Efficacy of Intravitreal Injections of Triamcinolone Acetonide in a Rodent Model of Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy.

Purpose: To investigate effects of intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide (IVI-TA) at different times in a rodent model of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (rAION).

Methods: After inducing ischemic optic neuropathy, the rats received either IVI-TA (0.32 mg/2 μL) at 1 day (1d-TA), 1 week (7d-TA), 2 weeks (14d-TA), or PBS.

Risk factors of ciprofloxacin resistance in urinary Escherichia coli isolates.

Background And Purpose: Increasing rates of fluoroquinolone resistance among Escherichia coli have been reported in Taiwan and worldwide. We aimed to identify the risk factors of ciprofloxacin resistance in urinary E. coli isolates.

Ultrasound examination for the optimal head position for interscalene brachial plexus block.

Background: Surface anatomic landmarks have traditionally been used to locate the brachial plexus in the interscalene groove. Head rotation can affect the orientation of neck vessels and may possibly affect the brachial plexus. The optimal degree of head rotation has been specified for better internal jugular vein cannulation but not for interscalene brachial plexus block.

Invasive fungal infections in patients with acute leukemia.

Invasive fungal infections, a serious problem among cancer patients, are increasing in incidence, and can cause morbidity and mortality. Such infections may hinder additional treatment, especially for patients with leukemia. We report here our experiences in the management of invasive fungal infection in patients with acute leukemia.

Acute brachial artery thrombosis: a rare complication of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Diabetes mellitus is a worldwide disease that leads to several acute complications including diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar hyperglycemia, and hypoglycemia. In addition, diabetes causes many chronic complications that lead to debilitation and diminished quality of life. Diabetic ketoacidosis is one of the serious acute complications; however, it is usually preceded by infection, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, or other dire events.

Association between hypertension and primary mitral chordae tendinae rupture.

Background: Mitral regurgitation from chordae tendinae rupture (CTR) may cause severe clinical symptoms and is a progressive disease that eventually results in the need for mitral valve surgery. Early recognition of CTR and identification of risk factors are important because early intervention increases the chances of survival. Hypertension may increase mitral valve complex mechanical strain and cause the chordae tendinae to rupture.

Efficacy of medium-chain triglycerides compared with long-chain triglycerides in total parenteral nutrition in patients with digestive tract cancer undergoing surgery.

The objectives of this prospective, randomized study were to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of the short-term use of medium-chain triglyceride/long-chain triglyceride (MCT/LCT) fat emulsions, and to compare the hematologic and biochemical effects of MCT/LCT fat emulsions with LCT fat emulsions in gastrointestinal (GI) tract cancer patients following surgery. Thirty patients with GI tract cancer requiring total parenteral nutrition (TPN) were equally randomized to receive MCT/LCT or LCT emulsions for 7 days. After 7 days, no sign of complications directly related to administration of fat emulsions was observed and there were no marked differences in anthropometry, length of hospital stay, and surgical complication rates between the two groups.

Concurrent extravasation mucocele and epidermoid cyst of the lower lip: a case report.

An uncommon case of concurrent extravasation mucocele and epidermoid cyst in the lower lip of a 13-year-old boy is described. To our knowledge, there is no other report of such a concurrence, neither at the same site nor at different locations, involving these two lesions in the oral mucosa.

Effects of total coronary artery occlusion on vascular endothieial growth factor and transforming growth factor beta.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta1) play an important role in angiogenesis. We wanted to determine if concentrations of growth factors in the coronary sinus (CS) and right atrium (RA) are higher in coronary artery disease patients with total occlusions than in those with partial occlusions. Fifty-one patients scheduled for coronary artery angiography were evaluated for possible recruitment.

Cerebral radionecrosis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

This study involved seven patients with cerebral radionecrosis following radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Their charts were reviewed and the relationship of extracranial malignancies to cerebral radionecrosis was investigated. The radiation dose ranged from 70 to 135 Gy, and the latency was from 6 to 39 months.

Canine transposition.

Transposition is described as an interchange in the position of two teeth within the same quadrant of the dental arch. Canine transposition is reportedly the most common transposition in human dentition. The incidence of maxillary canine-premolar transposition is reported to be 0.

Status epilepticus as an initial presentation of Brugada syndrome: a case report.

Patients presenting with convulsions are sometimes incorrectly treated for epilepsy, as these symptoms may be manifestations of underlying cardiac disease. Brugada syndrome, associated with an elevated risk of developing fatal arrhythmic events, is a rare disorder characterized by a unique electrocardiographic pattern. The typical clinical presentation mainly involves syncope of unclear cause or sudden death.

Primary intrarenal lipoma: a case report.

Fat-containing tumors of the kidneys are not uncommon, but primary intrarenal lipomas are extremely rare, with only 19 documented cases reported to date. In most cases, total nephrectomy is performed. We report on a 71-year-old man with the complaint of epigastralgia.

Flutrer-like P waves in a case of atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia.

Typical atrial flutter is characterized by its sawtooth flutter wave in leads II, III, aVF, and V1. Atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia is characterized by its small retrograde P wave after completion of QRS complex, where sawtooth flutter-like P waves are rarely seen in the electrocardiogram during atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia. We report on a 62-year-old patient who presented the characteristic sawtooth flutter-like P waves in the electrocardiogram during attack of supraventricular tachycardia.

Management of bilateral adrenal metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report.

The adrenal glands rarely are an extrahepatic site for metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Once identified, adrenal metastasis requires aggressive management, due to the risk of rupture and internal hemorrhaging. Disease management of adrenal metastasis from HCC is limited, given the relative lack of available knowledge, and the present report details our efforts in managing bilateral adrenal metastases from HCC.

Outcome of hypospadias reoperation based on preoperative antimicrobial prophylaxis.

From August 1981 to June 2004, we retrospectively reviewed 66 hypospadias, treated with 123 operations, to analyze the outcome of reoperation based on preoperative antimicrobial prophylaxis. All patients received primary treatment in our hospital, and all had postoperative antimicrobial prophylaxis in all surgical procedures. We define a hypopadias repair as "corrected without fistula" if no urethrocutaneous fistula formation, or complete wound disruption is found within at least a 2-week follow-up period.