Is Immediate Postoperative Mechanical Axis Associated with the Revision Rate of Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty? A 10-Year Follow-up Study

BACKGROUND: Achieving neutral limb alignment during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been considered an important determinant in the long-term prosthesis survival. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between the immediate postoperative mechanical alignment of the lower limb and the rate of revision TKA by comparing an acceptable mechanical axis group (within ± 3° from neutral alignment) and an outlier group (> 3° deviation from neutral alignment). METHODS: Between 2000 and 2006, clinical and radiographic data of 334 primary TKAs were retrospectively reviewed to determine the 10-year Kaplan-Meier survival rate. Patients were divided into acceptable and outlier groups according to the mechanical axis checked postoperatively within a month. Clinical outcomes were assessed using Hospital for Special Surgery, Knee Society Score, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score preoperatively and at the final follow-up. Postoperative complications and revision rates were also evaluated. RESULTS: The mean change in mechanical axis between the immediate postoperative examination and the last follow-up was greater in the outlier group (1.6 ± 2.7) than in the acceptable group (0.8 ± 2.4). The revision rates were significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.04). At the last follow-up, clinical scores were all improved in both groups compared to each preoperative condition. There were no significant differences in clinical scores between the two groups at the last follow-up. The 10-year Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a tendency towards better survival with restoration of neutral mechanical axis. However, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.25). CONCLUSIONS: Restoration of neutral limb alignment is a factor that can result in a lower revision rate and higher longevity in TKA. However, there were no significant differences in clinical outcomes between the two groups.

Comparison of Clinical Characteristics between Primary and Secondary Paranasal Mucoceles

PURPOSE: Paranasal sinus mucocele is a benign, expansile mass which can occur as a result of trauma or spontaneous obstruction of a sinus tract. The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the clinical characteristics of primary mucoceles occurring in patients with no previous sinus surgery history or known cause of mucoceles and secondary mucoceles resulting as a complication following endoscopic sinus surgery or the Caldwell-Luc operation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 33 cases of primary mucoceles and 60 cases of secondary mucoceles which were diagnosed and surgically corrected between 1996 and 2008. RESULTS: The most common presenting symptoms in primary mucoceles were nasal obstruction (19.4%) and rhinorrhea (17.7%). In secondary mucoceles, the most common symptoms were cheek pain (31.7%) and nasal obstruction (18.3%). The most common origins of primary mucoceles were the ethmoid sinus (45.5%) and the maxillary sinus (18.2%). In secondary mucoceles, the maxillary sinus was the most common site (86%), followed by the ethmoid sinus (7.1%). All patients with secondary mucoceles had a history of sinus surgery. CONCLUSION: The maxillary sinus was the most common site of secondary mucoceles while the ethmoid sinus was the most common origin of primary mucoceles. Cases of secondary mucoceles that occurred following sinus endoscopic surgery developed more frequently in the ethmoid sinus than in those following the Caldwell-Luc procedure, therefore, we suggest that the incidence of maxillary sinus mucoceles in the Asian population would decrease as the rate of endoscopic sinus surgery increases.

The Relationship between the Feature of Thyroid Calcification and Thyroid Papillary Cancer / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGRAOUND AND OBJECTIVES: Thyroid calcification is widely known as a highly specific sign of malignancy. However, there are few studies on the correlation between the calcification and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). The aim of this study was to describe the features of calcification in thyroid mass, and determine the relationship between thyroid calcification and PTC. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients (116) who underwent surgery for thyroid mass during the period of March 2006 to December 2008 were reviewed retrospectively. Each patient underwent preoperative sonography (n=96) and computed tomography (CT)(n=110) to evaluate the thyroid lesion. We subdivided the calcification according to characteristic features and compared the pathologic results. The association between the type of calcification and PTC was verified through the Chi-square test or likelihood ratio. RESULTS: Of 96 patients who underwent sonography, 41 (42.7%) had calcification, of which 23 had microcalcificaiton, 15 had focal calcification, and three had rim calcification. Of 41 calcified lesions, 34 (82.9%) were PTC. Incidence of cancer from thyroid which had no calcified lesion was 30.9%. Three (6.7%) of 45 benign lesions had microcalcification, and 20 (39.2%) of 51 were PTC. We found statistically significant correlation between the presence of calcification, especially microcalcification, on sonography and PTC. Thirty of 110 patients (27.3%) who underwent neck CT had calcification, and among them, 20 patients (66.7%) were diagnosed as PTC. There was no statistical significance in relationship between calcification on CT and malignancy. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that microcalcification which is shown by sonography were more specific for PTC than other calcified lesions.

