We experienced a complication of brachial plexus palsy secondary to operative position during thoracoscopic thoracic sympathectomies. His general health was excellent and no previous histories vulnerable to peripheral nerve systems were observed. The thoracic sympathectomies were done under general anesthesia. The patient was placed left lateral position with his right arm abduced 150o on padded arm board. An operation was lasted 2 hours and 30 minutes at this position because of severe right apical lung adhesion. The controlateral side was performed same procedure and lasted 20 minutes. After the patient recovered from the anesthesia, the patient had a complete paralysis of right arm. There was also slightly diminished sensation to pinprick on the arm and hand. Neurologic examination and EMG study revealed brachial plexus palsy. Nerve blocks and physiotherapy were performed to treat brachial plexus injuries. His motor functions were improved day by day and he was discharged with a complete range of motion against gravity on 14th. postoperation day. However, there were loss of muscle powers against some resistances and tingling sensations of fingertips. Two months later, he was recovered completely and there was no residual disabilities.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Arm ; Brachial Plexus* ; Gravitation ; Hand ; Humans ; Lung ; Nerve Block ; Neurologic Examination ; Paralysis* ; Peripheral Nerves ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Sensation ; Sympathectomy*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The use of several approaches, involving different cerebellopontine angles, has enabled vestibular schwannoma removal to be tailored to each patient's pathology and physiological status. The retrosigmoid approach provides simple and direct access to cerebello-pontine angle lesions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively assessed outcomes in 35 consecutive patients who underwent vestibular schwannoma removal via the retrosigmoid approach. RESULTS: Of the 35 patients, 12 were men and 23 women; their age was 52.5+/-10.4 years (range, 35-75 years). One tumor was small (< or =1 cm), 18 were medium (1-3 cm), and 16 (45.7%) were large (>3 cm). Symptoms included hearing disturbance (31 patients, 89%), tinnitus (14 patients, 40%), headache (12 patients, 34%), vertigo (11 patients, 31%), and facial palsy (9 patients, 25%). Postoperative complications included facial palsy, intracranial hemorrhage, dysphagia, and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, with facial palsy remaining permanently. Four patients (11.4%) had tumor regrowth, at a mean of 36.3 months after primary surgery. The mean diameter of regrowing tumors was 20.5+/-4.4 mm (range 14.5-25.0 mm). CONCLUSIONS: The retrosigmoid approach for vestibular schwannoma removal was associated with higher rates of facial palsy and hearing loss. This approach, however, can minimize injury to the lower cranial nerve.
Cerebellopontine Angle ; Cranial Nerves ; Deglutition Disorders ; Facial Paralysis ; Headache ; Hearing ; Hearing Loss ; Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Male ; Neuroma, Acoustic ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Tinnitus ; Vertigo

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The use of several approaches, involving different cerebellopontine angles, has enabled vestibular schwannoma removal to be tailored to each patient's pathology and physiological status. The retrosigmoid approach provides simple and direct access to cerebello-pontine angle lesions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively assessed outcomes in 35 consecutive patients who underwent vestibular schwannoma removal via the retrosigmoid approach. RESULTS: Of the 35 patients, 12 were men and 23 women; their age was 52.5+/-10.4 years (range, 35-75 years). One tumor was small (< or =1 cm), 18 were medium (1-3 cm), and 16 (45.7%) were large (>3 cm). Symptoms included hearing disturbance (31 patients, 89%), tinnitus (14 patients, 40%), headache (12 patients, 34%), vertigo (11 patients, 31%), and facial palsy (9 patients, 25%). Postoperative complications included facial palsy, intracranial hemorrhage, dysphagia, and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, with facial palsy remaining permanently. Four patients (11.4%) had tumor regrowth, at a mean of 36.3 months after primary surgery. The mean diameter of regrowing tumors was 20.5+/-4.4 mm (range 14.5-25.0 mm). CONCLUSIONS: The retrosigmoid approach for vestibular schwannoma removal was associated with higher rates of facial palsy and hearing loss. This approach, however, can minimize injury to the lower cranial nerve.
Cerebellopontine Angle ; Cranial Nerves ; Deglutition Disorders ; Facial Paralysis ; Headache ; Hearing ; Hearing Loss ; Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Male ; Neuroma, Acoustic ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Tinnitus ; Vertigo

Volume replacement is a vital therapy in patient with circulatory shock, but the type of fluid that should be infused remains in controversy. This study is designed to compare the cardiopulmonary effects of a colloid solution and a crystalloid solution in dogs subjected to severe hemorrhagic shock. Twelve dogs were bled into shock and mean arterial pressure(MAP) were maintained at 60 mmHg for 1 hour followed by further hemorrhage to 40 mmHg for additional one hour, Animals were randomized to fluid challenge with 10% pentastarch(group P) or 0.9% normal saline(group S) to restore MAP. Complete hemodynamic and blood gas parameters and plasma lactate concentration were measured at pre-shock, during shock and after resuscitation for 2 hours. Cardiac function and hemodynamic stability were restored to higher level than the control level on the completion of fluid challenge with each type of solution, but hemodynamic parameters decreased as time goes after resuscitation. Especially in group S, hemodynamic parameters decreased more significantly and rapidly than group P. Considering the relation of left ventricular stroke work index(LVSWI) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure(PCWP), the cardiac performance was well maintained to normal level in group P during post-resuscitation period, but rapidly deteriorated in group S. There was a significant increase in intrapulmonary shunt fraction with pentastarch that was maximal on the completion of fluid challenge but which normalized over the next 1 hour. Assessment of tissue perfusion was measured by mixed venous oxygen tension(PVO2) and plasma lactate concentration. In group P, PVO. was restored to higher than the control level and maintained to the cantrol level during post-resuscitation period, but in group S, it was not restored to control level at the completion of fluid challenge, moreover after then, it decreased progressively. Plssma lactate concentration was recovered to control level in group P at the completion of fluid challenge, but in group S, it was recovered lately. It means that tissue perfusion was more rapidly and effectively restored in group P than group S. In conclusion, infusion of pentastarch at severe hemorrhagic shock restored the hemodynamic parameter more rapidly and maintained cardiac performance more effectively during post-resuscitation period than normal saline. Infusion of pentastarch also maintained tissue perfusion more effectively but it increased intrapulmonary shunt fraction transiently.
Animals ; Capillaries ; Colloids ; Dogs ; Hemodynamics ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives* ; Lactic Acid ; Oxygen ; Perfusion ; Plasma ; Resuscitation* ; Shock* ; Shock, Hemorrhagic ; Stroke

PURPOSE: Ciliary abnormalities of the respiratory system usually accompany recurrent or persistent respiratory diseases such as paranasal sinusitis, bronchiectasis, rhinitis, and/or otitis media, since they cause certain derangements in ciliary cleaning activities. This disease is usually inherited by autosomal recessive trait, but may also be found to be acquired or transient in rare cases after heavy exposure to pollutants, cigarette smoking or severe infection. We performed this study in children with frequently recurrent or persistent respiratory diseases to clarify if the ciliary abnormalities are preceding factors. METHODS: We enrolled 17 children with suspected respiratory ciliary abnormalities. The indications for evaluation of ciliary ultrastructure were recurrent or persistent respiratory infections. Children with immunologic abnormalities were excluded. From August 2000 to July 2003, we performed a biopsy on nasal mucosa and examined the structure of ciliary status by using an electron microscope. RESULTS: Of the subjects, there were seven males and 10 females, aged 2 to 10 years. Out of the 17 subjects, 12 cases of chronic paranasal sinusitis, nine chronic coughs, nine frequent upper respiratory infections, seven cases of recurrent otitis media, four cases of recurrent pneumonia, and four cases of bronchial asthma were found. Out of the 17 cases on which histologic examinations were conducted, four cases showed pathologic findings, including one case of inner dynein arm defect, one of microtubular transposition, one of supernumerous tubules, and one singlet, respectively. CONCLUSION: It is essential for differential diagnosis and effective treatment to identify the abnormalities of ultrastructure of nasal cilia in children with symptoms of frequently recurrent or persistent respiratory diseases, if immunodeficiency or respiratory allergy could be excluded.
Arm ; Asthma ; Biopsy ; Bronchiectasis ; Child* ; Cilia* ; Cough ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dyneins ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Male ; Nasal Mucosa ; Otitis Media ; Pneumonia ; Respiratory System ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Rhinitis ; Sinusitis ; Smoking

