Cholecystectomy is the best method for treating gallstone diseases. However, 10%–30% of patients who undergo a cholecystectomy continue to complain of upper abdominal pain, dyspepsia, or jaundice—this is referred to as postcholecystectomy syndrome. Cystic duct stump stones are a troublesome cause of postcholecystectomy syndrome. Conventionally, surgery is mainly performed to remove cystic duct stump stones. However, repeated surgery can cause complications, such as postoperative bleeding, biliary injury, and wound infection. As an alternative method of surgery, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is sometimes used to remove cystic duct stump stones, although the success rate is not high due to technical difficulties. Recently, peroral cholangioscopy, which can directly observe the bile duct, has been suggested as an alternative method. We report two cases in which a cystic duct stump stone was successfully removed via a single-operator cholangioscopy, after failure with an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

BACKGROUND: Adequate evaluation and monitoring for pre-eclamptic paturient and capable assistance before induction for anesthesiologist, must be taken to avoid sudden severe maternal hypertension with intubation during a Rapid Sequence intravenous induction. Such event predispose the paturient to intracranial hemorrhage and pulmonary hypertension with pulmonary edema. To diminish danger of hypertension that can be developed during general anesthesia and facilitate control of blood pressure, 24 women presenting for cesarean section were studied. METHODS: All received 17.9+/-2.6ml of 0.5% bupivacaine, including 3ml of test dose, through the epidural catheter inserted in T12-L1 interspace using 18 gauge Tuohy needle to the patients with a lateral decubitus position. We measured blood pressure and heart rate in 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after injection of 0.5% bupivacaine and 15 minutes after transferred to recovery room. RESULTS: The blood pressure of the patients started to decrease in 5 minutes and most decreased in 20 minutes after injection, the heart rate had little change but decreased significantly in 45 minutes. Apgar Scores of the neonates at 1 and 5 minutes were 7.3+/-2.0 and 9.2+/-1.5. The patients used ephedrine and crystalloid solution for correction of hypotension were 6 of 24 women and had no any systemic toxicity or neurologic symptoms by local anesthetics(bupivacaine). CONCLUSION: Continuous epidural anesthesia for cesarean section in preeclamptic patients is recommended for safe anesthesia.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Epidural* ; Anesthesia, General ; Blood Pressure ; Bupivacaine ; Catheters ; Cesarean Section* ; Ephedrine ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Hypotension ; Infant, Newborn ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Intubation ; Needles ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Pregnancy ; Pulmonary Edema ; Recovery Room

OBJECTIVE: Osteoporotic compression fracture is an increasing issue in this community and its diagnosis depends on the magnetic resonance images (MRI). Although T1- and T2-weighted images (T1WI and T2WI) have high sensitivity and specificity, the fat suppression technique gives more clear delineation of this abnormalities. Accordingly, we re-evaluated its exact sensitivity and specificity for the imaging diagnosis of osteoporotic compression fractures in our cases. For additional information about the osteoporotic compression fractures, we evaluate the fracture lines, fluid sign and adjacent discs change on the MRI. METHODS: Retrospectively, total 85 patients who had been diagnosed with acute osteoporotic compression fracture were enrolled. They all had been underwent MRI including T1WI, T2WI and T2- Spectral Adiabatic Inversion Recovery (SPAIR) sequence. RESULTS: In this study, the incidence of high signal intensity on T2-SPAIR image was very high (0.9917). The fluid sign was seen in 56.7% on the SPAIR image. The fracture lines were more observed on the T2WI than T1WI (p=0.0062). The adjacent discs change on T2WI and T2-SPAIR image were higher than T1WI (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: For the acute osteoporotic compression fracture, T2-SPAIR image is the most specific sequence of the all sequences. The fluid sign is another suggestive finding when considered other studies. T2WI is more useful to find the fracture line than T1WI. Abnormal signal intensity on the adjacent discs may provide additional information for the acute osteoporotic compression fractures.
Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Incidence ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Magnetics ; Magnets ; Osteoporosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Dilated cardiomyopathy(DCMP) is a primary myocardial disease of unknown cause characterized by left ventricular or biventricular dilatation and impaired myocardial contractility. In 1973, Kreulen et al. classified DCMP into two groups-one with generalized hypokinesia and the other with regional asynergy in addition to generalized hypokinesia. Diminished coronary flow reserve has been reported in DCMP with generalized hypokinesia but its mechanism remains obscure. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the degree of microvascular dysfunction and the difference of regional wall motion abnormality in DCMP with regional asynergy. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 11 patients (M:F=:5, mean age:60 15yrs) a diagnosis of DCMP with regional asynergy, normal sinus rhythm without left bundle branch block and normal coronary angiogram who underwent Doppler wire from September 1997 to December 1999. Left ventricle was divided into three territories according to the coronary arterial distribution by echocardiography(A: coronary artery territory showing regional asynergy, I: coronary artery territory showing intermediate wall motion, P: coronary artery territory showing relatively preserved wall motion). Coronary flow reserve(CFR) was measured at the mid portion of left anterior descending artery(LAD), left circumflex artery(LCX) and right coronary artery(RCA) with 0.014 inch Doppler guide wire before and during intracoronary injection of 12-18 of adenosine. Relative coronary flow reserve(rCFR) was obtained by the ratio of the CFR in coronary artery of the territory showing regional asynergy and relatively preserved wall motion to the CFR in coronary artery of the territory showing intermediate wall motion (CFRA/CFRI, CFRP/CFRI). RESULTS: Regional asynergy was observed in LAD territory in 4(36%) patients, LCX territory in 4(36%) patients, RCA territory in 3(28%) patients (p=s). The mean CFR was 2.5 0.6 in LAD, 2.4 0.5 in LCX, 2.4 0.6 in RCA(p=s). The mean CFR and rCFR in coronary arteries showing regional asynergy were significantly lower than those in coronary arteries showing relatively preserved wall motion(2.1 0.5 vs 2.7 0.6, p<0.05, 0.84 0.12 vs 1.11 0.11, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Degree of regional hypokinesia in DCMP with regional asynergy seems to be associated with that of microvascular dysfunction.
Adenosine ; Bundle-Branch Block ; Cardiomyopathies ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated* ; Coronary Vessels ; Deoxycytidine Monophosphate ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Hypokinesia*

