Effect of Hot Steam Inhalation on Microcirculation of Nasal Mucosa

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Nasal inhalation of hot humidified air may alleviate nasal symptoms associated with rhinologic disease. Thus, hot steam inhalation is often recommended as a home remedy for various nasal disorders such as the common cold and allergic rhinitis. But the mechanism of its effect is not fully known and correct guidelines for implementing hot steam inhalation have not been settled. We studied microcirculation of nasal mucosa using the nasal Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) in ten healthy subjects in order to evaluate normal physiologic reactions to hot steam. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 10 healthy volunteers inhaled hot steam (about 42degrees C) 10 times, 20 times, 30 times, 50 times and 100 times respectively. Nasal LDF was then performed using a Peiflux 4001 (Perimed, Jartalla, Sweden) and the microcirculatory parameters perfusion, velocity, and concentration were each recorded at base line immediately, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes and 120 minutes after hot steam inhalation. RESULT: Microcirculatory perfusion was highest at 15 minutes after hot steam inhalation regardless of how many times inhalation occurred. It was found that at 15 minutes, there was a significant increase of microcirculatory perfusion in subjects inhaling 50 times and 100 times (p<0.05). But, at 120 minutes, significant increase of microcirculatory perfusion was only seen in subjects inhaling 100 times (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: After inhalation of hot steam, an increased microcirculatory perfusion of nasal mucosa was registered. Up to inhaling of 100 times, it leads to effective increasement of microcirculation of nasal mucosa.

One Case of Displacement of Copper - T IUD into Urinary Bladder / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Uterine perforation is a serious complication in users of intrauterine devices for contraception. Authors encountered one case of displacement of Copper-T IVD into urinary blpossibly due to uterine perforation on insertion of the Copper-T IUD in a 28 year old 1-multipara, who experienced normal intrauterine pregnancy in the circumstances. This patient was in silent, asymptomatic condition and underwent cesarean section. And Copper-T IUD was removed under the cystotomy. So we report one case with brief review of literatures

A Case of Placenta Previa-Percreta Treated with Methotrexate Treatment / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Placenta previa-percreta is a rare but highly morbid condition usually diagnosed clinically, intraoperatively. The cause of placenta accreta is considered to be deficient decidualization and absence of the fibrinous layer of Nitabuch. The condition is usually, but not always, seen in women having previous trauma, eg, cesarean section, manual removal of placenta, or curettage. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) might allow antepartum diagnosis of the this condition. Management included cesarean supracervical hysterectomy and bilateral hypogastric arterial ligation, and adjuvant methotrexate administration. We experienced a case of placenta previa percreta at 40 weeks gestational age. Here we present the case with brief review of literature.