Clinical Effects of Non-damaging Retinal Laser Therapy in Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

Purpose@#This study analyzed the effects of non-damaging retinal laser therapy (NRT) in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy. @*Methods@#A retrospective study was conducted on patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy who were undergoing follow-up with NRT from November 2016 to February 2018. NRT was performed in patients who underwent intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injection at least two times with no improvement in visual acuity and a reduced amount of subretinal fluid. Before and after treatment, logMAR best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) evaluation and subretinal fluid (SRF) according to thickness measurements of the macula determined from optical coherence tomography imagery were performed over a period of at least 6 months. @*Results@#Eighteen eyes of 18 patients (11 male and 7 female) with chronic central serous retinopathy were treated with NRT. The mean age of patients was 54.6 ± 13.19 years old and the mean duration of follow-up was 9.75 ± 3.20 months. The central macular thickness decreased from 375 to 246 nm (p < 0.001) and BCVA improved from 0.48 to 0.40 (p = 0.028). SRF completely resolved in 55.56% of the patients after NRT. @*Conclusions@#In patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy, which did not improve even after intravitreal anti-VEGF injection, NRT is a relatively safe and effective treatment.

Successful Treatment of Dacryocystocele due to Secondary Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction by Intraosseous Cavernous Hemangioma

Purpose@#Here, we report the clinical features and successful treatment of a very rare case of dacryocystocele due to secondary nasolacrimal duct obstruction by cavernous hemangioma in an adult patient.Case summary: A 78-year-old man had a painless mass on the right medial canthus and epiphora for 5-6 years. The mass on the lower area of the right medial canthus had a well-defined border, was fixed in position, and smooth. Lacrimal irrigation via the lower punctum showed reflux through the opposite punctum without nasal passage. Orbital computed tomography showed multicystic mass formation on the right lacrimal sac and a bony lesion with ground glass opacity on the anteromedial side of the right nasolacrimal duct causing duct narrowing. Orbital magnetic resonance imaging showed a multicystic, fluid-filled structure in the right lacrimal sac. An intranasal bony lesion 14 mm in diameter was also observed. The patient was diagnosed with dacryocystocele due to secondary nasolacrimal duct obstruction by an intranasal mass. Endoscopic transnasal removal of two lacrimal cystic masses and the intranasal mass, and dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) were performed. Pathological examination revealed chronic inflammation with lymphoid follicles of the tear bag and cavernous hemangioma of the nasal cavity. @*Conclusions@#Acquired dacryocystocele in adults is most commonly idiopathic. Here, we report a case of a dacryocystocele due to secondary nasolacrimal duct obstruction by cavernous hemangioma that was treated successfully by endoscopic transnasal tumor removal and DCR.

Factors Affecting Research Participation of Bereaved Families of Terminal Cancer Patients: A Prospective Preliminary Study / 한국호스피스완화의료학회지

PURPOSE: Little is known regarding the factors associated with the willingness of family caregivers of terminal cancer patients to participate in a bereaved survey. This study aimed to ascertain the pre-loss factors that predict actual participation in a bereaved survey. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study using data from two multi-center surveys at the end-of-life and after loss. In order to identify the pre-loss factors associated with participating in the bereaved survey, we used a step-wise multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Among 185 bereaved individuals, 30 responded to the survey (response rate: 16.2%). There were differences between the participation group and the non-participation group regarding religion, economic status, and perceived quality of care as assessed by the Quality Care Questionnaire-End of Life. A final multivariate model revealed that bereaved individuals who professed a religion (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=5.01; P=0.008), had a high income (aOR=4.86, P=0.003), and satisfied with the care for familial relationship (aOR=4.49, P=0.003) were more likely to engage in the bereaved survey. CONCLUSION: Our finding suggests that improving the quality of end-of-life care may promote actual participation in a bereaved survey through easing post-loss distress. More attention should also be paid to those bereaved individuals who are hesitant to participate in a bereaved survey.

Evaluations of vital signs and echocardiographic left ventricular function after the constant rate infusion of lidocaine and/or ketamine in Beagle dogs / 대한수의학회지

Cardiopulmonary depression of long-term constant rate infusion (CRI) administration of multiple analgesic drugs is important, especially in critically ill dogs. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of lidocaine, ketamine or combined lidocaine-ketamine combination CRI treatment on vital signs and left ventricular (LV) function in healthy dogs. Six adult Beagle dogs were administered either ketamine (initial loading dose of 0.5 mg/kg followed by 10 microg/kg/min CRI), lidocaine (initial loading dose of 2 mg/kg followed by 0.025 mg/kg/min CRI), or combined lidocaine-ketamine intravenously. Arterial blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), body temperature (BT) and echocardiographic LV dimensions were measured before administration of medications, immediately after administration of drugs, and then every 10 min for 2 h. There were no significant changes in HR, RR, BT and BP after the administration of either lidocaine CRI, ketamine CRI, or combined lidocaine and ketamine CRI. There were also no significant changes in LV dimensions and stroke volume. The results revealed that treatment with either lidocaine, ketamine or combined lidocaine-ketamine may not cause cardiopulmonary suppression in healthy dogs.

