• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.109-116
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• 2006

Purpose : To identify the effects of flexion-extension of stretching on the functional improvement of patients with neck myofascial pain syndrome. Methods : the present research investigated 30 patients with neck myofascial syndrome, dividing them into a group doing flexion-extension of stretching. This study examined degree of recovery from neck pain by comparing their neck myofascial pain syndrome before and after the treatment, and compared to find difference in the degree of recovery from myofascial pain syndrome. Results : The results are as follows. For the flexion of stretching, 1. For the visual analogue scale (VAS) decreased significantly for six weeks treatment, 2. For the flexion decreased significantly for six weeks treatment. and the range of motion of cervical vertebrae increased significantly(p>.05). 3. For Stretching, range of motion left rotation indicated significant difference after pre test and after two week but no significant difference after six week. 4. For the left rotation decreased significantly for six weeks treatment. and the range of motion of cervical vertebrae increased significantly(p>.05). 5. For the right rotation decreased significantly for six weeks treatment. and the range of motion of cervical vertebrae increased significantly(p>.05). Conclusion : This study suggest that flexion-extension of stretching have an effect on the functional improvement of patients with neck myofascial pain syndrome.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.399-403
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• 2006

Caudal occipital malformation syndrome (COMS) is relatively common disease which occurs at craniocervical junction. It has been known that this syndrome was developed mainly in Cavalier King Charles spaniels, but these days there are a lot of case reports about COMS in other small breed dogs. In this report, COMS was diagnosed in ten dogs presented to Haemaru Referral Animal Hospital using MRI examination from January 2005 to April 2006. These cases were also investigated about concurrent diseases and syringomyelia was the most common type of complication, but clinical signs were nonspecific. COMS could be controlled by medical therapy with corticosteroid except cases with concurrent meningitis. It is considered that the present report could provide information regarding imaging and clinical features of COMS such as concurrent diseases, clinical signs, and prognosis in small animal practice despite of limited case numbers.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.63-69
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• 2006

Purpose : To identify the effects of Hold-Relax of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the functional improvement of patients with neck myofascial pain syndrome. Methods : The present research investigated 30 patients with neck myofascial syndrome, dividing them into a group doing Hold-Relax of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. This study examined degree of recovery from neck pain by comparing their neck myofascial pain syndrome before and after the treatment, and compared to find difference in the degree of recovery from myofascial pain syndrome. Results : The results are as follows. For the Hold-Relax of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(PNF), the visual analogue scale(VAS) decreased significantly for six weeks treatment, and the range of motion(ROM) of cervical vertebrae increased significantly(p<.05). Conlusion : This study suggest that Hold-Relax of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation have an effect on the functional improvement of patients with neck myofascial pain syndrome.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제45권6호
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• pp.381-385
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• 2009

The first case of intracranial metastases of a cervical intramedullary low-grade astrocytoma without malignant transformation in adult is presented in this report. Seven years ago, a 45 year-old male patient underwent biopsy to confirm pathologic characteristics and received craniocervical radiation and chemotherapy for a grade II astrocytoma in the cervical spinal cord. Two years later, posterior fusion was necessary for progressive kyphosis in the cervical spine. He was well for approximately 7 years after the primary surgery. Two months ago, he presented with partial weakness and incoordination with gait difficulty. MRI Scan demonstrated multiple small lesions in the cerebellar vermis and left hemisphere. After suboccipital craniectomy and posterior cervical exposure, the small masses in the cerebellar vermis and hemispheres were excised to a large extent by guidance of an intraoperative navigation system. The tumor at the cervical and brain lesions was classified as an astrocytoma (WHO grade II). When a patient with low-grade astrocytoma in the spinal cord has new cranial symptoms after surgery, radiaton, and chemotherapy, the possibility of its metastasis should be suspected because it can spread to the intracranial cavity even without malignant transformation as shown in this case.

• Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
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• 제42권6호
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• pp.884-887
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• 2018

We report a female proband carrying a de novo 5q34-q35.2 deletion breakpoint, and review the unique skeletal phenotype and possible genotype related to this mutation. The patient presented with a persistent head tilt and limited head rotation. Non-contrast-enhanced three-dimensional computed tomography of the cervical spine revealed several malformations including a bone cleft in the right pars interarticularis, a bone defect in both C5 lamina and the transverse foramen at C2-C3, agenesis of the right articular process of C5, bony fusion of C4-C5, and subluxation of the craniocervical joints. Several deformities of the cervical spine seen in this patient have not been associated with the 5q deletion. A review of 5q-related mutations suggests that abnormalities associated with MSX2 gene might cause cervical spine abnormalities.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.1-6
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• 2019

