Changes in the calibre of the upper airway and the surrounding structures after maxillomandibular advancement for obstructive sleep apnoea

Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) is effective in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea. We aimed to assess changes in the calibre of the upper airway, facial skeleton, and surrounding structural position after MMA and their association with improvement in symptoms. Sixteen consecutive adults with moderate-to-severe apnoea were treated by primary MMA. Polysomnography and computed tomography (CT) of the head and neck were done before and at least 6 months after MMA. The calibre of the upper airway, the facial skeleton, and the surrounding structures were measured with image analysis software. After MMA, patients had a significant reduction in their apnoea-hypopnoea index (31.2 (18.8) number of events (n)/hour (h)). The mean (SD) volume of the airway increased significantly in the velopharynx (p < 0.01), oropharynx (p = 0.001), and hypopharynx (p < 0.001) (by 2.3 (2.4), 2.1 (2.6), and 1.7 (1.1) cm³, respectively) and the length of the airway was significantly decreased (by 3.1 (3.5) mm p < 0.01). The soft palate (p < 0.001), tongue (p < 0.001), and hyoid (p = 0.001) moved significantly anteriorly (by 4.4 (2.0), 7.5 (2.8), and 5.7 (5.0) mm, respectively), and these movements were related to the MMA (r = 0.6–0.8). The improvement in the apnoea-hypopnoea index was associated with both maxillary advancement and anterior movements of the soft palate and hyoid (r = 0.6–0.7). The results of this study suggest that MMA increases the volume in the upper airway and reduces its length. Improvement in obstructive sleep apnoea is associated with the extent of the anterior movements of the maxilla, soft palate, and hyoid.     

Natural History and Long-Term Clinical Behavior of Segmental Colitis Associated with Diverticulosis (Scad Syndrome)

Localized inflammation of the sigmoid colon or segmental colitis associated with diverticulosis (SCAD syndrome) is an increasingly recognized, apparently uncommon, clinical and pathological disorder usually described in older adults. In the present study, 24 symptomatic patients, including 14 males, (58.3%) and 10 females (41.7%) were evaluated over a 20-year period with follow-up intervals ranging from 2 to 16 years. In most, initial clinical symptoms appeared after age 40 years and included rectal bleeding, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Most (21 of 24, over 80%) initially responded with long-term resolution of their disease after treatment only with a 5-aminosalicylate. In addition, however, spontaneous remissions without any form of drug therapy were documented. In some, persistent, chronically active disease or true episodic recurrences were seen, leading to use of corticosteroids and/or resective surgery. Evidence here also suggested that colonic neoplasia, including adenoma development and cancer, were not related to the presence of this uniquely localized mucosal inflammatory process defined within the sigmoid colon. This study documents the natural history and long-term clinical behavior of this unusual segmental inflammatory process, associated with diverticulosis, and provides additional strong evidence that the SCAD syndrome is very distinct and can be readily separated from other forms of chronic inflammatory bowel disease.     

下颌骨单侧节段性缺损及重建对语音清晰度的影响

目的：通过语音清晰度测试，探讨下颌骨单侧节段性缺损及不同修复方法对语音功能的影响。方法：以32例下颌骨单侧节段性缺损手术患者为研究对象，应用汉语语音清晰度字表，对其手术前、后的语音功能进行测试，对结果进行Wilcoxon秩和检验。结果：患者手术前、后的语音清晰度（SI）无显著差异，短句测试效果满意。不同下颌骨单侧节段性缺损之间以及不同修复方法之间比较，SI改变无统计学意义。下颌骨单侧节段性缺损连续性中断组（8例）与连续性恢复组（24例）之间，SI改变无统计学意义。结论：下颌骨单侧节段性缺损对患者的语音清晰度并无显著影响；不同重建方法（拉拢缝合、钛板重建、钛板＋骨瓣修复等）对患者语音清晰度的影响无统计学意义；语音清晰度测试可能无法精确反映下颌骨单侧节段性缺损患者的语音功能改变。     

脉痹论治节段性透明性血管炎1例探析

节段性透明性血管炎为临床罕见的慢性皮肤病,且难以确诊和治疗,西医治疗主要从血管病角度采用抗凝药、血管扩张剂和激素等疗法.采用中医治疗节段性透明性血管炎1例,以中西医合参的诊断思维,从“脉痹”角度切入,阐明其主要病机为“湿热瘀毒,痹阻络脉”,运用纯中药治疗该病,清利湿热、活血解毒,获得良效.     

