BACKGROUND: Experience of awareness and recall during general anesthesia would be most distressing for patients. Especially for the cesarean section, medical team must consider both maternal awareness and fetal safety. Authors tried to know the possibility of propofol use as induction and maintenance agent of anesthesia for the cesarean section in respect of maternal awareness, recall and fetal safety. METHODS: Forty patients (ASA physical status 1, 2) were allocated randomly to either propofol (n=20) (P) or thiopental-enflurane (n=20) (T-E) group. We checked B.P, pulse rate, and the incidence of maternal awareness using the isolated forearm technique (IFT). The postoperative interview was conducted between 12~24h after operation. RESULTS: The incidence of maternal awareness signaled by flexing fingers in response to voice commands were significantly lower in the T-E group (20% after induction, no response during other times) than the P group (45% after induction, then 35%, 30%, after 5, 10 min delivery respectively). Seven patients had postoperative recall of introspective awareness in the P group but no patients in the T-E group. The 1 min Apgar score of the newborn were significantly lower in the P group than the T-E group but both groups were within normal range. CONCLUSIONS: Our date indicated that, in comparison with thiopental-enflurane, propofol infusion (6 mg/kg/h) were associated with a greater incidence of awareness during surgery and recall.
Anesthesia* ; Anesthesia, General ; Apgar Score ; Cesarean Section* ; Female ; Fingers ; Forearm ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Propofol ; Reference Values ; Voice

BACKGROUND: The analgesic properties of the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been attributed to their effects on the peripheral synthesis of prostaglandins. Although the preoperative use of NSAIDs has been increasing because of concerns regarding the side effects of opioid analgesics but results of clinical preemptive analgesia studies remain inconclusive. So, we studied the efficacy of preemptive analgesic effects of tenoxicam, new NSAID, on postoperative continuous intravenous analgesia with morphine. METHODS: We studied 40 parturients, undergoing cesarean section, ASA class I or II, randomly divided into two groups. Tenoxicam group were injected tenoxicam 0.3 mg/kg and control group were injected normal saline 3 ml at ten min. before induction. For both groups morphine 0.1 mg/kg was administered as loading dose and 0.015 mg/kg/hr as maintenance dose. We examined verbal quantitative score (VQS) at postoperative 30 min, 1, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hr. Maternal satisfaction, side effects, hepatic and renal function also evaluated after pain control. RESULTS: The values of VQS showed no significant differences between two groups 30 min, 1 and 6hr after start of morphine infusion, but there was significant decrease in tenoxicam group compared to control group 12, 24 and 48 hr after start of morphine infusion (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in maternal satisfaction between two groups and also there were no significant differences in the overall incidences of side effects between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative single injection of tenoxicam showed incomplete preemptive analgesic effects on postoperative pain control after cesarean section.
Analgesia* ; Analgesics, Opioid ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Cesarean Section* ; Female ; Incidence ; Morphine* ; Pain, Postoperative ; Pregnancy ; Prostaglandins

Metastatic septic bacterial endophthalmitis is a rare but potentially devastating, serious disease. Endophthalmitis arising from Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess has been reported with diabetes mellitus as a major associated condition in Taiwan, but is rarely seen in patients without diabetes. There is often a delay in diagnosing endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis, particularly when there is no evidence of a primary infection or ocular infection is initial manifestation of sepsis. We report a non-diabetic patient with sepsis with right eye discomfort. Five days after admission, blood culture grew K. pneumoniae. Abdomen computerized tomography scan confirmed the presence of multiloculated liver abscess in right lobe. Despite intensive treatment, systemic and intravitreal antibiotics, liver abscess was resolved completely, but visual outcome was very poor. Physicians should be alerted to endogenous endophthalmitis in patients with Klebsiella septicemia, especially in diabetics with pyogenic liver abscess complains of ocular symptoms.
Abdomen ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Endophthalmitis* ; Eye Infections ; Female ; Humans ; Klebsiella pneumoniae* ; Klebsiella* ; Liver Abscess* ; Liver Abscess, Pyogenic ; Liver* ; Pneumonia ; Sepsis ; Taiwan

