BACKGROUND: Treatment of distal humerus fractures in osteoporotic elderly patients is often challenging. For non-reconstructible fractures with open reduction and internal fixation, total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is an acceptable alternative. However, the relatively high complication rates and lifelong activity restrictions make TEA less ideal for elderly or low-demand patients. Efforts to identify or develop alternate procedures that benefit relatively young, high-demand patients have resulted in increased interest in hemiarthroplasty. This systematic review reports the clinical outcomes of hemiarthroplasty for distal humeral fractures. METHODS: We systematically reviewed the databases of PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library. All English-language studies published before June 2017 were considered for possible inclusion. Search terms included ‘distal humerus fracture’ and ‘hemiarthroplasty’. Studies reporting outcomes (and a minimum of 1 year clinical follow-up) in human subjects after hemiarthroplasty (Latitude system) for distal humeral fractures were assessed for inclusion. Patient demographics, clinical and radiographic outcomes, and complications were recorded, and homogenous outcome measures were analyzed. RESULTS: Nine studies with a total of 115 patients met the inclusion criteria. Among the included studies, the weighted mean follow-up time was 35.4 months. Furthermore, the weighted mean of the postoperative range of motion (107.6° flexion-extension, 157.5° for pronation-supination) and functional outcomes (Mayo elbow performance scores: 85.8, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score: 19.6) were within the acceptable range. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that hemiarthroplasty is a viable option for comminuted distal humerus fracture. Satisfactory functional outcomes were observed in most patients.
Aged ; Arm ; Arthroplasty ; Demography ; Elbow ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand ; Hemiarthroplasty ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; Humerus ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Shoulder ; Tea

Cubital tunnel syndrome is compressive neuropathy, entrapment of the ulnar nerve around the medial epicondyle of the elbow joint, and the second most common neuropathy after carpal tunnel syndrome. Patients complain of hypoesthesia or paresthesia in the ulnar half of the ring and small fingers early in the disease. Advanced disease is complicated by irreversible muscle weakness or atrophy and claw hand deformity of the ring and small fingers. Although traditional decompression and anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve is known as standard treatment, according to recent reports only simple decompression has a good outcome. So, variety of surgical treatment options are available. In this paper, we purpose to describe the causes, clinical features and recent surgical treatments of cubital tunnel syndrome.
Animals ; Atrophy ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; Cubital Tunnel Syndrome* ; Decompression ; Elbow Joint ; Fingers ; Hand Deformities ; Hoof and Claw ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Muscle Weakness ; Nerve Compression Syndromes ; Paresthesia ; Ulnar Nerve

There is increasing attention to medical problems of musicians. Many studies find a high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in musicians, ranging from 73.4% to 87.7%, and string players have the highest prevalence of musculoskeletal problems. This paper examines the various positions and movements of the upper extremities in string players: 1) basic postures for holding instruments, 2) movements of left upper extremity: fingering, forearm posture, high position and vibrato, 3) movements of right upper extremity: bowing, bow angles, pizzicato and other bowing techniques. These isotonic and isometric movements can lead to musculoskeletal problems in musicians. We reviewed orthopedic disorders that are specific to string players: overuse syndrome, muscle-tendon syndrome, focal dystonia, hypermobility syndrome, and compressive neuropathy. Symptoms, interrelationships with musical performances, diagnosis and treatment of these problems were then discussed.
Cumulative Trauma Disorders/*etiology ; Humans ; Musculoskeletal Diseases/*etiology ; *Music ; Neuromuscular Diseases ; Occupational Diseases/*etiology

BACKGROUND: We conducted this radiographic study in the elderly population with proximal humeral fracture aiming to evaluate 1) the serial changes of neck-shaft angle after locking plate fixation and 2) find relationship between change in neck shaft angle and various factors such as age, fracture pattern, severity of osteoporosis, medial support and initial reduction angle. METHODS: Twenty-five patients who underwent surgical treatment for proximal humeral fracture with locking plate between September 2008 and August 2010 are included. True anteroposterior and axillary lateral radiographs were made postoperatively and at each follow-up visit. Measurement of neck shaft angle was done at immediate postoperative, 3 months postoperative and a final follow-up (average, 11 months; range, 8 to 17 months). Severity of osteoporosis was assessed using cortical thickness suggested by Tingart et al. RESULTS: The mean neck shaft angles were 133.6degrees (range, 100degrees to 116degrees) at immediate postoperative, 129.8degrees (range, 99degrees to 150degrees) at 3 months postoperative and 128.4degrees (range, 97degrees to 145degrees) at final follow-up. The mean loss in the neck-shaft angle in the first 3 months was 3.8degrees as compared to 1.3degrees in the period between 3 months and final follow-up. This was statistically significant (p = 0.002), indicating that most of the fall in neck shaft angle occurs in the first three months after surgery. Relationship between neck shaft angle change and age (p = 0.29), fracture pattern (p = 0.41), cortical thickness (p = 0.21), medial support (p = 0.63) and initial reduction accuracy (p = 0.65) are not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The proximal humerus locking plate maintains reliable radiographic results even in the elderly population with proximal humerus fracture.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Analysis of Variance ; *Bone Plates ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation/methods ; Humans ; Humerus/radiography/*surgery ; Male ; Shoulder Fractures/radiography/*surgery

Comminuted proximal humeral fractures with displaced three- or four-part fragments, fracture-dislocations, and humeral head-splitting fractures are very difficult to treat. In older patients, hemiarthroplasty or reverse shoulder arthroplasty is often the indicated treatment. Arthroplasty in this patient cohort is a very technique-dependent procedure, and relies on preserving deltoid function, proper component placement and fixation, and tuberosity fixation. Although pain relief is predictable, it is often difficult to achieve functional improvement. Results depend on the patient's age, timing of the surgery, tuberosity healing, and adequate rehabilitation.
Arthroplasty ; Cohort Studies ; Hemiarthroplasty ; Humans ; Humerus ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Fractures

The authors would like to correct Figure 1 and 2.

