Pneumocephalus and headache following craniotomy during the immediate postoperative period.

BACKGROUND: Pneumocephalus may be responsible for post-craniotomy headache but is easily overlooked in the clinical situation. In the present study, the relationship between the amount of intracranial air and post-craniotomy headache was investigated. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was performed on 79 patients who underwent minimal invasive craniotomy for unruptured cerebral aneurysms. Those who had undergone previous neurosurgery, neurological deficit before and after surgery were excluded The amount of air in the cranial cavity was measured using brain computed tomography (CT) taken within 6 h after surgery. To measure the degree of pain due to intracranial air, daily and total analgesic administration amount were used as a pain index. Correlation between intracranial air volume and total consumption of analgesic during hospitalization was tested using Spearman rank correlation coefficients. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was used to determine the amount of air associated with increased analgesic consumption over 72 h postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean amount of intracranial air was 15.6 ± 9.1 mL. Total administration of parenteral and oral analgesics frequency were 6.5 ± 4.5, 13.2 ± 7.9 respectively. A statically significant correlation was observed between daily and total parenteral analgesic consumption after surgery and the amount of intracranial air at followed-up brain CT postoperatively within 24 h (r = 0.69, p < 0.001), within 48 h (r = 0.68, p < 0.001), and total duration after surgery (r = 0.84, p < 0.001). The optimal cut-off value of 12.14 mL of intracranial air predicts the use of parenteral analgesics over 72 h after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Pneumocephalus may be a causative factor for post-craniotomy pain and headache with surgical injuries.

Prevalence of common causes of neuropathic pain in Korea: population-based observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), trigeminal neuralgia (TN), and diabetic neuropathy (DN), common causes of neuropathic pain encountered in pain clinics. METHODS: We investigated the period prevalence rate of CRPS, PHN, TN, and DN using data from a Korean national electronic database from 2009 to 2013. RESULTS: The prevalence of CRPS decreased slightly throughout the study period, while the prevalence of PHN increased from 2009 to 2013. The prevalence of TN was reduced over the same period. The prevalence of DN increased from 2009 to 2012 but decreased in 2013. All four neuropathic diseases were more prevalent in individuals aged over 70 years. The prevalence of CRPS, PHN, and TN were more common in women than in men, but DN showed no gender difference. CONCLUSION: While the prevalence of CRPS and TN has decreased in Korea, that of PHN and DN has increased. With the exception of DN, the neuropathic diseases were more prevalent in women. Further studies are necessary to investigate the risk factors and socioeconomic burden for each disease, and national efforts are essential to limit the development of these preventable neuropathic diseases.

Clinical progress of human papillomavirus genotypes and their persistent infection in subjects with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance cytology: Statistical and latent Dirichlet allocation analysis.

The present study aimed to investigate differences in prognosis based on human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, persistent infection and genotype variations for patients exhibiting atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) in their initial Papanicolaou (PAP) test results. A latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA)-based tool was developed that may offer a facilitated means of communication to be employed during patient-doctor consultations. The present study assessed 491 patients (139 HPV-positive and 352 HPV-negative cases) with a PAP test result of ASCUS with a follow-up period ≥2 years. Patients underwent PAP and HPV DNA chip tests between January 2006 and January 2009. The HPV-positive subjects were followed up with at least 2 instances of PAP and HPV DNA chip tests. The most common genotypes observed were HPV-16 (25.9%, 36/139), HPV-52 (14.4%, 20/139), HPV-58 (13.7%, 19/139), HPV-56 (11.5%, 16/139), HPV-51 (9.4%, 13/139) and HPV-18 (8.6%, 12/139). A total of 33.3% (12/36) patients positive for HPV-16 had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)2 or a worse result, which was significantly higher than the prevalence of CIN2 of 1.8% (8/455) in patients negative for HPV-16 (P<0.001), while no significant association was identified for other genotypes in terms of genotype and clinical progress. There was a significant association between clearance and good prognosis (P<0.001). Persistent infection was higher in patients aged ≥51 years (38.7%) than in those aged ≤50 years (20.4%; P=0.036). Progression from persistent infection to CIN2 or worse (19/34, 55.9%) was higher than clearance (0/105, 0.0%; P<0.001). In the LDA analysis, using symmetric Dirichlet priors α=0.1 and ß=0.01, and clusters (k)=5 or 10 provided the most meaningful groupings. Statistical and LDA analyses produced consistent results regarding the association between persistent infection of HPV-16, old age and long infection period with a clinical progression of CIN2 or worse. Therefore, LDA results may be presented as explanatory evidence during time-constrained patient-doctor consultations in order to deliver information regarding the patient's status.

