• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.213-220
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• 2012

Background: It has been demonstrated that the expression of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and apoptotic cell death in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) following spinal nerve constriction injury play a role in the initiation and continuation of hyperalgesia and allodynia. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of ethyl pyruvate (EP) on mechanical and cold allodynia, TNF-${\alpha}$ expression, and apoptosis in DRG after spinal nerve ligation injury. Methods: Rats were divided into 3 groups: control, pre-EP, and post-EP. EP (50 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected 30 minutes before (pre-EP) or after (post-EP) surgery. Behavioral tests to determine mechanical and cold allodynia were conducted before surgery and 4 and 7 days after surgery. Seven days after surgery, TNF-${\alpha}$ protein levels in DRG were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and DRG apoptosis was determined by immunohistochemical detection of activated caspase-3. Results: Treatment with EP significantly reduced mechanical and cold allodynia following spinal nerve ligation injury. TNF-${\alpha}$ protein levels in the pre-EP ($4.7{\pm}1.2$ pg/200 ${\mu}g$; P < 0.001) and post-EP ($6.4{\pm}1.8$ pg/200 ${\mu}g$; P < 0.001) groups were 2-3 times lower than the control group ($14.4{\pm}1.2$ pg/200 ${\mu}g$). The percentages of neurons and satellite cells that co-localized with caspase-3 were also significantly lower in the pre-EP and post-EP groups than the control group. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that EP has a strong anti-allodynic effect that acts through the inhibition of TNF-${\alpha}$ expression and apoptosis in DRG after spinal nerve ligation injury.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.1-16
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• 2004

The use of artificial nerve conduit containing viable Schwann cells is one of the most promising strategies to repair the peripheral nerve injury. To fabricate an effective nerve conduit whose microstructure and internal environment are more favorable in the nerve regeneration than existing ones, a new three-dimensional Schwann cell culture technique using $Matrigel^{(R)}$. and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) was developed. Nerve conduit of three-dimensionally arranged Schwann cells was fabricated using direct seeding of freshly harvested DRG into a $Matrigel^{(R)}$ filled silicone tube (I.D. 1.98 mm, 14 mm length) and in vitro rafting culture for 2 weeks. The nerve regeneration efficacy of three-dimensionally cultured Schwann cell conduit (3D conduit group, n=6) was assessed using SD rat sciatic nerve defect of 10 mm, and compared with that of silicone conduit filled with $Matrigel^{(R)}$ and Schwann cells prepared from the conventional plain culture method (2D conduit group, n=6). After 12 weeks, sciatic function was evaluated with sciatic function index (SFI) and gait analysis, and histomorphology of nerve conduit and the innervated tissues of sciatic nerve were examined using image analyzer and electromicroscopic methods. The SFI and ankle stance angle (ASA) in the functional evaluation were $-60.1{\pm}13.9$, $37.9^{\circ}{\pm}5.4^{\circ}$ in 3D conduit group (n=5) and $-87.0{\pm}12.9$, $32.2^{\circ}{\pm}4.8^{\circ}$ in 2D conduit group (n=4), respectively. And the myelinated axon was $44.91%{\pm}0.13%$ in 3D conduit group and $13.05%{\pm}1.95%$ in 2D conduit group to the sham group. In the TEM study, 3D conduit group showed more abundant myelinated nerve fibers with well organized and thickened extracellular collagen than 2D conduit group, and gastrocnemius muscle and biceps femoris tendon in 3D conduit group were less atrophied and showed decreased fibrosis with less fatty infiltration than 2D conduit group. In conclusion, new three-dimensional Schwann cell culture technique was established, and nerve conduit fabricated using this technique showed much improved nerve regeneration capacity than the silicone tube filled with $Matrigel^{(R)}$ and Schwann cells prepared from the conventional plain culture method.

