• Asian Spine Journal
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• 제12권6호
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• pp.1117-1122
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• 2018

Study Design: Prospective study. Purpose: To assess the prevalence of periodontoid calcification and its associations with acute cervical pain. Overview of Literature: Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) deposition disease is a common rheumatological disorder that occurs especially in elderly patients. Although CPPD crystals induce acute arthritis, these crystals are not usually symptomatic. Calcification surrounding the odontoid process (periodontoid calcification) has been reported to induce inflammation, resulting in acute neck pain. This disease is called crowned dens syndrome. Whether calcification induces inflammation or whether the crystals are symptomatic remains unclear. Methods: The prevalence of periodontoid calcification at the atlas transverse ligament was examined by computed tomography of the upper cervical spine in patients suspected of brain disease but no cervical pain (control group, n=296), patients with pseudogout of the peripheral joints but no cervical pain (arthritis group, n=41), and patients with acute neck pain (neck pain group, n=22). Next, the correlation between the prevalence of periodontoid calcification and symptoms was analyzed. Results: In the control group, 40 patients (13.5%) showed periodontoid calcification with no significant difference in the prevalence with gender. The prevalence of calcification increased significantly with age (p=0.002). In the arthritis group, 26 patients (63.4%) reported periodontoid calcification. In the neck pain group, 14 patients (63.6%) reported periodontoid calcification. Multiple logistic regression analysis by age and group revealed that higher age, inclusion in the arthritis group, and inclusion in the neck pain group significantly affected the prevalence of calcification. Conclusions: Our results cumulatively suggest that periodontoid calcification is an aging-related reaction and that calcification per se does not always cause neck pain. Periodontoid calcification was observed more frequently in patients with pseudogout of the peripheral joints and in those with acute neck pain than in asymptomatic control patients.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.81-86
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• 2011

Background: Facet joint disease plays a major role in axial low-back pain. Few diagnostic tests and imaging methods for identifying this condition exist. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is reported that it has a high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing facet disease. We prospectively evaluated the use of bone scintigraphy with SPECT for the identification of patients with low back pain who would benefit from medial branch block. Methods: SPECT was performed on 33 patients clinically suspected of facet joint disease. After SPECT, an ultrasound guided medial branch block was performed on all patients. On 28 SPECT-positive patients, medial branch block was performed based on the SPECT findings. On 5 negative patients, medial branch block was performed based on clinical findings. For one month, we evaluated the patients using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index. SigmaStat and paired t-tests were used to analyze patient data and compare results. Results: Of the 33 patients, the ones who showed more than 50% reduction in VAS score were assigned 'responders'. SPECT positive patients showed a better response to medial branch blocks than negative patients, but no changes in the Oswestry disability index were seen. Conclusions: SPECT is a sensitive tool for the identification of facet joint disease and predicting the response to medial branch block.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.299-302
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• 2013

Erythromelalgia is a rare neurovascular pain syndrome characterized by a triad of redness, increased temperature, and burning pain primarily in the extremities. Erythromelalgia can present as a primary or secondary form, and secondary erythromelalgia associated with a myeloproliferative disease such as essential thrombocythemia often responds dramatically to aspirin therapy, as in the present case. Herein, we describe a typical case of a 48-year-old woman with secondary erythromelalgia linked to essential thrombocythemia in the unilateral hand. As this case demonstrates, detecting and visualizing the hyperthermal area through infrared thermography of an erythromelalgic patient can assist in diagnosing the patient, assessing the therapeutic results, and understanding the disease course of erythromelalgia.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.3-8
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• 1988

Authors have experienced the treatment for the uppermost frequent cases, herpes zoster, frozen shoulder and low back pain among those who visited our pain clinic. 1. Herpes zoster The Patients who received the treatment within 4 weeks of the onset of the disease, not only healed herpes without leaving post herpetic neuralgia but also crust formation was fast. 2. Frozen shoulder Over 90% of the patients who received suprascapular nerve block accompanied with trigger points electric stimulation was very efficient procedure, futhermore, authors felt keenly the necessity each patients co-operation and individual endurance for this treatment. 3. Low back pain An epidural steroid administration to the patients who did not have any organic disturbances was effective treatment. If this non-effective, search other cause of the disease or operation was advisable one.

• 근관절건강학회지
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.144-153
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• 2002

This study was designed to explore use of unconventional treatments and identify related variables of patients with rheumatic disease. One hundred fifty rheumatic patients were recruited from two university based rheumatic centers according to selection criteria. Collected data were analyzed using SAS program through with a structured questionnaire. T-test, ANOVA, and Scheffe's test were adopted. The results were as follows: 1. 77.7% of the subjects were over forties and mean age was 48.5 years. 74.0% were women and 73.2% were living with their spouse. 82.0% of them was good or moderate or good economic status, 38.3% was university graduates. 2. 58.0% of the subjects had rheumatoid arthritis, and mean duration of suffering rheumatic disease was 6.5 years. 89.3% of them had joint pain and their mean pain score was 4.07. Most painful joints were hip(58.0%), finger(42.0%), wrist(42.0%), and the number of painful joint was 5.4. 70% of the subjects using unconventional treatments, the most common treatments using them was herb medicine(42.7%) and acupuncture(36.7%). 3. Level of pain was different according to subject's age, educational background, diagnosis, number of painful joints, and using unconventional treatments or not. It is recommended that use of a larger sample to understand more about unconventional treatments and pain of patients with rheumatic disease. More research is needed to consider developing individual nursing interventions for their well-being and quality of life.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제28권1호통권69호
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• pp.11-24
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• 2007

Objectives : Hemiplegic shoulder pain is one of the common sequelae of stroke. Although many different methods of treatment are applied, none have yet been proved to be effective. In this study we assessed the effectiveness of bee venom in patients with shoulder pain after stroke. Methods : This study was a double blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. All subjects received either 0.6 ml bee venom injection (venom:saline = 1:10000) or 0.6ml physiological saline solution (placebo) at three acupoints. The effectiveness was assessed by visual analogue scale, pain rating score, Fugl-Meyer assessment and passive external rotation. Results : There were 24 patients in the venom group and 22 patients in the placebo group. The venom group5,hewed more effectiveness in VAS and PRS than the placebo group. Conclusions : This study suggests that bee venom injection has significant analgesic effect on hemiplegic shoulder pain. Further study based on multi-centers, larger population, and long term 1311ow-up is needed to confirm this suggestion.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.327-335
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• 2022

Background: The pathophysiology of fibromyalgia (FM) involves many mechanisms including central nervous system sensitization theory, autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction, and recently small fiber neuropathy. While the small fiber neuropathy itself can cause ANS dysfunction and neuropathic pain (NP), it is still unknown whether ANS problems have an association with severity of disease and NP in patients with FM. The aim of this study was to evaluate ANS dysfunction in FM patients and to explore possible associations of ANS dysfunction with disease severity and NP. Methods: Twenty-nine FM patients and 20 healthy controls were included in this cross-sectional study. Participants were tested using sympathetic skin responses (SSR) and R-R interval variation analyses for sympathetic and parasympathetic ANS dysfunction, respectively. Disease severity and somatic symptoms of patients with FM were evaluated using the ACR-2010 scales and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, and NP symptoms were evaluated using the Pain Detect Questionnaire and Douleur Neuropathique questionnaire. Results: FM patients were found to have ANS dysfunction characterized by increased sympathetic response and decreased parasympathetic response. SSR amplitudes were found to be correlated with a more severe disease. Although nonsignificant, NP severity tended to be associated with a decrease in sympathetic and parasympathetic activities. Conclusions: ANS dysfunction may play a role in the pathophysiology of FM. The trend of decreased ANS functions in FM patients exhibiting NP contradicts the notion that FM is a sympathetically maintained NP and may be explained with small fiber involvement.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.85-88
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• 2017

Burkitt's lymphoma is a malignant monoclonal proliferation of early B-lymphocyte. Since Burkitt's lymphoma is a highly aggressive disease, early detection is a crucial. This disease often involves jaw and mandibular mass or swelling may also be seen, but in the early phase of Burkitt's lymphoma these symptoms cannot be observed. A rare case of Burkitt's lymphoma without any mandibular mass and the general symptoms was present. The excruciating toothache led the patient to visit the dental clinic and misdiagnosis of chronic periodontal abscess was made initially. Dentists should consider the oral manifestations of systemic disease when the multiple periodontal ligament space widening is observed and the dental treatment for mimicking odontogenic pain has no effect.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제55권4호
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• pp.293-300
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• 2022

Lung transplantation is the only treatment option for patients with end-stage lung disease. Although more than 4,000 lung transplants are performed every year worldwide, the standardized protocols contain no guidelines for monitoring during lung transplantation. Specific anesthetic concerns are associated with lung transplantation, especially during critical periods, including anesthesia induction, the initiation of positive pressure ventilation, the establishment and maintenance of one-lung ventilation, pulmonary artery clamping, pulmonary artery unclamping, and reperfusion of the transplanted lung. Anesthetic management according to the special risks associated with a patient's existing lung disease and surgical stage is the most important factor. Successful anesthesia in lung transplantation can improve hemodynamic stability, oxygenation, ventilation, and outcomes. Therefore, anesthesiologists must have expertise in transesophageal echocardiography, extracorporeal life support, and cardiopulmonary anesthesia and understand the pathophysiology of end-stage lung disease and the drugs administered. In addition, communication among anesthesiologists, surgeons, and perfusionists during surgery is important to achieve optimal patient results.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.327-335
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• 2020

As the interest in oral health is increasing with quality of life. The most representative oral diseases include dental caries, periodontal disease, and malocclusion, as well as dry mouth and oral mucosa. Cinnamaldehyde have an antioxidant effect that has been studied not only to treat rheumatism and hypertension, but also to protect liver, and gastrointestinal tract, but there are few studies related to the control of oral diseases. The purpose of this study was the effect of enhanced orofacial pain when oral administration of cinnamaldehyde in the oral diseases. Cinnamaldehyde (5, 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg) orally administered at a dose of 1 mL, and the change in biological response was confirmed after a week. In addition, 5% formalin (30, 50 μL) was injected into TMJ and subcutaneous areas of the whiskers of rats to observe the change in the threshold of the improved orofacial pain model. As a result of the experiment, in the xerostomia model, drinking water was decreased in the cinnamaldehyde-administered group, feed intake and weight increased, and saliva was also increased compared to the naïve group. In particular, the most significant increase trend was observed at the concentrations of 25 and 50 mg/kg. In addition, it was confirmed that the pain behavioral response of the orofacial area improved by oral diseases decreased depending on the concentration of cinnamaldehyde. Based on these results, cinnamaldehyde effectively reduced symptoms related to xerostomia and showed improved pain relief in the orofacial areas.