1,803 research outputs found
The value of radiographs obtained during forced traction under general anaesthesia in predicting flexibility in idiopathic scoliosis with Cobb angles exceeding 60 degree
Our aim in this prospective radiological study was to determine whether the flexibility rate calculated from radiographs obtained during forced traction under general anaesthesia, was better than that of fulcrum-bending radiographs before corrective surgery in predicting the extent of the available correction in patients with idiopathic scoliosis. We evaluated 33 patients with a Cobb angle > 60 degrees on a standing posteroanterior radiograph, who had been treated by posterior correction. Pre-operative standing fulcrum-bending radiographs and those with forced-traction under general anaesthesia were obtained. Post-operative standing radiographs were taken after surgical correction. The mean forced-traction flexibility rate was 55% (SD 11.3) which was significantly higher than the mean fulcrum-bending flexibility rate of 32% (SD 16.1) (p 60 degrees in the standing position and may identify those patients for whom supplementary anterior surgery can be avoided.published_or_final_versio
Cases of Mycobaterium Marinum Tenosynovitis of the hand and wrist: clinical features. management and results
Selected paper for 2010 APOA-Pfizer Best Scientific Paper Award for Orthopaedic InfectionOpen Access JournaleCM XII: Implant Infection Conference Main Focus: Orthopedic and trauma related infectionsAsia Pacific Orthopaedic Association SessionINTRODUCTION: Mycobacterium marinum infections followed an unpredictable clinical course and delay in definitive diagnosis was frequently encountered. Chow et al. found that the average duration of infection before patients were seen by the Orthopaedics unit was 3.3-3.7 months.1 The initial diagnosis was commonly found to be mistaken for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and trigger finger which may lead to inappropriate management like steroid injections. The objective of this study was to review our experience with treatment of Mycobacterium marinum tenosynovitis of the hand and wrist and to assess for any clinical parameters that were associated with poor functional outcome and also suggest a treatment algorithm for these …published_or_final_versio
Understanding language teacher's culturally responsive teaching self-efficacy and its enhancement through learning study with young Chinese language learners
Paper Session - SIG L1 Teacher EducationBACKGROUND: Chinese language learners (CLLs) in Hong Kong mainly came from ethnic minorities (EMs) of South Asia. To preclude marginalization, education for EMs became a controversial issue. Frontline Chinese language teachers often encounter difficulties in teaching due to inadequate training. Though teachers play an important role in young CLL’s learning of ...postprin
Clinical and radiological outcomes after conservative treatment of TB spondylitis: is the 15 years' follow-up in the MRC study long enough?
Introduction: Tuberculosis of the spine is a still a common disease entity, not only in developing countries but is also returning in developed countries especially in the immune-compromised patients. Conservative treatment with chemotherapy is still the main stay of treatment. This article focuses on the clinical and radiological outcomes, and problems with conservative treatment. Method: The available literature of anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy in managing spinal tuberculosis was reviewed. Data sources included relevant literature of the English language identified through Medline search from 1946 to 2011. Personal experience and unpublished reviews from the authors' institution were also included. Results: Although majority of patients respond well to anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy, about 15 % of them develop paradoxical response. The Medical Research Council (MRC) studies have shown that for patients without significant neurological deficits, operative and conservative treatment could produce the same clinical outcome at 15 years follow-up. Patients treated operatively with debridement and spinal fusion with strut graft had faster bony fusion and less kyphotic deformity. In contrast, those treated with drugs alone or with simple debridement without fusion may result in disease reactivation, severe kyphosis or late instability, which in turn may lead to late-onset Pott's paraplegia, back pain, sagittal imbalance and compromised pulmonary function that are difficult or risky to treat. Conclusion: Recognition of the clinical and radiologic features of these late sequels is important for the management. Prevention of deformity in the early disease has been added to the modern standard of treatment of TB spine. © 2012 The Author(s).published_or_final_versionSpringer Open Choice, 25 May 201
Tracking down the migration of mouse neural crest cells
During early embryonic development, cell migration is one of the most important morphogenetic processes. Neural crest cells arise from the dorsal part of the neural tube and migrate along different pathways to numerous locations where they differentiate into a variety of tissues. In the mouse, studies of neural crest cell migration have been difficult partly because of the absence of specific markers which can label neural crest cells throughout their migration from their origin to the site of differentiation. Nevertheless, the use of different experimental strategies involving extrinsic, intrinsic or genetic cell markers has already led to a good understanding of this migration. In our studies, extrinsic markers such as wheat germ agglutinin-gold conjugates and DiI and genetic markers including Hoxb2-lacZ and green fluorescent protein have been employed in tracing migrating neural crest cells. The labelling procedures and the strength and weaknesses of the tracing methods are reviewed herein. Copyright © 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel.published_or_final_versio
Epidemiology of occupational hand injury in Hong Kong
OBJECTIVES: To study the epidemiology of occupational hand injuries and associated social and industrial factors. DESIGN. For this retrospective case series of patients with occupational hand injuries, case records were retrieved to gather data. In addition, all the subjects were interviewed by a single interviewer using a predesigned questionnaire. SETTING: Division of Hand Surgery, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong. PATIENTS: A total of 250 patients with occupational hand injuries were treated during the period from 1999 to 2001. This period was chosen to obtain 10 years of follow-up data to assess return to work and any secondary injuries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Personal particulars (gender, age, marital status, education level, length of stay in Hong Kong, type of employment, wage system, personal habits, family size, number of breadwinners, income), type of industry and mode of injury, causes of injury according to the worker, work conditions, type of injury, and treatment given. RESULTS: Two groups of workers in our study had more occupational hand injuries, namely those with less than 1 year of experience on a new job and immigrants from China. Factors associated with a large proportion of occupational hand injuries were male gender with personal risk factors (smoking and regular consumption of alcohol, long working hours), and in the case of machine operators, inadequate training and use of safety devices. CONCLUSION: Occupational hand injuries lead to loss of working hours and compensation. For prevention, the workplace should be made into a safer and work-friendly environment. Workers should also have sufficient training.published_or_final_versio
Review article: Mycobacterium marinum infection of the hand and wrist.
