Eun Ha Suk

Effects of head rotation on the right internal jugular vein in infants and young children

We investigated the effects of head rotation on the cross‐sectional area of the right internal jugular vein and its relative position to the carotid artery. Eighty‐eight subjects were divided into infants and children groups. The cross‐sectional area of the right internal jugular vein and the degree of the carotid artery overlap were measured at 0° (neutral), 40° and 80° of head rotation. The cross‐sectional area of the right internal jugular vein was significantly larger at 40° and 80° head rotation compared with the neutral position in both infants and children (p < 0.001). As the head was rotated, the percentage overlap of the carotid artery increased significantly (p < 0.001). We suggest that 40° head rotation appears to be optimal for right internal jugular vein cannulation in paediatric patients.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the femoral vein in anaesthetised infants and young children

We investigated the cross‐sectional area of the femoral vein and its relationship to the femoral artery at two anatomical levels, in infants and children. Sixty‐six subjects were allocated to one of two groups: infants (< 1 year, n = 31) or children (1–6 years, n = 35). After induction of general anaesthesia, the femoral vein was evaluated by ultrasound with the patients’ legs at 30° and 60° of abduction and their hips externally rotated. In each position, measurements were taken at the level of the inguinal crease and 1 cm below the crease. Hip rotation with 60° leg abduction decreased femoral artery overlap at the level of the inguinal crease in both infants (p = 0.013) and children (p = 0.003). Thus, the optimal place for femoral vein cannulation in paediatric patients seems to be at the level of the inguinal crease with 60° leg abduction and external hip rotation.

Effects of reverse Trendelenburg position and inguinal compression on femoral vein cross-sectional area in infants and young children

This study evaluated the effects of the reverse Trendelenburg position and additional inguinal compression on the cross‐sectional area of the femoral vein in paediatric patients. Seventy subjects were allocated to two groups: the infants group and the children group. Cross‐sectional area of the femoral vein was measured just below the inguinal ligament using ultrasound. Three measurements were obtained for each patient: (i) supine, (ii) reverse Trendelenburg position and (iii) reverse Trendelenburg position with inguinal compression. In the infants group, femoral vein cross‐sectional area increased by a mean (SD) of 21.1 (15.2) % in the reverse Trendelenburg position and by 60.7 (30.8) % in the reverse Trendelenburg position with inguinal compression; whereas in the children group, femoral vein cross‐sectional area increased by 24.7 (15.8) % in the reverse Trendelenburg position and by 100.3 (50.7) % in the reverse Trendelenburg position with inguinal compression. Inguinal compression in the reverse Trendelenburg position offers a useful means of increasing femoral vein cross‐sectional area in paediatric patients.

Evaluating a thrombosed azygous vein aneurysm combined with pulmonary arterial thromboembolism by ECG-gated multidetector CT: a case report.

Azygous vein aneurysm is a rare congenital lesion that needs to be differentiated from mediastinal mass lesions. Although almost of these anomalies are asymptomatic lesions, we experienced an interesting case in which a thrombus within an azygous vein aneurysm in a 75-year-old woman caused pulmonary thromboembolism. The patient was managed by medical treatment for one month and then the thrombus within both the azygous vein aneurysm and the pulmonary arteries completely resolved.

Estimation of teeth-to-vallecula distance for prediction of optimal oropharyngeal airway length in young children

BACKGROUND Estimation of teeth-to-vallecula distance would facilitate the selection of properly sized oropharyngeal airways in young children. The aims of the present study were to measure the teeth-to-vallecula distance and to create an algorithm to predict this distance based on anatomical landmarks and patient characteristics in children. METHODS Two hundred children, aged 1-9 yr, undergoing elective surgery were investigated. After induction of general anaesthesia, the distance from the teeth to the vallecula was measured using a laryngoscope with a straight blade. After intubation, the distances from the mouth angle to the mandible angle and the tragus of the ear were measured with a tape measure. RESULTS The teeth-to-vallecula distance was significantly correlated with the age, weight, height, and external measurements (P<0.001). By stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, a formula was obtained for the teeth-to-vallecula distance (cm) = 3.998 + 0.017 × age (months)+the mouth-to-mandible distance × 0.286 with a high coefficient of determination (r²=0.764). CONCLUSIONS The teeth-to-vallecula distance can be predicted using the age and the mouth-to-mandible distance in young children.

