As a clinical tool to evaluate autonomic dysfunction, "Valsalva ratio" was measured in 36 Parkinson's disease patients (15 men, 21 women) and 10 control subjects (4 men, 6 women). In this study, the Valsalva ratio was defined as the ratio of peak to nadir heart rate during Valsalva maneuver, namely voluntary and transient breathholding in maximal inspiration state with subsequent release by the subject. EKG was monitored throughout the whole process to observe the moment to moment change of heart rate. The subject group with Parkinson's disease was subdivided by clinical variables including sex, are, Hoehn and Yahr clinical stage, duration of symptoms, and duration of therapy with L-dopa containing drugs. The Valsalva ratio of the subject group as a whole was less than that of the control group (P<0.05). But the differences of Valsalva ratio between the subgroups graded by above clinical variables of Parkinson's disease were not statistically significant. The clinical applicability of "Valsalva ratio" measurement described in this study was discussed.
Electrocardiography ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Levodopa ; Male ; Parkinson Disease* ; Valsalva Maneuver

Interest in the prevalence of patent foramen ovale(PFO) and its relation to embolic stroke has increased with the sophistication of methods for noninvasive cardiac assessment. The effect of foramen ovale closure on the risk for subsequent strokes is promised. A 22-year old woman was presented with sudden onset of cerebral infarct. She had a patent formen ovale, and right to left shunt during the Valsalva maneuver, which was diagnosed by transesophageal contrast echocardiography. Transcatheter closure of PFO was performed with Rashkind PDA umbrella under the guidance of transesophageal echocardiography. Transcatheter closure of PFO can be accomplised with little morbidity and may reduce the risk of embolic episode.
Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal* ; Female ; Foramen Ovale ; Foramen Ovale, Patent* ; Humans ; Prevalence ; Stroke* ; Valsalva Maneuver ; Young Adult

The occurrences of pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum are rare, but considered to be potentially life-threatening conditions in patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery under general anesthesia. Tracheobronchial rupture may results in serious complications, such as pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum. It may occur accidentally by endotracheal tube when the patient's neck is flexed or extended. We report the case of a 48-year-old female patient who developed massive subcutaneous emphysema, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and pneumoperitoneum seven hours after functional endoscopic sinus surgery under general anesthesia.
Anesthesia, General ; Female ; Humans ; Mediastinal Emphysema ; Neck ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Pneumothorax ; Rupture ; Subcutaneous Emphysema ; Valsalva Maneuver

PURPOSE: To report one case of recurrent Valsalva retinopathy presented as subretinal hemorrhage associated with exercising a barbell in a healthy man. METHODS: A 47-year-old healthy man visited our hospital complaining of a pericentral blind-spot in the right visual field. At first visit, visual acuity was 20/20 without correction. Anterior segment examination was unremarkable and dilated fundus examination revealed a subretinal hemorrhage in the inferior area of the macula. We followed up the visual acuity, anterior segment exam, fundus examination, and fluorescein angiography for several weeks. RESULTS: Three weeks after the first visit, the size of subretinal hemorrhage decreased, but recurrent subretinal hemorrhage presented after exercising a barbell at the existing hemorrhagic part and its inferior area. Six weeks after the recurrent hemorrhage, the hemorrhage was resolved completely and the pericentral blind-spot was recovered. CONCLUSIONS: Valsalva hemorrhagic retinopathy is characterised by retinal hemorrhage occurring in healthy individuals due to a rapid rise in intrathoracic or intra-abdominal pressure. In this case, there was recurrent subretinal hemorrhage after repeatedly exercising a barbell. So, it is very important to educate patients about the restriction of excessive Valsalva maneuver to prevent recurrent Valsalva retinopathy.
Fluorescein Angiography ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Retinal Hemorrhage ; Valsalva Maneuver ; Visual Acuity ; Visual Fields

