• Title/Summary/Keyword: Intractable cases

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A case of acquired acrodermatitis enteropathica with a normal serum zinc level but a low level in the hair (혈중 아연 농도는 정상이나 모발 검사에서는 감소된 아연 농도를 보인 일과성 장병성 선단 피부염 1례)

  • Oh, Kyung Il;Kim, Jung Hee;Lee, Ji Eun;Lim, Dae Hyun;Son, Byong Kwan
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.50 no.2
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    • pp.209-212
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    • 2007
  • Acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of early infancy, and is characterized by periorificial dermatitis, alopecia, and intractable diarrhea. Serum zinc levels are usually low in untreated patients and the oral administration of zinc sulfate can clear skin lesions and other symptoms. Although premature and cow's milk-fed infants are at particular risk of developing AE, there have been a few reports about AE in term and breast-fed infants. We report a case of transient AE in a 4-month-old breast-fed infant. This patient suffered from diarrhea and dermatitis for more than a month. Her skin lesions were erythematous, scaly, crusted, psoriasiform, eczematous, with an eruption at the chin, and a periorificial disposition with involvement of the flexural areas of lower extremities. Her serum zinc level was almost normal at $129{\mu}g/dL$ (reference range: $60-121{\mu}g/dL$), but the zinc level in her hair was low: 8 mg percent (reference range: 10-21 mg percent). Skin biopsy findings were consistent with AE. Seven days after zinc supplementation, the skin lesions and diarrhea improved. The authors recommend that a clinical trial of zinc supplementation be considered in cases where there are suspicious of AE, even when the serum zinc level is normal.

Surgical Treatment for Renovascular Hypertension and Iliac Artery Occlusion (신혈관성 고혈압 및 장골동맥 폐쇄에 대한 수술)

  • Ryu, Kyoung-Min;Ryu, Jae-Wook;Park, Seong-Sik;Kang, Tae-Soo;Kim, Seok-Kon;Seo, Pil-Won
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.40 no.8
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    • pp.582-586
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    • 2007
  • A 48-year old male patient visited our hospital with uncontrolled hypertension and pair of the left leg. CT angiography shows atherosclerotic occlusion of both renal artery orifices and the left common iliac artery. Despite of medical treatment for 2 months, the clinical condition of the patient worsened. We performed the surgical revascularization with both renal arteries and aorto-left femoral artery bypass with using an 8 mm artificial vascular graft. He lived well without hypertension with using only angiotensin receptor blocker and an anticoagulant for 10 postoperative months. Using surgical revascularization for renovascular hypertension has decreased due to the development of intervention technology and medication, but this surgery is indicated in cases of renovascular hypertension with extensive atherosclerotic lesions. We report here on a case of surgical revacularization for medically Intractable atherosclerotic renovascular hypertension together with left common iliac artery occlusion.

Fistula Formation Between the Disc and Dura after Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy - A Case Report - (경피적 내시경 요추 추간판 절제술 후 발생한 추간판과 경막 사이의 누공 형성 - 증례 보고 -)

  • Kim, Hak Sun;Kim, Hyoung Bok;Chung, Hoon-Jae;Yang, Jea Ho
    • Journal of Korean Society of Spine Surgery
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    • v.25 no.4
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    • pp.180-184
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    • 2018
  • Study Design: Case report Objectives: To document fistula formation between the disc and dura by an unrecognized dural tear after percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD). Summary of Literature Review: The risk of durotomy is relatively low with PELD, but cases of unrecognized durotomies have been reported. An effective diagnostic tool for such situations has not yet been identified. Materials and Methods: A patient twice underwent transforaminal PELD under the diagnosis of a herniated lumbar disc at L4-5. She still complained of intractable pain and motor weakness around the left lower extremity at 6 months postoperatively. Magnetic resonance imaging showed no specific findings suggestive of violation of the nerve root. However, L5 and S1 nerve root injury was noted on electromyography. An exploratory operation was planned to characterize damage to the neural structures. Results: In the exploration, a dural tear was found at the previous operative site, along with a fistula between the disc and dura was also found at the dural tear site. The durotomy site was located on the ventrolateral side of the dura and measured approximately 5 mm. The durotomy site was repaired with Nylon 5-0 and adhesive sealants. The patient's preoperative symptoms diminished considerably. Conclusions: Fistula formation between the disc and dura can be caused by an unrecognized dural tear after PELD. Discography is a reliable diagnostic tool for fistulas formed by an unrecognized durotomy.

