Infliximab induces remission in cryptogenic multifocal ulcerous stenosing enteritis:First case

We present the case of a 29-year-old patient with a history of abdominal pain and vomiting.Based on wireless video capsule findings he was previously diagnosed with ileal Crohn's disease at a different institution,although the clinical and radiological picture was not typical and the response to corticosteroids was poor.We performed a single-balloon enteroscopy showing a short,ulcerous stenosis 50 cm proximal from Bauhin's valve.The endoscopic and clinical histopathological findings were compatible with cryptogenic multifocal ulcerous stenosing enteritis(CMUSE).High dose corticosteroids were again started,without effect.The monoclonal tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) antibody infliximab was added to the medical therapy.After induction therapy,both clinical and endoscopic amelioration was obtained.Larger case studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of TNF-α inhibition in steroid refractory CMUSE.

Cryptogenic multifocal ulcerous stenosing enteritis: Radiologic features and clinical behavior

To investigate the characteristic radiologic findings of cryptogenic multifocal ulcerous stenosing enteritis (CMUSE) which can be differentiated from other similar bowel disease and to assess their clinical behavior. METHODSTwenty pathologically and clinically confirmed CMUSE patients (males:females = 8:12; mean age: 40.4 years) between March 2002 and August 2015 from seven academic centers in South Korea were retrospectively reviewed. We evaluated small bowel series (SBS; n = 25), computed tomography (CT) enterography (n = 21), magnetic resonance (MR) enterography (n = 2), and abdominopelvic CT (n = 18) images, focusing on enteric and perienteric manifestations. Any change in radiologic features during follow-up period was recorded. We evaluated clinical data including presenting symptoms, laboratory finding and presence of relapse from electronic medical records. Histopathologic findings were also evaluated. RESULTSThe main symptoms were abdominal pain (n = 12) and anemia (n = 10). All patients showed small bowel strictures (n = 52, mean: 2.6 per patient) on initial CT/MR, located in the ileum (n = 47) or jejunum (n = 5). Strictures showed short-length (mean: 10.44 mm) and circumferential bowel wall thickening (mean: 5.56 mm) with layered enhancement (n = 48) that were also noted on initial SBS (n = 36) with shallow ulcers (n = 10). Some ulcerative lesions or wall thickening progressed into strictures on follow-up SBS/CT, and some strictures revealed recurrent ulceration on follow-up SBS. There were no penetrating disease features like fistula or abscess and no gastrointestinal tract involvement except the small bowel. Nine patients experienced disease recurrence (median relapse-free period: 32 mo) even post-operatively. Histopathologic features of surgically resected specimens were characterized as multiple superficial ulcerations confined to mucosa or submucosa and multiple strictures. CONCLUSIONUnder characteristic radiologic findings with multiple short-segmental strictures and/or shallow ulcers of the small intestine, CMUSE should be considered when assessing patients with recurrent abdominal pain and anemia.

Effectiveness of shockwave therapy for stenosing tenosynovitis of radius styloid process:a meta-analysis

Objective:To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave in the treatment of stenosing tenosynovitis of radius styloid process.Methods:All randomized controlled trials of extracorporeal shock wave in the treatment of stenotic tenosynovitis of radius styloid process were retrieved by computer.Two researchers independently screened,extracted and incorporated the literature into the literature evaluation.The quality evaluation was carried out with the bias risk assessment tool provided by Cochrane Collaboration Network,and the meta-analysis was carried out with RevMan 5.3 software.Result:According to the prescribed retrieval method,there were 8 articles and 447 subjects.The results showed that the effective rate of extracorporeal shock wave was(OR=5.37,95%CI(2.85,10.12),P<0.00001)compared with other therapies,and the difference was statistically significant.Meanwhile,there were significant differences in VAS pain score and Cooney dysfunction score.Conclusion:Extracorporeal shock wave can effectively relieve the pain symptoms of stenosing tenosynovitis of the radius styloid process,improve wrist dysfunction and improve the clinical efficiency of stenosing tenosynovitis of the radius styloid process,but a large number of high-quality studies are needed to provide more sufficient evidence.

