RESUMEN
A rupture of a femoral pseudoaneurysm is an extremely rare complication of endovascular procedures, but its outcome can be life-threatening. In this report, we present a case of a femoral pseudoaneursym rupture in a patient in their early 90s following intra-arterial mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke. Despite receiving medical and surgical interventions, the patient subsequently developed multiple organ failure, ultimately resulting in death. This case emphasizes the critical role of appropriate selection of vascular closure technique and careful post-procedural monitoring, particularly in high-risk patients.
RESUMEN
Objective@#This study aimed to develop and validate the Korean version of the Somatic Symptom Disorder-B Criteria Scale (SSD-12) in outpatients at a psychiatric clinic and assess its diagnostic accuracy. @*Methods@#A total of 207 patients completed SSD-12. For the diagnostic accuracy of SSD-12, the somatic symptom disorder (SSD) section of the structured clinical interview for DSM-5 disorders-research version (SCID-5-RV) was used. The SSD-12 construct and concurrent validity were assessed by examining the correlations with Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), PHQ-15, 5-level EQ-5D version (EQ-5D-5L), and World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF). @*Results@#The SSD-12 had excellent internal consistency (Cronbach α=0.90). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed good fit indices for a general factor model (comparative fit index [CFI]=0.92, Tucker-Lewis index [TLI]=0.88, root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA]=0.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.08–0.11) and a three-factor model (CFI=0.94, TLI=0.91, RMSEA=0.08; 95% CI, 0.07–0.10). The total SSD-12 score was significantly correlated with anxiety (GAD-7: r=0.53, p<0.001), depression (PHQ-9: r=0.52, p<0.001), physical symptom burden (PHQ-15: r=0.36, p<0.001), and quality of life (EQ-5D-5L: r=-0.40, p<0.001; WHOQOL-BREF: r=-0.51, p<0.001). SSD-12 demonstrated good accuracy (area under the curve=0.75, standard error=0.04; 95% CI, 0.68–0.82) with an optimal cut-off of 29. @*Conclusion@#The Korean SSD-12 demonstrates reliability and validity for diagnosing SSD in clinical setting.
RESUMEN
Background@#Mounier-Kuhn syndrome (MKS) is a rare disorder characterized by abnormal dilation of the trachea and main bronchi. MKS can be easily missed on chest X-rays, making diagnosis difficult. Under general anesthesia, challenges such as airway leakage or collapse during mechanical ventilation may prevent the achievement of adequate tidal volumes in patients with MKS.Case: A 94-year-old woman requiring emergency hemiarthroplasty of the hip under general anesthesia was admitted. Preoperative chest X-rays revealed dilation of the trachea and main bronchi, but the patient exhibited no respiratory symptoms. We diagnosed her with MKS and opted for an 8.0-mm-inner-diameter reinforced tracheal tube. We positioned the cuff in the subglottic area, inflating it while monitoring for air leakage. Throughout the surgery, we ensured that adequate air leak and tidal volume were maintained. @*Conclusions@#Anesthesiologists must conduct a comprehensive evaluation of patients with MKS, including a review of chest radiographs, and establish a meticulous anesthesia plan prior to surgery.
