PURPOSE: To compare the time intervals to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and surgical treatment in patients having traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) with and without bony lesions. METHODS: Retrospectively analyzed adult patients visited Kyungpook National University Hospital and underwent surgical treatment for cervical SCI within 24 hours. The patients who were suspected of having cervical SCI underwent plain radiography and computed tomography (CT) upon arrival. After the initial evaluation, we evaluated the MRI findings to determine surgical treatment. Waiting times for MRI and surgery were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were included. Patients' mean age was 57 (range, 23–80) years. Patients with definite bony lesions were classified into group A, and 10 cases were identified (fracture-dislocation, seven; fracture alone, three). Patients without bony lesions were classified into group B, and 24 cases were identified (ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, 16; cervical spondylotic myelopathy, eight). Mean intervals between emergency room arrival and start of MRI were 93.60 (±60.08) minutes in group A and 313.75 (±264.89) minutes in group B, and the interval was significantly shorter in group A than in group B (p=0.01). The mean times to surgery were 248.4 (±76.03) minutes in group A and 560.5 (±372.56) minutes in group B, and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.001). The American Spinal Injury Association scale at the time of arrival showed that group A had a relatively severe neurologic deficit compared with group B (p=0.046). There was no statistical significance, but it seems to be good neurological recovery, if we start treatment sooner among patients treated within 24 hours (p=0.198). CONCLUSIONS If fracture or dislocation is detected by CT, cervical SCI can be easily predicted resulting in MRI and surgical treatment being performed more rapidly. Additionally, fracture or dislocation tends to cause more severe neurological damage, so it is assumed that rapid diagnosis and treatment are possible.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A radial artery spasm is one of the most common complications of coronary angiography during a transradial, causing considerable patient discomfort, which sometimes disturbs the procedure. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of nicorandil in the prevention of a radial artery spasm during coronary angiography. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a randomized study to compare 4 mg of nicorandil and a 10 mL cocktail solution performed in 100 patients. Vasospasms of the radial artery, which were expressed as stenosis of the vessel diameter with a transradial approach and radial artery patency by pulse oximetry analysis one month later, were examined. RESULTS: Reductions in the systolic and diastolic blood pressures after administration of the spasmolytic agents were 15.8+/-11.8/ 8.4+/-8.0 and 20.5+/-13.6/6.7+/-6.2 in the for nicorandil and cocktail groups, respectively. Nicorandil induced a lesser decrease in the systolic BP than the cocktail, but without statistical significance (p=0.07). Both vasodilating agents showed a significant radial artery vasodilation following their intra-arterial administration (p<0.001 for all). The diameter of the radial artery showed a significant decrease in both groups following catheterization (p<0.05 for all). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of radial artery spasms (46 vs. 58% in nicorandil and cocktail groups, respectively, p=0.709). CONCLUSION: Nicorandil, with vasodilatory effects due to a dual mechanism was as effective as the cocktail solution in the vasodilation of the radial artery.
Catheterization ; Catheters ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography* ; Humans ; Nicorandil* ; Oximetry ; Radial Artery* ; Spasm* ; Vasodilation

To identify risk factors and causative organisms, and to evaluate clinical manifestations, methods and results of treatment in infectious keratitis, an epidemiological study was performed prospectively under the identical protocol from April 1995 to March 2000.Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate possible risk factors. The 1474 cases of infectious keratitis reported from 22 hospitals were studied. Five hundred forty-four organisms(442 bacteria, 82 fungi, 20 A c a n t h a m o e b a)were detected in 1320 eyes with infectious keratitis excluding 154 herpetic keratitis. The Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common organism in bacterial keratitis, and Fusariumspp. was the major isolate in fungal keratitis. Contact lens wear and occupation(industry, forester, miner, fisherman)were the risk factors for bacterial keratitis. Risk factors in fungal keratitis were fifth decade of age, farmer, and systemic diseases(diabetes mellitus etc.). Risk factors in herpetic keratitis were male and occupation(office worker, service, student, housewife). Risk factors in Acanthamoeba keratitis was contact lens wear.
Acanthamoeba Keratitis ; Bacteria ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Epidemiology* ; Fungi ; Humans ; Keratitis ; Keratitis, Herpetic ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to examine clinical characteristics and outcome in patients with cardiogenic shock or ongoing cardiogenic shock by acute coronary syndrome who underwent intraaortic balloon pump(IABP) support, and to identify factors predictive of in-hospital mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two consecutive patients with IABP support from 1994 to 1997 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The causes for insertion of IABP are cardiogenic shock(31%), unstable hemodynamics during angiography or angioplasty(31%), ventricular tachycardia(15%), mechanical complications(15%), and ongoing chest pain(6%). The overall survival rate was 47%. Revascularization procedures were done in 23 cases(72%) in whom inhospital survival rate was 52%. The mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with cardiogenic shock(80%) and mechanical complications(100%) including ventricular septal defect and acute mitral regurgitation, but lower with intractable ventricular tachycardia. Differences between survivors and nonsurvivors were not significant in regard to clinical characteristics, extent of coronary artery disease, time to IABP, time to coronary artery bypass graft, and clamping time, but only duration of IABP is longer in nonsurvivors. CONCLUSIONS: Emergent uses of IABP in patients with intractable ventricular tachycardia may be effective in maintaining hemodynamics before revascularization procedures, but patients with pump failure by cardiogenic shock or mechanical complications have higher mortality rates.
Acute Coronary Syndrome ; Angiography ; Constriction ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Heart* ; Hemodynamics ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Mortality ; Retrospective Studies ; Shock, Cardiogenic ; Survival Rate ; Survivors ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; Thorax ; Transplants

No abstract available.
Humans ; Survival Rate*

No abstract available.
Kidney Transplantation* ; Urinary Diversion*

No abstract available.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome*