• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2010

Background: Although quantitative sensory test (QST) is being used with increasing frequency for measuring sensory thresholds in clinical practice and epidemiologic studies, there has been no age-matched normative data in Korean adults. The objective of this study is to evaluate the value of QST in diabetic polyneuropathy with normal range in Korean adults. Methods: The Computer Aided Sensory Examination IV 4,2 (WR Medical Electronics Co., Stillwater, Minnesota, U.S.A.), with 4,2,1 stepping algorithm was used to determine vibration and cold perception threshold in 70 normal controls and 19 patients with diabetic polyneuropathy aged from 21 to 79 years. The data were used to define age-matched upper and lower normal limits and normal range of side to side difference. We also evaluated the duration of diabetes, serum HbA1C level, and findings of nerve conduction study (NCS) and QST in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. Results: In normal adults, sensory thresholds slightly increased with age, and a slight side-to-side difference was observed. The diagnostic sensitivity of QST was not higher than NCS in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy (36.8% vs. 42.1%, p=0.716), especially among elderly patients. Conclusions: QST might be used as a complementary test for NCS in the diagnosis of diabetic polyneuropathy. Although the QST is a simple method for the evaluation of peripheral nerve function, there are some limitations. Most of all, because the QST measuring is dependent on the subjective response of patients, the degree of concentration and cooperation of the patients can significantly affect the result. And thus, attention should be paid during the interpretation of QST results in patients with peripheral neuropathy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.494-502
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• 2018

Objective : The loosening of pedicle screws (PS) is one of the frequent problems of spinal surgery in the patients with osteoporosis. Previous studies had revealed that intermittent injection of teriparatide could reduce PS loosening by improving bone mass and quality when their patients took parathyroid hormone for a considerable duration before surgery. However, although the teriparatide is usually used after spine surgery in most clinical situations, there was no report on the efficacy of teriparatide treatment started after spine surgery. The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the efficacy of teriparatide treatment started immediately after lumbar spinal surgery to prevent pedicle screw loosening in patients with osteoporosis. Methods : We included 84 patients with osteoporosis and degenerative lumbar disease who underwent transforaminal interbody fusion and PS fixation and received parathyroid hormone or bisphosphonate (BP) postoperatively. They were divided into teriparatide group (daily injection of $20{\mu}g$ of teriparatide for 6 months, 33 patients, 172 screws) and BP group (weekly oral administration of 35 mg of risedronate, 51 patients, 262 screws). Both groups received calcium (500 mg/day) and cholecalciferol (1000 IU/day) together. The screw loosening was evaluated with simple radiographic exams at 6 and 12 months after the surgery. We counted the number of patients with PS loosening and the number of loosened PS, and compared them between the two groups. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) preoperatively, and at 12 months after surgery. Results : There was no significant difference in the age, sex, diabetes, smoking, bone mineral density, body mass index, and the number of fusion levels between the two groups. The number of PS loosening within 6 months after surgery did not show a significant difference between the teriparatide group (6.9%, 12/172) and the BP group (6.8%, 18/272). However, during 6-12 months after surgery, it was significantly lower in the teriparatide group (2.3%, 4/172) than the BP group (9.2%, 24/272) (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the number of patients showing PS loosening between the teriparatide and BP groups. The teriparatide group showed a significantly higher degree of improvement of the bone mineral density (T-score) than that of BP group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the pre- and post-operative VAS and ODI between the groups. Conclusion : Our data suggest that the teriparatide treatment starting immediately after lumbar spinal fusion surgery could reduce PS loosening compared to BP.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.78-87
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• 2021

