• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.221-226
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• 2008

Objective : The aim of the present study was to assess the safety and efficacy of the dynamic stabilization system in the treatment of degenerative spinal diseases. Methods : The study population included 20 consecutive patients (13 females, 7 males) with a mean age of $61{\pm}6.98$ years (range 46-70) who underwent decompression and dynamic stabilization with the Dynesys system between January 2005 and August 2006. The diagnoses included spinal stenosis with degenerative spondylolisthesis (9/20, 45%), degenerative spinal stenosis (5/20, 25%), adjacent segmental disease after fusion (3/20, 15%), spinal stenosis with degenerative scoliosis (2/20, 10%) and recurrent intervertebral lumbar disc herniation (1/20, 5%). All of the patients completed the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The following radiologic parameters were measured in all patients : global lordotic angles and segmental lordotic angles (stabilized segments, above and below adjacent segments). The range of motion (ROM) was then calculated. Results : The mean follow-up period was $27.25{\pm}5.16$ months (range 16-35 months), and 19 patients (95%) were available for follow-up. One patient had to have the implant removed. There were 30 stabilized segments in 19 patients. Monosegmental stabilization was performed in 9 patients (47.3%), 9 patients (47.3%) underwent two segmental stabilizations and one patient (5.3%) underwent three segmental stabilizations. The most frequently treated segment was L4-5 (15/30, 50%), followed by L3-4 (12/30, 40%) and L5-S1 (3/30, 10%). The VAS decreased from $8.55{\pm}1.21$ to $2.20{\pm}1.70$ (p<0.001), and the patients' mean score on the Korean version of the ODI improved from $79.58%{\pm}15.93%$ to $22.17%{\pm}17.24%$ (p<0.001). No statistically significant changes were seen on the ROM at the stabilized segments (p=0.502) and adjacent segments (above segments, p=0.453, below segments, p=0.062). There were no patients with implant failure. Conclusion : The results of this study show that the Dynesys system could preserve the motion of stabilized segments and provide clinical improvement in patients with degenerative spinal stenosis with instability. Thus, dynamic stabilization systems with adequate decompression may be an alternative surgical option to conventional fusion in selected patients.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.162-169
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• 1994

Blockade of cervicothoracic sympathetic ganglion (stellate ganglion controls pain on face, head, neck, shoulder, upper limbs, and upper chest, including their viscera and sympathetically maintained pain. This procedure also increases blood flow to the above areas and relieves hyperreactivity of sympathetic nervous system. Clinically, repeated stellate ganglion blocks with local anesthetic agent may become difficult with complications such as accidental intravascular or subdural injection, recurrent laryngeal nerve or bracheal plexus paralysis, pneumothorax and edema on injection site. Therefore, at times long-term cervicothoracic ganglion block with neurolytics is necessitated but its applications are prohibited by the critical structures surrounding ganglion. There are also few reports of neurolytic stellate ganglion block. This study was performed to observe the complications, gross changes of surrounding structures, and microscopic findings of ganglion cells after neurolytic block and to certify the possibility of clinical use of neruolytic stellate ganglion block. The unilateral superior cervical sympathetic ganglion of rabbit was blocked with absolute ethyl alcohol 0.4 ml at the level of cricoid cartilage. Normal ganglion was used as a control and 5 animals were sacrificed at each intervals of 7, 15 and 50 days after block. The results were as follows; 1) All experimental animals showed no specific changes of behavior, motor function. No necrotic tissues were present in the block area during the observation period. There were some gross scar tissues along the fascia of muscles surrounding the needle injection site, but gross atrophy of muscles or injured major vessels were not found. 2) Microscopically, structures of normal ganglion of rabbit were very similar to those of humans. Seven days after absolute ethyl achohol injection there were marked edema of ganglion cells and nuclei with irregular nuclear membrane. Some of the ganglion cells lost their nuclei and showed degenerative changes. Fifteen days after block, cell edema were decreased and loss of the Nissl's body was prominant. The ganglion cell structures looked close to normal but the cytoplasm and nucleus were generally contracted 50 days after block. These results suggest absolute ethyl alcohol injection on cervical sympathetic ganglion with above method mainly blocks pre- and post-synaptic fibers and the long-term neurolytic blockade of this ganglion may be possible in rabbits.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.403-420
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• 2000