Anti-allodynic effect of theoesberiven F in a vincristine-induced neuropathy model.

Allodynia is a main symptom of the peripheral neuropathy induced by vincristine treatment. Theoesberiven F, a combination of Melilotus extract and proxyphylline, is currently used for the treatment of inflammatory conditions due to its potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The anti-allodynic effect of theoesberiven F on mechanical and cold allodynia in a rat model of vincristine-induced neuropathy was investigated in the present study. Intraperitoneal vincristine injections were administered to male Sprague-Dawley rats at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg/day over 12 days (5 days of injection, a 2-day cessation and 5 days of injection). Rats that were allodynic following the vincristine injections were randomly allocated into four groups. Normal saline was injected into rats in the control group. Theoesberiven F (0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg) was administered to rats in the three experimental groups, respectively. Mechanical and cold allodynia were measured at preadministration and at 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 min following the intraperitoneal administration of normal saline or theoesberiven F. The decreased paw withdrawal threshold induced by vincristine injection was increased by theoesberiven F administration. The increased withdrawal frequency to cold stimuli developed by vincristine was reduced by theoesberiven F administration. The results of this study suggest that the administration of theoesberiven F may be beneficial in reducing the mechanical and cold allodynia developed during vincristine treatment.

Peripheral nerve blocks as the sole anesthetic technique in a patient with severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

General anesthesia and central neuraxial blockades in patients with severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy are associated with high risks of complications, including rhabdomyolysis, malignant hyperthermia, hemodynamic instability, and postoperative mechanical ventilation. Here, we describe peripheral nerve blocks as a safe approach to anesthesia in a patient with severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy who was scheduled to undergo surgery. A 22-year-old male patient was scheduled to undergo reduction and internal fixation of a left distal femur fracture. He had been diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at 5 years of age, and had no locomotive capability except for that of the finger flexors and toe extensors. He had developed symptoms associated with dyspnea 5 years before and required intermittent ventilation. We blocked the femoral nerve, lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, and parasacral plexus under ultrasound on the left leg. The patient underwent a successful operation using peripheral nerve blocks with no complications. In conclusion general anesthesia and central neuraxial blockades in patients with severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy are unsafe approaches to anesthesia because of hemodynamic instability and respiratory depression. Peripheral nerve blocks are the best way to reduce the risks of critical complications, and are a safe and feasible approach to anesthesia in patients with severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Comparison of Balance, Proprioception and Skeletal Muscle Mass in Total Hip Replacement Patients With and Without Fracture: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there was a difference in balance, proprioception, and skeletal muscle mass among patients who undergo hip fracture surgery relative to and elective total hip replacement (THR). METHODS: Thirty-one THR patients were enrolled. The patients were categorized into two groups: fracture group (n=15) and non-fracture group (n=16). Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used to balance the proprioception of the hip joint while a joint position sense (JPS) test was used to evaluate it. Skeletal muscle mass was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis and expressed as a skeletal muscle mass index (SMI). Quality of life (QOL) was also assessed using a 36-item short form health survey (SF-36). All tests were assessed at 3 months after the surgery. An independent t-test was used to compare the fracture group and non-fracture group. Spearman correlation was used to identify the correlation of each variable. RESULTS: In an independent t-test, the BBS score of patients undergoing elective surgery was higher than the BBS score of patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. There was a significant correlation between the BBS and JPS score after a THR. SMI also correlated with the score of BBS. CONCLUSION: It seems that THR patients undergoing surgery for a hip fracture might have more trouble balancing than elective THR patients. Therefore THR patients undergoing hip fracture surgery might need more care during rehabilitation.

Factors associated with atypical femoral fracture.

We aimed to investigate the proportion of atypical femoral fractures (AFF) among Korean femoral fracture patients and examined the factors associated with the development of AFF. Between 2003 and 2013, 607 female patients with low-energy femoral fractures who were hospitalized at a single university hospital were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Patients were classified into two groups according to the fracture site: Patients with subtrochanteric or diaphyseal femoral fractures were included in the AFF group, while patients with intertrochanteric or neck fractures were included in the typical femoral fracture (TFF) group. After comparing clinical and radiographic characteristics between groups, we used multivariable logistic regression analysis to explore risk factors for AFF. Thirty patients (4.9 %) with AFF and 577 patients (95.1 %) with TFF were identified. The AFF group was younger than the TFF group (p < 0.01), and more patients with AFF were treated with bisphosphonate (BP) (p < 0.01) or proton-pump inhibitor (p = 0.02). When comparing the radiographic parameters, the AFF group tended to have a higher cortical thickness index (p = 0.02) and lateral-to-medial cortex ratio (p < 0.01). After adjusting for clinical variables, BP use (OR 8.09, CI 3.09-21.19) and younger age (OR 1.06, CI 1.01-1.11) were associated with AFF. The proportion of AFF was 4.9 % among patients with femoral fractures. Younger age and use of BP before fracture increased the risk of development of AFF in Korean patients.

Assessment of osteoporosis using pelvic diagnostic computed tomography.

The purpose of the present study is to determine if a correlation exists between bone mineral density (BMD) obtained from dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and Hounsfield unit (HU) from pelvic diagnostic computed tomography (dCT), and to evaluate whether HU could be used to identify osteoporosis. Seventy-nine patients were included in this study. HU values were measured in three different sections: the head-neck junction of the femur, the middle portion of the femoral neck, and the intertrochanter of the femur (IT). In each sectional image, HU values were measured at two regions of interest: cortical and cancellous bone (HU_t) and cancellous bone. The correlation between BMD and HU_t of IT was significant (r = 0.839, p < 0.01). In IT, the area under the curve value of HU_t was 0.875 (0.796-0.955). We found that a HU_t of IT <170 can be regarded as indicating osteoporosis: its positive predictive value is 96.9 %. A HU_t of IT >210 can be regarded as indicating an absence of osteoporosis: its negative predictive value is 84.6 %. In conclusion, we found that a significant correlation between HU of pelvic dCT and BMD of DXA, and HU potentially provided an alternative method for determining regional BMD. Therefore, pelvic dCT could possibly be a supplementary method for initial diagnosis of osteoporosis and for initiation of treatment.

Osteomyelitis of Bilateral Femoral Heads After Childbirth: A Case Report.

Hip and pelvic pain during pregnancy or after delivery is a common problem in young females, and in most cases this problem has a self-limiting course. The patient described in this case suffered from severe hip pain after childbirth. MR imaging study was performed and it showed arthritis of bilateral hip joints and osteomyelitis of femoral heads with an abscess in the surrounding muscle. Infection, such as septic arthritis or osteomyelitis, is an extremely rare cause of peripartum joint pain. The patient's clinical symptoms and laboratory findings improved with antibiotic therapy. However, limitation of motion of the bilateral hip joints persisted although the patient continued rehabilitative therapy for 15 months, and the patient had to undergo bilateral total hip replacement. Hereby, we present a case of severe osteomyelitis and pyogenic arthritis of bilateral femoral heads and hip joints after delivery, which eventually required bilateral total hip replacement.

The effect of thioctic acid on allodynia in a rat vincristine-induced neuropathy model.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antiallodynic effects of thioctic acid in vincristine-induced neuropathy in rats. METHODS: Neuropathy was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats via vincristine intraperitoneal injection. After 15 days, rats were investigated for the presence of mechanical and cold allodynia, and those with allodynia received intraperitoneal injection with normal saline or 1, 5, or 10 mg/kg thioctic acid. Mechanical and cold allodynia were assessed before treatment and at 15, 30, 60, 90, 150 and 180 min after treatment. RESULTS: Mechanical and cold allodynia were reduced by thioctic acid injection. The duration of effect increased with thioctic acid dose. CONCLUSION: Thioctic acid may be an effective treatment for vincristine-induced neuropathy.

