18-month Follow-up Examination Research Articles

Blood pressure control and left ventricular echocardiographic progression in hypertensive patients: an 18-month follow-up study.

The impact of blood pressure (BP) control and its timing on left ventricular (LV) structure and function remains unclear. The present study was to evaluate whether BP control correlated with conventional LV geometry and function indexes or global longitudinal strain (GLS) progression, and when echocardiographic changes would occur in essential hypertension. A total of 62 participants (mean age 55.2 ± 11.5, male 71.0%) with uncontrolled hypertension were enrolled in the longitudinal study. Patients were followed up at the 6-month and 18-month, when echocardiographic measurements were performed and BP control was evaluated during the follow up period. At the 6- and 18-month examination, we divided the hypertensive patients into two groups as BP controlled and uncontrolled group. Patients with BP uncontrolled (n = 33) had higher LV mass index (P = 0.02), higher left atrial volume index (P = 0.01), worse GLS (P = 0.005) and GLS changes (P = 0.003) compared with controlled BP (n = 29) at the 6-month follow-up examination. Patients with uncontrolled BP (n = 25) had higher LV mass index (P = 0.001), higher LV mass index changes (P = 0.01), higher relative wall thickness (P = 0.01), higher E/e' (P = 0.046), worse GLS (P = 0.02) and GLS changes (P = 0.02) compared to BP controlled group (n = 24) at the 18-month follow-up examination. GLS changes were associated with BP control (β = 0.370, P = 0.004 at the 6-month examination and β = 0.324, P = 0.02 at the 18-month examination, respectively) in stepwise multivariate regression analysis. LV mass index changes was corelated with systolic BP (β = 0.426, P = 0.003) at the 18-month follow-up examination in stepwise multivariate regression analysis. Neither was GLS changes nor LV mass index changes were related to antihypertensive medication class, including combination therapy in 6- or 18-month follow up examination. Our findings offer new clinical evidence on the association of BP control with echocardiographic changes in hypertensive patients, and, in particular, support the view that GLS progression was earlier and subtler than conventional LV geometry and function parameters. GLS changes were significant between BP controlled and uncontrolled patients even in 6-month follow-up period.

Effect of Simultaneous Immediate Implant Placement and Guided Bone Reconstruction with Ultra-Fine Titanium Mesh Membranes on Radiographic and Clinical Parameters after 18 Months of Loading.

Background: The aim of the present prospective case series study was to evaluate the implant and prosthetic survival rates, complications and marginal bone loss using ultra-fine titanium mesh membrane with simultaneous implant placement, to provide space maintenance mandatory for guided bone reconstruction of alveolar bone defects. Materials and Methods: patients were recruited and treated at a private clinic in Rome, Italy, between March 2016 and October 2017. Self-tapping tapered implants were placed through a computer-guided template-assisted approach. Autogenous bone was placed alone over the exposed implant surface, then mixed with inorganic bovine bone material. Finally, the membrane was connected and shaped in order to securely enclose the graft area, and the healing cap was connected and screwed onto the height connector. Outcome measures were: implant and prosthetic failure, biological and mechanical complications, marginal and volumetric bone level changes, esthetic evaluation performed according to the pink aesthetic score (PES). Results: in total, seven patients (five women, two men) with a mean age of 52.7 ± 20.3 years (range: 27–71) received 10 self-tapping tapered implants and simultaneous guided bone regeneration with ultra-fine titanium mesh membranes. No implants and no prostheses failed during the entire follow-up period. One slightly membrane exposure was observed one month after implant placement in one patient. The mean marginal bone loss (MBL) at implant loading was 0.13 ± 0.09 mm (95% CI 0.08–0.19). At the 18-month follow-up examination, the mean MBL was 0.28 ± 0.33 mm (95% CI 0.07–0.50) The difference was not statistically significant (0.15 ± 0.31; 95% CI 0.05–0.35; P = 0.1888). The mean horizontal alveolar ridge width was 3.72 ± 1.08 mm (95% CI 3.22–4.22 mm). At the II-stage surgery, the mean bone width was 8.79 ± 0.98 mm (95% CI 8.51–9.07 mm). The mean bone gain was 5.06 ± 1.13 mm (95% CI 4.68–5.44 mm; P = 0.000). The mean volume of the grafted bone calculated using the superimposition technique was 0.99 ± 0.38 CC (95% CI 0.75–1.23 CC). The mean PES at implant loading was 8.2 ± 0.8 mm (95% CI 7.7–8.7). At the 18-month follow-up examination, the mean PES was 12.0 ± 0.7 mm (95% CI 11.5–12.5) The difference was statistically significant (3.8 ± 0.4; 95% CI 3.5–4.1; P = 0.0000); Conclusion: with the limitation of the present prospective study, the guided bone reconstruction using an ultra-fine titanium mesh membrane with simultaneous implant placement seems to provide good and stable results in implant/prosthesis success. Further research with a longer follow-up and a higher sample size are needed to confirm the results from this preliminary report.