Recent Interventional Procedures for Spinal Discogenic Pain for Life Care : Technical and Ethical Issues (라이프케어를 위한 추간판성 통증 치료의 최신중재기법 기술적 윤리적 문제들에 관하여)

  • Hong, Young-Ki
    • Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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    • v.13 no.4
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    • pp.311-320
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    • 2019
  • Discogenic pain which develops during the degenerative process of intervertebral disc is an intractable disease of musculoskeletal system. Unlike other diseases in modern medical science, it is not clinically confirmed through objective imaging and clinicopathologic index. Moreover, current technology has been facing difficulties finding fundamental treatment. This study examined through reviewing literature whether the therapeutic rationales of interventional procedures for the discogenic pain, such as nerve block, intradiscal electrothermal therapy and nucleoplasty, are valid and whether safety reviews such as preclinical tests are carried out faithfully during the technology development process. As a result, it is presumed that there is not yet an interventional treatment for discogenic pain, whose therapeutic rationale has been objectively verified. And there are some cases of interventional treatment that have not been adequately equipped with the preclinical test steps necessary to review the safety of the procedure during the technology development process. In conclusion, since there is still no interventional treatment for discogenic pain which has clear therapeutic rationale, it is necessary to recognize that a more careful approach is needed to judge whether the procedure is performed in clinical settings. And medical ethical issues may arise for some interventional treatment that are deemed to have been carried out without a thorough review of safety.

Usefulness of Single Voxel Proton MR Spectroscopy in the Evaluation of Hippocampal Sclerosis

  • Kee-Hyun Chang;Hong Dae Kim;Sun-Won Park;In Chan Song;In Kyu Yu;Moon Hee Han;Sang Kun Lee;Chun-Kee Chung;Yang Hee Park
    • Korean Journal of Radiology
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    • v.1 no.1
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    • pp.25-32
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    • 2000
  • Objective: The purpose of our study was to determine the ability of H-1 MR spectroscopy (MRS) to lateralize the lesion in patients with hippocampal sclerosis. Materials and Methods: Twenty healthy volunteers and 25 patients with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy whose MR imaging diagnosis was unilateral hippocampal sclerosis were included. This diagnosis was based on the presence of unilateral atrophy and/or high T2 signal intensity of the hippocampus. Single-voxel H-1 MRS was carried out on a 1.5-T unit using PRESS sequence (TE, 136 msec). Spectra were obtained from hippocampal areas bilaterally with volumes of interest (VOIs) of 6.0 cm3 and 2.25 cm3 in healthy volunteers, and of either 6.0 cm3 (n = 14) or 2.25 cm3 (n = 11) in patients. Metabolite ratios of NAA/Cho and NAA/Cr were calculated from relative peak height measurements. The capability of MRS to lateralize the lesion and to detect bilateral abnormalities was compared with MR imaging diagnosis as a standard of reference. Results: In healthy volunteers, NAA/Cho and NAA/Cr ratios were greater than 0.8 and 1.0, respectively. In patients, the mean values of these ratios were significantly lower on the lesion side than on the contralateral side, and lower than those of healthy volunteers (p < .05). The overall correct lateralization rate of MRS was 72% (18/25); this rate was lower with a VOI of 6.0 cm3 than of 2.25 cm3 (64% versus 82%, p < .05). Bilateral abnormalities on MRS were found in 24% (6/25) of cases. Conclusion: Although its rate of correct lateralization is low, single-voxel H-1 MRS is a useful and promising diagnostic tool in the evaluation of hippocampal sclerosis, particularly for the detection of bilateral abnormalities. To improve the diagnostic accuracy of H-1 MRS, further investigation, including the use of a smaller VOI and measurement of the absolute amount of metabolites, are needed.

