The Effect of Postoperative Use of Teriparatide Reducing Screw Loosening in Osteoporotic Patients

OBJECTIVE: The loosening of pedicle screws (PS) is one of the frequent problems of spinal surgery in the patients with osteoporosis. Previous studies had revealed that intermittent injection of teriparatide could reduce PS loosening by improving bone mass and quality when their patients took parathyroid hormone for a considerable duration before surgery. However, although the teriparatide is usually used after spine surgery in most clinical situations, there was no report on the efficacy of teriparatide treatment started after spine surgery. The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the efficacy of teriparatide treatment started immediately after lumbar spinal surgery to prevent pedicle screw loosening in patients with osteoporosis. METHODS: We included 84 patients with osteoporosis and degenerative lumbar disease who underwent transforaminal interbody fusion and PS fixation and received parathyroid hormone or bisphosphonate (BP) postoperatively. They were divided into teriparatide group (daily injection of 20 μg of teriparatide for 6 months, 33 patients, 172 screws) and BP group (weekly oral administration of 35 mg of risedronate, 51 patients, 262 screws). Both groups received calcium (500 mg/day) and cholecalciferol (1000 IU/day) together. The screw loosening was evaluated with simple radiographic exams at 6 and 12 months after the surgery. We counted the number of patients with PS loosening and the number of loosened PS, and compared them between the two groups. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) preoperatively, and at 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the age, sex, diabetes, smoking, bone mineral density, body mass index, and the number of fusion levels between the two groups. The number of PS loosening within 6 months after surgery did not show a significant difference between the teriparatide group (6.9%, 12/172) and the BP group (6.8%, 18/272). However, during 6–12 months after surgery, it was significantly lower in the teriparatide group (2.3%, 4/172) than the BP group (9.2%, 24/272) (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the number of patients showing PS loosening between the teriparatide and BP groups. The teriparatide group showed a significantly higher degree of improvement of the bone mineral density (T-score) than that of BP group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the pre- and post-operative VAS and ODI between the groups. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the teriparatide treatment starting immediately after lumbar spinal fusion surgery could reduce PS loosening compared to BP.

Usefulness of Centor Score to Diagnosis of Group a Streptococcal Pharyngitis and Decision Making of Antibiotics Use / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aims to verify the usefulness of Centor scores to diagnose the Group A Streptococcal pharyngitis. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: The subjects of this study were 379 patients who had been examined by the rapid antigen detection test (RADT) for Group A Streptococcus. We analyzed their medical records and laboratory test results retrospectively and compared the results of Centor symptom scores with those of RADT. Then we analyzed the association of RADT, the Centor score and the laboratory test results statistically. RESULTS: There were no correlation between the RADT results and fever, cough, tonsillar enlargement, nasal symptoms, myalgia or chilling (p>0.05). In the RADT positive group, there were more patients with tonsillar exudate, neck lymph node enlargement, tenderness and pharyngeal abscess formation significantly (p<0.05). The Centor score and C-reactive protein were significantly higher in the RADT positive group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that Centor symptom scores can be used to determine which antibiotics to use. The Centor score system can help reduce medical costs and detect the problematic Group A Streptococcal pharyngitis.

The Effect of Postoperative Use of Teriparatide Reducing Screw Loosening in Osteoporotic Patients

OBJECTIVE: The loosening of pedicle screws (PS) is one of the frequent problems of spinal surgery in the patients with osteoporosis. Previous studies had revealed that intermittent injection of teriparatide could reduce PS loosening by improving bone mass and quality when their patients took parathyroid hormone for a considerable duration before surgery. However, although the teriparatide is usually used after spine surgery in most clinical situations, there was no report on the efficacy of teriparatide treatment started after spine surgery. The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the efficacy of teriparatide treatment started immediately after lumbar spinal surgery to prevent pedicle screw loosening in patients with osteoporosis.METHODS: We included 84 patients with osteoporosis and degenerative lumbar disease who underwent transforaminal interbody fusion and PS fixation and received parathyroid hormone or bisphosphonate (BP) postoperatively. They were divided into teriparatide group (daily injection of 20 μg of teriparatide for 6 months, 33 patients, 172 screws) and BP group (weekly oral administration of 35 mg of risedronate, 51 patients, 262 screws). Both groups received calcium (500 mg/day) and cholecalciferol (1000 IU/day) together. The screw loosening was evaluated with simple radiographic exams at 6 and 12 months after the surgery. We counted the number of patients with PS loosening and the number of loosened PS, and compared them between the two groups. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) preoperatively, and at 12 months after surgery.RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the age, sex, diabetes, smoking, bone mineral density, body mass index, and the number of fusion levels between the two groups. The number of PS loosening within 6 months after surgery did not show a significant difference between the teriparatide group (6.9%, 12/172) and the BP group (6.8%, 18/272). However, during 6–12 months after surgery, it was significantly lower in the teriparatide group (2.3%, 4/172) than the BP group (9.2%, 24/272) (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the number of patients showing PS loosening between the teriparatide and BP groups. The teriparatide group showed a significantly higher degree of improvement of the bone mineral density (T-score) than that of BP group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the pre- and post-operative VAS and ODI between the groups.CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the teriparatide treatment starting immediately after lumbar spinal fusion surgery could reduce PS loosening compared to BP.