Preoperative management of giant retroperitoneal schwannoma: A case report and review of the literature.

Schwannomas rarely occur in the retroperitoneum, and are normally not aggressive. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult and the surgeon may confront blood vessels, nerves or organs damage, since the intra-operative findings are various. The diagnosis and treatment of malignant schwannomas in the retroperitoneum are even more challenging. In addition, the prognosis of malignant schwannomas is extremely poor. The present study reports the case of a 52-year-old woman who presented with a 6-month history of an abdominal mass in the left lower quadrant. The local doctor determined a preliminary diagnosis of abdominal giant tumor and referred the patient to the First Affiliated Hospital, Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, (Xi'an, China). Following discussion, the patient underwent a surgical resection. Low-grade malignant schwannoma was diagnosed following histological examination. No evidence of recurrence or any other complication was observed at the 18-month follow-up examination. The present study reports a case of giant retroperitoneal schwannoma (RS), and includes a literature review in order to provide an overview of the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of RS and discuss preoperative management strategies for the disease.

Clinical and radiographic evaluation of immediate and delayed single-tooth implant placement: an 18-month follow up study

Background and aims. Maintenance of interdental soft tissue and the need for aesthetics are increasingly recognized as important criteria for implant success. The aim of this prospective clinical study was to compare the peri-implant and prosthetic conditions for single-tooth implants, placed according to the immediate (Im) and the delayed (De) placement protocols at 18-month follow-up examination. Materials and methods. After random allocation to the Immediate and Delayed groups, 14 patients were treated with a single-tooth implant in the anterior or molar region of the maxilla or the mandible immediately (Im) or 6 months (De) after tooth extraction, respectively. Patients attended a follow-up visit 18 months after implant placement corresponding to one year of loading of the implant restorations. Peri-implant and prosthetic parameters were evaluated clinically and marginal bone levels were measured on radiographs. Results. None of the implant restorations had failed after one year of function. Probing pocket depths decreased by up to 1.5 mm on average from the time of loading to the 18-month follow-up, no significant difference between the Im and De groups was found (4.3 versus 4.2 mm). A statistically significant radiographic marginal bone loss had occurred in the Im group (13.46%) as well as in the De group (15.62%) in the follow-up period. Conclusion. Soft and hard tissue responses to single-tooth implants placed either in the anterior or molar region of the maxilla or the mandible immediately (Im) or 6 months (De) after tooth extraction were similar in terms of the placement protocols.

Epithelium-poor Odontogenic Fibroma with an Unusual Progress

Odontogenic fibroma (OF) is a relatively rare benign tumor derived from odontogenic ectodermal mesenchymal tissue. It is divided into central (COF) or peripheral OF (POF) based on the affected area. Regarding its pathological features, OF can also be classified as epithelium-rich (WHO type) or epithelium-poor (simple type), depending on the amount of odontogenic epithelium in the tumor. There is limited information available about the latter type because of its low incidence. We report case of simple type COF apparently like POF. A 52- year-old Japanese male was suffering from tenderness at the right posterior maxilla during occlusion with his removable partial denture. The lesion was diagnosed as a simple type OF arising at the edentulous region around the right molar site of the maxilla. A tumor resection was performed, and there was no evidence of recurrence at his 18-month follow-up examination. In addition, we provide a review of the literature with the most up-to-date information about this lesion so that it can be diagnosed correctly.

