To evaluate the relationship between the cross sectional area (CSA) and isokinetic strength of the back muscles in patients with chronic low back pain.
Data of twenty-eight middle-aged patients with chronic back pain were analyzed retrospectively. CSAs of both paraspinal muscles and the disc at the L4-L5 level were measured in MRI axial images and the relative CSAs (rCSA: CSA ratio of muscle and disc) were calculated. The degree of paraspinal muscle atrophy was rated qualitatively. Isokinetic strengths (peak torque, peak torque per body weight) of back flexor and extensor were measured with the isokinetic testing machine. Multiple regression analysis with backward elimination was used to evaluate relations between isokinetic strength and various factors, such as CSA or rCSA and clinical characteristics in all patients. The same analysis was repeated in the female patients.
In analysis with CSA and clinical characteristics, body mass index (BMI) and CSA were significant influencing factors in the peak torque of the back flexor muscles. CSA was a significant influencing factor in the peak torque of total back muscles. In analysis with rCSA and clinical characteristics, BMI was significant in influencing the peak torque of the back flexors. In female patients, rCSA was a significant influencing factor in the peak torque per body weight of the back flexors, and age and BMI were influencing factors in the peak torque of back flexors and total back muscles.
In middle-aged patients with chronic low back pain, CSA and rCSA were influencing factors in the strength of total back muscles and back flexors. Also, gender and BMI were influencing factors.
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To identify the optimal distal stimulation point for conventional deep peroneal motor nerve (DPN) conduction studies by a cadaveric dissection study.
DPN was examined in 30 ankles from 20 cadavers. The distance from the DPN to the tibialis anterior (TA) tendon was estimated at a point 8 cm proximal to the extensor digitorum brevis (EDB) muscle. Relationships between the DPN and tendons including TA, extensor hallucis longus (EHL), and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) tendons were established.
The median distance from the DPN to the TA tendon in all 30 cadaver ankles was 10 mm (range, 1-21 mm) at a point 8 cm proximal to the EDB muscle. The DPN was situated between EHL and EDL tendons in 18 cases (60%), between TA and EHL tendons in nine cases (30%), and lateral to the EDL tendon in three cases (10%).
The optimal distal stimulation point for the DPN conduction study was approximately 1 cm lateral to the TA tendon at the level of 8 cm proximal to the active electrode. The distal stimulation site for the DPN should be reconsidered in cases with a weaker distal response but without an accessory peroneal nerve.
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To localize the site of motor points within human biceps brachii muscles through surface mapping using electrophysiological method.
We recorded the compound muscle action potentials of each lattice of the biceps brachii in 40 healthy subjects. Standardized reference lines were made as the following: 1) a horizontal reference line (elbow crease) and 2) a vertical reference line connecting coracoid process and mid-point of the horizontal reference line. The Compound muscle action potentials were mapped in reference to the standardized reference lines. The locations of motor points were mapped to the skin surface, in the ratio to the length of the vertical and the half of the horizontal reference lines.
The motor point of the short head of biceps was located at 69.0±4.9% distal and 19.1±9.5% medial to the mid-point of horizontal reference line. The location of the motor point of the long head of the biceps was 67.3±4.3% distal and 21.4±8.7% lateral. The motor point of the short head of the biceps was located more medially and distally in the male subjects compared to that in the female (p<0.05).
This study showed electrophysiological motor points of the biceps brachii muscles through surface mapping. This data might improve the clinical efficacy and the feasibility of motor point targeting, when injecting botulinum neurotoxin in biceps brachii.
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To assess the efficacy of human placental extract (HPE) in an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
We used (i) KRN C57BL/6 TCR transgenic x NOD mice (KBx/N) serum transfer arthritis and (ii) collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice to evaluate the effi cacy of HPE (1 ul or 100 ul, intra-peritoneal, three times per week) on RA. Incidence, severity of arthritis, and hind-paw thickness were quantifi ed. Joint destruction was analyzed using modifi ed mammographic imaging. Histopathological analysis for inflammation, cartilage, and osteoclasts was performed using Hematoxylin-eosin (H-E), safranin-O, and tartrate-resistant acidic phosphatase (TRAP). ELISAs were used for detection of various cytokines in serum and joint tissue.
