PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of ultrasound (US)-guided steroid injections in patients with piriformis syndrome. METHODS: Between January 2010 and October 2012, 63 patients (23 men and 40 women; average age, 63.2 years; range, 24 to 90 years) were diagnosed with piriformis syndrome based on clinical history, electromyography, and flexion-adduction-internal rotation test results. They were divided into two groups. The first group (37 subjects) received a US-guided steroid injection around the piriformis muscle. The second group (26 subjects) received both piriformis muscle and spinal epidural injections. The therapeutic effect was categorized as improvement, partial improvement, or failure depending on the degree of symptom alleviation one month after injection, based on a review of each patient's medical records. RESULTS: In the first group, 15 patients (40.5%) showed improvement, seven (18.9%) showed partial improvement, and 15 (40.5%) failed to respond to the initial treatment. In the second group, eight patients (30.8%) showed improvement, 11 (42.3%) showed partial improvement, and seven (26.9%) failed to respond to the initial treatment. A second piriformis injection was performed in four cases, after which two patients showed improvement within 3 years, but the other two showed no therapeutic effect. CONCLUSION: US-guided steroid injection may be an effective treatment option for patients with piriformis syndrome.
Electromyography ; Female ; Humans ; Injections, Epidural ; Male ; Medical Records ; Piriformis Muscle Syndrome* ; Steroids ; Ultrasonography

The occurrence of stroke during pregnancy and the postpartum period is uncommon but is a leading cause of maternal death. Postpartum cerebral angiopathy is one of the causes of the occurrence of stroke during peripartum. A 39-year-old woman with a gestational age of 38 weeks and with uncomplicated pregnancy was admitted to these authors' hospital and was made to undergo emergency Cesarean section under spinal anesthesia due to fetal distress. After the Cesarean delivery, it was found that her state of mind had changed into drowsiness to stupor in the post-anesthetic care unit. The brain computed tomography showed intracranial and subarachnoid hemorrhage. On the cerebral angiography, no aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation was found, except for the focal stenosis of the callosomarginal artery. Emergency decompressive craniectomy was done. After the craniectomy, the patient showed an alert mental status, mild Rt hemiplegia, and slight dysarthria three months after the surgery.
Adult ; Anesthesia, Spinal ; Aneurysm ; Arteries ; Arteriovenous Malformations ; Brain ; Cerebral Angiography ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Cesarean Section ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Decompressive Craniectomy ; Dysarthria ; Emergencies ; Female ; Fetal Distress ; Gestational Age ; Hemiplegia ; Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Maternal Death ; Peripartum Period ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Sleep Stages ; Stroke ; Stupor ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Vasculitis

Mesenteric panniculitis is an extremely rare inflammatory condition of the adipose tissue of unknown etiology. It is characterized by extensive, progressive fibrosis of the mesenteric fat tissue, leading to tumor formation. Clinical manifestations vary according to the process involving the structures. Abdominal pain accompanied by nausea, malaise, pyrexia, and weight loss and a poorly defined mass are common presentations. Major pathologic changes include (1) degeneration of mesenteric fat, (2) an inflammatory reaction, and (3) fibrosis of the adipose tissue. We present four patients with an aggressive form of mesenteric pannicultis with characteristic histopathologic features. We discuss the relationship between the histopathologic features and the surgical intervention in these cases.
Abdominal Pain ; Adipose Tissue ; Fever ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Nausea ; Panniculitis, Peritoneal* ; Weight Loss

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the results of laparoscopic resection with those of open resection for consecutive colorectal cancer patients who underwent surgery at a single center. METHODS: During the thirty-month period between January 2003 and August 2005, patients with a colorectal adenocarcinoma admitted to our hospital were assessed. Cancers related with FAP or HNPCC, cancers treated with endoscopy or local excision, and recurrent cancers were excluded from the study. Three hundred two laparoscopic resection patients were matched to 302 open resection patients. RESULTS: The mean age of the laparoscopic resection group was 59.5 years while that of the open resection group was 59.4 years. Patients in two groups were similar in terms of gender distribution, level of CEA and ASA, and location and size of tumor. The modified Dukes' stages showed 51 patients in stage A, 33 in stage B1, 62 in stage B2, 17 in stage C1, and 139 in stage C2 for the laparoscopic resection group and 33 in stage A, 52 in stage B1, 82 in stage B2, 18 in stage C1, and 117 in stage C2 for the open resection group (P=0.024). The operative time averaged 9.6 minutes longer in the laparoscopic group (188.9 vs. 179.3 min, P<0.0001). The rate of stoma formation for protection of anastomosis in the laparoscopic group was 4.9% (5.8% in open group). There were significant differences in blood loss (556.2 vs. 952.8 ml, P<0.0001), the amount of intraoperative blood transfusion (1.6 vs. 2.3 unit, P=0.004), the number of harvested lymph nodes (21.1 vs. 16.9, P<0.0001), and the rate of high ligation of IMA (91.7 vs. 75.5%, P<0.0001). The length of the distal resection margins from cancer was longer in the open group (2.9 vs. 3.5 cm, P=0.037). Patients in the laparoscopic group had a faster recovery of bowel function (P<0.0001) and a significant reduction in the mean length of hospital stay (11.5 vs. 16.8 days, P<0.0001). There was no mortality in either group. Early and late complications were comparable. The conversion rate was 1.6 percent. CONSLUSIONS: The benefits of a laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancers are less blood loss and transfusion, faster postoperative bowel motion, a shorter hospital stay, low morbidity, and a large number of harvested lymph nodes. In conclusion, a laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancers can be done safely and effectively and is an acceptable alternative to a conventional open resection.
Adenocarcinoma ; Blood Transfusion ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Ligation ; Lymph Nodes ; Mortality ; Operative Time

