Juxtaductal coarctation is usually distal to the origin of the left subclavian artery, occasionally the orifice of the subclavian artery is involved in the coarctation and partially obstructed. An anomalous origin of the right subclavian artery from the descending aorta below the coarcted segment is also occasionally encountered. Reversed vertebral artery flow to a subclavian artery arising at or below a coarctation may produce the subclavian steal syndrome. Rarely both subclavian arteries arise beyond the coarctation. These abnormal subclavian arteries are important in clinical diagnosis and treatment. We report a case of Turner syndrome with coarctation, which present as juxtaductal type and the left subclavian artery from the descending aorta below the coarcted segment with reversed vertebral artery flow to a subclavian artery producing the subclavian steal syndrome. Resecton of coarctation segment and end-to-end anastomosis was successfully performed after transfer of left subclavian artery to distal segment of descending aorta.
Aorta, Thoracic* ; Aortic Coarctation ; Diagnosis ; Subclavian Artery* ; Subclavian Steal Syndrome* ; Turner Syndrome* ; Vertebral Artery

OBJECTIVE: Surgically removed herniated lumbar disc specimen are immunostained to evaluate the production of MMPs(Matrix metalloproteinases) -1, 2, 3 for the investigation of the possible correlation of MMPs in lumbar disc herniation depending on the types of disc herniation. METHODS: The study population consists of 30 patients with lumbar disc herniation. There were 18 men and 12 women with patient age averaging 43.4 years(19-68years). The types of disc herniation identified at the time of surgery were classified as follow ; protruded type(Group 1, 10cases), extruded type(Group 2, 10cases), sequestrated type(Group 3, 10cases). Immunohistochemical study for the MMPs of the herniated disc tissue was performed and results of staining were graded to examine differences in histology among three types of disc herniation . RESULTS: The MMPs immunopositive cells were increased in old patients but statistically it was not significant(p=0.074). A significantly increased incidence of positive cells for MMP-1, 2 was found in the herniated lumbar disc tissue than the control group(p=0.02) but there were no significant differences among the three types of disc herniation. The MMP-3 positive cells were predominantly detected in the sequestrated disc tissue group(p=0.037) more than other groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the MMP-1, 2, 3 may play important roles in the process of degeneration, herniation, and resorption of the lumbar intervertebral discs and that the MMP-3 may express the severity of lumbar disc herniation and play a role in resorption of the sequestrated disc tissue.
Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Incidence ; Intervertebral Disc ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinases*

BACKGROUND: Varying results of hemodynamic and oxygen parameters in response to hypoxia and/or hypercarbia have been reported. In this study, the effects of apnea on the hemodynamic parameters and oxygen availability were evaluated using ten healthy mongrel dogs. METHODS: After full oxygenation, apnea was induced by disconnecting animals from mechanical ventilation. Hemodynamic parameters, oxygen delivery, consumption and extraction ratio were measured at one minute intervals until the cardiac output was undetectable via the thermodilution method. RESULTS: Blood pressure (BP) increased continually following apnea. Cardiac output (CO) increased during the early of apnea (2 and 3 minute) but decreased thereafter. Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) decreased in the early phase of apnea but subsequently declined. The indices of preload increased steadily following apnea. Changes in heart rate (HR) were compared with changes in CO and oxygen delivery, and was found to increase during the early phase of apnea (2~3 minutes) and decrease thereafter. The oxygen extraction ratio did not change significantly and remained steady 6 minutes after apnea but increased and became irregular thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that early reflex responses such as increased BP were primarily due to increased CO, whereas the late increase in BP was due to the increase of SVR. We conclude that BP is not meaningful variables in evaluating critical hypoxic condition such as apnea, and bradycardia might be caused by decreased CO and severe hypoxemia.
Anesthesia* ; Animals ; Anoxia ; Apnea* ; Blood Pressure ; Bradycardia ; Cardiac Output ; Dogs ; Halothane* ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics* ; Oxygen* ; Reflex ; Respiration, Artificial ; Thermodilution ; Vascular Resistance

The effect of epinephrine on epidural biock and blood lidocaine concentration was investigated in women undergoing elective cesarean sections (n=24). Patients were randomly allocated to one of the two groups; one group received 2% lidocaine 20ml plain (group l, n=12), the other group received 2% lidocaine mixed with epinephrine 1 in 200,000 (group 2, n=12). Matemal venous blood samples were obtained 10, 20, 30, 45, 60 and 90 minutes following the injection. The mean blood concentration of lidocaine in group 2 was significantly lower than that of group 1, 20 minutes following the injection (P<0.05). The addition of epinephrine to the lidocaine solution reduced the peak blood concentration by 24% (from 3.93 to 3.01 ug/ml); however, this did not prolong the times at which the peak concentration was reached. The group 1 (plain) needed significantly more supplementary analgesia than group 2. The time from injection to Bromage scale 0 of group 2 (88.2+/-21.3 minutes) was significantly longer than that of group 1 (52.8+/-10.0 minutes). Incidence of matemal hypotension during operation, nausea/vomiting and shivering in the recovery, room did not differ significantly between the two groups. From this we came to the conclusion that epidural epinephrine reduces blood concentration of lidocaine and improves the duration and the quality of epidural anesthesia during cesarean sections.
Analgesia ; Anesthesia, Epidural ; Cesarean Section* ; Epinephrine* ; Female ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Incidence ; Lidocaine* ; Pregnancy ; Shivering

Dens fractures are a common traumatic cervical spine injury. Among them, a type III fracture is the second common fracture. Although there are several treatment options, it has been accepted that type III fracture is usually healed by non-surgical method. After adequate reduction with traction, subsequent external immobilization has been associated with successful union rates. However, in the review of literatures, there are some cases with neurological deterioration after application of skull traction. So, the authors report a case of type III dens fracture with initially unrecognized ligamentous injury in which vertical dissociation and quadriplegia occurred after only five-pound Gardner-Well tongs traction. And also, the authors raise awareness of this potentially injury.
Cervical Vertebrae ; Female ; Immobilization ; Ligaments* ; Quadriplegia ; Skull ; Spine ; Traction*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effect of comprehensive rehabilitation treatment after reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). METHOD: We reviewed the medical records of 10 patients who had been in rehabilitation program after reconstruction of ACL. We measured the range of motion of the knee joint, pain intensity by visual analogue scale (VAS) score, the difference of thigh circumference between normal and reconstructed legs, strength of flexors and extensors of the knee, and functional test before and after rehabilitation. RESULTS: The range of motion, VAS score, thigh circumference, strength of flexors and extensors of reconstructed knee were significantly improved after rehabilitation. The knee flexion angle increased from 86.5degrees to 135degrees and knee extension angle increased from -9.61 degrees to 0 degree. VAS score decreased from 3.8 to 1.2. The thigh circumference just above patella decreased from 38.6 cm to 36.5 cm. The torque of flexors increased from 66.2 N.m to 128.7 N.m and that of extensors at 60 degrees/sec increased from 110.5 N.m to 201.2 N.m. 8 out of 10 players returned to sports successfully after systemic rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: We suggested systemic and appropriate rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction for successful return to sports.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction* ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament* ; Humans ; Knee ; Knee Joint ; Leg ; Medical Records ; Patella ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Rehabilitation* ; Sports ; Thigh ; Torque

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Standard unfractionated heparin (UFH) has long been used to prevent death and myocardial infarction in patients with acute coronary syndrome and acute occlusion undergoing percutaneous revascularization. However, UFH binds to several plasma proteins, platelets, and endothelial cells producing a highly variable anticoagulant response. In contrast, Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) exhibits less protein binding and provides more predictable anticoagulant response with reduced need for patient monitoring and dosage adjustment. The purpose of this study was to assess the anti-Xa activities of LMWH in Korean patients with acute coronary syndrome after recommended dose for caucasians and to determine an optimal method of administration of LMWH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty five patients with acute coronary syndrome were enrolled and allocated to five separate groups (5 patients in each group) by types according to molecular weight (LMWH (A): (molecular weight of 4500 daltons, LMWH (B): molecular weight of 6400 daltons) and methods of administration (Group 1A and 1B: Subcutaneous and subcutaneous injections (SC-SC), Group 2: Intravenous and subcutaneous injections (IV-SC), Group 3A and 3B: Intravenous, subcutaneous and subcutaneous injections (IV-SC-SC). Five groups were as follows: Group 1A: LMWH (A) 1 mg/kg SC every 12 hours, Group 1B: LMWH (B) 100 IU/kg SC every 12 hours, Group 2: LMWH (A) 1 mg/kg IV bolus and 1 mg/kg SC 12 hours later, Group 3A: LMWH (A) 0.5 mg/kg IV bolus, 3 hours later 1 mg/kg SC every 12 hours, Group 3B: LMWH (B) 50 IU/kg IV bolus, 3 hours later 100 IU/kg SC every 12 hours. Anti-Xa activity was measured by amidolytic assay method (Rotachrome, Stago, France) in 555 samples from 25 patients. All the data of anti-Xa activity in each group were plotted along the sequential time and mean values of them were analyzed by Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: 1)The anti-Xa activity (mean 0.6216+/-0.238 IU/mL) of LMWH (A) was greater than that of LMWH (B)(mean 0.2587+/-0.1709 IU/mL) in the conventional SC-SC method (p<0.001). 2) The anti-Xa activity of LMWH (A) (mean 0.6203+/-0.2383 IU/mL) was also greater than that of LMWH (B)(mean 0.468+/-0.2428 IU/mL) in the IV-SC-SC method (p<0.001). 3) More rapid and effective anti-Xa activities were achieved by IV-SC-SC method compared with conventional SC-SC method. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that immediate achievement and optimum maintenance of anticoagulant activity can be accomplished by IV-SC-SC method rather than conventional SC-SC method in patients of acute coronary syndrome.
Acute Coronary Syndrome* ; Blood Proteins ; Endothelial Cells ; Heparin ; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight* ; Humans ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Molecular Weight ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; Myocardial Infarction ; Protein Binding

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis and treatment of hypertension is imperative to prevent the complications associated with this condition. The development of accurate and convenient methods of blood pressure measurement, therefore, is indispensible. At present, the JNC V has acknowledged the use of automatic sphygmomanometer that can be used without the help of someone else. We compared automatic oscillometric sphygmomanometers manufactured by Sein Electronics, korea(SE-7000 and SE-5000) with the standard Korotkoff auscultatory mercuy sphygmomanometer meter. The correlation between these two methods were calculated to determine whether these products could actually be used in clinical practice. This study was undertaken to ensure the clinical evaluation of these two products and standardization of an antomatic sphygmomanometer in korea before it is actually used. METHODS: The study included eighty-three patients, ranging in age from 14 to 81 years, who were admitted to Hanyang University Hospital in October, 1995. The blood pressure measured by the automatic oscillometric sphygmomanometer(SE-7000) in the right arm and was compared with that measured by the standard mercury sphygmomanometer(baumanometer) in the left arm. Also the blood pressure measured by the automatic oscillometric sphygmomanometer(SE-5000) at the wrist was compared by the baumanometer in the same side arm. The correlation between these methods were determined by the paired Student`s t-test and by the simple liner regression method. RESULTS: The p value of systolic blood pressure between two methods(SE-7000 and baumanometer) in the both arms was 0.896 and correlation coefficient was 0.8286. The p value of diastolic blood pressure between this two methods was 0.352 and correleation coefficient was 0.7455. The p value of systolic blood pressure between two methods(SE-5000 and baumanomter) by the arm and the wrist was 0.00018 and correlation coefficient was 0.8588, the p value of diastolic blood pressure between this two methods was 0.000048 and correlation coefficient was 0.5944. CONCLUSION: The blood pressure measured by the SE-5000 at the wrist was statistically different from that measured with the baumanometer in the arm. Further studies are necessary to use this product in clinical practice. However, the systolic and diastolic blood pressures measured with the SE-7000 in the arm were relatively similar to those measured by the baumanometer enabling this products to be effectively used in clinical practice.
Arm ; Blood Pressure ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea ; Sphygmomanometers* ; Wrist

OBJECTIVE: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), especially MMP-2 and MMP-9 have been known to play an important role in secondary inflammatory reaction after spinal cord injury (SCI). The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and to determine their relationship with disruption of endothelial blood-barrier after photochemically induced SCI in rats. METHODS: Female Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing between 250 and 300 g (aged 8 weeks) received focal spinal cord ischemia by photothrombosis using Rose Bengal. Expressions and activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were assessed by Western blot and gelatin zymography at various times from 6 h to 7 days. Endothelial blood-barrier integrity was assessed indirectly using spinal cord water content. RESULTS: Zymography and Western blot analysis demonstrated rapid up-regulation of MMP-9 protein levels in spinal cord after ischemic onset. Expressions and activities of MMP-9 showed a significant increased at 6 h after the photothrombotic ischemic event, and reached a maximum level at 24 h after the insult. By contrast, activated MMP-2 was not detected at any time point in either the experimental or the control groups. When compared with the control group, a significant increase in spinal cord water content was detected in rats at 24 h after photothrombotic SCI. CONCLUSION: Early up-regulation of MMP-9 might be correlated with increased water content in the spinal cord at 24 h after SCI in rats. Results of this study suggest that MMP-9 is the key factor involved in disruption of the endothelial blood-barrier of the spinal cord and subsequent secondary damage after photothrombotic SCI in rats.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Female ; Gelatin ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rose Bengal ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Spinal Cord Ischemia ; Up-Regulation ; Water

We recently experienced a case of synovial sarcoma in the posterior neck, which involved adjacent bony structures. Synovial sarcoma is rare, malignant soft tissue tumor that occur predominantly in the lower extremities. Wide surgical excision with involved tissue is the treatment of first choice, because most synovial sarcomas reveal aggressive features. We removed the tumor with involved bony structures and patient was given postoperative radiation therapy. Despite these treatment options, the patient died 1 year after surgery. We report this case with a review of the literature.
Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Neck ; Sarcoma, Synovial