There were no significant differences in incidence of arthritis, clinical scores of arthritis, and hind-paw thickness between HPE-treated and vehicle-treated groups for up to 2 weeks in the KBx/N serum transfer arthritis model. Histopathological analysis also showed no differences 2 weeks after treatment. Levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and RANKL in serum and joint tissues were similar in all groups. Furthermore, there were no differences in clinical, radiological, and histological parameters between HPE-treated and vehicle-treated group for 3 weeks in the CIA model.
Systemic treatment with HPE has no beneficial effects on arthritis in animal models of RA. Therefore, indiscreet use of HPE in RA should be forbidden.
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To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of peripheral neuropathy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with leflunomide (LEF) by quantitative sensory testing (QST).
A total of 94 patients were enrolledin this study, out of which 47 patients received LEF. The other 47 patients received alternative disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and served as the control group. The demographic characteristics, laboratory findings, concomitant diseases, and medication history were evaluated at the time of QST. The cooling (CDT) and vibratory detection threshold (VDT) as the representative components of QST were measured.
Age, gender, RA duration, ESR, and CRP did not show any significant differences between the two groups. VDT did not demonstrate any significant difference in both groups. However, CDT in LEF group was significantly higher than that of the control group (8.6±2.7 in LEF vs. 5.6±3.8 in control). The proportion of RA patients in the LEF group showing abnormally high CDT was over 2 times greater than that of the control group, but these findings were not statistically significant. Age, RA duration (or LEF medication in LEF group), ESR, and CRP did not show significant correlation with CDT in both groups. VDT significantly correlated with age in both groups.
LEF treatment in patients with RA may lead to abnormal CDT in QST. CDT value was not affected by age, RA duration, disease activity, or LEF duration. It remains to be determined whether QST may be a valuable non-invasive instrument to evaluate the early sensory changes in patients with RA taking LEF.
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To investigate the effect of radiofrequency (RF) sacral rhizotomy of the intolerable neurogenic bladder in spinal cord injured patients.
Percutaneous RF sacral rhizotomy was performed on 12 spinal cord injured patients who had neurogenic bladder manifested with urinary incontinence resisted to an oral and intravesical anticholinergic instillation treatment. Various combinations of S2, S3, and S4 RF rhizotomies were performed. The urodynamic study (UDS) was performed 1 week before RF rhizotomy. The voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) and voiding diaries were compared 1 week before and 4 weeks after therapy. Total volume of daily urinary incontinence (ml/day) and clean intermittent catheterization (ml/time) volume of each time were also monitored.
After RF sacral rhizotomy, bladder capacity increased in 9 patients and the amount of daily urinary incontinence decreased in 11 patients. The mean maximal bladder capacity increased from 292.5 to 383.3 ml (p<0.05) and mean daily incontinent volume decreased from 255 to 65 ml (p<0.05). Bladder trabeculation and vesicoureteral reflux findings did not change 4 weeks after therapy.
This study revealed that RF sacral rhizotomy was an effective method for neurogenic bladder with uncontrolled incontinence using conventional therapy among spinal cord injured patients.
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To examine the effects of age, gender and bolus consistency in normal populations using the temporal measurement of Pharyngeal Transit Duration (PTD), which reflects the duration of bolus flow from the ramus of the mandible to the upper esophageal sphincter.
40 normal and healthy subjects had Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Examinations (VFSEs) of 5 ml thin and nectar thick liquids, and puree consistencies. A slow motion and frame by frame analysis was performed. Three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to examine the main effect and interactions, and paired t-tests for the three consistency comparisons.
Older subjects had a significantly longer PTD than younger subjects (p<0.01). In addition, men had significantly shorter PTDs than women (p<0.01). Puree showed a significantly longer PTD than the other two consistencies, regardless of age and gender (p<0.05).
PTD is an indicative of motor weakness in pharyngeal swallowing secondary to aging. In addition, the results supported the assumption that there is a functional difference in pharyngeal swallowing between men and women. It is expected that the results of this study will be used for further investigation of patients with dysphagia.