Platelet-rich plasma for de Quervain’s tenosynovitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Platelet-rich plasma(PRP)injection is used as an alternative non-operative management for de Quervain’s tenosynovitis(DQT)to regenerate tendon healing.AIM To assess and conclude the research-based study systematically to analyse the efficacy of PRP on DQT.METHODS This systematic review used the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews and the guideline of preferred reporting items for systematic review and metaanalysis.A systematic literature search was applied to 11 databases.The authors assessed the study quality and risk of bias of each included study.Results of the meta-analysis were presented using mean difference(MD)/standardized mean difference(SMD)and 95%condence interval(CI).RESULTS The authors evaluated 275 studies found in the literature search;12 studies met the criteria for this review,and then the study quality and risk of bias were assessed.Pooled analysis of data from two studies involving 194 subjects with DQT showed that,compared with conservative treatment,PRP injection was associated with a greater reduction in visual analog scale pain in one month and six months after treatment(MD:-0.67,P value<0.00001;MD:-1.16,P value<0.00001)and the increase of Mayo’s wrist score in one month and six months after treatment(SMD:3.72,P value<0.00001;SMD:4.44,P value<0.00001).CONCLUSION PRP can be used as an alternative non-operative treatment for DQT due to the tissue regenerative effect of PRP.

Case of stenosing tenosynovitis of the thumb in children

A female patient,13 months old,suffering from limited extension of the right thumb for 7 days,diagnosed as stenosing tenosynovitis of the thumb in children.Tuina(Chinese massage) therapy was adopted,in which,stimulation was applied with fingers instead of needles,including pressing and kneading,twisting and kneading,plucking,dorsal extending,rotating as well as pushing and rubbing manipulations.The whole procedure of manipulation lasted around 15 min,once every two days,3 times weekly.Meanwhile,the parents were advised to bath the child patient's right hand into warm water every day and fix the affected thumb with splint at night.After 12 treatments with tuina therapy,the flexion and extension function of the affected thumb were returned to normal and the thumb motor function was recovered.In 2 months of follow-up,the thumb motor function was normal and the stenosing tenosynovitis was not recurred.In this case,tuina therapy is adopted in treatment of stenosing tenosynovitis of the thumb in children.As an alternative method of surgery,tuina therapy has a satisfactory clinical effect.

Clinical Treatment of the Stenosing Tenovaginitis of Flexor Digitorum by Micro-wound Technique Using Hooked Needle-shaped Surgical Knife

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect and safety of using the hooked needle-shaped knife to treat the stenosing tenovaginitis of flexor digitorum. Methods: Sixty outpatients were divided into a treatment group of 30 cases treated by using the hooked needle shaped knife, and a control group of 30 cases treated by block therapy. 6 months later, the alleviation of pain in the affected finger during movement, under pressure, traction and finger-bending anti-resistance was compared before and after treatment. Results: The alleviation of pain during movement, under pressure, traction and finger-bending anti-resistance was much better in the treatment group than that of the control group (P<0.01), with a effective rate of 93.3% in the treatment group and 80.0% in the control group (P<0.01). Conclusion: The micro-wound technique using the hooked needle-shaped knife has definite effect and safety for stenosing tenovaginitis of flexor digitorum.

Stenosing tenosynovitis of styloid process of radius treated by umbilicus acupuncture

The gen and mao areas,and the responding area of hand were punctured in umbilicus acupuncture,reperfusion activities were also done for a stenosing tenosynovitis of styloid process of radius patient in lactation period,sound effect were obtained.

Post-inflammatory acquired atresia of the external auditory canal

Acquired atresia of the external auditory canal(EAC)is a rare cause of conductive hearing loss.It has been traditionally classified into 4 categories:traumatic,post-operative,neoplastic and inflammatory.Post-inflammatory acquired auditory canal atresia is thought to be the result of chronic and repetitive infectious bouts affecting the auditory canal.Nevertheless,the underlying pathophysiology of this disorder is yet to be fully elucidated.Current data fail to clearly state the impact that certain underlying systemic disorders may have on the EAC.The possible association to metabolic disturbances such as iron deficiency is also emphasized.In the light of these findings,this analysis can be used to improve the classification of this entity thereby standardizing the assessment of therapeutic approaches.

Genetic analysis is helpful for the diagnosis of small bowel ulceration

The widespread use of capsule endoscopy and balloonassisted endoscopy has provided easy access for detailed mucosal assessment of the small intestine. However, the diagnosis of rare small bowel diseases, such as cryptogenic multifocal ulcerous stenosing enteritis(CMUSE), remains difficult because clinical and morphological features of these diseases are obscure even for gastroenterologists. In an issue of this journal in 2017, Hwang et al reviewed and summarized clinical and radiographic features of 20 patients with an established diagnosis of CMUSE. Recently, recessive mutations in the PLA2G4A and SLCO2A1 genes have been shown to cause small intestinal diseases. The small bowel ulcers in each disease mimic those in the other and furthermore those found in nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced enteropathy. These recent and novel findings suggest that a clinical diagnosis exclusively based on the characteristics of small bowel lesions is possibly imprecise. Genetic analyses seem to be inevitable for the diagnosis of rare small bowel disorders such as CMUSE.