To compare the effects of ketamine and tiletaminezolazepam (TZ) drugs widely used for the chemical restraint and immobilization of primates, on various physiological parameters and blood gas values in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca facicularis). Rectal temperature, heart rate, respiration rate and blood gas analysis were measured before treatment and at 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 min after administration. Additionally, in both groups, induction and maintenance times were compared. Heart rate, respiration rate, rectal temperature, pH and pCO2 were not significant different in the two groups. However, pO2 in the ketamine-treated group was significantly lower at 30 and 40 min than in the TZ-treated group. The induction time was short in both groups, and the maintenance time was longer in the TZ-treated group (67.8+/-6.5 min) than in the ketamine-treated group (42.3+/-6.7 min). However, decreased rectal temperatures must be watched and prevented following TZ administration to cynomolgus monkeys. It was considered that ketamine may be useful for short duration anesthesia including handling, physical examination, blood sampling and TZ may be useful for prolonged anesthesia including minor surgery and other surgical procedure.
Animals ; Body Temperature/drug effects ; Carbon Dioxide/blood ; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists/*pharmacology ; Female ; Heart Rate/drug effects ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Immobilization/*physiology ; Ketamine/*pharmacology ; Macaca fascicularis ; Male ; Partial Pressure ; Respiratory Mechanics ; Restraint, Physical/*methods ; Tiletamine/*pharmacology ; Time Factors

BACKGROUND: Although a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is highly sensitive for changes associated with ischemic stroke, the detection of an acute ischemic lesion is usually impossible within 6 hours of the stroke onset on a conventional MRI. The perfusion MRI is a new imaging technique for diagnosing acute ischemic stroke. We evaluate the clinical usefulness of the perfusion MRI in predicting the final infarct extent in 18 patients with acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory ischemic stroke. METHOD: The perfusion MRI was performed within 6 hours after the stroke onset in all patients with a single-section dynamic contrast-enhanced T2*-weighted imaging in conjunction with a conventional routine MRI and MR angiography. Time-concentration curves and cerebral blood volume (CBV) maps were calculated from the dynamic MR imaging data by using numerical integration techniques. We compared findings of CBV maps with infarction on a follow-up CT or MRI. RESULTS: In 14 of 18 patients, the CBV in the occluded MCA territory were decreased. In the remaining 4 patients with a reversible ischemic neurologic deficit (RIND) or transient ischemic attack (TIA), the CBV were increased in 3 and normal in 1. Out of 14 patients with a decreased CBV, two had focal regions of increased CBV within the affected territory, indicating reperfusion hyperemia. The regions of increased or decreased CBV were eventually converted to infarction on follow-up images in all 14 patients. Out of 4 patients with RIND or TIA, one showed focal infarction in centrum semiovale on a follow-up image. CONCLUSIONS: The perfusion MRI was useful for the assessment of hemodynamic change about cerebral perfusion and may predict the extent of final infarction in acute MCA territory ischemic stroke. These results suggest that the perfusion MRI may play an important role in the diagnosis and management of acute ischemic stroke.
Angiography ; Blood Volume ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hyperemia ; Infarction ; Ischemic Attack, Transient ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Middle Cerebral Artery* ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Perfusion* ; Reperfusion ; Stroke*

