• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• 제34권2호
• /
• pp.156-164
• /
• 2021

Several types of pain occur following spinal cord injury (SCI); however, neuropathic pain (NP) is one of the most intractable. Invasive and non-invasive brain stimulation techniques have been studied in clinical trials to treat chronic NP following SCI. The evidence for invasive stimulation including motor cortex and deep brain stimulation via the use of implanted electrodes to reduce SCI-related NP remains limited, due to the small scale of existing studies. The lower risk of complications associated with non-invasive stimulation, including transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), provide potentially attractive alternative central neuromodulation techniques. Compared to rTMS, tDCS is technically easier to apply, more affordable, available, and potentially feasible for home use. Accordingly, several new studies have investigated the efficacy of tDCS to treat NP after SCI. In this review, articles relating to the mechanisms, clinical efficacy and safety of tDCS on SCI-related NP were searched from inception to December 2019. Six clinical trials, including five randomized placebo-controlled trials and one prospective controlled trial, were included for evidence specific to the efficacy of tDCS for treating SCI-related NP. The mechanisms of action of tDCS are complex and not fully understood. Several factors including stimulation parameters and individual patient characteristics may affect the efficacy of tDCS intervention. Current evidence to support the efficacy of utilizing tDCS for relieving chronic NP after SCI remains limited. Further strong evidence is needed to confirm the efficacy of tDCS intervention for treating SCI-related NP.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• 제54권6호
• /
• pp.473-479
• /
• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare 1-year clinical outcomes between patients who underwent a Nuss operation or vacuum bell therapy and to present vacuum bell therapy as a possible alternative treatment modality for patients who prefer non-surgical correction of pectus excavatum. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of pectus excavatum patients who had undergone vacuum bell therapy for more than 1 year and examined patients who had undergone Nuss bar removal more than 1 year previously. The treatment outcomes were evaluated by comparing changes in the Haller index before and after treatment in both patient groups. Results: We included 57 patients in this study and divided them into 2 groups according to the type of treatment received. Both groups showed no significant difference in the post-treatment Haller index after 1 year of follow-up, although the Nuss operation group showed a greater change in the Haller index than the vacuum bell group. Conclusion: Although the Nuss operation is a well-established and effective treatment of choice to correct pectus excavatum, vacuum bell therapy showed comparable outcomes and could become an alternative treatment modality for select patients who prefer non-invasive treatment.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• 제45권6호
• /
• pp.252-256
• /
• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this report was to describe the clinical and microbiological characteristics of two rare cases of necrotizing stomatitis, and the outcomes of a non-invasive treatment protocol applied in both cases. Methods: We report two cases of necrotizing stomatitis in a rare location in the hard palate of a 40-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man. Neither had a relevant medical history and both presented with highly painful ulceration in the palate and gingival margin that was accompanied by suppuration and necrosis. 3% hydrogen peroxide was applied to the lesions using sterile swabs, and antibiotic and anti-inflammatory treatment was prescribed to both patients in addition to two daily oral rinses of 0.2% chlorhexidine. Results: In both cases, radiological examination ruled out bone involvement, and exfoliative cytology revealed a large inflammatory component and the presence of forms compatible with fusobacteria and spirochetes. There was a rapid response to treatment and a major improvement was observed after 48 hours, with almost complete resolution of the ulcerated lesions and detachment of necrotic areas with partial decapitation of gingival papillae. Conclusions: Necrotizing periodontal lesions can hinder periodontal probing and the mechanical removal of plaque in some cases due to the extreme pain suffered by the patients. We present a non-invasive treatment approach that can manage these situations effectively.

• 대한의생명과학회지
• /
• 제27권2호
• /
• pp.99-104
• /
• 2021

Treatment techniques that affect homeostasis by non-invasive regulation in peripheral organs will advance disease research. Here, we demonstrate a non-invasive method of conditioning within an organ using a low-frequency stimulator superposition of alternating microcurrent wave in stages. It is first applied to the inflammatory response in H3N2-infected sinusitis mice. To check the progress of the treatment, mice were sacrificed every week for 3 weeks, nasal tissue was removed, and the inflammatory response was investigated through H & E staining. The low-frequency stimulation treatment group was found to alleviate the proliferation of epithelial cells and invasion of inflammatory cells compared to the control group as the passage of treatment time. The reduction of inflammatory cytokines in the nasal lavage fluid was observed in H3N2-infected sinusitis mice treated with of low-frequency stimulation using superposition of alternating microcurrent wave compared to H3N2-infected sinusitis mice after 3 weeks. These data demonstrate that low-frequency stimulation device in the form of using alternating current wave superposition on within organs provides a new method to regulate specific physiological functions. Therefore, it is necessary to prove the inhibitory effect of low-frequency stimulation using alternating current wave superposition on inflammatory diseases by various methods through further studies and clinical studies.

• Medical Lasers
• /
• 제8권2호
• /
• pp.59-63
• /
• 2019

Background and Objectives High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been developed as an effective, non-invasive, skin-tightening method in response to the increasing demand for improvements in skin laxity and tightening with minimal risk and recovery time. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of HIFU for non-invasive skin tightening of crow's feet wrinkles, with the aim of determining how long the tightening can be maintained. Materials and Methods Between January and March 2019, 21 female patients with crow's feet wrinkles were treated with HIFU. The treatment involved 200 shots, three times every 2 weeks. Three blinded, experienced plastic surgeons and patients evaluated satisfaction at 2 weeks after the first procedure, 2 weeks after the second procedure, 2 weeks after the third procedure, and 6 weeks after the first procedure based on photographs according to the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS). The Friedman test was used to compare data. Results Of the 21 patients treated using HIFU, one was lost to follow-up for nonstudy-related reasons. Therefore, 20 patients were evaluated and ranged in age from 28 to 48 years. Plastic surgeons' GAIS scores were 2.6, 2.3, 1.7, and 1.3 and patients' GAIS scores were 2.6, 2.2, 1.8, and 1.4 at 2 weeks after the first procedure, 2 weeks after the second procedure, 2 weeks after the third procedure, and 6 weeks after the third procedure. No serious adverse effects were observed. Conclusion The aging face with crow's feet wrinkles can be improved by using HIFU, while minimizing epidermal and dermal injury.

• 한국임상약학회지
• /
• 제29권2호
• /
• pp.89-100
• /
• 2019

Background: Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is associated with high morbidity and mortality, particularly among immunocompromised patients, such as lung transplant recipients. Voriconazole, the first-line therapy for IA, shows a non-linear pharmacokinetic profile and has a narrow therapeutic range. Careful and appropriate administration is necessary, primarily because it is used for critically ill patients; however, the clinical usefulness of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) has not been sufficiently verified. Therefore, in this study, we validated the safety and efficacy of voriconazole TDM in lung transplant recipients receiving only voriconazole for IA treatment. Methods: The electronic medical records of lung transplant recipients (${\geq}19$ years of age) administered only voriconazole for > 7 days for treatment of IA from June 1, 2013 to May 31, 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Among the 54 patients, 27 each were allocated to TDM and non-TDM groups, respectively. There were no significant differences in patient characteristics between the two groups except for ICU-hospitalization status. Of the TDM group patients, 81.5% needed adjustment of voriconazole dosage because the levels were out of target range. Comparison of two groups showed that treatment response was higher throughout treatment and switching rates of second-line agents were significantly lower in the TDM group, but it was insufficient to confirm safety improvements through voriconazole TDM. Conclusions: Considering that the treatment response tended to be higher and the rates of switching to second-line antifungal agents were lower in the TDM group, voriconazole TDM may increase the therapeutic effect on IA in lung transplant patients.

• 의료법학
• /
• 제23권2호
• /
• pp.119-139
• /
• 2022

뇌에 전기적·자기적 자극을 가하는 뇌자극기술은 신경학적·정신학적 장애에 대해 다양한 범위에 걸쳐 상당한 치료 가능성을 보여준다. 뇌자극기술은 침습 여부에 따라 침습적 기술과 비침습적 기술로 구분되는데, 뇌심부자극술(이하, DBS)은 대표적인 침습적 뇌자극기술에 속한다. 현재 DBS는 식약처 고시인 "의료기기 품목 및 품목별 등급에 관한 규정"에 따라 4등급 의료기기로 분류되어 몇몇 질환에서 안정된 치료법으로 사용되고 있다. 동시에 날로 그 기술이 발전하여 다양한 방향에서 이용방법이 논의되고 있다. 반면, 이와 관련한 법적 규제에 대한 논의는 상대적으로 적은 편이다. 이러한 배경에서 본 글은 DBS의 기술 및 효과와 안전성을 간략하게 소개한 이후, DBS 이용에서 고려할 수 있는 주요한 법적 쟁점을 이용 목적별로, 즉 치료목적, 임상연구 목적, 표준적 치료법이 아니나 다른 치료법이 없는 경우, 향상 목적으로 구분하여 논의하고, 어떠한 목적의 이용이든 DBS 이용에 따른 법적 책임의 문제에서 새로이 공통적으로 부상하고 있는 쟁점-위험·이익평가, 의사의 설명의무, 환자의 동의능력, 기기의 조정, 보험의 보장-을 소개하고 논의한다.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• 제44권4호
• /
• pp.174-178
• /
• 2019

