One hundred and twenty four patients with hypertensive putaminal hemorrhage were analyzed by time course. All patients were brought to the emergency room within 3 hours after the ictus. Seventy three patients were conservatively treated and 51 patients operatively. The neurologic condition of each patient was evaluated by means of the Glasgow coma scale(GCS) score every 1 hour. CT scan of the brain of these patients were taken within 6 hours after the ictus. Clinical severity of the putaminal hemorrhage was graded as rapid deterioration, slow deterioration, and non deterioration by the CT and neurological status. A precise time course analysis of putaminal hemorrhage were compared with the conservative group and surgical group in a 7 hospital day period. Outcome was assessed 6 months later based on the degree of functional recovery(DOFR). The overall mortality was 16.1% and surgical mortality was 13.7%. Surgical treatment for the rapidly deteriorating patients appears to be beneficial when compared with the slowly deteriorating patients. Outcome of the non deteriorating patients didn't show any differences in the quality of life regardless of treatment modality.
Brain ; Coma ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Humans ; Mortality ; Putaminal Hemorrhage* ; Quality of Life ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: In pregnant woman, the respiratory system is influenced by the hormonal environment and an enlarged gravid uterus. After delivery of the fetus, and contraction of the uterus, changes in the respiratory system produced by the mechanical effect of the gravid uterus may decrease or be reversed. We designed this study to observe changes in the respiratory mechanics in pregnant woman under general anesthesia for cesarean section. METHODS: 15 pregnant women at term, ASA 1 were studied. Induction was performed with thiopental/succinylcholine and maintained with O2, N2O and enflurane until delivery. Just before delivery, enflurane was discontinued. Vecuronium was given at 0.1 mg/kg iv 4 min after induction, and after delivery, 1 mg was given as needed. Inspired tidal volume, expired tidal volume, inspired minute ventilation, expired minute ventilation, airway peak pressure, plateau pressure, expired volume during the first 1 second/expired tidal volume (V1.0), dynamic compliance and end-tidal CO2 were continuously measured just after induction, at delivery and 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40 and 50 min after delivery. Blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation were also measured. RESULTS: Compared to the value after induction, values after delivery showed no significant changes in inspired tidal volume or minute volume, but significantly increased in expired tidal volume and minute volume and dynamic compliance, and a significant decrease in airway peak pressure, plateau pressure, V1.0 and end-tidal CO2. Blood pressure and heart rate increased significantly after induction, compared to before induction. Oxygen saturation was maintained at 99-100%. CONCLUSIONS: After delivery, the effects of the gravid uterus on the respiratory system rapidly disappeared, in particular changes of pressure in the airway preceded the respiratory volume changes.
Anesthesia, General* ; Blood Pressure ; Cesarean Section* ; Compliance ; Enflurane ; Female ; Fetus ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Oxygen ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women* ; Respiratory Mechanics* ; Respiratory System ; Tidal Volume ; Uterus ; Vecuronium Bromide ; Ventilation

BACKGROUND: Sevoflurane is characterized by the lack of an unpleasant odor, airway irritation and its low blood/gas partition coefficient (0.68), which provides rapid and smooth induction. Inhaled induction with sevoflurane is commonly used in pediatric patients, but not in adult patients. This study was designed to investigate the time to completion of LMA insertion and end-tidal sevoflurane concentration during induction with sevoflurane 8% and N2O 50%, after midazolam administration, in adults. METHODS: Twenty eight patients, aged 20(-60) years, were administered intravenous midazolam 30 microgram/kg and after one minute, sevoflurane 8% and N2O 50% were inhaled with tidal-volume breathing. One minute after loss of consciousness, jaw thrust and mouth opening were checked and an LMA was inserted. The end-tidal concentration of sevoflurane, and the times to loss of consciousness and completion of insertion were recorded. The mean arterial pressure and heart rate were also recorded. RESULTS: From initiation of sevoflurane and N2O inhalation, it took 48 +/- 14 seconds until loss of consciousness, and 143 +/- 19 seconds until the completion of LMA insertion. The end-tidal sevoflurane concentration was 4.1 +/- 0.6% at loss of consciousness, 5.0 +/- 0.7% at one min after loss of consciousness, and 4.1 +/- 0.5% after LMA insertion. In all patients LMA insertion was successful and satisfactory. After LMA insertion, compared to baseline, the mean arterial pressure was reduced and the heart rate increased. CONCLUSIONS: After small-dose of midazolam, inhaled induction with sevoflurane 8% and N2O 50% allowed successful and satisfactory LMA insertion in adults.
Adult ; Arterial Pressure ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Jaw ; Laryngeal Masks ; Midazolam* ; Mouth ; Nitrous Oxide ; Odors ; Respiration ; Unconsciousness

PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the outcomes of an autologous osteochondral graft (Mosaicplasty) for treating chondral defects of the femoral condyle and We assessed the factors affecting the clinical results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study enrolled 18 patients (19 cases) who underwent an autogenous osteochondral graft to treat a osteochondral defect in the femoral condyle from July 2000 to June 2006. The average age was 26.2 years old (age range: 16-48 years old). Among the patients, 17 cases were men. In 14 cases, the osteochondral defects were localized in the medial femoral condyle and only 5 cases showed a defect in the lateral femoral condyle. The average size of the osteochondral defects was 4.2 cm2 (1-13 cm2). The Lysholm knee scoring scale and the Tegner's activity score were applied for clinical evaluation. Further, we carried out simple X-ray for all the cases and we performed MRI in 5 cases for the radiological evaluation. Tthe factors affecting the clinical results were also analyzed and the complications were evaluated. RESULTS: The average follow-up period was 22 months (range: 6-55 months). Eighten out of 19 cases (94.7%) were able to return to ordinary life. The Lysholm knee scoring scale and the Tegner's activity score indicated much better clinical results for small lesions and for young patients. For the radiological results, all the cases displayed a decrease in the size of radiolucent zones on the follow up X-ray. Among the 5 cases for which an MRI was performed, graft unions were observed in 3 cases, but 2 cases displayed continuous peri-graft edema. Any other complications involving the donor and recipient site were not observed. CONCLUSION: We conclude that autogenous osteochondral grafting is useful for specific patients depending on the size of the lesion and the patient's age. It is a valuable treatment option for osteochondral defects in the knee joint.
Edema ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee ; Knee Joint ; Male ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

PURPOSE: Virtual colonoscopy (VC) is a newly developing non-invasive technique used to detect polyps and cancers of the colon. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of VC in the detection of synchronous polyps or cancers in preoperative patients as well as metachronous polyps of postoperative colorectal cancer patients. METHODS: Both VC and conventional colonoscopy (CFS) were performed on 40 patients with colorectal cancer (10 cases of preoperative state and 30 cases of postoperative follow-up) during Sep. 2002 to June 2003 in Daegu Catholic Medical Centre, Catholic University of Daegu, Republic of Korea. The success rate and the detection rate of polyps or cancers along with the locations and sizes of masses and the findings of anastomotic site were compared between VC and CFS. RESULTS: The entire colon was clearly visualized by CFS in all cases. In the preoperative group, VC was successfully performed in 8 out of 10 cases (80%). 8 out of 10 cancers, 4 out of 4 polyps (5 mm or more in diameter) and 3 out of 6 polyps (5 mm or less in diameter) were identified. The success rate of VC in the postoperative group were 58% of low anterior resection (LAR) from cecum to hepatic flexure, 89% of LAR, 45% of right hemicolectomy (RHC) from hepatic flexure to splenic flexure, 63% of LAR, 45% of RHC from splenic flexure to sigmoid colon, and 53% of LAR, 72% of RHC in rectum. The causes of failure were inadequate bowel distension and retained fluid. In postoperative group, VC identified only 3 of 7 polyps(5 mm or more in diameter), 1 of 10 polyps (5 mm or less in diameter) and 1 of 1 recurrent cancer. The anastomotic site was clearly seen by VC in 9 of 19 cases (47%) of LAR and 3 of 11 cases (27%) of RHC. VC also identified 28 extracolonic findings. CONCLUSIONS: Although the efficacy of VC in postoperative colorectal cancer follow up seems to be disappointing, but it can be used as an alternative method for patients with incomplete conventional colonoscopy due to anastomotic site stricture or for other failed cases. Further technological advancement of VC is needed in order for it to replace conventional colonoscopy as a postoperative follow-up test.
Cecum ; Colon ; Colon, Sigmoid ; Colon, Transverse ; Colonography, Computed Tomographic* ; Colonoscopy ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Daegu ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Polyps ; Rectum ; Republic of Korea

PURPOSE: Paradoxical puborectalis contraction (PPC) or Anismus is known to have a pathogenesis of abnormal contraction of puborectalis at defecation and its managements are not satisfactory. Recently, therapy of PPC and its associated symptoms using Botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A) has been introduced. we evaluate the effect of BTX-A injection to the puborectalis for the patients with PPC. METHODS: Fourteen patients were diagnosed as paradoxical puborectalis contraction on defecography and/or anorectal manometry and electromyography (EMG) during September 1998 to January 2001 in Daegu Catholic Medical Centre, Catholic University of Daegu. All patients were underwent 30 (15 15) units of BTX-A injection on each side of puborectalis guided by EMG. Among them, five patients needed further injection of 20 (10 10) units because the expected results were not satisfied. Follow-up were conducted on one month and one year after BTX-A injection and the patients were assessed for the constipation score and anorectal manometry. RESULTS: After injection of BTX-A, constipation score was significantly decreased from 15.5 +/- 3.5 (mean SD) to 5.7 +/- 4.3. Maximal resting and squeezing pressure also decreased from 48.4 +/- 22 mmHg, 96.9 +/- 39.8 to 41.2 +/- 17, 68.3 +/- 38.2, respectively. Twelve patients who were followed up more than one year after injection, the constipation score (n=12) increased up to 7.7 +/- 2.9 (mean SD). Among them, three patients have had stool softeners or laxatives to evacuate and the remained nine patients did not have any kinds of drug or food for defecation. There was no complication for the injection BTX-A. CONCLUSIONS: BTX-A injection seems to be effective for the treatment of PPC and the long term therapeutic effect can be defined through double blind placebo-controlled trials.
Constipation ; Daegu ; Defecation ; Defecography ; Electromyography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laxatives ; Manometry