• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.657-666
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• 2017

Paclitaxel, a chemotherapeutic drug, induces severe peripheral neuropathy. Gabapentin (GBT) is a first line agent used to treat neuropathic pain, and its effect is mediated by spinal noradrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors. Electro-acupuncture (EA) is used for treating various types of pain via its action through spinal opioidergic and noradrenergic receptors. Here, we investigated whether combined treatment of these two agents could exert a synergistic effect on paclitaxel-induced cold and mechanical allodynia, which were assessed by the acetone drop test and von Frey filament assay, respectively. Significant signs of allodynia were observed after four paclitaxel injections (a cumulative dose of 8 mg/kg, i.p.). GBT (3, 30, and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) or EA (ST36, Zusanli) alone produced dose-dependent anti-allodynic effects. The medium and highest doses of GBT (30 and 100 mg/kg) provided a strong analgesic effect, but they induced motor dysfunction in Rota-rod tests. On the contrary, the lowest dose of GBT (3 mg/kg) did not induce motor weakness, but it provided a brief analgesic effect. The combination of the lowest dose of GBT and EA resulted in a greater and longer effect, without inducing motor dysfunction. This effect on mechanical allodynia was blocked by spinal opioidergic (naloxone, $20{\mu}g$), or noradrenergic (idazoxan, $10{\mu}g$) receptor antagonist, whereas on cold allodynia, only opioidergic receptor antagonist blocked the effect. In conclusion, the combination of the lowest dose of GBT and EA has a robust and enduring analgesic action against paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain, and it should be considered as an alternative treatment method.

• Genes and Genomics
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• v.40 no.12
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• pp.1269-1277
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• 2018

Bcl2-associated athanogene 3 (BAG3) mutations have been reported to cause the myofibrillar myopathy (MFM) which shows progressive limb muscle weakness, respiratory failure, and cardiomyopathy. Myopathy patients with BAG3 mutation are very rare. We described a patient showing atypical phenotypes. We aimed to find the genetic cause of Korean patients with sensory motor polyneuropathy, myopathy and rigid spine. We performed whole exome sequencing (WES) with 423 patients with sensory motor polyneuropathy. We found BAG3 mutation in one patient with neuropathy, myopathy and rigid spine syndrome, and performed electrophysiological study, whole body MRI and muscle biopsy on the patient. A de novo heterozygous p.Pro209Leu (c.626C>T) mutation in BAG3 was identified in a female myopathy. She first noticed a gait disturbance and spinal rigidity at the age of 11, and serum creatine kinase levels were elevated ninefolds than normal. She showed an axonal sensory-motor polyneuropathy like Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), myopathy, rigid spine and respiratory dysfunction; however, she did not show any cardiomyopathy, which is a common symptom in BAG3 mutation. Lower limb MRI and whole spine MRI showed bilateral symmetric fatty atrophy of muscles at the lower limb and paraspinal muscles. When we track traceable MRI 1 year later, the muscle damage progressed slowly. As far as our knowledge, this is the first Korean patient with BAG3 mutation. We described a BAG3 mutation patient with atypical phenotype of CMT and myopathy, and those are expected to broaden the clinical spectrum of the disease and help to diagnose it.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.356-360
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• 2009

Purpose: Lipofibromatous Hamartoma(LFH) of nerve is a tumor - like lipomatous process principally involving the young persons. This is rare disease characterized by a soft slowly growing mass surrounding and infiltrating major nerves and their branches of the palm and digits. LFH of nerve usually affects the median nerve, with the most common sites of presentation being the distal forearm and hand in the wrist or palm. It may cause symptoms of compression neuropathy and is associated with macrodactyly. Recently, MRI plays a major role in confirming the diagnosis of LFH. Therefore, we present two cases of LFH in the hand with MRI features and surgical management. Methods: One is 6 - years - old female who presented with macrodactyly involving both the soft tissue and bony parts of the second, third and forth digits of her right hand. The other one is 16 - years - old man who presented involving the soft tissue of the second and third digits of his right hand, with pain and numbness, along with motor and sensory deficits in the median nerve distribution. To evaluation about LFH, we enforced preoperative MRI and physical examination. After confirming the diagnosis of LFH, we proposed decompression of all compromised peripheral nerve to help alleviate pain and paresthesia to reduce the likelihood of permanent motor and sensory sequelae. Results: A characteristic feature on MRI is the appearance of serpentiform nerve fascicle surrounded by fibro - fatty tissue within the expended nerve sheet. Distribution of fat between fascicles is asymmetric. Two cases were treated by limited debulking of the redundant tumor tissue and excision of epineurial fatty tissue. These cases were performed with relief of symptom. Conclusion: MRI not only confirms the diagnosis, it also provides a detailed assessment of nerve involvement preoperatively. Especially, on coronal images, the nerve has a spagetti - like appearance that is pathognomonic of LFH. Recommendations for early treatment include decompression of the carpal tunnel, debulking of the fibro - fatty sheath, microsurgical dissection of the neural elements and excision of involve nerve with or without grafting.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.231-243
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• 2023

