Automatically Diagnosing Skull Fractures Using an Object Detection Method and Deep Learning Algorithm in Plain Radiography Images

Objective@#: Deep learning is a machine learning approach based on artificial neural network training, and object detection algorithm using deep learning is used as the most powerful tool in image analysis. We analyzed and evaluated the diagnostic performance of a deep learning algorithm to identify skull fractures in plain radiographic images and investigated its clinical applicability. @*Methods@#: A total of 2026 plain radiographic images of the skull (fracture, 991; normal, 1035) were obtained from 741 patients. The RetinaNet architecture was used as a deep learning model. Precision, recall, and average precision were measured to evaluate the deep learning algorithm’s diagnostic performance. @*Results@#: In ResNet-152, the average precision for intersection over union (IOU) 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5, were 0.7240, 0.6698, and 0.3687, respectively. When the intersection over union (IOU) and confidence threshold were 0.1, the precision was 0.7292, and the recall was 0.7650. When the IOU threshold was 0.1, and the confidence threshold was 0.6, the true and false rates were 82.9% and 17.1%, respectively. There were significant differences in the true/false and false-positive/false-negative ratios between the anteriorposterior, towne, and both lateral views (p=0.032 and p=0.003). Objects detected in false positives had vascular grooves and suture lines. In false negatives, the detection performance of the diastatic fractures, fractures crossing the suture line, and fractures around the vascular grooves and orbit was poor. @*Conclusion@#: The object detection algorithm applied with deep learning is expected to be a valuable tool in diagnosing skull fractures.

Comparison of Outcomes at Trauma Centers versus Non-Trauma Centers for Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Objective@#: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most common injuries in patients with multiple trauma, and it associates with high post-traumatic mortality and morbidity. A trauma center was established to provide optimal treatment for patients with severe trauma. This study aimed to compare the treatment outcomes of patients with severe TBI between non-trauma and trauma centers based on data from the Korean Neuro-Trauma Data Bank System (KNTDBS). @*Methods@#: From January 2018 to June 2021, 1122 patients were enrolled in the KNTDBS study. Among them, 253 patients from non-traumatic centers and 253 from trauma centers were matched using propensity score analysis. We evaluated baseline characteristics, the time required from injury to hospital arrival, surgery-related factors, neuromonitoring, and outcomes. @*Results@#: The time from injury to hospital arrival was shorter in the non-trauma centers (110.2 vs. 176.1 minutes, p=0.012). The operation time was shorter in the trauma centers (156.7 vs. 128.1 minutes, p0.003). Neuromonitoring was performed in nine patients (3.6%) in the non-trauma centers and 67 patients (26.5%) in the trauma centers (p<0.001). Mortality rates were lower in trauma centers than in non-trauma centers (58.5% vs. 47.0%, p=0.014). The average Glasgow coma scale (GCS) at discharge was higher in the trauma centers (4.3 vs. 5.7, p=0.011). For the Glasgow outcome scale-extended (GOSE) at discharge, the favorable outcome (GOSE 5–8) was 17.4% in the non-trauma centers and 27.3% in the trauma centers (p=0.014). @*Conclusion@#: This study showed lower mortality rates, higher GCS scores at discharge, and higher rates of favorable outcomes in trauma centers than in non-trauma centers. The regional trauma medical system seems to have a positive impact in treating patients with severe TBI.

