Remifentanil/midazolam versus tramadol/midazolam use for colonoscopy

One of the most commonly performed outpatient procedure is colonoscopy. The pain and anxiety is frequently associated with colonoscopy. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of remifentanil/midazolam, and tramadol/midazolam for iv sedation and analgesia during colonoscopy. Twentysix patients (age range 18-65 years) scheduled for ambulatory colonoscopy were included to study. All patients received midazolam 1 mg intravenous. After two minutes in Group R (remifentanil/midazolam, n=18) remifentanil bolus (10 microg) and infusion 0.03 microg kg(-1) min(-1) were administered until adequate sedation level was achieved. In Group T (tramadol/midazolam, n=18) iv tramadol 50 mg was given concurrently. During procedure 2 L/min oxygen was supplemented via face mask to all patients. Haemodynamic variables, respiratory depression, level of sedation, postoperative recovery, patient and gastroenterologist satisfaction were surveyed. Patients were asked to verbally rate their level of pain, on an 10-point numerical rating scale (1=no pain, 10=severe pain). Chi-square, student t test, and mann whitney U test were used for statistical analysis. Colonoscopy was carried out successfully in all patients. There were no episodes of desaturation or airway compromise. Haemodynamic parameters were similar in both groups. Sistolic arterial and diastolic arterial pressures were increased at 10 and 15 minutes in all patients (P<0.05). There were no significant changes in heart rate in both groups. The level of sedation in group R was higher than group T during colonoscopy. The patients in group T had higher pain scores. Gastroenterologist satisfaction and patient satisfaction were similar in both groups. Our results suggests that, sedoanalgesia with midazolam/remifentanil may be an alternative to sedoanalgesia with midazolam/tramadol for colonoscopy.     

Accuracy of recall of the items included in disease activity forms of Behçet’s disease: comparison of retrospective questionnaires with a daily telephone interview

The assessment of disease activity in Behçet’s disease (BD), either by BD Current Activity Form (BDCAF) or Iranian BD Dynamic Measure (IBDDAM), depends largely on the history of the clinical features. Accuracy of recall of a retrospective questionnaire might influence its reliability to some extent. The aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with BD can recall the items included in both of the disease activity forms accurately. Twenty patients with BD completed a retrospective questionnaire that included BDCAF and IBDDAM, twice, 1 month apart. We made some modifications in the IBDDAM, while the BDCAF (revised 8.5.2002, GL) was applied in its original structure. In contrast to the original application of IBDDAM, in which the history obtained depends on the variable time period, all items of IBDDAM in the present study asked subjects to report their symptoms over the preceding 4 weeks. Furthermore, those IBDDAM items for which the operational definitions are not clearly provided by the developers, as well as the items that depend on the objective examination rather than the history, were not included. Concurrent daily data were collected for 2 months via telephone interview. The level of agreement between the retrospective responses and those extracted from daily recordings were quantified for each item using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The agreement between the recalled and daily reports was good (ICCs?>?0.60) for the majority of items (oral and genital ulceration, skin lesions, arthralgia, arthritis, and eye involvement) included in BDCAF. Exceptions were gastrointestinal symptoms (ICCs??0.60), except for headache, for which the agreement was moderate (ICCs 0.40–0.50) for the first and poor (ICCs?相似文献   

Levamisole: Might It Be used in Treatment and Prevention of Atopic Diseases?

As an antihelmintic and Th₁-biased immunostimulant, levamisole has been used to restore impaired cell mediated immunity. We sought to explore whether the Th₁ driving effect of levamisole may also have an influence on the course of allergic diseases, by shifting the Th₂ dominant immunity more toward Th₁-mediated response. BALB/c mice were sensitized intraperitoneally on days 0, 7, and 15 with ovalbumin (OVA). After the sensitization, they were challenged intranasally with OVA once a day for 6 consecutive days. Levamisole (2.5 mg/kg) was administered orally three times a week during sensitization and challenge. After the last challenge, differential cell counts were performed, and IL-4 and IFNγ levels were measured in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF). Serum total IgE level was determined, and lungs were examined histologically. The present study establishes that mice administered with oral levamisole gave significantly lower IL-4 levels on sensitization with OVA; however, IFNγ production, eosinophil infiltration, and serum IgE levels remained unaffected. In conclusion, use of levamisole may have important implications in the management of the allergic inflammation.     

Analysis of different surgical approaches for the treatment of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea.

