• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.199-206
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• 2001

Background: The lumbar sympathetic ganglia are variable in both position and numbers. The aim of this study was to detect the appropriate lumbar vertebral level where the lumbar sympathetic ganglia primarily aggregate. Methods: Forty patients comprising of hyperhidrosis (26 cases), complex regional pain syndrome (10 cases), peripheral artery occlusion disease (3 cases) and postherpetic neuralgia (1 case) underwent lumbar sympathetic block. We randomly selected one of two (L2 or L3) levels and the L4 level. The position of the needle tip and distribution of dye was verified by injection of a mixture of radio-opaque dye (1.5 ml) and 4% lidocaine (1.5 ml) and subsequently confirmed by L-spine anteroposterior and a lateral view X-ray. We considered the response positive when the skin temperature increased more than $1^{\circ}C$ in 5 min. Results: In general, the positive response ratio was greater when the needle tip located at the L2 or L4 level vice L3 and when the drug was distributed on the lower half of the L4 body and in the L4/5 intervertebral disc space. In a right side block, the positive response ratio was greater when the drug was distributed on the lower half of the L4 body and in the L4/5 intervertebral disc space, although in a left side block there was no significant difference seen between the levels. The complications of the neurolytic block were alcohol neuritis (7.5%) and hypoesthesia (5%) on the L1 or L2 dermatome. Conclusions: The best effect with least chance of complication may be induced by spreading the drug on the lower half of the L4 body and/or into the L4/5 intervertebral disc space by placing the needle tip on the L4 body.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.111-114
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• 2017

Central serous chorioretinopathy may induce poor eyesight and serous retinal detachment. However, its exact cause has not been well established thus far. It can be associated with systemic high-dose corticosteroid treatment mainly for young and middle-aged men and may spontaneously regress or recur after withdrawal from corticosteroid. After corticosteroid administration for Behcet's disease, it is necessary to identify any ocular symptoms. Behcet's disease can lead to the development of ocular complications, such as uveitis, hypopyon, retinal vasculitis, optic neuritis, angiogenesis, secondary cataract, and glaucoma. It is possible to diagnose any of these complications via optical coherence tomography and digital indocyanine green angiography. It is easy to neglect an ocular symptom that may appear after a low-dose corticosteroid treatment as an ocular complication in patients with Behcet's disease. Thus, we report on a case concerning high-dose corticosteroid treatment with a literature review.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.715-723
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• 1999

Bee venom (BV) has been traditionally applied to relieve pain and to cure inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and neuritis. While several investigators have evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of BV treatment, the anti-nociceptive effect of BV treatment on inflammatory pain is not reported. Therefore, we decided to evaluate the analgesic effect of BV treatment using Freund's adjuvant induced chronic arthritis model. Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis has been used as an experimental animal model for RA in humans to assess the efficacy of the anti-inflammatory/analgesic drugs. In this study, subcutaneous BV treatment (1mg/kg/day) produced significantly reductions of symptoms related to arthritic pain (i.e. mechanical hyperalgesia and thermal hyperalgesia). The anti-nociceptive effect of BV was observed from at least 12 days after BV treatment. Furthermore, BV treatment significantly suppressed adjuvant induced Fos expression in lumbar spinal cord. We also found that local injection of BV into near the inflammatory site (especially Zusanli-acupoint) showed more potent analgesic effect on arthritic pain rather than distant injection of BV from inflammatory site (arbitrary side of back). The present study demonstrates that BV treatment has anti-nociceptive effect on arthritis induced inflammatory pain. The analgesic effect of BV on RA is probably mediated by the effect of BV itself or possible other mechanism such as counter-irritation. Furthermore, it is possible that BV acupuncture is one of the promising candidates for long-term therapy of RA.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2006

The head thrust maneuver is a simple bedside test of the higher frequency vestibulo-ocular reflex, which is based on Ewald's second law. It is performed by grasping the patient's head and applying a brief, small-amplitude, high-acceleration head turn, first to one side and then to the other. The patient fixates on the examiner's nose and the examiner watches for corrective rapid eye movements (saccades), which are a sign of decreased vestibular response. The "catch-up" saccades after a head thrust in one direction indicate a peripheral vestibular lesion on that side (in the labyrinth or the $8^{th}$ nerve including the root's entry zone in the brain stem). An individual pair of vertical semicircular canals can also be stimulated by turning the head to the right or left by $45^{\circ}$ and then by rotating the head in the pitch plane relative to the body. Recent studies have suggested that assessment of individual semicircular canal function by head thrust test may provide useful information for anatomical and functional details of a variety of peripheral vestibulopathies and for predicting the prognosis of vestibular neuritis. In central vestibulopathy, the head thrust test may also be valuable sign to determine dysfunction of the central pathways from individual semicircular canals and its role for the development of diverse central nystagmus.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.203-207
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• 2007

