BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Perfluorocarbon exposed sonicated dextrose albumin (PESDA) microbubbles has been suggested to facilitate thrombus disruption under the transcutaneous ultrasound (US). Thus, we investigated whether such a noninvasive approach could augment thrombolytic effect of fibrinolytic agent in an experimental thrombotic model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thrombus formation was induced with electrical injury in the rabbit iliofemoral arteries (n=20): Thrombus occlusion was documented by angiography in all arteries. In the control group, only tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA, 3 mg/kg) was administered intrav-enously in five rabbits. In the Group 1 (n=9), injured arteries were exposed to transcutaneous US (20 kHz, 30 W/cm2, continuous mode) with t-PA (3 mg/kg). In the Group 2 (n=6), the same treatment was given while administering PESDA continuously (10 ml/min, intravenous). Angiographic results were evaluated at 10 minute interval for 1 hour respectively. RESULTS: In the control group, two of five iliofemoral arteries (40.0%) were recanalized and one of nine iliofemoral arteries (11.1%) was recanalized in Group 1. In contrast, four of six iliofemoral arteries (66.7%) were recanalized angiographically in Group 2 (p=0.392 vs. control group: p=0.047 vs. Group 1). However, late reocclusion occurred in all iliofemoral arteries of Group 2. CONCLUSION: Although PESDA with transcutaneous US significantly enhanced initial angiographic patency rate of t-PA, it was associated with high rate of reocclusion. Further studies will be necessary for clinical application of this noninvasive method in acute arterial occlusion.
Angiography ; Arteries ; Glucose* ; Microbubbles ; Rabbits ; Thrombolytic Therapy* ; Thrombosis ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; Ultrasonography*

Little is known about the natural history and management of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) which developed as a complication of laser photocoagulation for central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). We experienced two patients with CNV which developed after laser treatment for CSC. Submacular membranectomy was performed on both cases after the confirmation of subretinal CNV with optical coherence tomography. One patient received photodynamic therapy for recurrent CNV. The vision of both patients has been improved over 6 months of follow up. These cases suggest that active intervention, including submacular surgery, improves the visual prognosis of this condition.
Adult ; Choroid Diseases/*surgery ; Choroidal Neovascularization/etiology/*surgery ; Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological ; Female ; Human ; Interferometry ; Laser Coagulation/*adverse effects ; Light ; Male ; Retinal Diseases/*surgery ; Tomography ; Treatment Outcome ; Visual Acuity

No abstract available.
Scoliosis* ; Syringomyelia*

Diencephalic syndrome of infancy which is characterized by progressive and profound emaciation often with normal or accelerated skeletal growth, hyperkinesias, hypotension, and hypoglycemia. The profound emaciation so characteristic this syndrome has yet to be explained. The diencephalic syndrome is caused by low grade astrocytoma, ependymoma in the third ventricle including the hypothalamus. Authers report a case of diencephalic syndrome which was confirmed in this patient with ependymoma in the region of anterior hypothalamus by transcallosal approach.
Astrocytoma ; Emaciation ; Ependymoma ; Humans ; Hyperkinesis ; Hypoglycemia ; Hypotension ; Hypothalamus ; Hypothalamus, Anterior ; Third Ventricle

Necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis (NSG), now referred to as “sarcoidosis with NSG pattern,” is an uncommon variant of sarcoidosis. NSG is characterized by a trio of features: sarcoid granulomas, vasculitis, and extensive areas of necrosis. Symptoms can include cough, fever, chest pain, and dyspnea, typically presenting as either solitary or multiple lung nodules or masses. In this report, we describe a case of NSG accompanied by a persistent low-grade fever. Unlike the dominant presentation of NSG with single or multiple nodules, our case demonstrated diffuse micronodules with combined perilymphatic and random distribution on CT.Histological examination revealed widespread necrotizing granulomas surrounded by anthracotic pigmentation, alongside necrosis and vasculitis, diverging from the classic presentation of sarcoidosis. The diagnosis of NSG was established through a multidisciplinary discussion. The patient was administered oral prednisolone that led to noticeable clinical and radiological improvement within three months.

Necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis (NSG), now referred to as “sarcoidosis with NSG pattern,” is an uncommon variant of sarcoidosis. NSG is characterized by a trio of features: sarcoid granulomas, vasculitis, and extensive areas of necrosis. Symptoms can include cough, fever, chest pain, and dyspnea, typically presenting as either solitary or multiple lung nodules or masses. In this report, we describe a case of NSG accompanied by a persistent low-grade fever. Unlike the dominant presentation of NSG with single or multiple nodules, our case demonstrated diffuse micronodules with combined perilymphatic and random distribution on CT.Histological examination revealed widespread necrotizing granulomas surrounded by anthracotic pigmentation, alongside necrosis and vasculitis, diverging from the classic presentation of sarcoidosis. The diagnosis of NSG was established through a multidisciplinary discussion. The patient was administered oral prednisolone that led to noticeable clinical and radiological improvement within three months.

Necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis (NSG), now referred to as “sarcoidosis with NSG pattern,” is an uncommon variant of sarcoidosis. NSG is characterized by a trio of features: sarcoid granulomas, vasculitis, and extensive areas of necrosis. Symptoms can include cough, fever, chest pain, and dyspnea, typically presenting as either solitary or multiple lung nodules or masses. In this report, we describe a case of NSG accompanied by a persistent low-grade fever. Unlike the dominant presentation of NSG with single or multiple nodules, our case demonstrated diffuse micronodules with combined perilymphatic and random distribution on CT.Histological examination revealed widespread necrotizing granulomas surrounded by anthracotic pigmentation, alongside necrosis and vasculitis, diverging from the classic presentation of sarcoidosis. The diagnosis of NSG was established through a multidisciplinary discussion. The patient was administered oral prednisolone that led to noticeable clinical and radiological improvement within three months.

A majority of patients who sustain injuries to the peripheral sensory nerves of the face and jaws experience a slow but gradual return of sensation that is functional and tolerable, if not the same as before the injuries. However, long-term effects of such injuries are aggravating for many patients, and a few patients experience significant suffering. In some of these patients, posttraumatic symptoms become pathological and are painful. The predominant painful components are (1) numbing anesthesia dolorosa pain, (2) triggered neuralgiaform pain, (3) burning and aching causalgiaform pain, and (4) phantom pain. This is a case report of conservative management of traumatic neuralgia and neuritis as part of posttraumatic pain syndromes in geriatric patients who have undergone the teeth extraction and alveoloplasty.
Alveoloplasty* ; Anesthesia ; Burns ; Humans ; Jaw ; Neuralgia* ; Neuritis ; Phantom Limb ; Sensation ; Tooth Extraction ; Tooth*

The Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare disorder characterized by infantile hypotonia, subsequent obesity with hyperphagia. Hypogonadism, cryptorchidism, delayed psychomotor development, short status, strabismus, myopia, scoliosis, kyphosis and temperature regulation abnormality are other features. The cause of this syndrome is unknown, but a disturbance in the hypothalamus has been postulated because of the various manifestation of the syndrome. The major genetic mechanism giving rise to PWS is a paternal deletion of about the same size in the 15q11-q13 region, that occurs in 70% of the cases. The principal problems related to anesthesia are those that are secondary to the patient's hypoglycemia, skeletal muscle hypotonia and obesity. An 20-month-old boy with PWS was scheduled for surgical correction of bilateral undescended testes. The trachea was intubated with the aid of succinylcholine 7.5 mg intravenous injection. Muscle relaxation was facilitated with intermittent intravenous administration of atracurium (total dose 8 mg). No prolonged effect of muscle relaxants was observed during anaesthesia. High grade fever (38-39 degrees C) was present during anaesthesia.
Administration, Intravenous ; Anesthesia ; Atracurium ; Cryptorchidism ; Fever ; Humans ; Hyperphagia ; Hypoglycemia ; Hypogonadism ; Hypothalamus ; Infant ; Injections, Intravenous ; Kyphosis ; Male ; Muscle Hypotonia ; Muscle Relaxation ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Myopia ; Obesity ; Prader-Willi Syndrome* ; Scoliosis ; Strabismus ; Succinylcholine ; Trachea

OBJECTIVE: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) shows relatively delayed responses to pharmacotherapy when compared to other anxiety disorders. Therefore, more effective early therapeutic decisions can be made if the therapeutic response is predictable as early as possible. We studied whether the therapeutic response at 12 weeks is predictable based on the early improvement with escitalopram at 1 week. METHODS: The subjects were 28 outpatients diagnosed with SAD. The subjects took 10-20 mg/day of escitalopram. The results of the Liebowitz social anxiety scale (LSAS), Hamilton anxiety rating scale, and Montgomery-Asberg depression rating scale were evaluated at 0, 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment. Early improvement was defined as a ≥10% reduction in the LSAS total at 1 week of treatment, and endpoint response was defined as a ≥35% reduction in the LSAS total score. The correlation between clinical characteristics and therapeutic responses was analyzed by simple linear regression. The correlation between early improvement responses and endpoint responses was analyzed by multivariate logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: When we adjusted the influence of a ≥35% reduction in the LSAS total endpoint score on a ≥10% reduction of the LSAS total score at 1 week of treatment for the patients' age, the early improvement group at 1 week of treatment was expected to show stronger endpoint responses compared to the group with no early improvement. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that a ≥10% reduction in the LSAS total score in a week can predict endpoint treatment response.
Anxiety Disorders* ; Anxiety* ; Citalopram* ; Depression ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Logistic Models ; Outpatients ; Phobic Disorders ; ROC Curve