BACKGROUND: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is increasingly being recognized in stroke patients. The capability of transcranial Doppler (TCD) to detect a PFO has been established. We studied the frequency of PFO in patients with ischemic stroke. METHODS: Eighty-nine patients with ischemic stroke (62 men, mean age: 56.5) consecutively underwent a contrast-enhanced TCD with monitoring of the bilateral middle cerebral arteries (MCA). The contrast solution, which consisted of 8 ml of normal saline, 1 ml of air, and 0.2 ml of patient's blood, was injected twice during normal breathing and the Valsalva maneuver. High intensity transient signals (HITS) were counted for 30 seconds after the injection. RESULTS: Patent foramen ovale was detected in 19 patients (21%). The mean age was similar in those with (55 years) and those without (57 years) PFO. Patent foramen ovale was more frequent among men (26%) than women (11%). There were no differences in the frequency of PFO among stroke subtypes (large artery atherosclerosis, 18%; small artery occlusion, 27%; cardioembolic, 27%; undetermined cause, 11%). CONCLUSIONS: Patent foramen ovale is common in patients with ischemic stroke of all subtypes.
Arteries ; Atherosclerosis ; Female ; Foramen Ovale, Patent* ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Male ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Respiration ; Stroke* ; Valsalva Maneuver

PURPOSE: To assess the performance of contrast-enhanced three-dimensional(3-D) magnetic resonance venography (MRV) of the pelvis and lower extremities in patients with varicose veins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ascending and MR venography were performed in seven legs of seven patients, and duplex Doppler sonography and MR venography in 15 legs of 12 patients, all referred for evaluation of varicose veins. For analysis, the venous system as revealed by ascending and MR venographic images was divided into 13 segments. For detection of reflux to the great saphenous vein, duplex Doppler sonography and MRV were performed. RESULTS: In ascending venography and MRV, 91 venous segments were potentially visible; both modalities depicted 78 of these, but failed to detect four. Ascending venography and MRV detected 17 and 19 varices, respectively. When two tourniquets were placed around the ankle and knee using the Valsalva maneuver, MRV and duplex Doppler sonography detected reflux in 8 of 11 and 13 of 15 legs, respectively. CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced 3-D MRV comprehensively displays the venous system of the lower extremities and permits assessment of varicose veins. MRV using the Valsalva maneuver allows assessment of reflux to the great saphenous vein.
Ankle ; Humans ; Knee ; Leg ; Lower Extremity* ; Pelvis ; Phlebography* ; Saphenous Vein ; Tourniquets ; Valsalva Maneuver ; Varicose Veins*

PURPOSE: To assess the ability of scrotal Doppler ultrasonography to confirm the diagnosis of clinical varicoceles and detect subclinical varicoceles. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Sixty patients with clinically evident varicocele were examined by scrotal doppler ultrasonography(gray scale: 60 patients, spectral Doppler: 35 patients, color Doppler: 22 patients). A control group of 21 patients with no suspected scrotal pathology also were studied. The age range of the varicocele group was 12-49 years. The normal group consisted of 21 subjects aged 19-23 years. Ultrasonographic measurement of scrotal vein diameter of patients before and during Valsalva maneuver, and scrotal vein blood flow reversal with Valsalva maneuver was compared with the findings of varicocele by physical examination. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in scrotal vein diameter before and during Valsalva maneuver between normal and varicocele testicular units. Cut-off points were selected in an arbitrary fashion on the basis of scattergram. Using this cut-off points and blood flow reversal, we found that 12(23%) of 53 patients with a clinically palpable left unilateral varicocele had an ultrasonographically positive subclinical right varicocele. 8(38%) of 21 patients without a clinical varicocele had a positive scrotal ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that scrotal doppler ultrasonography is a reliable means of confirming the clinical varicocele and screening the subclinical varicoceles.
Diagnosis ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Pathology ; Physical Examination ; Ultrasonography ; Ultrasonography, Doppler* ; Valsalva Maneuver ; Varicocele* ; Veins

