BACKGROUND: Total oxygen consumption has been found to be reduced under deep neuromuscular blockade due to a lower rate of metabolism of skeletal muscles. However, the magnitude of this effect in individual muscles has not been investigated. Thus the aim of this study was to compare the oxygenation of paralyzed versus non-paralyzed forearm muscle under tourniquet-provoked ischemia. METHODS: After ethics approval and written informed consent, 30 patients scheduled for elective hand and wrist surgery were included. Ischemia was provoked by inflation of bilateral upper arm tourniquets and muscle relaxation was achieved via intravenous administration of rocuronium 0.9 mg/kg. Bilateral tourniquets were applied to both upper arms before induction of anesthesia and near infrared spectrometry (NIRS) electrodes applied on both forearms. Muscular ischemia in an isolated (= non-paralyzed, NP) as well as a paralyzed forearm (P) was created by sequential inflation of both tourniquets before and after intravenous administration of rocuronium. Muscle oxygen saturations (SmO2) of NIRS in both forearms and their changes were determined and compared. RESULTS: Data of 30 patients (15 male, 15 female; 41.8 +/- 14.7 years) were analyzed. The speed of SmO2 decrease (50% decrease of SmO2 from baseline (median [percentiles]: NP 210 s [180/480s] vs. P 180 [180/300]) as well as the maximum decrease in SmO2 (minimum SmO2 in % (median [percentiles]: NP 20 [19/24] vs. P 21 [19/28]) were not significantly affected by neuromuscular paralysis. CONCLUSIONS: No significant effect of muscle relaxation on NIRS-assessed muscle oxygenation under tourniquet-induced ischemia was found in human forearm muscles.
Administration, Intravenous ; Anesthesia ; Arm ; Electrodes ; Ethics ; Female ; Forearm* ; Hand ; Humans ; Inflation, Economic ; Informed Consent ; Ischemia ; Male ; Metabolism ; Muscle Relaxation* ; Muscle, Skeletal* ; Muscles ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Oxygen Consumption ; Oxygen* ; Paralysis ; Prospective Studies* ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; Spectrum Analysis ; Tourniquets ; Wrist

PURPOSE: We examined clinical and dosimetric factors as predictors of symptomatic radiation pneumonitis (RP) in lung cancer patients and evaluated the relationship between interstitial lung changes in the pre-radiotherapy (RT) computed tomography (CT) and symptomatic RP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records and dose volume histogram data of 60 lung cancer patients from August 2005 to July 2006 were analyzed. All patients were treated with three dimensional (3D) conformal RT of median 56.9 Gy. We assessed the association of symptomatic RP with clinical and dosimetric factors. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 15.5 months (range, 6.1 to 40.9 months), Radiation Therapy Oncology Group grade > or = 2 RP was observed in 14 patients (23.3%). Five patients (8.3%) died from RP. The interstitial changes in the pre-RT chest CT, mean lung dose (MLD), and V30 significantly predicted RP in multivariable analysis (p=0.009, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). MLD, V20, V30, and normal tissue complication probability normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) were associated with the RP grade but less so for grade 5 RP. The risk of RP grade > or = 2, > or = 3, or > or = 4 was higher in the patients with interstitial lung change (grade 2, 15.6% to 46.7%, p=0.03; grade 3, 4.4% to 40%, p=0.002; grade 4, 4.4% to 33.3%, p=0.008). Four of the grade 5 RP patients had diffuse interstitial change in pre-RT CT and received chemoradiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Our study identified diffuse interstitial disease as a significant clinical risk for RP, particularly fatal RP. We showed the usefulness of MLD, V20, V30, and NTCP in predicting the incidence and severity of RP.
Chemoradiotherapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lung* ; Medical Records ; Radiation Pneumonitis* ; Radiotherapy ; Risk Factors* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

