Limb Salvage Surgery for Ponatinib-Induced Bilateral Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia in a Patient with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia with T315I Mutation in BCR-ABL: A Case Report.

A 72-year-old woman with chronic myeloid leukemia with T315I mutation in breakpoint cluster region-abelson (BCR-ABL) was treated with ponatinib. During the course of her treatment, chronic limb-threatening ischemia developed in both lower extremities, and the left lower extremity was amputated below the knee at a previous hospital. She was referred to our department for salvage of the right lower extremity. We performed a foot bypass and multidisciplinary treatment of the wound, and achieved epithelialization in about 1 month. The rate of vascular occlusive events with ponatinib has been reported to be high, and we believe that careful monitoring is important during use.

Association between high fear-avoidance beliefs about physical activity and chronic disabling low back pain in nurses in Japan.

BACKGROUND: High prevalence of low back pain (LBP) in nurses has been reported globally. Ergonomic factors and work-related psychosocial factors have been focused on as risk factors. However, evidence on the role of fear-avoidance beliefs (FABs) concerning LBP in nurses is lacking. This study examined LBP prevalence and the association between FABs and chronic disabling LBP that interfered with work and lasted ≥ 3 months. METHODS: Female nurses (N = 3066; mean age = 35.8 ± 10.6 years) from 12 hospitals in Japan participated. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect information on sociodemographics, LBP, work-related factors, and psychological distress. FABs about physical activity were assessed using a subscale from the FAB Questionnaire (score range = 0-24). The participants were asked to choose one of four statements regarding their LBP in the past 4 weeks: 1) I did not have LBP, 2) I had LBP without work difficulty, 3) I had LBP with work difficulty but without requiring absence from work, and 4) I had LBP requiring absence from work. If the participant had LBP in the past 4 weeks, it was also inquired if the LBP had lasted for ≥ 3 months. Chronic disabling LBP was defined as experiencing LBP with work difficulty in the past 4 weeks which had lasted for ≥ 3 months. In the nurses who had experienced any LBP in the past 4 weeks, we examined the association between FABs and experiencing chronic disabling LBP using multiple logistic regression models adjusting for pain intensity, age, body mass index, smoking status, psychological distress, hospital department, weekly work hours, night shift work, and the12 hospitals where the participants worked. RESULTS: Four-week and one-year LBP prevalence were 58.7 and 75.9%, respectively. High FABs (≥ 15) were associated with chronic disabling LBP (adjusted odds ratio = 1.76, 95% confidence interval [1.21-2.57], p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: LBP is common among nurses in Japan. FABs about physical activity might be a potential target for LBP management in nurses. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN-CTR UMIN000018087. Registered: June 25, 2015.

Diabetic polyneuropathy is a risk factor for decline of lower extremity strength in patients with type 2 diabetes.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: The present study elucidated the effect of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) on lower extremity strength in a wide age range of type 2 diabetes patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants (n = 1,442) were divided into three age groups (30-49 years, 50-69 years and 70-87 years), and comparisons were made separately for each sex. Lower extremity strength was measured in terms of knee extension force (KEF) with a hand-held dynamometer. KEF was compared according to the presence or absence of DPN. Furthermore, the effect of DPN on KEF with other diabetic complications (diabetic retinopathy and diabetic nephropathy), diabetes status (diabetes duration and glycated hemoglobin) and habitual behavior (regular exercise, smoking and drinking behaviors) as explanatory variables was analyzed using multiple regression analysis in several models. RESULTS: The frequency of DPN differed among age groups, ranging from 14.3 to 49.6%, and increasing with age. There was no significant difference in KEF between patients aged 30-49 years with and without DPN. However, among both men and women aged 50-69 years and 70-87 years, patients with DPN showed significantly diminished KEF (11.0-12.9% and 11.9-16.6%, respectively) compared with those without DPN (P < 0.01-0.001). In women aged 50-69 years and 70-87 years, and in men aged 50-69 years, DPN was a significant explanatory variable for KEF in all multiple regression analysis models. CONCLUSION: DPN might reinforce a KEF decline in middle-aged and elderly type 2 diabetes patients.

