Spinal melanocytoma (SMC) is a rare, slow-growing tumor arising from melanocytes in the spinal cord. We report a patient with a cervical intra- and extradural spinal tumor causing progressive weakness and numbness. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the lesion showed intense homogeneous enhancement, similar to that seen in common neurogenic spinal tumors. After complete resection, pathological examination confirmed melanocytoma. A review of previously reported cases identified 26 reports of this tumor in the cervical spine, most of which were treated with complete surgical resection. Gross total resection is the preferred treatment, although radiation therapy may be considered when residual tumor remains. We report a 25-year-old male patient who presented with progressive weakness and numbness in both the upper and lower extremities for 3 months. MRI showed homogeneous enhancement. The mass compressed the spinal cord at C6–7 and extended through the neural foramen. Based on the MRI findings, spinal schwannoma was suspected preoperatively. Surgical resection was performed with laminectomy, durotomy, and right facetectomy. A dark-colored mass with well-demarcated margins was exposed and removed. Postoperative MRI confirmed complete removal of the mass. The patient recovered well, and his preoperative myelopathic symptoms gradually improved. SMC is a rare benign tumor that may be mistaken for schwannoma. The treatment of choice is gross total resection.

Background/Aims: Chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) requires symptom relief and treatment of associated conditions. In this study, we aimed to compare anti-reflux mucosectomy (ARMS) and Stretta radiofrequency (SRF) for treating patients with chronic GERD who are unresponsive to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and to identify the indications for each procedure. Methods: Data of patients who underwent ARMS or SRF between March 2021 and April 2023 were analyzed. Changes in GERD questionnaire (GERDQ) scores, endoscopic Los Angeles (LA) grade, flap valve grade (FVG) based on Hill’s type, EndoFLIP distensibility index (DI), endoscopic Barrett’s epithelium (BE) resolution rate, and PPI withdrawal rate were compared between the two groups. Results: Improvements in the GERDQ scores and PPI withdrawal rates were similar between the groups. The ARMS group showed significantly better changes in endoscopic LA grade, FVG, and EndoFLIP DI than the SRF group. The complications were more prevalent in the ARMS group than in the SRF group. Conclusions The change in endoscopic LA grade before and after the procedure was significantly higher in the ARMS group than in the SRF group. Significant improvements in endoscopic FVG, BE resolution, and EndoFLIP DI were observed only with the ARMS group.

Background/Aims: Chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) requires symptom relief and treatment of associated conditions. In this study, we aimed to compare anti-reflux mucosectomy (ARMS) and Stretta radiofrequency (SRF) for treating patients with chronic GERD who are unresponsive to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and to identify the indications for each procedure. Methods: Data of patients who underwent ARMS or SRF between March 2021 and April 2023 were analyzed. Changes in GERD questionnaire (GERDQ) scores, endoscopic Los Angeles (LA) grade, flap valve grade (FVG) based on Hill’s type, EndoFLIP distensibility index (DI), endoscopic Barrett’s epithelium (BE) resolution rate, and PPI withdrawal rate were compared between the two groups. Results: Improvements in the GERDQ scores and PPI withdrawal rates were similar between the groups. The ARMS group showed significantly better changes in endoscopic LA grade, FVG, and EndoFLIP DI than the SRF group. The complications were more prevalent in the ARMS group than in the SRF group. Conclusions The change in endoscopic LA grade before and after the procedure was significantly higher in the ARMS group than in the SRF group. Significant improvements in endoscopic FVG, BE resolution, and EndoFLIP DI were observed only with the ARMS group.

Background/Aims: Chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) requires symptom relief and treatment of associated conditions. In this study, we aimed to compare anti-reflux mucosectomy (ARMS) and Stretta radiofrequency (SRF) for treating patients with chronic GERD who are unresponsive to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and to identify the indications for each procedure. Methods: Data of patients who underwent ARMS or SRF between March 2021 and April 2023 were analyzed. Changes in GERD questionnaire (GERDQ) scores, endoscopic Los Angeles (LA) grade, flap valve grade (FVG) based on Hill’s type, EndoFLIP distensibility index (DI), endoscopic Barrett’s epithelium (BE) resolution rate, and PPI withdrawal rate were compared between the two groups. Results: Improvements in the GERDQ scores and PPI withdrawal rates were similar between the groups. The ARMS group showed significantly better changes in endoscopic LA grade, FVG, and EndoFLIP DI than the SRF group. The complications were more prevalent in the ARMS group than in the SRF group. Conclusions The change in endoscopic LA grade before and after the procedure was significantly higher in the ARMS group than in the SRF group. Significant improvements in endoscopic FVG, BE resolution, and EndoFLIP DI were observed only with the ARMS group.

This is a case report of complete mouth rehabilitation in a patient with generalized attrition and loss of posterior support. After analyzing the condition of the temporomandibular joint, multiple implants were placed to restore collapsed occlusion. Fixture/abutment level intraoral scanning was done instead of using conventional impression materials which entail multiple bite registration for cross-mounting. A ‘jaw motion tracking’device, ‘digital face-bow transfer’, and ‘double scan technique’ which enables duplicating temporary restoration to definitive restoration were used to fabricate definitive prostheses. By using various digital techniques, complete mouth rehabilitation was done with minimal chair time in a patient with unstable occlusion.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between the finish line designs and the marginal adaptation of nonprecious metal alloy coping produced by different digital manufacturing methods. Materials and methods: Nonprecious metal alloy copings were made respectively from each master model with three different methods; SLS, milling and casting by computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM). Twelve copings were made by each method resulting in 72 copings in total. The measurement was conducted at 40 determined reference points along the circumferential margin with the confocal laser scanning microscope at magnification ×150. Results Mean values of marginal gap of laser sintered copings were 11.8 ± 7.4 μm for deep chamfer margin and 6.3 ± 3.5 μm for rounded shoulder margin and the difference between them was statistically significant (P < .0001). Mean values of marginal gap of casted copings were 18.8 ± 20.2 μm for deep chamfer margin and 33 ± 20.5 μm for rounded shoulder margin and the difference between them was significant (P = .0004). Conclusion: Within the limitation of this study, the following conclusions were drawn. 1. The variation of finish line design influences the marginal adaptation of laser sintered metal coping and casted metal coping. 2. Laser sintered copings with rounded shoulder margin had better marginal fit than deep chamfer margin. 3. Casted copings with deep chamfer margin had better marginal fit than rounded shoulder margin. 4. According to the manufacturing method, SLS system showed the best marginal fit among three different methods. Casting and milling method followed that in order.

This study aimed to compare the surface characteristics and the shear bond strength of veneering porcelain of 3D printed 4Y-TZP with milled 4Y-TZP. Thirty disks with 10 mm diameter and 1.2 mm thickness were fabricated. Fifteen were fabricated by 3D printing (Experimental group), and another 15 by milling (Control group). In each group, five were assigned to surface analysis. Surface roughness was measured using a confocal laser microscope. Surface energy was calculated by measuring the contact angles of water and diiodo-methane with a drop-shape analyzer. Another ten specimens were used to evaluate the shear bonding strength of veneering porcelain on the surface of 4Y-TZP. The surface of 3D-printed 4Y-TZP was very smooth, and the surface roughness (Ra, Rq) was significantly lower than that of milled 4Y-TZP (p<0.001). 3D-printed 4Y-TZP showed low wettability compared with milled 4Y-TZP, i.e., the water contact angle was significantly high (p=0.008), and the surface free energy was low (p=0.008). The shear bond strength to veneered porcelain of 3D printed 4Y-TZP was significantly lower than that of milled 4Y-TZP (p<0.001). The surface characteristics of 4Y-TZP were quite different by the manufacturing process. The smooth surface and low wettability of 3D-printed 4Y-TZP could affect its low shear bonding strength to veneering porcelain.