Catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy associated with neuroblastoma is rarely reported. We report a case of catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy associated with neuroblastoma in a 33-month-old female that was treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). She was tentatively diagnosed with acute myocarditis and presented with hypertension. Because of rapid patient deterioration despite pharmacological treatments, ECMO was applied. ECMO can be helpful in cases of catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy associated with neuroblastoma.
Cardiomyopathies* ; Catecholamines ; Child, Preschool ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation* ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Myocarditis ; Neuroblastoma*

No abstract available.
Colorectal Surgery*

A 41-year-old male patient presented with idiopathic persistent hiccups. The hiccups did not respond to pharmacologic treatments including cisapride, omeprazole, and baclofen. Phrenic nerve block was also ineffective. However, the persistent hiccups were successfully treated with short-term positive pressure ventilation using a short-acting muscle relaxant.
Adult ; Baclofen ; Cisapride ; Hiccup ; Humans ; Male ; Muscles ; Omeprazole ; Phrenic Nerve ; Positive-Pressure Respiration

Herpes zoster as a result of reactivated varicella-zoster virus is characterized by vesicular eruptions on skin and painful neuralgia in the dermatome distribution. Pain during an acute phase of herpes zoster has been associated with a higher risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia. The current therapies for herpes zoster including analgesics and sympathetic nerve block as well as antiviral agents are important to alleviate pain and prevent postherpetic neuralgia. However, in some cases, the pain does not respond well to these treatments. We had a case in which a patient with herpes zoster did not respond to conventional therapy so we attempted to administer intravenous infusion of vitamin C which resulted in an immediate reduction in the pain.
Analgesics ; Antiviral Agents ; Ascorbic Acid ; Autonomic Nerve Block ; Herpes Zoster ; Herpesvirus 3, Human ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Neuralgia ; Neuralgia, Postherpetic ; Skin ; Vitamins

No abstract available.
Dislocations* ; Knee*

No abstract available.
Preoperative Period*

No abstract available.
Forearm*

No abstract available.
Forearm*

PURPOSE: To develop optimal microbubble contrast agents (MBCAs) for performing ultrasound microscopy when examining small animals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prepared three types of MBCAs. First, a mixture of three parts of 40% dextran and one part of 5% human serum albumin were sonicated with perfluorocarbon (PFC) (MB1-D40A5P). Second, three parts of 40% dextran and one part of 1% human serum albumin were sonicated with PFC (MB2-D40A1P). Third, all parts of 1% bovine serum albumin were sonicated with PFC (MB3-A1P). We measured the microbubbles' sizes and concentrations with using image analysis software. The acoustic properties of the microbubbles were assessed both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: The majority of the MB1-D40A5Ps had a diameter of 2-5 um, the mean diameter of the MB2-D40A1Ps was 2.5 um, and the mean diameter of the MB3-A1Ps was less than 2.0 um. Among the microbubbles, the MB1-D40A5Ps and MB2-D40A1Ps showed increased echogenicity in the abdominal vessels, but the duration of their contrast effect was less than 30 sec. On the contrary, the MB3-A1Ps exhibited strong enhancement in the vessels and their duration was greater than 120 sec. CONCLUSION: A microbubble contrast agent consisting of all parts of 1% serum albumin sonicated with PFC is an effective contrast agent for ultrasound microscopy.
Acoustics ; Animals ; Contrast Media* ; Dextrans ; Humans ; Microbubbles* ; Microscopy* ; Microspheres ; Serum Albumin ; Serum Albumin, Bovine ; Ultrasonography*

BACKGROUND: This randomized, controlled study was designed to compare the effects of recruitment maneuvers (RMs) with a 15 cmH₂O positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on the systemic oxygenation and lung compliance of patients with healthy lungs following robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP). METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing a RALP with an intraoperative 15 cmH₂O PEEP were randomly allocated to an RM or a Control group. The patients in the RM group received a single RM through the application of a continuous positive airway pressure of 40 cmH₂O for 40 s 15 min after being placed in the Trendelenburg position. The arterial oxygen tension (PaO₂, primary endpoint) and the pulmonary dynamic and static compliances (secondary endpoints) were measured 10 min after the anesthetic induction (T1), 10 min after establishment of the pneumoperitoneum (T2), 10 min after establishment of the Trendelenburg position (T3), 10 min after the RM (T4), 60 min after the RM (T5), and 10 min after deflation of the pneumoperitoneum in the supine position (T6). RESULTS: The intergroup comparisons of the PaO₂ showed significantly higher values in the RM group than in the Control group at T4 and T5 (193 ± 35 mmHg vs. 219 ± 33 mmHg, P = 0.015, 188 ± 41 mmHg vs. 214 ± 42 mmHg, P = 0.005, respectively). However, the PaO₂ at T6 was similar in the two groups (211 ± 39 mmHg vs. 224 ± 41 mmHg, P = 0.442). Moreover, there were no statistical differences between the groups in the dynamic and static compliances of the lungs at any time point. CONCLUSIONS: The arterial oxygenation of the patients with a healthy lung function who had undergone a RALP with intraoperative 15 cmH₂O PEEP was improved by a single RM. However, this benefit did not last long, and it did not lead to an amelioration of the lung mechanics.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ; Head-Down Tilt ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Compliance ; Mechanics ; Oxygen* ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Positive-Pressure Respiration* ; Prostatectomy* ; Supine Position