Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Suppress Growth of Huh7 Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells via Interferon (IFN)-ß-Mediated JAK/STAT1 Pathway in vitro.

Interferon (IFN)-ß and/or tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) secreted by adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) have been proposed as key mechanistic factors in anti-cancer efficacy in lung cancer and breast cancer cells, where they act through paracrine signaling. We hypothesized that IFN-ß and TRAIL produced by ASCs suppress proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HCCs). The present study evaluated the anti-cancer effects of ASCs on HCCs in vitro. We found that indirect co-culture with ASCs diminished growth of Huh7 hepatocellular carcinoma cells with increased protein levels of p53/p21 and phosphorylated STAT1 (pSTAT1), without apoptosis. Treatment with ASC-conditioned medium (ASC-CM) also decreased growth of Huh7 cells through elevated p53/p21 and pSTAT1 signaling. ASC-CM-mediated inhibition of cell growth was neutralized in Huh7 cells treated with anti-IFN-ß antibody compared to that in ASC-CM-treated Huh7 cells incubated with an anti-TRAIL antibody. Treatment with JAK1/JAK2 inhibitors recovered inhibition of growth in Huh7 cells incubated in ASC-CM or IFN-ß via down-regulation of pSTAT1/p53/p21. However, treatment of IFN-ß resulted in no alterations in resistance of Huh7 cells to TRAIL. Our findings suggest that ASCs decrease growth through activated STAT1-mediated p53/p21 by IFN-ß, but not TRAIL, in Huh7 cells.

Association of Gout with Head and Neck Cancer: Longitudinal Follow-Up Studies Using a National Health Insurance Database in South Korea.

Objective: Previous studies have reported controversial results on the association between gout and the risk of cancer. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between gout and the incidence of head and neck cancer (HNC). Methods: The data of participants who underwent health checkups in 2009 were analyzed using the National Health Insurance Database in South Korea. A total of 14,348 HNC patients and 57,392 control participants were analyzed for a prior history of gout. Overlap weighting was applied, and odds ratios (ORs) of gout for HNC patients were analyzed. The overlap-weighted model adjusted for demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle factors and comorbidities. HNC sites were classified as oral cavity cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, hypopharyngeal cancer, nasal cavity/sinus cancer, larynx cancer, or salivary gland cancer, and the ORs of gout were estimated for each site. Results: Overall, patients with HNC had 1.12-fold greater odds of having gout (95% confidence intervals [CIs] = 1.04-1.20). According to the site of HNC, oral cavity cancer, oropharynx cancer, and larynx cancer demonstrated high odds of having gout (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.16-1.34 for oral cavity cancer; OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.01-1.15 for oropharynx cancer; and OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.06-1.20 for larynx cancer). On the other hand, nasal cavity/sinus cancer, nasopharynx cancer, and salivary gland cancer presented low odds of having gout (OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.72-0.84 for nasal cavity/sinus cancer; OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.83-0.96 for nasopharynx cancer; and OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.81-0.96 for salivary gland cancer). Conclusions: A prior history of gout was associated with a high overall incidence of HNC. Oral cavity cancer, oropharynx cancer, and larynx cancer have a high incidence in gout patients. However, nasal cavity/sinus cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, and salivary gland cancer have low incidences in gout patients. The impact of gout on HNC risk should be specifically considered according to the site of the HNC.

Substantiation and Effectiveness of Remote Monitoring System Based on IoMT Using Portable ECG Device.

