Ultrasound-guided pudendal nerve pulsed radiofrequency in patients with refractory pudendal neuralgia: Three cases report

Pudendal neuralgia is characterized by severe sharp pain along the innervation area of pudendal nerve, which may be worsened when sitting position. Successful pudendal nerve block is crucial to the diagnosis of pudendal neuralgia. Although fluoroscopy-guided pudendal nerve blocks have traditionally been performed, recently ultrasound-guided pudendal nerve blocks were reported. For the long term effect of nerve block, pulsed radiofrequency was performed under fluoroscopic guidance in some reports. We report our successful experiences of three cases using ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency.

Laryngoscope-Assisted Fiberoptic Intubation in General Anesthesia : A report of 2 cases / 대한마취과학회지

Fiberoptic intubation is an important method of tracheal intubation, especially in patients with difficult airway. As fiberoptic bronchoscopy relies on clear airspace ahead of the fiberscope tip, increasing airway obstruction may cause increasing difficulty. A clear airway that allows the passage of the fiberscope is usually present in awake patients, whereas in anesthetized patients the airspace in the oropharynx is reduced; the soft palate, base of tongue and epiglottis may be applied to the posterior pharyngeal wall due to the reduction in muscle tone. Hence, fiberoptic intubation may be difficult in anesthetized patients, and maneuvers to open the airway may be required. We report a simple and useful two-person intubation technique that uses the fiberoptic bronchoscope and conventional laryngoscope, which facilitated tracheal intubation in patients who had unanticipated difficult intubation.

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.

Hemodynamic Analysis of Coronary Circulation in Angulated Coronary Stenosis Following Stenting

The present study in angulated coronary stenosis used human in vivo hemodynamic parameters and computed simulation, both qualitatively and qualitatively, to evaluate the influence of flow velocity and wall shear stress (WSS) on coronary atherosclerosis, the changes of hemodynamic indices following coronary stenting, and their effect on evolving in-stent restenosis. Initial and follow-up coronary angiographies in patients with angulated coronary stenosis were performed (n=60). The optimal degree of coronary stenting for angulated coronary stenosis had two models, the less than 50% angle changed group (model 1, n=33) and the more than 50% angle changed group (model 2, n=27). This angle change was based on the percentage change of vascular angle between pre- and post-intracoronary stenting. The flow-velocity wave obtained from in vivo intracoronary Doppler study data was used for in vitro numerical simulation. Spatial and temporal patterns of the flow-velocity vector and recirculation area were drawn throughout the selected segment of coronary models. WSS of pre- and post-intracoronary stenting was calculated from three-dimensional computer simulation. As results, follow-up coronary angiogram demonstrated significant difference in the percentage of diameter stenosis between the two groups (group 1: 40.3 +/- 30.2 vs. group 2: 25.5 +/- 22.5%, p < 0.05). Negative shear area on 3D simulation, which is consistent with the re-circulation area of flow vector, was noted on the inner wall of the post-stenotic area before stenting. The negative WSS disappeared after stenting. High spatial and temporal WSS before stenting fell within the range of physiologic WSS after stenting. This finding was more prominent in model 2 (p < 0.01). The present study suggests that hemodynamic forces exerted by pulsatile coronary circulation, termed WSS, might affect the evolution of atherosclerosis within the angulated vascular curvature. Moreover, geometric characteristics, such as the angular difference between pre- and post- intracoronary stenting might define optimal rheologic properties for vascular repair after stenting.

A Case of Endoscopically Removed Duodenal Carcinoid Tumor / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Primary carcinoid tumor of duodenum are rare, Usually, small duodenal carcinoid tumors are often discovered endoscopically. Most of these tumors are asymptomatic, but in rare cases, jaundice, hemorrhage, duodenal obstruction, or carcinoid syndrome were apparent. Uaually, the recommended treatment is surgical or endoscopic excision of the tumor. We experienced a case of carcinoid tumor of duodenu in 53 year-old women. A 53-year-old female patient was admitted to our hospital because of epigastric discomfort and indigestion. On the gastrofiberscopic examination, 0.9 cm sized polypoid mass with central umblication was noted on the duodenall bulb. The biopsy specimen showed carcinoid cells. She was treated with endoscopic polypectomy.

A Case Report of Cystic Lymphangioma of Colon / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Lymphangioma is a benign tumor of lymphatic origin. Lymphangioma can occur anywhere in the body and only rarely affects the intestinal tract. Most intestinal lymphangiomas are asymptomatic and detected incidentally at autopsy or surgery. Occasionally, they may be large enough to present as a mass to cause obstruction or intussusception. Recently, we examined a case of a 27-year-old woman who complained right upper quadrant abdominal pain, increased bowel sound and weight loss. By surgical resection after the double contrast barium enema and colonoscopy, we could confirm cystic lymphangioma of the transverse colon. So we report this case with brief review of relevant literature.