• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.83-97
• /
• 2008

Cervical and thoracic radiculopathies are among the most common causes of neck pain. The most common causes are cervical disc herniation and cervical spondylosis in patients with cervical radiculopathy, and diabetes mellitus and thoracic disc herniation in thoracic radiculopathy. A thorough history, physical examination, and testing that includes electrodiagnostic examination and imaging studies may distinguish radiculopathy from other pain sources. Although various electrodiagnostic examinations may help evaluate radiculopathy, needle electromyography is the most important, sensitive, and specific method. Outcome studies of conservative treatments have shown varying results and have not been well controlled or systematic. When legitimate incapacitating symptoms continue despite conservative treatment attempts, more invasive spinal procedures and intradiscal treatment may be appropriate. Surgery has been shown to have excellent clinical outcomes in patients with disc extrusion and neurological deficits. However, patients with minimal disc herniation have fair or poor surgical outcomes. In addition, conventional open disc surgery entails various inadvertent surgical related risks. Although there has not yet been a non-surgical interventional procedure developed with the therapeutic efficacy of open surgery, conservative procedures can offer substantial benefits, are less invasive, and avoid surgical complications. While more invasive procedures may be appropriate when conservative treatment fails, prospective studies evaluating cervical and thoracic radiculopathies treatment options would help guide practitioners toward optimally cost-effective patient evaluation and care.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.39 no.12 s.269
• /
• pp.934-938
• /
• 2006

Organ malperfusion may mask the presence of aortic dissection and is one of major cause of death in patient with aortic dissection. Several key mechanism appear to contribute to the development of malperfusion, therefore optimal choosing of treatment is necessary to obtain better result. In cases of extremity malperfusion, open bypass procedures have been used for primary treatment, but noninvasive interventional procedures are also recommended as good alternatives in some cases. Here in, we report a case of successful aortic replacement followed by stent insertion in patient with extremity malperfusion caused by acute aortic dissection.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.43 no.1
• /
• pp.25-32
• /
• 2010

Background: Patients with vascular diseases commonly have coronary artery disease and associated cardiac problems. Therefore, their underlying heart diseases may be induced or exacerbated after vascular surgery. The effectiveness of SPECT imaging, which is a relatively simple and non-invasive imaging modality, for assessing these underlying heart diseases is still controversial. This study was performed to evaluate the clinical effect of tests and treatment based on SPECT imaging prior to vascular surgery on the development of post-operation cardiac complications. Material and Method: Sixty three patients who were treated at Inje University Pusan Paik Hospital between April 2004 and September 2007 and who underwent adenosine infusion technetium-99m (Tc-99m) tetrofosmin SPECT imaging prior to vascular surgery were selected for this study and we retrospectively reviewed their records. Result: The sensitivity and specificity of detecting a perfusion defect on SPECT to predict the development of cardiac complications was relatively low at 41.2% and 52.2%, respectively. However when coronary angiographies were done on the patients with abnormal SPECT and this was followed by aggressive treatment such as coronary artery intervention and coronary artery bypass grafting based on the angiography results, there was a tendency for lower cardiac complication rates. Conclusion: SPECT imaging shows low effectiveness as a screening test for predicting cardiac complications after vascular surgery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.9 s.254
• /
• pp.622-626
• /
• 2005

Background: Non-invasive interventional therapy has been performed for main bronchial obstruction by endobronchial tuberculosis because of the risk of main bronchial reconstruction regardless of the pulmonary function. But, effects of the inteeventional therapy are attacked by arguments. This study was aimed at interpreting the risk and effectiveness of bronchoplasty for benign bronchial stenosis over the last ten years in our hospital by reviewing the results based on clinical progression. Material and Method: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records and out-patient medical records including 2f consecutive patients who underwent main bronchial reconstruction for obstruction by endobronchial tuberculosis. All of them had past medical history of anti-tuberculosis medication. They were preoperatively evaluated by bronchoscopy and chest computed tomography. Result: There were no incidences of postoperative mortality and signifcant morbidity. There were 2 cases of retained secretions but these problems were resolved by therapeutic bronchoscopy or intubation. All of the patients are still alive without obstructive airway problem. Conclusion: Bronchoplasty should be considered as one of the primary treatment modalities, if it is anatomically feasible.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.21 no.9
• /
• pp.440-449
• /
• 2020

This study examined the effects of laughter therapy in the elderly with degenerative arthritis who had joint pain, joint dysfunction, and depression. Through a single-blind, randomized assignment, an experimental group of 26 subjects and a control group of 26 subjects were recruited among the elderly with degenerative knee arthritis, who were over 65 years of age. From January 8 to March 11 of 2019, a total of 16 laughter therapies were administered two times a week, 60 minutes per session, in eight weeks. The pain threshold (p=.012) and joint function status (p<.001), which represents the pain, joint stiffness, and physical function, and depression (p<.001), in the experimental group improved after the eight weeks laughter therapy compared to the control group. Laughter therapy is a therapeutic intervention that can be delivered through physical or intellectual activities. This therapy is a non-invasive procedure and has the advantage that nurses can practice easily with a little training. It can be used as an intervention within community and clinical settings to relieve pain and improve depression in the elderly with arthritis.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.7-23
• /
• 2020

Objective : The purpose of this article was to analyze the effects of tDCS on the recovery of upper limb function in stroke patients. Methods : We searched for papers published in journals between 2009 to 2018, using NDSL and RISS. A total 14 experimental research papers were selected for analysis. The quality of the 14 articles was evaluated using the PEDro scale and 12 articles were analyzed through the Comprehensive Meta Analysis 3.0 program. Results : All of the 14 articles that were systematically reviewed in this study were published in foreign journals. The effect sizes for upper extremity(U/Ex) strength and U/Ex motion were 0.19(small size effect) and 0.49(medium size effect) respectively. Furthermore, the effect sizes of anode mode and cathode mode were 0.71(large size effect) and 0.41(medium size effect), respectively. The effect size of U/Ex motion and the anode mode were statistically significant(p<0.05). Conclusion : We identified that tDCS can be a useful rehabilitation technique for stroke patients with limited upper body function. These findings are expected to help with suggestions for basic data on new rehabilitation techniques for stroke patients and the planning of effective interventions.