• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.43-47
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• 1999

Backgroud: Systemic administration of opioid can prolong the duration of epidural anesthesia. The authors examined the effect of nitrous oxide ($N_2O$) on the level of sensory block induced by epidural lidocaine. Methods: Twenty minutes after epidural injection of 2% lidocaine (below 70 years : 20 ml, 70 years and above : 15 ml), the level of sensory block was assessed (2nd stage). Patients were randomly assigned to receive either medical air (control group, n=15) or 50% $N_2O$ in oxygen ($N_2O$ group, n=15) for 10 minutes, the level of block was reassessed (3rd stage). Pateints were given room air (control group) or 100% oxygen for 5 minutes and room air for 5 minutes ($N_2O$ group), and the level of block was reassessed (4th stage). Results: At the 3rd stage, $N_2O$ group showed 4.3 cm cephalad increase in the level of sensory block (p=0.005), but control group revealed 1.43 cm regression. After discontinuation of gas, the level of block regressed in both group (p=0.000). At the 4th stage, $N_2O$ group revealed 3.5 cm cephalad increase (p=0.048) and control group 1.97 cm regression (p=0.001) as compared with the 2nd stage. Conclusions: The level of sensory block induced by epidural lidocaine was significantly increased cephalad by concommitant use of 50% $N_2O$ for 10 minutes.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제56권6호
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• pp.521-526
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• 2014

The authors report a case of symptomatic epidural gas accumulation 2 weeks after the multi-level lumbar surgery, causing postoperative recurrent radiculopathy. The accumulation of epidural gas compressing the dural sac and nerve root was demonstrated by CT and MRI at the distant two levels, L3-4 and L5-S1, where vacuum in disc space was observed preoperatively and both laminectomy and discectomy had been done. However, postoperative air was not identified at L4-5 level where only laminectomy had been done in same surgical field, which suggested the relationship between postoperative epidural gas and the manipulation of disc structure. Conservative treatment and needle aspiration was performed, but not effective to relieve patient's symptoms. The patient underwent revision surgery to remove the gaseous cyst. Her leg pain was improved after the second operation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제56권5호
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• pp.410-418
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• 2014

Objective : The epidural fluid collection (EFC) as a complication of cranioplasty is not well-described in the literature. This study aimed to identify the predictive factors for the development of EFC as a complication of cranioplasty, and its outcomes. Methods : From January 2004 to December 2012, 117 cranioplasty were performed in our institution. One-hundred-and-six of these patients were classified as either having EFC, or not having EFC. The two groups were compared to identify risk factors for EFC. Statistical significance was tested using the t-test and chi-square test, and a logistic regression analysis. Results : Of the 117 patients undergoing cranioplasty, 59 (50.4%) suffered complications, and EFC occurred in 48 of the patients (41.0%). In the t-test and chi-test, risk factors for EFC were size of the skull defect (p=0.003) and postoperative air bubbles in the epidural space (p<0.001). In a logistic regression, the only statistically significant factor associated with development of EFC was the presence of postoperative air bubbles. The EFC disappeared or regressed over time in 30 of the 48 patients (62.5%), as shown by follow-up brain computed tomographic scan, but 17 patients (35.4%) required reoperation. Conclusion : EFC after cranioplasty is predicted by postoperative air bubbles in the epidural space. Most EFC can be treated conservatively. However, reoperation is necessary to resolve about a third of the cases. During cranioplasty, special attention is required when the skull defect is large, since EFC is then more likely.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제50권8호
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• pp.785-788
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• 2007

경막외기종은 자발기종격, 자발기흉, 천식 발작, 기침, 심한 구토, 외상 등에 의해 발생할 수 있지만 기관지 이물에 의한 경우는 드물고, 고환기종 역시 대장내시경, 진단적 복강경, 간생검 등에 의해 발생하는 경우가 보고되고 있지만, 기관지 이물에 의한 경우는 아직까지 국내 외에 보고된 적이 없다. 이에 본 저자들을 기관지 이물에 의해 심한 고환기종 및 경막외기종, 기종격, 기흉이 발생한 18개월된 남아에 대해 보고하는 바이다.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.9-13
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• 2003

