The purpose of this study was to determine if there were any reliable predictors for achieving jogging requirements after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. We analyzed associations among variables collected from 128 subjects at 12 weeks postoperatively, including jogging parameters (i.e. pain, apprehension, speed, and distance), the isokinetic muscle strength of the leg extensors, the knee stability, and patient's profiles (i.e. age, sex, activity level, body mass index (BMI), meniscectomy, and cartilage injury).Jogging parameters were significantly correlated with the isokinetic muscle strength of leg extensors, but not with the knee stability. With the jogging ability of achieving a distance of 2000m at a velicity of 9km/h being an objective variable, a logistic regression analysis revealed that the isokinetic muscle strength of leg extensors and BMI were considered relevant. Using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and a contingency table, the cut-off values of the isokinetic muscle strength of leg extensors to the uninvolved side and body weight were 85% and 1.9Nm/kg, respectively, whose sensitivity and specificity were 0.90 and 0.82, respectively. Therefore, we concluded that the isokinetic muscle strength of leg extensors is a reliable predictor for projecting the timing to start jogging after ACL reconstruction.

Objectives:To determine the factors that influence the decision maker regarding end-of-life (EOL) care and to disclose how aggressive care in the last week before death, place of death, and quality-of-life (QOL) affected the decisions made. Methods:The subjects were 409 bereaved family members (cause of death included cancer, stroke, heart disease, and pneumonia) that registered with an internet research agency. Decision-making was controlled either by the patient, family, or physician or shared by the patient, family, and physician. Results:The results of a multinomial logistic regression analysis demonstrated that when a family controlled decision-making, they were less likely to report patient-family EOL discussion [odds ratio (OR)=0.52], and that the patient had good communication with the physician (OR=0.77); they were also likely to report that the patient had dementia (OR=1.94). Families who reported physician-controlled decision-making (vs patient controlled) were less likely to report that the patient had good communication with the physician (OR=0.62). Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the last week and place of death were not associated with the decision maker. EOL QOL was associated with EOL care of the decision maker. When a physician controlled decision-making, patient EOL QOL was at its lowest. Conclusion:To improve patient-controlled decision-making, it is critical that patients, families, and physicians have more communication regarding EOL care.

The patient was a 68-year-old woman with chief complaints of severe lumbago, left lateral abdominal pain and high fever. Computer tomography (CT) at a local hospital showed a left psoas abscess and a low density area around the terminal aorta. Blood tests indicated a high inflammatory response and MSSA was detected in a blood culture. Control of the infection was first attempted with antibiotics, but CT showed a pseudoaneurysm at the terminal aorta, and therefore she was transferred to our hospital. We diagnosed infected abdominal aortic and left common iliac aneurysms complicated by an MSSA psoas abscess, and performed extra-anatomic reconstruction with axillo-bifemoral bypass, aneurysmectomy and omentopexy in the psoas abscess cavity. Because of massive intestinal edema and mesentery, we attempted temporary abdominal closure with the vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) technique, and finally succeeded in closing without abdominal infection in the 6th operation, 42 days after the first operation. Infected abdominal aortic aneurysm complicated by psoas abscess is extremely rare and life threatening. The VAC technique is very effective not only in avoiding abdominal compartment syndrome but also in avoiding abdominal infection.

　The objective of our study was to examine delays between onset of symptoms and treatment for malignant spinal cord compression （MSCC） and to investigate outcomes of neurological function. We performed a retrospective study of clinical records for 25 patients who had been diagnosed with MSCC at a regional center hospital. Thirteen patients had a history of malignancy at the onset of MSCC and 12 patients had no history. For most patients, pain was the first symptom of MSCC. Pain preceded neurologic symptoms by approximately 2 months. The median delays from onset of symptoms of MSCC to treatment were 49 days for all patients, 79 days for those without a history of malignancy and 41.5 days for those with a history of malignancy. It took 39 days from onset to consultation at the hospital, 7 days from consultation to diagnosis and 11 days from diagnosis to treatment. Neurological status was not exacerbated in 8 of 9 patients who had no other neurologic dysfunction at the time of treatment, while only 4 of 10 patients who had deterioration of motor or sensory function at the time of treatment showed improvement in neurological status. In conclusion, there were many delays in all processes from onset to treatment for MSCC and these delays resulted in poor outcome of neurological function.

Objectives : In this study, we assessed the muscle contraction pattern of each toe by stimulating the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) and flexor digitorum longus (FDL) muscles in patients with claw foot deformity caused by spasticity in the lower extremity in order to increase the benefit of their botulinum toxin treatments. Subjects and Methods : Fifteen post-stroke patients (11 male and 4 female ; mean age, 62.3 years) were recruited for the study. In this observational study, the muscle contraction patterns of the hallux and digits on electrical stimulation of the FHL or FDL were examined by two doctors, and the data was then analyzed. In addition, the FHL and FDL were identified in 6 feet from 3 cadaver specimens below the ankle to near the end of each muscle on each toe. Results : In muscles that could be observed, muscle contraction was observed in the hallux in every subject and in the second digit in 92.3% subjects when the FHL was stimulated electrically. Muscle contraction was not observed in the second digit in 64.3% of the subjects when the FDL was stimulated electrically. In the cadaver dissections, the tendons of the FHL sent fibers to the FDL tendons in all 6 feet examined. Conclusion : In conclusion, when botulinum toxin is to be injected into the FHL or FDL muscle for treating claw foot deformity in patients with lower extremity spasticity, especially when the treatment target is the second digit, the injection should be performed not only in the FDL muscle, but also in the FHL muscle to increase the effectiveness of the treatment.

