• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.54-59
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• 2007

Background: Selective transforaminal epidural block (STEB) has showen effectiveness as a diagnostic and therapeutic option for the management of patients with low back pain or sciatica. This study was carried out in order to determine the short-term effects and prognostic factors associated with STEB in patients with low back pain or sciatica. Methods: Ninety-seven patients were selectedfor participation in this study. Their diagnosis were based werewason the clinical symptoms and MRI findings. We performed STEB under fluoroscopic guidance and injected 3 ml of radio opaque dye in order to confirm the technical success of the procedure. We then injected 20 mg of triamcinolone mixed into 3 ml of 0.5% mepivacaine. One month later, we classified the patient outcomes as excellent, good, moderate or poor, according to the degree of reduction in VAS score from baseline. The independent variables assessed included symptom duration, block level, number of blocks, primary diagnosis, prior caudal block, anterior epidural space filling of dye, medication history, demographic data, radiating pain, back surgery and spondylolisthesis. Results: At a mean follow-up period of 1 month after STEB, excellent results were noted in the patients diagnosed with herniated lumbar disc (70%), non-specific spondylosis (54%), spinal stenosis (44%), and failed back syndrome (28%). The patients with epidural adhesion and combined spondylolisthesis were associated with poorer outcomes. Combined caudal block, symptom duration and the extent of epidural spread of the drug were not related to the effectiveness of the treatment. Conclusions: Selective transforaminal epidural block is effective in treating patients with radiculopathy, such as herniated lumbar disc, but it isrelatively ineffective in treating patients with structural deformities, such as failed back syndrome and spondylolisthesis.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.99-104
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• 2012

Background: Previous studies have shown that if performed without radiographic guidance, the loss of resistance (LOR) technique can result in inaccurate needle placement in up to 30% of lumbar epidural blocks. To date, no study has shown the efficacy of measuring the depth of the posterior complex (ligamentum flavum, epidural space, and posterior dura) ultrasonographically to distinguish true and false LOR. Methods: 40 cervical epidural blocks were performed using the LOR technique and confirmed by epidurograms. Transverse ultrasound images of the C6/7 area were taken before each cervical epidural block, and the distances from the skin to the posterior complex, transverse process, and supraspinous ligament were measured on each ultrasound view. The number of LOR attempts was counted, and the depth of each LOR was measured with a standard ruler. Correlation of false and true positive LOR depth with ultrasonographically measured depth was also statistically analyzed. Results: 76.5% of all cases (26 out of 34) showed false positive LOR. Concordance correlation coefficients between the measured distances on ultrasound (skin to ligamentum flavum) and actual needle depth were 0.8285 on true LOR. Depth of the true positive LOR correlated with height and weight, with a mean of $5.64{\pm}1.06cm$, while the mean depth of the false positive LOR was $4.08{\pm}1.00cm$. Conclusions: Ultrasonographic measurement of the ligamentum flavum depth (or posterior complex) preceding cervical epidural block is beneficial in excluding false LOR and increasing success rates of cervical epidural blocks.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제66권5호
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• pp.503-510
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• 2023

Objective : The present study aimed to determine the topical and systemic efficacy of tranexamic acid (TXA) on epidural fibrosis in a rat laminectomy model. Methods : Thirty-two 12-month-old adult Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. Each rat underwent bilateral laminectomy at the L1 and L2 vertebral levels. Rats were divided into four groups : in group I (control group, n=8), a laminectomy was performed and saline solution was applied into the surgical space. In group II (topical group, n=8), laminectomy was performed and 30 mg/kg TXA was applied to the surgical site before skin closure. In group III (systemic group, n=8), 30 mg/kg TXA was administered intravenously via the tail vein in the same session as the surgical procedure. In group IV (topical and systemic group, n=8), TXA was administered 30 mg/kg both topical and intravenous. The rats were sacrificed at 4 weeks postoperatively. Masson's trichrome and hematoxylin and eosin were used to assess acute inflammatory cells, chronic inflammatory cells, vascular proliferation, and epidural fibrosis. Results : Epidural fibrosis, acute inflammation, chronic inflammation, and sum histologic score value were significantly lower in the systemic TXA group, systemic and topical TXA groups than in the control group (p<0.05). In addion, the sum histologic score was significantly lower in the topical TXA group than in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion : In this study, epidural fibrosis formation was prevented more by systemic application, but the topical application was found to be effective when compared to the control group. As a result, we recommend the systemic and topical use of TXA to prevent epidural fibrosis during spinal surgery.

