OBJECTIVE: The name of whiplash Injury derives from the etiopathogenic description of the sudden sharp whipping movement of the head and neck, symptoms are varied, manifesting as neck pain, occipital pain, dysesthesia, and weakness of arm, and so on. But there is no objective diagnostic tool for the evaluation of its symptoms. The purpose of the study is to visualize the symptomatic region before and after treatment and comparing the images obtained by infrared study. METHODS: From march 2006 to June 2008, 20 patients diagnosed as whiplash injuries were examined by digital infrared thermographic imaging system (DITI, DOREX, USA). The male-to-female ratio was 14:6 and their ages were ranging in age from 20 to 67 years, with mean age of 38.5 years. We evaluated thermal change (deltaT) in lesion area(neck and shoulder) and also compared thermal difference (deltaT (2wk-I)) after pre- & post- treatment. RESULTS: Initial DITI was 34.28 +/- 2.90 on anterior neck, 34.29 +/- 2.98 on posterior neck, 33.42 +/- 2.93 on right shoulder shoulder (Lt), and 33.59 +/- 2.81 on left shoulder. DITI after 2weeks treatment was 33.60 +/- 2.88 on anterior neck, 33.78 +/- 2.99 on posterior neck, 32.79 +/- 2.78 on right shoulder, and 33.05 +/- 2.74 on left shoulder. The thermal difference of lesional area on the initial treatment and after treatment (deltaT (2wk-I)) was 0.68 +/- 0.45 on anterior neck, 0.51 +/- 0.36 on posterior neck, 0.63 +/- 0.32 on right shoulder, and 0.54 +/- 0.64 on left shoulder, and these result were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Thermal difference (deltaT) was neck 0.34 and shoulder 0.33 on initial injury, and 0.39, 0.31 after 2 weeks respectively. This finding was symmetrical and below deltaT 0.5 based on pathologic body temperature. Initial VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) of Neck was 7.9 +/- 0.78 and after 2 weeks was 3.6 +/- 1.21 the initial VAS of shoulder was 7.4 +/- 0.52 and after 2 weeks was 3.2 +/- 0.97. There was statistically significant (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Therefore DITI was perceived as a reliable tool in the objective assessment of treatment effect after sustaining whiplash injuries, in clinical practice.
Arm ; Body Temperature ; Head ; Humans ; Neck ; Neck Pain ; Paresthesia ; Shoulder ; Whiplash Injuries

No abstract available.
Apolipoproteins* ; Genotype* ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficiency of carbon fiber composite frame and polyetheretherketone(PEEK) cages in the interbody fusion for surgical treatment of cervical disc diseases, we analyzed fusion time and subsidence rate. METHODS: From March 2004 to February 2007 fifty patients with cervical disc diseases underwent anterior discectomy and interbody fusion in 60 levels. The subjects were 26 men and 24 women with a mean age of 57.2 years ranging from 29 to 67. Among them 25 patients underwent operations using carbon fiber composite frame cages (Osta-Pek(R), Co-Ligne, Zurich, Switzerland) in 30 levels, and 25 patients using PEEK cages(Cornerstone(R), Medtronic, TN, USA) in 30 levels. The cages were packed with allograft bone or bone substitute(demineralised bone matrix). On lateral flexion-extension radiographs anterior disc height and posterior disc height were measured at preoperative time, postoperative 1, 3, 6 and 12 month respectively. Segmental stability(lordotic angle) was measured at postoperative 3, 6, and 12 months in all 60 levels for fusion time. RESULTS: The anterior disc height and posterior disc height were 4.87+/-1.36mm and 3.25+/-0.73mm at preoperative time, 7.32+/-1.41mm and 4.77+/-0.80mm at postoperative 1month, and 5.87+/-1.47mm and 3.22+/-0.93mm at posto- perative 12 months respectively in carbon fiber composite frame cage group(30 levels). The anterior disc height and posterior disc height were 4.88+/-1.18mm and 3.75+/-0.75mm at preoperative time, 7.26+/-1.17mm and 5.27+/-0.55mm at postoperative 1month, and 6.23+/-1.16mm and 3.96+/-0.69mm at postoperative 12months respectively in PEEK cage group(30 levels). The angular motion at the fused segment was measured in carbon fiber composite frame cage and PEEK group for segmental stability(two degrees or less flexion-extension range of motion at the fusion site). The carbon fiber composite frame cage group was stabilized between postoperative 3 months and 6 months, but PEEK cage group was stabilized between 6 months and 9 months. This result was statistically significant(p-value =0.003)(Fig. 2). Fusion rate of carbon composite frame cage group was 28%, 67% and 83% at 3, 6, 12 months after operation, and that of PEEK cage group was 24%, 48% and 86% at postoperative 3, 6 and 12 months respe- ctively. Complications included transient hoarseness, cage migration and subsidence. There was no persistent hoar- seness or Horner syndrome. We have observed severe subsidence(above 3mm) in two cases(6.7%) of carbon fiber composite frame cage group only. Anterior cage migration was shown in each one case(3.3%) of carbon fiber composite frame and PEEK cage group. CONCLUSION: The carbon fiber composite frame cage group showed a tendency of earlier fusion than PEEK cage group but both cages were same in the fusion rate at postoperative 1 year. But, restoration or maintenance of inter- vertebral height was much better in PEEK cage group than carbon fiber composite frame cage group. Subsidence rate was higher in carbon fiber cage group rather than PEEK cage group.
Carbon ; Diskectomy ; Female ; Hoarseness ; Horner Syndrome ; Humans ; Ketones ; Male ; Polyethylene Glycols ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Transplantation, Homologous

