With the advent of checkpoint inhibitors, it has opened up opportunities for numerous cancer patients. However, as is the case with every treatment, complications need to be weighed. Gastrointestinal adverse effects, such as diarrhea and colitis are well-known complications for checkpoint inhibitors. In severe cases, colitis-induced colonic perforation may occur with an estimation of 1.0% to 1.5% in anti-CTLA-4 antibodies. However, only a handful of cases of such devastating complications have been reported in anti-PD-1 antibodies such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab. We here report a case of intestinal perforation in a patient treated with nivolumab.

With the advent of checkpoint inhibitors, it has opened up opportunities for numerous cancer patients. However, as is the case with every treatment, complications need to be weighed. Gastrointestinal adverse effects, such as diarrhea and colitis are well-known complications for checkpoint inhibitors. In severe cases, colitis-induced colonic perforation may occur with an estimation of 1.0% to 1.5% in anti-CTLA-4 antibodies. However, only a handful of cases of such devastating complications have been reported in anti-PD-1 antibodies such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab. We here report a case of intestinal perforation in a patient treated with nivolumab.

PURPOSE: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a deadly disease in which precision medicine needs to be incorporated. We aimed to implement next-generation sequencing (NGS) in determining actionable targets to guide appropriate molecular targeted therapy in HNSCC patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-three tumors and matched blood samples underwent targeted sequencing of 244 genes using the Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform with an average depth of coverage of greater than 1,000×. Clinicopathological data from patients were obtained from 17 centers in Korea, and were analyzed in correlation with NGS data. RESULTS: Ninety-two of the 93 tumors were amenable to data analysis. TP53 was the most common mutation, occurring in 47 (51%) patients, followed by CDKN2A (n=23, 25%), CCND1 (n=22, 24%), and PIK3CA (n=19, 21%). The total mutational burden was similar between human papillomavirus (HPV)–negative vs. positive tumors, although TP53, CDKN2A and CCND1 gene alterations occurred more frequently in HPV-negative tumors. HPV-positive tumors were significantly associated with immune signature-related genes compared to HPV-negative tumors. Mutations of NOTCH1 (p=0.027), CDKN2A (p < 0.001), and TP53 (p=0.038) were significantly associated with poorer overall survival. FAT1 mutations were highly enriched in cisplatin responders, and potentially targetable alterations such as PIK3CA E545K and CDKN2A R58X were noted in 14 patients (15%). CONCLUSION: We found several targetable genetic alterations, and our findings suggest that implementation of precision medicine in HNSCC is feasible. The predictive value of each targetable alteration should be assessed in a future umbrella trial using matched molecular targeted agents.
Biomarkers ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cisplatin ; Epithelial Cells* ; Head* ; Humans ; Korea ; Molecular Targeted Therapy ; Neck* ; Precision Medicine ; Statistics as Topic

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Currently, a new over-the-scope clip (OTSC) system has been introduced. This system has been used for gastrointestinal perforations and fistulas in other countries. The aim of our study is to examine the therapeutic success rate of endoscopic treatment using the OTSC system in Korea. METHODS: This was a multicenter prospective study. A total of seven endoscopists at seven centers performed this procedure. RESULTS: A total of 19 patients were included, with gastrointestinal leakages from anastomosis sites, fistulas, or esophageal perforations due to Boerhaave’s syndrome. Among these, there were three gastrojejunostomy sites, three esophagojejunostomy sites, four esophagogastrostomy sites, one esophagocolonostomy site, one jejuno-jejunal site, two endoscopic full thickness resection site closures, one Boerhaave’s syndrome, two esophago-bronchial fistulas, one gastrocolonic fistula, and one colonopseudocyst fistula. The size of the leakage ranged from 5 to 30 mm. The median procedure time was 16 min. All cases were technically successful. Complete closure of the leak was achieved in 14 of 19 patients using OTSC alone. CONCLUSIONS: The OTSC system is a safe and effective method for the management of gastrointestinal leakage, especially in cases of anastomotic leakage after surgery.
Anastomotic Leak ; Esophageal Perforation ; Fistula ; Gastric Bypass ; Humans ; Korea ; Methods ; Prospective Studies

