STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence and associated factors of the concurrent lower thoracic lesions in patients who have a lumbar spine disease, using the extended lumbar MRI. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: There are no studies regarding the concurrent thoracic lesions with lumbar disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the patients, who had visited the out-patient department (OPD) of orthopaedic surgery in our hospital and underwent lumbar spine MRI, were studied during 1 year. Totally, 750 patients were included. The extended lumbar spine MRI contained additional extended T2-weighted sagittal images that cover the lower thoracic vertebrae with 35 centimeters long. We analyzed the highest observable level, characteristics of detected thoracic lesions. Those lesions were classified according to the severity of compression of the spinal cord and investigation for associated factors of patients. Also, the times for additional tests were measured. RESULTS: Additional tests were able to observe up to the 7th thoracic vertebrae. In 257 cases (34.3%), the lower thoracic lesions were detected and increased with aging (p<0.001). A total of 48 patients (6%) had the lesion compressing the spinal cord and 28 patients needed further evaluation for the lower thoracic lesion. Further, 2 cases were treated surgically for lower thoracic lesions. Scanning extra time for additional test were 3 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of lower thoracic lesions accompanied with the lumbar disease was 34% in this study. Therefore, additional extended lumbar spine MRI is needed to check possible concurrent lesions in the lower thoracic spine.
Aging ; Humans ; Outpatients ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord ; Spine ; Thoracic Vertebrae

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of anterior cervical fusion within Harms cage versus an iliac bone block graft. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: There is no current consensus regarding the optimal material for anterior cervical fusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single-center study of 107 patients who either underwent anterior cervical fusion with an iliac bone block graft (n=56; group A) or a cancellous bone graft within the cervical Harms titanium cage (n=51; group B). Anterior plating occurred in all cases. Clinical outcomes and complications were evaluated using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores and Odom's Criteria. Radiological outcomes were evaluated by the height of vertebral bodies, sagittal lordosis, the rate of bony union, and the subsidence of cage. RESULTS: The VAS of donor site pain was significantly higher in group A than in group B at the final follow-up. Sagittal lordosis was increased in both groups, but was significantly higher in group B than group A. The rate of bony union was 95% and 91% for both groups 6 months after surgery and reached 100% for both groups at the final follow-up. In terms of cage subsidence, the highest point of subsidence was at the inferior and posterior aspect of the cage and the average amount of subsidence was approximately 1.3 mm at final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior cervical fusion using a cancellous bone graft within Harms titanium cage is a good method for anterior cervical fusion with iliac bone block.
Animals ; Consensus ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lordosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tissue Donors ; Titanium ; Transplants

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence and risk factors associated with osteoarthritis after a reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) using a patellar tendon autograft after an average follow-up period of more than 10 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study examined 56 cases that were selected from 118 cases who underwent an arthroscopic reconstruction of the ACL using a patella tendon autograft a minimum of 8 years ago and were available for follow up. The mean age at the time of the reconstruction was 31.3 years (19-58 years), and the average follow up period was 10.6 years (8.6-13.8 years). At the last follow up, the presence of osteoarthritis on the weight-bearing antero-posterior and lateral, and Merchant's radiographs, was assessed using the Kellgren and Laurence classification. The correlation between the development of osteoarthritis and the clinical results (Lysholm knee score, Lachman test, Pivot-shift test, return to preinjury activity), the radiological results (anterior laxity, persistent anterior subluxation), the interval from injury to the reconstruction, the patient age at the time of the reconstruction, the presence of an accompanying meniscal injury, and the patient's gender were examined. RESULTS: Among the 56 cases, osteoarthritis was detected in 23 (41%) (grade II, 18 cases; grade III, 5 cases), and in regard to the lesion sites, the medial compartment was detected in all cases, the lateral compartment in 12 cases and the patello-femoral compartment in 11 cases. Among them, 19 cases were accompanied with a meniscal injury (OR, 10.336; p = 0.001), and a significant increase in osteoarthritis was detected in those cases with a interval from the injury to the reconstruction of more than 6 months (OR, 4.611; p=0.030), and in those aged more than 26 years at the time of the reconstruction (OR, 5.038; p=0.023). However, there was no correlation between the development of osteoarthritis and the clinical outcome, radiological anterior laxity and continuous anterior subluxation, and genders (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Osteoarthritis developed in 41% of cases, and developed more frequently in those cases with an accompanying meniscal injury, older patients at the time of the reconstruction, or in those with a longer interval from the injury to reconstruction.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; Autografts* ; Classification ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Knee ; Knee Joint ; Osteoarthritis* ; Patellar Ligament* ; Risk Factors ; Weight-Bearing

