PURPOSE: To evaluate the early clinical results of lumbar microdiscectomy using minimally invasive tubular retractor (METRx-MD system, Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Memphis, TN), and to validate the merits of minimally invasive spinal surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April, 2003 to April 2004 we retrospectively studied a consecutive series of 45 patients who underwent lumbar microdiscectomy using minimally invasive tubular retractor. In all cases, minimally invasive approach using the tubular retractor were performed with a 2 cm sized paramedian incision. The following data were collected: clinical outcomes, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, need for blood replacement, time needed before ambulation, length of hospital stay, and complications. The clinical outcomes were assessed by the modified MacNab criteria. RESULTS: Minimally invasive tubular microdiscectomy was performed in 45 patients over a 12-month period with an average follow-up of approximately 8 months. The clinical outcomes assessed by MacNab criteria were excellent in 33 patients (73%), good in 10 patients (22%). The average operative time was 63 minutes (range, 35 to 95 minutes). The average blood loss was 62 mL (range, 50 to 110 mL). None of the patients needed blood replacement. With the exception of 2 patients, all patients could walk at the day of surgery. The average hospital stay was 2.3 days. None of the patients had dural tear, wound problem, or other complications. CONCLUSION: Lumbar microdiscectomy using tubular retractor can offer a useful modality for the treatment of lumbar herniated disc with the merits of minimally invasive spinal surgery. Further long-term, randomized, prospective investigations are needed to fully evaluate the impact of this technique.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; Length of Stay ; Operative Time ; Wounds and Injuries

Acute mountain sickness is an illness caused by climbing to a high altitude without prior acclimatization. Neurological consequences, like parkinsonism following acute mountain sickness without lesion of brain MRI have been reported rarely. A healthy 56-year-old man presented with dysarthria and gait disturbance. Neurological examination revealed tremor of hands, limb rigidity, and bradykinesia. The symptoms developed approximately 30 days following a 3,500 m climb of the Annapurna in the Himalayas. Brain MRI did not reveal any abnormalities including globus pallidus. The parkinsonism symptoms persisted for about 3 months before a complete recovered was made. We suggest that parkinsonism can develop after climbing to a high altitude but that the symptoms can be transient if a brain MRI detects no abnormalities.

BACKGROUND: The aim of study was to confirm the clinical effectiveness and results of wide and single anterior approach for fractures occurring along length of humerus. METHODS: A total of 23 patients with humeral fracture were enrolled into our study who were able to participate in at least one year of follow-up. Seven patients had segmental comminuted humeral fractures and 16 patients had distal humeral fractures. We made various tractions of the muscles to expose the proximal and the middle third humerus between the biceps and brachialis and the distal humerus by partial splitting of lateral side of biceps through a single incision. Postoperatively, we measured the Mayo elbow performance index (MEPI). RESULTS: we achieved bone union in all 23 patients. Solid union of the bone was achieved at an average 13.9 weeks. Postoperatively, two complications were observed screw loosening and nonunion. Revision surgery was performed in both patients. The patient with bone nonunion was treated using bone grafts. No postoperative infections or peripheral neuropathies were observed. At the final follow-up (average 20 months), we found that the average MEPI functional score of the patients was 91.7 points regardless of the fracture site. CONCLUSIONS: Our whole humerus with a single incision was effective for the treatment of segmental comminuted and distal fractures. we believe it is a useful alternative to preexisting methods of fracture fixation.
Elbow ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation* ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; Humerus* ; Muscles ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Traction ; Transplants ; Treatment Outcome

No abstract available.
Animals ; Antibody Formation* ; Cattle ; Enzootic Bovine Leukosis* ; Giant Cells* ; Goats* ; Leukemia Virus, Bovine*

PURPOSE: To analyse the risk factors for recurrence of hemangiomas in extremities after surgical treatment and to compare with those of trunk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 120 cases of hemangioma with surgical treatments from June 1998 to September 2009 were analysed. 53 cases with surgical treatment on trunk in the same period were set to be the control group. We analyze several factors: age, location, site, size, histologic types and correlation between recurrence and each risk factor using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Recurrence rate was 11.7% in extremities and 9.4% in trunk. There were no correlation between recurrence and age, site, size, histologic type. But, there was stastically significant correlation between recurrence rate and location, especially hand, forearm, feet in extremities and head and neck in trunk. CONCLUSION: Recurrence after surgical treatment of hemangioma is highly prevalent in anatomical location such as, hand, foot and forearm those are difficult to achieve complete resection because of close to neurovascular structures. Careful observation should be needed owing to incomplete resection can occurs recurrence.
Extremities ; Foot ; Forearm ; Hand ; Head ; Hemangioma ; Logistic Models ; Neck ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors

From October 1981 to August 1982, a program of plasma gonadotropin (FSH & LH) and testosterone measurement was undertaken in 33 cases of prepubertal cryptorchid boys. Radioimmunoassay resulted in the following findings. 1. The mean values of each FSH, LH and testosterone in unilateral prepubertal cryptorchid boys did not show a correlation with chronologic age. 2. There were no differences in the value of FSH and LH between unilateral cryptorchid boys and Canadian healthy boys, except for a decrement in cryptorchid boys in age group from 6 to 8 and from 8 to 10. No differences in the values of testosterone through the whole age group were observed. It seems to be indicated that the study of histopathology of the testis and of pituitary hormones especially via the stimulation test is helpful for further evaluation of pathogenesis of cryptorchidism in hormonal approach.
Cryptorchidism ; Gonadotropins* ; Humans ; Male ; Pituitary Hormones ; Plasma ; Radioimmunoassay ; Testis ; Testosterone*

Acute cerebral infarctions are rare in children, however, they can occur as a complication of a Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection due to direct invasion, vasculitis, or a hypercoagulable state. We report on the case of a 5-year-old boy who had an extensive stroke in multiple cerebrovascular territories 10 days after the diagnosis of MP infection. Based on the suspicion that the cerebral infarction was associated with a macrolide-resistant MP infection, the patient was treated with levofloxacin, methyl-prednisolone, intravenous immunoglobulin, and enoxaparin. Despite this medical management, cerebral vascular narrowing progressed and a decompressive craniectomy became necessary for the patient's survival. According to laboratory tests, brain magnetic resonance imaging, and clinical manifestations, the cerebral infarction in this case appeared to be due to the combined effects of hypercoagulability and cytokineinduced vascular inflammation.
Brain ; Cerebral Infarction* ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Decompressive Craniectomy ; Diagnosis ; Enoxaparin ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Inflammation ; Levofloxacin ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae* ; Mycoplasma* ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma* ; Stroke ; Thrombophilia ; Thrombosis ; Vasculitis

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive disorder due to the loss of dystrophin in muscle fiber. The deficiency of dystrophin produces severe progressive muscle degeneration which leads to progressive muscle weakness. Affected patients usually become unambulatory in their early teens, and suffer a respiratory failure before 20 years of age. In an attempt to improve quality of life and extend life span of DMD patients, various treatments have been challenged; corticosteroid trial, rehabilitation, cardiac and pulmonary managements, orthopedic interventions, and nutritional support. However, only corticosteroid therapy and non-invasive ventilation have shown a salutary effect on the clinical course of DMD. Recently, a better understanding of the DMD pathophysiology has provided the scientific basis for new treatment modalities including cell and molecular therapy. Although previous clinical trials have demonstrated the limitation and possibility of new therapies, antisense-mediated exon skipping technology is now emerging as a promising approach to restore dystrophin expression. This article summarizes the current challenges and recommendations of treatment approaches in DMD patients.
Adolescent ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Dystrophin ; Exons ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Muscle Weakness ; Muscles ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne ; Noninvasive Ventilation ; Nutritional Support ; Orthopedics ; Quality of Life ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Tissue Therapy

Sagittal mandibulectomy provided safe oncologic margins and functional and esthetic advantages in the surgical treatment of tonsillar cancers that abut but do not infiltrate the mandible.
Mandible ; Tonsillar Neoplasms*

Kasabach-Merritt syndrome is the association of thrombocytopenia, disorder of coagulation, spontaneous bleeding and enlargement of a hemangima or extensive hemangiomatosis, which can be often life threatening. We experienced a three years-old girl with suddenly enlarging hemangioma of right cheek, complicated by severe thrombocytopenia, consumptive coagulopathy and hemorrhagic cystitis. Generalized petechia and ecchymosis were noted on the overlying skin of hemangioma, trunk and extremities. But the study of MRI and angiography, hypevascular was located within the right masseter muscle extending to temporalis muscle and anterior to parotid gland. So selective embolization with PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) was performed through the distal branch of internal maxillary artery and facial artery. She was medicated with oral corticosterioid for 3 weeks. After embolizationn, blood flow to hemangioma and facial swelling were markedly decreased. Patient was followed up for 7 years and she showed normal contour of face and no bleeding diathesis.
Angiography ; Arteries ; Cheek ; Cystitis ; Disease Susceptibility ; Ecchymosis ; Extremities ; Female ; Hemangioma ; Hemorrhage ; Hemorrhagic Disorders* ; Humans ; Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Masseter Muscle ; Maxillary Artery ; Parotid Gland ; Skin ; Thrombocytopenia