• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.220-227
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• 2019

Objectives: Parkinson's disease is the neurodegenerative disease that affects both motor and non-motor function, including postural instability. Camptocormia is an abnormal condition in which the thoracolumbar spine bends forward during walking or standing. However, the treatment options are limited and often not effective. The purpose of this study was to report on the Korean medical treatment of a Parkinson's disease patient with postural instability who presented with camptocormia. Methods: We used Korean medical treatment including herbal medicine (Jemageopung-tang), acupuncture and pharmacopuncture therapy to the patient who was admitted to the hospital for 21 days. The clinical symptoms were assessed with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and walking time without assistance. Results: After treatment, the UPDRS Parts 2 and 3 scores were decreased from 5 to 3 and 20 to 9, respectively. Also, the walking time without assistance was improved. Conclusion: This study suggested that Korean medical treatment could be an effective option for treating Parkinson's disease with postural instability.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.158-167
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• 2024

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of vertebral fracture (VF) in children with chronic liver disease (CLD) with and without liver transplantation (LT) and to determine the associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients aged 3-21 years with CLD both before and after LT were enrolled in the study. Lateral thoracolumbar spine radiographs were obtained and assessed for VF using Mäkitie's method. Clinical and biochemical data were collected. Results: We enrolled 147 patients (80 females; median age 8.8 years [interquartile range 6.0-11.8]; 110 [74.8%] in the LT group and 37 [25.2%] in the non-LT group). VF was identified in 21 patients (14.3%): 17/110 (15.5%) in the LT group and 4/37 (10.8%) in the non-LT group (p=0.54). Back pain was noted in only three patients with VF. In the univariate analysis, a height z-score below -2.0 (p=0.010), pre-LT hepatopulmonary syndrome (p=0.014), elevated serum direct and total bilirubin levels (p=0.037 and p=0.049, respectively), and vitamin D deficiency at 1-year post-LT (p=0.048) were associated with VF in the LT group. In multivariate analysis, height z-score below -2.0 was the only significant associated factor (odds ratio, 5.94; 95% confidence interval, 1.49-23.76; p=0.012) for VF. All VFs in the non-LT group were reported in males. Conclusion: In children with CLD, VF is common before and after LT. Most patients with VF are asymptomatic. Screening for VF should be considered in patients with a height z-score below -2.0 after LT.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.354-364
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• 1998

Purpose: Simple X-ray study and bone scan have limitations for early diagnosis of bone or bone marrow lesions in multiple myeloma. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of bone marrow immunoscintigraphy using anti-granulocyte monoclonal antibody for the evaluation of bone involvement in multiple myeloma. Materials and Methods: In 22 patients (Male: 15, Female: 7) with multiple myeloma, we performed whole-body immunoscintigraphy using $^{99m}Tc$-labelled antigranulocyte antibody (BW 250/183, Scintimum $Granulozyt^{(R)}$ CIS, France) and compared the findings with those of simple bone radiography and $^{99m}Tc$-MDP bone scan. Abnormal findings in bone marrow scintigraphy were, considered to be present in case of expansion of peripheral bone marrow or focal photon defect in axial bones. Results: Marrow expansion was noted in 15 of 22 patients (68%). Focal photon defects were found in 18 patients (82%). While one (33%) of 3 patients with Stage II disease showed focal defects in bone marrow scan, abnormal focal defects were observed in 17 of 19 (90%) patients with Stage III. Among 124 focal abnormal sites which were observed in bone marrow scan, bone scan or simple bone radiography, bone marrow scan detected 92 sites (74%), whereas 82 sites (66%) were observed in simple bone radiography(58 sites, 47%) or bone scan(40 sites, 32%). Fifty-one (41%) out of 124 bone lesions were detected by bone marrow scan only, and located mostly in thoracolumbar spine. Conclusion: Bone marrow scan using $^{99m}Tc$-labelled antigranulocyte antibody seems to be a more sensitive procedure for the detection of pathologic bone lesions than simple bone X-ray or bone scan in patients with multiple myeloma.