We report three cases of panic disorder treated with kampo formulae including shohangekabukuryoto. Case One was a 47-year-old driver. Sharp rises in blood pressure caused transient ischemic attacks in the brain. We suspected that anxiety over recurrent brain attacks stagnated his water and qi below the heart and caused phlegm heat, which lead to his panic disorder. His symptoms were cured with shohangekabukuryoto and the substance of orento. Case Two was a 49-year-old homemaker. Her domestic anxiety developed into a panic disorder. We suspected that her anxiety diminished the blood and the function of her liver, as well as her splenic sufficiency. Her attacks were cured with kamishoyosan, and with bukuryoingohangekobokuto which contains shohangekabukuryoto. Case Three was a 32-year-old homemaker. Overwork through her child-raising tasks developed into a panic disorder. We suspected that fatigue caused her splenic insufficiency and resulted in blood deficiency with the extra water below the heart. Shohangekabukuryoto and juzentaihoto were very effective, and resolved her attacks.These cases suggest that shohangekabukuryoto improved epigastric discomfort, dizziness and palpitation by justifying middle-jiao dysfunction, qi and water regurgitation. In each of the three cases, shohangekabukuryoto showed efficacy for panic disorder with other kampo formulae for respective signs and symptoms.
Panic Disorder ; Three ; Water ; Anxiety ; Cases

We report two cases of paraganglioma originating in the paraseller region (case 1) and in the urinary bladder (case 2). The subject in case 1 was a 59-year-old man who was admitted into the hospital with dizziness, muscular weakness of the left extremities and cold sweating. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a tumor in the parasellar region. The subject in case 2 was a 39-year-old man who was hospitalized because he had a sense of residual urine. Computed tomography and MRI showed a mass of tumor tissue in the posterior region of the left ureteric orifice of the bladder. Imprint cytology of both tumors showed isolated, loosely attached sheet-like cells with abundant cytoplasm and round or oval nuclei. Histologically, both tumors consisted of round or polygonal cells in small packets separated by vascular fibrous septa. Immunohistochemically, both tumor cells were positive for NSE, S-100 protein, chromogranin A, and synaptophysin. Electron microscopic examination revealed neurosectretory granules in the cytoplasm of tumor cells in either of these two cases.

A 51-year-old man with osteogenesis imperfecta and who had aortic regurgitation was admitted to our hospital for aortic valve replacement. His height was 146cm and his weight was 49kg. The patient had suffered from bone fractures several times since childhood. Bone deformity, blue sclera and his status were clinically indicative of osteogenesis imperfecta. Aortic valve replacement with a 25mm SJM^® prosthetic valve was successfully performed for aortic valve insufficiency and slight annulo-aortic ectasia. Soft tissues and the sternum were fragile. Pathological examination (Elastica-Masson stain) of the aortic valve and left ventricular wall revealed a loss of fibrous tissues and remarkable thickening due to elastic fibers. The patient was discharged 31 days after surgery. Osteogenesis imperfecta is one of the collagen diseases caused by gene abnormality, in which fragile bones are easily fractured. Cardiovascular disease is rarely associated with it and the surgery-related mortality rate is reported to be approximately 30%, due to bleeding.

A 62-year old man was referred to our hospital with endocarditis. Although the infection was improved by antibiotic therapy, he underwent surgery because of severe aortic and mitral valve regurgitation. Preoperative computed tomography revealed a pseudoaneurysm of 20 mm in diameter at the posterior wall of the ascending aorta. The non-coronary cusp was infected and there was a punched-out pseudoaneurysm at the ascending aorta adjacent to the sino-tubular junction. After resection of the aortic wall and the aortic valve, a modified Bentall operation with a composite graft and mitral valve plasty was performed. Postoperative whole body computed tomography revealed no other pseudoaneurysms. In case of endocarditis, we have to consider the possibility of aneurysm formation throughout the body.

The cases of neonates and infants who underwent successful delayed sternal closure (DSC) using silastic rubber after open heart surgery were reviewed. The indication for DSC was cardiac dilatation with tamponade-like behavior upon attempted sternal closure in all. In 7 of 10 cases, DSC were possible within 4 days after operation. There were statistical decrease in heart rate (HR), left atrial pressure (LAP), cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) and inspiratory oxygen concentration of the respirator at the time of DSC compared to those in the early postoperative period. None of the patients had mediastinitis or other severe infection in the postoperative course. One patient each died of progressive pulmonary venous obstruction and of non-cardiac disease late postoperatively and 8 patients are long-term survivors. It is concluded that DSC is recommended whenever there is any hemodynamic deterioration due to attempted sternal closure following open heart surgery in infancy as it could be safely performed within 3 to 4 days after operation without any complication.