STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study OBJECTIVES: This study examined the effect of a TLSO brace treatment for the correction of axial rotational deformities in idiopathic scoliosis. SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW: A TLSO brace treatment is effective in correcting 2-dimensional deformities of idiopathic scoliosis but is questionable in axial rotational deformities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty three cases treated by bracing in March, 1999~February, 2005 at our department were reviewed. The posteroanterior and lateral radiographs were checked in the standing position throughout the study. The change in axial rotational deformity were analyzed using Nash & Moe method and Perdriolle's method. RESULTS: The rotational deformity had improved in 2 curves, was aggravated in 8 curves, and showed no change in 43 curves with the TLSO brace. CONCLUSIONS: The TLSO brace treatment in axial rotational deformity of idiopathic scoliosis is not effective in correcting the rotational deformity but is effective in preventing the progress of a rotational deformity.
Braces ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Orthotic Devices ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis

Background: Phentermine-topiramate (PT) and naltrexone-bupropion (NB) are widely used combination treatments for obesity and overweight. However, no study has yet compared the efficacy and safety of the two drugs in patients with comorbid psychiatric disorders. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients who were prescribed with the PT and NB combination treatments was conducted from January 1, 2017, to August 31, 2023. To compare the treatment efficacy, the mean body mass index change rates of both drugs before and after drug use were calculated. The safety of the drug was compared by identifying whether the drug was discontinued early and any side effects that occurred. Results A total of 55 patients were enrolled, most of whom were women (89.1%), and the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorder was depressive disorder (37.5% for NB and 40.0% for PT). No demographic differences were observed between the patients using the two drugs. The two drugs showed no statistically significant difference in the treatment efficacy. However, in terms of safety, PT had a lower incidence of adverse effects than NB (6.7% vs.40.0%, p=0.022) Conclusion: No significant difference in the treatment efficacy between PT and NB was observed, but PT showed a more favorable safety profile in psychiatric patients. Further large-scale multicenter studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Background: Phentermine-topiramate (PT) and naltrexone-bupropion (NB) are widely used combination treatments for obesity and overweight. However, no study has yet compared the efficacy and safety of the two drugs in patients with comorbid psychiatric disorders. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients who were prescribed with the PT and NB combination treatments was conducted from January 1, 2017, to August 31, 2023. To compare the treatment efficacy, the mean body mass index change rates of both drugs before and after drug use were calculated. The safety of the drug was compared by identifying whether the drug was discontinued early and any side effects that occurred. Results A total of 55 patients were enrolled, most of whom were women (89.1%), and the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorder was depressive disorder (37.5% for NB and 40.0% for PT). No demographic differences were observed between the patients using the two drugs. The two drugs showed no statistically significant difference in the treatment efficacy. However, in terms of safety, PT had a lower incidence of adverse effects than NB (6.7% vs.40.0%, p=0.022) Conclusion: No significant difference in the treatment efficacy between PT and NB was observed, but PT showed a more favorable safety profile in psychiatric patients. Further large-scale multicenter studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Background: Phentermine-topiramate (PT) and naltrexone-bupropion (NB) are widely used combination treatments for obesity and overweight. However, no study has yet compared the efficacy and safety of the two drugs in patients with comorbid psychiatric disorders. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients who were prescribed with the PT and NB combination treatments was conducted from January 1, 2017, to August 31, 2023. To compare the treatment efficacy, the mean body mass index change rates of both drugs before and after drug use were calculated. The safety of the drug was compared by identifying whether the drug was discontinued early and any side effects that occurred. Results A total of 55 patients were enrolled, most of whom were women (89.1%), and the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorder was depressive disorder (37.5% for NB and 40.0% for PT). No demographic differences were observed between the patients using the two drugs. The two drugs showed no statistically significant difference in the treatment efficacy. However, in terms of safety, PT had a lower incidence of adverse effects than NB (6.7% vs.40.0%, p=0.022) Conclusion: No significant difference in the treatment efficacy between PT and NB was observed, but PT showed a more favorable safety profile in psychiatric patients. Further large-scale multicenter studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Background: Phentermine-topiramate (PT) and naltrexone-bupropion (NB) are widely used combination treatments for obesity and overweight. However, no study has yet compared the efficacy and safety of the two drugs in patients with comorbid psychiatric disorders. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients who were prescribed with the PT and NB combination treatments was conducted from January 1, 2017, to August 31, 2023. To compare the treatment efficacy, the mean body mass index change rates of both drugs before and after drug use were calculated. The safety of the drug was compared by identifying whether the drug was discontinued early and any side effects that occurred. Results A total of 55 patients were enrolled, most of whom were women (89.1%), and the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorder was depressive disorder (37.5% for NB and 40.0% for PT). No demographic differences were observed between the patients using the two drugs. The two drugs showed no statistically significant difference in the treatment efficacy. However, in terms of safety, PT had a lower incidence of adverse effects than NB (6.7% vs.40.0%, p=0.022) Conclusion: No significant difference in the treatment efficacy between PT and NB was observed, but PT showed a more favorable safety profile in psychiatric patients. Further large-scale multicenter studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Background: Phentermine-topiramate (PT) and naltrexone-bupropion (NB) are widely used combination treatments for obesity and overweight. However, no study has yet compared the efficacy and safety of the two drugs in patients with comorbid psychiatric disorders. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients who were prescribed with the PT and NB combination treatments was conducted from January 1, 2017, to August 31, 2023. To compare the treatment efficacy, the mean body mass index change rates of both drugs before and after drug use were calculated. The safety of the drug was compared by identifying whether the drug was discontinued early and any side effects that occurred. Results A total of 55 patients were enrolled, most of whom were women (89.1%), and the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorder was depressive disorder (37.5% for NB and 40.0% for PT). No demographic differences were observed between the patients using the two drugs. The two drugs showed no statistically significant difference in the treatment efficacy. However, in terms of safety, PT had a lower incidence of adverse effects than NB (6.7% vs.40.0%, p=0.022) Conclusion: No significant difference in the treatment efficacy between PT and NB was observed, but PT showed a more favorable safety profile in psychiatric patients. Further large-scale multicenter studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Congenital myotonic dystrophy is an autosomal dominantly inherited myotonic dystrophy, rare form, with an incidence estimated to be 13/100,000 liveborns. Affected newborns can present with intrauterine growth retardation, prematurity, birth asphyxia, respiratory distress, and always exhibit generalized muscular hypotonia. Feeding problems are common and an association with protein losing enteropathy, hydrops fetalis, and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn has been described. Twenty-five percent of the affected infants die within the first 18 months of life. The molecular basis is an unstable DNA fragment consisting of a variable expansion of a CTG triplet, Dystrophia myotonica-protein kinase (DMPK) which is localized on chromosome 19q 13.3. The severity of the disease is directly correlated to the length of the CTG sequence. Women with idiopathic polyhydroamnios, decreased fetal movement, prematurity, hypotonia, should be counselled family, and mother, father and baby should be evaluated congenital myotonic dystrophy, as PCR (polymerase chain reaction). It is possible to diagnose congenital myotonic dystrophy, by PCR, antenatal test, such as CVS, amniocentensis. We experienced a case of recurrent congenital myotonic dystrophy, with neonatal death, twice, and report with a review of related literatures.
