No abstract available.
Vibrio vulnificus* ; Vibrio*

Injury of the ankle ligaments is one of the most common sports-related injuries. Although there are some debates as to the best initial treatment for an acute tear of a lateral ligament, persistent functional instability of the ankle develops in approximately 20% of patients regardless of the type of initial treatment. In these patients, late reconstruction of the lateral ankle ligaments may become necessary. Among 13 cases which have been operated with Larsen procedure using peroneus brevis tendon from March 1991 to February 1993, the 11 cases followed up over 1 year were examined clinically and radiologically. We introduced the clinical analysis and results with the brief review of the literatures. 1. The indication of surgical treatment was the ankle instability which had differences over 10° in talar tilting angle or over 3mm in anterior displacement compared wit the uninjured site. 2. The postoperative results were 5 cases in excellent and 4 in good. 3. The Larsen procedure was considered a good method to anatomically and simply stabilize both the ankle and subtalar joint and to fix tendon depending on the type of instability.
Ankle ; Collateral Ligaments ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Methods ; Subtalar Joint ; Tears ; Tendons

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) has been performed for degenerative and traumatic cervical diseases to improve pain and neurologic symptoms including sensory change and motor weakness. Infection, however, is a rare complication of ACDF, and late infection is even much rarer. We present a case of late Infection from ACDF C4-5 using Biocompatible Osteoconductive Polymer (BOP) after twenty years in the absence of an esophageal perforation, Zenker's diverticulum, or recent surgery or bacteremia. Late infection from ACDF after 20 years is extremely rare in the literature. However, possibility of such a late complication should be appreciated during the follow-up period and surgical resection will be required for proper treatment.
Bacteremia ; Diskectomy* ; Esophageal Perforation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Polymers ; Zenker Diverticulum

OBJECTIVE: Vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms (VADAs) are rare and many debates are present about treatment options. We review types and efficacy of our endovascular treatments and establish a safe endovascular therapeutic strategy regard to the angio-architecture of VADAs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 2008 and October 2015, we treated 22 patients with symptomatic VADAs. Fifteen patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage from the ruptured VADAs, digital subtraction angiography and magnetic resonance image confirmed the diagnosis and endovascular treatments were followed as their angio-architecture. RESULTS: Clinical results were good in 13 patients (86.7%), and there were no technical problems during endovascular procedures. The other 2 patients with poor prognosis showed severe neurological deficits at the initial evaluation. Among the three different endovascular treatments, there were no radiologic cure in one patient with stent insertion alone, but the patient had no significant clinical symptoms either. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatments are safe and effective treatment option for managing VADAs and can be the first treatment of choice for most patients. To select proper endovascular treatment according to the angio-architecture of VADAs can reduce the risk of the treatment.
Aneurysm, Dissecting* ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Diagnosis ; Endovascular Procedures ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Stents ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Vertebral Artery*

OBJECTIVE: The number of elderly patients with cerebral aneurysm has markedly increased. We investigated the clinical characteristics and the surgical outcomes of cerebral aneurysms among elderly patients more than 65 years of age compared to a control group including patients less than 65. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2001 to May 2007, 590 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) were treated; among them, 88 patients (14.9%) more than 65 were candidates for this study. The variables included in the analysis were: age, gender, size and site of the aneurysm, the Hunt-Hess grade, size of the hematoma on the CT scan, and comorbidities. RESULTS: The mean age was 69 (range 65-84 years), 72 patients (81%) were female, 72 of the patients had a Hunt-Hess grade of I-III, 37 patients (42%) had anterior communicating artery bleeds, and 13 patients (16.7%) had multiple aneurysms. The treatments consisted of neck clipping for 77 aneurysms and endovascular therapy for 11 aneurysms. Fifty eight patients (65.9%) had a favorable outcome and the overall mortality was 11.4%. The main causes of unfavorable outcomes among the elderly patients included a poor Hunt-Hess grade on admission and a concurrent intracerebral hematoma. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that advanced age was not a contra-indication to aneurysm surgery and early craniotomy can lead to a better outcome in elderly patients.
Aged ; Aneurysm ; Arteries ; Comorbidity ; Craniotomy ; Female ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Neck ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVES: We sought to examine the diverse factors associated with aneurysms of the posterior circulation. In addition, the results of conventional craniotomy were compared with those of endovascular treatment. METHODS: One hundred and one patients with posterior circulation aneurysms were selected for study inclusion. The factors that might affect the clinical outcomes were studied , such as the initial Hunt-Hess (H-H) grade, aneurysm location, size of the aneurysm, and therapeutic modalities. In addition, the morbidity and mortality rates were analyzed. The treatment outcomes were evaluated using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) 6 months after the initial insult. RESULTS: The patient population consisted of 67 women and 34 men, with a mean age of 52 (range 28-81 years). The overall morbidity and mortality rates at 6 months were 13.9% (14/101) and 17.8% (18/101), respectively. Sixty-one operations (60.3%) were performed, and 32 patients were treated with endovascular therapy. Forty-two (85.7%) of the 49 patients that had initial H-H grades of I and II had a better prognosis (GOS more than 4) than those with poor H-H grades (P<0.001). Patients that underwent endovascular treatment had better outcomes than those that had clipping (P=0.032). There was no significant difference in outcome according to the size of the aneurysm, location of the aneurysm, or the age of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that the factors affecting the prognosis were the initial HH grade and treatment modality. Considering the very high mortality rate in patients with rebleeding, early management may help improve the prognosis of patients with posterior circulation aneurysms. Endovascular therapy should be considered the primary treatment modality in patients with posterior circulation aneurysms.
Aneurysm ; Craniotomy ; Female ; Glasgow Outcome Scale ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Male ; Prognosis

