Laser in situ keratomileusis[LASIK]for myopia reduces the risk of corneal haze but adds to the risk of flap complications. We assessed the incidence of flap complications overall, the management, the impact of the complications on best corrected visual acuity[BCVA], and the trend in these complications during the surgeon's learning curve in the series of 621 eyes undergoing LASIK.Twenty[3.2%]of 621 eyes had flap-related complications.The incidence of intraop-erative complications was fourteen eyes[2.2%], and it included irregular keratectomy in ten eyes[1.6%], incomplete keratectomy in four eyes[0.6%].The incidence of postoperative complications was six eyes[1.0%], and it included epithelial ingrowth in five eyes[0.8%], and diffuse lamellar keratitis in one eye[0.2%].There weren't grave complications such as infectious keratitis or corneal perforation.There was no change between preoperative and postoperative BCVA in seventeen eyes[85%].No eye lost 2 or more lines of BCVA because of flap complications. In conclusion, flap complications after LASIK were relatively uncommon, and rarely lead to a permanent decrease in visual acuity.Physician experience with the microkeratome and the careful handling of the corneal flap may be important to decrease the incidence of flap mplications.But even though it occurs, proper management and treatment will result in good surgical outcomes without grave visual impairment.
Incidence ; Keratitis ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ* ; Learning Curve ; Myopia ; Postoperative Complications ; Vision Disorders

No abstract available.

Objective: Discriminating between pulmonary embolism (PE) and pneumonia in the emergency department (ED) is one of the fastidious tasks. Elderly patients are at more risk of PE and pneumonia than younger patients. This study aimed to determine whether the ratio of D-dimer to C-reactive protein (CRP) could be used as an adjunctive method to differentiate between PE and pneumonia in elderly patients. Methods: Medical records of patients visiting the ED diagnosed with PE and pneumonia were examined. Cutoff values of D-dimer (μg/mL) and the ratio of D-dimer to CRP ([μg/mL]/[mg/dL]) of subjects with PE or pneumonia were analyzed. Results: There were a total of 60 patients with PE and 152 patients with pneumonia. In addition, 15 patients had both PE and pneumonia. The cutoff value of D-dimer to differentiate between PE and pneumonia was 4.26 μg/mL (4,260 ng/mL) (area under curve [AUC], 0.861; sensitivity, 80.0%; specificity, 80.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.805-0.917). The cutoff value of the ratio of D-dimer to CRP to differentiate between PE and pneumonia was 1.24 ([μg/mL]/[mg/dL]) (AUC, 0.919; sensitivity, 84.4%; specificity, 84.2%; 95% CI, 0.878-0.960). Conclusion The ratio of D-dimer to CRP can be used as an adjunctive method to determine whether a computed tomography pulmonary angiography or a ventilation-perfusion scan can be performed to differentiate between PE and pneumonia in elderly patients.

Purpose: The study was performed to examine the error associated with image superimposition when computed tomography (CT) images of the dental region are substituted with dental scan data, according to the block-out material used in dental impressions. Materials and Methods: A typodont model was created by bonding orthodontic brackets to teeth on plaster dental stones using melted dental base-plate wax. In the experiment, 2 groups were compared: one using wax and the other using putty as the block-out material to prevent tearing of the impression material during the acquisition of dental impressions. In the wax group, dental cast digital data were superimposed onto the CT data of the typodont model using a tooth occlusal surface-based registration method. In the putty group, a surface-based registration method was used that incorporated not only the occlusal surfaces of the teeth, but also the area where the radiopaque putty covered the orthodontic brackets. The absolute value of the error on the dental surfaces was measured for comparisons. Results: Analysis of the scanned areas used for replacement in dental CT images revealed fewer superimposition errors when considering only the tooth occlusal surface area, excluding the area containing putty impression material. Conclusion The clinical recommendation is to block out the orthodontic bracket with radiolucent wax when obtaining dental impressions. Furthermore, only dental occlusal surface-based registration should be used for the superimposition and replacement of the CT image of the dental area with scanned data from a dental cast model.

Purpose: The study was performed to examine the error associated with image superimposition when computed tomography (CT) images of the dental region are substituted with dental scan data, according to the block-out material used in dental impressions. Materials and Methods: A typodont model was created by bonding orthodontic brackets to teeth on plaster dental stones using melted dental base-plate wax. In the experiment, 2 groups were compared: one using wax and the other using putty as the block-out material to prevent tearing of the impression material during the acquisition of dental impressions. In the wax group, dental cast digital data were superimposed onto the CT data of the typodont model using a tooth occlusal surface-based registration method. In the putty group, a surface-based registration method was used that incorporated not only the occlusal surfaces of the teeth, but also the area where the radiopaque putty covered the orthodontic brackets. The absolute value of the error on the dental surfaces was measured for comparisons. Results: Analysis of the scanned areas used for replacement in dental CT images revealed fewer superimposition errors when considering only the tooth occlusal surface area, excluding the area containing putty impression material. Conclusion The clinical recommendation is to block out the orthodontic bracket with radiolucent wax when obtaining dental impressions. Furthermore, only dental occlusal surface-based registration should be used for the superimposition and replacement of the CT image of the dental area with scanned data from a dental cast model.