• 구강회복응용과학지
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.327-336
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• 2011

치과에서 임상적으로 신경병성 통증이 발생하는 경우는 주로 하악신경이 손상 받은 경우이며 그 원인으로는 발치, 인공치아매식, 악안면 수술, 치주치료 및 근관치료 등이 있다. 본 연구는 근관치료 후 발생한 하악신경 손상 환자의 신경병증의 원인과 증상에 따라 약물치료를 통해 개선된 정도를 분석해 보고자 하였다. 근관치료 후 발생한 이상감각 또는 통증을 주 증상으로 2004년부터 2011년까지 연세대학교 치과대학병원 구강내과에 내원한 환자 중 32명의 의료기록을 분석하였고, 약물치료를 시행한 경우 환자의 증상이 개선된 정도를 평가하였다. 초진시 감각저하 또는 감각부전의 증상을 호소한 총 32명의 환자 (남자 9명, 여자 23명, 평균나이 44세)를 분석하였다. 신경병증의 발생 원인은 근관치료 시 마취 (46.9%), 근관 내 적용한 약재에 의한 화학적 손상 (25%), 근관수술 (15.6%), 기타 원인이 불분명한 경우 (12.5%) 순으로 많았다. 처방된 약물은 스테로이드, 항경련제, 항우울제, 진통제 등이었고, 환자의 증상이 개선될 때까지 약물 용량은 조절되었으며, 약물 복용 기간은 1주일에서 11개월까지 다양하였다. 증상이 나타난 부위에 따라 하치조신경 손상으로 인한 증상을 나타내는 환자가 25명, 설신경 손상으로 인한 증상을 나타내는 환자가 7명이었으며, 약물치료 후 증상이 개선된 경우가 21명 (66%), 증상 개선이 미미하거나 없는 경우가 11명 (34%)이었다. 그 증상은 감각저하와 감각부전으로 분류하였고, 감각저하는 67%, 감각부전은 65% 개선을 보였다. 근관치료와 연관된 하악신경 손상으로 인해 신경병증이 발생된 경우 약물치료를 통한 증상 개선을 도모해 볼 수 있다. 다만, 신경병증의 종류와 회복 수준은 신경 손상의 원인, 정도와 손상 발생 후 치료 시기, 처치 방법 등에 의해 영향을 받으며, 각각의 변수에 따라 통증 강도나 회복 정도에 차이가 있을 것으로 예상되므로 향후 더 많은 개체 수에서 다양한 변수에 대한 정량적인 연구가 필요할 것으로 생각된다.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.307-310
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• 1998

Selective lumbosacral radiculography and nerve root block techniques are very useful in determining the nerve root involved. We have done the lumbar root block to 61-year-old female who had suffered from low back pain radiating to right lower leg which was not relieved by epidural steroid injection two times. $L_5$ root block was performed under the fluoroscopic C-arm guide. When the needle was in correct position, we injected contrast medium (Isovist$^{(R)}$ - 300, Schering, Germany). After we injected 1.5 cc isovist, the S1 root was figured but L5 root was not figured. When we reinjected 1.5 cc isovist, $S_1$ root was enhanced and $L_5$ root was slightly visible due to severe disc bulging and lateral spinal stenosis.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.123-125
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• 2001

A 50-year-old female patient developed severe right neck and upper extremity pain, hyperesthesia and allodynia during cervical epidural block. Her pain was diagnosed as neuropathic nature. She was treated with repeated stellate ganglion block (SGB) and electrical stimulation (EST). After 3 weeks of treatment, symptomatic relief was achieved, but a mild degree of hyperesthesia and motor weakness was remained. However, she refused all treatment. So treatment was stopped. In a follow-up done, 15 weeks after the nerve injury, she had recovered without complications.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.191-194
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• 1999

