Factors affecting the antimicrobial changes during treatment for acute otitis media in Japan: A retrospective cohort study using classification and regression trees (CART) analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Factors that affect the change of first-line antimicrobial agents were investigated to further promote their appropriate use. METHODS: This descriptive study used an electronic medical records database. Total 16,353 of the 199,896 patients enrolled between 1996 and 2019 met the inclusion criteria and formed the overall pediatric acute otitis media (AOM) cohort. The factors leading to the change in first-line antimicrobial agents within 14 days were analyzed using classification and regression trees (CART) analysis. RESULTS: This antimicrobial treatment cohort, involved 4860 cases of AOM alone and 9567 cases of AOM with other diseases. The size of the medical facility based on number of beds and historical duration of patient registration impacted on antimicrobial changes. CONCLUSIONS: The current results show that hospital-wide or nation-wide antimicrobial stewardship promotion could be the most influencing factor for antimicrobial changes. Particularly in cases of AOM where other diseases coexist, a more accurate diagnosis and definition of treatment failure of first-line drug are suggested to be important while establishing future treatment strategies. The current study is important to promote appropriate antimicrobial use for AOM treatment.

Chondroma Arising from the Temporomandibular Joint: A Case Report.

Periarticular chondromas are common in the humerus and femur but rarely occur in the temporomandibular joint. We report a case of a chondroma in the anterior part of the ear. One year prior to his visit, a 53-year-old man became aware of swelling in the right cheek region which gradually increased in size. In the anterior part of the right ear, there was a palpable 25 mm tumor, elastic and hard, with poor mobility and without tenderness. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography CT showed a mass lesion with diffuse calcification or ossification in the upper pole of the parotid gland and areas of poor contrast within. A magnetic resonance imaging showed a low-signal mass lesion at the parotid gland with some high signals in both T1 and T2. Fine-needle aspiration cytology did not lead to diagnosis. Using a nerve monitoring system, the tumor was resected with normal tissue of the upper pole of the parotid gland in the same way as for a benign parotid tumor. Distinguishing between pleomorphic adenoma, including diffuse microcalcification of the parotid gland and cartilaginous tumors of the temporomandibular joint, may be sometimes difficult. In such cases, surgical resection may be a beneficial treatment option.

The 'Invisible Lazy-T' Procedure for Correction of Medial Ectropion.

No accepted standard for the correction of medial ectropion has been established. The most critical part of the surgical treatment for medial ectropion is the tightening of both horizontal and vertical laxity. To correct this ectropion, we have applied a combination procedure which includes tightening of the conjunctiva and the eyelid retractors (posterior lamellae) and the lateral tarsal strip procedure. Our imitation of the 'Lazy-T', a surgical operation performed on the medial ectropion, is tentatively named 'Invisible Lazy-T'. It is a versatile technique with a less visible scar than alternative techniques because skin incision is made along the crease line of the 'the crow's feet'. Results suggest a satisfactory solution to this problem and with better outcomes than by other techniques. We propose this novel combination technique is the best strategy for the medial ectropion, and it does not require specialized surgical skill, so ectropion can be managed by craniofacial surgeons.

A rare case of Pseudomonas aeruginosa enteritis induced by pembrolizumab.

A 72-year-old male had pseudomonal enteritis related to pembrolizumab. Chemotherapy for hypopharyngeal carcinoma with lung metastasis comprised cisplatin, 5-FU, and pembrolizumab. On day 14 of chemotherapy treatment he had a sudden prominent abdominal bulge, decreased consciousness, and drop in blood pressure in septic shock. CT scan showed marked intestinal gas through to intrahepatic bile ducts. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was simultaneously detected in both blood and stool cultures. Intestinal endoscopy revealed ulcerative lesions from the transverse colon to the rectum. Pathological investigations indicated apoptosis of the villus. The patient was diagnosed with pseudomonal enteritis induced by immune-related adverse events from the use of pembrolizumab. Treatment by corticosteroid and meropenem were subsequently switched to cefepime and metronidazole, and this successfully improved his colitis. In this new era of biological-targeted drugs and as clinical experience grows, we recommend a high level of alertness for potential diagnosis of infectious complications.

Eye Comfort and Physiological Reconstruction of an Entire Upper Eyelid Defect.

OBJECTIVE: Reconstruction of an extensive full-thickness upper eyelid defect is challenging. The purpose of this report is to introduce this procedure with emphasis on reconstruction of the eyelid margin to obtain eye comfort. METHODS: We designed a technique using a radial forearm flap for the outer layer to reconstruct the entire eyelid after resection of Merkel cell carcinoma. In additional, the inner layer and the eyelid margin were reconstructed with a buccal mucosal graft and a reverse Hughes flap. RESULTS: There has been no recurrence of the tumor, opening and closing functions of the eyelid are maintained, and the patient has not complained of eye discomfort. CONCLUSION: Maintenance of mobility, flexibility, and a good ocular surface in contact with the sensitive cornea are the main foci of upper eyelid reconstruction, with an optimal fissure height and an appropriate contour of the eyelid. In addition, to obtain eye comfort, it is important to protect the cornea without significantly restricting eyelid mobility.

Swinging Eyelid Approach to Zygomaticomaxillary Complex Fracture.

A surgical approach to zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fracture has not been standardized. The authors reviewed 15 cases of ZMC fractures treated with the swinging eyelid approach and evaluated the effectiveness of the technique by an observational study of Japanese patients. Results were assessed from authentic and functional perspectives: the presence of entropion/ectropion, external canthal malposition and chemosis of the conjunctiva. After a minimum follow-up of 10 months, no patients had lower eyelid ectropion, entropion or retraction. Wounds appeared inconspicuous, and a lateral canthal shape was preserved. No post-operative chemosis of the conjunctiva was observed. Each case was evaluated based on patient satisfaction about their aesthetic outcomes. Patient self-assessment is classified into 4 groups (excellent, good, fair, and unsatisfactory). Thirteen patients were assessed to have an "excellent" outcome, and 2 patients were assessed to have a "good" outcome. No patients had "fair" or "unsatisfactory" outcomes. Avoidance of scarring is a goal of every craniofacial surgeon. The swinging eyelid approach to ZMC fractures offers a simple alternative to the conventional technique. It is versatile and provides sufficient exposure to surgical fields with less visible scar because skin incision is made along the natural crease line, "the crow's feet."

Novel Application of Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification for Rapid Detection of Gene Translocation.

Identification of fusion genes in cancer is essential for pathological diagnosis and clinical therapy. Although methods for detection of fusion genes, such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), have been developed in last two decades, these methods are not ideal for detection of these genetic alterations owing to their high cost and time-consuming procedures. In this study, we developed novel application for detection of gene translocations using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). We verified the amplified DNA products of echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (EML4-ALK), synaptotagmin and synovial sarcoma, X breakpoint (SYT-SSX), and immunoglobulin heavy chain gene and B cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (IgH/BCL2) by real-time PCR, agarose-gel electrophoresis, and the naked eye after the LAMP procedure. Fusion genes were detected in samples diluted 103 times within 60 min. Because of the advantages of rapid amplification, simple operation, and easy detection without requiring sophisticated equipment or technical skill, LAMP may have potential applications as an on-site analytical approach in hospitals for pathological diagnosis and decision making regarding appropriate therapeutic approachs.