• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1279-1293
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• 2023

A 67-year-old female patient diagnosed with acute transverse myelitis visited our hospital in February 2023. Consultation papers indicated that she was diagnosed with acute transverse myelitis and that she complained of quadriparesis and numbness in both hands and feet. However, her spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) did not clearly indicate that she suffered from acute transverse myelitis. She was then sent to a high-level hospital and diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome through electromyography, cerebrospinal fluid test, and spine MRI. On March 2023, she visited our hospital again, still complaining about weakness in both hands and inability to walk. She was treated with Korean medicine, including acupuncture, electroacupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and herbal medicine such as Yanggyeoksanhwatang and Sipimijihwang-tanggami. After three months, she was discharged on cane walking. The manual muscle test (MMT) grade of her upper limbs increased from 3-/3-/3-/3- (shoulder/elbow/wrist/fingers) to 4/4/4/3+, and the MMT grade of her lower limbs increased from 2/2/2/2 (pelvis/knee/ankle/feet) to 4/4/4-/4-. Her numbness in both feet disappeared, and her numbness in both hands decreased from a numeric rating scale of 7 to 2. No adverse events were reported during treatment. This case implies the therapeutic potential of Korean medicine for Guillain-Barre Syndrome, especially for those who had delayed diagnosis and missed the opportunity to get plasma exchange.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.52-61
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• 2005

Background: Guillain-Barre syndrome is defined as a recognizable clinical entity that is characterized by rapidly evolving symmetric limb weakness, the loss of tendon reflexes, absent or mild sensory signs, and variable autonomic dysfunctions. This study evaluated the clinical and electrophysiological findings retrospectively. Materials and Methods: Forty-five patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome, who were admitted to the Yeungnam University Hospital for six years from Jan. 1994 to Dec. 1999 were investigated. The correlation between the clinical manifestation and the electrophysiological study was evaluated. Results: The male to female ratio was 1.8:1 and there was a peak seasonal incidence in the winter. A preceding illness was noted in 66.7 % of cases, and an upper respiratory tract infection was the most common one. The most common clinical manifestations were a loss of tendon reflex and ascending muscle weakness and paralysis. The cerebrospinal fluid examinations revealed, albuminocytologic dissociation in 33 cases (73.3 %). Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy was performed in 29 cases (64.4 %). The sequential electrophysiological abnormalities were most marked at 2 to 4 weeks after onset. At that time the most significant change was a decrease in the compound muscle action potential amplitude. These 45 patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome were subclassified using the clinical and electrophysiological data. Conclusion: The result in this study, concured with other research on the clinical and electrophysiological data of Guillain-Barre syndrome. However, an extensive and dynamic investigation is necessary to determine the reason for the peak seasonal incidence in winter.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.9
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• pp.898-902
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• 2003

Purpose : To determine the clinical association of diagnostic criteria and the prevalence of autoantibodies in newly diagnosed children with juvenile dermatomyositis(JDM). Methods : Thirty-two children with JDM were identified at Seoul National University Children's Hospital from March 1985 to March 1999 by retrospective review. The diagnosis of JDM was based on the criteria proposed by Bohan and Peter. We investigated for the presence of several autoantibodies: antinuclear(ANA), double-stranded DNA, anti-Sm, anti-ribonucleoprotein(RNP), anti-SSA/ SSB, anti-Jo1, anti-Scl-70 antibodies and rheumatoid factor(RF). Results : Sex ratio and age at diagnosis were similar to data published in other studies. All the newly diagnosed children with JDM had a typical rash(100%) and proximal muscle weakness(100%); 17(53%) had muscle pain or tenderness; 10(31%) calcinosis; eight(25%) dysphagia; eight(25%) arthritis, and seven(22%) fever. Muscle enzymes were elevated in 90% of the patients. Of the 27 patients who had an electromyogram, 20(70%) had diagnostic results. Sixteen(70%) of biopsied patients had appropriated results for JDM. Patients were negative for all autoantibodies except ANA and RF. ANA and RF were detected in 47% and 7% of the patients respectively. Conclusion : Although the sensitivity of the criteria proposed by Bohan and Peter is superior, each of these criteria has possible confounding factors. Additional criteria may be needed for early diagnosis of JDM. Based on our findings of autoantibodies in JDM, we do not recommend routine testing for autoantibodies in children with typical JDM.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.415-419
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• 2019

