• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2000

As a surgical treatment of ulnar nerve entrapment syndrome includes simple decompression, medial epicondylectomy, and anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve into a subcutaneous or submuscular bed have been widely used. Despite many reports of these surgical procedure, there is little to guide the choice of one surgical technique. The purpose of our study is to analyse clinical and electrodiagnostic result after minimal invasive decompression by decompression and medial epicondyloplasty(deepening of ulnar groove). We have experienced 9 cases of ulnar nerve entrapment syndrome who were treated with decompression and medial epicondyloplasty. Male were five and female were four. The mean age at operation was 36 years ranging from 23 to 47 years. Operative procedure was to incise the medial intermuscular septum and aponeurotic arch of flexor carpiulnaris and to deepen the ulnar groove. Patients are allowed to do range of motion(ROM) exercise on the average 5days. All patient were relieved pain and improved motor and sensory function, and this procedure allows early ROM exercise after operation because the muscle have not been detached.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.49-53
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• 2020

Piriformis muscle syndrome is a condition that causes direct muscle pain around piriformis muscle or sciatica from irritated sciatic nerve and the diagnosis remains debatable. The main treatment is symptomatic relief from conservative therapy such as medication and piriformis stretching exercise, and various therapeutic injections including local anesthetic, corticosteroid, botulinum toxin can be considered for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In this case, a 54-year-old male who had sciatica and gait disturbance showed piriformis muscle hypertrophy in the pelvis MRI. From imaging studies, electrodiagnostic study and physical examination, he was diagnosed with piriformis muscle syndrome. He underwent trigger point injection and botulinum toxin injection into the piriformis muscle, and pain and gait disturbance significantly improved. This case reports a case of piriformis muscle syndrome with clinical symptom of gait disturbance, which was improved by botulinum toxin injection.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.48-51
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• 2019

Symmetrical proximal weakness and characteristic dermatologic manifestations are important in the diagnosis of dermatomyositis. We report a case of atypical presentation of dermatomyositis due to previous steroid use and also report steroid-induced myopathy which may occur from steroid administration during the course of treatment. A 77-year-old man, previous steroid user, showed rapidly progressing weakness after abruptly stopped medication. He has presented erythematous papule on face and anterior chest but no heliotrope rash and Gottron's papules were observed. Muscle enzyme (creatine kinase) concentration is increased, and needle electromyography shows increased spontaneous activity on proximal limb muscle. The muscle biopsy confirmed dermatomyositis. During the course of treatment, he revealed persistent weakness despite the continuous steroid use and stable creatine kinase level. Electrodiagnostic study suggests steroid-induced myopathy and after tapering steroid, proximal muscle strength improved. This case reports the effect of steroid use on dermatomyositis patients and a process of diagnosing coexisting steroid induced myopathy during treatment.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.771-776
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• 2007

Purpose: Complete release of the transverse carpal ligament (TCL) is accepted as the standard treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). However, loss of grip and pinch power are reported in some patients after complete release of the TCL. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of complete versus partial carpal tunnel release by using the inching technique. Methods: Nineteen patients (a total of 27 hands) who each had a confirmed diagnosis of CTS were selected from September 2002 to February 2003. The cases were divided into three groups(mild, moderate and severe) based on preoperative electrodiagnostic studies. The patients with partial carpal tunnel syndrome were classified into the mild or moderate groups, while patients with complete carpal tunnel syndrome were classified into the moderate or severe groups. Patient oriented data (functional and symptomatic) were collected and electrophysiologic studies were undertaken preoperatively and postoperatively(on the 2nd week, 1st month, 3rd month and 6th month after surgery).Results: In this study, the mild and moderate groups showed both good functional and symptomatic results and improvements in electrophysiologic studies.Conclusion: Carpal tunnel syndrome patients classified into mild or moderate groups based on nerve conduction studies, and whose precise compression sites were pinpointed using the inching technique, can be treated by partial carpal tunnel release.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.14-19
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• 2004

