Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) is a rare clinical disease. SMAS is defined as the entrapment of the third portion of the duodenum by the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery. A 14-year-old male patient was admitted to the local hospital for an emergency appendectomy under general anesthesia. In the process of inducing general anesthesia, massive pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents and bile juice occurred by accident. After surgery, he was transferred to our hospital due to severe ARDS. The gastroduodenoscopy observations, CT, and clinical symptoms, were indicative of SMAS. Surgery was considered because medical conservative treatment of SMAS was ineffective. SMAS was confirmed on the surgical fields. We report our experience with a review of the relevant literature because this condition can be associated with serious complications during general anesthesia.
Adolescent ; Anesthesia, General* ; Aorta ; Appendectomy ; Bile ; Duodenum ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Male ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior* ; Pneumonia, Aspiration* ; Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome*

Idiopathic arterial hypertension, termed "essential" or "neurogenic", is a common generalized cardiovascular syndrome comprised of a sequence of pathologic changes and accommodations. Although an extensive literature exists concerning that, the primary etiology has been unclear yet. However, Jannetta and coworkers have reported a possible etiological connection between essential hypertension and intraoperatively observed neurovascular compression of the ventrolateral medulla at the level of the root entry zone of the ninth and tenth cranial nerves on the left, recently. They have also introduced one of new therapeutical concept for essential hypertension by microvascular decompression(MVD) of offending vessels. Based on Jannetta and coworker's hypothesis, the authors have made some operations for the control of hypertension. Seven essential hypertensive patients have been underwent retromastoid craniectomy and MVD in the left ventrolateral medulla between July 1992 and June 1993. Five of them showed multiple episodes of intracerebral hemorrhages, one was an intractable hypertension case and the other one had a left hemifacial spasm with essential hypertension. The most common offending vessel was the posterior inferior cerebellar artery and it had been confirmed during operation. Postoperatively, in three cases, blood pressure was lowered to normal without medications. Of remaining four cases, blood pressure was significantly improved in one and slightly improved in three. There were no major complications in patients with surgery and no poor outcomes. These results indicate that the MVD for essential hypertension is relatively safe procedure and alternative choice as one of the management of intractable essential hypertension, repeated hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhages and left cranial nerve hyperfunction disorders combined with essential hypertension.
Arteries ; Blood Pressure ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Cranial Nerves ; Hemifacial Spasm ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Intracranial Hemorrhage, Hypertensive ; Microvascular Decompression Surgery* ; Vagus Nerve

BACKGROUND: As the problems of medical malpractices become a very serious social issue, it is necessary to increasingly relate law to medical practice and evaluate medical services. However, it is not easy to legally call someone to account, as medical services are highly specific, especially anesthetic management. Anesthesiologist can expect to be involved in legal action alleging malpractice, either as a defendant or expert witness. METHODS: The anesthetic informed consent form was examined at 42 general hospitals in the Republic of Korea. The chief physician of the department of anesthesiology and pain medicine was asked for the anesthetic informed consent form they used in clinical anesthetic practice, and then what constitutes adequate informed consent analyzed. RESULTS: All of the hospitals were using informed consent forms, but 42.9% of the hospital used a specific form to describe the complications or risks associated with anesthetic management. In 71.4% of hospitals, the anesthesiologists or anesthetic residents explained the anesthetic risk, but 28.6% of hospitals the anesthetic complications were explained by nurses or surgeons. In 76.2% of hospitals, the anesthetic risks were explained to both the patients and parents, but in 23.8% these were explained to parents only. CONCLUSIONS: We propose a new anesthetic informed consent form for adequate explanation and agreement to legal requirements.
Anesthesiology ; Consent Forms ; Expert Testimony ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Informed Consent* ; Jurisprudence ; Malpractice ; Parents ; Republic of Korea

The hypoglossal nerve is a motor supply of the tongue. Hypoglossal nerve palsy after general anesthesia is rare but there have been several reports showing an association with oropharyngeal manipulation such as intubation, bronchoscopy, and laryngeal mask airway. The main mechanism considered has been a temporary compression of the nerve along its superficial course at the lateral root of the tongue during oropharyngeal manipulation. We encountered a patient who complained speaking and swallowing difficulties after general surgery. A deviation to the affected side, atrophy, and fasciculation of tongue were observed. Almost all palsies recovered spontaneously. We present a patient with a transient unilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy after an uncomplicated intubation and anesthesia for surgery for humerus fracture in the beach-chair position.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General* ; Atrophy ; Bronchoscopy ; Deglutition ; Fasciculation ; Humans ; Humerus ; Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases* ; Hypoglossal Nerve* ; Intubation ; Laryngeal Masks ; Paralysis ; Tongue

An 47-year-old woman presented for a microscopic vascular decompression with facial nerve palsy. Past medical history was noncontributory. There were not abnormal physical or laboratory findings. Oral tracheal intubation with an armored tube was performed without any problems. Anesthesia was maintained uneventfully in spite of a high peak inspiratory airway pressure (28 30 cmH2O). After surgery, she had symptoms of airway obstruction and the endotracheal tube was removed. The removed tube was found to have a protrusion through almost all the length of tube which reduced its internal diameter a half. Finally, in any case of "airway obstruction" in an intubated patient, we should consider mechanical problems. We should keep in mind the presence of an armored endotracheal tube cannot be regarded as a guarantee of a patent airway. We must test not only leakage of the cuff but also passage of the tube prior to usage.
Airway Obstruction ; Anesthesia ; Decompression ; Facial Nerve ; Female ; Humans ; Intubation ; Middle Aged ; Paralysis