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Clinical manifestations and neuroimaging findings of schizencephaly in children (소아 뇌갈림증의 신경영상학적 소견 및 임상 양상)

  • Lee, Jae Rang;Kim, Seung;Lee, Young Mock;Lee, Joon Soo;Kim, Heung Dong
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.52 no.4
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    • pp.458-463
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    • 2009
  • Purpose : Schizencephaly is a uncommon congenital brain anomaly characterized by congenital clefts spanning the cerebral hemispheres from pial surface to lateral ventricles and lined by gray matter. In this study, we investigated the clinical manifestation and radiologic findings of pediatric schizencephaly. Methods : The data of 13 patients who were diagnosed with schizencephaly in Severance Childrens Hospital and Yongdong Severance Hospital from January 2005 to December 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. Results : The mean age at diagnosis was $9.08{\pm}2.67$ months old and ranged from 1 to 30 months. The ratio of male to female patients was 3.33:1. Five (38.5%) patients had bilateral clefts, while 8 (61.5%) had unilateral clefts. Five (38.5%) patients had closed lip clefts, and 4 (30.8%) had opened lip clefts. Four (30.8%) patients had multiple clefts. Associated anomalies showed in all cases. The clinical features consisted of mild unilateral weakness in 7 (53.8%) cases and a hemiparesis was present in 3 (23.1%) patients. A tetraparesis was in 3 (23.1%) patients. There was no difference in motor deficit between unilateral and bilateral clefts. Delayed development was observed in all cases. Epilepsy was present in 7 (53.8%) patients, 5 patients with unilateral clefts and 2 patients with bilateral clefts. Three (42.8%) patients showed intractable seizures. Conclusion : Schizencephaly showed variable clinical manifestations and radiologic findings in association with the types and locations of the clefts. It is necessary to diagnose schizencephaly early and to detect the development of epilepsy. Intensive and large studies of the correlation of clinical outcomes and radiologic findings should be continued for more effective treatment.

Sinus Node Function after Extended Transseptal Approach for Mitral Valve Surgery: 164 Clinical Cases (경중격 절개방식을 좌심방 상부까지 연장시킨 방법을 통한 승모판막 수술 후 동방 결절 기능부전에 대한 164예 임상분석)

  • Ryu Se Min;Kim Hyun Koo;Cho Yang Hyun;Sim Jae Hoon;Sohn Young-sang;Choi Young Ho;Kim Hark Jei
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.38 no.3 s.248
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    • pp.214-220
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    • 2005
  • Extended transseptal approach can provide an excellent view of the mitral valve but the safety of this approach is controversial because this incision requires transaction of the sinus node artery, which in most cases and can result postoperative arrhythmia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate perioperative and longterm conduction disturbances and the cardiac rhythms of patients who underwent an extended transseptal approach for mitral valve surgery. Material and Method: Postoperative cardiac rhythms were analyzed in the 164 consecutive patients who received mitral valve replacements with a extended transseptal approach between March 1992 and July 2003. Result: Of the 84 patients in normal sinus rhythm, 34 ($39\%$) had developed transient junctional rhythm and atrial fibrillation after operation, lasting less than 72 hours in most of cases. No intractable arrhythmias occurred. Most of these arrhythmia were not detected at the time of discharge and only 8 patients ($9\%$) had atrial fibrillation at discharge. Postoperative PR intervals increased for 1 week, then decreased within 2 weeks postoperatively, and returned to normal range by 6 months postoperatively. During the postoperative period, 4 of the 78 patients with preoperative atrial fibrillation developed normal sinus thythm. Conclusion: The post-operative arrhythmias were temporary and showed no significant complications after extended transseptal approach for the mitral valve surgery.

