Uterine Artery Embolization as an Effective Management and Diagnostic Tool for Puerperal Uterine Inversion with Severe Postpartum Bleeding: A Case Report

Acute puerperal uterine inversion is a rare postpartum obstetric complication; however, without rapid diagnosis and appropriate management, it is life-threatening. Substantial bleeding hinders the verification of a partially inverted uterus, possibly delaying the treatment. Herein, we present the report of a 32-year-old female presenting with massive postpartum bleeding managed by uterine artery embolization. The peculiar course of the uterine artery bowing inferiorly along the inverted fundus during embolization could uncover the uterine inversion, which was not diagnosed by physical examination and CT. In conclusion, uterine artery embolization is not only an effective therapeutic strategy for postpartum hemorrhage but also a valuable tool for diagnosing uterine inversion.

Thrombectomy of Femoro-Femoral Bypass Graft Occlusion Using the AngioJet Rheolytic Thrombectomy System and Embolic Protection Device: A Case Report

The authors report a successful thrombectomy using the AngioJet Rheolytic Thrombectomy System (AngioJet) and an embolic protection device in a patient with femorofemoral bypass graft occlusion. Lower extremity CT angiograms showed occlusion in the left-to-right femorofemoral bypass graft. A rheolytic thrombectomy using the AngioJet and balloon angioplasty restored blood flow to the right lower extremity, and distal embolization may be effectively prevented by placing an embolic protection device within the right superficial femoral artery during the procedure.

Thrombectomy of Femoro-Femoral Bypass Graft Occlusion Using the AngioJet Rheolytic Thrombectomy System and Embolic Protection Device: A Case Report

The authors report a successful thrombectomy using the AngioJet Rheolytic Thrombectomy System (AngioJet) and an embolic protection device in a patient with femorofemoral bypass graft occlusion. Lower extremity CT angiograms showed occlusion in the left-to-right femorofemoral bypass graft. A rheolytic thrombectomy using the AngioJet and balloon angioplasty restored blood flow to the right lower extremity, and distal embolization may be effectively prevented by placing an embolic protection device within the right superficial femoral artery during the procedure.

Multimodal Composite Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications

BACKGROUND: Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are excellent candidates for biomedical imaging because of unique characteristics like enhanced colloidal stability and excellent in vivo biocompatibility. Over the last decade, material scientists have developed IONPs with better imaging and enhanced optical absorbance properties by tuning their sizes, shape, phases, and surface characterizations. Since IONPs could be detected with magnetic resonance imaging, various attempts have been made to combine other imaging modalities, thereby creating a high-resolution imaging platform. Composite IONPs (CIONPs) comprising IONP cores with polymeric or inorganic coatings have recently been documented as a promising modality for therapeutic applications. METHODS: In this review, we provide an overview of the recent advances in CIONPs for multimodal imaging and focus on the therapeutic applications of CIONPs. RESULTS: CIONPs with phototherapeutics, IONP-based nanoparticles are used for theranostic application via imaging guided photothermal therapy. CONCLUSION: CIONP-based nanoparticles are known for theranostic application, longstanding effects of composite NPs in in vivo systems should also be studied. Once such issues are fixed, multifunctional CIONP-based applications can be extended for theranostics of diverse medical diseases in the future.

The Effect of Refractive Power on Retinal Volume Measurement Using Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

PURPOSE: To investigate the change of retinal volume according to anterior segment refractive power using contact lens by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: The retinal volume was measured using a SD-OCT (Heidelberg retinal angiography Spectralis + OCT, Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) in 60 subjects without any underlying disease. The same examiner performed a 31-section macular volume-scan at 240 µm intervals, re-measured the same area by changing the refractive power of the anterior segment by wearing soft contact lenses of +6.0 diopters and −6.0 diopters. By using the ImageJ software to calculate the cross-sectional area and of the cross-sectional area and the volume was measured. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 25.6 ± 1.5 years and the mean axial length was 25.7 ± 1.57 mm. The volume of the posterior pole retina measured without the contact lens was 13.48 ± 0.05 and the mean volume of the retina measured with +6.0 diopter and −6.0 diopter contact lens in the same patient was 13.47 ± 0.07 mm³ and 13.48 ± 0.05 respectively. The mean volume was significantly lower(p = 0.036) in the measurement with the +6.0 diopter lens than in the measurement without the lens, and the mean volume was significantly higher in the measurement with the +6.0 diopter lens (p = 0.042). The change in retinal thickness was increased with longer axial length (r = 0.32, p < 0.05), but the central foveal thickness did not correlate with anterior corneal power (p = 0.463). CONCLUSIONS: The volume of the retina measured using the SD-OCT is affected by the refractive power of the anterior segment and the axial length. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the change of refractive index because it can change the retinal volume measured by SD-OCT.

Isolation and Analysis of the Enzymatic Properties of Thermophilic Fungi from Compost

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on thermophilic fungi isolated in Korea. Three species of thermophiles were isolated from compost and were identified as Myriococcum thermophilum, Thermoascus aurantiacus, and Thermomyces lanuginosus. They can grow at temperatures above 50degrees C and produce high levels of cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes at high temperatures. Notably, the considerable thermostability of the endo-glucanase produced by T. aurantiacus has made the fungus an attractive source of industrial enzymes.

Management of the paralyzed ectropion by implanting conchal cartilage / 나학회지

Paralytic lagophthalmos and ectropion by leprosy are serious complications of facial paralysis, which may lead to exposure keratitis, corneal ulceration, and further lead to blindness. In 1995 and 1997, we reported in this journal on the surgical treatment of 38 patients and 98 patients suffering with paralytic lagophthalmos and ectropion. In the first report of 1995, for lid closing I(Ahn) performed the method of traditional surgery such as temporal muscle transfer, medial and lateral canthoplasty as well as gold implant. In the 2nd report of 1997, we(Ahn and Park) presented the results of our combination treatment that changed the design and weight of the gold plate inserted in upper lid, and the medial canthoplasty and horizontal shortening in lower lid. Combination treatment provided for near normal eye closure and aesthetically pleasing appearance without the drawbacks associated with other methods such as eye clinching in concert with mouth closure, donor site deformities resulting from temporalis muscle transfer, and over exposure of carbuncle due to stretching effects of lateral canthoplasty. We have now found that raising the level of the lower lid margin to the sclera is important in concealing the scleral show due to drooping of the lower lid. We grafted conchal cartilage in a 5 x 35 mm sized band, which was fixed at the medial and lateral canthal area in 57 patients during the recent 3 years. We also added the ancillary procedure of the horizontal shortening in cases of highly atonic lower lid. We have noted that gold implantation in the upper eyelid and cartilage graft in the lower eyelid, with optional horizontal shortening, successfully corrected the lagophthalmos and ectropion due to facial nerve palsy.