Multifocal Peripheral Neuropathies, Rhabdomyolysis, and Dermal Change in Carbon Monoxide Intoxication

Carbon monoxide poisoning is common cause of fatal intoxication. When carbon monoxide is absorbed into the blood, it interferes with the oxygen supply to the cells, causing damage to tissues and organs. Delayed neuropsychiatric sequelae (DNS) manifested by cognitive dysfunction, motor disorder, micturition disorder are widely known complication of carbon monoxide intoxication. But neuromuscular complication is a rare DNS of carbon monoxide intoxication. We herein report a 42-year-old patient with multifocal neuropathies, rhabdomyolysis, and dermal change due to carbon monoxide intoxication.

Downregulation of MicroRNA-495 Alleviates IL-1β Responses among Chondrocytes by Preventing SOX9 Reduction

Purpose@#Our previous work demonstrated that miRNA-495 targets SOX9 to inhibit chondrogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells.In this study, we aimed to investigate whether miRNA-495-mediated SOX9 regulation could be a novel therapeutic target for osteoarthritis (OA) using an in vitro cell culture model. @*Materials and Methods@#An in vitro model mimicking the OA environment was established using TC28a2 normal human chondrocyte cells. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β, 10 ng/mL) was utilized to induce inflammation-related changes in TC28a2 cells. Safranin O staining and glycosaminoglycan assay were used to detect changes in proteoglycans among TC28a2 cells. Expression levels of COX-2, ADAMTS5, MMP13, SOX9, CCL4, and COL2A1 were examined by qRT-PCR and/or Western blotting. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect SOX9 and CCL4 proteins in human cartilage tissues obtained from patients with OA. @*Results@#miRNA-495 was upregulated in IL-1β-treated TC28a2 cells and chondrocytes from damaged cartilage tissues of patients with OA. Anti-miR-495 abolished the effect of IL-1β in TC28a2 cells and rescued the protein levels of SOX9 and COL2A1, which were reduced by IL-1β. SOX9 was downregulated in the damaged cartilage tissues of patients with OA, and knockdown of SOX9 abolished the effect of anti-miR-495 on IL-1β-treated TC28a2 cells. @*Conclusion@#We demonstrated that inhibition of miRNA-495 alleviates IL-1β-induced inflammatory responses in chondrocytes by rescuing SOX9 expression. Accordingly, miRNA-495 could be a potential novel target for OA therapy, and the application of anti-miR-495 to chondrocytes could be a therapeutic strategy for treating OA.

Downregulation of MicroRNA-495 Alleviates IL-1β Responses among Chondrocytes by Preventing SOX9 Reduction

Purpose@#Our previous work demonstrated that miRNA-495 targets SOX9 to inhibit chondrogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells.In this study, we aimed to investigate whether miRNA-495-mediated SOX9 regulation could be a novel therapeutic target for osteoarthritis (OA) using an in vitro cell culture model. @*Materials and Methods@#An in vitro model mimicking the OA environment was established using TC28a2 normal human chondrocyte cells. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β, 10 ng/mL) was utilized to induce inflammation-related changes in TC28a2 cells. Safranin O staining and glycosaminoglycan assay were used to detect changes in proteoglycans among TC28a2 cells. Expression levels of COX-2, ADAMTS5, MMP13, SOX9, CCL4, and COL2A1 were examined by qRT-PCR and/or Western blotting. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect SOX9 and CCL4 proteins in human cartilage tissues obtained from patients with OA. @*Results@#miRNA-495 was upregulated in IL-1β-treated TC28a2 cells and chondrocytes from damaged cartilage tissues of patients with OA. Anti-miR-495 abolished the effect of IL-1β in TC28a2 cells and rescued the protein levels of SOX9 and COL2A1, which were reduced by IL-1β. SOX9 was downregulated in the damaged cartilage tissues of patients with OA, and knockdown of SOX9 abolished the effect of anti-miR-495 on IL-1β-treated TC28a2 cells. @*Conclusion@#We demonstrated that inhibition of miRNA-495 alleviates IL-1β-induced inflammatory responses in chondrocytes by rescuing SOX9 expression. Accordingly, miRNA-495 could be a potential novel target for OA therapy, and the application of anti-miR-495 to chondrocytes could be a therapeutic strategy for treating OA.