组织工程骨修复山羊负重骨大段缺损

目的研究组织工程骨结合带锁髓内钉修复成年山羊大段负重骨缺损的可行性,探索更可行的技术路径。方法将24只成年山羊,通过骨髓穿刺法获取山羊骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSC）,将体外扩增及成骨定向诱导的第2代BMSC与同种异体脱钙骨基质（DBM）通过双相接种法构建组织工程骨。24只成年山羊,以带锁髓内钉构建股骨中段3cm骨缺损模型。随机分为3组,每组8只。实验组以组织工程骨修复骨缺损,对照组单独使用DBM和空白组旷置。术后1、12、24周行X线片观察及评分,12、24周每组各处死4只动物行组织学观察和生物力学检测。结果标本大体观察示实验组和对照组术后12周骨缺损部位被骨痂连接,髓腔贯通,24周全部愈合;实验组24周恢复正常解剖形态,对照组外形仍然粗糙、不规则;空白组术后12周及24周缺损部位均为纤维组织充填。术后1周各组X线评分无明显差异（P〉0．05）,实验组术后12周及24周X线评分均优于对照组和空白组,对照组优于空白组,各组24周X线评分均高于12周时,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。实验组术后12、24周的最大抗扭强度分别达正常侧的47．07％±5．05％和83．73％士2．33％,显著高于对照组和空白组（P〈O．05）;空白组2个时间点最大抗扭强度均不超过正常的15％,与骨不连时的纤维连接相符。组织学检查示术后12周实验组和对照组骨缺损区DBM支架材料基本被吸收,有典型的同心圆排列的哈弗系统形成,周围偶见淋巴细胞;术后24周,实验组和对照组股骨缺损均被修复,但实验组较对照组的新骨更多、骨塑形更好;空白组术后24周骨缺损区中央仍为纤维组织填充。结论组织工程骨结合带锁髓内钉能够更有效修复成年山羊负重骨大段骨缺损,满足负重骨的生物力学要求。     

Human body surface area database and estimation formula

This study established human body surface area (BSA) database and estimation formula based on three-dimensional (3D) scanned data. For each gender, 135 subjects were drawn. The sampling was stratified in five stature heights and three body weights according to a previous survey. The 3D body surface shape was measured using an innovated 3D body scanner and a high resolution hand/foot scanner, the total body surface area (BSA) and segmental body surface area (SBSA) were computed based on the summation of every tiny triangular area of triangular meshes of the scanned surface; and the accuracy of BSA measurement is below 1%. The results of BSA and sixteen SBSAs were tabulated in fifteen strata for the Male, the Female and the Total (two genders combined). The %SBSA data was also used to revise new Lund and Browder Charts. The comparison of BSA shows that the BSA of this study is comparable with the Du Bois and Du Bois’ but smaller than that of Tikuisis et al. The difference might be attributed to body size difference between the samples. The comparison of SBSA shows that the differences of SBSA between this study and the Lund and Browder Chart range between 0.00% and 2.30%. A new BSA estimation formula, BSA = 71.3989 × H^.7437 × W^.4040, was obtained. An accuracy test showed that this formula has smaller estimation error than that of the Du Bois and Du Bois’; and significantly better than other BSA estimation formulae.     

