No abstract available.
Neurofibromatoses* ; Neurofibromatosis 1*

PURPOSE: We assessed and compared the clinical and radiologic outcomes of treatment in periprosthetic fractures of the femur after total knee arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared 22 knees, 22 patients of femoral periprosthetic fractures which had been fixed with absolute stabilization such as plate or screw fixation in 16 cases (group A), and with relative stabilization such as retrograde intramedullary nailing or Ender nailing in six cases (group B) from November 2004 to March 2013; the mean follow-up period was 51.9 months. RESULTS: The mean tibio femoral angle and the mean mechanical axis showed statistically significant change in group B, between before fracture and last follow-up. The mean bone union time and the mean hospital for special surgery score were not significantly different between group A and B. Nonunion was demonstrated in one case in each group, malunion was demonstrated in one case in group B. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of periprosthetic fractures of the femur after total knee arthroplasty, absolute stabilization had an advantage for regain of limb alignment. Among the complications, more cases of refracture and infection were observed in the absolute stabilization group, while more cases of nonunion and malunion were observed in the relative stabilization group.
Arthroplasty* ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Extremities ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Knee* ; Periprosthetic Fractures*

PURPOSE: Recent studies show that chorioamnionitis has an important role in the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD) and it induces thymic involution. The purpose of this study is to test the usefulness of thymic size at birth as a predictor of BPD. METHODS: This study was conducted on 91 very low birth weight infants of <1, 500 g with mean gestational age of 29.3 weeks and mean birth weight of 1, 161 g who were admitted at NICU of Dong Kang General Hospital for past 4 years of whom 21 infants had BPD. Thymic size was measured on routine chest radiographs taken in the first 3 hours after birth and measured as the ratio between the width of the cardiothymic shadow at the level of the carina and that of the thorax at the costophrenic angles (CT/ T). RESULTS: Correlation of thymic size with gestational age was statistically significant (P=0.003). CT/T of BPD group was smaller than that of non-BPD group (0.27+/-0.06, 0.33+/-0.07, respectively, P<0.01). A significant positive correlation between small thymus at birth and BPD was detected (P=0.003, odds ratio, 21.7), but not in other disease groups. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that a small thymus at birth on the chest radiograph could be used as an early predictive parameter of the BPD.
Birth Weight ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia* ; Chorioamnionitis ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Odds Ratio ; Parturition* ; Pregnancy ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Thorax ; Thymus Gland

This study was designed to evaluate the potential application of MRI in differentiating static blood from thrombus, age-related changes of thrombus and the signal differences of the intravascular thrombus in various pulse sequences. External jugular vein was ligated at both upper and lower ends to form a static blood column, and thrombin was injected into the column to cause venous thrombosis in a total of 15 mongrel dogs. The MR images were obtained with T1-and T2-weighted spin echo and gradient echo techniques, immediately after the formation of static blood and after 2 hour, 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks of the formation of thrombus at a 2.0T MR unit. The signal intensities of the thrombus and adjacent muscles were compared stubjectively, and the signal intensity ratio was compared objectively by the measurement of the signal intensities using a cursor. The MRI findings were compared with histologic findings. The signal intensities of static blood were hyperintense in all pulse sequences, and those of 2-hour, 1-day and 1-week-old thrombi were hyperintense in all pulse sequences. The number of experimental thrombi which showed isointensity on T1-and T2-weighted image, and hypointensity on gradient echo image increased as thrombi aged. The signal intensities of 2-week-old thrombus were isointense on T1-weighted image, hyperintense on T2-weighted image, and hypointense on gradient echo image, while those of 4-week-old thrombus were isointense on T1-weighted and T2-weighted image, and hypointense on gradient echo image in most experimental thrombi. There was a tendency to decrease in a signal intensity ratio as thrombi aged on T1-weighted, T2-weighted and gradient echo images(P<0.01) Histologically, thrombus was not formed and lumen was filled with many red blood cells(RBCs) in 2-hour-old specimen, but fibrin mesh was visible and RBCs decreased in number in 1-day-old specimen. In 1-week-old specimen, vessel was contracted and lumen was filled with thombus, RBCs, platelets, many fibrins and capillary-like strucrutes. The histologic findings of 2-week-old thrombus were similar to those of 1-week-old one except calcification. In 4-week-old specimen, vessels were contracted and lumen was obliterated with fibrosis and organization of the thrombus. Therefore, it is possible to diagnose thrombus, and to assess sequential changes of MRI findings of thrombus by using all pulse sequences, and these results can be essential bases for the interpretation of MR images of patients with venous thrombosis.
Animals ; Dogs* ; Fibrin ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Jugular Veins ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Muscles ; Thrombin ; Thrombosis ; Venous Thrombosis*

