The preliminary study for three-dimensional alveolar bone morphologic characteristics for alveolar bone restoration / 대한악안면성형재건외과학회지

BACKGROUND@#The concept of the ideal morphology for the alveolar bone form is an important element to reconstruct or restore the in maximizing esthetic profile and functional alveolar bone restoration. The purpose of this preliminary study is to evaluate the normal alveolar bone structure to provide the standard reference and guide template for use in diagnosing for implant placement, determining the correct amount of bone augmentation in actual clinical practice and producing prostheses based on three-dimensional imaging assessment of alveolar bone.@*METHODS@#This study was included 11 men and 11 women (average age, 22.6 and 24.5 years, respectively) selected from among 127 patients. The horizontal widths of alveolar bone of maxilla and mandible were measured at the crestal, mid-root, and root apex level on MDCT (multi-detector computed tomography) images reconstructed by medical imaging software. In addition, tooth dimensions of the central incisors, canines, second premolars, and first molars of maxilla and mandible, including the horizontal width of the interdental alveolar bone crest, were also measured and statistically analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The horizontal alveolar bone width of the palatal side of maxilla showed a distinct increment from the alveolar bone crest to the apical region in both anterior and posterior areas. The average widths of the maxillary alveolar ridge were as follows: central incisor, 7.43 mm; canine, 8.91 mm; second premolar, 9.57 mm; and first molar, 12.38 mm. The average widths of the mandibular alveolar ridge were as follows: central incisor, 6.21 mm; canine, 8.55 mm; second premolar, 8.45 mm; and first molar, 10.02 mm. In the buccal side, the alveolar bone width was not increased from the crest to the apical region. The horizontal alveolar bone width of an apical and mandibular border region was thinner than at the mid-root level.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The results of the preliminary study are useful as a clinical guideline when determining dental implant diameter and position. And also, these measurements can also be useful during the production of prefabricated membranes and customized alveolar bone scaffolds.

A Modified Mac Suture Bridge Technique: Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of the Treatment of Rotator Cuff Tear with Poor Tissue Quality / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: Base on the concept of the Mac stitch, we designed the modified Mac-suture bridge technique to improve the outcome of arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tear with poor tissue quality. Moreover, we evaluated both the radiological and clinical outcomes of the surgery to assess the effectiveness of the newly designed technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2010 to December 2014, a total of 52 patients (25 males, 27 females) with rotator cuff tear, with poor tissue quality according to both radiological and intraoperative findings, who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using the modified Mac-suture bridge technique and followed-up for at least 1 year were included in this study. The mean patient age at the time of surgery was 60 years. The average follow-up period was 20 months. We evaluated the clinical outcomes by checking the range of motion and compared the following, both preoperatively and postoperatively: American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon (ASES) score, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score, Constant shoulder score (CSS), visual analogue scale (VAS). In addition, we analyzed 42 series of postoperative magnetic resonance imaging by using the Sugaya's classification for the evaluation of the repair integrity. RESULTS: All clinical scores showed significant improvement (ASES score improved from 56.75 to 83.44, UCLA score from 20.52 to 29.23, CSS from 64.04 to 80.90, and VAS from 6.17 to 1.62; p<0.001). The range of motion was also improved; forward flexion improved from 108° to 158°, abduction from 109° to 160°, external rotation from 27° to 50°, and internal rotation from 31° to 57° (p<0.001). Satisfactory radiologic results were noted on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging, consisting of 15 cases (35.7%) type I, 22 cases (52.4%) type II, 3 cases (7.1%) type III, 2 cases (4.8%) type IV, and no type V, according to the Sugaya's method. CONCLUSION: The modified Mac-suture bridge technique provided satisfactory results both radiologically and clinically for the treatment of rotator cuff tear with poor tendon tissue quality. It could possibly be a good alternative to previous techniques of arthroscopic repair.

Clinical Significance of the Levels of Serum Cholesterol in Patients with Gastric Cancer / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: The relationship between serum cholesterol levels and mortality is complex. Serum cholesterol levels correlate positively with coronary artery disease, but some studies have suggested a negative relationship in cancer patients. Because the serum cholesterol levels are one of the most frequently assayed laboratory values, trends in the levels of cholesterol were investigated, in patients with gastric cancer and assumed a possible role in cancer screening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The serum cholesterol levels were retrospectively analyzed in a group of 220 patients, diagnosed with gastric cancer, and in 177 healthy subjects. Anthropometric (body mass index: BMI) and biochemical indices of their nutritional status were also determined in the study subjects. Statistical analyses were performed by analyses of variance and covariance, and a discriminant analysis. RESULTS: The levels of serum cholesterol, albumin, Hb and the BMI were significantly lower in the gastric cancer-patients group than in the healthy-subjects group. The serum cholesterol and Hb levels were shown to be independent of each other, when adjusted for the effects of the BMI. In the patients with gastric cancer the levels of cholesterol and Hb showed decreasing tendencies as did the tumor extension, as defined by the TNM system. CONCLUSION: The serum cholesterol and Hb levels were significantly lower in patients with gastric cancer than in the healthy subjects, which seemed to be linked to the progression of gastric cancer. Therefore, further study is required for the serum cholesterol and Hb levels to be used as markers in cancer screening and its progression, in patients with gastric cancer.