No abstract available.
Hypnotics and Sedatives ; Light

Diaphragmatic eventration is a rare disease and is caused by congenital etiology. We operated on a patient who had had preexisting left diaphragmatic eventration which was complicated by a right diaphragmatic paralysis and a persistent respiratory insufficiency due to a traffic accident. This was a very rare case and there has not yet been any case reports worldwide. We were able to abtain good surgical results from plication of left diaphragm in this case and thus report it.
Accidents, Traffic ; Diaphragm ; Diaphragmatic Eventration* ; Humans ; Rare Diseases ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Respiratory Paralysis*

BACKGROUND: With the advent of thoracoscopy, there has been increasing interest in less invasive surgical bullectomy and pleurodesis. The recurrence rate, however, has been reported higher in surgery with thoracoscopy than with open thoracotomy and it is thought to be caused by inappropriate mechanical pleurodesis during thoracoscopic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared the short-term recurrence rates according to the intensities of pleural abrasion in 62 patients who underwent VATS for treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax from April 1996 to August 1997. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group A (n=32) included patients who received relatively weak pleural abrasion using Endo-forcep instrument for grasping the gauze, and group B (n=30) received strong pleural abrasion using conventional instrument wrapped tightly with gauze. Each intensity of pleural abrasion allowed petechia on the parietal pleura in group A, and some tearing and bleeding in group B. RESULTS: Indications for operation, sex distribution, and age were comparable in both groups. There were no differences in chest tube indwelling time (3.78+/-3.35 vs 3.80+/-2.49 days), hospital stay (4.72+/-1.87 vs 4.67+/-2.20 days), and the amount and duration of analgesics required postoperatively. Persistent air-leak more than 7 days after surgery occurred in 4/32 (12.5%) and 2/30 (6.7%) in group A and B, respectively. No bleeding-related complication occured. Pneumothorax recurred 12.5% (4/32) and 0% (0/30) of patients at a mean follow-up of 9.7 and 9.6 months in group A and B, respectively, and it was statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Proper intensity of pleural abrasion is very important factor to reduce recurrence after VATS for spontaneous pneumothorax. During short-term follow-upafter surgery, we could achieve excellent result in reducing recurrence rate with VATS and strong pleural abrasion which is comparable to thoracotomy.
Analgesics ; Chest Tubes ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand Strength ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Pleura ; Pleurodesis* ; Pneumothorax* ; Recurrence* ; Sex Distribution ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted* ; Thoracoscopy ; Thoracotomy

BACKGROUND: Multi-loculated empyema makes treatment difficult, and more so when thoracentesis or chest tube drainage fails. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From December 1991 to December 1997, we performed closed rib resectional drainage for 18 cases of loculated empyema on the fibrinopurulent or early chronic phase. RESULTS: Surgery was performed on patients with loculated empyema complaining of persistent symptoms due to failure of treatment by thoracentesis (8 cases) or chest tube drainage (10 cases). Predisposing factors of empyema were pneumonia in 13 cases, clotted hemothorax in 3 cases, cholecystectomy, and tuberculous pleurisy in 1 case. Causal organisms were cultured in 8 cases (42.1%), and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus was found in 3 cases, pseudomonas aeruginosa in 2 cases, and enterococcus aerogens, alpha-hemolytic streptococcus, and acinetobacter baumannii were found in 1 case. Size of loculations was various, and computed chest tomogram showed multiple loculations of empyema numbering 1~4 (mean 1.78+/-1.00). Operating time was relatively short, about 55~140 mins (mean 102.8+/-30.8). All toxic symptoms including fever disappeared postopratively and general conditions improved very quickly in all patients. Length of chest tube indwelling time and hospital stay after surgery were 3~42 days (mean 11.4+/-11.5) and 6~36 days (mean 12.9+/-8.1), respectively. Complications of prolonged drainage occurred in 2 cases and no death occurred. There were no recurrences and chest x-rays taken 3~6 months after surgery showed normal findings in 14 cases and slight pleural thickening in 4 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Closed rib resectional drainage requires very simple techniques and has excellent outcomes and little complications, therefore, we think that it is the choice of operation for patients with loculated empyema on the fibrinopurulent or early chronic phase.
Acinetobacter baumannii ; Causality ; Chest Tubes ; Cholecystectomy ; Drainage* ; Empyema* ; Enterococcus ; Fever ; Hemothorax ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Pneumonia ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Recurrence ; Ribs* ; Streptococcus ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis, Pleural

