PURPOSE: Pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis is routinely recommended for Western cancer patients undergoing major surgery for prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, it is uncertainwhetherroutine administration of pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis is necessary in all Asian surgical cancer patients. This prospective study was conducted to examine the incidence of and risk factors for postoperative VTE in Korean colorectal cancer (CRC) patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study comprised two cohorts, and none of patients received perioperative pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis. In cohort A (n=400), patients were routinely screened for VTE using lower-extremity Doppler ultrasonography (DUS) on postoperative days 5-14. In cohort B (n=148), routine DUS was not performed, and imaging was only performed when there were symptoms or signs that were suspicious for VTE. The primary endpoint was the VTE incidence at 4 weeks postoperatively in cohort A. RESULTS: The postoperative incidence of VTE was 3.0% (n=12) in cohort A. Among the 12 patients, eight had distal calf vein thromboses and one had symptomatic thrombosis. Age ≥ 70 years (odds ratio [OR], 5.61), ≥ 2 comorbidities (OR, 13.42), and white blood cell counts of > 10,000/μL (OR, 17.43) were independent risk factors for postoperative VTE (p < 0.05). In cohort B, there was one case of VTE (0.7%). CONCLUSION: The postoperative incidence of VTE, which included asymptomatic cases, was 3.0% in Korean CRC patients who did not receive pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis. Perioperative pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis should be administered to Asian CRC patients on a risk-stratified basis.
Asia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cohort Studies ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Colorectal Surgery ; Comorbidity ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Leukocyte Count ; Prospective Studies* ; Risk Factors ; Thrombosis ; Ultrasonography, Doppler ; Veins ; Venous Thromboembolism*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of sonoelastography in infants with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT). METHODS: The medical records of 215 infants clinically diagnosed with CMT were retrospectively reviewed. Fifty-three infants met the inclusion criteria as follows: 1) infants diagnosed as CMT with a palpable neck mass before 3 months of age, 2) infants who were evaluated initially by both B-mode ultrasonography and sonoelastography, and 3) infants who had received physical therapy after being diagnosed with CMT. We checked the thickness of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles in B-mode ultrasonography, strain ratio of the SCM muscles in sonoelastography, and treatment duration. We evaluated the correlation between the treatment duration and the following factors: SCM muscle thickness, ratio of SCM muscle thickness on the affected to unaffected side (A/U ratio), and strain ratio. RESULTS: Both the thickness of the affected SCM muscle and the A/U ratio did not show significant correlation with the treatment duration (p=0.66, p=0.90). The strain ratio of the affected SCM muscle was significantly greater than that of the unaffected SCM muscle (p<0.001), and the strain ratio showed significant correlation with the treatment duration (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Sonoelastography may be a useful adjunctive tool to B-mode ultrasonography for evaluating infants with CMT, especially when predicting their rehabilitation outcomes.
Elasticity Imaging Techniques* ; Humans ; Infant* ; Medical Records ; Muscles ; Neck ; Prognosis ; Rehabilitation ; Retrospective Studies ; Torticollis* ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of repeated steroid injection at subacromial bursa with different interval for patient with periarticular shoulder disorder. METHODS: Group A (n=10) received subacromial bursa injection only on their first visit, group C (n=10) received the injection on their first visit and one week later, and group B (n=10) received the injection on their first visit and two weeks later. All injections were done with a combination of 40 mg (1.0 mL) of triamcinolone and 5.0 mL 0.5% lidocaine (6 mL total). We examined the active range of motion (AROM) of the shoulder joint, visual analogue scale (VAS), and shoulder disability questionnaire (SDQ) at baseline at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after the initial injection. RESULTS: In VAS, comparing the changes in VAS between groups, group B showed significant improvements compared with group A or C at 4 weeks after the initial injection (p<0.05). In SDQ, comparing the changes in SDQ between the groups, group B and C showed more improvement than group A at 4 weeks after the initial injection, but these results were not statistically significant (p>0.05). In AROM, comparing the changes in AROM of external rotation between groups, group B and C showed significant improvement compared with group A at 4 weeks after the initial injection (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: It may be more effective in pain relief for patients with periarticular disorder to receive subacromial bursa injections twice with 2-week interval, as opposed to once.
Humans ; Lidocaine ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Joint ; Triamcinolone ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: To evaluate the technical feasibility and oncologic safety, we assessed the short-term and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic resection of the small bowel gastrointestinal stromal tumors smaller than 5 cm by comparing those of open surgery by subgroup analysis based on tumor size. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From November 1993 to January 2011, 41 laparoscopic resections were performed among the 95 patients who underwent resection of small intestine < or =10 cm in diameter. The clinicopathologic features, perioperative outcomes, recurrences and survival of these patients were reviewed. RESULTS: The postoperative morbidity rates were comparable between the 2 groups. Laparoscopic surgery group showed significantly shorter operative time (P=0.004) and duration of postoperative hospital stay (P<0.001) than open surgery group and it was more apparent in the smaller tumor size group. There were no difference in 5-year survival for the laparoscopic surgery versus open surgery groups (P=0.163), and in 5-year recurrence-free survival (P=0.262). The subgroup analysis by 5 cm in tumor size also shows no remarkable differences in 5-year survival and recurrence-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic resection for small bowel gastrointestinal stromal tumors of size less than 10 cm has favorable short-term postoperative outcomes, while achieving comparable oncologic results compared with open surgery. Thus, laparoscopic approach can be recommended as a treatment modality for patients with small bowel gastrointestinal stromal tumors less than 10 cm in diameter.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; Humans ; Intestine, Small ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Operative Time ; Recurrence