Inguinal hernia repair can result in paresthesia and/or pain in the inguinal region. Pharmacological and surgical management often yield inconsistent results associated with considerable risks and side effects. Radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RF) is a neuro-destructive treatment for severe pain, but associated with hypoesthesia, neuritis-like reactions, and occasional neuroma formation. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), unlike RF, delivers high intensity currents in pulses, is non-neurodestructive, and therefore less painful, without the potential complications. Here we report on PRF in chronic postoperative inguinal pain. A 23-year-old male who received right inguinal hernia repair and complained of right sided groin pain for approximately 10 years underwent PRF at the L1 and L2 dorsal root ganglia (DRG). He then reported a decrease in pain from 80-90/100 mm to 15-30/100 mm on a visual analogue scale (VAS), which lasted for twelve months.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.265-274
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• 2019

Background: Methyl alcohol poisoning in mobile phone-manufacturing factories during 2015-2016 was caused by methyl alcohol use for cleaning in computerized numerical control (CNC) processes. To determine whether there were health complications in other workers involved in similar processes, the Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute conducted a survey. Methods: We established a national active surveillance system by collaborating with the Ministry of Employment and Labor and National Health Insurance Service. Employment and national health insurance data were used. Overall, 12,048 employees of major domestic mobile phone companies and CNC process dispatch workers were surveyed from 2016 to 2017. We investigated methyl alcohol poisoning by using the national health insurance data. Questionnaires were used to investigate diseases due to methyl alcohol poisoning. Results: Overall, 24.9% of dispatched workers were employed in at least five companies, and 23.9% of dispatched workers had missing employment insurance history data. The prevalence of blindness including visual impairment, optic neuritis, visual disturbances, and alcohol toxicity in the study participants was higher than that reported in the national health insurance database (0.02%, 0.07%, 0.23%, and 0.03% versus 0.01%, 0.07%, 0.13%, and 0.01%, respectively, in 2015). Moreover, 430 suspicious workers were identified; 415 of these provided an address and phone number, of whom 48 responded (response rate, 11.6%). Among the 48 workers, 10 had diseases at the time of the survey, of whom 3 workers were believed to have diseases related to methyl alcohol exposure. Conclusion: This study revealed that active surveillance data can be used to assess health problems related to methyl alcohol poisoning in CNC processes and dispatch workers.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.450-457
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• 2023

Background: Genicular nerve neurolysis with phenol and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are two interventional techniques for treating chronic refractory knee osteoarthritis (KOA) pain. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and adverse effects of both techniques. Methods: Sixty-four patients responding to diagnostic blockade of the superior medial, superior lateral, and inferior medial genicular nerve under ultrasound guidance were randomly divided into two groups: Group P (2 mL phenol for each genicular nerve) and Group R (RFA 80℃ for 60 seconds for each genicular nerve). The numeric rating scale (NRS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions. Results: RFA and phenol neurolysis of the genicular nerves provided effective analgesia within groups at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months compared to baseline. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of NRS and WOMAC scores at all measurement times. At the 3rd month follow-up, 50% or more pain relief was observed in 53.1% of patients in Group P and 50% of patients in Group R. The rate of transient paresthesia was 34.4% in Group P and 6.3% in Group R, and this was significantly higher in Group P. Conclusions: Neurolysis of the genicular nerves with both RFA and phenol is effective in the management of KOA pain. Phenol may be a good alternative to RFA. Further studies are needed on issues such as dose adjustment to prevent transient paresthesia response.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Pathology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.101-104
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• 2002

닭의 전신장기에 림프종 발생이 특정인 마렉병(Marek's disease; MD)은 림프구성 백혈병(Lymphoid leukosis; LL)과 병리학적 소견이 매우 유사하여 감별이 요구된다. 마렉병 바이러스(Marek's disease virus; MDV)는 질병초기에서 후기에 이르기까지 모낭상피세포에 세포용해성 감염을 지속적으로 일으킨다. 세포용해성 감염이 있는 모낭상피세포는 변성내지 괴사되어 있고 핵내봉입체가 관찰된다. 또한 세포용해성 감염이 있는 모낭상피세포 바로 밑의 진피와 깃털 수질(feather pulp)내의 혈관주위에 림프구 침윤이 관찰된다. 이러한 피부병변은 MD의 특징적인 병변들로서 LL과 감별할 수 있는 결정적인 단서이다. 본 고에서는 MD에 관한 전반적인 것과 특히 MD 진단을 위한 피부병변의 유용성에 대해서 자세히 논하고자 한다. 양계산업에 문제를 야기하고 있는 림프구 증식성 종양은 크게 마렉병(Marek’s disease; MD)과 백혈병(Lymphoid leukosis; LL)이 있다. 이들 질환의 원인체들이 분리되기 전까지는 이들 질병들은 발병부위에 따라 질병명을 붙였다. 즉, 내부장기냐 근육에 발생한 것은 visceral lymphomatosis, 피부에 발생한 것은 skin leukosis, 말초신경의 병변은 poly­n neuritis, neuritis, neurolymphomatosis gallinarum, range paralyis로 불리었다. 또한 눈에 발생한 것은 blindness, gray eye, iritis, uveitis, ocular lymphomatosis라고 불리었다. 1961년에 Biggs는 이러한 림프구 증식성 질병을 마렉병과 백혈병 으로 분류하자는 제안을 하였고, 드디어 1960년대 중반에 림프구 증식성 병변 중의 일부에서 herpesvirus가 분리되어서 Biggs가 제안한 병명인 마렉병을 본격적으로 사용하게 되었다. MD는 마렉병 바이러스(Marek’s disease virus; MDV)가 원 인제로서 닭에 전염성이 강한 염증성에서 종양성의 병변을 내부장기, 피부, 근육, 안구, 중추신경계, 말초신경계 등에 일 으킨다. MDV는 림프종을 유발하기 때문에 처음에는 사람에서 림프종을 유발하는 Epstein-Bar 바이러스와 관련이 있을 것으로 생각되어 gamma-herpesvirus로 분류되었지만, MDV의 게놈 구조와 세포배양에서 빠르게 성장한다는 점 때문에 지금은 alpha-herpesvirus로 재분류 되었다. MDV는 바이러스 중화시험과 한천 겔 침강법에 의해서 3개의 혈청형으로 분류 된다. 혈청형 1은 종양원성 바이러스와 종양원성 바이러스의 계대배양에 의한 약독주가 있다. 혈청형 2는 자연적으로 발 생하는 비종양원성 닭의 MDV이고, 혈정형 3은 바종양원성 칠면조 herpesvirus (HVT)이다. 림프종을 유발하는 MDV 감염은 4개의 과정, 즉 초기 세포용해성 감염, 잠복감염, 후기 세포용해성 감염, 마지막으로 종양화로 나눌 수 있다. 감염의 경로를 보면, 흡입된 MDV는 폐의 대식세포에 감염한 후 전선 장기로 MDV를 전파 시킨다. 특히, 흉선, F냥, 비장 등의 림프구에 초기 세포용해성 감염을 일으키는데, B 림프구가 주로 감염된다. 세포용해성 감염음 방어하기 위해 몰려든 T 림프구가 활성화가 되면, T 세포도 감염되게 된다. 잠복감염은 여러 가지 사이토카인 등 을 포함한 면역반응에 의해서 일어나며, 이 때 잠복감염된 세포는 특히 혈중의 T 세포라고 한다. 혈중 MDV 감염세포 는 피부 모낭상피세포, 선장 등 상피세포 유래의 조직에 MDV를 전파 시켜서 이들 조직에서 후기 세포용해성 감염이 일어나게 한다. 후기 세포용해성 감염을 유발하는 것은 이러한 MDV가 감염된 혈중 림프구라는 증거는 혈중의 세포 외에는 감염성 바이러스가 없기 때문이다. 후기 세포용해성 감염이 있는 후 육안적 혹은 현미경적으로 검출이 가능한 림프종이 여러 장기에서 관찰된다. MDV가 감염되면 병변 발생부위에 따라서 다양한 임상증상이 발생한다. 즉 내부장기에 병변이 있을 경우는 침울, 체중감소, 산란율 저하 등이 발생하며, 신경계는 발생부위별 신경증상이 일어난다. 이러한 장기나 조직에서는 육안적으로 백색에서 회백색의 종양성 병변이 관찰된다. 말초신경에 병변이 발생한 경우에는 특히 좌골신경 및 신경총에서 호발하는데, 이들 조직은 편측성 혹은 양측성으로 종창되어 있다. 안구는 간혹 육안적으로 식별이 가능한 홍채 퇴색 및 증식 병변이 관찰된다. 피부형 MD는 특히 육용계에서 문제가 되고 있으며, 산란계의 내장형 MD가 발생한 경우에도 피부를 자세히 설펴보면 피부형 MD를 간혹 관찰할 수 있다. 피부형 MD는 모낭주위에 원형의 결절형태로 발생하는데, 이들 병변이 커지면 바로 옆의 병변과 융합 되어 큰 결절을 형성하기도 한다. (중략)