Fixation of long bone segmental defects: a biomechanical study

OBJECTIVES: Obtaining stable fixation in cases of long bone non-union with segmental bone defects can be challenging. Bone quality is often sub-optimal. Locking plates and structural allografts have both been used clinically in these cases. The objective of this study was to determine the biomechanical characteristics of three constructs that have been employed in this context. METHODS: A biomechanical study was performed using 3rd Generation Composite Femurs as specimens. A diaphyseal segmental defect was created and fixed with one of three constructs: (1) lateral locking plate (LP); (2) lateral non-locking plate and medial allograft strut (S); (3) lateral non-locking plate and intramedullary fibula allograft (F). The "allografts" were fashioned from 3rd generation composite bones. Axial, torsional and bending stiffness as well as load to failure were determined using a materials testing machine. RESULTS: Overall, construct S was the stiffest and construct LP was the least stiff. Construct F had intermediate characteristics. Axial load to failure for construct S (6108N) and for construct F (5344N) was significantly greater than for construct LP (2855N). CONCLUSION: When maximal stiffness is desired, a construct with a structural allograft should be chosen over a locking plate. However, biological and anatomic factors must also be taken into account when using these constructs clinically.     

Segmental dilatation of the ileum accompanying hypoproteinemia

Purpose

Segmental intestinal dilatation (SID) is a rare pathologic finding, which causes intestinal obstruction in newborn period and gastrointestinal bleeding, anemia, abdominal pain, malabsorption, and growth failure in older children. We present a case of SID causing hypoproteinemia.

Patient

A 10-year-old girl presented with recurrent abdominal distension since she was 8.5 months old. She was diagnosed to have protein-losing intestinal lymphangiectasia. Result of physical examination was normal except moderate growth retardation. Her blood workup showed depletion in total protein, albumin, and globulin levels. Gastrointestinal series revealed a dilated segment of small intestine, and Tc^99m-pertechnetate scintigraphy detected ectopic activity in abdomen. The patient was taken to operation with the presumptive diagnosis of intestinal duplication. A dilated segment of ileum was encountered, and segmental resection and anastomosis were performed.

Results

Patient was discharged on the postoperative fourth day and remains well. Histopathologic examination of the specimen revealed SID.

Discussion

Segmental intestinal dilatation is an uncommon congenital anomaly. Most of the cases were operated on in newborn period because of intestinal obstruction, and their diagnoses were made perioperatively; the others were diagnosed in older ages during the investigation of nonspecific symptoms. The index patient is the second case of SID having hypoproteinemia in the literature. Gastrointestinal series suggested the diagnosis, and segmental resection and anastomosis were the adequate treatments.     

Treatment of severe Henoch–Schönlein and immunoglobulin A nephritis. A single center experience

Our aim was to report the effect of two treatment regimens in 43 cases of severe Henoch–Schönlein nephritis (HSN) and immunoglobulin A nephritis (IgAN) (24 HSN, 19 IgAN). Group A, 11 HSN and 7 IgAN, 88% with an International Study of Kidney Disease in Children (ISKDC) biopsy grade ≥ III and severe clinical features, were treated with corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide (CYC-P) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker (ACEi/ARB). Group B, 12 HSN and 13 IgAN, 72% with biopsy findings as above and 52% with severe clinical features, were treated with ACEi/ARB ± corticosteroids. The outcome classification was: (a) healthy; (b) mild proteinuria, normal glomerular filtration rate (GFR); (c) active renal disease; (d) chronic renal failure. Twenty-six patients had a good outcome (a?+?b). The 17 children with poor outcome (c?+?d) had lower GFR at onset and at follow-up, higher albumin excretion at follow-up, and higher percentage of segmental glomerulosclerosis in the renal biopsy, than those with good outcome. Treatment with corticosteroids, CYC-P and ACEi/ARB was effective in increasing GFR, reducing proteinuria and decreasing the disease activity index. The proteinuria had decreased at follow-up in both groups. In group A, GFR increased and histopathological activity index declined after treatment. The outcome did not differ between groups A and B. The effects of treatment did not differ between HSN and IgAN.