Medicine
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Comparative Study Observational Study
Simultaneous double balloon dilatation using double channel therapeutic endoscope in patients with cricopharyngeal muscle dysfunction: An observative study.
The role of endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) using double-balloon catheters in patients with cricopharyngeal muscle dysfunction (CPD) is still unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the functional outcomes between patients receiving EBD and rehabilitative balloon swallowing (RBS). A total of 36 patients with CPD, who visited a teaching hospital from February 2014 to June 2017, were included in the study. ⋯ The regression analysis showed significant improvements in the PR after EBD compared with that after RBS (β = 0.95, SE = 0.31, P = .005). EBD may be an alternative treatment for patients with severe CPD. A significant improvement would be expected in such patients with PR.
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Comparative Study Observational Study
Is bioabsorbable screw an alternative choice for displaced medial epicondylar fractures in adolescents: A comparative study of metallic cannulated lag screw versus bioabsorbable screw.
In adolescent patients, cannulated lag screw (CLS) is a widely accepted choice for fixation of the medial epicondylar fracture of the humerus (MEFH). Absorbable implants, including rod, screw, and mini-plate, have been reported in children. However, to the best of our understanding, this study is the first head-to-head comparative study of CLS versus bioabsorbable screw (BS) in the treatment of MEFH. ⋯ Both CLS and BS are safe and effective choices for displaced MEFH in adolescents. The BS can produce a satisfactory clinical outcome and is comparable to the CLS. Besides, the BS has the advantage of not needing second surgery for implant removal.
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Rhabdomyoma is the most common type of fetal heart tumors and 50% to 60% of cardiac rhabdomyomas are associated with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). TSC is characterized by hamartomas in multiple organ systems including the brain, heart, skin, lungs, and kidneys, resulting in complications such as learning difficulties, epilepsy, behavioral problems, and renal failure. The etiological diagnosis of Rhabdomyoma is very important. ⋯ For fetuses suspected of TSC, when pathogenic mutations are detected in the tuberous sclerosis 1 (TSC1) or TSC2 gene, it is recommended that the parents should be screened by deep NGS and their germ cells are screened as well if necessary, which would help to predict the risk of TSC recurrence in the next pregnancy.
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Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious eating disorder associated with a distorted body image. Hypercholesterolemia has been found in patients with AN but the mechanism of hyperlipidemia in AN remains little known. Ascites in patients with AN has been attributed to hypoalbuminemia and liver diseases, but massive ascites without the aforementioned etiologies has never been reported in AN. ⋯ Diagnostic crossover between subtypes in anorexia nervosa might be a potential risk factor for illness severity and poor prognosis. AN can manifest as massive ascites with normal albumin concentrations that could possibly be due to chronic inflammation of the intestinal serosa, mesentery, and peritoneal surface of the liver.
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Comparative Study
Worse prognosis in young patients with locally advanced rectal cancer following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy: A comparative study.
To determine the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) between young and old patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) in terms of tumor response and survival outcome. LARC patients undergoing NCRT and radical surgery from 2011 to 2015 were included and divided into: young (aged ≤50 years) and old group (aged >50 years). Multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors for local recurrence. ⋯ Young patients were associated with poorer disease free survival (DFS) and a higher risk for local recurrence in LARC following NCRT. The predicting model basing based on the age group had a better predictive ability. More intense adjuvant treatment could be considered to improve DFS and local control for young patients with LARC following NCRT.