Clinical characteristics and prognosis of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis based on the lesions on MRI (자기공명영상의 병변에 따른 급성 파종성 뇌척수염의 임상 양상과 예후)

  • Chung, Sunghoon;Park, Sungsin;Chung, Sajun
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.50 no.9
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    • pp.891-895
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    • 2007
  • Purpose : Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system and mostly develops after viral illness or vaccinations. We investigated the clinical differences and neurologic outcomes according to the distribution of the lesions on brain MRI. Methods : The study group was composed of 21 patients from January 1995 to August 2003 in Kyunghee University hospital. We grouped the patients according to the MRI findings as follows. Group I (14 cases): Multi- or unifocal lesions only in the cerebral white matter. Group II (7 cases): lesions in the gray matter with or without white matter involvement. Results : 1. Preceding events were as follows: no defined prodrome (38.1%), upper respiratory tract infection (28.6%), nonspecific febrile illness (19.0%), gastointestinal disturbance and vaccination. 2. Presenting symptoms were as follows: seizures (76.2%), headache/vomiting (47.6%), altered consciousness (38.1%), hemiparesis, cerebellar ataxia, visual disturbance and facial nerve palsy. 3. Laboratory findings were as follows: CSF pleocytosis (76.2%), leucocytosis (38.1%) and elevated CSF protein (28.6%). 4. Fifteen patients were recovered completely without neurological sequelae. Three patients in group I and 1 patient in group II had intractable seizures. Two patients in group I and 2 patients in group II had motor disturbance. Conclusion : There were no statistically significant differences in preceding events, presenting symptoms, and neurological outcomes according to the distribution of the lesions on brain MRI. However, the ADEM have quite diverse clinical manifestations and neuroimage findings. MRI plays an important role in making diagnosis of the patients who are suspected of ADEM.

Morphological Variations of the Celiac Plexus in Korean Cadavers (한국인(韓國人) 복강신경총(腹腔神經叢)의 해부학적(解剖學的) 변이(變異))

  • Hur, Chul-Ryung;Yoon, Duck-Mi;Chung, Min-Suck;Chung, In-Hyuk;Oh, Hung-Kun
    • The Korean Journal of Pain
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    • v.2 no.2
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    • pp.135-144
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    • 1989
  • Celiac plexus block is recommended in patients with intractable upper abdominal cancer pain. The success rate of a celiac plexus block is variable among the authors. One of the causes of this is the anatomical variations of the celiac plexus. There has not been a study concerning anatomical observations of the celiac plexus in Korean cadavers. So, anatomical dissections were performed and observations were made of the celiac plexus and related structures in Korean cadavers. The results were as follows: 1) The subjects were 21 male bodies and 5 female bodies. The mean age at death was $69.9{\pm}15.5$ years (range 37~93). The mean height was $155.5{\pm}8.3\;cm$ (range 143~172). 2) The number of celiac ganglia ranged from 1~4. The mean numbers were $2.3{\pm}1.9$ in the right plexus and $1.9{\pm}0.8$ in the left, and the mean sizes were $18.9{\pm}7.7{\times}8.0{\pm}3.8\;mm^2$ and $18.5{\pm}8.3{\times}9.5{\pm}3.9\;mm^2$ respectively. 3) Celiac ganglia were most frequently located at the level of the upper third and middle third of L1 in both sides (65.5% in right, 64.0% in left). The vertical range of celiac ganglia ranged from 1 space, which is one third the height of one vertebral body, to 4 spaces. Mean vertical ranges were $1.5{\pm}0.6$ spaces in the right plexus and $1.6{\pm}0.7$ spaces in the left. The celiac ganglia located at the level of the upper third of L1 in the right and the lower third of L1 in the left side, had the largest vertical ranges respectively ($1.8{\pm}0.5$ spaces in right, $2.3{\pm}0.6$ spaces in left) 4) Right side celiac ganglia were located near the midline of the vertebrae compared to the left ones (mean 5.0 mm) The horizontal dimension was greater in the right ganglia ($24.2{\pm}9.2\;mm$) than in the left ganglia ($l8.8{\pm}7.0\;mm$). 5) There was no vertebral level difference between both celiac ganglia in most cases (60%). However, of the 40% of cases at different levels, in half of these (20%) the right ganglia were located higher than the left ganglia; and in the other 20%, this was reversed. 6) The origin sites of the celiac artery were most frequently in the upper third and middle third of L1 (61.6%). The celiac ganglia were usually located at the same level as the site of origin of the celiac artery (61.6% in right, 52.0% in left). 7) The vertebral level of the splanchnic nerves piercing the abdominal surface of the diaphragm was most frequently in the upper third and middle third of L1 (66.6% in right, 66.7% in left). 8) The level of the origin of diaphragmatic crura from the anterior surface of the vertebral bodies varied from the L1-L2 interspace to the L3-L4 interspace. Right crura most frequently originated at the level of the lower third of L2 to the upper third of L3 (57.6%), while left crura originated from the level of the L2-L3 interspace to the middle third of L3 (69.3%). From the above results, we realized that there were some anatomical variations of the celiac plexus and its relations to adjacent structures in Korean bodies. However, when the needle point is behind the anterior margin of the upper third of L1, it is possible to perform a successful retrocrural splanchnic nerve block.

