In 1978, Bjornberg and Friis reported 32 patients with persistent pusi ulosis(PP) on distal extremities, of whom 13 patients were initially diagnosed as scabies. In 1984, Elpern described 7 patients with infantile acropustulosis(IA), of whom 4 patients had antecedant scabies. We report herein a case of PP, which was found in a 18 month-old mal who was treated for scabies at the age of 5 month and 12 month. The pruritic vesicopustules dev',lo ed 2 months after the second treatment for scabies and relapsed for 4 months. We also discuss the relationship between scabies and PP and also between PP and IA.
Extremities ; Humans ; Infant ; Scabies*

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is the most frequent and discomforting side effect following general anesthesia. Most volatile anesthetics have a potent effect on serotonin (5-hydroxydtryptamine, 5-HT) type 3 receptor mediating PONV, and their antagonists have been currently used effectively to prevent and/or reduce the incidence and severity of PONV. The authors reported previously that ginsenosides have inhibitory effect on 5-HT3A receptor. In this study we intended to elucidate the inhibitory effect of ginsenosides on the potentiated 5-HT3A receptor by desflurane. METHODS: After in vitro transcription of the recombinant mouse 5-HT3A receptor in the Xenopus laevis oocyte, we examined the effects of ginsenosides (g-Rb1, g-Rg1, g-Rd, g-Rg2) as well as ginsenoside metabolite, compound K on the modulation of desflurane by measuring currents flowing through 5-HT3A receptor using two-electrode voltage clamp technique. RESULTS: Although normalized inhibitory responses of ginsenosides were same regardless of desflurane, some ginsenosides such as g-Rd, g-Rg2, and g-Rg1 showed potential inhibition to the enhanced 5-HT induced current of 5-HT3A receptor by desflurane. CONCLUSIONS: Although ginsenosides have substantial inhibitory effect on 5-HT3A receptor, the effects of ginsenoside on potentiation by desflurane of 5-HT induced current via recombinant 5HT3A receptor may depend on the types of ginsenoside, which suggesting that ginsenoside might have an antagonistic action to nausea and vomiting associated with volatile anesthetics.
Anesthesia, General ; Anesthetics ; Animals ; Ginsenosides ; Incidence ; Isoflurane ; Mice ; Nausea ; Negotiating ; Oocytes ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; Serotonin ; Vomiting ; Xenopus ; Xenopus laevis

The reliability of emergency ultrasonographic(US) detection of hemoperitoneum and solid organ injury in blunt abdominal trauma was evaluated retrospectively. From October 1,1995 to August 31,1996,90 patients were included in the study. Ultra- sonographic findings showed a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 97.6%, 97.9%, and 98.1%, respectively, in detecting intraabdominal fluid collection. We believe that US in an emergency center is a quick, safe screening method in the evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma. In our department, US has replaced diagnostic peritonaeal lavage(DPL) and computed tomography(CT) as the screening study of first choice.
Emergencies* ; Hemoperitoneum* ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography*

Inhalation induction of anesthesia is seldom used in a routine adult practice because of the long induction time and the prolonged excitement phase with the risk of laryngospasm and vomiting. So in modern practice, anesthesia is usually administered intravenously and produces unconsclousness pleasantly. However there are situaions where intravenous induction may not be ideal, and where rapid induction is still desired. The author wanted to evaluate the clinical application of inhalation induction of halothane using a vital capacity breath as a substitute for intravenous induction of anesthesia. The patients in this study had an ASA physical status of l or ll and presented no cardiopulmonary disease or abnormal laboratory data. The patients were divided into two group: a control group(n=30) and an experimental group(n=30). Control group: Intravenous induction with thiopental sodium. Experimental group: Inhalation induction with halothane using a vital capacity breath. The results are as follows: 1) The control group consisted of 14 males and 16 females. The mean age was 37.8+/-11.5years, and the ages ranged from 16 to 65 years. The mean body weight was 59.8+/-8.0kg, and body weights ranged from 44 to 75kg. in the experimental group, there were 17 males and 13 females. The mean age was 28.9+/-13.7 years, and the ages ranged from 18 to 65 years. The mean body weight was 57.4+/-8.1 kg, and body weight ranged from 43+/-75kg. 2) In the experimental group, the apnea time ranged from 20 to 105 sec, with a mean of 44.5+/-20.4 sec. The mean induction time was 76.7+/-32.1sec. and induction time ranged from 20 to 150 sec. There was no relationship between apnea time and induction time. 3) The hemodynamic changes were as follows: a. There were significantly greater changes in blood pressure and pulse rate during intubation and postintubation in the control group than in the experimental group(p<0.05). b. There were significant changes in blood pressure and pulse rate in the control group(p<0.05), but seemed not to be hazardous clinically. 4) Induction was impossible in two patients in the experimental group due to profuse secretion or excitement. 5) The side effects in the experimental group included coughs(5 cases), arrythmias(4), excitements(4) and secretion(1), respectively. 6) Postanesthetic comments in the experimental group:27 of the 28 patients remembered the anesthetic smells: 3 pleasantly, 20 moderately and 4 unpleasantly. In conclusion, inhalation induction of halothane using a vital capacity breath is a safe, acceptable and practical alternative to intravenous induction in cooperative adult patients.
Adult ; Anesthesia ; Apnea ; Blood Pressure ; Body Weight ; Female ; Halothane* ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Inhalation* ; Intubation ; Laryngismus ; Male ; Smell ; Thiopental ; Vital Capacity* ; Vomiting

