BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to compare the degree of degeneration of the articular and bursal layers of delaminated supraspinatus tendons based on histological examination. METHODS: Fifty-four patients with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear were included in the study. Tendon specimens were harvested during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair from the lateral torn edges of the articular and bursal layers of the delaminated tear. Harvested samples were stained with H&E dye and evaluated based on a semi-quantitative grading scale. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the seven histological characteristics of tendon degeneration: fiber structure, fiber arrangement, round nuclei, regional variations in cellularity, vascularity, collagen stainability, and hyalinization between the articular and bursal layers of the delaminated rotator cuff tear (all p>0.05). Total degeneration scores of articular and bursal sides were 13.1 ± 3.85 points and 13.2 ± 3.42 points, respectively, and were not significantly different (p=0.958). CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates that tendon degeneration was similar in the articular and bursal sides of the delaminated fullthickness rotator cuff tear, suggesting that degeneration would be a main etiology for the rotator cuff tear not only in the articular side but also in the bursal side. Considering potential disadvantages of subacromial decompression, this study tentatively suggests routine use of subacromial decompression as well as the need for halting or recovery from rotator cuff degeneration for better rotator cuff repair.
Collagen ; Decompression ; Humans ; Hyalin ; Rotator Cuff* ; Tears* ; Tendons

Fibrous dysplasia of the spine is very rarely observed. We reported a case of a 57-year-old woman, who presented with neck and bilateral shoulder pain with histologically confirmed fibrous dysplasia, involving the first and second thoracic vertebrae. Clinical and radiological findings were not specific for fibrous dysplasia. The histological biopsy was required for a confirmed diagnosis. Endocrine and metabolic evaluations are required to rule out diseases such as hyperthyroidism, Cushing syndrome and osteomalacia. Fibrous dyplasia can be managed by appropriate medical and surgical treatments based on the patient's neurological status and symptoms. Our patient was given intravenous pamidronate 60mg/day for 3 days. After 9 months, her initial symptoms were improved, but computed tomography scan of the thoracic spine showed no change of the lesions.
Biopsy ; Cushing Syndrome ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fibrous Dysplasia of Bone ; Fibrous Dysplasia, Polyostotic* ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Osteomalacia ; Shoulder Pain ; Spine* ; Thoracic Vertebrae

BACKGROUND: Although several studies have shown the role of interleukin-31 (IL-31) and its receptors in inducing pruritus in certain skin disorders, knowledge of its role in post-burn hypertrophic scars is insufficient. Therefore, the histopathological expression levels of IL-31, IL-31 receptor alpha (IL-31RA), and oncostatin M receptor (OSMR) in post-burn hypertrophic scar tissues were investigated and compared with normal tissue expression levels. METHODS: Samples of hypertrophic scar tissue were obtained from 20 burn patients through punch biopsy. Normal samples were obtained from areas adjacent to the burn injury site of the same patients. Samples were placed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, embedded in paraplast, and processed into serial 5-μm sections. Immunohistochemistry results were semi-quantitatively evaluated for IL-31, IL-31RA, and OSMR. By hematoxylin and eosin staining, epidermal and dermal thickness were assessed with a microscope and digital camera. Intensities were rated on a scale of 1 to 4. RESULTS: Percentages for IL-31, IL-31RA, and OSMR in the epidermal basal layer cell cytoplasm were significantly greater in the burn scar tissue compared to normal skin, as well as the dermal and epidermal thickness (p < .05). There was a significant difference in IL-31 epidermal basal layer intensity in burn scar tissue compared to normal skin (p < .05). Besides the OSMR basal layer intensity, IL-31 and IL-31RA intensities between the burn scar and normal tissues were not significant. However, correlations were significant, indicating that the greater the infiltration percentage, the higher the intensity (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: IL-31, IL-31RA, and OSMR expression levels are increased in hypertrophic scars compared with normal tissue.
Biopsy ; Burns ; Cicatrix ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Cytoplasm ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Formaldehyde ; Hematoxylin ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Pruritus ; Receptors, Oncostatin M ; Skin