Assessment of Residual Subjective Symptoms after Canalith Repositioning Procedure in Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Canalith repositioning procedure (CRP) provides rapid and long-lasting relief of symptoms in most patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). However, some patients express nonspecific symptoms such as anxiety or discomfort after CRP, even after the disappearance of nystagmus and vertigo. The purpose of this study is to assess the residual symptoms after CRP in patients with BPPV using questionnaire. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: CRP was performed in 135 patients until nystagmus and vertigo disappeared, and the patients were asked to complete the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) before and five to seven days after treatment. For the control group, 135 normal volunteers were selected, and cross matched according to the age and sex with the patient group. The DHI were compared among pre CRP, post CRP and control group. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between the pre-CRP and post-CRP DHI scores and also between the post-CRP and control group. Comparison between the pre and post-CRP DHI scores, and post-CRP and control group both showed incomplete improvement with respect to some items. CONCLUSION: Even after the successful CRP, DHI scores indicated incomplete recovery and residual subjective symptoms was presented. Thus, additional follow up and management may be needed.

A Case of Minor Salivary Gland Pleomorphic Adenoma Arising from Larynx / 대한이비인후과학회지

Even though pleomorphic adenoma is the most common benign tumor of the major salivary gland, such as the parotid gland, it is relatively rare in the minor salivary gland since it accounts for only 10% of all reported pleomorphic adenoma. The minor salivary gland spreads throughout the oral cavity from nasopharynx, oropharynx, to larynx, and pleomorphic adenoma can be possibly found in every one of them. However, pleomorphic adenoma of the larynx is very rare. We experienced a case of 59 year old woman who presented 3 months history of voice change, swallowing difficulty. She had huge pleomorphic adenoma originated from arytenoid area of larynx. We resected the mass by suprahyoid approach and obtained good postoperative results. We reporte this case with a review of literature.

A Case of Cerebellar Hemangioma Mimicking Peripheral Vestibulopathy

Central vertigo of cerebellar origin may present the syndromes similar to those of peripheral vertigo such as vestibular neuronitis. The character of those vertigo syndrome depend on the location, extent, and the etiology of the lesion such as stroke, inflammation, mass. Cavernous hemangioma may be clinically silent, but can cause variable neurologic manifestations including central vertigo if it affects the vestibular system. We report a rare case of cerebellar cavernous hemangioma with the vertigo syndrome closely mimicked vestibular neuronitis.

Clinical Characteristics of Secondary BPPV

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify clinical characteristics of secondary form of BPPV. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Of 384 patients with BPPV, 82 patients have a ipsilateral inner ear disease to the BPPV. We reviewed the site of lesion, duration of treatment in secondary BPPV and compared with idiopathic BPPV. RESULTS: The site of canal affected by idiopathic BPPV (M=119, F=183) showed that 138 (Lt=62, Rt=76) had a lateral canal, 157 (Lt=63, Rt=94) had a posterior canal, 7 had a multicanal. The involved canal by secondary BPPV (M=45, F=37) showed that 34 had a lateral canal, 43 in posterior canal, 1 in anterior canal and 4 in multicanal. 28 patients with idiopathic sudden sensory hearing loss developed BPPV within a few days (posterior=17, lateral=7, multicanal=4). 12 patients had a unilateral peripheral vestibulopathy and ipsilateral BPPV (posterior=11, lateral=1, anterior canal=1). 14 patients with meniere's disease developed ipsilateral BPPV (Lateral=9, posterior=5). 28 patients with BPPV had a history of headtrauma which is considered to be cause of BPPV. The mean duration of treatment is 2.68 on idiopathic BPPV, 6.27 on BPPV with ISSHL, 6.75 on BPPV with unilateral vestibulopathy, 2.28 on BPPV with meniere's disease and 2.4 on posttraumatic BPPV. There was no significant difference of recurrence among groups. CONCLUSION: Secondary BPPV showed different prevalence of involved canal from idiopathic BPPV. The duration of treatment for BPPV with ISSHL or unilateral vestibulopathy take longer time than for other groups.

Predicting Variables of Violent Behavior in Schizophrenic Patients / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the variables predicting violent behavior in schizophrenic patients. METHODS: Subjects were 65 schizophrenic patients diagnosed according to DSM-IV. Schizophrenic symptom and the insight of patients were evaluated with the Postive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Scale of Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD). Violent behaviors were evaluated with the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS). The State Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) and the Symptom Checklist-90-Reversion (SCL-90-R) self-reported measures were used for the evaluation of anger state & trait, and general psychopathology. Statistic method used in analized variables were stepwise multiple regression and discriminant analysis as well as t-test. RESULTS: Anger out style, hostility and trait anger variables were extracted as the significant predictors in stepwise multiple regression (37%). Emotion and attitude factors related to anger were more powerful predictor than symptom factors. These three variables could discriminate between violent group and nonviolent group in 72.4%. CONCLUSION: Violent behavior of schizophrenic patients could be predicted more accurately by stable factors such as attitude and emotion related to anger than by symptom factors.

Neurocognitive Subtypes of Schizophrenia: with Emphasis on Frontal Lobe Functions / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to identify frontal lobe dysfunctions of schizophrenic group and to classify into subtypes accordingly. METHODS: Four neuropsychological tests (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Word Fluency Test, Ruff Figural Fluency Test and Grooved Pegboard Test) were administered to 93 schizophrenia or schizophreniform patients diagnosed with the Korean version of SCID. Ten measures (WCST Total Number of Errors, WCST Number of Categories Completed, WCST Conceptual Level Responses, WCST Trials to Complete First Category, WCST Perseverative Responses, GPT Dominant Hand RT, GPT Nondominant Hand RT, Letter Fluency raw score, Category Fluency raw score, RFFT Total Unique Designs) from the four tests were selected by statistical procedure. Latent factors embedded in the frontal lobe function of schizophrenic patients were extracted from the factor analysis, and hierarchical and K-means clustering procedures were used to identify subtypes. To examine the differences among the subtypes, demographic variables, K-WAIS and PANSS were used. RESULTS: (1) The subjects in this study showed significant impairments in the four neuropsychological tests. (2) Through factor analysis, three factors were extracted: Conceptualization, Motor and Fluency. (3) Three cluster solution was considered optimal by cluster analysis. The preserved cluster (n=42) comprised of patients who showed relatively high function in all three factors. This group showed relatively higher function than the other two clusters. However, even the performance of the preserved cluster was 1SD below the norm of the normal people. The conceptualization deficit cluster (n=25) comprised of patients with deficit in conceptualization function. This group was characterized by the clinical symptoms of poor impulse control and active social avoidance suggesting a deficit in the ability to actively organize stimuli utilizing the feedback from the external environment. And finally, the fluency deficit cluster (n=19) showed impairment in fluency. This group was characterized by impairments in the use of abstract-symbolic thinking and the ability to pay attention to relevant stimuli suggesting a severe deficit in the efficiency and flexibility of information withdrawal. These three subtypes didn't differ significantly in age, duration of illness and current dosage of antipsychotics. However, the three groups differed significantly in years of education, IQ and on five items of PANSS. CONCLUSION: This study shows that schizophrenia can be characterized by frontal lobe dysfunctions and divided into three subtypes according to the profile of the frontal lobe dysfunctions. These neurocognitive heterogeneity of schizophrenia, not related to age, duration of illness and dosage of antipsychotic, suggest that different strategies need to be developed in diagnosing and planning rehabilitation programs for schizophrenc patients.

A Case of Turner's Syndrome(45,X/46,XX) Associated with Patent Ductus Arteriosus

We described a 65-year-old female of 45,X/46,XX Turner's syndrome associated with patent ductus arteriosus who was admitted due to exertional dyspnea and palpitation. This patient had not spontaneous mensturation and had a short stature without webbed neck and a sexual infantilism. Chromosomal aberrations cause primarily structural defects of cardiovascular system, and a variety of structural aberrations involving the X chromosome can cause partial or complete Turner's syndrome. In Turner's syndrome, bicuspid aortic valve or coarctation of aorta is frequently combined, also aortic root dilatation, partial anomalous venous drainage, hypoplastic left heart, ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect has been reported. However, this patient had not abnormality in aortic valve and whole aorta. Patent ductus arteriosus in 45,X/46,XX Turner's syndrome have not been reported in Korea. We report this case with a brief review of the literature.