Randomized, crossover questionnaire survey of acceptabilities of controlled-release mesalazine tablets and granules in ulcerative colitis patients

Keiji Yagisawa,Taku Kobayashi,Ryo Ozaki,Shinji Okabayashi,Takahiko Toyonaga,Miki Miura,Mari Hayashida,Eiko Saito,Masaru Nakano,Hajime Matsubara,Tadakazu Hisamatsu,Toshifumi Hibi 대한장연구학회 2019 Intestinal Research Vol.17 No.1

Background/Aims: Oral mesalazine is an important treatment for ulcerative colitis (UC), and non-adherence to mesalazineincreases the risk of relapse. Controlled-release (CR) mesalazine has 2 formulations: tablets and granules. The relative acceptabilitiesof these formulations may influence patient adherence; however, they have not been compared to date. This studyaimed to evaluate the acceptabilities of the 2 formulations of CR mesalazine in relation to patient adherence using a crossoverquestionnaire survey. Methods: UC patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups in a 1:1 ratio. Patients in each group tookeither 4 g of CR mesalazine tablets or granules for 6 to 9 weeks, and then switched to 4 g of the other formulation for a further 6to 9 weeks. The acceptability and efficacy were evaluated by questionnaires, and adherence was assessed using a visual analogscale. The difference in acceptabilities between the 2 formulations and its impact on adherence were assessed. Results: A totalof 49 patients were prospectively enrolled and 33 patients were included in the analysis. Significantly more patients found thetablets to be less acceptable than the granules (76% vs. 33%, P=0.0005). The granules were preferable to the tablets when the 2formulations were compared directly (73% vs. 21%, P=0.004), for their portability, size, and numbers of pills. The adherence ratewas slightly better among patients taking the granules (94% vs. 91%) during the observation period, but the difference was notsignificant (P=0.139). Conclusion: CR mesalazine granules are more acceptable than tablets, and may therefore be a better optionfor long-term medication. (Intest Res 2019;17:87-93)

Meniscus extrusion is a predisposing factor for determining arthroscopic treatments in partial medial meniscus posterior root tears

( Takayuki Furumatsu ),( Keisuke Kintaka ),( Naohiro Higashihara ),( Masanori Tamura ),( Koki Kawada ),( Haowei Xue ),( Toshifumi Ozaki ) 대한슬관절학회 2023 대한슬관절학회지 Vol.35 No.-

Background Patients with partial medial meniscus posterior root tears (MMPRTs) sometimes require arthroscopic pullout repair because of their intolerable/repeated knee pains and continuous disturbance in gait during activities of daily living. However, the predisposing factors for future knee surgery in patients with partial MMPRTs remain unclear. We compared the findings of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between patients who underwent pullout repair and nonoperative management following partial MMPRTs. Methods Twenty-five patients who required arthroscopic repair for partial MMPRTs and 23 patients who were managed nonoperatively were evaluated during a mean follow-up period of 27.1 months. Sex, age, height, body weight, body mass index, duration from onset to initial MRI, MRI findings, and medial meniscus (MM) extrusion were compared between the two groups. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the correlation between MM extrusion and duration from onset to MRI examination. Results No significant differences were observed between the pullout repair and nonoperative management groups in terms of patient demographics and the positive ratio of MRI-based root tear signs. However, absolute MM extrusion in the pullout repair group (3.49 ± 0.82 mm) was larger than that in the nonoperative management group (2.48 ± 0.60 mm, P < 0.001). Extrusion of the MM ( > 3 mm) was detected more frequently in the pullout repair group than in the nonoperative management group (P < 0.001). The odds ratio in the pullout repair and MM extrusion > 3 mm cases was 9.662. Linear regression analysis revealed a fair correlation between the duration from onset to MRI and MM extrusion only in the pullout repair group (0.462 mm/month increase in MM extrusion). Conclusions This study demonstrated that more severe MM extrusions were observed in the pullout repair group than in the nonoperative management group. Major extrusion (> 3 mm) was also observed more in the pullout repair group than in the nonoperative group. Assessing MM extrusion and its severity can help determine a valid treatment for patients with partial MMPRTs. Level of evidence IV, Retrospective comparative study.

