Background: This study aimed to access the radiologic and clinical outcomes after arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation with screws in patients with posterior wall fractures of the acetabulum. Methods: From May 2013 to December 2019, 13 patients (11 men and 2 women) with posterior wall fractures of the acetabulum were treated with arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation with screws at two medical centers. The mean age at the index operation was 39 years (range, 22–58 years). The mean duration of follow-up was 23 months (range, 12–46 months). Clinical assessment was performed using the modified Merle d'Aubigné and Postel functional scoring system. The maximum displacement of acetabular or femoral head fragments detected on radiographs was used as radiographic results. Secondary osteoarthritis, osteonecrosis, or heterotrophic ossification was assessed at the latest follow-up. Results: Bony union was shown at 12 weeks of follow-up in all patients. The radiologic outcomes showed an anatomical reduction in 11 patients and a satisfactory reduction in 2 patients. The modified Merle d'Aubigné and Postel functional score was excellent in 7 patients, good in 5 patients, and fair in 1 patient. Two patients had transient pudendal nerve palsy after hip arthroscopy. However, no sciatic nerve palsy occurred. At the latest follow-up, there was no heterotopic ossification, osteonecrosis of the femoral head, or posttraumatic osteoarthritis. Conclusions Arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation with cannulated screws can be good alternative options with good radiographic and clinical outcomes, convenient removal of intra-articular loose body, and low complication rates.

Background/Aims: Owing to the low prevalence of small-bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA), data on the impact of Crohn’s disease (CD) on the survival of patients with SBA are lacking. Therefore, we investigated this issue in this study. Methods: In this bicenter cohort study, patients with histologically confirmed SBA were retrospectively enrolled and classified into two groups: sporadic SBA and CD-associated SBA. Patients with duodenal SBA were excluded. Overall survival, disease-free survival, and factors associated with survival were analyzed. Results: Of 128 patients with SBA, 115 had sporadic SBA and 13 had CD-associated SBA. Ileal involvement and poorly differentiated tumors were more common in the CD-associated SBA group than in the sporadic SBA group (ileal involvement, 53.8% vs 22.6%; poor differentiation, 46.2% vs 14.8%; both p<0.05). In survival analysis, overall survival showed no statistical difference between the sporadic SBA and CD-associated SBA groups (p=0.370). However, when stratified by stage, the adjusted overall survival of the CD-associated SBA group was lower in patients with an advanced disease stage (p=0.029). Disease-free survival showed the same tendency, albeit without clinical significance (p=0.097). CD (hazard ratio [HR], 2.308; p=0.047), older age (≥65 yr) at SBA diagnosis (HR, 2.766; p=0.001), and stage III/IV disease (HR, 3.151; p<0.001) were factors associated with mortality. Conclusions The overall survival of patients with CD-associated SBA did not differ from that of patients with sporadic SBA. However, as CD is an independent risk factor for mortality, vigilant surveillance in high-risk patients may be crucial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Nationwide social inequalities of oral anticoagulation (OAC) usage after the introduction of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have not been well identified in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). This study assessed overall rate and social inequalities of OAC usage after the introduction of NOAC in Korea.METHODS: Between January 2002 and December 2016, we identified 888,540 patients with AF in the Korea National Health Insurance system database. The change of OAC rate in different medical systems after the introduction of NOAC were evaluated.RESULTS: In all population, overall OAC use increased from 13.2% to 23.4% (p for trend <0.001), and NOAC use increased from 0% to 14.6% (p for trend <0.001). Compared with pre-reimbursement (0.48%), the annual increase of OAC use was significantly higher after partial (1.16%, p<0.001), and full reimbursement of OAC (3.72%, p<0.001). Full reimbursement of NOAC (adjusted odds ratio, 2.10; 95% confidence interval, 2.04–2.15) was independently associated with higher OAC use. However, the difference of overall OAC usage between tertiary referral hospitals and nursing or public health centers increased from 17.9% in 2010 to 36.8% in 2016. Moreover, usage rate of NOAC was significantly different among different medical systems from 37.2% at the tertiary referral hospital and 5.5% at nursing or public health centers.CONCLUSIONS: Introduction of NOACs in routine practice for stroke prevention in AF was associated with improved rates of overall OAC use. However, significant practice-level variations in OAC and NOAC use remain producing social inequalities of OAC despite full reimbursement.
Anticoagulants ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Humans ; Insurance ; Korea ; National Health Programs ; Nursing ; Odds Ratio ; Public Health ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Stroke ; Tertiary Care Centers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Nationwide social inequalities of oral anticoagulation (OAC) usage after the introduction of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have not been well identified in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). This study assessed overall rate and social inequalities of OAC usage after the introduction of NOAC in Korea. METHODS: Between January 2002 and December 2016, we identified 888,540 patients with AF in the Korea National Health Insurance system database. The change of OAC rate in different medical systems after the introduction of NOAC were evaluated. RESULTS: In all population, overall OAC use increased from 13.2% to 23.4% (p for trend <0.001), and NOAC use increased from 0% to 14.6% (p for trend <0.001). Compared with pre-reimbursement (0.48%), the annual increase of OAC use was significantly higher after partial (1.16%, p<0.001), and full reimbursement of OAC (3.72%, p<0.001). Full reimbursement of NOAC (adjusted odds ratio, 2.10; 95% confidence interval, 2.04–2.15) was independently associated with higher OAC use. However, the difference of overall OAC usage between tertiary referral hospitals and nursing or public health centers increased from 17.9% in 2010 to 36.8% in 2016. Moreover, usage rate of NOAC was significantly different among different medical systems from 37.2% at the tertiary referral hospital and 5.5% at nursing or public health centers. CONCLUSIONS Introduction of NOACs in routine practice for stroke prevention in AF was associated with improved rates of overall OAC use. However, significant practice-level variations in OAC and NOAC use remain producing social inequalities of OAC despite full reimbursement.

