STUDY DESIGN: Case study of two cases. OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study is to describe atypical patterns of tuberculous spondylitis. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Few reports of tuberculous spondylitis have discussed atypical cases, which resulted in a poor prognosis due to the delay in early diagnosis and proper treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 74-year-old female underwent an incision and drainage, and posterior decompression and fusion (PDF) due to tuberculous epidural abscess after vertebroplasty of a compression fracture at T12. A 52-year-old female underwent interbody fusion and posterior lateral fusion (PLF) because of aggravation of an abscess and neurologic symptoms following non-invasive intervention to treat atypical tuberculous spondylitis. RESULTS: Clinical symptoms and serological tests of the patients were improved at postoperative 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: When a patient presents with focal bony or soft tissue abnormality on an image study, the possibility of non-typical tuberculous spondylitis has to be considered when infective spondylitis or a tumor is detected. Moreover, an invasive diagnosis tool such as biopsy will be needed for proper management.
Abscess ; Aged ; Biopsy ; Decompression ; Diagnosis ; Drainage ; Early Diagnosis ; Epidural Abscess ; Female ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Prognosis ; Serologic Tests ; Spondylitis* ; Vertebroplasty

BACKGROUND: For Neer type IIB fracture of distal clavicle with coracoclavicular ligament injury, various surgical treatments have been used in literatures. However, there was no consensus on the optimal treatment. The aim of this study is to report the clinical and radiological results of open reduction and internal fixation of unstable distal clavicle fracture and suture augmentation of disrupted coracoclavicular ligament. METHODS: A prospective study was performed in 23 patients with Neer type IIB distal clavicle fracture in Seoul Medical Center, Eulji Hospital, and National Medical Center. Firstly, suture anchors are inserted in the base of coracoid process and preliminary reduction was achieved by tie-off of three suture limbs around the clavicle. Then, the final fixation was completed with anatomical locking plate. Bony union and the distance between coracoclavicular ligaments were evaluated. Clinical results and complications including stiffness and secondary procedures were evaluated. RESULTS: Bony union was achieved in all cases except one (22 of 23). At mean 14.9 months, no significant difference in the mean coracoclavicular distance was observed compared to uninjured shoulder (8.2 +/- 7.9 mm versus 7.3 +/- 3.4 mm, p=0.14). Pain visual analogue scale, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Constant score, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score were 0.5, 83.4, 78.5, and 6.2, respectively. Revision surgery was performed in one case of nonunion. Four patients who complained of skin irritation underwent implant removal. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of an unstable distal clavicle fracture with coracoclavicular ligament disruption, satisfactory clinical results were obtained by locking plate fixation and coracoclavicular ligament suture augmentation concurrently.
Arm ; Clavicle* ; Consensus ; Elbow ; Extremities ; Hand ; Humans ; Ligaments* ; Prospective Studies ; Seoul ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Fractures ; Skin ; Suture Anchors ; Sutures*

Bisphosphonate is used widely for osteoporosis management. On the other hand, some studies have reported that prolonged use of bisphosphonate without a proper resting period can cause insufficiency fracture and, in rare cases, fractures on the femur neck. This paper reports a case of an elderly patient who suffered bilateral femur neck insufficiency fractures induced by non-stopped long-term bisphosphonate therapy. The patient complained of pain in her buttocks at the first visit. During the admission period, inguinal area pain newly developed. Both a femur neck insufficiency fracture was observed on the hip radiographic image. Hip pinning and postoperative parathyroid hormone treatment were performed. The patient was discharged without specific complications and reported improvement in symptoms on the last follow-up. Several authors have reported one-sided femoral neck insufficiency fractures due to bisphosphonate use, but the present case is uncommon in that it occurred simultaneously in both femur necks. In addition, in the case of bilateral femur fractures, the walking ability after surgery is lower than that of one-sided fracture cases, so active rehabilitation is necessary.

Purpose: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) using dual mobility components (DMC) is a reasonable surgical option for displaced femoral neck fractures in elderly patients, resulting in lower dislocation rates and improved stability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical outcomes and risk factors responsible for mortality in elderly patients who were diagnosed with a displaced femoral neck fracture and had undergone DMC-THA. Materials and Methods: Out of 147 cases of THA from December 2018 to June 2020, a total of 79 cases were enrolled in this study, with the following characteristics: (1) Garden stage III or IV, (2) over 75 years of age, and (3) over 1 year of follow-up. All the patients received DMC-THA surgery using the anterolateral approach. Results: The mean follow-up period was 15.0±8.43 months and a total of one dislocation case was observed. The mortality rate was 17.7% (14/79), and it was especially higher in patients with a past medical history of malignancy (odds ratio [OR]=7.18, p=0.03) or a cognitive disorder such as dementia (OR=5.48, p=0.03). Preoperative low initial hemoglobin levels (OR=0.65, p=0.04) and low UCLA (Uni-versity of California at Los Angeles) score (OR=0.47, p=0.02) were also associated with mortality. Conclusion When considering THA as a treatment approach in elderly patients with a displaced femoral neck fracture, a high mortality rate is expected in patients with low preoperative hemoglobin levels or a history of malignancy or cognitive disorders. Hence, thorough monitoring and management should be undertaken before and after surgery.

