Epidemiological and Clinical History of Viral Hepatitis in Korea

Viral hepatitis is the most important cause of acute and chronic liver disease in Korea.Particularly, hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the leading cause of liver-related mortality. Because of the nationwide vaccinations in the 1980s, hepatitis B surface antigen positive rates substantially decreased from 8% to 3%. Moreover, the introduction of potent nucleoside or nucleotide analogs led to the effective treatment of patients who had already been infected by HBV. The remaining issue has been to develop novel drugs that can cure HBV infection.Hepatitis C virus (HCV), on the other hand, is a hepatotropic virus that is parenterally transmitted. In Korea, the prevalence of HCV is estimated to be approximately 1%. Although no effective vaccine for HCV has been developed yet, highly effective and safe direct-acting antiviral therapy, which has a short treatment duration of 8 – 12 weeks, has made HCV eradication possible globally. Currently, the unsolved issue regarding HCV management is low disease awareness among patients and health care providers. Therefore, nationwide testing for anti-HCV would be a solution to identify patients infected with HCV but with no symptoms. Lastly, the Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is orally transmitted and results in acute hepatitis. In Korea, the young adult population is a high-risk group since this group is not vaccinated against HAV. More active vaccination and improved hygiene would be necessary to prevent HAV infection.

Epidemiological and Clinical History of Viral Hepatitis in Korea

Viral hepatitis is the most important cause of acute and chronic liver disease in Korea.Particularly, hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the leading cause of liver-related mortality. Because of the nationwide vaccinations in the 1980s, hepatitis B surface antigen positive rates substantially decreased from 8% to 3%. Moreover, the introduction of potent nucleoside or nucleotide analogs led to the effective treatment of patients who had already been infected by HBV. The remaining issue has been to develop novel drugs that can cure HBV infection.Hepatitis C virus (HCV), on the other hand, is a hepatotropic virus that is parenterally transmitted. In Korea, the prevalence of HCV is estimated to be approximately 1%. Although no effective vaccine for HCV has been developed yet, highly effective and safe direct-acting antiviral therapy, which has a short treatment duration of 8 – 12 weeks, has made HCV eradication possible globally. Currently, the unsolved issue regarding HCV management is low disease awareness among patients and health care providers. Therefore, nationwide testing for anti-HCV would be a solution to identify patients infected with HCV but with no symptoms. Lastly, the Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is orally transmitted and results in acute hepatitis. In Korea, the young adult population is a high-risk group since this group is not vaccinated against HAV. More active vaccination and improved hygiene would be necessary to prevent HAV infection.

Radiofrequency Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (≤ 5 cm) with Saline-Perfused Electrodes: Factors Affecting Local Tumor Progression

Purpose@#We aimed to assess local tumor progression (LTP) rate and associated prognostic factors in 92 patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation (RFA) using saline-perfused electrodes to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (≤ 5 cm). @*Materials and Methods@#Total 92 patients with 148 HCCs were treated with RFA using salineperfused electrodes, from 2009 to 2015. We retrospectively evaluated technical success, technique efficacy, and LTP rates. Potential prognostic factors for LTP were perivascular tumor, subphrenic tumor, artificial ascites, tumor size (≥ 2 cm), and previous treatment of transarterial chemoembolization. Analysis was performed by lesion, rather than by person. @*Results@#During follow-up period from 1 to 97.4 months, total cumulative LTP rates were 7.9%, 11.4%, and 14.6% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. These values were significantly higher in the perivascular (35.1%; p = 0.009) and subphrenic group (38.9%; p = 0.002) at 5-year. We did not observe any significant difference in LTP according to other prognostic factors (p > 0.05). @*Conclusion@#RFA with saline-perfused electrode is a safe and effective treatment modality for HCC (≤ 5 cm), with lower LTP rates. Nevertheless, perivascular and subphrenic HCCs demonstrated higher LTP rate than other sites. It is imperative to note that perivascular and subphrenic location of HCC are associated with a high risk of local recurrence, despite the use of salineperfused electrodes.