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Effect of Submucosal Formalin Injection on Bladder Wall in Rats (백서에서 Formalin의 방광점막하주사가 방광벽에 미치는 영향)

  • Lee, Dong-Heon;Park, Tong-Choon
    • Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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    • v.4 no.2
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    • pp.113-120
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    • 1987
  • The effect of intravesical formalin instillation as a therapeutic modality for intractable bladder hemorrhage is well known. And despite clear evidence of therapeutic efficacy of intravesical cytotoxic drugs and/or BCG immunotherapy, there have been substantial recurrences during followup after transurethral resection for superficial bladder tumor. If formalin injected at the bed of superficial bladder tumor is able to coagulate and necrotize the tumor, it will be greatly helpful to the patients With recurrent bladder tumor developed during followup. Since this technique is applicable on outpatient basis, an economical as well as a psychological burden of the patients can be reduced considerably. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of submucosal formalin injection on rat bladder wall, 36 healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (weighing 350gm in average) were divided into 3 groups: In Group I (control group), 0.01ml of normal saline was injected submucosally at the left posterolateral wall of the bladder opened under intraperitoneal Nembutal anesthesia ; In Group II and III, 0.01 ml of 10% and 4% formalin, respectively, were administered at the same site as in the Group I, two rats in each group were sacrificed at day 1, 2, and 3, and week 1, 2 and 4 after injection, respectively. Gross and microscopic examination of the cystectomized specimen were done in each group. In the Group II, bladder stones were formed at week I, and in both the Group I and III, stones were seen at week 2 post injection. There was no significant difference III histologic findings of the bladder between the group II and III. Mucosal ulcer and/or prominent mucosal disruption was observed at 24 hours after injection in both Group II and III. Epithelial regeneration began at day 2, and was marked at day 3, and epithelial lining was almost normalized one week after injection. Subepithelial edema, telangiectasia and inflammatory reaction were prominent at 24 hours post formalin injection. Subepithelial edema persisted in moderate degree for 1 week. Telangiectasia and inflammatory reaction were noted for 4 weeks. Mild degree of these findings also appeared In the control group. Fibroblastic proliferation appeared at day 2 and persisted in moderate degree for 4 weeks. There has been no mortality or bladder perforation. These results suggest that clinical application of this technique is feasible for the selected cases of recurrent, solitary superficial bladder tumor. However, optimal dosage of formalin in relation to the size of the lesion remains to be investigated.

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