• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.122-129
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• 2022

Objective: This study investigates the efficacy of Korean medical treatment for a patient with peripheral facial palsy caused by cerebellar artery infarction. Methods: A 45-year-old male patient with right facial palsy and left side numbness from cerebellar artery infarction was treated with herbal medicine (ligigeopoongsan), acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and cupping therapy for 37 days. The effects were evaluated using the House-Brackmann (H-B) and Yanagihara's unweighted grading systems. Results: Following treatment, the patient's H-B grade decreased and Yanagihara score improved. Conclusion: Korean medical treatment improved peripheral facial palsy in a patient with cerebellar artery infarction.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.171-178
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• 2022

Meralgia paresthetica is a rare femoral disease and various symptoms appear such as pain, numbness, and paresthesia in the anterolateral thigh due to entrapment of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. We treated the meralgia paresthetica patients with Korean medicine treatment including herbal medicine, acupuncture, Chuna manual therapy and pharmacopuncture during 12 days. Numerical rating scale (NRS), Euroqol five dimension (EQ-5D) index, and the changes of symptoms were measured for assessment. After 12 days inpatient treatment, NRS decreased from 7 to 4, EQ-5D index and the symptoms of the patient also were improved. In conclusion, this case shows Korean medicine treatment might be an effective treatment for Meralgia paresthetica.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.450-454
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• 2021

A 75-year-old male patient without any significant medical and habitual risk factors for acute atherosclerosis obliterans except for hypertension was diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 with dyspnea, coughing, and mild fever. After a week of hospitalization, he complained of right foot pain and numbness. The symptoms were aggravated during the next week, resulting in a complete toe color change and loss of dorsalis artery pulse. Enhanced 3-dimensional computed tomography angiography revealed thrombus formation in the right common iliac artery and a loss of blood flow below the popliteal artery on both sides. The patient underwent percutaneous balloon angioplasty with stent insertion followed by medical therapy for anticoagulation. The clinical symptoms immediately were improved after the intervention, but the great toe necrosis was not recovered. Finally, amputation of the great toe was performed.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.468-474
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• 2022

Background: The new type of corona virus has a wide range of symptoms. Some people who have COVID-19 can experience long-term effects from their infection, known as post-COVID conditions. The authors aimed to investigate prolonged musculoskeletal pain as a symptom of the post-COVID-19 condition. Methods: This is a descriptive study on the patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 in a university hospital, between March 2020 and March 2021. Patient records and an extensive questionnaire were used to obtain relevant demographic and clinical characteristics, including hospitalization history, comorbidities, smoking history, duration of the pain, the area of pain, and the presence of accompanying neuropathic symptoms. Results: Of the diagnosed patients, 501 agreed to participate in the study. Among the participants, 318 had musculoskeletal pain during COVID-19 infection, and 69 of them reported prolonged pain symptoms as part of their a post-COVID condition which could not be attributed to any other cause. The mean duration of pain was 4.38 ± 1.73 months, and the mean pain level was 7.2 ± 4.3. Neuropathic pain symptoms such as burning sensation (n = 16, 23.2%), numbness (n = 15, 21.7%), tingling (n = 10, 14.5%), stinging (n = 4, 5.8%), freezing (n = 1, 1.4%) were accompanied in patients with prolonged musculoskeletal pain. Conclusions: Patients with COVID-19 may develop prolonged musculoskeletal pain. In some patients, neuropathic pain accompanies it. Awareness of prolonged post-COVID-19 pain is crucial for its early detection and management.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.159-169
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• 2022

Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is a term that applies to symptoms such as persistent or recurring low back pain, paresthesia, sciatica, or numbness after spine surgery. Electroacupuncture (EA) has been reported to have excellent analgesic effects although there have been no systematic reviews on the effects of EA on FBSS. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of EA on FBSS was conducted. Eight databases were searched for studies that used EA for FBSS and 7 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. RCTs of EA as combination therapy for FBSS compared with conventional treatment demonstrated improvement in the level of pain, lumbar functional scale scores, and quality of life. However, meta-analysis showed that reduction in pain was not statistically significant, while evaluation of lumbar function significantly improved, although the quality of evidence in the RCTs was generally low. RCTs comparing EA alone with conventional treatment demonstrated an improved level of pain, lumbar function, and effective rate of treatment. Meta-analysis showed that pain was significantly decreased in the EA alone group compared with the control group, although the quality of evidence was low. To improve the quality of evidence, high-quality RCTs are required in the future.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2023

