Effects of Wearable Powered Exoskeletal Training on Functional Mobility, Physiological Health and Quality of Life in Non-ambulatory Spinal Cord Injury Patients

Background@#Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious clinical condition that impacts a patient's physical, psychological, and socio-economic status. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of training with a newly developed powered wearable exoskeleton (Hyundai Medical Exoskeleton [H-MEX]) on functional mobility, physiological health, and quality of life in non-ambulatory SCI patients. @*Methods@#Participants received 60 minutes of walking training with a powered exoskeleton 3 times per week for 10 weeks (total 30 sessions). The 6-minute walking test (6MWT) and timedup-and-go test (TUGT) were performed to assess ambulatory function. The physiological outcomes of interest after exoskeleton-assisted walking training were spasticity, pulmonary function, bone mineral density, colon transit time, and serum inflammatory markers. Effects of walking training on subjective outcomes were estimated by the Korean version of the Falls Efficacy Scale—International and the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey version 2. @*Results@#Ten participants finished 30 sessions of training and could ambulate independently.No severe adverse events were reported during the study. After training, the mean distance walked in the 6MWT (49.13 m) was significantly enhanced compared with baseline (20.65 m). The results of the TUGT also indicated a statistically significant improvement in the times required to stand up, walk 3 m and sit down. Although not statistically significant, clinically meaningful changes in some secondary physiological outcomes and/or quality of life were reported in some participants. @*Conclusion@#In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the newly developed wearable exoskeleton, H-MEX is safe and feasible for non-ambulatory SCI patients, and may have potential to improve quality of life of patients by assisting bipedal ambulation. These results suggest that the H-MEX can be considered a beneficial device for chronic non-ambulatory SCI patients.

Effects of Wearable Powered Exoskeletal Training on Functional Mobility, Physiological Health and Quality of Life in Non-ambulatory Spinal Cord Injury Patients

Background@#Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious clinical condition that impacts a patient's physical, psychological, and socio-economic status. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of training with a newly developed powered wearable exoskeleton (Hyundai Medical Exoskeleton [H-MEX]) on functional mobility, physiological health, and quality of life in non-ambulatory SCI patients. @*Methods@#Participants received 60 minutes of walking training with a powered exoskeleton 3 times per week for 10 weeks (total 30 sessions). The 6-minute walking test (6MWT) and timedup-and-go test (TUGT) were performed to assess ambulatory function. The physiological outcomes of interest after exoskeleton-assisted walking training were spasticity, pulmonary function, bone mineral density, colon transit time, and serum inflammatory markers. Effects of walking training on subjective outcomes were estimated by the Korean version of the Falls Efficacy Scale—International and the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey version 2. @*Results@#Ten participants finished 30 sessions of training and could ambulate independently.No severe adverse events were reported during the study. After training, the mean distance walked in the 6MWT (49.13 m) was significantly enhanced compared with baseline (20.65 m). The results of the TUGT also indicated a statistically significant improvement in the times required to stand up, walk 3 m and sit down. Although not statistically significant, clinically meaningful changes in some secondary physiological outcomes and/or quality of life were reported in some participants. @*Conclusion@#In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the newly developed wearable exoskeleton, H-MEX is safe and feasible for non-ambulatory SCI patients, and may have potential to improve quality of life of patients by assisting bipedal ambulation. These results suggest that the H-MEX can be considered a beneficial device for chronic non-ambulatory SCI patients.

Usefulness of the Attic Reconstruction Using the Tragal Cartilage and Perichondrium for Prevention of a Retraction Pocket

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Bone defect of the attic wall is a critical cause of the postoperative retraction pocket after canal wall up mastoidectomy. So, proper treatment of the attic defect is important and attic reconstruction is an acceptable procedure but it is controversial when the attic is reconstructed or not. The aim of this study is to analyze the usefulness of the attic reconstruction using tragal cartilage and perichondrium for prevention of retraction pocket and propose the indication to perform the attic reconstruction. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 46 consecutive patients who underwent tympanomastoidectomy and attic reconstruction using tragal cartilage between January 2005 and January 2009. The follow-up period varied from 12 to 65 months, with the average period of 34 months. We analyzed postoperative status of the scutum and the tympanic membrane, and development of the residual or recurrent cholesteatomas and evaluate development of the retraction pocket according to the preoperative size of the bony defect of the scutum and status of the ossicular chain. RESULTS: Retraction pocket was developed in the 13% of the operations and most of the cases had large attic destruction more than 3 mm and destructed ossicular chain. CONCLUSIONS: Attic reconstruction using tragal cartilage is a simple method to repair the bony defect of the external ear canal and effective in preventing postoperative retraction pocket if the size of destructed scutum is less than 3 mm.

Effects of orthodontic mini-implant position in the dragon helix appliance on tooth displacement and stress distribution: a three-dimensional finite element analysis / 대한치과교정학회지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the stress distribution on the orthodontic mini-implant (OMI) surface and periodontal ligament of the maxillary first and second molars as well as the tooth displacement according to the OMI position in the dragon helix appliance during scissors-bite correction. METHODS: OMIs were placed at two maxillary positions, between the first and the second premolars (group 1) and between the second premolar and the first molar (group 2). The stress distribution area (SDA) was analyzed by three-dimensional finite element analysis. RESULTS: The maximal SDA of the OMI did not differ between the groups. It was located at the cervical area and palatal root apex of the maxillary first molar in groups 1 and 2, respectively, indicating less tipping in group 2. The minimal SDA was located at the root and furcation area of the maxillary second molar in groups 1 and 2, respectively, indicating greater palatal crown displacement in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Placement of the OMI between the maxillary second premolar and the maxillary first molar to serve as an indirect anchor in the dragon helix appliance minimizes anchorage loss while maximizing the effect on scissors-bite correction.

Gastric Inflammatory Fibroid Polyp Resected by Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Inflammatory fibroid polyp (IFP) is a rare benign fibroproliferative disease that arises from the submucosal layer of the gastrointestinal tract. Surgical resection has been performed in most cases and the application of endoscopic resection is rare. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), which was recently introduced, enables en-bloc resection of a tumor regardless of the tumor size and location. Since IFP is benign, ESD can be very useful for both the diagnosis and treatment of a large-sized IFP. A 45-year-old woman was referred for the management of a gastric mass. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a round submucosal mass with a central bulging at the gastric body. Endoscopic ultrasonography showed a 3.5x3.0 cm-sized hypoechoic mass in the third layer of the stomach. The tumor was removed by ESD with using a hook knife for complete en-bloc resection. The pathologic finding was compatible with the diagnosis of IFP. We report here on a case of IFP that presented as a gastric submucosal tumor and it was treated by the ESD method.

A case of metronidazole induced encephalopathy in a cirrhotic patient / 대한내과학회지

Metronidazole induced encephalopathy is a rare disease caused by the antibiotic drug, metronidazole. Metronidazole is a nitroimidazole antibiotic used for anaerobic infections, Helicobacter pylori infection and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Metronidazole has good cellular penetration and is believed to penetrate the CSF and central nervous system. The incidence of metronidazole induced encephalopathy is unknown, though several previous studies have addressed brain changes caused by metronidazole neurotoxicity. Neurologic side effects include peripheral neuropathy, seizures, encephalopathy, dysarthria, and ataxia. We experienced a case of metronidazole induced encephalopathy, diagnosed by brain MRI in a patient with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and performed follow-up imaging after discontinuation of metronidazole.

A Case of Primary Malignant Melanoma of the Esophagus / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus is a rare, but aggressive tumor with a fatal prognosis. Hematogenous and lymphatic metastasis are common. The tumor has multiple black and pigmented lesions. Resection of the tumor with an anastomotic procedure is the treatment of choice. Despite this operation, the prognosis is quite poor with the mean life expectancy being less than 1 year. We describe here a case of a 54-year-old man with esophageal malignant melanoma, and we also include a review of the relevant literature.

A Case of Acute Hepatitis E with the Travel History to an Endemic Area / 대한소화기학회지

Hepatitis E is a self-limited and enterically transmitted acute viral hepatitis that occurs from epidemic outbreaks of developing countries and sporadic hepatitis in non-endemic areas. In endemic areas, hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the most common causes of acute hepatitis and hepatic failure in pregnancy. Its mortality rate has been reported up to 20%. In non-endemic areas, HEV infection without any travel history is very rare. In Korea, only one case of simple hepatitis E without any travel history to endemic areas was reported. Recently, we experienced a case of acute hepatitis. The patient who had a travel history to India, showed watery diarrhea and high fever. Transaminase level and total bilirubin were increased, and prothrombin time was prolonged. It was positive for IgM anti-HEV and IgG anti-HEV, and showed no evidence of other viral infections or drug ingestion history. In spite of absence of useful test such as seroconversion of IgM anti-HEV and HEV RNA PCR, we diagnosed the case as an acute hepatitis E from his symptom, travel history and initial serologic marker. We report this as a case of hepatitis E infected from endemic areas.

A Case of Hemorrhagic Colitis Complicated by Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Hemorrhagic colitis may be seen as a complication of inflammatory bowel disease, as well as infectious colitis related to several pathogens, including enterohemorrhagic E. coli, Shigella, Yersinia and Campylobacter. Also, it is seen in the form of antibiotic-associated hemorrhagic colitis. However, Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 is now recognized as an important identifiable cause of hemorrhagic colitis. Occasionally, patients with E. coli serotype O157:H7 infection are diagnosed as having thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a condition similar to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) but with more prominent neurological findings and less renal involvement. We report a case in a 47-year-old woman who developed hemorrhagic colitis complicated by TTP, responded to steroid and antibiotic treatment.

Treatment with Embolization of Cobb's Syndrome Causing High-output Heart Failure

High-output heart failure may occur in anemia, thyrotoxicosis, Beriberi heart disease, arteriovenous fistula, congenital arteriovenous malformation, Paget's disease of the bone, fibrous dysplasia, polycythemia vera, multiple myeloma, and renal diseases such as glomerulonephritis, carcinoid syndrome, pregnancy and obesity. Among these conditions, reports on heart failure resulting from an arteriovenous malformation are rare. We report a case of high-output heart failure resulting from Cobb's syndrome (cutaneomeningospinal angiomatosis), which improved with spinal artery embolization.