BACKGROUND: One of the main disadvantages of caudal block is the long latent period before a satisfactory blockade is obtained. Many investigators have used various preparations of local anesthetic solutions to improve the speed of onset. This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of prewarming of lidocaine HCl for caudal block. METHODS: Fifty healthy young patients (ASA I) were allocated into two groups, A and B. In group A, the local anesthetic solution were injected at room temperature (25 degrees C), while in group B, they were injected at 37oC. All the caudal block were performed using 2% lidocaine HCl 20 ml with fentanyl 100ug and epinephrine 1:200,000. The onset time was defined as the period from completion of injection until the patient first noticed loss of sensation to pin-prick on perianal region. Assessment of sensory loss was made at 15 seconds interval. We have compared the onset of sensory blockade between groups. The duration of analgesia and any significant side effects were also recorded. RESULTS: The onset of sensory blockade was significantly faster in group B (3.5 +/- 0.5 minutes) than group A (6.2 +/- 0.9 minutes). The duration of analgesia were not significantly changed between groups. Side effects of urinary retention, pruritus and nausea were noted between both groups but the difference was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: We have found that the onset time was 44% faster with warm lidocaine-fentanyl mixture (37 degrees C) than with the room temperature (25 degrees C). The improved clinical usefulness was achieved with no increase in side effects. The technique is a safe and effective method to reduce the latency of onset.
Analgesia ; Epinephrine ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Lidocaine ; Nausea ; Pruritus ; Research Personnel ; Sensation ; Urinary Retention

PURPOSE: Despite the clinical and socio-economic impact of acute poisoned patients, many of the treatments are not standardized in Korea. Moreover, no formal training that is specifically focused on clinical toxicology exists. Rather, training and education are conducted case by case in various institutions. This study was conducted to develop a standardized simulation-based clinical toxicology training curriculum for healthcare providers. This program will focus on specific assessment and treatment of critical toxicology patients, specifically those who have been poisoned with organophosphate. METHODS: The study was performed using a pre- and post-design to determine the effects of implementation of this program. The study was conducted at eight different urban teaching hospitals in a simulated room in the clinical area. The study was targeted to 19 groups composed of emergency residents and nurses. Simulation-based learning was conducted for each group. RESULTS: All 19 groups achieved the minimum passing score of 75%. Implementation of the program led to improved performance rates for overall management and cooperative moods competency (p<0.01). Inter-rater agreement between the two evaluators was excellent. In general, the participants thought the program was realistic and were able to recognize and improve the competencies needed to care for organophosphate poisoned patients. CONCLUSION: Simulation-based learning is an effective educational strategy that can be applied to improving and understanding proper care for rare but critical patients. This program was effective at improving team performance and cooperative moods when managing an organophosphate poisoned patient in the Emergency Department.
Critical Illness* ; Curriculum ; Education ; Emergencies ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Health Personnel ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Humans ; Korea ; Learning* ; Organophosphate Poisoning ; Practice Guidelines as Topic* ; Simulation Training ; Toxicology

PURPOSE: The Purposes of this study are to identify the circulating etiologic viruses of acute lower respiratory tract infection in children and to understand the relation with clinical diagnosis. METHODS: We obtained a total of 418 nasopharyngeal aspirates from children admitted for their acute lower respiratory tract infections at three tertiary hospitals in Seoul from September 2008 to March 2009. We performed multiplex RT-PCR to identify 14 etiologic viruses and analyzed their emerging patterns and clinical features. RESULTS: Average age of patients was 16.4 months old and the ratio of male to female was 1.36. Viruses were detected in 56.2% of a total of 418 samples. Respiratory syncytial virus (35%) was the most frequently detected and followed by human rhinovirus (22%), human bocavirus, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza virus, influenza virus and human coronavirus. Co-infection reached 21.9% of positive patients. CONCLUSION: When we manage the patients with acute lower respiratory infectious diseases, we should remind the role of various viral pathogens, which might be circulating by seasons and by local areas.
Adenoviruses, Human ; Child ; Coinfection ; Communicable Diseases ; Coronavirus ; Female ; Human bocavirus ; Humans ; Male ; Metapneumovirus ; Orthomyxoviridae ; Paramyxoviridae Infections ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; Respiratory System ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Rhinovirus ; Seasons ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Viruses