The Relationship Between Trauma Scoring Systems and Outcomes in Patients With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury / 대한신경손상학회지

Objective@#This study investigated the relationship between trauma scoring systems and outcomes in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). @*Methods@#From January 2018 to June 2021, 1,122 patients with severe TBI were registered in the Korean Neuro-Trauma Data Bank System. Among them, 697 patients with data on trauma scoring systems were included in the study. According to the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended score, the patients were divided into unfavorable and favorable outcome groups. The abbreviated injury scale (AIS), injury severity score (ISS), revised trauma score (RTS), and trauma and injury severity score (TRISS) were evaluated. @*Results@#The AIS head score was higher in the unfavorable outcome group than in the favorable outcome group (4.39 vs. 4.06, p<0.001). ISS was also higher in the unfavorable outcome group (27.27 vs. 24.22, p=0.001). The RTS and TRISS were higher in the favorable outcome group (RTS, 4.74 vs. 5.45, p<0.001; TRISS, 48.05 vs. 71.02, p<0.001). In comparing the survival and death groups, the ISS was lower in the survival group (25.76 vs. 27.29, p=0.036). Furthermore, RTS was higher in the survival group (5.26 vs. 4.54, p<0.001), as was TRISS (62.11 vs. 44.91, p<0.001). @*Conclusion@#Trauma scoring systems, including ISS, RTS, and TRISS, provide tools for quantifying posttraumatic risk and can be used to predict prognosis. Among these, TRISS is an indicator of the predicted survival rate and is considered a clinically useful tool for predicting unfavorable and favorable outcomes in patients with severe TBI.

Relative Age Effects in Korean Football: Analysis of Age-Specific International Teams / 대한스포츠의학회지

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify relative age effects of South Korea national male football teams that participated in 38 international competitions in age-specific categories from 2000 to 2018; U-16 (n=176), U-17 (n=82), U-19 (n=198), U-20 (n=147), and U-23 (n=166). METHODS: Available information on birth-dates, heights, and body weights of South Korean elite male football players was collected from the official websites. Chi-square test was conducted and odds ratios were calculated with 95% confidence interval in order to examine differences of quarter distribution between expected and observed subgroups. RESULTS: The birth distributions observed in each team were significantly different than those expected in general population of the same age (U-16: χ2=59.364, p<0.05; U-17: χ2=36.829, p<0.05; U-19: χ2=51.697, p<0.05; U-20: χ2=39.531, p<0.05) except U-23 (χ2=17.759, p=0.087). The magnitude of birth distribution was 3.2 times higher in the first quarter compared to that in the fourth quarter and was decreased in accordance with age. In accordance with age, the distribution of “competition age group” was significantly decreased in each team (U-16, 91%; U-17, 89%; U-19, 76%; U-20, 63%; U-23, 42%; p<0.05) but that of “under-competition age group” was increased (U-16, 9%; U-17, 1 1%; U-19, 2 4%; U-20, 37%; U-23, 5 8%; p <0.05). There is also significant difference in distribution between both “competition” and “under-competition age group” at the same tournament category (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Conclusively, these findings indicate that Korean players who are in the early stage of development have higher “relative age effects” than those in the late stage of development. This may implicate that it is necessary to develop strategies for relatively late-mature players who have potentials in terms of skills and intelligence of football.

Cranioplasty Results after the Use of a Polyester Urethane Dural Substitute (Neuro-Patch®) as an Adhesion Prevention Material in Traumatic Decompressive Craniectomy

PURPOSE@#This study was conducted to investigate the usefulness of a polyester urethane dural substitute (Neuro-Patch®, B. Braun, Boulogne, France) as an anti-adhesion agent in subsequent cranioplasty by analyzing the use of Neuro-Patch® during decompressive craniectomy in traumatic brain injury patients.@*METHODS@#We retrospectively analyzed patients with traumatic brain injury who underwent decompressive craniectomy followed by cranioplasty from January 2015 to December 2018. Patients were analyzed according to whether they received treatment with Neuro-Patch® or not (Neuro-Patch® group, n=71; control group, n=55). Patients' baseline characteristics were analyzed to identify factors that could affect cranioplasty results, including age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, use of antiplatelet agents or anticoagulant medication, the interval between craniectomy and cranioplasty, and the type of bone used in cranioplasty. The cranioplasty results were analyzed according to the following factors: operation time, blood loss, postoperative hospitalization period, surgical site infection, and revision surgery due to extra-axial hematoma.@*RESULTS@#No significant difference was found between the two groups regarding patients' baseline characteristics. For the cranioplasty procedures, the operation time (155 vs. 190 minutes, p=0.003), intraoperative blood loss (350 vs. 450 mL, p=0.012), and number of surgical site infections (4 vs. 11 cases, p=0.024) were significantly lower in the Neuro-Patch® group than in the control group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The use of Neuro-Patch® was associated with a shorter operation time, less blood loss, and a lower number of surgical site infections in subsequent cranioplasties. These results may provide a rationale for prospective studies investigating the efficacy of Neuro-Patch®.

