Olfactory dysfunction in the post COVID-19 condition reported worldwide are refractory for some patients. For this reason, appropriate treatment is desired. In this article, we describe two cases of olfactory dysfunction in the post COVID-19 condition that was improved by traditional acupuncture treatment. By using the Yingxiang point (LI20), which is said to improve the sense of smell since ancient times, acupuncture treatment was performed 1–2 times a week in two patients about 6 and 7 months after the diagnosis of COVID-19. Acupuncture needles with a body length of 30 mm and a body diameter of 0.16 mm were inserted about 10 mm deep into the skin. We stimulated LI20 of the right and left sides until the patients felt the de qi sensation (acupuncture resonance), and left needles in the points for about 15 min. Immediately after the acupuncture treatment, the symptoms of olfactory dysfunction were alleviated, and the improvement in olfactory dysfunction lasted for 2–4 days. As the number of acupuncture treatments increased, the time until the flareup of olfactory dysfunction was prolonged, and the symptoms tended to decrease. In our experience, the acupuncture treatment was effective in a short period for treating residual olfactory dysfunction of the post COVID-19 condition, suggesting that acupuncture may serve as an adjunct to modern medical treatment, and it may also be a new option for patients who are resistant to Western medical treatment or unable to continue treatment because of side effects. In conclusion, acupuncture may be a new option for patients who are resistant to modern medical treatment or who are unable to continue treatment because of side effects.
Background Sarcopenia is considered to be a major factor in frailty, and early detection of sarcopenia is important to prevent frailty. Weakness of the lower abdominal region (WLAR) is one of the findings in Kampo (Traditional Japanese) medicine that indicates a condition similar to sarcopenia. We hypothesized that there may be a correlation between the iliopsoas (psoas) muscle and the rectus abdominis. In this study, we used measurements taken from computed tomography (CT) scans of the iliopsoas muscle and rectus abdominis, and investigated which measurements of abdominal muscle indices are relevant to a diagnosis of sarcopenia. Method The subjects were 100 consecutive patients (50 males and 50 females) who were treated in our department. We collected their age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and WLAR findings, which were divided into three levels: f(0): no WLAR, f(1): suspected WLAR and f(2): obvious WLAR. We also measured CT images of iliopsoas and rectus abdominis muscle-related indices and the psoas muscle index (PMI) was calculated. Results The correlation coefficient between the rectus abdominis data obtained from multiple regression analysis and the PMI was R2 = 0.36 or higher for both females and males, indicating that the size of the iliopsoas muscle can be predicted from measurements of the rectus abdominis muscle. In both females and males, this suggests that sarcopenia groupings determined by the PMI in the iliopsoas muscle are consistent with groupings based on WLAR. The length of the rectus abdominis muscle was measured, and the mean of each of the three WLAR groups showed significant differences in upper rectus abdominis muscle dehiscence and lower rectus abdominis muscle dehiscence in females. In males, there were significant differences in muscle dehiscence only of the upper rectus abdominis. Discussion It is known from previous reports that the iliopsoas muscle is an indicator of sarcopenia. This study suggests that the rectus abdominis muscle might also be an indicator of sarcopenia based on the relationship between the measured values of the iliopsoas and rectus abdominis muscles. When the cutoff values identified with the PMI were applied, significant differences were found among the groups based on PMI and WLAR values, which are currently used for diagnosis. These results suggest that WLAR may provide a useful way of screening case findings for sarcopenia. Conclusion In this study, we were able to identify positive correlations between the rectus abdominis and iliopsoas muscles by obtaining measurements from CT images. Our results indicate that the status of the rectus abdominis might be used in the diagnosis of sarcopenia.
Case:A 76-year-old man with tympanic membrane perforation and hearing loss in the right ear since childhood was hospitalized in September 2015 due to deterioration of renal function. On cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate possible cerebrovascular disorder, an artifact was observed. Further, cranial computed tomography (CT) showed seven metallic objects in the region extending from the right external ear canal to the right middle ear. Outcome: The objects were determined to be acupressure pellets measuring 1 mm in diameter. Conclusion: Taking careful history of any prior ear disease is essential, as is the conducting of thorough examination for tympanic membrane perforation. Use of acupressure pellets on the anterior auricle should be avoided in patients with tympanic membrane perforation.
A 51-year-old man admitted to our hospital because of an ECG abnormality pointed out by his local doctor. He had been hospitalized for scarlet fever at age 10. A coronary artery CT scan showed coronary artery aneurysm of the left main trunk(LMT), and coronary angiography showed 3-vessel disease including a chronic total occlusion of the right coronary artery(RCA). We performed conventional coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG)using an arterial graft and aneurysmectomy. The patency of the graft was confirmed by coronary angiography postoperatively. The pathological diagnosis of the coronary aneurysm was Kawasaki disease. CABG is a standard procedure for coronary artery aneurysms with Kawasaki disease. However, there are no established treatment guidelines on whether to perform aneurysmectomy. We chose CABG with aneurysmectomy because of the possibility of intraaneurysmal thrombosis leading to peripheral occlusion, and the cause of the coronary artery aneurysm could not be determined. However, even if additional treatment by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)is not possible, it is important to avoid occlusion of the graft. Jpn. J. Cardiovasc. Surg. 39 : 305-308(2010) Keywords:Kawasaki disease, coronary aneurysm, coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG)
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