The Influence of Infection-related Characteristics and Patient Safety Culture on Awareness of Blood-borne Infection Prevention in Operating Room Nurses and General Ward Nurses

Purpose@#This study aimed to identify the factors influencing infection-related characteristics and patient safety culture on awareness of blood-borne infection prevention between operating room nurses and general ward nurses. @*Methods@#Participants were 198 nurses(operating room nurses 98 and general ward nurses: 100) working at three general hospitals and three university hospitals in three cities. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from September 11 to October 14, 2020. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple regression with IBM SPSS/WIN 26.0 program. @*Results@#Typically, 39.8% of nurses in the operating room and 24.0% of ward nurses experienced injuries such as needles and sharp instruments used by the patient. The awareness of patient safety culture was identified to be higher for the ward nurses. Factors influencing the awareness of blood-borne infection prevention in operating room nurses were patient safety culture and wearing protective equipment for infection prevention while nursing infected patients. Moreover, the explanatory power of these variables was 19.4%. In general ward nurses, the patient safety culture was identified as a significant predictor, which accounted for 16.5% of awareness of blood-borne infection prevention. @*Conclusion@#To prevent hospital infection, a strategy is needed to improve the level of awareness of blood-borne infection prevention and patient safety culture of operating room nurses. To this end, the difference in infection-related characteristics and influencing factors between the operating room nurses and the general ward nurses should be considered and planned.

Characteristics and outcomes of public bath-related out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in South Korea

Objective@#To analyze the differences in characteristics and outcomes between public bath (PB)- related and non-PB-related out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients in South Korea. @*Methods@#We performed a retrospective observational analysis of collected data from the Smart Advanced Cardiac Life Support (SALS) registry between September 2015 and December 2018. We included adult OHCA patients (aged >18 years) with presumed OHCA of non-traumatic etiology who were attended by dispatched emergency medical services. SALS is a field advanced life support with smartphone-based direct medical direction. The primary outcome was the survival to discharge rate measured at the time of discharge. @*Results@#Of 38,995 cardiac arrest patients enrolled in the SALS registry, 11,889 were included in the final analysis. In total, 263 OHCAs occurred in PBs. Male sex and bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation proportions appeared to be higher among PB patients than among non-PB patients. Percentages for shockable rhythm, witnessed rate, and number of underlying disease were lower in the PB group than in the non-PB group. Prehospital return of spontaneous circulation (11.4% vs. 19.5%, P=0.001), survival to discharge (2.3% vs. 9.9%, P<0.001), and favorable neurologic outcome (1.9% vs. 5.8%, P=0.007) in PB patients were significantly poorer than those in non-PB patients. @*Conclusion@#Patient characteristics and emergency medical services factors differed between PB and non-PB patients. All outcomes of PB-related OHCA were poorer than those of non-PB-related OHCA. Further treatment strategies should be developed to improve the outcomes of PBrelated cardiac arrest.

Acute Care Surgery Model for Emergency Cholecystectomy

PURPOSE: Acute care surgery (ACS) models have evolved worldwide over the last decade. However, South Korea has an established trauma system and does not consider the ACS model. This study compares the management and outcome of emergency cholecystectomy in the ACS model to those of traditional on-call attending surgeon model for emergency surgery. METHODS: Retrospectively collected data for patients who underwent emergency cholecystectomy from May 2013 to January 2015 was analyzed to compare data from a traditional on-call system (OCS) and ACS. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-four patients were enrolled in the study (62 patients ACS vs. 62 patients OCS). Hospital stay (days) (ACS=4.29±2.49 vs. OCS=4.82±4.48, p=0.46) and stay in emergency room (minutes) (ACS=213.10±113.99 vs. OCS=241.10±150.73, p=0.20) did not differ significantly between groups. Operation time (minutes) was significantly shorter in the ACS than OCS group (389.97±215.21 vs. 566.35±290.14, p<0.001). Other clinical variables (sex, open-conversion rate, whether the operation was performed at night/holiday, intensive care unit admission rate) did not differ between groups. There was no mortality and readmission. CONCLUSION: The implementation of the ACS led to shorter operation time and no increase of postoperative mortality and complication.

