• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.62-78
• /
• 2023

As the majority of incidentally detected lesions in the anterior mediastinum is small nodules with soft tissue appearance, the differential diagnosis has typically included thymic neoplasm and prevascular lymph node, with benign cyst. Overestimation or misinterpretation of these lesions can lead to unnecessary surgery for ultimately benign conditions. Diagnosing mediastinal cysts using MRI serves as a problem-solving modality in distinguishing between surgical and nonsurgical anterior mediastinal lesions. The pitfalls of MRI evaluation for anterior mediastinal cystic lesions are as follows: first, we acknowledge the limitation of T2-weighted images for evaluating benign cystic lesions. Due to variable contents within benign cystic lesions, such as hemorrhage, T2 signal intensity may be variable. Second, owing to extensive necrosis and cystic changes, the T2 shine-through effect may be seen on diffusion-weighted images (DWI), and small solid portions might be missed on enhanced images. Therefore, both enhancement and DWI with apparent diffusion coefficient values should be considered. An algorithm will be suggested for the diagnostic evaluation of anterior mediastinal cystic lesions, and finally, a management strategy based on MRI features will be suggested.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.207-212
• /
• 2010

Protein C deficiency increases the risk of thrombosis due to the lack of anticoagulant factor protein C. Among the numerous congenital protein C deficiencies, homozygous protein C deficiency has an especially low protein C activity level, that it is almost undetectable. It is a rare disease with a probability of 1:250000~500000. The signs and symptoms of homozygous protein C deficiency include purpuric, necrotic dermatosis, ecchymosis, blindness, and thrombosis in central nervous system. A 4-year-old girl was brought to the clinic with a chief complaint of extensive caries. The child was under warfarin medication in order to prevent possible complications during dental treatment. We consulted the pediatric department. Without warfarin intake, serious complications may occur due to thrombosis during dental treatment. Therefore, certain warfarin dosage (INR 3~5) and fresh frozen plasma as a backup for excessive hemorrhage were recommended. This child was a severely disabled child with the loss of vision, and it was difficult to manage her behavior effectively. Thus, dental treatment was carried out under general anesthesia, where bleeding control would be also easier to achieve.This report presents the case of a 4-year-old girl with protein C deficiency, who has received dental treatment for extensive caries under general anesthesia.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.347-366
• /
• 2012

The aim of this new statement is to provide comprehensive and timely evidence-based recommendations on stroke management for clinical practitioners. Many countries are already well engaged in developing and releasing their own clinical practice guidelines, whereas Korean Medicine (KM) is still beginning. It will take time and effort to develop evidence-based guidelines and recommendations of KM or other traditional medicine because they are weak in the area of scientific evidence. The clinical practice guideline of Korean medicine for stroke was formulated through extensive review of published literature and consensus meeting of Korean medicine specialists. This project was supported by a grant of the Oriental Medicine R&D Project, the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Referring to guidelines developed in other countries, the experts in the subject tried to organize and develop guidelines and recommendations adequate for domestic medical circumstances. In December, 2008, a multi-disciplinary team called the Evidence Based Clinical Practice Guidelines Development Group (EBCPGsDG) for Stroke was organized. The writing committee was comprised of experts in internal medicine, acupuncture, rehabilitation, and Sasang constitution. Outside specialists and associated panels were invited for consultation. The scope of the guideline encompasses acupuncture, moxibustion and herbal medicine (including Korean medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, Kampo medicine) as interventions for stroke patients. It includes statements about ischemic stroke (I63), stroke not specified as hemorrhage or infarction (I64), and sequelae of cerebrovascular disease (I69) according to the International Classification of Disease (ICD). The committee subdivided the description of herbal medications into acute stroke management, subacute stroke management, post-stroke management, and secondary prevention of stroke. Guidelines on the practice of acupuncture and moxibustion were described in order for acute stroke management, subacute stroke management, chronic stroke management, and post-stroke rehabilitation. Clinicians who are working in the field of stroke care can adopt this guideline for their practice.