Objective : Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) has been widely used during spine surgery to reduce or prevent neurologic deficits, however, its application to the surgical management for cervical myelopathy remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the success rate of IONM in patients with cervical myelopathy and to investigate the factors associated with successful baseline monitoring and the effect of increasing the stimulation intensity by focusing on motor evoked potentials (MEPs). Methods : The data of 88 patients who underwent surgery for cervical myelopathy with IONM between January 2016 and June 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The success rate of baseline MEP monitoring at the initial stimulation of 400 V was investigated. In unmonitorable cases, the stimulation intensity was increased to 999 V, and the success rate final MEP monitoring was reinvestigated. In addition, factors related to the success rate of baseline MEP monitoring were investigated using independent t-test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, chi-squared test, and Fisher's exact probability test for statistical analysis. The factors included age, sex, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, smoking history, symptom duration, Torg-Pavlov ratio, space available for the cord (SAC), cord compression ratio (CCR), intramedullary increased signal intensity (SI) on magnetic resonance imaging, SI length, SI ratio, the Medical Research Council (MRC) grade, the preoperative modified Nurick grade and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score. Results : The overall success rate for reliable MEP response was 52.3% after increasing the stimulation intensity. No complications were observed to be associated with increased intensity. The factors related to the success rate of final MEP monitoring were found to be SAC (p<0.001), CCR (p<0.001), MRC grade (p<0.001), preoperative modified Nurick grade (p<0.001), and JOA score (p<0.001). The cut-off score for successful MEP monitoring was 5.67 mm for SAC, 47.33% for the CCR, 3 points for MRC grade, 2 points for the modified Nurick grade, and 12 points for the JOA score. Conclusion : Increasing the stimulation intensity could significantly improve the success rate of baseline MEP monitoring for unmonitorable cases at the initial stimulation in cervical myelopathy. In particular, the SAC, CCR, MRC grade, preoperative Nurick grade and JOA score may be considered as the more important related factors associated with the success rate of MEP monitoring. Therefore, the degree of preoperative neurological functional deficits and the presence of spinal cord compression on imaging could be used as new detailed criteria for the application of IONM in patients with cervical myelopathy.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.53-57
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• 2008

Purpose: We analyzed the clinical results after arthroscopic treatment in acute pyogenic arthritis of the knee. Materials and Methods: From July 2000 to January 2005, we reviewed 16 cases(15 patients) of acute pyogenic arthritis of the knee on which arthroscopic treatment was done. The mean age was 61.9 years and the mean follow-up period was 30.5 months. There were 8 cases with diabetes or degenerative osteoarthritis and 14 cases with acupuncture or intraarticular injection history. Results: Causative organisms were identified in 7 cases. The average postoperative antibiotics were used intravenously for 25.5 days and per orally for 22.5 days. There were 11 complications; 5 cases of partial ankylosis, 2 cases of secondary arthritis, 1 case of chronic osteomyelitis and 3 cases of death. Patients with over 3 week immobilization had higher rate of stiffness of knee joint(p=0.032) but there was no significant difference between the symptom to treatment duration and the incidence rate of complications(p=0.293). The cases of which the causative organism was detected had higher incidences of complications(p=0.034). Conclusion: The incidence of joint stiffness was higher in the patients of longer immobilization. More complications were detected in the cases of which the causative organism is detected.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.516-522
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• 2017

Background Implant-based breast reconstruction is being performed more frequently, and implants are associated with an increased risk of infection. We reviewed the clinical features of cases of implant infection and investigated the risk factors for breast device salvage failure. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 771 patients who underwent implant-based breast reconstruction between January 2010 and December 2016. Age, body mass index, chemotherapy history, radiation exposure, and smoking history were assessed as potential risk factors for postoperative infection. We also evaluated the presence and onset of infection symptoms, wound culture pathogens, and other complications, including seroma, hematoma, and mastectomy skin necrosis. Additionally, we examined the mastectomy type, the use of acellular dermal matrix, the presence of an underlying disease such as hypertension or diabetes, and axillary node dissection. Results The total infection rate was 4.99% (58 of 1,163 cases) and the total salvage rate was 58.6% (34 of 58). The postoperative duration to closed suction drain removal was significantly different between the cellulitis and implant removal groups. Staphylococcus aureus infection was most frequently found, with methicillin resistance in 37.5% of the cases of explantation. Explantation after infection was performed more often in patients who had undergone 2-stage expander/implant reconstruction than in those who had undergone direct-to-implant reconstruction. Conclusions Preventing infection is essential in implant-based breast reconstruction. The high salvage rate argues against early implant removal. However, when infection is due to methicillin-resistant S. aureus and the patient's clinical symptoms do not improve, surgeons should consider implant removal.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.148-152
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• 2010