A giant colonic diverticulum is a rare complication of diverticulosis, and an inguinal hernia is a common diagnosis for patients presenting with a painful groin mass. A 52-year-old male presented to the emergency room with a 3-hour complaint of progressive, constant, right-groin pain with an inguinal mass. After manual reduction of the inguinal hernia, the patient complained of pain in the right upper quadrant. Operative findings showed a transverse colon diverticulitis without perforation. We report here that case of a transverse colon giant diverticulum presenting as an atypical incarcerated inguinal hernia.
Colon, Transverse* ; Diagnosis ; Diverticulitis* ; Diverticulum ; Diverticulum, Colon ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Groin ; Hernia, Inguinal* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Sinonasal malignant melanoma comprises 0.5% ~ 1.5% of all malignant melanomas. Malignant melanoma in the nasal cavity is relatively more predominant than in the paranasal sinus. The maxillary sinus is the most common sinus cavity affected by malignant melanoma, and the sphenoid sinus is a very rare site regardless of a primary or secondary origin. We encountered a patient with frequent epistaxis who was found to have malignant melanoma at the nasal septum and sphenoid sinus. She was treated successfully with endoscopic sinus surgery, and we report this case, along with the associated literature.
Epistaxis ; Humans ; Maxillary Sinus ; Melanoma* ; Nasal Cavity ; Nasal Septum ; Sphenoid Sinus*

Respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma (REAH) is an uncommon non-neoplastic proliferation of the sinonasal tract that presents as a mass-like lesion. It can be confused with a variety of benign and malignant entities including inflammatory polyp, inverted papilloma and low-grade sinonasal adenocarcinoma. Misinterpretation may result in unnecessary radical surgery. Recently we have experienced two patients of REAH in the nasal cavity. One was originated from the lateral nasal wall and the other was from the both olfactory clefts. Therefore, we report these cases with a brief literature review.
Adenocarcinoma ; Hamartoma* ; Humans ; Nasal Cavity* ; Papilloma, Inverted ; Polyps

Respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma (REAH) is an uncommon non-neoplastic proliferation of the sinonasal tract that presents as a mass-like lesion. It can be confused with a variety of benign and malignant entities including inflammatory polyp, inverted papilloma and low-grade sinonasal adenocarcinoma. Misinterpretation may result in unnecessary radical surgery. Recently we have experienced two patients of REAH in the nasal cavity. One was originated from the lateral nasal wall and the other was from the both olfactory clefts. Therefore, we report these cases with a brief literature review.
Adenocarcinoma ; Hamartoma* ; Humans ; Nasal Cavity* ; Papilloma, Inverted ; Polyps

There are reports showing considerable morphological abnormalities in the lumbosacral region, which are usually caused by certain diseases or simply by anatomical variations. It is possible that if a caudal block is performed in patients with these anatomical abnormalities it will either fail or another unexpected difficult situation will result. However, there is no case report regarding such issues. We experienced two cases of an unexpected dural puncture during a trial of caudal block, and one case in whom the dural puncture would most likely have been caused by a trial of caudal block. The dural punture was caused by morphological abnormalities in the lumbosacral region i.e., diffuse ectasia of the lumbosacral dura and a posterior sacral meningocele with an enlargement of the lumbosacral canal. The dural termination was located more distally in the potential dural puncture case than in the normal cases.
Dilatation, Pathologic ; Humans ; Lumbosacral Region ; Meningocele ; Punctures*