• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1340-1344
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• 2000

Objective : A prospective biochemical assay of prostaglandin $E_2$ content in symptomatic lumbar disc materials was done in order to clarify the pathogenesis of lumbar radiculopathy. Patients and Methods : Forty-eight disc specimens were purified by a standard solid-phase extraction procedure and analyzed by an enzymelinked immunosorbent assay for prostaglandin $E_2$. Clinical and anatomic correlations were evaluated with analysis of variance and t-test. Results : Acute herniated lumbar disc diseases tended to be associated with a higher prostaglandin $E_2$ content than degenerative lumbar disc disease. Sequestered discs tended to be associated with a higher prostaglandin $E_2$ content than extruded discs, which also showed higher prostaglandin $E_2$ content than protruded ones. A sciatica and positive straight leg raising test appeared to be associated with a higher prostaglandin $E_2$ content than a negative test. Conclusion : This result suggests that the level of prostaglandin $E_2$ would be correlated with clinical symptom and sign in the inflammatory process of lumbar disc herniation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.19-38
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• 2017

Objectives : This is a retrospective statistical analysis of the demographic and therapeutic characteristics influencing the continued improvement of symptoms in patients treated in 2014 for herniated lumbar discs at a Korean medicine hospital; thereby, providing clinical data to further improve medical services of Korean medicine. Methods : We investigated the demographic and therapeutic variables of all patients who were diagnosed with a herniated lumbar intervertebral disc and were hospitalized for more than 1 night at Dunsan Korean medicine hospital from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2014. IBM SPSS 21.0 was used to conduct a logistic multiple regression analysis and a covariance analysis (ANCOVA) of the demographic and therapeutic variables collected from the electronic medical records and telephone surveys. Results : 1. A longer duration of hospitalization was significantly better for the maintenance of pain relief or a decrease in the pain after discharge. 2. Younger patients were significantly less likely to be treated with a Western medical treatment after discharge. 3. Most of the demographic and therapeutic variables were not statistically significant in regards to treatment for lower back pain since discharge. Conclusion : Some of the demographic and therapeutic variables had a positive effect on the prognosis at one year or greater in patients who received integrative Korean medical treatment for lumbar disc herniation. Continued and systematic research will be needed.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.1248-1258
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to report the radiological and symptomatic changes in a patient with acute herniated lumbar disc due to coughing, treated with megadose pharmacopuncture and combined Korean medicine. Methods: MRI examination diagnosed an acute lumbar disc herniation by coughing. We performed a combination treatment of megadose pharmacopuncture and integrated Korean medicine. NRS, ODI, EQ-5D, SLR test, and big toe extension test were checked on admission, after two weeks, on discharge, and after four months to confirm symptom improvements. Results: In the acute stage of lumbar intervertebral disc rupture, megadose pharmacopuncture combined with Korean medicine treatment showed improvement in NRS, ODI, EQ-5D, SLRT, and big toe extension tests. In addition, absorption of the herniated intervertebral discs was observed through an MRI scan on discharge. Conclusions: For patients with herniated lumbar disc acutely deteriorated by coughing, a combination of megadose pharmacopuncture with Korean medicine treatment may be a solution.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.1087-1093
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to survey the effectiveness of oriental medicine treatment on lumbar herniated intervertebral disc and spondylolisthesis. The clinical study was performed on 32 cases of patients with lumbar herniated intervertebral disc and spondylolisthesis as diagnosed by X-ray, Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) exams amongst the patients who were admitted to Jaseng Hospital of Oriental Medicine from January 2010 to June 2010. 32 cases of patients were analyzed according to the distribution of sex, age, duration of disease, contributory factor, symptoms, admission period, disc herniation type and level of spondylolisthesis. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated respectively. The number of the female patients were larger than that of male with the ratio of 1:0.6. Most of the patients were in their fifties(43.8%), choronic phase(46.9%), those patients suffered from lower back pain and leg pain radiation(90.6%), reasons unknown(56.3%). Most of them also had mixed disc(37.5%), bulging disc(37.5%) and spondylolisthesis of LS on L5(50.0%). Most of them stayed in the hospital for 21-25days. After treatment, the percentage with good improvement was 62.5%, fair 18.8%, poor 12.5%, and excellent 6.3%, respectively. Oriental medicine treatment has on useful effect on the recovery of lumbar herniated intervertebral disc with spondylolisthesis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.155-163
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• 2005

Objectives : This is a clinical report about neurogenic bladder patient with lumbar disc hernication. Neurogenic bladder is a dysfunction that results from interference with the normal nerve pathways associated with urination. Hypotonic (flaccid) neurogenic bladder can be caused by ruptured or herniated intervertebral disk. Methods : The patient was treated by Oriental medicine treatment with needle acupuncture, electropuncture, bee venom acua-acupuncture and Daeboonchungeum-gami etc. Voided volume and frequency, visual analogue scale and physical examination was used to estimate the efficacy of these treatment. Results : STZ As using these treatments, voided volume and frequency returns normal condition. Visual analogue scale dips as low as 2. Physical examination showed improvement as compared with the fist visit. And further, these treatment may influence on the recovery of neurogenic bladder patient with lumbar disc herniation. Conclusion : The results suggest that Oriental medicine treatment have an useful effect on neurogenic bladder patient's treatment and recovery.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.34-38
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• 2005

