• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.41-48
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• 2009

Objectives : The conventional direct and indirect moxibustion therapies for prostate treatment could not been applied to the acupuncture point of $CV_1$(Conception Vessel Meridian 1, 會陰) because of its boring body region. The position of $CV_1$(會陰) is the back side of hard part between the anus and the genital organ. The conventional moxibustion methods have many troubles in operating to the acupuncture point of $CV_1$(會陰). In order to get rid of these problems, we have suggested the special heat generating terminal especially for prostate. The features of the special heat generating terminal for prostate are the low temperature infrared heater and the adhesive moxa-pad. These features are no burnt, no fiery and especially suitable for the point of $CV_1$(會陰). Methods: The heat generating terminal which is a part of the moxa-extract moxibustion cauterizer is composed of a PTC(Positive Temperature Coefficients) ceramic heater and the adhesive moxa-pad We had got the experimental demonstrations by the stimulating the acupuncture points which are $CV_1$(會陰), $BL_{28}$(Bladder Meridian 28, 膀胱兪), and $CV_3$(Conception Vessel Meridian 3, 中極) with the special heat generating terminal for the prostatitis and the benign prosthetic hypertrophy. And the stimulation level was 43$^{\circ}C$ infrared heat for one hour. The type of thermography is IRIS-5000. Results : With one subject suffering the prostatitis and another subject suffering the benign prosthetic hypertrophy, we cauterized the acupuncture points $CV_1$(會陰), $BL_{28}$(膀胱兪) and $CV_3$(中極) with the special heat generating terminal for prostate. We measured the temperature variations by the thermography before and after stimulations. Finally we estimated the tendency of temperature decreasing in the region of post-stroke urinary symptoms and the improvement of nocturnal enuresis after the stimulations. Conclusions : We suggest that the special heat generating terminal of moxa-extract moxibustion cauterizer proposed herein is effective for the treatment of prostate by NIH-CPSI and IPSS.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.438-449
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• 2009

Objectives: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common complication among stroke patients. The implication of DVT progressing into a fatal pulmonary embolism is one of the main reasons treatment cannot be delayed. However, when there is a contradiction for anticoagulants, such intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), it is difficult to determine the course of treatment. Our team reports a case with both acute DVT and ICH who improved with herbal medicine Hyulbuchuko-tang. Methods : A patient with a variety of thrombosis risk factors (atrial fibrillation, DVT, Cb-inf with intracranial hemorrhage due to thrombolytic complications) showed classic symptoms of DVT (pain, edema, discoloration), disorientation and chest discomfort. The patient was administered Hyulbuchuko-tang three times a day for 24 days without any anticoagulants. Conservative therapy including elastic stocking and leg elevation was co-administered. Laboratory tests and extremity vascular Doppler sonography were carried out 3 times during the treatment period. Results : After our treatment period, both popliteal vein DVT and calf vein DVT were not discovered by sonography, and thrombosis derived factors (eg. D-dimer, fibrinogen) decreased. There was no sign of edema or discoloration after treatment, and the patient no longer complained of leg pain, disorientation or chest discomfort. Conclusion : From these results, we suggest that there is a positive effect of Hyulbuchuko-tang on DVT. Hyulbuchuko-tang should be considered as a treatment option when western medical procedures are unavailable.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.117-128
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Joganiknoe-tang on diplopia and ptosis from cerebrovascular disease. Methods : We recruited 2 patients who have diplopia and ptosis because of cerebrovascular disease. In addition, the patients had been administrated by Joganiknoe-tang. Diplopia and ptosis of patients had been estimated with VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) and difference of both eye's interpalpebral fissure. We measured VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) and difference of both eye's interpalpebral fissure for every five days Results : After the treatments, symptoms were decreased and almost disappeared. In both cases, diplopia patients complained decreased from VAS 10 to VAS 1, and difference of both eye's interpalpebral fissure disappeared Conclusions : This study suggests that Joganiknoe-tang is significantly effective on diplopia and ptosis because of cerebrovascular disease.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2022

Background: Robot-assisted repair of atrial septal defect (ASD) can be performed under either beating-heart or non-beating-heart conditions. However, the risk of cerebral air embolism (i.e., stroke) is a concern in the beating-heart approach. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of beating- and non-beating-heart approaches in robot-assisted ASD repair. Methods: From 2010 to 2019, a total of 45 patients (mean age, 43.4±14.6 years; range, 19-79 years) underwent ASD repair using the da Vinci robotic surgical system. Twenty-seven of these cases were performed on a beating heart (beating-heart group, n=27) and the other cases were performed on an arrested or fibrillating heart (non-beating-heart group, n=18). Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was achieved via cannulation of the femoral vessels and the right internal jugular vein in all patients. Results: Complete ASD closure was verified using intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography in all patients. Conversion to open surgery was not performed in any cases, and there were no major complications. All patients recovered from anesthesia without any immediate postoperative neurologic symptoms. In a subgroup analysis of isolated ASD patch repair (beating-heart group: n=22 vs. non-beating-heart group: n=5), the operation time and CPB time were shorter in the beating-heart group (234±38 vs. 253±29 minutes, p=0.133 and 113±28 vs. 143±29 minutes, p=0.034, respectively). Conclusion: Robot-assisted ASD repair can be safely performed with the beating-heart approach. No additional risk in terms of cerebral embolism was found in the beating-heart group.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.371-380
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• 1998

Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) is an autoimmune disease which may affect many different organs and disclose various clinical manifestations. Recently central nervous system(CNS) involvement has been recognized as an increasingly significant contributor to morbidity and mortality of SLE. The clinical manifestations of CNS-lupus are highly variable and range from mild cognitive dysfunction, movement disorder, headache, psychosis to life-threatening stroke and coma. Among the neuropsychiatric disorders encountered in patients with SLE, cerebrovascular disease has been a relatively rare complication. The diagnosis and management of CNS-lupus is difficult because of the lack of useful diagnostic methods. If cerebrovascular involvement is suspected, aggressive treatment such as high dose steroid, immunosuppressive therapy, plasma exchange may be required to reduce high mortality rate. We experienced 2 cases cerebrovascular dis eases occurring in SLE patients which presented with various neuropsychiatric manifestations. They were diagnosed as CNS-lupus by neuropsychiatric symptoms, brain MRI, and BEG, and showed good response to high dose steroid pulse therapy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.171-179
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of physical therapy provided at home on the motor function, activity of daily living (ADL), and level of pain in veterans men with disabilities, and to provide the information. METHODS: The participants were 108 patients men with disabilities living in the cities Seoul, Pusan, Daegu, Gwangju and Daejeon; they performed physical therapy at home-provided by physical therapy services- that included therapeutic exercise for 50 minute, 1~2 times a week for 24 weeks. The motor function was measured by using motor assessment scale (MAS) and ADL, the level of pain were recorded both before and after physical therapy. The data form both before and after physical therapy were analyzed by using the paired t-test. All statistical tests in this study were performed with the level of significance set at .05. RESULTS: After 24 weeks of physical therapy, we observed significant improvement in the MAS and ADL scale, as well as significant decrease in the level fo pain in the participants (p<.01). Significant improvement was also observed in the MAS and ADL scale, as well as a decrease in the level of pain among participants with stroke and spinal disease (p<.05). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study show that physical therapy provided at home can lead to an improvement in the motor function as well as improved ADL and pain control; physical therapy also has positive effects in relieving symptoms of veterans with disabilities.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.81-85
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• 2013

Objective : Transfemoral catheter angiography (TFCA) is a basic procedure in neurovascular surgery with increasing importance in surgical and non-invasive treatments. Unfortunately, resident neurosurgeons have relatively few opportunities to perform TFCA in most institutions. We report a method developed in our hospital for training resident neurosurgeons to perform TFCA and evaluate the efficacy of this training. Methods : From May 2011 to September 2011, a total of 112 consecutive patients underwent TFCA by one resident neurosurgeon supervised by two neuroendovascular specialists. Patients who underwent elective diagnostic procedures were included in this study. Patients who underwent endovascular treatment were excluded. Demographic data, indications for TFCA, side of approach, number of selected arteries, and complications were analyzed. Results : This study included 64 males and 48 females with a mean age of 51.6 (12-81) years. All procedures were performed in the angiography suite. Common indications for procedures were as follows : stroke-induced symptoms in 61 patients (54.5%), Moyamoya disease and arteriovenous malformation in 13 patients (11.6%), and unruptured intracranial aneurysm in eight patients (7.1%). Right and left femoral puncture was performed in 98.2% and 1.8% of patients, respectively. A total of 465 selective angiographies were performed without complications. Angiographic examination was performed on 4.15 vessels per patient. Conclusion : TFCA can be performed safely by resident neurosurgeons based on anatomical study and a meticulous protocol under the careful supervision of neuroendovascular specialists.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 2014

In traditional Korean and Chinese medicine, safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) for the treatment of central nervous system-related symptoms such as tremor, seizure, stroke and epilepsy. We investigated the effects of safflower could influence cerebral ischemia-induced neuronal and cognitive impairments. Administration of safflower for 1 day (200 mg/kg body weight, p.o.) increased the survival of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons after transient global brain ischemia. And neurological functions measured as short term memory. Post-treatment with safflower for 2 times decreased the induction/reduction - induced production of neuronal cell loss from global cerebral ischemia. Safflower markedly decreased neuronal cell death and also caused a decrease in the content of thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS) ($55.2{\pm}9.4{\mu}mol\;mg^{-1}$) and significant improvement of activities of glutathione (GSH) ($27.2{\pm}5.0{\mu}mol\;mg^{-1}$) in hippocampus. We conclude that treatment with safflower attenuated learning and memory deficits, and neuronal cell loss induced by global cerebral ischemia. These results suggest that safflower may be a potential candidate for the treatment of vascular dementia.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.5
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• pp.1281-1286
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• 2021

Brainstem infarction due to vertebrobasilar insufficiency is a rare initial presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and small-vessel dissection as the direct cause of infarction has not been reported. We report the case of a 20-year-old female with acute infarction on the right side of the pons due to a small artery (pontine perforator) dissection, identified on digital subtraction angiography and high-resolution vessel wall MRI (vwMRI). She was diagnosed with SLE based on the presence of neurologic disorders and relevant laboratory findings. The pontine perforator-dissecting aneurysm had occluded and the right distal vertebral artery had resolved on subsequent vwMRI. She had a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 1 at discharge with mild symptom improvement, and exhibited no further aggravation of symptoms at 3 or 12 months, maintaining an mRS score of 1.