BACKGROUND: The purpose of this article was to identify the risk factors related to development of hemodynamically significant cardiac arrythmias in patients with mechanical ventilation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Holter recording and echocardiogram were performed after 30 minutes of ventilator initiation in patients on mechanical ventilation(MV) owing to respiratory failure(RF) from various reasons. From 68 patients, hemodynamically significant cardiac arrythmias were detected in 18 patients(26.5%). Initial mean arterial pressure, maximal heart rate, and initial pH were identified as risk factors for hemodynamically significant cardiac arrythmias. Additionally, the patients with pressure-controlled ventilation as an initial ventilatory mode developed hemodynamically significant cardiac arrythmias less frequently than the patients with other modes(15.8% vs. 40%, p=0.03). In multivariate analysis, initial mean arterial pressure(<70mmHg, odds ratio[OR]:5.5;95% confidence interval[CI]:1.2 to 24.2, p=0.026), maximal heart rate(>120/min, OR:19.7;95% CI:2.0 to 190.0, p=0.01), and pressure-controlled ventilation(OR:0.13,95% CI:0.03 to 0.55, p=0.006) were associated with the development of hemodynamically significant cardiac arrhythmias. CONCLUSION: Theses findings suggest that during the early stages of mechanical ventilation with acute respiratory failure, hemodynamically significant cardiac arrhythmias are directly associated with tachycardia(>120/min), initial MAP(<70mmHg), and, inversely, the initial use of pressure-controlled ventilation.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac* ; Arterial Pressure ; Heart ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Multivariate Analysis ; Respiration, Artificial* ; Respiratory Insufficiency* ; Risk Factors* ; Ventilation ; Ventilators, Mechanical

Amylase-producing multiple myeloma is a rare disorder and has poor prognosis. Its characteristics are elevation of salivary type amylase, extensive extramedullary spread, extensive bone destruction, shorter survival time, and abnormal karyotype. Recently, we have experienced a case of amylase-producing IgG kappa type multiple myeloma in a 63-year-old woman. On admission, serum and urine amylase was 8,450U/L and 169,710U/L, 85% and 86% of which was determined to be the salivary type, respectively. The other cause of hyperamylasemia had not been detected. The presence of immunoglobulin and amylase in the myeloma cells was demonstrated immunohistochemically. Bone marrow aspiration smear revealed 59.1% plasma cells. The cytogenetic study of bone marrow cell showed normal karyotype. The patient died 3 months after chemotherapy with melphalan and prednisolone.
Abnormal Karyotype ; Amylases ; Bone Marrow ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Cytogenetics ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperamylasemia ; Immunoglobulin G* ; Immunoglobulins ; Karyotype ; Melphalan ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma* ; Plasma Cells ; Prednisolone ; Prognosis

PURPOSE: To compare the precise roles of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) in the evaluation of patients presenting with hemoptysis and to determine the optimal timing for HRCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The results of HRCT and FOB were compared in 23 patients (15 men, 8 women) presenting with hemoptysis. Etiologies included bronchietasis (n=4), parenchymal pulmonary tuberculosis (n=4), lung cancer (n=4), endobronchial tuberculosis (n=2), and broncholithiasis (n=2). Hemoptysis was proved to be due to miscellaneous causes in an additional three cases and to be cryptogenic in four. The diagnostic results of FOB performed before and after HRCT were compared as were those of HRCT performed within and after the first 48 hours of active bleeding. RESULTS: FOB and HRCT offered a correct diagnosis in 39% and 65% of cases, respectively (p=0.005). HRCT demonstrated three cases of bronchiectasis and three of parenchymal pulmonary tuberculosis which were beyond the range of a bronchoscope. In two of five cases in which HRCT findings were nonspecific, chondromatous hamartoma and lung cancer were confirmed by FOB. In cases where HRCT was performed prior to FOB, the latter demonstrated the location and diagnosis in 82% and 47% of cases, respectively (p=0.303) ; when HRCT was performed after FOB, HRCT was correct in 67% and 17% of cases, respectively (p=0.178). In none of three cases (0%) in which HRCT was performed during the first 48 hours of active bleeding did the procedure allow a specific diagnosis. In 15 of 20 (75%) cases in which HRCT was performed after the first 48 hours, however, the diagnosis provided by CT was correct. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that in patients presenting with hemoptysis, both HRCT and FOB should be used for evaluation, since they are diagnostically complementary. FOB is more useful for the diagnosis of endobronchial lesion, and HRCT for bronchiectasis and parenchymal pulmonary tuberculosis. If, in cases of hemoptysis, initial diagnosis is attempted within the first 48 hours of active bleeding, FOB should be the initial step, and HRCT images should not be obtained until active bleeding has been shown on plain chest radiograph to have abated. If this initial approach takes place after the first 48 hours of active bleeding, FOB and HRCT are equally suitable.
Bronchiectasis ; Bronchoscopes ; Bronchoscopy* ; Diagnosis ; Hamartoma ; Hemoptysis* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Male ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the preemptive analgesic effect of a single intravenous infusion of low dose ketamine-clonidine. We compared the placebo with low dose ketamine and low dose ketamine-clonidine in patients undergoing an appendectomy. METHODS: Sixty ASA class 1 or 2 patients who received general anesthesia for an appendectomy were allocated randomly to three groups. Group 1 received intravenous normal saline 6 ml and group 2 received ketamine 0.15 mg/kg in normal saline 6 ml and group 3 received ketamine 0.15 mg/kg and clonidine 1microgram/kg in normal saline 6 ml 5 minutes before surgical incision. In the recovery room postoperative analgesia was assessed by the verbal numerical rating scale (VNRS) at 0 min, 15 min, 30 min, 60 min, 90 min and 120 min. Vital signs, sedation score and side effects were also checked. For postoperative analgesia, morphine 2 mg was given intravenously whenever a patient complained of pain, or the VNRS score was above 7. RESULTS: There were no intergroup differences of individual morphine requirements for postoperative pain control among the three groups. VNRS score, blood pressure, heart rate, sedation score and side effects were not significantly different among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: A single low dose of ketamine-clonidine may not produce a postoperative analgesic effect in the recovery room, and a single low dose of ketamine also may not produce the preemptive effect for at least 2 hours.
Analgesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Appendectomy ; Blood Pressure ; Clonidine ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Ketamine* ; Morphine ; Pain, Postoperative ; Recovery Room ; Vital Signs

