• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.112-117
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• 2014

Local steroid injections are widely used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in the management of carpal tunnel syndrome. The median nerve injury is the most serious complication in association with carpal tunnel injections although the incidence is low. A median nerve injury will be presented with shooting pain at the injection time along with other sensory distortion, motor weakness and muscle atrophy. The management includes a conservative treatment and a surgical exploration. Carpal tunnel injections should be used at a minimum only. If such steroid injection is required, an appropriate needle positioning is vital for the nerve injury prevention. The patient should not be heavily sedated and should be encouraged to inform experiences of numbness/paresthesia during the procedure immediately.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.407-413
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• 1997

The soft tissue injuries of Oral & Maxillofacial region include abrasion, contusion, simple laceration, laceration of skin with underlying tissue, soft tissue injuries combined with facial bone fracture and involving functional structures such as facial nerve and vessel, orbit, lacrimal duct and salivary gland and so on. The results obtained were as follows ; 1. The age range was 1 to 97, and the highest incidence occured in the 3rd decade(23.4%), followed by the 1st decade(20.2%), 4th decade(18.1%), 4th decade(18.1), and 5th decade(14.3%) 2. The sexual ration was 4 : 1(M : F). 3. The most common cause of facial laceration was a accident(54.5), followed by blow(17.8%), traffic accident(15.9%) and unknown(10.8%). 4. The most frequently occurred site of injury was a forehead(24), followed by oral cavity(16.9%), lip(15%), eyebrow(14.5%), cheek(14%), chin(11.8%), nose(2%), scalp(1.4%) and neck(0.9%). 5. Most of wound size was less than 3cm in length. 6. 28 patients suffered facial bone fracture, representing 7%. 7. The major complications following facial laceration were infection and facial paralysis caused by facial nerve injuries, representing 4.5% and 1.9%.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.377-380
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• 2010

The abducens nerve usually travels from the brainstem to the lateral rectus muscle as a single trunk. However, it has been reported that this nerve could split into branches occasionally. We attempted to show the aberrant course of abducens nerve in a specimen with unilateral duplicated abducens nerve and review relevant literatures. The micro-dissections were performed in a head specimen injected with colored latex under the microscope. The abducens nerve was duplicated unilaterally. This nerve emerged from the pontomedullary sulcus as a single trunk and splitted into two branches in the prepontine cistern. These two separate branches were piercing the cerebral dura of the petroclival region respectively. The slender lower branch passed between the petroclinoid and petrosphenoid ligaments and the thick lower one passed under the petrosphenoid ligament. These two branches united just lateral to the ascending segment of internal carotid artery in the cavernous sinus. The fact that there are several types of aberrant abducens nerve is helpful to perform numerous neurosurgical procedures in the petroclival region and cavernous sinus without inadvertent neurovascular injuries.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.428-437
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• 1994

Optic nerve injury serious enough to result in blindness had been reported to occur in 3% of facial fractures. When blindness is immediate and complete, the prognosis for even partial recovery is poor. Progressive or incomplete visual loss may be ameliorated either by large dosage of steroid or by emergency optic nerve decompression, depending on the mechanism of injury, the degree of trauma to the optic canal, and the period of time that elapses between injury and medical intervention. We often miss initial assessment of visual function in management of facial fracture patients due to loss of consciousness, periorbital swelling and emergency situations. Delayed treatment of injuried optic nerve cause permanent blindness due to irreversible change of optic nerve. But by treating posttraumatic optic nerve injuries aggressively, usable vision can preserved in a number of patients. The following report concerns three who suffered visual loss due to optic nerve injury with no improvement after steroid therapy and/or optic nerve decompression surgery.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.66-78
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• 2010