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical difference between cubital tunnel syndrome with anconeus epitrochlearis (AE) and idiopathic cubital tunnel syndrome without known other causes. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included the 326 patients who were subjected to surgery because of cubital tunnel syndrome from 2008 to 2014. After exclusion of patients with other known causes of cubital tunnel syndrome, a total of 107 patients were divided into two groups; patients with and without AE. The clinical differences between two groups were analyzed retrospectively; age, sex, presence of intrinsic muscle atrophy, interval from symptom development to surgery, pinch power, the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand score and the nerve conduction velocity (NCV). RESULTS: Thirty four (10.4%) patients, being subjected to surgery had the AE. Among 107 patients who had no other known causes, 26 patients had AE. 19 out of 26 patients with AE was male. Average age of patients with AE was significantly younger. The interval from symptom development to surgery in AE patients was significantly shorter. Motor NCV of ulnar nerve at above elbow joint in comparison with that at below elbow joint in AE patient was more significantly decreased (14.3 m/sec vs. 8.3 m/sec). CONCLUSION: The AE in cubital tunnel syndrome is no more rare structure. In younger male patients with rapidly progressive worsening cubital tunnel symptoms, and if there is significant decrease of ulnar motor nerve velocity at above elbow in comparison with at below elbow, the AE should be considered as cause of ulnar neuropathy.
Arm ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Cubital Tunnel Syndrome* ; Elbow ; Elbow Joint ; Hand ; Humans ; Male ; Muscular Atrophy ; Neural Conduction ; Retrospective Studies ; Shoulder ; Ulnar Nerve ; Ulnar Neuropathies

PURPOSE: To assess the significance of fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the diagnosis of intracranial infarctions and to find out differential points between central lacunar infarctions and perivascular spaces. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We consecutively selected 25 cases of territorial infarction in 20 patients, 37 cases of central infarction in 40 patients, and 30 patients with perivascular space. Signal intensity and lesion conspicuity were analyzed and compared between FLAIR and FSE T2-weighted images, and differences in signal intensity between central infarction and perivascular spaces were determined. RESULTS: Lesion conspicuity for FLAIR was better than for T2-weighted images in 12 and 15, worse in 4 and 24, and similar in 9 and 16 of territorial and central infarctions, respectively. In nine cases of territorial and one case of central infarction, there was associated hemorrhage. At FLAIR imaging, perivascular spaces showed a fine round low signal without a peripheral high signal rim in 17 patients but no demonstrable signals in 15. Differential diagnosis of perivascular spaces and central infarction was thus not difficult. CONCLUSION: FLAIR MRI was useful in the diagnosis of infarctions and in differentiating between central small lacular infarctions and perivascular spaces.
Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Infarction ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Stroke, Lacunar*

PURPOSE: After the introduction of concept of osteointegration, dental implantology have been successful procedure in the dental field. Recently, it has shown successful results when used to restore single tooth missing. Considering the difference in bone quality of the mandible and maxilla, and the increased occlusal force in the posterior region, the success rates in each region may be different. In this study, success rates of single implants placed in the mandibular first and second molar areas were analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were patients (284 patients, 308 implants) who had been operated with single implant installation from 2002 to 2009 in seven dental clinics in Daegu city. One hundred sixty eight implants were placed in the mandibular 1st molar and 140 implants were placed in the mandibular 2nd molar. They were analyzed according to implant site, age, sex, length and diameter. RESULTS: The survival rates of single implant of this study were 97.6% in the mandibular 1st molar and 92.9% in the mandibular 2nd molar. In the mandibular 1st molar, 4 implants were failed. In the mandibular, 2nd molar, 10 implants were failed. CONCLUSION: The restoration of the mandibular 1st molar using single implant was found to be clinically acceptable treatment and showed higher survival rate than mandibular 2nd molar single implant. Single implant in mandibular 2nd molar needs careful consideration of poor bone quality, risk of overloading and anatomical structure of the mandible.
Bite Force ; Dental Clinics ; Dental implants* ; Humans ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Molar* ; Survival Rate* ; Tooth

Human sparganosis is a rare parasitic disease in which the larval cestode proliferates in the various organs in the body. It usually presents as a subcutaneous or soft- tissue mass. By fine needle aspiration this lesion can be diagnosed with its characteristic cytologic findings. We experienced 3 cases of sparganosis diagnosed by the fine needle aspiration. Aspirates were taken from subcutaneous mass in the abdomen and both thighs respectively. The aspirates showed a portion of body of sparganum with numerous calcospherules, smooth muscles and tegmentat cells. They also revealed granulomas with various inflammatory infiltration of eosinophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes and plasma cells.
Abdomen ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle* ; Cestoda ; Eosinophils ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Muscle, Smooth ; Neutrophils ; Parasitic Diseases ; Plasma Cells ; Sparganosis* ; Sparganum ; Thigh

