To evaluate the cardiac functions we examed the M-mode echocardiography with measurements of blood pressure, heart rate and body surface area in 55 normal Korean adults(male 30 persons, female 25 persons) of mean age, 41.7+/-12.3 years. (1) Interventricular septal thickness is 9.5+/-1.7mm and left ventricular posterior wall thickness are 8.6+/-1.5mm at end-diatole, 14.0+/-2.1mm at end-systole. (2) Diastolic and systolic left ventricular internal dimensions are 49.1+/-4.8mm and 31.3+/-5.0mm, respectively. (3) Left ventricular mass by Penn Convention method is 174.4+/-52.1g and left ventricular mass index is 103.2+/-28.8g/m2. (4) Relative wall thickness is 0.35+/-0.06. (5) Left ventricular volumes by Teichholz's method are 114.9+/-27.6ml at diastole and 40.2+/-17.2ml at systole. Therefore, stroke volume is 74.7+/-16.9ml and stroke volume index is 44.5+/-10.7 ml/m2. (6) Cardiac output is 4944+/-1058 ml/min and cardiac index is 2951+/-666 ml/min/m2. (7) Total peripheral resistance is 1454+/-356 dynes-sec-cm(-5) and total peripheral resistance index is 2472+/-623 dynes-sec-cm(-5).m2. (8) Fractional shortening is 36.5+/-6.0% and pressure-volume ratio is 3.27+/-1.19 mmHg/ml. (9) End-systolic wall stress is 61.3+/-19.7x10(3) dynes=cm2. (10) Atrial emptying index is 0.66+/-0.18.
Adult* ; Blood Pressure ; Body Surface Area ; Cardiac Output ; Diastole ; Echocardiography* ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Stroke Volume ; Systole ; Vascular Resistance

Hydrogen peroxide is a commonly used oxidizing agent. If injected, it may result in morbidity via direct caustic injury, oxygen gas formation, and lipid peroxidation. We report a 40-year-old male patient who accidentally swallowed undiluted hydrogen peroxide (35%). The initial chest computed tomography scan showed no active lesions. He was admitted to the intensive care unit for conservative treatment. Fourteen days after treatment, uncontrolled fever and foul oder sputum occurred, which was not alleviated despite empirical antibiotics therapy. Findings on a chest computed tomography showed tracheo-esophageal fistula at the lower trachea and left main bronchus. He underwent surgical replacement surgery and was discharged without complication after 52 days of admission.
Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bronchi ; Caustics ; Fever ; Fistula* ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide* ; Hydrogen* ; Intensive Care Units ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Oxygen ; Poisoning ; Sputum ; Thorax ; Trachea

PURPOSE: This study compared the performance between the fully-automated external defibrillator (F-AED) and the semi-automated external defibrillator (S-AED) when used by laypersons. METHODS: Thirty-three laypersons participated in a mannequin simulation study as part of Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training courses. After 30 minutes of didactic education for the Automated External Defibrillator (AED), they watched a video on how to use the fully-automated external defibrillator (F-AED) and a semi-automated external defibrillator (S-AED) instead of a hands-on education. Laypersons performed the S-AED first, then the F-AED. Performances and shock delivery time intervals were recorded and evaluated. RESULTS: The performances in shock delivery were better with the F-AED, although the overall performance was statistically insignificant. In terms of shock delivery interval, the F-AED was shorter than the S-AED (54.48+/-2.84 sec vs. 64.76+/-3.57 sec, respectively, p<0.01). In the post survey, F-AED had a higher preference (F-AED vs. S-AED 23(70%) vs. 5(15%), respectively, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The F-AED had a better performance and shorter shock delivery time interval than the S-AED. The F-AED should thus be considered for use, outside of the hospital, on cardiac arrest patients for early defibrillation.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Defibrillators ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Manikins ; Shock

Acute gastric volvulus in children is a rare condition, but a potentially life-threatening cause of upper gastrointestinal obstruction requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment. However, the symptoms are ambiguous, so that it can be easily misdiagnosed. We report on the case of a 3-year-old boy patient with recurrent vomiting despite conservative therapy. Findings of a bedside ultrasonography and upper gastro-intestinal contrast study showed mesentero-axial gastric volvulus without adjacent organ abnormality. He was managed with endoscopic gastropexy and was discharged without complication.
Child* ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis ; Gastropexy ; Humans ; Male ; Stomach Volvulus* ; Ultrasonography ; Vomiting*

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) is an uncommon cause of spinal cord compression. Early diagnosis and appropriate management are important, however, diagnosis is often difficult due to variable neurologic deficit. We report on the case of a 69-year-old female patient in right hemiparesis. She was treated with thrombolysis therapy for acute cerebral infarction before being transferred to our hospital. Findings on a cervical spine magnetic resonance image showed spinal epidural hematoma and cord compression. She was prepared to undergo decompressive surgery, however, neurologic deficits began to show improvement. She was managed conservatively and was discharged without deficits approximately nine days after onset.
Aged ; Cerebral Infarction ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal* ; Humans ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery* ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Paresis ; Spinal Cord Compression ; Spine

