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Biomedical subjects

Kuo-Sheng Lee

Publications and source records attributed to Kuo-Sheng Lee.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

The measurement of congenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis in infant.

OBJECTIVE: In the study we use the image of three dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) to assess the different widths of the bony framework of congenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis (CNPAS). METHODS: We select 17 infants under 4 months old diagnosed as CNPAS for this study. There were four categories of distance measurement. The distance between the caudal end of the nasal bone (nasal tip) and the anterior nasal spine (NPAH). The distance between bilateral bony inner wall of the nasal pyriform aperture at the midpoint of the aperture height (MIVD). The interprocess distance at the level of lower 1/4 of the pyriform aperture height (IPD). The narrowest distance between the bilateral nasal processes (NIPD). RESULTS: There were 17 infants, nine males and eight females. At the time of performing 3D-CT, the mean age was 49.5+/-35.9 days. The results of measurement were: NPAH: 10.9+/-1.23mm, MIVD: 8.2+/-0.89mm, IPD: 4.9+/-0.93mm, and NIPD: 4.4+/-0.73mm. The MIVD is significantly wider than both IPD and NIPD (p<0.01). There is high correlation between IPD and NIPD. There is no significant difference on age between gender in this study. However, the IPD (4.4+/-0.74) and NIPD (3.9+/-0.47) of male patients are broader, respectively, than those of female patients with significant difference (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The measurement of CNPAS by means of 3D-CT may provide useful data for evaluation of the width in different parts of nasal pyriform aperture. These may be used for evaluation of pre- and postoperative status and future investigation in CNPAS patients.

Constriction, Pathologic↗

Conversion deafness presenting as sudden hearing loss.

Conversion deafness is a somatoform disorder characterized by hearing loss without an anatomic or pathophysiologic lesion. Clinically, discrepancies between behavior hearing thresholds and objective electrophysiologic examinations, such as impedance audiometry, otoacoustic emissions (OAE), and auditory brainstem response (ABR), will raise the suspicion of this disorder. It is judged to be due to psychological factors and that patients do not intentionally produce the symptom. Conversion deafness is sometimes reported in children but is extremely rare among adults. Two young adults with this disease are presented. These 2 patients were both under enormous stress from the national entrance examinations for universities. Pure tone audiometry showed bilateral hearing deterioration, but OAE and ABR were normal. The hearing of both patients recovered after treatment. The diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of this disorder are also discussed. It is important to discover the psychological stress in patients with conversion deafness. This report aims to increase awareness of this condition and avoid unnecessary steroid use in its treatment.

Adult↗

Effect of laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty on oral airway resistance during wakefulness in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of successful laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) on oral airway resistance (R(OA)) during wakefulness in patients with OSAS. Fifteen healthy subjects (group I) and 25 subjects (group II) with moderately severe or severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) proven by an overnight sleep study and who desired LAUP were enrolled. All underwent an overnight sleep study, pulmonary function testing and measurement of oral airway resistance [R(OA) (including impedance (Zrs), resistance (R) and reactance (X)] measurement by Impulse Oscillometry (IOS) (MasterScreen IOS, VIASYS Healthcare GmbH, Germany) in the upright (seated) position and then in the supine position while awake. Group II subjects had these measurements twice, both before and 3 months after LAUP. Based on the assessment of their sleep study after LAUP, they were divided into two groups: responders (group IIa) and nonresponders (group IIb). Zrs was normal in the sitting position both before and after LAUP in both groups IIa and IIb and comparable to that of group I controls. There was an increase in Zrs in the supine position in both groups IIa and IIb subjects before LAUP. After LAUP, the Zrs in group IIb subjects remained elevated, while that in group IIa subjects returned to levels comparable to those in the normal controls. OSAS patients before LAUP have abnormal R(OA) in the supine position as reflected by a high Zrs. The Zrs is improved after LAUP that successfully ameliorates OSAS.

