Objectives: . Balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube (BDET) is widely recognized as a minimally invasive treatment for obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD). We employed a Delphi consensus methodology to develop recommendations for the clinical management of BDET in cases of obstructive ETD. Methods: . A Delphi panel consisting of 26 expert physicians specializing in otology participated in two rounds of anonymous, iterative questionnaires. Consensus was defined as agreement from ≥70% of the panelists on a recommendation, while disagreement was defined as <70% agreement. The responses from the Delphi study were analyzed using both the content validity ratio and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance. Results: . The panel finally evaluated 26 topics, reaching agreement on 9 and failing to reach consensus on 17 after two rounds. While consensus was not achieved regarding the postoperative follow-up period, a duration of 12 months was most commonly adopted. The Valsalva maneuver and questionnaire responses were identified as the most agreed-upon postoperative assessment tools following BDET. Conclusion . Consensus was reached on several recommendations for managing BEDT in obstructive ETD. This agreement will guide future research aimed at defining standard postoperative management for BEDT.

Objectives: . Balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube (BDET) is widely recognized as a minimally invasive treatment for obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD). We employed a Delphi consensus methodology to develop recommendations for the clinical management of BDET in cases of obstructive ETD. Methods: . A Delphi panel consisting of 26 expert physicians specializing in otology participated in two rounds of anonymous, iterative questionnaires. Consensus was defined as agreement from ≥70% of the panelists on a recommendation, while disagreement was defined as <70% agreement. The responses from the Delphi study were analyzed using both the content validity ratio and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance. Results: . The panel finally evaluated 26 topics, reaching agreement on 9 and failing to reach consensus on 17 after two rounds. While consensus was not achieved regarding the postoperative follow-up period, a duration of 12 months was most commonly adopted. The Valsalva maneuver and questionnaire responses were identified as the most agreed-upon postoperative assessment tools following BDET. Conclusion . Consensus was reached on several recommendations for managing BEDT in obstructive ETD. This agreement will guide future research aimed at defining standard postoperative management for BEDT.

Objectives: . Balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube (BDET) is widely recognized as a minimally invasive treatment for obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD). We employed a Delphi consensus methodology to develop recommendations for the clinical management of BDET in cases of obstructive ETD. Methods: . A Delphi panel consisting of 26 expert physicians specializing in otology participated in two rounds of anonymous, iterative questionnaires. Consensus was defined as agreement from ≥70% of the panelists on a recommendation, while disagreement was defined as <70% agreement. The responses from the Delphi study were analyzed using both the content validity ratio and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance. Results: . The panel finally evaluated 26 topics, reaching agreement on 9 and failing to reach consensus on 17 after two rounds. While consensus was not achieved regarding the postoperative follow-up period, a duration of 12 months was most commonly adopted. The Valsalva maneuver and questionnaire responses were identified as the most agreed-upon postoperative assessment tools following BDET. Conclusion . Consensus was reached on several recommendations for managing BEDT in obstructive ETD. This agreement will guide future research aimed at defining standard postoperative management for BEDT.

Background: Obesity, the prevalence of which is increasing due to the lack of exercise and increased consumption of Westernized diets, induces various complications, including ophthalmic diseases. For example, obesity is involved in the onset of cataracts. Methods: To clarify the effects and mechanisms of midodrine, an α1-adrenergic receptor agonist, in cataracts induced by obesity, we conducted various analytic experiments in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats, a rat model of obesity. Results: Midodrine prevented cataract occurrence and improved lens clearance in OLETF rats. In the lenses of OLETF rats treated with midodrine, we observed lower levels of aldose reductase, tumor necrosis factor-α, and sorbitol, but higher levels of hexokinase, 5’-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase-alpha, adenosine 5´-triphosphate, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptordelta, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. Conclusion The ameliorating effects of midodrine on cataracts in the OLETF obesity rat model are exerted via the following three mechanisms: direct inhibition of the biosynthesis of sorbitol, which causes cataracts; reduction of reactive oxygen species and inflammation; and (3) stimulation of normal aerobic glycolysis.

