• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.370-379
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• 2022

Abusive head trauma (AHT) is the most severe form of physical abuse in children. Such injury involves traumatic damage to the head and/or spine of infants and young children. The term AHT was introduced to include a wider range of injury mechanisms, such as intentional direct blow, throw, and even penetrating trauma by perpetuator(s). Currently, it is recommended to replace the former term, shaken baby syndrome, which implicates shaking as the only mechanism, with AHT to include diverse clinical and radiological manifestations. The consequences of AHT cause devastating medical, social and financial burdens on families, communities, and victims. The potential harm of AHT to the developing brain and spinal cord of the victims is tremendous. Many studies have reported that the adverse effects of AHT are various and serious, such as blindness, mental retardation, physical limitation of daily activities and even psychological problems. Therefore, appropriate vigilance for the early recognition and diagnosis of AHT is highly recommended to stop and prevent further injuries. The aim of this review is to summarize the relevant evidence concerning the early recognition and diagnosis of AHT. To recognize this severe type of child abuse early, all health care providers maintain a high index of suspicion and vigilance. Such suspicion can be initiated with careful and thorough history taking and physical examinations. Previously developed clinical prediction rules can be helpful for decision-making regarding starting an investigation when considering meaningful findings. Even the combination of biochemical markers may be useful to predict AHT. For a more confirmative evaluation, neuroradiological imaging is required to find AHT-specific findings. Moreover, timely consultation with ophthalmologists is needed to find a very specific finding, retinal hemorrhage.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.121-129
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• 2014

Objectives : Patients with cervical ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) are susceptible to cord injury, which often develops into myelopathic symptoms. However, little is known regarding the prognostic factors that are involved in minor trauma. We evaluated the relationship between minor trauma and neurological outcome of OPLL and investigated the prognostic factors with a focus on compressive factors and intramedullary signal intensity (SI). Methods : A total of 74 patients with cervical myelopathy caused by OPLL at more than three-levels were treated with posterior decompression surgeries. We surveyed the space available for spinal cord (SAC), the severity of SI change on T2-weighted image, and diabetes mellitus (DM). The neurological outcome using Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scale was assessed at admission and at 12-month follow-up. Results : Among the variables tested, preoperative JOA score, severity of intramedullary SI, SAC, and DM were significantly related to neurological outcome. The mean preoperative JOA were $11.3{\pm}1.9$ for the 41 patients who did not have histories of trauma and $8.0{\pm}3.1$ for the 33 patients who had suffered minor traumas (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the recovery ratios between those two groups. Conclusions : Initial neurological status and high intramedullary SI in the preoperative phase were related to poorer postoperative outcomes. Moreover, the patients with no histories of DM and larger SACs exhibited better improvement than did the patients with DM and smaller SACs. Although the initial JOA scores were worse for the minor trauma patients than did those who had no trauma prior to surgery, minor trauma exerted no direct effects on the surgical outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.485-491
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• 2016

Objective : The aims of the Korean Neuro-Trauma Data Bank System (KNTDBS) are to evaluate and improve treatment outcomes for brain trauma, prevent trauma, and provide data for research. Our purpose was to examine the mortality rates following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a retrospective study and to investigate the sociodemographic variables, characteristics, and causes of TBI-related death based on data from the KNTDBS. Methods : From 2010 to 2014, we analyzed the data of 2617 patients registered in the KNTDBS. The demographic characteristics of patients with TBI were investigated. We divided patients into 2 groups, survivors and nonsurvivors, and compared variables between the groups to investigate variables that are related to death after TBI. We also analyzed variables related to the interval between TBI and death, mortality by region, and cause of death in the nonsurvivor group. Results : The frequency of TBI in men was higher than that in women. With increasing age of the patients, the incidence of TBI also increased. Among 2617 patients, 688 patients (26.2%) underwent surgical treatment and 125 patients (4.7%) died. The age distributions of survivors vs. nonsurvivor groups and mortality rates according the severity of the brain injury, surgical treatment, and initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores were statistically significantly different. Among 125 hospitalized nonsurvivors, 70 patients (56%) died within 7 days and direct brain damage was the most common cause of death (80.8%). The time interval from TBI to death differed depending on the diagnosis, surgical or nonsurgical treatment, severity of brain injury, initial GCS score, and cause of death, and this difference was statistically significant. Conclusion : Using the KNTDBS, we identified epidemiology, mortality, and various factors related to nonsurvival. Building on our study, we should make a conscious effort to increase the survival duration and provide rapid and adequate treatment for TBI patients.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.174-182
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• 2020

Objectives: Joint injuries frequently lead to progressive joint degeneration that causes articular disc derangement, joint inflammation, and osteoarthritis. Such arthropathies that arise after trauma are defined as post-traumatic arthritis (PTA). Although PTA is well recognized in knee and elbow joints, PTA in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) has not been clearly defined. Interestingly, patients experiencing head and neck trauma without direct jaw fracture have displayed TMJ disease symptoms; however, definitive diagnosis and treatment options are not available. This study will analyze clinical aspects of PTA in TMJ and their treatment outcomes after joint arthrocentesis and lavage. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with history of trauma to the head and neck especially without jaw fracture were retrospectively studied. Those patients developed TMJ disease symptoms and were diagnosed by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. To decrease TMJ discomfort, arthrocentesis and lavage with or without conservative therapy were applied, and efficacy was evaluated by amount of mouth opening and pain scale. Statistical differences between pre- and post-treatment values were evaluated by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: Patient age varied widely between 20 and 80 years, and causes of trauma were diverse. Duration of disease onset was measured as 508 post-trauma days, and 85% of the patients sought clinic visit within 2 years after trauma. In addition, 85% of the patients showed TMJ disc derangement without reduction, and osteoarthritis was accompanied at the traumatized side or at both sides in 40% of the patients. After arthrocentesis or lavage, maximal mouth opening was significantly increased (28-44 mm on average, P<0.001) and pain scale was dramatically decreased (7.8-3.5 of 10, P<0.001); however, concomitant conservative therapy showed no difference in treatment outcome. Conclusion: The results of this study clarify the disease identity of PTA in TMJ and suggest early diagnosis and treatment options to manage PTA in TMJ.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.281-288
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• 1998

The authors treated a 30-years old female patient who visited the Department of Oral Medicine, PNUH due to the chief complaint of limitation of mouth opening. The magnetic resonance imaging following clinical examination was used for establishing an accurate and reliable diagnosis and the patient was diagnosed as having anterior disc displacement without reduction in the right joint and anterior disc displacement with reduction in the left joint. For managing acute anterior disc displacement without reduction, mandible manipulation was applied first focusing on pain control and then stabilization appliance was used for maintenance of joint stabilization. With time, the sign and symptom was remarkably reduced and an active exercise program was recommended to maintain of normal muscle length, increase joint range of motion and develop normal coordination arthrokinematics. As a result of treatment, the patient did not complain discomfort of normal daily activities and it was difficult to consider that the displace disc was not reduced completely, but the improvement in range of motion and joint mobility were remarkably found. Therefore, an exercise program should be considered to maintain joint mobility and be effective as a self-care.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.26-38
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explain a structural model of posttraumatic growth among psychiatric nurses based on existing models and a literature review and verify its effectiveness. Methods: Data were collected from psychiatric nurses in one special city, four metropolitan cities, and three regional cities from February to March 2016. Exogenous variables included hardiness and distress perception, while endogenous variables included self-disclosure, social support, deliberate rumination, and posttraumatic growth. Data from 489 psychiatric nurses were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 19.0 and AMOS 20.0. Results: The modified model was a good fit for the data. Tests on significance of the pathways of the modified model showed that nine of the 14 paths were supported, and the explanatory power of posttraumatic growth by included variables in the model was 69.2%. For posttraumatic growth among psychiatric nurses, deliberate rumination had a direct effect as the variable that had the largest influence. Indirect effects were found in the order of hardiness, social support, and distress perception. Self-disclosure showed both direct and indirect effects. Conclusion: A strategy to improve deliberate rumination is necessary when seeking to improve posttraumatic growth among psychiatric nurses. Enhancing psychiatric nurses' hardiness before trauma would enable them to actively express negative emotions after trauma, allowing them to receive more social support. This would improve deliberate rumination and consequently help promote psychological growth among psychiatric nurses who have experienced trauma.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2011

Background: This study aimed to evaluate processes from the mutual maintenance model in relation to daily functioning in patients with both chronic pain and a history of a traumatic experience. The mechanism illustrated the structural relations for daily functioning among pain intensity, hyperarousal, re-experiencing, trauma avoidance, and pain avoidance. Methods: Archival data (N = 214) was used for this study and data were analyzed for 142 chronic pain patients reporting a traumatic experience and seeking treatment at a tertiary pain clinic in Korea. Results: The results indicated that pain intensity, hyperarousal, and pain avoidance had significant direct effects on daily functioning. Also, pain intensity showed significant indirect effects on daily functioning through hyperarousal and pain avoidance; and hyperarousal through pain avoidance. Conclusions: Results suggest a direct contribution of high levels of pain, hyperarousal symptoms of PTSD, and pain avoidance behaviors to reduced daily functioning. Also, elevated pain as reminders of the trauma may trigger high levels of hyperarousal symptoms of PTSD. Subsequently, avoidant coping strategies may be used to minimize pain so that the trauma would not be re-experienced, thus inhibiting the activation of hyperarousal symptoms of PTSD. However, prolonged use of such strategies may contribute to decline in daily functioning.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2015

Purpose: Vascular injuries caused by traffic, industrial accidents and by outside activities have increased in Korea. Especially, vascular injuries to the extremities can lead to limb loss and even mortality if they are not appropriately treated. The aim of the study was to evaluate the surgical outcomes of femoropopliteal vascular management after trauma. Methods: The medical records of 12 patients with femoropopliteal vascular injuries who were treated at Dankook University Hospital from 2011 to 2013 were reviewed. Iatrogenic vascular injuries were excluded. The clinical data including the causes of injury, associated injuries and surgical outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. Results: All patients were male, with a mean age of $46.8{\pm}16.3years$ (range: 26~69 years). The causes of vascular injuries were four traffic accidents, three industrial accidents, two iron plates, one outside activity, one glass injury and one knife injury. The average transit time between the place of the accident place and the emergency department was $3.0{\pm}2.1$ (0.5~12.5) hours, and the average preparation time for surgery was $8.0{\pm}6.7$ (1.7~23.3) hours. The anatomic injuries included the popliteal vessel in seven cases and the femoral vessel in five cases. The average Injury Severity Score (ISS) was $12.0{\pm}5.0$ (5~17), and the average Mangled Extremity Severity Score (MESS) was $5.7{\pm}2.1$ (2~9). The operation methods were four interposition grafts, three end-to-end anastomoses, two direct repairs and three patch angioplasties. One case required amputation of the injured extremity. Conclusion: Early recognition and revascularization of the injured vessel are mandatory to reduce limb loss and to obtain satisfactory outcomes. Therefore, careful/rapid evaluation of the vascular injuries and timely/successful surgical treatment are the keys to salvaging an injured limb.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-33
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• 2024

This study analyzed the experiences of victims of state violence, discovered differences between state violence and general trauma, and proposed ways to help heal trauma. Participants were composed of state violence victims and their families in total, including 11 from the Jeju 43 Incident, 11 from the Yeos u·Sunchoen 10.19 Incident and 6 form May 18th Democratic Uprising. As a result of using the grounded theory to analyze data, a total of 170 concepts, 57 subcategories, and 20 categories were derived. The central phenomenon was direct damage caused by state violence. This included 'post-traumatic stress', 'social stigma', 'isolation from community', 'socio-economical issues' and 'family dissolution'. As a result of the process analysis, the participants experienced six phases: 'trauma', 'isolation', 'resistance', 'resignation', 'recovery', and 'growth.' Each phase is sequential but at the time mutually affect each other. Based on the results, this study verified the difference between state violence and general trauma, and emphasized social and cultural factors, such as community support, were important factors in healing state violence trauma. Besides, the implications and limitations as well as suggestions for future research were mentioned.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.323-326
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• 2007

Direct carotid-cavernous fistula [CCF] is a common post-traumatic disease. However, pseudoaneurysm formation after balloon occlusion is a rare complication. The author present such a case with review of the literature. A 26-year-old man involved in a motor vehicle accident as a driver. Only mild conjunctival injection and minimal exophthalmos on the right eye were noted after trauma. However, angiography revealed a direct CCF and dissection of the proximal intracranial internal carotid artery [ICA]. After first balloon occlusion of the CCF, the patient redeveloped fistula due to early deflation of the balloon. After the second balloon occlusion, pseudoaneurysm and diplopia were developed with the change of balloon position and shape. However, visual symptom spontaneously resolved and pseudoaneurysm was also decreased within 6 months after balloon occlusion.