BACKGROUND: Studies in animals suggest that pipecuronium dose not induce hemodynamic chan-ges related to histamine release or to an effect on the autonomic nervous system. Therefore the effects of bolus administration of large doses of pipecuronium, up to 0.20 mg/kg, on the intubation condition, onset and duration of neuromuscular blockade, heart rate and blood pressure were studied during fentanyl- nitrous oxide anesthesia. METHOD: Forty adults were randomly assigned to receive a bolus injection of either 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20 mg/kg of pipecuronium. Neuromuscular blockade was measured using mechanomyographic activity of the adductor pollicis muscle after supramaximal stimulation of the ulnar nerve. Four subgroups of 10 patients received pipecuronium doses of 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20 mg/kg, respectively, as an intubating dose. RESULTS: The times of onset and clinical duration (mean sem) after each dose were as follows: 0.05 mg/kg, 2.98 0.42 and 41.5 2.42 min; 0.10 mg/kg, 1.54 0.06 and 82.9 7.48 min; 0.15 mg/kg, 1.41 0.14 and 124.8 13.1 min; 0.20 mg/kg, 1.12 0.05 and 187.1 12.8 min. The intubation condition, time of onset and duration after doses of 0.05 mg/kg were significantly different from values after the higer doses. The duration was increased with dose-increments. No dose-related changes in heart rate or blood pressure were observed. CONCLUSION: The authors conclude that dose of 0.10 mg/kg and over has good intubation condition clinically and large bolus dose of pipecuronium can be safely used with a significantly prolonged duration of action without hemodynamic change.
Adult* ; Anesthesia ; Animals ; Autonomic Nervous System ; Blood Pressure ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Histamine Release ; Humans ; Intubation ; Intubation, Intratracheal* ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Nitrous Oxide ; Pipecuronium* ; Ulnar Nerve

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of each phases in two and three phase spiral CT in the detection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two phase spiral CT images of 18 patients and three phasespiral CT images of 12 patients with pathologically-proven pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were retrospectively compared. Using a single spiral scan, images of early and delayed phases were obtained at 43 seconds and 2 ~ 3 minutes respectively initiating the after administration of 100-120 cc of contrast material (2 ~ 3 cc/sec),Images of arterial, portal and delayed phases were also obtained at 25 and 60 seconds, and 3 ~ 4 minutes,respectively, by the use of a double spiral scan. CT scans were performed with 10 mm collimation at 1 : 1 pitchtable speed. Contrast between the tumor and adjacent pancreatic parenchyma were compared and graded and enhancement pattern of the tumor were analysed together. RESULTS: In 12 patients (66.7%), images of the earlyphase were superior to those of the delayed phase. images of the portal phase were superior to those of thearterial phase. Enhancement of tumor was seen in four patients ; all tumors were less than 3cm in size. CONCLUSION: The early phase of two phase spiral CT is superior to the delayed phase and the portal phase of three phasespiral CT is superior to the arterial phase. Both arterial and portal phases are superior to the delayed phase.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Humans ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Tomography, Spiral Computed* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis(BDP) is a rare disorder, which can be secondary to spinal cord injury, motor neuron disease, myopathy, noninfectious polyneuropathy, infection, iced saline cardioplegia performed during cardiac surgery, or idiopathic causes. there may be typical presentations such as dyspnea, paradoxical respiratory movement, and hypercapnic respiratory failure. It needs to exclude above secondary causes to consider idiopathic bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis. We report a 51-years-old man who presented with idiopathic bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis combined with acute pancreatitis. We couldnt, find out the association of these two clinical conditions. The patient was improved by mechanical ventilation.
Dyspnea ; Heart Arrest, Induced ; Humans ; Motor Neuron Disease ; Muscular Diseases ; Pancreatitis* ; Polyneuropathies ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Respiratory Paralysis* ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Thoracic Surgery