Despite advancements in treating ruptured cerebral aneurysms, an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is still a grave cerebrovascular disease associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Based on the literature published to date, worldwide academic and governmental committees have developed clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) to propose standards for disease management in order to achieve the best treatment outcomes for aSAHs. In 2013, the Korean Society of Cerebrovascular Surgeons issued a Korean version of the CPGs for aSAHs. The group researched all articles and major foreign CPGs published in English until December 2015 using several search engines. Based on these articles, levels of evidence and grades of recommendations were determined by our society as well as by other related Quality Control Committees from neurointervention, neurology and rehabilitation medicine. The Korean version of the CPGs for aSAHs includes risk factors, diagnosis, initial management, medical and surgical management to prevent rebleeding, management of delayed cerebral ischemia and vasospasm, treatment of hydrocephalus, treatment of medical complications and early rehabilitation. The CPGs are not the absolute standard but are the present reference as the evidence is still incomplete, each environment of clinical practice is different, and there is a high probability of variation in the current recommendations. The CPGs will be useful in the fields of clinical practice and research.
Aneurysm ; Brain Ischemia ; Cerebrovascular Disorders ; Diagnosis ; Disease Management ; Hydrocephalus ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Mortality ; Neurology ; Quality Control ; Rehabilitation ; Risk Factors ; Search Engine ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Surgeons

Metronidazole is a widely used antibiotic for the treatment of anaerobic bacterial infections. Metronidazole-induced encephalopathy (MIEP) is a rare but potentially reversible disease. The mechanism of MIEP remains unclear, and differences in the neurotoxic effects of oral versus intravenous (IV) metronidazole administration have not yet been determined. We report the case of a Crohn's disease (CD) patient who experienced encephalopathy immediately after a single IV dose of metronidazole following long-term exposure to the oral form of the drug. The 64-year-old man with intractable CD experienced a sudden change in mental status, aphasia, and muscle weakness after IV administration of metronidazole. He had previously taken metronidazole orally for 13 years and received intermittent IV metronidazole treatments for CD exacerbation. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed high-intensity signals in the bilateral medial thalamus and the midbrain and pontine tegmentum on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images. After discontinuation of metronidazole, the high-intensity brain MRI signals resolved and the patient's mental status dramatically improved; however, the patient exhibited mild cognitive dysfunction 2 months after the onset of encephalopathy.
Aphasia ; Bacterial Infections ; Brain ; Brain Diseases* ; Brain Diseases, Metabolic ; Crohn Disease* ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mesencephalon ; Metronidazole ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Weakness ; Pontine Tegmentum ; Thalamus

BACKGROUND/AIMS: According to the results of several studies, the outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) reactivation is not as severe as the outcome of hepatitis B virus reactivation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pharmacological immunosuppression on HCV reactivation. METHODS: The medical records of patients who underwent systemic chemotherapy, corticosteroid therapy, or other immunosuppressive therapies between January 2008 and March 2015 were reviewed. Subsequently, 202 patients who were seropositive for the anti-HCV antibody were enrolled. Exclusion criteria were: unavailability of data on HCV RNA levels, a history of treatment for chronic hepatitis C, and the presence of liver diseases other than a chronic HCV infection. RESULTS: Among the 120 patients enrolled in this study, hepatitis was present in 46 patients (38%). None of the patients were diagnosed with severe hepatitis. Enhanced replication of HCV was noted in nine (27%) of the 33 patients who had data available on both basal and follow-up HCV RNA loads. Reappearance of the HCV RNA from an undetectable state did not occur after treatment. The cumulative rate of enhanced HCV replication was 23% at 1 year and 30% at 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Although enhanced HCV replication is relatively common in HCV-infected patients treated with chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy, it does not lead to serious sequelae.
Drug Therapy* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepacivirus* ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Liver Diseases ; Medical Records ; RNA

Hip arthroscopy has been useful for resolving unexplained pains of the hip joint, despite its clinical applicability came after many other joints. Surgical indications have been increasing recently. Moreover, additional surgical techniques allow both the anatomy and function to return to its normal state. Recently, the concepts and treatments for extra-articular pathologies, such as deep gluteal syndrome, ischiofemoral impingement, subspinal impingement and iliopsoas impingement as well as classic indication, such as femoroacetabular impingement, acetabular labral tear, loose bodies, and synovial osteochondromatosis have been introduced. We present a diagnosis and treatment for diverse indications of hip arthroscopy, preoperative considerations, surgical technique and postoperative rehabilitation.
Acetabulum ; Arthroscopy* ; Chondromatosis, Synovial ; Diagnosis ; Femoracetabular Impingement ; Hip Joint ; Hip* ; Joints ; Pathology ; Rehabilitation ; Tears

PURPOSE: Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and dissemination of its training are essential to improve the survival outcomes of sudden cardiac death. The purpose of this study was to investigate the tri-temporal trend analysis of the national CPR capacity variables and preparedness in a community. METHODS: This nationwide population-based study used structured questionnaire by a telephone survey for CPR in 2007 (n=1,029), in 2011 (n=1,000), and in 2015 (n=1,000). We used stratified cluster sampling to assess the impact of age, gender, and geographic regions. The contents in the questionnaire consisted of CPR awareness, self-efficacy for bystander CPR, prior training status, and willingness of public CPR training. RESULTS: The proportion of CPR awareness and its recent training experience (<2 years) increased from 89.0% and 14.6%, respectively, in 2007 to 88.5% and 18.7% in 2011, and finally to 94.8% and 30.6% in 2015 (both p for trend<0.001). More than 95% of respondents had agreed to mandatory CPR training acquiring a driver's license or CPR education in school. The awareness of Good Samaritan Law was increased from 20.5% in 2011 to 28.7% in 2015; however, the overall values were lower than the other CPR-related awareness and preparedness. CONCLUSION: In Korea, the trends of national CPR capacity index have been increasing during the past decade. However, the public awareness of the Good Samaritan Law was still low. We suggest that promoting the Good Samaritan Law should be the next step in preparing public CPR training in the future.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation* ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; Education ; Health Services Needs and Demand ; Humans ; Jurisprudence ; Korea ; Licensure ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Telephone

The prognostic significance of age in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a subject of debate. The aim of the present multi-institutional study was to evaluate the impact of age on clinicopathological features and survival in a large cohort of patients with RCC. A total of 5,178 patients who underwent surgery for RCC at eight institutions in Korea between 1999 and 2011 were categorized into three groups according to age at diagnosis as follows: young age (< 40 years, n = 541), middle-age (≥ 40 and < 60 years, n = 2,551), and old age (≥ 60 years, n = 2,096) groups. Clinicopathological variables and survival rates were compared between the three groups. Young patients had lower stage tumors with a low Fuhrman grade, a lower rate of lymphovascular invasion than patients in the other age groups. Regarding histologic type, the young age group had a lower percentage of clear cell histology and a greater incidence of Xp11.2 translocation RCC. Kaplan-Meier estimates showed that cancer-specific survival was significantly better in the young age group than in the other groups (log rank test, P = 0.008). However, age at diagnosis was not an independent predictor of survival in multivariate analysis. In conclusion, young age at diagnosis was associated with favorable pathologic features, although it was not an independent prognostic factor for survival in patients with surgically-treated RCC. Age itself should not be regarded as a crucial determinant for the treatment of RCC.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Cohort Studies ; Diagnosis* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Multivariate Analysis ; Nephrectomy ; Recurrence ; Survival Rate