Factors associated with trigger digit following carpal tunnel release

BACKGROUND Trigger digit is a common disorder of the hand associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.Carpal tunnel release(CTR)surgery may be a risk factor for trigger digit development;however,the association between surgical approach to CTR and postoperative trigger digit is equivocal.AIM To investigate patient risk factors for trigger digit development following either open carpal tunnel release(OCTR)or endoscopic carpal tunnel release(ECTR).METHODS This retrospective chart analysis evaluated 967 CTR procedures from 694 patients for the development of postoperative trigger digit.Patients were stratified according to the technique utilized for their CTR,either open or endoscopic.The development of postoperative trigger digit was evaluated at three time points:within 6 mo following CTR,between 6 mo and 12 mo following CTR,and after 12 mo following CTR.Firth’s penalized likelihood logistic regression was conducted to evaluate sociodemographic and patient comorbidities as potential independent risk factors for trigger digit.Secondary regression models were conducted within each surgical group to reveal any potential interaction effects between surgical approach and patient risk factors for the development of postoperative trigger digit.RESULTS A total of 47 hands developed postoperative trigger digit following 967 CTR procedures(4.9%).In total,64 digits experienced postoperative triggering.The long finger was most commonly affected.There was no significant difference between the open and endoscopic groups for trigger digit development at all three time points following CTR.Furthermore,there were no significant independent risk factors for postoperative trigger digit;however,within group analysis revealed a significant interaction effect between gender and surgical approach(P=0.008).Females were more likely to develop postoperative trigger digit than males after OCTR(OR=3.992),but were less likely to develop postoperative trigger digit than males after ECTR(OR=0.489).CONCLUSION Patient comorbidities do not influence the development of trigger digit following CTR.Markedly,gender differences for postoperative trigger digit may depend on surgical approach to CTR.

Biodegradable stents in gastrointestinal endoscopy

Biodegradable stents(BDSs)are an attractive option to avoid ongoing dilation or surgery in patients with benign stenoses of the small and large intestines.The experience with the currently the only BDS for endoscopic placement,made of Poly-dioxanone,have shown promising results.However some aspects should be improved as are the fact that BDSs lose their radial force over time due to the degradable material,and that can cause stent-induced mucosal or parenchymal injury.This complication rate and modest clinical efficacy has to be carefully considered in individual patients prior to placement of BDSs.Otherwise,the price of these stents therefore it is nowadays an important limitation.

A prediction of in vivo mechanical stresses in blood vessels using thermal expansion method and its application to hypertension and vascular stenosis

Mechanical stimuli play critical roles in cardiovascular diseases,in which in vivo stresses in blood vessels present a great challenge to predict.Based on the structural-thermal coupled finite element method,we propose a thermal expansion method to estimate stresses in multi-layer blood vessels under healthy and pathological conditions.The proposed method provides a relatively simple and convenient means to predict reliable in vivo mechanical stresses with accurate residual stress.The method is first verified with the opening-up process and the pressure-radius responses for single and multi-layer vessel models.It is then applied to study the stress variation in a human carotid artery at different hypertension stages and in a plaque of vascular stenosis.Our results show that specific or optimal residual stresses exist for different blood pressures,which helps form a homogeneous stress distribution across vessel walls.High elastic shear stress is identified on the shoulder of the plaque,which contributes to the tearing effect in plaque rupture.The present study indicates that the proposed numerical method is a capable and efficient in vivo stress evaluation of patient-specific blood vessels for clinical purposes.

Biomathematical study of time-dependent flow of a Carreau nanofluid through inclined catheterized arteries with overlapping stenosis