Fipronil is an insecticide that belongs to the N-phenylpytazole and has been used mainly for an insect pest control. However, it is known that acute poisoning of the human body causes various symptoms such as dizziness, muscle weakness, dyspnea, skin irritation, and increased heart rate. Lately, eggs containing fipronil have been distributed and toxic problems are spreading around the world. In this study, we tried to develop analytical methods to evaluate the exposure of fipronil and fipronil sulfone in animal serum samples. The differences according to mobile phase and the results of liquid - liquid extraction and solid phase extraction pretreatment method were compared. Distilled water (A) and acetonitrile (B) were selected for the mobile phase, and the pretreatment method was determined by solid phase extraction. As a result of the method validation, the intra-day / inter-day accuracies were 82.2~114.1% and the precisions were less than 20%. The detection limit was 0.027 ng/ml for fipronil and 0.087 ng/ml for fipronil sulfone. The linearity obtained was satisfying, with a coefficient of determination (r²) higher than 0.99. The concentrations in some animal sera were determined using the methods of analysis for fipronil and fipronil sulfone in animal sera developed in this study. Using the method developed in this study, it could be used as an analytical method for human bio-monitoring of fipronil and fipronil sulfone as well as animal serum.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.19-28
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• 2015

To figure out the causes of obesity against middle-aged women, this study aimed to provide basic data for setting an obesity-related policy through analysis on diverse related factors. Against the healthy middle-aged women who visited 'N' Hospital Health Center in Incheon from April to November 2014, anthropometric assessment, body composition test and abdominal fat distribution test were conducted using Fat-CT. They were carried out against 159 women who agreed with the purpose of the study, using BMD, Q-CT. According to Fat-CT, subcutaneous and visceral types accounted for 39% (76 women) and 61% (119 respondents) respectively. In terms of BMI, 'underweight ($18.5kg/m^2$)' and 'overweight ($25kg/m^2$ or above)' were 13 women (6.7%) and 60 women (30.8%) each with the average of $23.5{\pm}4.11kg/m^2$. Mean while, waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure and neutral fat were statistically significant at the 5% significance level. As getting older, muscle weakness offsets increase in body weight with abdominal obesity. A group with low BMI should also be considered due to increase in waist circumference.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.24-28
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• 2020

Type III Glycogen storage disease (Type III GSD, OMIM#232400) is a genetic metabolic disorder in which undigested glycogen accumulates in the organs due to lack of glycogen debranching enzyme caused by AGL mutation. The clinical symptoms of type III GSD include hepatomegaly, delayed growth, hypoglycemia and muscle weakness. These clinical symptoms are similar to those of other types of GSD, making it difficult to distinguish clinically. The authors report a case of type III GSD diagnosed by gene panel sequencing. A 11-month old male patient was presented with hepatomegaly. In liver biopsy, glycogen was accumulated in hepatocytes, suggesting GSDs. For differential diagnosis of types of GSD, gene panel sequencing for GSDs was performed. As a result, two novel pathogenic compound heterozygous variants: c.311_312del (p.His104Argfs*15) and c.3314+1G>A in AGL were detected and the patient was diagnosed as type III GSD. After diagnosis, he started dietary treatment with cornstarch, and has been free from complications. After two years, two same variants were also identified in the chorionic villous sampling of the pregnant mother, and the fetus was diagnosed as type III GSD. Gene panel sequencing is useful for diagnosis of disease which is indistinguishable by clinically and has high genetic heterogeneity, such as GSD. After diagnosis, familial genetic analysis can provide adequate genetic counseling and rapid diagnosis.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.313-318
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• 1986

Primary aldosteronism is a disease that the stimulus for the excessive aldosterone production resides within the adrenal gland. It was first described by conn in 1955. And many cases were reported by physicians at present in the world. But it is relatively rare in Korea, probably due to lack of attension and medical facilities. Only about 13 cases have been reported at present. The clinical, biochemical features in 1 case of primary aldosteranism caused by adrenal hyperplasia that was diagnosed at Yeungnam University Hospital was observed and the following result were obtained. 1. Clinical feature: The present case was 27-year-old woman who was admitted due to general weakness and easy fatigability. The above mensioned chief complaints occurred 8 months prior to admission when she delivered of second baby by cesarian section. Symptoms such as above chief complaints, intermittent muscle paralysis and cramping were noticed. Trousseau's sign was also present. The average blood pressure ranged from 170/90 to 200/120. 2. Biochemical abnormalities: Severe hypokalemia lower than 2.5 mEq/L was presented and 24 hours urine potassium showed markedly increased urinary loss.(228 mEq/day). Plasma renin activity was decreased under normal range with furosemide administration.(Basal renin; 0.01ng/ml/hr, stimulated renin 0.12ng/ml/hr). Saline suppression test revealed markedly elevated levels of aldosterone higher than normal range. (Basal aldosterone; 320.68pg/ml stimulated aldosterone; 451.86pg/ml). And posture test showed decreased plasma renin activity and increased plasma aldosterone level. - PRA(ng/ml/hr)=Bsal: 0.05(0.15~2.33), Stimulated: 0.22(1.31~3.95) - Aldosterone(pg/ml)=Bsal: 242.77(10~160), Stimulated: 432.09(40~310) 3. Adrenal CT scan revealed no abnormal findings. 4. Treatment and course: Spironolactone was given at OPD with regular follow-up. Her blood pressure ranged from 150/90 to 160/100 and symptoms were improved. The effect of treatment was satisfactory and further follow up would be performed.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.361-366
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• 1986

