• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.22-32
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• 2006

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the roles of the spinal and peripheral ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA)- ergic systems for the mechanical hypersensitivity produced by chronic compression of the dorsal root ganglion (CCD). Methods: CCD was performed at the left 5th lumbar dorsal root ganglion. The paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) to von Frey stimuli was measured. The mechanical responsiveness of the lumbar dorsal horn neurons was examined. GABAergic drugs were delivered with intrathecal (i.t.) or intraplantar (i.pl.) injection or by topical application onto the spinal cord. Results: CCD produced mechanical hypersensitivity, which was evidenced by the decrease of the PWT, and it lasting for 10 weeks. For the rats showing mechanical hypersensitivity, the mechanical responsiveness of the lumbar dorsal horn neurons was enhanced. A similar increase was observed with the normal lumbar dorsal horn neurons when the GABA-A receptor antagonist bicuculline was topically applied. An i.t. injection of GABA-A or GABA-B receptor agonist, muscimol or baclofen, alleviated the CCD-induced hypersensitivity. Topical application of same drugs attenuated the CCD-induced enhanced mechanical responsiveness of the lumbar dorsal horn neurons. CCD-induced hypersensitivity was also improved by low-dose muscimol applied (i.pl.) into the affected hind paw, whereas no effects could be observed with high-dose muscimol or baclofen. Conclusions: The results suggest that the neuropathic pain associated with compression of the dorsal root ganglion is caused by hyperexcitability of the dorsal horn neurons due to a loss of spinal GABAergic inhibition. Peripheral application of low-dose GABA-A receptor agonist can be useful to treat this pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.56-62
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• 2006

Background: Balloon kyphoplasty is the new technique that helps to decrease the pain and improve mobility as well as restore the vertebral body height and kyphotic curve in fractured vertebrae. We evaluated the outcome of balloon kyphoplasty in the reduction of vertebral body height, kyphotic curve and clinical improvement in the patients with painful vertebral compression fractures. Methods: From July 2002 to February 2005, 84 levels of vertebral compression fractures in 66 patients were treated with balloon kyphoplasty. The assessment criteria were the changes over time in visual analogue scale (VAS) and mobility score. We evaluated the vertebral body height and kyphotic curve at preoperative 1 day and postoperative 1 day. Results: Procedures were performed in 66 patients with a total of 84 affected vertebral bodies. The anterior wall height was restored in 74 / 84 (88%) levels with a mean increment of 2.9 mm, and the mid-vertebral body height was restored in 79 / 84 (94%) levels with a mean increment of 4.2 mm. Kyphosis correction was achieved in 60 / 84 (71.4%) from 10.1 degrees to 7.5 degrees. Pain intensity reduced by 60% in one day after operation and by 75-85% in later time. Mobility scores of all patients were improved immediately after the procedure. Cement leakage occurred in 3 levels but there was no clinical problem. Conclusions: Kyphoplasty is an efficient and safe treatment of painful vertebral compression fracture in pain relief, mobility improvement, and reduction of deformity.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.197-201
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• 2008

Background: Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that can stabilize osteoporotic and neoplastic vertebral fractures. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical outcomes of kyphoplasty for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures in cancer patients. Methods: We reviewed the clinical data of 27 cancer patients who were treated with kyphoplasty (55 vertebral bodies) between May 2003 and Feb 2008. The clinical parameters, using a visual analog 10 point scale (VAS) and the mobility scores, as well as consumption of analgesic, were evaluated preoperatively and at 1 week after kyphoplasty. Results: A total 55 cases of thoracic and lumbar kyphoplasties were performed without complications. The mean age of the patients was 66 years. All the patients experienced a significant improvement in their subjective pain and mobility immediately after the procedures. The pain scores (VAS), mobility scores and other functional evaluations using the Oswestry disability score and the SF-36 showed significant differences between the pre- and postoperational conditions. Conclusions: Kyphoplasty is an effective, minimally invasive procedure that can relieve the pain of patients with vertebral compression fractures and these fractures are the result of metastasis.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.255-260
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• 2013

Bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy(BSSRO) of the mandible is an essential and commonly used procedure to correct dentofacial deformities and malocclusion. The possible complications associated with BSSRO include inferior alveolar nerve injury, bleeding, temporomandibular disorder, unfavorable fractures, and clinical relapse. The incidence of facial nerve palsy after orthognathic surgery recently reported is 0.1%. The probable etiologies have included facial nerve compression, complete or incomplete nerve transection, nerve traction, and nerve ischemia from anesthetic injection. Postoperative facial palsy is one of the most serious complications because it reduces the quality of life and significantly reduces social interaction. The case of a 24-year-old patient who underwent bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy is described. The medical records and postoperative photographs were reviewed in detail to collect information on the clinical course, treatment, and outcomes.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.186-191
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• 2014

