• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.128-136
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• 1996

Radial nerve injury is caused by variety of etiologies, mainly traumatic. It is primarily a motor nerve and loss of it's function leads to a significant disability. Surgical treatments of radial nerve comprise of neurolysis(internal or external), neurorrhaphy(eineural, perineural or epi-perineural), nerve graft and tendon transfer. However, there is still controversies in treatment methods and time of operation. Authors experienced 23 cases of radial nerve injuries who were treated by operative methods and followed up over 1 year's duration. The male to female ratio was 18 to 5 and mean age was 30.7 years old. The causes were 13 cases in fractures, 5 cases in crushing injury, 3 cases in laceration, 1 case in CO poisoning and 1 case in unknown cause. The summary of the study were as follows ; 1. Excellent or good results were obtained in overall 16 cases among 23 cases; 5 of 9 cases in neurolysis, 3 of 3 cases in neurorrhaphy, 2 of 3 cases in nerve graft and 6 of 8 cases in tendon transfer. 2. In cases of neurorrhaphy and nerve graft, primary or delayed repair showed excellent or good results and neurolysis performed before 6 months leads to better results. But there was no correlations between the time of injury and operation in tendon transfer. 3. The radial nerve injury associated with extensive soft tissue defect or any conditions that leads to nerve ischemia results poor prognosis. 4. The patients aged under 40 years showed better prognosis in clinical results according to the age of surgical treatment. 5. If the surgeon decide the method and the time of operation through the exact evaluation of the factors which influencing the end result such as age of the patient, level and type of injury, extent of nerve lesion and the associated tissue injury, good result could be expected.

• Journal of Electrodiagnosis and Neuromuscular Diseases
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.153-158
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• 2018

Posterior interosseus (PI) nerve compression is a rare form of compressive neuropathy. It can cause pain along the radial nerve course and weakness of radial nerve innervating muscles without sensory symptoms. A 65-year-old man visited our institution complaining weakness of finger extension and thumb abduction after 2 times of injections at the right elbow in local clinic. The patient's clinical history and physical examination implied an iatrogenic radial nerve injury caused by the injection. The electrophysiologic study revealed of posterior interosseus neuropathy (PIN) with incomplete conduction block. However, the ultrasound study showed that the PI nerve was compressed by an anechoic cyst. The magnetic resonance imaging also confirmed of a ganglion cyst, not a hematoma. After repeated aspirations and a steroid injection, the electrophysiologic study showed recovery of motor weakness. Despite of the clue which implying an iatrogenic injury, clinician should consider other possibilities such as ganglion cysts and ultrasound guided aspiration and steroid injection could be an effective option for conservative management.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.157-166
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• 2014

Objective : The purpose of this study is to report the patient with radial nerve injury associated with humerus shaft fracture, who was improved by Korean medical treatments. Methods : The patient was treated by Jungsongouhyul pharmacopuncture, electrical stimulation therapy, physical therapy, and herbal medicine according to "Locating Yang brightness meridians" theory. Coding result, Numeric rating scale(NRS) and digital grip dynamometer were used to evaluate the wrist drop, numbness of fingers and grip power. Results : The patient showed the first sign of recovery after 6 weeks from onset. After 9 weeks from onset, the patient could perform delicate manual activity. Grip power showed noticeable improvement as well as coding result and NRS. Conclusions : The results suggest that providing Korean medical treatments according to "Locating Yang brightness meridians" theory is a good method for treating radial nerve injury associated with humerus shaft fracture. But further studies are required to concretely prove the effectiveness of this method for treating radial nerve injury associated with humerus fracture.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.50-55
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• 2010

Injury of the musculocutanous nerve can be associated with a proximal humeral fracture or shoulder dislocation, and injury of the brachial plexus. However, injury of this nerve associated with a humeral shaft fracture has rarely been reported. Diagnosis of the musculocutaneous nerve injury is difficult because its sensory loss is ill-defined, and examination of elbow flexion is difficult when it is associated with fractures. We report an unusual case of musculocutaneous nerve injury in a 27 years old woman who had multiple injuries including a humerus shaft fracture, an ipsilateral radius shaft fracture, and an associated radial nerve laceration. Diagnosis of the musculocutaneous nerve injury was delayed because combined fractures of the humerus and radius prevented proper examination of the elbow motion and nerve grafting of the radial nerve delayed early elbow motion exercise. Delayed exploration of the musculocutaneous nerve 6 months after trauma showed complete rupture of the nerve at its entry into the coracobrachialis muscle and the defect was successfully managed by sural nerve graft.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.287-290
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• 2017

A 6-month-old, 4.1 kg female Dachshund dog presented with intermittent non-weight bearing lameness of the right thoracic limb. Radiographs revealed caudolateral luxation of the right radial head and a shortened right ulna compared to the contralateral limb. Bone lengthening by distraction of the ulna using the Ilizarov technique was performed following ulnar osteotomy. The rate of distraction was 1.5 mm per day, adjusted a total of 3 times daily for a total distraction distance of 10 mm. The Ilizarov fixator was removed four weeks after surgery. The patient showed knuckling due to radial nerve injury that occurred during limb-lengthening. Corrective osteotomy was performed using a plate and pin for the luxation and deformity of the right radial head. The luxation of the radial head was successfully reduced following surgery. However, the knuckling persisted after surgery. Rehabilitation for radial nerve injury was performed using heat therapy, massage, a passive range of motion exercises, water treadmill exercises, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, leash-walking, and acupuncture. 15 months after surgery, the patient showed satisfactory weight-bearing ambulation without recurrence of lameness. The use of the Ilizarov technique is a good surgical option for the treatment of a patient with congenital elbow luxation.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.45-47
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• 2024

