Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Testing of the Perigastric Vagus Nerve Branches to Evaluate Viability and Signals along Nerve Pathways during Gastrectomy

PURPOSE: The perigastric vagus nerve may play an important role in preserving function after gastrectomy, and intraoperative neurophysiologic tests might represent a feasible method of evaluating the vagus nerve. The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of neurophysiologic evaluations of the function and viability of perigastric vagus nerve branches during gastrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients (1 open total gastrectomy, 1 laparoscopic total gastrectomy, and 11 laparoscopic distal gastrectomy) were prospectively enrolled. The hepatic and celiac branches of the vagus nerve were exposed, and grabbing type stimulation electrodes were applied as follows: 10–30 mA intensity, 4 trains, 1,000 µs/train, and 5× frequency. Visible myocontractile movement and electrical signals were monitored via needle probes before and after gastrectomy. Gastrointestinal symptoms were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively at 3 weeks and 3 months, respectively. RESULTS: Responses were observed after stimulating the celiac branch in 10, 9, 10, and 6 patients in the antrum, pylorus, duodenum, and proximal jejunum, respectively. Ten patients responded to hepatic branch stimulation at the duodenum. After vagus-preserving distal gastrectomy, 2 patients lost responses to the celiac branch at the duodenum and jejunum (1 each), and 1 patient lost response to the hepatic branch at the duodenum. Significant procedure-related complications and meaningful postoperative diarrhea were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative neurophysiologic testing seems to be a feasible methodology for monitoring the perigastric vagus nerves. Innervation of the duodenum via the celiac branch and postoperative preservation of the function of the vagus nerves were confirmed in most patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0000823

Ultrasonographic Findings of Subcutaneous Angioleiomyomas in the Extremities Based on Pathologic Subtypes

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the ultrasonographic findings of angioleiomyoma based on pathological subtypes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with subcutaneous angioleiomyomas in the extremities were retrospectively reviewed by two radiologists and a pathologist. Sonographic images were analyzed to evaluate each tumor's anatomic location, size, shape, margin, heterogeneity, echogenicity, associated findings, and vascularity. RESULTS: Angioleiomyomas were divided into 3 subtypes: capillary (n = 16), venous (n = 22), and cavernous (n = 1). The one cavernous angioleiomyoma was a hypoechoic mass with rich vascularity. Hypoechogenicity was more frequently observed for venous tumors (77.3%) than for capillary tumors (43.8%), and isoechogenicity was more frequently observed for capillary tumors (56.2%) than for venous tumors (22.7%). Moderate vascularity was more frequently observed for venous tumors (59.1%) than for capillary tumors (12.5%), and little vascularity was more frequently observed for capillary tumors (62.5%) than for venous tumors (13.6%). The aforementioned findings including echogenicity (p = 0.034) and vascularity (p = 0.003) were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Awareness of sonographic findings of angioleiomyomas based on pathologic subtypes could be helpful for diagnosing angioleiomyoma and could increase diagnostic accuracy for superficial soft-tissue masses in our practice.

High and Frequent Dose of Dexlansoprazole and Amoxicillin Dual Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Infections: A Single Arm Prospective Study / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recently, the eradication rate of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has decreased to less than 80% worldwide with the use of clarithromycin-based triple therapy owing to the increased resistance of H. pylori to antibiotics, especially clarithromycin and metronidazole. This prospective study aimed to determine eradication rate of H. pylori following high and frequent doses of extended-release dexlansoprazole and amoxicillin, as a dual therapy in a region with high clarithromycin resistance rate. METHODS: A total of 50 treatment-naïve patients with active H. pylori infections, who were confirmed through via rapid urease test or histology and serology between November 2015 and February 2016 at our hospital, were included for analysis. All enrolled patients were treated with 750 mg amoxicillin and 30 mg dexlansoprazole, four times a day for a total duration of 14 days. Treatment success was determined using urea breath test four weeks after treatment completion. RESULTS: Seven out of the 50 patients (29 men and 21 women; mean age, 57 years) dropped out during the study. The total eradication rate was 52% (26/50), and that for those with a compliance rate of over 90% was 68.4% (26/38). H. pylori infections were not successfully eradicated in patients with a compliance rate of less than 90%. Nine patients (18%) reported side effects, such as mild diarrhea and abdominal fullness. No significant factors, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, affected the infection the eradication rate. CONCLUSIONS: High and frequent doses of proton pump inhibitor–amoxicillin dual therapy were not effective in eradicating H. pylori infection in a province with high clarithromycin resistance rate.

Intraoperative Motor-Evoked Potential Disappearance versus Amplitude-Decrement Alarm Criteria During Cervical Spinal Surgery: A Long-Term Prognosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We studied the clinical significance of amplitude-reduction and disappearance alarm criteria for transcranial electric muscle motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) during cervical spinal surgery according to different lesion locations [intramedullary (IM) vs. nonintramedullary (NIM)] by evaluating the long-term postoperative motor status. METHODS: In total, 723 patients were retrospectively dichotomized into the IM and NIM groups. Each limb was analyzed respectively. One hundred and sixteen limbs from 30 patients with IM tumors and 2,761 limbs from 693 patients without IM tumors were enrolled. Postoperative motor deficits were assessed up to 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: At the end of surgery, 61 limbs (2.2%) in the NIM group and 14 limbs (12.1%) in the IM group showed MEP amplitudes that had decreased to below 50% of baseline, with 13 of the NIM limbs (21.3%) and 2 of the IM limbs (14.3%) showing MEP disappearance. Thirteen NIM limbs (0.5%) and 5 IM limbs (4.3%) showed postoperative motor deficits. The criterion for disappearance showed a lower sensitivity for the immediate motor deficit than did the criterion for amplitude decrement in both the IM and NIM groups. However, the disappearance criterion showed the same sensitivity as the 70%-decrement criterion in IM (100%) and NIM (83%) surgeries for the motor deficit at 6 months after surgery. Moreover, it has the highest specificity for the motor deficits among diverse alarm criteria, from 24 hours to 6 months after surgery, in both the IM and NIM groups. CONCLUSIONS: The MEP disappearance alarm criterion had a high specificity in predicting the long-term prognosis after cervical spinal surgery. However, because it can have a low sensitivity in predicting an immediate postoperative deficit, combining different MEP alarm criteria according to the aim of specific instances of cervical spinal surgery is likely to be useful in practical intraoperative monitoring.

Reference Range of Respiratory Muscle Strength and Its Clinical Application in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Single-Center Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Evaluating respiratory function is important in neuromuscular diseases. This study explored the reference ranges of the maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), and sniff nasal inspiratory pressure (SNIP) in healthy adults, and applied them to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. METHODS: MIP, MEP, and SNIP were measured in 67 healthy volunteers aged from 21 to 82 years. Reference ranges were evaluated by multivariate regression analysis using the generalized additive modeling of location, scale, and shape method. Thirty-six ALS patients were reviewed retrospectively, and abnormal values of MIP, MEP, and SNIP were determined according to the reference ranges. RESULTS: MIP, MEP, and SNIP were abnormal in 57.1%, 51.4%, and 25.7% of the ALS patients, respectively. MIP and SNIP were significantly correlated with the degree of restrictive pattern and respiratory symptoms. The ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised score was correlated with SNIP. CONCLUSIONS: This study has provided the reference range of respiratory muscle strength in healthy adults. This range is suitable for evaluating respiratory function in ALS patients.

Proximal Median Neuropathy Caused by Axillary Brachial Plexus Block

An axillary brachial plexus block (BPB) is commonly used in local anesthesia, especially for hand surgery. Infraclavicular brachial plexopathy is a potential complication of axillary BPB. A 44-year-old man with an injury to his left third fingertip presented with weakness of the left thumb and index finger flexion after orthopedic surgery under axillary BPB. This was a rare case of proximal median neuropathy caused by axillary BPB. The diagnosis was confirmed by a detailed neurological examination and electrodiagnostic studies.

