OBJECTIVE: The incidence rate of stroke as a result of intracranial arterial stenosis (ICAS) is higher in Asian countries than in the West. We aimed to analyze the regression, lack of change, or progression of asymptomatic ICAS after the administration of rosuvastatin and associated factors.METHODS: The patients who had undergone computed tomography angiography (CTA) at our hospital and had been diagnosed with ICAS with no ischemic event in the stenosed vascular territory were included in the study. They were administered 20mg of rosuvastatin per day. After a follow-up period of at least 6 months after treatment, the patients were examined using CTA again and the clinical information and imaging results were analyzed.RESULTS: In total, 48 patients were diagnosed with asymptomatic ICAS. During the final follow-up examination, it was found that the stenotic lesion regressed in 30 patients, whereas it remained unchanged or progressed without any adverse effects in 18 patients. In univariate analysis, the regressed group showed significantly higher differences in the levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) between their initial and final values (both, p=0.031 for both). In the multivariate analysis, a significantly higher difference in the levels of LDL between its initial and final measurement was seen in the regressed group (p=0.035, odds ratio(OR) 3.9).CONCLUSIONS: Rosuvastatin was found to have better lipid-lowering effects for total cholesterol and particularly LDL in patients whose ICAS had regressed. We concluded that rosuvastatin administration can be recommended for the treatment of patients with asymptomatic ICAS.
Angiography ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Atherosclerosis ; Cholesterol ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; Incidence ; Lipoproteins ; Multivariate Analysis ; Rosuvastatin Calcium ; Stroke

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of sonication technique for microbiological diagnosis and the sterility of the recycled autoclaved femoral components from infected total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using a sonication method. METHODS: Nineteen femoral implants explanted from patients with infected TKA were sterilized with a standard autoclave method. Standard culture of the fluid before and after sonication of the sterilized implants was performed to detect pathogenic microorganisms. Additional experiments were performed to evaluate the sterility of the recycled implant by inducing artificial biofilm formation. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was inoculated into 10 implants and sterilization in a standard autoclave was performed, and then the fluid was cultured before and after sonication. RESULTS: Two of the 19 sterilized implants were positive for growth of bacteria after sonication, whereas no growth was detected in the cultured fluid from the sterilized implants before sonication. The bacteria were Staphylococcus species in all two cases. In one of 10 implants inoculated with MRSA, the culture was positive for growth of bacteria both before and after sonication. However, Staphylococcus epidermidis was cultured from both occasions and thus this implant was thought to be contaminated. CONCLUSIONS: We found sonication for identification of pathogens could be helpful, but this finding should be interpreted carefully because of the possibility of contamination. Sterilization of an infected femoral implant with an autoclave method could be a good method for using the temporary articulating antibiotic spacer in two-stage revision arthroplasty.
Arthroplasty ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee* ; Bacteria ; Biofilms ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Infertility* ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Methods* ; Sonication* ; Staphylococcus ; Staphylococcus epidermidis ; Sterilization

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the outcomes of conservative management in elderly patients over 65 years of age who were diagnosed with pyogenic spondylitis. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The surgical treatment of pyogenic spondylitis can lead to complications in elderly patients in a poor general condition or with underlying diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 32 patients who were diagnosed with pyogenic spondylitis and had a minimum of 12 months of follow-up. Age, sex, comorbidities, clinical symptoms, and the involved segments were analyzed retrospectively. The diagnosis was assessed using clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings. Antibiotic therapy was either specific (if positive culture results were found) or broad-spectrum cephalosporin (when the pathogenic agent was not isolated). Outcomes were assessed using residual pain and neurologic deficits. RESULTS: The mean onset time was 23.5 days (range, 3-90 days). The mean period of intravenous antibiotic therapy was 36.3 days (range, 10-90 days). All cases underwent conservative management, and 4 patients with progressive neurologic deficits due to epidural abscess underwent posterior laminectomy and abscess drainage. In all cases, the infection was successfully treated, although 12 cases reported residual lower back pain and 2 continued to exhibit minor neurologic deficits. CONCLUSIONS: In elderly patients with pyogenic spondylitis, satisfactory results were obtained with conservative management using antibiotics and orthosis after an early diagnosis, unless progressive neurologic symptom instability or spine deformities were noted.
Abscess ; Aged* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Comorbidity ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Diagnosis ; Drainage ; Early Diagnosis ; Epidural Abscess ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Low Back Pain ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Orthotic Devices ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine ; Spondylitis*