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To investigate the effects of night sleep on motor cortical excitability with TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) and finger tapping performance.
Eight volunteers were enrolled to investigate the effects of day wake or night sleep on motor learning and finger performance. Each subject underwent a finger tapping task over a 12 hour period, which was employed to evaluate the motor cortical excitability affected by motor learning. Starting at 9:00 am for the day wake cycle and restarting at 9:00 pm for the night sleep cycle. The finger tapping task was the index finger of the non-dominant hand with the Hangul word personal computer (PC) training program. The data was assessed by comparing the changes observed with the cortical excitability and finger tapping performance tests between the day wake and night sleep after equivalent amounts of training.
The results showed that in paired-pulse techniques, there was a significant decrease of intracortical inhibition (ICI) in the morning following the night sleep cycle (p<0.05), but no significant change was seen in the ICI in the evening for the day wake cycle. In addition a significant decrease of the ICI was observed in comparison to the morning following the night sleep cycle and the evening following the day wake cycle (p<0.05). The 140% recruitment curve (RC) and accuracy of the finger tapping performance demonstrated a significant improvement for both cycles (p<0.05).
Through this study, we observed that the Hangul typing practice requires both explicit and implicit skill learning. And also the off-line learning during a night of sleep may be affected by an inhibitory neurotransmitter related synaptic plasticity and by the time dependent learning with recruitments of remote or less excitable motor neurons in the primary motor cortex.
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To examine inter-rater reliability of the Korean version Gross Motor Function Measure (K-GMFM-88) and the Gross Motor Performance Measure (GMPM) based on the video clips.
We considered a sample of 39 children (28 boys and 11 girls; the mean age=3.50±1.23 years) with cerebral palsy (CP). Two pediatric physical therapists assessed the children based on video recordings.
For the K-GMFM-88, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC3, 1) ranged from .978 to .995, and Spearman's correlation coefficient ranged from .916 to .997. For the GMPM, ICC3, 1 ranged from .863 to .929, and Spearman's correlation coefficient ranged from .812 to .885. With the gross motor function classification system classified according to the functional level (GMFCS I-II vs. III-V), the ICCs were .982 and .994 for the K-GMFM-88 total score and .815 and .913 for the GMPM total score. There were good or high correlations between the subscales of the two measures (r=.762-.884).
The K-GMFM-88 and GMPM are reliable tools for assessing the motor function of children with CP. These two methods are highly correlated, which adds more reliability on them. Thus, it is advisable to use K-GMFM-88 and GMPM for children with CP to assess gross motor function.
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To evaluate quality of life (QOL), upper extremity function and the effect of lymphedema treatment in patients with breast cancer related lymphedema.
The basic data comprised medical records (detailing age, sex, dominant side, location of tumor, cancer stage, operation record, cancer treatment and limb circumferences) and questionnaires (lymphedema duration, satisfaction, self-massage). Further to this, we measured upper extremity function and QOL, administered the DASH (Disabilities of Arm Shoulder and Hand outcome measure) and used the EORTC (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer)-QLQ-C30 and the EORTC-QLQ-Br23. Results of these were calculated as main outcome variables.
The questionnaire responses and arm circumferences of 59 patients with breast cancer related lymphedema were analyzed. In the DASH questionnaire, it was found that the older the lymphedema patient was, the lower their upper extremity function. On the EORTC-QLQ, patients with metastasis had significantly lower scores in physical functioning and role functioning. In terms of upper extremity circumference, there was a significant upper extremity size reduction after lymphedema treatment.
There were several dissociations between some subscales of quality of life questionnaires and those of upper extremity functions. Upper extremity function was correlated with the age of breast cancer patients and QOL was influenced by M-stage. Lymphedema treatment was found to be effective in reducing edema in patients with breast cancer related lymphedema.
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To determine the relation between postvoid residual (PVR) and the occurrence of urinary tract infection (UTI) in stroke patients.
One hundred and eighty-eight stroke patients who were admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation unit and who did not have UTI on admission (105 males, 83 females, mean age 67.1 years) were included in this study. The PVR was measured 3 times within 72 hours after admission. Mean PVR, demographic variables, K-MMSE (Korean Mini-Mental State Examination), initial K-MBI (Korean Modified Barthel Index), Foley catheter indwelling time and stroke type were defined and the relation to the occurrence of UTI was analyzed.
UTI occurred in 74 patients (39.4%) during admission to the rehabilitation unit. There were significant differences between the UTI and non-UTI groups in K-MMSE, K-MBI, Foley catheter indwelling time (p<0.01). However, age, gender, stroke location and type were not associated. The occurrence of UTI was 4.87 times higher in the patients with a mean PVR over 100 ml than in those with a mean PVR <100 ml. The mean PVR was 106.5 ml in the UTI group, while it was 62.7 ml in the non-UTI group (p<0.01). PVR was not associated with age.
The UTI rate is higher when the mean PVR is over 100 ml irrespective of gender and age. Close monitoring of PVR and appropriate intervention is needed to reduce the occurrence of UTI in stroke patients.
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To compare the rate of restenosis between a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) group and a control group within three different generations of drug eluting stents (DES).
Patients who received DES due to an acute coronary syndrome were included. They were divided into a CR group and a control group. The CR group received six to eight weeks of early cardiac rehabilitation program in a hospital setting, and sustained a self-exercise program for six months in a community. The control group was instructed to exercise by themselves after leaving the hospital. Nine months after the first onset of disease, we implemented a coronary angiography and compared the two groups. In addition, we divided the patients into three subgroups according to the generation of DES, and compared the rate of restenosis between the CR group and control group within these three subgroups.
At 9 months, in-stent restenosis, measured as an in-segment late luminal loss (LLL) of the stented coronary area, was smaller in the CR group (n=52) 0.16±0.42 mm compared to the control group (n=51) 0.39±0.78 mm (p<0.05). A reduction of LLL in the CR group compared to the control group was consistent among the three different generations of DES.
The CR program is strongly associated with a significant reduction in LLL in the stented coronary segments, regardless of the generation of DES.
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To survey the cardiovascular complications induced by cardiac monitoring exercise during 10 years of our cardiac rehabilitation (CR) clinic and report on the safety of monitoring exercise training for early hospital-based CR.
All cardiac patients who participated in our exercise program from January 2000 through December 2009 were recruited as study subjects. We stratified the exercise risks of cardiac events and conducted the monitoring exercise with individualized prescriptions. We measured all cardiac complications, including death, symptoms, abnormal hemodynamic responses, and electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormality during exercise training, for 10 years. A total of 975 patients (68% male; mean age, 58.9±10.6) were included in this study. Initial indications for CR were recent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) (75%), post-cardiac surgery (coronary bypass graft, 13.2%), valvular surgery and other cardiac surgery (4.2%), and others (7.6%).
The study population underwent 13,934 patient-hours of monitoring exercise. No death, cardiac arrest or acute myocardial infarction (AMI) occurred during exercise (0/13,934 exercise-hours). Fifty-nine patients experienced 70 cardiovascular events during the 13,934 exercise-hours (1/199 exercise-hours); there were 17 cases of angina only (1/820 exercise-hours), 31 cases of ECG abnormalities only (1/449 exercise-hours), 12 cases of angina with ECG abnormalities (1/1,161 exercise-hours), and 10 cases of abnormal hemodynamic responses (1/1,393 exercise-hours).
Early hospital-based CR is safe enough that no death, cardiac arrest or AMI occurred during the 13,934 patient-hours of monitoring exercise. However, risk stratification for exercise-induced cardiovascular events, proper exercise prescriptions, and intensive ECG monitoring are required prior to initiation of the monitoring exercise.
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Locked-in Syndrome is a severe pontine stroke causing quadriplegia, lower cranial nerve paralysis, and mutism with preservation of only vertical gaze and upper eyelid movement in a conscious patient. We present a case of a Locked-in Syndrome patient who received communication training with augmentative and alternative communication equipment by using eye blinks. After 3 weeks of training, the patient was able to make an attempt to interact with other people, and associate a new word by Korean alphabet selection. Augmentative and alternative communication equipment which uses eye blinks might be considered to be beneficial in improving the communication skills of locked-in syndrome patients.
