• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.241-247
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• 2012

The purpose of this case study is to report the effect of electroacupuncture at acupoints Baliao (BL31 Shangliao, BL32 Ciliao, BL33 Zhongliao, BL34 Xialiao) on patients with voiding problem. Neurogenic Bladder can be classified according to whether impairment of urinary reservoir or emptying. The first case was a patient with urinary emptying impairment. He was diagnosed with areflexic neurogenic bladder, and was managed with suprapubic cystostomy. After starting of electroacupuncture on Baliao, residual urine volume was gradually decreased, at last cystostomy could be removed. The second case was a patient with urinary reservoir impairment. She complained symptoms of urinary frequency, nocturia due to overactive bladder. After starting of electroacupuncture on Baliao, urination frequency was significantly decreased. We consider electroacupuncture on Baliao may have a useful effect on voiding problem, both urinary reservoir and emptying impairment.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.27-35
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to discriminate the cough-induced rib fracture with chest pain occurred after chuna therapy. Methods: A 68-year-old female patient who is suffering from left chest wall pain with chronic cough was treated by Korean medical treatment and chuna therapy from November 11th 2014 to November 15th 2014. The improvement of the patient's pain was measured by 100 mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS). For diagnosis the rib fracture, we conducted the radiography, computed tomography (CT), and bone scan. Results: After treatment, pain intensity was decreased and the rib fracture was negative in radiography and CT. But, in bone scan, the 5th-8th rib fractures in left side were detected. Conclusions: When the patient with chest pain visit the hospital after chuna therapy, a doctor keep in mind the possibility of coughinduced rib fracture.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.245-248
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• 2006

Objective : To evaluate the effectiveness of Novalis shaped beam radiation treatment as an adjuvant treatment in patients with craniopharyngiomas. Methods : We reviewed 8 patients with craniopharyngiomas who had recurring tumors during follow-up or had residual lesions after primary surgery. Three of 8 patients were found to have recurrence after gross total excision of the tumor and 5 patents had residual lesions after subtotal resection. All patients were treated with fractionated stereotactic radiation treatment[FSRT] using Novalis system. The mean age of patients was 28 years [range $16{\sim}52$]. The median irradiation dose per fraction was 17Gy [range $1.7{\sim}2.0$]. The median fraction number was 23 [range $15{\sim}25$], and the median total dose was 39.1 Gy [range $25.5{\sim}42.5$]. Follow-up included MR imaging, and ophthalmologic and endocrine examinations. Results : The median follow-up period was 23 months [range $12{\sim}43$]. The local tumor control rate was 87.5%. One patient had a recurring tumor, in which cystic change developed 2 months after FSRT. Four patients showed a decrease in size of their tumor, while 3 patients remained stable. Seven out of 8 patients had hormonal dysfunction that remained unchanged after initial surgery. No further progression of visual impairment was observed. Conclusion : FSRT using Novais system is effective and safe for the treatment of recurring or residual craniopharyngiomas without toxicity like optic neuropathy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.154-158
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• 2006

Objective : We treated 10 pediatric diffuse intrinsic brain stem glioma[BSG] patients with Novalis system [linac based radiotherapy unit, Germany] and examined the efficacy of the Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy[FSRT]. Methods : A retrospective review was conducted on 10 pediatric diffuse intrinsic BSG patients who were treated with FSRT between May, 2001 and August, 2004. The mean age of the patient group was 7.7 years old. Male to female ratio was 4 to 1. The mean dose of FSRT was 38.7Gy, mean fractionated dose was 2.6Gy, mean fractionation size was 16.6, and target volume was $42.78cm^3$. The mean follow up period was 14 months. Results : Four weeks after completion of FSRT, improvements on neurological status and Karnofsky performance scale[KPS] score were recorded in 9/10 (90%] patients and magnetic resonance imaging[MRI] showed decrease in target tumor volume in 8 pediatric patients. The median survival period was 13.5 months after FSRT and treatment toxicity was mild. Conclusion : It is difficult for surgeons to choose surgical treatment for diffuse intrinsic BSG due to its dangerous anatomical structures. FSRT made it possible to control the tumor volume to improve neurological symptoms with minimal complications. We expect that FSRT is a feasible treatment modality for pediatric diffuse intrinsic BSG with tolerable toxicities.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.80 no.3
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• pp.304-310
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• 2017

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a chronic inflammatory disorder. We evaluated whether white blood cell (WBC) count, is associated with the severity of COPD, independent of other inflammatory conditions, such as metabolic syndrome. Methods: The WBC counts were compared between 1227 COPD patients and 8679 non-COPD adults older than 40. The relationships between the WBC count, lung function, and symptoms score in COPD patients, were determined, using general linear regression analyses. Results: The WBC count was negatively associated with forced vital capacity (FVC, L), FVC (% predicted), forced expiry volume in one second ($FEV_1$, L), and $FEV_1$ (% predicted) in COPD patients. Additionally, the WBC count was independently associated with the quality of life measure, by EQ5D-index score. However, this relationship between WBC count, and disease severity, was not significant in current smokers, because of the confounding effect of smoking, on the WBC count. Conclusion: The WBC count is associated with current smoking status and COPD severity, and a risk factor for poor lung function, and quality of life, especially in non-currently smoking COPD patients. The WBC count can be used, as an easily measurable COPD biomarker.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.163-172
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• 2015

