OBJECTIVE: Several conservative treatments have been tried in peripheral facial nerve paralysis, because 80% of patients recover spontaneously. Surgical decompression may be helpful to the residual, medically intractable patients. We present here our experiences of facial nerve decompression via middle fossa approach, which seems to be one of good surgical therapeutic options for medically refractory peripheral facial nerve paralysis. METHOD:Three cases of medically intractable peripheral type facial paralysis were microscopically operated via middle cranial fossa approach to decompress the labyrinthine segment of the facial nerve and geniculate ganglion by searching landmarks of middle meningeal artery, greater superficial petrosal nerve and facial hiatus. RESULTS: After operation, two cases of Bell's palsy improved substantially and one case of post-traumatic facial paralysis improved partially. CONCLUSION: This report is presented to describe the surgical facial nerve decompression via middle fossa for early control of peripheral type facial paralysis. Surgical decompression of edematous peripherally paralysed facial nerve could be preferred to conservative treatment in some patients although more surgical experience should be required.
Bell Palsy ; Cranial Fossa, Middle ; Decompression* ; Decompression, Surgical ; Facial Nerve* ; Facial Paralysis ; Geniculate Ganglion ; Humans ; Meningeal Arteries ; Paralysis

There are many predisposing factors for acute pulmonary edema, Pulmonary edema in well recognized complication of acute airway obstruction, especially in small children, but rarely seen in adults. We present a case of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema that developed in adult following removal of endotracheal intubation after esophagoscopy, The sequence of events suggest that laryngospasm precipitated the development of the pulmonary edema in this patient.
Adult ; Airway Obstruction ; Causality ; Child ; Esophagoscopy* ; Humans ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Laryngismus ; Pulmonary Edema*

Takayasu's arteritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown cause. It predominantly affects the aortic arch and its branches. Concomitant involvement of coronary and renal arteries is a rare entity. In this report, we described successful treatment of a patient with Takayasu's arteritis associated with coronary and renal arteries stenosis. A 23-year-old woman was presented with chest pain on exertion. Angiographic studies demonstrated left main coronary, bilateral renal, and left subclavian arteries stenosis. She underwent angioplasty and stenting of bilateral renal artery. After one week, coronary artery bypass grafting using greater saphenous veins and aorto-subclavian bypass with PTFE vascular graft were done simultaneously. She was discharged on the 13th postoperative day without any complications.
Angioplasty ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Chest Pain ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Stenosis ; Female ; Humans ; Polytetrafluoroethylene ; Renal Artery Obstruction ; Renal Artery* ; Saphenous Vein ; Stents ; Subclavian Artery ; Takayasu Arteritis* ; Transplants ; Young Adult

Chronic erythema nodosum, a variant of erythema nodosum, is characterized by the presence of non-ulcerated lesions located mainly on the legs and by a lack of a migratory tendency. These lesions can persist for years. Hypertrichosis is defined as the excessive growth of hairs and is classified into generalized or localized forms. An acquired and localized hypertrichosis has been associated with Becker's nevus, pretibial myxedema, local inflammation or irritation, orthopedic casts and splints, and topical application of steroids. A 48-year-old Korean female visited our clinic for evaluation of a 2-year history of scattered, erythematous to brownish, tender patches or subcutaneous nodules on both shins. Her skin lesions had waxed and waned under treatment, and after 6 months localized hypertrichosis had appeared on her skin lesions. We report a case of acquired and localized hypertrichosis associated with chronic erythema nodosum.
Female ; Humans ; Erythema Nodosum

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical and radiological results of treatment for thoracolumbar spine fractures, with neurological deficits, using an anterior approach in a senile osteoporotic spine. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: With osteoporotic vertebral collapses, an operative treatment may be indicated for lesions that are considered unstable, especially if there is spinal canal compromise with neurological deficits. As for the treatment of these cases, a posterior approach destabilizes, and increases, the kyphotic deformity, resulting in the need for a longer fusion period. A combined anterior-posterior approach increases the morbidity. A one stage anterior decompression and anterior reconstructive stabilization is often the most reasonable operative choice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1999 and August 2001, 12 cases of thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral collapse, with neurological deficits, were performed. There were 10 female and 2 male cases. The mean age for the patient was 69.3 years, ranging from 60 to 79 years. The numbers of each level of fractured vertebrae were; 2, 5, 4 and 1, in eleventh thoracic, twelfth thoracic, first lumbar and second lumbar vertebrae, respectively. All patients reported minor injury or trauma, and the average interval between injury and operation was 8.3 months, ranging from 1 to 36 months. There were 4 and 8 cases of neurological deficits in the Frankel D2 and D3 groups, respectively. The average preoperative local kyphotic angle was 23.8 degrees, ranging from 5 to 35 degrees, with a 66% loss in height, ranging from 42 to 83%). The average T score from the Bone Densitometry was -3.7 S.D, ranging from -3.2 to -4.4. The operations were performed by an extrapleural-retroperitoneal approach. The anterior instrumentation was performed with the Kaneda system and a titanium mesh cage. All cases were followed for more than 12 months. RESULTS: All cases had a solid bony fusion. The immediate postoperative average local kyphotic angle was 10.3 degrees, ranging from -14 to 22 degrees, and the correction loss at the last follow-up was 2.6 degrees, ranging from 0 to 9 degrees. All 12 patients with incomplete preoperative neurological deficits improved, postoperatively, to Frankel group E. CONCLUSIONS: The one stage anterior spinal decompression and reconstruction, with a Kaneda instrument and a titanium mesh cage, afforded enough stability in patient with an osteoporotic vertebral collapse to enable early ambulation and to achieve realignment and solid fusion, and seems to have merit in the neurological recovery following an operation.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Decompression ; Densitometry ; Early Ambulation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Neurologic Manifestations* ; Osteoporosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Canal ; Spine* ; Titanium