Effects of alfaxalone on echocardiographic examination in healthy dogs / 대한수의학회지

This study evaluated the effects of alfaxalone (3 mg/kg, intravenously) on echocardiographic examination in healthy dogs using echocardiography. Six adult Beagle dogs were used for this study. Left ventricular dimensions with systolic indexes, trans-blood flow at all cardiac valvular annulus and trans-mitral tissue Doppler values were measured from routine transthoracic echocardiography. Although the changes were not statistically significant, heart rate, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, peak velocities of tricuspid A-wave and transpulmonic flow were increased after alfaxalone induction, while systolic blood pressure, fractional shortening, left ventricular ejection fraction, peak velocities of mitral E-wave, mitral A wave, tricuspid E-wave, transaortic flow and medial e'-, a'- and s'-peaks decreased after alfaxalone induction. No dogs showed hypoxemia during sedation, regardless of intubation and oxygen supply. Although alfaxalone showed mild cardiovascular depression, this protocol could be a good alternative sedative protocol for echocardiographic examination in healthy dogs because the cardiovascular depression was statistically and clinically insignificant. However, further studies in dogs with heart diseases should be conducted to confirm these findings after alfaxalone induction.

An Evaluation of the Government's Current Guideline on the Hospitalization of Minor Head Trauma Patients / 대한신경손상학회지

OBJECTIVE: In June 28, 2012, a 'Hospitalization guideline for car accident patients' was announced to mediate the clash of opinions about the hospitalization of minor head trauma patients among doctors, patients and insurance companies. The guideline was issued to describe the patients' symptoms and emotions in detail after the injury. In this paper, evaluation for the guideline and suggestions for modifications was done. METHODS: Thirty-two doctors, 96 patients and 60 employees were each given surveys about the hospitalization guidelines, related personnels' attitude and evaluation of patients' emotional problems. The frequency, ratio and chi-square test were performed. RESULTS: Sixty-eight point eight percent of doctors, 79.8% patients and 91.6% insurance company employees agreed to the need for a guideline. Among the 68.8% doctors that supported the need for a guideline, 18.8% knew that the guideline actually existed. Sixty-nine point two percent of doctors said that they would apply the guideline once they were introduced to it. Among the announced guideline provisions, 'Glasgow coma score less than 15' and 'socially not suitable for discharge' required reevaluation since 40.6% all surveyors consented that these two criteria were not suitable. The consensus supporting the need for emotional evaluation came out to be 78.1%, 58.5%, 50.9% in doctors, patients and insurance employees respectively. CONCLUSION: Although a guideline for hospitalization of minor head injury patients is necessary, some part of it seems to be reevaluated and improved, especially for clauses related to the patient's emotional problems. These changes and revisions to the guideline require further speculation and research.

A Case of Nasal Polypoid Mass Originated from Nasal Foreign Body

Intranasal dacryocystorhinostomy(DCR) has been used as a primary treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Silicon tube or stent(Song's stent in this case) is used in intranasal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) for improvement of the lacrimal drainage system. But this material reacting with nasal mucosa induced inflammatory reaction. Consequently, we report a rare case of nasal polypoid mass caused by probably originated from nasal foreign body.

Skin Prick Testing of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis and/or Asthma: a Study in Catholic Medical Center, Korea

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Allergic rhinitis is closely related to asthma. The skin prick test is an essential diagnostic tool for allergic disease. We evaluated differences in skin sensitization patterns between groups of patients with allergic rhinitis or asthma, or allergic rhinitis with asthma, in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2000 to 2009, patients with positive results from skin prick testing were divided into three groups: allergic rhinitis (AR), allergic asthma (AS), and allergic rhinitis with allergic asthma (AR+AS). We analyzed demographic data, rhinitis and asthma symptoms, and sensitization patterns. RESULTS: The most common aeroallergen was the house dust mite. The age distributions of the three disease groups differed significantly. Sensitization number, sensitization index, and atopy index were all significantly higher among the AR+AS group than among the AR or AS groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with allergic rhinitis with high numbers of skin sensitizations or intensive positivities should be considered to have concomitant asthma or to be at high risk for asthma development.

