Careful evaluation of vertebral artery injuries is important after cervical translation injuries or transverse foramen fractures. Treatment of trauma can be complicated in cases of concomitant vertebral artery injuries. A 76-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with left hemiparesis (Motor grade 3) after a motorcycle accident. Cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) revealed a C3 burst fracture and a left C3 lateral mass and lamina fracture. CT angiography revealed fracture fragments that predisposed the vertebral artery to injury throughout its course in the area. CT angiography confirmed that both vertebral arteries were occluded at the C3 fracture site. Subsequent brain MRI revealed acute infarction in the right occipital area. Although both vertebral arteries were occluded, the infarction site did not correspond to the territory supplied by these vessels; therefore, we performed transfemoral cerebral angiography, which revealed collateralization of the bilateral vertebral arteries by the deep cervical artery.. The deep cervical arteries are located between the posterior muscles; therefore, a fixation operation performed using the posterior approach may have affected the collateral circulation and led to exacerbation of the infarction site. Therefore, surgery was performed using an anterior approach and it was possible to minimize the risk of cerebral infarction through preservation of collateral circulation.

Objective: : This study aims to determine the optimal dose of recombinant-human bone morphogenic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) for successful bone fusion in minimally invasive lateral lumbar interbody fusion (MIS LLIF). Previous studies show that rhBMP is an effective alternative to autologous iliac crest bone graft, but the optimal dose remains uncertain. The study analyzes the fusion rates associated with different rhBMP doses to provide a recommendation for the optimal dose in MIS LLIF. Methods: : Ninety-three patients underwent MIS LLIF using demineralized bone matrix (DBM) or a mixture of rhBMP-2 and DBM as fusion material. The group was divided into the following three groups according to the rhBMP-2 usage : group A, only DBM was used (n=27); group B, 1 mg of rhBMP-2 per 5 mL of DBM paste (n=41); and group C, 2 mg of rhBMP-2 per 5 mL of DBM paste (n=25). Demographic data, clinical outcomes, postoperative complication and fusion were assessed. Results: : At 12 months post-surgery, the overall fusion rate was 92.3% according to Bridwell fusion grading system. Groups B and C, who received rhBMP-2, had significantly higher fusion rates than group A, who received only DBM. However, there was no significant increase in fusion rate when the rhBMP-2 dosage was increased from group B to group C. The groups B and C showed significant improvement in back pain and Oswestry disability index compared to the group A. The incidence of screw loosening was decreased in groups B and C, but there was no significant difference in the occurrence of other complications. Conclusion : Usage of rhBMP-2 in LLIF surgery leads to early and increased final fusion rates, which can result in faster pain relief and return to daily activities for patients. The benefits of using rhBMP-2 were not significantly different between the groups that received 1 mg/5 mL and 2 mg/5 mL of rhBMP-2. Therefore, it is recommended to use 1 mg of rhBMP-2 with 5 mL of DBM, taking both economic and clinical aspects into consideration.

No abstract available.
Parkinsonian Disorders*

No abstract available.
Meningitis ; Pneumocephalus

We investigated the migration of endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) toward an infarct lesion in a photo-thrombotic stroke model. The lesions produced by using rose bengal dye (20 mg/kg) with cold light in the motor cortex of Sprague-Dawley rats were also evaluated with sequential magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from 30 minutes through 8 weeks. Migration of NSCs was identified by immunohistochemistry for nestin monoclonal antibody in the lesion cortex, subventricular zone (SVZ), and corpus callosum (CC). The contrast to noncontrast ratio (CNR) on MRI was greatest at 12 hours in DWI and decreased over time. By contrast, T1-weighted and T2-weighted images showed a constant CNR from the beginning through 8 weeks. MRI of the lesional cortex correlated with histopathologic findings, which could be divided into three stages: acute (edema and necrosis) within 24 hours, subacute (acute and chronic inflammatory cell infiltration) at 2 to 7 days, and chronic (gliofibrosis) at 2 to 4 weeks. The volume of the infarct was significantly reduced by reparative gliofibrosis. The number of nestin+ NSCs in the contralateral SVZ was similar to that of the ipsilateral SVZ in each group. However, the number of nestin+ NSCs in the ipsilateral cortex and CC increased at 12 hours to 3 days compared with the contralateral side (p<0.01) and was reduced significantly by 7 days (p<0.01). Active emigration of internal NSCs from the SVZ toward the infarct lesion may also contribute to decreased volume of the infarct lesion, but the self-repair mechanism by endogenous NSCs is insufficient to treat stroke causing extensive neuronal death. Further studies should be focused on amplification technologies of NSCs to enhance the collection of endogenous or transplanted NSCs for the treatment of stroke.
Cold Temperature ; Corpus Callosum ; Emigration and Immigration ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intermediate Filament Proteins ; Light ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Models, Theoretical ; Motor Cortex ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; Neural Stem Cells ; Neurons ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rose Bengal ; Stem Cells ; Stroke ; Transplants

OBJECTIVE: Gout is crystal-induced arthritis with hyperuricemia. Uric acid lowering agent (UALA) is the maintenance drug of its treatment. Drug adherence is an important factor that influences treatment outcome. The purpose this study was to examine the drug adherence to UALA of 303 gouty patients and to analyze the factors associated with compliance. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed adherence to UALA in 303 patients who visited three hospitals affiliated with Hallym University. Patients were diagnosed as gout and used UALA with at least 6 month follow-up. Two adherence measures were calculated, the percentage of days covered (PDC) and the time until an extended break (at least 60 days) in treatment. A PDC <70% was considered poor adherence and factors associated with poor adherence were examined. RESULTS: Among the 303 patients, 283 (93.4%) were male. Mean age was 55.4+/-13.7 years. Comorbidities included hypertension in 117 (38.6%), diabetic mellitus in 108 (35.6%), angina in 107 (35.3%), myocardial infarction in 108 (35.6%), and heart failure in 113 (37.3%). The mean PDC was 65.8% with 63.4% of patients considered poorly compliant over the study period. Mean treatment duration before an extended break occurred was 203.5 days. Factors associated with good adherence included hypertension and prescription from rheumatologist. CONCLUSION: In our study, adherence to UALA in gouty patient was poor. Understanding the factors associated with adherence to UALA and proper education of gouty patients to improve drug adherence are needed.
Arthritis ; Comorbidity ; Compliance ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gout ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hyperuricemia ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; Prescriptions ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Uric Acid