Congenital pericardial defect is relatively rare and two different types, partial and complete, of different clinical significance have been recognized. Most reported defects are complete type and left-sided lesion. Most patients are asymptomatic or complain of vague chest pain. Partial pericardial defect can be potentially fatal due to cardiac herniation and strangulation or coronary insufficiency. Plain chest reontgenography shows abnormal prominence along the cardiac border. 2-D echocardiography demonstrates a drop-off of pericardial echo and protruding cardiac chamber through the defect. Because of the potential fatality, surgical repair is recommended for the partial pericardial defect. We report a case of congenital partial left pericardial defect, which was diagnosed by plain chest reontgenography and 2-D echocardiography, with related literatures.
Chest Pain ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Thorax

No abstract available.
Muscle, Skeletal* ; Tibial Nerve*

Background: As the importance of meniscus in joint function becomes more apparent, there is a growing interest in meniscus repair techniques. Notably, biological augmentation methods have shown promising results for meniscus healing, despite their challenges in practical implementation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate meniscus healing and clinical outcomes of meniscus repair with bone marrow aspirate for horizontal or radial tears. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent arthroscopic meniscal repair with bone marrow aspirate from the iliac crest. A total of 30 patients with horizontal or radial meniscus tears confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were included, excluding those with insufficient data or concurrent surgeries. Patient demographic characteristics, operative data, and clinical outcomes including pain numeric rating scale, International Knee Documentation Committee score, Lysholm score, and Tegner activity scale were evaluated. For radiographic evaluation, knee x-rays, preoperative MRIs, and postoperative 3-month MRIs were evaluated. Results: Thirty patients (15 women and 15 men) with a mean age of 46.8 ± 15.2 years were followed up for a mean of 25.1 ± 3.4 months. Of these patients, 22 (73%) had horizontal meniscal tears, while 8 (27%) had radial tears. Clinical outcomes were significantly improved over the time from the initial to 2 years after surgery. Meniscus healing was 60% on MRI at 3 months after surgery. There was no correlation between changes in clinical scores and healing rate. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in the healing rate or changes in clinical scores according to tear patterns. Retears were observed in 2 patients, who were non-compliant with rehabilitation and were managed conservatively. Conclusions Augmentation with bone marrow aspirate harvested from the iliac crest for meniscal repair of horizontal or radial tears yields favorable healing rates in MRI and clinical outcomes, highlighting its potential for addressing challenging meniscal repair.

Background: As the importance of meniscus in joint function becomes more apparent, there is a growing interest in meniscus repair techniques. Notably, biological augmentation methods have shown promising results for meniscus healing, despite their challenges in practical implementation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate meniscus healing and clinical outcomes of meniscus repair with bone marrow aspirate for horizontal or radial tears. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent arthroscopic meniscal repair with bone marrow aspirate from the iliac crest. A total of 30 patients with horizontal or radial meniscus tears confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were included, excluding those with insufficient data or concurrent surgeries. Patient demographic characteristics, operative data, and clinical outcomes including pain numeric rating scale, International Knee Documentation Committee score, Lysholm score, and Tegner activity scale were evaluated. For radiographic evaluation, knee x-rays, preoperative MRIs, and postoperative 3-month MRIs were evaluated. Results: Thirty patients (15 women and 15 men) with a mean age of 46.8 ± 15.2 years were followed up for a mean of 25.1 ± 3.4 months. Of these patients, 22 (73%) had horizontal meniscal tears, while 8 (27%) had radial tears. Clinical outcomes were significantly improved over the time from the initial to 2 years after surgery. Meniscus healing was 60% on MRI at 3 months after surgery. There was no correlation between changes in clinical scores and healing rate. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in the healing rate or changes in clinical scores according to tear patterns. Retears were observed in 2 patients, who were non-compliant with rehabilitation and were managed conservatively. Conclusions Augmentation with bone marrow aspirate harvested from the iliac crest for meniscal repair of horizontal or radial tears yields favorable healing rates in MRI and clinical outcomes, highlighting its potential for addressing challenging meniscal repair.

Background: As the importance of meniscus in joint function becomes more apparent, there is a growing interest in meniscus repair techniques. Notably, biological augmentation methods have shown promising results for meniscus healing, despite their challenges in practical implementation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate meniscus healing and clinical outcomes of meniscus repair with bone marrow aspirate for horizontal or radial tears. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent arthroscopic meniscal repair with bone marrow aspirate from the iliac crest. A total of 30 patients with horizontal or radial meniscus tears confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were included, excluding those with insufficient data or concurrent surgeries. Patient demographic characteristics, operative data, and clinical outcomes including pain numeric rating scale, International Knee Documentation Committee score, Lysholm score, and Tegner activity scale were evaluated. For radiographic evaluation, knee x-rays, preoperative MRIs, and postoperative 3-month MRIs were evaluated. Results: Thirty patients (15 women and 15 men) with a mean age of 46.8 ± 15.2 years were followed up for a mean of 25.1 ± 3.4 months. Of these patients, 22 (73%) had horizontal meniscal tears, while 8 (27%) had radial tears. Clinical outcomes were significantly improved over the time from the initial to 2 years after surgery. Meniscus healing was 60% on MRI at 3 months after surgery. There was no correlation between changes in clinical scores and healing rate. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in the healing rate or changes in clinical scores according to tear patterns. Retears were observed in 2 patients, who were non-compliant with rehabilitation and were managed conservatively. Conclusions Augmentation with bone marrow aspirate harvested from the iliac crest for meniscal repair of horizontal or radial tears yields favorable healing rates in MRI and clinical outcomes, highlighting its potential for addressing challenging meniscal repair.

Background: As the importance of meniscus in joint function becomes more apparent, there is a growing interest in meniscus repair techniques. Notably, biological augmentation methods have shown promising results for meniscus healing, despite their challenges in practical implementation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate meniscus healing and clinical outcomes of meniscus repair with bone marrow aspirate for horizontal or radial tears. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent arthroscopic meniscal repair with bone marrow aspirate from the iliac crest. A total of 30 patients with horizontal or radial meniscus tears confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were included, excluding those with insufficient data or concurrent surgeries. Patient demographic characteristics, operative data, and clinical outcomes including pain numeric rating scale, International Knee Documentation Committee score, Lysholm score, and Tegner activity scale were evaluated. For radiographic evaluation, knee x-rays, preoperative MRIs, and postoperative 3-month MRIs were evaluated. Results: Thirty patients (15 women and 15 men) with a mean age of 46.8 ± 15.2 years were followed up for a mean of 25.1 ± 3.4 months. Of these patients, 22 (73%) had horizontal meniscal tears, while 8 (27%) had radial tears. Clinical outcomes were significantly improved over the time from the initial to 2 years after surgery. Meniscus healing was 60% on MRI at 3 months after surgery. There was no correlation between changes in clinical scores and healing rate. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in the healing rate or changes in clinical scores according to tear patterns. Retears were observed in 2 patients, who were non-compliant with rehabilitation and were managed conservatively. Conclusions Augmentation with bone marrow aspirate harvested from the iliac crest for meniscal repair of horizontal or radial tears yields favorable healing rates in MRI and clinical outcomes, highlighting its potential for addressing challenging meniscal repair.