Management of intractable oronasal bleeding using Sengstaken-Blakemore tubes in patients with facial trauma: a case series and technical notes

Objective@#Intractable massive oronasal bleeding can become a life-threatening condition. The success rate of conventional bleeding control methods other than transarterial embolization (TAE) is not expected to be high. We investigated the efficacy of Sengstaken-Blakemore tube (SBT) balloon tamponade in patients with sustained and intractable oronasal bleeding secondary to facial injury. @*Methods@#This study is a retrospective chart review from traumatic patients with sustained and intractable oronasal bleeding who were admitted to the emergency center of Ajou University Hospital and Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital from January 2014 to December 2016. @*Results@#Twelve patients were included in the study, of whom nine (75%) were male. The median age was 31 years (range, 20–73 years). Bleeding was controlled in 11 of the 12 patients (91.7%) either temporarily or definitively. One patient without hemostasis underwent TAE. TAE was performed in an additional three patients out of the 11 patients with hemostasis who experienced continued nasal bleeding after the removal of SBTs. There were no complications from performing the procedure. @*Conclusion@#Using SBTs as a hemostatic tool will aid patients with life-threatening intractable oronasal bleeding. Furthermore, this method may be used in patients with continual and intractable oronasal bleeding after facial trauma as a bridging procedure from the emergency department or the intensive care unit to the interventional radiology.

Management of intractable oronasal bleeding using Sengstaken-Blakemore tubes in patients with facial trauma: a case series and technical notes

Objective@#Intractable massive oronasal bleeding can become a life-threatening condition. The success rate of conventional bleeding control methods other than transarterial embolization (TAE) is not expected to be high. We investigated the efficacy of Sengstaken-Blakemore tube (SBT) balloon tamponade in patients with sustained and intractable oronasal bleeding secondary to facial injury. @*Methods@#This study is a retrospective chart review from traumatic patients with sustained and intractable oronasal bleeding who were admitted to the emergency center of Ajou University Hospital and Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital from January 2014 to December 2016. @*Results@#Twelve patients were included in the study, of whom nine (75%) were male. The median age was 31 years (range, 20–73 years). Bleeding was controlled in 11 of the 12 patients (91.7%) either temporarily or definitively. One patient without hemostasis underwent TAE. TAE was performed in an additional three patients out of the 11 patients with hemostasis who experienced continued nasal bleeding after the removal of SBTs. There were no complications from performing the procedure. @*Conclusion@#Using SBTs as a hemostatic tool will aid patients with life-threatening intractable oronasal bleeding. Furthermore, this method may be used in patients with continual and intractable oronasal bleeding after facial trauma as a bridging procedure from the emergency department or the intensive care unit to the interventional radiology.

Characteristics of Acute Herbicide Poisoning: Focused on Chlorophenoxy Herbicide

PURPOSE@#Herbicide-related mortality has decreased since the complete ban of paraquat product sales in 2012, but there still have been other herbicides intoxications with relatively severe complications. Glyphosate and glufosinate herbicides are used widely, and considerable research has been conducted. Chlorophenoxy herbicide is another major herbicide that has shown poor outcomes and mortality without proper management, but research in this area is lacking. Therefore, this study compared the clinical features of chlorophenoxy herbicide with those of other herbicides.@*METHODS@#The medical records of patients exposed to herbicides at a tertiary academic university hospital in Korea from May 2014 to April 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. The demographic and clinical data of 135 patients were then analyzed to identify the recent herbicides intoxication trends after the paraquat sales ban, focusing mainly on chlorophenoxy herbicide poisoning.@*RESULTS@#Of the 135 patients, 13 patients (9.6%) had chlorophenoxy herbicide poisoning. No significant differences in all the variables were observed between the chlorophenoxy herbicide poisoning group and non-chlorophenoxy herbicides poisoning groups. Toxic symptoms after poisoning varied from nothing noticeable to confusion; none of the patients had severe complications after their treatments.@*CONCLUSION@#Acute chlorophenoxy poisoning is relatively less severe, with lower mortality rates than glyphosate and glufosinate poisoning.