Confluent and reticulated papillomatosis (Gougerot and Carteaud) is a rare but clinically distinct dermatosis of which the etiology is unknown. We report 2 cases. One case is a 16-year-old boy who had a hyperpigmented reticulated eruption on the trunk and both arms and the other case is a 33-year-old man who had a similar eruption on the chest and back. The former, with previous treatment with oral and topical antifungal agent in another clinic didn't show any improvement and the latter case, with initial treatment of itraconazole did not improve his skin lesion. The rashes of two patients virtually disappeared with administration of minocycline. These observations indicate that the role of microorganisms sensitive to minocycline or anti- proliferative effect of minocycline could be presumed.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Arm ; Exanthema ; Humans ; Itraconazole ; Male ; Minocycline* ; Papilloma* ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Thorax

Desmoid tumor, also known as desmoid-type fibromatosis, is a rare, intermediate, locally aggressive tumor with a high possibility of local infiltration and recurrence, potentially leading to life-threatening problems. We report a case of a 15-year-old girl who visited the emergency department with a 1-week history of the left leg swelling. A point-of-care ultrasound on the leg showed dilated left femoral and popliteal veins. Subsequently, a computed tomography venogram demonstrated a large pelvic mass compressing the left external iliac vein. She underwent tumor resection, and was uneventfully discharged on day 12.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, a hyper inflammation syndrome induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, may show a fatal progression. Thus, it is important to recognize its symptoms, and provide appropriate treatment at an early stage. We report a 7-year-old boy who presented with unremitted fever, vomiting, and whole-body polymorphic rash. Laboratory findings showed lymphopenia, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, d-dimer, ferritin, and triglyceride. The boy had negative findings of viruses-related to respiratory disease and meningitis, and positivity for immunoglobulin G against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. He was diagnosed as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, and received supportive care, intravenous immunoglobulin, and steroid. He was discharged without complication on day 12.

Acute abdominal pain is a common emergency department complaint, with a myriad of potential causes often leading to misdiagnoses. Among these, internal oblique muscle tears have a rare etiology. This paper reports the case of a 34-yearold male presenting with right lower quadrant pain. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) revealed a heterogeneous mass within his right internal oblique muscle, indicative of a hematoma. This finding, coupled with the patient’s history, led to the diagnosis of an internal oblique muscle tear. The patient responded well to conservative management. This case underscores the importance of comprehensive history-taking and POCUS in correctly diagnosing unusual causes of acute abdominal pain, such as abdominal muscle injuries.

Exercise is one of the most ubiquitous triggers of acute bouts of asthma. Late asthmatic responses(LARs) have been described following strenuous exercise, as in allergen-induced asthma. However, most studies have reported that airway responsiveness is not increased after exercise, even in subjects with LAR to exercise. This suggests that LAR after exercise may not be associated with inflammatory changes in the airways. We have frequently seen asthmatic children whose complaint is that symptoms are exacerbated at night after strenuous daytime exercise. Furthermore, airway responsiveness to allergen was reported to increase after LAR to exercise. Therefore, it is crucial to know whether exercise can induce airway inflammation, as in allergen-induced asthma. As an indirect measure to investigate it, we measured the activation status of eosinophil granulocyte in the peripheral blood during the early and late phase of exercise- or allergen-induced asthma. Eight subjects who showed early asthmatic response(EAR) and LAR(group 1), or EAR only (group 2) to allergen (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) challenge were selected. Similarly eight subjects who showed EAR and LAR(group 3), or EAR only (group 4) to exercise were selected. Blood samples were drawn at baseline, the early phase, the late phase, and 24 hours after each stimuli. Eosinofphil cationic protein (ECP) was measured in the serum. Eosinophil granulocytes were separated and the production of leukotriene C4 (LTC4) from purified eosinophfis was measured after stimulation with the calciumionophore. Serum levels of ECP were unchanged at EAR after allergen or exercise challenge. In the dual responder to allergen (group 1), serum ECP level was elevated at LAR and 24 hours after allergen challenge, as compared with the baseline level. On the other hand, in the dual responder to exercise (group 3), it remained unaltered up to 24 hours after exercise challenge. Eosinophils at EAR after allergen or exercise challenge in each group generated the similar amounts of LTC4 as baseline values. In group 1, the production of LTC4 was slightly increased though not significantly at LAR, and significantly increased 24 hours after allergen challenge. In group 3, it was increased significantly at LAR, but restored to the baseline values at 24 hours after exercise challenge. These results indicate that not only allergen but also exercise can activate eosinophils in accordance with LAR. The present findings suggest that LAR to exercise may also have the potential to induce airway eosinophilic inflammation although its duration may be shorter than that of LAR to allergen. Therefore exercise should be understood not only as a triggering factor of bronchoconstriction but also as one that incites or deteriorates airway inflammation.
Asthma* ; Bronchoconstriction ; Child ; Ear ; Eosinophils* ; Granulocytes ; Hand ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Leukotriene C4