Aconitine is a main component of Aconitum carmichaeli, a Chinese herb known to be effective for arthritis and neuralgia. Many senior citizens consume the herb as a folk remedy. Aconitine-associated cardiogenic toxicity has been observed but aconitine-induced cerebrovascular event has not been reported so far. We report two elderly patients who became unconscious and showed neurological dysfunction soon after ingesting aconitine for pain control. We speculate that the aconitine induced cardiac arrhythmia. This resulted in cardiogenic emboli formation with subsequent large territory cerebral infarction.
Aconitine

Successful block of the celiac plexus denervates the denervatives of the foregut and therefore can successfully interrupt nociceptive stimuli from the pancreas, stomach, liver, etc. Although permanent neurolytic block is much less successful for malignant chronic pancreatitis syndrome, it is specifically useful for treatment of intractable pain that often accompanies carcinoma of the pancreas or other upper abdominal visceral tumors. This was a case report in which intractable pain due to malignant gastric cancer was successfuly controlled by the permanent neurolytic celiac plexus block.
Celiac Plexus ; Liver ; Pain, Intractable ; Pancreas ; Pancreatitis, Chronic ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms*

Many studies have shown that epidural narcotics produce prolonged analgesic action. We instillated 2mg of morphine on the dura just before wound closure which was exposed for lumbar laminectomy. Sixty patients scheduled for laminectomy were devided into two groups i.e., morphine group (30 patients) and control group(30 patients). The results of this study were as follows: 1) In morphine group, 17 patients (56.6%) tolerated the postoperative pain without narcotic injection for over 20 hours, but 13 patients(43.3%) of the control group required narcotic injection within 5 hours. 2) Severe respiratory depression was noted in two cases from the morphine group. 3) It is a very simple and effective method for postoperative pain control.
Humans ; Laminectomy ; Morphine* ; Narcotics ; Pain, Postoperative* ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Wounds and Injuries

Most proximal humeral fractures respond satisfactory to simple conservative treatment. But operative treatment is recornmended in the cases that poor results are anticipated by prolonged immobilization, or because of the severe displacement and comminution. After Neer. in 1970, emphasized the need for operative treatment in displaced proximal humeral fractures, many papers reported better results with the operative management. Twenty five cases of displaced fractures and fracture dislocations of the proximal humerus treated at the department of orthopaedic surgery, Keimyung University with open reduction and internal fixation were analyzed clinically and radiologically. The following results were obtained. 1. The prevalent age distribution was the second snd third decades(average 42.6 years) and ratio of male and female was 2.1: 1. 2. In 10 of the 25 cases, wire loop was used for internal fixation, and the result was satisfactory in 8 cases. However, the disadvantage was difficulty in wire removal after bony union because the loop was buried in the callus or cortex. 3. Over-all results were excellent or satisfactory in 64% of 25 cases. There were 4 excellent and 1 satisfsctory in 5 cases of type Il fracture, 7 excellent, 2 satisfactory and 3 unsatisfactory in 12 cases of type III fracture, 1 excellent and 4 unsatisfactory in 5 cases of type 1V fracture, and 1 excellent, 1 unsatisfactory and 1 failure in 3 cases of fracture dislocation. 4. In 6 patients with four part lesions treated with open reduction and internal fixation and followed up for an average of 23 months(from 18 months to 3 years and 2 months), only one case of fracture dislocation revealed avascular necrosis with resorption of the head.
Age Distribution ; Bony Callus ; Dislocations ; Female ; Head ; Humans ; Humerus ; Immobilization ; Male ; Necrosis ; Shoulder Fractures

No abstract available.
Amphibians* ; HIV* ; Humans* ; Oocytes*

The insertion of a levine tube in the anesthetized or comatose patients who is intubated, is often difficult. Various methods used to facilitate the procedure have been reported, but none of them are completely reliable. So we are going to describe our method which showed satisfactory results. insertion of well lubricated suction catheter into the oral cavity is made iva the nose and followed by the orossophageal insertion of a Magill tube without cuff under direct laryngoscopy. At the same time, pulling out the suction catheter from the oral cavity is made by using Magill forceps under direct vision. The distal tip of the levine tube is then threaded into the guide Magill tube and advanced into the stomach. After identification of the presence of the tip of levine tube in the stomach by palpation by the surgeon or the aspiration of gastirc contents, the guide Magill tube is withdrawn from the esophagus. Next, connection between the proximal end of Levine tube and the distal tip of the suction catheter is mad and pulled out through the nose by pulling the suction catheter. The levine tube is made held by adhesive tape.
Adhesives ; Anesthesia* ; Catheters ; Coma ; Esophagus ; Humans ; Laryngoscopy ; Mouth ; Nose ; Palpation ; Stomach ; Suction ; Surgical Instruments

Objective: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) reduces functional activity and increases the rate of cardiovascular death in the elderly. Our study aimed to determine whether the presence of PAD in stroke patients affected the progression of disability or death one year after discharge. Methods: From April 2012 to March 2013, consecutive first stroke patients above 50 years of age without known PAD were enrolled. PAD was defined as a low ankle-brachial index (less than 0.9) measured by an automatic device. Clinical data associated with the stroke were collected from medical records. Disability in stroke patients was evaluated with the modified Rankin scale (mRS) on discharge day and one year after the index stroke. Progression of disability was defined as an increase in mRS more than one level at one year. Results: Among the 526 patients, 238 had ischemic strokes and underwent ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurement. Of them, 192 patients were included. In univariate analysis, age, dyslipidemia, discharge mRS, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, D-dimer, homocysteine, internal carotid artery stenosis, posterior cerebral artery stenosis, and PAD were factors associated with worsening mRS. After adjustment for these factors in the logistic regression analysis, PAD was an independent factor associated with worsening mRS. In the analysis of one-year mortality, patients with PAD had a higher death rate, but PAD was not an independent factor after adjusting for other variables. Conclusions: The presence of PAD in stroke patients suggests a chance of disability progression, but may not be a predictor of death after one year.
Atherosclerosis ; Peripheral arterial disease ; Stroke

