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The estimated prevalence of AL CA in the US is approximately 8-12 cases per million. Almost 30-50% diagnosed cases of AL amyloid in the US have multisystem involvement, including cardiac involvement. Even with the availability of advanced diagnostic testing and novel therapies, prognosis remains poor. It is overlooked as a cause of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction leading to a delay in diagnosis when management options are limited and associated with poor survival outcomes. Therefore, the education of physicians is needed to ensure that it would be highly considered as a differential diagnosis. The purpose of this manuscript is to review the advances in the diagnosis and management of cardiac amyloidosis with the aim of educating colleagues who provide care in the primary care setting. We have summarized the pathogenesis of amyloidosis, its association with plasma cell dyscrasias, novel diagnostic and surveillance approaches including echocardiography, cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, histopathologic techniques, systemic biomarkers, and advanced treatment approaches including supportive symptomatic management and standard of care chemotherapy targeting the amyloid deposits. Given the overall poor prognosis of amyloidosis, we have also discussed the role of palliative and hospice care.

Introduction Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an established risk factor for poor cardiovascular outcomes and coronary artery disease, but its influence on the development of peripheral artery disease (PAD) is not well established. The aim of our study was to understand the mutual prevalence of OSA and PAD and any reported statistical association between the two conditions. Methods PubMed, Ovid Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane library and clinicaltrials.gov databases were systematically searched up to 29 November 2018. A total of 844 articles were identified and 744 articles were screened for relevance. Results and Conclusion Eleven prospective cohorts qualified for inclusion with N = 63,642 (M = 28,062, F = 35,494). All studies evaluated OSA severity primarily with apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) values. The overall prevalence of PAD was 20.5% (N = 13,068). Except for two studies, all studies reported an increased prevalence of OSA in patients with PAD. OSA severity was not found to have an association with poor ankle brachial index values or increasing daytime sleepiness as measured by Epworth sleepiness scale. Further prospective clinical trials are required to further delineate this finding.

The use of methamphetamines is growing worldwide with cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of mortality and morbidity. Long-term use of methamphetamines is associated with malignant hypertension, myocardial ischemia, pulmonary hypertension, and methamphetamines-associated cardiomyopathy. These effects are noted to be dose-dependent and potentially reversible with discontinuation of methamphetamines in the early stages when there is limited or no myocardial fibrosis. This review aims to (1) summarize the available data from epidemiologic studies, (2) describe pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical presentation, (3) Management of methamphetamines induced cardiomyopathy and potential complications associated with it, and (4) Strategies to reduce methamphetamines abuse and related hospitalization.

Red cell distribution width (RDW) serves as an independent predictor towards the prognosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A systematic search of databases such as PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane library was performed on October 10th, 2019, to elaborate the relationship between RDW and in hospital and long term follow up, all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and development of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with CAD undergoing PCI. Twenty-one studies qualified this strict selection criterion (number of patients = 56,425): one study was prospective, and the rest were retrospective cohorts. Our analysis showed that patients undergoing PCI with high RDW had a significantly higher risk of in-hospital all-cause mortality (OR 2.41), long-term all-cause mortality (OR 2.44), cardiac mortality (OR 2.65), MACE (OR: 2.16), and odds of developing CIN (OR: 1.42) when compared to the patients with low RDW. Therefore, incorporating RDW in the predictive models for the development of CIN, MACE, and mortality can help in triage to improve the outcomes in coronary artery disease patients who undergo PCI.

Cardiac output measurement has become increasingly important in anaesthesia and critical care, particularly with the growing emphasis on perioperative medicine. Flow cannot be measured by any direct means and therefore models are employed to deduce useful information from other parameters. Numerous techniques are available, each with advantages and disadvantages in terms of invasiveness and validity. Often a balance is struck between invasiveness and validity of the measurements, with acceptance of trends monitoring in some cases, rather than absolute values of cardiac output.

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have a high prevalence of coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to characterize outcomes after CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients without or with DM.PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Google Scholar were queried for studies comparing non-DM vs. DM patients undergoing attempted CTO PCI. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at longest follow-up (at least 6 months). Secondary outcomes were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) which is a composite endpoint including myocardial infarction, cardiac or all-cause mortality and any revascularization in patients after CTO PCI, target vessel revascularization (TVR), myocardial infarction (MI), Japanese chronic total occlusion (J-CTO) score and prevalence of multivessel (MV) CTO disease. We used a random effects model to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Sixteen studies, including 2 randomized control trials and 14 observational studies, met inclusion criteria. At longest follow-up, all-cause mortality (OR 0.54 [95% CI 0.37-0.80], p0.0001) and MACE (OR 0.82 [95% CI 0.72-0.93], p0.00001) were significantly lower in non-DM CTO patients. MV CTO disease was less prevalent in patients without DM (OR 0.80 [95% CI 0.69-0.93], p = 0.004). However, there were no differences in MI, TVR and J-CTO score.Non-diabetics undergoing CTO PCI have lower all-cause mortality and MACE than diabetics. Future research may determine if DM control improves diabetics' CTO PCI outcomes.

Introduction: Since the approval of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), nonagenarian group patients are being increasingly considered for TAVR. Therefore, we compared the clinical outcomes of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) vs TAVR in nonagenarians with severe aortic stenosis. Methods: A literature search was performed using MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Clinicaltrials.gov for studies reporting the comparative outcomes of TAVR versus SAVR in nonagenarians. The primary endpoint was short-term mortality. Secondary endpoints were post-operative incidences of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), vascular complications, acute kidney injury (AKI), transfusion requirement, and length of hospital stay. Results: Four retrospective studies qualified for inclusion with a total of 8,389 patients (TAVR = 3,112, SAVR = 5,277). Short-term mortality was similar between the two groups [RR = 0.91 (95% CI: 0.76–1.10), p = 0.318]. The average length of hospital stay was shorter by 3 days in the TAVR group (p = 0.037). TAVR was associated with a significantly lower risk of AKI [RR = 0.72 (95% CI: 0.62–0.83), p

The society is suffering from various health-related issues due to many reasons. Due to advancements in automation, people are becoming lazy day by day, and the participation in physical activities is less. Due to this, people are joining gym for maintaining their health. The number of fitness industries is increasing worldwide day by day. So, there is a competition going on in various fitness industries across the world. In this paper, assessment of the quality of various fitness centers of Jodhpur city has been done. Both descriptive and inferential statistical analysis has been performed. SERVQUAL is utilized to measure the quality of service measures.

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is a relatively uncommon post-infectious, immune-mediated neurologic disorder with an incidence of 0.5-2/100,000. It is usually preceded by an infection that evokes an immune response that cross-reacts with peripheral nerve components via molecular mimicry. The presentation of this disorder has several forms, including acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP), acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN), acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN), and Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS). The case we describe is of a 57-year-old male presenting with sensory features followed by symmetrical ascending paralysis and diagnosed with ASMAN, a recently described subtype of GBS, based on neurological and laboratory findings.

Cardiac sarcoidosis is a rare immunologically driven process seen in 2% to 5% of patients with systemic sarcoidosis. We present a 31-year-old woman who presented after a ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest. A comprehensive diagnostic workup was unrevealing. Despite negative cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography facilitated the diagnosis. This case illustrates both the limitations of the diagnostic workup of sarcoidosis and the usefulness of positron emission tomography in the early diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis.

Background: The ASPIRE and ENDEAVOUR trials have shown cardiovascular adverse effects in patients treated with carfilzomib-based regimens. Therefore, we conducted this meta- analysis of published clinical trials to identify the cumulative incidence and risk of cardiovascular adverse effects due to carfilzomib. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane library was performed, and we identified 45 prospective trials of carfilzomib with data on 5583 patients. Among all patients being treated with carfilzomib (N=5,583), 8.9% sustained all grade cardiotoxicity, while 4.4% sustained high-grade cardiotoxicity. All-grade hypertension was present in 13.2%, while the incidence of high-grade hypertension was 5.3%. Result: The observed incidences of all-grade heart failure, edema, and ischemia were 5.1%, 20.7%, and 4.6%, respectively. Likewise, for high-grade heart failure and edema observed incidence was 3.2%, and 2.7%, respectively. There was no difference in the event rate of all and highgrade cardiotoxicity between newly diagnosed multiple myeloma and relapsed/refractory (p-value 0.42 and 0.86, respectively). Likewise, we did not observe any difference in the event rate of all and high-grade cardiotoxicity when carfilzomib was used as a single agent versus when used in combination therapy with other agents (p-value 0.43 and 0.73, respectively). Conclusion: Carfilzomib is associated with a significant risk of cardiovascular toxicity and hypertension. With the increasing utilization of carfilzomib, it is critical for primary care physicians, oncologists and cardiologists to be aware of the risk of cardiotoxicity associated with the use of carfilzomib to recognize and treat baseline cardiovascular risk factors in such patients.

