• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.823-829
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• 2023

Objectives: This study reports the case of a patient with right hemiparesis after a left thalamic infarction, in which the patient experienced improved clinical symptoms (hemiparesis, constipation) after treatment with a complex Korean medicine treatment. Methods: A 81-year-old male patient diagnosed with acute left thalamic infarction was treated with daily acupuncture and herbal medicine (Boyanghwanoh-tang-gagam) three times a day. Jowiseunggi-tang extract granules were administered to treat constipation by adjusting the dosage according to the reported symptoms. The patient's clinical course was assessed using changes in Modified Barthel Index (MBI) score, Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) grade, and defecation frequency . Results: The patient's MBI score improved from 35 to 69 and was discharged with the ability to walk under supervision. The MMT grade also improved from 3/4 to 5/5 in the upper/lower extremities. Other clinical symptoms, including constipation, also improved, leading to the discontinuation of magnesium medication. Conclusion: These findings suggest that complex Korean medicine treatments, including herbal medicine and acupuncture, may be an effective treatment for post-stroke hemiplegic patients.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1834-1840
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• 2021

Objective: To analyze the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) of femoral artery pseudoaneurysm (FAP), identify a suitable location and timing for percutaneous thrombin injection (PTI) based on this analysis, and report our clinical experience with the procedure. Materials and Methods: CFD can be used to analyze the hemodynamics of the human body. An analysis using CFD recommended that the suitable location of the needle tip for PTI is at the center of the aneurysm sac and the optimal timing for starting PTI is during the early inflow phase of blood into the sac. Since 2011, seven patients (three male and four female; median age, 60 years [range, 43-75 years]) with FAP were treated with PTI based on the devised suitable location and time. Prior to the procedure, color Doppler ultrasonography was performed to determine the location and timing of the thrombin injection. Results: The technical success rate of the PTI was 100%. The amount of thrombin used for the procedure ranged from 200 IU to 1000 IU (median, 500 IU). None of the patients experienced any symptoms or signs of embolic complications during the procedure. Follow-up CT images did not reveal any embolism in the lower extremities and showed complete thrombosis of the pseudoaneurysm. Conclusion: Based on our study of CFD, PTI administered centrally in the FAP during early inflow, as seen on color Doppler, can be an effective technique.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.6
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• pp.1628-1633
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• 2021

Spinal epidural arteriovenous fistulas (SEDAVFs) are rare spinal vascular malformations that are difficult to diagnose and treat. SEDAVFs can be asymptomatic; however, symptoms can arise from the compression of adjacent nerve roots by dilated vein and perimedullary venous reflux, caused by shunting into the epidural venous plexus. A 31-year-old male presented to our institution with a 2-year history of progressively worsening low-back pain, radiating thigh pain, and sensory changes in his lower extremities. MRI and CT angiography demonstrated dilated epidural vascular lesion compressing the nerve root. The SEDAVF was embolized with multiple coils, which alleviated the nerve root compression from the engorged venous varix and improved the patient's radiculopathy. Our experience from this case shows that endovascular coil embolization using the transarterial approach can be an effective treatment for SEDAVF and an alternative to surgical ligations.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.176-189
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• 2024

In femoral neuropathy, the femoral nerve is compressed or ischemic. Patients with femoral neuropathy experience muscle atrophy, difficulty flexing the hip joint and extending the knee, decreased sensation of the lower extremities, and loss of patellar tendon reflex. The prognosis of femoral neuropathy is reported to vary, as it takes several days to several months for neurological abnormalities to resolve. We describe a case of a 58-year-old female with a diagnosis of severe femoral neuropathy and complaints of motor weakness and hypoesthesia. The patient underwent combined Western-Korean medicine treatment. The Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Scoring System, Overall Neuropathy Limitations Scale, and Berg Balance Scale were used as evaluation tools during the treatment period. The combined Western-Korean medicine treatment led to a significant improvement in symptoms in this patient with severe femoral neuropathy where the cause was unclear and the prognosis was expected to be poor.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.98-109
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• 2024

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate changes in physical and cognitive function according to the level of independence in performing activities of daily living in stroke patients. Design: Retrospective study. Method: This study is a retrospective study analyzing medical records. This study utilized data collected from 123 stroke patients at admission in a local rehabilitation hospital between 2019 and 2022. Stroke patients were classified into 5 groups based on the scores of the Korean Modified Barthel index (K-MBI) evaluated at the time of hospitalization at a rehabilitation hospital, and investigated the change in physical (spasticity (modified Ashworth scale), muscle strength (manual muscle test), gait ability (functional ambulation category), upper extremity function (manual function test), and balance function (berg balance scale)) and cognitive function (Korean mini mental status examination) according to the level of independence in performing activities of daily living. Result:: As a results, significant differences were observed in the physical (muscle strength, gait ability, upper extremity and balance functions) and cognitive functions of stroke patients according to the level of independence in performing activities of daily living (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in upper and lower extremities spasticity. Conclusions: Through the results of this study, we found that the physical (muscle strength, gait ability, upper extremity and balance functions) and cognitive function were influenced by the level of independence in performing activities of daily living in stroke patients.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.23-38
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• 2024

Objectives This study examined recent domestic and international clinical research trends in Gua sha therapy to suggest future direction for research. Methods We used six domestic and international databases (Research Information Sharing Service, Korean studies Information Service System, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library) to select clinical studies with an original text in English or Korean published after 2018. Results Finally, 55 studies were selected. Randomized controlled trials accounted for the largest amount with 42 studies. Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization was the most frequent term referring to Gua sha. Muscle shortening, limited range of motion, and plantar fasciitis were the most common symptoms, with six cases each. Additionally, there were two studies targeting symptoms other than the musculoskeletal system. Conclusions Additional research is needed on the effects of Gua sha therapy on the back of the lower extremities and hip joints, and research is needed on the possibility of their clinical use for diseases or symptoms other than those of the musculoskeletal system. And standards for the terminology of Gua sha and the types and methods of applied interventions are needed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.85 no.1
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• pp.54-76
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• 2024

Facet joint arthrosis is a progressive degenerative disease that is frequently associated with other spinal degenerative disorders such as degenerative disc disease or spinal stenosis. Lumbar facet joint arthrosis can induce pain in the proximal lower extremities. However, symptoms and imaging findings of "facet joint syndrome" are not specific as they mimic the pain from herniated discs or nerve root compression. Currently, evidence for therapeutic intra-articular lumbar facet joint injections is still considered low, with a weak recommendation strength. Nevertheless, some studies have reported therapeutic effectiveness of facet joint injections. Moreover, the use of therapeutic facet joint injections in clinical practice has increased. This review article includes opinions based on the authors' experience with facet joint injections. This review primarily aimed to investigate the efficacy of lumbar facet joint injections and consider their associated safety aspects.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.48-54
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• 2007

Purpose: To evaluate clinical results of the tumor prosthetic replacement for pathologic fracture of the proximal femur with extensive bony destruction due to metastatic bone tumors. Materials and Methods: From 2005 October to 2006 October, resection of proximal femur and tumor prosthesis replacement was performed for metastatic bone tumors extensively involving trochanteric area in 6 patients. The mean age of overall patients was 61(range, 48~77). Mean clinical follow up was 10.5 months (range, 6~16). Primary tumor consisted with multiple myeloma in 2 patients, lung cancer in 1, breast cancer in 1, transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis in 1, unknown origin in 1 patient. $MUTARS^{(R)}$ proximal femur (Implantcast, Munster, Germany) were used in all cases. The functional evaluation in the lower extremities was performed with Musculoskeletal Tumor Society 1993 scores. The degree of pain relief after surgical treatment was assessed with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results: At the final follow up, all of the patients survived. The mean lower extremities functional score of Musculoskeletal Tumor Society 1993 was 17.8(59.3%)(range, 12~25). VAS was improved to 2.5 from 8.5 after the surgical treatment. Ambulation was encouraged as soon as possible and mean duration after surgery for ambulation was 7.3(range, 3~16) days. Post-operatively, there was no surgical infection, periprosthetic fracture or loosening. Dislocation occurred in one out of six cases. Conclusion: Resection of proximal femur and tumor prosthesis replacement for metastatic bone tumors around proximal femur extensively involving trochanteric area seems to be safe procedure in view of post-operative complication, and effective for functional restoration as well as pain relief. Thus, it is accordant to the treatment principle of the metastatic bone tumors.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.69-73
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• 2010

Purpose: Sentinel lymph node (SLNB) is the first confronted lymph node from primary lesion of tumor through lymphatic drainage, which is important for determining early metastasis and setting guidelines for treatment. We reported significant of sentinel lymph node biopsy in malignant melanoma (MM) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of lower extremities. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five cases of surgically treatment and being possible for follow up more than 1 year among the patients who were diagnosed as MM and SCC in this institution from Sep. 2005 to Jan. 2009, and 10 cases of them were performed SLNB. Average age was 64 years old, and 15 cases of male and 10 cases of female were in this group. Results: 3 years overall survival rate was 100% and 3 years disease-free survival rate was 76%. Metastasis occurred in total 6 patients, 4 cases of inguinal lymph nodes, 1 case of soft tissue around knee, 1 case of left achilles tendon. In 15 cases of not performing SLNB, overall survival rate was 93.3% and disease-free survival rate was 73.3%. In 10 cases of performing SLNB, overall survival rate was 100% and disease-free survival rate was 90%. And only 1 case showed positive finding in the biopsy, and none of the 10 cases showed metastasis in follow-up. Conclusion: SLNB leads simpler and less complications compared to prior elective lymph node dissection, and shows high degree of accuracy. Throughout the SLNB, setting guidelines for treatment by accurate staging is thought to be helpful for increasing the survival rate in the patient with MM and SCC.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2019

Globally, the elderly population is increasing rapidly, which means that the number of deformity correction operations for elderly spine deformity patient has increased. On the other hand, for aged patients with deformity correction operation, preoperative considerations to reduce the complications and predict a good clinical outcome are not completely understood. First, medical comorbidity needs to be evaluated preoperatively with the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics or the Charlson Comorbidity Index scores. Medical comorbidities are associated with the postoperative complication rate. Managing these comorbidities preoperatively decreases the complications after a spine deformity correction operation. Second, bone densitometry need to be checked for osteoporosis. Many surgical techniques have been introduced to prevent the complications associated with posterior instrumentation for osteoporosis patients. The preoperative use of an osteogenesis inducing agent - teriparatide was also reported to reduce the complication rate. Third, total body sagittal alignment need to be considered. Many elderly spine deformity patients accompanied degenerative changes and deformities at their lower extremities. In addition, a compensation mechanism induces the deformed posture of the lower extremities. Recently, some authors introduced a parameter including total body sagittal alignment, which can predict the clinical outcome better than previous parameters limited to the spine or pelvis. As a result, total body sagittal alignment needs to be considered for elderly spine deformity patients after a deformity correction operation. In conclusion, for elderly spine deformity patients, medical comorbidities and osteoporosis need to be evaluated and managed preoperatively to reduce the complication rate. In addition, total body sagittal alignment needs to be considered, which is associated with better clinical outcomes than the previous parameters limited to the spine or pelvis.