Two-Stage Total Knee Arthroplasty for Prosthetic Joint Infection

PURPOSE: This retrospective review was conducted to identify prognostic factors for two-stage reimplantation for infected total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and the rate of reinfection following revision TKA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of 88 patients diagnosed with post-TKA infection between 1998 and 2011, 76 underwent two-stage reimplantation and were reviewed in this study. The 76 patients were divided into two groups-those who experienced reinfection and those who did not. Comorbidities, culture results, and inflammation indices were analyzed and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Of the 76 patients who underwent a two-stage reimplantation, 18 (23.7%) experienced reinfection. Patients with more than three comorbidities had significantly higher reinfection rates than those with less than three comorbidities (47.1% vs. 4.8%, p=0.032). The reinfection rate between the culture positive prosthetic joint infection group and the culture negative prosthetic joint infection group was not significantly different (p=0.056). Inflammation indices (erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] and C-reactive protein [CRP]) showed a statistically significant difference between patients with reinfection and those without reinfection at 4 weeks after the first-stage surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Reimplantation must be carefully performed when the risk of reinfection is high, particularly in patients with more than three systemic or local comorbidities and higher inflammation indices (ESR and CRP) prior to revision TKA.

Acute Pancreatitis Secondary to Ciprofloxacin Therapy in Patients with Infectious Colitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ciprofloxacin is considered to be a safe and effective treatment for acute infectious colitis. However, this drug may cause drug-induced pancreatitis, albeit rarely. METHODS: From March 2007 to February 2012, we studied 227 patients who were hospitalized for infectious colitis at St. Mary's Hospital. All of the patients received ciprofloxacin therapy for the treatment of infectious colitis. We observed a few cases of rare adverse events, including ciprofloxacin-induced acute pancreatitis diagnosed based on the Naranjo algorithm. RESULTS: During ciprofloxacin therapy, seven of 227 patients (3.1%) developed rare pancreatitis as defined by the Naranjo algorithm; pancreatic enzyme activity was sporadically elevated with ciprofloxacin use. After ciprofloxacin administration, the average interval until the development of pancreatitis was 5.5 days (range, 4 to 7 days). On abdominal computed tomography, pancreatic swelling and homogenous enhancement was noted in three of seven patients. Complicating acute pancreatitis was gradually but completely resolved after cessation of ciprofloxacin administration. The mean recovery time was 11.3 days (range, 8 to 15 days). CONCLUSIONS: We observed that ciprofloxacin-induced pancreatitis may occur with an incidence of approximately 3%. Ciprofloxacin-induced pancreatitis presents a short latency, suggesting an idiosyncratic hypersensitivity reaction. Practitioners should be aware that drug-induced pancreatitis can occur during ciprofloxacin therapy.

The PERFECT Study (PEnnel Real liFe Efficacy Clinical Trial), a Double-Blind, Randomized, Multicenter Trial Examining the Efficacy of Biphenyl Dimethyl Dicarboxylate Combined with Garlic Oil in Patients with Transaminase Elevated Chronic Liver Disease / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Biphenyl dimethyl dicarboxylate (DDB) combined with garlic oil (pennel) has been used to treat chronic liver disease. A randomized, double-blind, active- and placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to investigate the efficacy, safety and quality of life in chronic liver disease patients. METHODS: A total of 237 patients with chronic liver disease were randomized into three groups; 100 patients were administered pennel, 102 patients Legalon as an active-control and 35 patients placebo for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the rate of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization. We assessed differences in ALT levels and malondialdehyde (MDA) as an oxidative biomarker between 0 and 12 weeks, the improvement in quality of life using a chronic liver disease questionnaire (CLDQ) and the incidence of adverse events. RESULTS: Among 237 patients, there were 157 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, 36 patients with alcoholic liver disease, and 28 patients with chronic hepatitis B and C. The incidence of ALT normalization at 12 weeks was 89% for the pennel group, 18.6% for the active-control group, and 22.9% for the placebo-control group (p < 0.001). The difference in serum ALT level between 0 and 12 weeks was significantly higher in the pennel group (p < 0.001) and the level of MDA was decreased in the pennel group, statistically (p < 0.001). There was no difference in incidence of adverse events among groups. The pennel group showed significant improvement based on the CLDQ (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pennel can effectively improve the rate of ALT normalization and the quality of life with a safety profile in chronic liver disease.

The PERFECT Study (PEnnel Real liFe Efficacy Clinical Trial), a Double-Blind, Randomized, Multicenter Trial Examining the Efficacy of Biphenyl Dimethyl Dicarboxylate Combined with Garlic Oil in Patients with Transaminase Elevated Chronic Liver Disease / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Biphenyl dimethyl dicarboxylate (DDB) combined with garlic oil (pennel) has been used to treat chronic liver disease. A randomized, double-blind, active- and placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to investigate the efficacy, safety and quality of life in chronic liver disease patients. METHODS: A total of 237 patients with chronic liver disease were randomized into three groups; 100 patients were administered pennel, 102 patients Legalon as an active-control and 35 patients placebo for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the rate of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization. We assessed differences in ALT levels and malondialdehyde (MDA) as an oxidative biomarker between 0 and 12 weeks, the improvement in quality of life using a chronic liver disease questionnaire (CLDQ) and the incidence of adverse events. RESULTS: Among 237 patients, there were 157 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, 36 patients with alcoholic liver disease, and 28 patients with chronic hepatitis B and C. The incidence of ALT normalization at 12 weeks was 89% for the pennel group, 18.6% for the active-control group, and 22.9% for the placebo-control group (p < 0.001). The difference in serum ALT level between 0 and 12 weeks was significantly higher in the pennel group (p < 0.001) and the level of MDA was decreased in the pennel group, statistically (p < 0.001). There was no difference in incidence of adverse events among groups. The pennel group showed significant improvement based on the CLDQ (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pennel can effectively improve the rate of ALT normalization and the quality of life with a safety profile in chronic liver disease.

Comparison of Closing-Wedge and Opening-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomies / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to compare the clinical results and radiologic changes of closing-wedge high tibial osteotomy (CW HTO) and opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OW HTO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy five knees were treated with a CW HTO and 41 with an OW HTO. For each patient the hip-knee-ankle (H-K-A) axis was evaluated and the degree of the medial compartmental arthrosis was measured by Ahlback-type radiological classification. The function of the knee was evaluated by the Tegner activity score, the Lysholm knee scoring scale and the Western Ontario and McMaster University index. Lateral radiographs were taken to assess the patellar height and the posterior tibial inclination. RESULTS: In both groups significant improvement of the visual analogue scale and range of motion was achieved. The frontal plane H-K-A axis was corrected significantly from varus to the range of physiological valgus and the arthrosis of the medial compartment of the knee progressed gradually. The body mass index was significantly influential to the progression of arthrosis. The functions of the knee were improved significantly in all cases. In the closing-wedge group, the patella height was increased at the postoperative period, while it was decreased in the opening-wedge group. There was a tendency of a decrease of the tibial inclination in the CW HTO group and a statistically significant increase of the tibial inclination in the OW HTO group. Recurrence of varus occurred in sixteen cases. CONCLUSION: In both groups, improvement of the function of the knee was achieved, but there was no statistical difference. However, the opposite result was found in the patella height and the tibial inclination.

Tracheoesophageal Fistula in the Treatment of Gastric Variceal Hemorrhage with Sengstaken-Blakemore Tube

The Sengstaken-Blakemore tube (SB tube) is used to control esophageal or gastric variceal bleeding in emergencies, and various complications have been reported following its use. Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is an extremely rare complication after SB tube insertion. We herein present a case of an 80-year-old female patient who experienced TEF after repeated insertion of the SB tube to control recurrent gastric variceal hemorrhage.

