Isolated abducens nerve paresis related to ruptured vertebral artery (VA) aneurysm is rare. It usually occurs bilaterally or ipsilaterally to the pathologic lesions. We report the case of a contralateral sixth nerve palsy following ruptured dissecting VA aneurysm. A 38-year-old man was admitted for the evaluation of a 6-day history of headache. Abnormalities were not seen on initial computed tomography (CT). On admission, the patient was alert and no signs reflecting neurologic deficits were noted. Time of flight magnetic resonance angiography revealed a fusiform dilatation of the right VA involving origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. The patient suddenly suffered from severe headache with diplopia the day before the scheduled cerebral angiography. Neurologic examination disclosed nuchal rigidity and isolated left abducens nerve palsy. Emergent CT scan showed high density in the basal and prepontine cistern compatible with ruptured aneurismal hemorrhage. Right vertebral angiography illustrated a right VA dissecting aneurysm with prominent displaced vertebrobasilar artery to inferiorly on left side. Double-stent placement was conducted for the treatment of ruptured dissecting VA aneurysm. No diffusion restriction signals were observed in follow-up magnetic resonance imaging of the brain stem. Eleven weeks later, full recovery of left sixth nerve palsy was documented photographically. In conclusion, isolated contralateral abducens nerve palsy associated with ruptured VA aneurysm may develop due to direct nerve compression by displaced verterobasilar artery triggered by primary thick clot in the prepontine cistern.
Abducens Nerve ; Abducens Nerve Diseases ; Aneurysm ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; Angiography ; Arteries ; Brain Stem ; Cerebral Angiography ; Diffusion ; Dilatation ; Diplopia ; Follow-Up Studies ; Headache ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Muscle Rigidity ; Neurologic Examination ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Paresis ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Vertebral Artery

Bilateral abducens nerve palsy related to ruptured aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery (ACoA) has only been reported in four patients. Three cases were treated by surgical clipping. No report has described the clinical course of the isolated bilateral abducens nerve palsy following ruptured ACoA aneurysm obliterated with coil. A 32-year-old man was transferred to our institution after three days of diplopia, dizziness and headache after the onset of a 5-minute generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Computed tomographic angiography revealed an aneurysm of the ACoA. Magnetic resonance imaging showed focal intraventricular hemorrhage without brain stem abnormalities including infarction or space-occupying lesion. Endovascular coil embolization was conducted to obliterate an aneurysmal sac followed by lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage. Bilateral paresis of abducens nerve completely recovered 9 weeks after ictus. In conclusion, isolated bilateral abducens nerve palsy associated with ruptured ACoA aneurysm may be resolved successfully by coil embolization and lumbar CSF drainage without directly relieving cerebrospinal fluid pressure by opening Lillequist's membrane and prepontine cistern.
Abducens Nerve ; Abducens Nerve Diseases ; Aneurysm ; Aneurysm, Ruptured ; Angiography ; Arteries ; Brain Stem ; Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure ; Diplopia ; Dizziness ; Drainage ; Headache ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Infarction ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Membranes ; Paresis ; Seizures ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Surgical Instruments

OBJECTIVE: Obtaining real-time image is essential for neurosurgeons to minimize invasion of normal brain tissue and to prompt diagnosis of intracranial event. The aim of this study was to report our three-year experience with a mobile computed tomography (mCT) for intraoperative and bedside scanning. METHODS: A total of 357 mCT (297 patients) scans from January 2009 to December 2011 in single institution were reviewed. After excluding post-operative routine follow-up, 202 mCT were included for analysis. Their medical records such as diagnosis, clinical application, impact on decision making, times, image quality and radiologic findings were assessed. RESULTS: Two-hundred-two mCT scans were performed in the operation room (n=192, 95%) or intensive care unit (ICU) (n=10, 5%). Regarding intraoperative images, extent of resection of tumor (n=55, 27.2%), degree of hematoma removal (n=42, 20.8%), confirmation of catheter placement (n=91, 45.0%) and monitoring unexpected complications (n=4, 2.0%) were evaluated. A total of 14 additional procedures were introduced after confirmation of residual tumor (n=7, 50%), hematoma (n=2, 14.3%), malpositioned catheter (n=3, 21.4%) and newly developed intracranial events (n=2, 14.3%). Every image was obtained within 15 minutes and image quality was sufficient for interpretation. CONCLUSION: mCT is feasible for prompt intraoperative and ICU monitoring with enhanced diagnostic certainty, safety and efficiency.
Brain ; Catheters ; Decision Making ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematoma ; Intensive Care Units ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Neoplasm, Residual