Purpose: Since diabetes and hypertension frequently occur together, it is thought that these conditions may have a common pathogenesis. This study was designed to evaluate the anti-diabetic function of the anti-hypertensive drug fimasartan on C2C12 mouse skeletal muscle and HepG2 human liver cells in a high glucose state. Materials and Methods: The anti-diabetic effects and mechanism of fimasartan were identified using Western blot, glucose uptake tests, oxygen consumption rate (OCR) analysis, adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and immunofluorescence staining for diabetic biomarkers in C2C12 cells. Protein biomarkers for glycogenolysis and glycogenesis were evaluated by Western blotting and ELISA in HepG2 cells. Results: The protein levels of phosphorylated 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), p-AKT, insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), and glucose transporter type 4 (Glut4) were elevated in C2C12 cells treated with fimasartan. These increases were reversed by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARδ) antagonist. ATP, OCR, and glucose uptake were increased in cells treated with 200 μM fimasartan. Protein levels of glycogen phosphorylase, glucose synthase, phosphorylated glycogen synthase, and glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) were decreased in HepG2 cells treated with fimasartan. However, these effects were reversed following the addition of the PPARδ antagonist GSK0660. Conclusion In conclusion, fimasartan ameliorates deteriorations in glucose metabolism as a result of a high glucose state by regulating PPARδ in skeletal muscle and liver cells.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation (CAA-RI) is a distinct subset of cerebral amyloid angiopathy characterized by the auto-inflammatory response to amyloid-laden small arteries of cerebral cortex and leptomeninges. Clinical features include cognitive-behavioral change, headache, focal neurologic deficits and seizure. Because anti-inflammatory treatments can rapidly relieve neurologic symptoms, early diagnosis is critical. Herein, we report a CAA-RI case with distinct laboratory findings of a decreased cerebrospinal fluid amyloid beta 1-42 level and relatively reduced florbetaben uptake in the focal inflammatory lesion during the acute phase of CAA-RI.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation (CAA-RI) is a distinct subset of cerebral amyloid angiopathy characterized by the auto-inflammatory response to amyloid-laden small arteries of cerebral cortex and leptomeninges. Clinical features include cognitive-behavioral change, headache, focal neurologic deficits and seizure. Because anti-inflammatory treatments can rapidly relieve neurologic symptoms, early diagnosis is critical. Herein, we report a CAA-RI case with distinct laboratory findings of a decreased cerebrospinal fluid amyloid beta 1-42 level and relatively reduced florbetaben uptake in the focal inflammatory lesion during the acute phase of CAA-RI.

The intrinsic structural failure of a Dacron graft resulting from the loss of structural integrity of the graft fabric can cause late graft complications. Late non-anastomotic rupture has traditionally been treated surgically via open thoracotomy. We report a case of the successful use of thoracic endovascular repair to treat a Dacron graft rupture in the descending aorta. The rupture occurred 20 years after the graft had been placed. Two stent grafts were placed at the proximal portion of the surgical graft, covering almost its entire length.
Aorta, Thoracic* ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis* ; Endovascular Procedures ; Polyethylene Terephthalates* ; Rupture* ; Stents* ; Thoracotomy ; Transplants*

We hereby report a case on bronchogenic cyst which is initially non-infected, then becomes infected after bronchoscopic ultrasound (US)-guided transesophageal fine-needle aspiration (FNA). The non-infected bronchogenic cyst appears to be filled with relatively echogenic materials on US, and the aspirate is a whitish jelly-like fluid. Upon contrast-enhanced MRI of the infected bronchogenic cyst, a T1-weighted image shows low signal intensity and a T2-weighted image shows high signal intensity, with no enhancements of the cyst contents, but enhancements of the thickened cystic wall. The patient then undergo video-assisted thoracic surgery 14 days after the FNA. The cystic mass is known to be completely removed, and the aspirate is yellowish and purulent. To understand the image findings that pertain to the gross appearance of the cyst contents will help to diagnose bronchogenic cysts in the future.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Bronchogenic Cyst* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; Ultrasonography

Infliximab, which is indicated for refractory rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and Crohn's disease, has cutaneous adverse events including skin rash, urticaria, pruritus, and lupus-like eruption. Psoriasis induced by infliximab is very rare. In Korea, it is infrequently reported in Crohn's disease or RA and never reported in AS. We encountered a case of psoriasis induced by infliximab treatment for AS, and report here on this case along with a review of the relevant literature.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Crohn Disease ; Exanthema ; Korea ; Pruritus ; Psoriasis* ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing* ; Urticaria ; Infliximab