Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of patients with malignant melanoma liver metastasis. Methods The clinical data of patients with melanoma liver metastasis before first-line systemic therapy were retrospectively collected. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was conducted to evaluate the association of clinical characteristics with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Prognostic factors associated with PFS and OS were determined through Cox regression analysis. Results A total of 80 patients were included in this study. Six of these patients did not receive systemic or local antitumor therapy after the diagnosis of liver metastasis. Their median survival time after the diagnosis of liver metastasis was 2.3 months. The median OS of the remaining 74 patients was 12.83 months. Cox regression analysis determined that in the patients receiving systemic or local antitumor therapy, age and local treatment were independent prognostic factors for OS; gender and serum NSE levels were independent prognostic factors for systemic PFS and intrahepatic PFS. First-line treatment including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) may have survival benefits for patients but the difference was not statistically significant (HR=0.716, P=0.255). Among gene mutations, NRAS mutations had the highest rates (11.25%) and were associated with poor prognosis. In addition, BRAF and CKIT mutations were detected in eight (10%) and four (5%) patients, respectively. Conclusion Patients who are younger and receive local treatment have a relatively better prognosis. The first-line ICI therapy may have survival benefits for patients.

On the basis of real working practices in data normalization, the case reports from the monitoring system were studied, non-standard reports were summarized and the reasons were analyzed, the methods of data normalization and improving the reporting quality were discussed. The standard databases and the rule databases were created, they were capable of automatic completion of the standardization work of new cases.
Databases, Factual ; Equipment and Supplies ; adverse effects ; standards ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical outcome of arthroscopic reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) with remnant preserving technique.

METHODSFrom May 2008 to October 2010,68 patients with ACL deficiency (33 males and 35 females, with an average age of 25.8 years, ranged from 17 to 43 years) were treated with arthroscopy. The average duration of the disease was (4.5 +/- 1.1) months. The pivot shift test showed positive results in 55 cases, Lachman test showed positive results in 68 cases, and the ADT (anterior drawer test) showed positive results in 68 cases. The anterior transition of the tibia measured by KT2000 instrument was (7.2 +/- 2.3) mm (5 to 9 mm) more than that of the opposite knee. The average Lysholm score was 55.7 +/- 5.4 (45 to 67). The average Tegner activity scores was 3.1 +/- 0.6 (2 to 4). The tibial tunnels and femoral tunnels were drilled in the middle of the footprint of the ACL, and the graft was wrapped by the remnant. Grafts were fixed with cross pin at the femoral side and with biodegradable interference screw at the tibial side. Postoperative symptoms and signs were observed in the follow-up duration. The anterior transition of the tibia was measured by KT2000, the Lysholm and Tegner scores were used to evaluate knee functions.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 24 to 42 months, with a mean of (31.5 +/- 2.4) months. At the latest follow-up, there was no patients had positive result by civot shift test, while the Lachman test showed results of negative or positive of grade I, and the ADT test showed results of negative or positive of grade I or II. The anterior transition of the tibia measured by KT2000 instrument decreased to (1.9 +/- 0.7) mm (0 to 3 mm) more than that of the opposite knee (t = 21.15, P = 0.000 1). The postoperative Lysholm score 86.0 +/- 5.1(81 to 97) and Tegner score 7.8 +/- 0.3 (6 to 9) all increased compared with preoperative 55.7 +/- 5.4 and 3.1 +/- 0.6 (t = 18.55, P = 0.001 0; t = 9.11, P = 0.000 5). According to Lysholm score, excellent results were obtained in 55 cases, good in 10, poor in 3 and no bad results.

CONCLUSIONThe ACL remnant provide vascular and nerve supply for the graft, promoting union and remodeling of grafts.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; surgery ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; methods ; Arthroscopy ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate and analyze mechanism of Pizhen for the treatment of pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

METHODSEighty-five patients (85 knees) were divided into two groups according to random number table method. Among 35 patients in the experimental group, 6 patients were male and 29 patients were female, 1 patient lost follow-up, the average age was (56.65 +/- 4.89) years, and the patients were treated with Pizhen. Among 50 patients in the control group,there were 6 males and 44 females, the average age was (57.54 +/- 4.91) years, and the patients were treated with intra-articular injection with sodium hyaluronate. The VAS score and the data of algometer from the most obvious tenderness around the knee were used to evaluate the clinical effects.

RESULTSThere were significant differences of scores in the experimental group before and after treatment (P<0.01). There were significant differences of scores in the control group before and after treatment (P<0.01). After treatment, there were no statistical differences of VAS score and the data of algometer between experimental and control groups ( P>0.01). There was negative correlation between VAS score and the data of algometer.

CONCLUSIONThe Pizhen is an effective method to treat pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis by relaxing tendon of soft tissue around pain point of knee joint, and relaxing compress and stimulation of nerves.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Pain Measurement

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effects of titanium miniplate in cervical expansive open-door laminoplasty in treating cervical spondylosis.

METHODSFrom February 2009 to April 2011, 16 patients underwent expansive open-door laminoplasty by titanium miniplate fixation were classified as group A; 18 patients with conventional unilaterally open-door laminoplasty from March 2007 to January 2009 were served as control (group B). The operative time, blood loss during the operations, JOA score of the 6 months after operation, the incidence of axial symptom, curvature of cervical vertebrae were compared respectively between the two groups.

