Clinical Manifestations and Microbiological Features Correlating with Central Venous Catheter Related Infection

PURPOSE: Central venous catheterization is widely used to supply substantial amounts of fluids, total parenteral nutrition and hemodialysis in renal failure patients, as well as for measuring the central venous pressure. The most common complications encountered during central venous catheterization include catheter-related infections and subsequent sepsis. Therefore, when fever exists in patients with a central venous catheter, an immediate blood culture should be performed, and if the fever persists, an infection must be suspected and the catheter immediately removed; a culture of the catheter tip should also be performed. To date, no definite clinical details relating to this matter have been reported. METHODS: Between December 2002 and March 2005, a retrospective study was undertaken using the medical records of 85 patients. In those patients where a fever lasted for more than 8 hours, or when catheterization was no longer needed, the catheter tip cultures were sent to the microbiology laboratory. Blood cultures were also performed on 49 patients with a fever. The Chi-square method using the PC SPSS program, with P value less than 0.05 as statically significant. RESULTS: Of the 85 patients where the catheters were removed, significant microorganisms were detected 20 of the 49 with a fever. Only 5 of the remaining 36 patients had their catheters spontaneously removed. Moreover, 14 of the 20 patients with significant microorganisms were found to have kept their catheter in place for more than 14 days. Of the 49 patients with a fever, in who blood cultures were undertaken, 13 showed specific microorganisms, with 6 of these showing the same results for both their blood and catheter tip cultures, which enabled the definite diagnosis of the catheter-related infection and underlying sepsis. Various microorganisms were detected from the catheter tip cultures, including Staphylococcus species the CNS, with S. aureus being the most common, at 61.6%. CONCLUSION: A central venous catheter should be removed immediately when an infection is suspected, but early broad-spectrum antibiotics therapy should be commenced due to the time required to obtain the culture results. Moreover, even if a fever does not exist in patients with a catheter inserted for more than 14 days, infection and sepsis from the catheter should be of concern, with a more cautious approach being mandatory.

Acute Appendicitis in Children under Age of 5 Years

PURPOSE: Acute appendicitis is one of the most common causes of abdominal emergency. Children, under age of 5 years, are unable to give an accurate history, but other nonspecific abdominal pain is more common at this age. Because diagnosis is often delayed and progression of appendicitis is faster, incidence and perforation rate is higher than those of adults. Abdominal US and CT are helpful in diagnosis of acute appendicitis. METHODS: Between July, 1997 and April, 2004, 39 patients below 5-year-old were participated, but 2 (Negative) patients were excluded. This study was done retrospectively based on medical charts. For statistical analysis, Chi-squre test was used. RESULTS: All patients undergone emergency operations, in which male to female ratio was 1.79: 1, with its mean age of 4.05. 19 patients (49%) were perforated and fever developed more frequently in perforating group, but leukocytosis was not significant. Delayed preoperative duration was associated with perforation rate significantly. All complications were occurred in perforating group. CONCLUSION: To decrease perforation rate and complications, early diagnosis and management are necessary to avoid delaying preoperative time.

Comparison of Professional Standardized and Amateur Standardized Patients in OSCE / 한국의학교육

PURPOSE: The standardized patient (SP) is a person carefully trained to represent a real patient case for consistent and accurate use in student performance evaluation and/or training, has added a very important dimension in OSCE. The purpose of this study is compared a well-trained professional SP (PSP) and a amateur SP (ASP) in OSCE. METHODS: We surveyed 378 students apprentices and staffs involving OSCE of Daegu-Kyungbuk Consortium and analysed the validity between the PSP and ASP after OSCE. RESULTS: Of 92 total stations in which students were evaluated by staff evaluator, SP were used in 47 stations (48%). Of the 47 stations, professional SP 7 stations (16%). The questionnaires were made to know the effectiveness and realistics of SP. The results were different between station used PSP and ASP. Moreover, it was significantly different between the staffs and the students. The SP can offer advantages such as availability, adaptability and effectivity. If trained well, they also can provide positive effects to the students and the staffs. The PSP provides efficient and reliable opportunity to assess clinical skills in a safe situation without any harm to the real patients. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the use of SP is stimulating and challenging way of evaluating the OSCE. Also, It appeared to be financially and availably feasible if it commonly owned in the boundary of the land such Daegu-Kyungbuk Consortium.

