BACKGROUND: Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant and analgesic agent that interacts selectively with the voltage-sensitive-Ca(2+)-channel alpha-2-delta subunit. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the analgesic action of intrathecal (IT) pregabalin is associated with KATP channels in the rat formalin test. METHODS: IT PE-10 catheters were implanted in male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-300 g) under inhalation anesthesia using enflurane. Nociceptive behavior was defined as the number of hind paw flinches during 60 min after formalin injection. Ten min before formalin injection, IT drug treatments were divided into 3 groups: normal saline (NS) 20 microl (CON group); pregabalin 0.3, 1, 3 and 10 microg in NS 10 microl (PGB group); glibenclamide 100 microg in DMSO 5 microl with pregabalin 0.3, 1, 3 and 10 microg in NS 5 microl (GBC group). All the drugs were flushed with NS 10 microl. Immunohistochemistry for the KATP channel was done with a different set of rats divided into naive, NS and PGB groups. RESULTS: IT pregabalin dose-dependently decreased the flinching number only in phase 2 of formalin test. The log dose response curve of the GBC group shifted to the right with respect to that of the PGB group. Immunohistochemistry for the KATP channel expression on the spinal cord dorsal horn showed no difference among the groups 1 hr after the formalin test. CONCLUSIONS: The antinociceptive effect of pregabalin in the rat formalin test was associated with the activation of the KATP channel. However, pregabalin did not induce KATP channel expression in the spinal cord dorsal horn.
Anesthesia, Inhalation ; Animals ; Catheters ; Dimethyl Sulfoxide ; Enflurane ; Formaldehyde ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; Glyburide ; Horns ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; KATP Channels ; Male ; Pain Measurement ; Prostaglandins B ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord ; Thienamycins ; Pregabalin

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation and Extralobar Pulmonary sequestration are very rare congenital anomalies. We experienced a 4 year-old female patient who had Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation in her lower lobe of left lung. We accidently found extralobar pulmonary sequestration associated with Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation at operation field. The resection of the left lower lobe and the extralobar pulmonary sequestration were performed. The arterial supply of the extralobar pulmonary sequestration was one anomalous artery arised from the thoracic aorta. The Venous drainage of expralobar pulmonary sequestration was intercostal vein into the azygous vein. The patient was discharged without any problem.
Aorta, Thoracic ; Arteries ; Bronchopulmonary Sequestration* ; Child, Preschool ; Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of Lung, Congenital* ; Drainage ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; Veins

Extensive laceration of the lung itself has relatively little attention as a threat to life compared with other intrathoracic organ injuries. The incidence of pulmonary laceration extensive enough to require thoracotomy is rare, but is higher than expected. The diagnosis of extensive pulmonary laceration may be difficult, but this injury should be suspected with attention and early thoracotomy can be carried out in indicated cases. Recently, thoracoscopy has assumed a major role in the management of a variety of surgical diseases of the chest. We experienced a case of extensive pulmonary laceration caused by nonpenetrating trauma, which underwent lobectomy by thoracoscopic surgery. A 21-year-old man who was injured in a motocycle accident was brought to Emergency Room from the scene by an ambulance, and complained of chest pain and dyspnea. A chest roentgenogram showed a hemothorax and fractures of the posterior ends of the right seventh, eighth, and ninth ribs. A chest tube was inserted. Thirteen hundred ml of blood was drained through the chest tube during the next one hour. Emergency right mini-thoracotomy revealed extensive laceration of the lower lobe extending to the pulmonary hilum. The lower lobe was the most badly torn. A lower lobectomy was done by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). He complained less postoperative pain and the postoperative course was uneventful.
Ambulances ; Chest Pain ; Chest Tubes ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Emergencies ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Hemothorax ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lacerations* ; Lung ; Pain, Postoperative ; Ribs ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; Thoracoscopy ; Thoracotomy ; Thorax ; Young Adult

Traumatic rupture of the major airways may be caused by blunt or penetrating injury. The incidence of blunt trauma has risen dramatically in this century with the increase in modern high-velocity transportation. Clinical presentation of bronchial injuries in blunt trauma is varied, and the initial diagnostic evaluation is often misleading. The emphasis in management of these injuries is on early diagnosis and intervention. We experienced a case of bronchial rupture caused by blunt trauma. A 5-year-old male visited Emergency Room complaining of severe dyspnea and chest pain after traffic accident. Chest X-ray showed left tension pneumothorax. After emergent closed-thoracostomy, persistent air leakage and collapse of the left lung were noted. Chest CT revealed cut-off of left main bronchus and "dropped lung". Bronchoscopic examination confirmed the rupture of left main bronchus including proximal part of upper lobe bronchus. The patient underwent left upper lobectomy and bronchoplasty by using interrupted 4-0 Vicryl sutures. The postoperative course was uneventful.
Accidents, Traffic ; Bronchi ; Chest Pain ; Child, Preschool ; Dyspnea ; Early Diagnosis ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lung ; Male ; Pneumothorax ; Polyglactin 910 ; Rupture* ; Sutures ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Transportation