Congenital onychodysplasia of the index fingers(COIF) is a rare condition of the nails, characterized by the following : (1) congenital occurrence, (2) unilateral or bilateral index finger involvement, (3) variability in nail appearance such as anonychia, micronychia, and polyonychia, (4) possible hereditary involvement, and (5) frequently associated bone anomalies. A 7-week-old male baby with an atrial septal defect presented with micronychia of the left index finger. Roentgenogram of both hands revealed a bone defect of the left 2nd distal phalanx. To our knowledge, distal phalangeal bone defect has not been previously described in this disease. We report a case of COIF with atrial septal defect.
Fingers* ; Hand ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; Humans ; Male

PURPOSE: It is important to begin a transfusion safely and appropriately as soon as possible in a hemorrhagic shock patient. A group O+ unmatched pack red blood cell (universal O+) transfusion may satisfy that requirement. We report our experiences with universal O+ to compare its usefulness for hemorrhagic shock patients with that of a matched pack red blood cell transfusion in the emergency department (ED). METHODS: This is a retrospective study. Patients who had systolic blood pressure of less than 90 mmHg or a pulse rate of more than 120 beats per minute in the ED were included, and their medical records were reviewed. The collected data were demographic data, vital signs, blood test results, time to transfusion, the amount of transfusion, complications, and diagnoses. We calculated the emergency transfusion score (ETS) based on the patients' medical records. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-five patients were included. Forty-eight patients (36 trauma and 12 non-trauma patients) were transfused with a universal O+. These patients had less time to transfusion compared with the cross-matched transfusion groups (35+/-42 versus 170+/-187 minutes, p<0.001). There were no differences in complications between groups (p=0.076). Of the patients who were transfused with universal O+, 94.4% got more than 3 ETS. CONCLUSION: The universal O+ transfusion, compared with matched pack red blood cell transfusion, should be a useful treatment for ED hemorrhagic shock patient due to its having a shorter time to transfusion without an increase in complications.
ABO Blood-Group System ; Blood Pressure ; Blood Transfusion ; Collodion ; Emergencies ; Erythrocyte Transfusion ; Erythrocytes ; Heart Rate ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Hypovolemia ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Shock ; Shock, Hemorrhagic ; Vital Signs

BACKGROUND: Lidocaine has been used for spinal anesthesia in short surgical procedure. However, transient neurologic symptoms (TNS) frequently occur after spinal anesthesia with lidocaine. Mepivacaine which has a silimar duration of action and rare incidence of TNS may be an alternative to lidocaine for spinal anesthesia. This study was designed to compare the efficacy of hyperbaric 1.5% lidocaine and 1.5% mepivacaine for spinal anesthesia. METHODS: Sixty patients, ASA physical status I or II, scheduled for lower abdominal or lower extremity procedures under spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated into two groups. Lidocaine group received 2% lidocaine 75 mg with 10% dextrose 1.25 ml. Mepivacaine group received 2% mepivacaine 75 mg with 10% dextrose 1.25 ml. After intrathecal injection of the anesthetics, sensorimotor block and recovery, cardiovascular effect and quality of surgical anesthesia were evaluated. TNS was evaluated 1 day after the operation. RESULTS: Both groups were similar with regard to demographic data and surgical procedures. The onset of sensory and motor blocks was similar in both groups. Time to regression to L5 sensory level and complete resolution of motor blockade were significantly prolonged in mepivacaine group than in lidocaine group (p<0.05). The effect of cardiovascular system was similar in both groups. Fentanyl was required for 4 cases only in the lidocaine group. None of both groups developed TNS. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperbaric 1.5% mepivacaine produced longer duration of action than hyperbaric 1.5% lidocaine in spinal anesthesia. This study didn't prove what drug develops a higher incidence of TNS.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Spinal* ; Anesthetics ; Cardiovascular System ; Fentanyl ; Glucose ; Humans ; Incidence ; Injections, Spinal ; Lidocaine* ; Lower Extremity ; Mepivacaine* ; Neurologic Manifestations