Background: Millions of patients with chronic sciatica are still treated with epidural corticosteroids. The efficacy of epidural corticosteroids remains questionable, especially in the failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). We studied to evaluate outcome for 10 patients with failed back surgery syndrome treated with spinal nerve root block using corticosteroids, hyaluronidase, and local anesthetics. Methods: The affected nerve roots are localized with the help of fluoroscopy and contrast dye. Local anesthetic diluted in 1,500 U hyaluronidase and 40 mg methylprednisolone is injected. A small retrospective pilot group of 10 patients with FBSS was treated. The success rate is evaluated using a visual analogue scale at 1 week and 3 month interval after the last injection. Results: Initially, 7 patients experienced good pain relief; 5 patients suspained pain relief for 3 months. No complications were observed. Conclusions: This technique is worthwhile for patients with FBSS and where epidural fibrosis is suspected to be the pain origin.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제62권4호
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• pp.367-375
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• 2019

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is due to the vascular compression of the facial nerve at its root exit zone (REZ). Microvascular decompression (MVD) of the facial nerve near the REZ is an effective treatment for HFS. In MVD for HFS, intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (INM) has two purposes. The first purpose is to prevent injury to neural structures such as the vestibulocochlear nerve and facial nerve during MVD surgery, which is possible through INM of brainstem auditory evoked potential and facial nerve electromyography (EMG). The second purpose is the unique feature of MVD for HFS, which is to assess and optimize the effectiveness of the vascular decompression. The purpose is achieved mainly through monitoring of abnormal facial nerve EMG that is called as lateral spread response (LSR) and is also partially possible through Z-L response, facial F-wave, and facial motor evoked potentials. Based on the information regarding INM mentioned above, MVD for HFS can be considered as a more safe and effective treatment.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제6권3호
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• pp.11-16
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• 2018

Purpose: Stress tends to cause sympathetic hyperactivity and increase blood cortisol levels. The vagus nerve is a parasympathetic nerve that is involved in relaxing the body. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve on stress hormone (cortisol) levels and heart rate variability (HRV) in humans. Methods: A total of 10 healthy subjects participated in the pilot experiment. All subjects underwent electrical vagus nerve stimulation for 20 minutes in the cymba conchae of the left ear. An electro cardiogram meter was used to measure HRV. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for cortisol levels. The standard deviation of all normal N-N intervals (SDNN), root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), low frequency, high frequency, and cortisol levels were compared in pre and post mean values after the intervention. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon's signed-rank test. Results: Coritsol levels were observed to decrease after vagus nerve electrical stimulation. The mean SDNN and RMSSD values were increased after the intervention, but not significantly. Conclusion: Vagus nerve electrical stimulation has been shown to increase the ability of the parasympathetic nerve to adapt to upward regulation and stress. Vagus nerve electrical stimulation could thus be an effective treatment for modern social psychological stress control.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제4권4호
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• pp.77-82
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation application on the autonomic nervous system of human body. Methods: Participants were seventeen healthy adults. Standard deviation of all normal N-N intervals(SDNN), root mean square of successive differences(RMSSD), low frequency(LF), high frequency(HF) were compared in pre and post Mean values after intervention. Data were analyzed in Wilcoxon's signed-ranks test. Results: The results of this study is that sistolic blood pressure and pulse rate decreased mean value after non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. High frequency, low frequency, SDNN, RMSSD increased mean value in heart rate variability after intervention. But that is not significant except for SDNN. Conclusion: Non-invasive vagus stimulation by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation effect on parasympathetic nerve stimulation, and then it might be effective method for autonomic nerve balance control.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.241-245
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• 1997

Persistent hiccup is defined as duration lasting longer than 48 hours. Reflex arc of hiccup is divided into three parts : afferent, central, efferent. Afferent portion of the neural pathway of hiccup formation is composed of vagus nerve, phrenic nerve, and sympathetic chain arising from T6 to T12. Efferent limb is phrenic nerve. Hiccup center is located in brain stem, midbrain, reticular system and hypothalamus. Persistent hiccup is very difficult to treat by conventional methods. We performed cervical epidural block of the phrenic nerve root for three patients suffering from persistent hiccup. The therapeutic effect was perfect. The mechanism of the cervical epidural block is not yet defined however it is thought to block the efferent nerve fibers and suppress the reflex arc of hiccup. We conclude cervical epidural block is relatively safe and very effective for treating persistent hiccup.