RESUMEN
Background@#The lumbosacral (LS) junction has a higher nonunion rate than other lumbar segments, especially in long-level fusion. Nonunion at L5–S1 would result in low back pain, spinal imbalance, and poor surgical outcomes. Although anterior column support at L5–S1 has been recommended to prevent nonunion in long-level LS fusion, fusion length requiring additional spinopelvic fixation (SPF) in LS fusion with anterior column support at L5–S1 has not been evaluated thoroughly. This study aimed to determine the number of fused levels requiring SPF in LS fusion with anterior column support at L5–S1 by assessing the interbody fusion status using computed tomography (CT) depending on the fusion length. @*Methods@#Patients who underwent instrumented LS fusion with L5–S1 interbody fusion without additional augmentation and CT > 1 year postoperatively were included. The fusion rates were assessed based on the number of fused segments. Patients were divided into two groups depending on the L5–S1 interbody fusion status: those with union vs. those with nonunion. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for LS junctional nonunion. @*Results@#Fusion rates of L5–S1 interbody fusion were 94.9%, 90.3%, 80.0%, 50.0%, 52.6%, and 43.5% for fusion of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and ≥ 6 levels, respectively. The number of spinal levels fused ≥ 4 (p < 0.001), low preoperative bone mineral density (BMD; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.667; p = 0.035), and postoperative pelvic incidence (PI) – lumbar lordosis (LL) mismatch (aOR, 1.034; p = 0.040) were identified as significant risk factors for nonunion of L5–S1 interbody fusion according to the multivariate logistic regression analysis. @*Conclusions@#Exhibiting ≥ 4 fused spinal levels, low preoperative BMD, and large postoperative PI–LL mismatch were identified as independent risk factors for nonunion of anterior column support at L5–S1 in LS fusion without additional fixation. Therefore, SPF should be considered in LS fusion extending to or above L2 to prevent LS junctional nonunion.
RESUMEN
Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly transformed various aspects of life, and the launch of the chatbot “ChatGPT” by OpenAI in November 2022 has garnered significant attention and user appreciation. ChatGPT utilizes natural language processing based on a ”generative pre-trained transfer” (GPT) model, specifically the transformer architecture, to generate human-like responses to a wide range of questions and topics. Equipped with approximately 57 billion words and 175 billion parameters from online data, ChatGPT has potential applications in medicine and orthopedics. One of its key strengths is its personalized, easy-to-understand, and adaptive response, which allows it to learn continuously through user interaction. This article discusses how AI, especially ChatGPT, presents numerous opportunities in orthopedics, ranging from preoperative planning and surgical techniques to patient education and medical support. Although ChatGPT’s user-friendly responses and adaptive capabilities are laudable, its limitations, including biased responses and ethical concerns, necessitate its cautious and responsible use. Surgeons and healthcare providers should leverage the strengths of the ChatGPT while recognizing its current limitations and verifying critical information through independent research and expert opinions. As AI technology continues to evolve, ChatGPT may become a valuable tool in orthopedic education and patient care, leading to improved outcomes and efficiency in healthcare delivery. The integration of AI into orthopedics offers substantial benefits but requires careful consideration and continuous improvement.
RESUMEN
Previously, we reported the concept of a cloud-based telemedicine platform for patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) at local emergency rooms in rural and medically underserved areas in Gangwon state by combining artificial intelligence and remote consultation with a neurosurgeon. Developing a telemedicine ICH treatment protocol exclusively for doctors with less ICH expertise working in emergency rooms should be part of establishing this system. Difficulties arise in providing appropriate early treatment for ICH in rural and underserved areas before the patient is transferred to a nearby hub hospital with stroke specialists. This has been an unmet medical need for decade. The available reporting ICH guidelines are realistically possible in university hospitals with a well-equipped infrastructure. However, it is very difficult for doctors inexperienced with ICH treatment to appropriately select and deliver ICH treatment based on the guidelines. To address these issues, we developed an ICH telemedicine protocol. Neurosurgeons from four university hospitals in Gangwon state first wrote the guidelines, and professors with extensive ICH expertise across the country revised them. Guidelines and recommendations for ICH management were described as simply as possible to allow more doctors to use them easily. We hope that our effort in developing the telemedicine protocols will ultimately improve the quality of ICH treatment in local emergency rooms in rural and underserved areas in Gangwon state.