PURPOSE: Maxillofacial fractures are rapidly increasing from car accidents, industrial accidents, teenaged criminal activity, and sports injuries. Accurate assessment, appropriate diagnosis, and preparing individual treatment plans are necessary to reduce surgical complications. We investigated recent trends of facial bone fracture by period, cause, and type, with the objective of reducing surgical complications. METHODS: To investigate time trends of maxillofacial fractures, we reviewed medical records from 2,196 patients with maxillofacial fractures in 1981~1987 (Group A), 1995~1999 (Group B), and 2008~2012 (Group C). We analyzed each group, comparing the number of patients, sex ratio, age, fracture site, and etiology. RESULTS: The number of patients in each period was 418, 516, and 1,262 in Groups A to C. Of note is the increase in the number of patients from Group A to C. The sex ratios were 5.6:1, 3.5:1, and 3.8:1 in Groups A, B, and C. The most affected age group for fracture is 20~29 in all three groups. Traffic accidents are the most common cause in Groups A and B, while there were somewhat different causes of fracture in Group C. Sports-induced facial trauma was twice as high in Group C compared with Group A and B. Mandible fracture accounts for a large portion of facial bone fractures overall. CONCLUSION: We observed an increase in facial bone fracture patients at Kyungpook National University Dental Hospital over the years. Although facial injury caused by traffic accidents was still a major cause of facial bone fracture in all periods, the percentage decreased. In recent years, isolated mandible fracture increased but mandible and mid-facial complex fracture decreased, possibly because of a reduction in traffic accidents.
Accidents, Occupational ; Accidents, Traffic ; Athletic Injuries ; Criminals ; Diagnosis ; Facial Bones ; Facial Injuries ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Mandible ; Maxillofacial Injuries ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies* ; Sex Ratio ; Tertiary Healthcare*

OBJECTIVE: Selecting an appropriate guiding catheter to provide both sufficient supportability for working devices and sufficient distal navigability is essential for ensuring the success of a procedure. This study aimed to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using the ENVOY 6F distal access (DA) guiding catheter in coil embolization of anterior circulation cerebral aneurysms.METHODS: We included 98 patients (72 [73.5%] women, median age: 63 [range: 25–84] years) who underwent endovascular coiling with the ENVOY 6F DA guiding catheter from May to November 2016. We analyzed data on patient demographics and the number of co-axial techniques to position the guiding catheter, initial and final location of the catheter, and complications related to the catheter.RESULTS: The co-axial technique was used to position the ENVOY 6F DA guiding catheter in the internal carotid artery (ICA) in 20 cases (20.41%). The initial position of the ENVOY 6F DA guiding catheter involved the cervical ICA (79.6%), horizontal petrous ICA (17.3%), and vertical petrous ICA (3.1%). Final control angiograms after endovascular coiling showed proximal change in the final, compared to the initial, position of the ENVOY 6F DA guiding catheter in 25 cases (25.51%). Procedure-related complications were observed in nine patients (9.18%), involving vasospasm in all cases; however, there was no symptomatic case.CONCLUSION: The ENVOY 6F DA guiding catheter had relatively sufficient distal navigability without symptomatic procedural complications. However, the change in the catheter position after endovascular coiling denoted insufficient supportability.
Aneurysm ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Demography ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Early glottic cancer can be effectively treated with conservation laryngeal surgery, radiation therapy, and endoscopic laser surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical results between laser cordectomy and radiation therapy for early glottic cancer and to evaluate the role of laser cordectomy. MATERIALS AND METHOD: From 1988 to 1998, 89 patients with T1-T2/N0 glottic cancer were treated initially with radiation therapy or laser cordectomy. There were 67 T1 and 22 T2 tumors. Fifty-two patients were treated by radiation therapy (RT), and thirty-seven patients were treated by endoscopic laser cordectomy. The method of primary treatment, local control rate, survival rate and larynx preservation were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: With the median follow-up period of 48.2 months, the local control rates in laser cordectomy and radiation therapy were 88.9%, 89.7% for T1, and 90.0% and 61.5% for T2 tumors, respectively. The 3-year survival rate was 88.9% and 87.2% for T1 and 80.0% and 61.5% for T2. Larynx preservation rate was 83.4% in T1 and 70.0% in T2 patients. These results of laser cordectomy were superior to those treated by radiation therapy. CONCLUSION: In T1b glottic cancer, radiation therapy gave better results than laser cordectomy, whereas for T2 glottic cancer, laser cordectomy was superior to radiation therapy in initial control of tumor. Compared with radiation therapy, laser cordectomy afforded a greater likelihood of larynx preservation and more options for further treatment in case of failure. We conclude that the laser cordectomy is a good surgical alternative for properly selected early glottic cancer.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Larynx ; Laser Therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate