Pulsed Radiofrequency Application for the Treatment of Pain Secondary to Sacroiliac Joint Metastases

Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain can result from degeneration, infection, malignancy, and trauma. Patients with metastatic bone pain who do not respond to conventional treatment may need more aggressive neuroinvasive approaches. Recently, pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) neuromodulation has emerged as a promising treatment alternative for refractory cases of SI joint pain. Nevertheless, there is no report on the treatment of pain arising from SI joint metastases with PRF. We are reporting about a 63-year-old woman suffering from buttock pain due to breast cancer metastases in the SI joint. We treated this patient with PRF neuromodulation of the L4-S3 primary dorsal rami and lateral branches using a rotating curved needle technique. The patient tolerated the procedures well, without any complications. She experienced about 70% reduction in pain, and pain relief was sustained for 10 months. This result suggests that PRF neuromodulation is a safe, effective treatment for pain from SI joint metastases.

Patient Preference and Satisfaction with Their Involvement in the Selection of an Anesthetic Method for Surgery

This prospective study aimed to evaluate the satisfaction of patients who participated in the decision-making process for selecting an anesthesia method for surgery; the patients' preferred role (active, collaborative or passive) in the decision-making; and the patients' preferred choice of anesthetic method. The study included 257 patients scheduled for simple elective surgeries involving the upper or lower extremities. During the preanesthetic visit, patients were informed regarding two methods of anesthesia for their surgeries, and participated in selecting one option. Of the 257 patients, 69.6% preferred a collaborative role, 18.3% and 12.1% preferred an active and a passive role, respectively. Among patients requiring surgery on an upper extremity and on a lower extremity, 64.3% and 51.3% expressed a preference for general anesthesia over regional anesthesia, respectively. After surgery, the majority of our patients were satisfied (93.4%) and felt respected (97.7%). Furthermore, the patients expressed a change in preference for assuming an active role (49.4%) and a collaborative role (43.6%) in the decision-making process for their future anesthesia needs. This study may help to promote patient centered care in a department of anesthesiology.

Esophageal misplacement of a single-lumen tube after its exchange for a double-lumen tube despite the use of an airway-exchange catheter

An airway-exchange catheter [AEC] can increase the safety of exchanges of endotracheal tubes [ETTs]; however, the procedure is associated with potential risks. We describe a case of esophageal misplacement of a single-lumen ETT after switching from a double-lumen tube, despite the use of an AEC as a guidewire. To avoid this, physicians should consider the insertion depth and maintenance depth of the AEC and should verify its position before changing ETTs and should perform, if possible, with simultaneous visualization of the glottis with direct or video laryngoscopy during the exchange. Additionally, the new ETT position should be confirmed by auscultation, end-tidal carbon dioxide, and portable chest X-ray

Effect of Pulsed Radiofrequency Neuromodulation on Clinical Improvements in the Patients of Chronic Intractable Shoulder Pain

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate effect of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) neuromodulation of suprascpaular nerve (SSN) in patients with chronic shoulder pain due to adhesive capsulitis and/or rotator cuff tear. METHODS: The study included 11 patients suffering from chronic shoulder pain for at least 6 months who were diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis (n=4), rotator cuff tear (n=5), or adhesive capsulitis+rotator cuff tear (n=2) using shoulder magnetic resonance imaging or extremity ultrasonography. After a favorable response to a diagnostic suprascapular nerve block twice a week (pain improvement >50%), PRF neuromodulation was performed. Shoulder pain and quality of life were assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) before the diagnostic block and every month after PRF neuromodulation over a 9-month period. RESULTS: The mean VAS score of 11 patients before PRF was 6.4+/-1.49, and the scores at 6-month and 9 month follow-up were 1.0+/-0.73 and 1.5+/-1.23, respectively. A significant pain reduction (p<0.001) was observed. The mean OSS score of 11 patients before PRF was 22.7+/-8.1, and the scores at 6-month and 9 month follow-up were 41.5+/-6.65 and 41.0+/-6.67, respectively. A significant OSS improvement (p<0.001) was observed. CONCLUSION: PRF neuromodulation of the suprascapular nerve is an effective treatment for chronic shoulder pain, and the effect was sustained over a relatively long period in patients with medically intractable shoulder pain.

Anesthetic management of an adolescent with Dandy-Walker syndrome / 대한마취과학회지

No abstract available.

Shearing of an intrathecal catheter during insertion for cerebrospinal fluid drainage / 대한마취과학회지

No abstract available.

Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting after Myringoplasty under Continuous Sedation Using Midazolam with or without Remifentanil

PURPOSE: This prospective study evaluated the effects of continuous sedation using midazolam, with or without remifentanil, on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing myringoplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing myringoplasty were sedated with midazolam in the presence of remifentanil (group MR), or after saline injection instead of remifentanil (group M). RESULTS: Three patients (10%) in group M complained of nausea; two vomited. Four patients (13%) in group MR complained of nausea and vomited within 24 h after surgery. Rescue drugs were given to the six patients who vomited. No significant difference was detected between the two groups regarding the incidence or severity of nausea, incidence of vomiting, or need for rescue drugs. CONCLUSION: Midazolam-based continuous sedation can reduce PONV after myringoplasty. Compared with midazolam alone, midazolam with remifentanil produced no difference in the incidence or severity of nausea, incidence of vomiting, or need for rescue drugs.

Right axillary vein thrombosis due to malpositioning of a central venous catheter via the internal jugular vein / 대한마취과학회지

No abstract available.

Percutaneous aspiration of lumbar zygapophyseal joint synovial cyst under fluoroscopic guidance: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

A 51-year-old man with a 1-month history of lower back pain and radiating pain visited to our pain clinic. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan demonstrated a cyst like mass at the level of the L4-5 interspace and compression of the thecal sac and the nerve root on the right side. We performed percutaneous needle aspiration of the lumbar zygapophyseal joint synovial cyst under fluoroscopic guidance. The patient felt an immediate relief of symptoms after the aspiration, and had no signs or symptoms of recurrence at the follow-up 6 months later. No demonstrable lesion was found in the 6 months follow-up MRI.

Difficult tracheostomy tube placement in an obese patient with a short neck: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

We report a difficult case of tracheostomy in a 34-year-old obese woman with a short neck. The tracheostomy tube placement repeatedly failed because of anatomical changes due to obesity and a short neck, tracheal mucosal swelling due to prolonged intubation, and unexpected false passage; however, it was successfully performed using an endotracheal tube exchanger as a guidewire.

Cooperation with anesthesiologists for acute airway management in the emergency department: A case report

Airway management in the emergency department is one of the most important responsibilities of the emergency physician and often involves cooperation with anesthesiologists and trauma surgeons. A 21-year-old woman was transferred to our emergency department for urgent trauma management following a motor vehicle accident. Her face was severely edematous, and her lower maxilla, including the alveoli, was separated from the upper maxilla. She was diagnosed with a Le Fort I fracture with a basal skull fracture. She also had epistaxis and oral bleeding. Her airway was difficult to manage; however, our trauma team, including anesthesiologists, managed her airway successfully in the emergency room.

Remifentanil-Propofol Sedation as an Ambulatory Anesthesia for Carpal Tunnel Release

OBJECTIVE: This prospective study evaluated the use of continuous sedation using propofol and remifentanil when carpal tunnel release (CTR) was performed under local anesthesia. METHODS: We sedated 60 patients undergoing CTR using local anesthesia with remifentanil at loading and continuous doses of 0.5 microg kg(-1) and 0.05 microg kg(-1)min(-1), respectively, and propofol, using a target controlled infusion (TCI) pump set to a target of 2 microg mL(-1) (group A), or with the same drug doses except that the continuous remifentanil dose was 0.07 microg kg(-1)min(-1) (group B) or 0.1 microg kg-1min-1 (group C). RESULTS: In group B, the levels of pain when local anesthetics were administered (p = 0.001), intraoperative pain (p < 0.001) and anxiety (p = 0.001) were significantly lower than those of group A. Furthermore, the incidence of adverse events, including desaturation (p < 0.001) and vomiting (p = 0.043), was significantly lower in group B than in group C. CONCLUSION: Continuous sedation using an appropriate dose of remifentanil and propofol can be used as safe, efficacious ambulatory anesthesia in cases of CTR under local anesthesia, performed using only 2 mL of local anesthetic, with a high degree of patient satisfaction.

Acute, fatal postoperative myocardial infarction after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a cardiac patient: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

This report presents the case of a 63-year-old man who had a myocardial infarction leading to coronary artery bypass graft 2 years earlier who subsequently underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. After an uneventful operation, the patient developed an acute postoperative myocardial infarction in the recovery room and died 19 days postoperatively. Anesthesiologists should be aware of the rare possibility of acute, fatal postoperative myocardial infarction and consider this complication when they perform the preoperative risk evaluation, anesthesia, and postoperative care for cardiac patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.