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The local delivery of drugs to the arterial wall represents a strategy for the treatment of fibroproliferative vascular disease. Paclitaxel has been shown to inhibit vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration, which contribute to neointimal formation. This study tested whether the perivascular delivery of paclitaxel can prevent neointimal formation in a rat carotid artery injury model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ability of locally-administered paclitaxel to prevent the neointimal hyperplastic response was tested by incorporating 10 microgram paclitaxel into 40% F-127 pluronic gel, which was then applied to the adventitial surface of the rat carotid artery immediately following balloon injury. Fourteen days after angioplasty, the neointimal growth was compared between paclitaxel- (n=12) and pluronic gel only treated (control group, n=11) rats. RESULTS: The paclitaxel-treated group showed significant neointimal formation reductions compared to the control group (0.10+/-0.05 versus 0.21+/-0.05 mm2, p<0.05). The perivascular application of paclitaxel produced a highly localized pattern of neointimal growth inhibition in the arterial cross-section. Although 10 microgram paclitaxel showed no significant cytotoxicity, 20 microgram paclitaxel (n=3) demonstrated cytotoxicity, with medial cell drop out in the region of application. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that the local extravascular application of 40% F-127 pluronic gel containing paclitaxel provides an effective mechanism for inhibiting the proliferative response to vascular injury in the rat. The cellular response to paclitaxel is highly focal. Locally sustained delivery of paclitaxel, as little as 10 microgram, was effective in preventing neointimal growth, without destroying medial wall smooth muscle cells.
Angioplasty ; Animals ; Carotid Arteries* ; Carotid Artery Injuries* ; Cell Proliferation ; Hyperplasia* ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Paclitaxel* ; Rats* ; Vascular Diseases ; Vascular System Injuries

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to investigate the relationship between the incidence of national notifiable infectious diseases (NNIDs) and meteorological factors, air pollution levels, and hospital resources in Korea. METHODS: We collected and stored 660 000 pieces of publicly available data associated with infectious diseases from public data portals and the Diseases Web Statistics System of Korea. We analyzed correlations between the monthly incidence of these diseases and monthly average temperatures and monthly average relative humidity, as well as vaccination rates, number of hospitals, and number of hospital beds by district in Seoul. RESULTS: Of the 34 NNIDs, malaria showed the most significant correlation with temperature (r=0.949, p<0.01) and concentration of nitrogen dioxide (r=-0.884, p<0.01). We also found a strong correlation between the incidence of NNIDs and the number of hospital beds in 25 districts in Seoul (r=0.606, p<0.01). In particular, Geumcheon-gu was found to have the lowest incidence rate of NNIDs and the highest number of hospital beds per patient. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we conducted a correlational analysis of public data from Korean government portals that can be used as parameters to forecast the spread of outbreaks.
Air Pollution ; Communicable Diseases/*epidemiology ; Databases, Factual ; Humans ; Incidence ; Malaria/epidemiology ; Meteorological Concepts ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Temperature

BACKGROUND: In recent years, thrombolytic therapy has been used with success to reduce the infarction area in patients with acute cerebral infarction, It is very important to identify ischemic penumbra in the treatment of stroke. The aim of this study is detect ischemic penumbra and border between ischemic penumbra and infarction area using perfusion CT and diffusion-weighted MR images (DW-MRI) in patient 's with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: Thirteen inpatients with acute ischemic stroke at the Department of Neurology at Chonnam University Hospital were selected for this study. They had the discrepancy of lesion between perfusion CT and DW-MRI. Perfusion CT was done on admission and DW-MRI within 24 hours after stroke in all patients. Ischemic penumbra was assessed by comparing the defect on perfusion CT with the infarction area on DW-MRI. Clinical outcome was measured with the NIHSS on day 1, 3, and 7. RESULTS: The subjects (perfusion defect on the perfusion CT> infarction area on DW-MRI) achieved significant improvement at NIHSS. There was a significant difference between infarct and non-infarct tissue for both rCBF and rCBV but not for MTT. It could be possible not to define the tissue outcome but to estimate it by this study. CONCLUSIONS: Perfusion CT with DW-MRI is a useful tool for the detection of ischemic penumbra which may be the main target of active treatment.
Cerebral Infarction ; Humans ; Infarction ; Inpatients ; Jeollanam-do ; Neurology ; Perfusion* ; Stroke* ; Thrombolytic Therapy

The reactive airway dysfunction syndrome (RADS), a subset of irritant-induced asthma, has been described following exposure to various irritant gas. We describe a case of RADS occuring following a single exposure to high levels of chlorine gas in the workplace. No documented pre-existing respiratory illness and atopy was identified. Cough, dyspnea, and wheezing were developed with the single accidental exposure to chlorine gas and methacholine provocation test was positive. He was completely recovered with the treatment of corticosteroid and oxygen therapy.
Angioedema ; Asthma ; Cellulitis ; Chlorine* ; Cough ; Dyspnea ; Eosinophilia ; Hypereosinophilic Syndrome ; Methacholine Chloride ; Oxygen ; Respiratory Sounds