Investigation of the speech results of posterior pharyngeal wall augmentation with fat grafting for treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the speech results of posterior pharyngeal wall augmentation (PPWA) with fat grafting both in the early and late postoperative period, and to clarify the impact of the procedure concomitant with speech therapy.

Materials And Methods: This is a prospective case-control study. The study involved 87 cleft palate ± cleft lip patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) who has been treated with PPWA.

Autologous blood-clot embolisation of cavernosal artery pseudoaneurysm causing delayed high-flow priapism.

Background: High-flow priapism is a rare condition characterized by a prolonged and painless erection. Since it may permanently impair erectile function, it must be managed and treated as soon as possible, in order to restore potency. The case we are presenting here was successfully treated by embolizing the penile artery using an autologous clot.

IL-10 genotype predicts serum levels of adhesion molecules, inflammation and atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Hemodialysis (HD) patients suffer from inflammation and accelerated atherosclerosis that accounts for a large number of premature deaths. The anti-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-10 gene is polymorphic and potential direct effects of IL-10 gene polymorphisms on the circulating serum levels of adhesion molecules, inflammation and atherosclerosis in HD patients still have to be elucidated.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, circulating serum levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin (E-selectin), and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), serum albumin and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in 121 HD patients (70 male and 51 female, with mean age 49 +/- 18 yrs).