OBJECTIVES: In this study, we evaluated early surgical results including 30 days early stroke and death rate and complications in 168 cases carotid endarterectomy (CEA). METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who underwent CEA at our institute between September 1999 and August 2010 was done. Preoperative symptoms were stroke in 72 cases, transient ischemic stroke or reversible ischemic neurologic deficit in 56 cases and asymptomatic in 40 cases. Most of the patients had conventional cerebral angiography or neck computed tomography angiography (CTA) for preoperative evaluation. Immediate radiological follow up was performed by neck CTA 1 week postoperatively. RESULTS: The overall postoperative stroke rate including transient ischemic attack within 30 days of the treatment was 1.7%. Major stroke rate with morbidity and death rate within 30 days was 0.6% (1 : major stroke, 1 : death). The cause of death was airway occlusion due to wound hematoma. Cranial nerve palsy developed in two patients (1.1%) and neck hematoma in six patients (3.5%). Neck CTA revealed total occlusion of internal carotid artery in one patient with acute cerebral infarction and then recovered fully. Intracranial hemorrhage relating to the hyperperfusion syndrome developed in one patient. Radiological patency rate was 98.7%. The comparison of 30 days morbidity and mortality rate between CEA and carotid angioplasty and stenting were each 0.6% and 1.5%, but there was no statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Carotid endarterectomy provides considerable future risk prevention against stroke in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid stenosis.
Angiography ; Angioplasty ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Carotid Stenosis ; Cause of Death ; Cerebral Angiography ; Cerebral Infarction ; Cranial Nerve Diseases ; Endarterectomy ; Endarterectomy, Carotid ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Ischemic Attack, Transient ; Neck ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Stroke

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we evaluated early surgical results including 30 days early stroke and death rate and complications in 168 cases carotid endarterectomy (CEA). METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who underwent CEA at our institute between September 1999 and August 2010 was done. Preoperative symptoms were stroke in 72 cases, transient ischemic stroke or reversible ischemic neurologic deficit in 56 cases and asymptomatic in 40 cases. Most of the patients had conventional cerebral angiography or neck computed tomography angiography (CTA) for preoperative evaluation. Immediate radiological follow up was performed by neck CTA 1 week postoperatively. RESULTS: The overall postoperative stroke rate including transient ischemic attack within 30 days of the treatment was 1.7%. Major stroke rate with morbidity and death rate within 30 days was 0.6% (1 : major stroke, 1 : death). The cause of death was airway occlusion due to wound hematoma. Cranial nerve palsy developed in two patients (1.1%) and neck hematoma in six patients (3.5%). Neck CTA revealed total occlusion of internal carotid artery in one patient with acute cerebral infarction and then recovered fully. Intracranial hemorrhage relating to the hyperperfusion syndrome developed in one patient. Radiological patency rate was 98.7%. The comparison of 30 days morbidity and mortality rate between CEA and carotid angioplasty and stenting were each 0.6% and 1.5%, but there was no statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Carotid endarterectomy provides considerable future risk prevention against stroke in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid stenosis.
Angiography ; Angioplasty ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Carotid Stenosis ; Cause of Death ; Cerebral Angiography ; Cerebral Infarction ; Cranial Nerve Diseases ; Endarterectomy ; Endarterectomy, Carotid ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Ischemic Attack, Transient ; Neck ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Stroke

Objective: To investigate the reliability of knee extensor strength measurements using a supine hand-held dynamometer (HHD) anchoring frame in patients with limited physical activity. Although an HHD is suitable for bedside use, its inter-rater reliability is low because measurements can be influenced by tester strength. Methods: Maximal knee extensor isometric strength was measured using an HHD anchored to the supine frame. Three trials of three maximal contractions were assessed by two raters. Results: A total of 33 inpatients who were non-ambulatory due to acute illness participated in the study. The intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.974 (inter-rater) and 0.959 (intra-rater). The minimal detectable changes in intra- and inter-observer measurements were 29.46 N (24.10%) and 36.73 N (29.26%), respectively. The limits of agreement ranged from -19.79% to 24.81% for intra-rater agreement and from -21.45% to 37.07% for inter-rater agreement. Conclusion The portable dynamometer anchoring system can measure the isometric strength of the knee extensor reliably in the supine position, and could be used for measurements in patients who have difficulty visiting the laboratory and maintaining a seated posture.

