A working group, established by the Japanese Board-certified Physiatrist Association to examine the necessary functions for an electronic medical record keeping system for rehabilitation, created a functional evaluation system for electronic medical record keeping in kaifukuki rehabilitation wards. The group conducted a survey to determine how electronic medical records are actually being used in kaifukuki rehabilitation wards. Methods : The group sent questionnaires to 153 hospitals with kaifukuki rehabilitation wards by mail. The questions included the period of usage, how satisfied they were with their system, and a self-evaluation form for their electronic medical record functional evaluation. They asked the respondents to evaluate each item from 1 to 5 points. Results : The group received answers from 82 institutions, with a valid answer rate of 53.6% in total. The median of the electronic record functional evaluation was 60.5 points. The points given varied from 1 to 5 in all items. Conclusion : It was determined that electronic medical records are equipped with a minimum of functions for rehabilitation, but also that there are great functional differences among institutions.

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Objective : Causes of nontraumatic posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) palsy include space-occupying lesions, constrictions of the PIN, and supinator syndrome. The purpose of this study was to identify these causes using Ultrasonography (US). Methods : We performed US in seven cases (seven elbows) with palsy and examined the PIN and surrounding structures. Results : We identified the three causes by the following US findings : 1) A space-occupying lesion in two elbows. Both were low-echoic and diagnosed as ganglion. In these two cases, the PIN was elevated by the lesion and compressed against the arcade of Frohse. 2) A diffusely swollen PIN with constrictions was found in three cases. 3) A PIN showing a reduction in caliber beneath and a swelling (pseudoneuroma) proximal to the arcade of Frohse, compatible with supinator syndrome was also identified. Conclusion : US is useful for the diagnosis of nontraumatic PIN palsy.

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We report the use of a self-help intermittent balloon catheter device in paraplegia with palsy in both ulnar nerves. A 77-year-old man developed paraplegia and neurogenic bladder dysfunction following postoperative complication of a thoracic aortic aneurysm. Palsy in both ulnar nerves was found in the medical history. Self-catheterization was necessary as urination control for neurogenic bladder dysfunction using an intermittent balloon catheter for nocturia. However, it was difficult for the patient to grasp the reservoir and inject fixed water into the balloon, and to clamp it while maintaining injection due to the ulnar nerve palsy. In addition, the clamp was easily dislodged by nighttime patient rolling, and the reservoir caused insomnia. Therefore, we removed the clamp and the reservoir and we installed an FF connector and a closed needleless connector and used a lock-syringe for fixative infusion. Subsequently, patient self-operation became easy, and the clamp did not come off when the lock-syringe was removed, and the patient's distress caused by the reservoir also disappeared.

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We report a patient displaying several symptoms of myelitis associated with atopic dermatitis. The patient, a 35-year-old female, initially suffered from gait titubation that gradually developed into motor disturbance. She underwent many tests (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, electromyography, and brain, cervical, and lumbar spinal cord and muscle MRIs) at several hospitals, including a university institution, over the course of two years until she finally came to our hospital. However, her disease was never identified by these tests, and she was referred to our hospital to start rehabilitation for her disability which was believed to be caused by disuse syndrome. On first examination, muscle hypertonia of both legs, hypoesthesia of all extremities, difficulty sitting, and a low performance level of ADL were observed. Judging by the factors (e.g. age, neurological symptoms), we considered that the patient was not suffering disuse syndrome, and recommended that she attend another medical college hospital for a thorough investigation. The disease was finally diagnosed as atopic myelitis, as indicated by the test results (e.g. hyperIgEemia). She could sit without a back rest and undertake gait training between parallel bars after steroid pulse therapy at the hospital. While she undertook rehabilitation at our hospital, we applied some approaches to adapt to her fluctuating symptoms (e.g. making short leg braces for both legs, injection of botulinum toxin A (BOTOX^®) in the leg). We recognized we should gather as much information as possible given the rarity of the disease.

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It is difficult to make dysphagia assessments in actual meal settings. Therefore, instrument-based evaluations are necessary, and videofluoroscopic examinations (VF) and video-endoscopic examinations (VE) of swallowing are typically performed for this purpose. Much information can be obtained by understanding the respective advantages and disadvantages of VF and VE and combining them for evaluations, making them useful for both assessment and treatment. Essentially, VF is contrast radiography using a fluoroscope. It uses test food containing a contrast agent that allows the flow of the food from the mouth to the pharynx and esophagus accompanying swallowing movements to be observed in real time to determine whether there is aspiration or food remaining in the pharynx. The images are taken mainly from the frontal and lateral views under fluoroscopy. VE is a test that involves direct fiberscopic observation of things such as glottal closure, saliva and secretions, and food boluses or other substances remaining in the pharynx. Assessment includes evaluation of vocal cord paralysis, redness and swelling of the arytenoid region, and whether there is saliva aspiration into the larynx. Next, the swallowing function is assessed using actual food. The body posture used in the test is the individual's regular posture when eating and a safe, proper posture with a low risk of aspiration. Today, VF and VE are essential tools for assessing and treating dysphagia. It is hoped that many practitioners will acquire the skills to administer and make use of these tests in the rehabilitation of patients with eating and swallowing disorders.

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To provide legal advice on cognitive dysfunction, we should evaluate each plaintiff with brain injury from a neutral viewpoint. In the neuropsychological test batteries, not only the total score such as IQs of the WAIS-III or memory quotients of the WMS-R but also the scores of the subtests need to be surveyed to find out the precise nature of the cognitive dysfunction. Expert opinions are also required concerning the relationship between the cognitive dysfunction and the lesion site(s) in the brain as well as the activities of daily living and the instrumental activities of daily living. We, as experts in rehabilitation medicine, should prepare ourselves to provide excellent legal advice to ensure that judges reach a proper decision.

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