A Case of Giant Splenic Pseudoaneurysmal Rupture with a Gastric Fistula

Visceral artery pseudoaneurysms are uncommon. The splenic artery is the most commonly affected visceral artery. They usually develop secondary to chronic pancreatitis. Only 20 cases of giant pseudoaneurysms, defined as psedoaneurysms equal to, or greater than, 5 cm in sized, have been reported until now. Pseudoaneurysmal rupture can manifest as gastrointestinal bleeding. In this case, hemosuccus pancreaticus which means fistula to pancreatic duct, and hemorrhage in stomach, duodenum, or adjacent gastrointestinal track which result from fistula to gastrointestinal track are two main symptoms that develop. Both of them require immediate operation or transcatheter embolization. We herein describe the case of a giant splenic pseudoanerysmal rupture with gastric fistula in a patient who presented with hematemesis.

Intraosseous Epidermal Inclusion Cyst in the Distal Phalanx of Thumb with Cortical Destruction: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Intraosseous epidermal inclusion cyst is a rare benign, cystic lesion. It is thought to result from traumatic implantation of epidermal elements into bone. Radiologic findings of intraosseous epidermal inclusion cysts are well-defined, lytic lesions. It is difficult to diagnose intraosseous epidermal inclusion cyst without pathologic diagnosis. We experienced a 43-year-old man with a history of trauma followed by painless expansion of his left thumb. Radiographs demonstrated a severe expansile, ill-defined lytic lesion with cortical destruction in the distal phalanx of left thumb, mimicking neoplastic bone lesion or infectious lesion. An intraosseous epidermal inclusion cyst was confirmed by pathologic diagnosis, which was lined by stratified squamous epithelium, containing keratinized cellular debris.

Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty with a Cemented Posterior Stabilized, Condylar Constrained or Fully Constrained Prosthesis: A Minimum 2-year Follow-up Analysis

BACKGROUND: The clinical and radiological outcomes of revision total knee arthroplasty with a cemented posterior stabilized (PS), condylar constrained knee (CCK) or a fully constrained rotating hinge knee (RHK) prosthesis were evaluated. METHODS: This study reviewed the clinical and radiological results of 36 revision total knee arthroplasties with a cemented PS, CCK, and RHK prosthesis in 8, 25, and 13 cases, respectively, performed between 1998 and 2006. The mean follow-up period was 30 months (range, 24 to 100 months). The reason for the revision was aseptic loosening of one or both components in 15, an infected total knee in 18 and a periprosthetic fracture in 3 knees. The average age of the patients at the time of the revision was 65 years (range, 58 to 83 years). The original diagnosis for all primary total knee arthroplasties was osteoarthritis except for one case of a Charcot joint. All revision prostheses were fixed with cement. The bone deficiencies were grafted with a cancellous allograft in the contained defect and cortical allograft fixed with a plate and screws in the noncontained defect. A medial gastrocnemius flap was needed to cover the wound dehiscence in 6 of the 18 infected cases. RESULTS: The mean Knee Society knee score improved from 28 (range, 5 to 43) to 83 (range, 55 to 94), (p < 0.001) and the mean Knee Society function score improved from 42 (range, 10 to 66) to 82 (range, 60 to 95), (p < 0.001) at the final follow-up. Good or excellent outcomes were obtained in 82% of knees. There were 5 complications (an extensor mechanism rupture in 3 and recurrence of infection in 2 cases). Three cases of an extensor mechanism defect (two ruptures of ligamentum patellae and one patellectomy) were managed by the RHK prosthesis to provide locking stability in the heel strike and push off phases, and two cases of recurrent infection used an antibiotic impregnated cement spacer. The radiological tibiofemoral alignment improved from 1.7degrees varus to 3.0degrees valgus in average. Radiolucent lines were observed in 18% of the knees without progressive osteolysis. CONCLUSIONS: Revision total knee requires a more constrained prosthesis than primary total knee arthroplasty because of the ligamentous instability and bony defect. This short to midterm follow-up analysis demonstrated that a well planned and precisely executed revision can reduce pain and improve the knee function significantly. Infected cases showed as good a result as those with aseptic loosening through the use of antibiotics-impregnated cement beads and proper soft tissue coverage with a medial gastrocnemius flap.

