Background: Atherogenic dyslipidemia, which is frequently associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and insulin resistance, contributes to the development of vascular complications. Statin therapy is the primary approach to dyslipidemia management in T2D, however, the role of non-statin therapy remains unclear. Ezetimibe reduces cholesterol burden by inhibiting intestinal cholesterol absorption. Fibrates lower triglyceride levels and increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels via peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor alpha agonism. Therefore, when combined, these drugs effectively lower non-HDL-C levels. Despite this, few clinical trials have specifically targeted non-HDL-C, and the efficacy of triple combination therapies, including statins, ezetimibe, and fibrates, has yet to be determined. Methods: This is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, active-comparator controlled trial involving 3,958 eligible participants with T2D, cardiovascular risk factors, and elevated non-HDL-C (≥100 mg/dL). Participants, already on moderate-intensity statins, will be randomly assigned to either Ezefeno (ezetimibe/fenofibrate) addition or statin dose-escalation. The primary end point is the development of a composite of major adverse cardiovascular and diabetic microvascular events over 48 months. Conclusion This trial aims to assess whether combining statins, ezetimibe, and fenofibrate is as effective as, or possibly superior to, statin monotherapy intensification in lowering cardiovascular and microvascular disease risk for patients with T2D. This could propose a novel therapeutic approach for managing dyslipidemia in T2D.

Objective: This study examined whether the changes in reimbursement coverage of brain magnetic resonance image (MRI) affected practice for patients who visited the emergency department with dizziness as the chief complaint. Methods: Among the 5,423 patients who visited the emergency department for dizziness in 2017, 2019, and 2021, 4,497 patients were included in the study retrospectively and investigated by brain diffusion-weighted MRI and the presence of cerebral infarction on brain diffusion-weighted MRI. This study examined whether there was a significant difference before and after the change. Results: In 2017, 2019, and 2021, 1,489, 1,570, and 1,438 patients with dizziness visited the emergency department, respectively. The number of patients who underwent a brain MRI scan gradually increased from 237 (15.9%) in 2017 to 628 (40.0%) in 2019 and 948 (65.9%) in 2021 (P<0.001). The number of positive findings on brain MRI scan increased gradually from 30 patients (2.0%) in 2017 to 47 patients (3.0%) in 2019 and 53 patients (3.7%) in 2021 (P=0.025). The ratio of positive findings of brain MRI scans to the number of patients who underwent brain MRI scans decreased gradually to 12.7% in 2017, 7.5% in 2019, and 5.6% in 2021 (P=0.001). Conclusion The changes in the reimbursement coverage of brain MRI affect the number of brain MRI scans and the detection of cerebral infarction.

Background/Aims: We evaluated the feasibility and long-term efficacy of the combination of cytarabine, idarubicin, and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) for treating patients with newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Methods: We included 87 patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia and a t(15;17) or promyelocytic leukemia/retinoic acid receptor alpha (PML-RARα) mutation. Patients received 12 mg/m2/day idarubicin intravenously for 3 days and 100 mg/m2/day cytarabine for 7 days, plus 45 mg/m2/day ATRA. Clinical outcomes included complete remission (CR), relapse-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), and the secondary malignancy incidence during a 20-year follow-up. Results: The CR, 10-year RFS, and 10-year OS rates were 89.7%, 94.1%, and 73.8%, respectively, for all patients. The 10-year OS rate was 100% for patients that achieved CR. Subjects were classified according to the white blood cell (WBC) count in peripheral blood at diagnosis (low-risk, WBC < 10,000/mm3; high-risk, WBC ≥ 10,000/mm3). The low-risk group had significantly higher RFS and OS rates than the high-risk group, but the outcomes were not superior to the current standard treatment (arsenic trioxide plus ATRA). Toxicities were similar to those observed with anthracycline plus ATRA, and higher than those observed with arsenic trioxide plus ATRA. The secondary malignancy incidence after APL treatment was 2.7%, among the 75 patients that achieved CR, and 5.0% among the 40 patients that survived more than 5 years after the APL diagnosis. Conclusions Adding cytarabine to anthracycline plus ATRA was not inferior to anthracycline plus ATRA alone, but it was not comparable to arsenic trioxide plus ATRA. The probability of secondary malignancy was low.

Malignant hyperthermia is an extremely rare, potentially lethal disorder that occurs in susceptible patients who are exposed to triggering agents such as volatile anesthetic gases or depolarizing muscle relaxants. The clinical manifestations of malignant hyperthermia include hypermetabolism, hyperthermia, hypercapnia, and sustained skeletal muscle rigidity, which result in cardiac arrest, brain damage, and death. It is associated with a high morbidity and mortality rate if not recognized immediately and treated appropriately. We report a case of suspected malignant hyperthermia in a young male patient undergoing axillary osmidrosis surgery.

Severe facial burns on the peaking portion of the face, such as the nose, and the central facial structure, such as the upper lip, significantly result in ugly facial features. Beyond the functional effects of facial burns, the aesthetic component is critical, and reconstructing these facial postburn scar deformities is always challenging for plastic surgeons. Herein, we present our clinical experience in reconstructing severe postburn scar deformities of the distal nose and philtrum area due to extensive deep burns. The deformed area on the nasal dorsum was reconstructed with ala transdomal turn-over scar flap (ATTSF) and full-thickness skin graft. The philtrum was reconstructed using the fenestrated conchal cartilage composite graft.

Ketamine is used widely in emergency departments for a variety of purposes, including procedural sedation for facial laceration in pediatric patients. The major benefits are its rapid onset of effects, relatively short half-life, and lack of respiratory depression. The known side effects of ketamine are hallucinations, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Seizure is not a known side effect of ketamine in patients without a seizure history. Here, we present the case of a patient in whom ketamine likely induced a generalized tonic-clonic seizure when used as a single agent in procedural sedation for facial laceration repair. The aim of this article is to report a rare and unexpected side effect of ketamine used at the regular dose for procedural sedation. This novel case should be of interest to not only emergency physicians but also plastic surgeons.

Poroid hidradenoma has both features of hidradenoma and poroma. The histological hidradenoma framework consisting of solid and cystic components, and the presence of poroid and cuticular cells resembling a poroid neoplasm. Despite transforming into malignant neoplasm only in < 1% of cases, its histological characteristics may resemble those of malignant neoplasms. Although the risk of malignant transformation is very low, surgical excision is recommended to prevent growth and/or recurrence. To date, very few cases of poroid hidradenoma have been reported in the literature. Herein, we present a case of poroid hidradenoma on the scalp of a 74-year-old woman.