Liver Transplant After Severe Liver Trauma: The First Report in a Korean Adult.

Following a motor-vehicle accident, a 57-year-old man was diagnosed with a grade 4 liver injury (American Association for the Surgery of Trauma organ injury scale) with multiple contrast extravasations. He initially underwent nonoperative management, which included transcatheter arterial embolization. However, he experienced a hemorrhage after the first embo-lization procedure, and so the procedure was repeated.

Percutaneous creation of new bilioenteric anastomosis in a patient with accidentally failed hepaticojejunostomy.

If the cause of the bile leakage after hepaticojejunostomy is accidental non-anastomosis of one bile duct, it is unlikely that the leakage will resolve spontaneously, and reoperation may be necessary. However, if the patient has contraindications to surgery, other treatments should be considered. In this case report, we describe a new percutaneous tract creation between the isolated right bile duct and Roux-en-Y afferent jejunal loop in a patient who underwent hepaticojejunostomy, and the right bile duct was accidentally not anastomosed with the jejunal loop.

The Impact of the Multiple Bile Ducts on Postoperative Biliary Complications In Patients Undergoing Living Donor Liver Transplantation.

Background: We aimed to investigate the correlation between bile duct number and biliary complications in patients who underwent donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

Methods: We reviewed all patients who underwent LDLT in our hospital between July 2008 and December 2020. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the number of bile ducts in the living donor graft (single duct [SD] or multiple ducts [MD]).

A Multicenter, Randomized, Open-Label Study to Compare the Efficacy and Safety of Tacrolimus and Corticosteroids in Combination With or Without Mycophenolate Mofetil in Liver Transplantation Recipients Infected With Hepatitis B Virus.

Background: Mycophenolate mofetil exhibits pharmacologic mechanisms different from calcineurin inhibitors. Therefore, the dose of calcineurin inhibitors can be reduced along with side effects for effective immunosuppression. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus and corticosteroid in combination with or without mycophenolate mofetil in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) recipients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV).

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron escapes mRNA vaccine booster-induced antibody neutralisation in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases: an observational cohort study.

Objectives: This study investigates whether COVID-19 vaccines can elicit cross-reactive antibody responses against the Omicron variant in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs).

Methods: This observational cohort study comprised 149 patients with ARDs and 94 healthcare workers (HCWs). Blood samples were obtained at enrolment, a median of 15 weeks after the second vaccine dose or 8 weeks after the third dose.

Current state and prospects of gout treatment in Korea.

Effective management of gout includes the following: appropriate control of gout flares; lifestyle modifications; management of comorbidities; and long-term urate-lowering therapy (ULT) to prevent subsequent gout flares, structural joint damage, and shortening of life expectancy. In addition to traditional treatments for gout, novel therapies have been introduced in recent years. Indeed, new recommendations for the management of gout have been proposed by various international societies.

Association between surgeon age and postoperative complications/mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.

The surgical workforce, like the rest of the population, is ageing. This has raised concerns about the association between the age of the surgeon and their surgical outcomes. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies on postoperative mortality and major morbidity according to the surgeons' age.

Efficacy and safety of a switch from twice-daily tacrolimus to once-daily generic tacrolimus in stable liver transplant patients.

Background: Once-daily tacrolimus reduces non-compliance relative to twice-daily tacrolimus. However, little is known about the safety and efficacy of conversion from twice-daily tacrolimus to generic once-daily tacrolimus in liver transplantation (LT). Herein, we investigated the efficacy and safety of a switch from twice-daily tacrolimus to generic once-daily tacrolimus in patients with stable liver graft function.

The impact of Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score on deceased donor liver transplant outcomes in low volume liver transplantation center: a retrospective and single-center study.

Purpose: In June 2016, the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was employed in South Korea instead of the Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score. This study compared the outcomes of deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) before and after the MELD system application.

Methods: This retrospective study reviewed 48 patients who underwent DDLT for end-stage liver disease at a single tertiary referral center between January 2014 and December 2018.

Discrepancy between the Demand and Supply of Intensive Care Unit Beds in South Korea from 2011 to 2019: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) bed availability is key to critical patient care. In many countries, older patients generally account for a significant proportion of hospitalizations and ICU admissions. Therefore, considering the rapidly increasing aging population in South Korea, it is important to establish whether the demand for critical care is currently met by available ICU beds.

Mortality is not associated with paclitaxel-coated devices usage in peripheral arterial disease of lower extremities.

A recent meta-analysis addressed increased risk of death following revascularization with paclitaxel-coated devices in femopopliteal artery. We evaluated differences in all-cause mortality and amputation free survival between peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients who were treated with paclitaxel-coated devices and non-paclitaxel-coated devices. This was retrospective population-based cohort study from the National Health Insurance Service claims in South Korea from 2015 to 2019.

Comparison study of image quality at various radiation doses for CT venography using advanced modeled iterative reconstruction.