A characteristic MRI finding to diagnose a partial tear of the medial meniscus posterior root: an ocarina sign

( Takayuki Furumatsu ),( Takaaki Hiranaka ),( Keisuke Kintaka ),( Yuki Okazaki ),( Naohiro Higashihara ),( Masanori Tamura ),( Toshifumi Ozaki ) 대한슬관절학회 2021 대한슬관절학회지 Vol.33 No.-

Background: Diagnosing partial tears of the medial meniscus (MM) posterior root is difficult. The aim of this study was to evaluate diagnostic values involved in conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of MM posterior root tears (MMPRTs) and find other MRI-based findings in patients with partial MMPRTs. Methods: Eighteen patients who had arthroscopically confirmed partial MMPRTs were included. As a control, 18 patients who underwent partial meniscectomy for other types of MM tears were evaluated. Isolated partial MMPRTs were classified into the following three types: type A, accurate partial stable tear (cleavage < 1/2 of root width); type B, bridged unstable root tear (cleavage ≥ 1/2 of root width); type C, complex horn tear expanded to the root. Conventional MRI-based findings of MMPRTs were evaluated between two groups (n = 23). Posterior root irregularity, bone marrow spot, and ocarina-like appearance showing several condensed circles in triangular meniscal horn (ocarina sign) were also evaluated. Results: Posterior root irregularity and bone marrow spot were frequently observed in the partial MMPRTs (47.8%), compared with the other MM tears (P = 0.007 and 0.023, respectively). The ocarina sign was detected in 69.6% of patients with partial MMPRTs. A significant difference between two groups was observed in a positive ratio of ocarina sign (P < 0.001). Types A, B, and C of the partial tear/damage were observed in three, eight, and seven patients, respectively. The ocarina sign was the most common MRI finding in each type of partial MMPRT. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that a characteristic MRI finding, “ocarina sign,” was frequently observed in patients with partial tear/damage of the MM posterior root. The ocarina sign was the most common MRI finding in several types of partial MMPRTs. Our results suggest that the ocarina sign may be useful to diagnose unnoticed partial MMPRTs. Level of evidence: IV, retrospective comparative study.

Three-Dimensional Analysis of the Ideal Entry Point for Sacral Alar Iliac Screws

Watanabe Noriyuki,Takigawa Tomoyuki,Uotani Koji,Oda Yoshiaki,Misawa Haruo,Tanaka Masato,Ozaki Toshifumi 대한척추외과학회 2022 Asian Spine Journal Vol.16 No.6

Study Design: This is a virtual three-dimensional (3D) imaging study examining computed tomography (CT) data to investigate instrumentation placement.Purpose: In this study, we aim to clarify the ideal entry point and trajectory of the sacral alar iliac (SAI) screw in relationship to the dorsal foramen at S1 and the respective nerve root.Overview of Literature: To the best of our knowledge, there is yet no detailed 3D imaging study on the ideal entry point of the SAI screw. Despite the evidence suggesting that the dorsal foramen at S1 is a landmark on the sacrum, the S1 nerve root disruption is a general concern during the insertion of SAI screws. No other study has been published examining the nerve root location at the S1and SAI screw insertions.Methods: Preoperative CT data from 26 patients pertaining to adult spinal deformities were investigated in this study. We applied a 3D image processing method for a detailed investigation. Virtual cylinders were used to mimic SAI screws. These were placed to penetrate the sacral iliac joint without violating the other cortex. We then assessed the trajectory of the longest SAI screw and the ideal entry point of SAI using a color mapping method on the surface of the sacrum. We measured the location of the nerve root at S1 in relation to the foramen at S1 and the sacral surface.Results: As per the results of our color mapping, it was determined that areas that received high scores are located medially and caudally to the dorsal foramen of S1. The mean angle between a horizontal line and a line connecting the medial edge of the foramen and nerve root at S1 was 93.5°. The mean distances from the dorsal medial edge of the foramen and sacral surface to S1 nerve root were 21.8 mm and 13.9 mm, respectively.Conclusions: The ideal entry point of the SAI screw is located medially and caudally to the S1 dorsal foramen based on 3D digital mapping. It is also shown that this entry point spares the S1 nerve root from possible iatrogenic injuries.

Calcar Femorale in Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Hip Secondary to Developmental Dysplasia

Tomonori Tetsunaga,Kazuo Fujiwara,Hirosuke Endo,Tomoko Tetsunaga,Naofumi Shiota,Toru Sato,Toshifumi Ozaki 대한정형외과학회 2017 Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery Vol.9 No.4