• 대한수의사회지
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• 제27권11호
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• pp.675-677
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• 1991

This study was designed to examine the effect of xylazine (0.07mg/kg suspended in 5ml saline) given into the epidural space in 11 Holstein cows. Analgesic state was induced at the perineal region within 10 min after administration of xylazine and at the u

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.392-395
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• 2013

Epiduroscopy is very useful in the treatment of not only low back pain caused by failed back surgery syndrome, epidural scar or herniated disc but also by chronic refractory low back pain which does not respond to interventional conservative treatment including fluoroscopically-directed epidural steroid injections and percutaneous adhesiolysis. Because cauterization using a laser fiber has become recently available, a wider opening is required to enter into the sacral canal in the case of epiduroscopic laser neural decompression (ELND). However, in a few patients, it is difficult to insert a device into the epidural space due to stenosis around the opening, and there is no alternative method. Herein, we report a case where a hiatus rasp specially designed for such patients was used to perform the operation.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.152-156
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• 1991

경부 신경근병이 의심되는 31예의 환자에 경막외강 스테로이드 주입으로 치료하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1) 총 31예중 10예에서는 1회만을 주입하였다. 2) 최소한 1주일 간격으로 2회이상 주입한 21예중 15예에서 증상의 호전을 보였고 6예에서는 효과가 없었다. 3) 총 88회 주업중 2회의 지주막 천자외에는 합병증이 없었다. 이상의 결과로 보아 cervical radiculopathy가 의심되는 환자는 수술적 치료를 적용하기 전에 다른 종류의 대중적 치료와 더불어 경막외 스테로이드률 주입하는 것이 안전하고 효과적인 것으로 사료된다.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.256-263
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• 2024

Background: Cervical epidural block (CEB) is an effective intervention for managing cervical radicular pain. This study aimed to investigate the current status of performing CEB in South Korea. Methods: Pain physicians affiliated with the Korean Pain Society were asked to complete anonymous questionnaires regarding CEB between September and October 2022. The questionnaire consisted of 24 questions assessing the current status and methods of CEB in detail. Results: Of the 198 surveys collected, 171 physicians (86.4%) reported performing CEB. Among those, the majority (94.7%) used fluoroscopy during the procedure. The paramedian interlaminar (IL) approach was the most preferred method (50.3%). Respondents performing fluoroscopic-guided IL CEB were categorized into two groups based on clinical experience: those with ≤10 years of experience (≤10-year group, n = 91) and those with >10 years of experience (>10-year group, n = 71). The proportion of physicians obtaining informed consent in the ≤10-year group and >10-year group was 50.5% and 56.3%, respectively. When entering the epidural space during IL CEB, the contralateral oblique view was the second most frequently used in both groups (≤10-year group, 42.9%; >10-year group, 29.6%). In targeting the upper cervical lesions (C3-4), the proportion of respondents who used an IL space higher than C6-7 was 17.6% in the ≤10-year group and 29.5% in the >10-year experience group. Conclusions: This study demonstrated variability in the CEB technique used by pain physicians in South Korea. The findings highlight the need for education on informed consent and techniques to enhance safety.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제50권8호
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• pp.785-788
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• 2007

경막외기종은 자발기종격, 자발기흉, 천식 발작, 기침, 심한 구토, 외상 등에 의해 발생할 수 있지만 기관지 이물에 의한 경우는 드물고, 고환기종 역시 대장내시경, 진단적 복강경, 간생검 등에 의해 발생하는 경우가 보고되고 있지만, 기관지 이물에 의한 경우는 아직까지 국내 외에 보고된 적이 없다. 이에 본 저자들을 기관지 이물에 의해 심한 고환기종 및 경막외기종, 기종격, 기흉이 발생한 18개월된 남아에 대해 보고하는 바이다.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.157-161
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• 1991

경막외강으로 steroid 및 국소마취제투여는 요통치료에 유일한 방법만은 아니나 여러 대증요법중 가장 관심있는 방법중의 하나이다. 비록 요통이나 혹은 방사통이 동반된 경우에서 경막외강으로 steroid를 투여하여 매우 좋은 결과를 얻었다는 보고도 많다. 더우기 급성이며 짧은 병력올 가지고 수술을 받지 않을 경우에는 더욱 극적인 효과를 볼 수 있다. 경막외강으로는 steroid 단독 혹은 생리식염수나 국소마취제를 steroid의 희석제로 동시 사용하는 경우도 있다. 그러므로 steroid때문에 병세가 호전되었는지 혹은 희석제 때문에 호전 되였는지 분간하기 힘든 경우도 있었다. 그러나 투여후 즉각적인 성공적인 결과라 할지라도 지속성(longevity), 실현성(reality) 및 적응(indication)등에 문제가 있는 것은 사실이다.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.255-261
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• 2016

Background: Thoracic epidural anesthesia is frequently used to maintain intraoperative and postoperative analgesia. Frequently, 3 ml of local anesthetic is used as a test dose, or for intermittent epidural injection. We assessed the extent of the spread of 3 ml of contrast medium in the thoracic epidural space and attempted to identify any correlating factors affecting the epidurography. Methods: A total of 70 patients were enrolled in the study, and thoracic epidural catheterizations were performed under fluoroscopic guidance. Using 3 ml of contrast medium, epidurography was evaluated to confirm the number of spinal segments covered by the contrast medium. Correlation analysis was performed between patient characteristics (sex, age, body mass index, weight, height, and location of catheter tip) and the extent of the contrast spread. Results: The mean number of vertebral segments evaluated by contrast medium was $7.9{\pm}2.2$ using 3 ml of contrast medium. The contrast spread in the cranial direction showed more extensive distribution than that in the caudal direction, with statistical significance (P < 0.01). Patient height demonstrated a negative correlation with the extent of distribution of contrast medium (r = -0.311, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Thoracic epidurography using 3 ml of contrast medium results in coverage of a mean of $7.9{\pm}2.2$ spinal segments, with more extensive cranial spread, and patient height showed a weak negative correlation with the distribution of contrast medium.