ABSTRACT
The Stellate ganglion block (SGB) could be used to treat sympathetic dependent circulatory insufficiency. We report a 36-year-old female patient with burn-induced refractory ischemic ulcer in distal phalanges. The patient admitted in department of plastic surgery for second degree burn wound in the right second through fifth fingertips. Continuous dressing treatment was conducted. However digital burn wounds were not healed but seems to be refractory. The upper extremity angiography revealed decreased perfusion and the fingertip wounds were diagnosed as ischemic ulcer. Despite of botulinum toxin injection into the perineural tissue and aspirin prescription, burn wounds showed ulcerative necrotic change. The SGBs were performed twice a week for 3 weeks to restore vasoconstriction of the upper extremity arteries. The follow-up angiography showed significant improvement of fingertip perfusion. Consequently, wounds were completely healed. In conclusion, SGB could be a rational option to overcome burn-induced digital ischemia refractory to other medical therapy.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Angiography , Arteries , Aspirin , Bandages , Botulinum Toxins , Burns , Follow-Up Studies , Ischemia , Perfusion , Prescriptions , Stellate Ganglion , Surgery, Plastic , Ulcer , Upper Extremity , Vasoconstriction , Wounds and InjuriesABSTRACT
Lymphedema is a common complication associated with cancer itself or with cancer treatment. Lymphedema infrequently occurs after drug therapy. Bee venom is one of the materials used in acupuncture, and it has been used in the treatment of a variety of inflammatory diseases including arthritis. We report a 74-year-old male patient with late-onset post-radiation lymphedema provoked by bee venom therapy. He was free of lymphedema for 5 years after the complete remission of prostate cancer which had been treated with transurethral resection and radiation therapy. The patient developed left leg swelling after undergoing bee venom therapy for left hip pain. Computed tomography and lymphoscintigraphy showed lymphedema without tumor recurrence or infection. The lymphatic system was suspected to be injured by bee venom therapy and lymphedema was provoked. Bee venom therapy should be used cautiously in patients prone to lymphedema.
Subject(s)
Aged , Humans , Male , Acupuncture , Arthritis , Bee Venoms , Bees , Drug Therapy , Hip , Leg , Lymphatic System , Lymphedema , Lymphoscintigraphy , Prostatic Neoplasms , RecurrenceABSTRACT
A 57-year-old man who was diagnosed with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome showed severe impairment of cognitive function and a craving for alcohol, even after sufficient supplementation with thiamine. After completing 10 sessions of 10 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) at 100% of the resting motor threshold over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, dramatic improvement in cognitive function and a reduction in craving for alcohol were noted. This is the first case report of the efficacy of a high-frequency rTMS in the treatment of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
