Opioid-induced chest wall rigidity is an uncommon complication of opioids. Because of this, it is often difficult to make a differential diagnosis in a mechanically ventilated patient who experiences increased airway pressure and difficulty with ventilation. A 76-year-old female patient was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) after surgery for periprosthetic fracture of the femur neck. On completion of the surgery, airway pressure was increased, and oxygen saturation fell below 95% after a bolus dose of fentanyl. After ICU admission, the same event recurred. Manual ventilation was immediately started, and a muscle relaxant relieved the symptoms. There was no sign or symptom suggesting airway obstruction or asthma on physical examination. Early recognition and treatment should be made in a mechanically ventilated patient experiencing increased airway pressure in order to prevent further deterioration.
Aged ; Airway Obstruction ; Analgesics, Opioid ; Asthma ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Fentanyl* ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Lung Diseases, Obstructive ; Muscle Rigidity ; Oxygen ; Periprosthetic Fractures ; Physical Examination ; Thoracic Wall* ; Thorax* ; Ventilation

Severe asthma represents 3–10% of all cases of asthma, but accounts for > 60% of total asthma-related medical costs. Uncontrolled asthma symptoms and frequent asthma exacerbations associated with severe asthma have profound adverse effects on patients' quality of life. The concepts of difficult-to-treat asthma and severe asthma are different; severe asthma represents one kind of difficult-to-treat asthma. Misdiagnosis, nonadherence, and comorbidities may also be causes of difficult-to-treat asthma. This review discusses important principles in the treatment of difficult-to-treat asthma and severe asthma.
Asthma* ; Comorbidity ; Diagnostic Errors ; Quality of Life

PURPOSE: We evaluated the psychometric properties of a questionnaire on the acceptance of the quality improvement information system (QIIS) among long-term care workers (mostly nurses). METHODS: The questionnaire composes of 21 preliminary questions with 5 domains based on the Technology Acceptance Model and related literature reviews. We developed a prototype web-based comprehensive resident assessment system, and collected data from 126 subjects at 75 long-term care facilities and hospitals, who used the system and responded to the questionnaire. A priori factor structure was developed using an exploratory factor analysis and validated by a confirmatory factor analysis; its reliability was also evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 16 items were yielded, and 5 factors were extracted from the explanatory factor analysis: Usage Intention, Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, Social Influence, and Innovative Characteristics. The five-factor structure model had a good fit (Tucker-Lewis index [TLI]=.976; comparative fit index [CFI]=.969; standardized root mean squared residual [SRMR]=.052; root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA]=.048), and the items were internally consistent(Cronbach's α=.91). CONCLUSION: The questionnaire was valid and reliable to measure the technology acceptance of QIIS among long-term care workers, using the prototype.
Health Information Systems ; Information Systems* ; Intention ; Long-Term Care* ; Psychometrics* ; Quality Improvement*

BACKGROUND: A cartilage wedge block and covering flap are standard procedures for firm elevation of the ear in microtia correction. However, using costal cartilage for elevation of the reconstructed auricle can be insufficient, and the fixed cartilage wedge block may be absorbed or may slip out. Furthermore, elevating covering flaps is time-consuming and uses up fascia, a potential source of reconstruction material. Therefore, we propose an innovative method using autologous onlay rib bone graft for auricular elevation of microtia. METHODS: From February 1995 to August 2012, 77 patients received a first stage operation with a rib cartilage framework graft. In the second stage operation, a small full thickness of rib bone was harvested through the previous donor scar. The bihalved rib bone was inserted into the subperiosteal pocket beneath the cartilage framework. RESULTS: The follow-up time ranged from 1 month to 17 years, with a mean of 3 years. All of the patients sustained the elevation of their ears very well during the follow-up period. Donor site problems, except for hypertrophic scars, were not observed. Surgery-related complications, specifically skin necrosis, infection, or hematoma, occurred in 4 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Onlay rib bone graft used to elevate the reconstructed auricle is a more anatomically appropriate material than cartilage, due to the bone-to-bone contact between the bone graft and the temporal bone. Postoperative minor correction of the elevation degree is straightforward and the skin graft survives better. Therefore, reconstructed auricle elevation using onlay rib bone graft is a useful and valuable method.
Bone Transplantation ; Cartilage ; Cicatrix ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Ear ; Ear Auricle ; Fascia ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Inlays ; Necrosis ; Ribs ; Skin ; Temporal Bone ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

Tuberculosis is still one of the major diseases in Korea. Recently, the number of tuberculosis patients with diabetes is increasing due to the increase in diabetes mellitus prevalence. Patients diagnosed with tuberculosis need a screening test for diabetes, and if diagnosed with diabetes, integrated management is needed. It is not yet strongly recommended to perform latent tuberculosis testing in people diagnosed with diabetes, for this, additional research is needed. In diabetic patients with tuberculosis, strict blood glucose control is needed, tuberculosis treatment could be prolonged, and insulin and metformin, which have no drug interaction with rifampin, are preferred.
Blood Glucose ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Drug Interactions ; Humans ; Insulin ; Korea ; Latent Tuberculosis ; Mass Screening ; Metformin ; Prevalence ; Rifampin ; Tuberculosis*

Background: Non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE), in which continuous epileptiform dis-charges occur without seizure-like movement, is rare and unfamiliar to anesthesiologists, both of which make this condition overlooked in patients with decreased levels of consciousness following general anesthesia.Case: We report on an elderly female patient who developed NCSE in the immediate postoperative period after the spine surgery. Initially, delayed emergence from anesthesia was suspected, but the electroencephalogram confirmed NCSE, and anticonvulsant therapy was initiated. Conclusions Delayed emergence is commonly attributed to cerebrovascular events or residual anes-thetic effects, but NCSE must be included in the differential diagnosis, especially in elderly pa-tients. Anticonvulsant therapy should be initiated as soon as possible for a better prognosis.

We report a case of intrathyroidal and ectopic parathyroid hyperplasia in a 47-year-old female patient with secondary hyperparathyroidism. During evaluation for end stage renal disease, hypercalcemia and hyperparathyroidism were detected in laboratory exam and thyroid nodules were found in computed tomography, and thyroid ultrasonography. In subsequent dual-phase technetium-99m methoxyisobutrlisonitrile (Tc-99m MIBI) scan, delayed focal uptakes were found in thyroid gland and the upper mediastinum. I-123 scan showed photon defects in thyroid gland and no uptake in the upper mediastinum. The imaging findings indicate intrathyroidal and mediastinal ectopic parathyroid hyperplasia. The intrathyroidal and ectopic parathyroid hyperplasia were confirmed by surgical approach. Tc-99m MIBI scan was useful for detecting ectopic parathyroid hyperplasia concomitant intrathyroidal parathyroid lesion.
Female ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; Hyperparathyroidism ; Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary ; Hyperplasia* ; Incidental Findings* ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Mediastinum ; Middle Aged ; Parathyroid Neoplasms ; Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Nodule ; Ultrasonography