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between Valsalva leak-point pressure (VLPP) and cough leak-point pressure (CLPP) in the patients with stress incontinence and to determine the correlation between maximal urethral closure pressure(MUCP) and leak point pressure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty women with stress urinary incontinence were included. Two women were excluded from the evaluation because of detrusor instability. At the bladder volume of 200-300ml cough leak-point pressure and Valsalva leak-point pressure were measured in the sitting position by using 8Fr intravesical catheter. RESULTS: Valsalva leak-point pressure was significantly lower than cough leak-point pressure (69.4+/-24.5 versus 86.6+/-28.1cmH2O, p<0.0001). If intrinsic sphincter deficiency was defined as a leak-point pressure of 60cmH2O or less, 21.4% of women fulfilled this criterion using the cough leak-point pressure compared to 42.8% if the Valsalva leak-point pressure is used. Valsalva leak-point pressure and maximal urethral closure pressure were statistically correlated (p<0.05). However, a correlation coefficient of 0.38 demonstrated poor clinical relationship. CONCLUSION: Cough leak-point pressures were significantly higher than Valsalva leak-point pressures. Cough and Valsalva maneuvers seem to result in a different reaction of the pelvic floor. Valsalva leak-point pressure has more statistical correlation to the maximal urethral closure pressure than cough leak-point pressure. So Valsalva leak-point pressure may have a additional benefit for detecting type III stress urinary incontinence. However, variations in Valsalva leak-point pressure measurement must be precisely descibed, standardized, and validated before a technique can be advocated for clinical use.
Catheters ; Cough* ; Female ; Humans ; Pelvic Floor ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Incontinence* ; Valsalva Maneuver*

The majority of melanotic neoplasms of central nervous system(CNS) are metastatic in origin and rarely a primary CNS melanomas, and are usually histologically and clinically malignant in nature. The meningeal melanocytomas are benign, primary melanotic neoplasm and are less common than primary CNS melanoma. They usually present in early adult and have a characteristic appearance in light and electron microscope. A 42-year-old male is presented with pain on the neck and suboccipital region which was worse with flexion and Valsalva's maneuver. MRI revealed homogenous high signal intensity on the T 1 weighted image and low signal intensity on the T 2 weighted image. At operation, the tumor was well circumscribed, pigmented lesion and was attached to dura and cord. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of spindled and epithelioid cells with often prominent nucleoli, without evidence of mitosis and necrosis.
Adult ; Epithelioid Cells ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Melanoma ; Mitosis ; Neck ; Necrosis ; Valsalva Maneuver

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to assess effects of testicular volume difference and retrograde venous flow of pampiniform plexus measured by Duplex Doppler Ultrasonograpy (DDU) in patients with adolescent varicocele. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Physical examinations and DDU were performed to assess varicocele in fifty five patients with left sided adolescent varicocele. During both normal respiration and the Valsalva's maneuver, the maximum venous diameter (MVD), maximal velocity of reflux and the peak retrograde flow volume (RFV) was measured by DDU. The percentage testicular volume difference (%) between the right and left testicle was calculated as (right testicular volume-left testicular volume)x100/right testicular volume and divided into 3 group; below 10%, 10~20%, >20%. Grade of varicocele, MVD and peak RFV were analyzed as possible determinants of testicular hypotrophy in adolescent varicocele. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients (mean age 17.8 years, range 12 to 20) were included in this study. Of these, physical examination reviewed that 7 (12.7%), 18 (32.7%), 30 (54.6%) patients had grade I, II or III varicoceles on the left side respectively. The mean MVD was significantly higher according to grade of varicocele. The mean maximal velocity of reflux was significantly higher in the patients grade II and III than grade I, but was not significant between grade II and III. The mean peak RFV was significantly higher according to grade of varicocele. RFV was the only significant parameter of predictive value for percentage testicular volume difference. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with peak RFV >35ml minutes showed significant reduction of testicular volume. Measurement of RFV is recommended as predictive tools for assessing the percentage testicular volume difference in patients with adolescent varicocele.
Adolescent ; Humans ; Organophosphorus Compounds ; Physical Examination ; Respiration ; Testis ; Triazoles ; Valsalva Maneuver ; Varicocele