Kaohsiung J Med Sci
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Kaohsiung J Med Sci · Dec 2006
Review Case ReportsSubcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum secondary to dental extraction: a case report and literature review.
Here, we present the case of a woman who suffered from acute dyspnea and right cheek and neck swelling during molar extraction. The use of a high-speed dental drill may introduce air into the soft tissue and lead to subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum. ⋯ We report this case because physicians in the emergency department may misdiagnose the symptoms as an allergic reaction. Dentists should be more aware of air leak during dental extraction.
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Kaohsiung J Med Sci · Dec 2006
Case ReportsTraumatic tricuspid insufficiency with chordae tendinae rupture: a case report and literature review.
With the increase in the number of automobile accidents, traumatic tricuspid insufficiency, a rare complication of non-penetrating blunt chest injury, has become an important problem. This kind of injury has been found more frequently during the last decade, partly because of better diagnostic procedures and a better understanding of the pathology. ⋯ We discuss this case in comparison with the previous literature. This case reminds us that physicians in the emergency department should be aware of this potential complication following non-penetrating chest trauma.
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Kaohsiung J Med Sci · Nov 2006
Comparative StudyMorbidity after total thyroidectomy for benign thyroid disease: comparison of Graves' disease and non-Graves' disease.
The purpose of this study was to review the safety of total thyroidectomies for benign thyroid disease, with special emphasis on the comparison between Graves' disease and non-Graves' disease. In this study, 107 patients who underwent total thyroidectomies for clinically benign thyroid disease performed by the same surgeon between January 1987 and December 2004 were enrolled; 48 had Graves' disease and 59 had non-Graves' disease. The rates of temporary vs. permanent hypoparathyroidism, hematoma requiring surgical intervention, and temporary vs. permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (RLNP) after total thyroidectomy for benign thyroid disease were 34.6% vs. 3.7%, 6.5%, and 6.5% vs. 1.85%, respectively. ⋯ Total thyroidectomy for non-Graves' benign thyroid disease may be performed with minimal morbidity as has been advocated by many authors. For patients with Graves' disease in this study, however, the complication rates of permanent hypoparathyroidism and temporary RLNP were significantly increased. Therefore, we suggest that total thyroidectomy for Graves' disease should be performed by an experienced surgeon.
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Kaohsiung J Med Sci · Sep 2006
Case ReportsSuccessful localization and surgical removal of ingested sewing needles under mini C-arm fluoroscopy: a case report.
Foreign body ingestion is common, but ingestion of multiple sewing needles is rare. Most ingested sharp metallic bodies pass through the digestive tract spontaneously and patients can be managed conservatively. Sometimes, however, perforation develops and surgical treatment is necessary. ⋯ All of the broken fragments were in the colon. The needle at the larynx was removed by a laryngoscope. Subsequently, we used mini C-arm fluoroscopy to localize the remaining needles and successfully removed all of them intraoperatively.
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Kaohsiung J Med Sci · Jul 2006
Case ReportsGitelman syndrome: report of three cases and literature review.
Gitelman syndrome (GS) is a rare autosomal recessive, inherited renal tubular disorder. Herein, we report three cases of GS, one sporadic case and two siblings. ⋯ They received regular pediatric clinic follow-up to check electrolytes and monitor development. These three cases reminded us that doctors should be alert to unexplained hypokalemia, which is usually the initial presentation of GS.