PURPOSE: To compare CT features of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) with those of lymphomas in the small intestine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT findings of 11 pathologically confirmed GIST patients and 10 lymphoma patients were retrospectively reviewed. CT findings were analyzed with regard to location, size, margin, growth patterns, internal character, enhancement, invasion, vascular encasement, lymphadenopathy, intestinal obstruction and ascites. RESULTS:An extraluminal mass was present in 82% (9/11) of the GIST patients versus 30% (3/10) of the lymphoma patients. Circumferential wall thickening was observed in 80% (8/10) of the lymphoma patients (p<.05). Internal necrosis or gas was present in 73% (8/11) of the GIST patients versus 10% (1/10) of the lymphoma patients (p<.05). Inhomogeneous enhancement was observed in 63% (7/11) of the GIST patients compared to homogeneous enhancement in 90% (9/10) of the lymphoma patients (p<.05). Lymphadenopathy was only observed in 80% (8/10) of the lymphoma patients (p<.05). In other findings such as fatty infiltration, ascites and intestinal obstruction there were no statistically significant differences (p>.05). CONCLUSION: Features revealed by CT scans are highly useful in differentiating GIST from lymphoma of the small intestine. Extraluminal growth and internal necrosis or gas are more common in patients with GIST compared with lymphoma. CT features of circumferential wall thickening and associated lymphadenopathy are more common in patients with lymphoma.
Ascites ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors* ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction ; Intestine, Small* ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Lymphoma* ; Necrosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The insulin resistance and the altered glucose metabolism in chronic liver disease increase the alteration of glucose intolerance and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus. The prevalence of DM is higher in advanced cirrhosis than in early cirrhosis and higher in C-viral hepatitis or alcoholic liver disease than in B-viral hepatitis. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of DM in chronic liver disease in Korea. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 417 patients with chronic liver disease who visit the Yonsei University Sevrance Hospital from January 1994 to March 1998. We examined fasting blood sugar, biochemical study and abdominal ultrasonography. DM was defined on the basis of fasting hyperglycemia (fasting blood sugar exceeding 140 mg/dl) at least two consecutive samples or active treatment with insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents. RESULTS:1) The DM prevalence was 16.8%(70 cases) in total patients and 25.0% (56 cases) in cirrhotic patients. 2) According to sex, there was no statistically significant difference in DM prevalence(16.8% in men and 18.1% in women P=0.78). 3) The DM prevalence was increased with increasing of age(0% in below 30 years, 4.9% in 31-40, 19.6% in 41-50, 22.9% in 51-60, 21.3% in 61-70 and 44.4% in over 71 years, p<0.01). 3) According to severity of liver disease, the DM prevalence was higher in uncompensated cirrhosis than in compensated cirrhosis(2.3% in chronic viral carrier, 8.8% in chronic hepatitis, 17.9% in cirrhosis Child class A, 33.9% in class B, 29.5% in class C). 4) According to cause of liver disease, the DM prevalence was higher in C-viral hepatitis and alcoholics than in B-viral hepatitis(12.1% in B-viral hepatitis, 35.1% in C-viral hepatitis, 40.0% in alcoholics). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of diabetes in the patients with chronic liver disease is much higher than in general population. And the DM prevalence is increased in advanced cirrhosis and C-viral or alcoholic hepatitis. The early diagnosis and treatment of DM in chronic liver disease patients are important.
Alcoholics ; Blood Glucose ; Child ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; Early Diagnosis ; Fasting ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Glucose ; Glucose Intolerance ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis, Alcoholic ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Korea ; Liver Diseases* ; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic ; Liver* ; Male ; Medical Records ; Metabolism ; Prevalence* ; Ultrasonography

This case report describes a traumatic pseudoaneurysm arising from the right V4 segment of the vertebral artery, near the origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Post-traumatic vertebral artery pseudoaneurysm is rare, but associated with a high mortality rate. We report on an extremely rare case of post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the vertebral artery with delayed manifestation. A 9-year-old child was admitted to the emergency room after a pedestrian car accident. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed subarachnoid hemorrhage with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), multiple facial bones, and temporal bone fracture. External ventricular drainage and decompressive suboccipital craniectomy were performed for acute hydrocephalus and posterior fossa swelling. The patient's clinical condition became suddenly aggravated on the 15th hospital day, and brain CT confirmed appearance of a new 4th ventricle IVH. Digital subtraction angiography revealed a ruptured pseudoaneurysm arising from the right V4 segment of the vertebral artery. Parent artery occlusion using detachable coils was achieved. Despite intensive care, the patient's clinical condition showed continuous deterioration and the patient died of respiratory complications on the 52nd hospital day.
Aneurysm, False* ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Arteries ; Brain ; Child ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Drainage ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Facial Bones ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Critical Care ; Mortality ; Parents ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Temporal Bone ; Vertebral Artery*

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Humans ; Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant* ; Translocation, Genetic

The common bile duct classically enters the posteromedial aspect of the second part of the duodenum through an oblique, 1 to 2 cm long intramural tunnel. Some case reports of the common bile duct emptying into other sites including the fourth part of the duodenum, the pyloric canal, stomach and duodenal bulb have appeared in the literature. We report a case of a 40-year-old man who showed anomalous drainage of the common bile duct into the duodenal bulb presenting with obstructive jaundice and duodenal ulcer. This patient required choledochoenteric anastomosis to relieve obstructive jaundice and abdominal pain. We report the case with a review of other cases in Korean literature.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Common Bile Duct* ; Drainage* ; Duodenal Ulcer ; Duodenum ; Humans ; Jaundice, Obstructive* ; Stomach