Cardiovascular disease is a major global health concern, with early detection being critical. This study assesses the effectiveness of a portable ECG device, based on Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) technology, for remote cardiovascular monitoring during daily activities. We conducted a clinical trial involving 2000 participants who wore the HiCardi device while engaging in hiking activities. The device monitored their ECG, heart rate, respiration, and body temperature in real-time. If an abnormal signal was detected while a physician was remotely monitoring the ECG at the IoMT monitoring center, he notified the clinical research coordinator (CRC) at the empirical research site, and the CRC advised the participant to visit a hospital. Follow-up calls were made to determine compliance and outcomes. Of the 2000 participants, 318 showed abnormal signals, and 182 were advised to visit a hospital. The follow-up revealed that 139 (76.37%) responded, and 30 (21.58% of those who responded) sought further medical examination. Most visits (80.00%) occurred within one month. Diagnostic approaches included ECG (56.67%), ECG and ultrasound (20.00%), ultrasound alone (16.67%), ECG and X-ray (3.33%), and general treatment (3.33%). Seven participants (23.33% of those who visited) were diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, including conditions such as arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, and stent requirements. The portable ECG device using the patch-type electrocardiograph detected abnormal cardiovascular signals, leading to timely diagnoses and interventions, demonstrating its potential for broad applications in preventative healthcare.

Associations between Peritonsillar Abscess and Deep Neck Infection in Chronic Periodontitis Patients: Two Nested Case-Control Studies Using a National Health Screening Cohort.

Background/Introduction: Odontogenic infection is one of the main etiologies of deep neck infection (DNI). However, the relationship between chronic periodontitis (CP) and the incidence of DNI has not been examined. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of DNI and peritonsillar abscess (PTA) after CP. Methods: The Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort 2002-2019 was used. In Study I, 4585 PTA patients were matched with 19,340 control I participants. A previous history of CP for 1 year was collected, and the odds ratios (ORs) of CP for PTA were analyzed using conditional logistic regression. In Study II, 46,293 DNI patients and 185,172 control II participants were matched. A previous history of CP for 1 year was collected, and conditional logistic regression was conducted for the ORs of CP for DNI. Secondary analyses were conducted in demographic, socioeconomic, and comorbidity subgroups. Results: In Study I, a history of CP was not related to the incidence of PTA (adjusted OR = 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.91-1.81). In Study II, the incidence of DNI was greater in participants with a history of CP (adjusted OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.41-1.71). The relationship between CP history and DNI was greater in groups with young, male, low-income, and rural residents. Conclusions: A prior history of CP was associated with a high incidence of DNI in the general population of Korea. Patients with CP need to be managed for the potential risk of DNI.

Occult Pneumothorax in Blunt Thoracic Trauma: Clinical Characteristics and Results of Delayed Tube Thoracostomy in a Level 1 Trauma Center.

Occult pneumothorax in blunt trauma patients is often diagnosed only after computed tomography because supine chest X-ray (CXR) is preferred as an initial evaluation. However, improperly managed preexisting occult pneumothorax could threaten the vitality of patients. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the incidence, characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes of occult pneumothorax in a single trauma center. From 2020 to 2022, patients who were admitted to the level 1 trauma center were retrospectively investigated. Inclusion criteria focused on blunt chest trauma. Variables including demographic factors, image findings, injury-related factors, tube thoracostomy timing, and treatment results were evaluated. Of the 1621 patients, 187 who met the criteria were enrolled in the study: 32 with overt pneumothorax and 81 with occult pneumothorax. Among all of the pneumothorax cases, the proportion of occult pneumothorax was 71.7% (81/113), and its incidence in all admitted trauma victims was 5.0% (81/1621). Subcutaneous emphysema and rib fractures on supine CXR were risk factors for occult pneumothorax. Six patients underwent delayed tube thoracostomy; however, none had serious complications. Given that occult pneumothorax is common in patients with blunt chest trauma, treatment plans should be established that consider the possibility of pneumothorax. However, the prognosis is generally good, and follow-up is an alternative.

Association of Chest Anteroposterior Radiography with Computed Tomography in Patients with Blunt Chest Trauma.