Study design Retrospective Cohort Study. Objective Low back pain (LBP) and radiculopathy present a significant burden to patients and healthcare systems. Lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) is associated with LBP. While the prevalence of LDD in older, symptomatic, patients has been extensively documented there has been little describing the prevalence in younger patients. Methods 1011 patients aged 20–30 years, who had undergone Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), for investigation of LBP and or radiculopathy, over a 9-year period were identified. Those who had previous surgery, congenital deformities or unavailable imaging were excluded. A single surgeon evaluated the MRI images of 730 patients and classified each lumbar disc according to the Pfirrmann classification. 105 randomly selected patient’s imaging was reviewed again by the primary reviewer and by a consultant musculoskeletal radiologist with the kappa coefficients for inter-rater and intra-rater agreement calculated. Results Of the 730 patients, 428 (58.6%) had MRI evidence of LDD (Pfirrmann III, IV, V). 255 (59.6%) demonstrated single level pathology and 173 (41.4%) multilevel involvement. There was very high intra/inter observer agreement with kappa coefficients for intra-observer agreement from 0.65 to 0.98 and inter-observer agreement from 0.51 to 0.88. Conclusions This is the largest study to document the prevalence of LDD in a symptomatic young cohort. A large prospective study including non-symptomatic patients and information on associated factors would add further information. Given the considerably higher than anticipated prevalence identified in this study and the significant burden associated with LBP this study should encourage such further research.

Esophageal perforation with subsequent development of a mediastinal abscess is a well-known clinical entity. Etiologies including idiopathic and iatrogenic with invasive procedures have been reported in medical literatures. This condition is seriously associated with high co-morbidity and in some cases especially if intervention has not been applied associated with high mortality. For long time, open surgical intervention was the only available treatment modality for esophageal perforation with subsequent development of a mediastinal abscess. However, recently there are some other less invasive modalities that have been used with comparable if not preferable success including; self-expandable metallic or plastic stents and imaging guided percutaneous drainage of the mediastinal abscess combined with stenting. We report a patient who presented with esophageal perforation complicated with a mediastinal abscess that was treated successfully with an imaging guided percutaneous drainage of the mediastinal abscess. This case is to emphasize on the fact that endoscopic stent placement is safe and effective for esophageal perforations. Percutaneous CT-guided drainage of associated mediastinal abscesses is an uncommon procedure, but the results suggest that it is associated with high technical and clinical success rates. There should be increased involvement of interventional radiology in the management of those cases.

One of the most common cause of arbovirus encephalitis in the United States of America (USA) is West Nile virus (WNV). In immunocompetent hosts, 70-80% of infected individuals have subclinical disease. However, in less than 1% of people infected by WNV it can become fulminant neuroinvasive disease associated with neurological morbidity. Herein, we discuss a case of neuroinvasive WNV disease with non-specific symptoms in an immunocompetent young female in Omaha. Our patient survived the acute phase of WNV encephalitis but has extended recovery to daily functioning. We also reviewed literature on WNV cases in immunocompetent individuals and to the best of our knowledge only 3 cases have been reported to date. The difference between reported cases and our case is her younger age, bilateral upper and lower extremity paralysis, 30 day hospitalization with significant morbidity leading to a prolonged stay at rehabilitation facility with residual cognitive and gross motor impairment. Usually WNV is not considered a differential in immunocompetent individuals which leads to delay in diagnosis, management and therefore increases mortality and morbidity. Therefore purpose of our case report is to raise awareness of atypical presentations of WNV infection in immunocompetent individuals in non-endemic area to emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and management.