Background: Peripheral nerve injuries are a commonly-encountered clinical problem and often result in a chronic pain and severe functional deficits. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of acupuncture on the descending pain and the recovery of the locomotor function that follows sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats. Method: In order to assess the effects of acupuncture on the descending pain and functional recovery, we investigated the walking track analysis, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) expression in the sciatic nerve, and on the expressions of c-Fos and nitric oxide synthase in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus and in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) region resulting from sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats. Results: Acupuncture treatment at Huantiao (GB30), Yanglingquan (GB34), and Weizhong (BL40) facilitated functional recovery. C-Fos and nitric oxide synthase expressions in the brain and BDNF and TrkB expressions in the sciatic nerve were decreased by acupuncture treatment. The most potent effects of acupuncture were observed at the GB30 acupoint. Conclusion: It is possible that acupuncture can be used for pain control and functional recovery from sciatic nerve injury.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.130-136
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• 2012

Background : Complex elbow injuries with associated nerve, muscle, or joint injury commonly develop post-inury stiffness. In order to preserve function, joint congruency, elbow stability and durable wound coverage must be achieved in a timely manner. Methods : A retrospective review of patients who underwent orthopaedic fixation followed by free anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap soft tissue coverage was performed. Five patients were identified and included in this study. Results : We present a series of 5 cases managed with this principle. Soft tissue defects ranged in size from $4{\times}9cm$ ($36cm^2$) to $15{\times}30cm$ ($450cm^2$) and were located either posteriorly (n=4) or anteriorly (n=1). Associated injuries included open fractures (n=3) and motor nerve transection (n=2). Wound coverage was achieved in a mean duration of 18.8 days (range, 11 to 42 day). There were no flap failures and no major complications. The mean postoperative active elbow motion was $102^{\circ}$ (range, $45^{\circ}$ to $140^{\circ}$). Conclusions : In our small series we have highlighted the safety and utility of using the free ALT flap in complex elbow injuries. The ALT flap has many advantages which include abundant skin and subcutaneous tissue; vascularised vastus lateralis muscle that was used in our series to obliterate dead space, provide a vascular bed for nerve grafts and combat infection; and, access to fascia lata grafts for reconstruction of the triceps tendon.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.143-158
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• 2011

Objectives : Peripheral nerve injuries are commonly encountered clinical problem and often result in severe functional deficits. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of aqueous extract of Achyranthes japonica(AJ) on functional recovery in sciatic nerve after crushed sciatic nerve injury. Methods : In the present study, the animals in the AJ-treated groups received the aqueous extract of AJ at the respective doses orally for 13 consecutive days. In order to assess the effects of the aqueous extract of AJ on function recovery in crushed sciatic nerve injury, sciatic functional index(SFI) was performed. c-Fos expression in the paraventricular nucleus(PVN) and ventrolateral periaqueductal gray(vIPAG), and neurofilament, and the expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF), nerve growth factor(NGF) following crushed sciatic nerve injury in rats were investigated. For this, immunohistochemistry and western blot were performed. Results : In the present study, crushed sciatic nerve injury showed characteristic gait changes showing decrease of SFI value and treatment with the aqueous extract of AJ significantly enhanced the SFI value. Neurofilament expression in the sciatic nerve was decreased by crushed sciatic nerve injury and treatment with the AJ increased neurofilament expression. The expressions of BDNF and NGF in the sciatic nerve were increased following crushed sciatic nerve injury and treatment with the AJ significantly controlled the sciatic nerve injury-induced increment of BDNF and NGF expressions. c-Fos expressions in the PVN and vIPAG were increased following crushed sciatic nerve injury and treatment with the AJ significantly suppressed the sciatic nerve injury-induced increment of c-Fos expressions. Conclusions : These results suggest that AJ treatment after crushed sciatic nerve injury is effective in the functional recovery by enhancing axonal regeneration and suppressing of pain.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.28-32
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• 2010