Hepatocyte toll-like receptor 4 mediates lipopolysaccharide-induced hepcidin expression

Hepcidin expression is induced by inflammatory molecules such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) via a macrophage-mediated pathway. Although hepatocytes directly respond to LPS, the molecular mechanism underlying toll-like receptor (TLR)-dependent hepcidin expression by hepatocytes is mostly unknown. Here we show that LPS can directly induce the mRNA expression and secretion of hepcidin by hepatocytes via TLR4 activation. Using hepatocytes deficient in TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and TIR domain-containing adaptor inducing interferon-β (TRIF), we demonstrated that LPS-induced hepcidin expression by hepatocytes is regulated by its specific receptor, TLR4, via a MyD88-dependent signaling pathway. Hepcidin promoter activity was significantly increased by MyD88-dependent downstream signaling molecules (interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK) and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), which activate c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and activator protein-1 (AP-1). We then confirmed that LPS stimulation induced the phosphorylation of JNK and c-Jun, and observed strong occupancy of the hepcidin promoter by c-Jun. Promoter mutation analysis also identified the AP-1-binding site on the hepcidin promoter. Finally, bone marrow transplantation between wild-type and TLR4 knockout mice revealed that hepatic TLR4-dependent hepcidin expression was comparable to macrophage TLR4-dependent hepcidin expression induced by LPS. Taken together, these results suggest that TLR4 expressed by hepatocytes regulates hepcidin expression via the IRAK–TRAF6–JNK–AP-1 axis.

Posterior Reversible Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome Following Acute Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: A Case Report

Posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is characterized by transient headache, altered mental functioning, seizures, and loss of vision associated with findings of predominantly posterior cerebral lesions on imaging studies. Magnetic resonance imaging typically shows bilateral hyperintensity on T2 weighted imaging and fluid attenuated inversion recovery imaging, predominantly in the parieto-occipital region. The common etiologies of PRES include eclampsia, renal impairment, immunosuppressive treatment, cancer chemotherapy, autoimmune diseases, and hypertension. The prognosis is usually benign when adequate treatment is initiated immediately. Otherwise, delay in diagnosis and treatment may lead to permanent neurological sequelae. We report on the case of a 24-year-old man who presented with the characteristics of PRES with acute carbon monoxide poisoning.

Posterior Reversible Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome Following Acute Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: A Case Report

Posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is characterized by transient headache, altered mental functioning, seizures, and loss of vision associated with findings of predominantly posterior cerebral lesions on imaging studies. Magnetic resonance imaging typically shows bilateral hyperintensity on T2 weighted imaging and fluid attenuated inversion recovery imaging, predominantly in the parieto-occipital region. The common etiologies of PRES include eclampsia, renal impairment, immunosuppressive treatment, cancer chemotherapy, autoimmune diseases, and hypertension. The prognosis is usually benign when adequate treatment is initiated immediately. Otherwise, delay in diagnosis and treatment may lead to permanent neurological sequelae. We report on the case of a 24-year-old man who presented with the characteristics of PRES with acute carbon monoxide poisoning.

Injuries Associated with the 580 km University Student Grand Voluntary Road March: Focus on Foot Injuries

College student volunteers (n = 142) completed a 580 km road march for 21 consecutive days. Each volunteer carried a backpack that weighed 14.1 +/- 1.4 kg on the average. We investigated the incidence and location of blisters associated with the road march using a foot map along with other injuries. Overall, 95.1% of the subjects (135 of 142) sustained one or more injuries. All injured subjects had foot blisters, and 18% had other foot injuries. The most common locations of blister development were the right 5th toe (61%) and the left 5th toe (57%). The little toes seem to have been subjected to the greatest friction and shearing forces. March-related injuries, excluding foot injuries, were ankle pain (12.7%), knee pain (12.7%) and Achilles tendon pain (7.7%). Six subjects (4.2%) needed extra medical treatment for more than 2 weeks prior to returning to their daily lives after completion of the march due to associated injuries. The present study observed a very high incidence rate of injuries (95.1%) associated with the 580 km university students grand road march. These injuries posed an obstacle against completion of the road march and against returning to daily life. Active preventive interventions such as physical therapy and customized reinforced shoes and education program are recommended for reducing incidence rate and severity of injuries.

Recent 10-Year Experience of One Regional Emergency Center and Recommendation for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate current status, indications, and complications of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. METHODS: A retrospective investigation of patients who underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy at a university medical center from September 2004 to August 2013 was conducted based on patients' medical records and results of an email survey for 99 emergency centers. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 233 patients underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Indications for hyperbaric oxygen treatment of illness or injury were as follows: 1) 151 cases of acute carbon monoxide poisoning(65.4%), 2) flap wound management, including 42 cases(18.2%), 3) skin care transplanted, including 23 cases(10.4%), 4) Burger's disease, including 5 five cases(2.1%), respectively. Total application time* frequency was 1,088 and total time was 1,239 hours. Among 233 patients who underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy, 32 patients(13.7%) had complications: 1) otalgia in 21 cases(9.0%), 2) mastoiditis? in six cases(2.6%), 3) hemotympanum in five cases(2.1%), respectively. There were only 8 emergency centers that currently had an operational hyperbaric oxygen chamber in 77 emergency centers(10.4%). CONCLUSION: Indications identified through this study showed difference from current indications worldwide. It seems necessary that physicians' perception regarding application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for more indications be changed and improved. A hyperbaric chamber capable of providing respiratory assistance and intensive care is also needed. A good network for sharing treatment experiences and a specialized team for administration of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is also required.

The Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis after Acute Ingestion of Glacial Acetic Acid

PURPOSE: A retrospective study with a literature review was conducted to identify the clinical characteristics and prognosis after the acute ingestion of glacial acetic acid. METHODS: The medical records of 20 patients,who had presented to the emergency department of Ajou University Hospital complaining of the acute ingestion of glacial acetic acid between January 2006 and December 2011, were examined retrospectively. RESULTS: Among the 172 patients admitted for caustics injury, 20 patients ingested glacial acetic acid. The mean age of the patients was 55+/-23.5, and the mean volume of the acid was 84.5+/-71.3 ml. The clinical features included 1) oral ulcers in 12 patients (63.2%), 2) respiratory difficulties in 11 patients (57.9%), 3) oliguria in 8 patients (42.1%), 4) renal toxicity in 7 patients (36.8%), 5) hepatic failure in 7 patients (36.8%), 6) disseminated intravascular boagulopathyin 7 patients (36.8%), 7) low blood pressure in 8 patients (42.1%), and 8) mental changes in 9 patients (47.4%). Ten patients required endotracheal intubation. Nine patients were admitted to the intensive care unit, and 5 patients expired. CONCLUSION: The ingestion of glacial acetic acid can cause severe symptoms, such as metabolic acidosis, multiple organ failure and upper airway swelling frequently and has a high mortality rate. Therefore, aggressive treatment, including endotracheal intubation, should be considered at the early stages.

Cardiovascular Manifestations and Clinical Course after Acute Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardiovascular manifestations and clinical course in patients with acute carbon monoxide poisoning. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted over a 36 month period on consecutive patients who visited an emergency medical center and were diagnosed with acute carbon monoxide poisoning. A standardized data extraction protocol was performed on the selected patients. RESULTS: A total of 293 patients were selected during the study period. Cardiac manifestations were observed in 35.2% (n=103) of the patients: hypotension in 11 patients (3.8%), ECG abnormalities in 44 patients (15.0%) and cardiac enzyme abnormalities in 103 patients (35.2%). Echocardiography was performed on 56 patients with cardiac toxicity: 12 patients had abnormal results (5 patients with global hypokinesia and 7 patients with regional wall akinesia). Five patients died within 3 hours after ED admission, and the remaining patientswere discharged alive. At 3 months after discharge, none of these patients had died.The SOFA scores in the severe cardiac toxicity group and non-severe cardiac toxicity group at the time of arrival were 2.53+/-2.29 and 2.19+/-2.12, respectively (p=0.860). CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular manifestations occurafter acute CO poisoning at arateof 35.2%. Even those with severe cardiovascular toxicity recovered well within 10 days after admission. Therefore, the importance of cardiac toxicity after acute CO poisoning is not significant initself in the clinical course, and the short-term prognosis of cardiac toxicityis unlikely to be unfavorable in acute CO poisoning.

Comparison of Manual Versus Mechanical Chest Compression During Simulative out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest

PURPOSE: The quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has been identified as an important factor for improving survival rate. This prospective study was conducted for comparison of manual chest compression and mechanical chest compression during simulative out of hospital cardiac arrest. And evaluation of quality of manual compression was performed on-scene and during ambulance transportation. METHODS: A total of 24 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) participated in our study. During a period of one month, they were educated by E-learning on the importance of decreasing hands off time during CPR and anything else about CPR. We instituted the scenario of out of hospital cardiac arrest. They performed CPR twice in each same situation: they performed manual chest compression the first time. And, the second time, they used the mechanical chest compression device (X-CPR(TM)). We evaluated the performance by camcorder monitoring and Q-CPR(TM) for measurement of manual compression depth and flow time. RESULTS: A total of 48 cases were performed in this study. Twenty four cases were included in the manual CPR group (H-Group) and 24 cases were included in the mechanical group (M-group). CPR of the H group vs. the M group was performed for a mean 19.71+/-2.97 min, 21.95+/-4.16 min on scene, and in a moving ambulance. The average compression rate was 122+/-14.80 min-1 vs 104.38+/-6.40 min-1 (p<0.001), and the compression depth was 44.25+/-8.50 mm vs 42.37+/-4.28 mm (p=0.34), respectively. No statistical difference was observed in the flow time ratio between manual and mechanical chest compression (67.04+/-11.12 vs 64.13+/-6.61, p=0.28). However, the quality of compression of the H-group, the ratio of insufficient compression, and the ratio of insufficient release during transport were higher than those on-scene (p=0.02, p=0.01). CONCLUSION: In comparison of chest compression rates between the two groups, the M-group showed a higher rate of chest compression. However, no significant difference in chest compression depth and flow time ratio was observed between the H- and M-groups. When performing manual chest compression during transport, EMTs should be careful of adequate chest compression and release.

