Background: Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most severe form of tuberculosis, but differentiating between the diagnosis of TBM and viral meningitis (VM) is difficult. Thus, we have developed machine-learning modules for differentiating TBM from VM.Material and Methods: For the training data, confirmed or probable TBM and confirmed VM cases were retrospectively collected from five teaching hospitals in Korea between January 2000 - July 2018. Various machine-learning algorithms were used for training. The machinelearning algorithms were tested by the leave-one-out cross-validation. Four residents and two infectious disease specialists were tested using the summarized medical information. Results: The training study comprised data from 60 patients with confirmed or probable TBM and 143 patients with confirmed VM. Older age, longer symptom duration before the visit, lower serum sodium, lower cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose, higher CSF protein, and CSF adenosine deaminase were found in the TBM patients. Among the various machinelearning algorithms, the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristics of artificial neural network (ANN) with ImperativeImputer for matrix completion (0.85; 95% confidence interval 0.79 - 0.89) was found to be the highest. The AUC of the ANN model was statistically higher than those of all the residents (range 0.67 - 0.72, P <0.001) and an infectious disease specialist (AUC 0.76; P = 0.03). Conclusion The machine-learning techniques may play a role in differentiating between TBM and VM. Specifically, the ANN model seems to have better diagnostic performance than the non-expert clinician.

Background: Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most severe form of tuberculosis, but differentiating between the diagnosis of TBM and viral meningitis (VM) is difficult. Thus, we have developed machine-learning modules for differentiating TBM from VM.Material and Methods: For the training data, confirmed or probable TBM and confirmed VM cases were retrospectively collected from five teaching hospitals in Korea between January 2000 - July 2018. Various machine-learning algorithms were used for training. The machinelearning algorithms were tested by the leave-one-out cross-validation. Four residents and two infectious disease specialists were tested using the summarized medical information. Results: The training study comprised data from 60 patients with confirmed or probable TBM and 143 patients with confirmed VM. Older age, longer symptom duration before the visit, lower serum sodium, lower cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose, higher CSF protein, and CSF adenosine deaminase were found in the TBM patients. Among the various machinelearning algorithms, the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristics of artificial neural network (ANN) with ImperativeImputer for matrix completion (0.85; 95% confidence interval 0.79 - 0.89) was found to be the highest. The AUC of the ANN model was statistically higher than those of all the residents (range 0.67 - 0.72, P <0.001) and an infectious disease specialist (AUC 0.76; P = 0.03). Conclusion The machine-learning techniques may play a role in differentiating between TBM and VM. Specifically, the ANN model seems to have better diagnostic performance than the non-expert clinician.

No abstract available.
Gynecomastia ; Male ; Tennis

No abstract available.
Breast ; Peptococcus

PURPOSE: Schwannoma, a benign peripheral nerve tumor, is slow-growing, encapsulated neoplasm that originates from the Schwann cell of the nerve sheath. Schwannoma most frequently involves the major nerve. Schwannoma occurring in the superficial radial nerve rare. This is a report of our experience with schwannoma arising from the superficial radial nerve with neurologic symptom. METHODS: A 55-year-old woman presented with eight-month history of progressive numbness and paresthesia in dorsum of the thumb and index finger. Physical examination revealed a localized mass on the midforearm. Sonographic examination showed an ovoid, heterogenous, hypoechoic lesion, located eccentrically in related to the superficial radial nerve. The lesion was mobile in the transverse but not in the longitudinal axis of the nerve, which was thought to favour schwannoma rather than neurofibroma. At operation, a 20 x 15 mm ovoid, yellowish grey mass was seen arising from the superficial radial nerve. The tumor present as eccentric masses over which the nerve fibers are splayed. Using operating microscope, the tumor was removed, preserving the surrounding nerve. RESULTS: Histology confirmed that the mass was a benign schwannoma. There were no postoperative complications. After two months the patient had no clinically demonstrable sensory deficit. CONCLUSION: An unsusual case of a schwannoma of the superficial radial nerve is presented. In case with neurologic symptom, prompt surgical decompression must be made to prevent further nerve damage and to restore nerve function early.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Decompression, Surgical ; Female ; Fingers ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Fibers ; Neurilemmoma ; Neurofibroma ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Paresthesia ; Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms ; Physical Examination ; Postoperative Complications ; Radial Nerve ; Thumb