Purpose : Excessive alcohol causes damage to skeletal muscles, leading to the development of a specific disease entity called alcoholic myopathy. Chronic inflammation is related as an underlying mechanism for the loss of muscle mass induced by alcohol. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α) and IL-6 (interleukin-6) play a role in this process. The acupuncture point Feng Shi (GB 31) is located on the midline of the lateral aspect of the thigh, above the transverse popliteal crease. This acupoint is used for the treatment of weakness, atrophy, numbness, and post-stroke symptoms of lower limbs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Feng Shi stimulation on muscle atrophy caused by chronic alcohol administration. Method : Young male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups of eight each: Normal, Control, and GB31. The rats in the Control and GB31 groups were orally given 25 % ethanol (5 ㎖/kg, body weight) daily for 4 weeks. The Normal group was similarly administered saline. The acupressure at Feng Shi was treated to rats in the GB31 group. After 4 weeks, the body weight, muscle weight and cross-sectional area of gastrocnemius were assessed and the histological changes in gastrocnemius muscle fiber were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Moreover, TNF-α and IL-6 expressions were immunohistochemistrically evaluated. Results : Acupressure stimulation at Feng Shi had a protective effect on the weight reduction of the gastrocnemius muscle caused by alcohol intake, and had an effect of suppressing anatomical change in muscle fiber and decreasing the average cross-sectional area. Also, the immunoreactivities of TNF-α and IL-6 in the GB31 group were decreased. Conclusion : These results suggest that acupressure at Feng Shi has protective effects on chronic alcohol-induced muscle atrophy by inhibiting pre-inflammatory proteins such as TNF-α and IL-6.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.279-287
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• 2023

Background Hypothenar free flaps (HTFFs) have been widely used for reconstructing palmar defects. Although previous anatomical and clinical studies of HTFF have been conducted, this technique still has some limitations. In this study, we describe some tips for large flap design that allows for easy harvesting of HTFFs with minimal donor site morbidity. Methods A total of 14 HTFF for hand defect reconstruction were recorded. The oblique flap was designed in the proximal HT area following relaxed skin tension line along the axis between fourth web space and 10 mm ulnar side of pisiform. A flap pedicle includes one or two perforators with ulnar digital artery and HT branch of basilic vein. In addition, innervated HTFF can be harvested with a branch of ulnar digital nerve. Electronic medical records were reviewed to obtain data on patients' information, operative details, and follow-up period. In addition, surgical outcome score was obtained from the patient, up to 10 points, at the last follow-up. Results Mean harvest time was 46 minutes, and two perforators were included in 10 cases. The mean flap area was 10.84 cm². There were no problems such as donor site depression, scar contracture, keloids, wound dehiscence, numbness or neuroma pain at donor sites, and hypersensitivity or cold intolerance at flap site, either functionally or aesthetically. Conclusion Palmar defect reconstruction is challenging for hand surgeons. However, large HTFF can be harvested without complications using the oblique axis HTFF technique. We believe our surgical tips increase utility of HTFF for palmar defect reconstruction.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.100-104
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• 2023

Autogenous bone grafts from the mandibular ramus are a known source of inadequate bone volume scenarios of the residual alveolar ridge. However, the conventional block-type harvesting technique cannot prevent bone marrow invasion, which can cause postoperative complications such as pain, swelling, and inferior alveolar nerve injury. This study aims to suggest a complication-free harvesting technique and present the results of bone grafting and donor sites. One patient received two dental implants with a complication-free harvesting technique that involves creation of ditching holes with a 1 mm round bur. Sagittal, coronal, and axial osteotomies produced grid-type cortical squares using a micro-saw and a round bur to confirm the cortical thickness. The grid-type cortical bone was harvested from the occlusal aspect, and the harvesting was extended through an additional osteotomy on the exposed and remaining cortical bone to prevent bone marrow invasion. The patient did not suffer postoperative severe pain, swelling, or numbness. After 15 months, the harvested site exhibited new cortical bone lining, and the grafted area had healed to a cortico-cancellous complex with functional loading of the implants. Our technique, grid-type cortical bone harvesting without bone marrow invasion, allowed application of autogenous bone without bone marrow invasion to achieve acceptable bone healing of the dental implants and to regenerate the harvested cortical bone.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.479-488
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• 2022

Objective : The surgical management of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) caused by petrous apex meningioma (PAM) is still a challenge because of the lesion's deep location and the surrounding complex structures. The authors describe the intradural anterior transpetrosal approach (ATPA) and its effect on the treatment of TN secondary to PAM. Methods : A retrospective analysis of 15 patients with TN secondary to PAM who underwent surgery via the intradural ATPA was conducted. The key techniques, which included drilling off the petrosal apex (PA) and opening the upper wall of Meckel's cave (MC), are described in detail. Results : Total removal of the tumor and complete pain relief (Barrow Neurological Institute I) were achieved in all 15 patients without significant morbidity. Five patients developed new facial numbness postoperatively, which disappeared within three months after surgery. The postoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed temporal lobe swelling in three patients, but no clinical symptoms. One patient had cerebrospinal fluid leakage and was managed with bed rest and temporary lumbar drainage. One patient had an intracranial infection and was treated with antibiotics. By the last follow up, no patients had pain relapse or/and tumor recurrence. It is worth noting that the vascular compression at the root of the trigeminal nerve was found in one patient during the operation. Conclusion : Our experience suggests that drilling off the PA and opening the upper wall of the MC are key elements for a good outcome of the treatment of TN secondary to PAM. The intradural ATPA has the advantages for both tumor resection and pain relief.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2016

■ Objectives This clinical study is to report the effect of Korean medicine on two patients with glossodynia. ■ Methods Two patients who suffered from glossodynia were treated with herbal medicine 'Gami Cheongsim-tang', acupuncture, and pharmaco-acupuncture. The intensity of symptoms were measured using Visual Analog Scale(VAS). ■ Results After treatment, the patients' symptoms including pain, burning, tingling, and numbness of tongue were improved. ■ Conclusion These case reports suggest that Korean medicine could be effective in the treatment of Glossodynia.