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical and radiological results of a transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for the treatment of non-union after a posterolateral spinal fusion. LITERATURE REVIEW SUMMARY: In the case of nonunion after a posterolateral spinal fusion, the anterior column should be reconstructed. However, due to epidural scarring and fibrosis, the approach to the anterior column by conventional posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) is difficult. The authors have modified the original transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) developed by Dr. Harms, which offers potential advantages and provides a surgical alternative to the traditional methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2002 and August 2003, 10 cases of TLIF for the treatment of non-unions after a posterolateral spinal fusion were performed. There were 8 male and 2 female cases. The mean age of the patient was 63.3 years, ranging from 53 to 75 years. The levels of the TLIF were the L4-5 and L5-S1 in 9 and 1 cases, respectively. The mean interval between the revision and previous operations was 21.3 months, ranging 12 to 48 months. In the preoperative radiography, bony defect in posterolateral fusion mass, halos around screws and abnormal motions in the stress view were observed. Using the previous midline approach, exposure of the bilateral articular and transverse processes were performed. With a small osteotome, the superior articular process was removed along a line parallel to the superior margins of the pedicular screw head, to allow access to the neural foramen and lateral aspect of the disc space. The TLIF was performed through this space by inserting cages. The loosened screw was replaced by one that was thicker, coupled with a cancellous bone graft in the foramen. RESULTS: The average operation time and blood loss were 224 min. and 727 cc, respectively. Using Kirkaldy-Willis categories, the results were excellent in 1 case, good in 7, fair in 1 and poor in a further 1 case, with 1 case of nonunion was observed postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for the treatment of nonunion after a posterolateral spinal fusion is a reliable and safe technique, which seems to have the merit of less morbidity.
Cicatrix ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Head ; Humans ; Male ; Radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; Transplants

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical and radiological results of a transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for the treatment of non-union after a posterolateral spinal fusion. LITERATURE REVIEW SUMMARY: In the case of nonunion after a posterolateral spinal fusion, the anterior column should be reconstructed. However, due to epidural scarring and fibrosis, the approach to the anterior column by conventional posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) is difficult. The authors have modified the original transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) developed by Dr. Harms, which offers potential advantages and provides a surgical alternative to the traditional methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2002 and August 2003, 10 cases of TLIF for the treatment of non-unions after a posterolateral spinal fusion were performed. There were 8 male and 2 female cases. The mean age of the patient was 63.3 years, ranging from 53 to 75 years. The levels of the TLIF were the L4-5 and L5-S1 in 9 and 1 cases, respectively. The mean interval between the revision and previous operations was 21.3 months, ranging 12 to 48 months. In the preoperative radiography, bony defect in posterolateral fusion mass, halos around screws and abnormal motions in the stress view were observed. Using the previous midline approach, exposure of the bilateral articular and transverse processes were performed. With a small osteotome, the superior articular process was removed along a line parallel to the superior margins of the pedicular screw head, to allow access to the neural foramen and lateral aspect of the disc space. The TLIF was performed through this space by inserting cages. The loosened screw was replaced by one that was thicker, coupled with a cancellous bone graft in the foramen. RESULTS: The average operation time and blood loss were 224 min. and 727 cc, respectively. Using Kirkaldy-Willis categories, the results were excellent in 1 case, good in 7, fair in 1 and poor in a further 1 case, with 1 case of nonunion was observed postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for the treatment of nonunion after a posterolateral spinal fusion is a reliable and safe technique, which seems to have the merit of less morbidity.
Cicatrix ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Head ; Humans ; Male ; Radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; Transplants