Comparison of Arthroscopically Guided Suprascapular Nerve Block and Blinded Axillary Nerve Block vs. Blinded Suprascapular Nerve Block in Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the results of arthroscopically guided suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) and blinded axillary nerve block with those of blinded SSNB in terms of postoperative pain and satisfaction within the first 48 hours after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. METHODS: Forty patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for medium-sized full thickness rotator cuff tears were included in this study. Among them, 20 patients were randomly assigned to group 1 and preemptively underwent blinded SSNB and axillary nerve block of 10 mL 0.25% ropivacaine and received arthroscopically guided SSNB with 10 mL of 0.25% ropivacaine. The other 20 patients were assigned to group 2 and received blinded SSNB with 10 mL of 0.25% ropivacaine. Visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain and patient satisfaction score were assessed 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean VAS score for pain was significantly lower 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours postoperatively in group 1 (group 1 vs. group 2; 5.2 vs. 7.4, 4.1 vs. 6.1, 3.0 vs. 5.1, 2.1 vs. 4.2, 0.9 vs. 3.9, and 1.3 vs. 3.3, respectively). The mean patient satisfaction score was significantly higher at postoperative 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours in group 1 (group 1 vs. group 2; 6.7 vs. 3.9, 7.4 vs. 5.1, 8.8 vs. 5.9, 9.2 vs. 6.7, 9.5 vs. 6.9, and 9.0 vs. 7.2, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopically guided SSNB and blinded axillary nerve block in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for medium-sized rotator cuff tears provided more improvement in VAS for pain and greater patient satisfaction in the first 48 postoperative hours than blinded SSNB.

Correlations between the prevalence of colonic neoplasia and Helicobacter pylori infection / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Helicobacter pylori infection is a recognized cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric adenocarcinoma. However, both positive and negative associations with colorectal neoplasia have been reported. The aim of this study was to determine whether H. pylori infection is associated with an increased risk of colonic neoplasia in a Korean population. METHODS: We examined 1,590 subjects (1,297 men and 293 women) who underwent colonoscopy and serologic testing for IgG antibodies against H. pylori at the Health promotion Center in Kangbuk Samsung Hospital and at Samsung Medical Center. We compared the prevalence of colonic neoplasia in the seropositive subjects with that of the seronegative subjects. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of H. pylori in our study population was 56.2%. There were no significant differences of the baseline characteristics between the two groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of colonic neoplasia between the seropositive group and the seronegative group (p=0.090). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that there is no significant association between H. pylori infection and colonic neoplasia.

A Study of Mucosal Sampling for Helicobacter pylori Using 'Two-bite' Technique in Relation to Time-saving / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Multiple passages of biopsy forceps increase wear and tear on both the channel of endoscope and forceps. The two-bite technique can save time in obtaining sufficient specimens and also reduce the wear of the instruments. The aim of this study was to assess prospectively the efficacy of two-bite forceps technique in relation to time-saving. METHODS: A total 84 patients needed histopathologic diagnosis for Helicobacter pylori were randomized into two groups (one-bite technique: 41 patients, two-bite technique: 43 patients). An experienced endoscopist carried out upper endoscopy and used same biopsy forceps (FB-25K(R), Olympus, Tokyo, Japan). Mucosal biopsy specimens were obtained as follow: two from the antrum followed by two from the body. Rebiopsy was done when biopsy specimen was lost. The mean time in obtaining specimens and missing rate were analyzed. An experienced pathologist blinded to the technique of obtaining the samples evaluated the specimens for diameter, depth, crush artifact, and adequacy for histopathologic diagnosis. RESULTS: A total 336 specimens were obtained from 84 patients. Of these, 12 (7.0%) samples were missed with the two-bite technique but only 1 (0.6%) with the one-bite technique (p=0.003). Regarding histopathologic evaluation, there were no significant differences between samples taken with the two-bite technique and the one-bite technique. The mean time with two-bite technique (47.6 sec) was compared with one-bite technique (62.6 sec)(p<0.001). But there was no significant time difference if samples were missing during the process (62.5 sec). CONCLUSIONS: Although two- bite technique saves the time for biopsy, the main limitation is that there is a significant risk of losing samples.