The congenital nasal piriform aperture stenosis (CNPAS) is a rare cause of neonatal airway obstruction and could be easily mistaken as the choanal stenosis or atresia. The piriform aperture is a term used to refer to the anterior nasal openings. The nasal airway obstruction in the neonate can result in respiratory difficulties and may be going to life threatening consequences. Computed tomography demonstrates in detail the underlying anatomic abnormalities which allows differentiation of the CNPAS from other upper airway abnormalities. We reported a case of CNPAS, a 1-month-old male infant presented with respiratory difficulties. Shortly after birth, he had mild respiratory difficulties and there was difficulty passing a nasal catheter intranasally. But he was improved through only conservative management and discharged at the age of 5 days. At the age of 1 month, CT scan revealed bilateral CNPAS.
Airway Obstruction ; Catheters ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Nasal Obstruction ; Parturition ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Pneumocephalus is a condition which usually results from head trauma. It has been known that iatrogenic pneumocephalus can occur as a complication of positive pressure mask ventilation during induction of anesthesia or ventilatory care for head trauma patients. We report a case of mask ventilation during anesthesia induction in a 50-year-old male patient with head trauma. Initial pneumocephalus associated with cerebrospinal fluid leakage was diagnosed immediate following head injury involving facial sinuses. He was managed with emergent lumbar drainage and supportive care. Pneumocephalus recurred following positive pressure mask ventilation (PPMV) during anesthesia induction for surgery on the right arm. Recurred pneumocephalus was managed with high flow oxygen and supportive care. Anesthesiologists should be aware of pneumocephalus as a potential complication of PPMV in head trauma patients, even after resolution of previous pneumocephalus.
Anesthesia ; Arm ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Drainage ; Head ; Humans ; Male ; Masks ; Middle Aged ; Oxygen ; Pneumocephalus ; Positive-Pressure Respiration ; Ventilation

Purpose: Most bee sting injuries are benign, although sometimes they can result in life threatening outcomes, such as anaphylaxis and death. The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiologic status of bee sting injuries in Korea and to identify risk factors associated with severe systemic reactions (SSRs). Materials and Methods: Cases were extracted from a multicenter retrospective registry for patients who had visited emergency departments (EDs) for bee sting injuries. SSRs were defined as hypotension or altered mental status upon ED arrival, hospitalization, or death. Patient demographics and injury characteristics were compared between SSR and non-SSR groups. Logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors for bee sting-associated SSRs, and the characteristics of fatality cases were summarized. Results: Among the 9673 patients with bee sting injuries, 537 had an SSR and 38 died. The most frequent injury sites included the hands and head/face. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the occurrence of SSRs was associated with male sex [odds ratio (95% confidence interval); 1.634 (1.133–2.357)] and age [1.030 (1.020–1.041)]. Additionally, the risk of SSRs from trunk and head/ face stings was high [2.858 (1.405–5.815) and 2.123 (1.333–3.382), respectively]. Bee venom acupuncture [3.685 (1.408–9.641)] and stings in the winter [4.573 (1.420–14.723)] were factors that increased the risk of SSRs. Conclusion Our findings emphasize the need for implementing safety policies and education on bee sting-related incidents to protect high-risk groups.

The origins of medullary carcinoma (MTC) and papillary carcinoma (PTC) of the thyroid are embryologically different. Tumors showing concurrent medullary and papillary features are rare and they represent less than 1% of all thyroid malignancies. Hereditary MTC is an autosomal dominantly inherited disease which is genetically determined as part of the MEN 2A, MEN 2B, or variants of MEN 2A such as familial MTC. Germline mutations of the RET gene are the underlying cause of the majority of cases of hereditary medullary carcinomas. The pathogenesis of concurrent PTC with familial MTC has rarely been known. Genetic analysis of the RET oncogene has so far provided conflicting results. Here we describe a family whose sibling was affected by both PTC & MTC, and the family carried a germ-line point mutation in the RET extracellular domain that converted cysteine 634 into tryptophan (C634W).
Carcinoma ; Carcinoma, Medullary ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Cysteine ; Factor IX ; Germ-Line Mutation ; Humans ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2a ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2b ; Oncogenes ; Point Mutation ; Siblings ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Tryptophan