Bone mineral density in hypogonadal men remains low after long—term testosterone replacement

AIM: In 11 congenital hypogonadal men, the bone mineral density (BMD) values were determined to assess the effect of long-term androgen replacement therapy (ART) on skeletal integrity. METHODS: Eleven congenital hypogonadal men, including 8 isolated gonadotropin deficiency patients, 2 Kallmann's syndrome and 1 vanishing testes syndrome were recruited and treated with 250 mg of testosterone enanthate intramuscularly every 4 weeks for 7-43 years (mean+/-SD: 21.5 +/-13 years). In these patients and a group of 10 healthy young men (controls), the whole and trabecular BMDs were examined at the distal end of radius by means of a peripheral quantitative computerized tomography device. RESULTS: The whole radial BMD in hypogonadal men was significantly less in the patients than in the healthy men (498+/-115 and 725+/-134 mg/cm(3), respectively; P<0.01); the trabecular BMD was also lower in the hypogonadal men (199+/-80 and 375+/-89 mg/cm(3); P< 0.01). The whole radial BMD values in 10 of 11 hypogonadal men were at least 1 SD below the mean value for healthy young men; 2 hypogonadal men had BMD values more than 2.5 SD lower than the healthy mean. Additionally, the whole radial BMD showed a significant negative correlation with the patient's age at the initiation of ART (r = 0.748, P<0.01). The serum level of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and the urinary level of deoxypyridinoline were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Osteopenia persists in the hypogonadal men after long-term ART, suggesting that such patients have a persistent defect in bone development not alleviated by androgen replacement.     

Regulation of ER molecular chaperone prevents bone loss in a murine model for osteoporosis

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response is important for protein maturation in the ER. Some murine models for bone diseases have provided significant insight into the possibility that pathogenesis of osteoporosis is related to ER stress response of osteoblasts. We examined a possible correlation between osteoporosis and ER stress response. Bone specimens from 8 osteoporosis patients and 8 disease-controls were used for immunohistochemical analysis. We found that ER molecular chaperones, such as BiP (immunoglobulin heavy-chain binding protein) and PDI (protein-disulfide isomerase) are down-regulated in osteoblasts from osteoporosis patients. Based on this result, we hypothesized that up-regulation of ER molecular chaperones in osteoblasts could restore decreased bone formation in osteoporosis. Therefore, we investigated whether treatment of murine model for osteoporosis with BIX (BiP inducer X), selective inducer BiP, could prevent bone loss. We found that oral administration of BIX effectively improves decline in bone formation through the activation of folding and secretion of bone matrix proteins. Considering these results together, BIX may be a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention of bone loss in osteoporosis patients.     

Proximal oblique-domed osteotomy of the first metatarsal for the treatment of hallux valgus associate with flat foot: effect to the correction of the longitudinal arch of the foot

Introduction Flat foot and/or metatarsal primus varus are the major causes of hallux valgus, and it is important to correct these deformities in order to prevent the recurrence of this condition. We demonstrate the clinical and radiological assessment of the correction of hallux valgus, metatarsal primus varus, and flat foot after proximal oblique-domed osteotomy of the metatarsus with distal soft tissue reconstruction. Materials and methods Twenty-seven feet of 22 patients with moderate or severe hallux valgus who had undergone proximal oblique-domed osteotomy were studied. After the adductor hallucis tendon was cut at the attachment of the proximal phalanx and at the sesamoid bone, the osteotomy was performed 3 cm dorsal-distal to the metatarsocuneiform joint to transfer distal fragment approximately 5 mm in the plantar direction, and rotated laterally decreasing the first–second intermetatarsal angle to 5 degrees. Results The mean AOFAS score was 54.1 ± 2.8 points at pre-operation and 92.8 ± 4.8 points at the most recent follow-up (P < 0.0001). Significant improvement was seen between the hallux valgus angle (P < 0.0001), first–second intermetatarsal angle (P < 0.0001), first–fifth intermetatarsal angle (P < 0.0001), talar pitch (P = 0.0032), and calcaneal plantar angle (P = 0.0327) before surgery and at one year after surgery. The average improvement of the talar pitch and calcaneal plantar angle was 2.6 ± 1.4 and 2.4 ± 1.5 degrees, respectively. Conclusion This study suggest that proximal oblique-domed osteotomy of the metatarsal as a surgical procedure for the treatment of moderate or severe hallux valgus with flat foot can be recommended to correct the longitudinal arch of the foot and the first–second intermetatarsal angle.     

Accuracy of conventional plus transoral carotid ultrasonography in distinguishing pseudo-occlusion from total occlusion of the internal carotid artery

BACKGROUND: To investigate the accuracy of conventional carotid ultrasonography (CCU) combined with transoral carotid ultrasonography (TOCU) for distinguishing pseudo-occlusion from total occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA). METHODS: This study included 95 patients who were suspected of having an occlusion of the ICA on magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and underwent both CCU and conventional digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in order to confirm the diagnosis. TOCU was also performed to observe the cervical portion of the ICA distal to the stenosis. We compared the ultrasonographic findings with the DSA findings. RESULTS: Twelve of the 95 patients were defined as having an ICA pseudo-occlusion on DSA. On B-mode images with CCU color Doppler, slight residual flow signals in the ICA lumen were shown in 20 patients. Among them, 2 patients had a pulsed Doppler waveform of the distal ICA occlusion pattern. Among the remaining 18 patients, 4 had a pulsed Doppler waveform of the to and fro flow pattern, and 14 had a weak antegrade flow pattern in the ICA lumen. The conventional ultrasonographic method showed 100% sensitivity with 93% specificity for diagnosing an ICA pseudo-occlusion. The addition of TOCU findings increased the specificity to 98%. In 2 patients, who were overdiagnosed as having an ICA pseudo-occlusion even using TOCU, DSA revealed an occlusion of the ICA distal to the ophthalmic artery with a severe stenosis of the proximal ICA. CONCLUSIONS: Using conventional and transoral carotid ultrasonography, an ICA pseudo-occlusion can be diagnosed with higher accuracy.     

