STUDY DESIGN: We report two cases of symptomatic spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) associated with long-term use of steroid medication OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of symptomatic spinal epidural lipomatosis. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Spinal epidural lipomatosis is a condition in which excess adipose tissue is deposited circumferentially about the spinal cord in the epidural space. It can present neurologic symptoms including back pain, radiculopathy or cauda equina. Magnetic resonance imaging is the most helpful dignostic means and should be used initially if suspected. Treatment is decompressive laminectomy and debulking of fat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two cases of lumbar epidural lipomatosis with neurologic symptoms were discussed and evaluated by physical examination, postmyelography CT and MRI. RESULTS: Two cases were treated with decompressive laminectomy and debulking of fat. Increased accumulation of the fatty tissue was seen predominently in posterior and posterolateral epidural space of the spinal canal, displacing and compressing the lumbar spinal cord anteriorly. Both gross and histologic evaluation revealed overgrowth of unencapsulated normal appearing fat consistent with spinal epidural lipomatosis. One case was demonstrated gradual improvement in symtoms after operation but the other was died due to medical problems. CONCLUSION: The authors reviewed the literature and reported the results of operative treatment of patients with lumbago, radicular pain and intermitent claudication caused by epidural lipomatosis of lumbar spine and degenerative spinal stenosis.
Adipose Tissue ; Back Pain ; Cauda Equina ; Diagnosis ; Epidural Space ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Lipomatosis* ; Low Back Pain ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Physical Examination ; Radiculopathy ; Spinal Canal ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Stenosis ; Spine

We analyzed the factors of importance for nonunion in series of 91 open fractures of tibial diaphysis which were treated with external fixation. Factors analyzed included, age and sex of the patients, the mechanism of injury, the amount of soft tissue damage, the grade of comminution, the level at which the tibia was fractured, the presence of an intact fibula, the presence of the multiple injuries, the type of the external fixation used(AO external fixator, EXTOR; monotube external fixator, Ilizarov), and the need to supplement the stability of the reduction. We found that the amount of soft tissue damage and comminution of the fracture played a role in the development of the nonunion.
Diaphyses ; External Fixators ; Fibula ; Fractures, Open ; Humans ; Multiple Trauma ; Tibia ; Tibial Fractures*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of total hip arthroplasty (THA) with a CLS expansion acetabular cup using press-fit technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and nineteen primary THA in 102 patients with a CLS expansion cup by press-fit technique were performed consecutively. Eighty-four hips were evaluated for clinical analysis by Harris hip score (HHS) , and 70 hips were evaluated for radiographic analysis, including stability (cup migration and change of position) , remodelling (change of polar gap and trabecular pattern) , and early wear rate of polyethylene after a mean follow up of 4 years and 9 months. RESULTS: Mean HHS was improved from 44.9 points preoperatively to 90.4 points at the most recent follow up. Initial adequate contact fit was found in 64 hips (91%) . Radiolographically, optimal stabilities of acetabular cup at the most recent follow up were found in all hips. Polar gap in 38 hips (78%) of 48 hips at postoperative radiographs disappeared at most recent follow up. Periacetabular trabecular patterns were maintained or improved in all cases. CONCLUSION: CLS expansion acetabular cup fixation by press-fit technique guaranteed an excellent implant stability.
Acetabulum* ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip* ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Hip ; Humans ; Polyethylene

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the design characteristics of studies that evaluated the performance of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for the diagnostic analysis of medical images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched to identify original research articles published between January 1, 2018 and August 17, 2018 that investigated the performance of AI algorithms that analyze medical images to provide diagnostic decisions. Eligible articles were evaluated to determine 1) whether the study used external validation rather than internal validation, and in case of external validation, whether the data for validation were collected, 2) with diagnostic cohort design instead of diagnostic case-control design, 3) from multiple institutions, and 4) in a prospective manner. These are fundamental methodologic features recommended for clinical validation of AI performance in real-world practice. The studies that fulfilled the above criteria were identified. We classified the publishing journals into medical vs. non-medical journal groups. Then, the results were compared between medical and non-medical journals. RESULTS: Of 516 eligible published studies, only 6% (31 studies) performed external validation. None of the 31 studies adopted all three design features: diagnostic cohort design, the inclusion of multiple institutions, and prospective data collection for external validation. No significant difference was found between medical and non-medical journals. CONCLUSION: Nearly all of the studies published in the study period that evaluated the performance of AI algorithms for diagnostic analysis of medical images were designed as proof-of-concept technical feasibility studies and did not have the design features that are recommended for robust validation of the real-world clinical performance of AI algorithms.
Artificial Intelligence ; Case-Control Studies ; Cohort Studies ; Data Collection ; Feasibility Studies ; Machine Learning ; Prospective Studies

No abstract available.
Nipples*

Wegener's granulomatosis is characterized by necrotizing granulomatosis lesion of the respiratory tract, glomerulonephritis and frequently vasculitis involving other organs. The basic pathophysiologic mechanism of Wegener's granulomatosis is not defined yet. However, it may be suspected an autoimmune disease. We experienced a case of Wegener's granulomatosis which are associated with acute renal failure and pneumothorax. The patient suffered from hemoptysis, fever and cough. Despite antibiotic therapy, symtoms did not improved and multiple varying sized nodules were aggravated on chest roentogenogram and serum creatinine elevated 3.4mg/dl. After diagnosis using video associated thoracoscopic surgery, the patient was treated with cyclophsphamide, glucocorticoid and sulfamethoxasole-trimethoprime. With the combination therapy, the patient felt completely well and chest roentogenogram showed lungs were improved and serum creatinine was normal. The patient was readmitted because of right pleuritic pain and dyspnea 15 day after discharge. The patient was developed a right pneumothorax. The lung was easily expanded by intercostal tube drainage with a one way valve. The patient has been treated as an out- patient with immunosuppressive agents continously.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Cough ; Creatinine ; Diagnosis ; Drainage ; Dyspnea ; Fever ; Glomerulonephritis ; Hemoptysis ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Lung ; Pneumothorax* ; Respiratory System ; Thoracoscopy ; Thorax ; Vasculitis ; Wegener Granulomatosis*

