• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.479-485
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• 2001

Objective : Several conservative treatments have been tried in peripheral facial nerve paralysis, because 80% of patients recover spontaneously. Surgical decompression may be helpful to the residual, medically intractable patients. We present here our experiences of facial nerve decompression via middle fossa approach, which seems to be one of good surgical therapeutic options for medically refractory peripheral facial nerve paralysis. Method : Three cases of medically intractable peripheral type facial paralysis were microscopically operated via middle cranial fossa approach to decompress the labyrinthine segment of the facial nerve and geniculate ganglion by searching landmarks of middle meningeal artery, greater superficial petrosal nerve and facial hiatus. Results : After operation, two cases of Bell's palsy improved substantially and one case of post-traumatic facial paralysis improved partially. Conclusion : This report is presented to describe the surgical facial nerve decompression via middle fossa for early control of peripheral type facial paralysis. Surgical decompression of edematous peripherally paralysed facial nerve could be preferred to conservative treatment in some patients although more surgical experience should be required.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.148-156
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• 2009

Objectives : Facial palsy is not uncommon disease and most patients with facial palsy are peripheral type, as in Bell' s palsy. In western medicine, oral steroid is the mainstay of the treatment. Recently, oriental-western treatment became one of the alternative modality for the treatment of the facial palsy. However, the treatment result and the degree of patient' s satisfaction were not evaluated. In this study, we tried to characterize the clinical characteristics, short-term recovery rate and degree of patient' s satisfaction after oriental-western medicine treatment on facial palsy of peripheral type. Methods : Between May 2008 and December 2008, we examined 16 patients who presented with facial palsy of peripheral type in Dongguk University Medical Center. Clinical characteristics and recovery rate was analyzed by retrospective chart review. The degree of patient' s satisfaction was measured by 5 point scale. Results : The causes of facial palsy were Bell' s palsy (87.5%) and the Ramsay-Hunt syndrome (12.5%). The highest age groups of facial palsy were 6th and 7th decades. Most frequent accompanying symptom was postauricular pain. After oriental-western medicine treatment, 10 patients (62.5%) showed recovery of facial palsy better than House-Brackmann grade 2. 11 patients (68.8%) were satisfied with the oriental-western medicine treatment. Conclusions : Considering the degree of patient' s satisfaction and treatment result, we believe that oriental-western treatment could be safe and reliable protocol for the treatment of facial nerve palsy of peripheral type.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.42-64
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• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the non-surgical treatment of peripheral facial paralysis sequelae such as bell's palsy and Ramsay-hunt syndrome during last 10 years. Methods : We searched articles in the RISS, MEDLINE, CAJ from January, 2008 to June, 2018. Articles on the non-surgical treatment of bell's palsy and Ramsay-hunt syndrome sequelae were included. We extracted data about treatments, characteristics of intervention, outcomes from the included studies and classified in to 4 categories such as case studies, RCTs, nRCTs, literature reviews. Results : 132 potentially relevant studies were identified, of which 60 studies met our inclusion criteria. Of 60 included studies, 30 were case reports, 22 were RCTs, 4 were nRCTs, and 4 were reviews. China (81.8%) were the most common by country, bell's palsy(81.7%) by disease, and case reports(50%) by study type were the most common. Symptoms were lagophthalmos, asymmetry, contracture, spasm, dacryorrhea, synkinesis, paresthesia, crocodile tears mostly in the order of frequency, and these symptoms occurred at least one month after the onset of symptoms. The most common method of treatment was acupuncture, which was used in 49 studies. As the evaluation variables, the effective rate was the highest in 25, House-Brakmann grading system in 17, and Sunnybrook facial grading system in 7. In 95% of the studies, after-treatment was reported to be cured, but objectivity is low. Conclusions : This study suggests that Korean medicine such as acupuncture can play a valid role in the non-surgical treatment of peripheral facial paralysis sequelae. In the future, a systematic and well-designed clinical study is needed for treatment of peripheral facial paralysis sequelae.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.122-127
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• 2001

Background : Bell's palsy(BP) is defined as an idiopathic peripheral facial paralysis of sudden onset and account more than 50% of facial paralysis. It's etiology is unclear, but herpes simplex virus type-1(HSV-1) has been the most suspicious causative agent of BP that ever been studied. We evaluated the effect of add-on acyclovir in acute stage of BP. Methods : Subject consisted of 35 patients who developed acute idiopathic unilateral facial nerve palsy(16 men and 19 women with age 9-78 years old). The treatments were started within 10 days after onset of BP. Facial nerve function was assessed by the House-Brackman facial nerve grading scale and facial nerve conduction study including blink reflex. Follow-up evaluation were made 2 month after onset. Twenty of 35 patients were treated with combined therapy of acyclovir and prednisone. As a control group, 15 patients were treated with prednisone only. We compared the improvement of neurologic defects at recovery phase. Results : Compared with two groups, difference in grading scale at recovery phase is statistically significant(p<0.01). So, acyclovir-prednisone group showed a significant improvement in grading scale at recovery phase compared with prednisone group. Conclusion : We identified the benefits of add-on acyclovir in the acute stage of BP.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.333-337
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• 2018

