• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.54-63
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• 1991

Post-thoracotomy pain is so severe that lead to postoperative complications, such as sputum retention, segmental or lobar atelectasis, pneumonia, hypoxia, respiratory failure due to the patient`s inability to cough, deep breathing and movement. Many authors have been trying to reduce the post-thoracotomy pain, but there is no method of complete satisfaction. In 1974, Nelson and associates introduced the intercostal nerve block using the cryoprobe. The application of cold directly to the nerves causes localized destruction of the axons while preserving the endoneurium and connective tissue, thereby introducing a temporary pain block and able to complete regeneration of intercostal nerves. One hundred and two patients, who undergoing axillary or posterolateral thoracotomy at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery in Korea University Medical Center between April 1990 and August 1990, were evaluated the effects of cryoanalgesia for the post-thoracotomy pain reduction. The patients were divided into two groups: Group A, control, the patients without the cryoanalgesia[No.=50], Group B, trial, the patients with cryoanalgesia[No.=52]. Before the thorax closed, in the group A, local anesthetics, 2% lidocaine 3cc, were injected to the intercostal nerves[one level with the thoracotomy, one cranial and caudal intercostal level and level of drainage tube insertion]. In the group B, cryoprobe was directly applied for 1 minute at the same level. Postoperative analgesic effects were evaluated by the scoring system which made arbitrary by author: The pain score 0 to 4, The limitation of motion score 0 to 3, The analgesics consumption score 0 to 3, The total score, the sum of above score, 0 to 10. For the evaluation of immediate analgesic effects, the score were evaluated at the operative day, the first postoperative day, the second postoperative day, and the seventh postoperative day. The effects of incision type, and rib cut to the post-thoracotomy pain were also evaluated. The results were as follows; 1. The intercostal block with cryoanalgesia reduced the immediate postoperative pain significantly compare with control group. 2. The intercostal block with cryoanalgesia improved the motion of the operation side significantly compare with control group. 3. The intercostal block with cryoanalgesia reduced the analgesics requirements at the immediate postoperative periods significantly. 4. The intercostal block with cryoanalgesia lowered the total score significantly compare with control group. 5. The intercostal block with cryoanalgesia were more effective to the mid-axillary incision than to the posterolateral incision 6. The intercostal block with cryoanalgesia were more effective to the patients without rib cut than to the patients with rib cut. 7. No specific complication need to be treated were not occurred during follow-up.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.120-125
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• 1996

It has been reported by some authors that caudal block with local anesthetic and steroid is the most effective therapeutic modality for piriformis syndrome; and the incidence ratio of female to male being 6 to 1. We treated 89 patients with piriformis syndrome in 1995. From those clinical experiences and anatomical studies we heave arrived at several conclusions different from other authors. Our results indicate the following: 1) Piriformis syndrome does not provoke lower back pain. 2) Our rate of incidence showed a very different profile as results showed a female to male ratio of 33:56. 3) Releasing the compressed nerves(gluteal, sciatic) with spasmolytic treatment on the piriformis muscle itself is thought to be the only therapeutic modality for piriformis syndrome.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.106-113
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• 2022

Background: Coccygodynia is one of the chronic, refractory painful musculoskeletal disorders. Interventional procedures are applied to patients unresponsive to initial treatment in coccygodynia. This study aims to compare the treatment outcomes of ganglion impar block (GIB) and caudal epidural steroid injection (CESI) in patients with chronic coccygodynia. Methods: This study was a prospective randomized comparison study conducted between June 2019 and January 2021. Patients diagnosed with chronic coccygodynia were randomly divided into two groups: the GIB group and the CESI group. The severity of pain, presence of neuropathic pain, and quality of life were evaluated using the Numeric Rating Scale, Leeds Assessment of the Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs Scale, and Short Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12), respectively. Results: A total of 34 patients in each group were included in the final analyses. While there was a significant decrease in pain intensity in both groups in the 3-month follow-up, this decrease was more significant in the GIB group at the 3rd week. There was a significant improvement in the SF-12 physical score and the number of patients with neuropathic pain in both groups in the 3rd week, but this improvement was not observed in the 3rd month. Conclusions: Although GIB may provide more pain relief in short term, both GIB and CESI are useful treatment methods in coccygodynia unresponsive to more conservative treatments.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.242-246
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• 2010

