• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제37권5호
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• pp.717-725
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• 2016

Objective: To report the effect of oriental medical treatment on post spinal surgery syndrome (PSSS) in restless leg syndrome (RLS). Methods: We treated this patient with oriental medicine and measured his progress using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the International Restless Leg Scale (IRLS). Results: After treatment, most symptoms had decreased: the VAS score dropped from 6 to 3, ODI from 22 to 14, and IRLS from 34 to 20. Conclusions: Oriental medicine may be effective in alleviating PSSS and RLS. However, more rigorous studies are required to identify exactly what treatment is more efficient for PSSS and RLS.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.281-285
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• 2006

Objective : The tethered cord syndrome results in progressive neurological deficits. Although it may remain controversial, many physicians recommend definitive surgery to untether the cord as soon as this condition is identified. We retrospectively evaluate the pre-operative and post-operative course of 38 tethered cord patients with spinal dysraphism in an attempt to learn the natural history of the disease and to determine the effectiveness of the surgical treatment. Methods : The medical records, operation notes and radiographs were evaluated. The follow up period ranged from 4 months to 12 years with a mean follow-up of 28.6 months. Twenty-seven patients were younger than 15 years of age. Results : At presentation, 26 of the patients were asymptomatic. In three of 11 adult symptomatic patients, their neurological deficits worsened after trauma or exercise. Improvement of motor strength was documented in two out of 5 patients. Five of nine patients with bladder symptoms improved, however, none had a complete return of their bladder function. Conclusion : Childhood patients were less symptomatic than the adult patients. Adult patients showed progression of their symptoms that were not improved even after the operation in most of the cases. Asymptomatic tethered spinal cord can be symptomatic as time passes by and even at an old age. Future research should be focused on the operative methods to prevent the delayed deterioration after surgery, rather than on the usefulness of preventive surgery in asymptomatic patients.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.123-128
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• 2016

Phantom limb pain is a phenomenon in which patients experience pain in a part of the body that no longer exists. In several treatment modalities, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been introduced for the management of intractable post-amputation pain. A 46-year-old male patient complained of severe ankle and foot pain, following above-the-knee amputation surgery on the right side amputation surgery three years earlier. Despite undergoing treatment with multiple modalities for pain management involving numerous oral and intravenous medications, nerve blocks, and pulsed radiofrequency (RF) treatment, the effect duration was temporary and the decreases in the patient's pain score were not acceptable. Even the use of SCS did not provide completely satisfactory pain management. However, the trial lead positioning in the cauda equina was able to stimulate the site of the severe pain, and the patient's pain score was dramatically decreased. We report a case of successful pain management with spinal cauda equina stimulation following the failure of SCS in the treatment of intractable phantom limb pain.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제48권4호
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• pp.347-353
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• 2010

Objective : Iliac screw fixation has been used to prevent premature loosening of sacral fixation and to provide more rigid fixation of the sacropelvic unit. We describe our technique for iliac screw placement and review our experience with this technique. Methods : Thirteen consecutive patients who underwent spinopelvic fixation using iliac screws were enrolled. The indications for spinopelvic fixation included long segment fusions for spinal deformity and post-operative flat-back syndrome, symptomatic pseudoarthrosis of previous lumbosacral fusions, high-grade lumbosacral spondylolisthesis, lumbosacral tumors, and sacral fractures. Radiographic outcomes were assessed using plain radiographs, and computed tomographic scans. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and questionnaire about buttock pain. Results : The median follow-up period was 33 months (range, 13-54 months). Radiographic fusion across the lumbosacral junction was obtained in all 13 patients. The average pre- and post-operative ODI scores were 40.0 and 17.5, respectively. The questionnaire for buttock pain revealed the following : 9 patients (69%) perceived improvement; 3 patients (23%) reported no change; and 1 patient (7.6%) had aggravation of pain. Two patients complained of prominence of the iliac hardware. The complications included one violation of the greater sciatic notch and one deep wound infection. Conclusion : Iliac screw fixation is a safe and valuable technique that provides added structural support to S1 screws in long-segment spinal fusions. Iliac screw fixation is an extensive surgical procedure with potential complications, but high success rates can be achieved when it is performed systematically and in appropriately selected patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제49권6호
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• pp.323-328
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• 2011

Objective : Epidural fibrosis and adhesion are the main reasons for post-laminectomy sustained pain and functional disability. In this study, the authors investigate the effect of irradiated freeze-dried human amniotic membrane on reducing epidural adhesion after laminectomy on a rat model. Methods : A total of 20 rats were divided into two groups. The group A did not receive human amniotic membrane implantation after laminectomy and group B underwent human amniotic membrane implantation after laminectomy. Gross and microscopic findings were evaluated and compared at postoperative 1, 3 and 8 weeks. Results : The amount of scar tissue and tenacity were reduced grossly in group of rats with human amniotic membrane implantation (group B). On a microscopic evaluation, there were less inflammatory cell infiltration and fibroblast proliferation in group B. Conclusion : This experimental study shows that implantation of irradiated freeze-dried human amniotic membrane reduce epidural fibrosis and adhesion after spinal laminectomy in a rat model.

