• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.186-189
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• 2007

The most important factors for successful stimulation of the spinal cord are strict patient selection and proper lead position. To ensure proper lead position, paresthesia produced by the stimulator should cover all of the areas in which pain is occurring. Until recently, only the quadripolar electrode lead has been used in for spinal cord stimulation in Korea, however, the 8 electrode lead was recently introduced to offer greater programming options and enhance the precision with which paresthesias is delivered to the desired sites. In addition, because the 8-electrode lead has a longer electrode span, it provides greater dermatomal coverage of up to 2 vertebral segments. Furthermore, the 8-electrode lead allows electronic repositioning of the stimulation to accommodate changing pain patterns, thereby reducing the need for lead revisions due to lead migration. Here, we present a case in which complex regional pain syndrome type I was successfully managed using an 8-electrode lead to induce spinal cord stimulation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.68-71
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• 2006

Spinal subdural hematoma[SSDH] is rare disease. Furthermore, it rarely occurs as a complication of intracranial surgery. There are few case reports which describing SSDH after craniotomy. Although the exact pathogenetic mechanism is obscure, some investigators propose that downward migration of intracranial hematoma by the effect of gravity is one of the cause of SSDH, and which is commonly suggested. But others propose that cerebrospinal fluid[CSF] hypotension is an another possible mechanism In this paper, we report two cases of SSDH after clipping of an aneurysmal neck.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.439-442
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• 1996

Continuous epidural analgesia has been used widely for chronic pain control, especially in cancer patients. As one of the complications, paraplegia developed during continuous epidural analgesia may be caused by epidural abscess, epidural hematoma, neural damage, chronic adhesive arachnoiditis, anterior spinal artery syndrome, delayed migration of extradural catheter into subdural space or subarachnoid space and preexisting disease. A 55-years-old male with lung cancer was implanted with continuous thoracic epidural catheter for pain control. Twenty days after catheterization, moderate back pain, weakness of lower extremity and urinary difficulty were developed. We suspected epidural abscess at first and made differential diagnosis with MRI which showed metastatic cancer at T2-4 spine, And compressed spinal cord was the main cause of the lower extremity paralysis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.64-67
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• 2010

Although very rare, a few cases of intradural extramedullary (IDEM) spinal tumor migration have been reported since Tomimatsu first reported a mobile schwannoma of the cervical cord in 1974. Schwan noma is a neurogenic tumor which originates from nerve sheath that it is relatively well-marginated tumor with little attachment or adhesion to surrounding tissue. Mobility of tumor in spinal canal sometimes can result in negative exploration at the expected area. We found three interesting cases in which different tumor locations observed in repeated magnetic resonance image (MRI) findings. All tumors were intradural and extramedullary schwannoma. We reviewed the literature about moving tumor in the spine through PUBMED search.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.156-158
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• 2012

Intervertebral intradural lumbar disc herniation (ILDH) is a quite rare pathology, and isolated intradural lumbar disc herniation is even more rare. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may not be able to reveal ILDHs, especially if MRI findings show an intact lumbar disc annulus and posterior longitudinal ligament. Here, we present an exceedingly rare case of an isolated IDLH that we initially misidentified as a spinal intradural tumor, in a 54-year-old man hospitalized with a 2-month history of back pain and right sciatica. Neurologic examination revealed a positive straight leg raise test on the right side, but he presented no other sensory, motor, or sphincter disturbances. A gadolinium-enhanced MRI revealed what we believed to be an intradural extramedullary tumor compressing the cauda equina leftward in the thecal sac, at the L2 vertebral level. The patient underwent total L2 laminectomy, and we extirpated the intradural mass under microscopic guidance. Histologic examination of the mass revealed a degenerated nucleus pulposus.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.485-488
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• 2010

Purpose: Paragonimiasis is infectious disease occurred by Paragonimus Westermani, which invades into human body as a final host. Habitual eating the freshwater crab or crawfish unboiled is one of the reason of infection. Paragonimiasis raged in 1970s in Korea, Japan, China and other Asian countries but the incidence decreased rapidly. Once people eat infected second host, parasite penetrates the duodenal wall and migrates to the lung. During this migration period, the parasite can migrate to other organ, such as brain, spinal cord, liver and subcutaneous tissue, but the cases are rarely reported. The objective of our study is to present our experience of the ectopic migration of parasite to the subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen, which was easily treated with excision and Praziquantel medication. Methods: A 59-year-old woman who likes eating unboiled freshwater crab was diagnosed as Paragonimiasis 15 months ago. Her symptoms were fever and cough, and she was treated with Praziquantel medication. 3 months after discharge, she visited our hospital with left pleuritic chest pain, cough with fever, and palpable mass formation on left lower quadrant of the abdomen. Wedge resection of the left lung and Praziquantel medication was maintained for a week. Nevertheless, fever persisted after the treatment. The patient received total excision of the abdominal soft tissue mass, and the fever was relieved. Results: Pathologic findings of the mass showed multiple cyst and abscess formation with crystal structure which is suspicious parts of the parasite or calcified egg shells. Uncontrolled fever was relieved after the operation, and there was no evidence of recurrent Paragonimiasis and ectopic migration for 1 year follow up period. Conclusion: Ectopic migration of Paragonimus is rare, but multiple organ can be involved. Patient with Paragominiasis who was refractory in fever control after Praziquantel medication or surgical evaluation of the lung should be considered as ectopic migration of the Paragonimiasis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.245-247
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• 2011

