Medicine
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Non-pharmacological treatments (education, exercise, and physical therapy) are remain basic approaches to long-term management of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. As an important part of non-pharmacological treatments, Health Qigong is widely used for AS treatment. We will perform the systematic review to confirm the safety and efficacy of Health Qigong for AS. ⋯ CRD42019159126.
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Direct repair of the pars defect in lumbar spondylolysis is an effective surgical procedure, but it is technically challenging. We assessed the feasibility of a new robotic system for intralaminar screw fixation of spondylolysis. ⋯ We report the first case of robot-assisted direct intralaminar screw fixation for spondylolysis using the TiRobot system. Robotic guidance for direct repair of spondylolysis could be feasible.
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Case Reports
Necrotizing tracheobronchitis causing airway obstruction complicated by pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza: A case report.
Influenza is an infection caused by the influenza virus, and its symptoms are mostly mild and self-limiting. However, influenza can cause severe or fatal complications in high-risk patients. Although tracheobronchitis is one of the common complications of influenza, necrotizing tracheobronchitis is very rare. Herein, we describe a case of necrotizing tracheobronchitis causing airway obstruction complicated by pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza. ⋯ We suggest that necrotizing tracheobronchitis be considered in patients with influenza who present with unexplained hypoxemia.
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Leptomeningeal dissemination due to HER2-overexpressing breast cancer is a rare and hard to treat complication with short-term dismal prognosis. ⋯ Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis is an oncological situation where conventional therapies have limited activity. In HER2+ advanced breast cancer patients, intrathecal therapy with anti-HER2 therapy (trastuzumab) is feasible and may reach long-term disease control, especially in cases of low-tumor burden.
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Liver transplantation (LT) is the preferred surgical option for the treatment of early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In contrast, surgical treatment of progressive HCC metastasized to the spine following LT constitutes a considerable challenge. Here, we report the first case of progressive HCC metastasized to the T12 vertebra after local radiotherapy, treated successfully with en bloc lumpectomy following LT for HCC. ⋯ En bloc lumpectomy may be a viable therapeutic option for patients with progressive solitary spinal metastases after LT refractory to radiotherapy. Use of immunosuppressive therapy after LT may significantly inhibit immune function, making patients more susceptible to HCC recurrence and bone metastasis.