No abstract available.
Pulmonary Aspergillosis*

No abstract available.
Aneurysm*

BACKGROUND: Horner's syndrome, including ptosis and miosis, is a sign of success following stellate ganglion block (SGB). However, it is not sufficient to ensure adequate sympathetic block to the upper extremity. There are numerous recommended local anesthetic volumes for SGB. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of differing volumes used in SGB on the elevation of skin temperature of ipsilateral upper extremity, and to find the volume required to elevate skin temperature most frequently. METHODS: Patients with sensory neural hearing loss underwent SGB, repeated daily in the paratracheal approach using different volumes (6, 8, 10, 12 and 16 ml) of 0.2% bupivacaine. Skin temperatures were checked in the hypothenar area before SGB, and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 and 15 minutes following SGB. Time intervals required for the elevation of skin temperature 1oC above the preblock level, and for the appearance of Horner's syndrome were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients repeatedly received SGB over 4 times at different volumes. The total SGB was 100 times, and all displayed Horner's syndrome. The total incidence of skin temperature elevation was 48%. Horner's syndrome appeared prior to the elevation of skin temperature (2.0 2.1 vs 5.3 3.8 min). There were significant differences in the incidence of skin temperature elevation, depending on the volume of the local anesthetics; 6 ml (17.6%), 8 ml (34.8%), 10 ml (52.2%), 12 ml (73.9%) and 16 ml (57.1%); greater volumes resulted in high incidences (pearson chi-square test, P = 0.005). The volume of twelve ml resulted in the highest incidence. Each patient needed different minimal volume to lead to the skin temperature elevation; 6 ml (13.1%), 8 ml (21.7%), 10 ml (17.4%), 12 ml (26.1%) and 16 ml (4.4%), and several patients (17.4%) did not have elevated skin temperature at any volumes. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals that a large volume of local anesthetic (e.g. 12 ml) is needed in SGB for adequate sympathetic blockade to the upper extremity, and that each patient needs a different minimal volume for the skin temperature elevation to occur.
Anesthetics, Local ; Bupivacaine ; Hearing Loss ; Horner Syndrome ; Humans ; Incidence ; Miosis ; Skin Temperature* ; Skin* ; Stellate Ganglion* ; Upper Extremity*

BACKGROUND: Horner's syndrome, including ptosis and miosis, is a sign of success following stellate ganglion block (SGB). However, it is not sufficient to ensure adequate sympathetic block to the upper extremity. There are numerous recommended local anesthetic volumes for SGB. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of differing volumes used in SGB on the elevation of skin temperature of ipsilateral upper extremity, and to find the volume required to elevate skin temperature most frequently. METHODS: Patients with sensory neural hearing loss underwent SGB, repeated daily in the paratracheal approach using different volumes (6, 8, 10, 12 and 16 ml) of 0.2% bupivacaine. Skin temperatures were checked in the hypothenar area before SGB, and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 and 15 minutes following SGB. Time intervals required for the elevation of skin temperature 1oC above the preblock level, and for the appearance of Horner's syndrome were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients repeatedly received SGB over 4 times at different volumes. The total SGB was 100 times, and all displayed Horner's syndrome. The total incidence of skin temperature elevation was 48%. Horner's syndrome appeared prior to the elevation of skin temperature (2.0 2.1 vs 5.3 3.8 min). There were significant differences in the incidence of skin temperature elevation, depending on the volume of the local anesthetics; 6 ml (17.6%), 8 ml (34.8%), 10 ml (52.2%), 12 ml (73.9%) and 16 ml (57.1%); greater volumes resulted in high incidences (pearson chi-square test, P = 0.005). The volume of twelve ml resulted in the highest incidence. Each patient needed different minimal volume to lead to the skin temperature elevation; 6 ml (13.1%), 8 ml (21.7%), 10 ml (17.4%), 12 ml (26.1%) and 16 ml (4.4%), and several patients (17.4%) did not have elevated skin temperature at any volumes. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals that a large volume of local anesthetic (e.g. 12 ml) is needed in SGB for adequate sympathetic blockade to the upper extremity, and that each patient needs a different minimal volume for the skin temperature elevation to occur.
Anesthetics, Local ; Bupivacaine ; Hearing Loss ; Horner Syndrome ; Humans ; Incidence ; Miosis ; Skin Temperature* ; Skin* ; Stellate Ganglion* ; Upper Extremity*

