• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.203-207
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• 1989

Anesthesiologists are usually responsible for the major works in pain clinics and are often called for many sophisticated nerve blocks in the management of acute or chronic intractable pain. It is, therefore, not uncommon for the anesthesiologists to meet some unexpected and unusual complications during his or her performance. We experienced a case of a pneumothorax following a thoracic intrathecal alcohol block. There was an unusual and yet unexplainable cephalad spread of alcohol following an injection through the 4th sacral foramen, and a shearing off of the catheter by a Tuohy epidural needle following the epidural catheterization. All these three cases are herein presented.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.168-173
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• 2014

Background: Recently, there have been several case reports and retrospective studies about the incidence of intradiscal (ID) injection during transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI). Inadvertent ID injection is not a rare complication, and it carries the risk of developing diskitis, although there has been no report of diskitis after TFESI. We prospectively evaluated the incidence of inadvertent ID injection during lumbar TFESI and analyzed the contributing factors. Methods: Ten patients received 2-level TFESI, and the remaining 229 patients received 1-level TFESI. When successful TFESI was performed, 2 ml of contrast dye was injected under real-time fluoroscopy to check for any inadvertent ID spread. A musculoskeletal radiologist analyzed all magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of patients who demonstrated inadvertent ID injection. When reviewing MRIs, the intervertebral foramen level where ID injection occurred was carefully examined, and any anatomical structure which narrowing the foramen was identified. Results: Among the 249 TFESI, we identified 6 ID injections; thus, there was an incidence of 2.4%. Four patients had isthmic spondylolisthesis, and the level of spondylolisthesis coincided with the level of ID injection. We further examined the right or left foramen of the spondylolisthesis level and identified the upward migrated disc material that was narrowing the foramen. Conclusions: Inadvertent ID injection during TFESI is not infrequent, and pain physicians must pay close attention to the type and location of disc herniation.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.52-57
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• 2009

Background: Transforaminal epidural injection (TEI) may be useful to treat unilateral pain that has a dermatomal distribution. In this approach, the needle tip can be placed closer to the dorsal root ganglion and ventral aspect of the nerve root. However many studies have reported that serious complications following TEI occurred more frequently when it was conducted at the cervical level. One of the presumptive mechanisms of the complication is intravascular injection. Therefore this study was conducted to identify the incidence of complications in response to intravascular injections at cervical segments. Methods: This study included all patients, who visited our pain clinic and had radicular symptoms or herpes zoster associated pain. All procedures were conducted under fluoroscopic guidance with contrast enhancement by one of the authors. After the ideal needle position was confirmed by biplanar fluoroscopy, the blood aspiration through the needle hub was evaluated, and a 3 ml mixture of nonionic contrast (2 ml) with normal saline (1 ml) was injected at a rate of 0.3-0.5 ml/sec continuously under real time fluoroscopic visualization. We then classified the contrast spreading pattern as neural, simultaneous neural and vascular, or vascular. Results: A total 71 cervical TEIs were performed. In 26 cases (36.6%), the contrast only spread to the nerve sheath. However, 45 cases (63.4%) showed an intravascular spreading pattern, 37 (52.1%) of which showed a neural and vascular pattern and 8 (11.3%) of which showed only a vascular pattern. Conclusions: Approximately two thirds of the cases of cervical TEI were found to lead to intravascular spreading, which is much higher than the incidence reported in previous studies.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.225-230
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• 1997

Background: Authors modified the traditional continuous axillary brachial plexus block technique of Selander for purpose of increasing success rate and decreasing complications by use of commercial epidural anesthesia set. Method: Thirty-nine patients scheduled for upper extremity operations were injected with 40 ml of anesthetic solution by axillary perivascular technique, using 23~25G immobile needle at 2 cm from the pectoralis major. Tuohy needle was immediately introduced at 4 cm from the pectoralis major and pierced the expanded neurovascular sheath at an angle of 30 degree to the skin. The "pop" was well noted well. Needle was advanced 0.5 to 3.0 cm and epidural catheter introduced through the needle. After removal of needle, occlusive dressing was done. Tip of catheter and spread of solution were demonstrated by fluoroscopy with contrast dye after completion of procedure. Result: Catheter insertion was successful at first attempt for all case. Total length of insertion was from 6 to 13($10.0{\pm}1.7$) cm. Tip of catheter was placed in infraclavicular space(66.7%), about the humeral head(17.9%) and in upper arm in 3 cases as U-shape(7.9%). Catheters were maintained for $6.7{\pm}2.6$(3-12) days. There were no complications such as: perforation of major vessels, needle trauma to nerve, infection, bleeding or hematoma. Conclusion: This study demonstrated continuous axillary brachial plexus block with epidural anesthesia set is safe, easy and convenient modification of technique of Selander.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.285-288
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• 2006

