Development of Epidural and Paraspinal Abscesses after Insufficient Evaluation and Treatment of Acute Pyelonephritis Caused by Staphylococcus aureus / 가정의학회지

Diagnoses of pyelonephritis caused by Staphylococcus aureus should be accompanied by investigations of concomitant bladder obstruction and metastatic infections, especially to the spine or heart. Complicated pyelonephritis due to S. aureus requires more than 2 weeks of antibiotics, which is the typically recommended treatment duration for pyelonephritis. We describe a patient who was diagnosed with complicated epidural and paraspinal abscesses after insufficient evaluation and treatment of acute pyelonephritis due to S. aureus. A 62-year-old man with type 2 diabetes was admitted with fever, increased urinary frequency, and left flank pain. He was diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis caused by S. aureus. His fever and flank pain subsided after 3 days of intravenous antibiotics. Evaluation of bladder obstruction and metastatic infection were not performed, as he declined further evaluation. The patient was discharged with oral antibiotics and was requested to attend weekly appointments but was lost to follow-up. One month later, the patient presented at the outpatient clinic with similar symptoms. Computed tomography showed recurrent pyelonephritis and a distended bladder. His flank pain persisted despite administration of an opioid agent. Therefore, magnetic resonance imaging was performed, revealing epidural and paraspinal abscesses. Ultrasound-guided aspiration of the paraspinal muscle layer was performed, and blood and percutaneous aspirated fluid cultures revealed S. aureus growth. The pattern of antimicrobial sensitivity was identical to that at his first admission. Following more than 4 weeks of antibiotics, magnetic resonance imaging showed the abscesses had decreased in size. The patient was discharged without neurologic sequelae and was provided with oral antibiotics.

Three-dimensional evaluation of maxillary anterior alveolar bone for optimal placement of miniscrew implants / 대한치과교정학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to propose clinical guidelines for placing miniscrew implants using the results obtained from 3-dimensional analysis of maxillary anterior interdental alveolar bone by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: By using CBCT data from 52 adult patients (17 men and 35 women; mean age, 27.9 years), alveolar bone were measured in 3 regions: between the maxillary central incisors (U1-U1), between the maxillary central incisor and maxillary lateral incisor (U1-U2), and between the maxillary lateral incisor and the canine (U2-U3). Cortical bone thickness, labio-palatal thickness, and interdental root distance were measured at 4 mm, 6 mm, and 8 mm apical to the interdental cementoenamel junction (ICEJ). RESULTS: The cortical bone thickness significantly increased from the U1-U1 region to the U2-U3 region (p < 0.05). The labio-palatal thickness was significantly less in the U1-U1 region (p < 0.05), and the interdental root distance was significantly less in the U1-U2 region (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that the interdental root regions U2-U3 and U1-U1 are the best sites for placing miniscrew implants into maxillary anterior alveolar bone.

Treatment of Herpes Zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia / 대한통증학회지

Numerous treatment modalities for acute or subacute herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia have been introduced. Therefore, we updated the treatment modalities by conducting a wide review of the medical literature and we created a new treatment algorithm for herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia.

The Efficacy of Stellate Ganglion Block in Sensorineural Anosmia Patients Unresponsive to Steroid Therapy / 대한통증학회지

BACKGROUND: Anosmia can be frustrating for both the patient and physician, with no clear treatment. We prospectively investigated the effects of stellate ganglion block (SGB) in anosmic patients who were unresponsive to conventional steroid therapy. METHODS: Thirteen patients with anosmia were treated with SGB. To evaluate the improvement in olfactory function, we evaluated both changes in subjective symptoms and the butanol threshold test. The number of SGB required for improvement in olfactory function was counted. RESULTS: Seven patients (54%) showed improvement of olfactory function with SGB. The average number of SGB for the first response was 7.4 +/- 5.9 times. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that SGB may be a good treatment modality for patients with anosmia unresponsive to steroid therapy.

Reliability and Validity of the Korean Version of the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scale / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: Psychotic Symptom Rating Scale (PSYRATS) is an assessment tool to measure the severity of different dimensions of auditory hallucinations and delusions. The reliability and validity of the Korean version of PSYRATS (K-PSYRATS) were examined in Korean patients with major psychosis. METHODS: The inter-rater reliability of the K-PSYRATS was determined from the videotaped interviews of the five schizophrenic patients. To measure validity and internal consistency reliability, the 109 patients with auditory hallucinations or delusions were assessed using the K-PSYRATS, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scale. RESULTS: K-PSYRATS was found to have excellent inter-rater reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient of auditory hallucination= 0.81, p<.001, intra-class correlation coefficient of delusion=0.97, p<.001) and internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha of auditory hallucination=0.77, Cronbach's alpha of delusion=0.76). Significant correlation was found between K-PSYRATS and positive syndrome subscale of PANSS and CGI. CONCLUSION: K-PSYRATS is a useful assessment instrument for psychotic symptoms in Korea.

