Wilson씨 병 환자 1례에 대한 증례보고

A case of Wilson's disease

Objectives : Wilson's disease is an autosomal recessive abnormality in the hepatic excretion of copper that results in toxic accumulation of the metal in liver, brain, and other organs. The purpose of this case study is to show a case with Wilson's disease treated with acupuncture therapy. Methods : We experienced a 17 year old male patient with a Wilson's disease whose main symptoms are neurological symptoms, such as spasticity, quadripleia and dysphagia. The patient was treated with acupuncture therapy for 3 weeks. Results : Spasticity was assessed by the modified Ashworth scale in an every week. 1. Lt. elbow, wrist and ankle joint improved Gr.III to Gr.II. 2. Rt. each joints and Lt. knee joint seemed to improve a little but no grade changed. Conclusions : This study is just one case and the period of acupuncture therapy is short, which make this case study less sufficient to decide the effect of acupuncture therapy. However, in this case study, acupuncture therapy seems somewhat effective to neurological symptoms of Wilson's disease, such as spasticity and quadriplegia. We suggest that oriental medicine should be studied to cure Wilson's disease from now on.