Methemglobinemia from Antifreeze Containing Sodium Nitrite

Sodium nitrite is commercially used as a coloring agent, food preservative, and corrosion inhibitor. Accidental poisoning with sodium nitrite from contaminated food and water causes gastrointestinal irritation, vasodilatation, and methemoglobinemia with subsequent tissue hypoxia. We describe an outbreak case of sodium nitrite-induced methemoglobinemia following the ingestion of noodles contaminated with industrial antifreeze. The eEight patients involved initially complained that their noodles tasted 'unpleasant' and soon afterwards experienced nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and fatigue. Some of them noted cyanosis on their lips and fingers. Subsequent investigations demonstrated a high methemoglobin concentration which was corrected by the intravenous administration of methylene blue three hours after the onset of symptoms. The patients made a prompt, uncomplicated recovery and were discharged home 4 four days later. Industrial antifreeze contains sodium nitrite and calcium nitrite. Because an accidental poisoning of industrial antifreeze causes fatal methemoglobinemia, emergency physicians should promptly identify its symptoms and institute treatment with methylene blue promptly. In addition, industrial agencies must caution construction businesses against such contamination events.

Coordinate Regulation of Vibrio vulnificus Heme Receptor HupA Expression by Cyclic AMP-receptor Protein and Ferric Uptake Regulator

Vibrio vulnificus causes rapid progressing fulminant infections in susceptible individuals, especially those with elevated serum iron levels. This ferrophilic bacterium can directly acquire iron from heme-containing proteins, such as, hemoglobin, via its heme receptor protein HupA. This study was undertaken to determine the roles of cyclic AMP-receptor protein (Crp) as an activator and of ferric uptake regulator (Fur) as a repressor in regulating hupA expression at various iron and glucose concentrations. Under severely iron-deficient conditions, hupA expression in the absence of Crp was induced albeit at low levels and repressed by the addition of iron. In contrast, hupA expression in the presence of Crp was increased by the addition of iron. Under moderately iron-deficient and iron-sufficient conditions, iron addition repressed hupA expression in the presence of Fur, but not in the absence of Fur. Glucose addition repressed hupA expression in the presence of Fur but not in the absence of Fur. Furthermore, a mutation in cyaA encoding adenylate cyclase required for cAMP synthesis hupA expression, and this repression was prevented by the exogenous addition of cAMP. These results indicate that hupA expression is under the coordinate control of cAMP or Crp, which responds to glucose availability, and of Fur, which responds to iron availability, and that Crp is not essential for the constitutional expression of hupA, but is required for the optimal expression of hupA, whereas Fur is essential for the prevention of hupA over-expression.

Two Cases of Post Traumatic Cerebral Infarction in Head Injury

We present cases of post traumatic infarction after head injury. Two patients were admitted to our emergency room after traffic accidents. They developed neurological deficiency after a few hours to days after the accidents. In both cases, an initial computed tomography scan of the head was normal. A follow-up computed tomography obtained later revealed a hypodense lesion at cerebral hemisphere and a diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging disclosed an area of infarction. The patients were conservatively medicated. One patient died due to a medical complication and the other patient fully recovered in several weeks. Hospital admission, careful observation and early diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance examination should be considered for patients with persistent neurological deficits.

A Study on Organophosphate Poisoning Patients: Comparison of the Survivor Group and Dead Group

PURPOSE: Organophosphate insecticide poisoning is common in Korea, but there is no definitive guideline for determining the severity of the poisoning and the predictive factors. Therefore, we evaluated the organophosphate poisoned patients and we divided them into two groups, the survivors and the dead, and the results might be useful for treating organophosphate poisoning patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 68 organophosphate poisoned patients who visited the Chosun University Hospital Emergency Medical Center during a 24-month period from January, 2007 to December, 2008. We made a work sheet of the patients' characteristics and the collected data was analyzed and we compared this data between the survivor group and the dead patient group. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the survivor group and the dead patient group for the mean age, the alcohol intake state and the typically expressed signs. The dead patients had lower blood pressure, tachycardia and a lower Glasgo Coma Score (GCS) score than the survivor group. On the arterial blood gas analysis, the dead patients had more severe acidemia and they had lower saturations. Increased serum amylase levels were found in the dead patients. The survivors' initial and follow up serum pseudocholinesterase activity (after 6~8 days) was significantly higher than that of the dead group. The total amount of atropine injected to patient was less in the survivors than that in the dead patients. CONCLUSION: Old age and expressing the typical intoxication signs, a lower GCS score and blood pressure, showing acidosis on the gas analysis and low serum cholinesterase activity may be useful as poor prognostic indicators for patients with organophosphate poisoning. We suggest that physicians must pay careful attention to the signs and prognostic factors of organophosphate insecticide poisoned patients.

