• The Korean journal of helicobacter and upper gastrointestinal research
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.157-161
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• 2018

Liquid biopsy, the analysis of circulating biomarkers from peripheral blood, such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor DNA, and exosomes, offers a less invasive, new source of cancer-derived materials that may reflect the status of the disease better and thereby contribute to personalized treatment. Recent advances in microfluidics and molecular analysis technologies have resulted in greatly improved CTC enumeration and detection. In this article, we review commercially available technologies used to isolate CTCs from peripheral blood, including immunoaffinity and label-free, physical property-based isolation methods. Although enormous technological progress has been made, especially within the last decade, only a few CTC detection methods have been approved for routine clinical use. Here, we provide an overview of the current CTC isolation methods and examples of their potential application for early diagnosis, prognosis, treatment monitoring, and prediction of resistance to cancer therapy. Furthermore, the challenges that remain to be addressed before such tools are implemented for routine use in clinical settings are discussed.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• 제20권6호
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• pp.403-408
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• 2020

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) involves chronic neuropathic pain, characterized by attacks of repeating short episodes of unilateral shock-like pain, which are abrupt in onset and termination. Anticonvulsants, such as carbamazepine, are the gold standard first-line drugs for pharmacological treatment. Microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery is often the course of action if pharmacological management with anticonvulsants is unsuccessful. MVD surgery is an effective therapy in approximately 83% of cases. However, persistent neuropathic pain after MVD surgery may require reintroduction of pharmacotherapy. This case report presents two patients with persistent pain after MVD requiring reintroduction of pharmacological therapy. Although MVD is successful for patients with failed pharmacological management, it is an invasive procedure and requires hospitalization of the patient. About one-third of patients suffer from recurrent TN after MVD. Often, alternative treatment protocols, including the reintroduction of medications, may be necessary to achieve improvement. This case report presents two cases of post-MVD recurrent pain. Further research is lacking on the success rates of subsequent medication therapy after MVD has proven less effective in managing TN.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.25-30
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of the S.E.R.I. (simple, effective, rapid, inexpensive) operation for the bunionette deformity. Materials and Methods: Between March 2005 and February 2009, 22 patients (26 feet) who had been treated for the bunionette deformity with minimally invasive osteotomy were reviewed retrospectively. Clinically, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, shoes selectivity, disappearance of callus and patient's satisfaction level by Coughlin scoring system were evaluated. Radiologically, the bunionette was classified as four types according to the Fallat classification. The 4-5$^{th}$ intermetatarsal angle (4-5$^{th}$ IMA), the 5$^{th}$ metatarsophalangeal angle (5$^{th}$ MPA) and the length of 5th metatarsal bone (5$^{th}$ MTL) were analyzed at preoperatively and at final follow up visit. Results: VAS improved from $6.8{\pm}1.8$ points to $2.2{\pm}1.8$ points (p<0.05). AOFAS score improved from $54.0{\pm}14.2$ points to $90.0{\pm}4.8$ points (p<0.05). There was no change in shoes selectivity. 9 feet (34.6%) were satisfied with excellent results, 16 feet (61.5%) with good results and 1 foot (3.9%) with fair results. The average 4-5$^{th}$ IMA was corrected from $10.1{\pm}2.3^{\circ}$ to $4.4{\pm}1.7^{\circ}$ (p<0.05). The average 5$^{th}$ MPA was corrected from $11.5{\pm}8.6^{\circ}$ to $-0.1{\pm}4.1^{\circ}$ (p<0.05). The average 5$^{th}$ MTL was changed from $66.1{\pm}4.3$ millimeters to $64.1{\pm}4.4$ millimeters (p=0.069). There was no malunion, nonunion or delayed union and other perioperative complications. Conclusion: S.E.R.I. operation is less invasive and easy technique. This procedure is recommendable for the treatment of the bunionette deformity.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.62-64
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• 2013

