Risk Factors for Delirium after Spine Surgery in Elderly Patients

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative delirium is a common complication in the elderly after surgery but few papers have reported after spinal surgery. We analyzed various risk factors for postoperative delirium after spine surgery. METHODS: Between May 2012 and September 2013, 70 patients over 60 years of age were examined. The patients were divided into two groups : Group A with delirium and Group B without delirium. Cognitive function was examined with the Mini-Mental State Examination-Korea (MMSE-K), Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) and Global Deterioration Scale (GDS). Information was also obtained on the patients' education level, underlying diseases, duration of hospital stay and laboratory findings. Intraoperative assessment included Bispectral index (BIS), type of surgery or anesthesia, blood pressure, fluid balance, estimated blood loss and duration of surgery. RESULTS: Postoperative delirium developed in 17 patients. The preoperative scores for the MMSE, CDR, and GDS in Group A were 19.1+/-5.4, 0.9+/-0.6, and 3.3+/-1.1. These were significantly lower than those of Group B (25.6+/-3.4, 0.5+/-0.2, and 2.1+/-0.7) (p<0.05). BIS was lower in Group A (30.2+/-6.8 compared to 35.4+/-5.6 in group B) (p<0.05). The number of BIS <40 were 5.1+/-3.1 times in Group A, 2.5+/-2.2 times in Group B (p<0.01). In addition, longer operation time and longer hospital stay were risk factors. CONCLUSION: Precise analysis of risk factors for postoperative delirium seems to be more important in spinal surgery because the surgery is not usually expected to have an effect on brain function. Although no risk factors specific to spinal surgery were identified, the BIS may represent a valuable new intraoperative predictor of the risk of delirium.

Multiple Spontaneous Simultaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhages

Simultaneous occurrence of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in different arterial territories is an uncommon event. We report on two cases of multiple spontaneous simultaneous ICH for which we could find no specific cause. A 73-year-old man, with no related medical history, was admitted to the hospital with simultaneous bithalamic ICH, and subsequently died of recurrent pneumonia. Second patient was a 60-year-old man who presented with simultaneous ICH in the pons and thalamus; he died of recurrent bleeding. We review the possible pathological mechanisms, clinical and radiologic features of simultaneous multiple ICH.

Mucin - secreting Villous Adenoma of The Common Hepatic Duct Causing Mucoid Biliary Obstruction / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Obstructive jaundice of the bile duct resulting from tumor-producing copious, thick mucin, causing ductal obstruction and dilatation, has been reported very rarely. Also, the benign bile duct neoplasm is extremely rare. We report a case of a mucin-secreting villous adenoma of common hepatic duct causing obstructive jaundice and cholangitis. The patient was a 72-year-old male and had a 3 yeared history of common hepatic mass unchanged remarkably in size. The abdominal ultrasonogram and computed tomography revealed well circumscribed, more than 2cm sized mass on the CHD and ductal dilatation. We were able to get an interesting cholangioram showing irregular, nodular, ill defined filling defect in the extrahepatic bile duct, different from US and CT findings, And it was just caused by thick, copious mucin from the tumar. This case was confirmed as mucin-secreting villous adenoma after surgery.

A Case of Congenital Arteriovenous Fistula at Left Subclavian Artery Accompanied by Notching on Superior Aspect of Rib

High output heart failure due to congenital arteriovenous fistula is a rare disease and is difficult to treat. A 27 year old man, suffering from dyspnea, palpitation, lower extremity edema, and abdominal distension admitted May, 1987. At admission there were continuous thrill and bruit at left supraclavicular and infraclavicular area. The heart sound was irregular and rapid, and grade IV/VI pansystolic murmur was audible at the apex. Chest PA showed marked cardiomegaly with pleural effusion and notching at superior aspect of left 2nd rib. Selective left subclavian artery angiogram showed extensive congenital arteriovenous fistula at the area of left subclavian artery and its branches. After setrial feeding artery embolization and palliative operation, the fistula size decreased much with clinical improvement.