Background: This study aimed to investigate changes after repeated subacromial drug injections in a rat model of normal rotator cuff. Methods: Thirty-nine male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into groups 1 (no injection, n = 3), 2 (parecoxib, n = 18; 6 subgroups, n = 3 each; 0.5 mg/kg), and 3 (triamcinolone, n = 18; 6 subgroups, n = 3 each; 0.3 mg/kg). Groups 2 and 3 received subacromial injections 1–6 times once weekly for 6 weeks. The supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons and muscles were used for biomechanical and histological evaluation. The subacromial bursa was used to analyze the prostaglandin E2 (PEG2) level. Results: In the biomechanical test, load-to-failure and ultimate stress decreased in groups 2 and 3 with repeated injections and the values were significantly lower in group 3 than in group 1 only at the sixth injection (p = 0.007 and p = 0.008, respectively). On the Bonar score, the cellularity, ground substance, and total score were significantly different among the 3 groups at the fifth and sixth injections (cellularity: p = 0.028 and p = 0.033, ground substance: p = 0.018 and p = 0.006, and total score: p = 0.029 and p = 0.027, respectively). The myocyte cross-sectional area of the infraspinatus muscle showed a significant difference among the 3 groups at the third and fourth injections (p = 0.031 and p = 0.020, respectively). The PEG2 level in the subacromial bursa was significantly different among the 3 groups at the third, fifth, and sixth injections (p = 0.019, p = 0.004, and p = 0.004, respectively). Conclusions In the rat model of normal rotator cuff, repeated local injections of the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor showed fewer negative effects on the biomechanical and histological properties of the normal tendon than triamcinolone.

Background: This study aimed to investigate changes after repeated subacromial drug injections in a rat model of normal rotator cuff. Methods: Thirty-nine male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into groups 1 (no injection, n = 3), 2 (parecoxib, n = 18; 6 subgroups, n = 3 each; 0.5 mg/kg), and 3 (triamcinolone, n = 18; 6 subgroups, n = 3 each; 0.3 mg/kg). Groups 2 and 3 received subacromial injections 1–6 times once weekly for 6 weeks. The supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons and muscles were used for biomechanical and histological evaluation. The subacromial bursa was used to analyze the prostaglandin E2 (PEG2) level. Results: In the biomechanical test, load-to-failure and ultimate stress decreased in groups 2 and 3 with repeated injections and the values were significantly lower in group 3 than in group 1 only at the sixth injection (p = 0.007 and p = 0.008, respectively). On the Bonar score, the cellularity, ground substance, and total score were significantly different among the 3 groups at the fifth and sixth injections (cellularity: p = 0.028 and p = 0.033, ground substance: p = 0.018 and p = 0.006, and total score: p = 0.029 and p = 0.027, respectively). The myocyte cross-sectional area of the infraspinatus muscle showed a significant difference among the 3 groups at the third and fourth injections (p = 0.031 and p = 0.020, respectively). The PEG2 level in the subacromial bursa was significantly different among the 3 groups at the third, fifth, and sixth injections (p = 0.019, p = 0.004, and p = 0.004, respectively). Conclusions In the rat model of normal rotator cuff, repeated local injections of the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor showed fewer negative effects on the biomechanical and histological properties of the normal tendon than triamcinolone.

Background: This study aimed to investigate changes after repeated subacromial drug injections in a rat model of normal rotator cuff. Methods: Thirty-nine male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into groups 1 (no injection, n = 3), 2 (parecoxib, n = 18; 6 subgroups, n = 3 each; 0.5 mg/kg), and 3 (triamcinolone, n = 18; 6 subgroups, n = 3 each; 0.3 mg/kg). Groups 2 and 3 received subacromial injections 1–6 times once weekly for 6 weeks. The supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons and muscles were used for biomechanical and histological evaluation. The subacromial bursa was used to analyze the prostaglandin E2 (PEG2) level. Results: In the biomechanical test, load-to-failure and ultimate stress decreased in groups 2 and 3 with repeated injections and the values were significantly lower in group 3 than in group 1 only at the sixth injection (p = 0.007 and p = 0.008, respectively). On the Bonar score, the cellularity, ground substance, and total score were significantly different among the 3 groups at the fifth and sixth injections (cellularity: p = 0.028 and p = 0.033, ground substance: p = 0.018 and p = 0.006, and total score: p = 0.029 and p = 0.027, respectively). The myocyte cross-sectional area of the infraspinatus muscle showed a significant difference among the 3 groups at the third and fourth injections (p = 0.031 and p = 0.020, respectively). The PEG2 level in the subacromial bursa was significantly different among the 3 groups at the third, fifth, and sixth injections (p = 0.019, p = 0.004, and p = 0.004, respectively). Conclusions In the rat model of normal rotator cuff, repeated local injections of the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor showed fewer negative effects on the biomechanical and histological properties of the normal tendon than triamcinolone.

Background: This study aimed to investigate changes after repeated subacromial drug injections in a rat model of normal rotator cuff. Methods: Thirty-nine male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into groups 1 (no injection, n = 3), 2 (parecoxib, n = 18; 6 subgroups, n = 3 each; 0.5 mg/kg), and 3 (triamcinolone, n = 18; 6 subgroups, n = 3 each; 0.3 mg/kg). Groups 2 and 3 received subacromial injections 1–6 times once weekly for 6 weeks. The supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons and muscles were used for biomechanical and histological evaluation. The subacromial bursa was used to analyze the prostaglandin E2 (PEG2) level. Results: In the biomechanical test, load-to-failure and ultimate stress decreased in groups 2 and 3 with repeated injections and the values were significantly lower in group 3 than in group 1 only at the sixth injection (p = 0.007 and p = 0.008, respectively). On the Bonar score, the cellularity, ground substance, and total score were significantly different among the 3 groups at the fifth and sixth injections (cellularity: p = 0.028 and p = 0.033, ground substance: p = 0.018 and p = 0.006, and total score: p = 0.029 and p = 0.027, respectively). The myocyte cross-sectional area of the infraspinatus muscle showed a significant difference among the 3 groups at the third and fourth injections (p = 0.031 and p = 0.020, respectively). The PEG2 level in the subacromial bursa was significantly different among the 3 groups at the third, fifth, and sixth injections (p = 0.019, p = 0.004, and p = 0.004, respectively). Conclusions In the rat model of normal rotator cuff, repeated local injections of the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor showed fewer negative effects on the biomechanical and histological properties of the normal tendon than triamcinolone.

Background and Objectives: Many patients experience hypothyroidism after lobectomy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the extent of surgery (isthmus-saving lobectomy vs. isthmus-removing lobectomy) on postoperative hypothyroidism after lobectomy. Materials and Methods: In total, 144 consecutive benign or low-risk papillary thyroid cancer patients with euthyroid status were retrospectively enrolled from January 2016 to June 2018; 100 patients underwent isthmus-saving lobectomy (IS group), and 44 patients underwent isthmus-removing lobectomy (IR group). Thyroid function tests (TSH) were performed at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. Levothyroxine was administered to patients with overt hypothyroidism and those with subclinical hypothyroidism who complained of obvious symptoms of hypothyroidism. Results: The TSH level was significantly lower in the IS group at 3 and 6 months after surgery (p=0.049 and 0.026, respectively). Among patients with TSH ＜2 μIU/mL preoperatively, 17 patients (17/66=25.8%) in the IS group had significantly maintained TSH levels at ＜2 μIU/mL compared with 2 patients (2/21=9.5%) in the IR group even after surgery (p=0.039). Postoperative overt hypothyroidism was found in 5 patients (5.0%) in the IS group and 6 patients (13.6%) in the IR group (p=0.048), and the numbers of patients who took medication after the surgery, 10 (10%) and 14 (31.8%), were significantly lower in the IS group (p=0.001). Conclusion Isthmus-saving lobectomy in patients with euthyroid status reduced the incidence of postoperative hypothyroidism and thyroid hormone replacement and helped in maintaining a low TSH level when compared with isthmus-removing lobectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Uveitis is the most common extra-articular manifestation occurring in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This study examined the characteristics of uveitis in patients with AS using a questionnaire survey. METHODS: A questionnaire-based survey was given to patients enrolled in an AS registry at a rheumatology clinic in a tertiary hospital between September 2015 and December 2015. The patients responded to several questions and sub-questions related to uveitis. RESULTS: A total of 750 patients participated in the survey. The number of patients diagnosed with uveitis in the ophthalmology department was 218 (29%). The most common symptoms in patients with uveitis were ocular injection (61%), eye pain (54%), and decreased visual acuity (51%). Interestingly, 91 of the 532 patients (17%) who had not been diagnosed with uveitis before also experienced similar symptoms, such as tearing, ocular injection, and eye pain. The number of patients who experienced a flare of uveitis more than once a year was 109 (50%), and 124 patients with uveitis responded that the treatment of AS had no significant effect on the prevention of uveitis recurrence. CONCLUSION: The clinical characteristics of uveitis that patients experience was investigated through surveys. Because uveitis in patients with AS is not well diagnosed and treated, active screening for suspected symptoms and the prevention of a recurrence is needed.
Eye Pain ; Humans ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Ophthalmology ; Recurrence ; Rheumatology ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tears ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Uveitis ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of robotic or endoscopic thyroidectomy via bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) without a drainage procedure. METHODS: A total of 64 patients who underwent robotic or endoscopic thyroidectomy via BABA without a close suction drain between February and March 2012 were enrolled. We checked postoperative symptoms or signs including change of vital signs, dyspnea, swelling or fluctuation of anterior chest and neck and compression symptoms at 1, 6, 24, and 48 hours and 1 month after surgery. Postoperative ultrasonography was performed in patients with at least one or more postoperative symptoms or signs in order to confirm hematoma or fluid collection. RESULTS: None of the enrolled patients had dyspnea or change of vital signs. Two of 64 patients had swelling, 1 of 64 patients had fluctuation on the anterior chest, and 1 of 64 patients had compression symptoms. Fluid collection was confirmed in 2 of 4 of the above mentioned patients and the collected fluid was aspirated. The amounts of aspirated fluid were 25 mL and 8 mL. Thereafter, the follow up ultrasonography showed no more fluid collection in all patients. In addition, we rechecked the above mentioned symptoms or signs at 1 month after surgery; none of the enrolled patients had symptoms or signs. CONCLUSION: Robotic or endoscopic thyroidectomy via BABA without a closed suction drain shows no serious seroma or hematoma collection. Therefore, we expect that robotic or endoscopic thyroidectomy via BABA without a closed suction drain can reduce the pain, discomfort or longer hospital stay as a result of closed suction drain using this method.
Drainage* ; Dyspnea ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Neck ; Seroma ; Suction ; Thorax ; Thyroidectomy* ; Ultrasonography ; Vital Signs

