PURPOSE: In this study we compared the postoperative hole closure rate and average vision between a group who assumed a face-down position for a week using gas and a group who assumed a reading position after fluid air exchage (FAX), both after receiving internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling during vitrectomy in patients with idiopathic macular hole. METHODS: This study included 25 eyes of patients diagnosed with idiopathic macular hole that underwent vitrectomy. Group I assumed a face-down position for a week after intraocular gas tamponade after FAX during vitrectomy and Group II assumed a reading position for 3 days after only FAX. The hole closure rate and the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were compared between the 2 groups 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The preoperative mean macular hole size was 456.2 +/- 164.1 microm in Group I and 411.2 +/- 105.7 microm in Group II and the differences between the 2 groups were not statistically significant (p = 0.647). At 6 months after surgery, the macular hole closure rate was 93% in Group I and 100% in Group II (p = 0.571) and the BCVA (log MAR) was 0.82 +/- 0.29 preoperatively and 0.92 +/- 0.35 postoperatively in Group I and 0.71 +/- 0.39 and 0.97 +/- 0.33 in Group II, respectively. The differences between the 2 groups (p = 0.09, p = 0.058) were not statistically significant (p = 0.809, p = 0.267). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant differences in the macular hole closure rate and BCVA improvement after 6 months in patients with idiopathic macular hole who had FAX during vitrectomy and maintained only a reading position for 3 days compared with those with gas tamponade and who maintained a face-down position for a week. This surgical method is considered helpful for easing discomfort caused by a face-down position after the macular hole surgery.
Humans ; Membranes ; Retinal Perforations* ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and physical performance in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods: This study analyzed ambulatory patients with liver cirrhosis aged < 65 years, who underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) tests from December 2018 to December 2019.A total of 46 patients (36 men, 10 women) were included. In abdominal CT scans, the psoas muscle cross-sectional area (mm2 ) was measured at the distal end-plate level of the L4 vertebral body and normalized by dividing by height (m).Physical performance was evaluated using SPPB. A correlation analysis between the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and SPPB was performed. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to determine differences in the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and SPPB according to the Child-Pugh classification. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine factors affecting SPPB. Results: The correlation coefficient between the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and SPPB was 0.459 at the P < 0.01 level. No difference was observed in the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and SPPB according to the Child-Pugh classification. The psoas muscle cross-sectional area was a factor affecting SPPB in multiple regression analysis. Conclusions Abdominal CT is an essential diagnostic tool in patients with liver cirrhosis. Ambulatory patients with liver cirrhosis aged < 65 years could have reduced physical performance. In this study, the psoas muscle cross-sectional area was correlated with physical performance and was a factor affecting physical performance. The psoas muscle cross-sectional area and physical performance should be evaluated in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Objective: We investigated the usefulness of maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) in evaluating dysphagia subsequent to ischemic stroke. Methods: This study included patients with ischemic stroke who underwent MEP testing and videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), from October 2016 to February 2020. The VFSS findings were interpreted using the penetrationaspiration scale (PAS) and functional dysphagia scale (FDS). Patients were stratified into the non-aspiration (n=59) and aspiration (n=47) groups. Partial correlation analysis among MEP, PAS, and FDS was performed after adjusting for age. Binary logistic regression using PAS was conducted to investigate the risk factors predisposing patients to inclusion in the aspiration group. Multiple linear regression using FDS was conducted to investigate the risk factors according to dysphagia severity. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was applied to investigate factors which could be useful for detecting aspiration. Results: Student’s t-test revealed a significant difference in MEP between the non-aspiration and aspiration groups.MEP showed a positive correlation with PAS and FDS. MEP was also determined to be a risk factor for inclusion into the aspiration group, and a risk factor according to the severity of dysphagia. In the ROC curve analysis, MEP showed good diagnostic properties to help classify patients with aspiration. Conclusion Our results indicate that swallowing assessment can predict and help prevent aspiration pneumonia in patients with ischemic stroke. In the present study, MEP showed significant association with aspiration and the severity of dysphagia. Thus, determining the MEP during swallowing assessment in patients with ischemic stroke is potentially a useful parameter to predict dysphagia.