Analysis of the Risk Factors Influencing the Severity of Injury in Pediatric Multiple Trauma Patients

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is, first, to analyze the risk factors that influence the severity of injury in pediatric multiple trauma patients and, second, to present solutions for the problems related to the treatment of such patients. Our living situations are so complicated that the danger of accidents is truly open to children who are not prepared. We need to draw attention to the increased numbers of various accidents involving children. METHODS: We studied patients who visited the Emergency Medical Center at Chosun University Hospital from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2008. Using medical records, we evaluated the general characteristics: the mechanism of injury, the vital signs, the revised trauma score (RTS), the injury severity score (ISS), and the hemoglibin value, which was checked at the time of visit, and the presence or the absence of emergent on regular surgery. We divided the level of injury as follows: light level (1-8 points), mid level (9-15 points), and serious level (above 16 points). We analyzed the medical data by using SPSS 17.0 for windows. RESULTS: The average age of the patients examined was 8.6 years. The number of 6- to 11-year-old patients was 96, which was the largest, but the degree of injury severity was the highest among infant (0-2 years), according to ISS 7.95(+/-6.85). The frequency of accidents was highest on sunny days, and most accidents occurred from 16:00 to 20:00. The cause of multiple trauma for children was the greatest in the traffic accident, (95 patients, 49.0%). In addition, the trauma caused by traffic accidents showed the highest ISS value (9.02+/-6.42) and the most serious degree (P=0.004). The ISS level of injury (8.40+/-6.64) for patients moved from a secondary hospital was higher than that (6.49+/-5.57) for patients who visited the medical center directly. The severity of injury was highest for patients who used a 119 ambulance (8.84+/-5.80). According to the injured parts of body, Injuries to the arms and the feet most frequent (79 patients, 40.7%), but the level of injury was the highest for internal organs and chest, 16.42+/-8.56 and 11.23+/-6.97, respectively. CONCLUSION: We used Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) in order to examine the characteristics by injured body part for pediatric multiple trauma patients. Because the degree of injury was the highest for internal organs or the chest, we need to more seriously examine and provide for patients who are suspected of having injuries to the internal organs or the chest. We need to quickly determine the need for surgery in patients with serious injuries to the arms and the feet, which is the greatest in frequency. In particular, we need to consider the surgical care of patients who are not very high in the severity of injury to their brains.

Complications in the Treatment of Comminuted Fracture and Nonunion by Ilizarov Procedure / 대한정형외과학회잡지

We reviewed the records of thirty-four patients who had been managed with the Ilizarov technique for the comminuted intra- and extra-articular fractures and nonunion of the long bones with or with-out bone defect. The goal of this study is to analysis the clinical complications of the Ilizarov technique, and to find out the methods solving them. 1. This study comprises 34 patients who were treated by Ilizarov technique at the Chonbuk National University Hospital from March, 1992 to June, 1993. 2. Among 34 cases, 22 were comminuted intra- and extra-articular fractures, and 12 were nonunion of the long bones. 3. The complications were divided intd problem, obstacle and complication; problem in 16 cases, obstacle in 11 cases and complication in 6 cases. 4. We conclude that the Ilizarov technique is a useful method in management of the severe commi- nuted fractures and the nonunion of the long bones, but we have to consider the complication sincerely and endeavor to reduce them.