Usefulness of Centor Score to Diagnosis of Group a Streptococcal Pharyngitis and Decision Making of Antibiotics Use / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES@#This study aims to verify the usefulness of Centor scores to diagnose the Group A Streptococcal pharyngitis.SUBJECTS AND METHOD: The subjects of this study were 379 patients who had been examined by the rapid antigen detection test (RADT) for Group A Streptococcus. We analyzed their medical records and laboratory test results retrospectively and compared the results of Centor symptom scores with those of RADT. Then we analyzed the association of RADT, the Centor score and the laboratory test results statistically.@*RESULTS@#There were no correlation between the RADT results and fever, cough, tonsillar enlargement, nasal symptoms, myalgia or chilling (p>0.05). In the RADT positive group, there were more patients with tonsillar exudate, neck lymph node enlargement, tenderness and pharyngeal abscess formation significantly (p<0.05). The Centor score and C-reactive protein were significantly higher in the RADT positive group (p<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The results of this study suggest that Centor symptom scores can be used to determine which antibiotics to use. The Centor score system can help reduce medical costs and detect the problematic Group A Streptococcal pharyngitis.

Antibody-Drug Conjugates in Head and Neck Cancer / 대한이비인후과학회지

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) represent a promising therapeutic treatment for cancer patients by combining the antigen-targeting specificity of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with the cytotoxic potency of chemotherapeutic drugs. ADCs consist of three components, mAbs specific for ad tumor antigen, a linker species, and a cytotoxic payload. ADCs offer selective delivery of cytotoxic agents into targeted cancer cells, thereby allowing for reduced general cellular cytotoxicity caused by chemotherapeutic agents through antibody mediated specific recognition of tumor antigen. Ideally, in blood, after systemic administration, ADCs are non-toxic. Upon binding of the antibody to the targeted tumor antigen and internalization of the complex into the cancer cell, the drug is then released in its active form and in sufficient quantity to kill the cell. ADCs technology has been an active area of research in recent years, resulting in a number of ADCs in development for various tumor types. ADCs are able to be new treatment options for head and neck cancer. The number of ADCs undergoing clinical trial will further increase, possibly replacing some of the existing mAbs, and becoming the next generation of anticancer biotherapeutics.

The Efficacy of Fibroblast Growth Factor for the Treatment of Chronic Vocal Fold Scarring: From Animal Model to Clinical Application

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the regenerative efficacy of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) in a rabbit model of chronic vocal fold scarring and then confirmed its utility and safety in a prospective trial of patients with this condition. METHODS: FGF was injected three times, at 1-week intervals, into a chronic vocal fold scar created in a rabbit model. After 1 month, mRNA level of procollagen I, hyaluronic acid synthetase 2 (HAS 2), and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP 2) were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The relative densities of hyaluronic acid (HA) and collagen were examined 3 months post-injection. From April 2012 to September 2014, a prospective clinical trial was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Korea. FGF was injected into the mild vocal fold scar of 17 consecutive patients with a small glottic gap. The patients underwent perceptual, stroboscopic, acoustic aerodynamic test, and Voice Handicap Index (VHI) survey prior to and 3, 6, and 12 months after FGF injection. RESULTS: FGF injection of the vocal fold scar decreased the density of collagen and increased mRNA level of HAS 2 and MMP 2 expression significantly compared to the control group injected with phosphate buffered solution in a rabbit model (P < 0.05). In the clinical trial, significant improvements in the majority of the subjective and objective voice parameters were registered 3 months after FGF injection and were maintained at 12 months. Complications associated with the FGF injections, such as granuloma, were not observed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Based on the animal model and the prospective clinical trial, vocal fold injections of FGF in patients with mild chronic vocal fold scarring can significantly improve voice quality for as long as 1 year and without side effects. Our results recommend the use of FGF vocal fold injection as an alternative treatment modality for mild chronic vocal fold scarring.

