• Journal of Korean Medical Ki-Gong Academy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.10-29
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• 2024

Objective : The purpose of this study is to determine whether An's breathing meditation qigong therapy (ABMQT) delivers bioenergy to the frontal lobe, prefrontal lobe, the olfactory tract in the mesolimbic pathway, olfactory bulb, CV22, CV21, olfactory area and vocal-related areas in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients to help improve olfactory disorders (anosmia) and vocal functions. Methods : The subjects of this study were 4 patients with idiopathic PD (3 males/1 female, 65.0±NA/68.7±10.2 years old). ABMQT was applied once a week, 120 minutes per session for 12 weeks in a non-invasive and noncontact manner, and the test before and after ABMQT application included olfactory impairment test the Korean version of Sniffin' stick test (KVSS), voice acoustic test, aerodynamic test, vocal handicap index (VHI-30), and auditory perception scale test tools. The results before and after the experiment were analyzed assuming a normal distribution, and a chi-square test was performed using a continuity correction, and the significance level was set to p<0.05. And the medical diagnosis and findings of the examiner (doctor in charge) before and after the experiment were described. Results : KVSS was significant as 0.2±0.5 and 9.0±0.0 before and after the experiment. There was no significant difference between the voice acoustic test FO and Jitter, the vocal aerodynamic test MPT, SP, AE, the vocal disorder index test, and the auditory perception test. However, the medical diagnosis findings of four study subjects showed that olfactory disorders, voice disorders, and laryngeal function were improved before and after the application of ABMQT. Conclusions : The breathing meditation qigong program showed significant effects on improving the olfactory disorders (anosmia) and speech function of each study subject. However, to produce meaningful results, it is thought that experiments involving a larger number of research participants are necessary, and additional blood and FMRI tests are conducted to verify metabolic activities and the olfactory neuron signal transmission system.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.96-107
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• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the effect of Korean medicine on olfactory disorders due to chronic sinusitis. Methods : Two patients with chronic sinusitis complaining of olfactory disturbances, nasal obstruction, and purulent discharge were treated with herbal medicines and acupuncture treatment. The nasal endoscopic examination and paranasal sinuses x-ray series (PNS x-ray) were performed. In addition, numeral rating scale (NRS) of olfactory disturbances and degrees of nasal obstruction and purulent discharge were evaluated. Results : In cases 1 and 2, NRS of olfactory disturbances decreased from 9 to 1. Nasal obstruction and purulent discharge decreased to no symptoms or intermittent level at moderate or severe level. The endoscopic findings and PNS x-ray findings were improved after treatments. Among various treatments of Korean medicine, Gamitonggyu-tang may play a crucial role in the reduction of sinusitis and olfactory disorders. Conclusions : This case report can be used as a basis for the use of Korean medicine, Gamitonggyu-tang, for olfactory disorder due to chronic sinusitis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2015

Objective : Cerebral vessels, such as intracerebral perforating arterioles isolated from rat brain, have been widely used as an ex vivo model to study the cerebrovascular function associated with cerebrovascular disorders and the therapeutic effects of various pharmacological agents. These perforating arterioles, however, have demonstrated differences in the vascular architecture and reactivity compared with a larger leptomeningeal artery which has been commonly implicated in cerebrovascular disease. In this study, therefore, we developed the method for studying cerebrovascular function utilizing the olfactory artery isolated from the mouse brain. Methods : The olfactory artery (OA) was isolated from the C57/BL6 wild-type mouse brain. After removing connective tissues, one side of the isolated vessel segment (approximately $-500{\mu}m$ in length) was cannulated and the opposite end of the vessel was completely sealed while being viewed with an inverted microscope. After verifying the absence of pressure leakage, we examined the vascular reactivity to various vasoactive agents under the fixed intravascular pressure (60 mm Hg). Results : We found that the isolated mouse OAs were able to constrict in response to vasoconstrictors, including KCl, phenylephrine, endothelin-1, and prostaglandin $PGH_2$. Moreover, this isolated vessel demonstrated vasodilation in a dose-dependent manner when vasodilatory agents, acetylcholine and bradykinin, were applied. Conclusion : Our findings suggest that the isolated olfactory artery would provide as a useful ex vivo model to study the molecular and cellular mechanisms of vascular function underlying cerebrovascular disorders and the direct effects of such disease-modifying pathways on cerebrovascular function utilizing pharmacological agents and genetically modified mouse models.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.309-318
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• 2020

Besides respiratory infection, COVID-19 has many neurological symptoms not only loss of smell and taste but also fatigue and brain fog. But it is a challenge to treat the neurological symptoms especially of anosmia and ageusia. In order to search for the therapeutic methods, the geographical diversity and pathological mechanisms of the COVID-19 and two symptoms were investigated from the latest clinical studies. Because the environmental conditions of the monsoon climate zone of East Asia and the Mediterranean and Oceanic climate zone of Italy, Britain, United States and tropical Brazil are different, each of diverse etiology and internal milieu should be considered differently in the treatment. SARS-CoV-2 exhibits the dampness-like characteristics and the olfactory and gustatory disorders are particularly more common than other flu or cold. and it tends to show features of damaging the lung qi of olfaction and heart-spleen qi of gustation. The mechanisms of olfactory and gustatory loss are various according to precursory, inflammatory, non-inflammatory and sequelar forms, so the therapeutic method should be designed for each period and pathology. If the process of inflammation arises from nasal and respiratory, olfactory epithelium to the central nervous structure by way of blood brain barrier, the treatment should be corresponded with the stage and depth of pathogen place. And if the olfactory loss is asymptomatic or in the initial stage, it can be applied intranasal topical scent therapy to relieve temporary locking of qi movement, but maybe also used in parallel together with herbs of relieving dampness toxin latent in the lung parenchyma.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.281-285
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• 1999

Kallmann's syndrome has both a general and specific connotation in describing general condition of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) deficiency or a particular cluster of anomalies associated with primary eunuchoidism. The familial occurrence of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism associated with anosmia, color blindness, synkinesia, and mental defect is the classic Kallmann's syndrome. Interestingly, anosmia, or lack of smell, was not found in the absence of gonadal deficiency in the original study of this disorder. This disorder was found on both sexes, but the male to female ratio was 11:1, and Kallmann's syndrome is more often listed under disorders of male hypogonadism for this reason. Gross anatomy has shown disorders of the olfactory bulbs associated with Kallmann's syndrome and it was demonstrated a failure of GnRH-containing cells to migrate from the olfactory placode to the hypothalamus and preoptic area. We have experienced a case of Kallmann's syndrome which showed a hypoplasia of olfactory bulb in MRI during the workup of primary amenorrheic patient. So we report this case with a brief review of literatures.

• Journal of Rhinology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.63-68
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• 2018

Olfactory dysfunction is one of the most common complaints of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Patients who suffer from olfactory dysfunction report a negative effect on their overall quality of life. Chronic rhinosinusitis-related olfactory impairment is the most treatable form of olfactory disorder; however, outcomes after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) are challenging to predict. Previous studies have documented a wide range in overall improvement after ESS. The purpose of this study is to review the factors that predict changes in olfaction after ESS.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.145-154
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• 2003