Background: Diabetic polyneuropathy is the most common complication in diabetics, occurring in 50% of all cases. About 10-20% of all diabetics are accompanied by neurological pain, showing a tendency to increase with age. Clinical aspects are very diverse, from mild abnormalities on nerve conduction tests to severe abnormalities in all sensory, motor, and autonomic nerves; however, sensory symptoms usually precede motor symptoms. Patients typically express sensory symptoms, such as positive and negative symptoms, which decrease the quality of life and have marked clinical implications, such as increased morbidity and mortality. Although Western medical drugs, such as tricyclic antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and narcotic analgesics, are used for diabetic polyneuropathy, a standard treatment has not been established. Case report: A 65-year-old male with paresthesia and pain due to diabetic polyneuropathy was treated with Uchashinki-hwan, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, moxibustion, and Jungsongouhyul pharmacopuncture for 10 days. We used the Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Scoring System, EuroQol-5 Dimension, and Visual Analog Scale to evaluate symptoms. Subsequently, the Neuropathy Scoring System, EuroQol-5 Dimension, and subjective discomfort improved. Conclusion: The present case report suggests that combined Korean medicine treatment might be an effective treatment for paresthesia and pain with diabetic polyneuropathy. Several follow-up studies should be conducted to clarify the effectiveness of the treatment.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 1999

This study was carried out to find out if peripheral neuropathy was resulting from exposed to pesticides in farmers. Thirty four male farmers in rural area of Chungju were selected as a study group. According to the farm type and area, the group was subdivided into two groups: the high exposed group(n=20) and the low exposed group(n=14). Nerve conduction velocity tests were done on four nerves of the dominant arm(median motor, median sensory, ulnar sensory, and ulnar motor) and three nerves of the dominant leg(peroneal motor, sural sensory, and posterior tibial motor). On the nerve conduction study, all of the results were included normal range. But comparing to reference mean values, most of results were significantly decreased(P < 0.01 by t-test). And the median motor conduction velocity and the peroneal nerve latency were significantly increased in the high exposed group than the low exposed group and reference values. But we concluded that these findings are caused by age difference not pesticide exposure. In conclusion, we cannot find any abnormality of nerve conduction velocity caused by exposure to pesticide in this study group.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2001

Background : Carpal tunnel syndrome(CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy that refers to a group of signs and symptoms resulting from compression of the median nerve at the wrist. The course of CTS in older patients is different from the younger patients. This difference may be the result of different underlying mechanisms. The different nerve conduction studies of CTS may signify different approaches in management. This study was done to assess the differences in nerve conduction study of CTS in younger and older patients. Methods : This study involved 224 patients who visited Gachon Medical School, Gil Medical Center and was diagnosed by nerve conduction study from October 1997 to October 1999. We compared the results of nerve conduction study to age, especially in between those under 60 years and those 60 years or over CTS patients. Nerve conduction study consists of motor studies of both median nerves(terminal latency, compound action potential) and sensory studies(nerve conduction velocity, nerve action potential). And we also evaluated the variables between younger and older patients group. Those variables include sex, symptom period, laterality, abnormal physical findings and radiculopathy. Results : We found that a significant increase of terminal latency(p<0.1), but a decrease in compound motor action potential(p<0.05) in older patient's group. There was no significant differences in sensory nerve conduction velocity and action potential between those under 60 years and those 60 years or even patients. And also there was no significant difference in sex, symptom period, laterality, abnormal physical findings, radiculopathy between older and younger patients. Conclusions : This study showed a significant increase in the terminal latency and a decrease in compound action potential in older patients. The different nerve conduction studies of CTS by age effect may need different approaches in management.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.199-211
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• 2003

Objective : This is clinical report about the Wei syndrome(?證)-patient diagnosed as Guillian-Barre syndrome. Guillain-Barre syndrome(GBS), what is called acute inflammatory polyneuritis, is a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks parts of peripheral nervous system. GBS is subclassified into acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy(AIDP), acute motor or motor-sensory axonal neuropathy(AMAN, AMSAN), and the other variants. The cause and mechanism of this syndrome are unknown yet. The typical Guillain-Barre syndrome could be diagnosed by the patient's syndroms and physical exams as the rapid onset of weakness, paralysis and loss of reflexes. The analysis of CSF and electrical test of nerve and muscle function can be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Most of the cases usually occur shortly after a viral infection. Method & Result : This is the clinical report about the one patient daignosed as Guillain-Barre syndrome. The patient, 9-year-old girl had the hemiparesis after upper respiratory infection. We characterized her as Wei syndrom(?證). The patient was treated by acupunture, indirect moxibustion, herb medication(通竅湯 加味方, 四物湯合檳蘇散 加味方) and had significant improvement in the Wei syndrome(?證). Conclusion : We report that we had good effects of oriental medical treatment on Guillain-Barre syndrome.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.1
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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.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.135-138
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• 2000

Both myasthenia gravis and Guillain-$Barr{\acute{e}}$ syndrome are autoimmune disorder, but it is very rare that both of them occur together. A 53-year old woman with history of myathenia gravis complained of weakness of extremities, worsening progressively for several days. Electrophysiologic study showed findings of motor axonal neuropathy without sensory involvement. She became improved in aspect of clinical symtoms and electrophysiologic findings after infusion of immunoglobulin. This is a case of Guillain-$Barr{\acute{e}}$ syndrome in a patient with myasthenia gravis.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2013

It was sometimes difficult to differentiate between acute-onset chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (A-CIDP) and subacute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (SIDP). The CNS involvement of these polyneuropathies has rarely reported in the literature. We present the case of a 42-year-old man who developed rapidly developing inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy followed by right optic neuritis. This case showed progressive motor weakness and sensory dysfunction with time to nadir at 8 weeks, demyelination in nerve conduction study, no other etiology of neuropathy, no relapse during follow-up of 18 months, good response to steroid and complete recovery which favor SIDP more than A-CIDP. We experienced the case of SIDP associated with optic neuritis.