Tinnitus in the Patients with Cochlear Implantation: Preliminary Report / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: With the wide use of cochlear implants, there have been many published studies which report that cochlear implants have a suppressive effect on tinnitus in profoundly deaf patients. The aim of this study was to understand the clinical and audiologic characteristics of the tinnitus in patients with cochlear implantation and to observe changes of their tinnitus after cochlear implantation. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A total 23 patients who had undergone cochlear implants in our hospital from August 2003 to December 2006, were included in this study. The patients were divided into tinnitus (n=11) and non-tinnitus groups (n=12) according to the presence of tinnitus at the time of surgery. We compared clinical and audiologic features between the two groups. We also studied changes in tinnitus after surgery in the tinnitus group using validated self-report measures [tinnitus handicap inventory (THI), tinnitus handicap score (THS), and visual analogue scale]. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the two groups with respect to the age of cochlear implant recipients, whether or not the subjects had impaired hearing or were wearing hearing aids. Tinnitus was rarely observed in patients under 20 years of age with cochlear implantation (11.1%) in contrast to the higher rates in the patients of 20 years old and over (71.4%). Marked reduction of THI, THS and visual analogue scale of tinnitus were observed in all patients. CONCLUSION: For the adult patients who had undergone cochlear implant surgery and had tinnitus preoperatively, cochlear implants had shown suppressive effect on their tinnitus. Considering the significant prevalence of tinnitus in profoundly deaf patients, tinnitus of these patients should not be overlooked and further studies should be made to define relationship between cochlear implant and tinnitus.

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy after general anesthesia for total gastrectomy: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy, which is also known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy, is a cardiac syndrome of a transient, reversible left ventricular dysfunction that is caused by emotional and/or physical stress and surgery. Its clinical manifestations are similar to those of myocardial ischemia without a coronary artery lesion. Stress-induced cardiomyopathy is more common in middle-aged women, and the prognosis is favorable. We report the case of a 50-year-old female patient who underwent a total gastrectomy and developed stress-induced cardiomyopathy after surgery.

Pathogenesis of Sudden Manhood Death Syndrome / 대한법의학회지

Sudden manhood death syndrome (SMDS) is a disorder found in southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, Philippines and Japan, which causes sudden cardiac death during sleep. In Korea, SMDS cases have been occasionally encountered in forensic autopsy practice. However, the incidence and pathogenesis has been rarely studied. This study to review chronologically the proposed pathogenesis of SMDS; pathology of cardiac conduction system, sleeping and breathing disorder, K+ and thiamine deficiency, mental stress, testosterone, hyperlipidemia, and narrow circumference of coronary artery. Brugada syndrome and SMDS are phenotypically, genetically and functionally the same disorder and Brugada syndrome has been a subject of intensive study since its early description in 1992. While Brugada syndrome is an inherited cardiac disorder caused by mutations in the SCN5A gene encoding the cardiac sodium channel alpha-subunit. less than 20% of its patients are known to be associated with SCN5A mutations. Moreover, the postmortem molecular screening of SCN5A mutations on formalin fixed paraffin embbeded cardiac tissues from SMDS cases has not been rewarding due to technical problems. The role of structural heart disease and sodium channel dysfunction in the induction of electrical instability in SMDS and Brugada syndrome is still debatable.

Retrobulbar Hematoma after Infraorbital Nerve Block in Trigeminal Neuralgia: A case report

Retrobulbar hematoma can arise from orbital trauma and periorbital or intraorbital procedures, and it can result in several morbidities including vision loss. Making the immediate diagnosis and performing decompression of the retrobulbar hematoma are crucial for preventing serious morbidities such as permanent vision loss. We present here a case of temporary vision loss that was due to iatrogenic retrobulbar hematoma in a patient who received infraorbital nerve block for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. A 70-year-old woman with trigeminal neuralgia was treated with infraorbital nerve block. Just after the procedure she experienced acute periorbital swelling, proptosis and worsening visual acuity. Immediate orbital computed tomography was done, and this revealed a retrobulbar hematoma. The patient underwent lateral canthotomy with cantholysis and administration of dexamethasone and mannitol. Improvement of visual acuity began 3 hours after these procedures. Her visual acuity was greatly improved 12 days after admission.

Pneumothorax after restoration of spontaneous respiration in a patient with liver segmentectomy: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Pneumothroax may occur during and after general anesthesia unexpectedly, and the diagnosis may be difficult when the manifestations are non-specific. An early diagnosis and treatment is important to prevent tension pneumothorax. Pneumothorax can be occurred from injury to the chest wall, airway, lung, and diaphragm. We report a case of a 50-year-old female patient who underwent segmentectomy of liver under general anesthesia and developed pneumothorax after restoration of spontaneous respiration from unexpected diaphragm injury.