Cardiac arrest associated with hyperkalemia during red blood cell transfusion is a rare but fatal complication. Herein, we report a case of transfusion-associated cardiac arrest following the initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in a 9-month old infant. Her serum potassium level was increased to 9.0 mEq/L, soon after the newly primed circuit with pre-stored red blood cell (RBC) was started and followed by sudden cardiac arrest. Eventually, circulation was restored and the potassium level decreased to 5.1 mEq/L after 5 min. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) priming is a relatively massive transfusion into a pediatric patient. Thus, to prevent cardiac arrest during blood-primed ECMO in neonates and infants, freshly irradiated and washed RBCs should be used when priming the ECMO circuit, to minimize the potassium concentration. Also, physicians should be aware of all possible complications associated with transfusions during ECMO.
Blood Transfusion ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; Erythrocyte Transfusion ; Erythrocytes ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation* ; Heart Arrest* ; Humans ; Hyperkalemia* ; Infant* ; Infant, Newborn ; Potassium

The treatment and results of 6 cases of the femoral shaft fracture in children are prensented and the method of Charnleys traction unit used most frequently at Korea General Hospital is described. Many Kinds of traction for the femoral shaft fracture in children was introduced. But nearly all methods which depend on heavy traction are open to the following criticism; 1) It is impossible to diminish the traction force alone without jeopardising the stablity of the reduction. 2) Gravity is not used to help in correcting the deformity of backward angulation. 3) Backward angulation of the distal fragment can never be corrected by traction in the axis of the femur. To do this the direction of the traction must be delfected away from the axis of the femur. Charnleys traction offers the following features: 1 The foot is supported at right angles to the tibia. 2. The external popliteal nerve and calf muscles are protected from pressure against the slings of the splint. The tibia is suspendcd from the Steinmann pin inside the plaster so that an air space develops under the tibia as the calf muscles lose their bulk. 3. External rotation of the foot and distal fragment of the femur is controlled. 4. The tendo Achillis is protected from pressure sores. 5. Comfort; the patient is unaware of the traction when applied through the medium of the nail. Age distribution of the patients was from 2 years to 13 years. Initial angulation after the manual reduction was from 0 to 25 degree posteriorly and from 5 to 9 degree laterally. Angulation after radiological union was from 0 to 15 degree posteriorly and from 0 to 8 degree laterally. Overriding before reduction was from 0.9 to 3.2cm and after reduction from 0.3 to 1.2cm. The duration of the inmobilization in Charnleys traction unit was from 15 days to 57 days. The duration of radiological union was from 51 days to 94 days.
Age Distribution ; Child ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Femur ; Foot ; Gravitation ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Korea ; Methods ; Muscles ; Pressure Ulcer ; Splints ; Tibia ; Traction

We report the vesicouterine fistula due to migration of intrauterine device in 35-year-old woman, who had suffered from dysuria and watery vaginal discharge for 4 months. The vesicouterine fistula was confirmed by ultrasonography, cystoscopy and fistulography, and treated with laparoscopic fistulectomy.
Adult ; Cystoscopy ; Dysuria ; Female ; Fistula* ; Humans ; Intrauterine Devices* ; Ultrasonography ; Vaginal Discharge

Cardiac arrest associated with hyperkalemia during red blood cell transfusion is a rare but fatal complication. Herein, we report a case of transfusion-associated cardiac arrest following the initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in a 9-month old infant. Her serum potassium level was increased to 9.0 mEq/L, soon after the newly primed circuit with pre-stored red blood cell (RBC) was started and followed by sudden cardiac arrest. Eventually, circulation was restored and the potassium level decreased to 5.1 mEq/L after 5 min. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) priming is a relatively massive transfusion into a pediatric patient. Thus, to prevent cardiac arrest during blood-primed ECMO in neonates and infants, freshly irradiated and washed RBCs should be used when priming the ECMO circuit, to minimize the potassium concentration. Also, physicians should be aware of all possible complications associated with transfusions during ECMO.
Blood Transfusion ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; Erythrocyte Transfusion ; Erythrocytes ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Hyperkalemia ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Potassium