No abstract available.
Adenoma* ; Hyperaldosteronism*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the radiologic findings of primary epiploic appendagitis, with particular attention to the correlation of ultrasonographic, clinical, CT, MR and surgical findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 14 patients with primary epiploic appendagitis who presented with the rapid onset of a very localized pain and tenderness, we performed ultrasonography in all, CT in eight, and MRI in four of these eight. Surgery was performed in two patients. Follow-up examinations were performed using US, CT and MRI (n=2), US and CT (n=2), US alone (n=2), and with regard to clinical features (n=12). RESULTS: US performed in 14 patients revealed the presence in all of small, well-defined, ovoid, noncompressible hyperechoic (n=12) or isoechoic (n=2) solid masses attached to the colonic wall, without bowel wall change and without communication with bowel lumen. CT performed in 8 patients showed varying hyperattenuating fatty lesions in the same location in the abdomen, without other inflammatory process. MRI findings of four patients were helpful for further evaluation of internal architecture. CONCLUSION: In primary epiploic appendagitis, US findings were sufficiently characteristic to allow accurate diagnosis and valuable for the differential diagnosis of other acute conditions of the abdomen.
Abdomen ; Colon ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Ultrasonography

Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is a rare disease, which develops as a result of congenital or acquired causes. Moreover, TEF can be caused by an overinflated cuff during respiratory care with a ventilator in the ICU. So, a low pressure high volume cuff is being used to prevent injury of the tracheal mucosa by the endotracheal tube. The use of a low pressure high volume cuff has decreased respiratory complications, but TEF is still being reported. This case concerns a 78-year-olds woman with heart failure. She was hospitalized for hemiarthroplasty because of a right femur fracture. On the day after admission, she had apnea due to heart failure, but recovered on receiving respiratory care by using a ventilator in the ICU. Thereafter, she began to show symptoms such as paroxysmal coughing, vomiting, and aspiration. We investigated using computed tomography, bronchoscopy and esophagography. We observed a 2-3 cm sized fistula along the posterior wall of the trachea. It was located about 10 cm upper side from the carina on bronchoscopy, perfomed was found in the ICU. She was found to have a TEF and was treated surgically. After her symptoms had improved, she was given hemiarthroplasty under epidural anesthesia. However, 4 days after the operation, the TEF relapsed, but was not as severe as it had been previously. She was alert, but ambulation was not possible because of a general weakness due to long-term hospitalization. Even with the danger of aspiration pneumonia, she left the hospital upon her guardian's request. We report upon this clinical experience and include a brief review of the literature.
Aged ; Anesthesia, Epidural ; Apnea ; Bronchoscopy ; Cough ; Female ; Femur ; Fistula ; Heart Failure ; Hemiarthroplasty ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Mucous Membrane ; Pneumonia, Aspiration ; Rare Diseases ; Trachea ; Tracheoesophageal Fistula* ; Ventilators, Mechanical ; Vomiting ; Walking

BACKGROUND: ST changes that do not fulfill the criteria of specific one-ST changes greater or equal to 1 mm and lasting over 1 minute-, are termed as "nonspecific". The term, "nonspecific ST-T change", has not had an important role as a guildeline of treatment. However, the incidence of "nonspecific ST-T changes" is estimated as not so negligible, and the relation to postoperative complications or the role as a coronary prognostic risk value has not been studied so far, so the authors thought to examine the general characteristics and course during the perioperative period of "nonspecific ST-T change" patients to conduct better anesthesia services. METHODS: From January 1st to June 30th in the year 2000, medical charts of patients who underwent an operation in one university hospital under general or regional anesthesia and whose preoperative electrocardiographic finding was "nonspecific ST-T changes" were reviewed. In the preoperative viewing of charts, demographic data, co-existing disease, findings in electrocardiography or echcardiography, and replies of a consultation to a cardiologist were reviewed. In the anesthesia records, nature of conducted anesthesia, agents, operation time and drugs acting on the cardiovascular system were reviewed. RESULTS: Incidence of "nonspecific ST-T changes" patients is 8.24%. Mean age is 54 +/- 16 yrs and the ratio of M : F is about 1 : 2. The number of patients who had other medical diseases was 42, about 27%. The number of patients who underwent a preoperative echocardiography was 64, about 42%. Mean ejection fraction was 65 +/- 7%. The number of patients who consulted a cardiologist preoperatively was 44, about 22% and the majority of them were OK'd as "no problem". Administration of drugs acting on the cardiovascular system was done in 49 cases, about 33%. General anesthesia was conducted in 131 cases, regional anesthesia in 23 cases. CONCLUSIONS: In all cases, operations were performed without specific events or major complications. However more attention and risk evaluation is desirable in "nonspecific ST-T change" patients to conduct safer and more ideal anesthesia.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Conduction ; Anesthesia, General ; Cardiovascular System ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Incidence ; Perioperative Period* ; Postoperative Complications

Meningiomas are the second most common intradural spinal tumors accounting for 25% of all spinal tumors. Being a slow growing and invariably benign tumor, it responds favorably to surgical excision. In addition, spinal meningioma has low recurrence rates. However, we experienced a case of intradural extramedullary spinal meningioma which recurred 16 years after the initial surgery on a 64-year-old woman. She presented with progressive neurological symptoms and had a surgical history of removal of thoracic spinal meningioma 16 years ago due to bilateral low leg weakness. She underwent a second operation at the same site and a pale yellowish tumor was excised, which was histopathologically confirmed as meningothelial meningioma, compared with previously transitional type. she showed neurological recovery after the operation. We, therefore, report the good results of this recurrent intradural spinal meningioma case developed after 16 years with literature review.
Accounting ; Female ; Humans ; Leg ; Meningioma ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence