Biomechanical Parameters in Plantar Fasciitis Measured by Gait Analysis System With Pressure Sensor

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the differences in biomechanical parameters measured by gait analysis systems between healthy subjects and subjects with plantar fasciitis (PF), and to compare biomechanical parameters between ‘normal, barefooted’ gait and arch building gait in the participants. METHODS: The researchers evaluated 15 subjects (30 feet) with bilateral foot pain and 15 subjects (15 feet) with unilateral foot pain who had a clinical diagnosis of PF. Additionally, 17 subjects (34 feet) who had no heel pain were recruited. Subjects were excluded if they had a traumatic event, prior surgery or fractures of the lower limbs, a leg length discrepancy of 1 cm or greater, a body mass index greater than 35 kg/m2, or had musculoskeletal disorders. The participants were asked to walk with an arch building gait on a treadmill at 2.3 km/hr for 5 minutes. Various gait parameters were measured. RESULTS: With the arch building gait, the PF group proved that gait line length and single support line were significantly decreased, and lateral symmetry of the PF group was increased compared to that of the control group. The subjects with bilateral PF displayed significantly increased maximum pressure over the heel and the forefoot during arch building gait. In addition, the subjects with unilateral PF showed significantly increased maximum pressure over the forefoot with arch building gait. CONCLUSION: The researchers show that various biomechanical differences exist between healthy subjects and those with PF. Employing an arch building gait in patients with PF could be helpful in changing gait patterns to normal biomechanics.

Nostril Base Augmentation Effect of Alveolar Bone Graft

BACKGROUND: The aims of alveolar bone grafting are closure of the fistula, stabilization of the maxillary arch, support for the roots of the teeth adjacent to the cleft on each side. We observed nostril base augmentation in patients with alveolar clefts after alveolar bone grafting. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nostril base augmentation effect of secondary alveolar bone grafting in patients with unilateral alveolar cleft. METHODS: Records of 15 children with alveolar clefts who underwent secondary alveolar bone grafting with autogenous iliac cancellous bone between March of 2011 and May of 2012 were reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative worm's-eye view photographs and reconstructed three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) scans were used for photogrammetry. The depression of the nostril base and thickness of the philtrum on the cleft side were measured in comparison to the normal side. The depression of the cleft side pyriform aperture was measured in comparison to the normal side on reconstructed three-dimensional CT. RESULTS: Significant changes were seen in the nostril base (P=0.005), the philtrum length (P=0.013), and the angle (P=0.006). The CT measurements showed significant changes in the pyriform aperture (P<0.001) and the angle (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: An alveolar bone graft not only fills the gap in the alveolar process but also augments the nostril base after surgery. In this study, only an alveolar bone graft was performed to prevent bias from other procedures. Nostril base augmentation can be achieved by performing alveolar bone grafts in children, in whom invasive methods are not advised.

IrreVersible Gel Tansformation of Injectavble Intraocular Lens by Photoinitiator and UV Irradiation in Rabbits

PURPOSE: This study was designed to induce irreVersible gel formation of poloxamer, the thermosensitive polymer hydrogel, by using photoinitiator and UV irradiation, and to verify the biocompatibility and usability of poloxamer as an injectable intraocular lens material through long-term observation in vivo. METHODS: Endocapsular phacoemulsification of lens was performed in rabbits and 25% poloxamer mixed with various concentrations of photoinitiator was injected into the capsular bag through a small capsulorhexis site. Then, the whole eye was irradiated with UV light for 5 minutes. The irreversibility and transparency of the post-operative poloxamer and the effects on the conjunctiva, cornea, iris, vitreous humor and retina were observed. RESULTS: As the results of this experiment using poloxamer 25% and photoinitiator 0.01%, the poloxamer remained transparent in the lens capsule for more than six months after the operation. No inflammatory response or toxicity was observed on the conjunctiva, cornea, iris, vitreous humor or retina. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the possibility of poloxamer as a new material for the injectable intraocular lens. Further study, however, is necessary.

Photodisruption of Premacular Hemorrhage with Nd: YAG Laser

Premacular hemorrhage (preretinal,subhyaloid, or sub-internal limiting membrane hemorrhage)impairs central vision abruptly and occurs in various underlying diseases. In cases of persistent hemorrhage, permanent impairment of vision may occur. Proposed therapeutic options for premacular hemorrhage consist of conservative treatment, laser photodisruption and early vitrectomy. Laser photodisruption may be performed in cases of persistent or slow-clearing hemorrhage, in patients with occupational need for prompt restoration of binocular vision or in patients with poor vision in their fellow eyes. The authors report 4 patients with premacular hemorrhage who were treated with Nd: YAG laser photodisruption with the review of the literatures.

Conversion of Nonischemic Central Retinal Vein Occlusion to Ischemic Occlusion

Most nonischemic CRVOs present relatively good prognosis in visual acuity and spontaneous resolution is relatively common after a certain period of time, but a small portion convert to ischemic CRVOs. The point of conversion from nonischemia to ischemia ranges from few weeks to several years. But because more than half of these conversions occur within the first four months, it requires careful follow-up during this period. The authors retrospectively reviewed 44 patients(47 eyes)who initially showed definite signs of nonischemic CRVO on fundus examination and nonperfusion area less than 10 disc areas proven by fluorescein angiogra-phy. The conversion rate, point of conversion, incidence of anterior segment neovascularization and neovascular glaucoma, predictive factors related to conversion were identified. The average age of the patients was 46. 1 years and 26 patients(59. 0%) were male. 25 patients(56. 8%)had underlying systemic and ocular disorders such as hypertension, chronic renal failure, diabetes mellitus, primary open-angle glaucoma. Final visual acuity was 0.5 or above in 24 eyes(51. 0%)and 0.1 or below in 14 eyes(29. 8%). 7 eyes(14. 9%)converted to ischemic occlusion. The average age of this group of patients was 40.8 years and 4 eyes had underlying systemic disorders. Initial visual acuity showed wide range from 0.15 to 0.7 but final visual acuity was 0.1 or below in all of the cases. The point of the conversion was less than 4 months(average: 9.3 weeks)in all eyes and 5 eyes(71.4%)developed anterior segment neovascularization. All of the eyes that showed definite evidence of anterior segment neovascularization were treated with panretinal photocoagulation but in 2 eyes(28. 6%), regression of neovascularization did not occur and further developed neovascular glaucoma.

Case Report on Primary Extramedullary Plasmacytoma Originating in the Lacrimal Gland

Most plasmacytomas originate from the bone marrow and only 3% of these tumors are from the soft tissues outside the bone marrow. Mean survival rate and clinical manifestations including metastasis and response to therapy are quite different from each other. Although both groups share plasma cell as their stem cell, these two groups are presumed to be different disease entities. The authors report a rare case of extramedullary plasmacytoma of lacrimal gland origin in a 42-year-old man who presented with painless proptosis.

Four Cases of Ocular Injury caused by Gramoxone

Parquat, more commonly used in its commercial name, Gramoxone, is a widely used herbicide for it is inexpensive and effective. It is lethal when ingested accidentally or for the purpose of committing suicide. Having experienced four patients who were injured accidentally in the eye by Gramoxone (herbicide containing paraquat and diquat), we report these cases with the review of the literatures.