Hemifacial spasm is defined as unilateral, involuntary, irregular twitching of all or parts of the muscles innervated by facial nerves. Here, we present a case of recurrent hemifacial spasm after microvascular decompression (MVD) treated with pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment with good results. A 35-year-old woman suffered from recurrent hemifacial spasm after MVD that was refractory to medical treatment and botulinum toxin injections. We attempted a left facial nerve block twice. Then, we applied PRF at a maximum temperature of $42^{\circ}C$ for 120 sec. Some response was observed, so we applied PRF two additional times. The frequency of twitch decreased from 3-4 Hz to < 0.5 Hz, and subjective severity on a visual analogue scale also decreased from 10/10 to 2-3/10. PRF treatment might be an effective medical treatment for refractory hemifacial spasm and has fewer complications and is less invasive compared with those of surgery.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.44-50
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• 2013

Purpose: Laparoscopic gastrectomy has been adopted for the treatment of gastric cancer, and despite the technical difficulties, totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy has been considered less invasive than laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy. Although there have been many reports regarding the feasibility and safety of totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy at large volume centers, few reports have been conducted at low-volume centers. The purpose of this study is to try to assess the feasibility and safety of totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy at a low volume center through the analysis of short-term outcomes of totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy compared with laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy. Materials and Methods: The clinical data and short-term surgical outcomes of 35 patients who had undergone laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy between April 2007 and March 2010, and 37 patients who underwent totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy between April 2010 and August 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: There was no significant difference in the demographic and clinical data. However the reconstruction method and extent of lymphadenectomy showed statistically significant differences. Operation time and estimated blood loss did not show significant differences. Surgical and medical complications did not show significant differences but postoperative courses including time-to-first oral intake and postoperative hospital stay were significantly increased. Conclusions: Our study shows that totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy is technically feasible at a low volume center. Therefore, totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy can be considered as one of the surgical treatment for early gastric cancer. However the possibility that totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy may have less benefit should also be considered.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.89-97
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the real status of the utilization of Korean medicine (KM) treatment among children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods : In a prospective observational multicenter study for children with CP aged from 6 months to 78 months, we analyzed 69 questionnaires of children currently receiving or have received KM treatment such as acupuncture and Korean herbal medicine for CP. Results : Of all the 170 participants, 32 children was currently getting KM treatment and they were getting acupuncture therapy 2.5 times per week on average. The mean expenditure per month for acupuncture and herbal medicine was respectively 32,000won and 501,000won. 37 children have discontinued KM treatment. The most frequent reason for quitting acupuncture therapy was 'inconvenience' (40.7%), followed by 'suffering of children' (33.3%). The average duration of taking Korean herbal medicine was 3.78 months and the highest reason of stopping medicine was 'rejection of children' (32.3%), followed by the 'cost burden' (22.6%). 75% of currently KM using group answered they have experienced positive effect of KM and the rate was 48.6% among the group who have ceased KM. There was a significant difference between the two groups(p=0.025). Conclusions : Further study will be required to increase the therapeutic effect and utilization of KM among the children with CP. More efforts should be made to develop less invasive acupuncture method and various shape of KM herbal medicine and to expand the insurance coverage of KM for children with CP.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제36권2호
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• pp.205-210
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• 2009

Purpose: Corrugator supercilii muscle pulls eyebrow to inferomedial direction and produces the vertical component of the glabellar line formation. Current techniques for eliminating of glabellar frown include direct resection of corrugators and botulinum toxin injection. Muscle resection in endoscopic face lift procedure is relatively complex and has many disadvantages ranging from possible nerve injury, postoperative edema, pain and a long recovery period. The Botox treatment on the other hand is much more simple in technique but has a short duration of action. The authors have attempted new ways of finding improved treatment of the glabellar frown by selectively blocking of motor nerves innervating the corrugator supercili muscle by using radiofrequency ablation technique. Methods: A total of 80 patients were recruited in our study during the period between Feb. 2007 to June 2008. A probe was introduced from the supraorbital ridge and advanced to the corrugator supercilii muscle. Nerve stimulator was then used to locate the nerve innervating the corrugator and radiofrequency ablation of the nerve was done. Results: In all patients, there were marked improvement in glabellar frown after treatment. There were no reported cases of any relapses during the follow up period. No complication was noted such as facial nerve injury. No patient complained of any adverse symptoms other than slight discomfort due to swelling of the operation site. Conclusion: The treatment of glabellar frown lines using selective nerve block with radiofrequency ablation was not only less invasive but also excellent in surgical outcomes.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권11호
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• pp.5767-5772
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• 2012