This work is concerned with the analysis of blood flow through inclined catheterized arteries having a balloon(angioplasty) with time-variant overlapping stenosis. The nature of blood in small arteries is analyzed mathematically by considering it as a Carreau nanofluid. The highly nonlinear momentum equations of nanofluid model are simplified by considering the mild stenosis case. The formulated problem is solved by a homotopy perturbation expansion in terms of a variant of the Weissenberg number to obtain explicit forms for the axial velocity, the stream function, the pressure gradient, the resistance impedance and the wall shear stress distribution. These solutions depend on the Brownian motion number, thermophoresis number, local temperature Grashof number G_r and local nanoparticle Grash of number B_r. The results were also studied for various values of the physical parameters, such as the Weissenberg number W_i, the power law index n, the taper angle φ, the maximum height of stenosis δ~*, the angle of inclination α, the maximum height of balloon σ~*, the axial displacement of the balloon z_d~*,the flow rate F and the Froud number Fr. The obtained results show that the transmission of axial velocity curves through a Newtonian fluid(Wi=0, n=1, Gr=0, Br=0, Nt=0, Nb≠0) is substantially lower than that through a Carreau nanofluid near the wall of balloon while the inverse occurs in the region between the balloon and stenosis. The streamlines have a clearly distinguished shifting toward the stenotic region and this shifting appears near the wall of the balloon, while it has almost disappeared near the stenotic wall and the trapping bolus in the case of horizontal arteries and Newtonian fluid(Wi=0, n=1, Gr=0, Br=0, Nt=0, Nb≠0) does not appear but for the case of Carreau nanofluid bolus appears.

Endoscopic approach to malignant strictures at the hepatic hilum

Hilar tumors have proven to be a challenge to treat and manage because of their poor sensitivity to conventional therapies and our inability to prevent or to detect early tumor formation. Endoscopic stent drainage has been proposed as an alternative to biliary-enteric bypass surgery and percutaneous drainage to palliate malignant biliary obstruction. Prosthetic palliation of patients with malignant hilar stenoses poses particular difficulties, especially in advanced lesions （type Ⅱ lesions or higher）. The risk of cholangitis after contrast injection into the biliary tree in cases where incomplete drainage is achieved is well known. The success rate of plastic stent insertion is around 80% in patients with proximal tumors. Relief of symptoms can be achieved in nearly all patients successfully stented.

Fractional flow reserve: Current applications and overview of the available data

Flow fractional reserve(FFR) allows to evaluate the functional significance of coronary artery lesions, through the ratio of the mean coronary artery pressure after the stenosis to the mean aortic pressure duringmaximum hyperemia. The actual widely accepted cutoff value is 0.80. Below this value a coronary lesion is considered significant and therefore it requires invasive revascularization. Several studies [in particular Fractional Flow Reserve vs Angiography for Multivessel Evaluation 1(FAME-1) and FAME-2] have shown the relationship between FFR measurement and hard end-points(death, myocardial infarction, and urgent revascularization). Consequently, FFR evaluation represents the cornerstone in the decision-making in intermediate coronary lesions. Recent studies paved the way for further applications of FFR evaluation in complex and tricky clinical settings. In this paper, we perform an overview of the data regarding contemporary application of FFR. In particular, we review the use of FFR in: left main intermediate stenoses, serial stenoses, evaluation after stenting, guidance in coronary artery bypass surgery, and acute coronary syndrome. All the data presented in our overview confirm the essential role of FFR assessment in the daily clinical practice. The shift from "operator-dependent" to "FFR-dependent" evaluation in intermediate coronary artery stenosis is of paramount importance in order to improve the prognosis of our patients, through the discrimination of the functional role of every single coronary stenosis.

Contrast-free endoscopic stent insertion in malignant biliary obstruction

AIM： To present a case series of MRCP-guided endoscopic biliary stent placement, performed entirely without contrast injection. METHODS： Contrast-free endoscopic biliary drainage was attempted in 20 patients with malignant obstruction, unsuitable for resection on the basis of tumor extent or medical illness. MRCP images were used to confirm the diagnosis of tumor, to exclude other biliary diseases and to demonstrate the stenoses as well as dilation of proximal liver segments. The procedure was carried out under conscious sedation. Patients were placed in the left lateral decubitus position. The endoscope was inserted, the papilla identified and cannulated by a papiUotome. A guide wire was inserted and guided deeply into the biliary tree, above the stenosis, by fluoroscopy. A papillotomy approximately 1 cm. long was performed and the papillotome was exchanged with a guiding-catheter. A 10 Fr＇ Amsterdam-type plastic stent, 7 to 15 cm long, was finally inserted over the guide wire/ guiding catheter by a pusher tube system. RESULTS： Successful stent insertion was achieved in all patients. There were no major complications. Successful drainage, with substantial reduction in bilirubin levels, was achieved in all patients. CONCLUSION： This new method of contrast-free endoscopic stenting in malignant biliary obstruction is a safe and effective method of palliation. However＇ a larger, randomized study comparing this new approach with the standard procedure is needed to confirm the findings of the present study.