In vitro studies have shown that the nonsteroidal antiestrogen tamoxifen can suppress deoxyribonucleic acid(DNA) synthesis and cell proliferation in cultured human gliomas. This growth suppression is independent on its antiestrogenic properties. Tamoxifen may act through the inhibition of the enzyme protein kinase C(PKC), which transduces mitogenic signals from the cell surface to the nucleus. In order to evaluate the therapeutic response and side effect of high-dose tamoxifen, we performed a clinical study of 28 patients with malignant gliomas who were treated with high-dose tamoxifen in our hospital between February 1991 and January 1993. An effect was defined as a statistically improved survival times/rates. In patients who were assigned to receive high-dose tamoxifen, it was first administered at standard antiestrogen doses(20mg orally bid/day) to observe for any side effect and if tolerated, the dose was increased weekly to achieve target doses(100mg orally bid/day) over a 1 month period. We compared the survival times/rates between anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastoma mutiformes. Although the median survival time was slightly longer in anaplastic astrocytomas than that of glioblastoma multiformes, there was no statistical difference of survival curves between two groups at the p=0.05 level. We also examined the survival times/rates of malignant gliomas according to treatment modalities(radiotherapy alone, radiotherapy plus ACNU, and radiotherapy plus tamoxifen). Although the survival rate and time were slightly higher in radiotherapy plus tamoxifen group than those of another treatment groups, we could not find the statistical significance of survival curves between three treatment groups(p>0.05). High-dose oral tamoxifen appeared to be well tolerated in most patients. Five patients developed anorexia following dose escalation of tamoxifen. Another complications were amenorrhea, nausea/vomiting, and constipation. There were no changes in hematological studies that could be attributed to tamoxifen. We think that high-dose tamoxifen cah be administered safely to malignant gliomas patients. Our results were not impressive. We conclude that the definition of the true efficacy of high-dose tamoxifen in patients harboring malignant gliomas is not possible from this limited study, and a further large scale, randomized trial of this agent is necessary.
Amenorrhea ; Anorexia ; Astrocytoma ; Cell Proliferation ; Constipation ; Estrogen Receptor Modulators ; Female ; Glioblastoma ; Glioma* ; Humans ; Nimustine ; Protein Kinase C ; Protein Kinases ; Radiotherapy ; Survival Rate ; Tamoxifen*

With the ever- increasing number of intact aneurysms revealed by modern imaging, the options for their management are assuming greater importance. The surgical management of patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms continues to be contoversial, and the criteria for withholding treatment or choosing between endovscular embolization and conventional microsurgery are not well delineated. In order to define the surgical result for unruptured intracranial aneurysms, 41 patients(from June 1989 to May 1995) with surgically treated unruptured aneurysms were analyzed. They were categorized as incidental, multiple or aneurysm with mass effect. Subarachnoid hemorrhage from another aneurysm(multiple) was the most common presentation(19 patients). Eleven patients were presented with incidental findings unrelated to aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage or direct aneurysmal mass effect, and 11 patients were presented with mass effect such as cranial nerve palsy or brain stem compression. We could perform direct neck clipping presented with mass effect such as cranial nerve palsy or brain stem compression. We could perform direct neck clipping with without wrapping in 37 patients, trapping in 2, and wrapping in 1. One patient with giant vertebrobasilar artery aneurysm(greater than 25mm in diameter) which was presented with mass effect could not be treated adequately. Instances of morbidity included cranial nerve injury in 4 patients, hemiparesis in 3, hematoma in 2, and major hemispheric infarction in 1. One patient presented with mass effect, died from major hemispheric infarction after surgery of proximal internal carotid artery aneurysm with a size greater than 25mm in diameter. Two patients, who underwent surgery for giant vertebrobasilar artery aneurysms presented with mass effect, were in poor state due to persistent cranial nerve palsy and homiparesis. In general overall outcome was very good. Excellent or good outcome was achieved in 38 patients(92.7%) while 3 patients(7.3%) either died or was/were in poor condition. The aneurysm size was correlated well with the surgical outcome. We have achieved excellent or good out comes in 100% of patients with aneurysms 25mm or less in diameter. However, with aneurysms greater than 25mm in diameter, the outcomes were very poor with 75% of these patients in poor state or dead. "Surgery in unruptured aneurysms?" The answer was "Yes". We believe the size and location of the aneurysm are the key predictons of risk for sugical morbidity.
Aneurysm ; Arteries ; Brain Stem ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Cranial Nerve Diseases ; Cranial Nerve Injuries ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Incidental Findings ; Infarction ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Microsurgery ; Neck ; Paresis ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Withholding Treatment