PURPOSE: Many descriptions of the digital arterial anatomy including skin territory of the finger have been published. Relatively few studies on venous architecture of the finger have been performed in this area, in part, attributable to the technical difficulties encountered in dissecting small vessels. The purpose of this study is to present the precise microsurgical anatomy of the vein related to the digital artery and venae comitantes of the components. METHODS: Arterial and venous anatomy of their relation to the fingers were examined in 38 specimens of two fresh cadavers and 36 clinical cases. All specimens were evaluated grossly, surgical microscopically, or/and light microscopically to observe the three & two-dimensional structure of the artery and joining vein, evidence of the venae comitantes, and venous valve. RESULTS: No longitudinal venae comitantes along the digital artery were found in any specimens. The size of the venae comitantes of each digital artery was much smaller than other vein, but always existed any level of digital artery. One or two venae comitantes in the digital artery ran spiral, oblique, helical, fibrillar, or irregular branched shape. The authors also found the vein of the finger, that had bicuspid valves, but not in venae comitantes. CONCLUSION: Recently, venous outflow problem rather than arterial circulation is the most common cause tissue failure after microvascular surgery in the hand. Sometimes, if it is not recognized early, there is an increased risk of tissue damage and loss. The authors concluded that this study presents a useful knowledge for the characterization of the venous structure and evidence for venae comitantes like a venule in the digital artery at varying levels of the finger.
Arteries ; Cadaver ; Fingers ; Hand ; Light ; Microsurgery ; Mitral Valve ; Skin ; Veins ; Venous Valves ; Venules

PURPOSE: Congenital absence of the vagina is a rare case. It occurs as a result of Mullerian duct aplasia or complete androgen insensitivity syndrome. The reconstructive modality includes skin graft, use of intestine and various methods of flap. We report a patient who underwent vulvoperineal fasciocutaneous flap to reconstruct congenital absence of the vagina, while the external genitalia and ovaries are normal. METHODS: A 26-year-old woman presented with vaginal agenesis. Under general anesthesia, a U-shaped incision was made between the urethral meatus and the anus. The new vaginal pocket was created up to the level of the peritoneal reflection between the urinary structures and the rectum. Next, the vulvoperineal fasciocutaneous flaps were designed in a rectangular fashion. Flap elevation was begun at the lateral margin which the adductor longus fascia was incised and elevated, and the superficial perineal neurovascular pedicle was invested by the fascial layer. The medial border was then elevated. A subcutaneous tunnel was created beneath the inferior of the labia to rotate the flaps. The left vulvoperineal flap was rotated counterclockwise and the right was rotated clockwise. The neovaginal pouch was formed by approximating the medial and lateral borders. The tubed neovagina was then transposed into the cavity. RESULTS: In 3 weeks, the vaginal canal remained supple After 6 weeks, the physical examination showed normal-appearing labia majora and perineum with an adequate vaginal depth. A year after the operation, the patient had a 7 cm vagina of sufficient width with no evidence of contractures nor fibrous scar formation. The patient was sexually active without difficulty. CONCLUSION: Although many methods were described for reconstruction of vaginal absence, there is not a method yet to be approved as a perfect solution. We used the vulvoperineal fasciocutaneous flap to reconstruct a neovagina. This method had a following merits: a single-stage procedure, excellent flap reliability, the potential for normal function, minimal donor site morbidity and no need for subsequent dilatation, stents, or obturators. We thought that this operation has a good anatomic and functional results for reconstruction of the vagina.
Adult ; Anal Canal ; Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome ; Anesthesia, General ; Cicatrix ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Contracture ; Dilatation ; Fascia ; Female ; Genitalia ; Humans ; Intestines ; Male ; Ovary ; Perineum ; Physical Examination ; Polyenes ; Rectum ; Skin ; Stents ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants ; Vagina

