• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.9-14
• /
• 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study was to estimate the seropositive prevalence of blood-borne infection in neurotrauma patients who underwent emergent surgical intervention, especially patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), syphilis and human immunodefIciency virus (HIV). Methods: A retrospective review identified 559 patients with traumatic brain injury and spinal trauma who underwent emergent surgery between 2007 and 2014. We reviewed the medical records and extracted data, including age, sex, location of lesion, result of serologic tests, time interval of admission and surgery after presenting to emergency room. Serologic tests for HBV, HCV, syphilis and HIV were performed and analyzed to determine whether the seropositive results were confirmed by the surgeon before surgery. Results: The majority of the patients were male (74.6%), and the mean age was $55.4{\pm}20.2years$. Most patients underwent surgery due to traumatic brain injury (90.0%). Fifty-three patients (10.0%) showed a positive result on at least one serologic test. Seropositive rates according to pathogens were 0.5% for syphilis, 5.2% for HBV and 3.9% for HCV. No positive results were noted on the serologic tests for HIV. HBV in patients with spinal cord injury and age from 40 to 49 years were associated with high serologic positive rate, and that result was statistically significant. However, no statistically significant differences were found in the other variables. Serologic results could not confirmed before surgery in the majority of the cases (62.1%), and 10.4% of these patients showed seropositive results. Conclusion: The results of this study emphasize the importance of taking precautions and conducting rapid serologic testing in preventing the occupational transmission of blood-borne viruses to health-care workers.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.37 no.5
• /
• pp.712-716
• /
• 2010

Purpose: Extensive lumbosacral defects after removal of spinal tumors have a high risk of wound healing problems. Therefore it is an effective reconstructive strategy to provide preemptive soft tissue coverage at the time of initial spinal surgery, especially when there is an instrument exposure. For soft tissue reconstruction of a lumbosacral defect, a variation of the gluteal flap is the first-line choice. However, the musculocutaneous flap or muscle flap that is conventionally used, has many disadvantages. It damages gluteus muscle and causes functional disturbance in ambulation, has a short pedicle which limits areas of coverage, and can damage perforators, limiting further surgery that is usually necessary in spinal tumor patients. In this article, we present the superior gluteal artery perforator turn-over flap that reconstructs complex lumbosacral defects successfully, especially one that has instrument exposure, without damaging the ambulatory function of the patient. Methods: A 67 year old man presented with sacral sarcoma. Sacralectomy with L5 corpectomy was performed and resulted in a $15{\times}8\;cm$ sized complex soft tissue defect in the lumbosacral area. There was no defect in the skin. Sacral stabilization with alloplastic fibular bone graft and reconstruction plate was done and the instruments were exposed through the wound. A $18{\times}8\;cm$ sized superior gluteal artery perforator flap was designed based on the superior gluteal artery perforator and deepithelized. It was turned over 180 degrees into the lumbosacral dead space. Soft tissue from both sides of the wound was approximated over the flap and this provided in double padding over the instrument. Results: No complications such as hematoma, flap necrosis, or infection occurred. Until three months after the resection, functional disturbances in walking were not observed. The postoperative magnetic resonance imaging scan shows the flap volume was well maintained over the instrument. Conclusion: This superior gluteal artery perforator turn-over flap, a modification of the conventional superior gluteal artery perforator flap, is a simple method that enabled the successful reconstruction of a lumbosacral defect with instrument exposure without affecting ambulatory function.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.82 no.6
• /
• pp.1413-1440
• /
• 2021

On MRI, abnormal signals of the intervertebral disc, destruction of the upper and lower vertebral body endplate around the disc, and bone marrow edema around the endplate are considered typical findings of infectious spondylitis. These findings can also appear in various non-infectious spinal diseases, such as degenerative changes, acute Schmorl's node, spondyloarthropathy, synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO), chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis, and calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease. The imaging findings of infectious spondylitis that can be differentiated from these non-infectious spinal diseases on MRI are high signal intensity and abscess of the disc space, an abscess in the paraspinal soft tissue, and the loss of the linear low signal intensity on T1-weighted images of the bony endplate. However, these differentiation points do not always apply since there are many similarities in the imaging findings of infectious and non-infectious diseases. Therefore, for an accurate diagnosis, it is important to know the imaging characteristics related to the pathophysiology of not only infectious spondylitis but also non-infectious spinal diseases, which requires differentiation from infection.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.49 no.10
• /
• pp.1086-1092
• /
• 2006