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Compressive femoral and lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathies from an iliacus hematoma are unusual presentation. We report a case of a 16-year-old boy who developed right femoral and lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathies as a complication of traumatic ipsilateral iliacus hematoma formation. The patient complained of numbness in the right thigh and calf as well as right leg weakness, and pain in the right inguinal area. Nerve conduction study and needle electromyography identified the neuropathies. After the electrodiagnostic studies, the pelvic bone MRI revealed a large, 9×5×4.5 cm right iliacus hematoma. As a result, diagnosis of a right iliacus hematoma compressing the femoral and lateral femoral cutaneous nerves was made, and the patient underwent an operation to remove the hematoma. Symptoms and neurological signs showed notable improvement after surgical decompression. Subsequent follow-up electrodiagnostic studies after 11 weeks demonstrated regeneration evidence.
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Intestinal pseudo-obstruction is a massive colonic dilation with signs and symptoms of colonic obstruction, but without a mechanical cause. A 49-year-old female patient complained of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distension 1 month after a massive brainstem hemorrhage. No improvement was seen with conservative treatments. An extended-length rectal tube was inserted to perform glycerin enema. In addition, bethanechol (35 mg per day) was administered to stimulate colonic motility. The patient's condition gradually improved over a 2-month period without any surgical intervention. Extended length rectal tube enema and bethanechol can be used to improve intestinal pseudo-obstruction in stroke patients.
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Brucellosis is a systemic, infectious disease caused by the bacterial genus
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Vascular malformations in extremities are difficult to detect in cases of minor trauma. The authors report a case of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) incidentally found by ultrasonography in a contusion. After a slip down, a 52-year-old man who had undergone total arthroplasty in both hips 10 years earlier complained of an ovoid right hip swelling that had gradually increased in size. Suspecting a simple cyst or hematoma, the swelling was examined by ultrasonography, which revealed a subcutaneous hematoma with arterial flow connected to muscle. Arteriography revealed an AVM around the right hip joint. Due to the presence of multiple arteriovenous shunts, a conservative treatment course was adopted and after 3 weeks of treatment the swelling almost completely resolved. It appears that the small AVM may have existed congenitally before hip surgery and the contusion over the AVM had led to hematoma rather than an arteriovenous fistula. The authors emphasize the usefulness of ultrasonography for the diagnosis of posttraumatic swelling.
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Ulnar neuropathy at the wrist is rarely reported as complications of carpal tunnel release. Since it can sometimes be confused with recurrent median neuropathy at the wrist or ulnar neuropathy at the elbow, an electrodiagnostic study is useful for detecting the lesion in detail. We present a case of a 51-year-old woman with a two-week history of right ulnar palm and 5th digit tingling sensation that began 3 months after open carpal tunnel release surgery of the right hand. Electrodiagnostic tests such as segmental nerve conduction studies of the ulnar nerve at the wrist were useful for localization of the lesion, and ultrasonography helped to confirm the presence of the lesion. After conservative management, patient symptoms were progressively relieved. Combined electrodiagnostic studies and ultrasonography may be helpful for diagnosing and detecting ulnar neuropathies of the wrist following carpal tunnel release surgery.
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Spinal cord infarction, especially anterior spinal artery syndrome, is a relatively rare disease. We report a case of spinal cord infarction caused by thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm with intraluminal thrombus. A 52-year-old man presented with sudden onset paraplegia. At first, he was diagnosed with cervical myelopathy due to a C6-7 herniated intervertebral disc, and had an operation for C6-7 discetomy and anterior interbody fusion. Approximately 1 month after the operation, he was transferred to the department of rehabilitation in our hospital. Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm with intraluminal thrombus was found incidentally on an enhanced computed tomography scan, and high signal intensities were detected at the anterior horns of gray matter from the T8 to cauda equina level on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. There was no evidence of aortic rupture, dissection, or complete occlusion of the aorta. We diagnosed his case as a spinal cord infarction caused by thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm with intraluminal thrombus.
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