Analysis of the Effect of Intralesional Steroid Injection on the Voice During Laryngeal Microsurgery

Background and Objectives@#Vocal fold (VF) scar is known to be the most common cause of dysphonia after laryngeal microsurgery (LMS). Steroids reduce postoperative scar formation by inhibiting inflammation and collagen deposition. However, the clinical evidence of whether steroids are helpful in reducing VF scar formation after LMS is still lacking. The purpose of this study is to determine whether intralesional VF steroid injection after LMS helps to reduce postoperative scar formation and voice quality.Materials and Method This study was conducted on 80 patients who underwent LMS for VF polyp, Reinke’s edema, and leukoplakia. Among them, 40 patients who underwent VF steroid injection after LMS were set as the injection group, and patients who had similar sex, age, and lesion size and who underwent LMS alone were set as the control group. In each group, stroboscopy, multi-dimensional voice program, Aerophone II, and voice handicap index (VHI) were performed before and 1 month after surgery, and the results were statistically analyzed. @*Results@#There were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of sex, age, symptom duration, occupation and smoking status between each group. Both groups consisted of VF polyp (n=21), Reinke’s edema (n=11), and leukoplakia (n=9). On stroboscopy, the lesion disappeared after surgery, and the amplitude and mucosal wave were symmetrical on both sides of the VFs in all patients. Acoustic parameters and VHI significantly improved after surgery in all patients. However, there was no significant difference between the injection and control group in most of the results. @*Conclusion@#There was no significant difference in the results of stroboscopy, acoustic, aerodynamic, and subjective evaluation before and after surgery in the injection group and the control group.

A Case of Pathologic Crying, Delusion and Memory Impairment Due to Hemorrhage in the Right Basal Ganglia / 대한뇌졸중학회지

Gradual decline in cognitive function and behavioral changes are characteristic in degenerative dementia. Although acute to subacute subcortical lesion can affect behavior and cognition, few reports have described both cognitive and behavioral deficits in patients with right basal ganglia lesion. An 82-year-old man presented with memory impairment, pathological crying, delusion and other psychological symptoms that developed insidiously over the previous 2 months. Initially, the patient had been diagnosed with degenerative dementia, but brain MRI showed the hematoma in the right basal ganglia. Our case shows that cognitive dysfunction, behavioral and psychological symptoms including pathological laughing and delusion can be developed concurrently by the lesion of the right basal ganglia. Our case suggests that cerebrovascular disease should be considered in elderly patients presenting with subacute cognitive and behavioral deterioration, even when there were no other neurological signs.

Serum cystatin C level is a useful marker for the evaluation of renal function in patients with cirrhotic ascites and normal serum creatinine levels / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Several studies suggested that serum cystatin C (CysC) is more useful than serum creatinine (Cr) for the assessment of renal function in patients with liver cirrhosis. This study evaluated the clinical significance of CysC in patients with cirrhotic ascites and normal Cr level. METHODS: We enrolled patients with cirrhotic ascites and a normal serum Cr level (<1.2 mg/dL). GFR was measured by 99mTc-DTPA renal scan. Serum Cr, CysC, and Cr clearance (CCr) were measured on the same day. Significant renal impairment and severe renal impairment were defined as GFR <60 mL/min and GFR <30 mL/min, respectively. RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients with cirrhotic ascites were enrolled in the study (63 men and 26 women; age, 55+/-11 years). Forty-seven (52.8%) and 42 (47.2%) patients were in Child-Pugh grade B and C, respectively. Serum Cr and CysC levels and GFR were 0.8+/-0.2 mg/dL, 1.1+/-0.3 mg/L, and 73.4+/-25.5 mL/min, respectively. Significant and severe renal impairment were noted in 28 (31.5%) and 2 (2.2%) patients, respectively. GFR was well correlated with serum Cr, CysC, and e-GFRMDRD, while it was not correlated with e-GFRC&G. In multivariate analysis, only CysC was significantly correlated with GFR (beta, 45.620; 95% CI, 23.042-68.198; P<0.001). Serum CysC level was the only independent predictor for significant renal impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Significant renal dysfunction was not rare in patients with cirrhotic ascites, even their serum Cr level is normal. Serum CysC is a useful marker for detecting significant renal dysfunction in these patients.

Recurrent Vertigo Episodes due to Sick Sinus Syndrome / 대한평형의학회지

Vertigo due to primary cardiac disease, known as cardiogenic vertigo, has been rarely reported. We report one case showing recurrent vertigo episodes due to sick sinus syndrome. A 77-year-old female presented to our department because of long history of intermittent brief episodes of rotatory vertigo and non-vertiginous dizziness. She had no past medical history. There was no abnormal sign in neurological examination. Cardiac murmur, finally confirmed as grade 4 ejection systolic and grade 3 decrescendo diastolic murmurs, was found on physical examination. Brain magnetic resonance imaging and auditory evoked potential did not show any abnormal findings. She was consulted to a cardiologist for the evaluation of cardiac murmur. After the evaluation using electrocardiogram, echocardiography, and holter monitoring, she was diagnosed as sick sinus syndrome. After then, a ventricle ventricle inhibited (VVI) pacemaker was inserted. She did not complain of vertigo and dizziness for 3 months after the insertion of a VVI pacemaker. This case shows the need of auscultation for patients with recurrent vertigo episodes although there is rare cardiogenic vertigo.