The Effect of Phenylephrine on Cardiac Performance and Myocardial Oxygen Balance in Resuscitation from Hemorrhagic Shock / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The issue of using phenylephrine in hemorrhagic shock treatment has been controversial because it is known that phenylephrine improves the tissue perfusion by increasing arterial blood pressure but deteriorates the myocardium by increasing afterload and decreasing myocardial oxygen delivery via coronary vasoconstriction. This study was aimed to assess the effects of phenylephrine on hemodynamic variables, cardiac performance, and myocardial oxygen balance in resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock. METHODS: Twenty anesthetized dogs were randomly divided into phenylephrine group and control group. After inducing hemorrhagic shock, resuscitation was done with phenylephrine and 0.9% normal saline respectively. We measured hemodynamic indices, blood gas parameter and cardiac enzymes which indicate myocardial demage. RESULTS: In both groups, cardiac output and hemodynamic indices improved. In phenylephrine group, the systemic oxygen delivery and consumption was much higher and the myocardial oxygen extraction ratio was maintained at the lower level than the control group. In addition, the CK-MB was higher at the early phase of resuscitation and the troponin T was also higher than the control group during the whole period of resuscitation. Creatine kinase-MB increased during early resuscitation in phenylephrine group but kept decreasing after that and there's no difference between two groups. Troponin T was higher in the phenylephrine group after resuscitation. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that phenylephrine improves myocardial oxygen balance and contractility without serious myocardial demage during resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock.

Positive Effects of Local Anesthetic Nerve Blocks for a Patient with Newly Developed Left Side Spasmodic Torticollis after Surgical Intervention of Right Side Spasmodic Torticollis: A case report / 대한통증학회지

We report here on a case of right side spasmodic torticollis (ST) that was refractory to botulinum toxin type A injection and medication.The patient finally underwent a selective ramisectomy with ipsilateral sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) resection, but the remaining symptoms slowly aggravated, and a contralateral left side SCM spasm began.As conservative therapy for reducing the spasmodic symptoms, accessory nerve block, upper cervical plexus block and stellate ganglion block were performed twice in a week.After 6 months, the spasmodic symptoms significantly decreased. The Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS) decreased by more than 70%.After one year of serial intermittent local anesthetic blockade therapy, the patient became almost free from the original ST symptoms (TWSTRS = 1).Serial local anesthetic interventions for the ST patient may have a beneficial role on the pathological peripherocentral neural activity of the ST patient and can modulate motor-sensory integration in the patient.

Anesthetic Management of a Patient with Antiphospholipid Syndrome: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is defined by hypercoagulability and pregnancy morbidity occuring in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. APS occurs as an isolated , primary condition or be associated with a connective tissue disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Anesthesiologists could encounter these patients in the intensive care unit in thrombotic crisis, in routine surgery or high-risk parturients, so information on peri-operative management be required. We present a case of general anesthesia for a patient with APS associated with SLE and chronic renal failure.

The Effect of Spinal Cord Stimulation in Patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome / 대한통증학회지

BACKGROUND: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a painful, disabling disorder for which no proven treatment has been established. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the evidence of the efficacy of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in the management of pain in CRPS patients. METHODS: Between March 2004 and June 2006, 11 patients with CRPS were treated with SCS. The visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain (0-10) and pain disability index (PDI) were obtained in all patients prior to treatment, and 1, 3 and 6 months post-implantation. RESULTS: All 11 patients, 5 men and 6 women, with a median age and duration of CRPS of 44 years and 48.8 months, respectively, successfully received a lead implantation for SCS. The mean VAS pain score prior to the treatment was 85.5 out of 100 mm. After SCS implantation, the mean VAS pain scores were 49.5, 57.0 and 56.0 at 1, 3 and 6 months after the procedure, respectively. The mean pain score for allodynia was decreased by 50%, with a significant reduction of the PDI also observed after the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our current study suggests that SCS implantation is a safe and effective method in the management of CRPS patients.

