Purpose: This multicenter, open-label, phase II trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of bortezomib combined with dexamethasone for the treatment of relapsed/refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) in previously treated patients across 14 institutions in South Korea. Materials and Methods: Between September 2017 and July 2020, 29 patients with histologically confirmed CTCL received treatment, consisting of eight 4-week cycles of induction therapy followed by maintenance therapy, contingent upon response, for up to one year. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving an objective global response. Results: Thirteen of the 29 patients (44.8%) achieved an objective global response, including two complete responses. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.8 months, with responders showing a median PFS of 14.0 months. Treatment-emergent adverse events were generally mild, with a low incidence of peripheral neuropathy and hematologic toxicities. Despite the trend toward shorter PFS in patients with higher mutation burdens, genomic profiling before and after treatment showed no significant emergence of new mutations indicative of disease progression. Conclusion This study supports the use of bortezomib and dexamethasone as a viable and safe treatment option for previously treated CTCL, demonstrating substantial efficacy and manageability in adverse effects. Further research with a larger cohort is suggested to validate these findings and explore the prognostic value of mutation profiles.

Purpose: This multicenter, open-label, phase II trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of bortezomib combined with dexamethasone for the treatment of relapsed/refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) in previously treated patients across 14 institutions in South Korea. Materials and Methods: Between September 2017 and July 2020, 29 patients with histologically confirmed CTCL received treatment, consisting of eight 4-week cycles of induction therapy followed by maintenance therapy, contingent upon response, for up to one year. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving an objective global response. Results: Thirteen of the 29 patients (44.8%) achieved an objective global response, including two complete responses. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.8 months, with responders showing a median PFS of 14.0 months. Treatment-emergent adverse events were generally mild, with a low incidence of peripheral neuropathy and hematologic toxicities. Despite the trend toward shorter PFS in patients with higher mutation burdens, genomic profiling before and after treatment showed no significant emergence of new mutations indicative of disease progression. Conclusion This study supports the use of bortezomib and dexamethasone as a viable and safe treatment option for previously treated CTCL, demonstrating substantial efficacy and manageability in adverse effects. Further research with a larger cohort is suggested to validate these findings and explore the prognostic value of mutation profiles.

Purpose: This multicenter, open-label, phase II trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of bortezomib combined with dexamethasone for the treatment of relapsed/refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) in previously treated patients across 14 institutions in South Korea. Materials and Methods: Between September 2017 and July 2020, 29 patients with histologically confirmed CTCL received treatment, consisting of eight 4-week cycles of induction therapy followed by maintenance therapy, contingent upon response, for up to one year. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving an objective global response. Results: Thirteen of the 29 patients (44.8%) achieved an objective global response, including two complete responses. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.8 months, with responders showing a median PFS of 14.0 months. Treatment-emergent adverse events were generally mild, with a low incidence of peripheral neuropathy and hematologic toxicities. Despite the trend toward shorter PFS in patients with higher mutation burdens, genomic profiling before and after treatment showed no significant emergence of new mutations indicative of disease progression. Conclusion This study supports the use of bortezomib and dexamethasone as a viable and safe treatment option for previously treated CTCL, demonstrating substantial efficacy and manageability in adverse effects. Further research with a larger cohort is suggested to validate these findings and explore the prognostic value of mutation profiles.

Objective: We investigated the usefulness of maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) in evaluating dysphagia subsequent to ischemic stroke. Methods: This study included patients with ischemic stroke who underwent MEP testing and videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), from October 2016 to February 2020. The VFSS findings were interpreted using the penetrationaspiration scale (PAS) and functional dysphagia scale (FDS). Patients were stratified into the non-aspiration (n=59) and aspiration (n=47) groups. Partial correlation analysis among MEP, PAS, and FDS was performed after adjusting for age. Binary logistic regression using PAS was conducted to investigate the risk factors predisposing patients to inclusion in the aspiration group. Multiple linear regression using FDS was conducted to investigate the risk factors according to dysphagia severity. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was applied to investigate factors which could be useful for detecting aspiration. Results: Student’s t-test revealed a significant difference in MEP between the non-aspiration and aspiration groups.MEP showed a positive correlation with PAS and FDS. MEP was also determined to be a risk factor for inclusion into the aspiration group, and a risk factor according to the severity of dysphagia. In the ROC curve analysis, MEP showed good diagnostic properties to help classify patients with aspiration. Conclusion Our results indicate that swallowing assessment can predict and help prevent aspiration pneumonia in patients with ischemic stroke. In the present study, MEP showed significant association with aspiration and the severity of dysphagia. Thus, determining the MEP during swallowing assessment in patients with ischemic stroke is potentially a useful parameter to predict dysphagia.

Objective: To investigate the clinical factors associated with successful gastrostomy tube weaning in patients with prolonged dysphagia after stroke. Methods: This study involved a retrospective medical chart review of patients diagnosed with prolonged dysphagia after stroke who underwent gastrostomy tube insertion between May 2013 and January 2020. Forty-seven patients were enrolled and consequently divided into gastrostomy tube sustaining and weaning groups. The numbers of patients in the sustaining and weaning groups were 31 and 16, respectively. The patients’ demographic data, Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) score, Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI), Functional Dysphagia Scale (FDS) score, and Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) score were compared between the two groups. A videofluoroscopic swallowing study was performed before making the decision of gastrostomy tube weaning. The clinical factors associated with gastrostomy tube weaning were then investigated. Results: There were significant differences in age; history of aspiration pneumonia; K-MMSE, FDS, and PAS scores; and K-MBI between the groups. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, the FDS (odds ratio [OR]=0.791; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.634–0.987) and PAS scores (OR=0.205; 95% CI, 0.059–0.718) were associated with successful gastrostomy tube weaning. In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the FDS and PAS were useful screening tools for successful weaning, with areas under the curve of 0.911 and 0.918, respectively. Conclusion In patients with prolonged dysphagia, the FDS and PAS scores are the only factors associated with successful gastrostomy tube weaning. An evaluation of the swallowing function is necessary before deciding to initiate gastrostomy tube weaning.

