Coexistence of external carotid artery embolus and internal carotid artery occlusion in acute ischemic stroke: An indicator of cardioembolic etiology?

ObjectivesThis study aims to evaluate whether the presence of an external carotid artery embolism accompanying internal carotid artery occlusion may contribute to identifying the etiology of internal carotid artery occlusion in the early period.Material and methodsThe presence of external carotid artery embolism was evaluated in 117 patients who were adjudicated for internal carotid artery occlusion based on digital subtraction angiography images.ResultsEmbolus in the external carotid artery was detected in 8 (6.8%) of the 117 patients with internal carotid artery occlusion (7 (87.5%) patients were found to have tandem and 1 (12.5%) patient had carotid T occlusion). In all of these patients, the thrombus was of embolic origin. Evaluation of the etiology revealed cardioembolic etiology in 4 patients and dissection in 1 patient, and the cause could not be determined in the remaining 3 patients. Patients with external carotid artery embolism accompanying an internal carotid artery occlusion had significantly higher The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores at admission and significantly lower recanalization success compared to those without external carotid artery embolism (p = 0.009, p = 0.01). In the comparison of prognosis, poorer prognosis was observed in those with external carotid artery embolism, although without a statistically significant difference (p = 0.07).ConclusionsThis study observed that the etiology was mostly embolic in patients with external carotid artery embolism accompanying an internal carotid artery occlusion, most of whom were found to have tandem embolic occlusion, and cardiac origin appeared to be the prominent etiology of stroke.     

Gluteal compartment syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionGluteal compartment syndrome is a rare but devastating condition with limited characterization in the literature. The purpose of our systematic review, case series, and meta-analysis is to synthesize the current literature and provide recommendations on how to prevent gluteal compartment syndrome, identify at-risk patients, and avoid delays in diagnosis and treatment.MethodsInternational Classification of Disease codes were used to identify patients at our institution. PubMed, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library were searched to identify case reports between 1972 and March 1st, 2018. Cases were analyzed based on demographics, etiology, presentation, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.Results139 cases – 13 from our institution and 126 previously published – were included. The most common etiologies were postoperative (41%), prolonged immobilization secondary to substance abuse or loss of consciousness (35%) and trauma (19%). 89% were male, mean age was 45 years (range, 16-74), and mean body mass index was 41 kg/m². Rhabdomyolysis and sciatic neuropathy were identified in 94% and 74% of patients, respectively. Fasciotomy was performed in 80% of patients. Overall, 93% of patients survived. However, 41% of patients suffered prolonged neurologic dysfunction. In patients with an initial neurologic deficit, there was a higher rate of permanent neurological deficit in patients treated medically than those treated surgically (12/14 vs 29/61, p=0.0153), but no statistical difference in mortality (0/14 vs 4/61, p=1). In patients without initial neurologic deficit, there were no statistical differences in rates of permanent neurological deficit (0/7 vs 2/20, p=1) or mortality (0/7 vs 3/20, p=0.545) between those receiving medical or surgical treatment.DiscussionGluteal compartment syndrome is an orthopaedic emergency that may be more prevalent and associated with higher morbidity and mortality than previously recognized. Risk factors may include prolonged surgical duration, immobilization secondary to substance abuse, and pelvic trauma. Intraoperative precautions and postoperative surveillance are recommended in obese patients undergoing prolonged procedures. Fasciotomies improve neurologic outcomes in patients presenting with an initial neurologic deficit. In patients who are neurologically intact on presentation, medical management with neurologic function surveillance may be the optimal initial treatment. Fasciotomies do not impact mortality. Additionally, a treatment algorithm is provided.     

Hallux valgus correction with a new percutaneous distal osteotomy: Surgical technique and medium term outcomes

BackgroundMany procedures and different osteotomies have been described for percutaneous hallux valgus correction. Percutaneous techniques may lead to reduced morbidity, surgery, and recovery time. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcome of a new percutaneous procedure (PBS-Percutaneous Bianchi System).MethodsFifty-eight cases were treated with Percutaneous Bianchi System procedure for correction of mild, moderate or severe hallux valgus deformity. All patients were clinically assessed preoperatively and then followed up by weight-bearing x-rays, AOFAS (American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score), VAS (Visual Analog Scale) pain score, and patient satisfaction.ResultsAOFAS scores improved from 28.6 at the preoperative assessment to 91.7 at the latest follow-up. The VAS pain score improved from 6.7 before surgery to 0.6 at the latest follow-up. The mean Hallux valgus angle (HVA), Intermetatarsal angle (IMA) and Distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA) significatively decreased from the preoperative assessment to the latest follow-up.ConclusionsThe PBS technique is a safe, reliable, and effective procedure for the correction of symptomatic mild-to-severe hallux valgus.     