BACKGROUND: The initial history, physical examination, and ECG assessment should focus on identification of potentially serious noncardiac or cardiac disorders, including coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and electrical instability at the emergency room. additionally, it is essential to define disease severity, stability and need for emergency therpy. echocardiography is a useful tool for this purppose. especially Doppler echocardiography may be more sensitive and time-saving diagnostic tool for the evaluation of patients presenting with cardiogenic symptoms. So we evaluate the feasibility of the echocardiographic measurement by emergency physicain after short-term course. METHOD AND RESULTS: Twenty volunteers(10 male, 38.8+/-9.3 years) were included in the study for measurement of myocardial performance index and established parameters of ventricular function using conventional echo-Doppler methods. Myocardial performance index: (ICT+IRT)/ET, was obtained by subtracting ejection time(ET) from the interval between cessation and onset of the mitral inflow velocity to give the sum of isovolumic contraction time(ICT) and isovolumic relaxation time(IRT). The most of mean values of echocardiogrphic parameters were not significantly different between those of cardiologist and those of emergency physicians(p<0.01). The duration for measuring myocardial performance index was shortest among echocardiographic parameters. the validity of echocardiographic parameters measured by emergency physicians was proved relatively good. CONCLUSION: It is proved to be feasible for emergency physician to perform echocardiographic evaluation of ventricular function after short-term course.
Coronary Artery Disease ; Curriculum* ; Echocardiography* ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Electrocardiography ; Emergencies ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Male ; Physical Examination ; Relaxation ; Ventricular Function*

PURPOSE: Cyclin D1, cytokeratin(CK)7, CK20 and vimentin play an important role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Our aim was to investigate the expression of cyclin D1, CK7, CK20 and vimentin in 138 papillary thyroid cancer and relationship with clinicobiological factors. We also tried to evaluate the value of those as prognostic factors. METHODS: We performed an immunohistochemical assay for cyclin D1, CK7, CK20, and vimentin in 138 papillary thyroid cancer tissue specimens. The correlation between these factors and the clinicobiological parameters was analyzed. RESULTS: In 138 papillary thyroid carcinoma specimens, the expression of cyclin D1, CK7, CK20 and vimentin was seen in 118 cases (85.5%), 133 cases (96.4%), 2 cases (1.4%) and 119 cases (86.2%), respectively. In our cases, there was a significant association among the expressions of cyclin D1, gender and lymph node metastasis. However, no obvious correlation was found between those proteins, age, tumor size, tumor amount, lymph node status and the TNM stage. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested increased cyclin D1 expression was seen in female gender and it may be a useful marker for evaluating lymph node metastasis. However, the clinical utility of cyclin D1, CK7, CK20 and vimentin in thyroid cancer patients has to be further defined by prospective studies with larger sample sizes.
Carcinogenesis ; Cyclin D1* ; Cyclins* ; Female ; Humans ; Keratin-20* ; Keratin-7* ; Keratins* ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prospective Studies ; Sample Size ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Vimentin*