Xanthogranulomatous inflammation is a rare inflammatory reaction, characterized by lipid-laden macrophages, known as xanthomas, in histopathologic examination. Aggressive xanthogranulomatous inflammation often manifests as local infiltration but does not affect distant organs unless combined with rare systemic diseases. We report a case of focal xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) associated with severe xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis. Focal XGP was suspected in radiologic examination that showed a cystic lesion with an infiltrative margin, which were surgically resected and confirmed in pathologic examination. To our knowledge, this is the first report of focal xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis associated with xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis. Moreover, we found peripheral hypointensity around the cystic lesion in the T2-weighted image, probably reflecting hemorrhage and fibrosis of the xanthogranulomatous inflammation.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and physical performance in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods: This study analyzed ambulatory patients with liver cirrhosis aged < 65 years, who underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) tests from December 2018 to December 2019.A total of 46 patients (36 men, 10 women) were included. In abdominal CT scans, the psoas muscle cross-sectional area (mm2 ) was measured at the distal end-plate level of the L4 vertebral body and normalized by dividing by height (m).Physical performance was evaluated using SPPB. A correlation analysis between the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and SPPB was performed. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to determine differences in the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and SPPB according to the Child-Pugh classification. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine factors affecting SPPB. Results: The correlation coefficient between the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and SPPB was 0.459 at the P < 0.01 level. No difference was observed in the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and SPPB according to the Child-Pugh classification. The psoas muscle cross-sectional area was a factor affecting SPPB in multiple regression analysis. Conclusions Abdominal CT is an essential diagnostic tool in patients with liver cirrhosis. Ambulatory patients with liver cirrhosis aged < 65 years could have reduced physical performance. In this study, the psoas muscle cross-sectional area was correlated with physical performance and was a factor affecting physical performance. The psoas muscle cross-sectional area and physical performance should be evaluated in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and physical performance in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods: This study analyzed ambulatory patients with liver cirrhosis aged < 65 years, who underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) tests from December 2018 to December 2019.A total of 46 patients (36 men, 10 women) were included. In abdominal CT scans, the psoas muscle cross-sectional area (mm2 ) was measured at the distal end-plate level of the L4 vertebral body and normalized by dividing by height (m).Physical performance was evaluated using SPPB. A correlation analysis between the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and SPPB was performed. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to determine differences in the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and SPPB according to the Child-Pugh classification. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine factors affecting SPPB. Results: The correlation coefficient between the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and SPPB was 0.459 at the P < 0.01 level. No difference was observed in the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and SPPB according to the Child-Pugh classification. The psoas muscle cross-sectional area was a factor affecting SPPB in multiple regression analysis. Conclusions Abdominal CT is an essential diagnostic tool in patients with liver cirrhosis. Ambulatory patients with liver cirrhosis aged < 65 years could have reduced physical performance. In this study, the psoas muscle cross-sectional area was correlated with physical performance and was a factor affecting physical performance. The psoas muscle cross-sectional area and physical performance should be evaluated in patients with liver cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate association between lesion location on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed after an infarction and the duration of dysphagia in middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction. METHODS: A videofluoroscopic swallowing study was performed for 59 patients with dysphagia who were diagnosed as cerebral infarction of the MCA territory confirmed by brain MRI. Lesions were divided into 11 regions of interest: primary somatosensory cortex, primary motor cortex, supplementary motor cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, parieto-occipital cortex, insular cortex, posterior limb of the internal capsule (PLIC), thalamus, basal ganglia (caudate nucleus), and basal ganglia (putamen). Recovery time was defined as the period from the first day of L-tube feeding to the day that rice porridge with thickening agent was prescribed. Recovery time and brain lesion patterns were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: The mean recovery time of all patients was 26.71±16.39 days. The mean recovery time was 36.65±15.83 days in patients with PLIC lesions and 32.6±17.27 days in patients with caudate nucleus lesions. Only these two groups showed longer recovery time than the average recovery time for all patients. One-way analysis of variance for recovery time showed significant differences between patients with and without lesions in PLIC and caudate (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Injury to both PLIC and caudate nucleus is associated with longer recovery time from dysphagia.
Basal Ganglia ; Brain ; Caudate Nucleus ; Cerebral Cortex ; Cerebral Infarction ; Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders ; Extremities ; Gyrus Cinguli ; Humans ; Infarction ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; Internal Capsule ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Motor Cortex ; Prefrontal Cortex ; Somatosensory Cortex ; Thalamus

Central venous catheterization is a routinely performed procedure in clinical practice. While cerebral air embolism after the removal of the central venous catheter is very rare, it is one of the most serious complications that can lead to fatal outcomes. In this report, we present a rare case of a cerebral air embolism after the removal of the central venous catheter in a patient with a patent foramen ovale.