PaO(2), SaO(2) or pulmonary function tests, except some elevation of pulse rate. The clinical manifestations suggested that MCS was more relevant to psychophysiological than pathophysiological factors.
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ranking = 0.040460461536432
keywords = headache
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9/55. case reports on psychosomatic eye disorders.

    Symptoms of headache, floaters, blurred vision, eye strain may be respectable outward manifestations of secret fears or failure to adjust to life events. The work in this hospital of Mr W.S. Inman, ophthalmologist and psychoanalyst, has largely been forgotten. I will present case histories to show that the approach 'Let's have a chat about your problem' can reveal deep underlying tensions. The description of these by the patient, for the first time, to a neutral listener is usually curative. It takes longer than a detachment operation and can be more difficult than cataract surgery but the end result is a very grateful patient whose symptoms have been cured--by talking. We can easily dismiss these patients with 'Your problem is not ocular'. By spending time listening and being unafraid of their muddled lives, their confused sexuality and inadequate personal relationships, we can reach a wider range of patients to help, as Inman taught our predecessors. I find it rewarding.
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ranking = 0.040460461536432
keywords = headache
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10/55. Bulimia: the otolaryngology head and neck perspective.

    bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder found predominantly in young females and characterized by binge-purge cycles as well as medical and psychological problems. The patient with bulimia may present to the otolaryngologist with an upper aerodigestive complaint. It is of paramount importance that the otolaryngologist be cognizant of the disease in order to refer the patient for further therapy.
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ranking = 0.0085352338619199
keywords = upper
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