Background: Over the years, disc surgery has progressively evolved in the direction of decreasing trauma and its invasiveness. Conventional open surgery has many complications, such as scarring, instability, bleeding and a relative high mortality rate. Minimally invasive spinal surgery is now an alternative to a traditional discectomy. Herein, we present an operative technique, and the early results, for a percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy in herniated lumbar disc disease. Methods: 43 patients, including 27 men and 16 women, with ages ranging from 18 to 66 years, were enrolled in this study. All the patients showed a protruded or extruded soft disc herniation at the lumbar level on magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. A percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy was applied to the patients, and clinical responses evaluated using MacNab's criteria. Results: 40 patients were regarded as showing successful responses (93.1%), and there were no severe complications, such as a hematoma, nerve injury, postoperative dysesthesia or death. One patient underwent fusion surgery for remnant back pain six month later. Conclusions: We conclude that, in properly selected patients, a percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy is a safe, noninvasive and effective treatment modality for herniated lumbar intervertebral disc disease.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.109-115
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• 2018

Background: Patients with lumbar disc herniation are treated with physiotherapy/medication and some with surgery. However, even after technically successful surgery some develop a failed back syndrome with persistent pain. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of epiduroscopy in patients who suffer chronic low back pain and/or radicular pain with or without surgery and the gender difference in outcome. Methods: A total of 88 patients were included with a mean age of 52 years (27-82), 54 women and 34 men. 66 of them were operated previously and 22 were non-operated. They all had persistent chronic back pain and radicular pain despite of medication and physical rehabilitation. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were evaluated preoperatively, after one month, six months and one-year after the epiduroscopy. Results: All patients, and also the subgroups (gender and operated/non-operated) improved significantly in pain (VAS) and disability (ODI) at one month. A significant improvement was also seen at one year. No differences were found between men and woman at the different follow-up times. A slight worsening in VAS and ODI was noticed over time except for the non-operated group. Conclusions: Epiduroscopy helps to improve the back and leg pain due to lumbar disc herniation in the early stage. At one year an improvement still exists, and the non-operated group seems to benefit most of the procedure.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.177-180
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• 2020

Background: The aim of this study was to examine whether the effects of acupotomy therapy were beneficial for the treatment of protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc. Methods: The number of patients (n = 80) were equally assigned into treatment group and control group. Treatment group was given acupotomy therapy twice a week, and control group was given acupuncture 3 times a week, for 4 weeks. The beneficial effect and changes in score of the Japan Orthopedic Association (JOA) for low back pain were observed. Results: Among 40 cases in the treatment group, there were 25 (62.5%) with an excellent effect, 13 (32.5%) with good effect, 1 (2.5%) with a medium effect and 1 (2.5%) with poor effect, with the total experiencing an excellent/good effect of 95.0%. Among 40 cases in the control group, there were 11 (27.5%) with an excellent effect, 17 (42.5%) with good effect, 10 (25.0%) with a medium effect, and 2 (5.0%) with poor effect, with an excellent/good rate of 70.0%. The result of the rank sum test showed Z = -4.923, p < 0.05 in the comparison, indicating a significantly better outcome following acupotomy compared with acupuncture. JOA scores increased in both groups after treatment (p < 0.05), which was more significant in the acupotomy treatment group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Acupotomy therapy has a beneficial effect on protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc.

• The Journal of Korea CHUNA Manual Medicine
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.43-53
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• 2002

Objectives : The object is to study a clinical effect regarding the conservative treatment of the patient who was diagnosed as the herniated Intervertebral lumbar disc(HIVD) and hospitalized in the oriental medical hospital and clinical study about the type of the HIVD. Methods. The clinical studies were done on 65 cases (hospitalized in Dept. of Oriental Rehabilitation Medicine, jaseng on oriental medical hospital from June 2001 to May 2002) who complained of low back pain or sciatica and diagnosed as HIVD on CT(computerized tomography) or MRI(magnetic resonance imaging). They were given both oriental conservative treatment and exercise during the hospitalization period. We investigated and observed 20 items about sex, age, weight, height, occupation, smoking. obesity, duration of disease, clinical symptom and treatment duration in basis of medical recording which was drawn up at patient hospitalization. We classified HIVD with 4 types(Bulging. Protruded. Extruded, Sequestered) and decided the case which simultaneously had 2 overs with Mixed type. The treatment evaluation standard was classified with 4 branches; Excellent. Good, Fair and Poor. Results & Conclusions : The treatment result of over 'fair' is bulging type 85%, protruded type 92.7%, extruded type 100% and the mixed type was 85.1 %. The effect was good in order of bulging, mixed, protruded and extruded type. It appeared most plentifully with 30 people in L4-5 and L5-S 1 disc herniation type.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.6
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• pp.539-546
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• 2015

Objective : To report the learning curve of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) for a surgeon who had not been previously exposed to this procedure based on the period and detailed technique with a retrospective matched comparative design. Methods : Of 213 patients with lumbar disc herniation encountered during the reference period, 35 patients who were followed up for 1 year after PELD were enrolled in this study. The patients were categorized by the period and technique of operation : group A, the first 15 cases, who underwent by the 'in-and-out' technique; group B, the next 20 cases, who underwent by the 'in-and-out-and-in' technique. The operation time, failure rate, blood loss, complication rate, re-herniation rate, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for back and leg were checked. The alteration of dural sac cross-sectional area (DSCSA) between the preoperative and the postoperative MRI was checked. Results : Operative time was rapidly reduced in the early phase, and then tapered to a steady state for the 35 cases receiving the PELD. After surgery, VAS scores for the back and leg were decreased significantly in both groups. Complications occurred in 2 patients in group A and 2 patients in group B. Between the two groups, there were significant differences in operative time, improvement of leg VAS, and expansion of DSCSA. Conclusion : PELD learning curve seems to be acceptable with sufficient preparation. However, because of their high tendency to delayed operation time, operation failure, and re-herniation, caution should be exercised at the early phase of the procedure.