• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.1
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• pp.12-23
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• 2023

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN) is a rare disease that must be differentiated from trigeminal neuralgia. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of anatomy, pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, and several options of treatment for GPN. Lessons learned through our experience of treating GPN are presented in detail, as well as cases of misdiagnosis and diagnostic pitfalls. Microvascular decompression (MVD) should be primarily considered for medically intractable GPN. Techniques employed in MVD for GPN are categorized and described. Especially, we underscore the advantages of the 'transposition' technique where insulating material is positioned 'off' the root entry zone (REZ), instead of 'on' it. We believe this 'off-the-REZ' technique can fundamentally prevent recurrence, if applicable. In addition, Gamma Knife radiosurgery can be an alternative option when a patient is ineligible for MVD, though it is categorized as a destructive procedure.

• Proceedings of the KACD Conference
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• 2001.05a
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• pp.252-252
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• 2001

;The Varicella zoster virus can cause two infectious diseases. The primary infection of this virus leads to Chicken pox and it goes into a latent period until it reveals itself again. When secondarily shown. it is called Herpes Zoster. Herpes Zoster can usually be seen between T-3 and L-2 of immunodepressant patients but in 13%. it is seen in the trigeminal nerve branch. During the predrominal stage. burning sensation, itching. and sharp pain can be experienced unilaterally where the nerve branch is distributed. Patients can also express tooth pain in this stage. After 2-4 days the acute stage begins with its characteristic unilateral macule showing vesicle formation. In this stage fever and fatigue can be experienced. Continuous pain even after the acute stage is called postherpetic neuralgia; deep pain and burning sensation can be expressed by the patient. The sequelae of this disease consists of rare osteomyelitis. necrosis of the jaws. or loss of teeth.teeth.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.207-216
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• 2009

Trigeminal neuralgia is defined "a sudden, usually unilateral, severe, brief, stabbing, recurrent pain in the distribution of one or more branches of the fifth cranial nerve". The initial treatment of choice for trigeminal neuralgia is medical therapy. In patients with medically intractable pain or intolerable medication side effects, invasive therapeutic approaches are often necessary. Based on the amount of evidence and estimated efficacy, carbamazepine is the drug of choice in the management of trigeminal neuralgia. In case of insufficient or no response to carbamazepine, second-line drugs can be added. In this study, the author tried to review and analyzed the cases of 90 patients whom had visited for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia at the Department of Oral Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital from 2003 to 2008. The results were as follows: 1. Trigeminal neuralgia was significantly more common with advancing age, and nearly twice as common in women than men (ratio of 2.1:1) 2. The maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve involved most often (51.1%), and the right side of the face is affected more commonly than the left (ratio of 2.9:1). 3. 85(94.4%) patients had experiences visiting medical or dental specialties before being referred to the Department of Oral Medicine. 4. 40(44.4%) patients with trigeminal neuralgia had systemic diseases. 5. Treatment with carbamazepine monotherapy was satisfactory initially in 69(76.7%) the patients, and the mean daily dose of carbamazepine was 402.9mg. On the other hand, 16(17.8%) patients expressed effectiveness after combination therapy of carbamazepine and other drugs. 6. Of the 69 patients who had a good initial response to carbamazepine monotherapy, 18 patients became resistant, so that combination therapy of carbamazepine and other drugs were necessary. 7. 54(60%) patients developed side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, blood dyscrasias, skin rash and constipation, and 11 of the patients decided to stop tmedicaion due to side effects.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.337-340
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• 2008

Purpose: Herpes zoster is a common dermatologic disease characterized by unilateral pain and vesicular lesions over the unilateral sensory dermatomes being caused by the reactivation of Varicella zoster virus and its incidence seems to be increasing recently. In case of involving the ganglion of the fifth cranial nerve(trigeminal nerve), it can descend down the affected nerve into skin, then producing an eruption in the dermatome. Among the patients, about 40 - 50% had associated conditions such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, pulmonary tuberculosis, liver diseases, peptic ulcer, hypothyroidism, pharyngitis but rare facial trauma. Methods: Retrospective study was done for 3 cases of Herpes zoster from May 2000 to May 2007, which had been treated with acyclovir and steroid. Results: The clinical course was uneventful. Follow-up length was about 3 months. After treatment, the patients became stable and there was no complications. Conclusion: Herpes zoster was commonly associated with systemic disorders and the treatment duration was prolonged in associated diseases. But herpes zoster occurring specifically at the site of previously traumatized facial skin has not yet been reported. We experienced the treatment of herpes zoster developing within recent operative facial scar and three cases are presented with the review of literatures. Finally, facial trauma might be a risk factor for herpes zoster in traumatized patients.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 2009

The maxilla rarely undergoes necrosis due to its rich vascularity. Maxillary necrosis can occur due to bacterial infections such as osteomyelitis. viral infections such as herpes zoster and fungal infections such as mucormycosis, aspergillosis etc. Herpes zoster is a common viral infection, the oral soft tissue manifestations of which are widely known and recognized. Extremely rare complications such as osteonecrosis, and secondary osteomyelitis in maxilla were observed. But, reports of spontaneous tooth exfoliation and jaw osteonecrosis following herpes zoster infection in the distribution of the trigeminal nerve are extremely rare in the literature. We report a case of maxillary necrosis by herpes zoster in an uncontrolled diabetic patient. There was extensive necrosis of the buccal and palatal mucoperiosteum and exposure of the alveolar bone. This patient was successfully treated using a removal of necrotic bone and nasolabial flap. We briefly discuss different diseases which can lead to maxillary necrosis and a review. Analysis of the pathogenesis of herpes zoster and bone necrosis are discussed.

• Journal of Electrodiagnosis and Neuromuscular Diseases
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.144-147
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• 2018

Although dysgeusia can occur as a consequence of stroke attacks, many physicians and patients tend to overlook it. A 50-year old woman complained of a 2-week history of abnormal sense of taste on the anterior two-thirds of right tongue. Blink reflex test demonstrated prolonged ipsilateral and contralateral R2 responses with the right supraorbital nerve stimulations, which suggest the lesion on the descending pathway. Brainstem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated abnormal findings in the right lower dorsal pons, anterior to 4th ventricle, lateral to inferior colliculus, and at the level of the pontomedullary junction, which was compatible with solitary tract nucleus and spinal trigeminal nucleus. Brainstem infarction should be considered in patients who have abnormal sense of taste. Additionally, blink reflex test may be helpful for the detection of central origin dysgeusia.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.47-56
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• 2024

Background: Among the various pain-related diseases that can be encountered at the clinic, there is a neuropathic pain that is difficult to treat. Numerous methods have been proposed to treat neuropathic pain, such as taking medication, nerve block with lidocaine, or neurolysis with alcohol or phenol. Recently, a method of perineural injection using dextrose instead of lidocaine was proposed. This study was designed to compare the effects of perineural injection therapy (PIT) with buffered 5% dextrose or 0.5% lidocaine on neuropathic pain. Methods: The data were collected from the database of pain clinic from August 1st, 2019 to December 31st, 2022 without any personal information. The inclusion criteria were patients diagnosed with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), trigeminal neuralgia (TN), complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), or peripheral neuropathy (PN), and patients who had undergone PIT with buffered 5% dextrose (Dextrose group) or 0.5% lidocaine (Lidocaine group) for pain control. The data of patients, namely sex, age, and pain score (numerical rating scale, NRS) were collected before PIT. The data of NRS, side effects, and satisfaction grade (excellent, good, fair, or poor) were collected one week after each of the four PIT, and two weeks after the last PIT. Results: Overall, 112 subjects were enrolled. The Dextrose group included 89 and Lidocaine group included 23 patients. Because the number of patients in the Lidocaine group was too small to allow statistical analysis, the trend in Lidocaine group was just observed in each disease. There were no significant side effects except for a few bruise cases on the site of injection in all groups. The NRS in most Dextrose groups except CRPS were reduced significantly; however, the Lidocaine group showed a trend of pain reduction only in PHN. The Dextrose group except CRPS showed increased satisfaction two weeks after the final PIT. Conclusion: From the results, it is suggested that PIT with buffered 5% dextrose may have a good effect for neuropathic pain without any side effect except for patients with CRPS. This may offer a window into a new tool that practitioners can employ in their quest to help patients with neuropathic pain.