No abstract available.
Intubation, Intratracheal*

Desmoplastic melanoma is a rare variant of the spindle cell melanoma that first was recognized and described in 1971 as an invasive fibrosarcoma-like tumor that exhibits an abundant collagenous stroma. These tumors usually arise in sun-damaged skin of the head and neck in older persons, in association with lentigo maligna or de novo. The clinical presentation is often not characteristic, and they may clinically simulate other tumors of the skin. Hence they are often diagnosed late. Histologically, desmoplastic melanoma appears as a nodule of fibrous tissue containing hyperchromatic pleomorphic spindle cells that either are scattered singly, lie in fascicles, or aggregate in nests, and collagenous tissue replacing the reticular dermis. Immunohistochemistry is usually quite helpful as the tumors are almost always immunoreactive with S-100 protein and negative for HMB-45. We report a case of desmoplastic melanoma in a 67-year old male who had a walnut sized tumor upon large indurated plaque on the left thigh. A biopsy specimen of the tumor showed that fascicles of spindle cells are interspersed throughout collagenous tissue and most tumor cells are immunoreactive with S-100 protein. To our knowledge, this is the first case report in Korea.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Collagen ; Dermis ; Head ; Humans ; Hutchinson's Melanotic Freckle ; Immunohistochemistry ; Juglans ; Korea ; Male ; Melanoma* ; Neck ; S100 Proteins ; Skin ; Thigh

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is the most common cause of fatal poisoning in the United States and may be the most common worldwide cause of fatal poisoning. CO poisoning can affect the entire body and usually causes neurologic or cardiac injury. While not common, rhabdomyolysis, skeletal muscle necrosis, and renal failure can also occur. We report on a suicidal 22-year-old man who inhaled CO gas from a burning briquette. His case was complicated by compartment syndrome (CS). Finally, he had to undergo fasciotomy and removal of necrotic muscle. A CO poisoned patient who is unconscious cannot describe symptoms and moderate swelling or tenderness might be neglected. Though CS rarely appears in CO poisoning, delayed diagnosis may result in fatal consequences. Therefore, in the case of an unconscious patient, the entire body must be examined closely to identify early signs related to CS (tenderness, swelling, redness). If the diagnosis is uncertain after the clinical evaluation, the pressure within the compartment should be measured.
Burns ; Carbon Monoxide ; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning* ; Compartment Syndromes* ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Necrosis ; Poisoning ; Renal Insufficiency ; Rhabdomyolysis ; United States ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the maternal and fetal outcomes after transvaginal selective fetal reduction(SFR) in multifetal pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transvaginal SFR using fetal intracardiac puncture with KCl injection and aspiration of amniotic fluid was performed in 58 multifetal pregnancies achieved after assisted reproductive technology(ART). After transvaginal SFR, 55 twin and 3 singleton pregnancies were evaluated and analyzed retrospectively with the medical records of mothers and babies. RESULTS: Of 58 cases, abortion within 4 weeks after SFR occurred in 1 case(1.7%). Miscarriage of all fetuses occurred in 8 cases(13.8%) from 4 weeks after SFR until 24 weeks of gestation. Perinatal death occurred in 8 newborns from 5 mothers due to extreme prematurity in 7 cases and anencephaly in 1 case. Take-home baby rate, that is, discharge with at least 1 healthy baby, was 77.6%(45/58). CONCLUSION: Transvaginal SFR is an acceptable and effective management option in the cases of excessive multifetal pregnancy after infertility treatment. The ultimate successful outcomes of reduced multifetal pregnancy may be enhanced by more extensive experience with SFR.
Abortion, Spontaneous ; Amniotic Fluid ; Anencephaly ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infertility ; Medical Records ; Mothers ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome* ; Pregnancy Reduction, Multifetal* ; Pregnancy* ; Punctures ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value and optimal sampling time of serum S-100B protein for the prediction of poor neurological outcomes in post-cardiac arrest (CA) patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia (TH). METHODS: We prospectively measured serum S100 calcium binding protein beta subunit (S-100B protein) levels 12 times (0-96 hours) after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The patients were classified into two groups based on cerebral performance category (CPC): the good neurological outcome group (CPC 1-2 at 6 months) and the poor neurological outcome group (CPC 3-5). We compared serial changes and serum S-100B protein levels at each time point between the two groups and performed receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for the prediction of poor neurological outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients were enrolled in the study. S-100B protein levels peaked at ROSC (0 hour), decreased rapidly to 6 hours and maintained a similar level thereafter. Serum S-100B protein levels in the poor CPC group (n = 22) were significantly higher than in the good CPC group (n = 18) at all time points after ROSC except at 4 hours. The time points with highest area under curve were 24 (0.829) and 36 (0.837) hours. The cut-off value, the sensitivity (24/36 hours) and specificity (24/36 hours) for the prediction of poor CPC at 24 and 48 hours were 0.221/0.249 ug/L, 75/65% and 82.4/94.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Serum S-100B protein was an early and useful marker for the prediction of poor neurological outcomes in post-CA patients treated with TH and the optimal sampling times were 24 and 36 hours after ROSC.
Area Under Curve ; Heart Arrest* ; Humans ; Hypothermia* ; Prospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit* ; Sensitivity and Specificity