Adult↗

Effect of treatment by laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty on cardiopulmonary exercise test in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of successful laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) on cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Twenty-five subjects with moderately severe or severe OSAS who desired LAUP were enrolled. All patients had an overnight sleep study and CPET before and 3 months after LAUP. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the success (group I) or failure (group II) of LAUP to improve their sleep apnea. RESULTS: Successful LAUP in group I was followed by improvement in right ventricular ejection fraction, maximal work rate (WRmax), VO2max/kg, anaerobic threshold, oxygen pulse, and a lower breathing reserve. CPET results were unchanged after LAUP in group II subjects. CONCLUSION: Patients with OSAS before LAUP had abnormal CPET as reflected by low VO2peak/kg, WRmax, anaerobic threshold, and oxygen pulse. All of these variables improved after LAUP that successfully ameliorated OSAS.

Adult↗

Comparison of hearing screening programs between one step with transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) and two steps with TEOAE and automated auditory brainstem response.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy between one step with transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) and two steps with TEOAE and automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) in a newborn hearing screening program. We investigated their differences in referral rate, the accurate identification rate of congenital hearing loss (HL), and cost effectiveness. METHOD: From November 1998 to December 2004, a total of 21,273 healthy newborns were screened for HL in Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei. In the periods from November 1998 to January 2004 and from February 2004 to December 2004, the screening tools used were TEOAE alone (n = 18,260) and TEOAE plus AABR (n = 3,013), respectively. RESULTS: A statistically significant decrease of referral rate was achieved in the group using TEOAE and AABR as screening tools when compared with TEOAE alone (1.8% vs. 5.8%). The accurate identification rate of congenital HL was 0.45% in TEOAE protocol and 0.3% in TEOAE and AABR protocol, which was not statistically significant. The total direct costs per screening were 10.1 U.S. dollars for the program using TEOAE alone and 8.9 U.S. dollars for the TEOAE plus AABR program. The intangible cost, however, was much higher in the earlier program because of the higher referral rate. CONCLUSION: In terms of the efficacy of a hearing screening program using the one step TEOAE and two step TEOAE and AABR programs, the later significantly decreased the referral rate from 5.8% to 1.8%. No significant difference was noted between the accurate identification rates of congenital HL. The total costs, including expenditures and intangible cost, were lower in the protocol with TEOAE plus AABR.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗

Comparison of direct vision and video imaging during bronchoscopy for pediatric airway foreign bodies.

Rigid ventilation bronchoscopy is a most useful means of detecting and removing foreign bodies in the airway. We performed a retrospective study of 114 children who had undergone such a procedure during a 12-year period. During bronchoscopy, 48 of these patients had been examined under direct vision and 66 by videotape recording. We found that the positive rate on first-look direct vision was 93.8% and the positive rate on first-look video imaging was 89.4%. The lower positive rate during the first-look examination by video imaging might be attributable to the facts that it is safer and that it provides a better visual field, which can encourage operators to choose video ventilation bronchoscopy, either as a diagnostic or therapeutic tool. In addition, three foreign-body-negative patients in the direct-vision group under-went a second procedure, and a foreign body was found in all three. Only one of the video-imaging patients under-went a second procedure, and no foreign body was found. The difference in the positive rates after the second procedure was statistically significant (p < 0.05). This might be attributable to the higher success rate with video imaging following the first procedure, which significantly reduced the need for a second look and the possibility of overlooked or residual foreign bodies. The condition of the mucosa postprocedurally was described in every case after video imaging but after only 41.7% of the direct-vision cases--a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). Video imaging provides the physician with a clear, magnified view of the area under examination. It allows for later review of the videotape when necessary, and it reduces the risk that residual foreign-body material will remain in the airway.

Bronchoscopy↗

Acute epiglottitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b: a case report.

