• Journal of the Korean Institute of Oriental Medical Informatics
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.23-31
• /
• 2005

Central cord syndrome (CCS) is the most common incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) syndrome, occured by cervical hyperextension injury. It is characterized by disproportionately greater motor impairment in the upper extremities compared to the lower extremities, bladder dysfunction, and variable degrees of sensory loss below the level of injury. Recently 36 year-old male was admitted with upper motor neuron weakness, sensory loss in the upper extremities and stiff neck. We report the improvement of his symptoms through both western medical treatment and oriental medical treatment.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.13-18
• /
• 1972

In 1835,Schlesinger first described a case of subisthmlc lower thoracic aortic coarctation. Since Olim`s unsuccessful reconstructive surgery in 1949 and Beattie`s first successful resection with homograft replacement on such a lesion in 1951 were reported,about 20 cases of atypical aortic coarctation had been treated by definitive surgery until 1964. In Korea, only 2 cases of atypical aortic coarctation treated by bypass graft were reported until now. This is the third case-report treated by reconstructive surgery. The patient,11 year old girl who had 2 year history of headache, visual weakness, intermittent claudlcation, and general weakness, was first diagnosed of having the hypertension due to atypical coarctation by the findings of high blood pressure[170/110mmHg] at the upper extremity and weak pulsation on both femoral artery,murmur on the epigastrium, absence of aortic knob, and aorto graphy. Aortography demonstrated the isolated segmental narrowing[length 5cm, diameter 0.4cm] at the level of aortic hiatus 2cm above celiac arterial origin, the dilated right 9th, 10th, 11th intercostal arteries with multiple dimunitive collaterals and no associated abnormalities in the other arteries. Preoperatlve positive findings were strong positive mantoux test, high AST[720 units]. transient mild cardiomegaly with right lung infiltration on chest X-ray and suggestive left ventricular hypertrophy on ECG. On December 1970, through separate left thoracotomy and abdominal approach, bypass graft between descending thoracic aorta and abdominal aorta below renal artery was performed. The operation was first successful with satisfactory reduction of hypertension on the upper trunk[postoperatlve 130/80mmHg] and strong pulsation on the lower extremities[postop. O, postop. 140/100mmHg]. However,6 weeks after surgery, she expired of sudden hemoptysis and shock due to anastomotic leak within the thorax. Operative finding disclosed that the affected aorta was firm, with rich periaortic fibrosis and the outer diameter of stenotic site was not attenuated. Histopathology of the resected specimen was also compatible with primary arteritis.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.92-95
• /
• 2009

Transverse myelitis is a focal inflammatory disorder of the spinal cord characterized by motor, sensory, and autonomic dysfunction. A 41-year-old man with transverse myelitis and no pre-existing neurologic disease presented with hypesthesia, numbness, weakness in the both lower extremities, back pain, decreased libido, constipation, and dysuria. A MRI test showed intramedullary high signal intensity between T4 and T8 on a T2-weighted image. After high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone and oral prednisolone therapy, he showed facial swelling and acneiform eruption. Therefore, we injected 40 mg methylprednisolone via an epidural route. A 7-dose serial treatment improved most symptoms. A follow up MRI showed radiological improvement. We report a case of transverse myelitis treated by epidural steroids.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.41 no.6
• /
• pp.403-407
• /
• 2007

The authors encountered a case of simultaneous radiation-induced multiple meningiomas and ventriculoperitoneal [VP] shunt-related pneumocephalus. A 35-year-old man, who had undergone surgery for medulloblastoma 21 years previously and subsequently received high dose craniospinal irradiation with adjuvant chemotherapy and later underwent a VP shunt because of hydrocephalus, presented with a severe headache and weakness of both lower extremities. Computed tomography showed an air pocket lesion in the left temporal lobe and a large amount of pneumocephalus with a bony defect of the left tegmen tympani. In addition, a 3 cm sized well enhancing mass was noted in the in the right middle cranial fossa and additional small enhancing nodule in the left frontal pole. He was treated by left temporal craniotomy and repair of the bony and dural defects of the left tegmentum tympanum through extradural and intradural approaches, respectively. Afterwards, he underwent right temporal craniotomy and gross total removal of a rapidly growing right middle fossa mass and a left frontal mass. The histological examination was consistent with atypical meningioma, WHO grade II. In conclusion, physicians have to consider the serious long term complications of high dose radiation therapy and VP shunt placement and need to perform the neuroradiologic follow-up after such treatments for several decades.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.43-47
• /
• 2008