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BACKGROUND: The composite summary score (range, 0-24) of abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) devised by Kauppila et al is a simple method of assessing AAC severity. However, few studies have been conducted to determine an optimal AAC cutoff score for the prediction of mortality or to investigate the relation between mineral metabolism and AAC progression using the scoring system. METHODS: The medical records of 112 patients on hemodialysis who had undergone simple lateral lumbar radiography every 6 months from August 2009 were reviewed. Patients were followed until November 2012, and the relationship between the degree of AAC at baseline and mortality was evaluated. In addition, the relationship between the progression of AAC and serum concentrations of calcium and phosphate was evaluated in the 75 patients who were successfully followed until November 2012. RESULTS: The mean AAC score at baseline was 5.5+/-4.8, and the cutoff calcification score for the prediction of mortality was 7.75 (sensitivity=61%, specificity=81%). Patients were allocated to Group A (baseline total calcification score < or =8.0, n=85) or Group B (baseline total calcification score>8.0, n=27), and multivariate analysis showed that Group B was an independent risk factor of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events. Of the 75 patients successfully followed, 51 showed AAC progression (Group 1) and 24 showed no change or improvement (Group 2). Group 1 was found to have significantly higher mean serum corrected calcium levels during the 2nd year and 3rd year of follow-up than Group 2. Furthermore, repeated-measures analysis of variance showed higher monthly corrected calcium concentrations (P=0.099) and mean corrected calcium levels during the 1st year, 2nd year, and 3rd year of follow-up (P=0.062) in Group 1, but without statistical significance. The cutoff values of mean corrected calcium of the 2nd year and 3rd year for the prediction of AAC progression during follow-up years were 8.96mg/dL and 9.45mg/dL, respectively. Serum phosphate levels and corrected calciumxphosphate values were similar in Groups 1 and 2. CONCLUSION: Patients with an AAC score of>8 at baseline seem to be at higher risk of mortality during follow-up. Of the serum variables examined, such as corrected calcium, phosphate, and corrected calciumxphosphate, corrected calcium was found to be marginally associated with AAC progression. However, a larger-scale prospective study is required to confirm our findings.
Aorta, Abdominal ; Calcium* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Medical Records ; Metabolism ; Mortality* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Radiography ; Renal Dialysis* ; Risk Factors ; Vascular Calcification

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to establish a measurement standard for the weight-bearing axial alignment of the lower extremities when performing a lower extremity reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 274 patients (147 males and 127 females) in their 20s to 30s without any physical disabilities, and who had undergone weight-bearing full leg standing radiographs, 188 patients (100 males and 88 females) were examined this study. The data was analyzed further according to their age and gender using the radiographic value on the coronal and sagittal alignment of the lower extremities. RESULTS: The weight bearing ratio was 38.47+/-10.52% on the coronal plane and 36.11+/-7.88% on the sagittal plane. Both the mechanical axis and the the weight bearing axis were not identical due to their 0.68+/-0.89degrees difference on average. The most adjacent point of the femoral condyles to the tibial plateau on the sagittal plane was assigned to the center of the knee joint. The difference between the mechanical axis and weight bearing axis was 0.04degrees, which was not significant. CONCLUSION: There is a difference between the mechanical axis, which consists of both a line from the center of the femoral head to the center of knee joint and a line from the center of the knee joint to the center of ankle joint, and the weight bearing axis, which is linked directly from the center of the femoral head to the center of the ankle joint. Furthermore, the weight bearing axis passes through the anteromedial part in the knee joint. The center of the knee joint is defined as the most adjacent point of both femoral condyle to the tibial plateau on the sagittal plane.
Adult ; Ankle Joint ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Head ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Leg ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Weight-Bearing

PURPOSE: To evaluate the minimum 10-year follow up results of primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) performed using a sandwich-type (alumina-polyethylene-titanium) ceramic bearing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty four patients (40 hips) who underwent a THA with sandwich typed liners from November 1998 to December 2000 were analyzed. Among the 34 patients, 25 were men and nine were women. Mean follow-up was 134 months (range, 120~145 months) and mean patient age at the time of THA was 47.1 years (range, 24~65 years). The clinical results were evaluated using the Harris hip score and level of thigh pain with a limping gait. The radiographic evaluation was done in terms of the endosteal new bone formation, radiolucent line, subsidence of the stem, migration of the acetabular cup, and proof of loosening. RESULTS: The mean preoperative Harris hip score of 50.2 points (range, 31~87 points) was improved to 90.9 points (range, 75~99 points) at the final follow-up and thigh pain with limping gait in one case. All cases had fixation by bony ingrowth. No radiographically detectable loosening was observed in any hip. Fracture of ceramic liner in one case required change of the polyethylene liner. CONCLUSION: At the minimum 10-year follow up, survival rate as the end-point was favorable. However, fracture of the ceramic is still a major problem. Satisfactory results can be obtained by more precise surgical technique for acerabular inclincation and anteversion, and by improving the quality of the ceramic.
Arthroplasty ; Ceramics ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gait ; Hip ; Humans ; Male ; Osteogenesis ; Polyethylene ; Survival Rate ; Tacrine ; Thigh