Background: In cases of chest trauma, computed tomography (CT) can be used alongside chest anteroposterior (AP) radiography and physical examination during initial evaluation. Performing a CT scan may be difficult if a patient has unstable vital signs. In contrast, radiography may not always reliably diagnose nonmarked pneumothorax or extensive subcutaneous emphysema. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the agreement between chest radiography and CT findings in patients with blunt chest trauma. The study also aimed to determine the occurrence of occult pneumothorax and clarify the proportion of subcutaneous emphysema and pneumothorax detected through radiography and CT, respectively. Methods: We included patients (n = 1284) with chest trauma who were admitted to the emergency room of a tertiary hospital between January 2015 and June 2022. We excluded patients aged <18 years, those with stab injury, those without radiography and CT findings, and patients who required iatrogenic intervention, such as chest tube insertion, before imaging. We recorded age, sex, trauma mechanism, and Abbreviated Injury Scale score for each patient. From radiography and CT scans, we recorded the presence of rib fracture, subcutaneous emphysema, lung contusion, pneumothorax, and pneumomediastinum. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated to assess the reliability of radiography as a predictor of CT-based diagnosis. Results: Radiography exhibited a specificity of nearly 100% for all items. In most cases, findings that could not be confirmed by CT were not evident on radiographs. The incidence of occult pneumothorax was 87.3%. When subcutaneous emphysema was observed on radiography, CT findings indicated pneumothorax in 96.7% of cases. Conclusions: In situations where the patient's vital signs are unstable and performing a CT scan is not feasible, the presence of subcutaneous emphysema on radiography may indicate the need for chest decompression, even if pneumothorax is not observed.

Occult pneumothorax in patients with blunt chest trauma: key findings on supine chest radiography.

Background: In patients with multiple trauma, a supine chest radiography [chest X-ray (CXR)] is preferred over a erect CXR. However, this method has limitations in detecting post-traumatic pneumothorax. The use of chest computed tomography (CT) to detect traumatic pneumothorax is well known. However, pneumothorax that is not detected before a chest CT scan is known as an occult pneumothorax (OP), and it can cause serious complications in the patient. This study sought to evaluate the frequency and risk factors for OP in trauma patients. Methods: Patients who suffered thoracic trauma at the Level 1 Regional Trauma Center of Wonju Severance Christian Hospital between 2015 and 2022 were included in this study. All patients were at least 18 years old. The study reviewed all patients' supine CXR and chest CT images and classified them into five radiographic diagnoses: pneumothorax, rib fracture, subcutaneous emphysema, lung contusion, and pneumomediastinum. Results: The study included 1,284 patients, all with diagnoses of pneumothorax, rib fracture, subcutaneous emphysema, lung contusion, and pneumomediastinum following supine CXR and chest CT. The patient's average age was 58.3±15.2 years. Pneumothorax diagnosis on supine CXR had the lowest accuracy, at 46.7%, and the lowest sensitivity, at 12.7%. In univariate analysis, rib fracture, lung contusion, and subcutaneous emphysema on supine CXR were all found to be statistically significant regarding traumatic OP. In multivariate analysis, the risk factors for OP were lung contusion [odds ratio (OR), 1.440; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.115-1.860; P=0.005] and subcutaneous emphysema (OR, 25.883; 95% CI: 13.155-50.928; P<0.001) on supine CXR. Conclusions: The lung contusion and subcutaneous emphysema in supine CXR of trauma patients indicate the presence of OP. Therefore, if chest CT cannot be performed immediately due to unstable vital signs or other circumstances, recognizing the above radiological findings of traumatic pneumothorax may be necessary.

Characteristics of pediatric thoracic trauma: in view of before and after the establishment of a regional trauma center.