Severe parkinsonism following endoscopic third ventriculostomy for non-communicating hydrocephalus--case report

A 23-year-old male with non-communicating hydrocephalus caused by intraventricular hemorrhage from an arteriovenous malformation was treated by endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) after repeated ventricular cerebrospinal fluid drainage and removal of ventriculoperitoneal shunt due to infection. Postoperatively, the patient developed robust rigidity and akinesia with mutism, suggesting secondary parkinsonism. These symptoms showed marked improvement after administration of levodopa, and were not aggravated after discontinuation. The pathophysiology of this case might involve dysfunction of the dopaminergic system caused by repeated compression and release of the paraventricular white matter. Careful perioperative management not leading to excessive dilation of the the ventricles should be considered for ETV for non-communicating hydrocephalus to avoid this unexpected complication.     

Coil embolization of a traumatic intracranial aneurysm of the distal part of the azygos anterior cerebral artery followed up for 4 years

Traumatic intracranial aneurysms are rare, usually occur as a result of traffic accidents, and are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. A 12-year-old boy was admitted for treatment of cerebral hemorrhage in the left frontal lobe, 3 months after a traffic accident. Angiography revealed an intracranial aneurysm of the distal part of the azygos anterior cerebral artery (ACA). The maximum size of this aneurysm was 9.5 mm. Coil embolization was successfully performed with preservation of the parent arteries. Angiography performed at the 4-year follow-up examination revealed no abnormalities. The present case showed that primary coiling may allow aneurysm occlusion along with parent vessel preservation in selected cases of traumatic intracranial aneurysm of the distal part of the azygos ACA.     

Platelet-rich plasma accelerated surgical angio-genesis in vascular-implanted necrotic bone: an experimental study in rabbits

Background Platelets contain many kinds of growth factors with the ability to accelerate angiogenesis. We analyzed whether a single injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) would accelerate surgical angiogenesis in necrotic bone implanted with vascular tissue.

Methods We used 24 Japanese White rabbits. PRP was refined from autologous blood by separation twice with centrifugation. A removed iliac bone was frozen in liquid nitrogen to ensure complete cellular necrosis. A narrow hole was made in the bone and the saphenous vascular bundle was passed through the hole. The bone was wrapped after injection of either 1 mL (1) PRP, or (2) saline solution into the hole, and was placed subcu-taneously in the thigh. In both groups, angiogenesis was compared 1 week and 2 weeks after surgery.

Result Angiogenesis was observed along the implanted vascular bundle in both groups. At 1 and 2 weeks after surgery, both the vessel density and the average length of newly formed vessels of the experimental group were significantly greater than in the control group. Both the vessel density and the length were greater after 2 weeks than after 1 week.

Interpretation A single injection of PRP accelerates surgical angiogenesis in vascular-implanted necrotic bone.     

Comparison of laparoscopic versus open cholecystectomy in patients with cardiac valve replacement

To evaluate the benefits and safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients with cardiac valve replacement (which frequently leads to cholelithiasis), 12 patients with cholelithiasis associated with cardiac valve replacement were studied. The patients were divided into two groups, of 6 patients each, according to the type of operation performed, open cholecystectomy (OC) or LC. The postoperative course was monitored with respect to laboratory data on postoperative days (POD) 1, 3, and 7. The mean duration of operation, blood loss, days to food resumption, length of hospital stay, and morbidity were compared between the two groups. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found between the OC and LC groups in white blood cell counts on POD 1 (12 980 ± 3040/mm³ vs 8300 ± 1590/mm³), days to food resumption (2.7 ± 0.4 days vs 1.0 ± 0.7 days), and length of postoperative stay (15.8 ± 1.0 days vs 10.8 ± 1.6 days). There were no complications in the LC group, but 1 patient in the OC group had heart failure postoperatively. Our findings indicate the efficacy and safety of LC in patients with cardiac valve replacement. Received: August 14, 2000 / Accepted: December 22, 2000     

Laparoscopic Nephrectomy,Ex Vivo Repair,and Autotransplantation for a Renal Artery Aneurysm: Report of a Case

A 57-year-old woman was hospitalized with a left renal artery aneurysm (RAA). The aneurysm measured 35 mm in diameter and was located at the renal artery bifurcation. We performed a laparoscopic nephrectomy using a retroperitoneal approach and performed an ex vivo repair of the renal artery. The reconstructed kidney was then autotransplanted at the left iliac fossa. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. A laparoscopic nephrectomy and ex vivo repair are both considered to be effective for treating complex RAA.