The Comparison of Compression Hip Screw and Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty for the Treatment of AO Type A2 Intertrochanteric Fractures.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of osteosynthesis using compression hip screw fixation versus bipolar hemiarthroplasty in AO type A2 intertrochanteric fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2003 to December 2009, 89 patients were included in this study. They were treated using compression hip screws (43 cases) or bipolar hemiarthroplasty (46 cases). The mean age of patients was 77.7 years (65-94 years) and the mean follow-up period was 5.9 years (1-8.3 years). For comparison of the outcomes in the two groups, statistical analyses were performed with parameters including anesthesia time, operation time, amount of transfusion, hospital stay, general complications, clinical outcome, time of partial weight-bearing using a walker, and radiological failure rate. RESULTS: Differences in the amount of transfusion, general complications, and clinical outcome (Merle d'Aubigné and Postel score) were not statistically significant between the two groups. The bipolar hemiarthroplasty group showed better results than the compression hip screw group for anesthesia time and the time of partial weight-bearing using a walker. Radiological failures were observed in hips in one case (2.2%) of bipolar hemiarthroplasty, and in four cases (9.3%) of compression hip screw fixation. CONCLUSION: Among elderly individuals with AO type A2 intertrochanteric fractures, patients treated with bipolar hemiarthroplasty were able to perform early ambulation. However, no significant difference in operation time, amount of postoperative transfusion, clinical results, hospital stay, and radiological failure rate was observed between the bipolar hemiarthroplasty and compression hip screw fixation groups.

Is second generation metal-on-metal primary total hip arthroplasty with a 28 mm head a worthy option?: a 12- to 18-year follow-up study.

To determine whether MoM THA with a small head is still worthy of use, we investigated survivorship, complications, and factors influencing failure. Of 149 consecutive patients (195 hips), 141 (180 hips) of mean age 43 (19-55) years were available for review at a mean of 14.4 years postoperatively. Survivorship for cup revision for any cause was 97.8% at 18.4 years postoperatively. Nine hips generated complaints of groin pain; six showed periacetabular osteolysis, one had pain without radiological change, and two were diagnosed as symptomatic pseudotumors. Four of six hips with periacetabular osteolysis or aseptic loosening were revised. Surgery- and patient-related factors had no effect in results. Our results are encouraging, however, further study will be necessary to determine the incidence and fates of pseudotumors after MoM THA with a small head.

Anterior operation for unstable thoracolumbar and lumbar burst fractures: tricortical autogenous iliac bone versus titanium mesh cage.

STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively compared 25 cases that used the autogenous iliac bone grafting with 18 cases that used a titanium mesh cage for reconstruction of the vertebral body. OBJECTIVE: To analyze clinical and radiographic results of the autogenous iliac bone and a titanium mesh cage used to reconstruct the vertebral body. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Grafting of the autogenous iliac bone as a strut bone has been traditionally applied for reconstruction of the spine using anterior approach. Although grafting the autogenous iliac bone as a strut bone achieves a high bone fusion rate, it has reported complications in the donor site. For this reason, bone fusion with a mesh cage has been introduced. METHODS: Between March 2000 and December 2010, 43 cases that underwent decompression and instrumented fusion for unstable burst fractures using the anterior approach were enrolled. Levels of injury were T12 in 8 cases, L1 in 19 cases, L2 in 11 cases, and L3 in 5 cases. The mean follow-up period was 64.5 months (range, 14-129 mo). RESULTS: The local kyphotic angle in the group that used the tricortical autogenous iliac bone (group A) was measured 24.81±2.27 degrees preoperatively and 4.95±0.61 degrees at the last follow-up. The angle in the group that used a titanium mesh cage (group B) was 25.21±1.55 degrees preoperatively and 3.9±0.43 degrees at the last follow-up. Both groups obtained bone fusion of grade I and II by Bridwell fusion criteria. The operation site visual analog scale and Korean Oswestry disability index did not differ significantly between 2 groups. Donor site visual analog scale and the operation time was significantly in favor of group B (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Titanium mesh cage filled with the autogenous cancellous bone shortened operation time and reduced the risk of complications in the donor site compared with the group that used the tricortical iliac bone.

Anesthetic management of a patient with undiagnosed paraganglioma -a case report-.

Retroperitoneal paragangliomas are uncommon neuroendocrine tumors which are derived from extra-adrenal paraganglioma with various clinical signs and symptoms. Although most extra-adrenal paragangliomas are histologically benign, some tumors can synthesize and secrete excess catecholamine from the tumor. Excessive production of catecholamine causes numerous cardiovascular manifestations such as severe hypertension, cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrhythmias, and even multiorgan failure. It can lead to high risks of morbidity and mortality, especially in patients who are unrecognized or not adequately prepared. We present a female patient who was preoperatively undiagnosed of secreting retroperitoneal paraganglioma that caused cardiac tachyarrhythmia and severe intraopertive hypertension not controlled by usual antihypertensive agents. A secreting extra-adrenal paraganglioma should be included in differential diagnosis for patient who have incidentaloma and show wide range of hypertension with hemodynamic instability that is not well controlled by common antihypertensive drugs.

Chronic exertional compartment syndrome in adductor pollicis muscle: case report.

We report a case of chronic exertional compartment syndrome in the adductor pollicis that was confirmed by measuring elevated compartment pressure. Specific finding of magnetic resonance imaging, increased T2 signal intensity in the involved compartment, was also useful for the diagnosis. Pain was relieved by fasciotomy through a volar approach.

Ginkgo biloba extract attenuates hyperalgesia in a rat model of vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a common, dose-limiting side effect of cancer chemotherapeutic drugs. Hyperalgesia is a common component of neuropathic pain. Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) is an oriental herbal medicine that has various pharmacological actions. In this study, we evaluated the effects of oral GBE on hyperalgesia in a rat model of vincristine-induced neuropathy. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (200-250 g) were injected intraperitoneally with vincristine or saline (0.1 mg/kg/d) using a 5-day-on, 2-day-off schedule over 12 days. All the behavioral tests for mechanical, cold, and heat hyperalgesia were conducted before the daily injection during the course of vincristine treatment. Rats that developed hyperalgesia 14 days after vincristine injection were randomly assigned into 4 groups. Distilled water and GBE (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg) were administered, respectively, to the individual groups. We examined the hyperalgesia at preadministration and at 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 minutes after oral drug administration. RESULTS: Saline injection did not have any significant effect on mechanical, cold, and heat hyperalgesia. Vincristine injection produced mechanical and cold hyperalgesia. For the GBE groups, the paw withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimuli was significantly increased and withdrawal frequency to cold stimuli was significantly reduced versus the control group dose-dependently (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that oral administration of GBE is associated with a dose-dependent antihyperalgesic effect on mechanical and cold stimuli in a rat model of vincristine-induced neuropathy.

Is bipolar hemiarthroplasty a reliable option for Ficat stage III osteonecrosis of the femoral head? 15- to 24-year follow-up study.

PURPOSE: The long-term results of a bipolar hemiarthroplasty (BHA) for osteonecrosis (ON) of the femoral head have not been favorable. The causes have been attributed to cup migration and osteolysis or groin pain. The purpose of this study was to analyze the long-term outcomes and the survivorships of bipolar hemiarthroplasty applied to Ficat stage III ON. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1985 and 1993, 49 patients (63 hips) underwent cementless BHA for Ficat stage III ON. Of these 49 patients, 43 patients (55 hips) of mean age 42.2 years were available for follow-up review at a mean duration of 20.3 years post operation. Anteroposterior hip serial (including extreme abduction/adduction) radiographs were used to evaluate osteolysis, migration, cartilage wear rate, and the ratio of outer/inner bearing motion (O/I ratio) at the latest follow-up. RESULTS: The mean Harris hip score improved to 80.8 points at the latest follow-up. Survivorship at 24 years was 79 and 69 % with revision for any reason and development of acetabular osteolysis as the end point. Groin pain was present in 20 (36.4 %) of the 55 hips, and isolated groin pain was not a reason for revision. The patients had revision surgery performed, which showed that the cartilage wear rate was significantly high, and that the O/I ratio was significantly low (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Survivorship determined in this study was more favorable than that of previous studies, and exceeded expectation. The BHA for Ficat stage III ON is not reliable option anymore, considering low survival rate and high osteolysis developmental rate.