Identification of Factors that Influence Conscious Sedation in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Although several studies examined factors that influence conscious sedation, investigation was limited into the gender and age. The aim of this prospective study is to identify the clinical variables of successful conscious sedation during gastrointestinal endoscopy. A total of 300 subjects who underwent gastrointestinal endoscopy were enrolled in a prospective fashion. They completed a questionnaire to assess height, weight, drinking, smoking, education level, recent medication, past medical history, previous experience of conscious sedation, preprocedural anxiety, and apprehension about the procedure. Efficacy of sedation and amnesia were evaluated by the subject and the endoscopist. Amnesic and sedative effects were proportionally related with age (p<0.0001). Preprocedural anxiety level was higher in women (p=0.0062), younger subjects (p=0.035), slender subjects (p=0.041), and in those without previous experience of conscious sedation (p=0.0034). This anxiety level was also related to increased pain (p=0.0026) and alertness (p=0.0003) during the procedure. Lower dose of midazolam is needed for sedation in older subjects. Subjects with a high level of preprocedural anxiety such as women, younger subjects, slender subjects, and those without previous experience of conscious sedation should be sedated with great caution because generally, they complain of much more severe pain and alertness during the procedure.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Significant Intrapulmonary Shunt in Cirrhotic patients awaiting liver transplantation / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Hepatopulmonary syndrome is a condition of severe hypoxia with intrapulmonary shunt (IPS) in the setting of hepatic dysfunction. Liver transplantation has been suggested as a definite treatment for hepatopulmonary syndrome with reversal of IPS in some patients. Inconsistency of response and inability to predict reversibility, however, are significant problems. We performed this study to evaluate the prevalence of significant IPS in pretransplantation cirrhotic patients and to find any risk factors of IPS. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients (M:F = 38:19, median age 49 years (range 18 - 71)) with liver cirrhosis awaiting liver transplantation were serially included. Their IPS status was evaluated using contrast- enhanced echocardiography. Significant shunt was defined as a shunt of grade >or= 2. RESULTS: Significant IPS was detected in 30 (52.6%) among 57 patients. Significant shunt was found in 24 (63.2%) of 38 Child-Pugh class C patients and in 6 (31.6%) of 19 Child-Pugh class A or B patients (p < 0.05). No significant difference in prevalence of significant shunt was seen according to age, sex, presence or absence of hepatocellular carcinoma, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and gastroesophageal varix. CONCLUSION: Significant intrapulmonary shunt is a common finding in cirrhotic patients awaiting liver transplantation. Child-Pugh class C is the risk factor associated with high prevalence of significant shunt.

A case of primary solitary tuberculoma of the liver treated with antituberculosis chemotherapy and surgical excision / 대한내과학회지

The solitary form of primary hepatic tuberculosis is a rare disease. We report an unusual case of primary solitary hepatic tuberculosis treated with surgical resection and second-line antituberculosis chemotherapy due to the recurrence after first-line antituberculosis chemotherapy alone. A 36-year-old man was presented with right upper abdominal discomfort, chills and weight loss for 2 months. Computerized tomography demonstrated the solitary space occupying lesion on the left lobe of liver suggesting a malignant disease. The open biopsy revealed chronic granulomatous inflammation with multinucleated giant cells and caseous necrosis. The patient was treated with antituberculosis chemotherapy for nine months and eighteen months respectively with the interval of eighteen months. But the hepatic lesion had become larger and symptoms were aggravated after the discontinuation of therapy. He underwent surgical excision of the lesioin. With second-line antituberculosis chemotherapy, the symptoms improved in postoperative days. Twenty four months later, no evidence of recurrence was noted in symptoms, laboratory findings and imaging studies.

Clinical aspects of the cystic tumors of the pancreas confirmed by operation / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Cystic tumors of the pancreas are uncommon, and frequently mistaken for pancreatic pseudocysts. Recently if the patient is a good surgical candidate and is symptomatic, resection is the treatment of the choice without the cytological and chemical analysis by the fine needle aspiration. But, we have no data in Korean population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the subclassification of the cystic tumors of the pancreas and the differential points between pancreatic pseudocysts and cystic tumors of the pancreas which had to be operated. METHODS: fifty-nine patients with cystic lesions of the pancreas have been operated at the Samsung Seoul Hospital from 1994 to 1999 and evaluated about the subclassification, frequency and the difference between pseudocysts and cystic tumors retrogradely. RESULTS: There were 14 mucinous cystic neoplasms (mucinous cystadenomas : 11 cases, mucinous cyst-adenocarcinomas : 3 cases), 10 serous cystadenomas, 9 solid and papillary epithelial neoplasms, 8 intra-ductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, 5 pseudocysts, 4 retention cysts, 3 endocrine tumors, 1 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with cystic change, 1 solid pseudopapillary tumor, 1 pancreatic ductal adenocarci-noma with pseudocyst, 1 cavernous lymphangioma, 1 lymphoepithelial cyst and 1 simple cyst. 57.6% of the patients were females and the mean age was 50.0 years (16 years-77 years). The characteristics between pseudocysts and cystic tumors of the pancreas (sex differentiation, mean age, previous history of alcohol drinking and pancreatitis, communication with the main duct on the pancreatogram and the sign of the pancreatitis on the radiologic study) had no differences. CONCLUSION: We conclude there were no other methods to differentiate accurately the pseudocyst from the cystic tumor of the pancreas other than the operation.

An Association between Apolipoprotein E Genotype and Colonic Adenomas in Korean / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Apolipoprotein E polymorphism plays an important role in the metabolism of cholesterol and bile acids, which may be related to the development of colorectal adenomas. An association between apolipoprotein E genotype and colonic adenomas has been reported in a western country. This study was designed to determine whether the apolipoprotein E was genotype would be associated with proximal or distal colonic adenomas in Koreans. METHODS: On the colonoscopy, colonic adenomas were found in 132 patients. Proximal colonic adenoma was found in 35 patients and distal colonic adenoma was found in 97 patients. Serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride were measured. Apolipoprotein E genotype was determined by PCR and allele specific oligonucleotide hybridization. 279 control subjects without an adenoma on the screening sigmoidoscopy were selected randomly. RESULTS: The serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride did not significantly differ between each adenoma group and control group. The individual frequencies of epsilon2, epsilon3 and epsilon4 alleles in patients with colonic adenomas did not differ from those in control subjects. The frequency of either heterozygote or homozygote for epsilon4 allele in patients with proximal adenoma was lower than that in control subjects (0.029 vs 0.168, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that epsilon4 allele may be associated with a lower risk for the development of proximal colonic adenoma in Korean men.

A case of morphine induced rhabdomyolysis / 대한내과학회지

Drugs are important causes of rhabdomyolysis. Opiate drugs are one of the important causes of rhabdomyolysis in foreign countries. In Korea, however, there is no report of opiate-induced rhabdomyolysis. We experienced a case of rhabdomyolysis developed after a morphine overdose for suicidal intent. The patient was a 27-year-old man presenting with comatose mentality. He initially suffered from the manifestations of acute opiate intoxication including central nervous system depression, respiratory depression and hyperthermia. He was treated with intravenous naloxone and mechanical ventilator for one day. Results of further investigations showed evidence of rhabdomyolysis. After he was treated with general supportive care including hydration, urine alkalinization, and cold blanket, his condition was fully recovered. This case highlights the importance of the suspicion of opiate overdose as a cause of rhabdomyolysis in any rhabdomyolysis patient with no definite etiology.