STUDY DESIGN: A literature review regarding the correlation between a kyphotic neck and its clinical outcomes. OBJECTIVES: This review examines normal cervical alignment, methods for assessing alignment, a specific correlation between kyphotic neck and clinical outcomes, and indications and methods of surgical treatment. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Cervical kyphotic deformity is problematic in terms of HRQOL due to nerve damage or loss of horizontal gaze. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Review of the literature. RESULTS: Cervical kyphosis can be caused by postlaminectomy, degenerative disc disease, and trauma, and the symptoms exhibit diverse clinical progression including compensatory mechanisms, adjacent segment disease, changes in quality of life, and cervical myelopathy. Given the serious complications of cervical surgery, we need a deep understanding of spine anatomy, preoperative planning, and correction methods. CONCLUSIONS: It is vital to investigate cervical sagittal alignment and to perform intensive treatment and corrective surgery to achieve better clinical outcomes.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Kyphosis ; Neck* ; Quality of Life ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Spine

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVES: We report a case of meningitis combined with paraspinal infection in a patients who underwent numerous surgeries for and repetitive procedural treatment of the spine. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: In patients with a history surgical and repetitive procedural treatment of the spine, one symptom of infection may be a fever with localized pain or tenderness along the spine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 69-year-old man was hospitalized due to pyrexia and myalgia. Eight years ago, he underwented spine surgery. After that, the patient underwent spinal intervention more than once per week in another hospital due to remaining pain. One week before his visit to the emergency room, myalgia and aggravation in the lower back arose. However, a paraspinal infection was not detected in a non-enhanced MRI. One day after admission, the patient showed signs of meningeal irritation signs and the the patient's mental state suddenly deteriorated. An emergency cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed typical findings of bacterial meningitis. An enhanced MRI of the brain showed pachymeningeal enhancement. An enhanced MRI of the spine showed a small abscess formation on the left paravertebral back muscle, and bilateral psoas muscle. RESULTS: Serrtia marcescens was identified on blood cultures obtained upon admission. Since antibiotics were used to treat Serratia marcescens, the fever subsided, and the patient's mental status returned to normal. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with a history of repetitive procedural treatments of the spine, a fever should be acknowledged as a symptom in meningitis or other infectious conditions.
Abscess ; Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Back Muscles ; Brain ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Emergencies ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Fever ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Meningitis* ; Meningitis, Bacterial ; Myalgia ; Psoas Muscles ; Serratia marcescens ; Spine*

STUDY DESIGN: Case Report. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to report 2 cases of calcified spinal meningioma that displayed differences in appearance during resection, and to review the current literature on calcified and ossified spinal meningiomas. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Calcified and ossified spinal meningiomas are rare, and tumor calcification is a risk factor for poor neurological outcomes resulting from the additional manipulations required to dissect the tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We describe the clinical course and intraoperative findings of 2 female patients who presented with symptoms of myelopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging showed calcified spinal meningiomas of the thoracic spine. The type of tumor resection performed was dependent on the solidity and texture of the individual tumors. RESULTS: Pathologic evaluation revealed psammoma bodies, which suggested calcified meningioma. The patients' neurologic symptoms resolved with no neurologic sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: Although there are a few pathologic differences regarding the main type and pathogenesis of ossified and calcified meningioma, both are thought to have a poor prognosis. For these tumors, adequately accounting for the expected poor prognosis and performing a wide laminectomy in order to ensure an adequate surgical margin are important factors for achieving a favorable outcome.
Female ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Meningioma* ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Spine