Lymphangiomatosis Involving the Inferior Vena Cava, Heart, Pulmonary Artery and Pelvic Cavity

A 38-year-old woman who had undergone pelvic lymphangioma resection two months previously presented with cough and dyspnea. Transthoracic echocardiography and CT demonstrated the presence of a mixed cystic/solid component tumor involving the inferior vena cava, heart and pulmonary artery. Complete resection of the cardiac tumor was performed and lymphangioma was confirmed based on histopathologic examination. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of lymphangiomatosis with cardiac and pelvic involvement in the published clinical literature.

Estimation of the nares-to-epiglottis distance and the nares-to-vocal cords distance in young children

BACKGROUND Estimation of the nares-to-epiglottis and nares-to-vocal cords distances would facilitate the selection of properly sized nasopharyngeal airways and appropriate positioning of a fibreoptic bronchoscope in young children. The purposes of this study were to measure the nares-to-epiglottis and nares-to-vocal cords distances and to create an algorithm to predict these distances based on anatomical landmarks and paediatric characteristic data. METHODS Two hundred and eleven children, aged 1-10 yr, undergoing elective surgery were investigated. After induction of general anaesthesia, the distances from the nares to the epiglottis/vocal cords were measured using a nasogastric tube. After intubation, the distances from the lateral border of the nose to the ipsilateral mandible angle (nares-to-mandible distance) and the tragus of the ear (nares-to-tragus distance) were measured using a tape measure. RESULTS The nares-to-epiglottis and nares-to-vocal cords distances were significantly correlated with the age, weight, height, and external measurements (P<0.001). By stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, formulas were obtained for the nares-to-epiglottis distance (cm)=2.606+0.058×height (cm)+0.231×the nares-to-mandible distance (cm)-0.304 (gender) (r(2)=0.754) and for the nares-to-vocal cords distance (cm)=4.947+0.06×height (cm)+0.228×nares-to-mandible distance (cm)-0.283 (gender) (r(2)=0.803). CONCLUSIONS The nares-to-epiglottis and nares-to-vocal cords distances can be predicted using the height and the nares-to-mandible distance in young children. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Clinical Research Information Service KCT0000150.

Multiple coronary aneurysms, ectasia, and myocardial infarction evaluated by multidetector row CT in a young adult

Although coronary aneurysms and ectasia are well-recognized, they are uncommon sequelae and may evolve into myocardial infarction. When such a case is suspected, conventional coronary angiography and echocardiography are the most commonly used imaging modalities. Here we report a case of non-specific vasculitis in a 31-year-old woman presenting with multiple coronary aneurysms, ectasia, and myocardial infarction identified by multidetector row computed tomography.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Ultrasonographic evaluation of the femoral vein in anaesthetised infants and young children: Sonographic evaluation of the paediatric femoral vein

We investigated the cross‐sectional area of the femoral vein and its relationship to the femoral artery at two anatomical levels, in infants and children. Sixty‐six subjects were allocated to one of two groups: infants (< 1 year, n = 31) or children (1–6 years, n = 35). After induction of general anaesthesia, the femoral vein was evaluated by ultrasound with the patients’ legs at 30° and 60° of abduction and their hips externally rotated. In each position, measurements were taken at the level of the inguinal crease and 1 cm below the crease. Hip rotation with 60° leg abduction decreased femoral artery overlap at the level of the inguinal crease in both infants (p = 0.013) and children (p = 0.003). Thus, the optimal place for femoral vein cannulation in paediatric patients seems to be at the level of the inguinal crease with 60° leg abduction and external hip rotation.

Comparison of two approaches to internal jugular vein cannulation in young children: ultrasonographic evaluation

BACKGROUND Percutaneous cannulation of internal jugular vein is difficult in pediatric patients because of its small size and anatomic variation. The aim of this study is to investigate cross-sectional area and relative anatomy of right internal jugular vein with respect to the carotid artery in two approaches and thereby to find ideal cannulation site in young children. METHODS The cross-sectional area of right internal jugular vein and the degree of the carotid artery overlap was evaluated in 47 children using ultrasound at two levels; 1) at the cricoid cartilage (high approach) and 2) at the junction of the two heads of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (low approach). RESULTS The cross-sectional area was significantly larger by about 28.8% in the low approach than that of the high approach (P < 0.01). The internal jugular vein was partially overlapping the carotid artery in 48.9% and completely overlapping in 42.6% in the low approach and in 44.7% and 34.0% in the high approach respectively. The carotid artery overlap was significantly higher in the low approach when compared with the high approach (P < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS In terms of cross-sectional area, the low approach with larger size is optimal for internal jugular vein cannulation. Although the degree of the carotid artery overlap was higher at the low approach, the internal jugular vein was partially or completely covering the carotid artery in most patients in both approaches. When attempting to cannulate the internal jugular vein, clinicians should be aware of the large anatomic variations.