Expression of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Is Increased in Rat Barrett's Esophagus Induced by Duodenal Contents Reflux

Barrett's esophagus is a premalignant condition of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is induced by cytokines and can generate locally high concentrations of nitric oxide (NO), whose metabolites can mediate genotoxicity and influence multistage carcinogenesis by causing DNA damage. Therefore, we evaluated the immunolocalization and expression of iNOS in surgically induced rat Barrett's esophagus. Esophagoduodenal anastomosis was performed in rats for inducing reflux of duodenal contents. Rats were killed at postoperative 10, 20, 30 and 40 weeks. We examined histologic changes and iNOS expression in esophagus by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-poly-merase chain reaction. Eighty six percent of experimental rats showed Barrett's esophagus above esophagoduodenal junction. iNOS immunoreactivity was clearly observed in the epithelial cells of Barrett's esophagus, predominantly at the apical surface of epithelial cells. Cytoplasmic staining was also seen only in atypical Barrett's esophagus. iNOS mRNA was detected only in the lower esophagus of experimental group. In conclusion, this study suggests that iNOS has some roles on Barrett's esophagus formation.

Traumatic Diaphragmatic Ruputure: 4-Year Clinical Experience

PURPOSE: A traumatic diaphragmatic rupture (TDR) is a diagnostic challenge and the associated injuries determine the outcome in those diagnosed early. A TDR has long been considered to be a marker of the severity of injury with an average reported Injury Severity Score (ISS) between 31 and 50. This report reviewed the TDR cases in order to emphasize the method and timing of the diagnosis, associated injuries and the outcome. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 30 patient treated for TDR between August 1998 and september 2002. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 33.4 years and the injury predomiantly affected males (male: female=2: 1). Blunt trauma by TA was the most common cause of the TDR (25 patients). The ruptured sites were on the left in 22 cases and on the right in 8 cases. The most common symptom was chest pain (23 cases) followed dyspnea (21 cases). Liver injuries and a pneumo-hemothorax were the most common associated injuries. The mean CRAMS scale was 6.47 and Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 18.93. Eighteen TDR cases were suspected based on the abnormal chest X-ray findings. Nineteen cases underwent surgery within 6 hours after the trauma (early diagnosis). Although many complications occurred in 11 cases, there were no lethal complications. The mean size of the diaphragmatic rupture was 9.77 cm and an intraabdominal organ herniation had not occurred in ruptures smaller than 6 cm. Surgical repair of the diaphragm was performed via a laparotomy in 20 cases and thoracotomy in 7 cases. A left side TDR was preferred to a laparotomy whereas a right sided TDR was preferred to a thoracotomy. Pulmonary complications (atelectasis, pneumonia, pleural effusion) occurred in 14 cases postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The patient's complaints and physical findings were not a reliable indicator of the diagnosis, but usually a manifestation of the associated injuries. A suspicion and routine chest X-ray was the most reliable diagnostic tool, even though the chest X-ray was normal in 12 cases. A high rate of early diagnosis can be achieved using an aggresive investigation protocol, suspicion and a combined radiologic evaluation in multiple trauma patients. Although pulmonary complications occurred in the early diagnosed cases, lethal complications and long term sequela were directly related to the time of diagnosis. The higher ISS had many complications (11 cases) but there were no lethal complications, long term sequela.

Treatment and Prognostic Factors for Traumatic Liver Injury

PURPOSE: Due to its size and locatin, the liver is frequently injured in abdominal trauma. Recently, nonoperative management for liver injuries has been extended due to the development CT imaging, intensive care units, and their equipment and techniques. Herein, patients with traumatic liver injury were analyzed to evaluate its treatment and prognostic factors. METHODS: From 2001, January to 2003, July, 65 patients at our facility were confirmed to have traumatic liver injury. The operative or nonoperative managements were decided on the basis of the systolic blood pressure if no peritoneal irritation sign was noted. If the systolic blood pressure was stable, or recovered to within the normal range following hydration and transfusion at the emergency room, patients were managed nonoperatively. Hemodynamically unstable patients were managed operatively. The data were analysed using the SPSS program (Chi-squared tests and logistic regression analyses). RESULTS: 48 patients were treated nonoperatively, with 3 mortalities. The overall mortality rate was 15.8%, but only 6.4% in the nonoperative management group, compared to 67% in operative management group. In a Multivariate analysis the systolic blood pressure was found to be a reliable factor in traumatic liver injury and the mentality and ISS (injury severity score) reliable in finding complications in the nonoperative management group. The mentality was found statistically reliable for determining mortality in the operative management group, with the exception for the systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: The systolic blood pressure was an important indicator when considering the treatment plan in traumatic liver injury. An extensive study will be required that incorporates both nonoperative and operative management groups.

Epigastric Hernia

An epigastric hernia is a protrusion of the extra-peritoneal fat to the linea alba, between the xiphoid process and the umbilicus. About 3~5% of people develop epigastric hernias. The authors have experienced a case of a 79 year-old woman who had an asymptomatic epigastric hernia, where an abdomen CT is helpful in its diagnosis. The size of the defect was large, and a hernia sac existed. The case of an epigastric hernia, which was treated by a primary repair, is reported, with a brief review of the literature.

Idiopathic Perforated Cecitis Mistaken as Perforated Appendicitis

The cecal perforation is very rare in pediatrics. Our center has experienced a 7-year-old girl with idiopathic perforated cecitis. The surgeon couldn't differentiate perforated cecitis from perforated appendicitis because of anatomical location, incidence and ambiguous radiologic result when this patient was admitted to our clinic due to RLQ pain.

Trauma-related Acute Spigelian Hernia in Right Upper Abdomen

Trauma-related spigelian hernia is a rare event that has been reported only sporadically. Because of its rare nature and nonspecific physical findings, its diagnosis is difficult. This hernia most commonly presents at the level of the semicircular line known as the arcuate line. A 70-year-old man was admitted after overturn of his cultivator. A scratch wound surrounding a cutaneous sign of the cultivator handlebar impact was evident on his right upper abdominal wall. Trauma-related spigelian hernia occurred in the site of the handlebar impact. We report this cases of trauma-related spigelian hernia that was treated by primary repair with a brief review of the literature.

Intestinal Obstruction Due to Incarcerated Hernia at CAPD Catheter Insertion Site

Patients who have undergone peritoneal dialysis can frequently experience abdominal wall complications, such as hernia due to increased intraabdominal pressure and peritoneal leakage. However, no case of incarcerated abdominal wall hernia through catheter insertion site of CAPD has yet been reported Recently the authors experienced a case of intestinal obstruction due to an incarcerated hernia at the catheter insertion site of CAPD. We report this case and present a literature review.

Trocar(R)(Ethicon) Used Intraoperative Endoscopy in Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Occasionally it is difficult to preoperatively confirm the bleeding focus in acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding patients. Therefore, many diagnostic evaluations are needed - for example, colonoscopy, selective mesenteric angiography and Tc-99m RBC scintigraphy. However, if the bleeding focus remains unconfirmed preoperatively when the patient's state is unstable hemodynamically, the surgeon must inevitably perform exploratory laparotomy, followed by intraoperative endoscopy. We herein propose a new method of intraoperative endoscopy using Trocar(R) (Ethicon). Trocar(R) (Ethicon) was used in laparoscopic operation. This method has the merits of no air leakage, no contamination, fewer complicatons and ease of evaluation. We recommend that the use of Trocar(R) (Ethicon) in intraoperative endoscopy is essential in emergency operations for acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

Strangulated Obturator Hernia: Mesh-Plug Technique

Although obturator herniae are rare, they are associated with a high mortality, as diagnosis is often delayed and the condition tends to occur in the elderly. The preoperative diagnosis is difficult because of nonspecific symptoms and sign. They often produce a small bowel obstruction. The treatment is always surgical. Several repair techniques have been described: a sac ligation alone, a direct suture repair, and the use of autologous tissue or prosthetic repair. Recently, the placement of permanent mesh prostheses, in a clean contaminated operative field, has been performed due to the minimal wound-related morbidity and patient mortality. Thus, utilization of a permanent mesh in an obturator hernia is a new, simple and effective method for repair. Two cases of a strangulated obturator hernia were experienced in elderly women. The peritoneal cavity was not overly contaminated, with only necrotic foci on the herniated small bowel wall noted. A segmental resection of the small bowel was performed. Consequently, the hernia defect was closed with mesh- plug between the peritoneum and periosteum of the obturator foramen. Here, two cases of obturator herniae treated by use of a mesh-plug are reported, with a brief review of the literature.