Veiled Paraquat Poisoning: A Focus on Clinical Characteristics

PURPOSE: Most paraquat poisonings are easily diagnosed by history taking on physical examination, however, some are failed to be diagnosed initially if the poisoning was veiled. The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical characteristics of veiled paraquat poisoning. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients whose discharge diagnosis was paraquat poisoning in one university teaching hospital between 1 Jan, 2001 and 31 Dec, 2010. Veiled paraquat poisoning was determined when there was a positive urine paraquat kit in patients who did not mention paraquat poisoning in an initial physical examination or had unknown cause of pulmonary fibrosis, acute renal failure, or multi-organ failure. RESULTS: Of the 117 patients with paraquat poisoning during the study period, 6 patients (5.1%) had veiled paraquat poisoning. The clinical characteristics were 1) proteinuria - 6 (100%), 2) increased creatinine - 4 (66.7%), 3) green skin stains - 2 (33.3%), 4) mucosal ulcer - 3 (50%). Blood chemistry results were variable. CONCLUSION: We should suspect veiled paraquat poisoning for patients who have proteinuria, increased creatinine, green skin stain, mucosal ulcer and vomiting, or if they have rapidly progressing acute renal failure or multi-organ failure with unknown cause, even if patients didn't mention about paraquat poisoning upon the initial physical examination. In cases with the above clinical conditions, a thorough repeated physical examination including history taking and use of urine paraquat kits should be performed.

A Case of Acute on Chronic Salicylate Poisoned Elderly Patient with Early Utilization of Continuous Venovenous Hemodiafiltration: A Case Report / 대한구급학회지

Salicylate poisonings are divided into acute and chronic syndromes. The most challenging aspect of the management of aspirin-poisoning may be recognition of subtle signs and symptoms of chronic, unintentional overdose. Chronic poisoning typically occurs in elderly as a result of unintentional overdosing on salicylates used to treat chronic conditions. Treatment is directed toward preventing intestinal absorption of the drugs and enhanced elimination. After the first-line treatments, aspirin overdose with its complications of hemodynamic, electrolyte and acid-base issues, is best managed by prompt hemodialysis. We report a case of a 87-year-old woman, who presented with acute on chronic salicylate poisoning. After early continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration, old woman made a good recovery from the salicylism but suffered paralytic ileus caused by aspirin enteroliths. Physician can decide a prompt hemodialysis for salicylate-poisoned patients, who worsen clinical courses despite of first-line therapies.

Educational Needs and Perceptions of School Nurses Regarding Emergency Situations in School: Focus on Differences Based on the General Characteristics of School Nurses

PURPOSE: The study investigated the educational needs and perceptions of school nurses regarding emergency situations in the school and compared differences in the educational needs and perceptions about emergency situations according to the general characteristics of school nurses. METHODS: Using a written survey of randomly selected sample, we questioned 100 school nurses over a 3-month period from January 2011 to March 2011. The survey involved 11 medical conditions and 16 injury-related conditions. It contained questions about the need for education and perceptions of emergency situations. We also determined school nurses' general characteristics including sex, age, grades of school where they worked, years of teaching career, years of clinical experience, number of classes, marital status, number of children, gender of their children, age of their children, the existence of older families. RESULTS: Two hundred two (84%) school nurses responded. For most conditions, there were significant differences between the scores of educational needs regarding, and perceptions about, emergency situations, except for three conditions (fracture of extremity, cerebral contusion, and tooth trauma). According to the general characteristics of school nurses, only the grade of school where they worked influenced the educational needs for cerebral contusion and orbital contusion. CONCLUSION: The emergency conditions that need first aid education in Korean school nurses are different from the conditions identified in other foreign countries. Primary education and promotion of first aid is considered necessary. The perceptions about emergency situations and the educational need regarding emergency situations show consistency. Only the grade of school where nurses worked affected the educational needs of school nurses. Further studies about the frequency of emergency situations in each school grade are required.