Oral health is an important international public health issue; impacting individuals, communities, health systems, economies and society at large. More importantly, it is one of the most neglected areas on global health map to the current understanding on the mechanism of initiation and progression of oral disease; there are still certain lacunae present in our knowledge of prevention of periodontal disease. In spite of vast understanding of the disease, the inability to identify high-risk forms exists. Prevention of oral diseases and the ability to detect disease activity at an early stage are yet unexplored in Dentistry. These disparities need to be reckoned for seeking better solutions and future policies for improvement in global oral health. To understand and resolve these oral health disparities are a need of hour otherwise it will widen the gap between developed and developing countries. A data-based search was conducted using Google scholar Medline search using terms oral health, health inequalities, global disease, oral health disparities.

Randomized controlled trials have reported 10% to 23% prevalence of anemia in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Current clinical guidelines fail to offer recommendations for its concurrent management in such patients. We conducted meta-analysis to review impact of

Multiple myeloma (MM) accounts for 1.6% of all cancers and 5%-10% of all hematologic malignancies in the United States (US). Despite marked progress in disease management, it remains incurable with high rates of relapse. We conducted a bibliographic analysis on the Web of Science (WOS) from July 25, 2017 and July 29, 2017. Among the top 100 most-cited articles (1901-2012), the most cited article received 2404 citations and least cited article received 336 citations. Forty-four of 100 articles were published in journals with impact factors greater than 20. We observed that over the years, the focus of research has shifted from diagnosis, staging, and pathogenesis to better treatment outcomes. A subgroup analysis of the top 100 cited articles published in the last five years (2012-2017) demonstrated that several landmark studies, which will likely change the landscape of treating multiple myeloma, were not included in the top 100 list. Interestingly, most of these articles were focused on novel therapeutic agents. This bibliographic analysis provides a list of the 100 top-cited articles in multiple myeloma along with the captivating comprehension of the history and development in various aspects of disease processes. The landscape of this disease is rapidly evolving, and bibliometric studies such as the one presented provide a valuable tool that can highlight the important transitions in the field.

Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection causes morbidity and mortality in solid-organ transplant recipients. Drug-resistant CMV is an emerging problem with poor survival outcomes and limited therapeutic options. In this study we comprehensively address the issue of drug resistance in CMV when compared with standard therapies, such as ganciclovir (GCV) and foscarnet. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of adult patients diagnosed with CMV after solid-organ transplant at our center between 2013 and 2017, and identified 7 resistant CMV cases. To study risk factors in the published literature, we performed an extensive database search. Results All patients had documented UL97 mutations, and 3 patients harbored both UL97 and UL54 mutations. For cases with increasing viral load or failure to achieve clinical improvement despite optimal therapy, genetic resistance testing was carried out. Patients received GCV and foscarnet combination therapy. As an adjunct, CMV immunoglobulin, cidofovir, and leflunomide were added. Risk factors, including donor+/recipient− serostatus, persistent high viral replication, prolonged therapeutic GCV exposure (>2.5 months), and allograft rejection, were assessed. Conclusion Patients at risk, especially those with D+/R− serostatus, should be judiciously monitored for resistance. Prolonged intravenous GCV exposure increases the risk for development of drug resistance. Therefore, precise guidelines are required for prevention of long-term GCV/VGCV exposure. Investigation regarding interferon-gamma release assay and adoptive transfer of T cells in diagnosed CMV patients is warranted to improve future prophylactic and management strategies against CMV, with a potential to reduce the requirement for available toxic antiviral drugs.

Standard induction therapy for multiple myeloma is three-drug combination based on following classes of drugs: proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulators and steroids. Despite its notable efficacy, bortezomib has side effects like peripheral neuropathy (PNP) with reported incidence of grade ≥3 PNP between 2%–23% Schlafer et al., 2017. Carfilzomib (CFZ) has high selectivity and minimal off-target adverse effects including lower rates of PNP. CFZ is already approved for treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) as single agent as well as in combination with lenalidomide and/or dexamethasone. Extensive literature search identified a total of 1839 articles. Twenty-six articles (n = 5980) met the inclusion criteria, 15 in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) and 11 in RRMM group. CFZ demonstrates comparable or even better efficacy to bortezomib with much favorable AE profile. Deep, rapid and sustainable response using KRd with safer toxicity profile supports extension of KRd therapy to frontline therapy for all risk categories of MM. High incidence of grade ≥3 HTN underscores the importance of serial BP monitoring. In RRMM, CFZ has documented efficacy with standard 20–27mg/m2 dose. Further large-scale trials are needed to study benefit-to-risk profile of 20–56 and 20–70 mg/m2 dose of CFZ vs standard 20–27 mg/m2 dose in NDMM and RRMM.

