Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is an important cause of severe visual loss after blunt or penetrating head and facial trauma. High-dose steroids and surgical interventions have been applied in the indirect TON. However, there is no convincing evidence that results of the treatment have any strong benefits in terms of improvement of visual acuity. Nevertheless, surgical decompression should be considered in the case of a direct bony compression to the optic nerve and a progressive visual loss in indirect TON. Neurosurgeon should be aware the surgical indication, optimal timing and relevant technique for the optic canal (OC) decompression. In this review article, we will focus on the surgical approaches to the OC and how to decompress it.
Decompression ; Decompression, Surgical ; Head ; Neurosurgeons ; Optic Nerve ; Optic Nerve Injuries* ; Steroids ; Visual Acuity

Neurofibroma, one of the peripheral nerve tumor, is a complex benign tumor arising from skin, deep soft tissue, nerve tissue and bone. The incidence of peripheral nerve tumor is relatively low and it may occur either solitarily or diffusely. Plexiform neurofibroma, a type of neurofibroma, develops characteristically in the patients with von Recklinghausen's disease and its exact incidence is unknown. The case reports of solitary plexiform neurofibroma not associated with von Recklinghausen's disease were extremely rare. We reported a case of solitary plexiform neurofibroma on the median nerve.
Humans ; Incidence ; Median Nerve* ; Nerve Tissue ; Neurofibroma ; Neurofibroma, Plexiform* ; Neurofibromatosis 1 ; Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms ; Skin

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing job satisfaction among ambulatory care nurses. Methods: Data were collected through a self-evaluation survey of 129 nurses in one tertiary hospital. Data were analyzed using paired t-test, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Importance-Performance Analysis, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The mean scores were: for importance, 3.18 out of 4, for performance, 2.24 out of 4, for professional self-concept, 2.92 out of 4, and for job satisfaction 2.77 out of 5. There were statistically significant positive correlations between professional self-concept and job satisfaction (r=.37, p<.001). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that satisfaction with professional self-concept, clinical career, and age explained 47.0% of the job satisfaction of ambulatory care nurses (F=37.51, p<.001). Satisfaction with professional self-concept, clinical career, and age were statistically significant predictors of job satisfaction. Conclusion Findings indicate motivation programs according to clinical career would be useful to improve job satisfaction of ambulatory care nurses. Additionally, continuous education should be provided to strengthen the professional self-concept of nursing professionals in both undergraduate curricula and clinical fields.

Background: Renal fibrosis is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins and interstitial fibrosis. Alantolactone is known to exert anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antifungal effects; however, its effects on renal fibrosis remains unknown. Here, we investigated whether alantolactone attenuates renal fibrosis in mice unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and evaluated the effect of alantolactone on transforming growth factor (TGF) signaling pathway in renal cells Methods: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of alantolactone, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, histological staining, Western blot analysis, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed in UUO kidneys in vivo and in TGF-β-treated renal cells in vitro. Results: Alantolactone (0.25 to 4 µM) did not affect the viability of renal cells. Mice orally administered 5 mg/kg of alantolactone daily for 15 days did not show mortality or liver toxicity. Alantolactone decreased UUO-induced blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels. In addition, it significantly alleviated renal tubulointerstitial damage and fibrosis and decreased collagen type I, fibronectin, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression in UUO kidneys. In NRK-49F cells, alantolactone inhibited TGF-βstimulated expression of fibronectin, collagen type I, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and α-SMA. In HK-2 cells, alantolactone inhibited TGF-β-stimulated expression of collagen type I and PAI-1. Alantolactone inhibited UUO-induced phosphorylation of Smad3 in UUO kidneys. In addition, it not only decreased TGF-β secretion but also Smad3 phosphorylation and translocation to nucleus in both kidney cell lines. Conclusion Alantolactone improves renal fibrosis by inhibiting the TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway in obstructive nephropathy. Thus, alantolactone is a potential therapeutic agent for chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: After the resurgence of endemic malaria case in 1993, the number of malaria cases is increasing in succeeding years and most of patients were soldiers who served in the northern parts of Kyeonggi-do and Kangwon-do. Because group donations of blood from soldiers are frequent in these area, it is possible that donated blood from these area cause malaria. So we examined blood donation history of malaria patients to know their donation behavior. METHODS: The subject was 1,671 malaria patients who were diagnosed in 1997 and referred to blood transfusion research institute and their past donation history, time and frequency of donation were examined. The database consisted of malaria patients and blood donors who are known to be related with transfusion-transmitted malaria has been retrieved at each red cross blood center for every blood donors. The results were analyzed from January to December, 1998. RESULTS: About 60% (1,017) of 1,691 malaria patients in 1997 had donated their blood before diagnosis. The number of one time donation was 268; two time 289; more than three time was 460. Two hundred thirty six donors were checked by malaria registry file. In 236 donors, 92 cases were diagnosed with malaria, 96 cases were suspected to have malaria, 48 cases were namesakes. Conclusion: Because some malaria patients donate their blood after their diagnosis, it would be necessary to operate 'the computerized retrieving programme'to detect their donation after the diagnosis. Also, an education for malaria patients for their risk of transmitting malaria and strict history taking from donors for malaria will be required.
Academies and Institutes ; Blood Donors* ; Blood Transfusion ; Diagnosis ; Education ; Gangwon-do ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Malaria* ; Military Personnel ; Red Cross ; Tissue Donors

