Approximately 5% of the population worldwide suffer from varieties of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Prevention and early identification remain the best methods of approaching NIHL. Over the years, numerous methods of improving the outcome in patients presenting with NIHL have been evaluated; however, these are far from sufficient. The present ...

This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of the Ilizarov external fixator for the correction of complex foot deformities. Between January 2000 and September 2005, 29 feet of 25 patients (18 males, 7 females; mean age 13.7 years; range 5 to 24 years) who were applied Ilizarov external fixators due ...

Purpose: We undertook an observational study to investigate the effects of immunosuppressive treatment on proteinuria and renal function in 179 Korean idiopathic membranous nephropathy patients with nephrotic syndrome. Materials and Methods: The primary outcome was regarded as the first appearance of remission and the secondary outcomes as a decline in ...

This article presents a pilot study to determine the value of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO2) in the acute management of neonatal hypoxia (hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy) and necrotizing enterocolitis. Neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and NE were treated in a Sechrist monoplace chamber. Electroencephalogram, evoked potential, ophthalmic evaluation, ultrasonograph, laboratory exams, and radiographs ...

Randomised trial comparing 9 months of isoniazid with 4 months of rifampicin for the treatment of high-risk tuberculin skin test positive subjects in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. To compare QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) responses before and 1, 4 and 9 months after starting treatment for latent tuberculous infection (LTBI) according ...

: Previous studies have reported that the use of abduction bracing after Pavlik harness failure in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is often effective in achieving hip reduction. : This is a retrospective study of consecutive patients with DDH at a single institution between 2006 and 2011. ...

: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Pavlik harness treatment in patients with bilaterally dislocated Graf type IV hips and compare them to cases with unilaterally dislocated hips. : Twenty-one patients (42 hips) who presented with bilaterally dislocated hips with no prior treatment were studied. ...

Upper patellar tendinopathies remain often chronic and rebel to a thorough conservative treatment. Moreover, the option of a surgical treatment could be disappointing. New treatments are being developed. Injection of PRP is one of these. Platelets contain lot of growth factors which would have the potentiality to enhance the healing ...

The objective is to compare the effectiveness of two different methods of administering injection, ultrasound guided versus palpation guided, for the treatment of Morton's Neuroma. This is a retrospective review of patients who have had corticosteroid-injections as part of their treatment for Morton's Neuroma. A postal-questionnaire using a modified Foot ...

Trochleoplasty and reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) are the most commonly used surgical treatment in patients with patellofemoral instability. Although there is an increasing number of publications dealing with treatment of patellofemoral instability, the clinical evidence about outcomes and in particular the question when to use which method ...

Objective-To compare treatment protocols for chronic enteropathy and concurrent protein-losing enteropathy that used prednisolone in conjunction with either azathioprine or chlorambucil in dogs. Design-Retrospective case series. Animals-27 dogs. Procedures-All dogs had hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin concentration, < 18.0 g/L) and chronic enteropathy as diagnosed via complete gastrointestinal tract investigations including intestinal ...

Uncertainty exists about the best treatment for people with HIV-1 who have virological failure with first-line combination antiretroviral therapy of a non-nucleoside analogue (NNRTI) plus two nucleoside or nucleotide analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NtRTI). We compared a second-line regimen combining two new classes of drug with a WHO-recommended regimen. We ...

OBJECTIVE: To review the signalment, clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcome of equine EK cases in the Mid-Atlantic United States; to evaluate the effects of topical or systemic corticosteroid treatment, oral cetirizine treatment and secondary corneal infection on disease duration; and to evaluate the association between corticosteroid and cetirizine treatment and ...

Objective. Drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation is a very effective treatment of bare-metal stent restenosis (BMS-ISR). Therapeutic options for DES-ISR are less well defined, as there are only few data on safety and effectiveness of interventional modalities. This study compared the one year clinical outcome after use of drug-eluting balloon (DEB) ...

OBJECTIVE: We prospectively compared surgical reduction or fusion in situ with posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) for adult isthmic spondylolisthesis in terms of surgical invasiveness, clinical and radiographical outcomes, and complications. METHODS: From January 2006 to June 2008, 88 adult patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis who underwent surgical treatment in our ...

Botulinum toxin is considered the treatment of choice for axillary hyperhidrosis. Its dosing, however, varies widely. We wanted to study differences in efficacy and adverse effects when Botox(®) 100 MU (B100) or Botox(®) 50 MU (B50) per axilla is applied. In a prospective double blind intraindividual side to side comparison design, we ...

Objectives: To report procedural outcome and short-term follow-up data for the Gore Septal Occluder (GSO), a new device for closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO). Background: Transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale is an established treatment modality but no current device provides a perfect solution. The GORE septal occluder (GSO) ...