Assessment of Sliding Hip Compression Plate in the Intertrochanteric Fracure of the osteoporotic Bone / 대한정형외과학회잡지

The incidence of intertrochanteric fracture of femur in young adult is relatively high in our home than other countries. But recently the incidence in elderly patient is progressively increased due to prolongation of average life span and increased activity. Various devices has been developed and the result of treatment has been improved, but the morbidity after fracture in elderly patient remains high because of poor general condition and osteoporosis. We tried to assess the availability of SHCP(sliding hip compression plate) in the intertrochanteric fracture of the osteoporotic bone by the review of the 27 cases below Singh index III that we experienced from September, 1989 to June, 1993 at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery of Chonbuk National University Hospital. The results were as follows: 1. Mean age was 68 years. Type III in Tronzo classification was most common(51.9%). Singh index II was 17 cases(63%) and grade III was 10 cases(37%). 2. In 23 cases(88.8%), anatomical reduction was performed. The bony union was gained at average 15.8 weeks. The serious complications were 1 penetration and 1 osteoarthritis of hip. 3. Satisfactory results were obtained in 88% of patients by the functional class of Clawson DK.

A Case of Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia in a Renal Transplant Recipient due to Anti-A of Donor Origin / 대한수혈학회지

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia due to antibody formation against the A or B antigen in renal transplant recipients has been reported on rare occasions. We experienced a case of autoimmune hemolytic anemia which developed 11 days after renal transplantation during CsA and prednisolone administration as immunosuppressive agents. The patient was a 46 year old male, blood group was Rh(+) A, who had received a kidney from his Rh(+) O, HLA haploty'pe identical elder brother. He was transfused with three units of Rh(+) A RBCs preoperatively and his hemoglobin level was 9.2g/dl 1 day after transplantation. After 11 to 12 days posttransplantation, the hemoglobin level dropped to 3.8g/dl. A peripheral blood smear showed marked spherocytosis and polychromatophilia. The reticulocyte count was increased to 4.2%, and total bilirubin was increased to 2.91mg/dl. The LDH was raised to 561 IU/L and the plasma Hb level was 6.Smg/dl. Blood bank tests confirmed that the autoantibody cause hemolytic anemia was anti-A. If transplant recipients of blood groups A, B, or AB, who recieve organs from blood group 0 donors, have hemolytic anemia and ABO discrepancy, the possibility of AIHA due to anti-A or anti-B should be considered.

Recurrent anterior Dislocation of the Shoulder-Analysis of the Bristow Bristow and the Combined Bakert and Putti: Platt Operation / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Numerous operations have been described to treat the recurrent anterior dislocation of the shoulder, but no one procedure was accepted as the choice of operation. We perforemed 6 Bristow procedures and 5 combined Bankart and Putti-Platt procedures and examined six shoulders by arthroscope from sep. 1989 to Sep. 1992, and we analysed the pathologic feature and the results of them. The average follow-up period was 2.2 years. 1. There were 8 males and 3 females and their average age was 33.7 years. The mean age in initial dislocation was 28 years. 2. The number of recurrent dislocation before operation was 17.9 times and the average duration of the disease was 5.7 years. 3. The pathologic lesions observed in intraoperative field were Hill-Sachs lesion (72.7%), Bankart lesion (90.9%), and the erosion of the glenoid rim (54.5%). On arthroscopic examination of 6 cases, Hill-Sachs lesion was found in 4 cases, Bankart lesion was seen in all of 6 cases, and the erosion of the glenoid rim was observed in 4 cases. 4. The average range of the limitation of external rotation was 17.3 and its significant difference was not observed between 2 operative groups. 5. By Rowes rating sheet, 4 cases of 5 combined Bankart and Putti-Platt operations were excellent and 1 case was good. 6. In conclusion, combined Bankart and Putt-Platt operation was considered as a good surgical procedure in the treatment of recurrent anterior dislocation of the shoulder.

A clinical experience of acromioclavicular dislocation / 대한정형외과학회잡지

No abstract available.

A clinical comparison between plate fixation and closed intramedullary nailing in the treatment of femoral shaft fractures / 대한정형외과학회잡지

No abstract available.