PURPOSE: To evaluate the technical feasibility and oncologic safety, we assessed the short-term and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic resection of the small bowel gastrointestinal stromal tumors smaller than 5 cm by comparing those of open surgery by subgroup analysis based on tumor size. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From November 1993 to January 2011, 41 laparoscopic resections were performed among the 95 patients who underwent resection of small intestine < or =10 cm in diameter. The clinicopathologic features, perioperative outcomes, recurrences and survival of these patients were reviewed. RESULTS: The postoperative morbidity rates were comparable between the 2 groups. Laparoscopic surgery group showed significantly shorter operative time (P=0.004) and duration of postoperative hospital stay (P<0.001) than open surgery group and it was more apparent in the smaller tumor size group. There were no difference in 5-year survival for the laparoscopic surgery versus open surgery groups (P=0.163), and in 5-year recurrence-free survival (P=0.262). The subgroup analysis by 5 cm in tumor size also shows no remarkable differences in 5-year survival and recurrence-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic resection for small bowel gastrointestinal stromal tumors of size less than 10 cm has favorable short-term postoperative outcomes, while achieving comparable oncologic results compared with open surgery. Thus, laparoscopic approach can be recommended as a treatment modality for patients with small bowel gastrointestinal stromal tumors less than 10 cm in diameter.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; Humans ; Intestine, Small ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Operative Time ; Recurrence

OBJECTIVES: Located on chromosome 10q22-q23, the human neuregulin 3 (NRG3) is suggested as a strong positional and functional candidate gene involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Several case-control studies examining the association between polymorphisms on NRG3 gene with schizophrenia and/or its traits (such as delusion) have been reported recently in cohorts of Han Chinese, Ashkenazi Jews, Australians, white Americans of Western European ancestry and Koreans. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association of one SNP in exon 9 (rs2295933) of NRG3 gene with the risk of schizophrenia in a Korean population. METHODS: Using TaqMan assay, rs2295933 in the exon 9 of NRG3 was genotyped in 435 patients with schizophrenia as cases and 393 unrelated healthy individuals as controls. Differences in frequency distributions were analyzed using logistic regression models following various modes of genetic inheritance and controlling for age and sex as covariates. RESULTS: Subsequent analysis revealed that the frequency distribution of rs2295933 of NRG3 was not different between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls of Korean ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS: This study does not support the role of NRG3 in schizophrenia in a Korean population.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Case-Control Studies ; Cohort Studies ; Exons ; Humans ; Jews ; Logistic Models ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Schizophrenia ; Wills