A usual source of care (USC) in primary care improves health care quality and can result in improved health. However, current research about the type of USC (place only vs. physician with a place) is insufficient as an evidence to support the value of primary care. We analyzed data from the 2012 Korea Health Panel survey of adults aged 18 years or older (n = 11,873) who reported whether having a USC or not to compare the effects by type of USC on medical care use and out-of-pocket costs. Descriptive analysis showed significant differences in the distributions of sociodemographic and health status factors except frequency of outpatient visit by type of USC. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of having a physician with a place compared to not having a USC were 4.05 for age 65 ≥ years (vs. < 35 years), 1.33 for females (vs. males), 0.63 for the fifth (highest) quintile (vs. the first) of household income, 1.62 for medical aid (vs. employee) health insurance, and 4.46 for having a chronic disease (vs. not). For those having a physician with a place (vs. only a place) as a USC, adjusted ORs of hospital admission and emergency room (ER) visit were 0.77 and 0.71 with out-of-pocket costs not significantly high. Those having a physician with a place (vs. only a place) as a USC included more patients with chronic diseases, but they had fewer hospital admissions and ER visits. When designing a plan for health care reform in Korea, promoting having a physician rather than a place as a USC would be a better policy.
Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Health Care Reform ; Health Expenditures ; Health Policy ; Humans ; Insurance, Health ; Korea* ; Odds Ratio ; Outpatients ; Primary Health Care ; Quality of Health Care ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Epidural morphine is used commonly for postoperative pain control. But, pruritus, although trivial, is a common side effect. It is reported that subhypnotic doses of propofol are effective against pruritus induced by epidural or subarachnoid morphine. METHODS: Sixty five patients received epidural morphine 4 mg bolus and 4 mg/day with continuous infusion for 2 days via Baxter infusor. The patients who have pruritus with scratching were allocated randomly to receive either 1 ml propofol(10 mg) or 1 ml placebo(Intralipos ) intravenously. Pruritus was assessed 5 min later using a pruritus rating scale with double-blind, placebo-controlled study. RESULTS: Forty patients showed pruritus with scratching. The overall success rate in treating pruritus was 75% in propofol group and 25% in placebo group. Compared with placebo, propofol was effective significantly(P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that propofol in a subhypnotic dose is an efficient drug treatment for epidural morphine induced pruritus.
Analgesics ; Anesthetics ; Humans ; Infusion Pumps ; Morphine* ; Pain, Postoperative ; Propofol* ; Pruritus*

OBJECTIVES: The Korean government in January 2006 instigated an exemption policy for hospitalized children under the age of six years old. This study examines how this policy affected the utilization of medical care in Korea. METHODS: A total of 1,513,797 claim records from the Health Insurance Review Agency were analyzed by complete enumeration methods. The changes of medical utilization were compared from 2005 to 2006. In addition, the changes of medical utilization between 2004 and 2005 were compared as a pseudocontrol group. RESULTS: The admission rate increased 1.14-fold from 15.20% in 2004 to 17.32% in 2005, and this further increased 1.08-fold to 18.65% in 2006. The increase of patients with a common cold (1.2-fold) was higher than that of both the general patients (1.08-fold) and the patients with the top 10 fatal diseases (0.91-fold). The average length of stay per case for clinics showed the highest increase rates (1.06-fold). The rates of patients with the common cold showed a higher increase (1.05-fold) than that of the general patients. The average medical expense per case was increased by 1.10-fold from 2005 to 2006, which was higher than that from 2004 to 2005 (1.04-fold). The increase rate for patients with the common cold was higher at 1.18-fold than that of the general patients. CONCLUSIONS: The cost exemption policy has especially led to an increase in the utilization of clinics and the utilization by patients with a common cold.
Child, Preschool ; Cost Sharing/*legislation & jurisprudence ; *Health Policy ; Health Services/*utilization ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Insurance Claim Review ; Korea ; Length of Stay