There were only a few reports of mercury on pulmonary artery. However, there is no data on surgery related mercury dissemination. The objective of the present article is to describe one case of postoperative injected mercury dissemination. A 19-year-old man presented severe neck pain including meningeal irritation sign and abdominal pain after injection of mercury for the purpose of suicide. Radiologic study showed injected mercury in the neck involving high cervical epidural space and subcutaneous layer of abdomen. Partial hemilaminectomy and open mercury evacuation of spinal canal was performed. For the removal of abdominal subcutaneous mercury, C-arm guided needle aspiration was done. After surgery, radiologic study showed disseminated mercury in the lung, heart, skull base and low spinal canal. Neck pain and abdominal pain were improved after surgery. During 1 month after surgery, there was no symptom of mercury intoxication except increased mercury concentration of urine, blood and hair. We assumed the bone work during surgery might have caused mercury dissemination. Therefore, we recommend minimal invasive surgical technique for removal of injected mercury. If open exposures are needed, cautious surgical technique to prohibit mercury dissemination is necessary and normal barrier should be protected to prevent the migration of mercury.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.16-25
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• 2002

Low energy laser irradiation(LELI) therapy in physical therapy is widespread but the mechanisms are not fully understood. The purpose of the present study was to examine the epidermal growth factor(EGF)'s expression within lumbar spinal cord which corresponding with crushed extensor digitorum longus(EDL) of rats after low-power laser irradiation applied. After a crushed injury on the right EDL, low-power laser irradiation was applied by using 2000mW, 2000Hz, 830nm GaAlAs(Gallium-aluminum-arsenide) semiconductor diode laser. The laser treatment was performed with 10 minutes daily for 3days. After EDL crush injury, EGF immunoreactive positive neurons in experimental group were progressively decreased from the first to third days. Especially 1 day subgroup is highly expressed in dorsal horn(Lamina I, II, III) and around of central cannal of spinal cord(Lamina VII). Control group was only expressed slightly at 3 days. This study suggests that LELI stimulate that release and migration of EGF in spinal cord, which distict to wound site, therfore promote wound healing of EDL crush injury.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.435-441
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• 2005

Objective : Expandable cage used for spinal reconstruction after corpectomy has several advantages over nonexpendable cages. Here we present our clinical experience with the use of this cage after anterior column corpectomy with an average of one year follow up. Methods : Ten patients underwent expandable cage reconstruction of the anterior column after single-level or multilevel corpectomy for various cervical spinal disorders. Anterior plating with or without additional posterior instrumentation were performed in all patients. Functional outcomes, complications, and radiographic outcomes were determined. Results : There was no cage-related complication. Functionally, neurological examination revealed improvement in 7 of 10 patients and no patient had neurological deterioration after the surgery. Immediate stability was achieved and maintained throughout the period of follow-up. There was minimal subsidence [<2mm] noticeable in three of the cases that underwent a two-level corpectomy. Subsidence was noted in osteoporotic patients and patients undergoing multi-level corpectomies. Average pre-operative kyphotic angle was 9 degrees. This was corrected to an average of 5.4 degrees in lordosis postoperatively. Conclusion : In conclusion, expandable cages are safe and effective devices for vertebral body replacement after cervical corpectomy when used in combination with anterior plating with or without additional posterior stabilization. The advantages of using expandable cages include its ability to easily accommodate itself into the corpectomy defect, its ability to tightly purchase into the end plates after expansion and thus minimizing the potential for migration, and finally, its ability to correct kyphosis deformity via its in vivo expansion properties.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2016

Background: Sacral nerve stimulation is a therapeutic option with demonstrated efficacy for conditions presenting with perineal pain caused by different etiologies. We aimed to assess whether a sacral electrode ($Interstim^{(R)}$, Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) inserted through the caudal pathway is able to offer an acceptable level of sacral stimulation and rate of catheter migration. Methods: We present 12 patients with pelvic pain who received sacral neuromodulation via the sacral hiatus with the InterStim electrode. We evaluated patient satisfaction as well as migration and removal of the electrode, if necessary. Results: Our experience included 12 patients, 10 women and two men, with a mean age of 60 years. In eight of the 12 patients, the initial therapy was effective, and the final system implantation was performed. During subsequent follow-up, patient satisfaction was good. To date, there have been no cases of electrode displacement or migration. Conclusions: The caudal insertion of the InterStim electrode, with its own fixation system, and initially designed for transsacral insertion, appears in our experience to be a satisfactory option which can minimize electrode displacements, achieving similar results in therapeutic efficacy and causing no difficulties in removal.