Reevaluating the Implications of Recurrent Falls in Older Adults: Location Changes the Inference

To compare characteristics of indoor and outdoor recurrent fallers and explore some implications for clinical practice, in which a fall risk assessment for all recurrent fallers has been recommended. Prospective cohort study. Maintenance of Balance, Independent Living, Intellect, and Zest in the Elderly of Boston Study, a study of falls etiology in community-dwelling older individuals from randomly sampled households in the Boston, Massachusetts, area. Seven hundred thirteen women and men, mostly aged 70 and older, with at least 1 year of follow-up. Data at baseline and from an 18-month follow-up examination were collected by questionnaire and comprehensive clinic examination. During follow-up, participants recorded falls on daily calendars. A telephone interview queried location and circumstances of each fall. One hundred forty-five participants reported recurrent falls (≥2) during the first year. Those who had fallen only outdoors had good health characteristics, whereas those who had fallen only indoors were generally in poor health. For instance, 25.5% of indoor-only recurrent fallers had gait speeds of slower than 0.6 m/s, compared with 2.9% of outdoor-only recurrent fallers; the respective percentages were 44.7% and 8.8% for Berg balance score less than 48. Recurrent indoor fallers generally had poor health characteristics regardless of their activity at the time of their falls, whereas recurrent outdoor fallers who fell during vigorous activity or walking were especially healthy. A report of any recurrent falls in the first year did not predict number of positive findings on a comprehensive or abbreviated fall risk assessment at the 18-month follow-up examination. Characteristics of community-dwelling older people with recurrent indoor and outdoor falls are different. If confirmed, these results suggest that different types of fall risk assessment are needed for specific categories of recurrent fallers.

Implantation of a Jarvik 2000 left ventricular assist device as a bridge to eligibility for refractory heart failure with renal dysfunction

A 55-year-old man, who previously underwent surgical ventricular restoration and mitral valve surgery, was referred to our department for management of refractory heart and multiple organ failure. At the time of admission to our hospital, he could not be registered as a candidate for heart transplantation because of severe renal failure with a serum creatinine level of 4.6 mg/dl. We considered that he was a marginal candidate for heart transplantation; thus, it was essential to understand the etiology of renal failure and estimate whether it was reversible. Cardiac catheterization revealed poor hemodynamic function with a systemic pressure of 107/60 mmHg, cardiac index of 2.5 l/min/m(2), and pulmonary artery pressure of 63/27 mmHg, despite intense medical treatment. Contrary to biochemical examination findings of blood, renal biopsy findings showed no significant glomerular abnormality. Furthermore, the severity of tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis in the cortex was mild. These pathological findings suggested that the renal dysfunction in this case was possibly attributable to a hemodynamic factor. His symptoms gradually deteriorated despite an increasing dose of inotropic support; thus, we planned implantation of a Jarvik 2000 axial-flow pump (Jarvik Heart Inc., New York, NY, USA) as a bridge to eligibility, and informed consent was obtained. Because of a tight adhesion on the anterior wall, we placed the device on the lateral wall of the left ventricle, making sure not to direct the pump at the septum. Postoperatively, the implantable left ventricular assist device provided relief from heart failure symptoms as well as recovery of renal function, with serum the creatinine level at 1.2 mg/dl, which allowed the patient to become an appropriate candidate for heart transplantation. At an 18-month follow-up examination, his status was uneventful, and he is now at home awaiting heart transplantation.

Endocardial vagal atrioventricular node stimulation in humans: reproducibility on 18-month follow-up

Control of atrioventricular (AV) node conduction by means of high-frequency stimulation (HFS) of efferent AV node vagal stimulation (AVNS) fibres enables the ventricular rate (VR) to be modulated during atrial fibrillation (AF). The aims of this study were to verify, on 18-month follow-up, the reproducibility of the dromotropic effect obtained on implantation and the long-term reliability of the system in patients who received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) with a standard atrial lead positioned at a location suitable for AVNS. We enrolled 12 patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF who were candidates for ICD. The right atrium was mapped to locate the pacing site, and a transvenous screw-in lead was implanted in that region. The voltages required for VR modulation (25% VR reduction) and complete AV block at different pulse durations (from 0.1 to 0.5 ms) were recorded. Eleven out of 12 patients underwent 18-month follow-up examination. Atrial pacing parameters were adequate and did not differ from the baseline values (all P > 0.05): pacing threshold 0.9 ± 0.5 V (0.5 ms pulse duration) and impedance 556 ± 121 Ω, with P-wave amplitude of 1.6 ± 0.7 mV. High-frequency stimulation induced VR modulation in nine patients and complete AV block in eight patients at pulse durations ≥0.3 ms. No differences were observed in the voltages for VR modulation and complete AV block between implantation and 18-month examination (all P > 0.100). Ventricular rate control during AF was obtained under HFS 18 months after implantation in patients with the atrial lead positioned at a location suitable for AVNS. The pacing outputs needed to achieve the dromotropic effect were comparable to those measured on implantation.