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of high-flexion total knee arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 355 patients (372 cases) who underwent total knee arthroplasty using high-flexion implants from January 2005 to December 2011. The patients included 36 men and 336 women with a mean age of 70.6 (52-88 years) years. Average follow-up duration was 59 months (36-77 months) months. Three types of high flexion implants were used in this study. We performed preoperative assessment and last follow-up clinical evaluation was performed using range of motion (ROM), knee score and function score according to the knee society clinical rating system and complications. Radiologic evaluation was performed using plain radiographs to evaluate loosening or osteolysis. RESULTS: The mean ROM increased from 114.9° preoperatively to 127.0° at the final follow-up. The average knee score improved from 60.5 points preoperatively to 90.9 points at final follow-up and knee function score improved from 49.0 to 84.4 points. The clinical results were improved in each type of implants. A radiolucent line was detected in 2 cases in the Sigma rotating platform flexion group and patellar tendon rupture occurred in 1 case in the NexGex legacy posterior-stabilized-flex group. Infection occurred in 2 cases after 2 and 5 years postoperatively in the Scorpio non-restrictive geometry group and were treated with revision arthroplasty. No significant loosening was observed. CONCLUSION: This study obtained good results after total knee arthroplasty using high-flexion implants, and no loosening was observed. There were no differences in the type of implants in regard to the ROM and clinical variables.
Arthroplasty* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Knee* ; Male ; Osteolysis ; Patellar Ligament ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Rupture

Alimentary tract duplications are uncommon congenital anomalies that usually present during the first decade of life. Complete duplication of the colon in adults is very rare and difficult to diagnose preoperatively. We report a case of a 40-year-old female with complete tubular duplication which was initially misdiagnosed as a salpingeal abscess due to colovaginal fistula.
Abscess ; Adult* ; Colon* ; Female ; Fistula* ; Humans

Endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERBD) is useful for the palliative decompression of biliary obstruction. However, the complications of ERBD include cholangitis, hemorrhage, acute pancreatitis, obstruction of the stent, and duodenal perforation. Pressure necrosis on the duodenal mucosa by the stent may contribute to perforation. Although duodenal perforation following ERBD is very rare compared to other complications, it can result in a fatal outcome. Recent reports describe nonsurgical treatment for small gastrointestinal perforation with localized peritonitis and suggest that endoclipping may be appropriate in the management of a well selected group of patients with iatrogenic perforation. We describe a case of duodenal perforation secondary to ERBD that was successfully treated with approximating using endoclip and detachable snare.
Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic ; Biliary Tract Diseases/complications/surgery ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Drainage ; Duodenal Diseases/*diagnosis/etiology/therapy ; Female ; Gallbladder Neoplasms/diagnosis ; Humans ; Intestinal Perforation/*diagnosis/etiology/therapy ; Middle Aged ; Plastics ; Stents/*adverse effects ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

INTRODUCTION: Skeletal homeostasis is normally maintained by the stability between bone formation by osteoblasts and bone resorption by osteoclasts. However, the correlation between the inflammatory reaction and osteoblastic differentiation of cultured osteoprogenitor cells has not been fully investigated. This study examined the effects of inflammatory cytokines on the osteoblastic differentiation of cultured human periosteal-derived cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Periosteal-derived cells were obtained from the mandibular periosteum and introduced into the cell culture. After passage 3, the periosteal-derived cells were further cultured in an osteogenic induction Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) medium containing dexamethasone, ascorbic acid, and beta-glycerophosphate. In this culture medium, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha with different concentrations (0.1, 1, and 10 ng/mL) or interleukin (IL)-1beta with different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, and 1 ng/mL) were added. RESULTS: Both TNF-alpha and IL-1beta stimulated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression in the periosteal-derived cells. TNF-alpha and IL-1beta increased the level of ALP expression in a dose-dependent manner. Both TNF-alpha and IL-1beta also increased the level of alizarin red S staining in a dose-dependent manner during osteoblastic differentiation of cultured human periosteal-derived cells. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-1beta can stimulate the osteoblastic activity of cultured human periosteal-derived cells.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Anthraquinones ; Ascorbic Acid ; Bone Resorption ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cytokines ; Dexamethasone ; Durapatite ; Glycerophosphates ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Interleukins ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoclasts ; Osteogenesis ; Periosteum ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha