• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.142-149
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• 2009

Purpose: We wanted to assess the radiological and clinical results and the prognostic factors after an operation for capitellar fractures associated with/without other injury around the elbow. Materials and Methods: Among the 25 patients (mean age: 49 years-old) who underwent open reduction and internal fixation for capitellar fractures, there were nineteen type 1 fractures and six type 3 fractures. The mean follow up period was 14.8 months. We assessed the factors affecting the radiological and functional results, such as the fracture pattern, the patient age and the surgical approaches. Results: In 24 of 25 patients, bony union was achieved at postoperative 1 year. There were eighteen excellent, four good, two fair and one poor functional results according to the Broberg and Morrey elbow score. The most common type was type 1 and the most common associated injury was lateral condylar fracture. The patients with type 1 fracture rather than the patients with type 3 fracture and the patients who had an extraarticular associated fracture rather than an intraarticular associated fracture had better clinical outcomes. Conclusion: 22 (88%) of the patients were satisfied at the result. The type of capitellar fracture and an associated intraarticular elbow fracture were shown to be important prognostic factors in this study.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.116-121
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• 2005

Purpose: Isolated capitellar fractures are rare, intra-articular fractures requiring an aggressive management regimen. Review the outcome after open reduction and internal fixation of the capitellar fractures. Materials and Methods: From 1998 to 2004, 4 patients with displaced fractures of the humeral capitellum were treated by open reduction and internal fixation of the capitellar fragments with cannulated screws. By use of the criteria of Bryan and Morrey et al, there were 3 type I fractures, 1 type III fracture. A lateral approach was used. The elbows were immobilized postoperatively for 4 to 28 days We evaluated the range of motion, stability, and pain using the criteria of Mayo score. Results: The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 36 months (mean, 15months). Three patients had a stable, pain-free elbow with good range of motion at follow-up. One patient with a neglected capitellar fracture have felxtion cpontracture of 40 degrees with 100 degrees of further felxion(total arc: 60) due to poor compliance to the postoperative rehabilitation. All fractures healed, and there was no evidence of avascular necrosis or degenerative change. Conclusion: Capitellar fractures, rare in case, gave a good result after open reduction and simple internal fixation with cannulated screws without any problem.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.527-533
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• 2005

Purpose : Long-term administration of anticonvulsants in children with epilepsy may cause short stature, hypocalcemia and low bone mineral density. This study was performed for the early detection of abnormal bone metabolism in children with epilepsy on taking anticonvulsants. Methods : Thirty children aged 5 to 16 years who were diagnosed with epilepsy were enrolled in this study. All had taken anticonvulsants for more than one year. Bone mineral density of lumbar vertebra was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum calcium, phosphorous, alkaline phosphatase, 25-hydroxycholecalciferol[$25(OH)D_3$], parathyroid hormone, and urine deoxypyridinoline were measured as biochemical bone markers. Bone age and body mass index were also calculated. Results : Bone minreal density, body mass index, bone age, and height were significantly decreased in two female patients who had taken two antiepileptic drugs for more than four years and they also had chronic diseases such as cerebral palsy with microcephaly, encephalomalacia, and microcephaly with atrial septal defect. Bone mineral density had significant positive correlations with body mass index(P<0.01) and bone age(P<0.01). Conclusion : This study showed chronic medication of anticonvulsants in children may cause low bone mineral density and short stature. Bone age and body mass index could be the important surrogate markers to find the population at risk. More studies, including a large study population and long term cohort study, will be required.