Guidelines for the Antibiotic Use in Adults with Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

These guidelines were developed as part of the 2016 Policy Research Servicing Project by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A multidisciplinary approach was taken to formulate this guideline to provide practical information about the diagnosis and treatment of adults with acute upper respiratory tract infection, with the ultimate aim to promote the appropriate use of antibiotics. The formulation of this guideline was based on a systematic literature review and analysis of the latest research findings to facilitate evidence-based practice, and focused on key questions to help clinicians obtain solutions to clinical questions that may arise during the care of a patient. These guidelines mainly cover the subjects on the assessment of antibiotic indications and appropriate selection of antibiotics for adult patients with acute pharyngotonsillitis or acute sinusitis.

An Unruptured Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm Presenting with Left Homonymous Hemianopsia: A Case Report

Unruptured cerebral aneurysms sometimes present with visual symptomsdue to compression of the visual pathways. However, until now, unruptured anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms presenting visual field defects have been extremely rare. The authors report the case of a 51-year-old woman who presented with left homonymous hemianopsia. Radiological findings demonstrated an ACoA aneurysm filled with thrombus, that was compressing the optic chiasm and post-chiasmal tract. The patient underwent clipping of the aneurysm, which resolved the visual field defect. In cases of visual field defects, an ACoA aneurysm should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Anti-Proliferative and Apoptotic Activities of Mullerian Inhibiting Substance Combined with Calcitriol in Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate whether Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS) in combination with calcitriol modulates proliferation and apoptosis of human ovarian cancer (OCa) cell lines (SKOV3, OVCAR3, and OVCA433) and identify the signaling pathway by which MIS mediates apoptosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: OCa cell lines were treated with MIS in the absence or presence of calcitriol. Cell viability and proliferation were evaluated using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and apoptosis was evaluated by DNA fragmentation assay. Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to determine the signaling pathway. RESULTS: The cells showed specific staining for the MIS type II receptor. Treatment of OCa cells with MIS and calcitriol led to dose- and time-dependent inhibition of cell growth and survival. The combination treatment significantly suppressed cell growth, down-regulated the expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and up-regulated the expressions of Bcl-2 associated X protein, caspase-3, and caspase-9 through the extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: These results, coupled with a much-needed decrease in the toxic side effects of currently employed therapeutic agents, provide a strong rationale for testing the therapeutic potential of MIS, alone or in combination with calcitriol, in the treatment of OCa.

Chronic Invasive Sinonasal Mucormycosis; A Rare Disease Entity

Mucormycosis is a rare invasive fungal infection of the nose and paranasal sinus, which often has an acute fulminant course and distinctive clinical findings. It usually occurs in diabetics or immunocompromised patients and shows rapid progression with a high mortality rate. Slow, silent progression is a highly unusual presentation of this disease. Herein, we report a case of mucormycosis with a chronic course of invasion into the hard palate and the maxillary sinus.

Common Pesticides Used in Suicide Attempts Following the 2012 Paraquat Ban in Korea

To determine the change in pesticides used during suicide attempts after the 2012 paraquat (PQ) ban, we evaluated the annual number of suicide attempts by pesticide ingestion between 2011 and 2014. We extracted demographic, clinical outcome, and pesticide class data from the medical records of 1,331 patients that attempted suicide by pesticide ingestion. Pesticides were sorted into 5 groups: herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, other pesticides, and combined pesticides. Each group was subdivided into various classes based on publications by the respective Resistance Action Committees. The chi-square test for trends was used to compare the annual incidence of categorical variables. The total number of suicide attempts decreased each year, from 399 in 2011 to 245 in 2014. Simultaneously, PQ ingestion decreased from 253 patients in 2011 to 60 in 2014. The proportion of PQ to pesticides also decreased from 63.4% in 2011 to 24.5% in 2014. Furthermore, the rate of decrease in the proportion of PQ to all herbicide categories increased by calendar year. In conclusion, there is a significant trend in increased annual number of suicides and proportion of suicides using glyphosates and glufosinates versus total herbicides. However, the number of suicide attempts using glyphosate and glufosinate is lower than that using PQ. The ratio of persons completing suicide to those attempting suicide after pesticide ingestion has decreased every year after the PQ ban.