In Vivo Cartilage Formation Using Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Mixed with Fibrin Glue / 대한정형외과연구학회지

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility of in vivo cartilage formation by direct injection the chondrogenic undifferentiated human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) mixed with fibrin glue including TGF-beta3. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chondrogenic differentiation induced hBMSCs for 14 days (control group-2) and undifferentiated hBMSCs combined with TGF-beta3 mixed (experimental group-3) with fibrin glue and fibrin glue only (control group-1) were injected subcutanteously into the back of nude mouse. For evaluation of the cartilage-like tissue formed after 8 weeks after injection, real time PCR, histological analysis and immunohistochemical analysis were used. RESULTS: Control group-1 did not form any visible mass. Control group-2 as well as experimental group-3 could form new cartilage-like tissue which were demonstrated expression of type II collagen by real-time PCR, histology analysis such as H&E staining, MT staining and type II collagen specific immunohistologic analysis. As results, expression of type II collagen was shown in the both groups. CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed that cartilage-like tissues could be formed in subcutaneous layer of nude mouse by direct injection mixed with fibrin glue including TGF-beta3 without chondrogenic-induction of hBMSCs, suggesting that these model could be suitable for preliminary studies or optimizing experiments to evaluate reconstruction of cartilage.

Effectiveness of emergency contraception in women after sexual assault / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of emergency single-dose levonorgestrel contraception in preventing unintended pregnancies among woman who visited the emergency department (ED) due to sexual assault (SA). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review in a university hospital in South Korea. Cases from November 10, 2006 to November 9, 2009 were enrolled. Information from the initial visit to the ED and subsequent follow-up visits to the gynecology outpatient clinic was collected. RESULTS: In total, 1,179 women visited the ED due to SA. Among them, 416 patients had a gynecological examination and 302 patients who received emergency contraception (EC) (1.5 mg single-dose levonorgestrel) at the ED due to SA were enrolled. Ten patients did not return for follow-up examinations. In follow-up visits at the outpatient clinic, two pregnancies were confirmed, which showed the failure rate of the EC to be 0.68%. CONCLUSION: Single-dose levonorgestrel EC is extremely effective at preventing pregnancy among victims of SA.

Paddle-skin Coupling Material Usage in Emergency Institutes in South Korea

PURPOSE: While the use of coupling material (CM) during defibrillation is known to decrease transthoracic impedance more so than other materials elsewhere, the situation in Korea is unclear. The study assessed the use of paddleskin CM during defibrillation in South Korean emergency institutes (EIs) and measured the impedances. METHODS: From October 15 to October 19, 2009, 112 EIs (all of regional emergency medical centers (EMCs), specialized care centers, and local EMCs) were surveyed. Institute members were queried about their current use of paddleskin CMs during defibrillation. Indications for use were studied by means of a World Wide Web search, descriptions on the CM packaging, and telephone conversations with CM manufacturers and related people. Impedance measurements were recorded from April 13 to August 3, 2009. RESULTS: During defibrillation, 27 different CMs were used in the 108 EIs. Only nine institutes used CMs directly for defibrillation. Impedence of nine CMs could not be measured. The impedance values were 1.69, 1.71, 2.00, and 6.12 ohm for four CMs used for defibrillation; 6.66 and 11.94 ohm for two CMs used for electrodes; 9.71, 9.82, 11.57, 13.68, 13.89, 14.36, 18.31, and 19.66 ohm for eight CMs used for ultrasonography; and 14.05, 17.71, 35.44, and 41.15 ohm for four other CMs. CONCLUSION: More education and public information about the use of CMs for defibrillation are needed.