Rami Communicans Nerve Block for the Treatment of Symptomatic Schmorl's Nodes: A Case Report

Histologically, Schmorl's nodes are defined as the loss of nuclear material through the cartilage plate, growth plate, and end plate into the vertebral body. Most Schmorl's nodes are asymptomatic, although there are some reports of symptomatic Schmorl's nodes, which should be treated similarly to vertebral compression fractures, with conservative treatment as the first choice. We report the case that we reduced the pain by blocking the ramus communicans nerve in a patient with Schmorl's node.

Recurrent spinal myoclonus after two episodes of spinal anesthesia at a 1-year interval: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Spinal myoclonus is an unusual, self-limiting, adverse event that may occur during spinal anesthesia. The exact cause and underlying biochemical mechanism of spinal myoclonus remain unclear. A few cases of spinal myoclonus have been reported after administration of intrathecal bupivacaine. We report a case in which spinal myoclonus recurred after two episodes of spinal anesthesia with bupivacaine at a 1-year interval in a 35-year-old woman. The myoclonus was acute and transient. The patient recovered completely, with no neurologic sequelae.

A comparative study on the analgesic effect of continuous intraarticular infusion with ropivacaine, ropivacaine/fentanyl and ropivacaine/fentanyl/ketorolac after arthroscopic shoulder surgery / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Arthroscopic shoulder surgery can result in severe postoperative pain. A variety of methods have been used to control pain in postoperative period and the results are variable. The purpose of this study was to compare the relative analgesic efficacies of the postoperative intraarticular infusion of ropivacaine, ropivacaine/fentanyl, and ropivacaine/fentanyl/ketorolac after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. METHODS: Thirty patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery under general anesthesia were randomly assigned to three groups. At the end of surgery, 0.5% ropivacaine 20 ml was infused into the articular space and a continuous infusion catheter was inserted into intraarticular operated site. After surgery, continuous infusion of 0.5% ropivacaine 100 ml (Group 1, n = 10), 0.5% ropivacaine 100 ml including fentanyl 10 microg/kg (Group 2, n = 10), or 0.5% ropivacaine 100 ml including fentanyl 10 microgram/kg and ketorolac 150 mg (Group 3, n = 10) was started through catheter at rate of 2 ml/hr with bolus dose of 0.5 ml with a lock out time of 15 minutes for 2 days. The level of pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) postoperative 2, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours and the amounts of supplemental analgesics were recorded. RESULTS: The VAS was significantly lower after 2, 6, 12 hours in Group 2 than in Group 1. In Group 3, the VAS was significantly lower all hours than in the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of fentanyl and ketorolac with ropivacaine did provide better postoperative analgesia than the other groups after arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Unilateral phrenic nerve block guided by ultrasonography and nerve stimulator for the treatment of hiccup developed after tongue cancer operation: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Hiccups are common benign and usually transient phenomenon that occur in nearly everyone. However, persistent or intractable hiccups can cause multiple problems including malnutrition, weight loss, fatigue, dehydration, insomnia, and wound dehiscence. We have experienced a case of postoperative persistent hiccup. The patient was formerly diagnosed tongue cancer and developed persistent hiccup after partial glossectomy with modified radical neck dissection and a radial forearm free-flap operation. He was unsuccessfully managed using pharmacologic methods, and then we tried phrenic nerve block guided by ultrasonography and a nerve stimulator because the surface anatomy of neck was deformed by the previous operation. Thirty minutes after the block, the hiccups disappeared.

The Perspectives on Development of Korean Quality Measurement Tools for Geriatric Hospitals

The payment system such as national long term care insurance for the elderly and per diem rate for geriatric hospitals introduced in 2008 has greatly changed the Korean medical system for the elderly. Therefore, today it would be inevitable to discuss quality assessment of healthcare services provided by nursing facilities and geriatric hospitals in order to effectively establish and operate the introduced systems. Under these circumstances, in an effort to provide elderly people with high-quality medical services with limited resources, it is believed that the quality indicators need to include the following: (1) provision and management of medical services for major health problems; (2) assessment of quality of life for residents; (3) assessment of ADL and rehabilitation services so as to maintain and improve functions; (4) assessment of convenience of living facilities; and (5) assessment of rate of potential avoidable hospitalization in acute care hospitals. Moreover, along with an effort to define roles of nursing facilities and geriatric hospitals, it would be necessary to set up the feasible stepwise strategy through discussions with relevant institutions.