• The Journal of Korea Assosiation for Disability and Oral Health
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.30-35
• /
• 2013

The four principles of treatment of odontogenic infection are as follows : (1) removal of the cause, (2) establishment of drainage, (3) institution of antibiotic therapy, and (4) provision of supportive care, including proper rest and nutrition. A separate incision is required to establish drainage, especially in the case of extensive fascial space infections. There are four principle causes for active bleeding in the immediate incision & drainage phase; (1) vascular wall alteration (infection, scurvy, chemicals), (2) disorder of platelet function, (3) thrombocytopenic purpuras, (4) disorders of coagulation (liver disease, anticoagulation drug). If the hemorrhage from incision & drainage site is aggressive, the site must be packed with proper wet gauze and wound closure & drainage dressing are applied. The specific causes of bleeding may be associated with hypoxia, changes in the pH of blood & chemical changes affecting vascular contractility and blood clotting. This is a case report of bleeding control by the circumferential suture & drainage on active bleeding incision & drainage site of temporal space abscess due to advanced odontogenic infection in a multiple medically compromised disabled patient.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.107-110
• /
• 2009

Infection of the both native and prosthetic vessels in the groin is a very serious disease because of recurrent arterial rupture and sepsis, and both these complications can cause death. The successful treatment of groin infection, including infection of the femoral artery, requires extensive excision of the infected tissues and restoration of the circulation. We experienced a case of obturator bypass in a patient with an infected femoral artery pseudoaneurysm and accompanying sepsis, and this occurred after performing a transfemoral angiogram in an A-V fistula of the carotid artery, and the patient also displayed intracranial hemorrhage.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.65 no.3
• /
• pp.225-229
• /
• 2008

Inferior vena cava filters are increasingly being used as an alternative to anticoagulation therapy for the prevention of pulmonary embolism. However, using an Inferior vena cava filter may result in clinically significant complications. Phlegmasia cerulea dolens is a rare disease that presents with acute complete venous occlusion due to extensive thrombosis in the lower extremity. It is characterized by intense pain, edema, decreased pulses and a cyanotic extremity. We report here on a case of phlegmasia cerulea dolens that was accompanied with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) as a complication of the placement of an inferior vena cava filter in a patient who had been previously diagnosed with pulmonary embolism, and the patient had recently developed a cerebral hemorrhage due to a traffic accident.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.57 no.6
• /
• pp.264-270
• /
• 2014

Purpose: Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) is a fulminant disease of the brain characterized by bilateral thalamic lesions, and is prevalent among children in East Asia. The prognosis of ANE is usually poor with a high mortality rate and neurological sequelae. This study aimed to delineate the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of ANE. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 399 pediatric patients with encephalitis who were admitted to Samsung Medical Center from December 1998 to March 2011. We enrolled ten patients (11 cases) with ANE and analyzed their demographic, clinical, and neuroimaging data. The location and extent of the brain regions were checked based on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, T1-, and T2-weighted imaging findings; the presence of contrast enhancement, restricted diffusion, and hemorrhage. Results: Ten patients were identified, including one patient with two episodes. The median age of onset was 1.5 years (0.4-8.4 years). The mortality rate was 40%, and only 30% of patients survived without neurological sequelae. The definite involvement of the brainstem on brain magnetic resonance imaging was significantly correlated with mortality (P =0.04). Conclusion: Broad and extensive brainstem involvement suggested the fulminant course of ANE. Early diagnosis of ANE before brainstem involvement, through careful identification of symptoms of brain dysfunction, may be the best way to achieve better neurological outcomes.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.40 no.6
• /
• pp.721-727
• /
• 2013

