• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.95-98
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• 2010

Purpose: One of the most common cause of upper extremity lymphedema is breast cancer surgery. We experienced the nerve entrapment syndrome which was associated with postmastectomy lymphedema. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of lymphedema induced nerve entrapment syndrome on upper extremity in Korea. Methods: A 54-year-old woman presented with a tingling sensation on her right hand, which had been present for 1 year. On her history, she had a postmastectomy lymphedema on her right upper extremity for 20 years. Initial electromyography (EMG) showed that the ampulitude of the median, ulnar, and dorsal ulnar cutaneous nerve were decreased, and conduction block was also seen in median nerve across the wrist. In needle EMG, incomplete interference patterns were observed in the muscles innervated by median and ulnar nerves. In conclusion, electrophysiologic study and clinical findings suggested right median and ulnar neuropathy below the elbow. Therefore, we performed surgical procedures, which were release of carpal tunnel, Guyon's canal, and cubital tunnel. Results: The postoperative course was uneventful until the first two years. The tingling sensation and claw hand deformity were improved, however, the motor function decreased progressively. In 7 years after the operation, patient could not flex her wrist and thumb sufficiently. EMG which was performed recently showed that ulnar motor response was of low ampulitude. Moreover, median, ulnar, dorsal ulnar cutaneous, lateral antecubital cutaneous and median antebrachial cutaneous sensory response were unobtainable. Abnormal spontaneous activities were observed in upper arm muscles. In conclusion, multiple neuropathies were eventually developed at above elbow level. Conclusion: On treating nerve entrapments associated with lymphedema, medical professionals should be fully aware of the possibility of unpredictable results after the surgery, because of the pathophysiologic traits of chronic lymphedema.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제63권5호
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• pp.664-670
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• 2020

Lipofibromatous hamartoma (LFH) is a rare tumor of the peripheral nerves, which usually involves the median nerve. The authors reported on two rare cases of carpal tunnel syndrome due to LFH of the median nerve. A 49-year-old female patient complained of the mass and symptoms consistent with LFH. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed typical LFH findings. The symptoms were successfully ameliorated with carpal tunnel release and external neurolysis. A 37-year-old female patient complained of weakening thumb abduction and the mass where the MRI showed atypical findings. Opponensplasty and debulking operations were performed after which thumb abduction was improved; however, neurological sequelae remained. LFH of the median nerve is managed on a case-by-case basis as treatment guidelines are not very clearly defined yet. However, the less invasive treatment such as carpal tunnel release and external neurolysis than more aggressive surgical treatment should be recommended as a treatment option.

• Clinical Pain
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.127-130
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• 2021

Ultrasound (US)-guided hydrodissection (HD) is a widely applied therapeutic method to release the entrapped peripheral nerve. However, this therapy has only been studied for the nerve entrapments such as carpal tunnel syndrome, and there are no reports of its effect on direct nerve injuries with incomplete axonal damage. Here, we report a case of direct traumatic injury of a median nerve with incomplete axonal injury in a 28-year-old man. He presented hypoesthesia and weakness along with the median nerve territory of the left hand after a laceration wound of the wrist. The patient underwent a surgical procedure, but did not experience prominent improvement for the next six months. Symptoms improved after we performed the US-guided HD with dextrose. We propose this procedure as one of the new treatment methods for direct axonal injury of nerves including the median nerve.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제54권3호
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• pp.232-235
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• 2013

Objective : Major complaints of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are sensory components. However, motor deficit also impedes functional status of hand. Contrary to evaluation of sensory function, the objective, quantitative evaluation of median nerve motor function is not easy. The motor function of median was evaluated quantitatively using load cell and its correlation with findings of electrodiagnostic study (EDS) was evaluated. Methods : Objective motor function of median nerve was evaluated by load cell and personal computer-based measurement system. All of the measurement was done in patients diagnosed as having idiopathic CTS by clinical features and EDS findings. The strength of thumb abduction and index finger flexion was measured in each hand three times, and the average value was used to calculate thumb index ratio (TIR). The correlation of TIR with clinical, EDS, and ultrasonographic findings were evaluated. Results : The TIR was evaluated in 67 patients (119 hands). There were 14 males and 53 females, mean age were 57.6 years (range 28 to 81). The higher preoperative nerve conductive studies grade of the patients, the lower TIR was observed [p<0.001, analysis of variance (ANOVA)]. TIR of cases with thenar atrophy were significantly lower than those without (p<0.001, t-test). TIR were significantly lower in patients with severe median nerve swelling in ultrasonography (p=0.042, ANOVA). Conclusion : Measurements of median nerve motor function using load cell is a valuable evaluation tool in CTS. It might be helpful in detecting subclinical motor dysfunction before muscle atrophy develops.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.54-59
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• 2020

Background: The median nerve cross-sectional area (MNCSA) is a useful morphological parameter for the evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). However, there have been limited studies investigating the anatomical basis of median nerve flattening. Thus, to evaluate the connection between median nerve flattening and CTS, we carried out a measurement of the median nerve thickness (MNT). Methods: Both MNCSA and MNT measurement tools were collected from 20 patients with CTS, and from 20 control individuals who underwent carpal tunnel magnetic resonance imaging (CTMRI). We measured the MNCSA and MNT at the level of the hook of hamate on CTMRI. The MNCSA was measured on the transverse angled sections through the whole area. The MNT was measured based on the most compressed MNT. Results: The mean MNCSA was 9.01 ± 1.94 ㎟ in the control group and 6.58 ± 1.75 ㎟ in the CTS group. The mean MNT was 2.18 ± 0.39 mm in the control group and 1.43 ± 0.28 mm in the CTS group. Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis demonstrated that the optimal cut-off value for the MNCSA was 7.72 ㎟, with 75.0% sensitivity, 75.0% specificity, and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.82 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69-0.95). The best cut off-threshold of the MNT was 1.76 mm, with 85% sensitivity, 85% specificity, and an AUC of 0.94 (95% CI, 0.87-1.00). Conclusions: Even though both MNCSA and MNT were significantly associated with CTS, MNT was identified as a more suitable measurement parameter.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제22권7호
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• pp.1132-1141
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• 2021

Objective: To investigate changes in the median nerve, retinaculum, and carpal tunnel on ultrasound after successful endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR). Materials and Methods: This prospective study involved 37 wrists in 35 patients (5 male, 30 female; mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 56.9 ± 6.7 years) with primary carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). An in-house developed scoring system (0-3) was used to gauge the clinical improvement after ECTR. Ultrasound was performed before ECTR, and at 1, 3, and 12 months post-ECTR. Changes in the median nerve, flexor retinaculum, and carpal tunnel morphology on ultrasound after ECTR were analyzed. Ultrasound parameters for different clinical improvement groups were compared. Results: All patients improved clinically after ECTR. The average clinical improvement score ± SD at 12 months post-ECTR was 2.2 ± 0.7. The median nerve cross-sectional area proximal and distal to the tunnel decreased at all time intervals post-ECTR but remained swollen compared to normal values. Serial changes in the median nerve caliber and retinacular bowing after ECTR were more pronounced at the tunnel outlet than at the tunnel inlet. The flexor retinaculum had reformed in 25 (68%) of 37 wrists after 12 months. Conclusion: Postoperative changes in median nerve and retinaculum parameters were most pronounced at the tunnel outlet. Even in patients with clinical improvement after ECTR, nearly all ultrasound parameters remain abnormal at one year post-ECTR. These ultrasound parameters should not necessarily be relied upon to diagnose persistent CTS after ECTR.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.89-94
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• 2000

Purpose : Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a disorder of median nerve at wrist. It is usually diagnosed through clinical manifestation and nerve conduction study (NCS). However, sometimes, NCS does not provide a reliable evidence to reach the diagnosis. Thus, authors performed this study to determine whether NCS was correlated with specific parameters measured on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which might become a potential complemental diagnostic tool. Methods : We performed MRI in 34 wrists of 18 patients with clinical manifestations of CTS and pathologic nerve conduction values and analyzed them at levels of the distal radioulnar joint, pisiform and hook of hamate, Results : Increase in the cross-sectional area of the median nerve at the pisiform level and flattening, increased signal intensity, and contrast enhancement of the median nerve at levels of the pisiform and hook of hamate were statistically significant. Change in cross sectional areas between the distal radioulnar joint and hamate and the signal intensities at levels of pisiform and hamate were well correlated with the median nerve conduction velocity. Conclusions : Characteristic MRI findings in CTS reported previously were well demonstrated and some of MRI parameters are well correlated with nerve conduction study. MRI, despite cost, may help in evaluating CTS.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.212-215
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• 2005

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy in clinical practice, with a 0.1% life time risk in the general population. Conventional neurophysiological studies have been useful in the diagnosis of this condition, as have a number of more specialized procedures. Therefore, we evaluated the diagnostic sensitivities of several parameters in nerve conduction technique for CTS patients. We analyzed 100 patients (159 hands) who were diagnosed with CTS clinically and electrophysiolosically. Median motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities (MCV and SCV) with wrist, palm, and finger stimulation were performed in traditional methods. Sensitivities of each test were calculated and compared to normal control data. The sensitivities of existing nerve conduction method were noted in terminal latency on median nerve, 2nd finger-wrist segment, 3rd finger-wrist segment, palm-wrist segment and distoproximal ratio, as 72.96%, 92.45%, 94.34%, 94.97%, and 97.48%, respectively. In the early course of CTS, sensory nerve conductions in the median nerve are more valuable than motor nerve conduction. Sensory nerve conductions are usually affected before motor nerve conductions in CTS. In this study, we detected that slowing of median SCV was the most frequent in the distoproximal ratio.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.11-17
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• 2005

This study was carried out to identify the components of the human heart meridian muscle, the regional muscle group being divided into outer, middle, and inner layers. The inner parts of the body surface were opened widely to demonstrate muscles, nerves, blood vessels and to expose the inner structure of the heart meridian muscle in the order of layers. We obtained the following results; $\cdot$ The heart meridian muscle is composed of muscles, nerves and blood vessels. $\cdot$ In human anatomy, the difference between terms is present (that is, between nerves or blood vessels which control the meridian muscle and those which pass near by). $\cdot$ The inner composition of the heart meridian muscle in the human arm is as follows: 1) Muscle H-l: latissimus dorsi muscle tendon, teres major muscle, coracobrachialis muscle H-2: biceps brachialis muscle, triceps brachialis muscle, brachialis muscle H-3: pronator teres muscle and brachialis muscle H-4: palmar carpal ligament and flexor ulnaris tendon H-5: palmar carpal ligament & flexor retinaculum, tissue between flexor carpi ulnaris tendon and flexor digitorum superficialis tendon, flexor digitorum profundus tendon H-6: palmar carpal ligament & flexor retinaculum, flexor carpi ulnaris tendon H-7: palmar carpal ligament & flexor retinaculum, tissue between flexor carpi ulnaris tendon and flexor digitorum superficial is tendon, flexor digitorum profundus tendon H-8: palmar aponeurosis, 4th lumbrical muscle, dorsal & palmar interrosseous muscle H-9: dorsal fascia, radiad of extensor digiti minimi tendon & extensor digitorum tendon 2) Blood vessel H-1: axillary artery, posterior circumflex humeral artery H-2: basilic vein, brachial artery H-3: basilic vein, inferior ulnar collateral artery, brachial artery H-4: ulnar artery H-5: ulnar artery H-6: ulnar artery H-7: ulnar artery H-8: palmar digital artery H-9: dorsal digital vein, the dorsal branch of palmar digital artery 3) Nerve H-1: medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve, median n., ulnar n., radial n., musculocutaneous n., axillary nerve H-2: median nerve, ulnar n., medial antebrachial cutaneous n., the branch of muscular cutaneous nerve H-3: median nerve, medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve H-4: medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve, ulnar nerve H-5: ulnar nerve H-6: ulnar nerve H-7: ulnar nerve H-8: superficial branch of ulnar nerve H-9: dorsal digital branch of ulnar nerve.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.67-74
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• 2005

Objectives : This study was carried to identify the component of the Pericardium Meridian Muscle in human. Methods : The regional muscle group was divided into outer, middle, and inner layer. The inner part of body surface were opened widely to demonstrate muscles, nerve, blood vessels and to expose the inner structure of the Pericardium Meridian Muscle in the order of layers. Results We obtained the results as follows; He Perfcardium Meridian Muscle composed of the muscles, nerves and blood vessels. In human anatomy, it is present the difference between terms (that is, nerves or blood vessels which control the muscle of the Pericardium Meridian Muscle and those which pass near by the Pericardium Meridian Muscle). The inner composition of the Pericardium Meridian Muscle in human is as follows ; 1) Muscle P-1 : pectoralis major and minor muscles, intercostalis muscle(m.) P-2 : space between biceps brachialis m. heads. P-3 : tendon of biceps brachialis and brachialis m. P-4 : space between flexor carpi radialis m. and palmaris longus m. tendon(tend.), flexor digitorum superficialis m., flexor digitorum profundus m. P-5 : space between flexor carpi radialis m. tend. and palmaris longus m. tend., flexor digitorum superficialis m., flexor digitorum profundus m. tend. P-6 : space between flexor carpi radialis m. tend. and palmaris longus m. tend., flexor digitorum profundus m. tend., pronator quadratus m. H-7 : palmar carpal ligament, flexor retinaculum, radiad of flexor digitorum superficialis m. tend., ulnad of flexor pollicis longus tend. radiad of flexor digitorum profundus m. tend. H-8 : palmar carpal ligament, space between flexor digitorum superficialis m. tends., adductor follicis n., palmar interosseous m. H-9 : radiad of extensor tend. insertion. 2) Blood vessel P-1 : lateral cutaneous branch of 4th. intercostal artery, pectoral br. of Ihoracoacrornial art., 4th. intercostal artery(art) P-3 : intermediate basilic vein(v.), brachial art. P4 : intermediate antebrachial v., anterior interosseous art. P-5 : intermediate antebrarhial v., anterior interosseous art. P-6 : intermediate antebrachial v., anterior interosseous art. P-7 : intermediate antebrachial v., palmar carpal br. of radial art., anterior interosseous art. P-8 : superficial palmar arterial arch, palmar metacarpal art. P-9 : dorsal br. of palmar digital art. 3) Nerve P-1 : lateral cutaneous branch of 4th. intercostal nerve, medial pectoral nerve, 4th. intercostal nerve(n.) P-2 : lateral antebrachial cutaneous n. P-3 : medial antebrachial cutaneous n., median n. musrulocutaneous n. P-4 : medial antebrachial cutaneous n., anterior interosseous n. median n. P-5 : median n., anterior interosseous n. P-6 : median n., anterior interosseous n. P-7 : palmar br. of median n., median n., anterior interosseous n. P-8 : palmar br. of median n., palmar digital br. of median n., br. of median n., deep br. of ulnar n. P-9 : dorsal br. of palmar digital branch of median n. Conclusions : This study shows some differences from already established study on meridian Muscle.