Purpose: The study was performed to examine the error associated with image superimposition when computed tomography (CT) images of the dental region are substituted with dental scan data, according to the block-out material used in dental impressions. Materials and Methods: A typodont model was created by bonding orthodontic brackets to teeth on plaster dental stones using melted dental base-plate wax. In the experiment, 2 groups were compared: one using wax and the other using putty as the block-out material to prevent tearing of the impression material during the acquisition of dental impressions. In the wax group, dental cast digital data were superimposed onto the CT data of the typodont model using a tooth occlusal surface-based registration method. In the putty group, a surface-based registration method was used that incorporated not only the occlusal surfaces of the teeth, but also the area where the radiopaque putty covered the orthodontic brackets. The absolute value of the error on the dental surfaces was measured for comparisons. Results: Analysis of the scanned areas used for replacement in dental CT images revealed fewer superimposition errors when considering only the tooth occlusal surface area, excluding the area containing putty impression material. Conclusion The clinical recommendation is to block out the orthodontic bracket with radiolucent wax when obtaining dental impressions. Furthermore, only dental occlusal surface-based registration should be used for the superimposition and replacement of the CT image of the dental area with scanned data from a dental cast model.

PURPOSE: Dispatcher-assisted telephone instruction during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) improves the quality of CPR performed by laypersons. However, in Korea, CPR instruction guidelines for bystanders have not made. We therefore studied the effects of verbal instruction on the quality of chest compression. METHODS: Data from two randomized, double-blinded, controlled trials using identical methodology were combined to obtain 175 records for analysis. Subjects were randomized into either a "push as hard as you can and fast" (n=87) or "push down 5~6 cm, 100~120 rate/min" (n=88), verbal instructions in the 2011 Korea Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC). Data were recorded via a Resusci(R) Anne SkillReporter(TM), Laerdal Medical mannequin. Primary outcome measures included chest compression depth and chest compression rate per minute. RESULTS: The average compression depth and speed of chest compressions did not significantly differ between the two verbal instructions. CONCLUSION: The verbal istructions provided by telephone based on the 2011 Korean Guidelines for CPR and ECC are not effective. The instructions for high quality CPR of layperson should therefore be studied.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation* ; Emergencies ; Heart Massage ; Korea ; Manikins ; Methods ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Telephone* ; Thorax ; Verbal Learning

Patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are at high risk for spinal fracture even after a minor injury. Most spinal fractures with ankylosing spondylitis occur in the cervical spine, whereas spinal fractures in thoracic or lumbar spine are rare. These fractures are often difficult to detect on standard radiographs, because the normal anatomical landmarks are lacking and the abnormal spinal stiffness precludes optimal exposure of the spine. We report on a case of a 12th thoracic spine fracture in ankylosing spondylitis with bamboo spine after a minor injury. In this case, anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the thoracolumbar spine showed a bamboo spine typical for ankylosing spondylitis with no evidence of fracture. However, computed tomography showed a 12th thoracic fracture with burst. Therefore, this fracture, in a patient with AS involved all three spinal columns, was considered unstable.
Humans ; Spinal Fractures ; Spine* ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing*

Percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy is a relatively simple and safe procedure for the diagnosis of lung and mediastinal lesions. Systemic air embolism during and after percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy of the lung is very rare; however, it is still a complication that can cause fatal outcomes, such as cerebral infarction and myocardial infarction. Here, we report a 72-year-old woman who suffered a change in consciousness immediately after receiving a percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy for the pathologic examination of pulmonary nodules found during a routine health medical examination. She had left side weakness and ST segment elevation on an electrocardiogram. After a high concentration of oxygen, she recovered from neurological symptoms and electrocardiographic abnormalities. The authors report a case of air embolism occurring simultaneously in the brain and coronary arteries after percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Biopsy, Needle* ; Brain ; Cerebral Infarction ; Consciousness ; Coronary Vessels ; Diagnosis ; Electrocardiography ; Embolism ; Embolism, Air* ; Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Embolism ; Lung* ; Myocardial Infarction ; Needles* ; Oxygen

An aortoesophageal fistula is one of the very few causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding but can be fatal if the diagnosis is delayed. This usually occurs secondary to esophageal or aortic surgery. A primary aortoesophageal fistula is rare and less likely to be suspected. Here, we present a case of a primary aortoesophageal fistula that presented as massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding. An 81-year-old man with a history of aortic aneurysm had syncope and bright color hematemesis. The aortoesophageal fistula was not diagnosed early enough and the patient died. Therefore, emergency physicians should consider aortoesophageal fistula as a potential cause when encountering upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
Aged, 80 and over ; Aortic Aneurysm ; Diagnosis ; Emergencies ; Esophageal Fistula ; Fistula* ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Hematemesis ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Syncope