A comparison of changes over time in cervical foraminal height after tricortical iliac graft or polyetheretherketone cage placement following anterior discectomy

The authors prospectively evaluated cervical foraminal height changes after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. To their knowledge, this prospective study is the first in which foraminal height changes over time are compared following the placement of a tricortical graft or a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage. The patients were randomly divided in two groups. In one group, 30 patients underwent anterior cervical microdiscectomy and free bone graft (FBG) insertion at 46 levels via the Smith-Robinson technique. The FBG was harvested from the right iliac crest. Another 35 patients underwent the same operation, but fusion was provided by the insertion of PEEK intervertebral cages at 41 levels. Fusion status and the C2-7 Cobb angle, interspace height, and foraminal height changes were observed on anterior, lateral, and oblique radiographs obtained at the 18-month follow-up examination. There were no differences between the groups with regard to clinical recovery, fusion status, and Cobb angle. A significant interspace height reduction was observed in the FBG group during the 1st postoperative month. In the FBG group, the mean heights (+/- standard deviation) of the foramina were 8.2 +/- 2.7 mm preoperatively, 10.8 +/- 2.6 mm on postoperative Day 2, and 8.1 +/- 1.5 mm after 18 months of follow up. In the PEEK cage group, the mean heights were 8.4 +/- 2.8 mm preoperatively, 10.3 +/- 1.1 mm on postoperative Day 2, and 9.6 +/- 1.2 mm after 18 months of follow up. The increase in foraminal height was significantly preserved at the 6th, 12th, and 18th months in the cage group. In both groups the foraminal height increased sufficiently and the nerve root was decompressed postoperatively. The PEEK cages may provide sufficient preservation of foraminal height even 1.5 years after the operation.

Treatment of a middle cerebral artery giant aneurysm using a covered stent

The authors report the case of a 60-year-old man harboring a wide-necked giant aneurysm of the M1 segment of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA); his symptoms included transient ischemic attacks characterized by right hemiparesis and aphasia. The aneurysm was treated by placing a covered stent across the orifice of the aneurysm. The 18-month follow-up examination showed a very good outcome, with perfect left MCA patency, no new ischemic lesion, and minor residual aphasia and right hemiparesis. This is the first report in the literature of an MCA aneurysm treated using a covered stent.

Influence of apoptosis on neurological outcome following traumatic cerebral contusion.

Apoptosis has increasingly been implicated in the pathobiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The present study was undertaken to confirm the presence of apoptosis in the periischemic zone (PIZ) of traumatic cerebral contusions and to determine the role of apoptosis, if any, in neurological outcome. Brain tissue harvested at Wentworth Hospital from the PIZ in 29 patients with traumatic supratentorial contusions was compared with brain tissue resected in patients with epilepsy. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed on the tissues to see if they contained the apoptosis-related proteins p53, bcl-2, bax, and caspase-3. The findings were then correlated to demographic, clinical, surgical, neuroimaging, and outcome data. In the PIZ significant increases of bax (18-fold; p < 0.005) and caspase-3 (20-fold; p < 0.005) were recorded, whereas bcl-2 was upregulated in only 14 patients (48.3%; 2.9-fold increase) compared with control tissue. Patients in the bcl-2-positive group exhibited improved outcomes at the 18-month follow-up examination despite an older mean age and lower mean admission Glasgow Coma Scale score (p < 0.03). Caspase-3 immunostaining was increased in those patients who died (Glasgow Outcome Scale [GOS] Score 1, 12 patients) when compared with those who experienced a good outcome (GOS Score 4 or 5, 17 patients) (p < 0.005). Regression analysis identified bcl-2-negative status (p < 0.04, odds ratio [OR] 5.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-28.4) and caspase-3-positive status (p < 0.01, OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.8) as independent predictors of poor outcome. No immunostaining for p53 was recorded in the TBI specimens. The present findings confirm apoptosis in the PIZ of traumatic cerebral contusions and indicate that this form of cell death can influence neurological outcome following a TBI.

Differentiation between recurrent tumor and benign conditions after treatment of gynecologic pelvic carcinoma: value of dynamic contrast-enhanced subtraction MR imaging.