The treatment and prevention of periodontitis is focused on the reduction and the elimination of pathogenic bacteria, especially A. actinomycetemcomitans and black pigmented bacteria such as P. gingivalis. To prevent recurrent disease, the recolonization of these bacteria should be inhibited in the periodontal pocket. Since the replacement therapy was introduced in periodontics by Hillman et al, Jeong et al reported that hydrogen peroxide-producing Lactobacillus acidophilus V-20 completely inhibited P. gingivalis and A. actino - mycetemcomitans in vitro and mouth gargling with Lactobacillus acidophilus V-20 in periodontitis patients during the maintenance phase improved clinical condition and reduced the No. of P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans at 4 weeks of treatment. Prior to replacement therapy with bacteria, dynamics of microbial colonization should be considered. This study was performed to evaluate the change in the viable cell number of Lactobacilli and P. gingivalis after oral administration of L. acidophilus V-20. In periodontal health, gargling increased the No. of Lactobacilli in saliva, buccal mucosa, supragingival plaque from the first week, which maintained for 2-3 weeks after gargling stop, and then returned to the undetectable baseline level at the ninth week. In the periodontal pocket of moderate periodontitis patients, daily irrigation for 1 week and weekly irrigation for subsequent 3 weeks decreased the viable cell number of P. gingivalis during the period of irrigation and increased the number of Lactobacilli, which was maintained from the second to the seventh week. L. acidophilus V-20 was isolated for the first 2 weeks of oral administration, and the 3 different strains of Lactobacilli were isolated continuously for remaining period and identified as L. ali - mentarius, L. casei subspecies casei and L. fructosus. The first two Lactobacilli strains completely inhibited P. gingivalis in vitro and all the isolated Lactobacilli strains reduced the artificial plaque formation by 55-63%. These results showed that mouth gargling or pocket irrigation with L. acidophilus V-20 increased the No. of intraoral Lactobacilli and caused to decrease in the No. of P. gingivalis. This suggests that the replacement therapy by these Lactobacilli might be useful in the maintenance care of periodontal patients.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.301-304
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• 2013

Otic mass removal was performed in a 19-month-old, castrated domestic shorthair cat. The patient had 1- year history of recurrent otitis externa, and then otic mass in the right ear canal was found. Under general anesthesia, 2.7 mm rigid endoscope was inserted to the right ear canal with the irrigation system. The ovoid-shaped, 4.9 mm in diameter red otic mass located in the right ear canal was removed via traction-avulsion. Then, rupture of the tympanic membrane was revealed and otic flushing was performed with sterile isotonic (0.9%) saline to remove exudates. Histologically, the removed polyp was diagnosed as granulation tissue with severe ulceration. The patient didn't reveal any remarkable abnormality after surgery, and no recurrence were found after 5 months follow up. The video otoscopy seems to offer a useful option for treatment of a feline inflammatory polyp.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.373-377
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• 1997