Purpose: In accordance with the increasing number of accidents caused by various reasons and recently developed fine diagnostic skills, the incidence of orbital blow-out fracture cases is increasing. As it causes complications, such as diplopia and enophthalmos, surgical reduction is commonly required. This article reports a retrospective series of 5 blow-out fracture cases that had unusual nerve injuries after reduction operations. We represents the clinical experiences about treatment process and follow-up. Methods: From January 2000 to August 2009, we treated total 705 blow-out fracture patients. Among them, there were 5 patients (0.71%) who suffered from postoperative neurologic complications. In all patients, the surgery was performed with open reduction with insertion of $Medpor^{(R)}$. Clinical symptoms and signs were a little different from each other. Results: In case 1, the diagnosis was oculomotor nerve palsy. The diagnosis of the case 2 was superior orbital fissure syndrome, case 3 was abducens nerve palsy, and case 4 was idiopathic supraorbital nerve injury. The last case 5 was diagnosed as optic neuropathy. Most of the causes were extended fracture, especially accompanied with medial and inferomedial orbital blow-out fracture. Extensive dissection and eyeball swelling, and over-retraction by assistants were also one of the causes. Immediately, we performed reexploration procedure to remove hematomas, decompress and check the incarceration. After that, we checked VEP (visual evoked potential), visual field test, electromyogram. With ophthalmologic test and followup CT, we can rule out the orbital apex syndrome. We gave $Salon^{(R)}$ (methylprednisolone, Hanlim pharmaceuticals) 500 mg twice a day for 3 days and let them bed rest. After that, we were tapering the high dose steroid with $Methylon^{(R)}$ (methylprednisolon 4 mg, Kunwha pharmaceuticals) 20 mg three times a day. Usually, it takes 1.2 months to recover from the nerve injury. Conclusion: According to the extent of nerve injury after the surgery of orbital blow-out fracture, the clinical symptoms were different. The most important point is to decide quickly whether the optic nerve injury occurred or not. Therefore, it is necess is to diagnose the nerve injury immediately, perform reexploration for decompression and use corticosteroid adequately. In other words, the early diagnosis and treatment is most important.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.104-110
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• 2013

Purpose: Bedside ultrasonography is available in most emergency departments, and detecting the intracranial pressure is elevated is critical. Our objective is to evaluate the availability of bedside optic nerve ultrasound (ONUS) as a secondary survey for patients with head injuries in the emergency department (ED). Methods: From September, 2012, to March, 2013, we performed a prospective study of patients presenting to the ED after an accident. Patients with head injuries but without obvious ocular trauma or ocular disease were included. The ONUS was performed using a 3 to 12 MHz linear probe on closed eyelids after a primary survey. We analyzed the correlation between the brain computed tomography (CT) findings that suggested elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) and the Optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measured by using ONUS. Results: A total of 81 patients were enrolled. Forty-seven had CT results consistent with elevated ICP, and their mean ONSD was $5.98{\pm}0.59$ mm; the mean ONSD of patients who showed no signs of elevated ICP on CT was $4.63{\pm}0.21$ mm. The sensitivity and the specificity for the ONSD, compared with elevated ICP, were 98.87% and 100%, respectively, when the cut-off value was set to 4.96 mm. The area under curve (AUC) was 0.997 in the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve). Conclusion: An evaluation using ONUS is a simple noninvasive procedure and is a potentially useful tool as a secondary survey to identify an elevated ICP.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.193-196
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• 2016

Ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric (II/IH) nerve injury is one of the most common nerve injuries following pelvic surgery, especially with the Pfannenstiel incision. We present a case of intractable groin pain, successfully treated with a continuous II/IH nerve block. A 33-year-old woman, following emergency cesarean section due to cephalopelvic disproportion, presented numbness in left inguinal area and severe pain on the labia on the second postoperative day. The pain was burning, lancinating, and exacerbated by standing or movement. However, she didn't want to take additional medicine because of breast-feeding. A diagnostic II/IH nerve block produced a substantial decrease in pain. She underwent a continuous II/IH nerve block with a complete resolution of pain within 3 days. A continuous II/IH nerve block might be a goodoption for II/IH neuropathy with intractable groin pain in breast-feeding mothers without adverse drug reactions in their infants.