Pattern of Respiratory Deterioration in Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis According to Onset Lesion by Using Respiratory Function Tests

Most amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients show focal onset of upper and lower motor neuron signs and spread of symptoms to other regions or the other side clinically. Progression patterns of sporadic ALS are unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of respiratory deterioration in sporadic ALS according to the onset site by using respiratory function tests. Study participants included 63 (42 cervical-onset [C-ALS] and 21 lumbosacral-onset [L-ALS]) ALS patients and 31 healthy controls. We compared respiratory function test parameters among the 3 groups. Age was 57.4+/-9.6 (mean+/-SD), 60.8+/-9, and 60.5+/-7 years, and there were 28, 15, and 20 male participants, in the C-ALS, L-ALS, and control groups, respectively. Disease duration did not differ between C-ALS and L-ALS patients. Sniff nasal inspiratory pressure (SNIP) was significantly low in C-ALS patients compared with controls. Maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) and forced vital capacity percent predicted (FVC% predicted) were significantly low in C-ALS and L-ALS patients compared with controls. Maximal inspiratory pressure to maximal expiratory pressure (MIP:MEP) ratio did not differ among the 3 groups. Eighteen C-ALS and 5 L-ALS patients were followed up. DeltaMIP, DeltaMEP, DeltaSNIP, DeltaPEF, and DeltaFVC% predicted were higher in C-ALS than L-ALS patients without statistical significance. Fourteen C-ALS (77.8%) and 3 L-ALS (60%) patients showed a constant MIP:MEP ratio above or below 1 from the first to the last evaluation. Our results suggest that vulnerability of motor neurons in sporadic ALS might follow a topographic gradient.

Efficacy of orally administered ginseng stem and leaf in chickens / 대한수의학회지

Ginseng has been widely used in Korea as a natural medicine due to its saponin contents. Although the total amount of ginseng stem and leaf saponins (GSLS) is 4~5 times higher than that of saponin in the root, the root is mainly used. This is due to two reasons: nervous system-stimulant activity of GSLS and pesticide residues in GSLS. In this study, residual agricultural pesticides were removed from GSLS using two types of bacterial treatments. Two GSLS treatment groups of chickens (GSLS-1 and GSLS-2) were established. The chickens were fed 0.4% GSLS-1 or GSLS-2 mixed with crop. We then evaluated the effects of GSLS on bodyweight and several immune parameters. At the end of the experiments, chickens fed GSLS-1 and red ginseng saponin had significantly higher growth rates (16.6% and 8.0%, respectively) compared to the vaccine control group treated with Noblis Salenvac-T. The group fed GSLS-1 also had the highest IgG titer that was significantly different at the end of experiments compared to the other groups. These findings imply that GSLS-1 is a good candidate feed additive for the chicken industry.

A Case of Adult Onset Glycogen Storage Myopathy / 대한임상신경생리학회지

Primary metabolic myopathy as a type of congenital myopathies was first described by McArdle in 1951. Glycogen storage disease is a disease caused by genetic mutations involved in glycogen synthesis, glycogenolysis or glycolysis. Several types of glycogen storage disease are known to cause metabolic myopathies. We report a case of adult onset metabolic myopathy with glycogen storage.

A Case of Thyrotoxic Myopathy with Extreme Type 2 Fiber Predominance

In hyperthyroidism, many patients had neuromuscular symptoms and clinical weakness correlated with free thyroxine (T4) concentrations. The common clinical symptoms of chronic thyrotoxic myopathy were characterized by progressive weakness in proximal muscles and atrophy. A 55-year old woman was visited our hospital with two years of progressive weakness of both legs. Physical examination showed diffuse enlargement of the thyroid gland, muscle atrophy and tachycardia. Motor examination showed proximal weakness in both legs. Serum creatine phosphokinase was normal and electromyography showed a myopathic pattern. Serum thyroxine (T4) was greatly increased and serum thyroid stimulating hormone was very low. Muscle biopsy showed mild atrophic change and type 2 fiber predominance. The patient's symptoms were improved during treatment with methimazole. Herein we report a case of thyrotoxic myopathy with extreme type 2 fiber predominance histologically.

