Congestive ischemic colitis successfully treated with anti-inflammatory therapy: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Congestive ischemic colitis is a rare subtype of ischemic colitis with an unknown pathophysiology. Excluding conservative management, such as fasting, no established treatment exists; therefore, surgical intervention should be considered in some cases if symptoms worsen. Current literature suggests that anti-inflammatory agents may effectively treat congestive ischemic colitis. CASE SUMMARY: We present the case of a 68-year-old female patient who underwent laparoscopic left hemicolectomy for transverse colon cancer 3 years ago. Postoperatively, follow-up included an annual colonoscopy and abdominal computed tomography (CT) at a local clinic. However, progressive erythema and edema of the sigmoid colon were observed 1 year postoperatively. Upon admission to our hospital, she complained of abdominal pain and diarrhea. Abdominal CT showed thickening of the sigmoid colon walls, and colonoscopy revealed erythema, edema, and multiple ulcers with exudate in the sigmoid colon. CT angiography showed engorgement of the sigmoid vasa recta without any vascular abnormalities. The diagnosis was congestive ischemic colitis, and we treated the patient with anti-inflammatory agents. After 2 mo of glucocorticoid therapy (20 mg once daily) and 7 mo of 5-aminosalicylate therapy (1 g twice daily), the ulcers completely healed. She has not experienced any recurrence for 2 years. CONCLUSION: Anti-inflammatory therapy, specifically glucocorticoids and 5-aminosalicylate, has demonstrated promising efficacy and introduces potential novel treatment options for congestive ischemic colitis.

The efficacy of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment before hysteroscopic myomectomy for large-sized submucosal leiomyoma.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist for treating large-sized submucosal leiomyoma before hysteroscopic myomectomy. The data were retrospectively collected from patients who underwent a hysteroscopic myomectomy for a submucosal leiomyoma >3.5 cm in size from January 2009 to December 2018. The patients were divided into the GnRH group and the control group according to whether they were pretreated before surgery. A total of 61 patients were included in the study, 31 in the GnRH agonist group and 30 in the control group. At diagnosis, the maximum leiomyoma diameter was similar between the 2 groups (4.67 ± 0.6 cm in the GnRH agonist group vs 3.82 ± 0.6 cm in the control group, P = .061). After pretreatment with the GnRH agonist, the maximum diameter was significantly smaller in the GnRH agonist group compared to the control group (3.82 ± 0.6 vs 4.33 ± 0.8 cm, respectively, P = .004). The leiomyoma volume in the GnRH agonist group decreased by 55.6%, from 41.68 ± 15.7 to 23.19 ± 10.4 cm3, which led to significant differences in leiomyoma volume between the 2 groups (23.19 ± 10.4 cm3 in the GnRH agonist group vs 33.22 ± 24.7 cm3 in the control group, P = .042). The GnRH agonist group showed a shorter operation time (37.7 vs 43.9 minutes, P = .040) and less uterine distention media was used (6800 vs 9373.3 mL, P = .037) compared to the control group. Postoperative complications such as estimated blood loss, remnant leiomyoma, and recurrence were similar between the 2 groups. Treatment with a GnRH agonist before hysteroscopic myomectomy for large submucosal leiomyoma might decrease the volume of the leiomyoma, reduce operation time, and the amount of uterine-distension media used without surgical complications.

Usefulness of sentinel lymph node mapping using indocyanine green and fluorescent imaging in the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer.

The lymph node status is the most important prognostic factor for endometrial cancer. This study aimed to assess whether sentinel lymph node mapping (SLNM) is applicable in endometrial cancer. A retrospective review of patients with endometrial cancer who were diagnosed and treated in Asan Medical Centre from September 2015 to December 2017 was conducted. One hundred patients underwent robotic (da Vinci®) or laparoscopic surgical treatment, including SLNM with indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence detection using the Firefly® and NIR/ICG systems. At least one lymph node area was observed in 100% of SLNM cases. Sentinel node detection and frozen biopsy were performed in all cases, and all patients with metastasis were found on SLNM. The sensitivity and negative predictive value were both 100% in the patient-by-patient and station-by-station analyses. SLNM appears to be a feasible method to reduce the morbidity and increase the detection rate in early-stage endometrial carcinoma.What is already known on this subject? There are studies that it is safe to diagnose the possibility of lymph node metastasis through sentinel lymph node mapping in endometrial cancer.What do the results of this study add? In this study, it is shown that the accuracy of sentinel lymph node mapping is 100% accurate.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practise and/or further research? Therefore, total lymphadenectomy will not be necessary for the future.

Effect of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors for patients with chemotherapy-induced painful peripheral neuropathy: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To compare the efficacy of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) treatment for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) METHODS:: Two authors independently searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochran Library, and Web of Science to identify and review articles published from January 1998 until December 2018 according to selection criteria. Outcomes were expressed as mean difference, the pooled odds ratio, or relative risk in a meta-analysis model. RESULTS: A total of 10 studies were included in this meta-analysis: 6 randomized-controlled studies and 4 observational studies. Meta-analysis showed that CIPN was improved after treatment with SNRI (standardized mean difference = 2.20; 95% confidence interval, 0.90-3.49; I = 93% in 3 randomized controlled studies). Somnolence and insomnia occurred in <15% of patients. Incidence of somnolence was lower than with pregabalin treatment, and insomnia was comparable to that in expectant management or pregabalin treatment. Incidence of nausea and vomiting was higher than in expectant management, but no significant difference was found when compared to expectant management. CONCLUSION: From the several available studies suitable for indirect comparison, SNRI shows excellent efficacy and tolerability to CIPN. SNRI could provide an important treatment option for CIPN.