Misdiagnosis and delayed treatment of Mycobacterium marinum infection is common because of its diverse manifestations. This leads to inappropriate use of antimicrobials, extension of the infection from the skin to the tenosynovium, and a poor prognosis (loss of tendons and prolonged immobilisation, secondary to multiple debridements and joint contractures). Clinicians should be aware of this type of infection, especially in subjects at risk (fishermen and aquarium enthusiasts), and those with a history of trauma coupled with exposure to water or marine life. A proactive approach to obtain a biopsy for histopathological and microbiological diagnosis is advised. Anti-mycobacterial treatment should be started promptly. The combined use of rifampicin, ethambutol, and clarithromycin appears to be effective, and debridement is indicated in patients with deep-seated infections.published_or_final_versio
Mycobacterium marinum infection of the hand and wrist
PURPOSE: To review records of 166 patients who underwent treatment for Mycobacterium marinum tenosynovitis of the hand and wrist to identify factors associated with functional outcome. METHODS: Records of 97 men and 69 women aged 13 to 85 (mean, 50) years who underwent treatment for suspected M marinum tenosynovitis of the hand and wrist were retrospectively reviewed. All underwent open biopsy; synovectomy was performed when florid synovitis was present. Rifampicin and ethambutol were usually prescribed. Clarithromycin, minocycline and/or levofloxacin were used as adjuvants if there was drug intolerance, allergy, or relapse. The duration of antibiotic treatment depended on the clinical recovery. Patients were followed up for one year after completion of drug treatment. Functional outcome was considered excellent for those with >195 masculine total active motion (TAM) and >75% return of motion, good for those with 130 masculine to 195 masculine TAM and 50 to 75% return of motion, fair for those with 65 masculine to 129 masculine TAM and 25 to 49% return of motion, and poor for those with2 months after injury (27% [21/79] vs. 9% [7/77], p=0.004, Pearson Chi squared test), and have undergone synovectomy (23% [28/124]) vs. 0% [0/32], p=0.001, Fisher's exact test). Worse functional outcome correlated with late presentation (r=0.218) and the greater number of debridement procedures (r=0.453). CONCLUSION: Delayed antibiotic treatment of M marinum infections and steroid injections were associated with unsatisfactory outcome. Clinicians must have a high index of suspicion for this condition and avoid inappropriate management such as intralesional steroid injections. Public awareness to this condition should be raised.published_or_final_versio
Occupational repetitive strain injuries in Hong Kong
OBJECTIVE: To review currently available evidence on the epidemiology and management of occupational repetitive strain injuries with particular reference to Hong Kong. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION: Medline, PubMed and Cochrane Library searches of local and internationally published English journals from 1990 to 2007 regarding repetitive strain injuries. DATA EXTRACTION: All articles involving occupational repetitive strain injuries in Hong Kong were included in this review. DATA SYNTHESIS: There were 16 articles contributing data on the impact of repetitive strain injuries both in Hong Kong and around the world. There were seven articles dealing with the problem of computer station set-ups and methods for improving the workstation environments. CONCLUSION: Currently there were significant data on the impact of repetitive strain injuries in Hong Kong. The data took the form of compensation claims, days away from work, and cost of medical consultations. Other articles described proper workplace adjustments to help prevent repetitive strain injuries. However, there were no figures in the current literature showing the impact of these adjustments in reducing the incidence of repetitive strain injuries. More research could help to delineate the relationship between different types of interventions and occupational repetitive strain injuries.published_or_final_versio
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