We report oliguric mannitol-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) early treated by continuous renal replacement therapy. A 70-year-old woman was admitted to the Department of Neurology with diagnosis of acute intracranial hemorrhage. Mannitol was infused for intracranial pressure control. At admission third day, urine output was abruptly decreased to 57 ml during first 6 hours and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine was increased to 54.2 mg/dL and 5.3 mg/dL respectively. Plasma osmolality was 340 mOsm/kg and osmolar gap was 70. Mannitol was immediately withdrawn and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) was performed to remove mannitol rapidly. Urine output was increased 6 hours later after continuous veno-veno hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) start. BUN and creatinine was decreased to 21.4 and 1.2 mg/dL at admission ninth day. Mannitol can develop oliguric AKI and CRRT may be of more benefit than conventional hemodialysis in the case of increased intracranial pressure.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Aged ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Creatinine ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Hemodiafiltration ; Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Intracranial Pressure ; Mannitol* ; Neurology ; Oliguria ; Osmolar Concentration ; Plasma ; Renal Dialysis ; Renal Replacement Therapy*

BACKGROUND: Ski injuries depend on many factors which involve the skier's skill, the skiing environment, and skier's equipment. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors associated with fractures by skiing accident. SUBJECT: We evaluated 566 patients with ski injuries who visited to the emergency post located in the YongPyong Ski Resorts from Nov. 1996 to Feb. 1997. Among the patients,379 patients had no fracture(group I) and 187 patients had fracture(group II). RESULT: There was no differences in mean age and sex ratio between two groups. Fractures of the lower extremities were more common than the upper extremities. Slipping was the most common injury mechanism. arming-up was done in 40% of group I and in 17% of group II. The fracture injuries were more common in the skier with intermediate(45%) skill than the beginner(29%) and the ones with advanced skill(12%). The slope with intermediate difficulty was the most frequent site of fracture accidents. The fracture group tended to choose the slope beyond their skiing ability. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that fracture during skiing can be prevented if skiers do warming-up prior to skiing and choose slope appropriate to their skiing skill.
Emergencies ; Health Resorts ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Sex Ratio ; Skiing ; Upper Extremity

BACKGROUND: The occurrences of pressure sores have an extensive impact on patients and the medical team. Pressure sores decrease quality of life and productivity, as well as increase the overall cost of treatment. The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors associated with pressure ulcers among surgical patients. METHODS: Data were collected from 588 patients who underwent general anesthesia. The data included age, gender, weight, height, body mass index, ASA status, surgical position, anesthesia time, pre-and postoperative hemoglobin concentration, serum albumin, NYHA class, co-morbidity, steroid use, body temperature, use of warming water mattress and preoperative hospital admission day. The patient's skin was inspected closely before surgery and again within 24 hours after surgery and the locations and severity of skin breakdowns were assessed. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (4.3%) developed pressure sores during surgery. The hemoglobin concentration change between the preoperative and postoperative period (> or =2 g/dl), position during surgery, length of stay before operation (> or =4 days), anesthesia time (> or =5 hours) and decrease in body temperature (> or =0.5degrees C) were significantly related to the development of pressure sores (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Five risk factors for pressure ulcers were confirmed. The anesthesiologist can decrease hemoglobin and modify body temperature; therefore, attention should be given to these risk factors during the operation.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General* ; Body Height ; Body Temperature ; Efficiency ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Postoperative Period ; Pressure Ulcer* ; Quality of Life ; Risk Factors* ; Serum Albumin ; Skin ; Water

Radiation recall is an uncommon phenomenon in which administration of a chemotherapy or another systemic agent induces an acute inflammatory reaction in previously irradiated tissues, often weeks to years after completion of radiotherapy.Gemcitabine can induce an inflammatory reaction within an area of prior radiation. Radiation recall is known to medical oncologists, however only few cases have been reported in Korean journals, therefore physiatrist who diagnose and treat the treatment-related physical impairments of cancer patients must know about it. We emphasize the importance of knowledge of this phenomenon when considering the differential diagnosis of painful limb edema in a patient who has received cancer treatment.

Contrast-induced encephalopathy (CIE) is a rare complication of angiography and endovascular intervention following administration of iodinated intravenous contrast agents. Neuroimaging findings of CIE usually show cerebral edema, leptomeningeal enhancement, and parenchymal signal abnormality on fluid-attenuated inverse recovery (FLAIR). Hyperintense acute reperfusion marker (HARM) generally implies an enhancement of the subarachnoid cerebrospinal fluid space on brain FLAIR imaging in cases of acute ischemic stroke or hyperperfusion syndrome. We report a case of possible CIE following cerebral angiography, accompanied by HARM sign.