PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate patients' characteristics and actual conditions of home-based services offered by a free-standing hospice center. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed with the medical records of 75 patients who received home-based hospice care from a free-standing hospice center from January 2014 through December 2014. RESULTS: Most patients (54.7%) were enrolled via self-directed referral. The reason for the service termination was death at home 25.3%, admission to a hospice ward 50.7%, hospitalization 22.6% and patients' refusal 2.7%. Seventy three patients had cancer, and two patients had ALS. Among all, 58.7% were in a dying phase, and 34.7% were almost completely bedfast at the time of their enrollment in this study. When they enrolled, the patients' physical symptoms were characterized as pain (89.4%), sleep disturbance (71.2%), urinary difficulties (35.8%) and defecation difficulties (47.8%). Among all, 77.4% terminated the home visit service within one month. The mean frequency of the home visits was 3.25 (±3.98), and less than five in 82.7% of patients. The mean frequency of the phone service was 3.40 (±3.12). The frequency of doctor's home visits was 1.21±0.79 on average, and the figure increased when patients' conditions turned unstable. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to develop a home-based hospice care model with consideration of patients' characteristics and the actual service conditions delivered by free-standing hospice facilities.
Defecation ; Home Care Services ; Hospice Care* ; Hospices* ; Hospitalization ; House Calls ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Referral and Consultation ; Retrospective Studies

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Fracture of composite resin core will be occurred by progress of crack. Bonding interface of different materials has large possibility of starting point of crack line. Therefore, the bond strength of glass fiber post to composite resin core is important for prevention of fracture. Purpose: This in vitrostudy tried to find out how to get the higher strength of glass fiber post to composite resin core through surveying the maximum load that fractures the post and core complex. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 40 specimens made with glass fiber Posts(Style post(R), Metalor, Swiss) and composite resin core(Z-100(R), 3M, USA) were prepared and loaded to failure with push-out type shear-bond strength test in a universal test machine. The maximum fracture load and fracture mode were investigated in the specimens that were restored with four different surface treatments. With the data, ANOVA test was used to validate the significance between the test groups, and Bonferroni method was used to check if there is any significant statistical difference between each test group. Every analysis was approved with 95% reliance. RESULTS: On measuring the maximum fracture load of specimens, both the treatments of sandblasted and acid-etched one statistically showed the strength increase rather than the control group(p<0.005). The scanning electric microscope revealed that sand blasting made more micro-retention form not only on the resin matrix but on the glass fiber, and acid-etching contributed to increase in surface retention form, eliminated the inorganic particles in resin matrix. Specimen fracture modes investigation represented that sand blasted groups showed lower bonding failure than no-sand blasted groups. CONCLUSION: Referring to the values of maximum fracture load of specimens, the bonding strength was increased by sand blasting and acid-etching.
Glass* ; Silicon Dioxide

PURPOSE: In the era of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) and ureteroscopy, the majority of ureter stones are successfully managed with these less invasive treatment modalities. However, open ureterolithotomy still has a role in special situations. The efficacy of a laparoscopic retroperitoneal ureterolithotomy for large impacted ureter stones indicated for open ureterolithotomy is reported. MATERIALS AND MTHODS: Between February 1998 and December 1999, laparoscopic retroperitoneal ureterolithotomy for proximal ureter stones was performed in 5 patients who required an open ureterolithotomy. The mean size of the stones was 15mm, all of which were tightly impacted in the ureteral lumen and were associated with marked hydronephrosis. RESULTS: All but the initial operation was performed successfully via the retroperitoneal approach. Open conversion was needed in the first patient because of inexperience and the lack of anatomic perception. The mean operation time and estimated blood loss was 122 minutes and < or =50ml, respectively. A transfusion was not needed in any of the patients. Postoperative pain was well controlled with 175mg of Ketoprofen. The mean postoperative length of hospital stay was 6.3 days. There were no significant intraoperative or postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: A laparoscopic retroperitoneal ureterolithotomy can be considered as an alternative to conventional ureterolithotomy when open surgery is indicated.
Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Ketoprofen ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Lithotripsy ; Pain, Postoperative ; Postoperative Complications ; Shock ; Ureter ; Ureteroscopy