A 63-year-old female complained of left frontal headache and swelling for several months. Physical examination revealed left supraorbital soft, nontender, nonpulsatile mass without bruit. The left eye was displaced downward with respect to the normal right globe. Based on the clinical and radiological findings, the patient was diagnosed as a mucocele arising from the left frontal sinus. The patient underwent a transcranial approach through coronal incision. In this patient, large portions of the anterior and posterior frontal sinus walls were destroyed in association with epidural spread, so we performed cranialization of the frontal sinus and removed the mucosal wall with the aid of a microscope. With a brief review we present a patient with mucocele of the frontal sinus extending into the intracranial and intraorbital region, which was successfully treated by a transcranial approach.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.97-102
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• 2011

The Multidrug-resistant Acinetobactor baumanii (MDRAB) is an opportunistic pathogen. Patients with long periods of hospital stay and/or under intensive care unit (ICU) receiving invasive management are more susceptible to this pathogen. In this report, four children with MDRAB infection are reviewed and described their clinical characteristics. There had been concurrent outbreaks of MDRAB infection in adult patients in the ICU at this period of time. The first child had received a craniotomy and epidural hematoma evacuation. The second child was admitted for status epilepticus with hydrocephalus. The third child had pneumonia with status epilepticus with hydrocephalus. The fourth child had poor activity due to hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and convulsive disorder. Except the fourth child, all had not been exposed to carbapenem prior to infection of MDRAB. That imply the cause of MDRAB infections may be associated with invasive management and prolonged hospitalization together with the previous exposure to carbapenem in our cases. We would like to emphasize the importance and minimizing the spread of hospital infection in patients under prolonged intensive care management regardless of the use of carbapenem.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.231-237
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• 2024

Brain injury causes persistent disability in survivors, and epidural hematoma(EDH) and subdural hematoma (SDH) resulting from cerebral hemorrhage can be considered one of the major clinical diseases. In this study, we attempted to automatically segment and hematomas due to cerebral hemorrhage in three dimensions based on computed tomography(CT) images. An improved GVF(gradient vector flow) algorithm was implemented for automatic segmentation of hematoma. After calculating and repeating the gradient vector from the image, automatic segmentation was performed and a 3D model was created using the segmentation coordinates. As a result of the experiment, accurate segmentation of the boundaries of the hematoma was successful. The results were found to be good even in border areas and thin hematoma areas, and the intensity, direction of spread, and area of the hematoma could be known in various directions through the 3D model. It is believed that the planar information and 3D model of the cerebral hemorrhage area developed in this study can be used as auxiliary diagnostic data for medical staff.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.111-121
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• 1991

It has been well known that the splanchnic nerve block is effective for patients who suffer from intractable upper abdominal pain. However, it is unclear whether the effect of the splanchnic nerve block depends on varied alcoholic concentration. In this study, an attempt was made to use absolute ethanol on patients who recieved a splanchnic nerve block at Severance Hospital during the period from September l990 to April l991. The results are as follows; 1) Among the 33 patients, including 22 males and 1l females, the fifties and sixties were the major age groups. 2) Stomach cancer was the most common underlying disease(13 cases), with pancreatic can- cer next(9 cases). 3) The main locations of pain were the upper abdomen, epigastrium, and entire abdomen in decreasing order. 4) There were 17 cases who had had chemotherapy, and 1l cases of whom had had surgery before the splanchnic nerve block. 5) The volume of alcohol used was 12 ml bilaterally. 6) Among the 33 patients, 15.2% required a second block within two weeks of the first block. One case required a third block. 7) The most common complications of splanchnic nerve block were hypotension(33.3%), occasional transient sharp burning pain, flushing of face, pain on injection site, nausea, vomiting, dyspnea, chest discomfort and diarrhea. 8) The supplemental block most commonly used was a continuous epidural block. It was used both as a diagnostic block and to afford relief from pain before the splanchnic nerve block was done. 9) The interval between the receiving the absolute ethanol block and discharge was within 2 weeks in l5 cases. But, in the patients with poor general health, the interval between the splanchnic nerve block and discharge prolonged. The above results suggest that bilateral splanchnic nerve block done with absolute ethanol after an effective test block with 1% lidocaine under C-arm fluroscopic control is satisfactory and reliable. Still, 26.6% of the patients received a repeat block within 2 weeks. Insufficient spread of ethanol due to its small volume seems to be a major factor in the repeat block. Minimizing the incidence of repeat block remains a problem to be solved.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.34-46
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• 1988