Background & Objective: The number of ischemic stroke is increasing steadily. The recent stroke prevention strategies have targeted risk factors for preventing ischemic stroke. Community-based data that quantify the prevalence of these risk factors are needed to develop effective stroke prevention strategies. This study was performed aiming to establish customized prevention strategies by investigating vascular risk factors of ischemic stroke among the healthy adults in an urban population in Korea. Methods: The Prevention of Stroke and Dementia (PRESENT) survey collected data associated with stroke risk factors between 2007 and 2009 in Ansan city, Korea. Of 46,537 people, 2,843 were selected by random sampling, and final population included 358 men and 422 women over 50 years old. We checked modifiable risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, hyperlipidemia, atrial fibrillation, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and physical inactivity. Results: The mean age of study subjects was 60.1±8.2 years; 55.5% had hypertension, 18.6% had diabetes mellitus, 17.7% were current smoker, 44.9% had hyperlipidemia, 1.7% had atrial fibrillation, and 4.5% had cardiovascular disease. Men had more risk factors for stroke, and higher rates of diabetes mellitus and current smoking. However, women had higher cholesterol and obesity rates and lower physical activity. The proportion of individuals with >1 risk factor for stroke increased with age. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular diseases also increased with age, but low-density lipoprotein levels and current smoking decreased. Conclusions: This study provides valuable information to develop customized strategic policies for primary and secondary stroke prevention.
Stroke

Acetabular fractures are relatively uncommon, but when they occur they often result in permanent disability due to management difficulties. Undisplaced acetabular fractures have a good prognosis but major displaced acetabular fractures have always given rise to difficulty and concern during treatment and have a variable prognosis in different reports. In order to restore excellant function to a displaced acetabular fracture, anatomic open reduction and secure internal fixation followed by early mobilization are neccessary. And in order to approach fracture of acetabulm safely and with maximum ease, it is neccessary to understand the pathologic anatomy. The authors studied the sex and age distribution, clssification according to roentgenographic findings, associated injuries and methods of treatment of 49 patients who were admitted to the department of orthopedic surgery of our hospital from January, 1976 to June, 1981 under the diagnosis of acetabular fracture. The results of treatment of 31 patients who were followedup over a 6month period were as follows: 1. The mean age was 37 years, the range being from 17 to 71. 2. The most common cause of injury was traffic accidents (38 cases: 77.6%) which was followed by falls from heights (5 cases;10.2%). 3. Thirty cases were treated by conservative mea ures and 19 by surgery. The results were as follows: Excllent-10(32.3%), Good-14 (45.2%), Fair-6(19.3%), Poor-1 (3.2%), 4. The one case that had a poor result was a “T” shaped fracture with a central dislocation, which was impossible to reduce surgically due to severe comminution. 5. If the grossly displaced fragments are present they should be reduced and fixed surgically. But only if anatomical reduction and secure internal fixation is possible, surgery should be done. With a severely comminuted fracture, medial wall fracture, or central fracture-dislocation, surgical treatment is difficult therefore conservative treatment is better. 6. It is of great help to have various methods of roentgenography, conventional tomography, and computed axial tomographic scan in order to understand the pathologic anatomy of complicated acetabular fractures. 7. If surgery is attempted, it is essential to achieve an anatomic reduction and firm fixation by fully understanding the pathologic anatomy and by choosing an appropriate approach and fixative device.
Accidental Falls ; Accidents, Traffic ; Acetabulum ; Age Distribution ; Clinical Study ; Diagnosis ; Dislocations ; Early Ambulation ; Fractures, Comminuted ; Humans ; Orthopedics ; Prognosis ; Radiography

Peripheral nerve injury occurs mostly in company with tendon and muscle injuries, fractures, or dislocations. Because of the disabilities and socioeconomic loss caused by such injuries, much attention must be paid to the initial treatment, and later to the reconstruction and rehabilitation. At department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, 336 patients of nerve lesion were treated from Jan, 1980 to Dec, 1988. Among them 128 patients were nerve compression syndrome (carpal tunnel 52 patients, cubital tunnel 40 patients, thoracic outlet 16 patients, others 20 patients), and 50 patients were brachial plexus injury, and 168 cases were peripheral nerve injury. 50 patients of the peripheral nerve injury were treated with reconstruction and 118 patients were treatred with neurorrhaphy, nerve graft, and neurolysis. Of the 118 patients, 94 patients were followed up for more than one year, and the results of neurorrhaphy, nerve graft and neurolysis were analyzed. In 46 patients (73.0%) of the patients treated with neurorrhaphy, 7 patients (58.3%) with nerve graft, and 15 patients (78.9%) with neurolysis, good or excellent results were obtained.
Brachial Plexus ; Dislocations ; Humans ; Nerve Compression Syndromes ; Orthopedics ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries ; Peripheral Nerves ; Rehabilitation ; Seoul ; Tendons ; Transplants