Acute epiglottitis is an inflammatory, edematous disease of the epiglottis and adjacent structures, usually caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b. It is a life-threatening condition, occurring mainly in childhood. There have never been any reports of this condition in Taiwan. We report a case of 4-year-old boy who presented with characteristics of systemic illness combined with respiratory distress on arrival at the emergency room. His mouth was open and his neck was hyperextended. The diagnosis of epiglottitis was established on the basis of physical examination, lateral neck x-ray, and the finding of an enlarged, swollen, erythematous epiglottis on flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy. Urine latex agglutination test for H. influenzae type b was positive and a blood culture grew H. influenzae type b. He was treated with cefotaxime and did not require intubation.

Acute Disease↗

Laryngeal neurofibroma: case report of a child.

Neurofibromatosis is characterized by multiple café-au-lait spots and cutaneous neurofibromas. Laryngeal involvement in neurofibromatosis is rare and is usually manifested by obstructive airway symptoms. We encountered a 1 year 8-month-old girl who was a victim of neurofibromatosis with the presentation of stridor. Fiberoptic laryngoscopy revealed a round smooth mass over the right aryepiglottic fold which prolapsed into the larynx during inspiration. Carbon dioxide laser excision was performed and histopathologic examination revealed a plexiform neurofibroma. The patient had regular follow up for almost 4 years. Even though there seemed to be a recurrence, she remained symptom free.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Horseshoe lung with pseudo-ring-sling complex.

We report on a 1-month-old boy who presented with a "horseshoe" lung, complete "O" rings of the trachea, and an unusual course of the left pulmonary artery mimicking a left pulmonary artery sling. Computed tomography, cardiac catheterization, and bronchoscopy were performed to confirm the rare coexistence of these anomalies. To our knowledge, such a combination of anomalies has not been reported in the English-language literature.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Silicone T-tube for complex laryngotracheal problems.

OBJECTIVE: The use of a T-tube to manage complex laryngotracheal lesions, such as tracheal stenosis, tracheomalacia and tracheal injury, has previously been reported by other surgeons in the past. However, further validation of clinical details, including operative management and postoperative care, is needed. METHODS: From January 1991 to May 2000, 53 patients, including 24 with post-tracheostomy stenosis, received 55 silicone T-tubes for transient or permanent stenting of the airway. There were 20 patients for subglottic stenosis; eight for long segment tracheostensis; seven with tracheal stenosis for severe cervicomediastinal fibrosis not amenable for reconstruction; six for complex tracheal injury; four for glottic injury; two each for tracheomalacia, failed tracheal surgery and tuberculotic tracheostenosis; and one each for tracheo-esophageal fistula and necrotizing tracheitis. We retrospectively analyzed these patients. RESULTS: Thirty-eight out of 53 patients (71.8%) with T-tube stenting from 3 to 15 months was considered successful. Fifteen patients' operations failed due to patients' underlining diseases, previous intractable pulmonary infection, poor cognition and/or inadequate tube position. After removal of the tube, three patients (10.7%) developed partial airway obstruction with mild subglottic granulation tissue, which was resolved by carbon dioxide laser therapy. Two patients (7.1%) with prolonged tracheocutaneous fistula were conservatively treated by silver nitrate. CONCLUSION: Silicone T-tube can effectively resolve the complex laryngotracheal lesions with limited complications. Concurrent cardiopulmonary diseases and intractable infection were the two major causes for failure after the T-tube reconstruction.

