Ho Kwon

In vivo cartilage formation using chondrogenic-differentiated human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells mixed with fibrin glue.

Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were differentiated into chondrogenic MSCs, and fibrin glue was used together to explore the feasibility of whether cartilages can be generated in vivo by injecting the differentiated cells. Mesenchymal stem cells extracted from human adipose were differentiated into chondrogenic MSCs, and such differentiated cells mixed with fibrin glue were injected subcutaneously into the back of the nude mouse. In addition to visual evaluation of the tissues formed after 4, 8, and 12 weeks, hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson trichrome staining, measurement of glycosaminoglycan concentration using dimethylmethylene blue, agreecan through reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, type II collagen, and expression of SOX-9 were verified. Moreover, the results were compared with 2 groups of controls: 1 control group that received only injection of chondrogenic-differentiated MSC and the supporting control group that received only fibrin glue injection. For the experimental group, cartilage-like tissues were formed after 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Formation of cartilage tissues was not observed in any of 4, 8, and 12 weeks of the control group. The supporting control group had only a small structure formation after 4 weeks, but the formed structure was completely decomposed by the 8th and 12th weeks. The range of staining dramatically increased with time at 4, 8, and 12 weeks in Masson trichrome staining. The concentration of glycosaminoglycan also increased with time. The increased level was statistically significant with more than 3 times more after 8 weeks compared with 4 weeks and more than 2 times more after 12 weeks compared with 8 weeks. Also, in reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction at 4, 8, and 12 weeks, all results expressed a cartilage-specific gene called aggrecan, type II collagen, and SOX-9. The study verified that the chondrogenic-differentiated MSCs derived from human adipose tissues with fibrin glue can proliferate and form new cartilage. Our findings suggest that formation of cartilages in vivo is possible.

Reconstruction of scalp defect after Moyamoya disease surgery using an occipital pedicle V-Y advancement flap.

Scalp necrosis is an infrequent complication of Moyamoya disease surgery, which is more prevalent in the parietotemporal area. Because scalp vascularity is severely compromised after Moyamoya disease surgery, reconstruction of defects with local scalp tissue is challenging. To cover defects, a flap is needed that is highly vascularized and has great mobility and territory to avoid existing scars. After tracing ipsilateral occipital artery, an advancement flap that was based on occipital artery and vein was designed to fit the defect. The flap was elevated in the subperiosteal layer and advanced without tension to cover the defect. Occipital pedicle V-Y advancement flaps were used in 7 patients who had scalp necrosis of the parietotemporal area and a mean defect size of 8.7 cm2. There were no complications such as flap necrosis, infection, or recurrence of defect in all patients during 9-month follow-up. Occipital pedicle V-Y advancement flap is a useful alternative flap for scalp defects after surgical treatments that compromise scalp vascularity, such as Moyamoya disease surgery.

Symmetric Lipofibromatous Hamartoma Affecting Digital Nerves

Lipofibromatous hamartoma of the nerve is a benign tumor, which affects the major nerves and their branches in the human body. It is often found in the median nerve of the hand and is commonly associated with macrodactyly, but it is rarely found in the digital nerves at the peripheral level. This tumor is often found in young adults and may go through a self-limiting course. However, operation is indicated when the tumor size is large or when the associated nerve compressive symptoms are present. We have experienced a rare case of lipofibromatous hamartoma that symmetrically involved the volar digital nerves of both index fingers on the ulnar side. With the aid of a microscope, we dissected and removed the tumor as much as possible without sacrificing the nerve. No sensory change occurred in both fingers and no sign of recurrence was observed upon follow-up.

Giant epidermal inclusion facial cyst.

Epidermal inclusion cyst is one of the most common subcutaneous tumors, and its size normally varies from 1 to 5 cm in diameter. Only few giant epidermal inclusion cysts have been reported in the literature, and giant epidermal cyst of the face has never been reported. An 83-year-old woman visited our hospital for a huge mass on the right side of her face extending to the temporal area, creating deformity of her right ear. The mass was 15 × 15 × 8 cm(3) with soft, cystic nature. It has developed since 20 years ago with no known etiology. Computed tomography scan was obtained for preoperative evaluation, which showed a 15 × 15 × 7-cm(3) huge, lobulated, and septated mass with no underlying bone or brain involvement. We performed complete excision sand biopsy. On histologic examination, the final diagnosis of epidermal inclusion cyst was made. Keratotic material was within the cyst, and the cystic wall was composed of lamellate keratin. Follow-up period was 10 months, and no signs of recurrence were seen. The patient was satisfied with the improvement of her facial appearance. We have observed a case of giant epidermal inclusion cyst of the face, which has never been reported, and present this case with a brief review of literature.

Fibrolipoma of the tip of the nose.

Fibrolipoma is a rare benign tumor that usually presents as an asymptomatic, slowly growing mass with a firm or soft consistency clinically. Histopathologic findings show the proliferation of normal mature fat and fibrous tissue. We report a first case of the fibrolipoma of the nasal tip in a 24-year-old man. The lesion was totally excised and showed no evidence of recurrence after 6 months of follow-up.