To compare dynamic contrast material-enhanced subtraction and T2-weighted spin-echo (SE) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the differentiation of fibrosis from tumor recurrence during the follow-up of treated gynecologic pelvic malignancy. Thirty-four patients (aged 24-82 years) with 18 benign and 35 malignant lesions confirmed by means of surgery (n = 18), biopsy (n = 25), or 18-month follow-up examination (n = 10) underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced subtraction and T2-weighted SE MR imaging. Contrast material enhancement of an abnormal pelvic structure within the first 90 seconds on dynamic contrast-enhanced subtraction images or high signal intensity on T2-weighted SE images was considered indicative of malignancy. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values were 91%, 67%, 83%, 86%, and 86%, respectively, for dynamic contrast-enhanced subtraction imaging and 91%, 22%, 68%, 70%, and 57%, respectively, for T2-weighted SE imaging. More lesions were correctly classified with dynamic contrast-enhanced subtraction imaging than with T2-weighted SE imaging (P < .01). Dynamic contrast-enhanced subtraction imaging is more accurate than T2-weighted SE imaging for differentiating fibrosis from tumor recurrence during the follow-up of treated gynecologic pelvic malignancy. However, use of both sequences is recommended.

Tenosynovial Lipochondromatosis of the Flexor Hallucis, Common Toe Flexor, and Posterior Tibial Tendons

Presented is a case report of a girl with a lipomatous lesion of the medial ankle with chondromatous transformation of the sheath of the common and great tow flexor tendons. The lesion was completely excised. Histologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of tenosynovial lipochondromatosis of the involved tendons. The patient was symptom free at the 18-month follow-up examination.

Open Fractures of the Tibia Treated by the Hoffmann External Fixator

In a prospective study 40 consecutive patients with open tibial fractures were treated by the Hoffmann external fixator; the follow-up period was 18 months. All fractures were irrigated, debrided, and fixed rigidly with the Vidal-Adrey modification of the Hoffmann device as soon as the patients' condition allowed. The wounds were left open, to be closed secondarily with skin grafts, muscle flaps, and other plastic surgical procedures. The 40 wounds were all classified as Gustilo's Type II or III in relation to soft tissue damage; 36 injuries were due to motor vehicle accidents and four to gunshot wounds. At the 18-month follow-up examination there had been five amputations and five nonunions had healed after bone grafting; in addition, five patients had persistent pin drainage. Pin site drainage (80%) was the most common problem, but most cleared after removal of the fixator and five after curettage of ring sequestra. There was a high number of associated surgical procedures (2.4% per patient) related to the open fracture. At the 18-month follow-up examination bony healing was noted in all patients.

Brain-Stem Compression in Rheumatoid Arthritis

A woman had cervical C-1 to C-2 subluxation with dysphagia. Initial improvement with halo cast and posterior fusion was followed by recurrence of symptoms, but transpharyngeal resection of the odontoid process had continued to alleviate symptoms at 18-month follow-up examination. The importance of vertical C-1 to C-2 subluxation in rheumatoid cervical arthritis is emphasized.

Carcinoma of the prostate: Analysis of patient morbidity at the 6-month, 12-month and 18-month follow-up examinations

The Veterans Administration Cooperative Urological Research Group is engaged currently in a prospective study of carcinoma of the prostate. This is the first report of the progress of the study since its initiation. There are four stages of this disease. However, this report deals almost exclusively with Stage III and Stage IV patients, i.e. patients with advanced disease. There are four treatments (orchiectomy + estrogen, orchiectomy alone, estrogen alone, and placebo alone) to which the patients are randomly assigned. Patients are allocated to either estrogen or placebo so that neither patient nor clinician is aware of what drug the patient receives. Preliminary results show that patients receiving orchiectomy + estrogen, orchiectomy alone, or estrogen alone exhibit a better over-all response than do those patients receiving placebo alone. This pattern persists up to and including the 18-month follow-up examination. There appears to be excellent correlation between General Clinical Impression— the clinician's subjective appraisal of the patient—and Over-all Response—the objective appraisal of the patient—for all stages and treatment groups at all three follow-up examinations with the exception that clinical appraisal seems to be some-what over-optimistic in that only approximately 40 per cent of the patients with increasing disease (the objective measure of response) are judged to be clinically worse.