Background: We investigated whether the calcar femorale, a cortical septum in the region of the lesser trochanter of the femur, correlates with results of femoral stem implantation in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip secondary to developmental dysplasia using computed tomography. Methods: This retrospective study included 277 hips (41 males and 236 females; age, 37 to 92 years) of patients who had presented to Okayama Medical Center with hip pain. Of these, a total of 219 hips (31 males and 188 females) had previously undergone total hip arthroplasty. According to the Crowe classification, 147 hips were classified as Crowe grade I, 72 hips as Crowe grade II– IV, and 58 hips as normal. Results: The calcar femorale was identified in 267 hips (96.4%). The calcar femorale was significantly shorter and more anteverted in Crowe grade II–IV hips than in Crowe grade I or normal hips. Significant differences in the shape of the calcar femorale were found according to the severity of hip deformity. Three stem designs were analyzed: single-wedge (59 hips), double-wedge metaphyseal filling (147 hips), and modular (13 hips). Single-wedge stems were inserted more parallel to the calcar femorale rather than femoral neck anteversion, while other types of stems scraped the calcar femorale. Conclusions: The angle of the calcar femorale differs according to the severity of hip deformity, and the calcar femorale might thus serve as a more useful reference for stem insertion than femoral neck anteversion in total hip arthroplasty using a singlewedge stem.

Individualized treatment based on CYP3A5 single-nucleotide polymorphisms with tacrolimus in ulcerative colitis

Shinji Okabayashi,Taku Kobayashi,Eiko Saito,Takahiko Toyonaga,Ryo Ozaki,Shintaro Sagami,Masaru Nakano,Junichi Tanaka,Keiji Yagisawa,Satoshi Kuronuma,Osamu Takeuchi,Toshifumi Hibi 대한장연구학회 2019 Intestinal Research Vol.17 No.2

Background/Aims: The pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus (TAC) is known to be largely influenced by single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CYP3A5. Patients starting TAC require careful dose adjustment, owing to the wide range of optimal dosages, depending on their CYP3A5 expression status. Here, we evaluated whether individualization of TAC dosages based on CYP3A5 SNPs would improve its therapeutic efficacy in ulcerative colitis. Methods: Twenty-one patients were prospectively treated, with their initial dosage adjusted according to their CYP3A5 status (0.1, 0.15, and 0.2 mg/kg/day for CYP3A5*3/*3, CYP3A5*1/*3, and CYP3A5*1/*1, respectively). Their clinical outcomes were compared with those of patients treated with a fixed dose (0.1 mg/kg/day). Results: The first blood trough level of CYP3A5 expressors, CYP3A5*1/*3 or CYP3A5*1/*1, and the overall rate in achieving the target blood trough level within a week in the individualized-dose group were significantly higher than those in the fixed-dose group (5.15±2.33 ng/mL vs. 9.63±0.79 ng/mL, P=0.035 and 12.5% vs. 66.7%, P=0.01). The remission rate at 2 weeks in the expressors was as high as that in the nonexpressors, CYP3A5*3/*3, in the individualized-dose group. Conclusions: Individualized TAC treatment is effective against ulcerative colitis regardless of the CYP3A5 genotype. (Intest Res 2019;17:218-226)

Superior outcomes of pullout repairs for medial meniscus posterior root tears in partial tear compared to complete radial tear

( Masanori Tamura ),( Takayuki Furumatsu ),( Yusuke Yokoyama ),( Naohiro Higashihara ),( Koki Kawada ),( Toshifumi Ozaki ) 대한슬관절학회 2024 대한슬관절학회지 Vol.36 No.-

Purpose To reveal the outcomes of partial medial meniscus posterior root tears following transtibial pullout repair compared with the outcomes of complete radial meniscus posterior root tears. Materials and methods We retrospectively evaluated 15 consecutive patients (male/female, 5/10; average age, 64.4 years) who underwent transtibial pullout repair for partial medial meniscus posterior root tears and compared their results with those of 86 consecutive patients who underwent the same surgery for complete medial meniscus posterior root tears. All patients underwent second-look arthroscopy on average 1 year postoperatively, and a semiquantitative meniscal healing score (anteroposterior width, stability, and synovial coverage, total 10 points) was evaluated. Medial meniscus extrusion was evaluated preoperatively and at second-look arthroscopy. Results Postoperative clinical scores were not significantly different in the short term. However, second-look arthroscopy revealed a significant difference in repaired meniscal stability (partial tear; 3.3 points, complete tear; 2.3 points, p < 0.001) and total meniscal healing scores (partial tear; 8.3 points, complete tear; 7.1 points, p < 0.001). Medial meniscus extrusion progression was significantly different (partial tear; 0.4 mm, complete tear; 1.0 mm, p < 0.001). Conclusion Partial medial meniscus posterior root tears showed better meniscal healing and less medial meniscus extrusion progression following pullout repair than complete medial meniscus posterior root tears.