Objectives This study was aimed to examine the multidimensional relationship between auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) factors of psychopathology in the patients with schizophrenia. And we explored the differences between assessments to hallucination by the clinicians and patients. Methods 82 patients with schizophrenia who were assessed by the Hamilton Program for Schizophrenia Voices Questionnaire (HPSVQ), Psychotic Symptom Rating Scale-Auditory Hallucination (PSYRATS-AHS), and the PANSS were recruited. Hwang's five-factor model of PANSS, items and total scores of hallucination scales, Kim's and Haddock's factor models of hallucination were applied to examine the correlations between psychopathology and AVHs. AVH-positive patients was 50 in PANSS-HPSVQ group and 24 in PANSS-PSYRATS-AHS. These two groups were separately analyzed. Results Among the five factors of the PANSS, negative and depression/anxiety factors were correlated with the total scores of HPSVQ and PSYRATS-AHS, and positive and autistic preoccupation factors were correlated only with the total score of PSYRATS-AHS. The activation factor was correlated with none of the total scores of HPSVQ/PSYRATS-AHS. These correlation patterns of a total score of HPSVQ/PSYRATS-AHS were same in the emotional factor of HPSVQ and physical factor of PSYRATS-AHS respectively. In the items which showed significant correlations, correlation coefficients of PANSS-PSYRATS-AHS group ranged between 0.406-0.755 and those of PANSS-HPSVQ ranged between 0.283-0.420. Conclusions This study suggested that the psychopathological domains of schizophrenia were differentially correlated with AVHs and the assessment of AVHs by clinicians and patients showed substantial differences which should be integrated into the therapeutic interventions.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.83-89
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• 2007

Purpose: This research was performed to determine which clinical signs and symptoms of brain injury are sensitive indicators of skull fracture (SF) and intracranial injury (ICI) in head injured children. Methods: We conducted a prospective study of minor head trauma in children younger than 2 years of age for a 1-year period. Skull radiographs, brain computed tomography (CT), and data forms, including mechanism of injury, symptoms, physical findings, and hospital course, were completed for each child. Results: Of 137 study subjects, 17 (12.4%) had SF/ICI. Falls were the most common mechanism of injury, and heights of fall above 1 meter were associated with incidence of SF/ICI (p<0.05). Scalp abnormalities were not associated with incidence of SF/ICI. As for clinical symptoms, lethargy and a grouping of features (irritability & vomiting) were associated with incidence of SF/ICI (p<0.05). The incidence of seizure, loss of consciousness, vomiting, irritability, and scalp abnormality did not differ significantly between those with normal radiologic findings and those with SF/ICI. Among asymptomatic patients, 11 (14.5%) patients had SF/ICI, and among patients with normal scalp findings, 9 (12.7%) patients had SF/ICI. Conclusion: Clinical signs and symptoms, except for lethargy and a grouping of features (irritability & vomiting), were not sensitive predictors of SF/ICI. Nevertheless, SF/ICI occurred among normal children. In such a case, a liberal policy of CT scanning is warranted.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.1004-1014
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• 2018

This case reports the effect of herbal medicine and acupuncture therapy on the scoring atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index for an adult atopic dermatitis patient. An adult male in his 30s with complaints of severe eczema on the whole body was diagnosed with heat toxin blazing exuberance pattern (熱毒內蘊) and treated with herbal medicine, including an orally-administrated decoction, externally-applied decoction, extracted powder capsule, and acupuncture for a total of 30 days. We observed skin symptoms, SCORAD index, follow-up photographs, and any adverse events. After treatment, SCORAD index decreased from 74.5 to 38.7 (51.9% from baseline). Skin symptoms such as redness, itching, and exudation were improved without any adverse events reported. This case suggests that herbal medicine and acupuncture therapy could be effective in improving eczema in adult atopic dermatitis patients.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.886-894
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• 2018

Objective: Despite being the most common cause of cranial dystonia, Meige syndrome remains a rare clinical entity. It is characterized by blepharospasm and orofacial dystonia. This case study reports on the use of traditional Korean medicine for a patient who suffered from blepharospasm and oromandibular dystonia suspected to be the result of Meige syndrome. Methods: A patient was given a series of Korean medicine therapy treatments, including administration of the herbal medicine Gamiguibi-tang-gamibang, acupuncture, and cupping, over a 19 day hospitalization period. We measured the state and progress of this case using the numeric rating scale and dystonia frequency. Results: A decrease in subjective symptoms and reduction in the frequency of oromandibular dystonia was observed after Korean medicine therapy treatments. Conclusion: This case is useful for describing herbal medicine treatment for Meige syndrome, and further case reports and studies will be needed in the future.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.343-351
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• 2020

This study analyzed dose reduction and quality of images through dose reduction tools and shielding board to protect sensitive eye lens in radiation during orbit CT examinations for clinical data use. During CT scans of the phantom, surface dose (CT scanner dosimetry phantom, ion chamber-3 times) and quality of image (radiosurgery head phantom, visual assessment-2 times, HU standard deviation) were evaluated using X-care which is dose reduction tools and bismuth shielding board. The results of experiments of eight conditions showed a relatively reduced dose in all other conditions compared to when no conditions were set. In particular, the area corresponding to the ophthalmic part reduced the surface dose by up to 45.7 %. The visual evaluation of images by specialists and the quality evaluation of images analyzed by HU standard deviation were clinically closest to the use of X-care and shielding board (1 cm in height). Therefore, it is believed that the use of shielding board in a suitable location with dose reduction tools while investigating the optimal radiation dose will reduce the exposure dose of sensitive lens at radiation while maintaining the quality of the images with high diagnostic value.