• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.46-49
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• 2015

Carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication is a leading cause of severe neuropsychological impairments. Peripheral nerve injury has rarely been reported. Following are brief statements describing the motor peripheral neuropathy involved bilateral lower extremities of a patient who recovered following acute carbon monoxide poisoning. After inhalation of smoke from a fire, a 60-year-old woman experienced bilateral leg weakness without edema or injury. Neurological examination showed diplegia and deep tendon areflexia in lower limbs. There was no sensory deficit in lower extremities, and no cognitive disturbances were detected. Creatine kinase was normal. Electroneuromyogram patterns were compatible with the diagnosis of bilateral axonal injury. Clinical course after normobaric oxygen and rehabilitation therapy was marked by complete recovery of neurological disorders. Peripheral neuropathy is an unusual complication of CO intoxication. Motor peripheral neuropathy involvement of bilateral lower extremities is exceptional. Various mechanisms have been implicated, including nerve compression secondary to rhabdomyolysis, nerve ischemia due to hypoxia, and direct nerve toxicity of carbon monoxide. Prognosis is commonly excellent without sequelae. Emergency physicians should understand the possible-neurologic presentations of CO intoxication and make a proper decision regarding treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.492-495
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• 2005

The role of cultured bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in peripheral nerve regeneration was examined using an established rabbit peroneal nerve regeneration model. A 15-mm peroneal nerve defect was bridged with a vein filled with BMSCs $(1{\times}10^6)$, which had been embedded in collagen gel. On the contralateral side, the defect was bridged with a vein filled with collagen gel alone. When the regenerated tissue was examined 4, 8 and 12 weeks after grafting, the number and diameter of the myelinated fibers in the side with the BMSCs were significantly higher than in the control side without the BMSCs. This demonstrates the potential of using cultured BMSCs in peripheral nerve regeneration.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.73-81
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• 1981

Experiments were conducted in ischemic decerebrate cats to study the effects of electroacupuncture and electrical stimulation of peripheral nerve on pain reaction. Flexion reflex was used as an index of pain. The reflex was elicited by stimulating the sural nerve(20 V, 0.5 msec duration) and recorded as a compound action potential from the nerve innervated to the semitendinosus muscle. Electroacupuncture was performed, using a 23-gauge hyperdermic needle, on the tsusanli point in the lateral upper tibia of the ipsilateral hindlimb. The common peroneal nerve was selected as a peripheral nerve which may be associated with electroacupuncture action, as it runs through the tissue portion under the tsusanli point. Both for electroacupuncture and the stimulation of common peroneal nerve a stimulus of 20 V-intensity, 2 msec-duration and 2 Hz-frequency was applied for 60 min. The results are summerized as follows: 1) The electroacupuncture markedly depressed the flexion reflex; this effect was eliminated by systemic application of naloxone $(0.02{\sim}0.12\;mg/kg)$, a specific narcotic antagonist. 2) Similarly, the electrical stimulation of the common peroneal nerve significantly depressed the flexion reflex, the effect being reversed by naloxone. 3) When most of the afferent nerves excluding sural nerve in the ipsilateral hindlimb were cut, the effect of electroacupuncture on the flexion reflex was not observed. Whereas direct stimulation of the common peroneal nerve at the proximal end from the cut resulted in a significant reduction of the flexion reflex, again the effect was reversible by naloxone application. 4) Transection of the spinal cord at the thoracic 12 did not eliminate the effect of peripheral nerve stimulation on the flexion reflex and its reversal by naloxone, although the effect was significantly less than that in the animal with spinal cord intact. These results suggest that: 1) the analgesic effect of an electroacupuncture is directly mediated by the nervous system and involves morphine-like substances in CNS, 2) the site of analgesic action of electroacupuncture resides mainly in the brainstem and in part in the spinal cord.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.73-82
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• 2018

Objectives The purpose of this study is to systematically explore the effects and safety of acupuncture treatment for upper extremity peripheral nerve injury and to review the methodology of clinical trials. Methods We searched 9 electronic databases(3 international, 1 Chinese, 5 Korean) including English, Korean and Chinese, up to December 2017 for randomized controlled trials which evaluated the effects of the acupuncture in patients with upper extremity peripheral nerve injury. We abstracted the designs of the randomized clinical trials and the method of acupuncture treatment according to the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture(STRICTA). Results A total of 8 papers were reviewed. All randomized clinical trials were conducted in China. Of them, five studies(62.5%) were electro-acupuncture as intervention. All randomized clinical trials reported favorable effects of acupuncture treatments compared to baseline or control group with outcomes of efficacy rate. However risk of bias seemed high. LI4, LI11, SI3, PC3, PC6 were most frequently used for acupoints to treat upper extremity peripheral nerve injury. Conclusions These results suggest that it is recommended to develop more detailed reporting standards for acupuncture treatment method. In the future, well designed randomized clinical trials which evaluate the effects and safety of acupuncture treatment for upper extremity peripheral nerve injury is highly needed.

• Korean Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.181-184
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• 2012

The malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor is an extremely rare soft tissue sarcoma. It is a highly malignant sarcoma, which is locally invasive, frequently leading to multiple recurrences and eventual metastatic spread. The peak incidence of disease is known to occur sporadically between the age of 20s and 50s, and is usually associated with the neurofibromatosis type I. In human body, the trunk and extremities are the most commonly involved sites, with only 8-14% of all lesions appearing in the head and neck region. We present a case of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor involving the right parapharynx in a 48-year-old patient who complained of headaches in the right parietal area and of dysphagia that aggravated over a month. After surgery, tumor was finally diagnosed as malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor by histopathologic examinations. The authors report a case of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor in the right parapharynx with a review of the literature.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.613-618
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• 2005

When a large peripheral nerve defect occurs, an autologous nerve graft is the most ideal method of recinstruction. But an autologous nerve graft has many limitations due to donor site morbidities. Many previous focused on finding the ideal nerve conduit. Among them, $Gore-Tex^{(R)}$ has several advantages over other conduits. It can be manipulated to a suitable size, does not collapse easily, and it is a semi- permeable material that contain pores. A round shaped nerve can be newly formed because of its smooth inner surface. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the availability of $Gore-Tex^{(R)}$ tube as a nerve conduit at the peripheral nerve defect in the rat sciatic nerve. The 10 mm nerve gap was made in each group. A $Gore-Tex^{(R)}$ tube filled with skeletal muscle was inserted and autologous nerve graft was harvested, respectively. In the experimental group, we placed a 0.5 mm thickness, $30{\mu}m$ pored, 1.8 mm in diameter and 14 mm length tube with skeletal muscle inserted inside. In the control group, the nerve gap was inserted with a rat sciatic nerve. We estimated the results electrophysiologically and histologically to 16 weeks postoperatively. Results in the nerve conduction velocity, total myelinated axon count, myelin sheath thickness and mean nerve fiber diameter, the experimental group was substantially lower than that of the control group, but the statistic difference was not significant (p<0.05). The morphology was very similar in both groups, microscopically. From the above results, We conclude that $Gore-Tex^{(R)}$ qualifies as an ideal nerve conduit. It is suggested that $Gore-Tex^{(R)}$ tube filled with skeletal muscle may, substitute for an autologous nerve graft.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.115-126
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• 2003

Although painful conditions of varying degrees of severity involving the soft tissues (i .e., muscles, tendons, ligaments, periosteum and peripheral nerves) occur frequently, their underlying pathogenesis is poorly understood. The term peripheral neuropathic pain has recently been suggested to embrace the combination of positive and negative symptoms in patients whose pain is due to pathological changes or dysfunction in peripheral nerves or nerve root. The spinal nerve root, because of its vulnerable position, is very easily prone to injury from pressure, stretch, angulation, and friction. Therefore, not a few of musculoskeletal chronic pains are result of nerve root dysfunction. Neuropathic changes due to nerve root dysfunction are primarily in soft tissue especially muscle, tendon and joint. It shows tenderness over muscle motor points and palpable muscle contracture bands and restricted Joint range. Careful palpation and physical examination is the important tool that, be abne to detect all of these phenomena.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.43-50
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• 2007

Analysis of intraepidermal nerve fibers using skin biopsy is a recently developed technique, providing diagnostic information on small fiber neuropathies. The specimens are obtained by 3 mm punch biopsy, which is safe and minimally invasive. Immunohistochemical staining by Protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 demonstrate not only intraepidermal nerve fibers but dermal structures, such as sweat gland and erector papillae. Up to now, many studies agree that intraepidermal nerve fiber density is dramatically reduced in various sensory neuropathies. The utility of density measure was confirmed with high sensitivity in the diagnosis of sensory neuropathy, comparable to sural nerve biopsy or quantitative sensory testing. Besides quantitative methods, morphological changes like axonal swelling and fragmentation can be used as predegenerative markers. This article reviews the technique of skin biopsy and clinical and experimental usefulness of skin biopsy in diagnosing and monitoring peripheral neuropathies.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.23-34
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was performed to define clinical character of peripheral facial nerve injury. Methods : 36 patients was identified with peripheral facial nerve injury among 1128 patients who visited the Facial Palsy Center in Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gang-dong between January 2010 and November 2011. We reviewed the medical records including gender, age, cause, symptom, period of treatment, and axonal loss. Results : Most common cause of peripheral facial nerve injury was iatrogenic surgery, followed by direct trauma, neoplastic disorders. Patients with facial nerve injury commonly complain about facial palsy(ipsilateal or bilateral), followed by paresthesia, facial spasm, facial pain, auricular pain. Peripheral facial nerve injury group showed worse electrophysiological pattern and younger onset age compared with Bell's palsy group. Conclusion : This study was designed for 36 patients and further studies are necessary.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.6
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• pp.504-507
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• 2015

Objective : Our aim was to evaluate the histopathological effects of tissue adhesives on peripheral nerve regeneration after experimental sciatic nerve transection in rats and to search whether these tissue adhesives may possess a therapeutic potential in peripheral nerve injuries. Methods : This experimental study was performed using 42 female Wistar-Albino rats distributed in 6 groups subsequent to transection of right sciatic nerves. Group I underwent external circumferential neurolysis; Group II received suture repair; Group III had local polymeric hydrogel based tissue adhesive administration; Group IV received suture repair and polymeric hydrogel based tissue adhesive application together; Group V had gelatin based tissue adhesive application and Group VI had suture repair and gelatin based tissue adhesive together. After a 6-week follow-up period, biopsies were obtained from site of neural injury and groups were compared with respect to histopathological scoring based on inflammatory, degenerative, necrotic and fibrotic changes. Results : There were remarkable differences between control group and study groups with respect to inflammation (p=0.001), degeneration (p=0.002), necrosis (p=0.007), fibrosis (p<0.001) and vascularity (p=0.001). Histopathological scores were similar between study groups and the only noteworthy difference was that Group V displayed a lower score for necrosis and higher score in terms of vascularization. Conclusion : Our results imply that tissue adhesives can be useful in repair of peripheral nerve injuries by decreasing the surgical trauma and shortening the duration of intervention. Results with gelatin based tissue adhesive are especially promising since more intense vascularity was observed in tissue after application. However, trials on larger series with longer durations of follow-up are essential for reaching more reliable conclusions.