PURPOSE: Fractures of the mandibular condylar area are common injuries that account for 29% to 40% of fractures of the facial bones and represent 20% to 62% of all mandibular fractures. Currently 3 main methods are being used in the treatment of mandibular subcondylar fractures: closed reduction; open reduction and internal fixation; Endoscopic reduction and internal fixation. Each method has its proponents and opponent as well as advantages and disadvantages, and indications for each vary among surgeons. There are six approaches of open reduction: submandibular, retromandibular, preaurilcular, postauricular, intraoral, transparotid approach. Among them, transparotid approach has been described for subcondylar exposure with dissection in the direction of facial nerve fibers to expose the bone through the parotid gland. This approach carries the risk of a parotid glandular fistula as well as facial nerve injury but has the advantage of being directly over the fracture site. We report safety and efficacy of surgical treatment using a transparotid approach for direct plating. METHODS: A 43-year-old man sustained multiple facial bone fractures by driver traffic accident. Mandibular subcondyle was fractured and dislocated internally. We performed open reduction and internal fixation by transparotid approach. Fractured site was fixed by titanium mini plate & screw. We applicated arch bar for approximately 3 weeks. RESULTS: Follow-up length was about 5months. Scar of surgical incision was indistinct, there was no symptoms and signs of facial nerve and parotid gland injury, and maximal mouth opening was measured 49.5 mm. CONCLUSION: Transparotid approach has high risks of facial nerve and parotid gland injury, but paradoxically it is the most effective technique in saving facial nerve. Open reduction and internal fixation of mandibular subcondylar fracture by transparotid approach with precise and versed procedure, best outcome can be expected.
Accidents, Traffic ; Adult ; Cicatrix ; Facial Bones ; Facial Nerve ; Facial Nerve Injuries ; Fistula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; Mandibular Fractures ; Midazolam ; Mouth ; Nitro Compounds ; Parotid Gland ; Titanium

Compartment syndrome is rarely associated with non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis. We report the case of a 23-year-old man who developed compartment syndrome associated with rhabdomyolysis caused by prolonged immobilization after antidepressive drug overdose. Elevation of serum creatine phosphokinase and myoglobinuria indicated rhabdomyolysis. Painful swelling of the right buttock and thigh and right lower limb paralysis with sensory and motor deficit were suggestive of gluteal and thigh compartment syndrome with the complication of sciatic nerve injury. The patient received an immediate fasciotomy, medical treatment and rehabilitation. At five months after initial treatment, the patient could walk independently with nearly full recovery of his right lower limb function.
Buttocks ; Compartment Syndromes ; Creatine Kinase ; Drug Overdose ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Lower Extremity ; Myoglobinuria ; Paralysis ; Rhabdomyolysis ; Sciatic Nerve ; Thigh ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to compare the accuracy of CT and 18F-FDG PET for detecting peritoneal metastasis in patients with gastric carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-hundred-twelve patients who underwent a histologic confirmative exam or treatment (laparotomy, n = 107; diagnostic laparoscopy, n = 4; peritoneal washing cytology, n = 1) were retrospectively enrolled. All the patients underwent CT and 18F-FDG PET scanning for their preoperative evaluation. The sensitivities, specificities and accuracies of CT and 18F-FDG PET imaging for the detection of peritoneal metastasis were calculated and then compared using Fisher's exact probability test (p < 0.05), on the basis of the original preoperative reports. In addition, two board-certified radiologists and two board-certified nuclear medicine physicians independently reviewed the CT and PET scans, respectively. A receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to compare the diagnostic performance of CT and 18F-FDG PET imaging for detecting peritoneal metastasis. RESULTS: Based on the original preoperative reports, CT and 18F-FDG PET showed sensitivities of 76.5% and 35.3% (p = 0.037), specificities of 91.6% and 98.9% (p = 0.035), respectively, and equal accuracies of 89.3% (p = 1.0). The receptor operating characteristics curve analysis showed a significantly higher diagnostic performance for CT (Az = 0.878) than for PET (Az = 0.686) (p = 0.004). The interobserver agreement for detecting peritoneal metastasis was good (κ value = 0.684) for CT and moderate (κ value = 0.460) for PET. CONCLUSION: For the detection of peritoneal metastasis, CT was more sensitive and showed a higher diagnostic performance than PET, although CT had a relatively lower specificity than did PET.
*Tomography, Emission-Computed ; Stomach Neoplasms/*pathology ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Retrospective Studies ; Radiopharmaceuticals/diagnostic use ; ROC Curve ; *Positron-Emission Tomography ; Peritoneal Neoplasms/*radiography/*radionuclide imaging/*secondary ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Iohexol/analogs & derivatives/diagnostic use ; Humans ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18/diagnostic use ; Female ; Contrast Media ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aged ; Adult ; Adolescent

A spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality(SCIWORA) was defined by Pang and Wilberger in 1982 as the "objective signs of myelopathy as a result of trauma" in which no evidence of fracture, subluxation, or instability on plain radiographs, or computed tomography is demonstrable. Inherent elasticity of the vertebral column in infants and young children, among other age-related anatomical peculiarities, render the pediatric bony cervical and thoracic spine exceedingly vulnerable to deforming forces. We report here on a case of SCIWORA in a 3-year-old girl who presented with lower extremity paralysis, paresthesia, and voiding difficulty. The mechanism of neural damage in this case was purely longitudinal distraction. Such stress on the spine resulted from severe pulling up the lower extremity by her father, which was not thought to be damaging at that time.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Elasticity ; Fathers ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Lower Extremity ; Paralysis ; Paresthesia ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Spinal Cord Injuries* ; Spinal Cord* ; Spine