With the field of neuroradiological procedures consistently expanding, breaking the border between the medical and surgical treatment, anesthetic involvement in those procedures is also increasing, which underscores the importance of related anesthesia management. The objective of this study is to review the closing or open endovascular procedures for intracranial aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation, acute ischemic stroke, and carotid stenosis and related anesthetic implications.
Anesthesia ; Arteriovenous Malformations ; Carotid Stenosis ; Endovascular Procedures ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Stroke

Delirium is a serious complication that commonly occurs in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Delirium is frequently unrecognized or missed despite its high incidence and prevalence, and leads to poor clinical outcomes and an increased cost by increasing morbidity, mortality, and hospital and ICU length of stay. Although its pathophysiology is poorly understood, numerous risk factors for delirium have been suggested. To improve clinical outcomes, it is crucial to perform preventive measures against delirium, to detect delirium early using valid and reliable screening tools, and to treat the underlying causes or hazard symptoms of delirium in a timely manner.
Critical Illness ; Delirium ; Humans ; Incidence ; Critical Care ; Intensive Care Units ; Length of Stay ; Mass Screening ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Spinal anesthesia is a anesthetic technique that can be easily used and practically applied according to patient's preference and physiologic status, surgical procedures and so forth. The purpose of the present study is to analyze factors related to patient refusal of spinal anesthesia, arising from the previous spinal anesthesia experience associated with side effects or unsatisfactory senses after spinal anesthesia. METHODS: One hundred ninety four patients undergoing various surgical procedures under spinal anesthesia were enrolled. We made a questionnaire that consisted of examination items and question items, and checked it during spinal anesthesia and about 24 hours after spinal anesthesia. Factors related to patient refusal of spinal anesthesia were analyzed with multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Thirty one out of 194 patients (16%) rejected to receive spinal anesthesia if they would have chance to have it again. Significant factors associated with refusal of spinal anesthesia were low back pain (P = 0.005), needle type (Quincke) (P = 0.025) and tingling sensation in the lower extremities immediately after spinal anesthesia induction (P = 0.003). Low back pain was significantly associated with the number of attempts of spinal block (P = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Factors related to patient refusal of spinal anesthesia are low back pain, needle type and tingling sensation. Low back pain is related to the number of attempts of spinal block. Practitioners should give patients appropriate information about spinal anesthesia preoperatively and consider using Whitacre needle and avoid multiple attempts of spinal block so as to increase patient's compliance with spinal anesthesia.
Anesthesia, Spinal ; Compliance ; Disulfiram ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Low Back Pain ; Lower Extremity ; Needles ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Sensation

PURPOSE: We compared the reproducibility of 201Tl and 99mTc-sestamibi (MIBI) gated SPECT measurement of myocardial function using the Germano algorithm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gated SPECT acquisition was repeated in the same position in 30 patients who received 201Tl and in 26 who received 99mTc-MIBI. The quantification of end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), and ejection fraction (EF) on 201Tl and 99mTc-MIBI gated SPECT was processed independently using Cedars quantitative gated SPECT software. The reproducibility of the assessment of myocardial function on 201Tl gated SPECT was compared with that of 99mTc-MIBI gated SPECT. RESULTS: Correlation between the two measurements for volumes and EF was excellent by the repeated gated SPECT studies of 201Tl (r=0.928 to 0.986; p<0.05) and 99mTc-MIBI (r=0.979 to 0.997; p<0.05). However, Bland Altman analysis revealed the 95% limits of agreement (2 SD) for volumes and EF were tighter by repeated 99mTc-MIBI gated SPECT (EDV: 14.1 ml, ESV: 9.4 ml and EF: 5.5%) than by repeated 201Tl gated SPECT (EDV: 24.1 ml, ESV: 18.6 ml and EF: 10.3%). The root mean square (RMS) values of the coefficient of variation (CV) for volumes and EFs were smaller by repeated 99mTc-MIBI gated SPECT (EDV: 2.1 ml, ESV: 2.7 ml and EF: 2.3%) than by repeated 201Tl gated SPECT (EDV: 3.2 ml, ESV: 3.5 ml and EF: 5.2%). CONCLUSION: 99mTc-MIBI provides more reproducible volumes and EF than 201Tl on repeated acquisition gated SPECT. 99mTc-MIBI gated SPECT is the preferable method for the clinical monitoring of myocardial function.
Humans ; Perfusion* ; Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

We describe a 27-year-old man who developed gait disturbance and dysarthria 2 years after the onset of cardinal symptoms of Behcet's disease. Positron emission tomography with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose revealed severe hypometabolism in the cerebellum, in accordance wih cerebellar symptoms and sign of the patient. However, single-photon emission tomography with Tc-99m-HMPAO and Tc-99m-ECD did not disclose significant perfusion abnormalities in the brain. Routine brain magnetic resonance imaging did not show signal abnormalities. The findings of imaging studies compared with neurological manifestations of the patient are discussed.
Adult ; Brain ; Cerebellum ; Dysarthria ; Gait ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Perfusion ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

An epiglottic cyst is a common form of laryngeal cysts which are rare causes of upper airway obstruction. A congenital laryngeal cyst always causes neonatal respiratory distress, but an acquired cyst shows very wide spectrum of symptoms such as no specific complaints, dysphagia, respiratory difficulty, or even death according to its size, location, or age. From anesthesiologists' point of view, an asymptomatic undiagnosed laryngeal cyst is a major concern. Unexpectedly, it can cause difficult airway such as 'cannnot intubate' or 'cannot intubate and cannot ventilate' situation during anesthesia. Recently we discovered an undiagnosed epiglottic cyst obscuring laryngeal inlet, leading to difficult intubation during general anesthesia for decompression and fusion of lumbar vertebrae. Fortunately, mask ventilation was possible, and after failed attempts of direct laryngoscopy, we could perform oral fiberoptic bronchoscope-aided intubation. He was discharged 10 days later with no harmful events.
Airway Obstruction ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Bays ; Bronchoscopes ; Decompression ; Deglutition Disorders ; Intubation ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Laryngoscopy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Masks ; Ventilation

BACKGROUND: To determine if positive pressure pneumoperitoneum has adverse effects on autonomic nervous system function, we examined baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) during carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: Twenty adult patients scheduled for laparoscopic gynecologic surgery were selected for the study. After general anesthesia was induced with sevoflurane, continuous electrocardiography and blood pressure were monitored. Spontaneous BRS was achieved using sequence method immediately before, and 5 minutes after, pneumoperitoneum. Heart rate variability (HRV) was also determined. RESULTS: After pneumoperitoneum, BRS decreased from 12.9 +/- 1.8 ms/mmHg to 8.1 +/- 1.1 ms/mmHg (P < 0.05), and the power of the high frequency band decreased from 237.8 ms2/Hz to 49.6 ms2/Hz (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to recordings obtained before pneumoperitoneum, BRS was decreased during pneumoperitoneum. This may predispose patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery to hemodynamic instability in addition to pneumoperitoneum itself.
Adult ; Anesthesia, General ; Autonomic Nervous System ; Baroreflex ; Blood Pressure ; Carbon ; Carbon Dioxide ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Methyl Ethers ; Pneumoperitoneum

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of treatment using gemcitabine and capecitabine for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with advanced unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma were enrolled in the study. Inclusion criteria included no prior systemic chemotherapy or radiation therapy, at least one radiographically documented and measurable tumor lesion, and adequate patient organ functions. The patients received 1,000 mg/m2 gemcitabine intravenously on days 1, 8 and 15, and 830 mg/m2 of oral capecitabine twice a day on days 1-21 of a 28-day cycle. RESULTS: Fifty patients with a median age of 53 years (range, 39 to 76 years) were enrolled in the study. The median follow-up was 10.0 months. The objective response rate of the 50 patients was 48.0% (95% CI, 22.5 to 57.1%). The median time to progression and overall survival were 6.5 months (95% CI, 2.3 to 8.7 months) and 10.0 months (95% CI, 5.7 to 16.7 months), respectively. Grade 3-4 toxicities associated with chemotherapy included neutropenia (22%), anemia (8%), thrombocytopenia (6%), and hand-foot syndrome (10%). CONCLUSION: Combination chemotherapy using gemcitabine and capecitabine was well tolerated and demonstrated promising efficacy in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer.
Adenocarcinoma ; Anemia ; Deoxycytidine ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Fluorouracil ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand-Foot Syndrome ; Humans ; Neutropenia ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; Thrombocytopenia ; Capecitabine

BACKGROUND: Iron is essential for cell proliferation and viability. It has been reported that iron depletion by a chelator inhibits proliferation of some cancer cells. Deferasirox is a new oral iron chelator, and a few reports have described its effects on lymphoma cells. The goal of this study was to determine the anticancer effects of deferasirox in malignant lymphoma cell lines. METHODS: Three human malignant lymphoma cell lines (NCI H28:N78, Ramos, and Jiyoye) were treated with deferasirox at final concentrations of 20, 50, or 100 microM. Cell proliferation was evaluated by an MTT assay, and cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the relative activity of various apoptotic pathways. The role of caspase in deferasirox-induced apoptosis was investigated using a luminescent assay. RESULTS: The MTT assay showed that deferasirox had dose-dependent cytotoxic effects on all 3 cell lines. Cell cycle analysis showed that the sub-G1 portion increased in all 3 cell lines as the concentration of deferasirox increased. Early apoptosis was also confirmed in the treated cells by Annexin V and PI staining. Western blotting showed an increase in the cleavage of PARP, caspase 3/7, and caspase 9 in deferasirox-treated groups. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that deferasirox, a new oral iron-chelating agent, induced early apoptosis in human malignant lymphoma cells, and this apoptotic effect is dependent on the caspase-3/caspase-9 pathway.
Annexin A5 ; Apoptosis ; Benzoates ; Blotting, Western ; Caspase 9 ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Iron ; Lymphoma ; Triazoles

OBJECTIVE: The activity of pulmonary tuberculosis has been usually detarmined by smear and culture of AFB in sputum and serial chest X ray. However it is sorntimes difficult to determine the activity of pulmonary tuberculosis by either. We have studied Gallium lung scan 4 HRCT in the patients with pulmonary tuberculosis to determine its activity and compared their diagnostic significance. METHODS: 67Gallium lung scan and HRCT were examined in 63 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis suspected by chest X ray and were compared each other with their possible diagnostic significance in determination of activity. The active pulmonary tuberculosis was defined by positive AFB smear and/ or culture in sputum and changes of findings in serial chest X ray. RESULTS: 1) Of 63 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, 37 patients has been diagnosed active 9 patients were diagnosed by positive AFB smear in sputum, 20 patients by positive AFB culture in sputum and 8 patients by changes of findings in serial chest X ray. 2) In the 37 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis, chest X ray revealed active pulmonary tuberculosis findings in 28 patients, inactive in 4 patients and undetermined in 5 patients. On the contrary, In the 26 patients with inactive pulmonary tuberculosis, the chest X ray revealed active pulmonary tuberculosis findings in 6 patients, inactive in 16 patients and undetermined in 4 patients. 3) 67Gallium lung scan showed positive uptake in 34 patients of the 37 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis, but did not show any uptake at all in 26 patients with inactive pulmonary tuberculosis. 4) HRCT showed active findings in 36 patients of the 37 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. And it showed active findings in 4 patients of the 26 patients with inactive pulmonary tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: The Gallium lung scan showed 82% of sensitivity and 8% of false negativity. And HRCT showed 97% of sensitivity and 15% of false positivity. In the aspect of laboratory examinations for the determination of activity in pulmonary tuberculosis the 67Gallium lung scan and the HRCT appeared useful.
Gallium* ; Humans ; Lung* ; Sputum ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary*