The Survey about the Degree of Damage of Radiation-Protective Shields in Operation Room

BACKGROUND: Medical doctors who perform C-arm fluoroscopy-guided procedures are exposed to X-ray radiation. Therefore, radiation-protective shields are recommended to protect these doctors from radiation. For the past several years, these protective shields have sometimes been used without regular inspection. The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of damage to radiation-protective shields in the operating room. METHODS: This study investigated 98 radiation-protective shields in the operation rooms of Konkuk University Medical Center and Jeju National University Hospital. We examined whether these shields were damaged or not with the unaided eye and by fluoroscopy. RESULTS: There were seventy-one aprons and twenty-seven thyroid protectors in the two university hospitals. Fourteen aprons (19.7%) were damaged, whereas no thyroid protectors (0%) were. Of the twenty-six aprons, which have been used since 2005, eleven (42.3%) were damaged. Of the ten aprons, which have been used since 2008, none (0%) was damaged. Of the twenty-three aprons that have been used since 2009, two (8.7%) of them were damaged. Of the eight aprons used since 2010, one (12.3%) was damaged. Of the four aprons used since 2011, none (0%) of them were damaged. The most common site of damage to the radiation-protective shields was at the waist of the aprons (51%). CONCLUSIONS: As a result, aprons that have been used for a long period of time can have a higher risk of damage. Radiation-protective shields should be inspected regularly and exchanged for new products for the safety of medical workers.

Effect of adipose-derived stem cells on bone healing on titanium implant in tibia of diabetes mellitus induced rats

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus, as a major health problem for the elderly has been shown to alter the properties of the bone and impair bone healing around a titanium implant in both humans and animals. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of adipose-derived stem cells on the healing process around a titanium implant in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen rats were divided into two groups: adipose-derived stem cells injected group and a control group. A titanium screw implant (diameter: 2.0 mm, length: 3.5 mm) was placed into both tibia of 13 rats: 13 right tibia as the control group and 13 left tibia as the experimental group. The rats were sacrificed at different intervals (1, 2, and 4 weeks) after implantation for histopathology observations and immunohistochemistric analysis. RESULTS: The histopathological findings revealed earlier new formed bone in the experimental group than the control group. In particular, at 1 week after implantation, the experimental group showed more newly formed bone and collagen around the implant than the control group. In immunohistochemistric analysis, osteoprotegerin (OPG) expression in the experimental group increased early compared to that of the control group until 2 weeks after implantation. However, after 2 weeks, OPG expression in the experimental group was similar to OPG expression in the control group. The receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL) expression in the experimental group increased early compared to that of the control group, and then decreased at 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, the level of RANKL expression was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that adipose-derived stem cells in implantation can promote bone healing around titanium, particularly in diabetes mellitus induced animals.

Lipoma on superficial lobe of the parotid gland: case report

A lipoma is a benign tumor of matured adipose tissue that usually occurs at the shoulder, back, and abdomen. 13% of lipomas occur in the head and neck area. However, the incidence of lipoma in the parotid gland is very low, approximately 2.5%. A conservational surgical excision is recommended in cases of lipoma of the parotid gland, with only 1-2% of lipomas recurring. We report a case of a lipoma in the parotid gland that was removed by conservational surgical excision. The lesion was exposed by the pre-auricular approach and the tissue was detached. After the parotid gland envelop was exposed, a yellowish mass is observed that was easy to remove due to capsulation. Most authors recommend a surgical excision of the superficial lobe of the parotid gland as the treatment for a lipoma in the parotid gland. However, enucleation only may be a sufficient treatment when a lipoma occurs in the superficial lobe or around the parotid gland. A patidectomy is not needed when a lipoma is located at the superficial lobe of the parotid gland, and a conservational surgical excision is suitable. Therefore, a clinical diagnosis is important for reducing the damage to the facial nerve.