PURPOSE: Pediatric thoracic trauma differs from those of adult in terms of the small anatomy and rapid tissue recovery. Therefore, it is important to know the characteristics of the pediatric thoracic trauma to improve treatment results. In addition, this study examined the changes in pediatric thoracic trauma features and results from the establishment of a level 1 regional trauma center. METHODS: Data of 168 patients' ≤ 15 years old diagnosed with thoracic trauma between 2008 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Pedestrian traffic accidents were the most common cause of chest injury. The average injury severity score was 17.1 ± 12.4 and the average pediatric trauma score was 5.6 ± 4.1. Lung contusion was the most common in 134 cases. There were 48 cases of closed thoracostomy. There was one thoracotomy for cardiac laceration, one case for extracorporeal membranous oxygenation, and six cases for embolization. Of all, 25 patients died, providing a mortality rate of 14.9%. In addition, independent risk factors of in-hospital mortality were hemopneumothorax and cardiac contusion. Since 2014, when the level 1 regional trauma center was established, more severely injured thoracic trauma patients came. However, the mortality was similar in the two periods. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the clinical features of pediatric thoracic trauma patients can help in efficient treatment. In addition, as the severity of pediatric thoracic trauma patients has increased due to the establishment of the regional trauma center, so pediatric trauma center should be organized in regional trauma center to improve the outcomes of pediatric thoracic trauma.

12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate Reduces Activation of Hepatic Stellate Cells by Inhibiting the Hippo Pathway Transcriptional Coactivator YAP.

Although protein kinase C (PKC) regulates various biological activities, including cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, tissue remodeling, gene expression, and cell death, the antifibrotic effect of PKC in myofibroblasts is not fully understood. We investigated whether 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a PKC activator, reduced the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and explored the involvement of the Hippo pathway transcriptional coactivator YAP. We analyzed the effect of TPA on the proliferation and expression of α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) in the LX-2 HSC line. We also analyzed the phosphorylation of the Hippo pathway molecules YAP and LATS1 and investigated YAP nuclear translocation. We examined whether Gö 6983, a pan-PKC inhibitor, restored the TPA-inhibited activities of HSCs. Administration of TPA decreased the growth rate of LX-2 cells and inhibited the expression of α-SMA and collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1). In addition, TPA induced phosphorylation of PKCδ, LATS1, and YAP and inhibited the nuclear translocation of YAP compared with the control. These TPA-induced phenomena were mostly ameliorated by Gö 6983. Our results indicate that PKCδ exerts an antifibrotic effect by inhibiting the Hippo pathway in HSCs. Therefore, PKCδ and YAP can be used as therapeutic targets for the treatment of fibrotic diseases.

Establishment of Neurotoxicity Assessment Using Microelectrode Array (MEA) with hiPSC-Derived Neurons and Evaluation of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS).

Background and Objectives: Currently, safety pharmacological tests for the central nervous system depend on animal behavioral analysis. However, due to the subjectivity of behavioral analysis and differences between species, there is a limit to appropriate nervous system toxicity assessment, therefore a new neurotoxicity assessment that can simulate the human central nervous system is required. Methods and Results: In our study, we developed an in vitro neurotoxicity assessment focusing on neuronal function. To minimize the differences between species and fast screening, hiPSC-derived neurons and a microelectrode array (MEA) that could simultaneously measure the action potentials of the neuronal networks were used. After analyzing the molecular and electrophysiological characters of our neuronal network, we conducted a neurotoxicity assessment on neurotransmitters, neurotoxicants, illicit drugs, and new psychoactive substances (NPS). We found that most substances used in our experiments responded more sensitively to our MEA-based neurotoxicity assessment than to the conventional neurotoxicity assessment. Also, this is the first paper that evaluates various illicit drugs and NPS using MEA-based neurotoxicity assessment using hiPSC-derived neurons. Conclusions: Our study expanded the scope of application of neurotoxicity assessment using hiPSC-derived neurons to NPS, and accumulated evaluation data of various toxic substances for hiPSC-derived neurons.

Delayed Treatment of Iatrogenic Brachial Arteriovenous Fistula.