PURPOSE: In the era of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) and ureteroscopy, the majority of ureter stones are successfully managed with these less invasive treatment modalities. However, open ureterolithotomy still has a role in special situations. The efficacy of a laparoscopic retroperitoneal ureterolithotomy for large impacted ureter stones indicated for open ureterolithotomy is reported. MATERIALS AND MTHODS: Between February 1998 and December 1999, laparoscopic retroperitoneal ureterolithotomy for proximal ureter stones was performed in 5 patients who required an open ureterolithotomy. The mean size of the stones was 15mm, all of which were tightly impacted in the ureteral lumen and were associated with marked hydronephrosis. RESULTS: All but the initial operation was performed successfully via the retroperitoneal approach. Open conversion was needed in the first patient because of inexperience and the lack of anatomic perception. The mean operation time and estimated blood loss was 122 minutes and < or =50ml, respectively. A transfusion was not needed in any of the patients. Postoperative pain was well controlled with 175mg of Ketoprofen. The mean postoperative length of hospital stay was 6.3 days. There were no significant intraoperative or postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: A laparoscopic retroperitoneal ureterolithotomy can be considered as an alternative to conventional ureterolithotomy when open surgery is indicated.
Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Ketoprofen ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Lithotripsy ; Pain, Postoperative ; Postoperative Complications ; Shock ; Ureter ; Ureteroscopy

BACKGROUND: International consensus guidelines have recently been developed to improve the assessment and management of asthma. One of the major recommendations of these guidelines is that asthma severity should be assessed through the recognition of key symptoms, such as nocturnal waking, medication requirements, and objective measurements of lung function. Differential classification of asthma severity would lead to major differences in both long term pharmacological management and the treatment of severe exacerbation. METHODS: This study examined the relationship between the symptom score and measurements of FEV1 and PEF when expressed as a percentage of predicted values in asthmatics(n=107). RESULTS: The correlation of FEV1% with PEFR% was highly significant(r=0.83, p<0.01). However, there was agreement in terms of the classification of asthma severity in 76.6% of the paired measurements of FEV1% and PEFR%. Agreement in the classification of asthma severity was also found in 57.1% of the paired analysis of FEV1% and symptom score. 39% of the patients classified as having moderate asthma on the basis of FEV1% recording would be considered to have severe asthma if symptom score alone were used. Low baseline FEV1 and high bronchial responsiveness were associated with a low degree of perception of airway obstruction. CONCLUSION: The relationships between the symptom score, PEFR and FEV1 were generally poor. When assessing asthma severity, age, duration, PC20, and baseline FEV should be considered.
Airway Obstruction ; Asthma* ; Classification ; Consensus ; Humans ; Lung ; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate

Cerebral malalria is a life-threatening complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection. RBC exchange transfusion (RCE) can reduce the burden of parasitemia in this situation. We have experienced two cases of cerebral malaria treated with automated RBC exchange as an adjunct to standard chemotherapy. Case 1: A 42-year-old male was referred to the emergency room with a history of 3 days of fever after having returned from Congo. Peripheral blood smear showed the P. falciparum parasitemia of 70-80%. Quinidine and doxycycline were administered but, mental state started to deteriorate. He underwent RCE on hospital day 2 to reduce the parasitemia to 10% after 8 hours. No parasite could be found on day 3 after the RCE. Case 2: A 62-year-old male was referred to the emergency room with a history of 3 days of fever after having returned from Cameroon. P. falciparum parasitemia was 10% on peripheral blood smear. Quinidine and doxycycline were immediately started but headache developed abruptly and he underwent RCE on hospital day 3. After 8 hours following the completion of RCE, parasitemia decreased to less than 1%. Automated RBC exchange transfusion can rapidly reduce the burden of parasitemia and achieve improvement of neurologic symptom and sign in patients with cerebral malaria.
Adult ; Cameroon ; Congo ; Doxycycline ; Drug Therapy ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Fever ; Headache ; Humans ; Malaria, Cerebral* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Parasitemia ; Parasites ; Plasmodium falciparum ; Quinidine

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of a percutaneous injection of a mixture of autogenous bone marrow and crushed cancellous bone allografts for the treatment of simple bone cysts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with a simple bone cyst were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 13.5 years (range, 4-32 years), and the mean follow-up period was 13.2 months (range, 8-19 months). The radiographic signs of the resolution of the cyst were categorized as healed, healed with a defect, persistent and recurrent. The groups of healed and healed with a defect were designated the positive response groups. RESULTS: Fourteen patients responded to the treatment. Nine patients showed complete healing that was first seen radiographically at 3 months (range, 1-6 months). Five patients showed healing with a defect, but no patient required a second injection because the cysts were small and did not cause functional pain. There was no correlation between clinical responses and age, gender, location, cyst index and previous treatment modalities. One patient had a pathological fracture, which was treated successfully by open bone grafting with flexible intramedullary nailing. CONCLUSION: A percutaneous injection of a mixture of autogenous bone marrow and a crushed cancellous bone allograft may be an effective treatment for simple bone cysts.
Allografts* ; Bone Cysts* ; Bone Marrow* ; Bone Transplantation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Fractures, Spontaneous ; Humans

