• Carbon letters
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• v.1 no.3_4
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• pp.143-147
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• 2001

Under the irradiation of radiofrequency wave, the dipole materials vibrate as microwave phase changes. This causes friction between adjacent molecules and enables an unique characteristics of interior heating of the materials. Using this principle, when harmful material pass through anthracite- bed which play a role as a absorber of radiofrequency wave, the material can be easily decomposed by the microwave energy. To remove benzene vapour and other solvents in the process of industry, we examined decomposition of benzene in this manner. It was found that benzene was decomposed to the methane, ethane, propane and butane, etc. during passing through the carbon-bed under the microwave impingement and distribution of methane in the products reached about 85 vol.%. The decomposition rate of benzene was high within 5 minutes from start of reaction. For a lower concentration of benzene gas, general cases in the field of industry, almost complete decomposition of benzene is believed possible and this method is surely expected to be useful for the prevention of air pollution and improvement of ambient condition.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.257-260
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• 2006

Radiofrequency neurotomy of the lumbar medial branch, via a caudal approach, is a representative interventional procedure for lumbar zygapophysial joint pain, which can be performed more accurately and easily using a guide needle technique. We experienced a case of burn wound formation along the guide needle trajectory, where heat conduction through the guide needle was suggested to have resulted in the burn wound.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.60-64
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• 2012

The patient was a 45-year-female who presented with pain at right shoulder and right upper arm. The patient suffered from right shoulder and arm pain for 3 years and had pain management which was performed using medication and conservative management after she had been diagnosed with calcific tendinitis. However, substantial pain relief was not consistently achieved, and recurrence of pain was reported. Therefore, we performed right axillary nerve and suprascapular nerve block through pulsed radiofrequency. Two months after the procedure, the shoulder pain gradually subsided with the size reduction of the calcified nodule and she needed no more pain management.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.52-54
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• 2012

Trigger point injection treatment is an effective and widely applied treatment for myofascial pain syndrome. The trapezius muscle frequently causes myofascial pain in neck area. We herein report a case in which direct pulsed radiofrequency (RF) treatment was applied to the trapezius muscle. We observed that the RF treatment produced continuous pain relief when the effective duration of trigger point injection was temporary in myofascial pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.290-293
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• 2014

Amputation neuroma can cause very serious, intractable pain. Many treatment modalities are suggested for painful neuroma. Pharmacologic treatment shows a limited effect on eliminating the pain, and surgical treatment has a high recurrence rate. We applied pulsed radiofrequency treatment at the neuroma stalk under ultrasonography guidance. The long-term outcome was very successful, prompting us to report this case.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.92-95
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• 2005

Primary hyperhidrosis, a disorder of unknown etiology, is characterized by excessive uncontrollable sweating, most often of the palm surface of the hands, armpits, groin and feet. To decrease the symptoms of hyperhidrosis, drug therapy, iontophoresis, excision of axillary sweat glands and thoracoscopic sympathectomy have been attempted. A lumbar sympathectomy is one of the available choices for the treatment hyperhidrosis of the lower extremities. A 28-year old female patient presented with excessive sweating of her hands and feet. For the treatment of her foot hyperhidrosis, a bipolar radiofrequency ablation system was used to ablate the lumbar sympathetic ganglion, with a successful result. This modality will receive greater attention as an available alternative to lumbar sympathetic neurolysis.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.57-60
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• 2011

Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment of nervous tissue has been proposed as a less neurodestructive technique alternative to continuous RF heat lesioning. Recently, clinical reports using PRF have shown favorable effects in the treatment of a variety of focal pain areas, even in non-nervous tissues; however, the mechanism of effect underlying this treatment to non-nervous tissue remains unclear. We report the case of a 67-year-old male who presented with pain reliving point in the posterior neck. The patient had pain in the posterior neck for 3 years. The pain subsided with pressure applied to a point in the posterior neck. There were no specific abnormal findings on laboratory testing and radiologic examinations. After PRF treatment to the pain-relieving point, he had pain relief which lasted more than 5 months.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.84 no.5
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• pp.985-998
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• 2023

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been a representative, non-surgical treatment for benign thyroid nodules that cause cosmetic problems or compression symptoms. The procedure of RFA should be performed effectively and safely. This review discusses the patient selection, pre-procedure evaluation and planning, principles, devices, techniques, and complications with reference to the guidelines and research on thyroid RFA. In particular, this review will devote to introduce RFA techniques and to provide practical help in the implementation of this procedure.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.155-163
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• 2023

Malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHO), an aggressive perihilar biliary obstruction caused by cholangiocarcinoma, gallbladder cancer, or other metastatic malignancies, has a poor prognosis. Surgical resection is the only curative treatment for biliary malignancies. However, the majority of patients with MHO cannot undergo surgery on presentation because of an advanced inoperable state or a poor performance state due to old age or comorbid diseases. Therefore, palliative biliary drainage is mandatory to improve symptomatic jaundice and the quality of life. Among the drainage methods, endoscopic biliary drainage is the current standard for palliation of unresectable advanced MHO. In addition, combined with endoscopic drainage, additional local ablation therapies, such as photodynamic therapy or radiofrequency ablation (RFA), have been introduced to prolong stent patency and survival. Currently, RFA is commonly used as palliative therapy, even for advanced MHO. This literature review summarizes recent studies on RFA for advanced MHO.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.710-718
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• 2009

Background: The Cox maze procedure has been used as a standard surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation for about 20 years. Recently, the creators have used a bipolar radiofrequency electrode (Cox maze IV procedure) instead of the incision and suture (cut-sew) technique to make atrial ablation lesions for persistent atrial fibrillation. We investigated clinical outcomes for the Cox maze procedure with a bipolar radiofrequency electrode and cryoablator in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation, and compared results with clinical outcomes of the cut-sew procedure. Material and Method: Between April 2005 and July 2007, 40 patients with persistent atrial fibrillation underwent Cox maze IV procedure with a bipolar radiofrequency electrode and cryoablator (bipolar radiofrequency group). Surgical outcomes were compared with those of 35 patients who had the cut-sew technique for the Cox maze III procedure. All patients had concomitant cardiac surgery. Postoperatively, the patients were followed up every 1 to 2 months. Result: At 6 months postoperatively, the conversion rate to regular sinus rhythm was not significantly different between the two groups: 95.0% for the bipolar radiofrequency ablation group; 97.1% for the cut-sew technique (p=1.0). At the end of the follow-up period, the conversion rate to regular sinus rhythm was also not significantly different (92.5% vs. 91.6%, p=1.0). In multivariate analysis using a Cox-regression model, the postoperative atrial dimension was an independent determinant of sinus conversion in the bipolar radiofrequency ablation group (hazard ratio 31, p=0.005). In the Cox-regression model for both groups, atrial fibrillation at 6 months postoperatively (hazard ratio 92.24, p=0.003) and the postoperative left atrial dimension (hazard ratio 16.05, p=0.019) were independent risk factors of continuance or recurrence of atrial fibrillation after Cox maze procedures. Aortic cross-clamp time and cardiopulmonary bypass time were significantly shorter in the radiofrequency group than in the cut-sew group. Conclusion: In the Cox maze procedure for patients with persistent atrial fibrillation, the use of bipolar radiofrequency ablation and a cryoablator is as good as the cut-sew technique for conversion to sinus rhythm. The postoperative left atrial dimension is an independent determinant of postoperative continuance and recurrence of atrial fibrillation.