Extensive laceration of the lung itself has relatively little attention as a threat to life compared with other intrathoracic organ injuries. The incidence of pulmonary laceration extensive enough to require thoracotomy is rare, but is higher than expected. The diagnosis of extensive pulmonary laceration may be difficult, but this injury should be suspected with attention and early thoracotomy can be carried out in indicated cases. Recently, thoracoscopy has assumed a major role in the management of a variety of surgical diseases of the chest. We experienced a case of extensive pulmonary laceration caused by nonpenetrating trauma, which underwent lobectomy by thoracoscopic surgery. A 21-year-old man who was injured in a motocycle accident was brought to Emergency Room from the scene by an ambulance, and complained of chest pain and dyspnea. A chest roentgenogram showed a hemothorax and fractures of the posterior ends of the right seventh, eighth, and ninth ribs. A chest tube was inserted. Thirteen hundred ml of blood was drained through the chest tube during the next one hour. Emergency right mini-thoracotomy revealed extensive laceration of the lower lobe extending to the pulmonary hilum. The lower lobe was the most badly torn. A lower lobectomy was done by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). He complained less postoperative pain and the postoperative course was uneventful.
Ambulances ; Chest Pain ; Chest Tubes ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Emergencies ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Hemothorax ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lacerations* ; Lung ; Pain, Postoperative ; Ribs ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; Thoracoscopy ; Thoracotomy ; Thorax ; Young Adult

No abstract available.
Epidural Abscess* ; Spondylitis*

No abstract available.
Animals ; Rats* ; Reperfusion*

No abstract available.
Subarachnoid Space* ; Syringomyelia*

Body surface potential map, an electric potential distribution on the body torso surface, enables us to infer the electrical activities of the heart. Therefore, observing electric potential projected to the torso surface can be highly useful for diagnosing heart diseases such as coronary occlusion. The BSPM for the heart of a patient show a higher level of sensitivity than 12-lead ECG. Relevant research has been mostly based on clinical statistics obtained from patients, and, therefore, a simulation for a variety of pathological phenomena of the heart is required. In this study, by using computer simulation, a body surface potential map was implemented according to various occlusion locations (distal, mid, proximal occlusion) in the left anterior descending coronary artery. Electrophysiological characteristics of the body surface during the ST segment period were observed and analyzed based on an ST isointegral map. We developed an integrated system that takes into account the cellular to organ levels, and performed simulation regarding the electrophysiological phenomena of the heart that occur during the first 5 minutes (stage 1) and 10 minutes (stage 2) after commencement of coronary occlusion. Subsequently, we calculated the bipolar angle and amplitude of the ST isointegral map, and observed the correlation between the relevant characteristics and the location of coronary occlusion. In the result, in the ventricle model during the stage 1, a wider area of ischemia led to counterclockwise rotation of the bipolar angle; and, during the stage 2, the amplitude increased when the ischemia area exceeded a certain size.
Cardiac Electrophysiology* ; Computer Simulation* ; Coronary Occlusion ; Coronary Vessels* ; Electrocardiography ; Electrophysiological Phenomena ; Electrophysiology ; Heart ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Torso

PURPOSE: Minimal change esophagitis (MCE) is a reflux disease without mucosal breaks, known to be partially associated with abnormal gastric motor function. Electrogastrography (EGG) is commonly applied to assess gastric motor function in a noninvasive fashion. We aimed to determine the relationship between MCE and gastric myoelectrical activity (GME) recorded on EGG in children. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed the records of 157 children without underlying disease who underwent both EGG and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at Gachon University Gil Medical Center between January 2010 and June 2015. The children were stratified according to the appearance of the esophagus (normal vs. MCE). Between-group differences in EGG parameters and their correlation with each MCE finding were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Only the power ratio, one of the EGG parameters analyzed, differed significantly between the two groups (MCE, 1.68±3.37 vs. normal, 0.76±1.06; p < 0.05), whereas the other parameters, such as dominant frequency, dominant power, and the ratio of abnormal rhythm, showed no differences. Among children with MCE, significant correlations were noted between erythema and power ratio (p < 0.05), friability and postprandial dominant frequency (p < 0.05), and edema and/or accentuation of mucosal folds and pre-prandial frequency (p < 0.05). Helicobacter pylori infection correlated with postprandial arrhythmia (MCE, 33.59±15.52 vs. normal, 28.10±17.23; p < 0.05). EGG parameters did not differ between children with normal esophagus and those with biopsy-proven chronic esophagitis. CONCLUSION: In children with MCE, gastric dysmotility may affect the development of MCE, manifesting as EGG abnormalities. H. pylori infection may also affect GME. However, larger prospective investigations are needed to confirm these findings.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Child ; Edema ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Erythema ; Esophagitis ; Esophagus ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Ovum ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: In this study, we examined the difference in the treatment efficacy depending on the sympathetic activity in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). METHODS: In the current single-center, retrospective study, we evaluated a total of 66 male patients aged 40-70 years of age, presenting with LUTS, whose International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) exceeded 8 points. They had a past 3-month history of taking alfuzosin XL, and their heart rate variability (HRV) was measured before and after the treatment. In addition, we also recruited 39 healthy volunteers who visited a health promotion center for a regular medical check-up. They were aged between 40 and 70 years and had an IPSS of <8 points. We divided the patients with LUTS into two groups: the groups A and B, based on a low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio of 1.7, which was the mean value of the LF/HF ratio in the healthy volunteers. After a 3-month treatment with alfuzosin XL, we compared treatment outcomes, based on the IPSS and peak urine flow rate, between the two groups. RESULTS: A 3-month treatment with alfuzosin XL, comprising the measurement of the HRV, was performed for the 23 patients of the group A (23/38) and 17 of the group B (17/28). After a 3-month treatment with alfuzosin XL, total IPSS and IPSS questionnaire 2 and 5 were significantly lower in the group A as compared with the group B. But this was not seen in the group B. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in other parameters, such as maximal flow rate and IPSS storage subscore, between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the treatment efficacy was lower in patients with sympathetic hyperactivity as compared with those with sympathetic hypoactivity. Thus, our results will provide a basis for further studies to clarify causes of LUTS in a clinical setting.
Autonomic Nervous System ; Health Promotion ; Healthy Volunteers ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms* ; Male ; Prostate ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome*