Predictive Values of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features for Tracheostomy in Traumatic Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features that have a statistically significant association with the need for a tracheostomy in patients with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) during the acute stage of injury. METHODS: This study retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 130 patients with cervical SCI. We analyzed the factors believed to increase the risk of requiring a tracheostomy, including the severity of SCI, the level of injury as determined by radiological assessment, three quantitative MR imaging parameters, and eleven qualitative MR imaging parameters. RESULTS: Significant differences between the non-tracheostomy and tracheostomy groups were determined by the following five factors on multivariate analysis : complete SCI (p=0.007), the radiological level of C5 and above (p=0.038), maximum canal compromise (MCC) (p=0.010), lesion length (p=0.022), and osteophyte formation (p=0.015). For the MCC, the cut-off value was 46%, and the risk of requiring a tracheostomy was three times higher at an interval between 50–60% and ten times higher between 60–70%. For lesion length, the cut-off value was 20 mm, and the risk of requiring a tracheostomy was two times higher at an interval between 20–30 mm and fourteen times higher between 40–50 mm. CONCLUSION: The American Spinal Injury Association grade A, a radiological injury level of C5 and above, an MCC ≥50%, a lesion length ≥20 mm, and osteophyte formation at the level of injury were considered to be predictive values for requiring tracheostomy intervention in patients with cervical SCI.

Prospective Multicenter Surveillance Study of Surgical Site Infection after Spinal Surgery in Korea : A Preliminary Study

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the rates, types, and risk factors of surgical site infection (SSI) following spinal surgery using data from a Korean SSI surveillance system that included diagnoses made by surgeons. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of patients who underwent spinal surgeries at 42 hospitals in South Korea from January 2017 to December 2017. The procedures included spinal fusion, laminectomy, discectomy, and corpectomy. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Of the 3080 cases included, 30 showed infection, and the overall SSI rate was 1.0% (an incidence of 1.2% in spinal fusion and 0.6% in laminectomy). Deep incisional infections were the most common type of SSIs (46.7%). Gram-positive bacteria caused 80% of the infections, and coagulase-negative staphylococci, including Staphylococcus epidermidis, accounted for 58% of the gram-positive bacteria. A longer preoperative hospital stay was significantly associated with the incidence of SSI after both spinal fusion and laminectomy (p=0.013, p < 0.001). A combined operation also was associated with SSI after laminectomy (p=0.032). CONCLUSION: An SSI surveillance system is important for the accurate analysis of SSI. The incidence of SSI after spinal surgery assessed by a national surveillance system was 1.0%. Additional data collection will be needed in future studies to analyze SSI in spinal surgery.

Prospective Multicenter Surveillance Study of Surgical Site Infection after Intracranial Procedures in Korea : A Preliminary Study