The maximal voluntary strength of knee extension and flexion on both the right and left sides was measured in patients with hemiparesis of upper motor neuron type and in a group of normal subjects. Significant differences of maximal voluntary strength were found between male and female but the ratio of flexor to extensor strength did not vary significantly between the sides, between the exs in normal subjects. The maximal voluntary strength of uninvolved side were not reduced significantly but involved side reduced significantly in patients. The ratio of flexor to extensor strength in hemiparetic side was significantly less than the ratio for the normal subjects but not significant difference in uninvolved side of patients. According to the above results, the maximal voluntary strength of flexion was more reduced than that of the extension on lower extremity of hemiparesis patients. The strength ratio of flexion to extension was a useful parameter for guiding the rehabilitation of hemiparesis.
Female ; Male ; Humans

PURPOSE: Chronic infected wounds sustained over 4 weeks with exposed tendon or bone are difficult challenges to plastic surgeons. Vacuum assisted closure (VAC) device has been well used for the management of chronic wounds diminishing wound edema, reducing bacterial colonization, promoting formation of granulation tissue and local blood flow by negative pressure to wounds. But Commercial ready-made VAC device might have some difficulties to use because of its high expenses and heavy weight. So we modified traditional VAC device with silver dressing materials as topical therapeutic agents for control of superimposed bacterial wound infection such as MRSA, MRSE and peudomonas. METHODS: We designed the modified VAC device using wall suction, 400 cc Hemovac and combined slow release silver dressing materials. We compared 5 consecutive patients' data treated by commercial ready-made VAC device(Group A) with 11 consecutive patients' data treated by modified VAC device combined with silver dressing materials(group B) from September 2004 to June 2007. Granulation tissue growth, wound discharge, wound culture and wound dressing expenses were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: In comparison of results, no statistical differences were identified in reducing rate of wound size between group A and B. Wound discharge was significantly decreased in both groups. Modified VAC device with silver dressing materials showed advantages of convenience, cost effectiveness and bacterial reversion. CONCLUSION: In combination of modified VAC device and silver dressing materials, our results demonstrated the usefulness of managing chronic open wounds superimposed bacterial infection, cost effectiveness compared with traditional VAC device and improvement of patient mobility.
Bacterial Infections ; Bandages ; Colon ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Edema ; Granulation Tissue ; Humans ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy ; Silver ; Suction ; Tendons ; Vacuum ; Wound Infection

Primary aldosteronism is present in approximately 1% of unselectd hypertensive patients. Adrenal adenoma is a known as one of the surgically curable form of the hypertension. Hypertension is one of the contributing factors for the development of aortic dissection. Cincurrence of aortic dissection in patient with primary aldosteronism is extemely rare. Only one case wasconfirmed by autopsy and reported in the world literature. We report a case of DeBakey type 3 anortic aneursm in a 49-year old hypertensive female patient with primary aldosteronism due to left adrenal adenoma. She underwent left adrenalectomy uneventfully after stabilization of her blood pressure with maximal medical management including nitroprusside, aldactone, enalapril and inderal.
Adenoma ; Adrenalectomy ; Autopsy ; Blood Pressure ; Enalapril ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; Hypertension ; Middle Aged ; Nitroprusside ; Propranolol ; Spironolactone

BACKGROUND: Aortic valve endocarditis(AVE) may produce secondary involvement of the mitral aortic-intervalvular fibrosa(MAIVF) and the anterior mitral valve leaflets(AMVL). These complications may result in the systolic regurgitation of blood from the left ventricular outflow tract into the left atrium, or formation of an aneurysm or perforation of the AMVL. Early recognition of these complications is important for optimal management and corrective surgery. The aims of the persent study were to examine the utility of transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) in the diagnosis of these subaortic complications compared to conventional transthoracic echocardiography(TTE) and to observe the prevalence and pattern of these complications. METHOD: Both TTE and TEE were performed in patients with AVE from June 1991 to June 1993. A 2.5 MHz probe was used for TTE and a 5 MHz biplane one for TEE with Hewlett Packard SONOS 1,000 All procedures were recorded in super VHS tape and reviewed by two experienced cardiologist. AVE was diagnosed clinically by the presence of continuous bacteremia or demonstration of vegetations during open heart surgery. RESULT: Ten consecutive patients with AVE underwent TTE and TEE of these patients, 6(60%) had involvement of subaortic structures, including one with an abscess in the MAIVF, two with perforation of the MAIVF into the left atrium, one with multiple vegetations in the AMVL, and two with pseudoaneurysm formation and perforation of the AMVL, TEE visualized all these lesions with high resolution images, whereas TTE detected only multiple vegetations in the AMVL in one patients and eccentric mitral regurgitation of unknown etiology in 2 patients. In 4 patients, corrective surgery was performed in which the TEE findings were confirmed. CONCLUSION: The results implicate that 1) involvement of the subaortic structures would be a common complication in patients with AVE, 2) TEE is superior to conventional TTE in the detection of these complications, and 3) routine screening with TEE would be necessary in patients with AVE to diagnose or exclude these subaortic complications.
Abscess ; Aneurysm ; Aneurysm, False ; Aortic Valve* ; Bacteremia ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography* ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Endocarditis* ; Heart Atria ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Mitral Valve ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Prevalence ; Thoracic Surgery