PURPOSE: This study investigated the morphological characteristics of hypertrophic scars of various ages. METHODS: This was a retrospective study. Tissue samples from 170 normal skin (control) and 126 scar tissue after undergoing conservative treatment (CT) (n=62) or split thickness skin graft (STSG) (n=64) were obtained. Time from injury (CT) or surgery (STSG) was grouped into periods as follows: first 6 months (period 1), 7~12 months (period 2), 13~24 months (period 3), 25~120 months (period 4), >120 months (period 5). Epidermal thickness (ET), dermal thickness (DT), and dermal collagen fiber thickness and length (CFT, CFL) were measured using an image analyzer. RESULTS: Scar tissue ET was significantly thicker compared to normal skin (P<0.05) and was greatest at period 1. Scar tissue DT was significantly thicker compared to normal skin (P<0.05), which increased until period 3 but then decreased afterwards. Scar tissue CFT was significantly thinner compared to normal skin (P<0.05) except for period 5. Scar tissue CFL was significantly longer compared to normal skin (P<0.05). Significant differences were observed especially in younger scar ET, DT, CFT, and CFL. CONCLUSION: These findings may assist to increase the understanding of the pathohistological changes in burn scar tissues over time and provide guidance in receiving burn treatment.
Burns ; Cicatrix* ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic* ; Collagen ; Pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Transplants

OBJECTIVE: Computed tomography (CT)-based method of three dimensional (3D) analysis (MIMICS®, Materialise, Leuven, Belgium) is reported as very useful software for evaluation of OPLL, but its reliability and reproducibility are obscure. This study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of MIMICS® system, and inter- and intra-observer reliability in the measurement of OPLL. METHODS: Three neurosurgeons independently analyzed the randomly selected 10 OPLL cases with medical image processing software (MIMICS®) which create 3D model with Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine (DICOM) data from CT images after brief explanation was given to examiners before the image construction steps. To assess the reliability of inter- and intra-examiner intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), 3 examiners measured 4 parameters (volume, length, width, and length) in 10 cases 2 times with 1-week interval. RESULTS: The inter-examiner ICCs among 3 examiners were 0.996 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.987–0.999) for volume measurement, 0.973 (95% CI, 0.907–0.978) for thickness, 0.969 (95% CI, 0.895–0.993) for width, and 0.995 (95% CI, 0.983–0.999) for length. The intra-examiner ICCs were 0.994 (range, 0.991–0.996) for volume, 0.996 (range, 0.944–0.998) for length, 0.930 (range, 0.873–0.947) for width, and 0.987 (range, 0.985–0.995) for length. CONCLUSION: The medical image processing software (MIMICS®) provided detailed quantification OPLL volume with minimal error of inter- and intra-observer reliability in the measurement of OPLL.
Longitudinal Ligaments* ; Methods ; Neurosurgeons ; Observer Variation*

Background : This study was designed to investigate gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors with an emphasis on their clinicopathological characteristics. Methods : Sixty-five cases were reviewed and classified as typical carcinoid (TC), atypical carcinoid (AC), large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) and small cell carcinoma (SmCC). We performed immunohistochemistry to characterize the expression of the immunoreactivity for synaptophysin, chromogranin, gastrin, somatostatin, thyroid transcription factor-1, p53 and Ki-67. Results : Most commonly, the tumors were located in the rectum (54%), followed by the stomach (23%) and colon (9%). Histologically, the tumors were classified as 49 TCs, 4 ACs, 6 LCNECs and 6 SmCCs. Most tumors were stained positive for synaptophysin and/or chromogranin. Four LCNECs and one SmCC were p53-positive. The carcinoids revealed a low level (<5%) of reactivity for Ki-67, while > or =30% of the cells showed reactivity for Ki-67 in the majority of LCNECs and SmCCs. Six patients with metastatic carcinoids were older than those patients without metastasis (64 vs 48 years, respectively, p=0.004). Furthermore, the size of tumors was larger for the patients with metastatic carcinoids than for the patients with nonmetastatic carcinoids (2.3 vs 0.5 cm, respectively, p=0.005). Conclusion : Old age, large tumor size and muscle invasion are associated with high grade neuroendocrine tumor and lymph node metastasis for those patients with carcinoids.
Carcinoid Tumor ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; Colon ; Gastrins ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neuroendocrine Tumors* ; Rectum ; Somatostatin ; Stomach ; Synaptophysin ; Thyroid Gland