A fungal ball (FB) of the paranasal sinuses is a chronic, non-invasive fungal sinusitis defined as the accumulation of dense aggregation of fungal hyphae in a sinus cavity. A patient with FB infection in a sinus cavity has usually non-specific symptoms such as post-nasal drip, nasal congestion, headache. However, facial pain and toothache can be developed if FB infection is in maxillary sinus. The aim of this case report is to present two cases of FB of the maxillary sinus which caused toothache in the upper molar region. It is also to make dental practitioners consider the non-odontogenic origins of toothache and to pay special attention to avoid unnecessary dental treatment.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• 제30권5호
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to present clinical utility of therapeutic exercise on the neck and shoulder parts based on the movement system impairment syndrome(MSIS) as Dong-Qi therapy of the Dong-Si Acupuncture and was to examine which Dong-Si acupoints were most effective and non-invasive when performing therapeutic exercise of the MSIS. Methods : Totally eight therapeutic exercises correspondent to eight neck and shoulder MSIS were summarized and tabulated from the Diagnosis and Treatment of Movement Impairment Syndrome and Movement System Impairment Syndromes Of The Extremities, Cervical and Thoracic Spines by Sahrmann SA. Together with the MSIS summaries, acupuncture points and Dong-Qi therapy were summarized and tabulated from Yangweijiequanji 1 and Yangweijiequanji 2 by Yangweijie. According to the posture and movement of the MSIS exercise, effective and non-invasive acupoints were selected. Thereafter, clinical pilot study which five normal volunteers participated in were performed to examine whether these acupoints resulted in any side effects of acupuncture therapy such as pain and distortion of the needle during the MSIS exercises. Results : Through clinical pilot study, ZhongZi, ZhongXian, ZhengJin, ZhengZong and MuLiu in a sitting position, and HuaGuYi, ZhongZi and ZhongXian in a supine position were finally determined as safe and non-invasive Dong-Si acupoints to treat cervical pain. In terms of shoulder pain, ZuQianJin, ZuWuJin, HuaGuEr and JianZhong in a supine position, SiHuaZhong, ZuQianJin, ZuWuJin, QuLing, JianZhong, ShenGuan and JiuLi in a standing position, and ZuQianJin, ZuWuJin, HuaGuEr, QuLing and JianZhong in a prone position were finally accepted as safe and non-invasive Dong-Si acupoints. Conclusion : It is concluded that Dong-Si acupoints can be safely and non-invasively used together with therapeutic exercises of the MSIS to treat cervical and shoulder pains.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제14권6호
• /
• pp.3843-3846
• /
• 2013

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess prognosis after resection of giant tumors (including lobectomy or pneumonectomy) in the mediastinum. Materials and Methods: Patients with resection of a giant tumor in the mediastinum of the thoracic cavity received ICU treatment including dynamic monitoring of vital signs, arterial blood pressure and CVP detection, determination of hemorrhage, pulmonary function and blood gas assay, treatment of relevant complications, examination and treatment with fiber optic bronchoscopy, transfusion and hemostasis as well as postoperative removal of ventilators by invasive and non-invasive sequential mechanical ventilation technologies. Results: Six patients were rehabilitated successfully after ICU treatment with controlled postoperative errhysis and pulmonary infection by examination and treatment with fiber optic bronchoscopy without second application of ventilators and tubes after sequential mechanical ventilation technology. One patient died from multiple organ failure under ICU treatment due to postoperative active hemorrhage after second operative hemostasis. Conclusions: During peri-operative period of resection of giant tumor (including lobectomy or pneumonectomy) in mediastinum ofthe thoracic cavity, the ICU plays an important role in dynamic monitoring of vital signs, treatment of postoperative stress state, postoperative hemostasis and successful removal of ventilators after sequential mechanical ventilation.