Introduction: Identification of simple and measurable prognostic factors is an important issue in treatment evaluation of breast cancer. The present study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic role of vascular invasion in lymph node negative breast cancer patients. Methods: in a retrospective design, we analyzed the recorded profiles of the 1,640 patients treated in the breast cancer department of Motahari clinic affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, from January 1999 to December 2012. Overall and adjusted survivals were evaluated by the Cox proportional hazard model. All the hypotheses were considered two-sided and a p-value of 0.05 or less was considered as statistically significant. Results: Mean age in lymph node negative and positive patients was 50.0 and 49.8 respectively. In lymph node negative patients, the number of nodes, tumor size, lymphatic invasion, vascular invasion, progesterone receptor, and nuclear grade were significant predictors. In lymph node and lymphatic negative patients, vascular invasion also played a significant prognostic role in the survival which was not evident in lymph node negative patients with lymphatic invasion. Discussion: The results of our large cohort study, with long term follow up and using multivariate Cox proportional model and comparative design showed a significant prognostic role of vascular invasion in early breast cancer patients. Vascular invasion as an independent prognostic factor in lymph node negative invasive breast cancer.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.61-72
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• 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of percutaneous endoscopic foraminotomy (PEF) for the treatment of intervertebral disc herniation of the thoracolumbar spine in large-breed dogs by comparing it with open hemilaminectomy (OH). Six large-breed canine cadavers were used in the present study. A barium and agarose mixture (BA-gel) simulating intervertebral disc herniation was injected into the spinal canal at two intervertebral spaces (T12-T13, L2-L3) of the thoracolumbar spine in each cadaver. PEF and OH were randomly allocated to the sites in each cadaver. Computed tomography was performed pre- and postoperatively. The incision length, vertebral window size, procedure time, and amount of simulated disc material removed were recorded to compare PEF and OH. Both procedures clearly exposed the simulated disc material and spinal cord. The size of the incision and vertebral window created after PEF was much smaller than those after OH. The surgical duration of PEF was longer than that of OH. However, no significant difference (P>0.05) was observed in the amount of BA-gel removed between PEF and OH. Thus, PEF could be used as an effective surgical option for intervertebral disc herniation of the thoracolumbar region in large-breed dogs in that it could lead to less tissue damage as well as sufficient removal of the simulated disc material.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제65권6호
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• pp.546-549
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• 2008

Bronchial artery aneurysm (BAA) is a rare entity that requires early diagnosis and immediate treatment due to the possibility of a life-threatening massive hemorrhage through rupture. The standard treatment is a surgical resection of the aneurismal artery. However, various embolization techniques, including coil embolization, are currently used as the optimal treatment because they are less invasive. A 65-year-old woman was referred for the treatment of intermittent hemoptysis. A chest CT scan showed an approximately 2 cm sized vascular mass with strong contrast enhancement originating from the right bronchial artery on the bronchiectatic parenchyma. On the angiogram, the inferior portion of the bronchial artery with a hypertrophic aspect and a huge bronchial artery aneurysm was detected on the left side branch. The bronchial artery aneurysm was embolized successfully with coils at the proximal and distal portion of the aneurysm. After coil embolization, the selective bronchial angiogram confirmed complete occlusion. We report this case of a bronchial artery aneurysm that was treated successfully with coil embolization.