Purpose : Refractory status epilepticus(RSE) is a serious neurological emergency in children. The mortality is high and the neurological outcome is not good. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) pleocytosis in refractory status epilepticus in children. Methods : From January 1999 to January 2006, 25 out of 37 children with refractory status epilepticus had spinal tapping. We retrospectively analyzed the data from these children's medical records. We compared the results between groups with and without CSF pleocytosis, and between a group with first seizure and a group with epilepsy. Result : Six out of 25 children had CSF pleocytosis. The group without CSF pleocytosis had a higher mortality rate and required higher doses of antiepileptic drugs as compared with the group with CSF pleocytosis. The group with CSF pleocytosis had much worse neurologic segualae. However, except for the children with CNS infection, the overall prognosis between the group with and without CSF pleocytosis was not significantly different. All children with CSF pleocytosis came in with first seizures. Conclusion : In children with RSE, a CSF study must be perfomed as soon as possible to exclude the possibility of CNS infection. A CSF study is even more important in cases of first seizure or CNS infection suspected. Mild CSF pleocytosis without evidence of infection does not seem to affect the prognosis, so physicians should therefore be more cautious in selecting antibacterial or antiviral agents for it.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.54-59
• /
• 2017

Purpose: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common serious bacterial infection in infants younger than 3 months of age. Lumbar puncture is routinely performed to evaluate febrile young infants for sepsis. However, there is no clear consensus on the use of routine lumbar puncture to diagnose concomitant meningitis in infants with UTI. We evaluated the prevalence of coexisting bacterial meningitis and sterile cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis in young infants with UTI. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 85 infants with UTI, aged from 29 to 99 days, who were admitted to Daegu Catholic University Medical Center from January 2013 to May 2016. We included 80 patients who had undergone lumbar puncture. Demographic features, clinical features, and laboratory findings were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of sterile CSF pleocytosis and we compared these groups and assessed the differences between them. Results: Of the 80 UTI patients enrolled, 34 (43%) had sterile CSF pleocytosis. None had bacterial meningitis, and CSF polymerase chain reaction for enterovirus was positive in two patients without CSF pleocytosis. There were no significant differences between the two groups with regards to age, body temperature, peripheral white blood cell count, urinalysis, and duration of hospital stay. Conclusions: Though sterile CSF pleocytosis is common in young UTI patients, coexisting bacterial or viral meningitis is very rare. Indications for lumbar puncture in these patients depend on clinical condition.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.23-28
• /
• 1975

One hundred and fifty seven cesarean sectioned patients among 2010 deliveries, were reviewed with the following clinical charts from January, 1973 to December, 1974 at Taegu Presby-terian medical Center. The results are as follows; 1) The section rate was 7.8% 2) In age distribution, the most frequent age was 26~30ys and it~s rate was 37%, and others were as follows : 31~35ys 24.2%, 21~25ys 21%, 36~40ys 10.8%, 41~45ys 7% respective]y- 3) In indication, the cephalopelvic disproportion was the most prevalent and it's rate was 29.3%, and others were as follows : malpresentation 14% previous cesarean section 10.8% uttering dysfunction 9.6%, totemic 4%, elderly primigravida 4%, fetal distress 2.5% post maturity 3.2%, wanted cesarean section 1, 9%, pelvic deformity 1.2% twin 1.9%, abruptio placenta 1.2%, Vaginal stricture 1.2%, and others 2.5%. 4) In type of operation, tower cervical transverse type was 82.1%, classical type 17%, ana cesarean hysterectomy was 0.9% respectively. 5) General Anesthesia was major type and it's rate was 63%, and spinal anesthesia 17.2%, epidermal anesthesia 14% and other combined type was 5.8%. 6) Percental mortality was 11.4%. 7) There was no maternal death. 8) Among the cesarean section complications, wound infection was 8,4%, headache 4.4%, urinary tract infection 1.2% and one case in endometritis. 9) In combined surgery, tubal legation was 31.2%, appenectomy 7.6%, posterior repair 1.2%, salpingoop-horectomy 1.9%, and one case in resection of uttering septum. 10) Cesarean section was performed 61.3% in multipara and 38.2% in primipara. 11) 47 (30%) had received artificial abortions. 12) 28 (17.8%) had previously experienced cesarean section.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.68 no.1
• /
• pp.29-33
• /
• 2010

Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode that is a parasite to humans. The infecting filariform larvae of S. stercoralis enters the host body via the bloodstream, passes through the lungs, penetrates the alveoli, and then ascends the airway to transit down the esophagus into the small bowel. The infection can persist for decades without causing major symptoms and can elicit eosinophilia of varying magnitudes. Of note, this infection can also develop into a disseminated, often fatal, disease (hyperinfection) in patients receiving immunosuppressive corticosteroids. A 65-year-old man who was receiving corticosteroid therapy for the treatment of spinal stenosis was admitted to the emergency room with complaints of abdominal pain and severe dyspnea. We detected many S. stercoralis larvae in the sputum and in the bronchoalveolar-lavage sample collected by bronchoscopy. Here, we report a fatal case of strongyloidiasis with acute respiratory failure and intestinal perforation. In addition, we provide a brief review of the relevant medical literature.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.43-48
• /
• 2011

Objective: Classical markers of infection cannot differentiate reliably between inflammation and infection after neurosurgery. This study investigated the dynamics of serum procalcitonin (PCT) in patients who had elective spine surgeries without complications. Methods: Participants were 103 patients (47 women, 56 men) who underwent elective spinal surgery. Clinical variables relevant to the study included age, sex, medical history, body mass index (BMI), site and type of surgery, and surgery duration. Clinical and laboratory data were body temperature, white blood cell count (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and PCT, all measured preoperatively and postoperatively on days 1, 3, and 5. Results: PCT concentrations remained at <0.25 ng/mL during the postoperative course except in 2 patients. PCT concentrations did not correlate with age, sex, DM, hypertension, BMI, operation time, operation site, or use of instrumentation. In contrast, CRP concentrations were significantly higher with older age, male, DM, hypertension, longer operation time, cervical operation, and use of instrumentation. Conclusion: PCT may be useful in the diagnosing neurosurgical patients with postoperative fever of unknown origin.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.27-32
• /
• 1973

Listeria monocytogenes human infection is a relatively rare disease which usually is meningitis in newborn babies. The organism was isolated from blood cultures of a 52 year old female patient with meningitis. It was considered that the underlying disease, i.e. S.L.E., and the steroid therapy which the patient had been receiving played some role for the Listeria infection. The isolate was showing characteristics of L. monocytogenes, i.e. diphtheroid like morphology, motility with four peritrichous flagella, hemolytic small colonies on blood agar, growth in the presence of 7.5% salt and at 4 C, and inducing monocytosis in an experimentally infected rabbit. Serologically the organism was identified as L. monocytogenes 4b. The isolate was showing susceptibility to many antibiotics tested including ampicillin, penicillin and tetracycline which were the recommended drugs of choice for the treatment of Listeriosis. It is the general opinion that Listeriosis is not so rare as literatures are showing. It is considered that some of the isolate of the organism from clinical specimens are mistakenly discarded due to the fact that the organism shows diphtheroid like morphology and that not many laboratories are able to recognize the organism. Literatures are seen which emphasize more careful examination of gram positive bacilli with diphtheroid like morphology especially when they are isolated from blood or from spinal fluid of patient.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.52 no.5
• /
• pp.545-549
• /
• 2014

Sparganosis is an infection with a parasitic tapeworm larva that occurs by eating infected foods or drinking contaminated water. The larvae can migrate to a tissue or muscle in the chest, abdominal wall, extremities, eyes, brain, urinary tract, pleura, pericardium, spinal canal, or scrotum. Herein, we report a 5-month old infant with scrotal sparganosis who was initially suspected to have a scrotal inflammatory mass with a history of applying raw frog meat into the umbilicus. Preoperative ultrasound examinations and computed tomography (CT) scanning misdiagnosed the mass as a scrotal teratoma. The scrotal mass was surgically removed, and the histopathology proved it to be scrotal sparganosis. This case displays the youngest patient ever reported with scrotal sparganosis, and the first description of CT characteristics of scrotal sparganosis. A detailed medical history is necessary for patients with scrotal masses suspected of sparganosis. In addition, ultrasound and CT examinations are helpful to rule out other causes of a scrotal mass.