Childhood intussusception is usually idiopathic, and pathological lesions as the leading point are found in limited cases. Sixteen operative cases with leadpoints among 2,889 cases of childhood intussusecption treated at the surgical departments of the affiliated hospitals of Catholic University over 19 years are reviewed. The approximate incidence of pathological lesions as the leading point was 0.6%. The male to female ratio was 2:1. The mean age was 3.5 years. There was not an age preponderance. The symptoms were vomiting (63%), abdominal pain (38%), irritability (38%), bloody stools (25%), fever (25%) and abdominal mass (6%). The average duration of the symptoms was 2.4 days (1-10days). The most common lesion was Meckel's diverticulum, followed by malignant lymphomas, polyps, ectopic pancreas, and cecal duplication. An ileocolic type was most frequent, followed by ileoileocolic and ileoileal. Segmental resection or wedge resection of the ileum was done in 10 cases, ileocecectomy in 3, and right hemicolectomy in 3. Surgical reduction was done only in an ectopic pancreas, with no later recurrence. The average hospital stay was 10 days. Postoperative adhesive ileus occurred in two cases, and in one of them adhesiolysis was performed. One case of malignant lymphoma died at 28 days after surgery due to chemotherapy related complication.
Abdominal Pain ; Adhesives ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Ileum ; Ileus ; Incidence ; Intussusception* ; Length of Stay ; Lymphoma ; Male ; Meckel Diverticulum ; Pancreas ; Polyps ; Recurrence ; Vomiting

Diagnosis of knee jont pathology has been mainly dependent on clinical manifestations and invasive proceduressuch as arthrography and arthroscopy etc. However, these procedures are invasive. Arthroscopy is perfromed undergeneral anesthesia. Recently, with development of high resuloution CT with thin slices and multiplanarreconstructions capability, CT could be used to verify the internal structures of knee joint in noninvasive orless invasive way. From June ot December 1985, authors have experienced 19 cases of the knee joint CT. Among them,13 cases were operated and confirmed. We concluded as follows. 1. The diagnostic accuracy of the knee CT was 100%in lateral meniscal tearing, 92.3% in medial meniscal tearing, 92.3% in detachment of lateral collateral ligament,92.3% in medial collateral ligament, 100% in tearing of cruciate ligaments. 2. CT could be considered as a primarydiagnostic procedure in the knee pathology rather than more invasive arthrocopy or arthrography. 3. For theaccurate diagnosis of knee joint pathology, CT which can obtain thin slies, high resolution, multiplanarreconstructions is indispensable.
Anesthesia ; Arthrography ; Arthroscopy ; Collateral Ligaments ; Diagnosis ; Knee Joint ; Knee ; Ligaments ; Pathology ; Tears

PURPOSE: To study the availability of the radiological classification for incongruent hallux valgus deformities, which has been used as the key to the algorithm for selecting surgical options. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To determine radiological severity, 257 cases of incongruent hallux valgus deformities were studied. The hallux valgus angle (HVA) and the 1/2 intermetatarsal angle (IMA) were measured in each case. Following Mann's radiological classification system, the HVA and IMA were compared to determine any similarity in severity. The distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA) was also measured to observe the extent of its effect on the incongruent deformity. RESULTS: The HVA was 36.1degrees on average (range, 16-60degrees) and the 1/2 IMA was 15.8degrees on average (range, 5-30degrees). In 126 cases (49.1%), the severity between the 1/2 IMA and HVA coincided with the index classification, whereas. 131 cases (50.9%) did not correspond. Overall, the severity of approximately half the cases, could not be graded. The DMAA was 15.6degrees on average (range, 0-40degrees) and 133 cases (51.8%) demonstrated a value above normal value (>15degrees). CONCLUSION: The radiological classification system used as a guide for surgical decision-making needs to be revised, due to the overt limits of correspondence between the severity of the 1/2 IMA and HVA. Because the HVA would be influenced by both the lateral subluxation and bony deformity around the first metatarsophalangeal joint, it is reasonable to consider these factors on the HVA as elements to be corrected individually, instead of the HVA alone.
Classification* ; Congenital Abnormalities* ; Hallux Valgus* ; Hallux* ; Metatarsal Bones ; Metatarsophalangeal Joint ; Reference Values

PURPOSE: The Korean Intern Resident Association and Korean Society of Emergency Medicine announced the 'Hospital violence response system' to secure patient safety and provide a health care provider countermeasures against hospital violence. The aim of this study is to investigate the response to hospital violence in the ER and which measures could improve the current status. METHODS: Emergency medicine residents in the Seoul, Incheon, Kyung-gi area participated in the survey. The questionnaire included 4 categories (1. Awareness of protocol, 2. Experience and countermeasure for hospital violence, 3. Understanding of protocol, 4. Suggestions to improve against hospital violence) RESULTS: Among 362 candidates, 236 (65.2%) participated in the survey. Only 7.6% of residents have not experienced hospital violence. In the group of people who were aware of the protocol, participants tended to be more familiar with processes of the hospital violence response protocol, and willing to deal with violence using a better systematic support. People did not counteract to hospital violence because the process was thought to be too complicated. Only 63 participants were actively involved in an official course for countermeasure. Participants suggested that police should deal more appropriately with hospital violence. CONCLUSION: The hospital violence response protocol is thought to have a positive effect on appropriate management of hospital violence. However, a multi-disciplinary approach to hospital violence from the hospital, police, and judicial authority should be developed.
Emergencies* ; Emergency Medicine ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Gyeonggi-do ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Incheon ; Internship and Residency ; Patient Safety ; Police ; Seoul ; Violence*