• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.103-105
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• 1988

Ramsey Hunt Syndrome occurs when herpes zoster afters the facial nerve. It causes vesicular eruption of the pinna, external auditory meaturs and ear drum, severe otalgia with associated facial paralysis and vertigo. We experienced a case of Ramsey Hunt syndrome and managed it with repeated sympathetic blocks using a stellate ganglion block. We achieved early resolution of the eruption, relief of pain and prevention of postherpetic neuralgia. We concluded that SGB was effective treatment against Ramsey Hunt Syndrome.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.501-506
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• 2013

Objective : Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an effective means of treatment of chronic neuropathic pain from failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). Because the success of trial stimulation is an essential part of SCS, we investigated factors associated with success of trial stimulation. Methods : Successful trial stimulation was possible in 26 of 44 patients (63.6%) who underwent insertion of electrodes for the treatment of chronic pain from FBSS. To investigate factors associated with successful trial stimulation, patients were classified into two groups (success and failure in trial). We investigated the following factors : age, sex, predominant pain areas (axial, limb, axial combined with limbs), number of operations, duration of preoperative pain, type of electrode (cylindrical/paddle), predominant type of pain (nociceptive, neuropathic, mixed), degree of sensory loss in painful areas, presence of motor weakness, and preoperative Visual Analogue Scale. Results : There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, degree of pain, number of operations, and duration of pain (p>0.05). Univariate analysis revealed that the type of electrode and presence of severe sensory deficits were significantly associated with the success of trial stimulation (p<0.05). However, the remaining variable, sex, type of pain, main location of pain, degree of pain duration, degree of sensory loss, and presence of motor weakness, were not associated with the trial success of SCS for FBSS. Conclusion : Trial stimulation with paddle leads was more successful. If severe sensory deficits occur in the painful dermatomes in FBSS, trial stimulation were less effective.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.153-157
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• 2016

Tapentadol is a novel oral analgesic with a dual mode of action as an agonist of the ${\mu}$-opioid receptor (MOR), and as a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI) all in a single molecule. Immediate release (IR) tapentadol shows its analgesic effect quickly, at around 30 minutes. Its MOR agonistic action produces acute nociceptive pain relief; its role as an NRI brings about chronic neuropathic pain relief. Absorption is rapid, with a mean maximal serum concentration at 1.25-1.5 h after oral intake. It is present primarily in the form of conjugated metabolites after glucuronidation, and excretes rapidly and completely via the kidneys. The most common adverse reactions are nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and somnolence. Constipation is more common in use of the ER formulation. Precautions against concomitant use of central nervous system depressants, including sedatives, hypnotics, tranquilizers, general anesthetics, phenothiazines, other opioids, and alcohol, or use of tapentadol within 14 days of the cessation of monoamine oxidase inhibitors, are advised. The safety and efficacy have not been established for use during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, or for nursing mothers, pediatric patients less than 18 years of age, and cases of severe renal impairment and severe hepatic impairment. The major concerns for tapentadol are abuse, addiction, seeking behavior, withdrawal, and physical dependence. The presumed problem for use of tapentadol is to control the ratio of MOR agonist and NRI. In conclusion, tapentadol produces both nociceptive and neuropathic pain relief, but with worries about abuse and dependence.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.107-111
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• 2010

Objective : It has been demonstrated that cervical laminoplasty is an effective and safe method of treating multi-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. However, recent reports have suggested that axial neck pain is frequently encountered after cervical laminoplasty. The aim of the present study was to determine clinical significance of the C7 spinous process on axial neck pain after cervical laminoplasty. Methods : A total of 31 consecutive patients that underwent cervical laminoplasty between March 2002 and December 2008 were reviewed. The authors evaluated and compared axial neck pain and lordotic angle in patients that underwent C7 spinous process preserving surgery (group 1, n=16) and in patients in which the C7 spinous process was sacrificed (group 2, n=15). Results : Severe or moderate early axial pain occurred in 56.2% of patients in group 1 and in 86.6% in group 2. Severe or moderate late axial pain occurred in 12.5% in group 1 and in 73.3% in group 2. Eighty-Six percent of patients in group 2 and 43% in group 1 experienced aggravation of their axial neck pain during the early postoperative period. Aggravation of axial neck pain during early postoperative period was less common in group 1 but not statistically significant (p=0.073). Sixty-six percent of patients in group 2 and 12% in group 1 had aggravated axial neck pain at late postoperative period and aggravation of late axial neck pain was significantly less common in group 1 (p=0.002). Conclusion : The present study demonstrates that C7 spinous process preserving laminoplasty decreases the incidence of aggravated axial neck pain after cervical laminoplasty.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.48-52
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• 2016

Differential diagnosis of posterior neck pain is very challenging based on symptoms and physical examination only. Retropharyngeal calcific tendinitis is a rare and frequently misdiagnosed entity in various causes of neck pain. It results from calcium hydroxyapatite deposition in the longus colli muscle which is characterized by severe neck pain, painful restriction of neck movement, dysphagia, and odynophagia. We herein report a case of a patient with acute retropharyngeal calcific tendinitis, who complained of posterior neck pain, initially diagnosed and treated as a myofascial neck pain syndrome.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.251-254
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• 2000

A 20-year-old male patient developed severe right leg pain, hyperesthesia and allodynia after multiple lumbar epidural blocks. His pain was neuropathic pain (complex regional pain syndrome type I). The patient was treated with repeated administration of epidural ketamine at the rate of 0.2~0.7 mg/kg on multiple occasions. Complete relief of pain was achieved.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.101-111
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate differences between traffic accident and non-traffic accident patients in the early stage, by analysis of the heart rate variability(HRV) and visual analogue scale(VAS). Methods : This study carried out on 38 patients who complained of nuchal or lower back pain. They have received hospital treatment in Dae-Jeon Univ. Cheonan Oriental Hospital. In the TA(Traffic accident) group, the pain caused by TA and in non-TA group, the pain caused by other reasons. We measured HRV and VAS twice(pre-treatment(Tx.) and post-Tx.). Then we analyzed the data. Results : As time goes by, patients who complained of pain showed the inclination to improve ability to balance autonomic nerve system. And fatigue and pain were improved. But they showed the inclination to increase stress index. At pre-Tx., TA group had more stress and worse ability to balance autonomic nerve system, but showed lower fatigue index than non-TA group. But, as time goes by, in TA group the fatigue and autonomic balance got worse. At pre-Tx., non-TA group complained of more severe pain than TA group, but at post-Tx., TA group complained of more severe pain than non-TA group. In other words, in TA group, the decreasing rate of pain was lower than non-TA group. Conclusions : Results from this investigation showed that TA have a negative effect on stress index, ability to balance autonomic nerve system, fatigue index and decreasing rate of pain. These results are expected to consider characteristics of patients who complained of pain caused by TA.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.96-105
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• 2023

Purpose: Mandibular advancement devices (MAD) are known to be insufficiently effective in all patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This study aimed to compare the treatment outcomes of MAD therapy according to OSA severity and to investigate the risk factors for the lack of response to MAD therapy. Methods: A total of 29 patients diagnosed with OSA received an adjustable two-piece MAD treatment. Sleep parameters measured with the home sleep apnea test device, including apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and oxygen saturation (SpO₂), and daytime sleepiness using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were retrospectively assessed both before and after the MAD treatment. Results: The patients were classified into three groups according to AHI severity: mild (n=16, AHI<15), moderate (n=6, 15≤AHI<30), and severe OSA (n=7, AHI≥30). MAD therapy significantly improved the sleep parameters (p<0.001 for AHI and p=0.004 for minimum SpO₂) and daytime sleepiness (p<0.001 for ESS). Furthermore, successful outcomes (reduction in AHI>50% and AHI<10 events/h) were achieved in 83.3% and 71.4% of moderate and severe OSA cases, respectively. Of 13 patients with moderate and severe OSA, 10 were classified as responders and 3 as non-responders. The non-responders had significantly lower baseline value of SpO₂ (p=0.049 for average SpO₂ and p=0.007 for minimum SpO₂) and higher baseline AHI (p=0.049) than the responders. Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that MAD is effective in the majority of patients with OSA of varying severities. The success of MAD therapy does not seem to depend solely on AHI severity. In addition to AHI, minimum SpO₂ may be a prognostic measure of the efficacy of MAD treatment in clinical dental practice.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.274-276
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• 2016

Chronic pelvic pain in women is a very annoying condition that is responsible for substantial suffering and medical expense. But dealing with this pain can be tough, because there are numerous possible causes for the pelvic pain such as urologic, gynecologic, gastrointestinal, neurologic, or musculoskeletal problems. Of these, musculoskeletal problem may be a primary cause of chronic pelvic pain in patients with a preceding trauma to the low back, pelvis, or lower extremities. Here, we report the case of a 54-year-old female patient with severe chronic pelvic pain after a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) accident that was successfully managed with image-guided trigger point injections on several pelvic stabilizing muscles.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.235-246
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• 2013

Objectives : The aim of this study was to report the effects of acupuncture on the patients with severe acute musculoskeletal pain transferred from emergency department(ED). Methods : Three patients were transferred from ED of western medicine, and treated with Korean medicine treatments composed of acupuncture mainly and cupping, herbal steaming, and herbal decoction additionally. Results : All patients showed pain-reduction and relaxation both physically and mentally immediately after the first acupuncture treatment. In cases 1 and 2, the pain numerical rating scale(NRS) decreased after the day of admission from 8 to 4 and 10 to 2, respectively. In case 3, pain NRS also gradually decreased from 8 to 4 after three days. Conclusion : Acupuncture was effective for immediate pain reduction in patients with severe acute musculoskeletal pain transferred form ED. Further studies are warranted to confirm the immediate pain-reduction effect of acupuncture on acute musculoskeletal patients visiting or transferred from ED.