PURPOSE: During carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS), hemodynamic instability (HDI) can occur, possibly causing post-procedural ischemic complications. The goal of this study was to investigate the risk factors of HDI focusing on characteristics of plaque. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty nine CAS patients were retrospectively evaluated for HDI. Prolonged HDI that lasted over 30 minutes was analyzed in relation to characteristics of calcified plaque. RESULTS: Nineteen (48.7%) patients had HDI. Ten of the 19 had both bradycardia and hypotension, and nine had only bradycardia. All bradycardia was treated well with a transcutaneous temporary cardiac pacemaker. But eight patients presented with prolonged hypotension in spite of recovery of bradycardia. Calcified plaque was a related factor associated with HDI (odds ratio, 8.571; 95% confidence interval, 1.321-55.62; p=0.024). Extensive and eccentric type calcified plaques were associated with prolonged hypotension (p=0.04, and p=0.028, respectively). CONCLUSION: The calcification of plaque is a predictable factor of HDI during CAS, and its extensive and eccentric calcified plaques may be related to prolonged HDI.
Aged ; Angioplasty/*adverse effects ; Bradycardia/complications ; Carotid Arteries/*surgery ; Carotid Stenosis/*physiopathology ; Female ; *Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypotension/complications ; Intraoperative Complications/*etiology/radiography ; Intraoperative Period ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Stents ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Acupuncture is one of the most popular complimentary therapies these days not only in Asia, but also in USA and Europe. Acupuncture is generally regarded as a safe procedure in the general public. However, acupuncture is not free of risk; complications of acupuncture have been repeatedly reported in the medical literatures. The authors report a rare case of hemorrhage in the cisterna magna after acupuncture. Acute frontal headache, dizziness, neck pain, neck stiffness, and paresthesia or tingling discomfort at arms and legs developed immediately after an acupuncture treatment that had been performed to treat her chronic posterior neck pain. Computerized tomography scans and magnetic resonance images(MRI) showed a 1.2x0.8cm-sized high density and high signal mass within the cisterna magna. It is probable that the acupuncture needle had been inserted deep enough to enter the cisterna magna and provoked a small hemorrhage in the cistern. She gradually recovered from the symptoms. Physicians and acupuncture therapists should be aware of the adverse events associated with acupuncture.
Acupuncture* ; Arm ; Asia ; Cisterna Magna* ; Dizziness ; Europe ; Headache ; Hemorrhage* ; Leg ; Neck ; Neck Pain ; Needles ; Paresthesia

Chylopericardium is a very rare, yet potentially fatal, complication following intrathoracic surgery, and can further lead to other life-threatening complications such as cardiac tamponade. A 54-year-old female underwent right upper lobectomy for lung cancer. Chylothorax developed on the 2nd postoperative day, and was managed conservatively with dietary modification. On the 9th postoperative day, the patient suddenly developed hypotension and severe cardiac dysfunction requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation followed by VA ECMO. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a large amount of pericardial effusion. Prompt pericardiocentesis was performed and the aspirated fluid showed features of chyle. Thoracic duct ligation with pericardial window operation was performed because the daily amount of chyle drained did not decrease after 3 weeks. Here, we review etiologies and therapeutic options of chylopericardial tamponade following intrathoracic surgery, which should not be underestimated even when the patient seems to demonstrate a good recovery.
Cardiac Tamponade ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Chyle ; Chylothorax* ; Echocardiography ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Female ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Ligation ; Lung Neoplasms ; Middle Aged ; Pericardial Effusion ; Pericardiocentesis ; Thoracic Duct

Objective: In this study, we aimed to determine clinical correlates of false positive assignment (FPA) on commonly used bipolar screening questionnaires. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted to a total of 3885 psychiatric outpatients. After excluding patients who have bipolar spectrum illnesses, patients who were assigned as having hypomania on the mood disorder questionnaire (MDQ) or the hypomania checklist-32 (HCL-32) were identified as patients who had FPA. Psychiatric diagnoses and severity of emotional symptoms were compared between patients with and without FPA. Results: Patients with FPA on the MDQ showed significant associations with presence of major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and alcohol-use disorder, while patients with FPA on the HCL-32 showed associations with presence of panic disorder and agoraphobia. FPA on the MDQ was also associated with greater emotional symptoms and lifetime history of suicide attempts. Logistic regression analysis showed that male sex, younger age, presence of alcohol-use disorder, and severity of depression and obsessive-compulsive symptoms were significantly associated with FPA on the MDQ. Conclusion The FPA for the MDQ was associated with clinical factors linked to trait impulsivity, and the FPA for both the MDQ and the HCL-32 could be related to increased anxiety.