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the rates, types, and risk factors of surgical site infection (SSI) following intracranial neurosurgical procedures evaluated by a Korean SSI surveillance system. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of patients who underwent neurosurgical procedures at 29 hospitals in South Korea from January 2017 to June 2017. The procedures included craniectomy, craniotomy, cranioplasty, burr hole, and ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Of the 1576 cases included, 30 showed infection, for an overall SSI rate of 1.9%. Organ/space infection was the most common, found in 21 out of the 30 cases (70%). Staphylococcus aureus was the most common (41%) of all bacteria, and Serratia marcescens (12%) was the most common among gram-negative bacteria. In univariate analyses, the p-values for age, preoperative hospital stay duration, and over T-hour were <0.2. In a multivariate analysis of these variables, only preoperative hospital stay was significantly associated with the incidence of SSI (p < 0.001), whereas age and over T-hour showed a tendency to increase the risk of SSI (p=0.09 and 0.06). CONCLUSION: Surveillance systems play important roles in the accurate analysis of SSI. The incidence of SSI after neurosurgical procedures assessed by a national surveillance system was 1.9%. Future studies will provide clinically useful results for SSI when data are accumulated.

Predictive Values of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features for Tracheostomy in Traumatic Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features that have a statistically significant association with the need for a tracheostomy in patients with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) during the acute stage of injury.METHODS: This study retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 130 patients with cervical SCI. We analyzed the factors believed to increase the risk of requiring a tracheostomy, including the severity of SCI, the level of injury as determined by radiological assessment, three quantitative MR imaging parameters, and eleven qualitative MR imaging parameters.RESULTS: Significant differences between the non-tracheostomy and tracheostomy groups were determined by the following five factors on multivariate analysis : complete SCI (p=0.007), the radiological level of C5 and above (p=0.038), maximum canal compromise (MCC) (p=0.010), lesion length (p=0.022), and osteophyte formation (p=0.015). For the MCC, the cut-off value was 46%, and the risk of requiring a tracheostomy was three times higher at an interval between 50–60% and ten times higher between 60–70%. For lesion length, the cut-off value was 20 mm, and the risk of requiring a tracheostomy was two times higher at an interval between 20–30 mm and fourteen times higher between 40–50 mm.CONCLUSION: The American Spinal Injury Association grade A, a radiological injury level of C5 and above, an MCC ≥50%, a lesion length ≥20 mm, and osteophyte formation at the level of injury were considered to be predictive values for requiring tracheostomy intervention in patients with cervical SCI.

Prospective Multicenter Surveillance Study of Surgical Site Infection after Spinal Surgery in Korea : A Preliminary Study

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the rates, types, and risk factors of surgical site infection (SSI) following spinal surgery using data from a Korean SSI surveillance system that included diagnoses made by surgeons.METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of patients who underwent spinal surgeries at 42 hospitals in South Korea from January 2017 to December 2017. The procedures included spinal fusion, laminectomy, discectomy, and corpectomy. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.RESULTS: Of the 3080 cases included, 30 showed infection, and the overall SSI rate was 1.0% (an incidence of 1.2% in spinal fusion and 0.6% in laminectomy). Deep incisional infections were the most common type of SSIs (46.7%). Gram-positive bacteria caused 80% of the infections, and coagulase-negative staphylococci, including Staphylococcus epidermidis, accounted for 58% of the gram-positive bacteria. A longer preoperative hospital stay was significantly associated with the incidence of SSI after both spinal fusion and laminectomy (p=0.013, p < 0.001). A combined operation also was associated with SSI after laminectomy (p=0.032).CONCLUSION: An SSI surveillance system is important for the accurate analysis of SSI. The incidence of SSI after spinal surgery assessed by a national surveillance system was 1.0%. Additional data collection will be needed in future studies to analyze SSI in spinal surgery.

Prospective Multicenter Surveillance Study of Surgical Site Infection after Intracranial Procedures in Korea : A Preliminary Study

