Pyogenic Spondylitis after Vertebroplasty: A Report of Two Cases

Vertebroplasty is now extensively used worldwide for thoracic and lumbar osteoporotic compression fractures. Although percutaneous vertebroplasty is considered a minimally invasive procedure, it may result in several complications. In this report, we present two patients where pyogenic spondylitis developed after vertebroplasty surgery was required. The serious nature of these infections, surgical management and complication avoidance are discussed.

Spectrophotometric analysis of the influence of zirconia core on the color of ceramic / 대한치과보철학회지

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Problem of matching the appearance of porcelain restorations with the patient's natural dentition has always been a concern to dental clinicians. Recently, demands for esthetics, even in restorations requiring strength, has brought a revolution to dentistry and increased use of zirconia. Among the various factors, shade and translucency of the core can significantly affect the overall esthetics of the restoration and should be considered when selecting an all-ceramic system. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to spectrophotometrically evaluate the influence of different zirconia systems and core thickness on the final shade of all-ceramic restorations using the CIEL*a*b* system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Core specimens (n = 20 per group) of In-Ceram Alumina, In-Ceram Zirconia, Digident CAD/CAM Zirconia, Cercon Zirconia were fabricated 20mm in diameter. 10 specimens of each group were fabricated at core thickness of 0.5mm and 0.7mm. These core specimens were veneered with shade A1 and A3 porcelain of the recommended manufacturer. CIEL*a*b* coordinates were recorded for each specimen with a spectrophotometer (Model CM-2600d, Minolta, Japan). Color differences were calculated using the equation delta E*=[(delta L*)2+(delta a*)2+(delta b*)2]1/2. RESULTS: 1. Specimens of core thickness 0.5mm and 0.7mm did not exhibit clinically perceived color difference. 2. Regarding shade reproducibility, In-Ceram Alumina and In-Ceram Zirconia showed significant difference within each group. 3. Cercon Zirconia group showed the highest L* value and Digident Zirconia group showed lowest a* and b* value. 4. Generally, the shade difference between materials was higher in the A3 shade group than in the A1 shade group. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, there was no color difference after increase in core thickness and every all-ceramic system has color characteristics that clinicians have to consider when selecting materials. Also, manufacturers of different porcelain systems must make every effort to achieve color reproducibility.

A clinical study of metastatic carcinoma to oral soft tissue

Phenotypic Changes of Intermediate Filament Proteins during Degeneration and Regeneration of Rat Leg Muscles following Physical Injury / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The aim of this experiment was to observe the phenotypic changes of intermediate filaments in skeletal muscle fibers during the degeneration and regeneration of the physical injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The gastrocnemius muscles of rats were physically damaged by needles and serial cryosections of the damaged muscles were prepared at 2, 4, 6, 9, 15, 21 and 35 days after injury. The cryosections were immunolabelled with desmin, vimentin and histochemically reacted with NADH-TR (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide tetrazolium reductase). RESULTS: Myotubes, asvisualized by desmin and vimentin, appeared at 9 days after injury. The regenerative myofibers were similar to normal muscles 35 days after injury. Degeneration and regeneration occurred simultaneously and positive reactions for desmin disappeared earlier than those of vimentin. CONCLUSION: Both desmin and vimentin are strong staining tools for the evaluation of myopathy. The phenotypic patterns of intermediate filaments showed various degrees of regeneration in the early stages after physical injury.

A Clinical Study of the Open Discectomy of the Herniated Lumbar Disc: Analysis of Relationship between Operative Indications and MRI Findings / 대한정형외과학회잡지

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the correlation between the operative indications and the MRI findings in the herniated lumbar disc. We reviewed the lumbar spine MRI and medical records in the 158 patients of the herniated lumbar disc which were removed by open discectomy. We assessed the herniated lumbar disc in the MRI by the Steinmetz s classification and the operative findings with postoperative results at least 6 months. 170 levels of the operated lumbar discs in these patients consisted of protruded discs in 41 levels, extruded subligamentous discs in 91 levels, extruded transligamentous discs in 27 levels, sequestered discs in 11 levels. We recognized especially in the operated protruded discs that were combined with the lateral recess stenosis in most cases. Postoperatively, 139 patients (88%) had excellent and good results. We concluded that the clinical operative indications were correlated with the cases which were more severe than extruded subligamentous discs or protruded discs combined with lateral recess stenosis in MRI findings.

Changes of the Fracture Fragments of Lesser Trochanter after Operative Treatment in the Unstable Femoral Intertrochanteric Fractures / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Unstable femoral intertrochanteric fractures are characterized by comminution of the posteromedial cortex, resulting in a fragment of variable size containing the lesser trochanter. Need for fixation of the fracture fragment of lesser trochanter remained controversial. We assessed the superior and medial migration of the fracture fragment of lesser trochanter, bone union, change of hip flexor power, limitation of motion and clinical results in a 29 unstable femoral intertrochanteric fractures which had been internally fixed with gamma interlocking nail (14 cases), compression hip screw (10 cases) and anatomical bent plate (5 cases). The fracture fragment of lesser trochanter was fixed with long trans-fixation screw in the cases of the anatomical bent plate. Superior migration of the fracture fragment of lesser trochanter is statistically different between Gamma interlocking nail and the other operations (P0.05). Although the stability could be provided by trans-fixation of the fracture fragment of lesser trochanter because the fragment acts as a buttress, clinical results was not influenced whether the fixation of the fracture fragment of lesser trochanter was done or not. We conclude that additional trans-fixation screw doesn t need if major fracture site was firmly fixed through any operation.