Efficacy of Biodegradable Synthetic Polyurethane Foam for Packing Nasal Bone Fractures

Background Nasal bone fracture is the most common traumatic disease among facial bone fractures. General treatment of this trauma is closed reduction, followed by intranasal packing. Vaseline or Furacin roll gauze, and Merocel are commonly used packing materials, but the pain produced while removing the packing is fearful for the patients. To compensate for this shortcoming, there has been an increased use of biodegradable synthetic polyurethane foam (SPF) recently. We performed a retrospective review to analyze the effectiveness of SPF after the closed reduction of nasal bone fracture. Patients and Methods A retrospective review was conducted in 109 patients who underwent closed reduction for pure nasal bone fracture. One group was packed with Furacin roll gauze and the other was packed with SPF. Postoperative pain, hemostatic effect, supporting ability on the fractured segment, and healing of the injured nasal mucosa were compared between the 2 groups. Results A total of 109 patients were reviewed, with 61 patients packed with Furacin roll gauze (group A) and 48 patients packed with SPF (group B). Between the 2 groups, only visual analogue scale of pain at postoperative fourth day was statistically low in group B (P = 0.045) with other parameters showing no statistical difference. Discussion Nasal packing after closed reduction of nasal bone fractures support the reduced fractured bony segment and also has the main role on hemostasis and healing of mucosal injury. Removal of the packing is painful and fearful to the patients. SPF as nasal packing material provides superior outcome in terms of pain and satisfaction and, at the same time, is not inferior to the conventional packing materials with regard to bleeding control, mucosal wound healing, toxicity, and stability of reduced fracture segment.

Ulnar artery perforator free flap for finger resurfacing.

IntroductionThe ulnar forearm flap has been performed by many authors for the reconstruction of finger injuries. This article describes the refinement of the perforator anatomy based on ulnar artery and presents our clinical experience using ulnar artery perforator free flap for finger resurfacing. MethodsAn anatomical study conducted in 10 cadaver forearms demonstrated the consistent origin of the ulnar perforator from the ulnar artery 40 mm proximal to the pisiform. The diameter of the artery was 0.9 mm and the average length of the perforator from the skin to the origin of ulnar artery was 20 mm. Based on this anatomic knowledge, 5 patients underwent ulnar artery perforator flap operations for finger resurfacing. ResultsAll flaps survived without complication, and the patients were satisfied with the aesthetic and function outcome. DiscussionThe ulnar artery perforator flap is thin and pliable and provides nonhairy skin with color and texture matches. In addition, it is a simple and fast procedure with a reliable and constant blood supply. The ulnar artery perforator flap could be an alternative for the resurfacing of finger defects.

Angiomyoma in the buccal space.

Angiomyoma is a rare benign tumor originated from vascular smooth muscle cells, in other words, the tunica media, and the characteristic is the detection of numerous blood vessels together with spindle-shape smooth muscle cells. In most cases, it occurs in the subcutaneous tissue of the limbs, especially in the lower limbs, but it is very rare that it occurs in the head and neck area. In the head and neck area, it is developed most frequently in the larynx and the turbinates, and in addition, the development in the oral cavity (lip, hard palate, tonsil), nose, ear, cheek, parotid gland, and submandibular region has been reported. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of angiomyoma that developed in the buccal space and some reviews of the literature.

Multiple huge epidermal inclusion cysts mistaken as neurofibromatosis.

Epidermal inclusion cyst is one of the common benign soft tissue tumors, and it can be easily confirmed and treated by surgical excision. We experienced a patient who had multiple masses on the face and scalp region, and the masses had been misdiagnosed as neurofibromatosis because of accompanying mental retardation. We would like to introduce a case of clinical diagnosis error caused by the lack of radiologic evaluation and pathologic confirmation. A 27-year-old male patient visited with multiple masses, with a length of approximately 1 to 10 cm on the face and scalp region. These mass have developed since childhood without known etiology, and there has been no histologic examination or surgical excision done in the past. The patients history of seizure disorder and mental retardation led the primary clinician to diagnose it as neurofibromatosis in the initial stage, and therefore, the clinician gave an advice on the possibility of frequent recurrence to the patient. As the masses increased in size, the patient came to our hospital after all. We found that the masses were soft and mobile through the physical examination, and magnetic resonance imaging showed evidence of epidermal inclusion cyst, which is distinguished from neurofibromatosis. Based on physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging, we performed total excision and biopsies. On the histologic examination, it was diagnosed as an epidermal inclusion cyst showing keratotic material internally, and the cyst wall was composed of lamellate keratin. The follow-up period was 12 months, and a recurrence has not occurred. The wound was healed without any specific complication, and both the patient and the guardian were satisfied with the physical enhancement. We have observed a misdiagnosed case that was misconceived by the situation, accompanying mental retardation. Due to this misconception, any surgical treatment was not performed at all, and the symptoms eventually worsened as multiple huge epidermal inclusion cysts. We present this case with a brief review of literature.

Nodular fasciitis in the forehead.

Histologically, nodular fasciitis is observed as similar to sarcoma in soft tissues, and it is referred to as pseudosarcomatous fasciitis. Its histologic findings can be summarized as spindle-shaped fibroblasts, intercellular space between fibroblasts, red blood cells released to the extravascular area, and deposition of mucus within the interstitium. The lesion looks similar to sarcoma histologically and shows the characteristic of rapid growth, which in result is readily misdiagnosed as malignancy. It occurs preferentially in the upper extremities, whereas rarely occurring in the head and neck region. When we encounter subcutaneous nodules of the head and neck region, it is important to keep nodular fasciitis in mind as a differential diagnosis to avoid unnecessary wide resection. In this article, we report a rare case of nodular fasciitis on the forehead and some reviews of the literature.