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a condition caused by spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, resulting in orthostatic headache as the main symptom, but other symptoms such as memory loss, nausea, and tinnitus may also be present. Various imaging techniques are used to diagnose SIH, with magnetic resonance imaging myelography being an important tool for detecting the leakage site of CSF. Conservative treatments including hydration, bed rest, and intravenous caffeine have been tried with limited success. Epidural blood patch (EBP) is the most commonly performed treatment for SIH after the failure of conservative management. There are different opinions about the EBP procedure (e.g., blind EBP vs. targeted EBP). This report describes the treatment of SIH with targeted EBP according to imaging diagnosis after the failure of initial blind lumbar EBP.

PURPOSE: This study was to investigate the effects of recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor (rhPDGF-BB) and heparin to titanium surfaces for enhancement of osteoblastic functions and inhibition of inflammation activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anodized titanium discs, not coated with any material, were used as a control group. In heparinized- Ti group, dopamine was anchored to the surface of Ti substrates, and coated with heparin. In PDGF-Ti group, rhPDGF-BB was immobilized onto heparinized Ti surface. The surface morphologies were investigated by the scanning electron microscope in each group. The release kinetics of rhPDGF-BB were analyzed, and cytotoxicity tests for each group were conducted. The biocompatibilities were characterized by measuring cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity, and calcium deposition using MG-63 cells. Statistical comparisons were carried out by one-way ANOVA tests. Differences were considered statistically significant at *P<.05 and **P<.001. RESULTS: The combination of rhPDGF-BB and heparin stimulated alkaline phosphatase activity and OCN mRNA expression in osteoblastic cells (*P<.05 and **P<.001). MG-63 cells grown on PDGF-Ti had significantly higher amounts of calcium deposition than those grown on anodized Ti (**P<.001). Heparinized Ti was more anti-inflammatory compared to anodized Ti, when exposed to lipopolysaccharide using the transcript levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 of proinflammatory cytokine (*P<.05 and **P<.001). CONCLUSION: The result of this study demonstrated that the incorporation of rhPDGF-BB and heparin onto Ti surface enhanced osteoblastic functions and inhibited inflammation.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Calcium ; Cell Proliferation ; Dopamine ; Electrons ; Heparin ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; Kinetics ; Osteoblasts ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis ; RNA, Messenger ; Titanium ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

PURPOSE: Preoperative chemoradiotherapy has become an important adjunct in the management of rectal cancer. But both systemic toxicity of chemotherapy and local effect of radiation interfere wound healing of intestinal anastomosis and ultimately may lead to anastomotic leak and septic complications. The purpose of this study is to determine the optimal time interval between preoperative chemoradiotherapy and anastmotic construction, and it was evaluated by security of anastomotic construction. METHODS: One hundred and twenty male Sprague Dawley rats weighing approximately 250 g were randomly divided into 4 groups (Control group; n=40, Group 1; n=20, Group 2; n=20, Group 3; n=40). The control group (n=20) underwent anastomotic construction at 1 week after general anesthesia without preoperative chemoradiotherapy. The experimental animals (group 1, 2, 3) received preoperative chemoradiotherapy with 5 daily dose (20 mg/kg) of 5-fluorouracil and single dose of 1500 cGy radiation at the rectosigmoid junction under general anesthesia on the day after last dose of chemotherapy. And group 1~3 subsequently underwent a laparotomy to make anastomotic construction at 1 week (Group 1), 2 weeks (Group 2), and 3 weeks (Group 3; n=20) after completion of chemoradiotherapy. The security of anastomotic construction was determined by bursting pressure, tissue hydroxyproline content, gross and microscopic findings of anastomotic area at the 5th and 10th postoperative day after anastomotic construction. To evaluate systemic toxicity after che-moradiotherapy, serial body weight and alteration of CBC were measured in the control group (n=20) and Group 3 (n=20) without anastomotic construction. RESULTS: At the 5th postoperative day, Mean bursting pressures of the all treated groups were lower than that of the control group (Control group; 88 23 mmHg, Group 1; 49 22 mmHg, Group 2; 56 17 mmHg, Group 3; 78 23 mmHg). The difference was not significant in the group 3 compared with the control group. Body weight decreased in the all treated animals. The mean body weight was lowest on the day 8 after completion of chemoradiotherapy and then it gradually increased. WBC and platelet counts also decreased in the all treated animals. WBC count was lowest on the day 1 and platelet count was lowest on the day 3 after completion of chemoradiotherapy. Mean hydroxyproline contents at the anastomotic sites in the all treated groups were higher than that of the control group, especially in the group 2 and 3. Similar histologic changes were observed in both group 3 and control group. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the optimal time interval for safe intestinal anastomosis after preoperative chemoradiotherapy is 3 weeks or later.
Anastomotic Leak ; Anesthesia, General ; Animals ; Body Weight ; Chemoradiotherapy* ; Colon* ; Drug Therapy ; Fluorouracil ; Humans ; Hydroxyproline ; Laparotomy ; Male ; Platelet Count ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Wound Healing