RESULTSOperative time, blood loss, improvement rate of JOA in group A were respectively (122.0 +/- 26.8) min, (153.0 +/- 46.7) ml, (59.4 +/- 11.6)%; and in group B were (119.0 +/- 28.6) min, (151.0 +/- 50.4) ml, (58.7 +/- 12.7)%. Those showed no significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05). Three cases (18.75%) occurred obviously axial symptom in group A and six cases (33.33%) occurred in group B, there was significant difference in the incidence of axial symptom between two groups (P < 0.01). Preoperative and postoperative curvature of cervical vertebrae in group A was (17.9 +/- 5.2) degrees and (18.2 +/- 4.8) degrees, without significant difference; in group B, postoperative curvature of cervical vertebrae decreased obviously than the preoperative [(16.3 +/- 5.9) degrees vs (18.1 +/- 6.3) degrees] (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBoth surgical protocols are effective on preventing reclose of opened laminae, moreover the modified laminoplasty is advanced on reducing the occurrence of axial symptoms and loss of cervical curvature.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Case-Control Studies ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spondylosis ; surgery ; Titanium

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects of diaplastic external fixator on the treatment of unstable fractures of distal radius.

METHODSA clinical data of 60 patients with unstable fractures of distal radius admitted to Wangjing Hospital from August 2005 to September 2009 were retrospectively analyzed with the paired design. According to the paired design, 60 patients were equally divided into two groups (internal fixation group and external fixation group), which were respectively treated with open reduction and steel plate internal fixation (internal fixation group) or closed reduction and external fixation (external fixation group), including 8 males and 52 females, with an average age of 60.27 years ranging from 34 to 85 years. Left side was in 33 cases and right side was in 27 cases. All fractures were closed and caused by hand supporting when falling down. According to AO classification, type A3 was in 22 cases, type B2 was in 4 cases, type B3 was in 2 cases, type C1 was in 20 cases, type C2 was in 8 cases, type C3 was in 4 cases. Palmar flexion, dorsiflexion, radial deviation, ulnar deviation, pronation, supination, grip strength, radial angle, radial length, volar tilt were observed before and after operation.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up from 12 to 18 months with an average of 15.4 months. The radial length was (4.85 +/- 2.75) mm,volar tilt (14.66 +/- 10.77) degrees, radial angle (7.90 +/- 4.70) degrees in the external fixation group,while those were (4.29 +/- 1.53) mm, (14.39 +/- 5.01) degrees, (6.19 +/- 3.15) degrees in the internal fixation group, but with no statistical significance (P>0.05). Function comparison of internal and external fixation group, P-value of every function is more than 0.05 or equal to 0.05, with no statistical significance except for supination and radial deviation. The functions of wrist joints were evaluated according to Batra scoring system at 1 year after operation. The average radiological scores of external fixation group was 86.27,in which 15 cases were excellent, 11 good, 1 fair,3 poor,while the average functional scores was 94.93, and all the cases were excellent. The average radiological scores of internal fixation group was 91.27, 16 cases were excellent, 12 good, 2 fair, while the average functional scores was 94.23, in which all the cases were excellent.

CONCLUSIONCompared with the open reduction and steel plate fixation, the unstable fractures of distal radius treating by diaplastic external fixator can be achieved a similar result, with no statistical significance.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; External Fixators ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radius Fractures ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies

External Fixators ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Manipulation, Orthopedic ; Radius Fractures ; therapy

Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) is the major static structure to restrain lateral patellar dislocation. There are always MPFL injuries in patellar dislocations. The medial ligamentous deficiency will lead to recurrent patellar dislocation or patellar instability. Surgeon used to suture all those structures in the medial knee compartment before MPFL is recognized. Reconstruction of MPFL becomes an important method to treat patellar dislocation since it is anatomically recognized. Many techniques have invented MPFL reconstruction. The goal of this article is to develop a current understanding of MPFL and its clinical significance, especially MPFL reconstruction. The anatomical double bundle reconstruction of MPFL by bone anchors is a safe, easy and effective way to treat patellar dislocations.
Humans ; Patellar Dislocation ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Patellar Ligament ; injuries ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; instrumentation ; methods ; Suture Anchors ; Suture Techniques ; instrumentation

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of continuous traction in treating unstable distal radius fracture.

METHODSThirty patients with unstable distal radius fractures were treated by diaplastic external fixator including 4 males and 26 females with an average age of 61 years ranging from 18 to 85 years. According to AO classification, 12 cases were type A3, 3 were type B2, 8 were type C1, 4 were type C2, 3 were type C3. The distance of the processus radial malleolus and ulnar articularis were measured through X-ray examination.

RESULTSThirty patients were followed-up for 6 to 15 months with an average of 11.2 months. The results of distance before treatment measuring in X-ray was (0.55+/-0.22) cm, and the distance after treatment was (1.07+/-0.23) cm. The distance after treatment was higher than the distance before treatment, there were significant difference between them (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONContinuous traction by diaplastic external fixator can explain by the theory of tendon reinforced bone and ligament restoration, or distraction osteogenesis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; External Fixators ; utilization ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Fracture Healing ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Radius Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Range of Motion, Articular ; physiology ; Recovery of Function ; Traction ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; X-Rays ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Wuzi Yanzong Decoction (WYD) in treating Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON).

METHODSThirty patients of LHON up to the requirement were assigned to two groups, the treated group administered with WYD plus coenzyme Q10, and the control group with coenzyme Q10 alone, all for 3 months. Patients' visual acuity, visual field, vision evoked potential (VEP) and their Chinese medicine syndrome were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter treatment, all the above-mentioned indexes were improved to some extents in the treated group, but showed no evident change in the control group excepting visual acuity, comparison between groups showed the differences were significant in all items.

CONCLUSIONWYD shows certain clinical therapeutic effect for treatment of LHON.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Evoked Potentials, Visual ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Optic Atrophy, Hereditary, Leber ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Phytotherapy ; Ubiquinone ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Visual Acuity ; Young Adult