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore changes in the test items in the preparation book for the national qualifying examination. Test items which developed in the year 2000 and 2004 through nationwide faculty workshop in Fundamentals of Nursing were examined. METHOD: Test items for the national qualifying examination for 2000 and 2004 in Fundamentals of Nursing were analyzed using frequencies and percent. RESULTS: The test items for the national qualifying examination for 2004 in Fundamentals of Nursing showed an increase in the number of test item over the year 2000. According to McGuire's taxonomy, domains of the test items in 2000 were recall(65.1%), interpretation (22.0%), and problem solving(12.9%) in that order. In 2004 items for the recall domain(74.7%) increased 9.6% above the level of 2000, and interpretation and problem solving domains showed a slight decrease. With regard to type of test items, the proportion of A type in 2004 was the same with 37.6% as 2000, and that of K type(61.5%) increased by 0.7% over the year 2000(60.8%). CONCLUSION: The test items for the national qualifying examination of 2000 and 2004 were not different except for the increase in the number of test items.
Classification ; Education ; Nursing* ; Problem Solving

Biliary papilloma usually consists of single or multiple papillary adenomas in the biliary tract and has a potential for recurrence and malignant transformation. We described herein a case of papillary adenoma of intrahepatic duct that transformed into papillary adenocarcinoma. A 49-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital because of right upper quadrant pain. A CT scan revealed marked dilatation of S7 segmental duct and cholangioscopy and biopsy revealed mucin-secreting papillary adenoma in the right intrahepatic duct. Three years later, a follow up of CT scan showed aggravated S7 ductal dilatation and inner ill-defined mass. Cholangioscopy revealed multiple papillary mucosal projections with large amount of mucin in the right intrahepatic duct and biopsy revealed well differentiated papillary adenocarcinoma. The patient underwent right lobectomy, the papillary adenocarcinoma was extended in the dilated right intrahepatic duct and also showed hepatic parenchymal invasion.
Adenocarcinoma, Papillary* ; Adenoma* ; Biliary Tract ; Biopsy ; Dilatation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucins ; Papilloma ; Recurrence ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

We performed three kinds of problem-based learning (PBL) formulas in all of forty-one 3rd grade students after the final examination of the first semester from June 28, 1999 to July 9, 1999 at Konkuk University College of Medicine to investigate which formula is the most efficient and helpful in medical education and polyclinic course. The PBL formulas applied were the typical face-to-face PBL accompanied by mini-lecture (Type I) or by distribution of the guidelines without lecture (Type II) and cyber PBL using web-based module and discussion over cyber space (Type III). Response of students was surveyed using some questionnaires and the evaluation results of each PBL were analyzed with Pearson's correlation test. All participating students were satisfied with the face-to-face PBL especially in applying time of PBL, using discussion to solve the problem, and studying with tutors. In cyber PBL, in spite of excellency of the contents, limitations in discussion over cyber space and computer skills, misunderstanding of computer system, and additional cost for private PC rent seemed to decrease the satisfaction with this PBL. Experience in Type II PBL was turned out to be the most helpful and discussion among fellow students in PBL to be the most useful experience for incoming polyclinic course. There were no significant correlations between the evaluation results of face-to-face PBL and cyber PBL or between the evaluation results of each type of PBL and the average credit of that semester, suggesting that evaluation of the newly acquired knowledge through PBL using tools such as Triple Jump, OSCE (objective structured clinical examination), and MEQ (modified essay question) should be included in assesment of academic achievement in addition to the evaluation of activities during PBL.
Computer Systems ; Education, Medical ; Equidae ; Humans ; Problem-Based Learning* ; Surveys and Questionnaires