Backgrounds and objectives: POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M protein, and skin changes) syndrome is the rare cause of polyneuropathy. Although the polyneuropathy is essential for the diagnosis of the disease, the pattern of electrodiagnostic abnormalities has not been characterized in detail. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the features of nerve conduction abnormalities in POEMS syndrome. Methods: We reviewed the medical records and nerve conduction studies (NCS) of 12 consecutive patients with POEMS. Results: A total of 68 motor and 46 sensory nerves were examined. Compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) and sensory nerve action potentials were abnormally attenuated or not elicited in majority of motor and sensory nerves (80.88% in motor, and 82.6% in sensory nerves). Frequency of the nerves with no potential was significantly higher in lower limbs than in upper limbs (p<0.01 in both motor and sensory nerves), and CMAP amplitude was more reduced in lower limbs than in upper limbs (p<0.01). Conduction slowing was very frequently observed with 95% and 76% of motor and sensory nerves, respectively, having the abnormally reduced values of conduction velocity. Distal motor latencies were abnormally prolonged in 75% of motor nerves, and terminal latency indices were significantly higher in patients than in normal controls (p < 0.05). Conduction block was observed only in 5% of motor nerves. Conclusions: NCS in POEMS syndrome showed characteristic patterns, in which conduction abnormalities were more frequently and severely affected in the lower limbs, and more predominantly in the intermediate nerve segments than in the distal portions. The recognition of these characteristic patterns may be helpful in early diagnosis of polyneuropathy in POEMS syndrome.

• Proceedings of the KAIS Fall Conference
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• 2009.12a
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• pp.501-504
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• 2009

Sympathetic skin response (SSR) is defined as a minute change of skin potential after electrical stimulation. This test measures the change in voltage that originates from the surface of the skin and is attributed to sudomotor activity. The aim of this study was to define the criteria for validation of the responses. 40 normal subjects (20-73 years of age) with non-sympathetic dysfunction were tested and SSR was generated form all subjects. SSR latency was 1331.22${\pm}$177.51ms in the right palm, 1331.74${\pm}$156.42ms in the left palm, 1851.79${\pm}$220.99ms in the right sole, and 1874.10${\pm}$215.01ms in the left sole. And SSR amplitude was 595.83${\pm}$221.16${\mu}$V in the right palm, 605.33${\pm}$226.45${\mu}$V in the left palm, 291.76${\pm}$133.36${\mu}$V in the right sole, and 288.77${\pm}$129.70${\mu}$ V in the left sole. SSR latency and amplitude had no significantly difference between the right and the left side. SSR latency was consistently shorter (p<0.001) and SSR amplitude higher (p<0.001) in feet than in hands. SSR waveforms were P-type (32 subjects, 75%) and N-type (8 subjects, 25%), respectively. The SSR latency and amplitude in palms/soles were closely correlated with age (p<0.05) and height (p<0.05). The SSR test is one of methods assessing impairment of sympathetic fibers in peripheral neuropathy as well as a disorder of sympathetic system in other diseases and so our results from normal healthy subjects can be used as clinical criteria for SSR test.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.101-107
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• 2000

Objectives : The evaluation of peripheral nerve injuries has traditionally relied on a clinical history, physical examination, and electrodiagnostic studies. The purpose of the present study was to examine serial magnetic resonance image(MRI) changes following acute muscle denervation under experimental conditions and to identify potential advantages and disadvantages of this use of MRI. Methods : An experimental transection of right sciatic nerve on Spargue-Dawley rats was performed. MRI was performed with T1-weighted spin-echo and STIR sequences. The imaging findings were compared with EMG in order to determine its sensitivity relative to this standard procedure. A simultaneous histopathological study provided information about the morphological basis of the imaging findings. Signal intensities were expressed as a ratio of abnormal to normal. Results : The signal intensity ratio of muscles with the STIR sequence was increased significantly at 2 weeks after sciatic nerve transection(p<0.05), although definite signal change was seen as early as 4 days postdenervation in one. EMG revealed significant denervation potential from 3 days after nerve transection. Diffuse cell atrophy was revealed hostologically at 2 weeks after transection, which was at the same time of significant signal change in MRI. Conclusion : MRI signal changes in denervated muscles secondary to nerve injury correlate with the degree of muscle atrophy on histologic examination. In addition to EMG, MRI can document the course of muscle atrophy and mesenchymal abnormalities in denervation. These results indicate that MRI can play a complementary role in the evaluation of patients with denervation.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.271-275
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• 2016

Purpose: A limited number of studies have examined the link between F-wave abnormalities and clinical presentation in pediatric Guillain-$Barr{\acute{e}}$ syndrome (GBS). Therefore, this study examined the importance of F-wave abnormalities as a prognostic factor in pediatric GBS patients. Methods: The records and electrodiagnostic studies (EDS) of 70 GBS patients were retrospectively evaluated, and divided into 2 groups according to the results of EDS. Group A (n=33) presented with F-wave abnormalities, and group B (n=26) exhibited normal findings. We compared laboratory reports, clinical features, response to treatment, and prognosis between the 2 groups. Results: Motor weakness was the most frequently observed symptom for either group. Clinically, the incidence of fever and upper respiratory symptoms differed between the 2 groups, while the prevalence of abnormal deep tendon reflex (DTR) was significantly higher in group A than B (P<0.05). Patients diagnosed with GBS had received intravenous immunoglobulin treatment: 94% in group A and 58% in group B. Furthermore, significantly greater numbers of patients in group A showed H-reflex abnormalities and poor prognosis compared with group B (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that F-waves are a clinically important prognostic factor in GBS. F-wave abnormalities were associated with abnormal DTR and poor prognosis in patients. Limited studies have examined the link between F-wave abnormalities and clinical results; therefore, further randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm the clinical characteristics and efficacy of treatments.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.159-165
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• 2000

Purpose : Endoscopic carpal tunnel release technique was developed and has being used to decrease postoperative morbidity and complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results and clinical usefulness of endoscopic carpal tunnel release using single portal technique. Methods and Materials : 18 carpal tunnel syndrome patients who were diagnosed by means of clinical symptoms, physical examination, and electrodiagnostic study had endoscopic carpal tunnel release using single portal technique with about 1 cm oblique wrist incision on 30 hands. And then they were followed-up and reviewed in the same way. Late results of operation were analysed by grading system according to patient's own assessments of relief of symptoms at the final fellow-up. The follow-up period ranged 6 to 13 months from surgery. Results : There were postoperative improvements with respect to clinical symptoms, physical examination, and electrodiagnostic study. 23 of 30 hands$(76.7\%)$ had complete resolution of symptoms. 27 hands$(90\%)$ were able to return to normal activities and work within 6 weeks, and 30 hands$(100\%)$ returned within 8 weeks. In grip strength study, 29 hands$(96.6\%)$ regained preoperative strength in 6 months. 12 of 22 hands$(55\%)$ had improvement with respect to thenar atrophy within 6 months. Late results were as follows . 23 hands$(76.7\%)$ was graded as excellent, 6 hands$(20\%)$ graded as good and 1 hand$(3.3\%)$ graded as fair, and there was no poor result. Conclusion : We think that endoscopic carpal tunnel release with single portal technique is technically safe and simple, if the surgeon takes step to stay within the safety zone based on local anatomy and selects an appropriate patient and that endoscopic carpal tunnel release does have advantages over open release. We agree that the surgeon must be prepared to perform an open technique, if technical difficulties arise, difficulty in introducing the device into the carpal tunnel is encountered, or the transverse fibers of the transverse carpal ligaments are not clearly seen.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.25-28
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• 2012

Background: Bell's palsy is the most common disease of cranial nerve. While most electrodiagnostic tests can detect the abnormality of facial nerve several days later in Bell's palsy, blink reflex usually reveals the abnormality earlier than other tests. Therefore, we investigated the diagnostic usefulness of blink reflex in the early stage of Bell's palsy. Methods: We performed a prospective investigation in patients with facial palsy. We enrolled patients with Bell's palsy who were evaluated within 7 days of symptom onset and excluded patients with secondary causes of facial palsy. We analyzed the findings of blink reflex according to age, sex, evaluation time, and severity of facial palsy. Results: Of 320 consecutive patients with facial palsy, a total of 204 patients were enrolled. Blink reflex was normal for 10 patients and abnormal for 194 patients. The time interval between the symptom onset and the evaluation time was not associated with the result of blink reflex, but House-Brackmann grade was significantly related to the result of blink reflex (P<0.001). Patients with mild Bell's palsy often showed normal blink reflex. Conclusions: Our study shows that blink reflex is useful diagnostic test regardless of evaluation timing in the early stage of Bell's palsy, although it could be normal in patients with mild Bell's palsy.