RESUMEN
Background@#and Purpose In young patients (aged 18–60 years) with patent foramen ovale (PFO)- associated stroke, percutaneous closure has been found to be useful for preventing recurrent ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). However, it remains unknown whether PFO closure is also beneficial in older patients. @*Methods@#Patients aged ≥60 years who had a cryptogenic stroke and PFO from ten hospitals in South Korea were included. The effect of PFO closure plus medical therapy over medical therapy alone was assessed by a propensity-score matching method in the overall cohort and in those with a high-risk PFO, characterized by the presence of an atrial septal aneurysm or a large shunt. @*Results@#Out of the 437 patients (mean age, 68.1), 303 (69%) had a high-risk PFO and 161 (37%) patients underwent PFO closure. Over a median follow-up of 3.9 years, recurrent ischemic stroke or TIA developed in 64 (14.6%) patients. In the propensity score-matched cohort of the overall patients (130 pairs), PFO closure was associated with a significantly lower risk of a composite of ischemic stroke or TIA (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.45; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.24–0.84; P=0.012), but not for ischemic stroke. In a subgroup analysis of confined to the high-risk PFO patients (116 pairs), PFO closure was associated with significantly lower risks of both the composite of ischemic stroke or TIA (HR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.21–0.77; P=0.006) and ischemic stroke (HR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.23–0.95; P=0.035). @*Conclusion@#Elderly patients with cryptogenic stroke and PFO have a high recurrence rate of ischemic stroke or TIA, which may be significantly reduced by device closure.
RESUMEN
Background@#To investigate the patterns of blood pressure (BP) decrement during the tilt, to compare the pattern of orthostatic hypotension (OH) and sympathetic index (SI) from the Valsalva maneuver (VM), and to identify whether the pattern of OH can predict the severity of autonomic failure. @*Methods@#From January 2015 to July 2017, 551 consecutive patients with neurogenic OH were enrolled. All patients performed a standardized battery of autonomic tests, including the head-up tilt (HUT) test and VM using Finometer devices for recording beat-to-beat BP. SIs were calculated from the VM. The composite autonomic severity score (CASS) adrenergic subscore was also obtained to evaluate the severity of sympathetic adrenergic failure. @*Results@#We classified OH into nine groups according to the patterns of orthostatic BP decrement during HUT. The two most common patterns of OH were classic stable OH (n=193) and classic OH with delayed normalization (n=102). Patients with classic stable OH and classic OH with delayed worsening had a more severe degree of sympathetic adrenergic failure as assessed with SI 5 and SI 4 from the VM, and a higher CASS adrenergic subscore than patients with other patterns of OH. There were no differences of autonomic parameters between the two delayed OH groups. @*Conclusions@#The different patterns of orthostatic BP decrement may reflect underlying different pathophysiologic mechanisms causing OH. The pattern of orthostatic BP decrement can help to predict the degree of sympathetic adrenergic autonomic failure.
RESUMEN
Purpose@#To investigate cases of vitreous opacity (VO) similar to asteroid hyalosis (AH) after intravitreal brolucizumab injection. @*Methods@#A retrospective chart review was conducted to identify cases showing VO similar to AH among patients who received intravitreal brolucizumab injections at our retinal clinic from January 2022 to January 2023. @*Results@#A total of 220 brolucizumab injections were administered at our hospital. VO, showing yellow-white brilliant reflective particles, was found in six patients (2.7%). When VO occurred, all patients complained of floaters, although none of them complained of other symptoms including decreased visual acuity, pain, or conjunctival redness. The mean number of brolucizumab injections was 2.57 ± 2.38. No significant visual impairment was observed while VO was present. VO improved in all cases, and four cases improved without any treatment. The mean interval from onset to disappearance of VO was 8.0 ± 3.1 weeks. @*Conclusions@#VO, similar to AH, can occur with a relatively high probability after intravitreal brolucizumab injections. Patients complained of severe floaters, but VO was not accompanied by other symptoms including vision impairment, injection, and pain. The VO disappeared after approximately 4 to 14 weeks. In case that other inflammatory findings are not severe, close follow-up without treatment may be sufficient. If a patient complains of floaters after an intravitreal brolucizumab injection, close fundus observation is necessary to evaluate the VO.
