• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2020

Neuromuscular ultrasonography has emerged over the last decade as a useful tool for diagnosing peripheral nerve disorders. It has been studied extensively with a particular focus on the assessment of compression neuropathies. Neuromuscular ultrasonography complements electrodiagnostic studies well by visualizing both the nerve anatomy and surrounding structures, providing useful data that cannot be obtained using the latter methodology only. This review article summarizes and synthesizes the literature focusing on the diagnostic role of neuromuscular ultrasonography in common compression neuropathies of the upper limb.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.70-81
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• 2023

Background The clinical results of conservative treatment options for ulnar compression at the elbow have not been clearly determined. The aim of this review was to evaluate available conservative treatment options and their effectiveness for ulnar nerve compression at the elbow. Methods In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations, a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies was performed. Literature search was performed using Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). Results Of the 1,079 retrieved studies, 20 were eligible for analysis and included 687 cases of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. Improvement of symptoms was reported in 54% of the cases receiving a steroid/lidocaine injection (95% confidence interval [CI], 41-67) and in 89% of the cases using a splint device (95% CI, 69-99). Conclusions Conservative management seems to be effective. Both lidocaine/steroid injections and splint devices gave a statistically significant improvement of symptoms and are suitable options for patients who refuse an operative procedure or need a bridge to their surgery. Splinting is preferred over injections, as it shows a higher rate of improvement.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.291-294
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• 2013

There are various origins for chronic abdominal pain. About 10-30% of patients with chronic abdominal pain have abdominal wall pain. Unfortunately, abdominal wall pain is not thought to be the first origin of chronic abdominal pain; therefore, patients usually undergo extensive examinations, including diagnostic laparoscopic surgery. Entrapment of abdominal cutaneous nerves at the muscular foramen of the rectus abdominis is a rare cause of abdominal wall pain. If abdominal wall pain is considered in earlier stage of chronic abdominal pain, unnecessary invasive procedures are not required and patients will reach symptom free condition as soon as the diagnosis is made. Here, we report a case of successful treatment of a patient with abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome by ultrasound guided injection therapy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.509-515
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• 2018

Objective : In Asians, kneeling and squatting are the postures that are most often induce common peroneal neuropathy. However, we could not identify a compatible compression site of the common peroneal nerve (CPN) during hyper-flexion of knees. To evaluate the course of the CPN at the popliteal area related with compressive neuropathy using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of healthy Koreans. Methods : 1.5-Tesla knee MRI scans were obtained from enrolled patients and were retrospectively reviewed. The normal populations were divided into two groups according to the anatomical course of the CPN. Type I included subjects with the CPN situated superficial to the lateral gastocnemius muscle (LGCM). Type II included subjects with the CPN between the short head of biceps femoris muscle (SHBFM) and the LGCM. We calculated the thickness of the SHBFM and posterior elongation of this muscle, and the LGCM at the level of femoral condyles. In type II, the length of popliteal tunnel where the CPN passes was measured. Results : The 93 normal subjects were included in this study. The CPN passed through the "popliteal tunnel" formed between the SHBFM and the LGCM in 36 subjects (38.7% type II). The thicknesses of SHBFM and posterior portions of this muscle were statistically significantly increased in type II subjects. The LGCM thickness was comparable in both groups. In 78.8% of the "popliteal tunnel", a length of 21 mm to <40 mm was measured. Conclusion : In Korean population, the course of the CPN through the "popliteal tunnel" was about 40%, which is higher than the Western results. This anatomical characteristic may be helpful for understanding the mechanism of the CPNe by posture.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.3
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• pp.324-331
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• 2023

Objective : We aimed to analyze the effectiveness of external neurolysis on the common peroneal nerve (CPN) in patients with posture-induced compressive peroneal neuropathy (PICPNe). Further, we aimed to examine the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in assessing the severity of denervation status and predicting the postoperative prognosis. Methods : We included 13 patients (eight males and five females) with foot drop who underwent CPN decompression between 2018 and 2020. We designed a grading system for assessing the postoperative functional outcome. Additionally, we performed MRI to evaluate the denervation status of the affected musculature and its effect on postoperative recovery. Results : The median time to surgery was 3 months. The median preoperative ankle dorsiflexion and eversion grades were both 3, while the average functional grade was 1. Posterior crural intermuscular septum was the most common cause of nerve compression, followed by deep tendinous fascia and anterior crural intermuscular septum. There was a significant postoperative improvement in the median postoperative ankle dorsiflexion and eversion grades and average postoperative functional (4, 5, and 2.38, respectively). Preoperative ankle eversion was significantly correlated with denervation status. Additionally, the devernation status on MRI was positively correlated with the outcome favorability. However, denervation atrophy led to a less favorable outcome. Conclusion : Among patients with intractable PICPNe despite conservative management, surgical intervention could clinically improve motor function and functional ability. Additionally, MRI examination of the affected muscle could help diagnose CPNe and assess the postoperative prognosis.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.181-187
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• 1988