No abstract available.
Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged* ; Myofibroblasts

Hypertension is a well known causative factor of congestive heart failure and other cardiovascular disease, and usually induce myocardial hypertrophy. Recent study shows that some antihypertensive drugs may reduce the hypertrophied cardiac mass reversibly. And over the past some decades, increasing attention was focused on these drugs. These drugs include methyldopa, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, calcium channel inhibitor, beta-adrenergic blocker, but diuretics and vasodilators were known not to reduce the hypertrophied ventricular mass. In this study, 46 hypertensive patients were managed by captopril, atenolol, or hydrochlorothiazide monotherapy. And wer estimated and follow up LV mass by echocardiography during 3 months. Captopril and atenolol group showed LV mass reduced, but hydrochlorothiazide group did not. LV mass was reduced more in captopril group than in atenolo group. In conclusion, we have been impressed by this study that diuretics monotherapy for hypertension shoud be reconsidered. And we concluded that drugs which can reduce myocardial mass shoud be chosen to control hypertension as a monotherapeutic drug or a additive drug.
Antihypertensive Agents ; Atenolol ; Calcium Channels ; Captopril ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Diuretics ; Echocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Hydrochlorothiazide ; Hypertension* ; Hypertrophy ; Methyldopa ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; Vasodilator Agents

PURPOSE: To report five cases with management of macular folds by submacluar BSS injection and partial fluid-gas exchange. METHODS: This prospective study report 5 patients (5 eyes). Between December 1999 and October 2002, 5 patients with macular folds underwent submacular BSS injection and partial fluid-gas exchange. We analysed the preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity, color fundus photography, FAG and Amsler-Grid test. RESULTS: Four cases developed macular folds postoperatively and one case was due to secondary macular folds;complicated with fibrovascular traction by proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The surgery was anatomically successful in all 5 cases. Visual acuity increased two line or more in 4 cases. Subjective metamorphopsia decreased in all 5 patients. CONCLUSIONS: It is thoughted that submacluar BSS injection and partial fluid-gas exchange can be new and effective method in selective cases of macular folds.
Diabetic Retinopathy ; Humans ; Photography ; Prospective Studies ; Traction ; Vision Disorders ; Visual Acuity

No abstract available.
Drug Therapy* ; Gestational Trophoblastic Disease*

PURPOSE: To report the results of nonvitrectomized peeling surgery in patients who have idiopathic epiretinal membrane(ERM). METHODS: This prospective, nonrandomized study covered 4 cases. From June 1999 through January 2000, 4 patients with idiopathic ERM underwent unilateral nonvitrectomizing peeling surgery. Two sclerotomy sites were made. The membrane was separated from the surface of the retina with endoilluminator and pick. It was removed from the eye in all cases with intraocular forceps. RESULTS: Postoperative average follow-up period is 14 months(12 to 21 months). Preoperative subjective symptoms were decreased vision and metamorphopsia. Preoperative visual acuity(0.4 to 0.6) was improved(0.7 to 0.9). Refractive changes did not occur. Postoperatively, metamorphopsia disappeared in 3 eyes. There were no developments of cataract during postoperative follow-up periods. No serious complications were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Although interpretation of the results of this study is limited due to its small size and short follow-up period, nonvitrectomized ERM peeling surgery appears to be safe and effective in selective patients with idiopathic ERM.
Cataract ; Epiretinal Membrane* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Membranes ; Prospective Studies ; Retina ; Surgical Instruments ; Vision Disorders

The retraction syndrome in its classic form is characterized that severe limitation of abduction, slightly limitation of adduction, globe retraction and narrowing of the palpebral fissure on adduction, frequently associated elevation or depression in adduction, and convergency insufficiency. While many authors reported this type, there were few reports about inverse Duane's retraction syndrome, as exotropia in primary position, severe limitation of adduction. globe retraction and narrowing palpebral fissure on abduction. So the authors present a case of inversed Duane's retraction syndrome.
Depression ; Duane Retraction Syndrome* ; Exotropia