RESUMEN
Purpose@#To explore the correlations between tear osmolarity, as measured using I-PEN® (I-MED Pharma, Inc., Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QC, Canada), and various dry eye indicators, including the Schirmer test, tear break-up time (TBUT), Oxford scale, and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), in patients with obstructive meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). @*Methods@#The medical records of 44 cases of obstructive MGD were reviewed. Tear osmolarity was obtained using I-PEN® (I-MED Pharma, Inc.). The TBUT, Schirmer test, Oxford scale, OSDI, and MGD grade were used to assess the cases, and their correlations with tear osmolarity were analyzed. @*Results@#Spearman and Pearson correlation analyses showed a significant correlation between tear osmolarity and MGD grade (p < 0.001) and OSDI (p = 0.005). However, the results of the TBUT, Schirmer test, and Oxford scale were not significantly related to tear osmolarity. The patients were divided according to MGD severity into those with MGD grades ≤ 2 and those with MGD grades ≥ 3. Tear osmolarity (p < 0.001) and OSDI (p = 0.014) showed significant differences between the two groups. @*Conclusions@#In patients with obstructive MGD, tear osmolarity, assessed using I-PEN® (I-MED Pharma, Inc.), is significantly correlated with MGD grade and OSDI.
RESUMEN
Background@#Mass spectrometry methods exhibit higher accuracy and lower variability than immunoassays at low testosterone concentrations. We developed and validated an ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) assay for quantifying serum total testosterone. @*Methods@#We used an ExionLC UPLC (Sciex, Framingham, MA, USA) system and a Sciex Triple Quad 6500+ (Sciex) MS/MS system in electrospray ionization and positive ion modes with multiple reaction monitoring transitions to evaluate precision, accuracy, linearity, lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ), carryover, ion suppression, stability, and reference intervals. For method comparison, we measured serum testosterone concentrations using this method in 40 subjects whose testosterone concentrations ranged from 0.14 to 55.48 nmol/L as determined using the Architect i2000 immunoassay (Abbott Diagnostics, Abbott Park, IL, USA) and in an additional 160 sera with testosterone concentrations <1.67 nmol/L. @*Results@#The intra- and inter-run precision CVs were <2.81%, and the accuracy bias values were <3.85%, which were all acceptable. The verified linear interval was 0.03–180.84 nmol/L; the LLOQ was 0.03 nmol/L. No significant carryover and ion suppression were observed. The testosterone in serum was stable at 4°C, at –20°C, and after three freeze-thaw cycles. The reference intervals were successfully verified. The correlation was good at testosterone concentrations of 0.14–55.48 nmol/L; however, the Architect assay showed positive percent bias at concentrations <1.67 nmol/L. @*Conclusions@#The UPLC-MS/MS assay shows acceptable performance, with a lower LLOQ than the immunoassay. This method will enable the quantitation of low testosterone concentrations.
RESUMEN
Objective@#To explore the effects of tactile stimulation using air pressure at the auricular branch of the vagus nerve on autonomic activity in healthy individuals. @*Methods@#Three types of tactile stimulation were used in this study: continuous low-amplitude, continuous high-amplitude, and pulsed airflow. The tactile stimulations were provided to the cymba concha to investigate autonomic activity in 22 healthy participants. The mean heart rate (HR) and parameters of HR variability, including the standard deviation of R-R intervals (SDNN) and root mean square of successive R-R interval differences (RMSSD) were compared at baseline, stimulation, and recovery periods. @*Results@#Two-way repeated measures ANOVA indicated a significant main effect of time on HR (p=0.001), SDNN (p=0.003), and RMSSD (p<0.001). These parameters showed significant differences between baseline and stimulation periods and baseline and recovery periods in the post-hoc analyses. There were no significant differences in the changes induced by stimulation type and the interaction between time and stimulation type for all parameters. One-way repeated measures ANOVA showed that HR, SDNN, and RMSSD did not differ significantly among the three time periods during sham stimulation. @*Conclusion@#Parasympathetic activity can be enhanced by auricular tactile stimulation using air pressure, targeting the cymba concha. Further studies are warranted to investigate the optimal stimulation parameters for potential clinical significance.