The misleading nature of in vitro and ex vivo findings in studying the impact of stress hormones on NK cell cytotoxicity

In vitro and ex vivo studies assessing the impact of stress hormones on immune competence commonly replace the natural milieu of leukocytes with an artificial medium, excluding plasma factors, hormones, and cytokines. Given prevalent inconsistencies between in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo findings, we studied whether such procedures could yield misleading outcomes regarding the impact of stress hormones on NK cell cytotoxicity (NKCC), using fresh human whole blood samples. We found that in the presence of plasma 10–30-fold higher concentrations of cortisol, epinephrine, and prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) were required to reach suppression levels evident in the context of artificial medium. Importantly, whereas the NK suppressive effects of PGE2 occurred immediately and remained stable upon prolonged exposure, the suppressive effects of cortisol slowly increased over time. Last, to simulate the exclusion of stress factors in the ex vivo approach, we subjected whole blood to stress hormones (as occurs in vivo), and abruptly removed them. We found that the effects of epinephrine and PGE2 quickly disappeared, while the effects of cortisol persisted. Overall, these findings demonstrate the potential misleading nature of in vitro and ex vivo procedures, and specifically suggest that (i) the common in vitro findings of profound suppression of NKCC by stress hormones are overestimation of their direct effects expected in vivo; and (ii) the common ex vivo approach cannot reflect the direct in vivo suppressive effects of epinephrine and PGE2 on NKCC, while inflating the effects of glucocorticoids. Some of these fallacies may be circumvented by using non-delayed whole blood NKCC assays in humans.     

不同内倾角置入寰椎后路侧块螺钉的安全性比较

目的:将寰椎后路侧块螺钉上倾角固定在15°的情况下,比较不同内倾角度置钉相对应的寰椎侧块有效宽度和进钉深度,以确定寰椎后路侧块螺钉在横断面上的最佳内倾角度。方法:募集颈椎结构正常的健康成年国人64名,男32名,女32名;年龄32.7±7.8岁(18~60岁),进行颈椎CT平扫,通过Mimics软件对志愿者的颈椎CT数据进行测量,在寰椎后路侧块螺钉上倾角为15°的情况下,分别测量内倾角度为0°、5°、10°、15°、20°、25°、30°和理想内倾角(β角)时的寰椎侧块有效宽度和寰椎后路侧块螺钉的进钉深度;测量正中矢状面与寰椎后弓最后缘的交点与进钉点之间的距离和进钉点处的后弓下缘侧块高度;并进行统计学数据分析。结果:寰椎后路侧块螺钉的β角男性为20.01°±2.97°,女性为21.89°±3.14°。寰椎后路侧块螺钉内倾角度为0°、5°、10°、15°、20°、25°、30°和β角时的寰椎侧块有效宽度男性分别为8.95±1.18、9.51±1.14、10.00±1.17、10.42±1.20、10.39±1.29、9.41±1.25、8.04±1.21、11.02±0.96mm,女性分别为7.64±1.01、8.31±1.11、8.88±1.10、9.32±1.11、9.51±1.09、8.90±1.02、7.62±1.07、9.97±0.98mm;进钉深度男性分别为19.03±1.34、19.60±1.39、20.28±1.47、21.20±1.48、22.11±1.54、23.06±1.63、24.19±1.97、22.37±1.52mm,女性分别为17.47±1.68、17.90±1.64、18.50±1.79、19.31±1.93、20.47±2.03、21.67±2.18、22.89±2.38、21.26±1.99mm。相较于其他内倾角,β角对应的寰椎侧块有效宽度最大且差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。寰椎后路侧块螺钉内倾角为β时,寰椎后路侧块螺钉进钉点距离正中矢状面与寰椎后弓最后缘的交点距离男性为28.35±1.75mm,女性为26.70±1.60mm;进钉点处的后弓下缘侧块高度男性为4.38±0.85mm,女性为4.13±0.80mm。结论:寰椎后路侧块螺钉上倾15°时,以所对应的寰椎侧块有效宽度最大的内倾角β角进钉,理论上损伤椎动脉、脊髓等结构的几率最低。     

The Removal of a Dislocated Femoral Interference Screw Through a Posteromedial Portal

The intra-articular migration of a femoral interference screw is a rare complication after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in the knee. Only a few reports of cases have been published within the last few years and different approaches toward this complication have been described. We report the case of a 23-year-old female patient who was admitted with knee pain after undergoing an ACL reconstruction 4 years previously. After the clinical examination, a knee radiograph in 2 planes revealed a dislocated femoral interference screw lying in the popliteal fossa. During arthroscopy, the interference screw was retrieved through an additional posteromedial portal to avoid an arthrotomy. The causes for intra-articular screw migration are multiple and most cases were reported in the early postoperative period. The arthroscopic removal of a screw is recommended because of the lower morbidity.     

