• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.174-179
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• 2010

Objective : Cricothyrotomy and tracheostomy are performed by physicians in various disciplines. It is important to know the comprehensive anatomy of the laryngotracheal region. Hemorrhage, esophageal injury, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, pneumothorax, hemothorax, false passage of the tube and tracheal stenosis after decannulation are well known complications of the cricothyrotomy and tracheostomy. Cricothyrotomy and tracheostomy should be performed without complications and as quickly as possible with regards the patients' clinical condition. Methods : A total of 40 cadaver necks were dissected in this study. The trachea and larynx and the relationship between the trachea and larynx and the surrounding structures was investigated. The tracheal cartilages and annular ligaments were counted and the relationship between tracheal cartilages and the thyroid gland and vascular structures was investigated. We performed cricothyrotomy and tracheostomy in eleven cadavers while simulating intensive care unit conditions to determine the duration of those procedures. Results : There were 11 tracheal cartilages and 10 annular ligaments between the cricoid cartilage and sternal notch. The average length of trachea between the cricoid cartilage and the suprasternal notch was 6.9 to 8.2 cm. The cricothyroid muscle and cricothyroid ligament were observed and dissected and no vital anatomic structure detected. The average length and width of the cricothyroid ligament was 8 to 12 mm and 8 to 10 mm, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the surgical time required for cricothyrotomy and tracheostomy (p < 0.0001). Conclusion : Tracheostomy and cricothyrotomy have a low complication rate if the person performing the procedure has thorough knowledge of the neck anatomy. The choice of tracheostomy or cricothyrotomy to establish an airway depends on the patients' clinical condition, for instance; cricothyrotomy should be preferred in patients with cervicothoracal injury or dislocation who suffer from respiratory dysfunction. Furthermore; if a patient is under risk of hypoxia or anoxia due to a difficult airway, cricothyrotomy should be preferred rather than tracheostomy.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.239-253
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• 2010

Coenzyme $Q_{10}$ ($CoQ_{10}$, or ubiquinone) is an electron carrier of the mitochondrial respiratory chain (electron transport chain) with antioxidant properties. In view of the involvement of $CoQ_{10}$ in oxidative phosphorylation and cellular antioxidant protection a deficiency in this quinone would be expected to contribute to disease pathophysiology by causing a failure in energy metabolism and antioxidant status. Indeed, a deficit in $CoQ_{10}$ status has been determined in a number of neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disorders. Primary disorders of $CoQ_{10}$ biosynthesis are potentially treatable conditions and therefore a high degree of clinical awareness about this condition is essential. A secondary loss of $CoQ_{10}$ status following HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statins) treatment has been implicated in the pathophysiology of the myotoxicity associated with this pharmacotherapy. $CoQ_{10}$ and its analogue, idebenone, have been widely used in the treatment of neurodegenerative and neuromuscular disorders. These compounds could potentially play a role in the treatment of mitochondrial disorders, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Friedreich's ataxia, and other conditions which have been linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. This article reviews the physiological roles of $CoQ_{10}$, as well as the rationale and the role in clinical practice of $CoQ_{10}$ supplementation in different neurological diseases, from primary $CoQ_{10}$ deficiency to neurodegenerative disorders. These will help in future for treatment of patients suffering from neurodegenerative disease.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.175-182
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• 2006

VATER association is defined as a combination of 3 or more anomalies- vertebra (V), imperforate anus (A), esophageal atresia with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (TE), renal and radial anomaly(R). We reviewed our experiences in one center to determine etiology, prevalence, clinical manifestation, other associated anomaly and prognosis. Two hundred and twenty-three cases that underwent operations for imperforate anus or esophageal atresia were analyzed retrospectively through medical records at Department of Pediatric Surgery, Asan Medical Center from June, 1989 to July, 2005. The total number of neonates who had been admitted during period of study were 46,773 and VATER association was 9 (0.019 %, 1.92 persons per 10,000 neonates). Median gestational age and birth weight were $37^{+4}wk$ ($35^{+1}$ - $41^{+4}$) and 2,594 g (1,671-3,660), respectively and median age of mother was 32 years (23-38). There was no family history. Three patients were twins but their counterparts had no anomalies. Patients who have 3 anomalies were 6, 4 anomalies in two and 5 anomalies in one patient. Vertebra anomalies were detected in 7(77.7 %), imperforate anus in 8(88.9 %), esophageal atresia in 5 patients (55.6 %), renal anomaly in 6(66.7 %), and radial anomaly in 5(55.6 %), respectively. Four patients are alive, 2 patients were lost during follow up period. Three patients died due to neonatal sepsis, respiratory dysfunction and cardiac failure. VATER association did not appear to be a definite risk factor, but merely a randomized combination of 5 anomalies. The prognosis was dependent on the other associated anomalies, appropriateness of management and operation. Careful follow-up and aggressive treatmentare required for improving survival and quality of life.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.14-20
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• 2018

Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs) are a group of rare inherited metabolic disorders caused by specific lysosomal enzyme deficiencies leading to the sequential degradation of glycosaminoglycans, causing substrate accumulation in various cells and tissues and progressive multiple organ dysfunction. The rare disease medical care team at Mackay Memorial Hospital in Taiwan has been dedicated to the study of MPSs for more than 20 years. Since 1999, more than 50 academic papers focusing on MPSs have been published in international medical journals. Topics of research include the following items regarding MPSs: incidence, natural history, clinical manifestations, gene mutation characteristics, cardiac function, bone mineral density, sleep studies, pulmonary function tests, hearing assessments, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, anesthetic experience, imaging analysis, special biochemical tests, laboratory diagnostics, global expert consensus conferences, prenatal diagnosis, new drug clinical trials, newborn screening, and treatment outcomes. Of these published academic research papers, more than half were cross-domain, cross-industry, and international studies with results in cooperation with experts from European, American and other Asian countries. A cross-specialty collaboration platform was established based on high-risk population screening criteria with the acronym "BECARE" (Bone and joints, Eyes, Cardiac and central nervous system, Abdomen and appearance, Respiratory system, and Ear, nose, and throat involvement). Through this platform, orthopedic surgeons, rheumatologists, ophthalmologists, cardiologists, rehabilitation physicians, gastroenterologists, otorhinolaryngologists, and medical geneticists have been educated with regards to awareness of suspected cases of MPSs patients to allow for a further confirmative diagnosis of MPSs. Because of the progressive nature of the disease, an early diagnosis and early multidisciplinary therapeutic interventions including surgery, rehabilitation programs, symptom-based treatments, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and enzyme replacement therapy, are very important.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.187-194
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• 2002

This study was investigated the effects of exercise and supplementation of L-carnitine and antioxidants on hepatic mitochondrial function, especially oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Isolated hepatic mitochondria from 4 rat groups were functionally tested by an analysis of respiration and the coupling of this process to ATP synthesis in the presence of ADP. Four groups were non-trained, non-supplemented group (NTNS), non-trained, supplemented group (NTS), long term-trained, non-supplemented group (LTNS) , and long term-trained, supplemented group (LTS). The trained rats run on a treadmill (grade 10°,20 m/min) for 60min/day for 8 weeks. The supplemented rats were treated with L-carnitine (0.5% diet), vitamin E(0.5mg/g BW), vitamin C (0.5mg/g BW) and melatonin (1 $\mu$ g/g BW) for 8 weeks. There were exercise effects on improving mitochondrial OXPHOS. Within non-supplemented groups, exercised rats resulted in a significant decrease in state 4 oxygen consumption, which increased the respiratory control (RC) ratio and ADP : O (P/O) ratio. There were supplementation effects on improving mitochondrial OXPHOS, too. Within non-exercised rats, supplemented rats resulted in a significant decrease in state 4 oxygon consumption. which increased the RC ratio and P/O ratio. There were additive effects of exercise and supplementation on OXPHOS. Within supplemented rats, exercise resulted in an increase in RC ratio. Significant effects of exercise-supplement interaction on improving OXPHOS were identified. It suggests that exercise and supplementation of L-carnitine and antioxidants might improve more efficiently the impaired OXPHOS efficiency in mitochondrial dysfunction that recognized as is an important cause of degenerative diseases. (J Community Nutrition 4(3) : 187∼194, 2002)

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.545-551
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• 2012

Due to the use of polymeric materials in construction materials, the fire combustion gases that occur in the fire are various. The one of combustion gases, HBr is measured to evaluate the toxicity of the combustion gases in the FTP Code Part 2, Standard NES 713 and Standard BS 6853. According to the MSDS, Inhalation of HBr gas especially cause burn, respiratory dysfunction, headache, etc. The people who are exposed to 50ppm of HBr gas, very irritant gas may also frequently result in both immediate death and post-exposure deaths due to pulmonary complications. In this paper, we conduct a research on the combustion toxicity of HBr gas hazardous test which is motility measurement of the mice exposed to the HBr standard gas comparing the biological analysis result.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.5
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• pp.32-46
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• 1998

Cancer is a leading cause of death, and the number of cancer patients is increasing in Korea. The needs for the home care of cancer patients are increasing recently, but the standardized home care protocols are not developed yet. This study was designed to develop nursing assessment -intervention algorithms for the cancer chemotherapy patients at home. These algorithms suggest guidelines when we assess the patient's condition, and find appropriate nursing interventions, so that standardization and quality control of home care can be attained. The algorithms were processed by yes-no tree. Eleven common problems of cancer chemotherapy patients were identified by the literature review and oncology nurses' experience. These were digestive dysfunction, pain, fatigue, infection, respiratory difficulties, activity intolerance, hemorrhage, sensory disorder, edema, skin problem, and mucosal problem. The algorithm needs to be validated and modified by using for the cancer chemotherapy patients at home.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.245-250
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• 2001

Paraquat is one of the widely used herbicides. But it is fatal, if it is consumed by people. Paraquat poisoning causes acute renal failure, hepatic dysfunction, and progressive respiratory failure. There are no effective antidotes to paraquat. This report is about one case's treatment for acute hepatitis caused by paraquat. The patient was hospitalized in the Department of Internal Medicine, Wonkwang University Oriental Medical Hospital in Chonju. The patient received the following treatments while in an acute stage : Gamdutanggamibang(甘豆湯加味方), which consists of Radix glycyrrhizae(甘草), Semen mungo(綠豆), burned powder of Rhizoma rhei(大黃炒炭末), Succus phyllostachyos(竹瀝), chinese ink(墨汁) and fluid therapy. The patient received Sagunjatanggamibang(四君子湯加味方) while in a chronic stage. The patient improved faster with the above treatments than with the conventional treatment. We hope that this report will help widening the clinical range of oriental medicine, and improve systemic efforts in treating paraquat poisoning cases.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.105-108
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• 2021

Background : Hyperornithinemia-hyperammonemia-homocitrullinuria (HHH) syndrome is a rare, autosomal recessive metabolic disorder which is caused by genetic mutations that disrupt the urea cycle. It is characterized by variable clinical presentation and the age of onset. Patients may present with gait disturbance and progressive paraplegia and muscle tightness in the lower extremities. The use of botulinum toxin in metabolic disease has rarely been discussed. We describe a case of a 14-year-old-boy with HHH syndrome, who presented with a several - month history of gait disturbance and lower extremity weakness. Case presentation : A 14-year old male had a history of recurrent upper respiratory tract infections, occasional vomiting, loss of appetite, and general weakness, all of which started since he was 10 months old. He was diagnosed with HHH syndrome at one year of age. At the age of 14, he was referred for the assessment and treatment of his gait disturbance and aggravated weakness of the lower extremities. Brain MRI, electrodiagnostic study and blood test were performed to exclude any lesions related to neurologic dysfunction. Botulinum toxin type A were injected into muscles of adductor longus, adductor magnus, lateral and medial hamstring, and lateral and medial gastrocnemius muscle heads under needle electromyography guidance to reduce lower limb spasticity. Intensive physical therapy including gait training and stretching exercise of adductor and calf muscles were also provided. After intensive physical therapy and botulinum toxin injection to reduce lower limb spasticity, he was able to ambulate for 20 meters independently without any walking aids. There were no adverse events after the injection. Conclusion : Botulinum toxin injection is a safe and effective therapy for patients with HHH syndrome who suffer from gait disturbance.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.155-160
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• 2022

Children and adolescents with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) generally have mild symptoms. Severe infection due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) involving multiorgan dysfunction is rare in this population. Herein, we present an unusual case of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection with multiorgan involvement followed by multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) in a vaccinated 16-year-old boy. The patient was unconscious on initial presentation, and had severe paralytic ileus. On laboratory examination, there was severe metabolic acidosis, lymphocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, elevated inflammatory markers, elevated liver enzymes, and evidence of acute kidney injury with proteinuria and hematuria. His symptoms improved with the administration of remdesivir and dexamethasone. The patient briefly experienced MIS-C 2 weeks after the diagnosis of COVID-19, but the patient was discharged without any complications.