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and physical performance in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods: This study analyzed ambulatory patients with liver cirrhosis aged < 65 years, who underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) tests from December 2018 to December 2019.A total of 46 patients (36 men, 10 women) were included. In abdominal CT scans, the psoas muscle cross-sectional area (mm2 ) was measured at the distal end-plate level of the L4 vertebral body and normalized by dividing by height (m).Physical performance was evaluated using SPPB. A correlation analysis between the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and SPPB was performed. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to determine differences in the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and SPPB according to the Child-Pugh classification. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine factors affecting SPPB. Results: The correlation coefficient between the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and SPPB was 0.459 at the P < 0.01 level. No difference was observed in the psoas muscle cross-sectional area and SPPB according to the Child-Pugh classification. The psoas muscle cross-sectional area was a factor affecting SPPB in multiple regression analysis. Conclusions Abdominal CT is an essential diagnostic tool in patients with liver cirrhosis. Ambulatory patients with liver cirrhosis aged < 65 years could have reduced physical performance. In this study, the psoas muscle cross-sectional area was correlated with physical performance and was a factor affecting physical performance. The psoas muscle cross-sectional area and physical performance should be evaluated in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Background: Limited information is available about the proportion of patients with degenerative lumbar spinal disease (DLSD) who have gastrointestinal (GI) and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. Many DLSD patients are prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are known to carry risks to the GI and CV systems by increasing GI bleeding and thromboembolic events.This study aimed to measure the prevalence of GI and CV risk in patients with DLSD and to ascertain whether the prescription of NSAIDs is in line with current guidelines. Methods: This study included 153 patients with symptomatic DLSD who were planning to undergo lumbar spinal surgery. The GI profile was checked using the GI Standardized Calculator of Risk for Event system and CV risk was evaluated using the presence of metabolic syndrome. The conformity of the prescription of NSAIDs was investigated according to the recommendations in current guidelines. Results: More than half of the patients (59.5%) had high or very high GI risk, and 66% of the patients were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, which corresponds with CV risk. The rate of simultaneous GI and CV risk was 40.5% (n = 62 / 153; gastrointestinal Standardized Calculator of Risk for Event, > high and metabolic syndrome, yes). The actual prescription of NSAIDs was not in accordance with current guidelines. Conclusions Two out of 3 patients had GI or CV risk factors, and approximately 40% of patients had both. Detailed assessment of GI and CV risk in patients with DLSD by using effective evaluation tools is mandatory for optimal medical treatment.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based gut lavage solutions are safe and effective, but require the intake of large volumes of fluid. The use of 2 L PEG plus 45 mL sodium phosphate (PEG2 plus NaP) was compared with 4 L PEG (PEG4) for bowel cleansing before colonoscopy. METHODS: Patients were randomized to the PEG2 plus NaP group or PEG4 group between January 1, 2009 and March 31, 2010. One hundred and thirty patients were included in the PEG2 plus NaP group, and 141 patients in the PEG4 group. RESULTS: The qualities of the bowel preparation, based on the Ottawa scale were not significantly different between the groups (4.8+/-2.25 for the PEG2 plus NaP group vs. 5.11+/-2.26 for the PEG4). In addition, there were no significant differences in side effects. Laboratory findings after bowel preparation, including electrolyte, phosphorus and creatinine levels, were within the normal ranges in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: PEG2 plus NaP provides good cleansing that is similar to PEG4, but with a lower volume. However, because PEG2 plus NaP can cause serious side effects such as calcium deposition in the kidneys (i.e., nephrocalcinosis), this solution might be considered for the outpatients who cannot tolerate PEG4.