Pulmonary Thromboembolism Presenting with Upper Thoracic Back Pain: A case report / 대한통증학회지

Upper thoracic back pain can be musculoskeletal in origin or it could be visceral referred pain, which may be indicative of a serious medical condition. We experienced a case of a 55-years-old female patient who complained of upper thoracic back pain for 1 month, which started 10 days after a traffic accident. She described the pain as being a dull, constant nagging sensation with an intensity of 4/10 on the visual analogue scale. Her pain did not subside after trigger point injection of the rhomboid and trapezius muscles. She reported intermittent palpitation, which indicated that the cardiovascular or pulmonary systems were involved. She was diagnosed with pulmonary thromboembolism by the imaging studies. Refractory upper thoracic back pain should be investigated to rule out this treatable, but potentially fatal condition.

Pulmonary Thromboembolism Presenting with Upper Thoracic Back Pain: A case report / 대한통증학회지

Upper thoracic back pain can be musculoskeletal in origin or it could be visceral referred pain, which may be indicative of a serious medical condition. We experienced a case of a 55-years-old female patient who complained of upper thoracic back pain for 1 month, which started 10 days after a traffic accident. She described the pain as being a dull, constant nagging sensation with an intensity of 4/10 on the visual analogue scale. Her pain did not subside after trigger point injection of the rhomboid and trapezius muscles. She reported intermittent palpitation, which indicated that the cardiovascular or pulmonary systems were involved. She was diagnosed with pulmonary thromboembolism by the imaging studies. Refractory upper thoracic back pain should be investigated to rule out this treatable, but potentially fatal condition.

Nasogastric Tube Insertion using Savary-Gilliard Wire Guide(R) in a Comatose Patient : A Case Report / 대한구급학회지

The insertion of nasogastric tubes in comatose, obtunded or anesthetized patients is often difficult, frustrating and time-consuming. A large variety of methods inserting nasogastric tubes in those uncooperative patients have been reported. As a new effective method, we used Savary-Gilliard Wire Guide(R), which is designed for introducing Savary-Gilliard Dilator(R) into a strictured esophagus, for inserting a nasogastric tube in a comatose patient who was intubated with a ballooned tracheostomy tube. The insertion was successful in the first attempt and no complication occurred.

The Effect of Blood Transfusion on the Tissue Perfusion and Lung Injury during Cardiopulmonary Bypass / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: The blood components of priming solution for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may have opposite roles for tissue perfusion, which are the activation of inflammatory reaction and the improvement of oxygen carrying capacity. This study is aimed to investigate the effect of blood transfusion of priming solution on inflammatory response and tissue perfusion. METHODS: Twenty mongrel dogs randomly allocated and received hypothermic CPB with blood- containing (H group, n=10), or non-hemic (NH group, n=10) priming solution. Gastric intramucosal CO2 concentration (PrCO2), intramucosal pH (pHi), interleukin-8 (IL-8), blood gas and hemodynamic parameters were measured at 1) before CPB, 2) 1 hour during CPB, 3) the end of CPB, 4) 2 hours after CPB, 5) 4 hours after CPB. The ratio of wet to dried lung weight was measured. Statistical verification was performed using repeated measures ANOVA and unpaired t-test. RESULTS: PrCO2 increased and pHi decreased during the study without significant difference between the groups. IL-8 increased in both groups and IL-8 of H group increased higher than that of NH group during the study. The difference between PaCO2 and end-tidal CO2 of NH group was higher than that of H group at 4 hours after CPB. The ratio of wet to dried lung weight was not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the allogenic blood in priming solution aggravates the CPB- induced inflammatory reaction, however, the CPB-induced impairment of gastric mucosal perfusion and the pulmonary edema are not significantly affected, compared to non-hemic solution.

Accidental Intra-arterial Injection of Vecuronium: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

One of the complications of direct arterial pressure monitoring is drug injection through an arterial line mistaken for an intravenous line. We experienced a case of accidental intra-arterial vecuronium injection through an arterial line on the right radial artery. The incident was noticed just after the injection and the patient was treated by intra-arterial injection of heparin, papaverine, lidocaine and stellate ganglion block. No color change or edema of the right hand was observed until the end of operation. The patient was closely observed after operation and discharged without complication. We report a case of accidental intra-arterial vecuronium injection which was managed successfully.