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective patient data collection and investigator survey. PURPOSE: To investigate patterns of opioid treatment for pain caused by spinal disorders in Korea. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Opioid analgesic prescription and adequacy of consumption measures in Korea have markedly increased in the past decade, suggesting changing patterns in pain management practice; however, there is lack of integrated data specific to Korean population. METHODS: Patient data were collected from medical records at 34 university hospitals in Korea. Outpatients receiving opioids for pain caused by spinal disorders were included in the study. Treatment patterns, including opioid types, doses, treatment duration, outcomes, and adverse drug reactions (ADRs), were evaluated. Investigators were interviewed on their perceptions of opioid use for spinal disorders. RESULTS: Among 2,468 analyzed cases, spinal stenosis (42.8%) was the most common presentation, followed by disc herniation (24.2%) and vertebral fracture (17.5%). In addition, a greater proportion of patients experienced severe pain (73.9%) rather than moderate (19.9%) or mild (0.7%) pain. Oxycodone (51.9%) and fentanyl (50.8%) were the most frequently prescribed opioids; most patients were prescribed relatively low doses. The median duration of opioid treatment was 84 days. Pain relief was superior in patients with longer treatment duration (≥2 months) or with nociceptive pain than in those with shorter treatment duration or with neuropathic or mixed-type pain. ADRs were observed in 8.6% of cases. According to the investigators' survey, "excellent analgesic effect" was a perceived advantage of opioids, while safety concerns were a disadvantage. CONCLUSIONS: Opioid usage patterns in patients with spinal disorders are in alignment with international guidelines for spinal pain management. Future prospective studies may address the suitability of opioids for spinal pain treatment by using appropriate objective measurement tools.
Analgesics, Opioid ; Chronic Pain ; Data Collection ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; Fentanyl ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Korea* ; Medical Records ; Nociceptive Pain ; Outpatients ; Oxycodone ; Pain Management ; Prescriptions ; Prospective Studies ; Research Personnel ; Retrospective Studies* ; Spinal Diseases ; Spinal Stenosis ; Spine

STUDY DESIGN: A case report. OBJECTIVES: To report a rare case of remote cerebellar hemorrhage (RCH) as a complication of spinal surgery. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Remote cerebellar hemorrhage is rare but lethal as a complication of spinal surgery. Interestingly, dural tears and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage are reported in all published cases of RCH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 67-year-old man had posterior lumbar decompression and posterolateral fusion for spinal stenosis at L4/5/S1. Intraoperatively, the dura was torn and there was a loss of CSF. The dural tear was sutured immediately in a water-tight manner. After surgery, the patient complained of headache and dizziness. On postoperative day 44, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed meningeal enhancement suggesting meningitis. On postoperative day 54, brain computed tomography (CT) showed cerebellar edema and hemorrhage, and external ventricular derivation was performed. RESULTS: The patient died. CONCLUSIONS: Special attention should be paid to prevent dural damage during spinal surgery or minimize CSF leakage in the case of dural damage and tears during spinal surgery, and CT and MRI should be promptly performed for symptomatic patients.
Aged ; Brain ; Cerebrospinal Fluid* ; Decompression ; Dizziness ; Edema ; Headache ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Meningitis* ; Spinal Stenosis ; Tears

While a sprain of the hamstring muscle is relatively common in athletes or those who participate in physically active sports, a complete rupture of the proximal hamstring is relatively rare. A rupture of the long head of the biceps femoris without rupture of the semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscles has rarely been reported. In this study, we saw relatively favorable outcomes after reattachment with a suture anchor at the ischial tuberosity in two patients who had a rupture of the long head of the biceps femoris.
Athletes ; Head ; Humans ; Muscles ; Rupture* ; Sports ; Sprains and Strains ; Suture Anchors