Intractable pain from advanced carcinoma of the upper abdomen is difficult to manage. One method used to control pain associated with these malignancies is to block off the splanchnic nerve. In 1919 Kappis described a technique by which the splanchnic nerve of the upper abdomen could be anesthetized, using a percutaneous injection. This method has been used for the relief of upper abdominal pain due to hematoma and cancer of the pancreas, stomach, gall bladder, bile duct, and colon. During the Period from November 1968 to January 1986, this method was used in 208 cases of malignancy at Severance Hospital and clinically evaluated. Patients were retroactively grouped according to the stage of development of technique used. Twelve patients who received the treatment in the period from November 1968 to March 1977 were designate4i as group 1, 26 patients from April 1977 to April 1979 as group 2, and 170 from May 1979 to January 1986 as group 3. The results are as follows: 1) The number of patients receiving splanchnic nerve block has been increasing since 1977. 2) A total of 208 patients, including 133 males and 75 females, ranging in age from 18 to 84 and averaging 51. 3) The causes of pain were stomach cancer 90, pancreatic cancer 69, and miscellaneous cancer 49 cases respectively. 4) There were 57.7% who had surgery. and 3.7% of whom had chemotherapy before the splanchnic nerve block was done. 5) These blocks were carried out with the patient in the prone position as described by Dr. Moore. For group 2 and 3, C-arm image intensifier was used. In group 1, a 22 gauze loom long needle was inserted at the lower border of the 12th rib on each aide about 7\;cm from the midline. The average distance from the midline was $6.60{\pm}0.61\;cm$ on the left side and $6.60{\pm}0.83\;cm$ on the right side in group 2, and $5.46{\pm}0.76\;cm$ on the left side and $5.49{\pm}0.69\;cm$ on the right side in group 3. The average depth to which the needle was inserted was $8.60{\pm}0.52\;cm$ on the left side and $8.74{\pm}0.60\;cm$ on the right side in group 2, and $8.96{\pm}0.63\;cm$ on the left side and $9.18{\pm}0.57\;cm$ on the right side in group 3. 6) The points of the inserted needles were positioned in the upper quarter anteriorly, 51.8% on the left side and 54.4% n the right side of the L1 vertebra by lateral roentgenogram in group 3. The inserted needle points were located in the upper and anterolateral part, of the L1 vertebra 68.5% on the left side and 60.6won the right side, on the anteroposterior rentgenogram in group 3. The needle tip was not advanced beyond the anterior margin of the vertebral body. 7) In some case of group 3, contrast media was injected before the block was done. It shows, the spread upward along the anterior mal gin of the vertebral body. 8) The concentration and the average amount of drug used in each group was as follows: In group 1, $39.17{\pm}6.69\;ml$ of 0.5% -l% lidocaine or 0.25% bupivacaine were injected for the test block and one to three days after the test block $40.00{\pm}4.26\;ml$ of 50% alcohol was injected for the semipermanent block. In group 2, $13.75{\pm}4.88\;ml$ of 1% lidocaine were used as the test block and followed by $46.17{\pm}4.37\;ml$ of 50% alcohol was injected as the semipermanent block. In group 3, $15.63{\pm}1.19\;ml$ of 1% lidocaine for test block followed by $15.62{\pm}1.20\;ml$ of pure alcohol and $16.05{\pm}2.58\;ml$ of 50% alcohol for semipermanent block were injected. 9) The result of the test block was satisfactory in all cases. However the semipermanent block was 83.3 percent of the patients in group 1 who received relief from pain for at least 2 weeks after the block, 73.1% in group 2, and 91.8% in group 3. In these unsuccessful cases, 2 cases in group 1 were controlled by narcotics but 7 cases in group 2 and 14 cases in group 3 received the same splanchnic nerve block 1 or 2 times again within 2 weeks. But, in some cases it was 3 to i months before the 2nd block and in 1 cases even 7 years. 10) The most common complications of splanchnic nerve block were hypotensino(25.5%) occasional flushing of the face, nausea, vomiting, and chest discomfort. 11) For the patients in group 3, the supplemental block most commonly used was a continuous epidural block; it was used as a diagnostic block and to afford relief from pain before the splanchnic nerve block was done. 12) The interval between the receiving of the alcohol block and discharge was from 5 to 8 days in 61 cases(31.1%) and from 1 to 2 days in 48 cases(24.5%). From the above results, it can be concluded that the splanchnic nerve block done in the prone position with pure and 50% alcohol immediately after an effective test block with 1% lidocaine under C-arm fluoroscopic control is satisfactory and reliable. How to minimize the repeat block is still a problem to be solved.