Hypoxia Induces Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Follicular Thyroid Cancer: Involvement of Regulation of Twist by Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1alpha

PURPOSE: Although follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) has a relatively fair prognosis, distant metastasis sometimes results in poor prognosis and survival. There is little understanding of the mechanisms contributing to the aggressiveness potential of thyroid cancer. We showed that hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) induced aggressiveness in FTC cells and identified the underlying mechanism of the HIF-1alpha-induced invasive characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cells were cultured under controlled hypoxic environments (1% O2) or normoxic conditions. The effect of hypoxia on HIF-1alpha, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) related markers were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry. Invasion and wound healing assay were conducted to identify functional character of EMT. The involvement of HIF-1alpha and Twist in EMT were studied using gene overexpression or silencing. After orthotopic nude mouse model was established using the cells transfected with lentiviral shHIF-1alpha, tissue analysis was done. RESULTS: Hypoxia induces HIF-1alpha expression and EMT, including typical morphologic changes, cadherin shift, and increased vimentin expression. We showed that overexpression of HIF-1alpha via transfection resulted in the aforementioned changes without hypoxia, and repression of HIF-1alpha with RNA interference suppressed hypoxia-induced HIF-1alpha and EMT. Furthermore, we also observed that Twist expression was regulated by HIF-1alpha. These were confirmed in the orthotopic FTC model. CONCLUSION: Hypoxia induced HIF-1alpha, which in turn induced EMT, resulting in the increased capacity for invasion and migration of cells via regulation of the Twist signal pathway in FTC cells. These findings provide insight into a possible therapeutic strategy to prevent invasive and metastatic FTC.

A comparison of the clinical duration and recovery characteristics of cisatracurium after priming using rocuronium or cisatracurium: preliminary study / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The priming technique can speed up the onset of cisatracurium during intubation. However, there have been no reports on the effect of the priming technique on duration or recovery profile of cisatracurium. Therefore, we attempted to determine whether or not a priming technique with rocuronium or cisatracurium can affect clinical duration or recovery profiles of cisatracurium. METHODS: A total of 36 patients, ASA I and II, who were scheduled to undergo elective surgery, were enrolled. The patients were randomized into three groups and administered different drugs for the priming technique. Patients in group 1 received normal saline (control group). Patients in group 2 received rocuronium (0.06 mg/kg), and those in group 3 received cisatracurium (0.01 mg/kg) as a priming agent. Three minutes after injection of drugs, intubation doses of cisatracurium were administered (Group 1, 0.15 mg/kg; Groups 2 and 3, 0.14 mg/kg). Anesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol and remifentanil. Onset time, clinical duration, recovery index, recovery time, and total recovery time were measured by train of four monitoring. RESULTS: Onset time in the group 2 was significantly shorter than that of group 1 or 3 (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences in clinical duration, recovery index, recovery time, and total recovery time were observed among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Priming with rocuronium for 3 minutes resulted in significantly accelerated onset of cisatracurium. However, it did not affect the clinical duration and recovery profiles of cisatracurium.

Consideration of Discrepancy between Needle-Washout Thyroglobulin and Serum Thyroglobulin of Recurrent Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Although the prognosis of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is extremely good, locoregional recurrences after initial treatment occur. Thyroglobulin (Tg) is a reliable tumor marker to detect recurrence or persistence of PTC. However, occasionally serum Tg may miss the detection of a recurrence. We report a 54-year-old female presented with hoarseness due to cervical recurrence without concomitant elevation of serum Tg and anti-Tg antibody, in contrast to extremely increased needle-washout Tg, who had undergone a total thyroidectomy and radioiodine ablation as initial therapies for PTC. Several factors causing such discrepancy between needle-washout Tg and serum Tg can be suggested including site of recurrence, volume of tumor, interference by some kind of plasma antibodies other than anti-Tg antibody, and any conformational defect of Tg protein. Among them, the most convincing explanation is that any conformational defect of Tg may lead to impaired secretion of Tg to blood. We suggest that more studies are needed to find the cause for potential mechanisms involved in PTC recurrences without increased serum Tg.