Purpose: In treating diabetic foot ulcers, satisfactory vascularity is an essential prerequisite. To improve vascularity, a bypass graft has long been carried out. Recently, however, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) has also been tried since the PTA is less invasive than the bypass graft. However, publication demonstrating the improvement of vascularity after the PTA are lacking. Therefore, this study was designed to show usefulness of the PTA in treating vasculopathy of diabetic foot. Materials: and Methods This study included 30 feet of 24 ischemic diabetic foot patients. Inclusion criteria were diabetes (duration > 5 years) and a significant lower extremity ischemia, as determined by a transcutaneous oxygen pressure ($TcpO_2$) < 30 mmHg. The PTA was carried out in 61 arteries. PTA procedure was considered successful, when residual stenosis was less than 30%. The procedure was considered failed when residual stenosis was more than 50%. Residual stenosis between 30% and 50% was considered acceptable. For evaluation of PTA effect, foot $TcpO_2$ and infrared thermography were measured before and 7th day after PTA. Results: Immediately after PTA performed in 61 arteries, 58 and 3 arteries were evaluated as being successful and acceptable, respectively. Before PTA, average foot $TcpO_2$ was $12.6{\pm}8.8$ mmHg and its value was increased to $44.2{\pm}23.9$ on 7th day after PTA (p<0.01). Average skin temperature was $31.8{\pm}1.2^{\circ}C$ before PTA and it was increased to $33.5{\pm}1.1^{\circ}C$ on 7th day after PTA (p<0.01). Conclusion: PTA procedure increases tissue oxygenation of ischemic diabetic feet which do not have wound healing potential due to low tissue oxygenation, to the level of possible wound healing. In addition, PTA increases skin temperature of ischemic diabetic feet which can imply an improvement of peripheral circulation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.332-340
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• 2011

Objective : Pyogenic spondylitis often results in acute neurological deterioration requiring adequate surgical intervention and appropriate antibiotic treatment. The purpose of this study was to conduct an analysis of the clinical effect of continuous irrigation via laminotomy in a series of patients with pyogenic spondylitis in thoracic and lumbar spine. Methods : The authors conducted a retrospective investigation of 31 consecutive patients with pyogenic thoracic and lumbar spondylitis who underwent continuous irrigation through laminotomy from 2004 to 2008. The study included 22 men and 9 women, ranging in age from 38 to 78 years (mean 58.1 years). The average follow-up duration was 13.4 months (range, 8-34 months). We performed debridement and abscess removal after simple laminotomy, and then washed out epidural and disc space using a continuous irrigation system. Broad spectrum antibiotics were administered empirically and changed according to the subsequent culture result. Clinical outcomes were based on the low back outcome scale (LBOS), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Frankel grade at the last follow-up. Radiological assessment involved plain radiographs, including functional views. Results : Common predisposing factors included local injection for pain therapy, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, and liver cirrhosis. Causative microorganisms were identified in 22 cases (70.9%) : Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus spp. were the main organisms. After surgery, LBOS, VAS score, and Frankel grade showed significant improvement in most patients. Spinal stability was maintained during the follow-up period, making secondary reconstructive surgery unnecessary for all patients, except one. Conclusion : Simple laminotomy with continuous irrigation by insertion of a catheter into intervertebral disc space or epidural space was minimally invasive and effective in the treatment of pyogenic spondylitis. This procedure could be a beneficial treatment option in patients with thoracolumbar spondylitis combined with minimal or moderate destructive change of vertebrae.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.120-126
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• 1994

Background : Antibiotic therapy has proven an effective method of treatment on the majority of patients with pyogenic lung abscess and infected bulla. When medical therapy has failed, pulmonary resection is the current generally recommended therapy. But nowdays complications of percutaneous tube drainage has decreased with the use of small catheter. So we evaluated the effect of percutaneous tube drainage as an alternative therapy to the pyogenic lung abscess and infected bulla refractory to medical therapy in preference ot the pulmonary resection. Method : Nine cases of the lung abscess and three cases of infected bulla which has large cavity size over 6cm, and has underlying diseases such as lung cancer, diabetes mellitus, refractory to over 1 week of antibiotics, were performed percutaneous tube drainage with All Purpose Drainage catheter(Medi-tech, Watertown, USA) under fluoroscopy. Results : All the cases except one case which complicated empyema was improved clinically. Fever was down within 4days of percutaneous tube drainage(mean : 1.9days). Mean duration of tube drainage was 9.9days. Conclusion : Percutaneous tube drainage is an effective and relatively safe procedure in the management of lung abscesses that do not response to medical therapy. We speculate this procedure should be considered as an alternative therapy for the lung abscess refractory to medical therapy in preference to the surgery. The safety and effectiveness of this procedure in infected bulla should be evaluated with an additional study.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.143-161
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• 1998