Discrimination between Malignant and Benign Vertebral Fractures Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Tomoyuki Takigawa,Masato Tanaka,Yoshihisa Sugimoto,Tomoko Tetsunaga,Keiichiro Nishida,Toshifumi Ozaki 대한척추외과학회 2017 Asian Spine Journal Vol.11 No.3

Study Design: Retrospective analysis using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Purpose: To identify MRI features that could discriminate benign from malignant vertebral fractures. Overview of Literature: Discrimination between benign and malignant vertebral fractures remains challenging, particularly in patients with osteoporosis and cancer. Presently, the most sensitive means of detecting and assessing fracture etiology is MRI. However, published reports have focused on only one or a few discriminators. Methods: Totally, 106 patients were assessed by MRI within six weeks of sustaining 114 thoracic and/or lumbar vertebral fractures (benign, n=65; malignant, n=49). The fractures were pathologically confirmed if malignant or clinically diagnosed if benign and were followed up for a minimum of six months. Seventeen features were analyzed in all fractures’ magnetic resonance images. Single parameters were analyzed using the chi-square test; a logit model was established using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The chi-square test revealed 11 malignant and 4 benign parameters. Multivariate logistic regression analysis selected (i) posterior wall diffuse protrusion (odds ratio [OR], 48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.2–548; p =0.002), (ii) pedicle involvement (OR, 21; 95% CI, 2.0–229; p =0.01), (iii) posterior involvement (OR, 21; 95% CI, 1.5–21; p =0.02), and (iv) band pattern (OR, 0.047; 95% CI, 0.0005–4.7; p =0.19). The logit model was expressed as P=1/[1+exp (x)], x=−3.88×(i)−3.05×(ii)−3.02×(iii)+3.05×(iv)+5.00, where P is the probability of malignancy. The total predictive value was 97.3%. The only exception was multiple myeloma with features of a benign fracture. Conclusions: Although each MRI feature had a different meaning with a variable differentiation power, combining them led to an accurate diagnosis. This study identified the most relevant MRI features that would be helpful in discriminating benign from malignant vertebral fractures.

Minimal Ablation of the Tibial Stump Using Bony Landmarks Improved Stability and Synovial Coverage Following Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Yuya Kodama,Takayuki Furumatsu,Tomohito Hino,Yusuke Kamatsuki,Toshifumi Ozaki 대한슬관절학회 2018 대한슬관절학회지 Vol.30 No.4

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical effects of using anatomical bony landmarks (Parsons’ knob and the medial intercondylar ridge) and minimal ablation of the tibial footprint to improve knee anterior instability and synovial graft coverage after double­bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective comparison of outcomes between patients who underwent reconstruction with minimal ablation of the tibial footprint, using an anatomical tibial bony landmark technique, and those who underwent reconstruction with wide ablation of the tibial footprint. Differences between the two groups were evaluated using second­look arthroscopy, radiological assessment of the tunnel position, postoperative anterior knee joint laxity, and clinical outcomes. Results: Use of the anatomical reference and minimal ablation of the tibial footprint resulted in a more anterior positioning of the tibial tunnel, with greater synovial coverage of the graft postoperatively (p=0.01), and improved anterior stability of the knee on second­look arthroscopy. Both groups had comparable clinical outcomes. Conclusions: Use of anatomical tibial bony landmarks that resulted in a more anteromedial tibial tunnel position improved anterior knee laxity, and minimal ablation improved synovial coverage of the graft; however, it did not significantly improve subjective and functional short­term outcomes.

Meniscal Extrusion Progresses Shortly after the Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Tear

Takayuki Furumatsu,Yuya Kodama,Yusuke Kamatsuki,Tomohito Hino,Yoshiki Okazaki,Toshifumi Ozaki 대한슬관절학회 2017 대한슬관절학회지 Vol.29 No.4

Purpose: Medial meniscus posterior root tears (MMPRT) induce medial meniscus extrusion (MME). However, the time-dependent extent of MME in patients suffering from the MMPRT remains unclear. This study evaluated the extent of MME after painful popping events that occurred at the onset of the MMPRT. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five patients who had an episode of posteromedial painful popping were investigated. All the patients were diagnosed as having an MMPRT by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within 12 months after painful popping. Medial meniscus body width (MMBW), absolute MME, and relative MME (100×absolute MME/MMBW) were assessed among three groups divided according to the time after painful popping events: early period (<1 month), subacute period (1–3 months), and chronic period (4–12 months). Results: In the early period, absolute and relative MMEs were 3.0 mm and 32.7%, respectively. Absolute MME increased up to 4.2 mm and 5.8 mm during the subacute and chronic periods, respectively. Relative MME also progressed to 49.2% and 60.3% in the subacute and chronic periods, respectively. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that absolute and relative MMEs increased progressively within the short period after the onset of symptomatic MMPRT. Our results suggest that early diagnosis of an MMPRT may be important to prevent progression of MME following the MMPRT.