Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Mar 2004
Case ReportsApplication of a mandibular nerve block using an indwelling catheter for intractable cancer pain.
We report a case in which a mandibular nerve block using an indwelling catheter was employed for pain management in a terminal case of orofacial cancer. The patient was a 74-year-old female weighing 27 kg. She had a 27-month history of mouth floor and tongue cancer. ⋯ Second, a neurolytic block was applied to the mandibular nerve through the catheter. After the neurolytic block, the total dosage of morphine and diclofenac remained unchanged for 2 months. We conclude from the present case that this technique is an excellent means of obtaining long-term pain control in patients with intractable orofacial cancer pain.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Mar 2004
Comparative StudyAccuracy in estimating the correct intervertebral space level during lumbar, thoracic and cervical epidural anaesthesia.
Even in the absence of factors concealing anatomical landmarks, high failure rates in correctly determining a given lumbar interspace have been reported. ⋯ As previously conjectured only for the lumbar region, we could confirm the tendency of anaesthetists to perform neuraxial puncture more cranially than expected also for the thoracic and cervical regions. The large majority of punctures (93.7%) was performed within one interspace of the predicted level.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Mar 2004
Comparative StudyPressure-volume relationships in acute lung injury: methodological and clinical implications.
Pressure-volume relationships (PV curves) are the only available method for bedside monitoring of respiratory mechanics. Alveolar recruitment modifies the results obtained from the PV curves. We hypothesized that method-related differences may influence PV-curve guided ventilatory management. ⋯ Pressure-volume curves obtained using variable PEEP translate a different physiological reality and seem to be clinically more relevant than curves constructed at constant PEEP. If curves constructed at constant PEEP are used to set the ventilator, unnecessarily high PEEP levels may be used. Respiratory inductive plethysmography technology may be used for monitoring of recruitment at the bedside.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Mar 2004
Comparative StudyPredictive value of mechanomyography and accelerometry for pulmonary function in partially paralyzed volunteers.
Accelerometry (ACM) of adductor pollicis muscle has been used for monitoring of neuromuscular blockade but its validity compared with the gold standard, mechanomyography (MMG), has been questioned. During neuromuscular blockade we compared these methods and we assessed pulmonary function. ⋯ Accelerometry predicts effects of relaxation on pulmonary function as valid as the gold standard mechanomyography. We recommend that recovery of TOF ratio to 0.9-1.0 should be used as an indication of sufficient neuromuscular recovery in daily practice.
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We report a case presenting with massive overdose of hydroxychloroquine who survived without any sequelae. A 17-year-old girl presented to the Emergency Department 45 min after the ingestion of 22 g of hydroxychloroquine in a suicide attempt. We believe this is highest dose yet reported in the medical literature. ⋯ She was managed with saline infusion and dopamine for hypotension, gastric lavage and activated charcoal for decontamination, lidocain, magnesium sulfate and defibrillation for pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Potassium replacement and bicarbonate administration were performed. Quick treatment of hypotension, gastric decontamination, continuous long-term cardiac monitoring, and treatment of arrhythmias are the cornerstones of hydroxychloroquine overdose management.