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the rates, types, and risk factors of surgical site infection (SSI) following intracranial neurosurgical procedures evaluated by a Korean SSI surveillance system.METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of patients who underwent neurosurgical procedures at 29 hospitals in South Korea from January 2017 to June 2017. The procedures included craniectomy, craniotomy, cranioplasty, burr hole, and ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.RESULTS: Of the 1576 cases included, 30 showed infection, for an overall SSI rate of 1.9%. Organ/space infection was the most common, found in 21 out of the 30 cases (70%). Staphylococcus aureus was the most common (41%) of all bacteria, and Serratia marcescens (12%) was the most common among gram-negative bacteria. In univariate analyses, the p-values for age, preoperative hospital stay duration, and over T-hour were <0.2. In a multivariate analysis of these variables, only preoperative hospital stay was significantly associated with the incidence of SSI (p < 0.001), whereas age and over T-hour showed a tendency to increase the risk of SSI (p=0.09 and 0.06).CONCLUSION: Surveillance systems play important roles in the accurate analysis of SSI. The incidence of SSI after neurosurgical procedures assessed by a national surveillance system was 1.9%. Future studies will provide clinically useful results for SSI when data are accumulated.

Malignant Transformation of Craniopharyngioma without Radiation Therapy: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Craniopharyngiomas exhibiting histologic malignancy are extremely rare. Herein, we report the case of a 26-year-old male patient who underwent suprasellar mass excision via an interhemispheric transcallosal approach. Histopathological examination indicated that the craniopharyngioma was of the adamantinomatous subtype. The patient received postoperative medical treatment for endocrine dysfunction and diabetes mellitus without radiation treatment. Two years after the operation, he presented with progressive visual disturbance and altered mentality. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a huge mass in the suprasellar cistern and third ventricle. He underwent a second operation via the same approach. The histopathological examination showed an adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma with sheets of solid proliferation in a spindled pattern, indicating malignant transformation. Malignant transformation of craniopharyngioma in the absence of radiation therapy has been reported in only five cases, including this one. We present a case of malignant transformation of craniopharyngioma with a brief review of relevant literature.

Correlation between MRI Grading System and Surgical Findings for Lumbar Foraminal Stenosis

OBJECTIVE: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) grading systems using sagittal images are useful for evaluation of lumbar foraminal stenosis. We evaluated whether such a grading system is useful as a diagnostic tool for surgery. METHODS: Between July 2014 and June 2015, 99 consecutive patients underwent unilateral lumbar foraminotomy for lumbar foraminal stenosis. Surgically confirmed foraminal stenosis and the contralateral, asymptomatic neuroforamen were assessed based on a 4-point MRI grading system. Two experienced researchers independently evaluated the MR sagittal images. Interobserver agreement and intraobserver agreement were analyzed using κ statistics. RESULTS: The mean age of patients (54 women, 45 men) was 62.5 years. A total of 101 levels (202 neuroforamens) were evaluated. MRI grades for operated neuroforamens were as follows: Grade 0 in 0.99%, Grade 1 in 5.28%, Grade 2 in 14.85%, and Grade 3 in 78.88%. Interobserver agreement was moderate for operated neuroforamens (κ=0.511) and good for asymptomatic neuroforamens (κ=0.696). Intraobserver agreement by reader 1 for operated neuroforamens was good (κ=0.776) and that for asymptomatic neuroforamens was very good (κ=0.831). In terms of lumbar level, interobserver agreement for L5–S1 (κ=0.313, fair) was relatively lower than the other level (κ=0.804, very good). CONCLUSION: MRI grading system for lumbar foraminal stenosis is thought to be useful as a diagnostic tool for surgery in the lumbar spine; however, it is less reliable for symptomatic L5–S1 foraminal stenosis than for other levels. Thus, various clinical factors as well as the MRI grading system are required for surgical decision-making.

Is Surgical Drain Useful for Lumbar Disc Surgery?