Purpose: This study was performed to compare the clinical results and radiological follow-up differences between intertrochanteric fractures treated with the U-blade Gamma3 nail or the Zimmer natural nail (ZNN). Materials and Methods: The medical records of 129 cases diagnosed with an intertrochanteric frac-ture (90 cases of U-blade Gamma3 nail, 39 cases of ZNN) from July 2015 to December 2018 were reviewed. Patients were assigned to a U-blade Gamma3 nail (n=39) or a ZNN (n=39) group. To reduce selective bias, groups were subjected to Propensity score matching by age, body mass index, bone mineral density, and fracture type. Patients that met the following criteria were excluded; age <65 years, non-ambulatory, high energy or pathologic fracture, and a follow-up of <6 months. Operation times, estimated blood losses, preoperative and postoperative Koval grades, Harris hip score and radiological lag screw positions in the femoral head, reduction quality, cut-out, tip-apex distance (TAD), lag screw sliding distances, and times to union were compared. Results: Clinical results were similar in the two groups, but lag screw TAD was significantly greater in Ublade Gamma3 nail group (23.4 mm vs. 21.0 mm) (p=0.042). One case of cut-out occurred in the Ublade Gamma3 nail group, but no other nail-related postoperative complication was noted. Conclusion No significant difference was observed between the outcomes of U-blade Gamma3 nail or ZNN treatments of intertrochanteric fractures. We conclude that the U-blade confers no specific advan-tage.

Esophageal abscess caused by acute phlegmonous esophagitis is rare but life-threatening. Rapid abscess drainage is an important part of the treatment, and endoscope-assisted intra-luminal abscess drainage is frequently performed. Although endoscopic drainage is less invasive than surgery, it has the potential to cause esophageal stricture as a complication. We present a rare case of esophageal stricture as a complication of intra-luminal drainage and evaluate a method to minimize the incidence of esophageal stricture complications.

Purpose: This study was performed to compare the clinical results and radiological follow-up differences between intertrochanteric fractures treated with the U-blade Gamma3 nail or the Zimmer natural nail (ZNN). Materials and Methods: The medical records of 129 cases diagnosed with an intertrochanteric frac-ture (90 cases of U-blade Gamma3 nail, 39 cases of ZNN) from July 2015 to December 2018 were reviewed. Patients were assigned to a U-blade Gamma3 nail (n=39) or a ZNN (n=39) group. To reduce selective bias, groups were subjected to Propensity score matching by age, body mass index, bone mineral density, and fracture type. Patients that met the following criteria were excluded; age <65 years, non-ambulatory, high energy or pathologic fracture, and a follow-up of <6 months. Operation times, estimated blood losses, preoperative and postoperative Koval grades, Harris hip score and radiological lag screw positions in the femoral head, reduction quality, cut-out, tip-apex distance (TAD), lag screw sliding distances, and times to union were compared. Results: Clinical results were similar in the two groups, but lag screw TAD was significantly greater in Ublade Gamma3 nail group (23.4 mm vs. 21.0 mm) (p=0.042). One case of cut-out occurred in the Ublade Gamma3 nail group, but no other nail-related postoperative complication was noted. Conclusion No significant difference was observed between the outcomes of U-blade Gamma3 nail or ZNN treatments of intertrochanteric fractures. We conclude that the U-blade confers no specific advan-tage.

PURPOSE: To compare outcomes (i.e., clinical and radiological findings, postoperative complication) in the fixation of intertrochanteric fractures with U-blade Gamma3 and Gamma3 nails. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of 162 patients (both male and female) treated for intertrochanteric fractures between December 2012 and December 2018 was conducted. All patients were older than 65 years of age and treated with U-blade Gamma3 (n=90) or Gamma3 (n=72) nails. Evaluations included: (i) screw-head position, (ii) fracture-reduction status, (iii) time to union, (iv) cases of cut-out, (v) tip-apex distance, and (vi) lag screw sliding distance. Differences in pre- and postoperative ambulatory ability was also investigated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline demographics between the two groups. While the lag-screw sliding distance was significantly shorter in U-blade Gamma3 nail group (4.7 mm vs. 3.6 mm; P=0.025), the mean time to union was similar between the groups (P=0.053). Three and six cases of cut-out were noted in the U-blade Gamma3 and Gamma3 nail groups, respectively (P=0.18), however no other postoperative complications were noted in either group. Lastly, there was no difference between the change from pre- to postoperative activity level between the groups (P=0.753). CONCLUSION Of all the clinical and radiological outcomes assessed, the only significant improvement between those treated with U-Blade Gamma and Gamma3 nails was a shorter lag-screw sliding distance. These findings should benefit clinicians when deciding between the use of U-Blade Gamma or Gamma3 nails.

Alloplastic total replacement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was developed in recent decades. In some conditions, previous studies suggested the rationale behind alloplastic TMJ replacement rather than reconstruction with autogenous grafts. Currently, three prosthetic products are available and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Among these products, customized prostheses are manufactured, via computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) system for customized design; stock-type prostheses are provided in various sizes and shapes. In this report, two patients (a 50-year-old female who had undergone condylectomy for the treatment of osteochondroma extending to the cranial base on the left condyle, and a 21-year-old male diagnosed with left temporomandibular ankylosis) were treated using the alloplastic total replacement of TMJ using stock prosthesis. The follow-up results of a favorable one-year, short-term therapeutic outcome were obtained for the alloplastic total TMJ replacement using a stock-type prosthesis.
Arthroplasty, Replacement ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Male ; Maxillofacial Prosthesis ; Middle Aged ; Osteochondroma ; Prostheses and Implants* ; Skull Base ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; Temporomandibular Joint* ; Transplants ; United States Food and Drug Administration ; Young Adult

Interventional lung assist (iLA) effectively reduces CO2 retention and allows protective ventilation in cases of life-threatening hypercapnia. Despite the clinical efficacy of iLA, there are a few major limitations associated with the use of this approach, such as bleeding, thrombosis, and catheter-related limb ischemia. We presented two cases in which thrombotic complications developed during iLA. We demonstrated the two possible causes of thrombotic complications during iLA; stasis due to low blood flow and inadequate anticoagulation.
Extremities ; Hemorrhage ; Hypercapnia ; Ischemia ; Lung* ; Thrombosis ; Ventilation