PURPOSE: To assess the result of staged minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) for distal tibial fracture with an open wound or injured soft tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 20 patients (mean age, 47.8 year-old) with distal tibial fractures, there were 4 type A fractures and 16 type C fractures based on the AO classification system. Eight of the 20 patients had open fractures. MIPO was performed on average 23.9 days after bridging external fixation. At the final follow-up, we assessed the radiological results of bone union and alignment. Functional results were also evaluated by measuring the degrees of ankle motion and the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores. RESULTS: Seventeen of 20 cases (85%) achieved primary union at an average of 21.3 weeks. There were 3 cases of nonunion requiring a bone graft. The mean AOFAS score was 88.5 (range, 67~92) and the average range of ankle motion was 49.2degrees (plantarflexion: 37.4degrees, dorsiflexion: 11.8degrees). Complication included 2 cases of minor mal-alignment, 1 case of claw toe and 1 case of peroneal neuropathy. Patients over the age of 60 had lower functional results. Additional factors did not affect the final results. CONCLUSION: Staged MIPO may achieve satisfactory results in distal tibial fractures with soft tissue compromise, decreasing deep infections and soft tissue complications.
Animals ; Ankle ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Fractures, Open ; Hammer Toe Syndrome ; Humans ; Orthopedics ; Peroneal Neuropathies ; Tibial Fractures ; Transplants

A 71-year-old woman was assigned to our department for Tc-99m myocardial perfusion SPECT(MPS) and coronary CT angiography. She admitted for substernal pain, via the ER, 2 days ago. The heart was scanned after intravenous injection of 925 MBq of (99m)Tc-sestamibi adenosine-induced stress SPECT using dual head gamma camera (Hawkeye, GE healthcare. USA). The MPS shows decreased tracer uptake in the apical & mid area of anterior & lateral wall and mid & basal inferior wall. Coronary CT angiograph was obtained using Discovery VCT (GE healthcare). 3D angiography portrayed significant stenosis of ramus intermedius(RI) and posterolateral branch of right coronary artery(PLB) with fibrocalcified plaque. Two images were fused using Cardiac IQ fusion softwear package (Advantage workstation 4.4, GE healthcare) The fusion images explain the perfusion defect of anterior, lateral and inferior wall is due to stenosis of the RI and PLB. And 3 days later, coronary angiography was done and revealed the marked stenosis of RI and PLB. Then balloon angioplasty and stent was instituted in RI. Cardiac SPECT/CT fusion imaging provides additional information about hemodynamic relevance and facilitates lesion interpretation by allowing exact allocation of perfusion defects to its subtending coronary artery.1,2)
Aged ; Angiography ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Delivery of Health Care ; Female ; Gamma Cameras ; Head ; Heart ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Myocardium ; Perfusion ; Radius ; Stents ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

PURPOSE: Despite of various treatment methods, proximal tibial fractures are common injuries that may be associated with poor outcomes and high rates of complications. To improve this, percutaneous plating technique was performed in the proximal tibial fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four proximal tibial fractures (AO 41A; 5, AO 41C; 12, AO 42; 7) were treated by percutaneous plating with either or both sides without bone graft. One was open fracture. RESULTS: All fractures were healed. The average time for fracture healing was 16.5 weeks (range, 8~24 weeks). Complications included a 1cm shortened case and two mal-alignments; a 6 degree valgus case and 5 degree varus case. There was one case of superficial infection, which healed after plate removal. But, there was no deep infection. Results were evaluated by modified Rasmussen score system, all patients had excellent or good result. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive percutaneous plating technique can provide favorable results in the treatment of proximal tibial fractures.
Fracture Healing ; Fractures, Open ; Humans ; Tibial Fractures* ; Transplants

We evaluated the results of sequential SPECT dual-isotope imaging with Tl-201 and Tc-99m MIBI in 24 patients, all of whom also had coronary angiography within the past one month. Coronary angiography showed that 12 patients had no CAD, 4 patients had one-vessel CAD, 7 patients had two-vessel CAD and 1 patient had three-vessel CAD. Serial studies of resting Tl-201 and dipyridamole stress Tc-99m MIBI were completed within 2 hours. When more then 50% of coronary artery narrowing was considered significant. The overall sensitivity and specification of CAD detection were 91.7%. The sensitivity of CAD detection in patients with one-vessel and multi-vessel diseases was 75% and 100%, respectively. Therefore, sequential dual-isotope SPECT demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity of CAD detection. In conclusion, sequential dual-isotope imaging is feasible and can be completed in a short time and may therefore enhance laboratory throughput and patient convenience.
Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Dipyridamole ; Humans ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*