Cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common compressive neuropathy. Its diagnosis is largely based on clinical findings. It has been well known that patients with mild to moderate grade of cubital tunnel syndrome have a high chance of spontaneous resolution, while those with severe degree do not. Thus, the former is treated with conservative methods initially, and the latter is indicated for surgical intervention. There are three types of surgical techniques for cubital tunnel syndrome. Of these, in-situ decompression technique has been gaining popularity as it is simpler and shows similar efficacy with less complications compared to other techniques. In this review, we deal with current concepts of the cubital tunnel syndrome pertaining to the primary clinical practice.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome ; Decompression ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Ulnar Nerve ; Ulnar Neuropathies*

The aim of our study is to achieve complete periodontal tissue regeneration by the application of BMP and resorbable membrane. Three beagle dogs aged over one and half years and weighed 14 to 16 kg were used in this study. Mandibular 1st, 2nd premolars were extracted bilaterally. Horizontal furcation defects were induced around 3rd, 4th premolars bilaterally. BMP-4 were applied in the right side with resorbable membranes and only resorbable membranes were applied in the left side respectively. Each animal was sacrificed at 2, 4, and 8weeks, after regenerative surgery. Specimens were prepared with Hematoxylin-Eosin stain and Goldner's modified Masson Trichrome stain for light microscopic evaluation. The results were as follows: 1. At 2 weeks after regenerative surgery, downgrowth of junctional epithelium was observed both in the membrane-applied site and BMP-4-and-membrane-applied site. 2. At 4 weeks after regenerative surgery, resorbable membranes were completely resolved, therefore would not prevent downgrowth of junctional epithelium. New bone formation, new cementum formation and Sharpey's fiber were observed in BMP-4-and-membrane-applied site. 3. At 8 weeks after regenerative surgery, downgrowth of junctional epithelium was observed in the membrane-applied site. But, new cementum formation was observed in the same site. The extensive regeneration of new bone, new cementum and remarkable formation of Shapey's fiber were showed in BMP-4-and-membrane-applied site. 4. Resorbable membranes were resolved via the cell-mediated processes. 5. Periodontal tissue regeneration were better achieved in the BMP-4-and-membrane-applied site than in the membrane-applied site. Within the above results, BMP-4 may have the strong capability to form the new bone and resorbable membrane may be able to prevent the bony ankylosis. However, resolution rate of resorbable membrane may not be enough to protect rapid epithelial downgrowth for ideal periodontal regeneration. In conclusion, I suggest BMP-4 may have the strong possibility to be utilized in the clinical periodontal treatments.
Animals ; Ankylosis ; Bicuspid ; Dental Cementum ; Dogs ; Epithelial Attachment ; Furcation Defects ; Membranes* ; Osteogenesis ; Regeneration*

External fixation with or without ancillary K-wire fixation, once being one of the most popular methods of surgery for unstable distal radius fractures, is now losing its position due to a recent surge in the use of volar locking plates. However, these changes are not firmly grounded on scientific evidence. Recent clinical trials showed that a similar wrist function was achieved when the use of external fixation was compared with that of volar locking plates at 1 year after surgery for the treatment of unstable distal radius fractures, even though the rate of functional recovery was slower in the former. In addition, it is still a question whether additional costs and time paid for volar locking plates can be justified by such a small gain in wrist function. We will review recent studies comparing external fixation with volar locking plates regarding wrist function and costs, and discuss current indication of external fixation for unstable distal radius fractures.
Radius Fractures* ; Wrist

Cortical blindness means visual loss caused by bilateral destruction of visual cortex. Cortical blindness can develop after cerebral angiography due to hypertonic contrast medium which open the blood-brain barrier and then alternate the function of visual cortex transiently. About 30 minutes after injection of contrast medium (Ultravist 370(R)) during cerebral angiography, the patient complained of decrease of visual acuity. And 3 hours later, evaluation revealed that she could not see even the light. But her vision began to improve after 19 hours and recovered completely after 7 days. MRI taken at 12 hours after cerebral angiography showed high signal intensities in the both occipital lobes. But in repeated MRI study, which was taken after 3 days, previously noted high densities were completely disappeared. So we diagnosed this case as cortical blindness caused by hypertonic contrast medium.
Blindness, Cortical* ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; Cerebral Angiography* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Occipital Lobe ; Visual Acuity ; Visual Cortex