경막외마취는 전신마취가 불필요하므로 널리 활용되는 마취술이다. 그러나 경막외마취 시술시 천자침이 경막외강 내에 정확하게 위치하지 않으면 각종 부작용이 발생하므로 시술자의 세심한 주의뿐만 아니라 상당한 수준의 숙달이 필요하다. 본 연구에서는 천자침이 연결된 도관 내의 압력 변화를 범용 압력센서로 연속 계측함으로써 침이 경막외강 내로 진입하는 순간을 자동탐지하는 자동화된 저항소실법을 개발하였다. 17G Tuohy 침을 황인대까지 전진시킨 후 침에 공기도관을 연결하고 공기도관에 연결된 압력센서로 압력신호를 추출하여 적절히 증폭ㆍ필터링한 후 역치감지회로가 경막외강의 진입순간을 감지하도록 전자회로를 설계ㆍ제작함으로써 저항소실법을 자동화할 수 있었다. 소량의 공기 주입으로 도관 내의 압력을 50∼100mmHg까지 녹인 후 짐을 천천히 전진시키며 압력변화신호를 10개의 녹색 발광다이오드로 연속 표시하였고 압력이 20mmHg 이하로 하강하는 순간을 경막외강 진입시점으로 인식하여 시술자를 위해 경보를 울리는 보조기기의 형태로 구현하였다. 자체 시뮤레이션을 거친 후, 경막 외마취 시술이 예정된 환자 ,30명을 대상으로 자동화된 보조기기를 사용하여 시술하였고 수동적인 저항소실법을 병행하는 임상실험을 통하여 경막외 마취시술의 성공여부를 판정하였다. 본 기기의 도움으로 첫 번째 시도에서의 마취성공률은 83%이었고 두 번째 시도에서는 모두(100%) 성공하였으며 시술 중 주입된 공기의 용적은 1ml이내로써 별는 부작용이나 합병증은 없었으므로 본 연구의 유용성이 입증되었다. 본 연구의 자동화된 저항소실법은 공기도관을 사용하였으므로 감염의 가능성도 최소화된다고 볼 수 있었으며, 따라서 편리하고 안전한 경막외마취 시술이 가능할 것으로 판단된다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제57권5호
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• pp.376-378
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• 2015

Cervical epidural steroid injection is indicated for radicular symptoms with or without axial neck pain. Complications are rare but can be serious. Here, we report the case of a 54-year-old man with cervical radicular pain who was treated with cervical epidural steroid injection. Injection was administered twice under fluoroscopic guidance with the loss-of-resistance technique using air to confirm the epidural space. After the second procedure, the patient complained of severe persistent headache and was diagnosed with pneumocephalus on brain computed tomography. The patient returned home without any neurological complication, after a few days of conservative treatment. Though, a fluoroscopic guidance cervical epidural injection is also known to diminish the risk of complications. Physicians should always keep in mind that it does not guarantee safety, particularly in the cervical region, related to its anatomical considerations.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.207-210
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• 2001

Backgroud: Caudal blocks have been used for pain management in outpatient clinics. It is important to estimate the proper depth and angle in order to increase the success rate of the procedure. Methods: Data was collected from 60 patients who visited our pain clinic. We measured the depth of the needle's penetration and the angle of the needle at the insertion point when a caudal approach was confirmed by air flow method. We recorded age, sex, body weight and height, and calculated the ponderal index. Results: The depth from the skin to the caudal epidural space was a mean 2-4 cm ($3{\pm}0.4\;cm$). The angle at the needle insertion point was a mean 15-50 degree ($34.9{\pm}6.8$ degree). Conclusions: If we use the mean depth and angle as a guide, complications during the caudal epidural procedure can be avoided.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.262-266
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• 2012

Several complications are possible after a lumbar epidural block. However pneumocephalus are rare. In this case, we report a case of pneumocephalus. A 68-year-old male patient received lumbar epidural block with the loss of resistance technique using air, and after 35 minutes, apnea, unconsciousness, hypotension, and bradycardia occurred. Immediately, brain CT was done, and we found pneumocephalus. The patient complained of severe occipital headache and itchiness due to pneumocehalus. After conservative treatment, the patient recovered without neurologic complications, and on the seventh day of his hospitalization, he was discharged from the hospital.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제42권6호
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• pp.490-491
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• 2007

Air within the spinal canal called pneumorrhachis has been seen rarely. We report a case showing multiple air pockets in the paraspinal and epidural space with vacuum disc and review pathogenesis and treatment of pneumorrhachis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제50권3호
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• pp.231-234
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• 2011

Objective : Infection and bone resorption are major complications of cranioplasty and have been well recognized. However, there are few clinical series describing the epidural fluid collection (EFC) as complication of cranioplasty. This study was planned to identify the predictive factors and fate of EFC after cranioplasty. Methods : We reviewed retrospectively the demographic, clinical, and radiographic data in 59 patients who underwent a first cranioplsty following decompressive craniectomy during a period of 6 years, from January 2004 to December 2009. We compared demographic, clinical, and radiographic factors between EFC group and no EFC group. The predictive factors associated with the development of EFC were assessed by logistic regression analysis. Results : Overall, 22 of 59 patients (37.3%) suffered from EFC following cranioplasty. EFC had disappeared (n=6, 31.8%) or regressed (n=6, 31.8%) over time on follow up brain computed tomographic (CT) scans. However, 5 patients (22.7%) required reoperation due to symptomatic and persistent EFC. Predictive factors for EFC were male [odds ratio (OR), 5.48; 95% CI, 1.26-23.79], air bubbles in the epidural space (OR, 12.52; 95% CI, 2.26-69.28), and dural calcification on postoperative brain CT scan (OR, 4.21; 95% CI, 1.12-15.84). Conclusion : The most of EFCs could be treated by conservative therapy. Air bubble in the epidural space and dural calcification are proposed to be the predictive factors in the formation of EFC after cranioplasty.