Between January, 1991 and May 1995, mitral valve repair was undertaken on 32 patients under 15 years for congenital mitral regurgitation. Mean age was 24.0$\pm$26.1 months(range 3 months to 15 years), 16 patients were male and 16 patients were female associated cardiac anomalies were found in 26 patients (81%), and ventricular septal defects were noted in 18 patients(56%). In regards to pathologic findings, there were annular dilatation(n:7), leaflet prolapse(n=18), cleft leaflet(n=5) and restricted valve motion (n=2). The method of repair consisted of annuloplasty(Modif ed Devega type) in 14, repair of redundunt leaflet in 6, closure of cleft in 5, triangular resection in 2 and splitting of papillary muscle in one. There was no operative mortality and two late deaths occurred as a result of heart failure and sepsis. Tro patients required replacement of the mitral valve after 3 months and 7 months respectivehy because of recurrent mitral regurgitation. Actuarial survival was 92.5% at 46 months and actuarial freedom from reoperation was 95% at 12 months and 92.5% at 46 months. Actuarial freedom from valve repair failure was 68% at 12 months and 61.8% at 46 months. Although valve repair failure rate was high, we believe that mitral valve repair should be of rcrred to children because of low mortality and low reoperation rate.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.311-317
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of tumor marker CA 15-3 in the following: the diagnosis of breast cancer relapse after curative mastectomy, and the differentiation or the value of tumor marker by site of metastases. Materials and Methods: Two hundred two patients (median age 48 years) with breast cancer included in the follow-up after curative mastectomy. The tumor marker CA 15-3 was determined by IRMA (CIS BIO INTERNATIONAL, France). Test values > 30 U/ml were considered elevated (positive). Results: Among 202 patients, recurrent diseases were found in 16 patients. CA 15-3 was elevated in 5 of 16 patients with recurrences. There was no false-positive patient who had elevated CA 15-3. Sensitivity and specificity of CA 15-3 for detection of breast cancer recurrence were 31%, and 100%. CA 15-3 was elevated in all of the 4 patients with liver metastases. CA 15-3 was elevated in none of the patients who relapsed with metastasis to bone-only or contralateral breast-only. Conclusion: The tumor marker CA 15-3 in the detection of breast cancer relapse after curative mastectomy is specific, but not sensitive. However, it is useful to rule out liver metastases of breast cancer, which indicates bad prognosis.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.46-51
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• 1999

Background: Total thyroidectomy and postoperative radiodiodine ablation therapy in differentiated thyroid carcinomas enhance the reliability of serum thyroglobulin(Tg) levels and radioiodine scan in detecting recurrence or distant metastasis. There have been, however, some limitations in using these methods under certain conditions. Recently, several reports have indicated that thyroid peroxidase(TPO) could be used as an alternative tumor marker. We aimed to estimate the significance of serum TPO levels in differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight patients who had undergone total thyroidectomy due to papillary thyroid carcinomas and who had been followed-up for at least 3 years were classified into two groups: 27 patients without any evidence of recurrence in group 1; and 20 patients with recurrence or distant metastasis in group 2. All patients were examined by radioiodine scans. Serum Tg, TSH, antithyroglobulin antibody, and TPO were measured and the relationships were statistically analyzed. The sensitivity and specificity of $^{131}I$ scan, serum Tg, and serum TPO were evaluated. Results: Serum Tg levels were $3.81{\pm}5.16ng/mL$ in group 1 and $147.02{\pm}193.75ng/mL$ in group 2. Only 2 patients in group 1 showed Tg levels exceeding 10ng/mL. In contrast, 4 patients in group 2 were under 10ng/mL. Serum antithyroglobulin antibody and TSH levels showed no statistical difference between the two groups. In group 1, 16 patients showed negative serum TPO results, and 4 patients in group 2 showed negative results. There was no correlation among serum Tg levels, antithyroglobulin antibody titers, and serum TPO levels in each group. In group 2, 4 patients with negative serum Tg levels showed positive TPO results and positive whole body scans. Two cases with false negative $^{131}I$ scans showed positive serum TPO and Tg results. In 4 cases showing false negative serum TPO levels, serum Tg levels and $^{131}I$ scans were positive. Conclusion: Serum Tg levels, radioiodine scans, and serum TPO levels can be clinically used as complementary methods in the diagnosis of recurrent or metastatic thyroid carcinomas. Serum TPO levels may be helpful when other methods fail to detect recurrences or distant metastasis in highly suspected patients.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.138-142
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• 2009