Background One of the main concerns in orbital blowout fracture repair is a narrow operation field, due mainly to the innate complex three dimensions of the orbit; however, a deep location and extensive area of the fracture and soft tissue edema can also cause concern. Swelling of the orbital contents progresses as the operation continues. Mannitol has been used empirically in glaucoma, cerebral hemorrhage, and orbital compartment syndrome for decompression. The authors adopted mannitol for the control of intraorbital edema and pressure in orbital blowout fracture repair. Methods This prospective study included 108 consecutive patients who were treated for a pure blowout fracture from January 2007 to October 2012. For group I, mannitol was administered during the operation. Under general anesthesia, all patients underwent surgery by open reduction and insertion of an absorbable mesh implant. The authors compared postoperative complications, the reoperation rate, operation time, and surgical field improvement between the two groups. Results In patients who received intraoperative administration of mannitol, the reoperation rate and operation time were decreased; however, the difference was not statistically significant. The total postoperative complication rates did not differ. Panel assessment for the intraoperative surgical field video recordings showed significantly improved vision in group I. Conclusions For six years, mannitol proved itself an effective, reliable, and safe adjunctive drug in the repair of orbital blowout fractures. With its rapid onset and short duration of action, mannitol could be one of the best methods for obtaining a wider surgical field in blowout fracture defects.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.84-90
• /
• 2000

Background and Purpose: Stroke in young adults is relatively uncommon. Only 3.7-14.4% of all strokes occur in patients aged 15-45 years. Stroke in young adults has more various and diverse possible causes than stroke in the elderly. We studied to gain further insight into both pathogenic and etiologic determinants in young adults with stroke. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 230 young patients aged 15-45 years who were admitted to the 2nd internal medicine department of Kyung Hee Oriental Medical Center with a diagnosis of stroke between May 1995 and May 1999. We analysed clinical features and diagnostic tests, such as brain imaging, cerebral angiography, echocardiography, 24 hours holter monitoring and other laboratory tests. Results : 1. Of 230 young patients with stroke aged 15-45 years(176 males(76.5%) and 54 females(23.5%)), 140 patients(60.9%) showed ischemic stroke and 90 patients(39.1 %) showed hemorragic stroke. 2. The most prevalent age group was from 40 to 45 years with 142 patients(61.7%) 3. The most frequent site of 140 ischemic stroke was MCA territory in 93 cases(66.4%) and Multiple, VA territory, PCA territory, ACA territory in order of frequency. 4. The most frequent site of 90 hemorrhagic stroke was basal galglia hemorrhage 57 cases(63.3%) and subcortical 13 cases(14.5%), pons, thalmus, subarachnoid, cerebellum in order of frequency. 5. The causes of hemorrhagic stroke were hypertension 49 cases(54.5%), arteriovenous malformation 7 cases(7.8%), ruptured aneurysm 4 cases(4.5%), angioma 3 cases(3.3%). 6. The risk factors of ischemic stroke were smoking, alcohol drinking, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, obesity, heart disease, history of CVA, diabetes mellitus, in order of frequency. 7. The comparison of risk factors between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke: hypertension was prevalent in hemorrhagic stroke, heart disease and history of CVA were prevalent in ischemic stroke. Conclusions: From the above results, we found that stroke in young adults had various possible causes. Young adults with stroke deserve an extensive but tailored evaluation which include angiography and echocardiography for diagnosis.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
• /
• v.3 no.1 s.4
• /
• pp.34-37
• /
• 2003

Postoperative stroke is uncommon even in elderly patients, who have a higher incidence of all types of postoperative complications. The mechanism of postoperative stroke is not certain, but can be explained by intravascular clottings originated from thrombus or embolus or by intracranial hemorrhage. In a 66-year-old male patient with current hypertension medication, who underwent both neck dissection for malignancy metastasis under general anesthesia, the left hemiparesis and delayed emergency were found postoperatively. After transferred to intensive care unit, he got the thrombolytic therapy and then the therapies to decrease the swelling of the brain on the diagnosis of cerebral infarction in the vascular distribution of the middle cerebral artery. A brain MRI definitely showed the midline deviation to the left of the right brain hemisphere due to the progressing edematous changes. As he got worse, the emergency neurosurgical operation was proposed but rejected by his family. He died at postoperative 3 days. In this hypertensive patient. perioperative stroke could be originated from the surgical stimuli on major vessels, which were inevitable in neck dissection during the operation. We report this case of the postoperative stroke, which could be highly possible to be associated with extensive head and neck surgery.