The current treatment method for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea is surgical repair of the fistula. The aim of this study was to analyse different surgical approaches used for the treatment of CSF rhinorrhea regarding several preoperative and postoperative variables to determine the optimal method in these patients. Patients' charts were retrospectively reviewed to get the required data. Twenty-six patients who underwent different types of surgical approach for the treatment of CSF rhinorrhea were included in the study. Patients who had extensive comminuted fractures of the anterior cranial base and additional brain injury besides CSF rhinorrhea, mostly as a result of gunshot injuries, underwent craniotomy (n = 14). Osteoplastic frontal sinusotomy was used in two patients with a dural defect located at the posterior wall of the frontal sinus. Uncomplicated CSF fistulas in ten patients, located at the anterior and posterior ethmoid roof and in the sphenoid sinus, were closed with an endonasal endoscopic approach. Postoperative success rate was higher (97 % for intracranial approach, 100 % for extracranial external and endonasal endoscopic approach) for all techniques. Anosmia was the most frequent permanent complication (n = 5), seen after craniotomy. In conclusion, endonasal endoscopic approach can be preferred for the closure of uncomplicated CSF fistula, located at the anterior or posterior ethmoid roof and in the sphenoid sinus, due to its minimal postoperative morbidity. Uncomplicated CSF fistula, located at the posterior wall of frontal sinuses can be repaired extradurally with osteoplastic frontal sinusotomy. Intracranial approaches should be reserved for more complicated CSF rhinorrhea which results from extensive comminuted fractures of the anterior cranial base and is accompanied with intracranial complications.     

Testicular adrenal rests in a patient with congenital adrenal hyperplasia: US and MRI features

We present ultrasonographic and magnetic resonance imaging findings of intratesticular adrenal rests in a 16-year-old patient with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Scrotal ultrasonography showed bilateral well-delineated homogenous hypoechoic lesions located around the mediastinum testis, which were highly vascularized on power Doppler ultrasonography. Relative to normal testicular parenchyma the lesions were iso- or hyperintense on T1-weighted and hypointense on T2-weighted images. T2-weighted images also showed a target-like appearance caused by a more hypointense peripheral halo around the lesions. The lesions enhanced remarkably on post-contrast images. This case suggests that radiological evaluation of testes, even in the presence of normal physical examination findings, should be included in periodical follow-up of patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is useful in demonstrating the lesions, because the contrast resolution better than with ultrasonography.     

Does Specific Immunotherapy Injection Cause an Increase in Bronchial Reactivity?

Background. Several well-controlled studies have proven the clinical benefit of specific immunotherapy (SIT) for seasonal allergic rhinitis (AR). However, whether subcutaneous SIT injection could cause a transient increase in bronchial reactivity (BR) remains unknown. Objective. To investigate whether subcutaneous SIT injection, either during or outside the pollen season, could cause an increase in BR in children with pollen allergy. Methods. Twenty-two children (mean age 13.6 ± 0.7 years) with AR who were receiving maintenance SIT for 15 months were included in the study. Pre-injection BR of the patients was evaluated with methacholine provocation test immediately before maintenance dose of SIT during the peak pollen season and outside the season. The post-injection test was administered 24 hours after SIT injection. Results. There was no difference in FEV₁ measures recorded during [98(93-109)%] and outside [102(96-111)%] the pollen season. There was no significant difference between pre- [64(7-64)mg/mL] and post-allergen injection [32(7.5-64) mg/mL] BR outside the pollen season (p = 0.9). A trend towards improvement following allergen injection [64(5.4-64)] as compared to pre-allergen injection [14.6(3.5-64)] was shown during the pollen season (p = 0.053). Although PC20 measures in the pollen season were lower than outside the season, the difference was not significant. The percentage of the patients with bronchial hyperreactivity was 62% during and 43% outside the season. Conclusion. SIT injections both during and outside the pollen season cause no increase in BR in children with AR. This calls into question the necessity of empirical dose reduction during the pollen season.     

Changing cerebral blood flow velocity detected by transcranial Doppler ultrasound during head up tilt in patients with multiple sclerosis

Background and purpose:  Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of central nervous system. We aimed to investigate the cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) changes in MS by transcranial Doppler.
Methods:  Twenty patients with MS, 20 age-matched healthy controls were included in the study. In both groups, blood flow velocities (BFVs) of middle cerebral arteries (MCAs) were evaluated. The changes of blood pressure, heart rate along with the changes in BFV of MCA were recorded after the patients were raised to upright position.
Results:  In both groups, upon raising the tilt table to the upright position, the mean CBFV values were found to be lower in comparison with the recorded baseline values ( P values <0.05). The decline in the mean CBFV values was more significant in patients with MS ( P  = 0.01).
Conclusion:  Our study showed upon raise of the tilt table, the mean BFVs decreased more in MS patients than control group with a more prominent change in the subgroup of MS patients with expanded disability scale scores ≥2. By use of transcranial Doppler ultrasound, it may be possible to evaluate BFV changes in patients with MS.