• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.148-153
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• 2013

Background: C-arm fluoroscope has been widely used to promote more effective pain management; however, unwanted radiation exposure for operators is inevitable. We prospectively investigated the differences in radiation exposure related to collimation in Medial Branch Block (MBB). Methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial of 62 MBBs at L3, 4 and 5. After the patient was laid in the prone position on the operating table, MBB was conducted and only AP projections of the fluoroscope were used. Based on a concealed random number table, MBB was performed with (collimation group) and without (control group) collimation. The data on the patient's age, height, gender, laterality (right/left), radiation absorbed dose (RAD), exposure time, distance from the center of the field to the operator, and effective dose (ED) at the side of the table and at the operator's chest were collected. The brightness of the fluoroscopic image was evaluated with histogram in Photoshop. Results: There were no significant differences in age, height, weight, male to female ratio, laterality, time, distance and brightness of fluoroscopic image. The area of the fluoroscopic image with collimation was 67% of the conventional image. The RAD ($29.9{\pm}13.0$, P = 0.001) and the ED at the left chest of the operators ($0.53{\pm}0.71$, P = 0.042) and beside the table ($5.69{\pm}4.6$, P = 0.025) in collimation group were lower than that of the control group ($44.6{\pm}19.0$, $0.97{\pm}0.92$, and $9.53{\pm}8.16$), resepectively. Conclusions: Collimation reduced radiation exposure and maintained the image quality. Therefore, the proper use of collimation will be beneficial to both patients and operators.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.150-154
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• 2008

Pulsed or conventional radiofrequency (RF) denervation of the third occipital nerve (TON) is considered to be a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of pain originating from the cervical 2-3 facet joint, including cervicogenic headache. However, proper positioning of the RF probe in the TON can be difficult and time consuming due to the possible involvement of various lesions along the target nerve. We found that bipolar RF is easier to perform and more convenient than unipolar RF when administering a lumbar medial branch block. Here, we report the successful treatment of a patient with a cervicogenic headache by pulsed RF (PRF) denervation of the TON, using a bipolar probe. We believe that bipolar PRF denervation of the TON is an effective alternative to unipolar RF or PRF for the treatment of pain originating from the cervical 2-3 facet joint.

• 한방재활의학과학회지
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.13-29
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• 2023

Objectives To evaluate the evidence supporting the effectiveness of acupuncture for facet joint syndrome. Methods We conducted search across 9 electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL (CENTRAL), KoreaMed, Kmbase, Koreanstudies Information Service System (KISS), ScienceOn, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang) to find clinical trials that used acupuncture as treatment for facet joint syndrome. The methodological quality of randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) tool, while non-randomized controlled clinical trials (nRCTs) were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment tool for Non-randomized Study (RoBANS) tool. Results Nine RCTs and one nRCT met our inclusion criteria. Fire needle was more effective than medial branch block in terms of visual analogue scale (VAS) after 1 month (p=0.02). Also, Fire needle was more effective than Ibuprofen in terms of VAS and oswestry disability index (ODI) (p<0.05). However, in the rest of the study results, the intervention group did not show a statistically significant difference than the control group. Conclusions Although our review found encouraging but limited evidence of acupuncture for facet joint syndrome, most of the studies included in the analysis were evaluated as methodologically high risk of bias. From now on further well-designed RCTs should be encouraged.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• 제57권1호
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• pp.18-24
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• 2024

The origin and distribution of median nerve varies among the different individuals. The median nerve variations in axillary region were reported by many authors previously. Understanding of these variations is especially necessary for clinicians to prevent iatrogenic nerve damage. The current work aimed to evaluate the possible anatomical variations of median nerve in the axillary region in a sample of the Iranian cadavers (Shiraz, Fars). We dissected 26 upper limbs from 13 male cadavers to investigate the different variations of median and musculocutaneous nerves according to Venieratos and Anagnostopoulou classification. In 23.07% of specimens (n=6), the medial root united with 2 lateral roots and formed the median nerve proximal to the coracobrachialis muscle. In one case, a communicating branch separated from the musculocutaneous nerve distal to the coracobrachialis and connected to the median nerve in upper arm. Our results suggest that there are anatomical variations of the median nerve in terms of its origin and its communication with the musculocutaneous nerve in the population of southern Iran. The anatomical knowledge of the median nerve variations is important for clinicians to improve patient health outcome. Theses variations of the median nerve should be considered during surgical procedures of the axillary region and nerve block of the infra clavicular part of the brachial plexus.

• 대한척추외과학회지
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.185-195
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• 2018

연구 계획: 문헌 조사 목적: 초음파를 이용한 중재 시술은 임상적으로 흔하게 경험할 수 있는 하요추부 통증이 보존적 치료에 실패한 경우 수술적 치료 이전에 흔하게 시행하게 되는 치료이다. 이 연구의 목적은 요추 및 천추부에 대한 초음파 유도하 중재 시술에 대해 고찰해 보고자 함에 있다. 선행 연구문헌의 요약: 초음파를 이용한 중재 요법은 근육, 인대, 건, 혈관, 신경 등의 연부조직을 직접 관찰할 수 있으며, 환자나 시술자에게 방사선 노출이 없고, 컴퓨터 단층 촬영이나 C형 투시검사 장비처럼 넓은 장소를 필요로 하지 않는 장점들을 가지고 있기 때문에 점차 그 사용이 늘고 있다. 대상 및 방법: 요추부의 정상, 비정상 초음파 소견과 요추 및 천추부에서 시행할 수 있는 초음파 유도하 중재 요법에 대하여 문헌 고찰과 함께 기술을 하였다. 결과: 요천추부의 정확한 초음파 중재 시술을 위해서는 검사 시 환자의 자세 및 해부학과 정상, 비정상 초음파 소견 등에 대한 숙지가 필요하다. 초음파를 이용하면 후방 관절 내 주사 및 내측 분지 차단술, 경막외 차단술, 선택적 신경근 차단술, 천장관절 주사를 효과적으로 시행할 수 있다. 결론: 요추 및 천추부에서 초음파 유도하 중재 요법은 요천추부 통증의 치료에서 효과적으로 사용할 수 있는 술기이다.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.51-56
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• 2013

Background: The C-arm fluoroscope is an essential tool for the intervention of pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the radiation exposure experienced by the hand and chest of pain physicians during C-arm fluoroscopy-guided procedures. Methods: This is a prospective study about radiation exposure to physicians during transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) and medial branch block (MBB). Four pain physicians were involved in this study. Data about effective dose (ED) at each physician's right hand and left side of the chest, exposure time, radiation absorbed dose (RAD), and the distance from the center of the X-ray field to the physician during X-ray scanning were collected. Results: Three hundred and fifteen cases were included for this study. Demographic data showed no significant differences among the physicians in the TFESIs and MBBs. In the TFESI group, there was a significant difference between the ED at the hand and chest in all the physicians. In physician A, B and C, the ED at the chest was more than the ED at the hand. The distance from the center of the X-ray field to physician A was more than that of the other physicians, and for the exposure time, the ED and RAD in physician A was less than that of the other physicians. In the MBB group, there was no difference in the ED at the hand and chest, except for physician D. The distance from the center of the X-ray field to physician A was more than that of the other physicians and the exposure time in physician A was less than that of the other physicians. Conclusions: In conclusion, the distance from the radiation source, position of the hand, experience and technique can correlate with the radiation dose.