Asphyxia ; DNA ; Fathers ; Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; Fetal Movement ; Humans ; Hydrops Fetalis ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Mothers ; Muscle Hypotonia ; Myotonic Dystrophy* ; Parturition ; Phosphotransferases ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Protein-Losing Enteropathies ; Triplets

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of monitoring cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in adult patients using extended high-frequency pure-tone audiometry (EHF-PTA) or distortion-product otoacoustic emission (DP-OAE) and to evaluate the concurrence of ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity in cisplatin-treated patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: EHF-PTA was measured at frequencies of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11.2, 12.5, 14, 16, 18, and 20 kHz and DP-OAE at frequencies of 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 kHz in cisplatin-treated patients (n=10). Baseline evaluations were made immediately before chemotherapy and additional tests were performed before each of six cycles of cisplatin treatment. Laboratory tests to monitor nephrotoxicity were included before every cycle of chemotherapy. RESULTS: Four of 10 patients showed threshold changes on EHF-PTA. Five of 10 patients showed reductions in DP-OAE, but one was a false-positive result. The results of EHF-PTA and DP-OAE were consistent in two patients. Only one patient displayed nephrotoxicity on laboratory tests after the third cycle. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the incidence rate of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity was 40% with EHF-PTA or DP-OAE. Although both EHF-PTA and DP-OAE showed the same sensitivity in detecting ototoxicity, they did not produce the same results in all patients. These two hearing tests could be used to complement one another. Clinicians should use both tests simultaneously in every cycle of chemotherapy to ensure the detection of ototoxicity.
Adult ; Audiometry, Pure-Tone* ; Cisplatin ; Complement System Proteins ; Drug Therapy ; Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Incidence

BACKGROUND: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is regarded as initial diagnostic procedure for thyroid nodules due to its accuracy and safety. One of the limitations of FNA is variable rate of inadequate specimen. Recently, ultrasound guidance has been suggested as a valuable method to improve diagnostic performance of FNA. The aim of this study is to evaluate the rates of adequate specimen when FNA is done with ultrasound guidance. METHODS: This study was performed on 304 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided FNA for thyroid nodules. Ultrasound-guided FNA was performed due to various causes. RESULTS: Inadequate specimens were obtained from 62 patients (20.4%). The sizes of thyroid nodules from which specimen obtained were 1.63+/-1.17 cm for adequate specimen, 1.18+/-0.72 cm for inadequate specimen respectively and differed significantly (p=0.001). When patients were divided by the size of thyroid nodules, the rates of inadequate specimen were significantly different between the groups above 1.5 cm and less than 1.5 cm (p=0.04). The rates of inadequate specimen were also different according to the indications of ultrasound guidance, 25.4% in nonpalpable thyroid nodules and 11.4% in complex cysts. When complex cyst group was divided by the size of thyroid nodules, the rates of inadequate specimen were not different. CONCLUSION: There are less benefits of ultrasound-guided FNA for patients with nodule size less than 1.5 cm. We recommend ultrasound guidance for patients with complex cyst rather than nonpalpable thyroid nodules.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle* ; Humans ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Nodule* ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: To report the progression of an astrocytic hamartoma of the right optic nerve head as well as the retina, and the progression of retinal nerve fiber defect associated with astrocytic hamartoma in a patient with tuberous sclerosis. CASE SUMMARY: A 6-year-old boy with tuberous sclerosis and an astrocytic hamartoma of the right optic nerve head, which was found at the time of ophthalmologie examinations, was referred from the pediatric neurologist for evaluation of the vigabatrin-associated visual field changes. Fundus examination revealed 1/2 disc diameter (DD)-sized astrocytic hamartoma located at the margin of the superior part of the optic nerve. The retina of the left eye was normal. Eighteen months after the first visit, enlarged optic disc hamartoma of the right eye and newly onset retinal astrocytic hamartoma located approximately 1.5 DD inferior to the fovea of the left eye were found. Three years later, an increase in the size of the astrocytic hamartoma of the right optic nerve and development of retinal nerve fiber defects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Astrocytic hamartoma in patients with tuberous sclerosis is usually stable without progression. However, in our patient, astrocytic hamartoma showed progression, and development of retinal nerve fiber defects occurred. Regular follow-up is necessary for astrocytic hamartoma in patients with tuberous sclerosis.
Eye ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hamartoma ; Humans ; Nerve Fibers ; Optic Disk ; Optic Nerve ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde ; Tuberous Sclerosis ; Visual Fields