BACKGROUND: A postoperative ileus after anesthesia and surgery may be bothersome to recovery and prolong hospitalization periods. The object of this study was to investigate the effect of lidocaine and ketorolac combined to fentanyl IV PCA on the recovery of bowel function after surgery. METHODS: Forty-nine patients undergoing a total abdominal hysterectomy were divided into three groups (F, FT, LFT). All patients received IV PCA for postoperative pain control. PCA contents were fentanyl 1,000 microgram only in saline 100 ml in group F (n = 16) and fentanyl 500 microgram-ketorolac 150 mg in saline 100 ml in group FT (n = 17) and LFT (n = 16). Group LFT received a lidocaine bolus (1.5 mg/kg) before induction and a continuous infusion of lidocaine (2 mg/min) until one hour after surgery. We measured postoperative pain scores (at postoperative 1 hour, 6 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours) and checked the first flatus time, the first defecation time, and the side effects. RESULTS: The intravenous lidocaine infusion group showed better pain scores at postoperative 1 hour only. The FT and LFT groups provided a more rapid return of bowel function than group F. A combined infusion of lidocaine and ketorolac had no difference in the return of bowel function. There were no significantly different incidences of nausea, vomiting and other side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Ketorolac allowed an earlier recovery of bowel function after surgery. However, an additional infusion of lidocaine was not helpful in the return of bowel function.
Anesthesia ; Defecation ; Fentanyl* ; Flatulence ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Ileus ; Incidence ; Ketorolac* ; Lidocaine* ; Nausea ; Pain, Postoperative ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis* ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: To compare 3D ultrasound (3D-US) with 2D ultrasound (2D-US) in terms of their usefulness and limitations in the diagnosis of breast masses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We obtained 2D and 3D US images of 37 breast lesions present in 20 cases of fibroadenoma, nine of cancer, and eight of fibrocystic disease proven in a total of 26 cases [fibroadenoma (n=13), breast cancer (n=9), fibrocystic disease (n=4)] by histologic examination, and by clinical evaluation and clinical evaluation with sonographic imaging in eleven. When comparing 3D and 2D-US images we had no prior information regarding detection rate according to the size of lesions, whether or not internal and boundary echo patterns could be interpreted, accurate differentiation between tumorous and non-tumorous lesions, or the accuracy with which benign and malignant tumors could be differentiated. RESULTS: For lesions of 1 cm or less in diameter the detection rate of 3D-US was lower than that of 2D-US, but for lesions over 1 cm there was no difference between the two modalities. In fibroadenoma and breast cancer, 3D-US was more useful than 2D-US for the evaluation of both internal and boundary echo, but with fibrocystic disease and in the diagnosis of tumor/non-tumor, there was no significant difference. In breast cancer, however, 3D-US more accurately determined malignancy, and in fibroadenoma, because of the pseudospicule revealed by 3D-US, this modality was less exact in determining benignancy. CONCLUSION: In the evaluation of internal and boundary echo in breast mass diagnosis, 3D-US was more useful than its 2D counterpart. For lesions of 1 cm or less in diameter, however, the detection rate of 3D-US was low, and since in some benign cases a pseudospicule was apparent, the possibiliy of confusion with malignancy arose. For these reasons, the usefulness of 3D-US was limited.
Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Diagnosis* ; Fibroadenoma ; Ultrasonography

Stroke is defined as a focal neurological deficit lasting more than 24 hours. The complications related to the central nervous system after general surgery is unusual and is difficult to discover the exact causes. We are going to report a case of an unexpected cerebral infarction after a Whipple's operation. The patient was a sixty-three years old female weighing 53 Kg with a diagnosis of cancer of ampulla of Vater scheduled for a Whipple's operation under general anesthesia. Preanesthetic assessment revealed a history of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. After surgery, she was alert but she appeared to have right hemiparesis, aphasia and right facial palsy. A brain MRI showed a cerebral infarction in the bilateral basal ganglia, left medial temporal lobe and insular cortex. The cause of the cerebral infarction in this patient was unclear. Cerebral thrombosis was first thought of, but we couldn't completely exclude other possible causes e.g., embolism etc. In cases where risk factors of a stroke were found in preoperative evaluation, it is important to correct risk factors preoperatively. Furthermore, it is necessary to prevent hypotension, keep proper hematocrit levels and temperature during an operation, and use hemocoagulase carefully in cases of patients having risk factors of thrombosis and embolism.
Ampulla of Vater ; Anesthesia, General* ; Aphasia ; Basal Ganglia ; Batroxobin ; Brain ; Central Nervous System ; Cerebral Infarction* ; Diagnosis ; Embolism ; Embolism and Thrombosis ; Facial Paralysis ; Female ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Hypertension ; Hypotension ; Infarction ; Intracranial Thrombosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Paresis ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; Temporal Lobe

Localized fibrous tumor of the scrotum is a very rare disease, and few radiologic features have been reported. We report the sonographic and CT findings of a case of localized fibrous tumor, which developed in the scrotum of a thirty-years-old man.
Mesothelioma* ; Rare Diseases ; Scrotum* ; Ultrasonography