Internal medicine
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Aim Recent developments in ultrasound elastography (UE) and ultrasound attenuation imaging (UA) have enabled the detection of advanced liver fibrosis and steatosis in patients with steatotic liver disease (SLD), which is prevalent worldwide. In patients with SLD, the presence of advanced liver fibrosis determines the risk of hepatocarcinogenesis, and UE and UA are expected to play important roles in liver cancer surveillance. We conducted a questionnaire survey among medical facilities in Saga Prefecture regarding the actual status of awareness and implementation of UE and UA. ⋯ The actual availability of UE and UA in facilities with ultrasound machines was 21% (30/142) and 12% (17/142), respectively; UE and UA were used in 90% (27/30) and 88% (15/17) of these facilities, respectively. Conclusion Even among medical facilities in Saga Prefecture that are active in liver cancer surveillance, awareness of UE and UA is not high. The availability of UE and UA may be inadequate, considering the high prevalence of SLD.
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We herein report an 81-year-old woman with no significant medical history who developed a fever, headache, and right eyelid swelling. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed eye proptosis, sphenoid opacity, enlarged cavernous sinus, and dilated right superior ophthalmic vein (SOV). ⋯ The patient responded well to antibiotics, anticoagulants, and surgical drainage of sphenoid sinusitis. To our knowledge, this is the first case of A. aphirophilus sphenoid sinusitis causing orbital cellulitis, meningitis, and venous sinus thrombosis.
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Aim To evaluate the effect of pemafibrate (PEM) on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Method We retrospectively evaluated 43 patients with hyperlipidemia and MASLD to determine changes in clinical factors between the start of PEM treatment and 0.5 years later. Using FibroScan, 39 of 43 patients were evaluated for liver stiffness (LS; kPa) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP; dB/m). ⋯ The decreased LS group had higher baseline ALT and LS levels and lower ALT levels during 0.5 years of follow-up than the increased LS group. Conclusion At the initiation of PEM treatment, the LS decreased in patients with MASLD complicated by hyperlipidemia and moderate LS (FIB-4>1.3 or LS >8 kPa). Although there is currently no approved treatment for MASLD, PEM may be a viable treatment option for MASLD with mild LS.
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A 69-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of a sudden gait disturbance. Based on the neurological examination performed upon admission, the patient exhibited ataxic movement in his right lower limb and body lateropulsion toward the right side. ⋯ A motion analysis revealed ipsilateral lower-limb ataxia. Lower lateral medullary infarction can cause ipsilateral lower limb ataxia, particularly impaired hip joint coordination, resulting in body lateropulsion in dynamic conditions.