Effect of pretreatment with combined oral contraceptives on outcomes of assisted reproductive technology for women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of pretreatment with combined oral contraceptives (COC) on outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who underwent assisted reproductive technology for subfertility. METHODS: Two authors independently searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochran Library to identify and review articles published from October 1995 until December 2018 according to selection criteria. Outcomes are expressed as mean difference and odds ratio (OR) in a meta-analysis model. RESULTS: A total of seven studies were included in this meta-analysis: one randomized controlled study and two prospective and four retrospective cohort studies. Meta-analysis showed that the COC pretreatment did not affect rate of clinical pregnancy (OR = 0.93, 95% confidence interval CI 0.65-1.34, I2 = 76%) or ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.57-1.44, I2 = 0%). However, the rate of miscarriage in the COC group was significantly higher (OR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.02-1.72, I2 = 9%) and the rate of cumulative live birth was significantly lower compared with the control group (OR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.54-0.98, I2 = 55%). Subgroup analysis showed higher rates of miscarriage and lower rates of cumulative live birth in studies with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol (OR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.17-2.44, I2 = 0% and OR = 0.38, 95% CI 0.29-0.50, respectively). CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with COC in women with PCOS before assisted reproductive technology may have an adverse effect on clinical outcomes, especially with a GnRH antagonist protocol.

Efficacy of levonorgestrel releasing intrauterine system as a postoperative maintenance therapy of endometriosis: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of levonorgestrel releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) with other treatments as a postoperative maintenance therapy for endometriosis in terms of pain reduction, recurrence prevention, side effects and patients' satisfaction. STUDY DESIGN: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library from January 1986 until February 2018. Two evaluators independently extracted and reviewed prospective and retrospective articles based on pre-determined selection criteria. Outcomes were expressed as mean difference (MD), risk ratios (RR) or odds ratios (OR) in a meta-analysis model, using Revman software. RESULTS: Among the 962 studies, 7 studies were selected: 7 studies included 4 randomized controlled trials with 212 patients, 1 prospective cohort study with 88 patients, and 2 retrospective studies with 191 patients. A meta-analysis showed that LNG-IUS was significantly effective in reducing pain after surgery (MD = 12.97, 95% confidence interval (CI): 5.55-20.39), with a comparable effect to gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues (MD = -0.16, 95% CI: -2.02 to 1.70). LNG-IUS was also effective in decreasing the recurrence rate (RR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.26-0.64), with an effect comparable to OC (OR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.25-4.02) and danazol (RR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.03-2.81). Furthermore, patients' satisfaction with LNG-IUS was significantly higher than that with OC (OR = 8.60, 95% CI: 1.03-71.86). However, vaginal bleeding was significantly higher in the LNG-IUS group than in the gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue group (RR = 27.0, 95% CI: 1.71-425.36). CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis found a positive effect of LNG-IUS as a postoperative maintenance therapy for endometriosis on pain relief, prevention of dysmenorrhea recurrence, and patients' satisfaction.

Simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty with robotic and conventional techniques: a prospective, randomized study.

PURPOSE: The authors performed this study to compare the outcomes of robotic-assisted and conventional TKA in same patient simultaneously. It was hypothesized that the robotic-assisted procedure would produce better leg alignment and component orientation, and thus, improve patient satisfaction and clinical and radiological outcomes. METHODS: Thirty patients underwent bilateral sequential total knee replacement. One knee was replaced by robotic-assisted implantation and the other by conventional implantation. RESULTS: Radiographic results showed significantly more postoperative leg alignment outliers of conventional sides than robotic-assisted sides (mechanical axis, coronal inclination of the femoral prosthesis, and sagittal inclination of the tibial prosthesis). Robotic-assisted sides had non-significantly better postoperative knee scores and ROMs. Robotic-assisted sides needed longer operation times (25 min, SD ± 18) and longer skin incisions. Nevertheless, postoperative bleeding was significantly less for robotic-assisted sides. CONCLUSION: The better alignment accuracy of robotic TKA and the good clinical results achieved may favorably influence clinical and radiological outcomes.

Favorable Culture Conditions for Mycelial Growth of Korean Wild Strains in Ganoderma lucidum.

Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) Karst (Polyporaceae), belonging to basidiomycota, is one of the most famous medicinal mushrooms. This study was carried out to investigate favorable mycelial growth conditions, such as pH, temperature, growth media, carbon sources and nitrogen sources of Korean strains in G. lucidum. The most suitable temperature for the mycelial growth was obtained at 30℃. In general, optimal temperature range for the mycelial growth was found at 25~30℃. This Mushroom has a broad pH range (5~9) for its mycelial growth and mostly favorable growth was found at pH 5. Generally, Hamada, Glucose peptone, YM, Mushroom complete and Lilly media were the most suitable for the mycelial growth of G. lucidum. Among 10 different carbon sources, dextrin, galactose and fructose were best but the rest of other carbon sources also facilitated the growth of mycelia. The most suitable nitrogen sources were ammonium acetate, glycine, arginine and calcium nitrate, but to a certain extent, all of the supplemented nitrogen sources also stimulated the mycelial growth.