Adult↗

Congenital pyriform aperture stenosis: surgery and evaluation with three-dimensional computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: We described the surgical efficacy of congenital pyriform aperture stenosis by measuring the width of the nasal pyriform aperture with three-dimensional computed tomography. METHODS: Six patients with congenital pyriform aperture stenosis accepted surgical intervention. Three-dimensional computed tomography was performed for preoperative and postoperative evaluation of nasal pyriform aperture width. We marked the midpoint between the tip of nasal bone and the anterior nasal spine. The distances between the bilateral nasal processes of the maxilla and between the lateral rims of the pyriform aperture were measured by crossing the midpoint horizontally. RESULTS: Among the six patients (three male and three female patients), the mean age was 76.2+/-23.9 days. Silicon stents were removed 6 to 7 days after operation. During 9 months of follow-up, there were no cases of restenosis, respiratory failure, or cyanosis. The mean preoperative and postoperative interprocess distances were 4.5+/-0.84 and 8.7+/-1.37 mm, respectively, and data were statistically significant at a confidence level of P <.05. The mean preoperative and postoperative interwall distances were 9.8+/-0.75 and 10.8+/-1.5 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital pyriform aperture stenosis should be suspected whenever there is both severe nasal obstruction and difficulty in passing a small catheter or nasogastric tube through the anterior nasal valve. Operation is the most extreme treatment, but it is effective for congenital pyriform aperture stenosis. Nasal stenting for 7 days seemed to be adequate. The use of three-dimensional computed tomography to evaluate preoperative and postoperative nasal pyriform aperture is effective and reliable.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Acute suppurative thyroiditis in children.

BACKGROUND: Acute suppurative thyroiditis in children is rare and is often related to a pyriform sinus fistula or thyroglossal duct remnant, especially when it is recurrent. METHODS: From January, 1985, through December, 2000, 15 children with acute suppurative thyroiditis were treated. Their clinical, laboratory and radiologic findings were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: There were 8 girls and 7 boys, with a mean age at diagnosis of 6.1+/-2.9 years (range, 1.5 to 9.8). A thyroid mass was present on the left in 13 and on the right in 2 (P < 0.05). Fever, neck pain and swelling were the most common symptoms and signs. Seven patients (46.7%) had recurrent disease. Needle aspiration for Gram stain and bacterial cultures were done, and pathogenic organisms were identified on culture in 8 patients but were found only on Gram stain in 2 patients. In one-half of the patients with positive cultures, mixed pathogens were found. The most common organisms isolated were streptococcal species (50%). Barium esophagography was performed in all patients, and 5 (33.3%) had a pyriform sinus fistula on the left. Only 1 of the recurrent patients had a fistula. Thyroid scans were performed in 13 patients, of whom 12 (92.3%) had decreased radioactive uptake. Thyroid function tests were normal in all 15. CONCLUSIONS: Acute suppurative thyroiditis is usually caused by oropharyngeal flora, resulting in mixed pathogens on culture. Broad spectrum antibiotics should be given once cultures have been obtained. Imaging studies might be helpful in the diagnosis of acute suppurative thyroiditis.

Acute Disease↗

Infantile subglottic hemangioma treated by intralesional steroid injection: report of one case.

Infantile subglottic hemangioma is a rare, life threatening disease of the larynx. Various treatments have been described in the literature, including tracheostomy, systemic steroids, intralesional steroid injection, carbon dioxide laser therapy, and interferon alfa-2a. The best treatment, however, remains controversial. We report a case of congenital subglottic hemangioma successfully managed with a single intralesional steroid injection, which resulted in rapid involution of the hemangioma without recurrence after 18 months of follow up. This therapy appears to minimize both short and long term morbidity associated with treatment of this lesion.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Management of foreign body ingestion in children: experience with 42 cases.

Ingestion of foreign bodies occurs frequently in children, but there are no definite management guidelines. We reviewed 42 pediatric cases of accidental ingestion of foreign bodies with or without symptoms during the past 10 years. In decreasing order of frequency, the foreign bodies included: coins, sharp objects (needle, pin), bones (fish and chicken bone), metal object, food, seeds, plastic material, magnets, jewelry ring, and others. The majority of children were 5 years old or younger. At the time of presentation, the vast majority of objects were located in the esophagus. Sixty percent of the patients had symptoms, such as abdominal pain, vomiting and cough. Management included observation, esophagoscopy, panendoscopy, and laparotomy. Four patients (9.5%) had complications. One patient who ingested a magnet suffered from esophageal perforation with mediastinitis. Two had deep neck abscess due to esophageal penetration by bones. Another patient had hemorrhagic gastritis after swallowing a coin. All patients discharged after treatment, and none died.

Adolescent↗