Since the introduction of epidural corticosteroid injections for the management of sciatica, lumbosacral radiculopathy has become one of the most common pain problems encountered by anesthesiologists. In order to function effectively, anesthesiologists should be able to: (1) recognize those syndromes which may respond to nerve block; (2) understand the pathophysiology of the conditions being treated and (3) be familiar with alternate therapeutic pathways for patients not responding to merre block. There are many etiologic factors of low back pain and lumbosacral radiculopathy. Particularly, Nerve root compression caused by a protruding disc, a osteophyte or tumors are usually responsible for pain. Neural inflammation, therefore, is considered to play a major role in pain production. The use of local anesthetics in mixture with steroids is believed to break down neural inflammation. Steroids and local anesthetics were injected lumbar or caudal epidmal to 106 patients for the purpose of relieving low back pain and lumbosacral radiculopathy. The results are as follows: Excellent pain relieved group: 27 patients (25.5%) Good pain relieved group: 49 patients (46.1%) Fair pain relieved group: 15 patients(14.2%) Not effective group: 15 patients(14.2%).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1503-1510
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• 2014

Breast cancer bone metastasis causing severe morbidity is commonly encountered in daily clinical practice. It causes pain, pathologic fractures, spinal cord and other nerve compression syndromes and life threatening hypercalcemia. Breast cancer metastasizes to bone through complicated steps in which numerous molecules play roles. Metastatic cells disrupt normal bone turnover and create a vicious cycle to which treatment efforts should be directed. Bisphosphonates have been used safely for more than two decades. As a group they delay time to first skeletal related event and reduce pain, but do not prevent development of bone metastasis in patients with no bone metastasis, and also do not prolong survival. The receptor activator for nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ ligand inhibitor denosumab delays time to first skeletal related event and reduces the skeletal morbidity rate. Radionuclides are another treatment option for bone pain. New targeted therapies and radionuclides are still under investigation. In this review we will focus on mechanisms of bone metastasis and its medical treatment in breast cancer patients.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.278-281
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• 2015

Open release remains the gold standard in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome in cases where conservative treatment fails. However, the efficacy of carpal tunnel release in the elderly has been debated in the literature throughout the years. This review aims to review the current evidence pertaining to the efficacy of carpal tunnel release in the elderly. Based on the current evidence, the outcome of carpal tunnel release is unpredictable in the elderly. Elderly patients are also less satisfied with the operation compared to younger patients. The authors recommend that these messages be conveyed to elderly patients before surgery. Moreover, open carpal tunnel release should be offered in the early stages of treatment whenever operative management is indicated.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.20-24
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• 2021

In this case report, we present a rare case of lipoma of the tendon sheath localized to the wrist which caused median entrapment neuropathy and was successfully treated with surgical excision. Dynamic examination using ultrasonography revealed the exact location of the lipoma. Electrodiagnostic study (EDX) was done before surgery to elucidate combined neuropathy, and surgery for ulnar neuropathy around elbow was also performed simultaneously. Diagnostic ultrasound can be used for dynamic examinations with real-time visualization.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.42-47
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• 2012

Objective : The aim of this prospective study was to demonstrate the influence of some factors on the prognosis of microvascular decompression in 37 patients with trigeminal neuralgia. Methods : The results of microvascular decompression (MVD) in 37 patients with trigeminal neuralgia were evaluated at 6 months after surgery and were compared with clinical and operative findings. Results : The sex of the patient, the patient's age at surgery, the side of the pain, and the duration of symptoms before surgery did not play any significant roles in prognosis. Also, the visual analogue scale (VAS) of the patient, the duration of each pain attack, and the frequency of pain over 24 hours did not play any significant roles in prognosis. In addition, intraoperative detection of the type of conflicting vessel, the degree of severity of conflict, and the location of the conflict around the circumference of the root did not play any roles in prognosis. The only factors affecting the prognosis in MVD surgery were intraoperative detection of the site of the conflict along the root and neuroradiological compression signs on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Conclusion : These findings demonstrated that if neurovascular compression is seen on preoperative MRI/MRA and/or compression is found intraoperative at the root entry zone, then the patient will most likely benefit from MVD surgery.