We present a case of iatrogenic lumbar foraminal stenosis caused by bone-cement leakage during vertebroplasty, successfully managed using transforaminal endoscopic lumbar foraminotomy (TELF). Vertebroplasty is an effective treatment for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs); however, complications such as bone-cement leakage can lead to vascular or neurological issues, including lumbar radiculopathy. TELF is a minimally invasive surgical option for addressing various forms of lumbar foraminal stenosis. An 82-year-old female patient presented to Gachon University Gil Medical Center with severe right inguinal pain radiating to the anterior thigh and knee. Six months prior, she had undergone vertebroplasty at the L3 level for an osteoporotic VCF at another hospital. Following the procedure, she developed radicular leg pain with a diminished knee jerk reflex, which progressively worsened despite extensive conservative treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography revealed right-sided L3–4 foraminal stenosis caused by bone-cement leakage from the prior vertebroplasty. TELF was performed under local anesthesia to decompress the affected area. Bone-cement fragments, along with hypertrophic bone and ligaments, were successfully removed, achieving sufficient decompression of the exiting nerve root. The patient experienced immediate postoperative pain relief. This case represents the first documented instance of endoscopic decompression for iatrogenic foraminal stenosis following vertebroplasty. TELF, performed safely under local anesthesia, demonstrates its effectiveness as a minimally invasive solution for this rare complication.

We present a case of iatrogenic lumbar foraminal stenosis caused by bone-cement leakage during vertebroplasty, successfully managed using transforaminal endoscopic lumbar foraminotomy (TELF). Vertebroplasty is an effective treatment for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs); however, complications such as bone-cement leakage can lead to vascular or neurological issues, including lumbar radiculopathy. TELF is a minimally invasive surgical option for addressing various forms of lumbar foraminal stenosis. An 82-year-old female patient presented to Gachon University Gil Medical Center with severe right inguinal pain radiating to the anterior thigh and knee. Six months prior, she had undergone vertebroplasty at the L3 level for an osteoporotic VCF at another hospital. Following the procedure, she developed radicular leg pain with a diminished knee jerk reflex, which progressively worsened despite extensive conservative treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography revealed right-sided L3–4 foraminal stenosis caused by bone-cement leakage from the prior vertebroplasty. TELF was performed under local anesthesia to decompress the affected area. Bone-cement fragments, along with hypertrophic bone and ligaments, were successfully removed, achieving sufficient decompression of the exiting nerve root. The patient experienced immediate postoperative pain relief. This case represents the first documented instance of endoscopic decompression for iatrogenic foraminal stenosis following vertebroplasty. TELF, performed safely under local anesthesia, demonstrates its effectiveness as a minimally invasive solution for this rare complication.

We present a case of iatrogenic lumbar foraminal stenosis caused by bone-cement leakage during vertebroplasty, successfully managed using transforaminal endoscopic lumbar foraminotomy (TELF). Vertebroplasty is an effective treatment for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs); however, complications such as bone-cement leakage can lead to vascular or neurological issues, including lumbar radiculopathy. TELF is a minimally invasive surgical option for addressing various forms of lumbar foraminal stenosis. An 82-year-old female patient presented to Gachon University Gil Medical Center with severe right inguinal pain radiating to the anterior thigh and knee. Six months prior, she had undergone vertebroplasty at the L3 level for an osteoporotic VCF at another hospital. Following the procedure, she developed radicular leg pain with a diminished knee jerk reflex, which progressively worsened despite extensive conservative treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography revealed right-sided L3–4 foraminal stenosis caused by bone-cement leakage from the prior vertebroplasty. TELF was performed under local anesthesia to decompress the affected area. Bone-cement fragments, along with hypertrophic bone and ligaments, were successfully removed, achieving sufficient decompression of the exiting nerve root. The patient experienced immediate postoperative pain relief. This case represents the first documented instance of endoscopic decompression for iatrogenic foraminal stenosis following vertebroplasty. TELF, performed safely under local anesthesia, demonstrates its effectiveness as a minimally invasive solution for this rare complication.