Background: Acute brachial plexitis is an acute idiopathic inflammatory disease affecting brachial plexus, which is characterized by initial severe pain in shoulder followed by profound weakness of affected arm. This is a retrospective study to evaluate the clinical and electrophysiological profile of acute brachial plexitis. Methods: Sixteen patients with acute brachial plexitis were sampled. The electrodiagnostic studies included motor and sensory nerve conduction studies (NCSs) of the median and ulnar, sensory NCSs of medial and lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerves, and needle electromyography (EMG) of selected muscles of upper extremities and cervical paraspinal muscles. The studies were performed on both sides irrespective of the clinical involvement. Results: In most of our patient, upper trunk was predominantly affected (14 patients, 87.50%). Only two patients showed either predominant lower trunk affection or diffuse affection of brachial plexus. All had an acute pain followed by the development of muscle weakness of shoulder girdle after a variable interval ($7{\pm}8.95$ days). Ten patients (62.50%) had severe disability. In NCSs, the most frequent abnormality was abnormal lateral antebrachial cutaneous sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs). On needle EMG, all the patients showed abnormal EMG findings in affected muscles. Conclusions: In this study, pain was the presenting feature in all patients, and the territory innervated by upper trunk of the brachial plexus was most frequently involved. The most common NCS abnormality was abnormal SNAP in lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve. Our findings support that the electrodiagnostic test is useful in localizing the trunk involvement in acute brachial plexitis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.30 no.6
• /
• pp.625-630
• /
• 1997

A 56 years old male patient adklitted to our neurology department because of repeated tingling sensation in right 3, 4, 5th. (infers and weakness on grasping, which were progressively developed re ently. At this time, he had also suffered from claudication in both lower extremities. Carotid angiogram showed that right internal carotid artery was obstructed completely, and both common, both external and left internal carotid arteries had significant stenosis, Concommitantly, aortogram suggested complete obstruction just below the renal arteries. We plamled staged operation for two separated arterial lesions. Both carotid endarterectomy was performed. and we used carotid shunt for left side during operation. Abdominal aortic lesion was operated 2 weeks later We obligately clamped aorta just below the celiac artery and infuse4 kidney perservation solution to pertect kidney during ischemia. Reversed Y bypass graft and kidney perservation was successful despite of 40 minute ischemia. Postoperative courts was uneventful and patient was discharged without any specific problem.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.159-163
• /
• 2008

Paraplegia is a relatively rare complication of epidural anesthesia. Several possible factors may contribute to the development of paraplegia including arachnoiditis, trauma and ischemia. We experienced a case where paraplegia had developed after epidural anesthesia for cesarean section. So we present the case and consider the possible etiologies. A 30-year-old previously healthy woman was referred to our hospital for postpartum motor weakness of the lower limbs. Six days prior, the patient was admitted at a local obstetric clinic for delivery at 39 weeks gestation. The patient underwent a Cesarean section under epidural anesthesia induced with 20 ml 2% lidocaine and 5 ml 0.5% bupivacaine. In the early morning of the day following the Cesarean section, a motor and sensory deficit in both lower extremities was noted. A lumbar MRI showed diffuse enhancement along the cauda equina and spinal cord surface in the lower lumbar spine, suggesting diffuse arachnoiditis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.1 s.31
• /
• pp.374-406
• /
• 1996

