Case Series and Literature Review of Up-to-date Surgical Management of Occipital Neuralgia.

Nerve decompression is an emerging surgical treatment option for patients with occipital neuralgia. However, limited research is available on the efficacy of this treatment in South Korea. This retrospective study evaluates the efficacy of nerve decompression surgery in patients with chronic migraines, specifically focusing on occipital neuralgia, in South Korea.

A clinical application for arterial coupling and histomorphometric comparison of internal mammary and thoracodorsal arteries for safe use.

Background: In breast reconstruction, arterial coupling has been reported to be more favorable in the thoracodorsal artery (TDA) than the internal mammary artery (IMA). This technique may help overcome anastomosis in a small, deep space. Understanding the arteries' mechanical properties is crucial for breast reconstruction's safety and success.

The effect of preoperative botulinum toxin a injection on traction force during hernia repair: a prospective, single-blind study, intra-patient comparison using contralateral side as a control.

Purpose: Ventral hernias are a common complication of laparotomy, posing challenges particularly when primary fascial closure is unattainable. Although chemical component separation using preoperative botulinum toxin A (BTX) injections has emerged as a promising adjunct, objective evidence of its efficacy remains limited. This study aimed to objectively assess the effect of preoperative BTX on traction force during ventral hernia repair.

Lipedema associated with Skin Hypoperfusion and Ulceration: Soft Tissue Debulking Improving Skin Perfusion.

Lipedema is a progressive connective tissue disease with enlargement of adipose tissue, fibrosis, fluid collection, and dermal thickening. Herein, we present a case of lipedema associated with skin hypoperfusion and ulceration in which soft tissue debulking with liposuction improved patients' symptoms. A 39-year-old female presented with asymmetric progressive initially unilateral lower limb swelling with severe pain with subsequent skin ulceration.

Application of augmented reality using automatic markerless registration for facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

This study aimed to present a novel markerless augmented reality (AR) system using automatic registration based on machine-learning algorithms that visualize the facial region and provide an intraoperative guide for facial plastic and reconstructive surgeries. This study prospectively enrolled 20 patients scheduled for facial plastic and reconstructive surgeries. The AR system visualizes computed tomographic data in three-dimensional (3D) space by aligning with the point clouds captured by a 3D camera.

A Comparative Study of Titanium Cranioplasty for Extensive Calvarial Bone Defects: Three-Dimensionally Printed Titanium Implants Versus Premolded Titanium Mesh.

Objective: This study compared the complications and symmetry outcomes between 3-dimensionally printed titanium implants and premolded titanium mesh in patients with extensive calvarial bone defects.

Methods: This retrospective analysis included patients with calvarial defects >50 cm2 undergoing cranioplasty who received either a 3-dimensionally printed titanium implant manufactured by selective laser melting techniques (N = 12) or a premolded titanium mesh customized onto a 3-dimensionally printed skull template (N = 23). Complications including intracranial infection, hardware extrusion, wound dehiscence, and cerebrospinal fluid leaks were investigated.

Safety of Augmenting Breast Volume in Direct-to-Implant Breast Reconstruction With Contralateral Breast Augmentation: Comparison With 2-Stage Reconstruction.

Background: Direct-to-implant breast reconstruction is a standard method of implant-based reconstruction; however, the risk of skin necrosis and implant failure exists. During simultaneous contralateral augmentation, an implant larger than the resected tissue must be inserted to balance both sides, which may increase the risk of complications. This study examined the differences in the incidence of complications between the single-stage direct-to-implant reconstruction and 2-stage reconstruction when contralateral augmentation was performed simultaneously.

Analysis on the Difference between the Practical Brassiere Size and Real Breast Volume.

Background: Brassiere cup size is defined as the difference in chest circumference between the inframammary fold and the fullest part of the breast. However, a large number of women are not aware of the correct definition and are prone to wearing incorrectly-sized brassieres. In this report, the authors compared the cup size of worn brassieres and the actual measurement.

Development of Three-Dimensional Breast Scan and Measurement Application Using Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging Sensor on iPhone.

Laser imaging detection and ranging (LiDAR) is a modern three-dimensional (3D) technology that uses a time-of-flight method based on the round-trip time of an infrared laser beam to detect the presence and features of objects. The iPhone 12 Pro is the first smart mobile device with built-in LiDAR sensors. The authors' team developed a software application based on iOS devices with built-in LiDAR sensors for 3D breast scanning and automatically analyzing the breast's geometric measurement.

Donor protection: Iron supplementation for frequent blood donors in Korea.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oral iron supplementation in frequent donors in Korea, based solely on donation history.

Study Design: The hemoglobin (Hb) level, ferritin level, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and transferrin saturation of frequent donors at high risk for iron deficiency were compared to those of first donors. The frequent donors took iron supplements for 4 weeks and the same tests were repeated after 2 and 4 weeks to evaluate their effects.

Saccharina japonica Extract Suppresses Stemness of Glioma Stem Cells by Degrading Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor/Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Variant III.