Iatrogenic vascular injuries may occur during venipuncture, arterial cannulation, or catheterization procedures. Brachial arteriovenous fistula (AVF) resulting from antecubital vascular access is rare and develops slowly. We report the case of an 18-year-old man who had developed iatrogenic brachial AVF. He had a history of several venipunctures in the left arm at the age of 10 months. Doppler ultrasonography and computed tomographic angiography were used to establish a diagnosis of brachial AVF, and surgical correction of the AVF was performed. As our case indicates, delayed surgery can be considered as a treatment option and may be associated with a decreased risk of vascular complications in the management of iatrogenic brachial AVF in infants.

Risk factors related to the recurrence of pneumothorax in patients with emphysema.

BACKGROUND: Pneumothorax refers to the abnormal presence of air in the thoracic cavity. Pulmonary emphysema (PE) is often detected during computed tomography (CT), one of the radiological investigations used to diagnose pneumothorax and devise treatment plans in former or current smokers who present with pneumothorax. However, there are few reports that describe the recurrence rate and risk factors associated with recurrence in patients with PE and pneumothorax. METHODS: This study retrospectively cross-sectional analyzed the medical records of 164 patients diagnosed with their first episode of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax and admitted to a tertiary care hospital, between March 2013 and February 2019. The CT scans of 98 patients revealed PE, and 49 patients of those underwent pulmonary function tests (PFTs) after the resolution of pneumothorax. Risk factors for recurrence were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard regression. RESULTS: All the subjects were male and former or current smokers, with a median age of 72 years. Thirty-seven (75.5%) patients were treated with tube thoracostomy alone, whereas 12 (24.5%) patients underwent chemical pleurodesis via chest tube or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. After recovery from pneumothorax, these patients underwent PFT within a median time period of 5.8 months. Median forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) were 3.02 L (91% predicted) and 1.58 L (67% predicted), respectively. In the current study, the recurrence rate of pneumothorax was observed to be 30.6%, within a median time period of 12.4 months. In multivariable-adjusted analysis, decreased FEV1 was observed to be significantly higher in the patients who exhibited recurrence of pneumothorax than in those who did not (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.408; P=0.025). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with PE and pneumothorax, PFT, performed after recovery, could be a useful test for predicting the recurrence of pneumothorax.

Circulating microRNAs as potentially new diagnostic biomarkers of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

BACKGROUND: Early detection of inner ear cell damage can reduce the chances of permanent damage to hearing ability. However, current inner ear cell damage detection methods can detect damage only after the patient has lost hearing ability. MicroRNA expression levels in circulating systems are affected in diseases or conditions arising from the distant lesions. Therefore, detection of circulating microRNA expression levels could be one of the best ways to obtain information on inaccessible lesion sites. AIMS/OBJECTIVES: This study aims to establish a method for monitoring idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) by analyzing circulating microRNA expression levels. 21 ISSNHL patients and 24 healthy controls were enrolled. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed for detecting expression levels of circulating microRNAs. RESULTS: Among eight circulating microRNAs, expression levels of five circulating microRNAs significantly differed between ISSNHL patients and healthy controls. circulating microRNA expression levels correlates with treatment outcomes and hearing ability. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Using methods combining the evaluation of miR-183, miR-210, miR-18b, and miR-23a cut-off values identified in ISSNHL patients and healthy controls during receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, sensitivity and specificity of 80.95% (17/21) and 87.50% (21/24) were obtained, respectively.

Surveillance or resection after chemoradiation in esophageal cancer.

The treatment of locally advanced esophageal cancer continues to evolve. Previously, surgery was considered the foundation of treatment, but chemoradiation (CRT) has taken on a larger role both in the neoadjuvant setting and as definitive treatment. It has become clear that although some patients benefit from esophagectomy after CRT, a large subset of patients likely derive no benefit, and may be harmed by surgery. Some patients are cured from CRT alone and therefore do not need surgery. Another group of patients likely have metastatic disease at the time of local therapy that is just undetected on imaging and also do not benefit from surgery. A third group of patients will have persistent locoregional disease only after CRT. This last group is the subset who will actually benefit from surgery, but this likely comprises only a minority of patients with locally advanced disease. A strategy to maximize survival while minimizing unnecessary surgery is a reasonable goal, but present technology does not allow us to do this with certainty. Thus, the decision of whether to pursue resection or surveillance after CRT can be difficult as clinicians and patients try to balance the goal of maximizing the likelihood of cure against the risk of surgery and its impact on quality of life.