Background: The first sacral nerve root block (S1NRB) is a common procedure in pain clinic for patients complaining of low back pain with radiating pain. It can be performed in the office based setting without C-arm. The previously suggested method of locating the needle entry point begins with identifying the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS). Then a line is drawn between two points, one of which is 1.5 cm medical to the PSIS, and the other of which is 1.5 cm lateral and cephalad to the ipsilateral cornu. After that, one point on the line, which is 1.5 cm cephalad to the level of the PSIS, is considered as the needle entry point. The purpose of this study was to analyze the location of needle entry point and palpated PSIS in S1NRB. Methods: Fifty patients undergoing C-arm guided S1NRB in the prone position were examined. The surface anatomical relationships between the palpated PSIS and the needle entry point were assessed. Results: The analysis revealed that the transverse and vertical distance between the needle entry point and PSIS were $28.7{\pm}8.8mm$ medially and $3.5{\pm}14.0mm$ caudally, respectively. The transverse distance was $27.8{\pm}8.3mm$ medially for male and $29.5{\pm}9.3mm$ medially for female. The vertical distance was $1.0{\pm}14.1mm$ cranially for male and $8.1{\pm}12.7mm$ caudally for female. Conclusions: The needle entry point in S1NRB is located on the same line or in the caudal direction from the PSIS in a considerable number of cases. Therefore previous recommended methods cannot be applied to many cases.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.181-186
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• 2006

Background: Although cervical epidural block can be a useful therapeutic treatment for head, neck and upper extremities pain, there is no consensus regarding the volume of injection required for pain management. Herein, the spreading in the vertebral segments after a cervical epidural injection of either a 5 or 10 ml volume was studied. Methods: A total of 78 patients, suffering from head, neck and upper extremity pain, were selected. Cervical epidural blocks were performed consecutively with 5 ml (n = 42) and 10 ml (n = 36) of 0.4% mepivacaine and 222 mg I/ml iopamidol at the C7⁣-T1 levels. Both anteroposterior (AP) and lateral radiographs were obtained under fluoroscopy, and the upper and lower epidural spreading of the contrast media in relation to the vertebral level was evaluated. Results: The cervical epidural blocks were performed without complications. The rostral spreading of the contrast media in the vertebral segments in groups 1 and 2 were $5.6{\pm}1.1$ and $6.1{\pm}1.1$, respectively. The caudal spreading of the contrast media in the vertebral segments in groups 1 and 2 were $5.4{\pm}3.4$ and $7.2{\pm}3.9$, respectively. The total numbers of segments with vertebral spreading of the contrast media in both directions showed significant differences between the two groups. The numbers of patients who showed spreading of the contrast media up to C2 vertebral segment showed no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusions: 5 and 10 ml epidural injection volumes may be adequate for the spread of contrast media to the entire cervical spine. A 5 ml epidural injection volume, compared to a 10 ml volume, may be ample when considering the possibility of unnecessary caudal spreading of drugs and volume related complications in the management of head, neck and upper extremity pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.263-266
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• 2005

The ganglion impar is a solitary retroperitoneal structure at the caudal end of the paravertebral sympathetic chain. Block of this ganglion has been advocated as a means of managing intractable perineal pain. In 1990, Plancarte et al performed a neurolytic block of the ganglion impar using 4-6 ml of 10% phenol through the intergluteal skin over the anococcygeal ligament. However, technical difficulties are encountered with the placement of the needle while performing this technique, with complications from the injection of phenol also being a possibility. In 1995, a modified approach for blocking the ganglion impar through the sacrococcygeal ligament was introduced by Wemm and Saberski. We used a radiofrequency (RF) lesion generator to create a controlled and localized lesion with a lower incidence of neural damages compared to chemical neurolysis. RF thermocoagulation of the ganglion impar through the sacrococcygeal ligament was performed on a 70-year-old male patient with constant anal pain using a curved TEW electrode. The patient has been relieved of his pain, without serious complication. Therefore, this technique may be an easier and safer approach, which is associated with fewer chances of complications.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.61-65
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• 1989

Chloroma is a localized myeloblastic tumor which may develop during the course of myelogenous leukemia or as a presenting sign of the disease. A 47-year-old female diagnosed as chronic myelogenous leukemia in her hematologic remission period complained of left lower leg pain. The lumbar-spine series showed multiple osteolytic changes in the left lateral border of the lumbar spine. An inhomogenous soft tissue mass involving left lateral aspects of lumbar vertebrae was identified by CT-scanning. At the first pain attack, lumbar epidural steroid and local anesthetic injection could abolish her pain and the patient could go a few days without pain. The following radiation therapy could also improve the symptom and retain the pain free interval. One month later, a second pain attack occurred and lumbar and caudal epidural steroid and local anesthetic injections could result only in an incidental relief of pain. Radiation and chemotherapy were started but failed to relieve pain. A neurolytic block was considered but the patient's general condition was aggravated and even verbal communication with her became impossible.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제40권11호
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• pp.752-758
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• 2007