Objective: We compared the image quality according to the radiation dose on computed tomography (CT) venography at 80 kVp using advanced modeled iterative reconstruction for deep vein thrombus and other specific clinical conditions considering standard-, low-, and ultralow-dose CT.

Methods: In this retrospective study, 105 consecutive CT venography examinations were included using a third-generation dual-source scanner in the dual-source mode in tubes A (reference mAs, 210 mAs at 70%) and B (reference mAs, 90 mAs at 30%) at a fixed 80 kVp. Two radiologists independently reviewed each observation of standard- (100% radiation dose), low- (70%), and ultralow-dose (30%) CT.

Patient Perspectives and Preferences Regarding Gout and Gout Management: Impact on Adherence.

Background: Patient-centered management is becoming increasingly important in gout, but there are limited studies exploring patients' perspectives and preferences. We aimed to investigate patients' perspectives and preferences regarding gout and gout management, and their impacts on adherence to urate lowering therapy (ULT).

Methods: A paper-based survey was performed in patients with gout seen at the rheumatology outpatient clinics of 16 tertiary hospitals.

Method for Diagnosing the Bone Marrow Edema of Sacroiliac Joint in Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis Using Magnetic Resonance Image Analysis Based on Deep Learning.

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the sacroiliac joints. In this study, we develop a method for detecting bone marrow edema by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the sacroiliac joints and a deep-learning network. A total of 815 MR images of the sacroiliac joints were obtained from 60 patients diagnosed with axSpA and 19 healthy subjects.

The cancer risk according to three subtypes of ANCA-associated vasculitis: A propensity score-matched analysis of a nationwide study.

Objective: It remains unknown whether cancer risk differs among the three subtypes of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) and what the cancer risk factors are. We conducted a nationwide study in Korea to evaluate the risk of cancer in patients with AAV and to identify the risk factors for cancer.

Methods: We analyzed the Health Insurance Review and Assessment database of Korea and identified 1982 patients diagnosed with AAV between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2017.

Prevalence of osteoporosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A multicenter comparative study of the World Health Organization and fracture risk assessment tool criteria.

Objectives: Osteoporosis and fracture are known complications of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We assessed the prevalence and risk factors for osteoporosis in patients with SLE.

Methods: A total of 155 female SLE patients were recruited retrospectively in 5 university hospitals.

Effect of hydroxychloroquine pre-exposure on infection with SARS-CoV-2 in rheumatic disease patients: a population-based cohort study.

Objectives: Early in vitro studies have suggested that hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a potentially useful drug against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections. This study was conducted to determine whether HCQ had a preventive effect on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in rheumatic disease patients who were taking HCQ.

Methods: We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study using the records of the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) claim records.

Duplication of superficial femoral artery: imaging findings and literature review.

Background: Duplication of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) is an extremely rare anatomic variation, with few case studies reported. We report one case of the duplicated SFA, discovered by both ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography angiography (CTA). We also reviewed literatures concerning 6 cases of the duplicated SFA (including our present case), and summarized the clinical and imaging features of the anatomic variation.

Seasonal Variations and Associated Factors of Gout Attacks: a Prospective Multicenter Study in Korea.

Background: We purposed to evaluate the seasonality and associated factors of the incidence of gout attacks in Korea.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients with gout attacks who were treated at nine rheumatology clinics between January 2015 and July 2018 and followed them for 1-year. Demographic data, clinical and laboratory features, and meteorological data including seasonality were collected.

Single Orifice Outflow Reconstruction in Various Tributaries of the Right Liver Graft Using Commercialized Polyethylene Terephthalate Y-graft: A technical Simplification of Venous Reconstruction in 3 Cases.

Background: Hepatic vein reconstruction is very important in living donor liver transplantation to prevent outflow obstruction and maintain the graft function. In right liver grafts, reconstruction of the tributary of the middle hepatic vein (MHV) or inferior hepatic vein (IHV) is mandatory, and several options are recommended. Recently, it has been reported that a single, wide orifice is an important perquisite for adequate outflow in liver transplantation.

Low levels of serum urate are associated with a higher prevalence of depression in older adults: a nationwide cross-sectional study in Korea.

Background: Soluble urate has been shown to serve as an antioxidant, especially in the central nervous system. Although there are intriguing data suggesting that low levels of serum urate are associated with worse outcomes in neurodegenerative diseases, its impact on mental health has not been adequately assessed. Thus, we aimed to investigate the association between serum urate and depression using a large, nationally representative sample.

The Utility of the Random Urine Uric Acid-to-Creatinine Ratio for Patients with Gout Who Need Uricosuric Agents: Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The 24-hour uric acid excretion measurement is important in assessing disease status and helping to select the appropriate uric acid-lowering agent for patients with gout, however, it is inconvenient. The authors investigated the efficacy of the random urine uric acid-to-creatinine (UA/CR) ratio to screen the patients who under-secreted 24-hour urine uric acid.

Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study.