Calcium ; Cathartics ; Colonoscopy ; Creatinine ; Humans ; Kidney ; Outpatients ; Phosphates ; Phosphorus ; Polyethylene ; Polyethylene Glycols ; Prospective Studies ; Reference Values ; Sodium ; Therapeutic Irrigation

Dermatomyositis is an idiopathic, inflammatory myopathy characterized by proximal muscle weakness and cutaneous lesions. The association of malignancy with dermatomyositis is well established, especially with lung, breast, ovary, stomach, and colorectal cancers. The incidence of cancer appears to be increased especially in elderly person, and the prognosis is very poor. Malignancy may occur before the onset of dermatomyositis, concurrently, or afterward. Therefore extensive screening tests for an occult malignancy should be conducted in patient with dermatomyositis. We report a 76-year-old man presented with dermatomyositis and a search for possible occult malignancy found an otherwise asymptomatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma with massive lymph node metastasis.
Adenocarcinoma ; Aged ; Breast ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Dermatomyositis* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Mass Screening ; Muscle Weakness ; Myositis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Ovary ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Neoplasms* ; Prognosis ; Stomach

Carcinoma of the cystic duct remnant is a rare disease. We report a case of a remnant cystic duct carcinoma in a male patient who had undergone cholecystectomy for cholecystolithiasis 20 years previously. A 53-yr-old man visited our hospital for the evaluation of a submucosal tumor on the duodenum. During the evaluation, we detected a mass in the cystic duct remnant by the use of endoscopic ultrasonography. Based on the pathology, the mass was confirmed as a carcinoma of the cystic duct remnant by intraductal ultrasonography and an intraductal biopsy.
Biopsy ; Cholecystectomy ; Cholecystolithiasis ; Cystic Duct ; Duodenum ; Endosonography ; Humans ; Male ; Rare Diseases

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm, in which a ventricular free wall rupture is locally contained by adherent pericardium, is a rare complication of myocardial infarction. Compared w'th a true left ventricular aneunsm, a pseudoaneurysm has a greater propensity to sudden rupture, with catastrophic sequelae. Pseudoaneurysm may be surgically curable, a prompt and accurate diagnosis is thus essential. Transthoracic echocardiography has been the procedure of choice in the diagnosis of pseu- doaneurysm. Transesophageal echocardiography can provide more accurate information than transthoracic echocardiography for the evaluation of ventricular pseudoaneurysm located in posterior and inferior wall. We experienced a case of pseudoaneurysm of left ventricle in a 75-year-old female who presented with dyspnea. A large pseudoaneurysm of left ventricle vith narrow neck was de- tected by transesophageal echocardiography.
Aged ; Aneurysm, False* ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal* ; Female ; Heart Rupture ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; Neck ; Pericardium ; Rupture

PURPOSE: To report a case of Roth spots, panuveitis, and infectious mononucleosis in a healthy adult. CASE SUMMARY: An immunocompetent 30-year-old male visited our clinic complaining of reduced visual acuity and a floating sense in both eyes of 2 days. He had experienced flu-like symptoms including fever, sore throat, myalgia, and malaise for 10 days before visual acuity decreased. His best-corrected visual acuity was 20/25 in both eyes and inflammatory cells were found in both the anterior chambers and the vitreous. Funduscopy revealed multiple retinal hemorrhages and Roth spots in both eyes. We prescribed topical steroid eye drops. A peripheral blood test revealed mild leukocytosis with lymphocytosis (60%) consisted of atypical lymphocyte (7%). Serologic examinations were positive for cytomegalovirus (CMV) immunoglobulin M (IgM) Ab and Epstein-Barr virus IgM Ab. A polymerase chain reaction for blood CMV was positive. The presumptive clinical diagnosis was Roth spots and panuveitis associated with infectious mononucleosis. Three weeks later, no inflammatory cells were apparent in the anterior chamber or vitreous. Best-corrected visual acuity had recovered to 20/20 in both eyes, and the retinal hemorrhage had completely disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: Roth spots and panuveitis can be present in patients with infectious mononucleosis, which should thus be included in the differential diagnosis of Roth spots.
Adult ; Anterior Chamber ; Cytomegalovirus ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fever ; Hematologic Tests ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; Infectious Mononucleosis ; Leukocytosis ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphocytosis ; Male ; Myalgia ; Ophthalmic Solutions ; Panuveitis ; Pharyngitis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Retinal Hemorrhage ; Uveitis ; Visual Acuity