No abstract available.
Classification* ; Humans ; Spinal Cord* ; Urodynamics*

The index on myocardial contractility of pure mitral regurgitation(MR) after mitral valve replacement is believed to be useful in determining proper operation time before irreversible myocardial damage by volume overload. Thus the authors examined pre and post-operative echocardiographic results of 20 cases of pure MR patients who had been admitted to Pusan National University hospital and compared the usefulness of each index. Pre and post-operative echocardiographic results were as follows respectively ; 1) Left ventricular internal dimension in diastole(LVIDd) were 6.49+/-0.19cm and 5.51+/-0.17cm. 2) Left ventricular internal dimension in systole(LVIDs) were 4.26+/-0.12 and 3.79+/-0.18cm. 3) Ejection fraction were 71.28+/-1.57% and 59.24+/-3.05%. 4) Fractional shortening(FS) were 34.09+/-1.18% and 27.21+/-1.84%. 5) Mean Vcf were 1.53+/-0.08cm/sec and 1.18+/-0.09cm/sec. 6) Left ventricular end-diastolic volume index(EDVI) were 196.35+/-18.33cc/m2 and 98.46+/-9.96cc/m2. 7) Left ventricular end-systolic volume index(ESVI) were 55.28+/-5.12cc/m2 and 41.88+/-6.07cc/m2. 8) Left ventricular end-systolic wall stress/ESVI(ESS/ESVI) were 2.3+/-0.21 and 3.91+/-0.83. ESS/ESVI showed significantly(p<0.05) elevated postoperative change, LVIDd, LVIDs, EF, FS, EDVI, ESVI revealed significantly(p<0.05) reduced postoperative change whereas Mean Vcf had no postoperative change. After examining correlation between preoperative and postoperative results of each index, it is believed that LVIDd, LVIDs, and ESS/ESVI were useful prognostic indices but were unrelated to postoperative ejection phase indices such as EF, FS, and MEan Vcf. Especially in case of LVIDd>6cm, LVIDs>4cm, and ESS/ESVI<2, the prognosis was poor due to myocardial damage by mitral regurgitation.
Busan ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency* ; Mitral Valve* ; Prognosis ; Stroke Volume

Sphingosine kinase 1 and its product, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), as well as their receptors, have been implicated in inflammatory responses. The functions of receptors S1P₁ and S1P₂ on cell motility have been investigated. However, the function of S1P₃ has been poorly investigated. In this study, the roles of S1P₃ on inflammatory response were investigated in primary perito-neal macrophages. S1P₃ receptor was induced along with sphingosine kinase 1 by stimulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LPS treatment induced inflammatory genes, such iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. TY52156, an antagonist of S1P₃ suppressed the induction of inflammatory genes in a concentration dependent manner. Suppression of iNOS and COX-2 induction was further confirmed by western blotting and NO measurement. Suppression of IL-1β induction was also confirmed by western blotting and ELISA. Caspase 1, which is responsible for IL-1β production, was similarly induced by LPS and suppressed by TY52156. Therefore, we have shown S1P₃ induction in the inflammatory conditions and its pro-inflammatory roles. Targeting S1P₃ might be a strategy for regulating inflammatory diseases.
Blotting, Western ; Caspase 1 ; Cell Movement ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; Macrophages ; Phosphotransferases ; Sphingosine

OBJECTIVE: Obturator neuropathy is a rare condition. Many neurosurgeons are unfamiliar with the obturator nerve anatomy. The purpose of this study was to define obturator nerve landmarks around the obturator foramen. METHODS: Fourteen cadavers were studied bilaterally to measure the distances from the nerve root to relevant anatomical landmarks near the obturator nerve, including the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS), the pubic tubercle, the inguinal ligament, the femoral artery, and the adductor longus. RESULTS: The obturator nerve exits the obturator foramen and travels infero-medially between the adductors longus and brevis. The median distances from the obturator nerve exit zone (ONEZ) to the ASIS and pubic tubercle were 114 mm and 30 mm, respectively. The median horizontal and vertical distances between the pubic tubercle and the ONEZ were 17 mm and 27 mm, respectively. The shortest median distance from the ONEZ to the inguinal ligament was 19 mm. The median inguinal ligament lengths from the ASIS and the median pubic tubercle to the shortest point were 103 mm and 24 mm, respectively. The median obturator nerve lengths between the ONEZ and the adductor longus and femoral artery were 41 mm and 28 mm, respectively. CONCLUSION: The obturator nerve exits the foramen 17 mm and 27 mm on the horizontal and sagittal planes, respectively, from the pubic tubercle below the pectineus muscle. The shallowest area is approximately one-fifth medially from the inguinal ligament. This study will help improve the accuracy of obturator nerve surgeries to better establish therapeutic plans and decrease complications.
Cadaver ; Femoral Artery ; Ligaments ; Obturator Nerve* ; Spine