RESUMEN
Methods@#Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical evaluation were performed for patients with single-level uniportal endoscopic lumbar decompression with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. @*Results@#A total of 126 patients were recruited with a minimum follow-up of 26 months. The incidence of epidural fluid hematoma was 27%. Postoperative MRI revealed a significant improvement in the postoperative dura sac area at postoperative day 1 and at the upper endplate at 6 months in the hematoma cohort (39.69±15.72 and 26.89±16.58 mm2) as compared with the nonhematoma cohort (48.92±21.36 and 35.1±20.44 mm2), respectively (p <0.05); and at the lower endplate on postoperative 1 day in the hematoma cohort (51.18±24.69 mm2) compared to the nonhematoma cohort (63.91±27.92 mm2) (p <0.05). No significant difference was observed in the dura sac area at postoperative 1 year in both cohorts. The hematoma cohort had statistically significant higher postoperative 1-week Visual Analog Scale (VAS; 3.32±0.68) pain and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI; 32.65±5.56) scores than the nonhematoma cohort (2.99±0.50 and 30.02±4.84, respectively; p <0.05). No significant difference was found at the final follow-up VAS, ODI, and MRI dura sac area. @*Conclusions@#Epidural fluid hematoma is a common early postoperative MRI finding in lumbar endoscopic unilateral laminotomy with bilateral decompression. Conservative management is the preferred treatment option for patients who do not have a neurological deficit. Symptoms last only a few days and are self-limiting. A common endpoint is a remodeled fluid hematoma and the subsequent expansion of the dura sac area.
RESUMEN
Background@#Emotion recognition is essential to the social adjustment and social interaction of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs). Given that music is a medium for expressing and conveying human emotion, we conducted this preliminary study to identify musical passages representing the basic human emotions of happiness, sadness, and anger, with the goal of developing a music-based emotion perception scale for IDDs. @*Methods@#To identify musical passages for emotion perception, 20 certified music therapists evaluated 100 selected musical passages and established 60 pieces that yielded the highest agreement for each emotion category. During the second phase of this study, 300 neurotypical participants rated 60 passages in terms of the perceived type and intensity of emotions expressed. @*Results@#The 60 passages showed high reliability and were statistically classified into three factors: happiness, sadness, and anger. The k-means cluster analysis yielded a cut-off score of 41 for the low emotion perception group (F = 1120.63, P < 0.001). The hierarchical logistic regression analysis revealed that only model 3 (musical passages) was significantly associated with low emotion perception (step χ 2 = 227.8, P < 0.001). @*Conclusion@#The selected musical passages demonstrated high reliability and established three factors for identifying perceptions of happiness, sadness, and anger. Neither psychological status nor individual demographic characteristics affected the emotion perception results.
RESUMEN
Objective@#: Cubital tunnel syndrome, the most common ulnar nerve entrapment neuropathy, is usually managed by simple decompression or anterior transposition. One of the concerns in transposition is damage to the nerve branches around the elbow. In this study, the location of ulnar nerve branches to the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) was assessed during operations for cubital tunnel syndrome to provide information to reduce operation-related complications. @*Methods@#: A personal series (HJY) of cases operated for cubital tunnel syndrome was reviewed. Cases managed by transposition and location of branches to the FCU were selected for analysis. The function of the branches was confirmed by intraoperative nerve stimulation and the location of the branches was assessed by the distance from the center of medial epicondyle. @*Results@#: There was a total of 61 cases of cubital tunnel syndrome, among which 31 were treated by transposition. Twenty-one cases with information on the location of branches were analyzed. The average number of ulnar nerve branches around the elbow was 1.8 (0 to 3), only one case showed no branches. Most of the cases had one branch to the medial head, and one other to the lateral head of the FCU. There were two cases having branches without FCU responses (one branch in one case, three branches in another). The location of the branches to the medial head was 16.3±8.6 mm distal to the medial epicondyle (16 branches; range, 0 to 35 mm), to the lateral head was 19.5±9.5 mm distal to the medial epicondyle (19 branches; range, -5 to 30 mm). Branches without FCU responses were found from 20 mm proximal to the medial condyle to 15 mm distal to the medial epicondyle (five branches). Most of the branches to the medial head were 15 to 20 mm (50% of cases), and most to the lateral head were 15 to 25 mm (58% of cases). There were no cases of discernable weakness of the FCU after operation. @*Conclusion@#: In most cases of cubital tunnel syndrome, there are ulnar nerve branches around the elbow. Although there might be some cases with branches without FCU responses, most branches are to the FCU, and are to be saved. The operator should be watchful for branches about 15 to 25 mm distal to the medial epicondyle, where most branches come out.
RESUMEN
Objective@#: Stroke caused from large vessel occlusion (LVO) has emerged as the most common stroke subtype worldwide. Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator administration (IV-tPA) and additional intraarterial thrombectomy (IA-Tx) is regarded as standard treatment. In this study, the authors try to find the early recanalization rate of IV-tPA in LVO stroke patients. @*Methods@#: Total 300 patients undertook IA-Tx with confirmed anterior circulation LVO, were analyzed retrospectively. Brain computed tomography angiography (CTA) was the initial imaging study and acute stroke magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) followed after finished IV-tPA. Early recanalization rate was evaluated by acute stroke MRA within 2 hours after the IV-tPA. In 167 patients undertook IV-tPA only and 133 non-recanalized patients by IV-tPA, additional IA-Tx tried (IV-tPA + IA-Tx group). And 131 patients, non-recanalized by IV-tPA (IV-tPA group) additional IA-Tx recommend and tried according to the patient condition and compliance. @*Results@#: Early recanalization rate of LVO after IV-tPA was 12.0% (36/300). In recanalized patients, favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale, 0–2) was 69.4% (25/36) while it was 32.1% (42/131, p<0.001) in non-recanalized patients. Among 133 patients, nonrecanalized after intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and undertook additional IA-Tx, the clinical outcome was better than not undertaken additional IA-Tx (favorable outcome was 42.9% vs. 32.1%, p=0.046). Analysis according to the perfusion/diffusion (P/D)-mismatching or not, in patient with IV-tPA with IA-Tx (133 patients), favorable outcome was higher in P/ D-mismatching patient (52/104; 50.0%) than P/D-matching patients (5/29; 17.2%; p=0.001). Which treatment tired, P/D-mismatching was favored in clinical outcome (iv-tPA only, p=0.008 and IV-tPA with IA-Tx, p=0.001). @*Conclusion@#: The P/D-mismatching influences on the recanalization and clinical outcomes of IV-tPA and IA-Tx. The authors would like to propose that we had better prepare IA-Tx when LVO is diagnosed on initial diagnostic imaging. Furthermore, if the patient shows P/D-mismatching on MRA after IV-tPA, additional IA-Tx improves treatment results and lessen the futile recanalization.
RESUMEN
Traditionally, diagnostic pathology uses histology representing structural alterations in a disease’s cells and tissues. In many cases, however, it is supplemented by other morphology-based methods such as immunohistochemistry and fluorescent in situ hybridization. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is one of the strategies that may help tackle the heterogeneous cells in a disease, but it does not usually provide histologic information. Spatial sequencing is designed to assign cell types, subtypes, or states according to the mRNA expression on a histological section by RNA sequencing. It can provide mRNA expressions not only of diseased cells, such as cancer cells but also of stromal cells, such as immune cells, fibroblasts, and vascular cells. In this review, we studied current methods of spatial transcriptome sequencing based on their technical backgrounds, tissue preparation, and analytic procedures. With the pathology examples, useful recommendations for pathologists who are just getting started to use spatial sequencing analysis in research are provided here. In addition, leveraging spatial sequencing by integration with scRNA-seq is reviewed. With the advantages of simultaneous histologic and single-cell information, spatial sequencing may give a molecular basis for pathological diagnosis, improve our understanding of diseases, and have potential clinical applications in prognostics and diagnostic pathology.