A Case of Recurrent Dislocation of the Posterior-Stabilized Total Knee Prosthesis

Dislocation of fixed bearing posterior stabilized total knee arthroplasty is very rare. There are several causes of postoperative dislocation such as malposition of the prosthesis, preoperative valgus deformity, a defect of the extensor mechanism and overwidening of the flexion gap. All of the three posterior dislocations of total knee arthroplasty occurred for the same design, which was the fixed bearing posterior stabilized type (TC-PLUS(R), Plus Orthopedics, Rotkreuz, Switzerland). The dislocations happened during full flexion with muscle relaxation and they could be manually reduced with the patient being given muscle relaxant. Each case showed two episodes of dislocation and there was no more dislocation in each case after quadriceps strengthening and walking exercise. In conclusion, this model requires modification of the design, including remodeling of the polyethylene spacer by heightening of the post.

Change of the Patellar Height and Tibial Inclination after Opening- and Closing-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy

PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the patella height, the tibial inclination and the joint height changes after closing-wedge high tibial osteotomy (CW HTO) and opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OW HTO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The lateral radiographs taken with 30degrees flexion of the knees for 46 CW HTOs and 32 OW HTOs were assessed regarding the patellar height by the Insall-Salvati index (ISI) and the Blackburne-Peel index (BPI) and for the tibial inclination by the Moore-Harvey (MH) method. The average follow up period was 3.6 years (range: 2.0 to 4.7 years). Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine the influence of the two types of HTO with the amount of correction in the frontal plane Hip-Knee-Ankle (H-K-A) axis. The joint height was measured between the fibular head and the lateral tibial plateau. Measurements were made at the preoperative, postoperative and final follow-up periods. RESULTS: In the CW group, both the ISI and BPI were increased at the postoperative and final follow-up periods, while the BPI showed a statistically significant increase (p=0.046). In the OW group, both the ISI and BPI were decreased, while the BPI showed a statistically significant decrease (p=0.007). There was a tendency of a decrease of the tibial inclination in the CW HTO group without statistical significance. But in the OW HTO group, there was a statistically significant increase of the tibial inclination (p=0.012). The frontal plane H-K-A axis correction did not influence the change of the patellar height and tibial inclination in both groups (r<0.3). The joint height measured between the fibular tip and the lateral tibial plateau showed a significant decrease in the CW group (p=0.000), while there was no significant change in the OW group. CONCLUSION: The anatomical alteration of the patellar height was significantly influenced in opposite ways by the two methods of HTO. The BPI was more statistically significant then the ISI for the measurement of the patellar height after HTO. The joint height was significantly decreased in the CW HTO group. These changes should be kept in mind when converting HTO to total knee arthroplasty.

Therapeutic Embolization for Pseudoaneurysm of the Anterior Tibial Artery after Tibial Nailing / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Closed intramedullary nailing is a favorite surgical technique for tibial shaft fracture. After closed interlocking intramedullary nailing, proximal and distal locking screws are inserted for increasing rotational force and axial stability. Vascular complications associated with tibial nailing for fractures are very rare. Here, we described a case of a pseudoaneurysm of the anterior tibial artery after tibial nailing. We opted for minimally invasive treatment consisiting of thrombin injection and vascular plug insertion. Because pseudoaneurysm of the anterior tibial artery can induce severe complications, one should, when performing closed intramedullary nailing, make a quick diagnosis and start treatment right away.