Cancer stem cells, a small subpopulation of cells with stem cell-like characteristics found within most solid tumors, are widely reported to be responsible for the malignancy of aggressive cancer cells, and targeting these cells presents a sound therapeutic strategy for reducing the risk of tumor relapse. In the present study, we examined the effects of an extract of Saccharina japonica (ESJ) on glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). Saccharina japonica is a member of the Phaeophyceae (brown algae) family, which displays biological activities, including antitumor effects.

Association between nocturnal blood pressure variation and wake-up ischemic stroke.

Ischemic stroke during nocturnal sleep, known as wake-up stroke (WUS), has been reported to have more severe symptoms and worse outcomes than non-WUS. However, studies on risk factors for WUS are scarce and the association between nocturnal blood pressure (BP) and WUS is unclear. In this study, we used ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) to examine the association between WUS and variation in nocturnal BP.

Core Needle Biopsy Specimens Are More Appropriate than Surgical Specimens for Evaluating the Expression of Phosphoproteins as Biological Markers in Invasive Breast Cancer.

Background/aim: To evaluate whether core needle biopsy specimens (CNBS) would be better than surgical specimens (SS) for evaluating phosphoproteins as biological markers in breast cancer.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective analysis included a total of 99 patients who had invasive breast cancer and were treated surgically between January 2012 and July 2013. The expression of phosphorylated ribosomal protein S6-kinase-1 (p-S6K1), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT), and estrogen receptor (ER) were assessed immunohistochemically on both CNBS and SS for each patient.

Hepatectomy, combined with intraoperative radiofrequency ablation in patients with multiple hepatocellular carcinomas.

Backgrounds/aims: We compared the efficacy and safety of a hepatectomy, combined with intraoperative radiofrequency ablation to those of wider extent hepatectomy, alone, in patients with multiple hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs).

Methods: Between January 2004 and December 2013, 78 patients with multiple HCCs underwent surgery. 25 patients were treated by hepatectomy, combined with intraoperative radiofrequency ablation (RFA) (group A), and 53 underwent hepatectomy only (group B).

Delayed cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome three weeks after carotid artery stenting presenting as status epilepticus.

Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) is increasingly recognized as an uncommon, but serious, complication subsequent to carotid artery stenting (CAS) and carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The onset of CHS generally occurs within two weeks of CEA and CAS, and a delay in the onset of CHS of over one week after CAS is quite rare. We describe a patient who developed CHS three weeks after CAS with status epilepticus.

Clinical progress in impending central retinal vein occlusion.

Purpose: Impending central retinal vein occlusion is associated with mild or no loss of vision; however, its progress and vision prognosis have not been clearly defined until now. Therefore, we studied the progress and prognoses in patients with impending central retinal vein occlusion.

Methods: For this study, we selected ten subjects who had been diagnosed with impending central retinal vein occlusion, and we retrospectively reviewed their progress and prognoses.

Association between complement factor H gene polymorphisms and neovascular age-related macular degeneration in Koreans.

Purpose: This study was undertaken to investigate the association between the complement factor H (CFH) gene and exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Korean patients.

Methods: Genomic DNA was isolated from the peripheral leukocytes of patients with exudative AMD (n = 114) and control subjects (n = 187). The sole criterion for exudative AMD was the presence of choroidal neovascularization.

A case of photic retinal injury associated with exposure to plasma arc welding.

Purpose: To report of photic retinopathy induced by plasma arc welding, and the OCT (optical coherence tomography) results of damaged retinal lesions.

Methods: We describe a case report of a 37-year-old male, working in the steel industry, who presented with central scotoma in both eyes.

Results: On his first visit, one day after performing plasma arc welding with protective gear at work, his best corrected vision was 0.

Thickness changes in the fovea and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer depend on the degree of myopia.

Purpose: To investigate changes in the thickness of the fovea and peripapillary RNFL associated with myopia.

Methods: Sixty-five Korean adults (for a total of 130 eyes) between 23 and 26 years of age were selected as test subjects. Thirty-eight test subjects were male, and 27 were female.

Valsalva retinopathy associated with fiberoptic gastroenteroscopy.

Case Report: A 45-year-old woman presented with a sudden loss of vision in her left eye, which occurred while she was having a routine upper fiberoptic gastroenteroscopy. According to the gastrointestinal specialist, the patient had performed multiple sustained Valsalva maneuvers during the procedure. Funduscopy showed a preretinal hemorrhage with a half disc diameter in the fovea of the left eye.

A case of streptococcus pyogenes endophthalmitis following cataract surgery.

A small number of cases of bacterial endophthalmitis due to Streptococcus pyogenes, a Gram positive organism, have previously been reported. In this case, rapidly progressive Streptococcus pyogenes endophthalmitis was developed five years after cataract surgery which had been. The previous cataract surgery was combined with intraocular lens implantation by trans-scleral suspension technique.

Development of parafoveal exudates and serous retinal detachment in a pregnant woman with tuberous sclerosis.

The authors describe an unusual case of a serous detachment of the fovea and decreased vision with parafoveal exudates with subsequent spontaneous resolution and return of central vision in a pregnant patient with tuberous sclerosis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an ocular change during gestation in a patient with tuberous sclerosis.