PURPOSE: To compare the precise roles of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) in the evaluation of patients presenting with hemoptysis and to determine the optimal timing for HRCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The results of HRCT and FOB were compared in 23 patients (15 men, 8 women) presenting with hemoptysis. Etiologies included bronchietasis (n=4), parenchymal pulmonary tuberculosis (n=4), lung cancer (n=4), endobronchial tuberculosis (n=2), and broncholithiasis (n=2). Hemoptysis was proved to be due to miscellaneous causes in an additional three cases and to be cryptogenic in four. The diagnostic results of FOB performed before and after HRCT were compared as were those of HRCT performed within and after the first 48 hours of active bleeding. RESULTS: FOB and HRCT offered a correct diagnosis in 39% and 65% of cases, respectively (p=0.005). HRCT demonstrated three cases of bronchiectasis and three of parenchymal pulmonary tuberculosis which were beyond the range of a bronchoscope. In two of five cases in which HRCT findings were nonspecific, chondromatous hamartoma and lung cancer were confirmed by FOB. In cases where HRCT was performed prior to FOB, the latter demonstrated the location and diagnosis in 82% and 47% of cases, respectively (p=0.303) ; when HRCT was performed after FOB, HRCT was correct in 67% and 17% of cases, respectively (p=0.178). In none of three cases (0%) in which HRCT was performed during the first 48 hours of active bleeding did the procedure allow a specific diagnosis. In 15 of 20 (75%) cases in which HRCT was performed after the first 48 hours, however, the diagnosis provided by CT was correct. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that in patients presenting with hemoptysis, both HRCT and FOB should be used for evaluation, since they are diagnostically complementary. FOB is more useful for the diagnosis of endobronchial lesion, and HRCT for bronchiectasis and parenchymal pulmonary tuberculosis. If, in cases of hemoptysis, initial diagnosis is attempted within the first 48 hours of active bleeding, FOB should be the initial step, and HRCT images should not be obtained until active bleeding has been shown on plain chest radiograph to have abated. If this initial approach takes place after the first 48 hours of active bleeding, FOB and HRCT are equally suitable.
Bronchiectasis ; Bronchoscopes ; Bronchoscopy* ; Diagnosis ; Hamartoma ; Hemoptysis* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Male ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

We report an anesthetic experience in a clinically euthyroid patient with hyperthyroxinemia (elevated free thyroxine, fT4 and normal 3, 5, 3'-L-triiodothyronine, T3) and suspected impairment of conversion from T4 to T3. Despite marked hyperthyroxinemia, this patient's perioperative hemodynamic profile was suspected to be the result of hypothyroidism, in reference to the presence of T4 to T3 conversion disorder. We suspected that pretreatment with antithyroid medication before surgery, surgical stress and anesthesia may have contributed to the decreased T3 level after surgery. She was treated with liothyronine sodium (T3) after surgery which restored her hemodynamic profile to normal. Anesthesiologists may be aware of potential risk and caveats of inducing hypothyroidism in patients with euthyroid hyperthyroxinemia and T4 to T3 conversion impairment.
Anesthesia ; Conversion Disorder ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hyperthyroxinemia* ; Hypothyroidism ; Sodium ; Thyroxine ; Triiodothyronine

In patients with superior vena cava syndrome, the form of the collateral circulatory system whichcommuni-cates with the inferior vena cava via various systemic veins usually varics. We found an instance ofunusual collateral circulation : direct communication between the systemic and pulmonary vein in a woman withsuperior vena cava syndrome caused by metastatic lymph node enlargement. In this report, we describe the CT andradionuclide venographic findings.
Collateral Circulation* ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Pulmonary Veins ; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome* ; Veins ; Vena Cava, Inferior ; Vena Cava, Superior*

PURPOSE: The use of the Ondol, which is a traditional Korean floor heating system, has made the electric heating pad popular in Korea. Although the surface temperature of electric pads is around 45 degrees, rarely they can cause severe contact burns. Because an electric pad is usually used while sleeping, the skin could be exposed to heat and pressure for a prolonged period. The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiology and clinical features of these types of burns and to advise caution in the use of electric heating pads. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 58 cases identified from March 2007 to March 2012 at the Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital plastic surgery department. Collected data included sex, age, seasonal variation, distribution and extent of the burn, underlying disease, related factors, and treatment. RESULTS: Patients (23 females and 10 males) were predominantly in their twenties, with an average age of 40.7 years (range, 14~83). The majority of the burns occurred during winter (51.5%). According to the patients' histories, sleeping in a drunken state was the most common associated factor, with taking hypnotics and lying under spinal anesthesia being the second and third factors, respectively. Eight patients had diabetes mellitus and four patients had hypoesthesia after spinal cord injury and cerebral stroke. The lower extremity was the most commonly involved site (42.4%), followed by the buttocks (33%). The extent burn areas accounted for less than 2% of the total body surface area. But deep second degree and third degree burns were sustained that required surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: Unconsciousness and hypoesthesia were the primary factors that provoked contact burns related to the use of electrical pads. Although the percentage of body surface area burns is often small, the burns caused by electric pads can cause deep thermal injuries, necessitating the use of skin grafts and local flaps. These injuries could be prevented by taking precautions when using electric pads and by educating the public.
Anesthesia, Spinal ; Body Surface Area ; Burns ; Buttocks ; Deception ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Female ; Floors and Floorcoverings ; Heart ; Heating ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; Korea ; Lower Extremity ; Retrospective Studies ; Seasons ; Skin ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Stroke ; Surgery, Plastic ; Transplants ; Unconsciousness