PURPOSE: We classified fractures of the greater trochanter (GT) and evaluated fracture fragment stability according to GT type. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 43 patients with an unstable intertrochanteric fracture treated between January 2007 and July 2009 with bipolar hemiarthroplasty were included in this study. GT fractures were classified as type A, B, C, or D and fixed using either cerclage wiring alone, cerclage wiring and non-absorbable suture or a greater trochanteric reattachment (GTR) plate. RESULTS: Type A fractures were fixed using cerclage wiring with non-absorbable suture in two cases, cerclage wiring in six cases and GTR plate in seven cases. Failure occurred in three cases of type A fractures treated with cerclage wiring alone. A total of 11 type B fractures were fixed with cerclage wiring (7), cerclage wiring and non-absorbable suture (3) and GTR plate (1). There was no failure of type B fractures. Type C fractures were fixed using cerclage wiring with non-absorbable suture in one case and GTR plate in three. There was no fixation in three cases. Of 10 type D fractures, six were treated with cerclage wiring and one with GTR plate. Fixation was not performed in three patients. There was no failure in type C and D type fractures. CONCLUSION: Fracture fragment stability differed according to fracture types. Cerclage wiring alone was insufficient to fix type A fractures, so type A fracture required a stronger fixation method.
Arthroplasty* ; Femur* ; Hemiarthroplasty ; Humans ; Methods ; Sutures

PURPOSE: Traditionally, titanium miniplate has been used for rigid fixation of mandible fractures. However, the limitations of metal plate have been reported such as hypersensitivity, interference with the cranio-facial growth of growing child, secondary bone resorption around the plate, foreign body reaction, declination of primary callus formation, and bone atrophy, and so forth. Recently, biodegradable miniplate has been introduced and used as an alternative to the metal plate despite of its lower strength. This study evaluated the usefulness and stability of biodegradable plate and screw for treatment of mandible fractures. METHODS: In this study, 61 patients(92 areas) diagnosed as mandible fracture in the last 2 years have been reviewed. We used titanium plate and screw in 32 patients, and biodegradable plate and screw(INION?) in 29 patients. Stability of plates and screws, bony healing process and its side effects were observed by clinical and radiographic assessment. RESULTS: In the titanium material group, one of malocclusion, two of mouth opening limitation, three of pain, three of palpation were shown. The plate of six patients involved in these complications were removed. In the biodegradable group, two of mouth opening limitation, two of pain, one of localized wound infection were shown and one plate was removed secondarily. CONCLUSION: There was no statistical difference between two groups in bony healing and complication rates. Biodegradable implants show efficient stability during initial bone healing and low side effects in long-term follow up periods.
Absorbable Implants ; Atrophy ; Bone Resorption ; Bony Callus ; Child ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foreign-Body Reaction ; Fracture Fixation ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Malocclusion ; Mandible ; Mouth ; Palpation ; Titanium ; Wound Infection

Sacral insufficiency fractures (SIFs) are no longer a rare type of fracture in the elderly. To date, SIFs have typically been treated conservatively. Sacroplasty has recently been used in treatment of SIFs, with a good result. In order to solve the problems of sacroplasty, the authors performed a new surgical technique, percutaneous iliosacral screw fixation with cement augmentation, for SIFs. Secure fixation of the screw in osteoporotic bone was achieved and biological bone union was obtained. We present this case with a review of the literature.
Aged ; Fractures, Stress ; Humans