Clinical Characteristics of Acute Brain Swelling in Patients Successfully Resuscitated from Non-traumatic Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: The number of cardiac arrest patients who are resuscitated has increased with the development of emergency medical services. Brain swelling is often found in these patients, following return of spontaneous circulation. This study identifies risk factors for brain swelling, describes it's frequency, analyzes the effect of brain swelling on neurological outcome, and compares the results with other studies. METHODS: A retrospective analysis had been conducted on cardiac arrest patients who visited the emergency room at a university hospital during a 24 month period since 2007. Thirty-seven successfully resuscitated patients were divided into 2 groups based on computed tomography findings; these groups consisted of 14 patients with brain swelling and 23 patients without brain swelling. Comparative studies were conducted on post-lab findings and several additional factors. RESULTS: The 14 patients with brain swelling were significantly younger and showed a higher clinical performance category score than patients without brain swelling. Initial serum lactic acid levels showed good correlation with brain swelling. CONCLUSIONS: An urgent CT should be conducted and aggressive treatment pursued when brain swelling is suspected, after consideration of various prognostic factors.

Current State and Problem of the Transfer of Severely Injured Patients in One Regional Emergency Medical Center

PURPOSE: Trauma is one of the leading causes of death, especially among young people. Life-threatening conditions are very common in multiple-traumatized patients due to concurrent multi-organ injuries. Treating such severely injured patients is time critical. However, in Korea, the transfer of severely injured patients is not uncommon due to the lack of a mature trauma care system. In developed countries, the preventable trauma death rate is very low, but the rate is still very high in Korea. This study's objective was to demonstrate the current serious state in which severely injured patients have to be transferred from a Regional Emergency Medical Center even though it actually serves as a trauma center. METHODS: Ajou University Medical Center is a tertiary hospital that serves as a trauma center in Gyeonggi-do. The medical records at Ajou University Medical Center for a 1-year period from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2008, were retrospectively reviewed. A severely injured patient was defined as a patient who showed more than 15 point on the ISS (injury severity score) scale. We investigated the clinical characteristics of such patients and the causes of transfer. RESULTS: Out of 81,718 patients who visited the Regional Emergency Medical Center, 19,731 (24.1%) were injured patients. Among them, 108 severely-injured patients were transferred from one Regional Emergency Medical Center to other hospitals. The male-to-female ratio was about 3.5:1, and the mean ISS was 23.08. The most common mechanism of injury was traffic accidents (41.7%). A major cause of transfer was the shortage of intensive care units (44.4%); another was for emergent operation (27.8%). Most of the hospitals that received the severely-injured patients were secondary hospitals (86.1%). CONCLUSION: Although the Regional Emergency Medical Center played a role as a trauma center, actually, severely-injured patients had to be transferred to other hospitals for several reasons. Most reasons were related with the deficiencies in the trauma care system. If a mature trauma care system is well-organized, the numbers of transfer of severely injured patients will be reduced significantly.

Considerations for Cancellation Reception in an Emergency Department

PURPOSE: The cancellation of reception in emergency department (ED) in Korea is similar to leaving without being seen in another country. But there are differences. We studied the actual conditions and reasons for cancellation of reception in the ED in each of several hospitals. METHODS: Thirty-six emergency centers and one hundred sixty-seven emergency physicians participated in this survey. We obtained information through a questionnaire about total hospital bed counts, emergency center bed counts, number of emergency physicians, number of cancellations of reception for one day, and emergency physicians' opinions about cancellation of reception. Also, we prospectively investigated reasons for cancellation of reception for emergency physicians and patients. We recorded the reason for cancellation of reception at the time of cancellation and then interviewed the patient by telephone within 10 days after their leaving the ED. RESULTS: Nine regional emergency centers, three specialized emergency centers, twenty-two local emergency centers and two local emergency facilities were involved in this study. We surveyed patient cancellation of reception from August 1, 2008, to October 31, 2008 in our hospital. The results of our study were variable but the average of cancellation of reception was 10% of all ED patients. The most common reason for cancellation of reception was the emergency physician sending the patient to an outpatient clinic, typically because they thought the patient had mild symptoms. The most common reasons causing emergency physicians to think about cancellation of reception were mild symptoms and too long a delay time. There was a significant difference of opinion between emergency physician and patient regarding cancellation of reception (p<0.01). The emergency physicians considered the reasons to be patient factors, while the patients considered the reasons to be doctor-related factors. CONCLUSION: There are many adverse effects from cancellation of reception in an ED for both emergency physicians and patients. We should considered methods for developing a consensus on ways to improve the situation.