A Case of a Removal of Pyloric Stent That Was Partially Embeded in the Mucosa after Temporary Stenting for the Benign Pyloric Stenosis and It Was Removed Using Argon Plasma Coagulation / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Generally, self expandable metallic stents (SEMSs) are widely used for the treatment of malignant gastrointestinal stenosis due to their effectiveness and low complication rate. On the contraty, balloon dilatation or Bougie dilatation is commonly used for treating benign gastrointestinal stenosis as non-invasive methods. However, their such complications such as recurrence, hemorrhage and perforation are problematic when these dilation techniques are used. Temporary placement of a SEMS in a benign gastric outlet obstruction is expected to be a promising therapeutic modality despite of several major complications such as migration. Rarely, stent removal can, on rare occasions, be difficult or cause bleeding or perforation when the stent is embeded in the mucosa due to mucosal hyperplasia at the tips of the stent. We report here on a case of a stent, partially embeded in the mucosa after temporary stenting for treating a benign pyloric stenosis, which was successfully removed using argon plasma coagulation.

Cerebral Infarction During Sexual Intercourse

Paradoxical embolism after the Valsalva maneuver can cause ischemic stroke in patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO). A 27-year-old woman presented with abnormal movement of the right arm and aphasia. Brain imaging showed acute infarction in the left frontal lobe and segmental steno-occlusion in the left middle cerebral artery. A PFO study demonstrated air embolic signals in the middle cerebral artery. This case of embolic stroke occurred during sexual intercourse, probably related to the Valsalva maneuver, in a patient with PFO.

A Bezoar That Caused Afferent Loop Syndrome and Pancreatitis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Bezoars are conglomerates of nondigestible matter in the gastrointestinal tract that may or may not be accompanied by gastrointestinal manifestations. Bezoars develop in patients with previous gastric surgery or in those patients with delayed gastric emptying that is due to gastroparesis caused by hypothyroidism or diabetes mellitus. Small bowel obstruction due to a gastric bezoar is rare, but it can lead to severe complications such as intestinal perforation, compression necrosis etc. A female patient came to our department complaining of upper abdominal pain and she was diagnosed as having a bezoar that was causing afferent loop syndrome and pancreatitis. We attempted to manage the patient by inserting a nasogastric tube, performing gastrofibroscopy and implementing percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, but the patient's condition worsened and deteriorated into a septic condition. An operation was planned, but the patient showed improvement owing to the migration of the bezoar. Herein, we report on a case of afferent loop syndrome due to bezoar and this was complicated by acute pancreatitis.

A Case of a Submucosal Ganglioneuroma of the Ampulla of Vater That Was Treated by Endoscopic Resection / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Submucosal tumors in the gastrointestinal tract are covered with a mucous membrane such as the surrounding tissue. Therefore, the use of endoscopic biopsy to diagnose submucosal tumors is not as effective as that for epithelial tumors. Although imaging tools such as ultrasonography or computed tomography have made great advances, it is still difficult to diagnose submucosal tumors before resection. The surgical resection of tumors is the most accurate diagnostic method, yet less invasive endoscopic resection has been preferred in recent years. We report herein on a rare case of ganglionueroma arising from the Ampulla of Vater and this lesion was incidentally found during performance of routine esohagogastroduodenoscopy. The lesion was diagnosed as a ganglioneuroma, and it was successfully removed through endoscopic resection.

A case of acute cholestatic hepatitis induced by Corydalis speciosa Max / 대한간학회지

Herbs are widely used as treatments for various symptoms. However, several herbs have been reported to be inducers of liver injury. We report herein a case of hepatotoxicity induced by Corydalis speciosa Max. A 37-year-old male complained of jaundice and mild abdominal discomfort. A thorough history was taken, and laboratory investigation, diagnostic imaging studies, and percutaneous liver biopsy sampling were conducted to determine the cause of liver injury. An accurate cause was not revealed. We administered supportive management for acute cholestatic hepatitis of unknown origin, after which his symptoms disappeared and serum aminotransferase levels decreased gradually to near normal levels. However, at 2 months after discharge, the symptoms and the elevation of aminotransferase levels recurred. At that time he told us that he had repeatedly but unintentionally eaten a herb called "Hwang-geun cho"(Corydalis speciosa Max.). Thus, we diagnosed his case as herbal hepatotoxicity.