Pulsatility Index Detected by Carotid Ultrasonography Can Predict Increased Intracranial Pressure

PURPOSE: A rapid, portable, and noninvasive means of detecting increased intracranial pressure (IICP) is required when conventional imaging methods are unavailable. The purpose of this study is to show the predictive value of IICP using ultrasonographic measurement of pulsatility index (PI), through the common carotid artery. METHODS: We performed a prospective study of emergency department patients who have hemorrhage finding on brain conputed tomography (hemorrhage group) and normal group for 9 months prospectively. Hemorrhage group was divided into IICP group and non IICP group by brain CT findings. The PI was calculated using systolic flow velocity and diastolic flow velocity acquired from common carotid ultrasonography. For each patient, brain computed tomography (CT) was also evaluated for signs of IICP. RESULTS: 140 patients were enrolled; 70 patients were normal group and hemorrhage group included 70 patients; 38 had IICP (IICP group) and 32 had no signs of IICP on CT (non IICP group). Mean PI of normal group was 1.46+/- 0.30, non IICP group was 1.40+/-0.31 and mean PI value of IICP group was 2.39+/-0.78. Cutoff value was 1.69, sensitivity was 81.6% and specificity was 81.4%. CONCLUSION: The PI from common carotid artery is a simple, fast, and noninvasive procedure. The PI is a potentially useful tool the assessment of and themonitoring of patients suspected of having IICP.

A Preliminary Study of an Emergency Department-based In-depth Injury Surveillance System of Preschool Children Injury

PURPOSE: To describe the use of an emergency department (ED)-based, in-depth injury surveillance system to determine the incidence and mechanism of preschool children injury. METHODS: We prospectively studied and registered injured children under 7 years old, (n=5,921) whose injuries resulted in ED treatment from August 2006 to July 2008. We upgraded the checklist surveillance items, included place, accident mechanism, and agent factors. The ED physicians recorded the injury data on checklists in real time as they gave the ED orders. The recorded data were stored in computer networks and automatically coded, which enabled access to the raw data sources. The statistical data were calculated in detail by using relative frequency distribution from the raw data. RESULTS: A total of 29,548 injured patients visited the ED from August 2006 to July 2008. Preschool children injuries, except those from traffic accidents, were 5,921(20.0%). The most common sources of injuries were from blunt trauma (37%), slips(17%), and falls(16%). Among those admitted to our hospital, fall injuries and inhalation of foreign body accidents accounted for 7.6% and 7.5%, respectively. The larger proportion of fall injuries occurred from a height of less than 1 meter(82.2%). The frequency of injury mechanism differed according to age: fall(35%), blunt(19%), and burn(14%) were noted under 1 year old, compared to blunt(34%), fall(14%), and slip(13%) from between 1 to under 3 years of age, and blunt(37%), slip(19%), and fall (11%) between 3 to under 7 years of age. CONCLUSION: The ED-based preschool children injury surveillance system could provide a useful and efficient method to determine injury incidence and injury-related factors.

Analysis of Patients Injured in Demonstraions

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the level of medical care required for mass-gatherings and to describe the types of illness and injury that may occur during demonstrations. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of the medical records for patients injured during demonstrations. RESULTS: From May to August at 2008, a total of 932,000 participants attended demonstrations. Most patients were occurred from June to July, a total of 126 patients were evaluated and treated at the emergency center of our hospital. The mean patient age was 31.8+/-9.8 years, and men predominated over women. The vast majority of patients were experienced trauma (88.9%). The diagnostic categories were contusion (49.2%), laceration (20.6%), fracture (6.3%), syncope/dizziness (5.5%), ocular injuries (3.9%), dyspnea (3.9%), other trauma (3.1%), and abdominal complaints (1.5%). Two patients were admitted. CONCLUSION: The rate and the acuity of patients seen at these demonstrations was low. Nevertheless, a full on-site physician and transportation system is recommended during similar incidents.

A Case of Intoxication of Ingested Formalin

Formalin is a water-soluble, colorless, pungent, irritating and highly reactive gas. A 40% solution of formaldehyde in water, also known as formalin, is used as a disinfectant, antiseptic, deodorant, tissue fixative and embalming fluid. Ingestion can lead to immediate deleterious effects on almost all systems of the body including gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system, cardiovsacular system and hepato-renal system, causing gastrointestinal hemorrhage, cardiovsacular collapse, unconsciousness or convulsions, severe metabolic acidosis and acute respiratory distress syndrome. We treated a 39-year-old woman who ingested 300 ml formalin in a suicidal attempt. Despite hemodialysis, death occurred after 23 h.

The efficacy of umbilical artery blood flow velocity waveform to predict the perinatal outcome of term pregnancies with small for gestational age / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether umbilical artery Doppler blood flow velocity waveform is effective in predicting perinatal outcome of term pregnancies with small for gestational age (SGA). METHODS: A total of 381 patients at 37~41 weeks of gestational age (GA) who received antenatal umbilical artery Doppler blood flow test and delivered singleton SGA infants. The ratio of peak-systolic to end-diastolic (S/D) blood flow velocities in the umbilical artery was measured in each patient. The patients were divided into a normal group (n=307) with a S/D ratio equal to or less than 3.0, and an abnormal group with a S/D ratio of greater than 3.0 (n=74). These groups were comparatively analysed with respect to maternal characteristics and neonatal outcomes. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in mean maternal age, gestational age at the time of delivery, and cesarean section rate due to fetal distress. There was significantly increased incidence of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy in the abnormal S/D ratio group. And the abnormal S/D ratio group showed lower neonatal birthweight, higher incidence of admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and longer stay in neonatal intensive care unit. According to linear regression, in pregnancies complicated by SGA, abnormal S/D ratio was still a risk factor for low birthweight even after controlling for the incidence of hypertension. Conclusion: In term pregnancies accompanied by SGA, abnormal umbilical artery S/D ratio is an independent predictor of neonatal birth weight, incidence of admission to NICU, and NICU stay.

The efficacy of umbilical artery blood flow velocity waveform to predict the perinatal outcome of term pregnancies with small for gestational age / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether umbilical artery Doppler blood flow velocity waveform is effective in predicting perinatal outcome of term pregnancies with small for gestational age (SGA). METHODS: A total of 381 patients at 37~41 weeks of gestational age (GA) who received antenatal umbilical artery Doppler blood flow test and delivered singleton SGA infants. The ratio of peak-systolic to end-diastolic (S/D) blood flow velocities in the umbilical artery was measured in each patient. The patients were divided into a normal group (n=307) with a S/D ratio equal to or less than 3.0, and an abnormal group with a S/D ratio of greater than 3.0 (n=74). These groups were comparatively analysed with respect to maternal characteristics and neonatal outcomes. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in mean maternal age, gestational age at the time of delivery, and cesarean section rate due to fetal distress. There was significantly increased incidence of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy in the abnormal S/D ratio group. And the abnormal S/D ratio group showed lower neonatal birthweight, higher incidence of admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and longer stay in neonatal intensive care unit. According to linear regression, in pregnancies complicated by SGA, abnormal S/D ratio was still a risk factor for low birthweight even after controlling for the incidence of hypertension. Conclusion: In term pregnancies accompanied by SGA, abnormal umbilical artery S/D ratio is an independent predictor of neonatal birth weight, incidence of admission to NICU, and NICU stay.

A case of leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata arising after laparoscopic myomectomy / 대한산부인과학회지

Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata (LPD) is rare, typically benign condition characterized by multiple smooth muscle, myofibroblasticand fibroblastic nodules arising in the pelvic and abdominal cavities in women. LPD is observed in reproductive age group especially and often mimics carcinomatosis grossly but has benign histologic feature and good prognosis. We report a case of leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata arising after laparoscopic myomectomy with review of literature.

Availability of Multimarker IndexTM in Prediction of Ischemic Stroke Severity

PURPOSE: The Multimarker IndexTM (MMX) is derived from 4 biochemical markers (S100 beta, MMP-9, D-dimer, BNP) and is known to be useful in the early detection of stroke. Assessment of severity in the early stages of stroke is as important as early detection of stroke itself, so that early intensive management can be applied. We evaluated wheather MMX is correlated with stroke severity as measured by NIHSS. METHODS: MRI-confirmed stroke patients were prospectively enrolled for analysis of MMX from their serum, and initial NIHSS was recorded. Patients were divided into three convenient groups according to the time from symptom onset. In each group, correlation of MMX and NIHSS was studied. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients were enrolled, and MMX was found to be positively correlated with NIHSS (p<0.01). In subgroup analysis, group A (presented to ED within 6 hours of symptom onset), and group B (presented to ED from 6-12 hours after symptom onset) showed the same positive correlation between MMX and NIHSS (p=0.017, p<0.001), but in group C (presented to ED after more than 12 hours after symptom onset), there was no correlation (p=0.840). CONCLUSION: MMX positively correlated with stroke severity measured by NIHSS for patients presenting to ED within 12 hours of symptom onset.