Genetic relatedness of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci Isolated from Clinical Specimens / 감염

BACKGROUND: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infection has become one of the important nosocomial infections in the United States. Recently, increasing number of patients with VRE infection have been reported in Korea. We performed this study to investigate the clinical manifestations, genetic relatedness and mechanism of transmission of VRE in our hospital. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with VRE which were isolated from clinical specimens in Samsung Medical Center from July 1997 through September 1997. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC, microgram/mL) of vancomycin and teicoplanin were determined by the agar dilution method. As for VRE isolated, PCR and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for molecular epidemiologic analysis were performed. RESULTS: During the study period, 5 strains of VRE were isolated from clinical specimens. All of 5 strains belonged to VanA phenotypically and genotypically. Among the five strains, one was E. faecalis and four were E. faecium. Four strains of E. faecium showed the same PFGE pattern. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the unexpectedly high rate of VRE isolates during relatively short-term period. Four out of 5 strains of VRE had the same PFGE patterns, which suggested the possibility of dissemination of one clone. To prevent the emergence and spread of VRE, practical guidelines including restriction of vancomycin usage and surveillance are warranted.

Comparison of Clinical Features and MRI Findings between Adamantinous and Papillary Craniopharyngioma / 대한내분비학회지

BACKGROUND: Craniopharyngioma is a suprasellar or intrasellar epithelial neoplasm that occurs in both children and adults. It accounts for 1.2 to 3 % of intracranial tumors with an incidence of 0.5 to 2 cases per one million populations each year. Recently, it has been postulated that it may have two pathogenetically separate subtypes, which are adamantinous and papillary craniopharyngioma, and that their clinical features may be different. However, there are some disagreements in this postulation. Therefore, we studied 22 consecutive patients with craniopharyngioma to evaluate the differences in clinical features and MRI findings between two subtypes. METHODS: We studied 22 patients with histologically proven craniopharyngioma after surgery at Samsung Medical center from 1995 to 1999. Thirteen patients were male, and nine patients were female. The average age was 30 years, with a range from 1 to 58 years. We divided 22 patients into two histopathologically separate subtypes; adamantinous and papillary subtypes. We compared the clinical features and MRI findings of two subtypes by reviewing medical records. RESULTS: Out of 22 patients with craniopharyngioma, 19 patients had an adamantinous subtype and 3 patients had a papillary subtype. The adamantinous subtype occurred frequently in the fifth decade and below twenty years, while the papillary subtype occurred predominantly in forth and fifth decades. The adamantinous subtype located in suprasellar or intrasellar portion as well as extrasellar portion, while the papillary subtype was restricted to the suprasellar location. The average tumor size of the adamantinous subtype was 3.7 cm, with a range from 1.4 to 6.0 cm, which was larger than that of the papillary subtype (average size 1.8 cm with a range from 1.5 to 2.3 cm, p< 0.05). The adamantinous subtype was predominantly cystic, while the papillary subtype was predominantly solid (p< 0.05). There were no significant differences in the preoperative clinical features and the postoperative complications between two subtypes. CONCLUSION: The adamantinous subtype had two peaks of occurrence in the fifth decade and below twenty years, while the papillary subtype occurred predominantly in forth and fifth decades. The adamantinous subtype was larger and had cystic portion, while the papillary subtype was smaller and had solid portion. The preoperative clinical features and the postoperative complications between two subtypes seemed not to be different.

A Case of Diffuse Alveolar Damage Induced by Cyclophosphamide / 결핵

Approximately 100 drugs have been reported to affect the lungs adversely. Among these, pulmonary toxicity caused by antieneoplastic agent is being recognized more frequently. Cyclophosphamide is an immunosuppressive alkylating agent used for the treatment of a wide variety of malignant and nonmalignant diseases. The incidence of pulmonary toxicity is probably less than 1 percent The first case was reported in 1967. Since then, more than 20 well-documented cases of pulmonary toxicity associated with cyclophosphamide have been reported in the literature. In Korea, three patients were identified with cyclophosphamide-induced lung disease. The typical features of toxicity include dyspnea, fever, cough, new parenchymal infiltrates, gas exchangs abnormalities on pulmonary function tests, and pleural thickening on chest roentgenogram. The best approach to management is early diagnosis, discontinuation of the offending drug and administration of corticosteroid therapy. Recently, we experienced a case of diffuse alveolar damage induced by cyclophosphamide. The patient presented with early-onset pulmonary toxicity and died of repiratory failure despite early use of corticosteroid.