Introduction : Although bilateral exploration has been thought to be the standard therapeutic modality for primary hyperparathyroidism(pHPT) due to the admirable cure rate, questions have remained as to whether bilateral neck exploration for all patients with pHPT is needed because 80-85% of patients with pHPT have a single parathyroid adenoma. If the diseased parathyroid can be determined preoperatively, a directed and minimal operation is appropriate using the recent innovations of preoperative diagnosis and operation techniques for parathyroid diseases, the radio-guided parathyroid surgery(RGPS) is one of the standards. In especial, RGPS has been reported beneficial in special circumstances, such as in recurrent disease, ectopic parathyroid, and in mediastinal parathyroid. It can be also useful for the parathyroid disease in previously explored or irradiated neck. Material and Methods : We experienced 2 cases of pHPT successfully treated by RGPS in who previously underwent extensive neck dissection and concomitant external or internal radiotherapy. We adopted and modified the technique described by Dr. James Norman at the University of South Florida-the minimally invasive parathyroidectomy using intraoperative nuclear mapping with 99mTc-sestamibi scanning and radioactivity detection probe. Results : We acquired the successful results for these patients. Conclusion : RGPS is thought to be the alternative technique for the patients with prior central neck exploration and irradiation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.437-446
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• 2014

Problems appear when triptans are taken orally. For example, the bioavailability of triptan is reduced by the digestive system, and the drug level in the blood reduces rapidly over time; there is also a possibility of gastrointestinal disorder. To improve side effects, a transdermal patch has been prepared in hydrogel form. The polymer matrix that makes up the hydrogel uses PVA; PEG is used as an additive to induce inter/intra hydrogen bonding of the PVA and almotriptan drug is added. In addition, to accelerate micro-phase separation between PVA chains, liquid nitrogen is used. In FT-IR analysis, the absorption bands of PVA, PEG, and almotriptan were found. The degree of crystallinity, the water uptake ability and tensile strength were increased with increasing PEG content. In drug release tests, the amount of drug released increased depending on the PEG content. In this study, hydrogels with 10 wt% PEG showed better performance in drug release. Approximately 60% of the total drug amount was released in 2 hr, and the drug continued to release for 1 day. Thus, the prepared hydrogel patch is suitable as a transdermal formulation for the second dose administration of triptans to patients who require recurrent migraine treatment within 24 hr after the first administration.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2011

Background and Objectives : Temporary or permanent vocal paralysis can be occurred after head and neck surgery such as thyroid cancer, esophageal resection, and chest operation including lung parenchymal resection, due to a vagus or recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. The authors aimed to determine the clinical efficacy of using Calcium-Hydroxyapatite (CaHA) for permanent unilateral vocal cord palsy patients. Materials and Method : Between July 2008 to July 2010, among patients with chief complain of hoarseness and aspiration, only who were diagnosed as unilateral vocal cord palsy under laryngoscopy, were selected. The patients included 3 females and 13 males age range between 29 to 79 and average age was 60 years old. Results : The hoarseness range were $8.94{\pm}0.77$, $4.63{\pm}1.02$, $4.31{\pm}1.30$ statistically showing significant postoperative improve at preoperative, 1 week and 3 months. Also aspiration were $7.44{\pm}2.48$, $3.63{\pm}1.82$, $3.19{\pm}1.91$ statistically improved during the same period. The result of voice analysis showed that the frequency range shows decrease at 1 week and 3 months after the injection compared to that of the preoperative result in both male and female group (Male: $161.63{\pm}32.78$ Hz, $139.13{\pm}30.63$ Hz, $146.67{\pm}34.20$ Hz ; Female: $244.62{\pm}26.62$ Hz, $244.91{\pm}42.03$ Hz, $237.50{\pm}38.95$ Hz). The Maximal phonation time were $2.75{\pm}1.06$ (sec), $8.88{\pm}3.46$ (sec), $8.44{\pm}3.71$ (sec) statistically showing significant postoperative improve at preoperative, 1 week and 3 months. Conclusion : Injection laryngoplasty with CaHA in unilateral vocal cord paralysis is very safe and efficient procedure to improve a voice disorder, a swallowing difficulty, and a quality of life for those patients with a sacrificed RLN, a cancer invasion of the nerve, and a prolonged vocal cord paralysis which is more than six to twelve months.