• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.122-124
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• 2006

Choroid plexus carcinomas are extremely rare in adults. They can behave aggressively and their optimal management is uncertain. A 35-year-old woman was admitted with an episode of loss of consciousness. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a homogeneously enhancing mass in the trigone of the right lateral ventricle. Detailed examinations found no evidence of an extraneural primary focus. She underwent total removal of the tumor. Pathological diagnosis was confirmed as a choroid plexus carcinoma. She is doing well eight months after surgery.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.102-107
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• 1998

We have performed the operations for the restoration of shoulder abduction and elbow flexion in 17 patients(20 cases of neurotization) of brachial plexus injury at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Korea University Hospital from October 1991 to May 1997. The mean follow-up period was 42 months. After neurotization for brachial plexus injury, functional recovery of shoulder abduction and elbow flexion were good and fair in 65%. In the functional evaluation, the clinical results of whole arm type were poorer than those of upper arm type, and the operations performed within 6 months since the injury were better than those of other cases.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.219-222
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• 1996

Superior hypogastric plexus block is extensively recognized as a unique nerve block method for the treatment of low abdominal pain originating from organs of the pelvic area. This block is difficult to perform on older patients, especially those with osteophyte, as they will experience a high degree of pain with this technique. Therefore we reported trans-discal superior hypogastric plexus by method of approach needle through disc. This method is less painful to the patient as compared to bilateral approach; and easier to place the needle tip at precise and proper location.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.277-281
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• 1994

Both pelvic pain associated with cancer and chronic benign conditions may be alleviated by blocking the superior hypogastric plexus. Traditional bilateral placement of needles is the appropriate technique for the patient with pelvic pain due to the bilateral distribution of the disease as well as allowing for individual difference of pelvic cavity. However the technique is a very difficult procedure and painful for the paient. However we have performed transdiscal superior hypogastric plexus neurolysis free of complication.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.59-63
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• 2018

Brachial plexus schwannomas are rare tumors. They are benign nerve sheath tumors and only about 5% of Schwannoma arise from the brachial plexus. Due to its rarity and complex anatomical location they can pose a formidable challenge to surgeons. We present a case of a young patient who presented with an supraclavicular swelling three months, that were proven to be schwannoma on histopathology.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.49-55
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• 2010

This study was performed to report the effect of oriental medical treatment and general biomechanic manipulation on a patient with upper limb palsy caused by postural brachial plexus injury. The patient was treated with acupuncture, herb medicine and general biomechanic manipulation. The effectiveness of treatment was evaluated with range of motion, visual analogue scale and manual muscle test. After 11 times treatment, motion and muscular force were progressed, pain was decreased. This result suggests that oriental medical treatment and general coordinative manipulation are effective to care the postural brachial plexus injury.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.202-207
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• 2000

Background: Superior hypogastric plexus block has been advocated as a useful technique for the treatment of cancer related pelvic pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of neurolytic trans-intervertebrodiscal superior hypogastric plexus block for pelvic cancer pain. Methods: Twenty-eight patients with gynecologic, colorectal or genitourinary cancer who suffered intractable pain were studied. We performed superior hypogastric plexus block by trans-intervertebrodiscal approach at L5/S1 level under the C-arm fluoroscopic guide unilaterally or bilaterally. Ten ml of 100% dehydrated alcohol was injected through each needle. We evaluated the change of visual analog pain score (VAS; 0~100 mm) and daily dose of oral morphine sulphate at the time of pre-block and 7 days after the block. Results: Fourteen patients (50%) had satisfactory pain relief (VAS<30) while five patients (18%) had moderate pain control (VAS 30~60). The remaining nine patients (32%) had mild or little pain relief (VAS>60) and their daily oral morphine doses were above 160 mg. Additional pain control method may be needed for those patients who received high dose of opioid before neurolytic block. Conclusions: We conclude trans-intervertebrodiscal neurolytic superior hypogastric plexus block was effective in relieving pelvic cancer pain. Neurolytic block, earlier stage, may provide better effects for more comfortable life at the end stage for cancer patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.267-269
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• 2012

