Medicine
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Occipitocervical (OC) fixation in a neck retraction position could be dangerous due to the risk of postoperative dysphagia. No previous study has demonstrated an association between the cervical posture change and cervical spine motion/angle during swallowing. So, we aimed to analyze the influence of neck posture on the cervical spine motion and angle change during swallowing. ⋯ These data suggest that C0 segment could be a critical level of compensation that allows swallowing even in the retraction neck posture regarding motion and angle change. So, it is important not to do OC fixation in retraction posture. Also, sparing C0 segment could provide some degree of freedom for the compensatory movement and angle change to avoid dysphagia after OC fixation.
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Microscopic colitis is a common cause of diarrhea. Pentoxifylline, a xanthine derivative with anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha properties, is prescribed for intermittent claudication and other disorders. Our goal was to evaluate the outcomes of patients with microscopic colitis treated with pentoxifylline. ⋯ The majority of budesonide-experienced patients with active microscopic colitis did not respond to pentoxifylline. However, it was well-tolerated, with 1 patient achieving long-term remission and one-third of the cohort having a partial response. Larger controlled studies are required to evaluate the efficacy of pentoxifylline and predictors of response in microscopic colitis. In particular, patients who are not budesonide-refractory may be more likely to respond.
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Case Reports
Recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula in an adolescent without persistent symptoms: A case report.
Congenital esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) ininfants have been treated well with surgery. Approximately 10% of children displayed recurrent fistula. In the present case, we reported recurrent TEF in an adolescent as a complication of EA/TEF in infancy. ⋯ Recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula aftercongenital EA and TEF could be diagnosed in adolescence. Massive bronchiectasis might develop without apparent symptoms.
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Erythema nodosum (EN), a type of septal panniculitis, could be a rare nonspecific cutaneous presentation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). ⋯ The case strengthens the awareness of cutaneous involvement of AML and raises oncological vigilance in patients with EN.
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Neonatal appendicitis is extremely rare, and preoperative diagnosis is challenging. This study aimed to investigate the utility of ultrasound for the diagnosis of neonatal appendicitis. ⋯ Ultrasound is helpful for the diagnosis of neonatal appendicitis.