We present a case of iatrogenic lumbar foraminal stenosis caused by bone-cement leakage during vertebroplasty, successfully managed using transforaminal endoscopic lumbar foraminotomy (TELF). Vertebroplasty is an effective treatment for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs); however, complications such as bone-cement leakage can lead to vascular or neurological issues, including lumbar radiculopathy. TELF is a minimally invasive surgical option for addressing various forms of lumbar foraminal stenosis. An 82-year-old female patient presented to Gachon University Gil Medical Center with severe right inguinal pain radiating to the anterior thigh and knee. Six months prior, she had undergone vertebroplasty at the L3 level for an osteoporotic VCF at another hospital. Following the procedure, she developed radicular leg pain with a diminished knee jerk reflex, which progressively worsened despite extensive conservative treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography revealed right-sided L3–4 foraminal stenosis caused by bone-cement leakage from the prior vertebroplasty. TELF was performed under local anesthesia to decompress the affected area. Bone-cement fragments, along with hypertrophic bone and ligaments, were successfully removed, achieving sufficient decompression of the exiting nerve root. The patient experienced immediate postoperative pain relief. This case represents the first documented instance of endoscopic decompression for iatrogenic foraminal stenosis following vertebroplasty. TELF, performed safely under local anesthesia, demonstrates its effectiveness as a minimally invasive solution for this rare complication.

We present a case of iatrogenic lumbar foraminal stenosis caused by bone-cement leakage during vertebroplasty, successfully managed using transforaminal endoscopic lumbar foraminotomy (TELF). Vertebroplasty is an effective treatment for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs); however, complications such as bone-cement leakage can lead to vascular or neurological issues, including lumbar radiculopathy. TELF is a minimally invasive surgical option for addressing various forms of lumbar foraminal stenosis. An 82-year-old female patient presented to Gachon University Gil Medical Center with severe right inguinal pain radiating to the anterior thigh and knee. Six months prior, she had undergone vertebroplasty at the L3 level for an osteoporotic VCF at another hospital. Following the procedure, she developed radicular leg pain with a diminished knee jerk reflex, which progressively worsened despite extensive conservative treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography revealed right-sided L3–4 foraminal stenosis caused by bone-cement leakage from the prior vertebroplasty. TELF was performed under local anesthesia to decompress the affected area. Bone-cement fragments, along with hypertrophic bone and ligaments, were successfully removed, achieving sufficient decompression of the exiting nerve root. The patient experienced immediate postoperative pain relief. This case represents the first documented instance of endoscopic decompression for iatrogenic foraminal stenosis following vertebroplasty. TELF, performed safely under local anesthesia, demonstrates its effectiveness as a minimally invasive solution for this rare complication.

Olfaction is one of the five basic human senses, and it is known to be one of the most primitive senses. The sense of olfaction may have been critical for human survival in prehistoric society, and although many believe its importance has diminished over time, it continues to have an impact on human interaction, bonding, and propagation of the species. Even if we are unaware of it, the sense of smell greatly affects our lives and is closely related to overall quality of life and health. Nonetheless, olfaction has been neglected from a scientific perspective compared to other senses. However, olfaction has recently received substantial attention since the loss of smell and taste has been noted as a key symptom of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Studies investigating olfaction loss in association with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have revealed that olfactory dysfunction can be both conductive and sensorineural, possibly causing structural changes in the brain. Olfactory training is an effective treatment for olfactory dysfunction, suggesting the reorganization of neural associations. A reduced ability to smell may also alert suspicion for neurodegenerative or psychiatric disorders. Here, we summarize the basic knowledge that we, as otorhinolaryngologists, should have about the sense of smell and the peripheral and central olfactory pathways for managing and helping patients with olfactory dysfunction.

Background: The effect of underlying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during a pandemic is controversial. The purpose of this study was to examine the prognosis of COVID-19 according to the underlying COPD. Methods: COVID-19 patients were assessed using nationwide health insurance data. Comorbidities were evaluated using the modified Charlson Comorbidity Index (mCCI) which excluded COPD from conventional CCI scores. Baseline characteristics were assessed. Univariable and multiple logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to determine effects of variables on clinical outcomes. Ages, sex, mCCI, socioeconomic status, and underlying COPD were selected as variables. Results: COPD patients showed older age (71.3±11.6 years vs. 47.7±19.1 years, p<0.001), higher mCCI (2.6±1.9 vs. 0.8±1.3, p<0.001), and higher mortality (22.9% vs. 3.2%, p<0.001) than non-COPD patients. The intensive care unit admission rate and hospital length of stay were not significantly different between the two groups. All variables were associated with mortality in univariate analysis. However, underlying COPD was not associated with mortality unlike other variables in the adjusted analysis. Older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11–1.14; p<0.001), male sex (OR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.67–3.12; p<0.001), higher mCCI (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.20–1.41; p<0.001), and medical aid insurance (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.03–2.32; p=0.035) were associated with mortality. Conclusion Underlying COPD is not associated with a poor prognosis of COVID-19.