Our aim was to examine whether serum testosterone concentrations are in fact low in hospitalized men with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes compared with healthy men. In this study, 79 men aged 40 years or older (41 healthy men and 38 men with type 2 diabetes) were included. Total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin levels were measured. The average duration of diagnosed diabetes was 10.8 years and the mean glycated hemoglobin value was 10.8%. Total testosterone concentrations were lower in men with type 2 diabetes than in healthy men, after adjusting for age and body mass index (3.83+/-0.32 ng/mL vs. 5.63+/-0.31 ng/mL, P<0.001). In conclusion, this study shows that serum testosterone concentrations are lower in hospitalized men with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes than in healthy men. Therefore, men with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes should undergo further assessment for hypogonadism.
Body Mass Index ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Male ; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin ; Testosterone*

IgG4-related sclerosing disease is a novel clinical disease entity characterized by an elevated serum IgG4 concentration and tissue infiltration by IgG4-positive plasma cells. Although this disease is a novel entity, it is not rare and is present in a proportion of patients with a wide variety of diseases, including autoimmune pancreatitis, sclerosing cholangitis, retroperitoneal fibrosis, and inflammatory pseudotumor. Despite the effectiveness of steroid therapy, IgG4-related sclerosing disease is often misdiagnosed as a malignant tumor. Here, we report an inflammatory pseudotumor of the great omentum that was misdiagnosed as a malignant tumor and subject to surgical resection.
Cholangitis, Sclerosing ; Granuloma, Plasma Cell ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Omentum ; Pancreatitis ; Plasma Cells ; Retroperitoneal Fibrosis

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to compare obstetric and perinatal outcomes according to glucose challenge test (GCT) in a single institution. METHODS: One thousand six women, who were underwent antepartum gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) screening by a GCT in mid-pregnancy and delivered at National Health Service between January 1, 2007 and July 31, 2012, were included in the study. The medical records of patients were analyzed retrospectively. The Subjects were categorized into three groups according to the results of 50 g oral GTC and 100 g oral GTC; normal glucose tolerance (NGT, n=826), less than 140 mg/dL; gestational impaired glucose tolerance (GIGT, n=128), more than 140 mg/dL but non-GDM ; gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM, n=52). Pre-existed maternal DM or hypertension and twin pregnancy were excluded. Obstetric and perinatal outcomes were compared among the three groups. RESULTS: Maternal age, parity, and pre-pregnancy body mass index were higher in the GDM. The preterm delivery and gestational hypertension increased across the groups from NGT to GIGT to GDM (13.9% vs. 18.8% vs. 25.0%, P<0.01, and 1.9% vs.5.5% vs. 13.5%, P<0.01, respectively). Large for gestational age (LGA) and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admission rate were higher in order in NGT, GIGT, and GDM (6.2% vs. 15.6% vs. 15.4%, P<0.01, and 12.3% vs. 24.2% vs. 38.5%, P<0.01), but other complications requiring intensive care were not different among the groups, including meconium aspiration syndrome and birth asphyxia. CONCLUSION: GDM was a risk factor of cesarean section, preterm delivery, and gestational hypertension. In addition, GIGT was positively correlated with gestational hypertension, preterm labor, cesarean section rate, and LGA. This study suggests that there is a need to develop a guideline for Korean pregnant women who were diagnosed with GIGT.
Asphyxia ; Body Mass Index ; Cesarean Section ; Diabetes, Gestational ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Glucose* ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced ; Infant, Newborn ; Critical Care ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Mass Screening ; Maternal Age ; Meconium Aspiration Syndrome ; Medical Records ; National Health Programs ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Parity ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy, Twin ; Pregnant Women* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors