• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.55-61
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• 2009

Purpose: To analyze the clinical and radiologic results of the shoulder arthrodesis in brachial plexus injury patients with flail upper extremity. Material and Method: From Aug 1978 to April 2008, 29 shoulders in 29 patients with brachial plexus injury with shoulder fusion, we evaluated 20 shoulders in 20 patients, more than 1 year follow up. The average follow-up period was 6.45years (range: 1year~24years). There were 13 men and 7 women, and the mean age at the time of trauma was 32.0years(2~65 years). The type of injury was a motorcycle accident in 11 patients, in car accident in 5, pedestrian accident in 3, and fall from a height in 1. The lesion of injury was root and trunk in 1 patient, trunk and cord in 1, trunk in 18. Surgery was performed on the whole arm type paralysis in 12 patients, lower arm type paralysis in 8 patients. The preoperative visual analog scale score was 8.7(7~10). When the trapezius and serratus anterior muscle were in function, operation was performed. 18 patients were processed to the additional operation. Gracilis free flap in 6 patients, neurotization in 3, Steindler flexor plasty in 6, and tendon transfer in 3 were performed. Fixation was conducted with cancellous screws in 13 patients, Knoles pins in 5, and cancellous screws and Knoles pins in 2. The position of the arthrodesis at operation was $28.5^{\circ}$($20~45^{\circ}$) in abduction, $30.3^{\circ}$($20~45^{\circ}$) in flexion, and $30.8^{\circ}$($20~40^{\circ}$) in internal rotation. Result: The follow up visual analog scale score was 3.4(0~7). Postoperatively, shoulder spica cast was applied for 15.3weeks(8-20weeks). The median time to bony union was 17.7weeks(9~28weeks). Average range of motion was $32.0^{\circ}$($15~40^{\circ}$) of abduction, $24.0^{\circ}$($10~40^{\circ}$) of flexion, and $18.5^{\circ}$($10~30^{\circ}$)of internal rotation. Conclusion: The shoulder fusion in brachial plexus injury patients is one of the good methods to relieve pain, improve the function and stabilize the flail shoulder joint.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.130-135
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• 2009

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the normal morphometric landmarks of the uniting and dividing points of the brachial plexus (BP) in the periclavicular region to provide useful guidance in surgery of BP injuries. Methods: A total of 20 brachial plexuses were obtained from 10 adult, formalin-fixed cadavers. Distances were measured on the basis of the Chassaignac tubercle (CT), and the most lateral margin of the BP (LMBP) crossing the superior and inferior edge of the clavicle. Results: LMBP was located within 25 mm medially from the midpoint in all subjects. In the supraclavicular region, the upper trunk uniting at 21$\pm$7 mm from the CT, separating into divisions at 42$\pm$5 mm from the CT, and dividing at 19$\pm$4 mm from the LMBP crossing the superior edge of the clavicle. In the infraclavicular region, the distance from the inferior edge of the clavicle to the musculocutaneous nerve (MCN) origin was 49$\pm$12 mm, to the median nerve origin 57$\pm$7 mm, and the ulnar nerve origin 48$\pm$6 mm. From the lateral margin of the pectoralis minor to the MCN origin the distance averaged 3.3$\pm$10 mm. Mean diameter of the MCN was 4.3$\pm$1.1 mm (range, 2.5-6.0) in males (n = 6), and 3.1$\pm$1.5 mm (range, 1.6-4.0) in females (n = 4). Conclusion: We hope these data will aid in understanding the anatomy of the BP and in planning surgical treatment in BP injuries.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.225-230
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• 1997

Background: Authors modified the traditional continuous axillary brachial plexus block technique of Selander for purpose of increasing success rate and decreasing complications by use of commercial epidural anesthesia set. Method: Thirty-nine patients scheduled for upper extremity operations were injected with 40 ml of anesthetic solution by axillary perivascular technique, using 23~25G immobile needle at 2 cm from the pectoralis major. Tuohy needle was immediately introduced at 4 cm from the pectoralis major and pierced the expanded neurovascular sheath at an angle of 30 degree to the skin. The "pop" was well noted well. Needle was advanced 0.5 to 3.0 cm and epidural catheter introduced through the needle. After removal of needle, occlusive dressing was done. Tip of catheter and spread of solution were demonstrated by fluoroscopy with contrast dye after completion of procedure. Result: Catheter insertion was successful at first attempt for all case. Total length of insertion was from 6 to 13($10.0{\pm}1.7$) cm. Tip of catheter was placed in infraclavicular space(66.7%), about the humeral head(17.9%) and in upper arm in 3 cases as U-shape(7.9%). Catheters were maintained for $6.7{\pm}2.6$(3-12) days. There were no complications such as: perforation of major vessels, needle trauma to nerve, infection, bleeding or hematoma. Conclusion: This study demonstrated continuous axillary brachial plexus block with epidural anesthesia set is safe, easy and convenient modification of technique of Selander.

• The Academic Congress of Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.179-193
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• 2008

• Journal of the korean veterinary medical association
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• v.39 no.11
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• pp.989-991
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• 2003

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.491-493
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• 2015

The upper trunk of the brachial plexus is the most common area affected by neuralgic amyotrophy (NA), and paresis of the shoulder girdle muscle is the most prevalent manifestation. Posterior interosseous nerve palsy is a rare presentation in patients with NA. It results in dropped finger on the affected side and may be misdiagnosed as entrapment syndrome or compressive neuropathy. We report an unusual case of NA manifested as PIN palsy and suggest that knowledge of clinical NA phenotypes is crucial for early diagnosis of peripheral nerve palsies.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.22-25
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• 2015

Spasticity is a common impairment in patients with central nervous system disease. Clinical observation has demonstrated that spasticity can be aggravated by various factors such as emotional state as well as noxious stimuli. A 51-year-old male patient was scheduled for arteriovenous fistula surgery. He had right hemiplegia including motor weakness and spasticity. It was decided that the surgery would be performed under an axillary brachial plexus block (BPB). He appeared nervous when blockade was terminated. The spasticity of the right shoulder increased after ipsilateral BPB. However, when we administered sedative drugs and performed interscalene BPB 2 days later, spasticity did not occur. Exacerbation of spasticity might be evoked by an anxious emotional state. Thus, it seems to be good to consider removing of anxiety and using an appropriate approach when it is tried to perform nerve blocks in individuals with spasticity.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.261-264
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• 1993

A 26 year old male patient had admitted to the department of plastic surgery for the treatment of skin defect of forearm and spastic contracture of right hand, attributable to burn injury following carbon monoxide intoxication. After receiving skin graft the patients tenotomy of flexor tendons, the patients was consulted to pain clinic for further evaluation and treatment of allodynia, hyperalgesia, and hyperpathia with marked emotional insufficiency. The patient was treated with stellate ganglion blocks, intermittent or continuous epidural blocks, and intermittent brachial plexus blocks for 3 months. with this treatment the patient's pain level improved to(VAS 10 to 4~5) and was discharged. The patient was readmitted 3 months later, due to the aggrzvation of pain. Brachial plexus blocks were given again by interscalene, supraclavicular, or axillary route, sometimes using a catheter, together with cervical epidural blocks. Tricyclic antidepressant was also prescribed. The results were remarkably good(VAS 2~3) and the patient did not require any further analgesic medication.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.164-167
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• 2001

The etiology of neuralgia amyotrophy remains unclear. Herpes zoster induced neuralgia amyotrophy has been reported in extremely rare cases. In this case report, we describe the clinical features and electrophysiologic findings in a 68-year-old patient with neuralgia amyotrophy associated with herpes zoster infection. We suggest that brachial plexus inflammation due to viral infection may be a direct cause of reversible neuralgia amyotrophy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.1120-1126
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• 2001

Objective : The development of magnetic resonance neurography(MRN) has made it possible to produce highresolution images of peripheral nerves themselves, as well as associated intraneural and extraneural lesions. We evaluated the clinical application and utility of high-resolution MRN techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of peripheral nerve disorder(PND)s. Material and Method : MRN images were obtained using T1-weighted spin echo, T2-weighted fast spin echo with fat suppression, and short tau inversion recovery(STIR) fast spin-echo pulse sequences. Fifteen patients were studied, three with brachial plexus tumors, five with chronic entrapment syndromes, and seven with traumatic peripheral lesions. Ten patients underwent surgery. Results : In MRN with STIR sequences of axial and coronal imagings, signals of the peripheral nerves with various lesions were detected as fairly bright signals and were discerned from signals of the uninvolved nerves. Increased signal with proximal swelling and distal flattening of the median nerve were seen in all patients of carpal tunnel syndrome. Among the eight patients with brachial plexus injury or tumors, T2-weighted MRN showed increased signal intensity in involved roots in five, enhanced mass lesions in three, and traumatic pseudomeningocele in three. Other associated MRI findings were adjacent bony signal change, neuroma, root adhesion and denervated muscle atophy with signal change. Conclusion : MRN with high-resolution imaging can be useful in the preoperative evaluation and surgical planning in patients with peripheral nerve lesions.