Intractable cerebral Nocardia mexicana in a GvHD patient successfully treated with linezolid

Shewanella species are Gram-negative, saprophytic, motile bacilli. Exposure to aquatic environment and raw fish ingestion have been defined as significant associated risk factors. The two species most commonly associated with human infections are Shewanella algae and Shewanella putrefaciens and major portion of infections (80%) caused by the former. Herein, we report a case of Shewanella septicaemia in a 70-year-old man in Omaha, NE who had no exposure to aquatic environment. To date, no defined treatment guidelines are present due to rarity of Shewanella infections, which is contributing to emerging antibiotic resistance.

e19537 Background: To improve outcomes, multiple agents with varied mechanisms of action targeting different multiple myeloma (MM) clones are needed. Methods: Systematic review of ongoing phase I-III clinical trials in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) was performed, (PRISMA guidelines) using 5 databases. Results: 8 trials n = 1,990 patients included (Table 1). We evaluated the efficacy of following four drug combinations Isatuximab (Isa), bortezomib (V), lenalidomide (R)dexamethasone (d) (Isa-VRd) Daratumumab (Dara) plus V, Melphalan (M) and Prednisone (P) (Dara-VMP) vs VMP Dara-VRd vs VRd Carfilzomib (K), Cyclophosphamide (C), R, Dexamethasone (KCRD) vs an immunomodulatory agent containing triplet (CTD/CRD) Dara with Ixazomib (I), R,d (Dara- IRd) Dara, Cyclophosphamide (Cy), V,d (Dara-CyBord) Elotuzumab (Elo) VRd Dara with K,R,d (Dara- KRd) For transplant-eligible patients, Dara-VRd demonstrated the best treatment response (VGPR = 100%, CR rate = 63% and 15 months PFS = 94%). Dara-VMP (ORR = 90.9%,VGPR+ = 72.9%, mPFS at 27. 8 m = NR) and Isa+VRd (ORR = 93%, VGPR = 71.43%, 7.5 m PFS = 100%) were associated with improvement in OR in transplant ineligible patients. Dara-KRd showed excellent efficacy (ORR = 100%, ≥VGPR = 86%) with 100% 6 m PFS. Conclusions: Four-drug regimens have improved efficacy (higher ORR, deeper response, higher proportion of MRD negativity and higher ≥VGPR responses) compared to three-drug regimens in NDMM, with a comparable incidence of toxicities. Longer follow-up is needed. [Table: see text]

Vaporizers are an integral part of modern-day anaesthesia, allowing the delivery of safe concentrations of volatile anaesthetic agent. Over time, vaporizer design has improved to be closer to the ideal. Today, vaporizers can be classified as ‘variable bypass’, where a portion of the fresh gas flow passes through the vaporizing chamber, or ‘measured flow’, where the flow of volatile agent is separately measured as it passes under pressure into the fresh gas flow. Understanding the operation of vaporizers, and the basic principles and designs behind this, is important to enable correct usage, handling and maintenance of vaporizers in everyday anaesthesia.

7050Background: Relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AlloHSCT) for Ph+ve acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) remains the major cause of treatment failure. Use of tyr...

Restoration of immune response by highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) effectively improved the overall prognosis of HIV infection. However, 25%–31.7% of patients experience paradoxical worsening of pre-existing infections or unmasking of subclinical infections after starting HAART therapy, which is termed as immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). Acute granulomatous interstitial nephritis as a consequence of IRIS has never been reported with Mycobacteriumkansasiicoinfection. Here, we describe an HIV/AIDS patient coinfected with disseminated M. kansasii infection, who presented with acute kidney injury 4.5 months after initiation of HAART. The diagnostic workup revealed IRIS was the cause of acute kidney injury. Short-term course of prednisone (1 mg/kg/day) along with antimycobacterial and HAART regimen achieved significant improvement.