OBJECTIVE: Posttraumatic cerebral infarction (PTCI), an infarction in well-defined arterial distributions after head trauma, is a known complication in patients with severe head trauma. The primary aims of this study were to evaluate the clinical and radiographic characteristics of PTCI, and to assess the effect on outcome of decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC) in patients with PTCI. METHODS: We present a retrospective analysis of 20 patients with PTCI who were treated between January 2003 and August 2005. Twelve patients among them showed malignant PTCI, which is defined as PTCI including the territory of Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA). Medical records and radiologic imaging studies of patients were reviewed. RESULTS: Infarction of posterior cerebral artery distribution was the most common site of PTCI. Fourteen patients underwent DHC an average of 16 hours after trauma. The overall mortality rate was 75%. Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) of survivors showed that one patient was remained in a persistent vegetative state, two patients were severely disabled and only two patients were moderately disabled at the time of discharge. Despite aggressive treatments, all patients with malignant PTCI had died. Malignant PTCI was the indicator of poor clinical outcome. Furthermore, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) at the admission was the most valuable prognostic factor. Significant correlation was observed between a GCS less than 5 on admission and high mortality (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In patients who developed non-malignant PTCI and GCS higher than 5 after head injury, early DHC and duroplasty should be considered, before occurrence of irreversible ischemic brain damage. High mortality rate was observed in patients with malignant PTCI or PTCI with a GCS of 3-5 at the admission. A large prospective randomized controlled study will be required to justify for aggressive treatments including DHC and medical treatment in these patients.
Brain ; Brain Injuries ; Cerebral Infarction ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Decompressive Craniectomy ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Glasgow Outcome Scale ; Humans ; Infarction ; Medical Records ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Persistent Vegetative State ; Posterior Cerebral Artery ; Retrospective Studies ; Survivors

We report a case of a clinically asymptomatic granulomatous renal mass during intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) immunotherapy for superficial bladder cancer. BCG is the most effective agent currently available for the treatment of superficial bladder cancer. The side effects, during or shortly after treatment, were minor and self-limiting in the large majority of patients (fever, bladder irritability and hematuria). We emphasize the rarity of such extravesical complications, and discussed the possible routes of renal inoculation. Treatment consisted of partial nephrectomy and anti tubercular agents.
Bacillus* ; Granuloma* ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Mycobacterium bovis ; Nephrectomy ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* ; Urinary Bladder*

We report a case of cerebral actinomycosis in a 69-year-old immunocompetent woman. The patient showed a progressive worsened mental status for one week. MRI examination showed an increased size of multiple enhancing nodular lesions associated with mild perilesional edema. We performed an open biopsy for the right frontal enhancing lesion. The intraoperative finding showed a yellowish friable lesion that was not demarcated with normal tissue. Pathologically, an actinomycotic lesion with sulfur granules and inflammatory cells was diagnosed. We report an unusual case of diffuse involvement of cerebral actinomycosis. The presence of the uncapsulated friable lesion that consisted mainly of foamy macrophages and lymphocytes could explain the unusual radiological features.
Abscess ; Actinomycosis ; Aged ; Biopsy ; Brain Abscess ; Edema ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Macrophages ; Sulfur

When a Korean child is living in close contact with a person with active pulmonary tuberculosis, the risk of his acquiring the disease is great. In seeking an effective means of reducing this risk to the chi1d, isoniazid was given as secondary chemoprophylaxis to 233 tuberculin-positive children under 5 years of age who were clinically free of disease but were living in close contact with a household member with active tuberculosis. The condition of these children after 9 to 12 months of chemoprophylaxis was compared with a similar control group of 216 children living under exact1y comparable circumstances. An analysis of tile results of this study indicates that secondary chemoprophylaxis with isoniazid is effective and worthwhile for children under 4 years of age who are under constant exposure to tuberculosis. That there was such a protection is indicated by the fact that (1) isoniazid markedly reduced the size of the tuberculin reaction and that (2) only 2 children receiving isoniazid developed active tuberculosis (0.8%) as against the 8 controls who did (3.70%). The faithful cooperation of parents in administering prophylactic isoniazid to small children is often difficult to obtain. This difficulty is suggested by the fact that in the case of the 2 children in the isoniazid test group who developed active tuberculosis, the actual drug intake had been irregularly given and amounted to less than half the prescribed dose.
Chemoprevention ; Child ; Family Characteristics* ; Humans ; Isoniazid ; Parents ; Tuberculin ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary*

