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BACKGROUND: There has been little data reporting the usefulness of intensivist-performed bedside drainage of pleural effusion via ultrasound (US)-guided pigtail catheter. The objective of this study is to clarify the usefulness and safety of these methods in comparison with radiologist-performed procedures. METHODS: Data of patients with pleural effusion treated with US-guided pigtail catheter drainage were analyzed. All procedures were performed from September 2012 to September. 2013 by a well-trained intensivist or radiologist. RESULTS: Pleural effusion was drained in 25 patients in 33 sessions. A radiologist performed 21 sessions, and an intensivist performed 12 sessions. Procedures during mechanical ventilation were performed in 15 (71.4%) patients by a radiologist and in 10 (83.3%) by an intensivist (p = 0.678). The success rate was not significantly different in radiologist- and intensivist-performed procedures, 95.2% (20/21) and 83.3% (10/12), respectively (p = 0.538). The average duration for procedures (including in-hospital transfer) was longer in radiologist-performed cases (p = 0.001). Although the results are limited because of the small population size, aggravation of oxygenation, CO2 retention, and decrease of mean arterial blood pressure were not statistically different in the groups. Pigtail-associated complications including hemothorax, pneumothorax, hepatic perforation, empyema, kink in the catheter, and subcutaneous hematoma were not found. CONCLUSIONS: Intensivist-performed bedside drainage of pleural effusion via ultrasound (US)-guided pigtail catheter is useful and safe and may be recommended in some patients in an intensive care unit.

BackgroundMultiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is a rare inherited disorder characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of endocrine tumors in target tissues (mainly the pituitary, endocrine pancreas, and parathyroid glands). MEN1 is caused by mutations in the MEN1 gene, which functions as a tumor suppressor and consists of one untranslated exon and nine exons encoding the menin protein. This condition is usually suspected when we encounter patients diagnosed with tumors in multiple endocrine organs, as mentioned above.MethodsA 65-year-old woman who underwent surgery for a pancreatic tumor (serous cystadenoma) 5 years previously was referred to our hospital due to neurologic symptoms of diplopia and left ptosis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 3.4-cm lesion originating from the cavernous sinus wall and extending into the sellar region. It was thought to be a nonfunctioning tumor from the results of the combined pituitary function test. Incidentally, we found that she also had a pancreatic tumor, indicating the necessity of genetic analysis for MEN1.ResultsGenomic analysis using peripheral leukocytes revealed a heterozygous c.1621G>A mutation in the MEN1 gene that was previously reported to be either a pathogenic mutation or a simple polymorphism. We pursued a stereotactic approach to the pituitary lesion, and microscopic findings of the tumor revealed it to be an intrasellar cavernous hemangioma, a rare finding in the sellar region and even rarer in relation to oculomotor palsy. The patient recovered well from surgery, but refused further evaluation for the pancreatic lesion.ConclusionThere is great emphasis placed on genetic testing in the diagnosis of MEN1, but herein we report a case where it did not assist in diagnosis, hence, further discussion on the role of genetic testing in this disease is needed. Also, in cases of pituitary tumor with cranial nerve palsy, despite its low prevalence, intrasellar cavernous hemangioma could be suspected.

Traumatic sternoclavicular joint dislocation is an uncommon injury, and posterior sternoclavicular dislocation occurs less frequently compared to anterior sternoclavicular dislocation. However, this type of dislocation has the potential for serious complications due to compression or laceration of the mediastinal structures. The diagnosis can be difficult using plain radiographs alone due to radiographic-anatomic superimposition. Therefore, posterior sternoclavicular dislocation is easily missed at the initial clinical evaluation. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography is required for a definite diagnosis and to assess associated mediastinal injuries.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify validity the Korean version of resilience scale and identify performance status and resilience in patients with colorectal cancer. Methods: A sample of 110 patients with colorectal cancer was recruited from a hospital in Seoul. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, factor analysis, MAP test and Parallel test and multiple regression with the SPSS/WIN 12.0 program. Results: The reliability, validity, and factor analytic structure of the scale were evaluated. The scale demonstrated good psychometric properties and factor analysis yielded two factors. The resilience for colorectal cancer patients showed a significant difference according to marital status and performance status. The two variables were the significant factors influencing resilience, which they explained 26.5% of the variance. Conclusion: The results of the study show the importance of performance status in explaining the resilience in patients with colorectal cancer. Therefore, This study suggests that intervention programs to increase the performance status among patients could improve the resilience of cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]