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.663-666
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• 2007

Purpose: Autologous fat injection into the facial area is a frequently used technique in aesthetic plastic surgery for augmentation of the soft tissue. Fat injection is a very safe procedure because of the advantage of being autologous tissue. Minimal foreign body reaction or infections are noted after fat injection. However, there may be some complications including those as severe as blindness. There have been some case reports on visual disturbances after autologous fat injection reported in the literature. Methods: A 21-year-old female patient underwent autologous fat injection into left eyebrow area to correct depression of soft tissue. Immediately after injection of autologous fat, she complained sudden visual loss on the left eye. She had come to our emergency room and ophthalmologic evaluation showed that the patient could only recognize hand motion. There was no abnormality of the optic nerve on magnetic resonance imaging. Suspecting an ischemic optic neuritis from fat embolism of the central retinal artery, the patient was treated conservatively with occular massage, antiglaucomatic agent, anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics. Visual field examination showed visual defect of half the lower hemisphere. Results: While maintaining antiglaucomatic agents and non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, fundoscopic examination showed no abnormalities on the second day of admission. Visual field examination showed an improvement on the fourth day along with decreased eyeball pain. Significant improvement of vision was noted and the patient was discharged on the fifth day of admission. The patient was followed-up 2 days afterwards with improved vision and visual field defect. Conclusion: We describe an unusual case of sudden unilateral visual disturbance following autologous fat injection into periorbital area.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.46-51
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• 2004

Purpose: Problematic late sequelae are common following a calcaneal fracture regardless of the initial treatment. We retrospectively evaluated the painful conditions and reviewed the results of the operative treatment in patients with previously treated calcaneal fractures. Materials and Methods: Between October 1996 and September 2001, forty-three patients who underwent subsequent surgical treatment for late sequelae of calcaneal fracture were reviewed. The initial treatment consisted of only immobilization in a cast in 7 patients, closed reduction with pin fixation (Essex-Lopresti technique) in 22 and open reduction and internal fixation in 14. Painful conditions in the hind foot included subtalar arthritis in 31 patients, calcaneofibular impingement in 13, peroneal tendinitis in 6, displaced posterior bony fragment in 3, sural neuritis in 2, subtalar and midtarsal arthritis in 1 and displaced plantar bony fragment in 1. The surgical procedures for the late complications were performed at a mean of 19 months (range, 6 to 35 months) after the injury and consisted of lateral wall ostectomy and in situ subtalar fusion in 28 patients, only lateral wall ostectomy in 5 patients, lateral wall ostectomy and subtalar distraction arthrodesis in 3, removal of displaced posterior bony fragment in 3, sural nerve transposition in the peroneus brevis in 2, triple arthrodesis in 1 and removal of displaced plantar bony fragment in 1. Mean postoperative follow up period was 57 months (range, 33 to 82 months). The results of treatment were evaluated on the basis of pain, improvement in the ability to perform activities of daily living, to return to work or to a pre-injury level of activity. Results: Pain was partially relieved in 38 patients (88%), but not relieved in 5. Function improved in 34 patients (79%), and 32 (74%) returned to work or to a pre-injury level of activity. There was a trend that the longer the interval between the injury and the operation, the longer the subsequent interval until the patient returned to full activities or work. Conclusion: Meticulous physical examination and intensive prompt treatment for remaining pain after initial treatment of calcaneal fractures are recommended for patient's satisfaction and returning to work.