RESUMEN
Background@#and Purpose Left atrial or left atrial appendage (LA/LAA) thrombi are frequently observed during cardioembolic evaluation in patients with ischemic stroke. This study aimed to investigate stroke outcomes in patients with LA/LAA thrombus. @*Methods@#This retrospective study included patients admitted to a single tertiary center in Korea between January 2012 and December 2020. Patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who underwent transesophageal echocardiography or multi-detector coronary computed tomography were included in the study. Poor outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale score >3 at 90 days. The inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis was performed. @*Results@#Of the 631 patients included in this study, 68 (10.7%) had LA/LAA thrombi. Patients were likely to have a poor outcome when an LA/LAA thrombus was detected (42.6% vs. 17.4%, P<0.001). Inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis yielded a higher probability of poor outcomes in patients with LA/LAA thrombus than in those without LA/LAA thrombus (P<0.001). Patients with LA/LAA thrombus were more likely to have relevant arterial occlusion on angiography (36.3% vs. 22.4%, P=0.047) and a longer hospital stay (8 vs. 7 days, P<0.001) than those without LA/LAA thrombus. However, there was no difference in early neurological deterioration during hospitalization or major adverse cardiovascular events within 3 months between the two groups. @*Conclusions@#Patients with ischemic stroke who had an LA/LAA thrombus were at risk of a worse functional outcome after 3 months, which was associated with relevant arterial occlusion and prolonged hospital stay.
RESUMEN
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, KoreaCarbamazepine (CBZ) is the common antiepileptic drug prescribed for the management of neuropathic pain in patients with neurologic injury. CBZ can rarely be the causative agent to result in drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS), which is a life-threatening drug reaction. Delayed diagnosis of DIHS may occur in complicated clinical settings. We have reported a case of a 12-year-old girl whose initial manifestations of CBZ-induced DIHS were atypical due to concurrent administration of corticosteroids. After open biopsy of brainstem glioma, she was administered corticosteroids and CBZ to mitigate postoperative complications, including mild weakness of ankle dorsiflexion and otalgia. Not only fever but also elevation of liver enzymes and inflammatory markers were presented 1 month after CBZ initiation, without any skin rash or leukocytosis. A maculopapular rash on the whole body and leukocytosis developed afterward; consequently, the diagnostic criteria for DIHS were fulfilled. After discontinuation of CBZ, her fever and increased liver enzymes subsided and the rash slowly improved. This case indicates that typical signs, such as skin rash or leukocytosis, can be initially masked or delayed in CBZ-induced DIHS if it overlaps with corticosteroid administration. The atypical manifestations of DIHS should be considered if CBZ is concurrently administered with corticosteroids.
RESUMEN
Methods@#We evaluated patients who underwent EPTLIF with a minimum 24-month follow-up. Clinical parameters of the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were measured at the preoperative, 1-week postoperative mark, postoperative 3-month mark, and final follow-up. Preoperative and 1-year postoperative magnetic resonance imaging measurement of preoperative and postoperative Kjaer grade, right and left psoas muscle mass area, and right and left paraspinal muscle mass area was performed. @*Results@#EPTLIF with a minimum 24-month follow-up of 35 levels was included. The complication rate was 6%, and the mean Bridwell’s fusion grade was 1.37 (1–2). There was statistically significant improvement at 1 week, 3 months, and 2 years in VAS (4.11±1.23, 4.94±1.30, and 5.46±1.29) and in ODI (40.34±10.06, 46.69±9.14, and 49.63±8.68), respectively (p <0.05). Successful operation rate with excellent and good MacNab’s criteria at 2 years was 97%. There was an increment of statistically significant bilateral psoas muscle cross-sectional area, right side (70.03±149.1 mm²) and left side (67.59±113.2 mm²) (p <0.05). @*Conclusions@#Uniportal EPTLIF achieved good fusion and improved clinical outcomes with favorable paraspinal musculature bulk at the 2-year follow-up.