Associated brain abnormalities in patients with corpus callosum anomalies.

Forty-nine patients with corpus callosum (CC) anomalies were evaluated in terms of the clinical features and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. CC anomalies were classified as CC agenesis: 6 (12%), CC hypogenesis: 5 (10%), and CC hypoplasia: 38 (78%). In the CC hypoplasia group the mean value of the genu thickness of the CC was 0.29 +/- 0.1 cm, which was less than the normal value of the age-matched normal children (normal range: 0.6-1.2 cm). The associated brain abnormalities were in five distinct groups: gray matter abnormalities, white matter abnormalities, midline brain structure defects, cortical atrophy, and encephalomalacia. There was no uniformity for the clinical spectrum of CC anomalies. Microcephaly, developmental delay and seizures were the prominent findings in patients. The clinical features were more severe in cases with associated brain anomalies.

Effects of sildenafil treatment on patients with Peyronie's disease and erectile dysfunction.

INTRODUCTION: It has been shown on experimental rat models that type 5-phosphodiesterase isoenzyme (PDE5) inhibitors have anti-fibrotic effects for Peyronie's disease (PD); however, this issue has not been addressed clinically. The aim of this study was to document the effects of PDE5 inhibitors used for erectile dysfunction (ED) seen in PD patients on the main course of the PD clinically. METHODS: A total of 39 PD patients with ED were divided into two groups. Patients in Group 1 (n = 18) served as controls and received 400 IU vitamin E per day. Those in Group 2 (n = 21) received 50 mg sildenafil per day for 12 weeks. Penile plaque volume was assessed by palpation and by duplex ultrasound. Erectile capacity, penile deformity and plaque characteristics were assessed by the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire form (IIEF-5) and penile duplex ultrasound. RESULTS: Statistically significant improvement in all parameters was observed within both groups except for IIEF score in Group 1 when compared with the initial values. Significant reduction in plaques and pain were observed in 7 (33.3 %) and 14 (66.6 %) patients in Group 2 and 6 (33.3 %) and 9 patients (42.8 %) in Group 1, respectively. At the end of the therapy, improvement in IIEF score and reduction in pain were statistically significant in Group 2 compared with Group 1 (p = 0.028 and p = 0.045, respectively). CONCLUSION: We conclude that continuous administration of oral PDE5 inhibitors may be a candidate for medical treatment of PD; however, more controlled studies are needed.

Comparison of second-line treatment outcomes between sensitive and refractory small cell lung cancer patients: a retrospective analysis.

PURPOSE: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has a high relapse rate despite being very chemosensitive. The efficacy of second-line treatment is dismal. Our aim was to evaluate the outcome of second-line treatment. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed data of 120 SCLC patients who failed first-line treatment and received second-line treatment at three medical oncology centers. RESULTS: Median age of group was 58. 82 % had an ECOG PS of 0-1 at the time of relapse. 39 % were at limited stage (LS) at the time of diagnosis. Patients who progressed more than 3 months after first-line therapy were categorized as having platinum-sensitive disease (PSD) (64 %). The number of patients who received platin-based combination treatment was 33 (27 %). The median OS time starting from the initiation of second-line treatment was 7 months. Multivariate analysis identified PS (p = 0.006), extent of disease at diagnosis (0.014) and PSD (0.001) as the independent prognostic factors for survival. Subgroup analyses of the patients with PSD indicated platin rechallenge yields higher progression-free survival, overall survival and overall response rate. CONCLUSION: Patients with good ECOG PS,who have PSD or initially presenting with LS, have a good prognosis and in patients with PSD, platinum-based therapy would be more appropriate.

Fracture of the tibial tray after total knee arthroplasty.

We report a case in which fracture of the metal tibial plate was thought to be caused by a combination of neutral anatomic rotation of the femoral component and an undersized tibial plate. This resulted in medial subsidence and baseplate fracture with loosening of the polyethylene and dislocation of the prosthesis.

Strength of different meniscus suturing techniques.

We measured and compared the primary stabilities of five different meniscal suturing techniques. The techniques tested were horizontal mattress, vertical mattress, knot-end, vertical, and vertical loop. Twenty bovine medial menisci were cut to simulate peripheral longitudinal tears and repaired with one of the five suture techniques. Then the two parts of the meniscus were pulled using the Instron Tensometer until failure occurred. Knot-end techniques gave inferior results (mean ultimate failure strength 64 +/- 5 N) compared with the other techniques. Vertical mattress failed at 130 +/- 3 N, vertical loop at 128 +/- 4.5 N, horizontal mattress at 98 +/- 5 N and vertical suturing at 136 +/- 2.7 N. This study shows the superior mechanical characteristic of the vertical suturing technique.