BACKGROUND: Peripheral nerve injury induces up-regulation of the calcium channel alpha2delta (alpha2delta) subunit and TRPM8 in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) which might contribute to allodynia development. We investigated the expression of the alpha2delta subunit and TRPM8 in the DRG of sympathetically maintained pain (SMP) and sympathetic independent pain (SIP) rat model. METHODS: For the SMP model, the L5 and L6 spinal nerves were ligated tightly distal to the DRG. For the SIP model, the tibial and sural nerves were transected, while the common peroneal nerve was spared. After a 7 day postoperative period, tactile and cold allodynia were assessed using von Frey filaments and acetone drops, respectively. Expression of the alpha2delta subunit and TRPM8 in the L5 and L6 DRG were subsequently examined by a Western blot. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two models for the thresholds of tactile and cold allodynia. Expression of the alpha2delta subunit in the ipsilateral DRG to the injury was increased as determined on a Western blot as compared to that in the contralateral or sham-operated DRG of the SMP model, but there was no difference in expression seen with the use of the SIP model. There was no difference in the expression of TRPM8 in the ipsilateral DRG to the injury and the contralateral or sham-operated DRG of either model. CONCLUSIONS: Up-regulation of the alpha2delta subunit in injured DRG may play a role that contributes to tactile allodynia development in SMP, but not TRPM8 to cold allodynia after peripheral nerve injury.
Acetone ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Calcium Channels ; Cold Temperature ; Diagnosis-Related Groups ; Ganglia, Spinal ; Hyperalgesia ; Organic Chemicals ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries ; Peroneal Nerve ; Polyenes ; Postoperative Period ; Rats ; Spinal Nerve Roots ; Spinal Nerves ; Sural Nerve ; Up-Regulation

To evaluate the relationship between ablation zone demm in PRK and 88.7% were decentered less than 0.75 mm in LASIK. The most meridional displacement was toward the superonasal quadrant; 46% in PRK and 51% in LASIK. There was less decentration in males, in the 2nd-operated eye, in older age, PRK, in larger ablation diameter, and in shallower ablation depth, but these differences were not statistically significant.
Adult ; Corneal Transplantation/methods* ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Female ; Human ; Keratectomy, Photorefractive, Excimer Laser* ; Laser Surgery* ; Male ; Middle Age ; Myopia/surgery* ; Pupil*

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate a method of how to remove epithelium grown beneath the hinge area after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) without affecting the refractive part of the lenticule. In three cases, an incision was made at the base of the hinge by RK diamond knife to free the lenticule from the stroma. The lenticule was lifted from the nasal edge. The epithelium grown along the interface beneath the hinge area was removed with a Bard-Parker No. 15 knife. The lenticular flap was repositioned with interrupted sutures using 10-0 nylon. No further epithelial ingrowth was observed. The central cornea remained clear leaving a peripheral ring-shaped opacity without affecting the preoperative naked visual acuity. In conclusion, epithelial ingrowth along the interface after LASIK can be removed safely without affecting the refractive part by the incision of the hinge area with a RK diamond knife, removal of the epithelium, and suturing of the lenticule to the stromal bed.
Adult ; Epithelium, Corneal/surgery* ; Epithelium, Corneal/pathology* ; Female ; Human ; Keratectomy, Photorefractive, Excimer Laser/adverse effects* ; Male ; Reoperation ; Suture Techniques ; Treatment Outcome ; Visual Acuity/physiology

Reversible airway obstruction and wheezing are typical features of bronchial asthma, but these features may also be observed in other conditions. However, the inclusion of these conditions in the differential diagnosis of asthma-like symptoms in adults is often neglected, resulting in a correct diagnosis being made after months of unsuccessful treatment for asthma. We report two cases of an upper airway obstruction masquerading as asthma. In case one, adenoid cystic carcinoma was identified in the trachea of a patient showing asthma-like symptoms, positive response to allergic skin test and methacholine inhalation challenge. In the other case, aspirated foreign body was misdiagnosed and treated as asthma for more than one year. A high degree of suspicion and a thorough medical evaluation censisting of history, physical examination and pulmonary function test including shapes of spirogram are essential to the differential diagnosis of asthma-like symptoms
Adenoids* ; Adult ; Airway Obstruction* ; Asthma* ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic* ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Foreign Bodies* ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Methacholine Chloride ; Physical Examination ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Respiratory Sounds ; Skin Tests ; Trachea

Gastritis cystica profunda (GCP) is a rare disease which is mainly observed at the site of gastroenterostomy. However, it may occur in the stomach without a previous history of surgery. Under histologic examination GCP shows hyperplastic and cystic dilatation of the pseudopyloric glands with submucosal invasion. GCP with sessile polypoid pro-trusion is most commonly found but, submucosal tumors, giant gastric mucosal folds and pedunculated forms are occasionally found. We present the case of GCP showing a large sized polyp (3 2.5 2.5 cm) with a long pendulous pedicle that had developed in the fundus of the stomach without previous surgical history. Endoscopic polypectomy was performed for confirmation.
Dilatation ; Gastritis* ; Gastroenterostomy ; Polyps ; Rare Diseases ; Stomach

Primary cardiac lymphoma is an uncommon malignancy, accounting for 1.3% of primary cardiac tumors and 0.5% of extranodal lymphomas. However, secondary involvement of the heart is seen in 8.7-27.2% of the documented clinical cases of lymphoma. A 66-year-old man was referred to us for evaluation of dyspnea. A tumor mass was detected by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiogram in the right atrium. The tumor was surgically resected. The pathologic diagnosis was a malignant lymphoma(diffuse large B cell type) had associated with intracavitary involvement of the right atrium. But acute mediastinitis was developed and then the patient was expired due to sepsis and bleeding at postoperative 9 days.
Aged ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Heart ; Heart Atria* ; Heart Neoplasms ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Lymphoma* ; Mediastinitis ; Sepsis