STUDY DESIGN: A case report. OBJECTIVES: To report a rare case of epidermoid cyst in the spinal canal. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Epidermoid cyst in the spinal canal is rare. Idiopathic epidermoid cyst in the spinal canal not associated with a trauma or infection is even rarer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 73 year-old female presented with a 1 year history of progressive paresthesia and motor weakness of both lower extremeties. MRI showed a cystic mass on the 7th thoracic canal. We performed total laminectomy at the T6-T8 level. The cystic mass was excised after durotomy using a posterior approach. RESULTS: We confirmed the presence of an epidermoid cyst for histopathology. CONCLUSION: Idiopathic epidermoid cyst in the spine is very rare and requires accurate differential diagnosis. Preoperative MRI scans are necessary to differentiatie epidermoid cysts from other intradural masses. Confirmative diagnosis can be done by histopatholoty.
Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Epidermal Cyst* ; Female ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Paresthesia ; Spinal Canal ; Spine

BACKGROUND: Meniscus tears are commonly associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures. It is essential to repair meniscal tears as much as possible to prevent early osteoarthritis and to gain additional stability in the knee joint. We evaluated the results of arthroscopic all-inside repair using the Meniscal Viper Repair System (Arthrex) on meniscus tears simultaneously with ACL reconstruction. METHODS: Nineteen out of 22 patients who were treated with arthroscopic all-inside repair using the Meniscal Viper Repair System for meniscus tear associated with ACL rupture were evaluated. ACL reconstructions were performed at the same period. The mean follow-up period was 16.5 months (range, 12 to 24 months). The clinical results of the meniscus repair were evaluated by symptoms (such as catching or locking), tenderness, effusion, range of motion limitation, and the McMurray test. Clinical success was defined by negative results in all five categories. The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score was evaluated. Objective results were evaluated with secondary look arthroscopy or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The MRI results were categorized as completely repaired, incompletely repaired, and failure by Henning's classification. The results of second-look arthroscopy were evaluated with the criteria of meniscal healing. RESULTS: The clinical success rate was 95.4% and the HSS scores were 93.9 +/- 5.4 at the final follow-up. According to Henning's classification, 15 out of 18 cases showed complete healing (83.3%) and two cases (11.1%) showed incomplete healing. Seventeen out of 18 cases that underwent second-look arthroscopy showed complete healing (94.4%) according to the criteria of meniscal healing. Only one case showed failure and the failure was due to a re-rupture at the sutured area. Complications of ACL reconstruction or meniscus repair were not present. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that arthroscopic all-inside repair using the Meniscal Viper Repair System is an effective treatment method when it is performed simultaneously with ACL reconstruction.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament/*injuries/pathology/*surgery ; *Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; Arthroscopy/*methods ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Menisci, Tibial/*injuries/pathology/*surgery ; Middle Aged ; Rupture ; Second-Look Surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (PTMC) is rapidly increasing due to increased interests in the public health care system and improvements in ultrasonographic instruments and fine-needle-aspiration technique. The aim of this study is to investigate relationships between clinicopathologic features and molecular markers of PTMC and to help in developing therapeutic strategies in PTMC. METHODS: Tissue samples from patients with 38 PTMC and 21 benign thyroid tumors that were operated on from Jan. 2006 to Nov. 2008 were used to make microarrays and immunohistochemical staining for ER-alpha, E-CD, VEGF, MMP-2, MMP-9, and HIF-1alpha were performed. Clinicopathologic features of each immunohistochemical staining group were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: There is no immunohistochemistry staining in cases with benign thyroid lesions. The expression rate of ER-alpha, E-CD, VEGF, MMP-2, MMP-9, and HIF-1alpha in PTMC group was 66%, 58%, 82%, 66%, 71% and 63%, respectively. Bilateral tumor was statistically significant (48.0% vs 7.7%, P=0.015) related to MMP-2(+) PTMC group than in MMP-2(-) group. Bilateral tumor (44.4% vs 9.1%, P=0.060) and lymphovascular invasion (25.9% vs 0%, P=0.084) seemed to have greater relation to MMP-9(+) PTMC group than to MMP-9(-) group, but there is no statistically significant difference. Bilateral tumor (50.0% vs 7.1%, P=0.012), lymph node metastasis (45.8% vs 0%, P=0.003) and lymphovascular invasion (29.2% vs 0%, P=0.033) were significantly related to HIF-1alpha (+) PTMC group compared to HIF-1alpha(-) group. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that MMP-2, MMP-9 and HIF-1alpha expression could be used as a prognostic marker in PTMC. Larger studies are needed to assess its prognostic value in PTMC.
Carcinoma, Papillary ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Public Health ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A