Contributions of Physical Therapists to Primary Preventive Health Care.

The limitations of what physical therapists can differ from country to country. In Japan, physical therapists are national licensed health care professionals who can help patients improve or restore their mobility. Most Japanese physical therapists provide care for people in health care facilities, medical-welfare transitional facilities, and welfare facilities for the elderly. Currently, physical therapists are unable to sufficiently contribute to primary preventive health care in Japan. However, there are many health problems that physical therapists could help alleviate. For example, low back pain (LBP) more likely than any other condition prevents people from working; thus, making the establishment of effective measures to prevent and reduce LBP vital. An estimated 20,500,000 Japanese individuals have diabetes mellitus (DM) or are at a high risk of developing the disease. DM commonly accompanies stroke and/or heart disease, and is characterized by complications that result from chronic hyperglycemia. Evidence-based physical therapy is effective for the prevention and treatment of LBP and DM. The Japanese Physical Therapy Association established the Japanese Society of Physical Therapy (JSPT) in June 2013. The JSPT has 12 departmental societies and 10 sections. We believe that the JSPT will advance the study of the potential role of physical therapists in primary preventive health care. In the future, it is expected that Japanese physical therapists will contribute to primary preventive health care.

Aortic regurgitation after valve-sparing aortic root replacement: modes of failure.

BACKGROUND: Despite the positive clinical results of valve-sparing aortic root replacement, little is known about the causes of reoperations and the modes of failure. METHODS: From October 1999 to June 2010, 101 patients underwent valve-sparing aortic root replacement using the David reimplantation technique. The definition of aortic root repair failure included the following: (1) intraoperative conversion to the Bentall procedure; (2) reoperation performed because of aortic regurgitation; and (3) aortic regurgitation equal to or greater than a moderate degree at the follow-up. Sixteen patients were considered to have repair failure. Three patients required intraoperative conversion to valve replacement, 3 required reoperation within 3 months, and another 8 required reoperation during postoperative follow-up. At initial surgery 5 patients had moderate to severe aortic regurgitation, 6 patients had acute aortic dissections, 3 had Marfan syndrome, 2 had status post Ross operations, 3 had bicuspid aortic valves, and 1 had aortitis. Five patients had undergone cusp repair, including Arantius plication in 3 and plication at the commissure in 2. RESULTS: The causes of early failure in 6 patients included cusp perforation (3), cusp prolapse (3), and severe hemolysis (1). The causes of late failure in 10 patients included cusp prolapse (4), commissure dehiscence (3), torn cusp (2), and cusp retraction (1). Patients had valve replacements at a mean of 23 ± 20.9 months after reimplantation and survived. CONCLUSIONS: Causes of early failure after valve-sparing root replacement included technical failure, cusp lesions, and steep learning curve. Late failure was caused by aortic root wall degeneration due to gelatin-resorcin-formalin glue, cusp degeneration, or progression of cusp prolapse.

Surgical removal of a tilted temporary inferior vena cava filter incorporated with a large thrombus: report of a case.

A 68-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with left leg edema and dull pain. Magnetic resonance imaging and enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed a huge myoma uteri compressing the left common iliac vein, thus resulting in iliofemoral venous thrombosis. A total hysterectomy was uneventfully performed under the placement of a temporary inferior vena cava (IVC) filter. The postoperative enhanced CT-scan and cavography revealed the 90 degrees -tilted filter incorporated with a large thrombus. As an increased dose of heparin that was administered during the following week resulted in no reduction of the thrombus, a surgical removal was indicated. The infrarenal IVC was clamped proximal and distal to the filter, and the tilted filter with the large thrombus was removed through a longitudinal cavotomy. The postoperative course was uneventful, and she had no recurrence or residual symptoms for 6 months following the surgery.