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To evaluated the clinical and radiological effectiveness of sacral alar screws for augmentation of S1 pedicle screws in long-level fusion including L5-S1 segment. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The fusion rates of lumbosacral junction in long-level fusion are various when S1 pedicle screws are used without augmentation. But, reports of sacral alar screw augmentation are rare. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 1996 to 2005, 63 patients performed more than two-level fusion including lumbosacral junction were reviewed. 47 patients underwent lumbosacral fusion with S1 pedicle screws only (S1 group), and 16 patients with sacral alar screws augmentation in addition to S1 pedicle screws (S1-2 group). Radiologically, bony union, halo sign, and breakage of implants were evaluated. Clinically, complications associated with screw placement and general complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Bony union was obtained in 56 cases(89%) at postoperative 4.3 months. Nonunion was observed in 7 cases(11%, S1 group:5, S1-2 group:2). Loosening of S1 pedicle screw was observed in 32 cases(89%) of S1 group and in 4 cases(25%) of S1-2 group. It showed statistical significance between two groups. Sacral alar screw loosening occurred in 8 cases(50%) of S1-2 group. Metal breakage was developed in 2 cases of S1 group without nonunion or loosening. Postoperative infection occurred in 7 cases(11%, S1 group:5, S1-2 group:2). CONCLUSIONS: Sacral alar screw augmentation was effective on protecting the loosening of S1 pedicle screw. Additional sacral alar screw can improve the rate of fusion for lumbosacral junction despite no statistical significance.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Succinates

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the outcomes of fluoroscopically guided selective nerve root block as a nonsurgical treatment for cervical radiculopathy. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Only a few studies have addressed the efficacy and persistence of cervical nerve root block. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted on 28 consecutive patients with radicular pain due to cervical disc disease or cervical spondylosis. Myelopathy was excluded. Cervical nerve root blocks were administered every 2 weeks, up to 3 times. Outcomes were measured by comparing visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, patient satisfaction, and medication usage before the procedure and at 1 week and 3, 6, and 12 months after the procedure. In addition, complications associated with the procedure and need for other treatments were evaluated. RESULTS: The average preoperative VAS score was 7.8 (range, 5 to 10), and this changed to 2.9 (range, 1 to 7) at 3 months and 4.6 (range, 2 to 7) at 12 months. Patient satisfaction was 71% at 3 months and 50% at 12 months. Five patients used medication at 3 months, whereas 13 used medication at 12 months. Average symptom free duration after the procedure was 7.8 months (range, 1 to 12 months). Two patients were treated surgically. Only two minor complications were noted; transient ptosis with Horner's syndrome and transient causalgia. CONCLUSIONS: Although selective nerve root block for cervical radiculopathy is limited as a definitive treatment, it appears to be useful in terms of providing relief from radicular pain in about 50% of patients at 12 months.
Horner Syndrome ; Humans ; Nerve Block ; Patient Satisfaction ; Radiculopathy ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Spinal Nerve Roots ; Spondylosis

BACKGROUND: We investigated the association of coronary artery calcium score (CACS) with body composition and insulin resistance in apparently healthy Korean adults. METHODS: Nine hundred forty-five participants (mean age, 48.9 years; 628 men) in a medical check-up program were selected for analysis. Body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Insulin resistance was evaluated using the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The CACS was assessed by multidetector computed tomography. RESULTS: One hundred forty-six subjects (15.4%) showed coronary artery calcification and 148 subjects (15.7%) had metabolic syndrome. CACS showed a significant positive correlation with age, fasting glucose level, waist circumference (WC), blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c, HOMA-IR, and waist-hip ratio (WHR) assessed by BIA. CACS had a negative correlation with high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Subjects with high CACS showed significantly higher mean WHRs and lower mean values for lean body mass compared with subjects without coronary artery calcification. In logistic regression analyses with coronary artery calcification as the dependent variable, the highest quartile of WHR showed a 3.125-fold increased odds ratio for coronary artery calcification compared with the lowest quartile after adjustment for confounding variables. When receiver operating characteristics analyses were performed with coronary artery calcification as the result variable, WHR showed the largest area under the curve (AUC) value among other variables except for age and WC in women (AUC=0.696 for WHR, 0.790 for age, and 0.719 for WC in women). CONCLUSION: In our study population of apparently healthy Korean adults, WHR was the most significant predictor for coronary artery calcification among other confounding factors, suggesting that it may have implication as a marker for early atherosclerosis.
Adult ; Atherosclerosis ; Blood Pressure ; Body Composition ; Calcium ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Coronary Vessels ; Electric Impedance ; Fasting ; Female ; Glucose ; Hemoglobins ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipoproteins ; Logistic Models ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Odds Ratio ; ROC Curve ; Waist Circumference ; Waist-Hip Ratio

BACKGROUND: When patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are first referred to a hospital from primary health care clinics, physicians have to decide whether to administer an oral hypoglycemic agent (OHA) immediately or postpone a medication change in favor of diabetes education regarding diet or exercise. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of diabetes education alone (without alterations in diabetes medication) on blood glucose levels. METHODS: The study was conducted between January 2009 and December 2013 and included patients with DM. The glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were evaluated at the first visit and after 3 months. During the first medical examination, a designated doctor also conducted a diabetes education session that mainly covered dietary management. RESULTS: Patients were divided into those who received no diabetic medications (n=66) and those who received an OHA (n=124). Education resulted in a marked decrease in HbA1c levels in the OHA group among patients who had DM for <1 year (from 7.0%±1.3% to 6.6%±0.9%, P=0.0092) and for 1 to 5 years (from 7.5%±1.8% to 6.9%±1.1%, P=0.0091). Those with DM >10 years showed a slightly lower HbA1c target achievement rate of <6.5% (odds ratio, 0.089; P=0.0024). CONCLUSION: For patients who had DM for more than 5 years, higher doses or changes in medication were more effective than intensive active education. Therefore, individualized and customized education are needed for these patients. For patients with a shorter duration of DM, it may be more effective to provide initial intensive education for diabetes before prescribing medicines, such as OHAs.
Blood Glucose ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diet ; Education* ; Health Educators ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Primary Health Care

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Data are lacking regarding the management of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with resistance to clevudine (CLV). This study evaluated the efficacy of different rescue therapies for CLV-resistant CHB. METHODS: Patients with CLV-resistant CHB were enrolled in the cohort, and all patients developed virologic breakthrough during CLV therapy and had confirmed-genotypic resistance to CLV (rtM204I mutation) before enrollment. RESULTS: Of the 107 patients, 12 received adefovir (ADV), 21 received a CLV plus ADV combination (CLV+ADV), 34 received a lamivudine plus ADV combination (LAM+ADV), and 40 received entecavir (ETV) therapy for 48 weeks. The CLV+ADV group had the lowest hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA level (p<0.0001) and showed the greatest reduction of HBV DNA levels from baseline compared to all other groups (p=0.004) at week 48. HBV DNA was undetectable (<70 IU/mL) in 0%, 57.1%, 21.2%, and 27.5% (p=0.003) of the patients in each group, respectively, at week 48. At the end of the study, the mean alanine transaminase (ALT) level, rate of ALT normalization, and rate of hepatitis B envelope antigen loss or seroconversion did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: CLV+ADV combination therapy in patients with CLV-resistant CHB more effectively suppresses HBV replication than ETV, ADV, or LAM+ADV therapy.
Alanine Transaminase ; Cohort Studies* ; DNA ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic* ; Hepatitis, Chronic* ; Humans ; Lamivudine ; Seroconversion

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Waist circumference (WC) is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome and is related to insulin resistance (IR) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The purpose of this study was to determine the association between WC and IR and NAFLD in apparently healthy Korean adults. METHODS: The volunteers included in this cross-sectional study comprised 9,159 adults (5,052 men, 4,107 women) who participated in a comprehensive health checkup program. IR was evaluated by the homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) and was considered to be present when the HOMA-IR score was >2. NAFLD was evaluated by ultrasound examination. Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was defined as >40 IU/L in men and >35 IU/L in women. Logistic regression was performed to determine the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for NAFLD, IR, and ALT according to categorized levels of WC. RESULTS: NAFLD was found in 2,553 (27.9%) of the participants (82.6% men, 17.4% women), while IR and elevated ALT were found in 17.2% (68.1% men, 31.9% women) and 10% (83% men, 17% women), respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, the prevalence of NAFLD, IR, and elevated ALT was significantly associated with increases in WC quartile: highest quartile for NAFLD in men, OR=15.539, 95% CI=12.687-19.033; highest quartile for NAFLD in women, OR=48.732, 95% CI=23.918-99.288 (P<0.001); and highest quartile for IR in men, OR=17.576, 95% CI=13.283-23.255; highest quartile for IR in women, OR=11.078, 95% CI=7.813-15.708 (P<0.001); highest quartile for elevated ALT in men, OR=7.952, 95% CI=6.046-10.459; and highest quartile for elevated ALT in women, OR=8.487, 95% CI=4.679-15.395 (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: WC contributes to IR and NAFLD in apparently healthy Korean adults, and thus may be an important factor in the development of IR and NAFLD.
Adult ; Alanine Transaminase/blood ; Area Under Curve ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Body Mass Index ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Fatty Liver/*diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; *Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Republic of Korea ; Risk Factors ; *Waist Circumference

BACKGROUND: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a standard procedure to evaluate suspicious lymph node involvement of lung cancer because computed tomography (CT) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-CT (PET-CT) have limitations in their sensitivity and specificity. There are a number of benign causes of false positive lymph node such as anthracosis or anthracofibrosis, pneumoconiosis, old or active tuberculosis, interstitial lung disease, and other infectious conditions including pneumonia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate possible causes of false positive lymph node detected in chest CT or PET-CT. METHODS: Two hundred forty-seven patients who were initially diagnosed with lung cancer between May 2009 and December 2012, and underwent EBUS-TBNA to confirm suspicious lymph node involvement by chest CT or PET-CT were analyzed for the study. RESULTS: Of 247 cases, EBUS-TBNA confirmed malignancy in at least one lymph node in 189. The remaining 58 patients whose EBUS-TBNA results were negative were analyzed. Age ≥65, squamous cell carcinoma as the histologic type, and pneumoconiosis were related with false-positive lymph node involvement on imaging studies such as chest CT and PET-CT. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that lung cancer staging should be done more carefully when a patient has clinically benign lymph node characteristics including older age, squamous cell carcinoma, and benign lung conditions.
Anthracosis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Electrons ; Humans ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Lymph Nodes* ; Needles* ; Pneumoconiosis ; Pneumonia ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thorax* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed* ; Tuberculosis