The Value of Systemic Ketamine for Preemptive Analgesia in a Rat Model for ostoperative Pain / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Pretreatment of systemic ketamine reduced pain behaviors in some animal models with persistent pain. However, a clinically relevant preemptive analgeisic effect of systemic ketamine is controversial. The purpose of this study was to examine the preemptive effect of systemic ketamine in rats undergoing a plantar incision. METHODS: Ketamine (10, 30, or 100 mg/kg) or a saline vehicle was administered subcutaneously 30 minutes before an incision was made. Withdrawal thresholds to calibrated von Frey filaments adjacent to the wound were measured before incision and from 2 hours to postoperative 6 days after incision. To evaluate the effectiveness of an extension of antinociceptive treatment into the initial postoperative period, 30 mg/kg ketamine or a saline vehicle 30 minutes before an incision was made was administered subcutaneously followed by injection of 5 more of the same drug or vehicle every 1 hour. The development of pain behavior was also evaluated before incision and from 30 minutes after last drug injection to postoperative 6 days. RESULTS: In saline vehicle-treated rats, mechanical hyperalgesia was persistent through day 1 after surgery and then gradually returned to the preincisional value. Thirty mg/kg ketamine increased the withdrawal threshold at 2 hours. One hundred mg/kg ketamine caused a motor block at 2 hours and increased the withdrawal threshold at 2.5 and 3 hours. A repeated injection of 30 mg/kg ketamine caused a motor block during the first 2 hours, and reduced hyperalgesia at 3 and 4 hours after the last drug injection. However, there were no significant differences in withdrawal thresholds among the groups at all subsequent times. CONCLUSIONS: Antinociceptive treatment of systemic ketamine covers the period of surgery and the initial postoperative period by reducing early pain behavior, but had no impact on subsequent measures of hyperalgesia. Therefore, a preemptive effect of systemic ketamine in postoperative pain seems unlikely.

Clinical Outcome of Surgical Treatment with Instrumentation and Fusion in the Management of the Thoracolumbar Injured Patients

The goals of operation for unstable thoracolumbar spine injuries are decompression of any neural canal compression, restoration of normal anatomic contour of the spine and stabilization. A retrospective analysis on 64 thoracolumbar injured patients treated with internal instrumentation and fusion was performed from January 1991 to December 1996. The purpose of this study was to review the clinical outcome and efficacy of surgical treatment using internal instrumentation, and compare neurological, radiological and functional outcomes between anterior and posterior approach groups. Of these, 42 patients were operated via on posterior approaches and the other 22 patients by anterior approaches. At final follow up evaluation with mean period of 14.5 months, 50 patients(78%) were walking and 47 patients(92%) except 4 patients(A-A, three and C-C one patient) had improved using Frankel's grade in patients with neurological deficits(51 patients). No patient deteriorated. Radiological and functional outcomes were satisfactory in the majority of patients. In a comparison of the clinical outcomes between anterior and posterior approaches, there was no statistically significant difference in neurological outcome(the mean value of up-grade: anterior 1.05+/-.7, posterior 0.95+/-.9, p=0.42), but in radiological outcomes, there were no significant differences between the two groups in amount of restoration of vertebral compression(mean recovery rate: anterior 61.5%, posterior 50.9%), kyphotic deformity(mean recovery rate: anterior 47.9%, posterior 70.0%)(p>0.05), but the only difference was in the restoration of canal narrowing, with the anterior group more improved(recovery rate: anterior 86.4%, posterior 74.3%) (p<0.05). In functional outcomes by Prolo's scale, the anterior group was better than the posterior group(mean economic and functional status: anterior E(4.4), F(4.3); posterior E(3.5),F(3.9)). We conclude that agressive decompression, instrumentation and bone fusion has shown better clinical outcomes of the unstable thoracolumbar injured patients and the choice of surgical approaches depends on the general condition, age, status of bone mineral density, specific injury mechanism, radiological findings, and grade of neural injury at the time of injury of these patients.

Scalp Defect, Injuries of Skull and Brain Parenchyme Caused by High Voltage Electrical Burn: A Case Report

The authors describe a case of accidental eletrical injury from high voltage direct current in a young worker, who was struck by the electric shock in the left occipito-parietal region. This case is interesting due to the development of left ooccipito-parietal parenchymal brain lesion with transient anomic aphasia and visual disturbances. We believe that is first report on parenchymal brain injury due to high voltage electrical burn confirmed pathologically in Korea. The patient had full thickness scalp defect, skull necrosis, and parenchymal brain injury. We performed one stage brain and dural biopsy with split rib graft cranioplasty after removal of devitalized skull and scalp flap surgery. The clinical presentation, radiological, pathological finding, and outcome are reviewed.