Background/Aims: Air trapping is associated with unfavorable outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The present study evaluated the association between longitudinal changes in air trapping with pulmonary function, computed tomography (CT) parameters and exacerbation. Methods: Patients enrolled in the Korean Obstructive Lung Disease (KOLD) study cohort from June 2005 to October 2015 were included. The study patients were categorized into four groups according to the change in residual volume to total lung capacity ratio (RV/TLC) over 3 years. The RV/TLC was considered abnormal when it was ≥ 40% and normal when it was < 40%. Results: A total of 279 patients were categorized into four groups: 76 in the “normal to normal” (N→N) group, 34 in the “abnormal to normal” (A→N) group, 33 in the “normal to abnormal” (N→A) group, and 136 in the “abnormal to abnormal” (A→A) group. For forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity (FVC), respectively, group A→N showed a large increase of 266 mL (p < 0.001) and 381 mL (p < 0.001), group N→A showed a marked decrease of 216 mL (p < 0.001) and 332 mL(p = 0.029), and group A→A showed a decrease of 16 mL (p = 0.426) and 6 mL (p = 0.011) compared to group N→N. Group A→N showed a significant decrease of –0.013 in expiratory to inspiratory ratio of the mean lung density (p < 0.001), while group A→N showed an increase of 0.005 (p < 0.001). Conclusions Patients with COPD whose RV/TLC changed from normal to abnormal showed deterioration of pulmonary function and worsening of CT parameters simultaneously

Background/Aims: Air trapping is associated with unfavorable outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The present study evaluated the association between longitudinal changes in air trapping with pulmonary function, computed tomography (CT) parameters and exacerbation. Methods: Patients enrolled in the Korean Obstructive Lung Disease (KOLD) study cohort from June 2005 to October 2015 were included. The study patients were categorized into four groups according to the change in residual volume to total lung capacity ratio (RV/TLC) over 3 years. The RV/TLC was considered abnormal when it was ≥ 40% and normal when it was < 40%. Results: A total of 279 patients were categorized into four groups: 76 in the “normal to normal” (N→N) group, 34 in the “abnormal to normal” (A→N) group, 33 in the “normal to abnormal” (N→A) group, and 136 in the “abnormal to abnormal” (A→A) group. For forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity (FVC), respectively, group A→N showed a large increase of 266 mL (p < 0.001) and 381 mL (p < 0.001), group N→A showed a marked decrease of 216 mL (p < 0.001) and 332 mL(p = 0.029), and group A→A showed a decrease of 16 mL (p = 0.426) and 6 mL (p = 0.011) compared to group N→N. Group A→N showed a significant decrease of –0.013 in expiratory to inspiratory ratio of the mean lung density (p < 0.001), while group A→N showed an increase of 0.005 (p < 0.001). Conclusions Patients with COPD whose RV/TLC changed from normal to abnormal showed deterioration of pulmonary function and worsening of CT parameters simultaneously

BACKGROUND: Although the association of hyperuricemia with an increased risk of mortality has been demonstrated in the context of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the long-term outcomes of hyperuricemia have not been studied in the case of stable COPD.METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed baseline data of 240 men with stable COPD enrolled in the Korea Obstructive Lung Disease cohort. We evaluated associations between serum uric acid levels and clinical parameters, risk factors for all-cause mortality, and acute exacerbation of COPD.RESULTS: The mean age of subjects was 66.4 ± 7.7 years, and the median follow-up time was 5.9 years. We identified no significant difference in terms of lung function or laboratory findings between patients with hyperuricemia and those without. Serum uric acid level was negatively associated with systemic inflammation indicated by neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (r = −0.211, P = 0.001). Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed hyperuricemia to not be associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in men with stable COPD (hazard ratio [HR], 0.580; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.250–1.370; P = 0.213). In the multivariate Cox regression model, hyperuricemia was not an independent predictor of acute exacerbation (HR, 1.383; 95% CI, 0.977–1.959; P = 0.068).CONCLUSION: Among men with stable COPD, hyperuricemia is not an independent predictor of all-cause mortality or future acute exacerbation of COPD. These results differ from those of previous studies on patients with acute exacerbation of COPD.
Cohort Studies ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperuricemia ; Inflammation ; Korea ; Lung ; Lung Diseases, Obstructive ; Male ; Mortality ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Uric Acid