ObjectiveThis study explored the outcomes of epistaxis treatment modalities to optimize management and enable the development of a therapeutic algorithm.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingTertiary care hospital.Subjects and MethodsAdult patients presenting between 2005 and 2011 with epistaxis underwent cauterization, tamponade, and/or proximal vascular control. Outcomes of treatment modalities were compared. ...

The GH receptor antagonist pegvisomant is increasingly used as therapy in acromegaly. Pituitary surgery might be indicated on pegvisomant treatment, due to side effects, adenoma growth or intention to cure after primary treatment. This study was initiated to clarify if, and when, GH measurement could be useful postoperatively with an ...

PURPOSE: Microfractures at the footprint may be a potential additional source of growth factor and enhance the tendon healing at the bone-tendon junction when repairing rotator cuff tears. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopy for repair of complete rotator cuff tears were randomly divided into two groups, using a ...

OBJECTIVES/BACKGROUND: Current recommendations on the management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with stent (PCI-S) essentially derive from small, single-center, retrospective datasets. To obtain larger and better quality data, we carried out the prospective, multicenter Atrial Fibrillation undergoing Coronary Artery Stenting (AFCAS) study. METHODS: Consecutive patients ...

Background: Recent studies have suggested that metformin (MF) may lower thyrotropin (TSH) concentration. This implies the need for a dose reduction of levothyroxine in hypothyroid patients taking MF. The contradictory results from heterogeneous study populations mean that the underlying causes have not been completely elucidated. Patients with postoperative hypothyroidism - ...

OBJECTIVES: Patients with chronic Stanford type B aortic dissections (TBAD) are traditionally treated medically, but some of the affected thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic segments progress to large aneurysms with a significant risk of rupture. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively evaluate, with an 'all-comers' approach, the survival and ...

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of transpalpebral electrotherapy on patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: 22 patients were randomized in two groups to either receive therapy (n = 12) or placebo (n = 10). There was no statistically significant difference for age and initial visual acuity (VA) between ...

BACKGROUND: In the last decade, perforator flaps have been introduced for the treatment of pressure ulcers as alternative to the more popular myocutaneous local flaps. We reviewed our single-team 11-year experience in order to define whether real advantages could be achieved. METHODS: We analyzed 143 patients undergoing perforator flap surgery ...

Aim: This study was designed to investigate the immediate and one-year outcomes of polymer-free paclitaxel coated drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation in a consecutive series of patients presenting with stenosis of infrainguinal bypass grafts. Methods: Between January 2011 and January 2012, 11 patients with failing infrainguinal bypass grafts were treated in ...

Aim: We report our experience of thirteen years of treatment of significant carotid artery stenosis. Methods: Data of all consecutive patients who came to our Division for a significant carotid artery stenosis from January 1999 to January 2012 were collected about patients' demographic, cardiovascular risk factors, neurological symptoms and treatment ...

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of gelatin-thrombin matrix for first line treatment of posterior epistaxis. Secondarily, we evaluated discomfort during treatment and the cost savings of treatment with gelatin-thrombin matrix compared to posterior packing, endoscopic or endovascular treatment at our institution. Study Design: Prospective pilot, non-blinded, non-controlled registered clinical trial ...

Although many people with haemophilia discontinue prophylaxis in their late teens or early adulthood, the consequences of this decision are largely not known. This 18-month, observational, case-controlled, multicentre study evaluated long-term prophylaxis and the consequences of switching from prophylaxis to on-demand treatment in late teens and young adults with severe ...

Superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) is a common disease, characterized by an inflammatory-thrombotic process in a superficial vein. Typical clinical findings are pain and a warm, tender, reddish cord along the vein. Until recently, no reliable epidemiological data were available. The incidence is estimated to be higher than that of deep-vein ...

BACKGROUND: Outpatient treatment of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis is safe and effective. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of outpatient treatment on the reduction of healthcare costs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study comparing 2 groups was performed. In the outpatient treatment group, patients diagnosed with ...

Several analyses have shown that recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) is a cost-effective intervention compared with plasma-derived activated prothrombin complex concentrate (pd-aPCC) for the on-demand treatment of mild-to-moderate bleeds in haemophilia patients with inhibitors. The aim of the study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of rFVIIa vs. pd-aPCC in the ...

BACKGROUND: We sought to determine the impact of treatment flexibility on clinical outcomes in either a corifollitropin alfa or recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) protocol. METHODS: Post hoc analysis of a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy non-inferiority clinical trial (Engage). Efficacy outcomes were assessed on patients from the Engage trial who ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the 30-day outcome after introduction of a rapid carotid endarterectomy (CEA) program. Reasons for delay in CEA and the incidence of early recurrence neurological symptoms were recorded. METHODS: This is a prospective population-based study of delays to CEA and ...