Purpose: This paper proposes proper and effective neck exercises by comparing the deep and superficial cervical flexor muscle activities and thickness according to the pressure level during cranio-cervical flexion exercises between a normal posture group and forward head posture group. Methods: A total of 20 subjects (8 males and 12 females) without neck pain and disabilities were selected. The subjects' craniovertebral angles were measured; they were divided into a normal posture and a forward head posture group. During cranio-cervical flexion exercises, the thickness of the deep cervical flexor neck muscle and the activity of the surface neck muscles were measured using ultrasound and EMG. Results: The results showed that the thickening of the deep cervical flexor was increased significantly to 28 and 30 mmHg in the forward head posture group. The sternocleidomastoid muscle activity increased significantly to 24, 26, 28, and 30 mmHg in the forward head posture group. The anterior scalene muscle activity increased significantly to 26, 28, and 30mmHg in the forward head posture group. A significant difference of 26, 28, and 30 mmHg in the sternocleidomastoid and anterior scalene muscles was observed between two groups. Conclusion: To prevent a forward head posture and maintain proper cervical curve alignment, the use of the superficial cervical flexor muscles must be minimized. In addition, to perform a cranio-cervical flexion exercises to effectively activate the deep cervical flexor muscles, 28 and 30 mmHg for normal posture adults and 28 mmHg for adults with forward head postures are recommended.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.96-101
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• 2023

The endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) to the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) has recently been considered a safer alternative and less invasive approach than the traditional transoral approach because the complications associated with the latter are avoided or minimized. Here, we present two challenging cases of CVJ pathologies. The first case involved os odontoideum associated with anterior displacement of the occipitocervical junction where the EEA was used, followed by C0-C1-C2 fusion using a posterior approach to decompress the CVJ, and was complicated by rhinorrhea and Candida albicans meningitis. The second case involved basilar invagination with syringomyelia previously treated using a posterior approach, where aggravation of neuropathic symptoms required combined treatment with EEA and occipitocervical fusion of C0-C2-C3-C4, with the postoperative course challenged by operative site infection requiring drainage with debridement and antibiotic therapy. The EEA is an alternative approach for accessing the CVJ in well-selected patients. Knowledge of EEA complications is crucial for the optimal care of patients.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• 제56권3호
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• pp.394-397
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• 2023

The posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) is often involved in pathologies of the posterior cranial fossa. Therefore, a good understanding of the vessel's normal and variant courses is important to the neurosurgeon or neurointerventionalist. During the routine microdissection of the craniocervical junction, an unusual arrangement between the highest denticulate ligament and PICA was observed. On the right side, the PICA was given rise to by the V4 segment of the vertebral artery 9 mm after the artery entered the dura mater of the posterior cranial fossa. The artery made an acute turn around the lateral edge of the highest denticulate ligament to then recur 180 degrees and travel medially toward the brainstem. Invasive procedures that target the PICA should be aware of the variant as described herein.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• 제57권3호
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• pp.468-472
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• 2024

In this report, atlantooccipital assimilation (AS), anterior arch defect (AAD), and posterior arch defect (PAD) of the atlas, and several variations around the craniocervical junction were identified on computed tomography (CT) of a patient of unknown sex and age. Coronal and sagittal CT scans showed AS and bilateral fusion of the atlas and the base of occipital bone. Axial CT scan at the atlas revealed PAD type B on the left side and midline AAD. Morphometric measurements indicated a potential ventral spinal cord compression. In addition, mid-sagittal CT revealed the presence of fossa navicularis magna and incomplete formation of the transverse foramen on the right side. This study reports an extremely rare AS associated with AAD, PAD, and other variations of the clivus and the atlas. To our knowledge, no similar case has been reported in the literature.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.180-193
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• 2008

Objectives: We intended to identify factors related to the severity of hot flush of climacteric women from an East-West medical point of view. Methods: We surveyed 446 climacteric women who had received Korean oriental medical questionnaires about clinical symptom patterns and health medical examinations at Kyung-Hee University Medical Center over 1 year, from June 2007 to May 2008. Then, we compared hot flush with clinical symptom pattern and health medical examination result. Results: As the severity of hot flush increased, hypnagogic disorder in sleep pattern, abdominal gaseous distention in digestion pattern, tenesmus in evacuation pattern, yellow or reddish urine in voiding pattern, spontaneous sweating in sweating pattern, chest oppression in psychologic pattern, not-pulling-bedclothes in cold-heat pattern and mouth dryness in craniocervical symptom increased (p<0.05). In relation to digestion pattern, the severity of hot flush showed statistical significance according to prevalence of gastritis diagnosed by gastroscopy and upper GI series(p<0.01). In relation to voiding pattern, the severity of hot flush showed statistical significance according to prevalence of urine protein diagnosed by urinalysis (p<0.05). In relation to sweating, psychologic & cold-heat pattern, triiodothyronine (T3) increase and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) decrease were significantly correlated as the severity of hot flush increased (p<0.01). Conclusions: The result showed that hot flush of climacteric women had to be considered in respect of digestion disorder related to gastritis and sweating psychologic cold-heat disorder related to thyroid hormone.