Cerebral aspergillosis is rare and usually misdiagnosed because its presentation is similar to that of a tumor. The correct diagnosis is usually made intra-operatively. Cerebral abscess with fungal infection is extremely rare and few cases have been reported, but it carries a poor prognosis. A 73 year-old man presented with decreased visual acuity and paresis of the right cranial nerve III. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a mass in the right cavernous sinus, extened to the anterior crainial fossa and the superior orbital fissure. During surgery, a well encapsulated pus pocket was found, and histopathological examination of the mass resulted in the diagnosis of aspergillosis. Despite appropriate anti-fungal treatment, the patient eventually died from fatal cerebral ischemic change and severe brain swelling. The correct diagnosis of cerebral aspergillosis can only be achieved by histopathological examination because clinical and radiological findings including MRI are not specific. Surgical intervention and antifungal therapy should be considered the optimal treatment. Early diagnosis and aggressive antifungal treatment provide good results.
Aspergillosis ; Brain ; Brain Abscess ; Cavernous Sinus ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neuroaspergillosis ; Oculomotor Nerve ; Orbit ; Paresis ; Pyrimidines ; Suppuration ; Triazoles ; Visual Acuity

Generally, among the extradural spinal tumors, metastatic spinal tumor is much more common than primary spinal tumors. Thus, in the case of a spinal tumor patient with cancer history (such as lung cancer, breast cancer, etc.), we used to infer that the spinal lesion is the metastasis from, primary malignancy. We introduce an experience of a case of triple primary origin tumor in a 57-year-old man. When the spinal lesion was found on the abdominal computed tomography scan, he already had a history of colon cancer and liver cancer. Initially, it was thought that the lesion would probably be a metastatic tumor from the liver or colon cancers, and the operation was performed accordingly. In the pathologic final report, however, the mass was proven to plasmacytoma - the third primary lesion. The patient underwent chemotherapy after surgery. Globally, the triple primary origin tumor has been reported very rarely. With this report, we wish to emphasize the necessity of pathologic confirmation and adequate treatment even in a patient with known malignancies.
Breast Neoplasms ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Humans ; Liver ; Liver Neoplasms ; Lung Neoplasms ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Plasmacytoma ; Tetracyclines

PURPOSE: The presence of normal fingernail is important for the hand function and cosmetic appearance. We studied the results of the microsurgical reconstruction of the defected fingernail using composite toenail transfer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March of 2004 to May of 2009, eleven fingernails were reconstructed using microsurgical composite toenail transfer in 10 patients with a mean age of 27 years (range, 13 to 47 years). There were three thumbs, five index fingers, and three long fingers. Whole fingernail was destructed in three cases and remaining eight cases had partial nail defect. Toenail was grafted from great toe in eight cases and from second toe in three cases. Five cases were harvested as an osteoonychocutaneous flap, two as a endoosteoonychocutaneous flap and four as an onychocutaneous flap. RESULTS: All cases survived without any tissue necrosis. One arterial obstruction had occurred one day after surgery, which was resolved by repeated decompression and reanastomosis of the artery. All fingernails regenerated successfully. According to the rating system including assessment of shape, size and thickness of nail, nail pinch, pain, and patient's satisfaction, ten cases were rated as excellent and one as good. All patient's were satisfied with their hand function and appearance. CONCLUSION: Microsurgical composite toenail transfer can be an acceptable surgical reconstruction for the fingernail defect after trauma, providing satisfactory hand functions and cosmetic appearance.
Arteries ; Cosmetics ; Decompression ; Fingers ; Hand ; Humans ; Nails ; Necrosis ; Thumb ; Toes ; Transplants

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiological results after osteosynthesis of distal phalangeal nonunion with bone defect by using matchstick-shaped bone graft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen distal phalangeal nonunions were treated with osteosynthesis using matchstick-shaped bone graft from September, 2009 to October, 2010. The mean age of patients was 36.1 years (range: 15 to 56 years). This study included 4 women and 10 men. The mean duration of follow-up was 16.8 months (range: 12 to 20 months). We evaluated radiographs, and measured postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score and pinch power. RESULTS: Union was achieved in all cases at a mean of postoperative 5.5 weeks (range: 4 to 6 weeks). The mean VAS score improved from 7.25 (range: 5 to 9) to 1.0 (range: 0 to 2) postoperatively. The mean postoperative pinch power was 7.75 lbs (range: 4 to 13 lbs) compared to opposite pinch power of 9.63 lbs (range: 5 to 15 lbs). There was no scar problem, pinch pain and other complication. CONCLUSION: Steosynthesis of distal phalageal nonunion with bone defect by using matchstick-shaped bone graft is technically feasible and simple in that it does not need volar incision and debridement. It is considered as an effective treatment option in distal phalangeal nonunion with bone defect.
Bone Transplantation ; Cicatrix ; Debridement ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Transplants