Concentrations of arsenic,cadmium and lead in human hair and typical foods in eleven Chinese cities

Concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were determined in 384 human hair samples and 445 purchased food samples from 11 cities in China. The mean concentrations of hair As, Cd and Pb were 0.23, 0.062 and 2.45 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. The As, Cd and Pb concentrations in different foods were lower than the national maximum allowable contaminant levels. By comparison, males had higher hair As concentrations but lower Cd concentrations than females. When the interaction effects of gender and age were considered, males had the higher hair As, Cd and Pb concentrations in the 51–65 year-old age group. Residents of rural areas had higher hair As, Cd and Pb concentrations than people living in urban areas. Further analysis indicates that hair As, Cd and Pb concentrations and their changes with biological and environmental factors cannot be satisfactorily explained by the estimated intakes from purchased food.     

Quality of life after sleeve gastrectomy and adjustable gastric banding

BackgroundWith the addition of laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy (SG) to the bariatric surgery procedural toolkit, patients desiring a restrictive bariatric procedure often choose between adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) and SG. One study compared quality of life after these 2 procedures and found no difference. The purpose of our study was to re-evaluate the postoperative quality of life in LAGB and SG patients at a military teaching hospital in the United States.MethodsA retrospective review of 108 consecutive laparoscopic restrictive bariatric procedures performed within 15 months at a Department of Defense hospital was conducted. Of these 108 patients, 69 had undergone laparoscopic vertical SG and 39 LAGB. A validated quality of life questionnaire (Bariatric Quality of Life) was conducted a mean of 9.3 ± 3.2 months (range 5–16) postoperatively. The weight loss and standard laboratory parameters were measured at 0, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.ResultsThe quality of life assessment revealed significantly better scores after SG than after LAGB (66.5 versus 57.9, P = .0002). The excess weight loss and excess body mass index loss at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively were significantly greater in the laparoscopic SG group. The patients demonstrated a clear preference over time for SG once it was offered.ConclusionEarly postoperative quality of life was superior after SG than after LAGB. SG also resulted in superior early excess weight loss. In a practice not constrained by reimbursement, these findings were associated with increased patient choice of SG after it began to be offered.     

Prospective analysis of a first MTP total joint replacement. Evaluation by bone mineral densitometry,pedobarography, and visual analogue score for pain

BackgroundWe hypothesized that a total replacement of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP-1) would alter the walking pattern with medialisation of the ground reaction force (GRF) of the foot and subsequently cause an increase in bone mineral density (BMD) in the medial metatarsal bones and a decline of BMD in the lateral metatarsal bones.MethodsTwelve patients receiving total joint replacements (Roto-Glide^®) of MTP-1 were enrolled in a prospective cohort. BMD and pedobarography of the heel bone and the metatarsal heads were performed preoperatively and at least 12 months postoperatively.ResultsBMD in the lateral metatarsals and GRF under the lateral column of the operated feet decreased significantly on the operated feet.ConclusionsTotal joint replacement of MTP-1 tends to reduce GRF under the lateral column of the foot causing a corresponding decline in BMD and pedobarographic measures. Our findings support the further use of the Roto-Glide^® prosthesis for osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint.     

Animal models for glucocorticoid-induced postmenopausal osteoporosis: An updated review

Glucocorticoid-induced postmenopausal osteoporosis is a severe osteoporosis, with high risk of major osteoporotic fractures. This severe osteoporosis urges more extensive and deeper basic study, in which suitable animal models are indispensable. However, no relevant review is available introducing this model systematically. Based on the recent studies on GI-PMOP, this brief review introduces the GI-PMOP animal model in terms of its establishment, evaluation of bone mass and discuss its molecular mechanism. Rat, rabbit and sheep with their respective merits were chosen. Both direct and indirect evaluation of bone mass help to understand the bone metabolism under different intervention. The crucial signaling pathways, miRNAs, osteogenic- or adipogenic- related factors and estrogen level may be the predominant contributors to the development of glucocorticoid-induced postmenopausal osteoporosis.