Duodenal Lymphangioma

A lymphangioma is comparatively rare in the elimentary tract, and is a benign tumor of the lymphatic system. A duodenal lymphangioma is especially rare, and has an obscure etiology. Clinically, and in the laboratory the are non-specific, and are incidentally found by endoscopy, and their treatment is total excision. Recently, the authors experienced a 45 year-old woman, who had a duodenal lymphangioma, but with no symptom. An endoscopic examination revealed a single, about 2 cm, polypoid lesion below the ampulla. The lesion was successfully excised after a duodenotomy.

A Case of Appendiceal Carcinoid Tumor

Carcinoid is the most common tumor in the appendix and most often occurs in young patient. A case of mesoappendiceal invasion of carcinoid of appendix in presented and the literature review for indications for right hemicolectomy. A 38-year-old man was admitted to hospital after 3 day with right lower quadrant pain. The appendectomy was performed. At gross pathologic examination the appendix measured 7.5 cm in length and 1.6 cm in diameter. The serosal surface is congested and covered with yellow white fibrinoid material. The cut surface revealed a focal thickening of wall, measured 0.7 x 0.5 cm at 2 cm from tip of the appendix. Light microscopy revealed a typical carcinoid tumors infiltrating periappendiceal fat tissue. The patient was readmitted 4 weeks postoperatively for an elective right hemicolectomy. At exploratory laparotomy, there were no palpable lymph nodes. Exploration of the distal ileum, small bowel, and remaining abdomen did reveal any other carcinoid tumors.

Appendiceal Intussusception Caused by Mucinous Cystadenocarcinoma

An intussusception was first reported by Barbette in 1674, but an intussusception of the appendix was first reported in London, in 1858. Of all intussusceptions, 5% occur in adults, and of these 90% are as a result of a primary cause. Therefore, treatment is usually based on the primary cause. An intussusception of the appendix can be treated by barium or air reduction, or by an appendectomy, with manual reduction in pediatrics, but these are very uncommon in adult, and can be treated by various methods, according to the underlying cause. A 74 years old woman was preoperatively diagnosed, by radiological examination, to have an intussusception of the appendix. An exploratory laparotomy was performed, and the lesion confirmed as an intussusception caused by an appendix mass, which was cystic and filled with mucin. Therefore, a right hemicolectomy was performed, with the pathological results confirming a mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the appendix. Here, we report a case of an adult intussusception of the appendix in a 74 years old woman.

A Comparision of the Mesh Technique in Inguinal Hernia Repair with the Non-mesh Method

PURPOSE: The mesh technique of inguinal hernia repair has revealed encouraging results in groin hernia repair. However, there are few reports in Korea analyzing the clinical results of the mesh technique compared with the non-mesh method of inguinal hernia repair. METHODS: Information was assimilated from randomized trials comparing the mesh and non-mesh methods in order to assess both benefits and safety. The clinical results of the mesh technique (n=38) and the non-mesh method (n=33) were compared. The clinical features analyzed were age, sex, location, type of hernia, surgical time, use of postoperative analgesics, length of hospital stay, complication and recurrence. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the mesh technique and the non-mesh method on sex, age, location, type of hernia. The average operation time was significantly longer in the mesh group than the non-mesh group (P<0.01, 60.9 min vs 46.8 min). The average number of analgesics used was significantly smaller in the mesh group than the non-mesh group (P<0.01, 4.6 vs 8.2). The average duration of hospital stay was statistically shorter in the mesh group than the non-mesh group (P<0.01, 4.5 days vs 6.3 days). Postoperative complications were observed in only one case (hematoma) in the non-mesh group. Recurrence rate in the non-mesh group was 9% (3 cases), although there was no recurrence in a mesh group. CONCLUSION: The mesh technique of inguinal hernia repairis a useful technique because it is less painful and causes a shorter hospital stay than the non-mesh method. In this study, we observed not a shortened surgical time and lower recurrence rate in the mesh group than in non-mesh.

