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.
Preoperative Period*

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

No abstract available.
Dislocations* ; Knee*

No abstract available.
Colorectal Surgery*

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.
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*

Chondromas are benign tumor of cartilaginous tissue that is rarely found in spine. The authors document a rare case of a 72 year old male patient with a cervical spinal chondroma compressing the spinal cord. The patient had symptoms of motor and sensory deficits, dysphagia and dysarthria. C1 and C2 laminotomy was done and the spinal tumor was removed. The patient gradually recovered from his previous symptom after the surgery.
Chondroma* ; Deglutition Disorders ; Dysarthria ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Male ; Spinal Cord* ; Spine*