Cortical blindness means visual loss caused by bilateral destruction of visual cortex. Cortical blindness can develop after cerebral angiography due to hypertonic contrast medium which open the blood-brain barrier and then alternate the function of visual cortex transiently. About 30 minutes after injection of contrast medium (Ultravist 370(R)) during cerebral angiography, the patient complained of decrease of visual acuity. And 3 hours later, evaluation revealed that she could not see even the light. But her vision began to improve after 19 hours and recovered completely after 7 days. MRI taken at 12 hours after cerebral angiography showed high signal intensities in the both occipital lobes. But in repeated MRI study, which was taken after 3 days, previously noted high densities were completely disappeared. So we diagnosed this case as cortical blindness caused by hypertonic contrast medium.
Blindness, Cortical* ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; Cerebral Angiography* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Occipital Lobe ; Visual Acuity ; Visual Cortex

Free vascularized tissue transfer to preserve upper extremity amputation level is uncommon but very useful procedure. To cover the below-elbow amputee stump and restore the function of the elbow, we have used a free flap as a spare part concept from the contralateral hand which was so severely damaged that amputation was inevitable.
Amputation ; Amputees* ; Elbow* ; Forearm* ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Hand ; Humans ; Upper Extremity

PURPOSE: to find out the change and limit of the changes of tibiofemoral joint line, patellar position and other related variables for improved postoperative knee function after PCL retaining TKRA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The variables mentioned above were measured from the plain radiographs of 101 knees with PCL retaining TKRAs, correlated with clinical outcomes such as HSS score, range of motion and anterior knee pain. Then they were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Tibiofemoral joint line, patellar height and femoral condylar size affected clinical outcomes. Excellent postoperative knee function resulted when the shift of tibiofemoral joint line position was between 5mm inferiorly to 5mm superiorly, postoperative patellar height between 15mm to 30mm, and the change of the femoral condylar size between 10mm decrease and 5mm increase. CONCLUSION: Excellent clinical results would be expected if the changes of the joint line position are kept within the range suggested in this paper.
Joints ; Knee ; Knee Joint ; Patellofemoral Joint* ; Range of Motion, Articular

We present a case of medial plantar nerve injury by screw tip after open reduction and internal fixation of intraarticular calcaneus fracture. We reviewed the risk and prevention technique of medial plantar nerve injury in fixing the calcaneus fracture.
Calcaneus* ; Tibial Nerve*

Time to time, we face patients who missed the proper time for primary palatal repair. Although we do not have enough available documents, it is important to establish efficacy of palatal repair in patients more than 4 years old. From May 1995 to March 2005, we selected 14 patients who underwent palatal repair in more than 4 years old patients and they are able to tolerate speech articulation tests. Out of 14 patients 5 males an 9 females in sex, aged form 4 to 50 years old. 6 patients with incomplete cleft palate and 8 patients with submucous cleft palate. Double reversing Z-plasty(n=5), pushback palatoplasty(n=4), two flap palatoplasty(n=2), von Langenbeck palatoplasty(n=2), and intravelar veloplasty(n=1) were performed. Preoperative and postoperative speech articulation test, "Simple method of speech evaluation in Korean patients with cleft palate", were conducted. Satisfaction rate was sorted into 5 levels. There is no significant statistical correlation in the speech improvement, satisfaction rate, patients sex, cleft type and operative method. But there is significant statistical correlation between the speech improvement and patienet's age. There were better result in younger patient group than aged patients group.
Child, Preschool* ; Cleft Palate ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Speech Articulation Tests

PURPOSE: As the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) began to cover home oxygen therapy (HOT) services from 2006, it is expected that the new services have contributed to overall positive outcome of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We examined whether the usage of HOT has helped slow down the progression of COPD. METHODS: We examined hospital claim data (N=10,798) of COPD inpatients who were treated in 2007~2012. We performed chi2 tests to analyze the differences in the changes to respiratory impairment grades. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors that are associated with the use of HOT. Finally, a generalized linear mixed model was used to examine association between the HOT treatment and changes to respiratory impairment grades. RESULTS: A total of 2,490 patients had grade 1 respiratory impairment, and patients with grades 2 or 3 totaled 8,308. The OR for use of HOT was lower in grade 3 patients than others (OR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.30~0.37). The maintenance/mitigation in all grades, those who used HOT had a higher OR than non-users (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.23~1.61). CONCLUSION: HOT was effective in maintaining or mitigating the respiratory impairment in COPD patients.
Home Care Services ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Logistic Models ; Lung Diseases, Obstructive* ; National Health Programs ; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy ; Oxygen* ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Respiratory Mechanics