• 대한견주관절학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한견주관절학회 2009년도 제17차 학술대회
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• pp.208-208
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• 2009

Eleven shoulders (9 patients) with refractory scapulothoracic dysfunction were treated with scapulothoracic arthrodesis between 2000 and 2006. Refractory shoulder dysfunction included facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy in five shoulders (3 patients), refractory scapular winging with long thoracic nerve palsy in one shoulder, scapular winging caused by serratus anterior palsy with trapezius dysfunction in one shoulder, post-surgical thoracic outlet syndrome due to medial clavicle resection in two shoulders, refractory scapular winging with spinal accessory nerve injury in one shoulder, and chronic trapezius rupture caused by cervical spine surgery in one shoulder. The mean active flexion was improved from 82 degrees preoperatively to 112 degrees postoperatively. The mean Constant score was improved from 27.2 points to 68.0 points. Two shoulders (1 patient) that had facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy had broken wires due to nonunion, and one patient had a reactive pulmonary effusion. In ten of the eleven shoulders, the patients were satisfied with their results. The scapulothoracic arthrodesis can cause significant pain relief and functional improvement in refractory scapulothoracic and/or shoulder dysfunction. By selecting patients that present with appropriate indications, and using experienced surgical technique through complete preoperative evaluation, we can diminish the complication rate and make good clinical outcomes.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.178-185
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• 2014

Epidural adhesions cause pain by interfering with the free movement of the spinal nerves and increasing neural sensitivity as a consequence of neural compression. To remove adhesions and deliver injected drugs to target sites, percutaneous epidural adhesiolysis (PEA) is performed in patients who are unresponsive to conservative treatments. We describe four patients who were treated with a newly developed inflatable balloon catheter for more effective PEA and relief of stenosis. In the present patients, treatments with repetitive epidural steroid injection and/or PEA with the Racz catheter or the NaviCath did not yield long-lasting effects or functional improvements. However, PEA and decompression with the inflatable balloon catheter led to maintenance of pain relief for more than seven months and improvements in the functional status with increases in the walking distance. The present case series suggests that the inflatable balloon catheter may be an effective alternative to performing PEA when conventional methods fail to remove adhesions or sufficiently relieve stenosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.177-184
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• 1996

1987년부터 1994년까지 서울대학교병원 흉부외과에서 흉복부 대동맥류의 진단하에 외과적 치료를 받은 환자는21명이었다. 이 환자들의 나이는20세부터 67세까지 다양하게 분포하였으며, 평균연령은 41.5세 였다. 남녀는 각각 11명, 10명이었다. 증상으로는 대부분의 환자들이 신체의 한 부분의 동통을 호소했는데, 배부동통이 가장 많았고, 흉통과 흉부의 불쾌감, 옆구리 동통 등도 호소했으며, 증상이 없었던 경우도 3례 있었다. 21례 중 15례(71.4%)가 만성 해리성 대동맥류였으며, 6례 (28.5%)가 진성 대동맥류였다. 만성 해리성 대동맥류 환자중 고혈압과 연관된 동맥경화증이 6례(28.5%)에서 관찰되었으며, Martian증후군이 5례 (2).8%)의 환자에서 확인되 었고, 2례 (9.5%)는 임신이 원 인으로 판단되 었다. 대동맥류의 크기는 6~12cm까지 다양했고, Crawford 분류에 따라 분류하면, Type I 이 7례 (33.3%), Type II가 8례 (38.1%)였고, Type R과 Type W가 각각 3례 (14.3%)씩 있었다. 한 예를 제외한 모든 환자에서 질환이 있는 부위의 대동맥을 인조혈관으로 치환하는 수술을 시행하였고, 한 예 에서만 가성동맥류로 인한 질환으로 진단되어 동맥벽의 열상\ulcorner위를 일차봉합하였다. 대동맥 교차차단시 근위부의 고혈압 및 그로인한 뇌척수액압 증가를 막고, 원위부의 허혈상태의 교정 및 척수허혈을 방지하고, 혈역학적 조절을 용이하게 하기위하여 우회술을 시행하였는데 21명의 환자 중, 12례(57.1%)에서는 대퇴동맥과 대퇴정맥, 또는 대퇴동맥과 폐동맥에 캐늘라를 상관하여 부분적 체 외순환을 시행하였고, 4례 (19.0%)에서는 Biopump를 좌심실심이와 대퇴동맥에 상관하여 우회술을 시행하였으며, 체와순환술과 일시적 완전순환정지를 이용한 예가 2례 (9.5%), Gott씨 도관을 이용한 단락술을 실시한 예가 1례 (4.7%) 있었으며, 우회술물 시행하지 않고 단순 대동맥 교차차단만으로 수술을 시행한 경우도 2례 (9.5%) 있었다. 수술후 발생한 합병증으로는 5례 (23.8%)에서 일측 성대신경 손상으로 인한 애성이 발생하였고, 창상감염이 4례(19.0%), 하반신 마비가 2례 (9.5%), 유미흉이 1례 (4.7%)에서 발생하였다. 병원사망율은 9.5%로 2례 있었고, 만기 사망례는 없었다. 결론적으로, 중요합병 증 발생율과 사망율이 비교적 낮았고, 외래 추적조사 결과 퇴원환자 모두 양호한 건강상태를 유지 하고 있었기에, 흉복부 대동맥류의 丙珦岵\ulcorner치료는 이제 더이상 고위첨도의 수술이 아니라고 여겨지며, 수술의 적응증이 되는 환자에게는 조기에 수술을 권유하는 것이 좋으리라 판단된다.