Objective: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is currently ravaging the world and is a major threat to public health. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at a high risk of acquiring and transmitting COVID-19. Hence, HCWs are also experiencing emotional and behavioral changes. The purpose of this study was to compare emotional changes and stress between occupations and to investigate the impact of emotions of HCWs during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: An anonymous, self-administered, previously validated questionnaire was given to HCWs at a hospital dedicated to infectious diseases in Korea during the COVID-19 outbreak. The participants were asked to evaluate stress factors, depressive moods, trauma, reasons for continuing to work, things that helped them work, coping strategies to reduce stress, motivators that could help them work during future outbreaks, and what they would like to do after the outbreak was over. Results: The total number of participants was 400. The average age of participants was 34.69±9.44. Stress and depressive moods showed variations in the job-to-job comparisons. Ethical duty and the professionalism of the HCWs pushed them to continue with their jobs. The news of a decline in the number of patients was helpful to HCWs. The implementation of personal hygiene programs helped in reducing stress. The provision of adequate personal protective equipment was a factor that would encourage them to work during any future outbreak. The participants wanted to go on a trip after the outbreak was over. Conclusion Our findings indicate that the COVID-19 outbreak had a significant emotional impact on HCWs. The concerns of HCWs may affect their work efficiency in an outbreak and should be addressed by incorporating appropriate management strategies while planning to combat an outbreak.

Objective: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is currently ravaging the world and is a major threat to public health. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at a high risk of acquiring and transmitting COVID-19. Hence, HCWs are also experiencing emotional and behavioral changes. The purpose of this study was to compare emotional changes and stress between occupations and to investigate the impact of emotions of HCWs during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: An anonymous, self-administered, previously validated questionnaire was given to HCWs at a hospital dedicated to infectious diseases in Korea during the COVID-19 outbreak. The participants were asked to evaluate stress factors, depressive moods, trauma, reasons for continuing to work, things that helped them work, coping strategies to reduce stress, motivators that could help them work during future outbreaks, and what they would like to do after the outbreak was over. Results: The total number of participants was 400. The average age of participants was 34.69±9.44. Stress and depressive moods showed variations in the job-to-job comparisons. Ethical duty and the professionalism of the HCWs pushed them to continue with their jobs. The news of a decline in the number of patients was helpful to HCWs. The implementation of personal hygiene programs helped in reducing stress. The provision of adequate personal protective equipment was a factor that would encourage them to work during any future outbreak. The participants wanted to go on a trip after the outbreak was over. Conclusion Our findings indicate that the COVID-19 outbreak had a significant emotional impact on HCWs. The concerns of HCWs may affect their work efficiency in an outbreak and should be addressed by incorporating appropriate management strategies while planning to combat an outbreak.

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is the primary endocrine system to respond to stress. The HPA axis may be affected by increased level of corticotrophin-releasing factors under chronic stress and by chronic administration of monosodium glutamate (MSG). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether chronic MSG administration aggravates chronic variable stress (CVS)-induced behavioral and hormonal changes. Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 200~220 g, were divided into 4 groups as follows: water administration (CON), MSG (3 g/kg) administration (MSG), CVS, and CVS with MSG (3 g/kg) administration (CVS+MSG). In addition, for the purpose of comparing the effect on plasma corticosterone levels between chronic stress and daily care or acute stress, 2 groups were added at the end of the experiment; the 2 new groups were as follows: naive mice (n=7) and mice exposed to restraint stress for 2 h just before decapitation (A-Str, n=7). In an open field test performed after the experiment, the CVS+MSG group significant decrease in activity. The increase in relative adrenal weights in the CVS and CVS+MSG group was significantly greater than those in the CON and/or MSG groups. In spite of the increase in the relative adrenal weight, there was a significant decrease in the plasma corticosterone levels in the CVS+MSG group as compared to all other groups, except the naive group. These results suggest that impaired HPA axis function as well as the decrease in the behavioral activity in adult rats can be induced by chronic MSG administration under CVS rather than CVS alone.
Adult ; Animals ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Corticosterone ; Decapitation ; Endocrine System ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Plasma ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium Glutamate ; Water ; Weights and Measures