Early or Late Gefitinib, Which is Better for Survival?: Retrospective Analysis of 228 Korean Patients with Advanced or Metastatic NSCLC / 영남의대학술지

BACKGROUND: The optimal timing of treatment with EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) in NSCLC patients has not yet been determined. METHODS: We separated 228 patients with advanced/metastatic NSCLC treated with gefitinib into an early gefitinib group (patients who received gefitinib as first- or second-line treatment) and a delayed gefitinib group (patients who received gefitinib as third or fourth-line treatment) and attempted to determine whether the timing of gefitinib treatment affected clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Median overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), and median OS from first-line treatment of advanced/metastatic disease (OSt) for 111 patients in the early gefitinib group were 6.2 months, 3.3 months, and 11.6 months. However, median OS, PFS, and OSt for 84 patients in the delayed gefitinib group were 7.8 months, 2.3 months, and 22.7 months. No differences in OS and PFS were observed between the 2 groups. However, OSt was significantly longer in the delayed gefitnib group. Timing of gefitinib therapy was one of the independent predictors of OSt. Hb > or = 10 g/dl, and having never smoked, and ECOG performance status < or =1 were independent predictors of better PFS. CONCLUSION: Deferral of gefitinib therapy in patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC may be preferable if they are able to tolerate chemotherapy.

A Case of Tarsal Bone Tuberculosis in a Patient with Polycythemia Vera / 영남의대학술지

Talus tuberculosis is a rare disease, even in an endemic tuberculosis area. In reviews of the worldwide literature, only 18 cases of talus tuberculosis have been reported. Recently, we experienced a case of a 70-year-old polycythemia vera patient with right metatarsopharyngeal joint pain for 2 months duration who was diagnosed with talus tuberculosis with prostate involvement. Tuberculosis should be considered as one of the causes of monoarticulitis, especially in countries, where the disease is endemic. Additionally, we highly recommend taking a biopsy of the site of suspected infection because an early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment.

Striatal Hand in Traumatic Brain Injury: A case report

Striatal hand is characterized by flexion in metacarpopharyngeal (MCP) joints and hyperextension in proximal interphalangial (PIP) joints and flexion in distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint. In clinical practice, this problem is often overlooked or misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis and the opportunity for an early diagnosis and a correct management of the patient's is missed. In this report, a case with striatal hand following traumatic brain injury (TBI) without cardinal Parkinsonian signs is presented, and the differential diagnosis of the disease is discussed. A-62-year-old man presented with hemiplegia subsequent to traumatic brain injury. During the last two years, "swan neck" deformity of the hands occurred. We could diagnose this case as striatial hand with exclusion of similar rheumatologic causes by careful study and its characteristic deformity pattern. Clinician should consider the possibility of striatal hand when the patient with TBI presents swan neck deformity for an early diagnosis and a correct management.

A Case of Lamotrigine-Induced Excessive Involuntary Eye Blinking

A wide variety of movement disorders can be induced by the administration of antiepileptic drugs. A 44-year-old female was admitted with involuntary excessive eye blinking that manifested 5 months after beginning the administration of lamotrigine for control of complex partial and secondarily generalized seizures. The involuntary eye blinking persisted while taking lamotrigine, and disappeared 1 month after the cessation of lamotrigine. The development of atypical involuntary eye blinking in this case may have resulted from the inhibition of excitatory neurotransmitters by lamotrigine, which led to secondary dysfunction of the dopaminergic system.

A Case of Disseminated Polycystic Dilated Perivascular Spaces Presenting with Dementia and Parkinsonism

The perivascular spaces (PVSs) of the brain are lined with pia and contain interstitial fluid. In general, PVSs are small, asymptomatic, and identifiable at all ages. When PVSs are significantly enlarged, they can produce various clinical manifestations such as headache and dizziness. A 67-year-old man was admitted with cognitive impairment and gait disturbance with a 5-month history. Brain MRI showed multiple cystic PVSs in periventricular and subcortical white matter of both hemispheres. Medication with dopaminergic agents produced a moderate clinical improvement, while anticholinesterase was not effective. This case suggests that disseminated polycystic dilated PVSs may present with dementia and Parkinsonism.

A Case of Hypokalemic Paralysis Provoked after Trigger Point Injection with Dexamethasone and Lidocaine

Acute hypokalemic paralysis is characterized by acute systemic weakness and low serum potassium. Trigger point injection (TPI) is frequently performed for myofacial pain relief with rare complications. 34-year-old male was admitted with quadriparesis after TPI with dexamethasone and lidocaine before 24 hours. Hypokalemia was found with compatible findings on nerve conduction studies and electromyography. Hypokalemia and weakness were fully recovered after potassium replacement. Steroid and lidocaine can provoke iatrogenic hypokalemic paralysis, therefore, TPI with these medications should be cautiously performed.

