Choi, Jong Ho | 6 Articles |
Objective
To find a new method and usefulness of study on sensory nerve conduction of lateral sural cutaneous nerve (LSCN). Method: The 60 extremities of 30 adults without peripheral neuropathy were placed in a prone position. Next, each subject was administered with an antidromic stimulation at a point 3 cm lateral from the center of the popliteal fossa. With the aid of active electrodes, the sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs) were recorded at points 10 cm inferior and 1 cm lateral to the stimulation site. The method of sensory nerve conduction study suggested by Campagnolo et al. was performed simultaneously, to compare of the frequency of SNAPs and the amplitudes. Results: For the sensory nerve conduction study of the LSCN suggested in this report, SNAPs were obtained in 49 extremities, with a revelation rate of 81.7%. The mean amplitude was 11.91±3.68ՌV. In the results of the tests suggested by Campagnolo et al., the SNAPs were obtained in 29 extremities, with a revelation rate of 48.3%. The mean amplitude was 8.37±5.21ՌV. Significance testing of the electrodiagnostic method recommended in this study revealed that many SNAPs were observed for the LSCN, with statistically significant action potential amplitudes. Conclusion: This study presents the new method and reference values of sensory nerve conduction for LSCN, which is thought to be useful in electrodiagnostic studies to diagnose entrapment neuropathy. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2008; 32: 300-304)
Objective
To compare treatment effects of translaminar epidural steroid injections (TLESIs) only and selective nerve root injections (SNRIs) with TLESIs in lumbosacral spinal stenosis. Method: Thirty-four patients diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) and electromyography (EMG) were included. 16 patients who had somatosensory pathway dysfunction or abnormal spontaneous activity received combined SNRIs with TLESIs and 20 patients received only TLESIs. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and functional rating index (FRI) were measured before injection, 1 week and 3 months after 3 times injection. Results: The mean values of VAS before injection, 1 week and 3 months after 3 times injection were 7.55, 3.22, 3.61 in only TLESIs and 7.37, 2.06, 2.31 in SNRIs with TLESIs. The mean values of FRI before injection, 1 week and 3 months after 3 times injection were 25.16, 16.00, 15.83 in only TLESIs and 22.50, 8.37, 8.31 in SNRIs with TLESIs. In the mean values of VAS and FRI were significantly lower SNRIs with TLESIs than only TLESIs (p<0.05). Conclusion: Combined SNRIs with TLESIs were more effective treatment for reduction of pain and improvement of function than only TLESIs in lumbosacral spinal stenosis. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2007; 31: 7-13)
Objective
The purpose of this study was to determine the natural history of symptomatic hands without electrodiagnostic evidence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Method: This study was comprised of 88 hands of 49 subjects with symptoms consistent with CTS without median mononeuropathy who were recruited during a community health examination and followed after two years. 88 hands of 44 people with age and sex-matched healthy controls were followed for comparison. Symptoms and electrodiagnostic findings were compared between the two groups. Results: 62 hands of the symptomatic group had persistent symptoms after 2 years while 16 hands of the control group had symptoms consistent with CTS. Median motor distal latencies were significantly delayed after two years in the symptomatic group (p<0.05). Median sensory latencies were also delayed in the symptomatic group, but this was not statistically significant (p=0.064). The occurrence rate of median mononeuropathy at wrist was significantly higher in the symptomatic group than in the control group (13.6% vs. 2.3%)(p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggested that a significant number of symptomatic hands without electrodiagnostic evidence of CTS may have persistent symptoms and may progress to electrodiagnostically evident CTS. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2006; 30: 346-352)
Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome in a rural population in Korea. Method: Among the 1004 residents in a rural district who participated in the health examination, 450 (165 male, 285 female) adults aged between 30 and 79 years were randomly selected. Hand symptom questionnaire and electrodiagnostic studies were used to diagnose and classify carpal tunnel syndrome. General characteristics, female-related factors, work-related factors and anthropometric measurements were compared between normal and carpal tunnel syndrome group to identify the risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome. Results: Subjects with carpal tunnel syndrome were 76 (16.9%), symptom only subjects were 168 (37.3%), asymptomatic slowing 27 (6.0%) and peripheral polyneuropathy were 16 (3.6%). Age, farming, body mass index and wrist depth width ratio were associated with risk of carpal tunnel syndrome and odds ratio were 1.03 (95% confidence interval 1.01∼1.07), 2.62 (95% confidence interval 1.17∼5.86), 2.24 (95% confidence interval 1.14∼4.40) and 3.13 (95% confidence interval 1.64∼5.96), each. Conclusion: These data suggest that the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome is high in a rural population and physical factors like wrist shape and body mass index, occupation and aging are associated with risk of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Objective: To assess the prevalence and contributing factors for myofascial pain syndrome in male adolescents and to evaluate the association of thoracic kyphosis and myofascial pain syndrome. Method: Four hundred thirteen male students of three high schools and one middle school were randomly selected. With the diagnostic criteria of palpable taut band, spot tenderness and pain recognition, myofascial pain syndrome in trapezius and infraspinatus were diagnosed. Thoracic kyphosis and pressure pain threshold were measured and contributing factors were collected with questionnaire. The relation between thoracic kyphosis and pressure pain threshold was evaluated and contributing factors for myofascial pain syndrome were compared. Results: The prevalence of myofascial pain syndrome was 31.5% in trapezius and 1.0% in infraspinatus. Mean pressure pain thresholds were low in latent trigger point and myofascial pain syndrome group in comparison with normal group (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant correlation between thoracic kyphosis and pressure pain threshold. Aging and uncomfortable desk and chair were associated with high risk of myofascial pain syndrome. Conclusion: Myofacial pain syndrome is common in male adolescents and inadequate posture due to uncomfortable desk and chair rather than physical attributes like thoracic kyphosis is a contributing factor. Proper education and prevention are needed.
Objective: To study the reaction of tissues in the carpal tunnel after repeated flexion of wrist in order to verify the pathophysiology and pathomechanism of the carpal tunnel syndrome as a cumulative trauma disorder. Method: Six groups of adult rabbits (5 rabbits were allocated to each groups) were exposed to repeated contractions of the wrist flexors by the median nerve stimulation at the elbow level for different durations; 2 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, and 5 weeks. Histological evaluation, morphometric analysis, and electrophysiological studies were carried out after the stimulation. Results: There were no typical nor consistent findings in the tissues in the carpal tunnel except the median nerve. Inflammatory cell infiltration and edematous changes were noted in the epineurial tissue of median nerve. Decrease of large myelinated fibers and changes of fiber shape were observed in the median nerve. On the morphometric analysis, fiber diameter was smaller in groups of longer exposure duration. Changes were most prominent in 5 weeks group and in the periphery of the nerve fascicle in all the groups. Significant reduction of amplitude and increase of duration of compound muscle action potential were noted on electrophysiological study of the median nerve. Conclusion: The authors concluded that repeated experimental wrist flexion could give rise to an injury of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. Accumulation of microtrauma of median nerve by epineurial edema and direct mechanical compression seems to be the pathomechanism of the carpal tunnel syndrome as a cumulative trauma disorder.
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