• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.95-98
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• 2006

Objective : The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of radiofrequency neurotomy[RFN] for remnant pain after vertebroplasty for the treatment of severe compression fracture. Methods : 25 patients with remnant pain after vertebroplasty for one level severe compression fracture were treated by RFN. The severe compression fractures were defined to the vertebrae which less than 50% of their original heights have collapsed. Pain relief was evaluated at 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months after the procedure using a visual analog scale[VAS]. Results : Successful outcome was determined if pain reduction exceeded 50% on the VAS at 6 weeks. Six of the 25 patients did not respond favorably to RFN [pain reduction less than 50%], and nineteen patients showed successful responses. Mean VAS score was decreased from 5.48 to 2.96 at 6 weeks. Conclusion : The radiofrequency neurotomy may be both feasible and useful treatment for the remnant pain after vertebroplasty. However long-term follow up is needed to confirm the effectiveness.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.142-150
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• 2017

Background: There have been few studies about pain using a big data. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of pain, and trends of pain associated with chronic diseases and personal out-of-pocket medical expenditures over time. Methods: Subjects were 58,151 individuals, using the Korea Health Panel from 2009 to 2013. Chi-square and multinomial logistic regression were conducted to identify the prevalence and odds ratios (ORs) of pain. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to find the trend over these 5 years. Results: Prevalence of mild and severe pain was 28.1% and 1.7% respectively. The ORs of mild and severe pain were 1.6 and 1.4 in females compared with males. From 2009 to 2013, numbers of chronic diseases producing mild pain were 2.1, 2.4, 2.8, 2.9, and 3.1 and those producing severe pain were 3.0, 3.4, 3.9, 4.2, and 4.4, respectively. After applying the average South Korean inflation rate by year over 5 years, the annual, personal out-of-pocket medical expenditures (unit: ￦1,000) for mild pain were 322, 349, 379, 420, and 461, and those for severe pain were 331, 399, 504, 546, and 569, respectively (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: The pain prevalence was 29.8%. The numbers of chronic diseases and the personal out-of-pocket medical expenditures revealed increasing trends annually, especially in those with pain. Therefore, to eliminate and alleviate the pain, there needs to be further study for developing a systemic approach.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.245-257
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• 2020

Background: Musculoskeletal pain is associated with obesity; however, information on factors associated with pain in adults with obesity and severe obesity is limited. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain by site and intensity of pain and associated factors in individuals with severe obesity (body mass index ≥ 35.0 kg/㎡). Methods: Baseline data from the DieTBra Trial study evaluating pain symptoms in nine body regions over the last seven days using the Nordic Questionnaire on Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Numerical Pain Scale. The variables analyzed using multiple Poisson regression with hierarchical analysis were: sociodemographic, lifestyle, food consumption, clinical, and anthropometric, and the outcome was moderate and intense pain. Results: In 150 participants, there was a high prevalence of ankle and foot pain (68.7%), lower back pain (62.7%), pain in the knees (53.3%) and upper back pain (52.0%), with a predominance of intense pain. Factors associated with pain according to specific sites were: type 2 diabetes with hand/wrist pain; sedentary time with hip pain; insomnia with pain in the hip and knee; edema in the lower limbs with pain in the lower back and ankles/feet; degree of obesity with ankle/foot pain; and percentage of total fat with ankle/foot pain. Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of pain and intense pain in individuals with severe obesity and an association with clinical variables, the degree of obesity, and sedentary lifestyle.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.42-46
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• 1991

Splanchnic nerve block with neurolytics has been used to control the upper abdominal cancer pain. This gastric cancer case with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complained of upper abdominal pain, severe dyspnea and orthopnea. He maintained a sitting position most of the time with nasal oxygen inhalation because he could not remain in a supine or prone position. We performed the unilateral splanchnic nerve alcohol block under right lateral position at the T12 and L1 vertebral level. For a short time after the block, he required oxygen inhalation therapy. Three months after unilateral alcohol block, he is still alive without severe abdominal pain and severe dyspnea.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.66-70
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• 2014

Sympathetic dysfunction is one of the possible complications of anterior spine surgery; however, it has been underestimated as a cause of complications. We report two successful experiences of treating severe dysesthetic pain occurring after anterior spine surgery, by performing a sympathetic block. The first patient experienced a burning and stabbing pain in the contralateral upper extremity of approach side used in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, and underwent a stellate ganglion block with a significant relief of his pain. The second patient complained of a cold sensation and severe unexpected pain in the lower extremity of the contralateral side after anterior lumbar interbody fusion and was treated with lumbar sympathetic block. We aimed to describe sympathetically maintained pain as one of the important causes of early postoperative pain and the treatment option chosen for these cases in detail.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.81-88
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• 2009

Objective : This study was to report Bell's palsy patients with severe pain back of the ear treated by Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture therapy. Methods : The patients was treated by Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture therapy to relieve the severe pain back of the ear. Visual Analog Scale(VAS) was used as an outcome measurement. Results : After Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture therapy, VAS were decreased at all case. Conclusion : Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture therapy can be available for relieving severe pain back of the ear even inducing insomnia.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.176-178
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• 1997

Henoch-Scholein purpura is a systemic vasculitis of small blood vessels. It is characterized by nonthrombocytopenic purpura, abdominal pain, arthralgia and renal involvement. In Henoch-Scholein purpura, severe abdominal pain may be relived by steroid, but occasionally unresponsive to steroid and conventional analgesics therapy. We tried IV-gamma globulin for severe abdominal pain, unresponsive to steroid, analgesics, and antispasmodics therapy in HSP, and experienced dramatic symptomatic improvement. So we report three cases of IVIG therapy against severe abdominal pain in HSP with a brief review of literatures

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2022

Purpose: There is a strong correlation between trauma and pain. Pain increases the rate of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and even mortality in trauma patients. Methods: This institution-based, provider-blinded and patient-blinded, observational study was conducted among trauma patients treated at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital. Over the course of 3 months, this study included patients who had no prior pain management at other hospitals before presentation, and who presented within 24 hours of the traumatic event. Results: Of the 74 patients evaluated, none of the patients had their pain level scored. The researcher-provided pain scale showed a severe subjective pain score for 79.7% of the patients and a severe functional activity score for 59.5% of the patients. Analgesia was provided at an average of 55.4 minutes after presentation and all patients received either diclofenac or tramadol. Satisfactory pain reduction after analgesia was 28.8% for patients initially complaining of severe pain, 54.6% for moderate pain, and 66.7% for mild pain, with the difference being statistically significant (P<0.05). Forty percent of patients discharged home received no analgesia after the first dose provided upon presentation. Conclusions: Pain scoring was nonexistent during the course of the study. The poor utilization rate of analgesia combination and opioids led to unsatisfactory pain outcomes in patients evaluated and followed for 24 hours after presentation.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.215-218
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• 2010

Glossopharyneal neuralgia (GPN) is generally considered to be a pain disease. However, it can be also be a life-threatening cardiac cause of syncope. Neuralgia in the throat and neck can trigger severe bradycardia up to the point of asystole, which can progress to cardiac syncope with or without seizures. A 65 year-old male patient diagnosed with glossopharyngeal neuralgia complained of severe paroxysmal pain in his right chin and ear followed by bradycardia, aystole and syncope. We report a case successfully treated with a permanent pacemaker and carbamazepine in a patient with GPN who had syncopal attacks preceded by paroxysms of pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.99-102
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• 1992

Severe intractable pain with paresthesia and severe dyspnea produced by lung cancer involving both brachial plexuses, refractory to ordinary pharmacologic approaches, was managed by epidural morphine and bupivacaine administration with the continuous Baxter infusion system. Chest pain, which is somatic pain in character, was well managed with the epidural morphine and bupivacaine administrations. However paresthesia and tingling sensation of the hand and forearm were poorly controlled by epidural morphine, and were finally managed by bolus epidural injections of bupivacaine. Supportive therapy included epidural steroid injection and TENS, but the effect was not satisfactory. Severe dyspnea seemed to aggrevate cancer related pain.