The Applicability and Usefulness of Emergency Department Syndromic Surveillance Using a Computed Data Source for Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis and Meningitis

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the applicability and usefulness of emergency department (ED) syndromic surveillance using a computerized data source for highly contagious, public health related diseases such as conjunctivitis and meningitis. METHODS: Between Jan 1 2007 and Dec 31 2008 we conducted a retrospective, observational study through consecutive enrollment of individuals at a university hospital with an ED census of about 156,000. ED patient data were obtained from a computerized data system, the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS). Predefined symptoms including red eye, eye injection / discharge / itching, headache, nausea, vomiting and predefined signs such as fever comparable with conjunctivitis and meningitis and ED discharge diagnosis were used as data for syndromic surveillance. Data about spinal tapping were used for agreement analysis. RESULTS: We enrolled 714 patients for ED syndromic conjunctivitis and 1,889 for ED syndromic meningitis during the study period. A positive correlation was demonstrated between ED syndromic conjunctivitis data and national ophthalmologic sentinel survey data (Pearson correlation = 0.696; p<0.001). The agreement (kapha value) between ED syndromic meningitis using chief complaints and ED discharge diagnosis and ED syndromic meningitis using chief complaints and spinal tapping order was 0.665 (p<0.001). Real outbreaks were recognized 2 to 4 weeks early by both ED syndromic surveillance of conjunctivitis and meningitis. CONCLUSION: ED syndromic surveillance methods are applicable and useful for surveillance of conjunctivitis and meningitis. Further study is needed to clarify the effectiveness of ED syndromic surveillance and the likelihood of early recognition in highly contagious public health related diseases.

Educational Needs of Homemakers Regarding Emergency Situations in the Home: Focused on Differences in Educational Needs based on the General Characteristics of Homemakers and Differences between Homemakers and Emergency Physicians

PURPOSE: To investigate the educational needs and attitudes of homemakers regarding emergency situations in the home and to compare differences in perceptions about emergency situations according to the general characteristics of homemakers and differences between homemakers and emergency physicians METHODS: Using a written survey of a randomly selected sample, we questioned 69 emergency physicians and 450 homemakers over a 5 month period from November 2008 to March 2009. The survey consisted of 8 medical conditions and 16 injury-related conditions. It contained questions (using a Likert scale) about the need for education about each condition (the higher the score, the greater the need). We also determined homemakers' general characteristics: their age, educational background, number of children, gender of their children, age of their children, the existence of older families, and prior training in the process of resuscitation. RESULTS: A total of 346(77%) homemakers responded. For most conditions, the average scores were higher (greater need) among homemakers than among emergency physicians. There were significant differences between these two groups, especially for seizure, fever, dyspnea, bleeding, contusions (of the head, face, extremities, cervical spine and other areas), wounds (of the head, face, oral cavity and extremities), amputated tissue control, injury to teeth, burns, foreign body ingestion, intoxication, and electrical shock. According to the general characteristics of homemakers, the educational background affected the educational needs for homemakers for dyspnea, and for contusions of the head, face, and cervical spine. CONCLUSION: The need for education regarding emergency conditions in the home are higher in the eyes of homemakers than in the eyes of emergency physicians. General characteristics of homemakers affects educational needs. The subject of educational program about first aid will be chosen according to general characteristics of homemakers. according to general characteristics of homemakers.

Bickerstaff's Brainstem Encephalitis Accompanied by Encephalopathy Associated with Autoimmune Thyroid Disease (EAATD): Case Report and Review

Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis (BBE) is characterized by a consciousness disorder, ophthalmoplegia and ataxia. Some patients with BBE show hyperreflexia, pyramidal signs and sensory disturbance. The pathophysiology of BBE is not proven; it is presumed that an autoimmune response has a key role. Encephalopathy-associated with autoimmune thyroid disease (EAATD) is another encephalopathy presumed to be related to autoimmune responses. Patients with EAATD show cognitive dysfunction, seizures, and other neurologic deficits, with elevated antithyroid antibody and good responsiveness to steroid therapy. Here we described a case of a 26-year-old woman who presented with the characterstics of BBE and EAATD.