PURPOSE: According to various medical publications, it is believed that epinephrine should not be injected in fingers. However numerous articles show the successful use of local anesthetic with epinephrine in the digits. Epinephrine-mixed lidocaine solution enables to maintain a bloodless field for operation and provides long duration of local anesthesia when patient was wide awake. METHODS: From May 2009 to December 2009, ten patients underwent flexor tendon reconstruction with local anesthesia using epinephrine. No tourniquet was necessary. Before operation, all patients were injected with local anesthetics using 1% lidocaine 20 mL and 0.1% epinephrine 0.1 mL. RESULTS: There was no case of digital necrosis nor gangrene in the epinephrine injection. All 10 patients actively could move the finger through a full range of motion. All procedures were performed without sedation nor tourniquet and we could obtain a good vision of operative field and patients were comfortable. The patient make his or her fingers move through a full range of active motion before the skin is closed. Phentolamine was not required to reverse the vasoconstriction in any patients. CONCLUSION: The assertation that epinephrine should not be injected into the fingers is clearly no longer valid. The epinephrine injection allowed the authors to adjust flexor tendon surgery without risks associated with general anesthesia. It also enables to ensure longer anesthetic duration and bloodless operative field, and prevent post operative complications. In case of flexor tendon surgery, the use of epinephrine injection is recommended because of the advantages of local anesthesia.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Anesthesia, Local ; Anesthetics, Local ; Dietary Sucrose ; Epinephrine ; Fingers ; Gangrene ; Humans ; Lidocaine ; Necrosis ; Phentolamine ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Skin ; Tendons ; Tourniquets ; Vasoconstriction ; Vision, Ocular

PURPOSE: The fingertip is the most commonly injured part of the hand and its injury frequently results in avulsion or crushing of a segment of the nail bed and fracture of the distal phalangeal bone. Restoration of a flat and smooth nail bed is essential for regrowth of a normal nail, which is important not only for cosmetic reasons but also for tactile capability of the fingertip. It is also anatomical reduction of the distal phalanx to promote patient's cosmetics and prevent nail bed deformity. Absence or no replacement of the nail plate results in obliterated proximal skin fold. When the avulsed nail plate cannot be returned to its anatomic position or when it is absent, we use a synthetic material for splinting the nail bed and alternative reductional method for distal phalangeal bone fracture, especially, instead of hardwares. METHODS: From January of 2006 to June of 2009, a total of ten patients and fourteen fingers with crushing or avulsion injuries of the fingertip underwent using the artificial nails for finger splint. We shaped artificial nails into the appropriate sizes for use as fingernail plates. We placed them under the proximal skin fold and sutured to the fold proximally and to the lateral and medial edges of the nail bed or to the distal fingertip. Our splints were as hard as K-wire and other fixation methods and more similar to anatomic nail plates. Artificial nails were kept in place for at least 3 weeks. RESULTS: No artificial nail related complication was noted in any of the ten cases. No other nail fold or nail bed complications were observed, except for minor distal nail deformity because of trauma. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, in order to secure the nail bed after injury and reduce the distal phalangeal bone fracture, preparing a nail bed splint from a artificial commercial nail is a cheap and effective method, especially, for crushed or avulsion injuries of the fingertip.
Amputation ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Cosmetics ; Fingers ; Fractures, Bone ; Hand ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Nails ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Skin ; Splints

PURPOSE: Failure of proper migration, fusion, or maturation of the branchial apparatus components results in a variety of congenital defects. Of these, cartilaginous rests are infrequent, while branchial cysts and sinuses are more common, relatively. The purpose of this study is to examine the clinical and pathological features of rare cervical branchial remnants in order to provide basis for its correct diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: We report three cases of cervical branchial remnants which were treated in our hospital from December 2004 to December 2009. These cases were examined their clinical features, histologic findings and treatments. The patients had been operated with simple excision, excision of the combined components and preoperative antiboitics. RESULTS: A retrospective review produced 2 cases of the cervical branchial remnants and 1 case of the cervical chondrocutaneous branchial remnant. All cases were on the left side of the neck, and anterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Histopathological examination showed that fistula & sinus were lined with stratified squamous epithelium, additionally, they were consisted of a cutaneous envelope containing sebaceous glands, hair follicles, various amounts of adipose tissue, and elastic fibers. And, One case revealed containing hyaline cartilage. No patient developed complications or reccurences. CONCLUSION: The authors recommend simple surgical excision of the remnants when discharge, infection, or cosmetic problem occur. Finally, these lesions do not have fistulous tracts or connections with important, deeper organs, and so can be safely transected at the level of the superficial musculature.
Adipose Tissue ; Branchioma ; Cartilage ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Cosmetics ; Elastic Tissue ; Epithelium ; Fistula ; Hair Follicle ; Humans ; Hyaline Cartilage ; Muscles ; Neck ; Retrospective Studies ; Sebaceous Glands