Uterine adenomyoma is a neoplasm that is composed of endometrial glands and smooth muscle, and this is found in the uterine corpus; however, the glandular component is occasionally of mucin-secreting endocervical type. We describe here a case of uterine adenomyoma of the endocervical type, and this presented in a 38-year-old pregnant woman.
Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence and pattern of peritumoral hyperemia at CT after radiofrequency thermal ablation of hepatic tumors, as well as its correlation with local marginal recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five tumor nodules in 28 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (n=34) or metastasis (n=11) were treated by RF thermal ablation. Serial follow-up contrast- enhanced CT scans were reviewed by three radiologists for 1) the presence, 2) the morphological characteristics [circumferential, THAD (transient hepatic attenuation difference), nodular form], and 3) the temporal course (acute, persistent, delayed onset pattern) of peritumoral hyperemia after RF thermal ablation. These findings were correlated with the frequency of recurrence at the margin of the treated tumors. RESULTS: The frequency of acute hyperemia observed on immediate follow-up CT scans after RF ablation was 71% (32/45). There was the local recurrence in nine of 32 tumors (28%) with hyperemia and in one of 13 (8%) without hyperemia (p>0.05). Among 32 tumors, the circumferential form was observed in 22 (69%); the THAD form in eight (25%); and the nodular form in two (6%). Marginal recurrence was noted in five of 22 tumors circumferential tumors (23%), in three of eight (38%) with the THAD form, and in one of two (50%) which were nodular. Among 32 nodules, an acute transient pattern was noted in 21 (66%), a persistent pattern in nine (28%), and a nodular pattern in two (6%). There was marginal recurrence in two (10%) of 21 tumors with acute transient hyperemia, in six (67%) of nine with persistent hyperemia, and in both tumors with delayed-onset hyperemia. There was significant correlation between the pattern of persistent/delayed-onset hyperemia and marginal tumor recurrence of (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Although peritumoral hyperemia after RF thermal ablation therapy is a frequent transient finding at follow-up imaging studies, its temporal pattern may help detect early marginal tumor recurrence.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperemia* ; Incidence ; Liver Neoplasms ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Recurrence ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective: This study examined the factors influencing the mental health and stress of individuals during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: A total of 600 participants were enrolled in this anonymous questionnaire survey that included questions on their demographic profiles and experiences related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Stress Scale for Korean People (CSSK), Warwick– Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Insomnia Severity Index, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were used. Data were analyzed using multiple regression to identify the factors affecting the total CSSK scores and the scores of each of the three CSSK subscales. Results: Multiple regression analyses revealed that the severity of insomnia, sex, degree of income decline, occupation, religion, education level, marital status, residential status, level of social support, and degree of depression and anxiety had significant relationships with COVID-19-related stress. Conclusion We identified factors affecting stress and mental health in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings may be helpful in providing an individualized approach to managing the mental health of the public. We expect that the results of this study will be used to screen high-risk individuals vulnerable to stress and to establish policies related to the public health crisis.

Objective: Young adults putting off marriage and having less children have become recent trends in many modern societies. Yet less is known about the psychological factors underlying the drastically low marriage and fertility rates. We hypothesized that childhood maltreatment experience may have a negative association with one’s marriage and childbearing intention. Methods: A total of 1,004 college students (mean age of 20.8±2.3 years, 56.1% female) completed self-questionnaires including sociodemographic information, marriage and childbearing intention, Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the effect of childhood trauma on marriage and childbearing intentions after controlling for sociodemographic variables and depression. Results: 29.7% had no intention to get married and 40.4% had no intention to have children in the future. The prevalence of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse was 33.1%, 18.5%, and 22.3%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that female (p<0.001), poor health status (p=0.001), and childhood emotional abuse (p=0.01) were independent predictors of no desire to get married. Female (p<0.001), poor health status (p<0.001), and childhood emotional abuse (p=0.038) were also predictors of no desire to have children. Conclusion Childhood emotional abuse may be the most damaging form among other types of childhood maltreatment because it can occur more pervasively and persist for a longer period, causing extensive damage to a child’s emotional, social and cognitive development. Raising awareness regarding the life-long consequences of childhood emotional abuse and the need to prevent and detect childhood emotional abuse should be emphasized.