A Case of Chyle Ascites Mistaken as Perforated Appendicitis

The first case of chyle ascites in childhood was reported by Morton in 1683. Its reported incidence varies between 1 in 50,000 to 100,000 in hospital admissions. The clinical picture is similar to that of acute diffuse peritonitis, and is most commonly mistaken as perforated appendicitis. Paracetesis, if performed, is the most useful diagnostic option. Treatment modalities fall into four areas-: Exploratory laparotomy with either direct ligation or drainage, A medium chain triglyceride diet, NPO and hyperalimentation or Venoperitoneal shunting. An 11-years old boy was admitted with RLQ pain. He had diffuse abdominal guarding. The initial diagnosis was perforated appendicitis, and appendectomy was performed. During the operation, the abdomen was found to contain 750cc of a thin, milky fluid. It was later diagnosed as chyle ascites. The small bowel mesentery and transverse colon were thickened and edematous, with a pale white subserosal exudate. The laboratory analysis of the ascites was as follows-: protein 4.6 g/dL, albumin 3.0 g/dL, triglyceride 700 mg/dL, cholesterol 113 mg/dL, glucose 209 mg/dL, LDH 848 U/L, and amylase 32 U/dL, with a pH of 9.0. An appendectomy was performed, and two drains placed in the pelvic cavity. In the postoperative-work-up from the abdominal CT scan, the results were normal. The patient-recovered and was discharged without complication 21 days postoperatively.

A case of mesenteroaxial type of acute gastric volvulus associated with diaphragmatic eventration / 대한내과학회지

Acute gastric volvulus is extremely rare emergency surgical condition by abnormal rotation of stomach. It presents a puzzling picture which makes early diagnosis difficult, yet surgical interference must be accomplished early if life is to be saved. Gastric volvulus can be classified anatomically as organoaxial or mesenteroaxial. The symptoms triad of gastric volvulus are severe nausea with a paradoxical inability to vomiting, localized epigastric pain and impossibility of introducing a gastric tube. The diagnosis of it may be suspected on plain radiographic examination of the abdomen and symptoms, it is confirmed by specific findings on the upper gastrointestinal series. We experienced a case of mesenteroaxial type of acute gastric volvulus associated with diaphragmatic eventration. We treated this patient with reduction of volvulus, repair of diaphragmatic eventration, gastrojejunostomy and gastropexy. The authors report this case with a brief review of recent literatures.

A Case of Primary Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Presented as Appendicitis

Malignant lymphoma comprise 1~4% of the malignant neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), although primary lymphoma of the appendix is exceedingly rare. Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) of the appendix reportedly represents 0.015% of all GIT lymphomas. Most cases of primary appendiceal lymphoma have presented with a clinical appearance of acute appendicitis. It is therefore difficult to diagnosis preoperatively. We report a case of primary NHL of the appendix in a 31 year-old female. Appendectomy was performed as a result of the clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis, due to the rebound tenderness of McBurney's point and a thickend appendiceal wall seen on abdominal ultrasonography. Microscopic examination demonstrated an atypical large lymphoid cell dispersed in a background of small lymphocytes. There were no invading tumor cells on the resection margin. Immunohistochemical studies revealed the large atypical cells stained with B cell marker (CD20), Bcl-6, Ki-67 and UCHL-1 (CD45R0). The post-operative work- up consisted of a CT scan of the abdomen and thorax, a bone marrow biopsy and a gastrofiberscope. These results were normal. No further treatment was recommended. The patient is now 12 months post-operative and doing well.

Significance of Sulphomucin and CEA Expression in Advanced Gastric Adenocarcinomas

PURPOSE: Sulphomucin is secreted by immature foveolar cells of the stomach and is expressed in gastric adenocarcinomas. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is well known to be expressed in gastric adenocarci nomas and is correlated with the cellular differentiation of gastric adenocarcinomas. However, at the moment, there are no conclusions about the relationships between the expression of sulphomucin and pathological classifications. METHODS: This study was designed to determine the significance of expression of sulphomucin and CEA in advanced gastric adenocarcinomas. Also, these two factors were compared with established clinicopathological prognostic factors. Thirty-two paraffin-embedded surgical specimens of gastric adenocarcinomas were obtained from January 1993 to December 1995 and were selected for study. The expressions of sulphomucin and CEA were studied by using the Spicer method and immunohistochemical staining with CEA 2-7 monoclonal antibody. RESULTS: The expressions of sulphomucin and CEA were positive in 9 (28%) cases and 25 (78%) cases, respectively. There was a significant correlation between sulphomucin expression and histologic differentiation (p<0.05). However, the expression of CEA was correlated with neither clinopathological factors nor sulphomucin expression. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that expressions of sulphomucin are well correlated with cellular differentiations of advanced gastric adenocarcinomas.