Background and Objectives: Although several studies have compared the characteristics of Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS) with Bell’s palsy (BP), the differences in comorbid symptoms and prognosis according to symptoms have not been determined. This study therefore evaluated the differences in otologic symptoms and prognosis between patients with these two conditions.Subjects and Method The medical records of 118 patients with RHS and 215 patients with BP were retrospectively reviewed. Factors compared in these two groups included otologic symptoms, general health condition, electroneurography (ENoG) and House-Brackmann grades. Results: Age, sex, body mass index, lipid profiles, ENoG, rate of diabetes, and side of palsy did not differ significantly between patients with RHS and BP (p>0.05). The rates of hearing disturbance, tinnitus, vertigo, and postauricular pain were significantly higher in RHS (p<0.05 each). Hearing disturbance was more frequent in patients with severe Bell’s facial palsy than with moderate Bell’s facial palsy (p<0.05). The prognosis of patients with BP and RHS who had otologic symptoms did not differ from those who had not (p>0.05). Additionally, in patients with facial paralysis, diabetes was associated with hearing disturbance and vertigo symptoms and dyslipidemia was associated with postauricular pain (p<0.05 each). Conclusion Otologic symptoms were more common in RHS than in BP. However, the prognosis of RHS and BP were not related to otologic symptoms. In patients with facial palsy hearing disturbance and vertigo were associated with diabetes and hypertension. Also, dyslipidemia was associated with post auricular pain.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study reviewes the clinicopathological features, prognosis, and differences in the expression of p53 and Ki-67 immunochemical staining in squamous cell and adenosquamous carcinoma of the stomach. METHODS: From January 1995 to June 2005, 2,282 cases of gastric carcinoma were resected surgically in our hospital and 191 additional cases were resected by endoscopic mucosal resection. Retrospective pathologic review and immunochemical staining of p53 and Ki-67 were performed. RESULTS: The study consists of eight cases (0.032%) of primary squamous cell carcinoma (one case) and adenosquamous carcinoma (seven cases) without early gastric cancer. Six cases (75.0%) were male and two cases were female. The mean age was 66 year-old. The clinical presentation and physical findings did not differ from those of adenocarcinoma. The mean tumor size was 5.2+/-1.7 cm. Macroscopically, five were Borrmann type 3 (62.5%) and three were type 2. At the initial diagnosis, six (75%) were stage IV based on TNM tumor staging. Six cases (75%) progressed despite the therapy while two cases responded to the treatment. The median survival time was 11.0 months (range 4.3+/-17.7). Overexpression of p53 was seen in five cases (62.5%) and their survival was poor when compared to the p53-negative group (p=0.04). The mean Ki-67 labeling index was 70.0+/-20.8%, and was not associated with p53 staining (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Adenosquamous and squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach are very rare. They tend to be at advanced stages on initial diagnosis, and progress rapidly. They show p53 protein overexpression and high Ki-67 labeling index, which might be related to poor prognosis.
Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Adenosquamous/chemistry/mortality/*pathology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/chemistry/mortality/*pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Ki-67 Antigen/*analysis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stomach Neoplasms/chemistry/mortality/*pathology ; Survival Rate ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/*analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastritis cystica profunda (GCP) is a rare disease that is characterized by a hyperplastic and cystic dilatation of the pseudopyloric gland with submucosal invasion. GCP is regarded as a benign lesion. However, there is some controversy regarding its malignant potential. This study reviewed the clinical features and association with malignancy. METHODS: From January 2001 to June 2005, 1,010 cases of resected and 1,228 cases of an endoscopic mucosal resection or polypectomy were examined. RESULTS: Thirty-nine cases (1.7%) were confirmed pathologically and were not associated with prior gastric surgery mostly. The mean age was 60.0+/-11.4 years old and there were 29 male patients. The body was most commonly located on the longitudinal axis (57.1%). Eleven cases (28.2%) were not associated any other gastric lesion, the majority of which were the polypoid type (82.0%). However, two cases were found as a hypertrophic mucosal fold, and a submucosal tumor, respectively. Seventeen cases (43.6%) were associated with early gastric cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Despite its rarity, GCP should be considered when an endoscopically polypoid lesion or submucosal tumor (SMT) is found. Because of its association with early gastric cancer or adenoma, more study will be needed to examine the relationship between GCP and gastric carcinogen
Adenoma ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Dilatation ; Gastritis* ; Humans ; Male ; Rare Diseases ; Stomach Neoplasms

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is one of important opportunistic infections and cause significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. The colon, stomach, and esophagus are the organs frequently involved with CMV infection. CMV enteritis makes up less than 10% of the CMV gastroenteritis cases, usually presents with diarrhea, bleeding and perforation. Several reports have described patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in whom CMV enterocolitis were complicated by ileal perforation, but have been rarely reported in Korea. We report a case of multiple ileal perforation associated with CMV enteritis in 67 years old man who was diagnosed as AIDS later. He complained of hematochezia and abdominal pain. During emergency operation, multiple perforated lesions were seen at the distal ileum above ileocecal valve. Colonoscopic examination revealed multiple shallow aphthoid ulcers at descending colon. CMV enteritis and colitis were diagnosed by microscopic findings of both surgical and endoscopic specimens. He was recovered by antiviral therapy with ganciclovir.
Abdominal Pain ; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome* ; Aged ; Colitis ; Colon ; Colon, Descending ; Cytomegalovirus* ; Diarrhea ; Emergencies ; Enteritis* ; Enterocolitis ; Esophagus ; Ganciclovir ; Gastroenteritis ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Ileocecal Valve ; Ileum ; Immunocompromised Host ; Intestinal Perforation ; Korea ; Mortality ; Opportunistic Infections ; Stomach ; Ulcer