PURPOSE: Establishing the preoperative stage of colorectal cancer is of primary importance in determining the management and the operative procedure. A comparative study of preoperative evaluation of colorectal cancer is necessary for proper management. METHODS: This study reports a 7 years' experience using another two species of CT for preoperative staging. One species of CT (1989, Delta 2060, Technicare, USA) was used from January 1990 to December 1992; the other species of CT (1992, Highlight Advantage, General Electric Company, USA) was used from January 1993 to December 1997. This study included retrospective analysis of 237 cases of colorectal cancer from January 1990 to December 1997. In first group, the preoperative stage evaluation was done with a much older species of CT from January 1990 to December 1992; in the other group, the preoperative stage evaluation was done with a newer species of CT from January 1993 to December 1997. RESULT: The accuracy & sensitivity of preoperative staging between the two groups showed no significant differences. CONCLUSION: CT is recommended in the preoperative staging of rectal cancer and as an aid in choosing the appropriate therapy. In addition to CT, transrectal ultrasonography and MRI are recommend for improving the accuracy of preoperative staging in assessing local invasion by cancer.
Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: Intravenous administration of rocuronium induces intense pain in most patients (60-100%). This could be harmful during anesthesia induction because of the unintended reflex movement of an unconscious patient in response to the pain. Previous studies have reported that remifentanil effectively reduces rocuronium-induced pain and withdrawal movements. This study was designed to evaluate the EC50 and EC95 of remifentanil to prevent withdrawal movements in children. METHODS: We enrolled a total of 171 pediatric patients scheduled for general anesthesia in this study. Remifentanil was administrated by target-controlled infusion. Effect-site target concentrations ranged from 0.5 to 3.0 ng/ml. At each concentration, experiments were repeated in 10-20 patients. Propofol 2 mg/kg and rocuronium 0.9 mg/kg were administrated after equilibration of plasma and effect-site target remifentanil concentration. The withdrawal movements were graded on a 4-point scale. The EC50 and EC95 of remifentanil to prevent rocuronium-induced withdrawal movements were determined by using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: The logistic regression model showed that the probability of preventing rocuronium-induced withdrawal movement was as follows: exp (-3.49 + 2.07 x remifentanil concentration) / (1 + exp [-3.49 + 2.07 x remifentanil concentration]). EC50 and EC95 were 1.69 ng/ml (95% confidence intervals [CIs], 1.42-1.87) and 3.11 ng/ml (95% CIs, 2.79-3.72), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of remifentanil at an effect-site target concentration of 3.1 ng/ml could effectively prevent rocuronium-induced withdrawal movements.
Administration, Intravenous ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Child* ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Pediatrics ; Plasma ; Propofol ; Reflex

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) commonly occur after general anesthesia, especially in women. In this study, we evaluated the antiemetic efficacy of propofol administered at the end of surgery in highly susceptible patients undergoing a laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy. METHODS: A total of 107 women undergoing a laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy under general anesthesia were enrolled for this prospective, double-blind, randomized study. Fifteen minutes before the end of surgery, all patients received 50 microg fentanyl and 1 of following 3 doses; 0.5 mg/kg of propofol (propofol 0.5 group), 1 mg/kg of propofol (propofol 1.0 group), and normal saline (control group). All patients received intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Emergence time, a visual analog scale for pain and nausea, duration of postanesthesia care unit (PACU) stay, and frequency of antiemetic use were recorded at 0-2, 2-24, and 24-48 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: The incidence of nausea significantly lower in the propofol 0.5 and propofol 1.0 groups than in the control group (12.1 vs 14.7 vs 40%). During the first postoperative 2 hours, antiemetics were less frequently administered in the propofol 0.5 and propofol 1.0 groups than in the control group (3.0 vs 5.9 vs 22.5%). Emergence time was slightly longer in the propofol 0.5 and propofol 1.0 groups than in the control group, but there was no significant difference in PACU stay time was observed between the 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that low-dose propofol administration at the end of surgery may effectively reduce the incidence of PONV within 2 hours postoperatively in highly susceptible women undergoing a laparoscopiy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy and receiving opioid-based PCA.
Analgesia, Patient-Controlled ; Anesthesia, General ; Antiemetics* ; Female ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Hysterectomy, Vaginal* ; Incidence ; Laparoscopy ; Nausea ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; Propofol* ; Prospective Studies ; Visual Analog Scale