Early Detection and Prognosis Prediction of Severe sepsis and Septic shock in Emergency Triage Room

PURPOSE: Biochemical markers can help predict neurological outcome in post-resuscitation patients. This prospective study evaluated the prognostic value of serum S100B protein and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) time courses in predicting unfavorable neurological outcomes. METHODS: We serially measured serum S100B protein and NSE levels 12 times during the 96 h after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in 40 patients. Neurological outcome was assessed at 6 months after cardiac arrest. Patients were divided into good (CPC 1 to 2) and poor (CPC 3 to 5) neurological outcome groups and assessed for cerebral performance category scores. We compared the two groups at each serum value and calculated cut-off values. RESULTS: Serum S100B protein levels over the study period, except at 4 hours, and NSE levels from 14 hours after ROSC were significantly higher in the poor neurological outcome group (n=32) than the good neurological outcome group (n=8). The most predictive serum S100B protein and NSE times were at 14 hours (cut off value=0.16 microgram/L, sensitivity 81.8%, specificity 100%, AUC=0.938) and 54 hours (cut off value=19.21 microgram/L, sensitivity 86.4%, specificity 100%, AUC=0.932). CONCLUSION: Serum S100B protein and NSE levels are early and useful markers for assessing neurological outcome after successful resuscitation from cardiac arrest.

Outcome of Pediatric Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

PURPOSE: We analyzed the characteristics and outcome of pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. METHODS: Pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest from January 2000 to December 2005 at two tertiary hospitals were described and evaluated using the Utstein style. We reviewed the records retrospectively and analyzed the outcome variables which were any return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), sustained ROSC, survived event, and survival to hospital discharge. Neurologic outcome was assessed by the Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category (PCPC) scale. RESULTS: The study included 62 children with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Any ROSC was achieved in twenty patients (32.3%). Sustained ROSC of any ROSC group was achieved in sixteen patients (80.0%). Of the sustained ROSC group, fourteen patients (87.5%) were admitted to hospital, and only four patients (28.6%) of survived event group survived to hospital discharge. The prevalent etiology were injuries. Although 35 children (56.5%) of the arrests occurred at home with family members present, only 1 patients received bystander CPR. Nonshockable rhythm (96.8%) were showed more than shockable rhythm (3.2%). In any ROSC group, time to initiation of CPR was 9.3 minutes,duration of total CPR was 20.4 minutes. CONCLUSION: Mortality of pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest was high and neurologic outcome was poor. Factors that increased survival rate were prevention of injuries, enhanced education programs of bystander CPR, rapid initiation of CPR.

The Availability of Bedside Ultrasonography in Confirming Endotracheal Tube Placement in the Emergency Department

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to determine the suitability of ultrasonography for detecting endotracheal tube placement in the emergency department. METHODS: Emergency physicians examined patients immediately following intubation or after intubated patients were transferred. A linear ultrasound transducer was placed transversely on the cricothyroid membrane and suprasternal notch in order to check for the "comet head and tail sign"and "double ring sign", and a sagittal view of the neck was also obtained in order to look for the "bold parallel lines sign". Subsequently, simple thoracic sonography and color doppler sonography were used to check for the "lung sliding sign". The examiner evaluated whether the tube was placed in trachea, the esophagus, or the right main bronchus. The accuracy of ultrasonography was calculated, and the required time for ultrasonography was checked. RESULTS: One hundred ten patients were enrolled in the study. The endotracheal tube was placed in the trachea in 107 patients, in the esophagus in 2 patients, and in the right main bronchus in 1 patient. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography were 100%. The bold parallel lines sign and lung sliding sign proved to be good indicators of endotracheal tube placement. The average required time for ultrasonography was 28.6+/-5.8 seconds. It was difficult to determine tube placement by thoracic ultrasonography in patients with pneumothorax, hemothorax, pleural effusion, or empyema. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography is well suited for confirming endotracheal tube placement in the emergency department.