This study has been carried out to investigate the types of differential diagnosis of amnesia. The results are as follows; 1. Amnesia has various types of differential diagnosis(辨證分型) ; deficiency of both the heart and spleen(心脾兩虛型), deficiency of the heart(心虛型), deficiency of the kidney(腎虛型), breakdown of the coordination between the heart and the kidney(心腎不交型), mental confusion due to phlegm(痰迷心竅型), accumulation of stagnant blood(蓄血型), internal injury by seven emotion (七情所傷型). 2. The type of deficiency of both the heart and spleen(心脾兩虛型) occurs when the heart and spleen is injured by overthinking(思慮過度), The symptoms are heart palpitation(心悸), continuous palpitation(??), insomnia(少寐), hypochondric discomfort(心煩), dream disturbed sleep(多夢), being easy to be scared(易驚), dizziness(眩暈), these are caused by blood deficiency of the heart(心血不足), poor appetite(飮食不振), loss of appetite(納?), short breath(氣短), sense of turgid abdormen(腹部膨滿感), loose stool(泥狀便), these are caused by deficiency of the spleen(脾虛), lassitude and weakness (身倦乏力), lassitude of the extremities (四肢無力), dim complexion (面色少華), pale lips(舌質淡), thready and feeble(脈細弱無力), these are caused by deficiency of both qi and the blood(氣血虛損). The remedy is nourishing the heart-blood(養心血) and regulating the spleen(理脾土). I can prescribe the recipes such as Guibitang(歸脾湯), Gagambosimtang(加減補心湯), Seongbitang(醒脾湯), Insin-guisadan(引神歸舍丹), Insamyangyoungtang(人蔘養榮湯), Sojungjihwan(小定志丸), Yungjigo(寧志膏), Palmijungjihwan(八味定志丸), etc., 3. The type of deficiency of the heart(心虛型) occurs when the heart-blood is injured by the mental tiredness(神勞) and so blood cannot nourish the heart. The symptoms are amnesia(健忘), short breath(氣短), heart palpitation(心悸), perspire spontaneously(自汗), facial pallidness(顔面蒼白), pale lips (舌質淡白), feeble pulse and lassitude(脈虛無力), intermittent pulse(結代脈). The remedy is nourishing the hart and blood and allaying restlessness(補心益血安神). I can prescribe the recipes such as Chenwangbosimdan(天王補心丹), Jeongji-hwan(定志丸), Gaesimhwan(開心丸), Youngjigo(寧志膏), Chilseonghwan(七聖丸), Baegseogyoungtang(白石英湯), Oseohwan(烏犀丸), Yangsinhwan(養神丸), Guisindan(歸神丹), Bogsinsan(茯神散), Jinsamyohyangsan(辰砂妙香散), Cheongeumboksinsan(千金茯神散), Samjotang(蔘棗湯), jangwonhwan(壯元丸), Sa gunjatang(四君子湯) minus rhizoma atractylodis macrocephalae(白朮) plus rhizoma acori graminei(石菖蒲), radix polygalae(遠志), cinnabaris(朱砂), etc. 4. The type of deficiency of the kidney(腎虛型) occurs when the kidney-qi and kidney-essence is deficient(腎氣腎精不足) and so it cannot nourish the brain. The symptoms arc amnesia(健忘), ache at the waist and lassitude in the lower extremities(腰산腿軟), dizziness and tinnitus(頭暈耳嗚), emmission and premature ejaculation(遺精早泄), burning sensation of the five centres(五心煩熱), flushed tongue(舌紅), rapid and small palse(脈細數). The remedy is nourishing the kidney and strengthen the essence(補腎益精). I can prescribe the recipes such as Gagamgobonhwan(加減固本丸), Jeongjihwan(定志丸), Gongseongchlmjungdan(孔聖枕中丹), Yugmigihwanghwan(六味地黃丸) plus ra-dix polygalae(遠志), fructus schizandrae(五味子), Yugmigihwanghwan(六味地黃丸) plus radix polygalae(遠志), fructus schizandrae(五味子), rhizoma acori graminei(石菖蒲), semen zizyphi spinosae(酸棗仁), Palmihwan(八味丸) plus fructus schizandrae(五味子), semen zizyphi spinosae(酸棗仁). etc., 5. The type of breakdown of the coordination between the heart and the kidney (心腎不交型) occurs when the heart-fire(心火) and kidney-fluid(腎水) are imbalanced. The symptoms are amnesia(健忘), hypochondric discomfort(心煩), insomnia(失眠), dizziness and tinnitus(頭最耳嗚), feverish sensation m the palms and soles(手足心熱), emmision(遺精), ache at the waist and lassitude in the lower extremities(腰?腿軟), flushed tongue(舌紅), rapid pulse(脈數). The remedy is coordinating each other(交通心腎). I can prescribe the recipes such as Gangsimdan(降心丹), Jujaghwan(朱雀丸), Singyotang(神交湯), Simsinyang- gyotang(心腎兩交湯), Yugmihwan(六味丸) plus fructus schizandrae(五味子), radix polygalae(遠志), Yugmihwan(六味丸) plus fructus schizandrae(五味子), radix polygalae(遠志), rhizoma acari graminei(石菖蒲), semen zizyphi spinosae(酸棗仁), etc., 6. The type of mental confusion due to phlegm(痰迷心竅型) occurs when the depressed vital energy(氣鬱) create phlegm retention(痰飮) and phlegm stagnancy(痰濁) put the heart and sprit(心神) out of order. The symptoms arc amnesia(健忘), dizziness(頭暈), chest distress(胸悶), nausea(惡心), dull(神思欠敏), dull and slow facial expression(表情遲鈍), tongue with yellow and greasy fur(舌苔黃?), sliperry pulse(脈滑). The remedy is removing heat from the heart to restore consciousness and dispersing phlegm(淸心化痰開竅) I can prescribe the recipes such as Gamibogryeongtang(加味茯?湯), Goa-rujisiltang(瓜蔞枳實湯), Jusaansinhwan(朱砂安神丸), Dodamtang(導痰湯) plus radix saussurea(木香), Yijintang(二陳湯) plus succus phyllostachyos(竹瀝), rhizoma zingiberis(生薑) Ondamtang(溫膽湯) plus rhizoma acori graminei(石菖蒲), rhizoma curcumae aromaticae(鬱金), etc., 7. The type of accumulation of stagnant blood(蓄血型) occurs when the blood is accumulated in the lower part of body. The symptoms are amnesia(健忘), chest distress(胸悶), icteric skin(身黃), rinsing the mouth but don't wanting eat(漱水不欲燕), madness(發狂), black stool(屎黑), pain in the lower abdomen(小腹硬痛). The remedy is dispersing phlegm and absorb clots (化痰化瘀), I can prescribe the recipes such as Jeodangtang(抵當湯), Daejeodanghwan(代抵當丸), Hyeolbuchugeotang (血府逐瘀湯) plus rhizoma acori graminei (石菖蒲), rhizoma curcumae aromaticae(鬱金), Jusaansinhwan(朱砂安神丸) plus rhizoma curcumae aromaticae(鬱金), radix polygalae(遠志), semen persicae(桃仁), cortex moutan radicis(收丹皮), etc., 8. The type of internal injury by seven emotion(七情所傷型) occurs when the anger injures the will stored in the kidney(腎志). The symptoms are amnesia(健忘), heart palpitation(心悸). hot temper(易怒), being easy to be scared(善驚), panic(易恐). The remedy is relieving the depressed liver and regulating the circulation of qi(疏肝解鬱). I can prescribe the recipes such as Tongultang(通鬱湯), Sihosogantang(柴胡疏肝湯) plus rhizoma acari graminei(石菖蒲), rhizoma curcumae aromaticae(鬱金), etc.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.104-109
• /
• 2001