The purpose of this study is to find out the educational needs for the coronary heart disease patients of a general hospital in a municipal general hospital. The study subjects were 90 outpatients who had been diagnosed as myocardial infection or angina at the hospital from January 3, 1998 to January 31, 1998. The questionaire was consisted of risk factors and educational needs for coronary heart disease patients. The qusetions on the education needs of the coronary heart disease were consist of 34 questions in 6 fields. In analyzing the data, the number and the percentage were calculated in patients general characteristics, the average and the standard-deviation were calculated to understand the educational needs, t-test and ANOVA were used to find out inter group difference on educational needs. In ANOVA, the advanced analysis was done by Scheffe-test. The results of this study were as follows: 1. 52(57.8%) of the patients (90%) live in Kangnung-city and 95% of the patients live in the middle-east part of Korea. At the age distribution 39 to 80, 41.1% of the patients were in their sixties and average age was 62.4 years old. 40% of the patients left school in mid-course or graduated from middle school or high school 2. As a result of the study on the risk factors of the coronary heart disease, the patients who have hypertension and diabetes were 41.1% and 20% respectively. In smoking and drinking, smokers were 30% and drinkers were 40% and average of smoking and drinking duration over 30 years old. 47.8% were over 140mgHg systolic - BP and 45.8% were over 90mmHg diastolic - BP 3. The patients' educational needs average 94.88 (maximum 134), and item average 2.79(maximum 4.0), the highest needs field was the characteristic of disease 33.22(maximum 44). Item average 3.02 (maximum 4.0) and the lowest education needs field was the physical activity and exercise 10.21(maximum 16). Item average 2.55(maximum 4.0) 4. General characteristics which were different from the general characteristic educational needs were statistically different by group of educational level, occupation, age and sex. 5. The risk factors which were different from the coronary heart disease patients' risk factors educational needs were statistically different by groups of the heart disease patients in family and the patients who take regular exercise. with a result the nurses need to improve the educational programs while considering the high educational needs field and the characteristics which showed significant concerns statistically.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.25-38
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• 1989

Clinical observation was done on 1092 cases of cerebrovascular disease which were confirmed by Brain CT scan in Oriental Medical Hospital in Kyung Hee Univ. from May 1987 to May 1988. Specially, clinical prognosis of 250 patients who had been hospitalized for over 4 weeks, were obserbed. The results were obtained as follows; 1. In this study, Occlusive CVD was 77.9%, Cerebral hemorrhage was 18.8%, Subarachnoid hemonhage was 0.8%. 2. The ratio of male to female was 1.4:1. In the age distribution, 60th decade, 50th decade, 40th decade, 30th's, 20th's were in order of frequency and specially 60th decade was 35.53% over 70th decade was 17.1% in ratio. 3. The most common preceding disease of CVD was hypertension (54.21%) and diabetes mellitus (19.96%) was second. 4. Almost, the duration of hospitalization was 2-4 weeks in 34.8%, within 4 weeks in 78.02%. 5. Primary attack was 75.7%, 2nd attack was 17.9%, over 3rd attack was 3.1% in ratio of recurrence. 6. The level of consciousness was Grade I in 96.4%, Grade II in 3.2%, Grade III in 1% at attack. 7. A few complications of C.V.A. were observed in the studies: pneumonia was noted frequently in 3.2%, bed sore, urinary tract infection, gastro intestinal bleeding in order of frequency. 8. The ratio of neurologic deficiency in occlusive CVD decreased from 51.9% to 29.3% in upper limb, 52.6% to 24.4% in lower limb, and that in cerebral hemorrhage decreased from 69.5% to 25% in upper limb, 50% to 20% in lower limb. 9. The ratio of left side hemiplegia to right was 1.04:1 in male, 1:1.18 in female. 10. The herb medications for C.V.A. were various Chungg-Paesagantang, Sunghanggeonggisan were used most frequently to Chungyeold, Geopung, Soongi, Haldam and Chungsimtang, the drugs for Bogiheol were used as discharge. In these oriental medical therapy of C.V.A. objective diagnosis and more various therapeutic method must be obtained through east-west medical co-operation.