Traumatic brachial plexus injuries can be devastating, causing partial to total denervation of the muscles of the upper extremities. Surgical reconstruction can restore motor and/or sensory function following nerve injuries. Direct nerve-to-nerve transfers can provide a closer nerve source to the target muscle, thereby enhancing the quality and rate of recovery. Restoration of elbow flexion is the primary goal for patients with brachial plexus injuries. A 4-year-old right-hand-dominant male sustained a fracture of the left scapula in a car accident. He was treated conservatively. After the accident, he presented with motor weakness of the left upper extremity. Shoulder abduction was grade 3 and elbow flexor was grade 0. Hand function was intact. Nerve conduction studies and an electromyogram were performed, which revealed left lateral and posterior cord brachial plexopathy with axonotmesis. He was admitted to Rehabilitation Medicine and treated. However, marked neurological dysfunction in the left upper extremity was still observed. Six months after trauma, under general anesthesia with the patient in the supine position, the brachial plexus was explored through infraclavicular and supraclavicular incisions. Each terminal branch was confirmed by electrophysiology. Avulsion of the C5 roots and absence of usable stump proximally were confirmed intraoperatively. Under a microscope, neurotization from the musculocutaneous nerve to two medial pectoral nerves was performed with nylon 8-0. Physical treatment and electrostimulation started 2 weeks postoperatively. At a 3-month postoperative visit, evidence of reinnervation of the elbow flexors was observed. At his last follow-up, 2 years following trauma, the patient had recovered Medical Research Council (MRC) grade 4+ elbow flexors. We propose that neurotization from medial pectoral nerves to musculocutaneous nerve can be used successfully to restore elbow flexion in patients with brachial plexus injuries.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.18-22
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• 2016

Background: The interscalene brachial plexus block is widely used for pain control and anesthetic purposes during shoulder arthroscopic surgeries and surgeries of the upper extremities. However, it is known that interscalene brachial plexus block is not appropriate for upper limb surgeries because it does not affect the lower trunk (C8-T1, ulnar nerve) of the brachial plexus. Methods: A low approach, ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block (LISB) was performed on twenty-eight patients undergoing surgery of the upper extremities. The patients were assessed five minutes and fifteen minutes after the block for the degree of block in each nerve and muscle as well as for any complications. Results: At five minutes and fifteen minutes after the performance of the block, the degree of the block in the ulnar nerve was found to be $2.8{\pm}2.6$ and $1.1{\pm}1.8$, respectively, based on a ten-point scale. Motor block occurred in the median nerve after fifteen minutes in 26 of the 28 patients (92.8%), and in all of the other three nerves in all 28 patients. None of the patients received additional analgesics, and none experienced complications. Conclusions: The present study confirmed the achievement of an appropriate sensory and motor block in the upper extremities, including the ulnar nerve, fifteen minutes after LISB, with no complications.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.158-163
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• 2011

Background: Although a brachial plexus block can be used to provide anesthesia and analgesia for upper extremity surgery, its effects using $MgSO_4$ on postoperative pain management have not been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate brachial plexus block using $MgSO_4$ on postoperative analgesia. Methods: Thirty-eight patients who were scheduled to undergo upper extremity surgery were randomly allocated into two groups: patients receiving axillary brachial plexus block with 0.2% ropivacaine 20 ml and normal saline 2 ml (group S) or 0.2% ropivacaine 20 ml and $MgSO_4$ 200 mg (group M). Before extubation, the blocks were done and patient controlled analgesia was started, and then, the patients were transported to a postanesthetic care unit. The postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS), opioid consumption, and side effects were recorded. Results: The two groups were similar regarding the demographic variables and the duration of the surgery. No differences in VAS scores were observed between the two groups. There was no statistically significant difference in opioid consumption between the two groups. Nausea was observed in three patients for each group. Conclusions: Axillary brachial plexus block using $MgSO_4$ did not reduce the level of postoperative pain and opioid consumption.