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

The association rate of antibody with antigen has been reported to be greatly increased by lowering ionic strength. Low-ionic strength salt solution(LISS) method has been used for the detection of various alloantibodies. To investigate the sensitivity of LISS in indirect antiglobulin test, a comparison study of LISS with saline and albumin methods was conducted. A total of 32 patients' samples requested for indirect antiglobulin test were evaluated. Out of 32 patients with clinical immune hemolytic anemia, 11(34.3%) were positive in 37 degrees C saline antiglobulin test, 18(56.2%) in albumin antiglobulin test, 23(71.8%) in LISS antiglobulin test respectively. These results were statistically analyzed using non parametric Page's test for ordered alternatives. LISS method is more sensitive than 37 degrees C saline method or albumin method significantly (p<0.01).
Anemia, Hemolytic ; Coombs Test* ; Humans ; Isoantibodies ; Osmolar Concentration

No abstract available.
Facial Bones*

We report a case of morphea profunda in a 21-year-old male who had diffuse brown sclerotic plaques on his extremities. Laboratory findings showed peripheral eosinophilia and an increased titers for anti-DNA and anti-nuclear antibodies. Histopathologic findings showed diffuse fibrosis and a thickening of the lower dermis and subcutaneous tissue. He has been treated with hydroxychloroquine 400mg per day and the sclerosis of the skin improved.
Antibodies ; Dermis ; Eosinophilia ; Extremities ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Hydroxychloroquine ; Male ; Scleroderma, Localized* ; Sclerosis ; Skin ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Young Adult

A 23-year-old man had multiple small, skin-colored firm papules on the both sides of the nasolabial folds since the age of approximately 17. His mother had a similar skin lesions on her face. The histopathological findings of skin biopsy specimens from patient(son) showed horn cysts consist of a fully keratinized center surrounded by basophilic cells and tumor islands composed of basophilic cells arranged in a lacelike or adenoid network and occasional solid aggregates and there are also a foreign body giant cell reaction in the vicinity of the ruptured horn cysts.
Adenoids ; Animals ; Basophils ; Biopsy ; Giant Cells, Foreign-Body ; Heredity ; Horns ; Humans ; Islands ; Mothers* ; Nasolabial Fold ; Skin ; Young Adult

No abstract available.
Diagnosis*

No abstract available.

We analysed the results of total knee replacement arthroplasty without patellar resurfacing in 20 patients(28 knees) retrospectively. The patella was not resurfaced when it maintained relatively healthy cartilage in osteoarthritis or the patella was too thin to be replaced in rheumatoid arthritis. The diagnoses were osteoarthritis in 11 and rheumatoid arthritis in 17 cases. The follow up period was 30.3 months in average(12-70 months). A lateral retinacular release was performed in 22 knees(78.6%). The mean knee society score improved from 45.4 preoperatively to 84.1 postoperatively and the functional score improved from 21.4 preoperatively to 63.3 postoperatively. The modified Kujala score was 43.2 points in osteoarthritis and 43.6 points in rheumatoid arthritis. We conclude the total knee replacement arthroplasty without patellar resurfacing shows good results, without high risk of postoperative peripatellar complication.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Arthroplasty* ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee* ; Cartilage ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Knee ; Osteoarthritis ; Patella ; Retrospective Studies

We report a case of multiple Bowen's disease associated with leprosy. A 68-year-old man was seen because of slightly pruritic multiple erythematous scaly patches and plaques on the trunk and the both extremities for 5 years. He has been treated for leprosy with many kinds of drugs consisting of the herb medications for over 40 years. He also showed decreased cell-mediated immunity in skin tests. It is considered that depressed cellular immunity may be an important predisposing factor in the development of mutiple Bowen's disease in this case, .although arsenics can not be completetly excluded.
Aged ; Bowen's Disease ; Causality ; Extremities ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; Leprosy* ; Skin Tests

We present a case of mycosis fungoides of an 52-year-old woman who showed multiple pruritic erythematous papules, plaques with ulcers on the trunk, extremities and face. Her skin biopsy specimens were studied irnmunohistochemically with, monoclonal antibodies against T cells(80%, Leu-4, OKT11), T-cell subsets (60% Leu-3a, OKT4a, 40% OKT8) and Langerhans cell(OKT6). We think that this case should be considered in the differential diagnosis of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. The proliferating cells were negative for anti-Tac.
Adult ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Extremities ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mycosis Fungoides* ; Skin ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; T-Lymphocytes ; Ulcer