Peripheral nerves may be affected or injured for several reasons. Peripheral nerve damage can result from trauma, surgery, anatomical abnormalities, entrapment, systemic diseases, or iatrogenic injuries. Trauma and iatrogenic injuries are the most common causes. The ulnar, median, and radial nerves are the most injured nerves in the upper extremities, while the sciatic and peroneal nerves are the most injured nerves in the lower extremities. The clinical symptoms of peripheral nerve damage include pain, weakness, numbness/ tingling, and paresthesia. Therefore, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of peripheral nerve injuries are crucial. If a peripheral nerve injury is left untreated, it can lead to severe complications and significant morbidity. The sciatic nerve is one of the most affected nerves. This nerve is generally injured by trauma and iatrogenic causes. Children are more susceptible to trauma than adults. Therefore, sciatic nerve injuries are observed in pediatric patients. When the sciatic nerve is damaged, pain, weakness, sensory loss, and gait disturbances can occur. Therefore, the diagnosis and treatment of sciatic nerve injuries are important to avoid unexpected consequences. Ultrasound can play an important role in the diagnosis of peripheral nerve injury and the follow-up of patients. The aim of this case report is twofold. First, we aimed to emphasize the critical role of ultrasonographic evaluation in the diagnosis of peripheral nerve injuries and pathologies. Second, we aimed to present this case, which has distinguishing features, such as the existence of periostitis ossificans progressiva with sciatic neurotmesis due to a traumatic glass injury.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.287-289
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• 2015

Brachial plexus block (BPB) under ultrasound guidance has come to be widely used. However, nerve injury has been reported following ultrasound-guided BPB. We hypothesized that BPB under ultrasound guidance in conjunction with real-time electrical nerve stimulation would help us prevent nerve injury and do more successful procedure. Here, we report the successful induction and maintenance of ultrasound-guided BPB and the achievement of good peri- and postoperative pain control using a conductive catheter, the EpiStim$^{(R)}$.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.435-443
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• 2020

Background The innervated radial artery superficial palmar branch (iRASP) flap was designed to provide consistent innervation by the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve (PCMN) to a glabrous skin flap. The iRASP flap is used to achieve coverage of diverse volar defects of digits. However, unexpected anatomical variations can affect flap survival and outcomes. Methods Cases in which patients received iRASP flaps since April 1, 2014 were retrospectively investigated by reviewing the operation notes and intraoperative photographs. The injury type, flap dimensions, arterial and neural anatomy, secondary procedures, and complications were evaluated. Results Twenty-eight cases were reviewed, and no flap failures were observed. The observed anatomical variations were the absence of a direct skin perforator, large-diameter radial artery superficial palmar branch (RASP), and the PCMN not being a single branch. Debulking procedures were performed in 16 cases (57.1%) due to flap bulkiness. Conclusions In some cases, an excessively large RASP artery was observed, even when there was no direct skin perforator from the RASP or variation in the PCMN. These findings should facilitate application of the iRASP flap, as well as any surgical procedures that involve potential damage to the PCMN in the inter-thenar crease region. Additional clinical cases will provide further clarification regarding potential anatomical variations.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2023

Fixation of radial head fracture with minimally invasive posterior approach remains a significant challenge. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of trans-anconeus posterior elbow approach and to observe lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL) in extended elbows. This cadaveric study was performed in twenty upper limbs of fresh fixed adult male cadavers. An oblique incision was made in the middle segment of anconeus until the lateral ligament complex and the joint capsule had been revealed. A deep dissection was explored to observe the anatomical relationship of the LUCL to the anconeus. Measurements of the LUCL were recorded while the elbow was fully extended. The mean distance between the edge of the radial head and the proximal insertion of the LUCL was 13.3 mm (11.5-16.2 mm); the mean distance between the edge of the radial head and the distal insertion of the LUCL was 20.9 mm (19.2-23.4 mm); the distance between the edge of the radial head and the distal edge of the annular ligament was 11.2 mm (8.22-11.7 mm). By estimate correlation of the previous measurements, the direct and accessible way to expose the posterolateral articular capsule of the elbow joint was through a window in medial 2/3 of the middle segment of anconeus muscle. These trans-anconeus approach is useful. It provides good visualization, facilitates applying the implants, and lessens the risk of radial nerve injury. Awareness of the anatomy is mandatory to avoid injury of LUCL.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.187-193
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• 2020

Upper limb nerve damage is a common condition, and evidence suggests that functional recovery may be limited following peripheral nerve repair in cases of delayed reconstruction or reconstruction of long nerve defects. A 26-year-old man presented with traumatic injury from a wide, blunt wound of the right forearm caused by broken glass, with soft tissue loss, complete transection of the radial and ulnar arteries, and a large median nerve gap. The patient underwent debridement and subsequent surgery with a microsurgical free radial fasciocutaneous flap to provide a direct blood supply to the hand; the cephalic vein within the flap was employed as a venous vascularized chamber to wrap the sural nerve graft and to repair the wide gap (14 cm) in the median nerve. During the postoperative period, the patient followed an intensive rehabilitation program and was monitored for functional performance over 5 years of follow-up. Our assessment demonstrated skin tropism and sufficient muscle power to act against strong resistance (M5) in the muscles previously affected by paralysis, as well as a good localization of stimuli in the median nerve region and an imperfect recovery of two-point discrimination (S3+). We propose a novel and efficient procedure to repair >10-cm peripheral nerve gap injuries related to upper limb trauma.