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to assess pain relief according to the time after kyphoplasty and to evaluate the factors affecting pain relief after kyphoplasty in the treatment of a single-level osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. Methods: A retrospective review of 34 kyphoplasties for single-level osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures was performed. Pain relief was assessed by using the visual analogue scale (VAS) at preoperatively and postoperatively at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Associated factors, including age, sex, pain duration, bone mineral density, and cement leakage, were evaluated using the patients' medical records. Statistical analyses were conducted using the paired t-test to assess pain relief and using the independent t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient to evaluate the relationship between those factors and pain relief. Results: Preoperatively, the mean VAS score was 7.06. Postoperatively, it declined to 3.66 (p=0.001), 2.81 (p=0.001) and 2.24 (p=0.001) at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months, respectively. Also, statistically significant pain relief was observed during the periods from 6 weeks to 3 months (p=0.001) and from 3 months to 6 months (p=0.001). However, reduction of the VAS score showed no significant correlation with age, sex, pain duration, bone mineral density, or cement leakage (p>0.05). Conclusion: Our study suggests that a kyphoplasty may be effective in osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture patients with acute pain and that after the kyphoplasty, pain is reduced remarkably for 6 weeks and then continuously for 6 months.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.84-89
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• 2012

The radicular cyst is the most common odontogenic cyst which is caused by pulpal inflammation, pulp death, and secondary to trauma or dental caries. Usually, the radicular cyst is asymptomatic, but a secondary inflammation can cause pain, swelling and redness. Getting larger, the radicular cyst can cause facial asymmetry and paresthesia by pressure on nerves. It requires conservative endodontic treatment or surgical approach. When the size of cyst is large or invasion of the adjacent tissue is not expected, cyst enucleation is carried out. And most of the case can be completely cured and shows low recurrence. In these radicular cysts cases, by cyst enucleation or apicoectomy after root canal treatment simultaneously, the infected teeth can be preserved successfully.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.224-229
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• 2007

Vertebral compression fractures can occur due to trauma, a malignancy, or most commonly, osteoporosis. These fractures are frequently seen in elderly women; 30% of postmenopausal women are affected by vertebral compression fractures. These fragile fractures frequently result in both acute and chronic pain, but more importantly, are a source of increased morbidity and possibly, mortality. These injuries can be treated both conservatively and with surgery. The use of percutaneous vertebral augmentation offers a minimally invasive approach for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures. We experienced two cases of compression fractures diagnosed during the treatment of thoracic postherpetic neuralgia. Two patients suffering from postherpetic neuralgia with a sharp and stabbing pain in the thoracic dermatomes that was unresponsive to conservative treatment were transferred to our clinic. During the management of postherpetic neuralgia, we incidentally found thoracic compression fractures after obtaining fluoroscopic guided images. After a balloon kyphoplasty, the preoperative pain related to the postherpetic neuralgia was successfully relieved soon after the procedure, and there were no complications.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.511-514
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• 2014

A 7-year-old, female Beagle dog presented with a primary complaint of severe neck pain and paretic gait. A lesion was suspected between C6 and T2 on the basis of neurological examinations. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervicothoracic spine revealed herniation of disc material from the C7-T1 intervertebral space resulting in marked spinal cord compression. Hemilaminectomy was performed to treat the intervertebral disc disease at C7-T1. Treatment was effective and the clinical condition of the dog was remarkably improved. This result suggests that hemilaminectomy is an effective option for surgical treatment of intervertebral disc disease at the cervicothoracic junction in dogs.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.183-189
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• 2021

Arthrodesis is one of the last options available to obtain a stable, painless knee in patients who are unable to undergo reconstructive surgery due to a damaged knee joint. A variety of techniques have been used, including external fixation, internal fixation by compression plates, intramedullary fixation through the knee with a modular nail, and antegrade nailing through the piriformis fossa. Another option is the use of a short nail such as the Neff nail, the Wichita nail, or the Huckstep nail, but there are no commercial short nails available for use in Korea. This technical report describes a technique for knee arthrodesis using a retrograde femoral intramedullary nail.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.199-207
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• 2022

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of shoulder stabilization exercise accompanied by application of a pelvic compression belt on the muscle activity, pain and function of the muscles around the shoulder in subjects with round shoulders. Methods : For the study method, 28 students who were enrolled in K University with a distance of 1 cm or more between the clavicle of the peak and the outer ear path were selected through GPS 400 global postural analysis system measurement. The subjects were randomly assigned to 14 participants in the group wearing a pelvic compression belt and 14 patients in the group not wearing a pelvic compression belt. In all subjects, the muscle activities of the middle trapezius, lower trapezius, and serratus anterior muscles and the shoulder pain disorder index (SPADI) were measured. The intervention was performed 3 times a week for 4 weeks, and the applied intervention was push-up plus and modified prone cobra exercise. The muscle activities of the middle trapezius, lower trapezius, and serratus anterior muscles and SPADI score were compared using dependent t test before and after intervention. Results : In this study, both groups showed that the muscle activity of the middle trapezius, lower trapezius, and serratus anterior significantly increased after the intervention compared to before the intervention. On the other hand, SPADI showed no significant difference. Conclusion : The results of this study showed that muscle activity in the peri-shoulder joint was increased after push-up plus and modified prone cobra exercise in both groups, regardless of whether pelvic compression was applied or not. Therefore, it was found that shoulder stabilization exercise using the pelvic compression belt also contributed to the enhancement of muscle activity in the joints around the shoulder.