Fracture of the carpal scaphoid bone is the most common fracture of the carpus. Unfortunately. nonunion are common since the symptoms do not alert patients to seek early medical treatment and the diagnosis is easily missed. Fracture of the scaphoid is a common condition whose management remains controversial. The conservative treatment has many complications, these include inability to work while in plaster, stiffness of the wrist afterwards, muscle wasting, weakness and malunion. So various operative treatments of scaphoid fracture have been developed. Open reduction by use of screws suggested by Maclaughlin first in 1954. In 1984 a new and simple operative technique has been developed to provide rigid internal fixation for all types of fractures of the scaphoid by T.J. Herbert. This involves the use of a double-treaded bone screw which provides good fixation that, after operation, a plaster cast is rarely required and most patients are able to return to work within a few weeks. Authors have experienced 10 cases of scaphoid fracture and accomplished good result in all cases by internal fixation using Herbert screw. The results are as follows : Of these 10 fractures, 2 were fresh fractures and 8 were non unions of scaphoid fracture. In nonunion cases, the time interval between fracture and operation was from 5 months to 5 years. The postoperative immobilization period was average of 4 weeks. Short period of immobilization achieved early functional recovery of the wrist. The bony unions in roentgenogram were seen from 3 months to 9 months after operation. In 2 cases the fracture gap was seen after 9 months. But in these cases the symptoms such as pain and range of motion of wrist were improved.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.225-235
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• 2007

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS) is Motor Neuron Disease(MND) that reveals muscle relaxation, bulbar palsy, extremities weakness, Pneumonia, in severe case, leads to death. Objectives : Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is one of the incurable disease. In Oriental medicine, Wei symptom is similar as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, so we diagnosed it as Wei symptom and treated in Oriental medical system. Methods : The patient was treated by acupunture, moxibustion, herb medication, physical treatment. The improvement of the patient was judged by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS), Grasping power on right arm, circumference of thigh and calf. Result : The patient had better condition for a while but the sputum irritated breathing and the day before he discharged vital sign was not stable and could not breath well. Conclusion : It is necessary to have more examination about the incurable syndromes such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and keep the patient's life better and expand their lives.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.131-140
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• 2000

The clinical study was carried out the 41 patients with conversion disorder who were treated in Dae Jeon University Oriental Hospital from 26 september 1998 to 21 september 2000.The results were summarized as follows.1. The ratio of male and female was 4:37 and in the age distribution, the highest frequence was 40s, in descending order over 50s, 30s, 20s, 10s and mental attack was the most inducing factor.2. In distribution of the period of the clinical history. within one day was the highest percentage and in admission period most of the patients were from four days to seven days.3. In symptoms and signs, physical symptoms were more than mental symptoms, physical symptoms had many muscle-skeleton-system symptoms and they were in descending order general body weakness. headache, anorexia, chest discomfort, dyspepsia, dizziness, four extremities numbness, insomnia, dysarthria, anxiety, four extremities tremor. palpitation. nausea, vomiting, facial numbness.4. In classification of Four Human coporeal constitution the number of patients, Sho-Eum-In(少陰人) was remarked mostly and most of female patients had no past history of the conversion disorder.5. In distribution of the prescription, drugs of regulating gi such as BUNSIMGIEUM(分心氣飮) were many, in descending order drugs of growing heart and warming gall bladder such as ONDAMTANGGAMI(溫膽湯加味), drugs of maintaining patency for the flow of gi such as CHUNGGANSOYOSAN(淸肝逍遙散), drugs of decomposing food and asending gi such as PYUNGJINGUNBITANG(平陳健脾湯), drugs of storing blood and relaxing the mind such as SAMULGUIBITANG(四物歸脾湯). drugs of removing sputum and cooling heart such as CHUNGSIMDODAMTANG 淸心導痰湯).6. In distribution of the treatments, the group of drug and acupuncture and aroma-therapy was many, in acup uncture TAEGUKCHIMBUP(太極針法) was mainly used. in therapy inhalation type of Lavender and Rosewood was many and the type of Peppermint and Rosemary massaging epigastric-chest, and neck was many.7. In distribution of the treatment result, in 15 patients(36.6%) symptoms were eliminated from four to seven days, in 13 patients(31.7%) symptoms were not changed. in 12 patients(29.3%) symptoms were eliminated from two to three days. in 1 patients(2.4%) symptoms were eliminated whin one day.