Background: It is well known that a large number of patients with diabetes also have dyslipidemia, which significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination drugs consisting of metformin and atorvastatin, widely used as therapeutic agents for diabetes and dyslipidemia. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group and phase III multicenter study included adults with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels >7.0% and <10.0%, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) >100 and <250 mg/dL. One hundred eighty-five eligible subjects were randomized to the combination group (metformin+atorvastatin), metformin group (metformin+atorvastatin placebo), and atorvastatin group (atorvastatin+metformin placebo). The primary efficacy endpoints were the percent changes in HbA1c and LDL-C levels from baseline at the end of the treatment. Results: After 16 weeks of treatment compared to baseline, HbA1c showed a significant difference of 0.94% compared to the atorvastatin group in the combination group (0.35% vs. −0.58%, respectively; P<0.0001), whereas the proportion of patients with increased HbA1c was also 62% and 15%, respectively, showing a significant difference (P<0.001). The combination group also showed a significant decrease in LDL-C levels compared to the metformin group (−55.20% vs. −7.69%, P<0.001) without previously unknown adverse drug events. Conclusion The addition of atorvastatin to metformin improved HbA1c and LDL-C levels to a significant extent compared to metformin or atorvastatin alone in diabetes and dyslipidemia patients. This study also suggested metformin’s preventive effect on the glucose-elevating potential of atorvastatin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia, insufficiently controlled with exercise and diet. Metformin and atorvastatin combination might be an effective treatment in reducing the CVD risk in patients with both diabetes and dyslipidemia because of its lowering effect on LDL-C and glucose.

The delayed rupture of the flexor tendons is a rare complication of malunited distal radius fractures after nonoperative management. The known cause of a flexor tendon rupture is attrition between the palmarly displaced ulnar head and the involved tendons. Sharp bony spurs on the volar side of the malunited distal radius can also cause flexor tendon rupture. About 30 cases have been reported in literature. There were only four case reports about the delayed rupture of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th flexor tendons. In this case, we experienced flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus tendon ruptures of the index, middle, ring, and little fingers, after 8 months following the malunion of a distal radius fracture. At two years follow-up after tendon graft and corrective osteotomy, the range of motion and motor weakness of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th fingers improved.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a successful and cost-effective treatment for end-stage degenerative arthritis. The aging of society and an increase in the prevalence of obesity has led to increases in the prevalence of arthritis and the incidence of TKA. Currently, the total number of procedures in Korea per year has reached 90,000. With the rapid growth, we need to know about the current state of TKA. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent literature regarding TKA. The main indication for TKA is end-stage arthritis with severe pain, reduced function, and no response to conservative management. Metal on the polyethylene-bearing surface and cobalt alloy are used in most TKAs. Despite good clinical outcomes and long-term survival rates after TKA in many papers, 20% of patients are dissatisfied with the outcome of surgery. To improve the patient’s satisfaction, surgeons should understand factors affecting patient’s satisfaction, including patient’s expectations, age, and preoperative mental state. Navigationassisted surgery and robotic surgery have been introduced in knee arthroplasty to achieve more precise and accurate alignment. There is some evidence to suggest that computer-assisted surgery reduces revision rates. However, clinical efficacy is also controversial, and a long-term follow-up study is required. The common complications of TKA include infection, polyethylene wear, loosening, stiffness, periprosthetic fracture, and thromboembolism. An understanding of the potential complications and pitfalls of TKA is essential for prevention.

Periprosthetic humeral fractures in patients with total shoulder arthroplasty are rare and difficult to treat. With the significant increase in the number of older patients who have undergone total shoulder arthroplasty in recent years, an increase in the number of periprosthetic shoulder fractures can be estimated. The decisions of treatment have to be taken individually, depending on the stability of the prosthesis, fracture location, and bone quality. On the other hand, there are limited data for treatment guidance and outcomes. This paper reviews the risk factors, classification, treatment, and outcomes of periprosthetic humeral fractures.

Background: Decompressive laminectomy alone for degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) is not recommended because it can lead to further instability. However, it is uncertain whether instability at the decompressed segments is directly affected by laminectomy or the natural progression of DLS. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surgical outcome of decompressive laminectomy alone for DLS with spinal stenosis and to determine whether the procedure leads to post-laminectomy instability (PLI). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 60 patients with DLS. They were divided into 2 groups according to PLI criteria: stable group and PLI group. The PLI group was subdivided into 2 groups based on the level of PLI: the first group that showed PLI at the index laminectomy level (PLI-I) and the second group that showed PLI at another level other than the laminectomy level (PLI-NI). Radiological evaluation was performed to determine factors associated with the progression of DLS. Pain and disability outcomes were assessed. Results: There were 34 patients (56.7%) in the stable group and 26 patients (43.3%) in the PLI group. Twelve patients (20.0%) underwent revision surgery. Eleven patients (18.3%) showed PLI at the index segments (PLI-I group), and 15 patients (25%) showed PLI at the adjacent or cephalad segments, not related to the laminectomy site (PLI-NI group). Four patients underwent revision surgery in the stable group and 8 in the PLI group. Survivorship analyses revealed that the predicted survivorship of DLS was 90.0% at 12 months and 86.4% at 24 months after laminectomy. Conclusions The development of PLI was not always related to laminectomy at the index level. However, PLI developed more rapidly at the index level, compared to the natural progression of the scoliotic curve at the adjacent segments.

BACKGROUND: Modified Phemister operation has been widely used for the treatment of acute acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation. Additionally, the use of suture anchor for coracoclavicular (CC) fixation has been reported to provide CC stability. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical and radiological results of a modified Phemister operation with CC ligament augmentation using suture anchor for acute AC joint dislocation. METHODS: Seventy-four patients underwent the modified Phemister operation with CC ligament augmentation using suture anchor for acute AC joint dislocation and were followed-up for an average of 12.3 months. The visual analogue scale (VAS), range of motion, Constant score, and Korean shoulder scoring system (KSS) were used for clinical assessment. Acromioclavicular interval (ACI), coracoclavicular distance (CCD), and acromioclavicular distance (ACD) were obtained to evaluate the radiological assessments. RESULTS: At the last follow-up, the mean VAS Score was 1.7 points, the mean joint range of the forward flexion was 164.6°, external rotation at the side was 61.2°, and internal rotation to the posterior was a level of T12. The mean Constant score and the mean KSS was 82.7 points and 84.2 points, respectively. At the mean ACI, CCD, and ACD, significant differences were found preoperatively and at the last follow-up. When the ACI, CCD, and ACD were compared with the contralateral unaffected shoulder at the last follow-up, the affected shoulders had significantly higher values. CONCLUSIONS: The modified Phemister operation with CC ligament augmentation using suture anchor is clinically and radiologically effective at acute AC joint dislocation.
Acromioclavicular Joint ; Dislocations ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Joints ; Ligaments ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Shoulder ; Suture Anchors ; Sutures

BACKGROUND: Modified Phemister operation has been widely used for the treatment of acute acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation. Additionally, the use of suture anchor for coracoclavicular (CC) fixation has been reported to provide CC stability. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical and radiological results of a modified Phemister operation with CC ligament augmentation using suture anchor for acute AC joint dislocation. METHODS: Seventy-four patients underwent the modified Phemister operation with CC ligament augmentation using suture anchor for acute AC joint dislocation and were followed-up for an average of 12.3 months. The visual analogue scale (VAS), range of motion, Constant score, and Korean shoulder scoring system (KSS) were used for clinical assessment. Acromioclavicular interval (ACI), coracoclavicular distance (CCD), and acromioclavicular distance (ACD) were obtained to evaluate the radiological assessments. RESULTS: At the last follow-up, the mean VAS Score was 1.7 points, the mean joint range of the forward flexion was 164.6°, external rotation at the side was 61.2°, and internal rotation to the posterior was a level of T12. The mean Constant score and the mean KSS was 82.7 points and 84.2 points, respectively. At the mean ACI, CCD, and ACD, significant differences were found preoperatively and at the last follow-up. When the ACI, CCD, and ACD were compared with the contralateral unaffected shoulder at the last follow-up, the affected shoulders had significantly higher values. CONCLUSIONS The modified Phemister operation with CC ligament augmentation using suture anchor is clinically and radiologically effective at acute AC joint dislocation.

Leuconostoc species are gram-positive cocci and they are rarely pathogenic in human. Leuconostoc infections are commonly associated with immunocompromised status and indwelling medical devices include intravenous catheter, tracheostomy, endotracheal intubation and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. Clinical isolates of Leuconostoc were frequently misidentified, usually as viridans streptococci, but they possess inherent resistance to vancomycin despite sensitivity to most other antibiotics. We present a case of Leuconostoc peritonitis in patients receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). A 48-year-old man with hypertensive nephropathy has been treated with peritoneal dialysis, developed peritonitis due to Leuconostoc species. The peritonitis was poorly responded to empirical antibiotics. He was successfully treated with intraperitoneal administration of ampicillin. The dialysis catheter was left in place, and continued to function. To our knowledge, this is the first case of Leuconostoc peritonitis reported in Korea.
Ampicillin ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Catheters ; Dialysis ; Gastrostomy ; Gram-Positive Cocci ; Humans ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Korea ; Leuconostoc* ; Middle Aged ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory* ; Peritonitis* ; Tracheostomy ; Vancomycin ; Viridans Streptococci

No abstract available.
Eye Diseases ; Lipomatosis ; Neurocutaneous Syndromes

We report here an unusual case of pericardial tuberculoma that was misdiagnosed as thymic carcinoma on an imaging study. A 48-year-old woman was referred for evaluation of an anterior mediastinal mass. Computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest displayed cystic masses mimicking thymic carcinoma at the anterior mediastinum. Pericardiotomy and surgical drainage of the cystic masses were done, and pathologic examination of the excised pericardial specimen showed a chronic granulomatous inflammation with necrosis, compatible with tuberculosis. Acid-fast bacilli were also identified in the specimen. After treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs and steroids, the patient showed clinical improvement. Although tuberculous pericarditis usually presents as pericardial effusion or constrictive pericarditis, it can also present as a pericardial mass mimicking thymic carcinoma on CT. Therefore, we suggest that tuberculous pericardial abscess should be included in the differential diagnosis of a mediastinal mass in Korea, with intermediate tuberculosis prevalence.
Abscess ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drainage ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Korea ; Mediastinum ; Middle Aged ; Necrosis ; Pericardial Effusion ; Pericardiectomy ; Pericarditis, Constrictive ; Pericarditis, Tuberculous ; Pericardium ; Prevalence ; Steroids ; Thorax ; Thymoma ; Thymus Neoplasms ; Tuberculoma ; Tuberculosis