The Recurrence of Seizure due to Decreased Valproic Acid Level after Administration of Carbapenem / 대한간질학회지

Valproic acid (VPA) is one of the most commonly used antiepileptic drug, but has many drug-drug interactions. A 58-year-old male under the vegetative state has been well controlled with valproic acid (VPA) monotherapy without seizure attacks during the last 6 months. Pneumonia developed and panipenem-betamipron (PAPM-BP) for acinetobacter baumannii was administered. Seizure attacks recurred after 12 days of initiating PAPM-BP. During the maintenance period of PAPM-BP, serum level of VPA was decreased. After the cessation of PAPM-BP, serum level of VPA increased to the previous level without further seizure attacks. PAPM-BP should be cautiously used together with VPA because of possible drug-drug interaction.

Genetic Polymorphism of Thymidylate Synthase Enhancer Region (TSER) in Patients with Silent Brain Infarction

BACKGROUND: Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for silent brain infarction (SBI). The plasma homocysteine (pHcy) level is influenced by the activities of enzymes such as 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). Thymidylate synthase (TS) also competes with MTHFR for their common cofactor, 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (5,10-meTHF). The polymorphism of thymidylate synthase enhancer region (TSER) might affect homocystein metabolism by modulating the activity of TS, and may be a determinant of SBI by elevating pHcy concentrations. Therefore, we studied the polymorphism of TSER in patients with SBI. METHODS: 98 patients with SBI and 92 healthy controls were included in the study. The genotypes of TSER and MTHFR were identified with the PCR-RFLP methods. RESULTS: The mean pHcy level was significantly higher in SBI patients (13.5+/-8.5 micro mol/L) than in controls (10.3+/-4.1 micro mol/L)(p<0.01). The frequencies of MTHFR C677T genotype and TSER 28 bp tandem repeat genotype were not different between the patients and the controls. The pHcy concentrations were not considerably different between the 3R3R and 2R3R genotypes in the population as a whole (p=0.712), nor in subsets of patients with SBI (p=0.484). However, in cases with the TSER 3R3R genotype, the pHcy level was significantly higher in patients (14.0+/-10.26 micro mol/L) than in controls (9.9+/-3.1 micro mol/L)(p=0.006). Folate and pHcy was inversely correlated in the SBI patients with the TSER 3R3R genotype (r=-0.424, p=0.039). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the TSER genotype is not a major determinant of pHcy concentrations and is neither a risk factor for SBI in the Korean population. However, further study will be needed to confirm this findings.

The Change of Blood Glucose and Cortisol Levels after Three Consecutive Epidural Steroid Injections

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the change of blood glucose and cortisol levels after three consecutive epidural steroid injections METHOD: Fifteen patients with low back pain and radiating pain were included. Three consecutive epidural injections were performed weekly. The serum glucose, insulin and cortisol levels were measured 30 minutes before the 1st injection and at 24 hours and l week after each injection. RESULTS: There were significant changes in the result of glucose and insulin levels at 24 hours after each injection (p<0.05), but no signigicant changes at 1 week compared with pre-injection level. The cortisol level significantly decreased at 24 hours after 1st injection and did not return to pre-injection level at 1 week after 1st injection (p<0.05). There were no further increases in the glucose and insulin levels and no further decrease in the cortisol level after each of the three consecutive injections. CONCLUSION: Three consecutive epidural injections at 1 week interval seems to be as safe procedure. But significant suppression of cortisol kept on for 1 week, so it should be taken into account when patients with previous epidural injection undergo major stress.

Pupillary Block Following Phacoemulsification with Foldable Intraocular Lens Implantation in Adults

PURPOSE: To report on the pupillary block that rarely occurs after phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. METHODS: A series of four eyes in four diabetic patients treated for pupillary block after uneventful phacoemulsification with posterior chamber IOL is described. RESULTS: The interval between pupillary block development and the cataract surgery ranged from 1 week to 19 weeks. In all eyes, neodymium-YAG laser peripheral iridotomy relieved the block (-one procedure in three patients; and two procedures in one-). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the rarity of the complication of pupillary block after phacoemulsification with posterior chamber IOL, physicians should require closer follow-up is necessary, especially in diabetic patients.