Non-Newtonian biomagnetic fluid flow through a stenosed bifurcated artery with a slip boundary condition

The effects of a velocity slip and an external magnetic field on the flow of biomagnetic fluid(blood)through a stenosed bifurcated artery are investigated by using ANSYS FLUENT.Blood is regarded as a non-Newtonian power-law fluid,and the magnetization and electrical conductivity are considered in the mathematical model.The no-slip condition is replaced by the first-order slip condition.The slip boundary condition and magnetic force are compiled in the solver by the user-defined function(UDF).Numerical solutions are obtained by the finite volume method based on a nonuniform grid structure.The accuracy and efficiency of the solver are verified through a comparison with the literature.The results are presented graphically for different parameter values,and the effects of the magnetic number,the magnetic source position,the vascular obstruction ratio,the slip parameter,and the power-law index on the flow and temperature fields are illustrated.

NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF EFFECT OF ROLLING MANIPULATION OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICAL MASSAGE ON BLOOD FLOW

The hemodynamic mechanism of rolling manipulation (RM) of traditional Chinese medical massage (TCMM) is investigated. An axisymmetrical nonlinear model and an arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian finite element method (ALE-FEM) with rezoning algorithm were introduced to study the viscous flow through an axisymmetrical rigid tube with axially moving stenosis to simulate the rolling manipulation. Flow rate and wall shear stress were obtained by solving complete Navier-Stokes equations numerically. The numerical results show that the stenosis moving frequency, namely the frequency of rolling manipulation, has great effect on the disturbance of flow and the wall shear stress. The stenosis coefficient, which characterizes the severity of the stenosis, another adjustable parameter in rolling manipulation, also shows the significant effect on flow rate and wall shear stress. These numerical results may provide some data that can be taken into consideration when massage is used in clinic.

Numerical study of biomechanical characteristics of plaque rupture at stenosed carotid bifurcation:a stenosis mechanical property-specific guide for blood pressure control in daily activities

Acute stress concentration plays an important role in plaque rupture and may cause stroke or myocardial infarction.Quantitative evaluation of the relation between in vivo plaque stress and variations in blood pressure and flow rates is valuable to optimize daily monitoring of the cardiovascular system for high-risk patients as well as to set a safe physical exercise intensity for better quality of life.In this study,we constructed an in vivo stress model for a human carotid bifurcation with atherosclerotic plaque,and analyzed the effects of blood pressure,flow rates,plaque stiffness,and stenosis on the elastic stress and fluid viscous stress around the plaque.According to the maximum values of the mechanical stress,we define a risk index to predict the risk level of plaque rupture under different exercise intensities.For a carotid bifurcation where the blood flow divides,the results suggest that the stenosis ratio determines the ratio of the contributions of elastic shear stress and viscous shear stress to plaque rupture.A n increase of the plaque stiffness enhances the maximum elastic shear stress in the plaque,indicating that a high-stiffness plaque is more prone to rupture for given stenosis ratio.High stress co-localization at the shoulder of plaques agrees with the region of plaque injury in clinical observations.It is demonstrated that,due to the stress-shield effect,the rupture risk of a high-stiffness plaque tends to decrease under high-stenosis conditions,suggesting the existence of a specific stenosis corresponding to the maximum risk.This study may help to complement risk stratification of vulnerable plaques in clinical practice and provides a stenosis mechanical property-specific guide for blood pressure control in cardiovascular health management.

Blood Flow Through a Catheterized Artery Having a Mild Stenosis at the Wall with a Blood Clot at the Centre

The blood flow through a catheterized artery having a mild stenosis at the wall together with a blood clot at the centre is studied in the current investigation.Stenosis can occur in vessels carrying blood to brain(i.e.,Carotid arteries),Renal arteries that supply blood to kidneys etc.The flow is refined in such vessels by application of catheter.We have used a Newtonian viscous fluid model and also distinct shapes of stenosis,(i.e.,symmetric and non-symmetric shapes)are considered for this study.The entropy generation togetherwith viscous dissipation is also taken into account for a complete description of heat transfer mechanism.Exact solutions are calculated for the problem subject to given“no slip conditions”.The results are discussed graphically.The velocity quickly increases for a non-symmetric stenosis as compared to a symmetric stenosis.When the height of mild stenosis increases and the channel becomes narrow then the velocity increases in the centre but it decreases with the stenosed wall.However,as the height of blood clotσincreases then the velocity of blood flow reduces with the wall having clot but it remains almost same with the stenosed wall.Streamlines are plotted to visualize the flow pattern.The trapping is symmetric for a symmetric stenosis shape but it changes to non-symmetric trapping when we have a non-symmetric shape of stenosis.