We describe the accidental injection of local anesthetics containing steroid into the subdural space during an attempted lumbar epidural injection for intractable radiculopathy in a patient with failed back surgery syndrome. A 24-year-old man complained of severe radiating pain to left lower extremity and showed a walking disturbance and severe lumbar scoliosis. The MRI finding was a left paramedian recurred disc herniation on L4-5 in a laminectomy state. Several therapeutic modalities such as epidural steroid injection, transforaminal injection, L2 root block, medication, and exercise therapy, etc failed. Initially, during epidural block at L4-5 under fluoroscopic guidance, a railroad track appearance appeared on epidurogram suggesting the presence of a subdural space. A second epidural block was tried at L5-S1. Following confirmation of epidural space upon epidurogram, 6 ml of 0.5% lidocaine including triamcinolone 40 mg was injected. The patient showed signs of the subdural injection including an unexpectedly high sensory block (T2) and a motor weakness of both lower extremities. Following this event, the severe radiculopathy and lumbar scoliosis were improved. Therefore, we conclude that subdural injection of steroid could be helpful in intractable radiculopathy, especially in the failed back surgery syndrome. However, it must be used cautiously with careful patient selection.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.256-260
• /
• 2002

Bone marrow necrosis is a rare complication of a variety of diseases affecting the marrow. The cause and incidence are unknown, and reports of treatment response are rare. We describe a case of relapsed acute mixed type leukemia with bone marrow necrosis. The patient was a 10 year old female diagnosed with acute mixed type leukemia four years ago. She had been on second remission state for 1 year, presented with severe back pain, tenderness in lower extremities, low-grade fever and general weakness. Her level of serum lactic dehydrogenase on admission was increased. Bone marrow aspiration from both posterior iliac crest showed marrow necrosis. Subsequent examination showed the same feature. Hip MRI showed heterogenous low signal intensity in both iliac bone on T-1 weighted image and heterogenous high signal intensity on T-2 wieghted image. Remission induction therapy was started but she expired on 59th hospital day due to the complication of sepsis.