Right sided aortic arch is an uncommon congenital anomaly. It can be classified into three types, depending on the left aortic arch's degenerating pattern and the branching pattern of the great vessels. It can be associated with major congenital heart disease, depending on the type of right sided aortic arch. We report a case of an 18-years-old female who has right sided aortic arch with atrial septal defect (ASD). In our case, the patient had a right sided aortic arch and aberrant left subclavian artery, also she had ASD (ostium secundum) and moderate tricuspid regurgitation with pulmonary hypertension. The patient was successfully performed patch closure of ASD and tricuspid valve annuloplasty via midline sternotomy. The patient had uneventful postoperative course.
Aneurysm ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Cardiovascular Abnormalities ; Deglutition Disorders ; Female ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Sternotomy ; Subclavian Artery ; Tricuspid Valve ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency

BACKGROUND: Malassezia species play an important role in the pathogenesis of seborrheic dermatitis. In particular, M. restricta and M. globosa are considered to be the predominant organisms in seborrheic dermatitis of Western countries. However, species distribution of Malassezia in seborrheic dermatitis has not been clearly determined yet in Asia. OBJECTIVE: To identify the distribution of Malassezia species on the scalp of seborrheic dermatitis patients in Korea using 26S rDNA PCR-RFLP analysis. METHODS: A total of 40 seborrheic dermatitis patients and 100 normal healthy volunteers were included in this study. For the identification of Malassezia species, the scalp scales of the subjects were analyzed by 26S rDNA PCR-RFLP analysis. RESULTS: The most commonly identified Malassezia species were M. restricta in the seborrheic dermatitis patients, and M. globosa in the normal controls. In the seborrheic dermatitis group, M. restricta was identified in 47.5%, M. globosa in 27.5%, M. furfur in 7.5%, and M. sympodialis in 2.5% of patients. In the healthy control group, M. globosa was identified in 32.0%, M. restricta in 25.0%, M. furfur in 8.0%, M. obtusa in 6.0%, M. slooffiae in 6.0%, and M. sympodialis in 4.0% of subjects. CONCLUSION: M. restricta is considered to be the most important Malassezia species in Korean seborrheic dermatitis patients.
Dermatitis, Seborrheic ; DNA, Ribosomal ; Humans ; Korea ; Malassezia ; Scalp ; Weights and Measures

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of progressive fatty degeneration of the rotator cuff (shown on MRI after rotator cuff repair) on the clinical outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: At one-year postoperatively, 25 patients with progressive fatty degeneration on MRI were evaluated using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon Standardized Assessment Form (ASES) score and the Constant score. RESULTS: Average ASES scores were 57.76+/-17.0 preoperatively, and had significantly increased to 84.8+/-11.9 at 1-year postoperatively, and to 92.7+/-7.7 at final follow up. Average Constant scores were 56.2+/-2 preoperatively, and had increased significantly to 78.2+/-11.7 at 1-year after surgery, and to 83.1+/-7.9 at final follow-up. All cases except 1 showed satisfactory results. Groups that showed re-tears, large tears or fatty degeneration on infraspinatus showed inferior results to those without these developments. CONCLUSION: On average 37.4 months of follow-up, clinical outcomes had improved in 96% of patients with progressive fatty degeneration of the rotator cuff. Therefore, progressive fatty degeneration on MRI at 1 year after rotator cuff repair does not influence final clinical results.
Elbow ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Rotator Cuff ; Shoulder

PURPOSE: We analyzed the relationship between the size of the torn rotator cuff and the frequency of finding apoptotic cells (apoptotic index) or pathological degeneration in the rotator cuff. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The edges of torn supraspinatus tendons were obtained from patients with rotator cuff tear (n=63). The study group consisted of 2 small, 22 medium, 22 large and 17 massive tears. For the histopathologic evaluation, the H&E stained sections of the torn supraspinatus tendons were examined. Apoptosis was detected with TUNEL assay. We analyzed the relationships between the tear size and the pathologic findings or the apoptotic index. RESULTS: Significant differences could not be found for the fibroblast cellularity, thickening of the synovial lining and proliferation of blood vessels according to the size of the rotator cuff tear. All the specimens had apoptotic cells that were concentrated around the margin of the tear site. The apoptotic indexes according to the tear size were 58.50 for the small tears, 27.25 for the medium tears, 33.29 for the large tears and 31.96 for the massive tears. No significant correlation was found between the tear size and the apoptotic index. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in the apoptotic indices, the fibroblast cellularity, the thickening of the synovial lining and the proliferation of blood vessels according to the size of the rotator cuff tear, and there were no correlations between the apoptotic index and the histopathologic findings.
Apoptosis ; Blood Vessels ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Rotator Cuff ; Tendons