Serum Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 and New-Onset Metabolic Syndrome: KoGES-ARIRANG Study.

PURPOSE: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a crucial metabolic regulator, with multiple favorable effects on glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism. Since serum FGF21 level has been implicated as a potential marker for the early identification of metabolic syndrome (MetS), we investigated the association between serum FGF21 level and the development of MetS in a population-based prospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of 221 randomly sampled adults without MetS from a general population-based cohort study who were examined from 2005-2008 (baseline) and from 2008-2011 (follow-up). Baseline serum FGF21 levels were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: During the average 2.8-year follow-up period, 82 participants (36.6%) developed new-onset MetS. Serum FGF21 levels were significantly higher in patients with new-onset MetS than in those without MetS (209.56±226.80 vs. 110.09±81.10, p<0.01). In multivariate adjusted models, the odds for MetS development were greater in patients with serum FGF21 levels in the highest quartile, compared to those in the lowest quartile (3.84, 95% confidence interval: 1.59-9.28). CONCLUSION: Serum FGF21 level was an independent predictor for new-onset MetS in a population-based prospective study.

The clinical implications of severe low rib fracture in the management of diaphragm injury: A Case Control Study.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to analyze the differences in clinical presentation and characteristics with regard to diaphragmatic injury between blunt trauma patients with severe low rib fractures and those without severe low rib fractures. METHODS: The medical records of all patients with diaphragmatic injuries who were surgically treated at this level I trauma center, between January 2004 and December 2016 were reviewed. Patient notes, radiologic findings, and operative reports were evaluated. All of the diaphragmatic injuries were confirmed based on the operative findings. Rib fracture with displacement between the ends of the fracture of more than half the width of the fractured rib on computed tomography was classified as 'severe rib fracture'. Patients were categorized into 2 groups and analyzed: those who had more than one severe rib fracture in low ribs on the ipsilateral side of the diaphragm injury (Severe group), and those with no severe rib fracture (Non-severe group). RESULTS: Delayed diagnosis of diaphragmatic injury was more frequent in the Severe group than in the Non-severe group (81.8% vs 36.8%, p-value = 0.026). With regard to initial indications for operation, intrathoracic visceral herniation was more frequent in the Non-severe group (78.9% vs 18.2%, p-value = 0.002), while hemothorax was more frequent in the Severe group (63.6% vs 5.3%, p-value = 0.001). Central type diaphragmatic laceration was more frequent in the Non-severe group than in the Severe group (78.9% vs 18.2%, p-value = 0.002). The diameter of diaphragmatic injury was larger in the Non-severe group than in the Severe group (9.70 ± 4.10 cm vs 4.80 ± 3.60 cm, p-value = 0.004). CONCLUSION: The results of this study imply that a low threshold for thoracotomy or laparotomy should be considered in blunt trauma patients with severe low rib fractures for the purpose of hidden diaphragmatic injury detection and management.

Perforation of esophagus and subsequent mediastinitis following mussel shell ingestion.

Esophageal perforation is a very rare occurrence because accidental swallowing of foreign bodies is uncommon in adults. Thus, perforation due to swallowing of a foreign body and subsequent development of mediastinitis is rarely encountered by physicians. We experienced such a case and described an adult male patient who had perforated esophagus after accidentally swallowing a mussel shell. The patient visited our emergency department complaining of painful dysphagia for 4 days. A review of history revealed that he consumed a spicy seafood noodle soup containing mussel shells 4 days ago. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest showed the foreign body in the esophagus and pneumomediastinum was identified. We removed the mussel shell fragment using rigid esophagoscopy; explo-thoracotomy, debridement of mediastinal abscess and irrigation were performed.