OBJECTIVE: Surgical drains are commonly used after the spine surgeries for minimizing hematoma formation, which can delay wound healing and may become a source of fibrosis, infection, and pain. The drain, however, may provide a direct route for infection if it is contaminated. Our objective was to survey the relationship between surgical drains and infection. METHODS: The 70 patients who had undergone single-level lumbar discectomy from April 2011 to March 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. Each patient's medical chart and magnetic resonance image were thoroughly reviewed after all the patients had been divided into the drainage and the nondrainage groups. The amounts and durations of the surgical drains in the drainage group were analyzed. Additionally, the levels of C-reactive protein, rates of infection, scores of preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS), and lengths of hospital stay after operation were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: In this study, 70 patients were retrospectively analyzed; out of which, 42 and 28 patients were included in the drainage and the nondrainage groups, respectively. Two of the postoperative infection cases in the nondrainage group required to undergo repeated operations. The frequency of the postoperative infection cases was higher in the nondrainage group than in the drainage group; however, there was no significant statistical difference between the 2 groups (p=0.157). CONCLUSION: Surgical drains did not elevate postoperative infection. Furthermore, drain tip cultures allowed us to detect postoperative infection at an early stage, and it led to faster initiation of antibiotics treatment.

The Actual Level of Symptomatic Soft Disc Herniation in Patients with Cervical Disc Herniation

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to predict the relationship between the symptomatic disc herniation level and the osteophyte level or decreased disc height in patients with cervical disc herniation. METHODS: Between January 2011 and December 2012, 69 patients with an osteophyte of the cervical spine underwent surgery at a single center due to soft cervical disc herniation. Data including soft disc herniation level, osteophyte level in the posterior vertebral margin, Cobb's angle, and symptom duration were retrospectively assessed. The patients were divided into three groups according to the relationship between the degenerative change level and the level of reported symptoms. RESULTS: Among the 69 patients, 48 (69.6%) showed a match between osteophyte level and soft disc herniation level. Disc herniation occurred at the adjacent segment to degenerative osteophyte level in 12 patients (17.4%) and at both the adjacent and the osteophyte level in nine (13.0%). There was no significant difference in Cobb's angle or duration among the three groups. Osteophyte type was not significant. The mean disc height of the prominent degenerative change level group was lower than the adjacent segment level, but this was not significant. CONCLUSION: Soft cervical disc herniation usually occurs at the level an osteophyte forms. However, it may also occur at segments adjacent to that of the osteophyte level. Therefore, in patients with cervical disc herniation, although a prominent osteophyte alone may appear on plain radiography, we must suspect the presence of soft disc herniation at other levels.

Glioblastoma in a Patient with Neurofibromatosis Type 1: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominantly inherited familial tumor syndrome. Benign tumors such as pilocytic astrocytoma, optic glioma make up the majority of intracranial neoplasms in patients with NF1. There have only been a handful of cases in which adult glioblastoma presented with NF1. A 32-year-old male presented with headache and radiological studies showing a high grade intra-axial tumor. The patient underwent gross total surgical excision and the pathology revealed glioblastoma. After the surgery, he received concomitant chemo-radiotherapy with temozolomide and adjuvant temozolomide chemotherapy. We report a NF1 patient who developed glioblastoma and reviewed related articles.

Association Between the Daily Temperature Range and Occurrence of Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE: We have observed, anecdotally, that the incidence of primary spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), as well as spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage, varies in accordance with seasonality and meteorological conditions. This retrospective single-hospital-based study aimed to determine the seasonality of sICH and the associations, if any, between the occurrence of sICH and meteorological parameters in Incheon city, which is a northwestern area of South Korea. METHODS: Electronic hospital data on 708 consecutive patients admitted with primary sICH from January 2008 to December 2010 was reviewed. Traumatic and various secondary forms of ICHs were excluded. Average monthly admission numbers of sICH were analyzed, in relation with the local temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, and daily temperature range data. The relationships between the daily values of each parameter and daily admission numbers of sICH were investigated using a combination of correlation and time-series analyses. RESULTS: No seasonal trend was observed in sICH-related admissions during the study period. Furthermore, no statistically significant correlation was detected between the daily sICH admission numbers and the meteorological parameters of temperature, atmospheric pressure and humidity. The daily temperature range tended to correlate with the number of daily sICH-related admissions (p = 0.097). CONCLUSION: This study represents a comprehensive investigation of the association between various meteorological parameters and occurrence of spontaneous ICH. The results suggest that the daily temperature range may influence the risk of sICH.

Association Between the Daily Temperature Range and Occurrence of Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE: We have observed, anecdotally, that the incidence of primary spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), as well as spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage, varies in accordance with seasonality and meteorological conditions. This retrospective single-hospital-based study aimed to determine the seasonality of sICH and the associations, if any, between the occurrence of sICH and meteorological parameters in Incheon city, which is a northwestern area of South Korea. METHODS: Electronic hospital data on 708 consecutive patients admitted with primary sICH from January 2008 to December 2010 was reviewed. Traumatic and various secondary forms of ICHs were excluded. Average monthly admission numbers of sICH were analyzed, in relation with the local temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, and daily temperature range data. The relationships between the daily values of each parameter and daily admission numbers of sICH were investigated using a combination of correlation and time-series analyses. RESULTS: No seasonal trend was observed in sICH-related admissions during the study period. Furthermore, no statistically significant correlation was detected between the daily sICH admission numbers and the meteorological parameters of temperature, atmospheric pressure and humidity. The daily temperature range tended to correlate with the number of daily sICH-related admissions (p = 0.097). CONCLUSION: This study represents a comprehensive investigation of the association between various meteorological parameters and occurrence of spontaneous ICH. The results suggest that the daily temperature range may influence the risk of sICH.

The Effects of Anti-inflammatory Drugs on Histologic Findings of the Experimental Prolotherapy Model

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen on histologic changes of the Achilles tendon in an experimental prolotherapy model. METHOD: The right Achilles tendon of 60 rats was injected with 20% dextrose on experimental day 1, 7, and day 14, whereas the left was not injected and used as control. Rats were divided into 3 subgroups: NSAIDs medication group (10 mg/kg/day), acetaminophen medication group (100 mg/ kg/day) and no medication group. Medications were given for 3 consecutive days after each injection. Rats were sacrificed at 3 and 6 weeks after first injection. The transverse diameter of gross specimen, the number of fibroblasts on light microscope, and the distribution of collagen fibril on electron microscope were assessed. RESULTS: The transverse diameter and the count of fibroblasts of all groups increased significantly in the injected tendon compared to the non-injected tendon. However, there were no differences among all groups significantly (p<0.05). On electron micrograph, fibril diameters of injected tendon consisted of mainly smaller sizes with the intermediate sizes. CONCLUSION: Prolotherapy enhances fibroblastic stimulation and elaboration of extracellular matrix. Short term use of NSAIDs may not have any adverse effects on tissue proliferation after prolotherapy.

Comparison of Histological Changes in Accordance with the Level of Dextrose-Concentration in Experimental Prolotherapy Model

OBJECTIVE: Comparing histological changes according to the level of dextrose-concentration of proliferant under the same osmolarity on Achilles tendon of rat. METHOD: One millimeter of three proliferant solutions (20% dextrose water-group A, 5% dextrose water mixed with NaCl-group B, NaCl solution-group C) with the same osmolarity (1, 110 mOsm) was injected around the right Achilles tendon of each rat, whereas the left was not injected to be used as control. After six weeks of injection, the injected tendons and controls were obtained. The transverse diameter of gross specimen, the count of fibroblasts on light microscope, and the findings of cross-sectional analysis using electron microscope were compared. RESULTS: Overall, transverse diameter and the count of fibroblasts increased in the injected specimens compared to controls, however, their significant differences were demonstrated only for the two groups injected with dextrose containing solutions (p<0.05). However, A and B groups did not show significant differences in all parameters investigated. On electron micrograph, fibril diameters of solution-injected tendon consisted of either extremely large or small sizes with the limited intermediate sizes. CONCLUSION: Although high osmolar solution could increase the transverse diameter and fibroblast counts, however, dextrose-containing solution was much more effective as a proliferant solution.