Entropy Monitoring Allowed Lower Sevoflurane Concentration and Shorter Recovery Time in Sevoflurane Anesthesia / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Monitoring of anesthetic depth is important for successful general anesthesia, yet no such a monitor is widespread. Recently, anesthesia-monitoring device based on time-frequency balanced spectral entropy of electroencephalogram monitoring was developed and available in clinical practices. This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of this monitor on the consumption of anesthetic drugs and recovery time in general inhalational anesthesia. METHODS: Patients scheduled for elective operation under inhalational anesthesia were randomly allocated to entropy (E) group (with entropy monitoring) or non-entropy (NE) group (without entropy monitoring). Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane, air, and remifentanil in all patients. In E group, the concentration of sevoflurane was adjusted to keep the state entropy (SE) value between 40 and 60. The concentration of sevoflurane in NE group was controlled to keep heart rate and blood pressure within +/- 20% of the baseline value without the information of SE. After the operation, entropy values, end-tidal sevoflurane concentration, and recovery time were compared with each other. RESULTS: A total of 60 patients were studied. Entropy values were higher during anesthesia period in the E group (P < 0.05). Consequently, mean end-tidal sevoflurane concentration was lower in the E group during anesthesia period (P < 0.05). And all recovery time was shorter in the E group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Entropy monitoring assisted titration of sevoflurane, as indicated by higher entropy values, decreased mean end-tidal sevoflurane concentration, and shorter recovery times in the entropy group.

The Symptom Expression and the Illness Behavior of North Korean Defectors: Toward an Effective Therapeutic Relationships

BACKGROUND: The North Korean defectors are suffering from multiple psychologic and physical health problems. However, because of their emotional maladaptation, noncooperation and suspiciousness and distrust toward others, it is difficult for South Korean doctors to build effective therapeutic relationships with them. Therefore, we made efforts to clarify the characteristics of North Korean defectors in symptom expressions and illness behaviors which would help South Korean doctors to gain rapport. METHODS: We performed qualitative study with focus group interview. Three focus groups were composed of 14 North Korean defectors and group interviews were performed twice for each group. The contents of each interview were analyzed and conclusions were drawn by extracting and arranging significant findings. RESULTS: The North Korean defectors showed psychologic symptoms such as anxiety, depression and various somatic symptoms. Among them, 'Laeng-Dol ('cold mass) and 'Jeog' mean subjective mass-feeling, such as globus sensation. And 'Tag-Gi-Byeong ('chicken heart disease')' means recurrent chest pain. These expressions reflect their anxious, depressive, and somatizing tendency. Among illness concept, 'Laeng-Byeong' ('cold related disease') means that they consider the cold weather to be the cause of various somatic symptoms. Characteristic illness behaviors include continuous complaining of recurrent symptoms, distrusting medical staffs and institutions, self-diagnosis, self- prescription, and reliance upon folk remedies. These illness behaviors were precipitated by the current breakdown of health-care system and economic crisis of the North Korea. CONCLUSION: South Korean doctors should be able to understand these characteristics of the North Korean defectors in order to build effective therapeutic relationship with them.

The Symptom Expression and the Illness Behavior of North Korean Defectors: Toward an Effective Therapeutic Relationships

BACKGROUND: The North Korean defectors are suffering from multiple psychologic and physical health problems. However, because of their emotional maladaptation, noncooperation and suspiciousness and distrust toward others, it is difficult for South Korean doctors to build effective therapeutic relationships with them. Therefore, we made efforts to clarify the characteristics of North Korean defectors in symptom expressions and illness behaviors which would help South Korean doctors to gain rapport. METHODS: We performed qualitative study with focus group interview. Three focus groups were composed of 14 North Korean defectors and group interviews were performed twice for each group. The contents of each interview were analyzed and conclusions were drawn by extracting and arranging significant findings. RESULTS: The North Korean defectors showed psychologic symptoms such as anxiety, depression and various somatic symptoms. Among them, 'Laeng-Dol ('cold mass) and 'Jeog' mean subjective mass-feeling, such as globus sensation. And 'Tag-Gi-Byeong ('chicken heart disease')' means recurrent chest pain. These expressions reflect their anxious, depressive, and somatizing tendency. Among illness concept, 'Laeng-Byeong' ('cold related disease') means that they consider the cold weather to be the cause of various somatic symptoms. Characteristic illness behaviors include continuous complaining of recurrent symptoms, distrusting medical staffs and institutions, self-diagnosis, self- prescription, and reliance upon folk remedies. These illness behaviors were precipitated by the current breakdown of health-care system and economic crisis of the North Korea. CONCLUSION: South Korean doctors should be able to understand these characteristics of the North Korean defectors in order to build effective therapeutic relationship with them.

A Case of Salmonella Meningitis

No abstract available.