Os Trigonum Syndrome with Posterolateral Osteochondral Lesion of Talus (A Case Report) / 대한족부족관절학회지

Both os trigonum syndrome and osteochondral lesion of talus (OLT) are common causes of ankle pain and usually affect ballet dancers or athletes. Lateral osteochondral lesions, which usually result from traumatic event, are mostly located anterolateral talar dome but rare central or posterolateral. Moreover, there are technical difficulties such as position of patient or additional posterior portal to address posterolateral lesion by arthroscopy. Meanwhile, treatment of os trigonum syndrome using arthroscopic approach has been reported in many literatures recently. However, it has not been reported to diagnose both os trigonum syndrome and posterolateral OLT together and treat arthroscopically at one stage. The authors report a case of male patient who was diagnosed as os trigonum syndrome with posterolateral OLT and treated simultaneously by hindfoot arthroscopy. Symptom was improved immediately after the operation, and radiological findings at postoperative 16 months verified remarkable healing.

Remission of Ulcerative Colitis after Appendectomy: A Case Report / 대한소화기학회지

The inverse correlation of appendectomy and ulcerative colitis is well known, but the effect of appendectomy on the clinical course of ulcerative colitis remains unclear. Although the majority of opinions were negative for the therapeutic advantage of appendectomy in patients with ulcerative colitis, advocates for positive effect of appendectomy have been proposed in a few case reports and a prospective study from Western countries. We herein report a case of ulcerative colitis who experienced clinical remission after appendectomy for acute appendicitis. The patient was 35 year old male and had been managed with immunosuppressant before appendectomy. The very acute change in clinical course and a long period of remission after appendectomy highly suggest the therapeutic effect of appendectomy for ulcerative colitis.

A Case of Spontaneous Regression of Advanced Gastric Cancer

An 84 yr-old male with a history of nausea and vomiting for 3 weeks was admitted to our hospital. Esopahgogastroduodenoscopy showed the diffuse infiltrative type of gastric cancer encircling from the cardia to the lower body. On abdominal computerized tomography, the gastric wall was diffusely thickened with overlying mucosal enhancement without lymph node involvement. Histologic examination revealed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. So surgical resection was planned. However, patient refused all medical care, and then he was discharged. He lived without any medical support and then he revisited our hospital and showed relieved symptoms on the follow-up exam. On esophagogastroduodenoscopy, the gastric mucosa of the body looked normal without any dysplastic change. Abdominal CT revealed a decreased thickening of the gastric wall of the body. The histology from the endoscopic forceps biopsy showed no evidence of malignancy. The patient is alive without any sign of tumor recurrence after 14 months.

Vascular Injury Associated with Blunt Trauma without Dislocation of the Knee

Failure to recognize popliteal artery injury and restore vessel continuity of flow after blunt trauma is a major cause of lower extremity amputation and morbidity. A high index of suspicion and early recognition of the injury are paramount for limb salvage. We experienced a rare case of poplitial artery occlusion with the presence of arterial pulses due to collateral circulation after blunt trauma. Expeditious revascularization was achieved by using posterior approach, allowing two surgical teams to work simultaneously. This case illustrates that, even in the absence of knee dislocation, surgeons must always consider the possibility of a popliteal artery damage whenever a blunt trauma near the knee.

Vascular Injury Associated with Blunt Trauma without Dislocation of the Knee

Failure to recognize popliteal artery injury and restore vessel continuity of flow after blunt trauma is a major cause of lower extremity amputation and morbidity. A high index of suspicion and early recognition of the injury are paramount for limb salvage. We experienced a rare case of poplitial artery occlusion with the presence of arterial pulses due to collateral circulation after blunt trauma. Expeditious revascularization was achieved by using posterior approach, allowing two surgical teams to work simultaneously. This case illustrates that, even in the absence of knee dislocation, surgeons must always consider the possibility of a popliteal artery damage whenever a blunt trauma near the knee.