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the pronator quadrates muscle in patients who underwent internal fixation with a volar locking plate for unstable distal radius fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients who underwent internal fixation with a volar locking plate for unstable distal radius fracture were enrolled. We evaluated the clinical results according to the Mayo wrist score, the wrist range of motion, and the grip strength at the last follow-up. Using ultrasonography, muscle thickness of the pronator quadrates was compared between injured and uninjured arm. RESULTS: Bone union was achieved in all cases. The mean Mayo wrist score was 82.79 points. The grip strength of the injured arm was decreased to 89.1% of the uninjured side. The decrease of pronation range of the injured wrist motions was significant (82.3degrees, p=0.004). There was significant atrophy of the pronator quadrates muscle on the injured side (injured side: 3.19 mm, uninjured side: 4.72 mm, p=0.001); and the decrement of muscle thickness in pronator quadrates showed an association with the Mayo wrist score (r=-0.35, p=0.042). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that continuity of the muscle is maintained after use of the volar locking plating for unstable distal radius fractures with repair of pronator quadrates; however, there is atrophy of pronator quadrates muscle and limitation of pronation in the injured wrist.
Arm ; Atrophy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Pronation ; Radius Fractures* ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Ultrasonography ; Wrist

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical feasibility of an electric nerve stimulator in a lumbar transforaminal epidural block. METHODS: Using an electric nerve stimulator, transforaminal epidural blocks were performed in 105 segments of 49 patients who presented with lower back pain with radiating pain to lower extremities. The contrast medium was injected to delineate the nerve root after positioning an insulated needle at the intervertebral foramen under fluoroscopic guidance. Then, the nerve root was electrically stimulated with the insulated needle to confirm whether or not the same radiating pain was evoked. RESULTS: Of the 105 foraminal segments, the same radiating pain was evoked at 0.5 mAh in 47 segments (44.8%), at 1.0 mAh in 22 (21.0%), at 1.5 mAh in 3 (2.9%), at 2.0 mAh in 15 (14.3%), at 2.5 mAh in 4 (3.8%), and at 3.0 mAh in 5 (4.8%). No response was observed in 9 segments (8.6%). The fluoroscopy revealed successful positioning of the needle in the patients with an evoked radiating pain over 2.0 mAh. The visual analogue scale (VAS) obtained for pain improved from a mean of 7.5 to 2.7 after the block (p = 0.001). In the 9 cases without response to electrical stimulation, the patients showed an improvement on VAS from 7.8 to 3.4 (p = 0.008) also. CONCLUSIONS: A nerve stimulator can help to predict the accuracy of needle positioning as a supplemental aid for a successful lumbar transforaminal epidural block. It is sufficient to initiate a proper stimulation amplitude of the nerve at 2 mAh.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Analgesia, Epidural ; *Electric Stimulation Therapy ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Low Back Pain/etiology/*therapy ; *Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Nerve Block ; Radiculopathy/etiology/therapy ; Spinal Diseases/*complications

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical and radiological results, as well as the survival rate, associated with total hip arthroplasty using a hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated anatomical femoral stem at a follow-up of > or =12 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 1992 to May 1997, 86 patients (102 hips) underwent total hip arthroplasty with a HA-coated ABG I (Anatomical Benoist Giraud; Howmedica) hip prosthesis. The average age at the time of surgery was 53.4 years and the mean duration of follow-up was 17.1 years (range, 12.1-21.0 years). The Harris hip score (HHS) and radiographic assessments of thigh pain were used to evaluate the clinical results. We observed osteointegration, cortical hypertrophy, reactive line, calcar resorption and osteolysis around the femoral stems. The survival rate of the femoral stems was evaluated by using the span of time to a revision operation for any reasons was defined as the end point. RESULTS: The mean HHS was 50.5 preoperatively and 84.2 at the time of last follow-up. Osteolysis only around the HA-coated proximal portion of the femoral stem was observed in 72 hips, cortical hypertrophy all around the distal portion of the femoral stem was observed in 38 hips, and calcar resorption was observed in 44 hips. A reactive line was observed in 13 hips, but was unrelated to component loosening. Stem revision operations were performed in 24 (23%) hips due to osteolysis (14 hips), fracture (5 hips) and infection (5 hips). The femoral stem survival rate was 75% over the mean duration of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Total hip arthroplasty using a HA-coated anatomical femoral stem showed necessitated a high rate of revision operations due to osteolysis around the femoral stem in this long term follow-up study.
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip* ; Durapatite* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip ; Hip Prosthesis ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Osteolysis ; Survival Rate ; Thigh