• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.279-285
• /
• 1998

Exessive sweating of the palms and soles, is a psychologically and occupationally distressing and sometimes disabling condition. Hyperhidrosis is one of the common abnormalities in autonomic nervous system. There were no specific treatment on hyperhidrosis, so invasive thoracic sympathectomy via axillary thoracotomy or cervical approach had been used. Video-assisted thoracic surgery(VATS) is now mostly performed for treating of the palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis. From March 1996 to March 1997, 15 patients with bilateral palmar hyperhidrosis had been treated by the bilateral thoracic sympathectomy(T2, T3, T4) with thoracoscopic resection. The patient were evaluated preoperative and postoperative Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging (DITI) at Kyung-Hee University Hospital. There were no case of the thoracotomy conversion. There were 3 complications ; pulmonary edema in 1 case, Horner's syndrome in 1 case, and gustatory hyperhidrosis in 1 case. More than half of the patients also had compensatory sweating in the lower abdomen, the buttocks, the back and the thighs. In conclusion, most of the patients were satisfied with the postoperative results of the thoracoscopic sympathectomy, including no more palmar and axillary sweating, less pain, better cosmetic appearances, decreased sweating of the face and soles. In addition, intraoperative temperature monitoring of the hands could estimate the successful thoracoscopic sympathectomy and the preoperative and postoperative Digital infrared thermographic imaging(DITI) could especially be the technique for the objective manifestation of the successful results of the thoracoscopic sympathectomy.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.143-155
• /
• 2007

Objectives: To observe the effect of acupuncture and nerve block combination treatment on adhesive capsulitis patients. Methods : 59 voluntary patients were randomly assigned to acupuncture treatment group(E group, n=22), nerve block treatment group(W group, n=17) and acupuncture and nerve block combination treatment group(EW group, n=20). The E group received acupuncture treatment on LI15, $TE_{14}$, $GB_{21}$ and Master Dong's acupuncture points, Shin-gwan and Gyun-joong, twice a week for 4 weeks. The W group received suprascapular nerve block, subacromial injection and trigger point injection, twice a week for 4 weeks. The EW group received the same treatment as the W group and after 5minutes of rest, successively received the treatment identical to that of E group. All three groups were instructed to practice groups were instructed to practice self exercise during their daily lives. Evaluations were made before treatment and after 1, 2, 3 and 4week treatment. Constant Shoulder Assessment(CSA), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index(SPADI), Range of Motion(ROM), the patient's treatment satisfaction measured by Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) and Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging(DITI) were used as assessment tools. The obtained data were analyzed and compared. Results : The E group showed significant improvement(p<0.05) on CSA, SPADI, VAS and DITI. As for ROM, Adduction and Extension improved significantly(p<0.05). The W group showed significant improvement(p<0.05) on CSA, SPADI, VAS and DITI. As for ROM, Abduction and Extension improved significantly. The EW group showed significant improvement(p<0.05) on CSA, SPADI and VAS. As for ROM, Adduction, Abduction, Extension and Flexion improved significantly. The improvement of CSA, VAS and Abduction ROM in the EW group was significantly(p<0.05) superior compared to the groups treated with single type of treatment. Conclusion : It is suggested that acupuncture and nerve block combination treatment for adhesive capsulitis patients is more effective than the two single treatments. Through further studies, the acupuncture and nerve block combination treatment model may be developed into East-West Collaboration Model in treating adhesive capsulitis.

• Journal of Oriental Medical Thermology
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.38-46
• /
• 2002

1. Objectives Among many symptoms that the climacteric patients complain of, the major subjective symptom is both heat in the upper part and cold in the lower part of the body(e.g foot, knee, and leg). We use DITI as a method to prove the symptoms of climacteric patients such as both heat in the upper part and cold in the lower part of the body, diagnose these symptoms, and follow up the progress of the clinical treatments. 2. Subjects and Methods We compare the subcutaneous heat of the climacteric patients with the symptom of heat in the upper part and cold in the lower part of the body with young women without any specific disease. The age distribution of the experimental group is 28 patients in 40's, and 22 in 50's. The mean age of the experimental group is $48.5{\pm}4.25$. The age distribution of the control group is 17 patients in teen, 26 in 20's, 7 in 30's. The mean age of the control group is $23.31{\pm}6.45$. We measure the subcutaneous heat on the cheeks, upper arms, palms, thighs, knees, dorsum pedis, lower back, hip, upper abdomen, lower abdomen of both groups and analyse the results. 3. Statistical methods All the results are statiscally analysed using student T-test of Microsoft Exel program. Statistically significant value by the analysis of variance procedure is P<0.05. 4. Results 1. The subcutaneous heat of the whole body of the experimental group shows hypothermia compared with control group, and the hypothermic pattern gets severe on the periphery. ${\Delta}T$ between the right and left side of the body in experimental group is larger than that of control group. 2. ${\Delta}T$ between the cheeks and the hypogastric in the experimental group is significantly larger than that of the control group, which shows cold face. 3. ${\Delta}T$ between the upper arms and the palms in the experimental group is significantly larger than that of the control group, which shows cold hand. 4. ${\Delta}T$ between the thighs and the knees in the experimental group is significantly larger than that of the control group, which shows cold knee. 5. ${\Delta}T$ between the thighs and the feet in the experimental group is significantly larger than that of the control group, which shows cold foot. 6. ${\Delta}T$ between the hip and the lower back in the experimental group is significantly larger than that of the control group. That shows the Lower back is warmer than the hip. 7. ${\Delta}T$ between the upper and the lower abdomen in the experimental group is significantly larger than that of the control group, which shows cold hypogastric.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.95-102
• /
• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to define the cut off values of cold hypersensitivity of hands by using digital infrared thermographic imaging(DITI). Methods: Thermographic images of 130 patients with cold hypersensitivity of hands(CHHG, n=65) and non-cold hypersensitivity of hands(NCHHG, n=65) were retrospectively reviewed. We used the temperature difference the palm(PC8) and the upper arm(LU4) for diagnosing cold hypersensitivity of hands. The temperature differences of between two groups were analysed using independent samples t-tests. The cut off values were calculated by ROC curve analysis. Analyses were undertaken using SPSS version 17.0. P value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The temperature difference the palm(PC8) and the upper arm(LU4) were significantly different between groups(p < 0.001). Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve were 70.8%, 73.8%, respectively both hands. The AUC was 0.822 on right hand and 0.818 on left hand. The optimum cut-off value was defined as $-0.05^{\circ}C$. Conclusions: These results suggest that DITI is a reliable instrument for estimating the cold hypersensitivity of hands.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.94-106
• /
• 2013

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to find the effect of Far Infrared Radiation (FIR) about improvement of chief complaints and health state. Methods: For this study we evaluated thermographic images, heart rate variability (HRV), visual analogue scale (VAS) score of 34 patients with various diseases. Tests were done two times, before and after treatments and we compared the test results. We used the temperature difference between CV12 and CV4, both sides of PC8, LR3 for recognizing improvement of blood circulation. We analyzed the change of complexity, stability of autonomic nervous system (ANS) by HRV test. The patients were asked to fill out questionnaire about the severity of symptoms by VAS score. Analyses were undertaken using SPSS ver.12.0.1 and p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Statistical analysis shows that Far Infrared Radiation (FIR) had significant efficiency in increasing surface temperature and reducing VAS pain scores. In heart rate variability (HRV) test, LF/HF ratio showed tends to improve. Conclusions: The application of an FIR to whole body appears to alleviate various complaints of patients.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.20 no.5
• /
• pp.63-72
• /
• 2003

Objective : he purposes of this study are to evaluate the efficacy of Bee Venom therapy(BV) on HNP(Herniation of Nucleus Purposus) of Lumbar spine by use of Visual Analog Scale(VAS), Pain Rating Scale(PRS) and Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging(DITI), and to investigate their correlation. Methods : We researched 20 patients who were diagnosed by MRI as having a HNP, and treated them by Oriental medical therapy(including BV) for 4 weeks. The evaluation was peformed twice(admission day and after treatment for 4 weeks), and we compared the results. Results : 1. VAS, PRS and ${\Delta}t$(by DITI) were decreased after BV for 4 weeks significantly(p<0.01). 2. There was significant correlation between VAS and PRS(p<0.05). 3. There was significant correlation between PRS and ${\Delta}t$(p<0.05). 4. There was no significant correlation between VAS and ${\Delta}t$. Conclusions : BV improved HNP subjectively and objectively, and correlation was found between VAS and PRS and between PRS and ${\Delta}t$. Further study is needed for investigating their correlation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.251-260
• /
• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the effect of moxibustion for paitent with Myelopathy hand Methods : A 65-year-old female patient diagnosed with Cervical myelopathy was treated by moxibustion on both hand and neck, from July 17th to July 29th. The improvement of the patient's Myelopathy hand was evaluated based on JOA(Japanese orthopedic score), VAS(visual analog scale), Grips and release test, Finger escape sign, and DITI(digital infrared thermal imaging). Results : After the treatment of moxibustion, the patient's JOA score were not improved, but VAS, Grips and release test, Finger escape sign and DITI were improved. Conclusions : The result suggests that moxibustion of hand and neck is an effective treatment to Myelopathy hand on Cervical myelopathy. But more cases and researches are needed to evaluate the significancy of moxibustion for Myelopathy hand.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.83-89
• /
• 2004

Objectives : This study is performed for the purpose of proving the efficacy of the Oriental medicine of swollen leg. Edema is defined as an increase in the extravascular(interstitial) component of the extracellular fluid volume, which may expand by several liters before the abnormality is recognized. We treated one case of patient with a swollen leg. Methods & results : We examined DITI before treatment and after treatment. We measured the circumference of thigh and calf every morning, so we compared with the values day after day. So we found the fact that leg swelling considerably decreased after treatment for 14 days. We followed up after discharge. Conclusions : Acupuncture, Aquacupuncture and Herbal medicine is possible to be effective for treating patients with a swollen leg.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.41-50
• /
• 2013

Objectives : This study was performed to compare the effects of Shinbaro pharmacopuncture therapy and bee venom pharmacopuncture therapy in lumbar disc herniation Methods : We compared treatment efficacy of 12 patients with Shinbaro pharmacopuncture therapy and 10 patients with bee venom pharmacopuncture therapy, all of whom were diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation using computed tomography(CT) or magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). We performed a retrospective comparison and analysis during the course of 21 days since admission. To evaluate the treatment efficacy, we recorded the temperatures of the opposite back, hip, and legs with visual analog scale(VAS, back and legs), pain rating scale(PRS), Oswestry disability index(ODI) and digital infrared thermal imaging(DITI) based on patients' medical records. Results : Both treatments were effective in reducing pain and improving functions for lumbar disc herniation patients in terms of VAS, PRS, ODI, DITI. Shinbaro pharmacopuncture group showed slightly better results than the bee venom pharmacopuncture group, but the difference was not significant. Conclusions : For the treatment of lumbar disc herniation, it is suggested that Shinbaro pharmacopuncture therapy is thought to be as effective as bee venom pharmacopuncture therapy without side effects, although further study would be necessary.

• Journal of Oriental Medical Thermology
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.29-38
• /
• 2005

Purpose: We intended to observe the relations between Chiljehyangbuhwan and abdominal temperature according to primary dysmenorrhea severity. Methods: We selected the 100 primary dysmenorrhea patients by the screening tests (first screening test-inquiry, second screening test-clinical test, additionally WHR (Waist-to-Hip ratio) by Inbody 2.0). By the fixed blocked randomization and double blind method, Chiljehyangbuhwan or placebo was administered for 1 menstration period. Finally, 69 patients remainded. Before and after administration, we measured 4 points abdominal temperature (Chon-jung(CV17), Chung-wan(CV12), Kwan-won(CV4), Chung-guk(CV3)) by DITI (DOREX Inc., USA). And then we checked the difference of temperature $({\Delta}T)$ between CV17 and CV12 / CV17 and CV4 / CV17 and CV3 / CV12 and CV4 / CV12 and CV3. After that, we compared ${\Delta}T$ with primary dysmenorrhea severity evaluated by VRS (verbal rating scale) and MVRS (multidimensional verbal rating scale). In dysmenorrhea severity, we standardized scale score and 3-group-severity by score (mild, moderate, severe). For statistics, we used Pearson correlations and Spearman's rho correlations, SPSS 11.0 for windows. Results: In case of MVRS, Chiljehyangbuhwan was correlated to ${\Delta}T$ (CV12 and CV3 / CV12 and CV4). In case of VRS, Chiljehyangbuhwan was not correlated to ${\Delta}T$. Statistically they showed significant result (p<0.05). Conclusion: The primary dysmenorrhea patients showed that severity by MVRS was connected with ${\Delta}T$ (CV12 and CV3 / CV12 and CV4) after Chiljehyangbuhwan administration. So we can consider Chiljehyangbuhwan effects the abdominal temperature according primary dysmenorrhea severity.