Atlanto-occipital dislocation (AOD) is rarely seen in clinic because it is characteristically immediately fatal. With recent progress in the pre-hospital care, an increasing number of AOD survivors have been reported. However, because the pathophysiology of AOD is not clearly understood yet, the appropriate strategy for the initial management remains still unclear. We report a case of successful AOD treatment and describe important points in the management of this condition. It is important to note that abducens nerve palsy is a warning sign of AOD and that AOD can result in a life-threatening distortion of the arteries and the brain stem. We recommend the application of a halo vest to protect the patient's neural and vascular competence as the immediate initial step in the treatment of AOD. Horn's grading system is useful in assessing indications for surgery. Finally, when performing posterior fixation, C2 should be included because of the anatomy of the ligamentous architecture.
Abducens Nerve Diseases ; Arteries ; Atlanto-Occipital Joint ; Brain Stem ; Dislocations* ; External Fixators ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Ligaments ; Mental Competency ; Survivors

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) combines endoscopy and intraluminal ultrasonography, and allows imaging with a high-frequency transducer over a short distance to generate high-resolution ultrasonographic images. EUS is now a widely accepted modality for diagnosing pancreatobiliary diseases. EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) using a curved linear-array echoendoscope was initially described more than 20 years ago, and since then many researchers have expanded its indications to sample diverse lesions and have also used it for various therapeutic purposes. EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) is one of the therapeutic procedures that has been developed using a curved linear-array echoendoscope. Technically, EUS-BD includes rendezvous techniques via transesophageal, transgastric, and transduodenal routes, EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy (EUS-CDS), and EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS). Published data have demonstrated a high success rate, albeit with a comparatively high rate of nonfatal complications for EUS-CDS and EUS-HGS, and a comparatively low success rate with a low complication rate for the rendezvous technique. At present, these procedures represent an alternative to surgery or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) for patients with obstructive jaundice when endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) has failed. However, these procedures should be performed in centers with extensive experience in linear EUS and therapeutic biliary ERCP. Large prospective studies are needed in the near future to establish standardized EUS-BD procedures as well as to perform controlled comparative trials between EUS-BD and PTBD, between rendezvous techniques and direct-access techniques (EUS-CDS and EUS-HGS), and between EBD and EUS-BD.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Choledochostomy ; Dioxolanes ; Drainage ; Endoscopy ; Endosonography ; Fluorocarbons ; Humans ; Jaundice, Obstructive ; Transducers

BACKGROUND: Both endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS-CPN) and tumor ablation using ethanol are very common procedures, and the utility of these therapies has already been reported in prominent journals. However, their effectiveness appears temporary and insufficient, especially EUS-CPN. We therefore have to consider new reagents for improving the results. The present study examined the best concentration of ethanol and povidone iodine mixed with atelocollagen for more effective therapies. METHODS: The effects of the new reagents were confirmed in three live pigs. At first, we injected three kinds of reagents (including indigo carmine) in three separate areas of para-aortic tissue under EUS guidance in one pig. At more than 4 hours after injection, we checked ethanol injection sites after dissection. In next study, we performed EUS-guided injection of a total of six kinds of reagents (two kinds of ethanol, three kinds of povidone iodine, and control atelocollagen) into the livers of two living pigs. After 2 weeks, we examined tissue damage to the liver in the two pigs. RESULTS: The 75% ethanol (absolute ethanol 3.75 mL + 1% atelocollagen 1.25 mL + a very small amount of indigo carmine) was seen like blue gel, and still remained in the para-aortic tissue. Brownish areas of povidone iodine mixed with 3% atelocollagen exhibited clear, regular borders with greatly reduced infiltration into surrounding tissue compared to others. CONCLUSION: We concluded that 75% ethanol mixed with 1% atelocollagen appears optimal for EUS-CPN. Povidone iodine mixed with 3% atelocollagen may be suitable for small tumor ablation therapy.
Celiac Plexus* ; Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration ; Endosonography ; Ethanol ; Indicators and Reagents ; Indigo Carmine ; Liver ; Povidone-Iodine ; Swine

SUMMARY OF EVENT: Pneumoderma, mediastinal emphysema, and bilateral pneumothorax were developed in the patient who had undergone transesophageal endoscopic ultrasonography-guided rendezvous technique. Chest drainage was performed immediately. TEACHING POINT: Transesophageal approach carries the potential risks of severe complications such as mediastinal emphysema, mediastinitis, and pneumothorax. To prevent puncturing through the esophagus, clipping the esophagogastric junction using a forward-viewing scope before procedure is very useful. In cases of inadvertent transesophageal puncture, devices other than the needle should not be passed through the site.
Drainage* ; Endosonography ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Esophagus ; Humans ; Mediastinal Emphysema ; Mediastinitis ; Needles ; Pneumothorax ; Punctures ; Thorax

SUMMARY OF EVENT: Bacterial, mycotic peritonitis and Candida fungemia developed in a patient with moderate ascites who had undergone endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD). Antibiotics and antifungal agent were administered and ascites drainage was performed. Although the infection improved, the patient's general condition gradually deteriorated due to aggravation of the primary cancer and he died. TEACHING POINT: This is the first report to describe infectious peritonitis after EUS-BD. Ascites carries the potential risk of severe complications. As such, in patients with ascites, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is typically preferred over EUS-BD or percutaneous drainage to prevent bile leakage. However, ERCP may not be possible in some patients with tumor invasion of the duodenum or with surgically altered anatomy. Thus, in patients with ascites who require EUS-BD, we recommend inserting the drainage tube percutaneously and draining the ascites before and after the intervention in order to prevent severe infection.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Ascites ; Bile ; Candida ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Drainage ; Duodenum ; Endosonography ; Fungemia ; Humans ; Peritonitis