A 43-year-old woman with left facial pain caused by occipital neuralgia was scheduled for C2 ganglionotomy and adhesiolysis of left C2 root. General anesthesia, surgical procedure, and emergence have done uneventfully. However, she developed seizure after 5 minutes postoperatively in post-anesthesia recovery unit. She showed loss of consciousness and generalized muscular rigidity after shouting “I want to die”. Neurologic examination and neuroimaging revealed no neuronal damage. Her generalized muscular rigidity improved by her daughter's visit and worsened by mention about her husband, and disappeared after 40 minutes spontaneously.
Adult ; Anesthesia, General ; Facial Pain ; Female ; Humans ; Muscle Rigidity ; Neuralgia ; Neuroimaging ; Neurologic Examination ; Neurons ; Seizures* ; Spouses ; Unconsciousness

BACKGROUND: Epidural anesthesia became most popular for a cesarean section, but it is more time consuming and involves a higher incidence of insufficient or superficial blockade, especially of the motor root, despite large doses of local anesthesia. Combined spinal epidural anesthesia has gained an increasing interest as it combines the reliability of the spinal block and the flexibility of an epidural block. A dural puncture using the combined spinal epidural technique making an early sacral blockade might be a solution to disadvantages in epidural anesthesia. We investigated the efficacy of combined spinal epidural anesthesia and epidural anesthesia with prior dural puncture for a cesarean section. METHODS: Sixty pregnant women at full term were divided into three groups. Group I (EPI, n = 20) received epidural anesthesia with 100 mg of 0.5% bupivacaine. Group II (CSE, n = 20) received combined spinal epidural anesthesia with 1.2 1.4 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine intrathecally, followed by sensory block at T10 after by 7 8 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine through the epidural catheter. Group III (DP, n = 20) received epidural anesthesia with prior dural puncture. A dural puncture with a 27 G whitacre needle was done before an infusion of 20 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine through the epidural catheter. The quality and side effects of surgical anesthesia were compared between the three groups. RESULTS: Time to T10 (P< 0.001) and surgical onset time (P< 0.001) were significantly shorter in the CSE group. Maximal sensory block level (P< 0.001) was significantly higher in the CSE group. Muscle relaxation (P< 0.05) and motor block (P< 0.001) were much better in the CSE group. Hypotension occurred in 25% (EPI group), 40% (CSE group) and 20% (DP group) of the patients. While 65% of the EPI group and 50% of the DP group complained of intraoperative pain, only 25% of CSE group did (P< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We can conclude that combined spinal epidural anesthesia has great efficacy and less side effects for a cesarean section than epidural anesthesia and epidural anesthesia with prior dural pucture.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Epidural ; Anesthesia, Local ; Anesthetics ; Bupivacaine ; Catheters ; Cesarean Section* ; Female ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Incidence ; Muscle Relaxation ; Needles ; Pliability ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Punctures*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate enhancement patterns, as seen on two-phase spiral CT, of hepatic hemangiomas in which atypical features had been seen on sonography (US) MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two-phase spiral CT scanning was performed in 18 patients in whom 24 atypical hemangiomas had been seen on US. Two-phase images were obtained at 25-45 seconds (arterial dominant phase) and 2-5 minutes (equilibrium phase) after the initiation of a bolus injection of contrast material (150 ml, 5 ml/sec). Enhancement patterns of hemangiomas during each phase were classified as homogeneous high, peripheral high, or low attenuation, and were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: In the arterial dominant phase of spiral CT, low attenuation was seen in nine hemangiomas (38%), globular or spotty peripheral high attenuation in 14 (58%), and homogeneous high attenuation in one (4%). In the equilibrium phase, enhancement patterns were peripheral high attenuation (partial fill-in) in 18 lesions (75%), and homogeneous high attenuation (complete fill-in) in three (12.5%), In the other three (12.5%) enhancement showed no significant change; in one of these, density was slightly less than in the arterial phase, and two showed subtle peripheral high attenuation. Fourteen hemangiomas (58%) showed globular or spotty peripheral high attenuation in the arterial dominant phase and peripheral or homogeneous high attenuation with progressive centripetal enhancement in the equilibrium phase. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that two-phase spiral CT during the arterial dominant and equilibrium phase is useful in differentiating hepatic hemangiomas with atypical features seen on US from malignant hepatic tumors.
Hemangioma* ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Spiral Computed* ; Ultrasonography*