OBJECTIVES: This study was attempted to offer the foundation data to develop a specific and practical social service of caregiver-centered. For this purpose we assessed the cognitive functions of a group aged 65 or more using the Korean version of Mini Mental State Examination(MMSE-K) in a Dong area of urban community. And then we reassessed the relationships between the caring burdens of caregivers and the psychopathology of in-home demented elderlies, and the needs of caregivers for the social services. METHODS: Subjects in this study were over the age of 65 and resided in a Dong area of urban community. At first, their cognitive functions were screened by MMSE-K. Subjects, whose total score of MMSE-K were below 24 and met the diagnostic criteria of DSM-IV for dementia, were enrolled in this study and defined to be the patients with dementia. Their psychiatric symptoms were assessed by Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale(BPRS), Hamilton's Rating Scale for Depression(HDRS) and Hamilton's Rating Scale for Anxiety(HARS). At the same time, the caring burdens of caregivers and their needs for social services were assessed by caregiver`s burden inventory(CBI). Total 23 subjects completed all of the assessments and their data were analysed statistically by ANOVA, chi2-test, and Duncan's multiple range test using SAS program. RESULTS: 1) The mean total score of BPRS tended to be correlated positively with the mean score of social activity restriction subscale of caring burden dimensions. 2) Some of religions of the caregivers could affect differently and significantly on the negative changes of relationships between the demented elderlies and their caregivers(p<.05). Especially, the Christians experienced less negative changes of relationships between them than the others did. 3) When the demented elderlies were males, total burdens of caregivers and negative changes of relationships between the demented elderlies and their caregivers, and between the caregivers and their relatives were significantly higher than the other burden dimensions were(p<.05). 4) When the demented elderlies were more educated, the psychological burdens of their caregivers were more severe(p<.05). 5) The more were the total burdens of the caregivers, they wanted more social services for them(p<.05). 6) The more were the psychological and financial burdens of the caregivers, their needs for the education and counselling services were more than the needs for the other social services(p<.05). CONCLUSION: Caregivers living with male demented elderlies, who had more severe psychopathology, had more burdens of caregiving and restricted the social activities of the in-home demented elderlies more severely. As a result, the relationships between them became more worse. Our results suggested that free-home helper services for the severely demented elderlies and education counselling services including information-referral service for their caregivers were in needs. Consequently, we should develop more specific services for in-home demented elderlies and their caregivers according to the needs in their family environments.
Caregivers* ; Dementia ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Education ; Humans ; Male ; Psychopathology* ; Social Work*

Small bowel obstructions are most commonly caused by adhesions, hernias, neoplasms or inflammatory stricture. Inflammatory pseudotumors are an uncommon cause of small bowel obstruction, even in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). We have experienced a case of small bowel obstruction caused by an inflammatory pseudotumor in a 38-year old male with AIDS. Abdominal computed tomography showed small bowel obstruction due to jejunal annular wall thickening. Surgical laparotomy showed a non-specific granulomatous inflammatory mass that could not fulfill any diagnostic criteria for a specific disease. This report describes our findings of small bowel obstruction due to an inflammatory pseudotumor and discusses the differential diagnosis of inflammatory pseudotumor in AIDS patients.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Granuloma, Plasma Cell ; Hernia ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Laparotomy ; Male

Skin hyperpigmentation is one of the most common skin disorders caused by abnormal melanogenesis. The mechanism and key factors at play are not fully understood. Previous reports have indicated that cystamine (CTM) inhibits melanin synthesis, though its molecular mechanism in melanogenesis remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effect of CTM on melanin production using ELISA reader and the expression of proteins involved in melanogenesis by Western blotting, and examined the involvement of transglutaminase-2 (Tgase-2) in SK-MEL-2 human melanoma cells by gene silencing. In the results, CTM dose-dependently suppressed melanin production and dendrite extension in alpha-MSH-induced melanogenesis of SK-MEL-2 human melanoma cells. CTM also suppressed alpha-MSH-induced chemotactic migration as well as the expressions of melanogenesis factors TRP-1, TRP-2 and MITF in alpha-MSH-treated SK-MEL-2 cells. Meanwhile, gene silencing of Tgase-2 suppressed dendrite extension and the expressions of TRP-1 and TRP-2 in alpha-MSH-treated SK-MEL-2 cells. Overall, these findings suggested that CTM suppresses alpha-MSH-induced melanogenesis via Tgase-2 inhibition and that therefore, Tgase-2 might be a new target in hyperpigmentation disorder therapy.
Blotting, Western ; Cystamine ; Dendrites ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Melanins ; Melanoma* ; Skin