PURPOSE: Drug overdose is easily found in the emergency department (ED). Sedative-hypnotics overdose causes the aspiration pneumonia in patients with decreased mental status. The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors of aspiration pneumonia in patients poisoned with sedative-hypnotics. METHODS: One hundred seventy eight patients who were poisoned with sedative-hypnotics and who visited ED between 2009 and 2015 were included. This study was conducted retrospectively, with collection of data by review of medical records. We collected the data concerning the characteristics of patients and classified them into two groups based on the development of aspiration pneumonia. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the factors for the development of aspiration pneumonia. RESULTS: Thirty five patients had an aspiration pneumonia during their hospital stay in 178 patients. The age, amount of ingestion, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at admission, a history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus, and the hypotension at admission were significantly different between two groups in univariate analysis. The age, amount of ingestion and GCS score at admission were associated with the development of aspiration pneumonia in the multivariate logistic regression analysis (OR 1.028 (95%CI, 1.002-1.056, p=0.037), 1.026 (95%CI, 1.004- 1.043, p=0.001), 0.737 (95%CI, 0.683-0.915, p=0.002)). All patients with aspiration pneumonia were discharged without a sequelae. CONCLUSION: The development of aspiration pneumonia in the patients of sedative-hypnotics overdose is associated with old age, amount of drug ingestion, and GCS score at admission.
Diabetes Mellitus ; Drug Overdose ; Eating ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; Hypotension ; Length of Stay ; Logistic Models ; Medical Records ; Pneumonia, Aspiration* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the incidence, associated factors and clinical impact of hyperamylasemia in self-poisoning patients. METHODS: This study was based on a toxicology case registry of patients treated from 2009 to 2013 at a tertiary care university hospital. We retrospectively investigated the demographics, clinical variables, laboratory variables and intoxicants. Hyperamylasemia was defined as an elevation in serum amylase level to above the upper normal limit within 24 hours after admission. We analyzed the predisposing factors and clinical outcomes of patients in the hyperamylasemia group. RESULTS: Hyperamylasemia was identified in 49 (13.3%) of the 369 patients. Using multivariate logistic regression, the odds ratios for HA were 3.384 (95% confidence interval, 1.142-8.013, p=0.014), 3.261 (95% confidence interval, 1.163-9.143, p=0.025) and 0.351 (95% confidence interval, 0.154-0.802, p=0.013) for pesticides, multi-drug use and sedatives, respectively. In the hyperamylasemia group, the peak amylase levels during 72 hours were correlated with the peak lipase levels (r=0.469, p=0.002) and peak aspartate aminotransferase levels (r=0.352, p=0.013). Finally, none of these patients had confirmed acute pancreatitis. CONCLUSION: Hyperamylasemia occurred rarely in these self-poisoning patients, and pesticide and multi-drug use were independent predictors of hyperamylasemia. Peak amylase levels were correlated with the peak lipase and aspartate aminotransferase levels.
Amylases ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Causality ; Demography ; Humans ; Hyperamylasemia* ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; Incidence* ; Lipase ; Logistic Models ; Odds Ratio ; Pancreas ; Pancreatitis ; Pesticides ; Poisoning ; Retrospective Studies ; Tertiary Healthcare ; Toxicology

Laryngotracheal injury following endotracheal intubation has been extensively described in the literature, but most discussion has centered around the sequela of prolonged intubation. Little however, has been reported regarding the lesions from short-term endotracheal intubation to ensure the safe practice of anesthesia. In this regard, 72 healthy, male patients undergoing general anesthesia for surgical procedures were randomly assigned to have an endotracheal tube of 7.0, 8.0, or 9.0 mm in internal diameter and were evaluated for the upper airway symptoms by questionnaire within 4-8 hours following extubation. The larynx and trachea were examined and scored for extent and severity of lary- ngotracheal damage by fiberoptic laryngotracheoscopy, and risk factors causing laryngotracheal injury were studied. The results were as follows; The incidence of upper airway symptoms were 13 of 72 (18.1%), of which 10 (13.9%) were throat discomfort and 3 (4.2%) were sore throat. The incidence of laryngeal and tracheal injury was 52 of 72 (72.2%) and 20 of 72 (27.8%), respectively. 20 patients (27.8%) did not reveal any lesion in the laryngotracheal system. The common sites of intubation injury were vocal cords (65.3%, all erythema) and arytenoids (44.4%, erythema 37.5%, edema 6.9%). No correlation could be drawn between the injured and uninjured groups with respect to smoking and length of intubation. However, bucking was associated with severity and extent of laryngeal damage (p<0.05), and with the extent of tracheal damage only (p<0.05). Also, the increase in internal diameter of the tube used was associated with severity and extent of laryngeal damage (p<0.05), but not with tracheal damage.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Edema ; Erythema ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intubation ; Intubation, Intratracheal* ; Larynx ; Male ; Pharyngitis ; Pharynx ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Trachea ; Vocal Cords

PURPOSE: This study is a descriptive research comparing the awareness of medical residents' power style, communication type and organizational effectiveness in nurses and technologists. METHODS: A standardized survey questionnaire was sent to 288 nurses, 85 radiological technologists, and 107 medical technologists working at 4 university hospitals in a metropolitan area. Collected data were analyzed using statistical methods including 2-test, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation. RESULTS: There was a noticeable difference between the nurses and the technologists in their awareness of medical residents' power style and communication type. Power style and communication type correlates significantly with job satisfaction and organizational commitment. When residents exercised coercive power, downward communication took place between the residents and nurses and technologists. It also affected the overall amount of communication, job satisfaction and organizational commitment. CONCLUSION: To ensure active communication between medical residents and other allied health professionals and to promote mutually satisfying relationships, open and active communication channels should be provided. Communication skills training for every member of a hospital organization is needed to encourage effective horizontal communication.
Health Occupations ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Job Satisfaction ; Medical Laboratory Personnel ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Solid pseudopapillary tumor (SPT) of the pancreas is a rare tumor that typically affects young women without causing significant clinical symptoms. No case of SPT in an old man has been reported in South Korea, and such cases are very rare worldwide. We report a 70-year-old man with SPT of the pancreas with multiple organ metastasis. Although surgical resection is the treatment of choice for SPT, we decided not to treat, considering his age and the disease severity.
Aged ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pancreas*