1.A Case Report of the Interval Form of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Shihori Kitae ; Yohei Nagatani ; Ai Morita ; Hiroki Sone ; Yoshihiro Konishi
The Japanese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 2009;46(11):705-710
A 56-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for the purpose of rehabilitation. Because this patient developed apallic syndrome 21 days after he recovered from his first coma, he was diagnosed with the interval form of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. On admission, he showed paralysis of all limbs, motor dysfunction due to joint contractures, pain, and higher brain dysfunction. These symptoms were consistent with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings that the frontal white matter was mainly affected while the involvement in the basal ganglion was mild. Rehabilitation was continued, and his motor dysfunction was improved in a few months, although the higher brain dysfunction needed a longer term to improve. An interruption of his rehabilitation resulted in the exacerbation of the motor dysfunction. Subsequent complications of CO poisoning have been reported to be linked to the areas of the involvement revealed by MRI. Since CO poisoning can show various symptoms, a diversity of rehabilitation is required, according to the patients' symptoms. We think that rehabilitation is the most effective therapy for the subsequent complications of CO poisoning. Since the symptoms require a long time to improve, it is difficult to deal with them within the application of the existing health insurance and nursing care support regulations. We consider that rehabilitation for motor dysfunction and higher brain dysfunction are important, in addition to hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the acute stage of CO poisoning.
2.Adrenal Venous Sampling for Subtype Diagnosis of Primary Hyperaldosteronism
Mitsuhide NARUSE ; Akiyo TANABE ; Koichi YAMAMOTO ; Hiromi RAKUGI ; Mitsuhiro KOMETANI ; Takashi YONEDA ; Hiroki KOBAYASHI ; Masanori ABE ; Youichi OHNO ; Nobuya INAGAKI ; Shoichiro IZAWA ; Masakatsu SONE
Endocrinology and Metabolism 2021;36(5):965-973
Adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is the key procedure for lateralization of primary hyperaldosteronism (PA) before surgery. Identification of the adrenal veins using computed tomography (CT) and intraoperative cortisol assay facilitates the success of catheterization. Although administration of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) has benefits such as improving the success rate, some unilateral cases could be falsely diagnosed as bilateral. Selectivity index of 5 with ACTH stimulation to assess the selectivity of catheterization and lateralization index (LI) >4 with ACTH stimulation for unilateral diagnosis is used in many centers. Co-secretion of cortisol from the tumor potentially affects the lateralization by the LI. Patients aged <35 years with hypokalemia, marked aldosterone excess, and unilateral adrenal nodule on CT have a higher probability of unilateral disease. Patients with normokalemia, mild aldosterone excess, and no adrenal tumor on CT have a higher probability of bilateral disease. Although no methods have 100% specificity for subtype diagnosis that would allow bypassing AVS, prediction of the subtype should be considered when recommending AVS to patients. Methodological standardization and strict indication improve diagnostic quality of AVS. Development of non-invasive imaging and biochemical markers will drive a paradigm shift in the clinical practice of PA.