Objectives: ：This study aimed to investigate quality of life, severity of depression, suicidality, subjective health and subjective stress of depression with subjective cognitive decline in Korean adults. Methods: ：We used the 7th KNHANES data to enroll 415 participants with a score of 10 or higher on Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), aged 20-64. Depression was divided into two groups based on the presence/absence of subjective cognitive decline. Demographic and psychological characteristics were compared between two groups. Correlation analysis of subjective cognitive decline, quality of life, depression, suicidal idea was car-ried out. To detect which variables influenced quality of life, a multiple regression analysis was carried out. Results: ：Among the 415 participants, 98 had depression with subjective cognitive decline. We identified sig-nificant differences in age, marital status, education, employment between the two groups. After adjusting for these variables, depression with subjective cognitive decline had lower EuroQol-5D index scores, more severe depressive symptoms without cognition and worse subjective health than depression without cognitive decline. There was a significant correlation between subjective cognitive decline and quality of life (r=-0.236, p<0.001), suicidal idea (r=0.182, p<0.001), depression score without cognition (r=0.108, p=0.028). Through multiple regression analysis, subjective cognitive decline was predictor of reduced quality of life (β=-0.178, p<0.001). Conclusions ：Depression with subjective cognitive decline has poor quality of life and severe depression. Cognitive decline should be considered to improve treatment result in depression.

BACKGROUND: Volatile agents have been reported to protect myocardium against ischemia. But, there were a few clinical reports about the myocardial protection of inhalation agents. So we investigated the cardiac protection of sevoflurane in comparison with total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA). The study is a retrospective unrandomized study via the medical record review. METHODS: The records of 102 patients who received off-pump CABG were reviewed. One patient group received TIVA by midazolam and sufentanil continuous infusion (TIVA group, n = 68), and the other patient group received an inhalational anesthesia by sevoflurane (sevoflurane group, n = 34). Except maintenance of anesthesia, two groups of patients received an identical surgical, anesthetical, and postoperative care. At arrival in the intensive care unit, and after 1, 2, 3 and 5 days, serum cardiac enzyme levels were measured. RESULTS: All the median values of cardiac enzyme concentrations were lower in the sevoflurane group than TIVA group. Moreover, there were the significant differences between groups at the immediate postoperative CK-MB (median 4.7 ng/ml versus 5.9 ng/ml (P = 0.049)), 1-5 days postoperative LD (1 day 271.5 U/L versus 292 U/L (P = 0.045), 2 day 227.5 U/L versus 270 U/L (P = 0.009), 3 day 215 U/L versus 250 U/L (P = 0.030), 5 day 218 U/L versus 231 U/L (P = 0.005)), and 1, 3 postoperative troponin I level (0.485 ng/ml versus 1.12 ng/ml [P = 0.029], 0.090 ng/ml versus 0.235 ng/ml [P = 0.047] respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Sevoflurane lowered cardiac enzyme levels in comparison with TIVA after off-pump CABG anesthesia. These data suggest a cardioprotective effect of sevoflurane during CABG.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Intravenous ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Intensive Care Units ; Ischemia ; Medical Records ; Methyl Ethers ; Midazolam ; Myocardium ; Postoperative Care ; Retrospective Studies ; Sufentanil ; Troponin I

Objectives: ：We aimed to evaluate the relationship between disability self-awareness and insight in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: ：We enrolled 58 clinically stable patients with schizophrenia. The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) self-report was used to identify self-awareness of functional ability. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Clinical Global Impression-Schizophrenia Scale (CGI-SCH), and Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP) were utilized to evaluate clinical symptoms and global function. Whereas Insight Scale for Psychosis (ISP) was applied for insight. Statistical analyses were performed using correlation and linear regression. Results: ：The WHODAS had a significant correlation with the general psychopathology subscale and total score of PANSS, CGI-SCH, and PSP. Moreover, ISP had a strong correlation with the overall WHODAS score and all domains. In the linear regression analysis, ISP had significant effects on the overall WHODAS score after adjusting for additional variables. Conclusion ：Disability self-awareness was significantly correlated with the level of insight in patients with schizophrenia. Clinicians need to consider patients’ insight during the discussion of functional ability.