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a type of acute herpes zoster, which occurs by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus at the geniculate ganglion. Clinical presentation of Ramsay Hunt syndrome includes a vesicular rash on the ear (herpes zoster oticus) or in the oral mucosa accompanied by acute peripheral facial nerve paralysis. Other cranial nerves such as V, IX, XI, and XII are often involved. Additional variability of the clinical picture of Ramsay Hunt syndrome is produced by varying patterns of skin involvement explained by individual anastomoses between cranial and cervical nerves. Combination treatment containing anti-viral agents and steroids is recommended for the treatment of Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Additionally, early diagnosis of Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a crucial factor to improve damaged nerves in Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which initiates treatment as soon as possible.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2021

Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A), onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for temporary improvement of glabellar lines in patients 65 years and younger in 2002, and has also been used widely for aesthetic purposes such as hyperhidrosis, body shape contouring, and other noninvasive facial procedures. BoNT-A inhibits presynaptic exocytosis of acetylcholine (ACh)-containing vesicles into the neuromuscular junction at cholinergic nerve endings of the peripheral nervous system, thereby paralyzing skeletal muscles. ACh is the most broadly used neurotransmitter in the somatic nervous system, preganglionic and postganglionic fibers of parasympathetic nerves, and preganglionic fibers or postganglionic sudomotor nerves of sympathetic nerves. The scientific basis for using BoNT-A in various cosmetic procedures is that its function goes beyond the dual role of muscle paralysis and neuromodulation by inhibiting the secretion of ACh. Although the major target organs for aesthetic procedures are facial expression muscles, skeletal body muscles, salivary glands, and sweat glands, which are innervated by the somatic or autonomic nerves of the peripheral cholinergic nerve system, few studies have attempted to directly explain the anatomy of the areas targeted for injection by addressing the neural physiology and rationale for specific aesthetic applications of BoNT-A therapy. In this article, we classify the various cosmetic uses of BoNT-A according to the relevant component of the peripheral nervous system, and describe scientific theories regarding the anatomy and physiology of the cholinergic nervous system. We also review critical physiological factors and conditions influencing the efficacy of BoNT-A for the rational aesthetic use of BoNT-A. We hope that this comprehensive review helps promote management policies to support long-term, safe, successful practice. Furthermore, based on this, we look forward to developing and expanding new advanced indications for the aesthetic use of BoNT-A in the future.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.237-247
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• 2001

Background : infection associated with otalgia, herpetic eruptions, facial palsy, trigeminal pain and cochleovestibular dysfunction such as hearing dishubance, tinnitus, vertigo and other symptoms, and is not frequently encountered in otolaryngologic field. And facial paralysis occured by this syndrome is rapid in onset, usually severe in degree, and poor in prognosis. Objectives : To evaluate the Oriental Medicine's treatment and prognosis of Herpes zoster oticus and to classify of peripheral Facial palsy on Oriental Medicine. Methods : Clinical observation and analysis about a case of Ramsay-Hunt syndrome III type was done, who visited Dongguk University Gangnam Hospital. This case is managed by integrated therapy of oriental and western medicine. In oriental medicine, to treate ear pain, heonggae-yeongoetang(荊芥蓮翹湯) was given and to treat herpetic eruption, 8 constitution acupuncture treatement was done. In western medicine, antiviral agent, acyclovir and steroid hormone, prednisolon were treated. Result : About 6 weeks treatment, this case which has worse prognosis than Bell's palsy, was completed cured without any complication. Conclusion : 1. Futher divided classification about non-infectious and infectious facial palsy include "Ramsay Hunt Syndrome" is needed. 2. In acute state, Jeonyohwadan's (纏腰火丹) treatement can be applied, but the difference of invasion part, primary symptom such as ear pain and herpetic eruption is needed another treatment. 3. Ear pain and herpetic eruption can be treated in part of poongyeol(風熱) and subyeol(濕熱). 4. In Acupuncture treatement, Jeonyohwadan's (纏腰火丹) treatement can be applied in acute stage and guanwasa's treatement can be applied in chronic stage. but futher research is needed. 5. This case, Ramsay Hunt Syndrome IlI type, was managed by integrated therapy such as heonggae-yeongoetang(荊芥蓮翹湯), 8 constitution acupuncture treatement, acyclovir and prednisolon and this treatement was good effect.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.57-60
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• 1989

The Melkersson-Rosenthal (M-R) syndrome consists of a triad of (1) recurrent peripheral facial nerve paralysis which develops alternately on both sides of face, (2) non-inflammatory facial edema, and (3) fissuring of tongue. A 59 years old female patient developed the left facial palsy on September, 1988. Right facial palsy developed continuously 2 months later after the spontaneous remission of left facial palsy. On February, 1989, we have found out M-R syndrome which accompanied with migraine type of intermittent headache, and hypertension in one attack of cerebral stroke several years ago, there were no diabetes mellitus, pulmonary tuberculosis and brain tumor in clinical studies. Although the causes of this syndrome were not noted, we performed the stellate ganglion block and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for treatment of the palsy, but the clinical effectiveness of these were not satisfactory.