The present study was designed to demonstrate ionic zinc in the rat nasal mucosa by means of zinc selenium autometallography ($ZnSe^{AMG}$). Rats were given sodium selenide either intraperitoneally (i.p) or intranasally (i.n). Prior to the i.n. administration the rats were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium (30 mg/kg, i.p.). A thin plastic tube coupled to a Hamilton syringe was then inserted into the right nostril and $10{\mu}l$ of the solution was instilled. For the i.p. administration non-anesthetized rats were given $100{\mu}l$ of the sodium selenide solution (10 mg/kg). Control rats were instilled with saline. After 2 hrs survival, the rats were anaesthetized and transcardially perfused with 3% glutaraldehyde. The olfactory area was removed and put into same fixative. The nose was then sectioned ($30{\mu}m$) horizontally, autometallography (AMG) was performed according to Danscher et al. (1997). After silver enhancement, fine AMG grains were scattered in the whole length of the olfactory epithelium containing olfactory receptor neurons, sustentacular and basal cells. However, much higher concentration of the AMG grains occupied near the surface and in the basal region of the olfactory epithelium. Both groups of i.p. and i.n. administration showed almost same level in the concentration of the AMG grains. In i.n. group, few AMG grains were also found in olfactory nerves of the lamina propria, suggesting zinc transport into the olfactory bulb via olfactory axons. At the electron microscopic level, the AMG grains were most entirely found in the supporting cells of the olfactory epithelium, and they were mostly localized in lysosome-like organelles. The i.n. group showed various signs of tissue damage of the olfactory mucosa, where dense concentration of AMG grains were localized at crystalloid structures. The present study demonstrated dense population of ionic zinc in the rat olfactory epithelium. zinc may play a role in the olfactory functioin and in the pathogenesis of the neurodegerative disorders affecting nose.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.338-340
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• 2008

A rare case of ruptured aneurysm associated with multiple $A_1$ fenestrations resembling plexiform network was demonstrated by 3D angiography. A 56-year-old female presented with a ruptured aneurysm in the $A_2$ segment of the left distal anterior cerebral artery associated with the right $A_1$ fenestration. The ruptured aneurysm was occluded with surgical neck clipping via interhemispheric approach without neurological deficit. Plexiform fenestrations of the right distal $A_1$. opposite side to the left ruptured $A_2$ aneurysm, were clearly visible on postoperative 3D angiography. Our case may strongly support the theory described by Paget, namely that a remnant of the plexiform anastomosis between the primitive olfactory artery and $A_1$ segment is the source of such fenestration.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.181-185
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• 2023

We present a case report of a 52-year-old male patient who suffered head trauma in a car accident and subsequently experienced taste and smell disorders. Following the accident, the patient reported difficulty detecting salty and sour tastes and diminished olfactory perception. Neurosurgical evaluation revealed subarachnoid and subdural hemorrhages, while otolaryngology investigations revealed hyposmia-a decreased sense of smell. Upon referral to the Department of Oral Medicine, a comprehensive assessment revealed a general bilateral reduction in taste sensation, particularly ageusia for salty taste. Electric taste-detection thresholds significantly exceeded the normal ranges. Integrating our findings from neurosurgery, otolaryngology, and oral medicine resulted in a diagnosis of mixed chemosensory disorder attributed to head trauma. This case highlights the intricate interplay of alterations in taste and smell following head injury, emphasizing the significance of multidisciplinary evaluations in diagnosing mixed chemosensory disorders resulting from traumatic brain injury.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.134-141
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• 2017

Objectives A retrospective case series study was conducted to investigate the clinical characteristics of psychotic disorders induced by appetite suppressants, phentermine and phendimetrazine. Methods A retrospective electronic medical record review identified 5 admitted patients who had psychotic symptoms after taking phentermine or phendimetrazine. Clinical information was reviewed and summarized in each case. Results Hallucinations were reported in all cases, including auditory, visual, olfactory and somatic hallucinations. After discontinuation of phentermine or phendimetrazine, the symptoms rapidly improved with low dose of antipsychotics. Patients tended to have less prominent negative symptoms and higher insight into illness, and often showed depressive mood. These clinical characteristics were similar to psychosis induced by amphetamines. Two patients developed stimulant use disorder while using phentermine. Conclusions These findings call for awareness of the risks associated with use of appetite suppressants. Prescription of phentermine or phendimetrazine should be accompanied by close monitoring of mental status, and suspicion for substance/medication-induced psychotic disorder.