The problem of Robot Selection is of great relevance in the present times of automation. Traditionally such problems were addressed using conventional techniques of Multi Criteria Decision Making such as The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and The Multi Attribute Utility Theory (MAUT). This paper proposes a methodology for solving common Robot Selection problems using a modification of the conventional AHP by incorporating `Fuzzy Linguistic Variables' in place of numbers. The methodology encapsulates creation of Fuzzy Interface for conversion of input and output variables into suitable linguistic variables. Further, employing the fuzzification process by assigning the linguistic variables to numerical values of the membership functions and formulating suitable decision rules, the procedure culminates into the defuzzification process for converting fuzzy output into crisp value and obtaining the result in the form of Fuzzy Score. The proposed model is explained using a numerical example. The paper also presents a validation of the proposed methodology over real world problems and provides directions for future research towards the end.

A 70-year-old man with history of heart transplant performed in 1986, presented with altered mental status. CT scan of brain showed ring-enhancing lesions, raising suspicion for metastatic malignancy. Work-up revealed bilateral adrenal masses, biopsy showed granulomatous changes consistent with histoplasmosis. The possibility of histoplasmosis was less likely as the patient had no prior history of symptomatic disease and had lived in the endemic area 30 years prior to presentation. Brain biopsy confirmed central nervous system involvement. Amphotericin B was initiated for disseminated disease but his hospital course was complicated by renal failure and new liver hypodensities on follow-up imaging. Acute progressive disseminated histoplasmosis can manifest after decades of initial exposure and should always be in differential diagnosis even in non-endemic areas for prompt diagnosis and better clinical outcome.

Resume Les kystes synoviaux provenant de l’articulation tibiofibulaire proximale (tibioperoniere superieure) sont souvent symptomatiques. Leur progression peut entrainer la compression du nerf peronier commun (nerf sciatique poplite externe). L’importance de la resection du kyste et de son pedicule est soulignee en prevention des recidives. Le traitement peut etre difficile dans les cas recidivants. Nous decrivons une intervention ou, apres recidive, la resection de l’articulation tibiofibulaire proximale (tibioperoniere superieure) associee a celle du kyste a conduit a une guerison complete dans deux cas.

Synovial cysts originating from proximal tibiofibular joint are commonly symptomatic. They can progress to cause pressure effects over the common peroneal nerve. In order to prevent recurrence the importance of excision of the ganglion and its stalk is emphasised. In recurrent cases treatment can be difficult. We describe an operation where after recurrence superior tibiofibular joint excision along with the cyst led to complete recovery in two cases.

This paper proposes a facility layout generation model based on hierarchical clustering for problems with multiple objectives. Deploying the proximity score, the proposed model addresses all three stages of a typical block layout generation procedure viz., selection of departments to be placed; 'construction' or placement of each department and evaluation of the alternatives generated. The model is explained using a numerical example each for single and multiple objective type layout problems. Finally, in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the heuristic, a set of problems solved by various researchers is put together and solved and the results compared with their best solutions.

We report a case of progressive cubitus varus deformity caused by a physeal bar following a supracondylar humeral fracture in a 4-year-old girl. Malreduction is thought to be the commonest cause of this deformity, which is nonprogressive. A corrective osteotomy in cases like ours should be deferred until skeletal maturity.

Answers on p 433. A 16 year old white girl was referred to a children’s spine clinic because of concerns about a mild scoliosis. On questioning, however, her main concern was a one year history of left …

To The Editor: We read with great interest the article “Surgical Treatment of Limb-Length Discrepancy Following Total Hip Arthroplasty” (2003;85:2310-7), by Parvizi et al. The study retrospectively reviewed the cases of twenty-one patients who had had revision total hip replacement for limb-length discrepancy. According to the authors, in six patients (Cases 2, 6, 9, 12, 13, and 20), the primary problem leading to limb-length inequality was excessive anteversion or retroversion of the acetabular component. In these patients, there was no obvious longitudinal malalignment of the cup or of the femoral component (Table I). All of these six patients underwent revision of the acetabular component alone, and the limb lengths equalized in four patients and the discrepancy decreased in the other two. The authors described two different categories of limb-length discrepancy. The six patients mentioned above obviously … Corresponding author: William J. Hozack, MD Rothman Institute of Orthopaedics 925 Chestnut Street, 5th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19107 rihip{at}aol.com