배경: 수장부다한증의 치료 후 손의 원활한 활동을 위해 적당한 보습성을 유지하고 보상성 다한증과 같은 합병증이 없는 경우에 보다 높은 만족도를 나타낼 것이다. 저자들은 수부다한증의 치료 후 보상성 다한증을 피하기 위한 노력의 일환으로 두부족으로 영향을 미치는 교감신경의 보존을 위해 제4번 흉부교감신경절 상부의 신경다발을 차단하는 시술을 시행하였다. 대상 및 방법: 흉부 제4번 교감신경절을 상하 완전 차단한 1군과 보다 간편하게 흉부 제4번 교감신경절 상부 차단술만 시행한 2군으로 분류하였고, 두 방법의 장기성적을 평가하기 위하여 수술 후 만족도 등에 대한 전화설문 조사를 실시하였다. 대상 환자는 71명(남자 45명, 여자 26명)이며, 1군은 31명(평균 연령 25.5세), 2군은 40명(평균 연령 25.9세)이었고 추적 조사기간은 1군이 수술 후 평균 24.9개월, 2군은 18.9개월이었다. 결과: 수술 후 수술부위에 땀이 나는 정도는 1군에서 전혀 나지 않는다(41.9%), 환경에 따라 약간 난다(48.4%)에 비해 2군은 각각 60.0%, 35.0%였다. 수술 후 땀이 나기 시작한 경우는 1군이 58.1%, 2군이 40.0%였고, 수술 후 손의 건조한 정도는 별다른 불편이 없다고 한 경우가 1군에서 높았고 손크림을 바를 정도라고 응답한 경우는 2군에서 높았다. 보상성 다한증의 발생은 없거나 생활에 불편하지 않은 경우가 각각 71.0% (1군), 62.5% (2군)로 응답하였고, 수술을 후회하는 경우는 1군이 1명, 2군이 2명 있었다. 보상성 다한증의 발생부위는 1군이 등, 허벅지, 가슴 순이었고 2군은 등, 가슴, 배 순이었다. 미각성 다한증은 1군에서 몹시 불편하거나(25.8%), 약간 생겼지만 불편하지는 않다(45.2%)고 한 반면, 2군은 몹시 불편한 경우는 12.5%, 미각성 다한증이 생기지 않은 경우가 45%였다. 수술 후 얼굴에 나는 땀의 정도는 양 군 대다수가 불편이 없다고 응답하였다. 수술 후 만족도는 1군과 2군 대부분이 치료에 만족하였다. 결론: 흉부 제4번 교감신경절 완전 차단술과 상부 차단술은 수장부 다한증의 치료에 효과적이며, 보상성 다한증의 발생을 줄이고 증세를 완화하는 효과가 있다. 특히 흉부 제4 번 교감신경절 상부 차단술은 수술이 쉽고 안전하며 미각성 다한증의 발생이 저하되고, 수술 후 환자의 만족도가 높았다.

• Clinical Pain
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.65-69
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• 2019

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of high-voltage microcurrent therapy in patients with herniated lumbar disc (HLD) presenting radicular or back pain. Method: This is a retrospective study with 33 patients who are complaining pain with HLD findings on magnetic resonance image. Microcurrent therapy was applied to leg or paralumbar area. Treatment was conducted for seven minutes with 250~1000 uA intensity as high as the patients could tolerate via stimulating probe with roller type and the frequency was 60 Hz with a sine wave pulse. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was measured just before and after the treatment. Results: The degree of pain reduction (△VAS) was 1.6 points after treatment on average. The △VAS according to the diagnosis, stenosis, dermatome area, medication, pain site and caudal epidural block was not statistically significant. However, the △VAS according to the number of treatments (< 3, ≥ 3 times) showed a statistically significant difference (p=0.04). Conclusion: High-voltage microcurrent therapy may help reduce lumbar or lumbosacral radiating pain after the procedure. The effect was better when microcurrent was applied three times or more. This result suggests that the microcurrent would have cumulative effect on reducing radicular or back pain in patients with HLD.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.253-262
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• 1994

The patterns of the conventional radiation treatment fields and their shielding blocks are analysed to determine the optimal dimension of the MultiLeaf Collimator (MLC) which is considered as an essential tool for conformal therapy. Total 1109 radiation fields from 303 patients (203 from Asan Medical center, 50 from Baek Hosp and 50 from Hanyang Univ. Hosp.) were analysed for this study. Weighted case selection treatment site (from The Korean Society of Therapeutic Radiology 1993). Ninety one percent of total fields have shielding blocks. Y axis is defined as leaf movement direction and it is assumed that MLC is installed on the cranial-caudal direction. The length of X axis were distributed from 4cm to 40cm (less than 21cm for $95\%$ of cases), and Y axis from 5cm to 38cm (less than 22cm for $95\%$ of cases). The shielding blocks extended to less than 6cm from center of the field for $95\%$ of the cases. Start length for ninety five percent of block is less than 10cm for X axis and 11cm for Y axis. Seventy six percent of shielding blocks could be placed by either X or Y axis direction, $7.9\%$ only by Y axis, $5.1\%$ only by X axis and It is reasonable to install MLC for Y direction. Ninety five percent of patients can be treated with coplanar rotation therapy without changing the collimator angle. Eleven percent of cases of cases were impossible to replace with MLC. Futher study of shielding technique is needed for $11\%$ impossible cases. The treatment field dimension of MLC should be larger than $21cm{\times}22cm$. The MLC should be designed as a pair of 21 leaves with 1cm wide for an acceptable resolution and 17cm long to enable the leaf to overtravel at least 6cm from the treatment field center.