PURPOSE: Actinomycosis is still a relatively rare infection, characterized by multiple abscesses, draining sinuses and the appearance of sulfur granules, which are valuable in aiding the diagnosing the discharge of involved tissues. In most instances, the onset of an abdominal disease is preceded by inflammatory or a traumatic incident resulting in the perforation of the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. Intensive and prolonged antimicrobial therapy, and wide surgical excision of involved tissues are the two general principles of therapy. METHODS: We experienced 8 cases of abdominal actinomycosis after a laparotomy between March 1997 and February 2002. RESULTS: The results were as follows: 1) There was a 1: 1 male to female ratio of abdominal actinomycosis, and a mean age of 47 years. 2) The clinical features were different for each involved organ, -but, most of the clinical symptoms were nonspecific to suspect actinomycosis. 3) The frequently involved organs were mainly located lower abdomen, such as the appendix and cecum, sigmoid colon and small bowel. 4) In 60% of the patients, the predisposing factors were identifiable, these being: a previous abdominal operation, IUD and abdominal injury. 5) The preoperative diagnoses included: acute appendicitis, and periappendiceal and intra-abdominal abscesses. The pre-exploratory diagnoses were made by ultrasound and abdominal CT. 6) Explorations were performed in all patients, depending on their diagnosis, to afford the proper surgical treatment and correct diagnosis. After the operation, all the patients were treated with oral antibiotics for long period. CONCLUSION: The authors conclude that pre-exploratory cytological or culture studies, with careful history taking, for low abdominal tumors or abscesses may increase the rate of correct diagnosis, as could proper explorations.
Abdomen ; Abdominal Abscess ; Abdominal Injuries ; Abscess ; Actinomycosis* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Appendicitis ; Appendix ; Causality ; Cecum ; Colon, Sigmoid ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Laparotomy ; Male ; Mucous Membrane ; Sulfur ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography

A clinical and statistical study was performed on 213 neonates of hyperbilirubinemia who were admitted to department of pediatrics of Korea University Hospital from Jan. 1989 to Jun. 1991. and we studied the difference between ABO compatible group and incompatible group, such as, day of apperance of hyperbilirubinemia, tendency of bilirubin concentration change, reticulocyte, hemoglobin and duration of hyperbilirubinemia. The following results were obtained. 1) There were no difference of initial body weight and gestational age between compatible (3.0 +/- 0.72kg, 38.2 +/- 3.2 weeks) and incompatible groups (3.2 +/- 0.54kg, 39.1 +/- 2.8 weeks). 2) Onset of hyperbilirubinemia within 2 days in the incompatible group (40.5%) was earlier than the compatible group (23.5%) significantly (p<0.05). 3) Mean bilirubin level in the incompatible group was higher than the compatible group significantly (p<0.05). 4) Peak bilirubin level in the incompatible group(18.7+/-4.1mg/dl) was higher than the compatible group (14.8+/-3.4mg/dl) significantly (p<0.05). 5) There were no difference of hemoglobin level, reticulocyte count, coombs positive finding and the ratio of exchange transfusion between two groups.
Bilirubin ; Body Weight ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia ; Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal* ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Pediatrics ; Reticulocyte Count ; Reticulocytes ; Statistics as Topic

It is reported that patients with primary hyperparathyroidism(PHPT) have disturbances in carbohydrate metabolism: in particular, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance are characteristic early metabolic aberrations of this disease. However, it is not clear whether changes of insulin secretion or insulin sensitivity are observed in all patients with PHPT, including those with normal glucose tolerance. Also, it is not clear whether these changes are reversible after surgical correction of PHPT. In the present study, glucose tolerance and insulin secretion were evaluated in 2 symptomatic patients with PHPT during 100g oral glucose tolerance test before and after parathyroid adenoma removal. Comparing these patients before and after surgery, glucose tolerance was not significantly different. However, C-peptide and insulin secretion was low after surgical correction of PHPT compared to the preoperative situation. This observation suggests that insulin hypersecretion in patients with PHPT precedes glucose intolerance and this early disturbance is reversible after surgery.
C-Peptide ; Carbohydrate Metabolism ; Glucose ; Glucose Intolerance ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Humans ; Hyperinsulinism ; Hyperparathyroidism, Primary ; Insulin Resistance ; Insulin ; Parathyroid Neoplasms

A noncontact sensor field is an innovative device that can detect, measure, or monitor physical properties or conditions without direct physical contact with the subject or object under examination. These sensors use a variety of methods, including electromagnetic, optical, and acoustic technique, to collect information about the target without physical interaction. Noncontact sensors find wide-ranging applications in various fields such as manufacturing, robotics, automobiles, security, environmental monitoring, space industry, agriculture, and entertainment. In particular, they are used in the medical field, where they provide continuous monitoring of patient conditions and offer opportunities in rehabilitation medicine. This article introduces the potential of noncontact sensors in the field of rehabilitation medicine.

A noncontact sensor field is an innovative device that can detect, measure, or monitor physical properties or conditions without direct physical contact with the subject or object under examination. These sensors use a variety of methods, including electromagnetic, optical, and acoustic technique, to collect information about the target without physical interaction. Noncontact sensors find wide-ranging applications in various fields such as manufacturing, robotics, automobiles, security, environmental monitoring, space industry, agriculture, and entertainment. In particular, they are used in the medical field, where they provide continuous monitoring of patient conditions and offer opportunities in rehabilitation medicine. This article introduces the potential of noncontact sensors in the field of rehabilitation medicine.

A noncontact sensor field is an innovative device that can detect, measure, or monitor physical properties or conditions without direct physical contact with the subject or object under examination. These sensors use a variety of methods, including electromagnetic, optical, and acoustic technique, to collect information about the target without physical interaction. Noncontact sensors find wide-ranging applications in various fields such as manufacturing, robotics, automobiles, security, environmental monitoring, space industry, agriculture, and entertainment. In particular, they are used in the medical field, where they provide continuous monitoring of patient conditions and offer opportunities in rehabilitation medicine. This article introduces the potential of noncontact sensors in the field of rehabilitation medicine.

A noncontact sensor field is an innovative device that can detect, measure, or monitor physical properties or conditions without direct physical contact with the subject or object under examination. These sensors use a variety of methods, including electromagnetic, optical, and acoustic technique, to collect information about the target without physical interaction. Noncontact sensors find wide-ranging applications in various fields such as manufacturing, robotics, automobiles, security, environmental monitoring, space industry, agriculture, and entertainment. In particular, they are used in the medical field, where they provide continuous monitoring of patient conditions and offer opportunities in rehabilitation medicine. This article introduces the potential of noncontact sensors in the field of rehabilitation medicine.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative fluid management should be aimed at maintaining appropriate left-sided filling pressures. The pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) will overestimate the left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) when ventricular compliance is markedly reduced in patients with aortic stenosis. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is useful for monitoring global left ventricular function and change of preload. This study was undertaken to evaluate preload derived by conventional invasive monitoring technique compare with preload obtained simultaneously from TEE in patients with aortic stenosis. METHODS: Fifteen patients with aortic stenosis who underwent aortic valve replacement were examined. The preload was examined by the short axis view of left ventricle with TEE at the level of the papillary muscles. For each patient, simultaneous measurements of PCWP, thermodilution cardiac output and left ventricular end-diastolic area (LVEDA) measured by TEE were made after the induction of anesthesia and after surgery. RESULTS: The correlation between echo-derived LVEDA and thermodilution cardiac index (CI) (r=0.53, p<0.05) or stroke index (SI) (r=0.56, p<0.05) was good after surgery, but the correlation was not found after induction of anesthesia. No correlation was observed between PCWP and CI or SI. CONCLUSIONS: The PCWP did not provide a reliable estimate of preload and did not allow good prediction of cardiac index. These findings demonstrate that, in patients with aortic stenosis who underwent aortic valve replacement, TEE provides a better index of left ventricular preload than conventional invasive hemodynamic monitoring particularly after surgery.
Anesthesia ; Aortic Valve ; Aortic Valve Stenosis* ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Cardiac Output ; Compliance ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal* ; Heart Ventricles ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Papillary Muscles ; Pulmonary Wedge Pressure ; Stroke ; Stroke Volume ; Thermodilution ; Ventricular Function, Left

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing cardiac surgery employing cardiopulmonary bypass frequently require transfusion of homologous blood products and, therefore, are exposed to the risk of transfusions. A administration of autologous platelet-rich plasma may reduce homologous transfusion and attendant risks. This study was designed to investigate the effect of preoperative collection of platelet-rich plasma on the requirement of homologous transfusion and postoperative blood loss in patients undergoing open heart surgery. METHODS: Twenty seven patients undergoing cardiac surgery were divided into control group(n=11) and autologous platelet-rich plasmaphereris(PRP) group(n=16). Autologous platelet-rich plasma was retransfused after offbypass. Hematocrit, platelet count, PT(prothrombin time), PTT(partial thromboplastin time), postoperative blood loss and transfusion requirement were measured. RESULTS: There was no statistical significance between control and PRP group in homologous transfusion and postoperative blood loss. There was no difference in hemoatocrit, platelet count, PT or PTT on immediate post surgery or on day 1. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous platelet-rich plasma did not reduce postoperative blood loss or transfusion reguirements in cardiac surgery.
Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Platelet Count ; Platelet-Rich Plasma* ; Postoperative Hemorrhage* ; Thoracic Surgery* ; Thromboplastin

OBJECTIVE: The brain temperature is about 0.4-1 degrees C higher than that of the other peripheral body area. But most of these results have been obtained in normothermic condition. The objective of this study is to evaluate the temperature difference between the brain and axilla, in patients under hypothermia. METHODS: Sixty-three patients(37 women and 26 men) who underwent craniotomy with implantation of the thermal diffusion flowmetry sensor were included in this study. The temperature of the cerebral cortex and axilla was measured every 2 hours, simultaneously. The patient group was divided according to axillary temperature hyperthermia(over 38 degrees C), normothermia(36-38 degrees C) and hypothermia(under 36 degrees C). Total 1671 paired sample data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The temperature difference between the cerebral cortex and the axilla was 0.45+/-1.04 degrees C in hyperthermic patients, 0.97+/-1.1 degrees C in normothermic patients and 1.04+/-0.81 degrees C in hypothermic patients. The temperature difference has statistical significance in each group(unpaired t-test, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: From our study the temperature difference between the brain and the axilla in hypothermic condition increased more than that of normothermic state. And in hyperthermic condition, the temperature difference decreased.
Axilla* ; Brain* ; Cerebral Cortex ; Craniotomy ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Hypothermia* ; Rheology ; Thermal Diffusion