Analysis of Sternal Fixation Results According to Plate Type in Sternal Fracture.

BACKGROUND: Sternal fractures are relatively rare, and caused mainly by blunt anterior chest wall trauma. In most cases, sternal fractures are treated conservatively. However, if the patient exhibits problematic symptoms such as intractable chest wall pain or bony crepitus due to sternal instability, surgical correction is indicated. But no consensus exists regarding the most appropriate surgical method. We analyzed the results of surgical fixation in cases of sternal fracture in order to identify which surgical method led to the best outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with sternal fractures from December 2008 to December 2011, and found 19 patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation of the sternum with a longitudinal plate (L-group) or a T-shaped plate (T-group). We investigated patients' characteristics, clinical details regarding each case of chest trauma, the presence of other associated injuries, the type of open reduction and fixation, whether a combined operation was performed, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Of the 19 patients, 10 patients (52.6%) were male, and their average age was 56.8 years (range, 32 to 82 years). Seven patients (36.8%) had isolated sternal fractures, while 12 (63.2%) had other associated injuries. Seven patients (36.8%) were in the L-group and 12 patients (63.2%) were in the T-group. Three patients in the L-group (42.9%) showed a loosening of the fixation. In all patients in the T-group, the fracture exhibited stable alignment. CONCLUSION: Open reduction and internal fixation with a T-shaped plate in sternal fractures is a safer and more efficient treatment method than treatment with a longitudinal plate, especially in patients with a severely displaced sternum or anterior flail chest, than a longitudinal plate.

Left External Iliac and Common Femoral Artery Occlusion Following Blunt Abdominal Trauma without Associated Bone Injury.

Blunt abdominal trauma may cause peripheral vascular injuries. However, blunt abdominal trauma rarely results in injuries to the external iliac and common femoral arteries, which often stem from regional bone fractures. Here, we present the case of a patient who had experienced trauma in the lower abdominal and groin area three months before presenting to the hospital, but these injuries did not involve bone fractures and had been managed conservatively. The patient came to the hospital because of left lower leg claudication that gradually became severe. Computed tomography angiography confirmed total occlusion of the external iliac and common femoral arteries. The patient underwent femorofemoral bypass grafting and was discharged uneventfully.

Epidemiology of trauma patients and analysis of 268 mortality cases: trends of a single center in Korea.

PURPOSE: There is an increasing incidence of mortality among trauma patients; therefore, it is important to analyze the trauma epidemiology in order to prevent trauma death. The authors reviewed the trauma epidemiology retrospectively at a regional emergency center of Korea and evaluated the main factors that led to trauma-related deaths. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 17007 trauma patients were registered to the trauma registry of the regional emergency center at Wonju Severance Christian Hospital in Korea from January 2010 to December 2012. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 35.2 years old. The most frequent trauma mechanism was blunt injury (90.8%), as well as slip-and-fall down injury, motor vehicle accidents, and others. Aside from 142 early trauma deaths, a total of 4673 patients were admitted for further treatment. The most common major trauma sites of admitted patients were on the extremities (38.4%), followed by craniocerebral, abdominopelvis, and thorax. With deaths of 126 patients during in-hospital treatment, the overall mortality (142 early and 126 late deaths) was 5.6% for admitted patients. Ages ≥55, injury severity score ≥16, major craniocerebral injury, cardiopulmonary resuscitation at arrival, probability of survival <25% calculated from the trauma and injury severity score were independent predictors of trauma mortality in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: The epidemiology of the trauma patients studied was found to be mainly blunt trauma. This finding is similar to previous papers in terms of demographics and mechanism. Trauma patients who have risk factors of mortality require careful management in order to prevent trauma-related deaths.