Purpose: This study evaluated the clinical outcomes and prognostic factors in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) and locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) treated with upfront FOLFIRINOX followed by local-regional therapy (LRT), surgical resection (SR), and radiotherapy (RT). We aimed to identify specific patient subgroups for which RT may serve as a reasonable alternative to SR for local tumor control. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 116 patients (SR group, n= 70; RT group, n= 46) at a single center between 2015 and 2020. Survival outcomes were compared based on LRT modalities, focusing on identifying subgroups in which RT provided an efficacy comparable to that of SR. Results: Among 116 patients, the SR group achieved a significantly higher 5-year overall survival (OS) than the RT group (27.1% vs. 8.7%, P< 0.0001), despite similar progression-free survival (P= 0.23). Significant prognostic factors for OS included carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) response in BRPC (P= 0.02) and radiologic partial response in LAPC (P= 0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed that, while SR provided a survival advantage in CA19-9 responders, no significant difference in OS was observed between SR and RT in CA19-9 non-responders (P= 0.37). Conclusion Although surgery remains the gold standard, RT may be considered a justifiable local alternative for CA19-9 non-responders and surgically ineligible patients with LAPC, yielding comparable outcomes in these specific, biologically unfavorable subgroups.

Septal perforation is an anatomical defect of the nasal septum that leads to impaired nasal function, including obstruction and respiratory issues. In this study, a novel surgical approach was introduced to address septal perforations, focusing on the use of costal composite chondro-perichondrial grafts bilaterally in a symmetric manner. This composite graft, composed of costal cartilage and perichondrium, provides mechanical support, aids vascularization, and minimizes perichondrial shrinkage. A case study of a 23-year-old patient with septal perforation resulting from multiple rhinoplasty procedures is presented. The surgical procedure involved the use of a composite graft to close the septal perforation and correct the nasal deformity. The postoperative results demonstrated successful septal perforation closure and relief from nasal discomfort. This study highlights the advantages of this method, particularly its simplicity and straightforward surgical procedures for closing septal perforations of various sizes, and its suitability for rhinoplasty surgeons who are familiar with costal cartilage harvesting.

This article, which comprises the third part of a series on surgical anatomy for Asian rhinoplasty, addresses the lower one-third of the nose, including the alar cartilage and tip-supporting structures, known as distal mobile framework. As discussed in earlier parts of this series, diversity in surgical anatomy results in different surgical techniques in Asian rhinoplasty compared to rhinoplasty in Caucasian patients. Nasal tip structures are especially important due to their crucial importance for changing the nasal shape in Asians. This article, along with the previous ones, will provide both basic and advanced knowledge of practical surgical anatomy for Asian rhinoplasty.

Moyamoya syndrome (MMS) associated with hyperthyroidism, such as Graves’ disease, is a rare condition that causes ischemic stroke with thyrotoxicity. A 43-year-old woman with symptoms of right hemiparesis was admitted. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed a small cerebral infarction in the left frontal lobe. Cerebral angiography revealed multi-vessel intracranial occlusive disease. Several days later, neurologic deterioration and aggravation of cerebral infarction developed due to a thyroid storm. A thyroid function test revealed the following: thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) ＜0.01 μunits/mL (reference range, 0.55–4.78 μunits/mL); triiodo-thyronine ＞8.0 ng/mL (reference range, 0.77–1.81 ng/mL); free thyroxine (T4) of 9.47 pmol/L (reference range, 11.4–22.6 pmol/L); and TSH receptor antibody of 37.10 U/L (reference range, 0–10 U/L). For thyroid storm management, we initiated treatment with methimazole, Gemstein’s solution, and hydrocortisone. Finally, the thyroid disease was controlled, and neurologic deficits improved. We describe a case of acute cerebral infarction combined with a thyroid storm in a patient with Moyamoya syndrome and Graves’ disease. Hyperthyroidism such as Graves’ disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis for patho-etiologic mechanisms associated with MMS. A cerebrovascular disease with a thyroid storm can lead to severe mortality and morbidity. Prompt diagnosis and strict treatment are important.

Background: Ear cartilage is a preferred graft material in rhinoplasty. However, after harvest, instability of the auricular framework may arise as a form of donor site morbidity. In the harvest of ear cartilage, the posterior auricular ligament (PAL) is usually sacrificed in order to obtain as much cartilage as possible. Since damage to the PAL may cause auricular instability, we studied the periauricular anatomy using cadavers and evaluated auricular stability during surgery. Methods: Six ears from hemifacial cadavers were studied to clarify the exact anatomy of the PAL. Then, the recoil force of the auricle was serially measured to evaluate the stability of the auricular framework in 30 patients during surgery: before making the skin incision (M1), before and after cutting the PAL (M2, M3), and after harvesting the cymba concha (M4). The differences in force observed after cutting the PAL (ΔM2–M3) and after harvesting the cymba concha (ΔM3–M4) were statistically analyzed. Results: In the cadaveric study, the PAL was identified between the superficial and deep mastoid fasciae and connected the caudal aspect of the cymba concha to the deep mastoid fascia. During surgery, the PAL accounted for 16.20% of the total auricular recoil force. The recoil force decreased by 13.61 N and 11.25 N after cutting the PAL and harvesting the cymba concha, respectively. These decreases were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions The results suggest that the PAL is a supporting structure of the auricle. Therefore, to preserve auricular stability, minimizing damage to the PAL while harvesting the ear cartilage may be helpful.