Endothelial cells are a vital constituent of most mammalian organs and are required to maintain the integrity of these tissues. These cells also play a major role in angiogenesis, inflammatory reactions, and in the regulation of thrombosis. Angiogenesis facilitates pulp formation and produces the vessels which are essential for the maintenance of tooth homeostasis. These vessels can also be used in bone and tissue regeneration, and in surgical procedures to place implants or to remove cancerous tissue. Furthermore, endothelial cell regeneration is the most critical component of the tooth generation process. The aim of the present study was to stimulate endothelial regeneration at a site of acute cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced endothelial injury by treatment with human umbilical cord-derived endothelial/mesenchymal stem cells (hEPCs). We randomly assigned 16 to 20-week-old female NOD/SCID mice into three separate groups, a hEPC (1 x 10(5) cells) transplanted, 300mg/kg CP treated and saline (control) group. The mice were sacrificed on days 5 and 10 and blood was collected via the abdominal aorta for analysis. The alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum alkaline phosphatase (s-ALP), and albumin (ALB) levels were then evaluated. Tissue sections from the livers and kidneys were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) for microscopic analysis and were subjected to immunohistochemistry to evaluate any changes in the endothelial layer. CP treatment caused a weight reduction after one day. The kidney/body weight ratio increased in the hEPC treated animals compared with the CP only group at 10 days. Moreover, hEPC treatment resulted in reduced s-ALP, AST, ALT levels compared with the CP only group at 10 days. The CP only animals further showed endothelial injuries at five days which were recovered by hEPC treatment at 10 days. The number of CD31-positive cells was increased by hEPC treatment at both 5 and 10 days. In conclusion, the CP-induced disruption of endothelial cells is recovered by hEPC treatment, indicating that hEPC transplantation has potential benefits in the treatment of endothelial damage.
Alanine Transaminase ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Aorta, Abdominal ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Blood Vessels ; Cyclophosphamide ; Endothelial Cells ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Female ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Hematoxylin ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney ; Liver ; Mice ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Regeneration ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Stem Cells ; Thrombosis ; Tooth ; Transplants ; Weight Loss

BACKGROUND: This study compared the preventive effects of ramosetron and ondansetron on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in highly susceptible patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy. METHODS: In a prospective, randomized, double-blinded study, a total of 120 highly susceptible women (nonsmokers, those receiving opioid-based IV patient-controlled analgesia [PCA]) undergoing abdominal hysterectomy were included in the study. Patients were divided into 2 groups and each group received either 0.3 mg of ramosetron or 4 mg of ondansetron, IV. All patients received fentanyl-based IV PCA during the 48 h postoperative periods. The incidences of PONV and side effects of 5-HT3 antagonists (headache and dizziness) were assessed at 3 intervals (<2 h, 2-24 h and 24-48 h) postoperatively. RESULTS: Patients in the ramosetron group showed a significantly higher ratio of complete response and lower incidence of nausea during the 24-48 h interval after surgery compared with those the ondansetron group. CONCLUSIONS: Ramosetron (0.3 mg) is more effective in preventing delayed PONV in highly susceptible women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy compared with ondansetron (4 mg).
Analgesia, Patient-Controlled ; Antiemetics ; Benzimidazoles ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Incidence ; Nausea ; Ondansetron ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; Postoperative Period ; Prospective Studies ; Serotonin 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists

We present a 17-year-old man who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging and laboratory exams for uncontrolled seizure. Patients with an autistic disorder require deep sedation or, occasionally, general anesthesia even for radiologic exams or simple procedures. The anesthetic management of an obese, violent patient with a severe autistic disorder and mental retardation can be challenging to anesthesiologists and requires a more careful approach in selecting adequate anesthetics and doses. This case emphasizes the importance of having a detailed plan to ensure the smooth process of premedication, anesthetic induction, maintenance, emergence and safe discharge of incorporated patients in the event of unexpected situations. A 5% lidocaine patch to relieve the pain from the intramuscular injection and intravenous cannulation, intramuscular midazolam as premedication, and propofol for the maintenance of sedation can be a good sedation protocol in incorporated patients.
Adolescent* ; Anesthesia, General ; Anesthetics ; Animals ; Autistic Disorder* ; Brain* ; Catheterization ; Comb and Wattles* ; Deep Sedation ; Humans ; Injections, Intramuscular ; Intellectual Disability ; Lidocaine* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Midazolam* ; Obesity ; Premedication ; Propofol* ; Seizures