The Role of Transnasal Esophagoscopy in ENT Office: A Prospective, Multicenter Study in Korea

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of study was to report the current role of transnasal esophagoscopy (TNE) in Korea. METHODS: One hundred thirty-seven patients who underwent TNE at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital (n=69) and Korea University Anam Hospital (n=68) from July 2007 to February 2009 were prospectively analyzed. Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) patients without any response to proton-pump inhibitor (n=102), and patients with complaints that require esophagoscopy as part of their evaluation (n=35) were included in this study; investigation of metachronous lesions or routine follow-up screening of head and neck cancer patients, n=17; dysphagia, n=9; blood tinged saliva, n=4; to determine the cause of vocal fold paralysis as screening tool, n=4; suspicious esophageal foreign body, n=1. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients (38.7%) had positive findings on TNE. Positive finding ratio was highest in group of dysphagia (7 among 9 patients, 78%). Forty-two patients (41.1%) were found to have pathology (esophagitis, n=41; esophageal diverticulum, n=1) during the screening examination for LPRD. There were no significant complications in any of the patients. CONCLUSION: TNE is a high-yield diagnostic and therapeutic modality available to otolaryngologists for use on awake patients in the office setting.

A Cervical Vagal Schwannoma Mimicking a Parathyroid Cyst

Cervical vagal schwannomas with cystic degeneration changes are extremely rare. These tumors are typically benign and slow growing. A 44-year-old woman underwent complete resection of a tumor measuring 4x3.5 cm in the right neck using the endoscopic approach, instead of the conventional transcervical approach. We applied the new scarless neck surgery technique with an endoscopic unilateral axillo-breast approach. The tumor originated from the right vagus nerve, and was confirmed to be a vagal schwannoma pathologically. The patient has been followed up for 18 months postoperatively with no evidence of tumor recurrence or neurological deficit. We report an extremely rare vagal schwannoma with cystic degeneration that was removed by an endoscopic approach, along with a review of the relevant literature.

Coexistence of a Carotid Body Tumor and Thyroglossal Duct Carcinoma With Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis

Thyroglossal duct carcinoma is uncommon, occurring in approximately 1% of all thyroglossal duct remnants. This rare neoplasm is characterized by relatively nonaggressive behavior with infrequent lymph nodal spread. Another rare neoplasm of the head and neck region is a carotid body tumor. A 78-year-old woman with a 3-year history of midline and bilateral neck masses was referred to us. Fine needle aspiration biopsies and a computed tomography scan suggested the diagnosis of thyroglossal duct carcinoma with cervical lymph node metastasis. Interestingly, the left-side neck mass was found to be splaying the carotid bifurcation, on computed tomography imaging. Carotid arteriography demonstrated a highly vascular mass in the bifurcation of the carotid artery that was compressing the internal and external carotid arteries. To our knowledge, this is the first reported instance of a thyroglossal duct carcinoma with neck metastasis accompanied by a carotid body tumor. In addition, the carotid body tumor in this case mimicked neck metastasis from the thyroglossal duct carcinoma.

Anterior Cervical Osteophytes Causing Dysphagia and Paradoxical Vocal Cord Motion Leading to Dyspnea and Dysphonia

Anterior cervical osteophytes are common and usually asymptomatic in elderly people. Due to mechanical compressions, inflammations, and tissues swelling of osteophytes, patients may be presented with multiple complications, such as dysphagia, dysphonia, dyspnea, and pulmonary aspiration. Paradoxical vocal cord motion is an uncommon disease characterized by vocal cord adductions during inspiration and/or expiration. This condition can create shortness of breath, wheezing, respiratory stridor or breathy dysphonia. We report a rare case demonstrating combined symptoms of dyspnea, dysphonia as well as dysphagia at the same time in a patient with asymptomatic anterior cervical osteophytes. Moreover, this is the first report demonstrating that anterior osteophytes can be a possible etiological factor for paradoxical vocal cord motion that induces serious respiratory symptoms.

Bradycardia during laparoscopic surgery due to high flow rate of CO2 insufflation / 대한마취과학회지

No abstract available.

Leukemic manifestation of anaplastic lymphoma kinase-negative-type anaplastic large-cell lymphoma / 대한혈액학회지

No abstract available.