Objective: : Rapid dissolution of blood clots reduces vasospasm and hydrocephalus after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and locally administered fibrinolytic drugs (LAFDs) could facilitate the dissolution. However, the efficacy of LAFDs remains controversial. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the efficacy of LAFDs for vasospasm and hydrocephalus and in clinical outcomes. Methods: : From PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane database, data were extracted by two authors. Meta-analysis was performed using a random effect model. Inclusion criteria were patients who had LAFDs with urokinase-type or recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator after SAH in comparison with medically untreated patients with fibrinolytic drugs. We only included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in this analysis. The outcomes of interest were vasospasm, hydrocephalus, mortality, and 90-day unfavorable functional outcome. Results: : Data from eight RCTs with 550 patients were included. Pooled-analysis revealed that the LAFDs were significantly associated with lower rates of vasospasm (LAFDs group vs. control group, 26.5% vs. 39.2%; odds ratio [OR], 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.32–0.73); hydrocephalus (LAFDs group vs. control group, 26.0% vs. 31.6%; OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.32–0.91); and mortality (LAFDs group vs. control group, 10.5% vs. 15.7%; OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.34–0.99). The proportion of 90-day unfavorable outcomes was lower in the LAFDs group (LAFDs group vs. control group, 32.7% vs. 43.5%; OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.37–0.80). Conclusion : This meta-analysis with eight RCTs indicated that LAFDs were significantly associated with lower rates of vasospasm and hydrocephalus after SAH. Thus, LAFDs could consequently reduce mortality and improve clinical outcome after SAH.

The computer vision diagnostic approach currently generates several malaria diagnostic tools. It enhances the accessible and straightforward diagnostics that necessary for clinics and health centers in malaria-endemic areas. A new computer malaria diagnostics tool called the malaria scanner was used to investigate living malaria parasites with easy sample preparation, fast and user-friendly. The cultured Plasmodium parasites were used to confirm the sensitivity of this technique then compared to fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis and light microscopic examination. The measured percentage of parasitemia by the malaria scanner revealed higher precision than microscopy and was similar to FACS. The coefficients of variation of this technique were 1.2-6.7% for Plasmodium knowlesi and 0.3-4.8% for P. falciparum. It allowed determining parasitemia levels of 0.1% or higher, with coefficient of variation smaller than 10%. In terms of the precision range of parasitemia, both high and low ranges showed similar precision results. Pearson’s correlation test was used to evaluate the correlation data coming from all methods. A strong correlation of measured parasitemia (r2=0.99, P<0.05) was observed between each method. The parasitemia analysis using this new diagnostic tool needs technical improvement, particularly in the differentiation of malaria species.

The computer vision diagnostic approach currently generates several malaria diagnostic tools. It enhances the accessible and straightforward diagnostics that necessary for clinics and health centers in malaria-endemic areas. A new computer malaria diagnostics tool called the malaria scanner was used to investigate living malaria parasites with easy sample preparation, fast and user-friendly. The cultured Plasmodium parasites were used to confirm the sensitivity of this technique then compared to fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis and light microscopic examination. The measured percentage of parasitemia by the malaria scanner revealed higher precision than microscopy and was similar to FACS. The coefficients of variation of this technique were 1.2-6.7% for Plasmodium knowlesi and 0.3-4.8% for P. falciparum. It allowed determining parasitemia levels of 0.1% or higher, with coefficient of variation smaller than 10%. In terms of the precision range of parasitemia, both high and low ranges showed similar precision results. Pearson’s correlation test was used to evaluate the correlation data coming from all methods. A strong correlation of measured parasitemia (r2=0.99, P<0.05) was observed between each method. The parasitemia analysis using this new diagnostic tool needs technical improvement, particularly in the differentiation of malaria species.

Objective: Cranioplasty (CP) and ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) are required procedures following decompressive craniectomy (DC) for craniofacial protection and to prevent hydrocephalus. This study assessed the safety and efficacy of simultaneous operation with CP and VPS after DC, and determined the preoperative risk factors for postoperative complications. Methods: Between January 2009 and December 2019, 81 patients underwent CP and VPS in simultaneous or staged operations following DC. Cumulative medical records and radiologic data were analyzed using univariate analysis to identify factors predisposing patients to complications after CP and VPS. Results: CP and VPS were performed as simultaneous or staged operations in 18 (22.2%) and 63 (77.8%) patients, respectively. The overall postoperative complication rate was 16.0% (13/81). Patients who underwent simultaneous CP and VPS were significantly more likely to experience complications when compared with patients who underwent staged operations (33.3% vs. 9.6%, p<0.01). Univariate analysis revealed that simultaneous CP and VPS surgery was the only significant predictor of postoperative complications (p=0.031). Conclusion This study provided detailed data on surgical timing and complications for CP and VPS after DC. We showed that simultaneous procedures were a significant risk factor for postoperative complications.

Surgical anatomy for Asian rhinoplasty Part I reviewed layered anatomy with neurovascular system of the nose. Part II discusses upper two-thirds of nose which consists of nasal bony and cartilaginous structures. Nasal physiology is mentioned briefly since there are several key structures that are important in nasal function. Following Part III will cover lower one-third of nose including in-depth anatomic structures which are important for advanced Asian rhinoplasty.