Study Design. Multicenter, prospective, consecutive series.Objective. Evaluate responsiveness of the SRS-Schwab adult spinal deformity (ASD) classification to changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) following treatment for ASD.Summary of Background Data. Ideally, a classification system should describe and be responsive to changes in a disease state. We hypothesized that the ...

Objective: To determine long-term safety and efficacy of rilonacept, an anti-IL-1 fusion protein, in patients with active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA). Methods: Efficacy was evaluated using adapted ACR Pediatric 30, 50, and 70 criteria in patients, aged 4-20 years, during 23 months of open-label treatment (3 phases) after a ...

Abstract Objective: To determine the comparative efficacy and tolerability of abatacept and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inadequate response to conventional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Research Design and Methods: A systematic review identified RCTs in RA patients who responded inadequately to conventional ...

BACKGROUND: Since 2005, 12 months of adjuvant trastuzumab has been the standard treatment for patients with HER2-positive early-stage breast cancer. However, the optimum duration of treatment has been debated. We did a non-inferiority trial of a shorter exposure of 6 months versus the standard 12 months of trastuzumab for patients ...

BACKGROUND: Current reversal options for warfarin-related bleeding are limited but include fresh frozen plasma, recombinant factor VIIa, or a prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC). There are little data discussing the use of activated 4-factor PCC for warfarin reversal. OBJECTIVES: This review will summarize our experiences with FEIBA (Baxter, Deerfield, IL), an ...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of silk sericin, a protein from silkworm cocoon, on scratch wound healing in vitro. For applicable result in clinical use, we also study the efficacy of sericin added to a standard antimicrobial cream, silver zinc sulfadiazine, for open wound care ...

INTRODUCTION: Arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) causes ischemic symptoms of the lower limbs, reducing quality of life (QOL), and has a poor prognosis. Early diagnosis and treatment are necessary. In this study, the effects of long-term administration of beraprost sodium (beraprost) to treat ASO were investigated. METHODS: One hundred and eighty eight ...

Abstract Purpose: To assess the effect and safety of using single intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) versus intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) and grid laser photocoagulation (GLP), or a combination of IVB and IVTA for treatment of retinal vein occlusion (RVO)-associated macular edema, mainly exploring its effects on visual acuity (VA) and central ...

Objectives: The aims of this study were to describe the rate of leflunomide discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, in standard clinical practice, and to analyse which factors could influence this rate, paying particular attention to the concomitant treatment with other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Method: We selected RA patients, ...

Object Postoperative epidural hematoma (EDH), a blood collection between the inserted galeal flap and the overlying skull flap (epigaleal flap hematoma), is a frustrating complication of the surgical treatment of moyamoya disease (MMD) in pediatric patients. The symptoms of postoperative EDH are often similar to those of postoperative cerebral ischemia, ...

BACKGROUND: Diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis (DPVNS) is an uncommon proliferative disease. After only surgery, recurrence rates are high. This study presents the efficacy of combined surgical and adjuvant radiosynovectomy (RS) in the treatment of DPVNS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2006 and September 2012, 15 knee joints of 15 patients ...

OBJECTIVES: Lupus nephritis (LN) is a serious complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). All current treatment regimens include oral steroids, which are associated with severe adverse events and long-term damage. We have piloted a steroid-avoiding protocol (rituxilup) for the treatment of biopsy-proven active International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society (ISN/RPS) ...

AIMS: The European Society for the Study of Interstitial Cystitis (ESSIC) recommended that interstitial cystitis (IC) should be replaced by bladder pain syndrome (BPS), which focused more attention on the painful or discomfort feeling related to bladder and weakened the importance of cystoscopy in diagnosis process. Our study aimed to ...

Abstract Background: Ulcerating stasis dermatitis is a major cause of decreased quality of life and a challenging therapeutic problem. Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of autologous PRP combined with LED for the treatment of ulcerating venous stasis dermatitis. Methods and Materials: Sixteen patients with ulcerating venous stasis dermatitis ...

Genetic, hormonal, and anatomical factors are believed to be involved in the etiology of undescended testes. Due to increased risk of infertility, testicular cancer, torsion and/or accompanying inguinal hernia (>90%) as well as cosmetic concerns, all these patients require treatment. In this review paper, we aimed to evaluate the success ...

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the outcome of radioiodine treatment in thyrotoxicosis in childhood and adolescence.Methods: This was a retrospective study of 27 patients (ages 7.2- 19.8 years) with a diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis who received iodine-131 (I-131) treatment from January 2007 to December 2011 in ...