Mirizzi syndrome is infrequently associated with fistula formation, particularly a unique biliopleural fistula. The ideal therapeutic strategy remains diverse across guidelines, which usually includes surgical excision to eliminate the source of infection. We reported a case of a 60-year-old jaundiced female with pleural effusion resulting from a biliopleural fistula. Imaging revealed a cystic lesion close to the periphery of the upper right diaphragm, connected to the gallbladder. Following initial pleural drainage, an abdominal exploration was conducted to excise the fistula and remove the gallbladder. A multidisciplinary approach is essential for obtaining optimal outcomes for patients with biliopleural fistula.

A CASE OF UNDERSIZED IABP BALLOON IN A CARDIAC ARREST PATIENT AFTER PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION: A CASE REPORT Cardiac arrest during percutaneous coronary intervention is a rare but serious complication. Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is often utilized to support hemodynamics after a return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) due to cardiac problem. However, supply chain issues that arise limit the availability of the optimal balloon size. A 70-yearold-man with angina pectoris, despite optimal medical therapy (OMT), underwent an elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). He developed cardiac arrest and achieved ROSC, but had low blood pressure despite inotropes and vasopressor. IABP support was necessary but ideal balloon size was unavailable due to supply chain problems. An undersized balloon (25 cc) was utilized instead. He was monitored in the ICU and began to improved and was finally discharged. An undersized balloon may still provide some benefit in increasing coronary blood flow and reducing cardiac workload in certain patients who need IABP support, especially when supply chain issues or lack of other circulatory devices limit such options. However, careful individualized assessment is required.

Background: Fibromyalgia is a difficult-to-treat chronic musculoskeletal pain and tenderness syndrome. It is considered due to augmented pain processing in central nervous system. Interest in antiepileptic drugs, included pregabalin, for treatment of fibromyalgia is currently growing. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of pregabalin for fibromyalgia. Methods: We conducted the study according to the meta-analysis PRISMA guideline. Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified from a search of PubMed and Cochrane databases. Quality of selected studies was assessed using Jadad score for randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCT). Primary outcome was pain score reduction (30% and 50% reduction) and secondary outcome was patient global impression of change. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3. Results: Six international, multicenter, high-quality RCTs with 8-15 weeks duration of treatment met inclusion criteria. Four studies used different fixed dose (300 mg/d, 450 mg/d, 600mg/d) and 2 studies used titrated dose in evaluating the efficacy of pregabalin. There was statistically significant benefit of pregabalin over placebo in mean pain score reduction [odds ratio (OR) 1.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.56-2.10 p < 0.00001 in fixed dose pregabalin 30% pain reduction; OR 2.06 95% CI 1.66-2.56 p < 0.00001 in fixed dose pregabalin 50% pain reduction; OR 1.53 95% CI 1.10-2.13 p 0.01 in titrated dose pregabalin 30% pain reduction; OR 1.80 95% CI 1.12-2.88 p 0.01 in titrated dose pregabalin 50% pain reduction]. Pregabalin also demonstrated significantly better patient global impression of change than placebo. No heterogeneity was seen in most groups. No publication bias was observed. Conclusion Our study showed pregabalin monotherapy was effective for pain treatment associated with fibromyalgia. Further studies with longer treatment duration are needed to confirm the long-term effectiveness of pregabalin for fibromyalgia treatment.
Fibromyalgia ; Pregabalin ; Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE: Up to now, there is no feasible solution for stopping or reversing the degenerative process of osteoarthritis (OA). Our study evaluated the effect of intra-articular injection of growth hormone (GH) in OA-induced rabbit knees compared to hyaluronic acid (HA) and placebo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 21 male, skeletally mature, New Zealand rabbits received an intra-articular type II collagenase injection for OA induction. Two weeks later, the rabbits were randomized into three groups based on the weekly intra-articular injection to be received: GH, HA, and saline. Injections were done for three consecutive weeks. Evaluation was done at 8 weeks after treatment, clinically using the lameness period, macroscopically using the Yoshimi score and microscopically using the Mankin score. RESULTS: The shortest period of lameness was found in the GH group (15.9±2.12 days), compared to the HA group (19.4±1.72 days) and placebo group (25.0±2.94 days). There was a statistically significant difference in macroscopic scoring between groups (p=0.001) in favor of the GH group. There was also significant difference in the microscopic score between groups (p=0.001) also in favor of the GH group. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-articular injection of GH showed better clinical, macroscopic and microscopic results as compared to HA and placebo.
Collagenases ; Growth Hormone ; Human Growth Hormone ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Injections, Intra-Articular ; Knee ; Male ; New Zealand ; Osteoarthritis ; Rabbits

Objective To compare oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) levels in serum and vascular wall of Sprague-Dawley rats, identify their patterns in 8 weeks and 16 weeks of dyslipidemia induced by high fat diet, compare foam cells in aorta of each group and investigate lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the vascularized (deep circumflex iliac vessels) iliac crest graft with internal oblique muscle as a method for reconstruction of composite mandibular defect.

METHODSVascularized iliac crest graft with internal oblique muscle was used to reconstruct the composite mandibular defects in 10 patients. All clinical data were analyzed retrospectively. A detailed inspection of the case-notes was undertaken to ascertain the presenting diagnosis, the surgery, the complications and the outcome. The type of mandibular defect was recorded.

RESULTSOf the 10 patients with composite mandibular defects including mandibular body, mandibular angle, mandibular ramus and the soft tissue around them, 7 patients were recorded with the defects of mandibular condyles. During the follow-up period from 3 months to 24 months, primary wound healing was observed in all patients, except one patient with minor muscular necrosis. All patients were satisfied with their facial contour and mandibular shape, without tumor recurrence. Donor site problems important enough to be recorded in the notes were minimal.

CONCLUSIONSThe vascularized iliac crest graft with internal oblique muscle offers a useful solution for reconstruction of composite mandibular defect. There is sufficient height and depth of bone to maintain a facial contour and mandibular shape. It can be used as a routine surgical technique to reconstruct composite mandibular defect.

Abdominal Muscles ; transplantation ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Ilium ; blood supply ; transplantation ; Male ; Mandibular Injuries ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Young Adult