BACKGROUNDS: Percutaneous radiofrequency neurotomy of posterior primary ramus has been in use as a treatment for persistent, mechanical low back pain for two decades. However, there has been limited studies regarding to prognostic factors related to outcome. We report our experience with at least 2-year follow up with special aftention on prognostic factors. METHODS: Of total 228 patients who underwent percutaneous radiofrequency neurotomy (PRN) of posterior primary ramus for refractory low back pain during last 3 years, 128 patients whose pain was considered to be originated from facets joints or their surrounding soft tissue and responded to temporary blocks were assigned to a group II. All patients had more than 6 months of pain. These patients were compared with 100 patients to whom PRN were provided for chronic nonspecific low back pain without all inclusion criteria (Group I). RF procedures were done under local anesthesia with C-arm intensifier guidance. Pain reliefs were estimated at 1week, 1month, 6months and 2 years using visual analog scale(VAS). For patients with more that 50% reduction of previous pain was regarded as positive responder. Various clinical variables such as age, sex, symptom duration, types of pain, bilaterality, and previous surgery were studied for prognostic factors. RESULTS: Positive responders were 56% at 1week, 46% at lmonth, 18% at 6months, and 13% at 2years after PRN in group I, and 78.9% at lweek, 75.4% at lmonth, 62.5% at 6months, and 54.7% at 2years in group II. Some variables were found to be significantly related to outcome including prominent local tenderness, percussion tenderness, combination of symptoms with pain on gefting up, extension, transitional movement, pain radiating to buttock and/or posterior thigh, and good immediate response. Age, sex, symptom duration, bilaterality, imaging study results, previous lumbar surgery, and degrees of pain relief from diagnostic block were not related to outcome. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that PRN of posterior primary ramus has a moderate overall long-term beneficial effect, with no morbidity in our series. But, the long-term good results will be anticipated only in properly selected patients with low back pain originating from facet joints and surrounding structures.
Anesthesia, Local ; Buttocks ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Joints ; Low Back Pain* ; Percussion ; Thigh ; Zygapophyseal Joint

No abstract available.
Carrier State*

No abstract available.
Mandibular Fractures ; Osteomyelitis ; Transplants

No abstract available.
Humans ; Siblings* ; Thrombasthenia*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is evidence which suggests that mammals have functional olfactory systems at birth or shortly before birth. This study was performed to investigate perinatal development of the olfactory mucosa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats at the 19th gestational day, and of the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th postnatal day were sacrificed. The light microscopic investigation of the olfactory mucosa was conducted with hematoxylineosin stain, immunohistochemical stain for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and protein gene product (PGP) 9.5. RESULTS: Number of the cell layers, epithelial thickness, and density of the olfactory receptor cell peaked at the postnatal 14th day. The cells of the basal layer changed from globose cells to basal cell proper with age. The number of the basal cells to the receptor cells decreased with age. PCNA was positive both in the supporting and basal layers. PCNA positivity decreased with age in the supporting layer but stayed stationary in the basal layer. PGP 9.5 was strongly positive in the olfactory receptor cells, dendrites, and the nerve bundles but negative in the supporting and basal layers. CONCLUSION: The olfactory epithelium proliferated maximally at postnatal 14 day, and afterwards the olfactory mucosa tended to show their characteristic maturation with slowed neurogenesis.
Animals ; Dendrites ; Mammals ; Neurogenesis ; Olfactory Mucosa* ; Parturition ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

No abstract available.
Stomach Neoplasms* ; Stomach*

Hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage is one of the most common cause of death in Korea and usually considered as a monophasic event. But recently acute expansion of the hematoma within an hour to a day, has been reported as a cause of severe neurological deterioration and death. To know the incidence and risk factors of acute expansion of the hematoma in hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage, the authors retrospectively analysed 96 hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage patients who were admitted to Minjoong hospital from January 1997 to December 1998. Neurological examination with Glasgow Coma Scale and first computed tomography (CT) scan were performed as soon as possible after arrival. Then second CT scan was performed within an hour to a day before the operation. Blood sample was taken within an hour for routine laboratory examination including liver function and coagulation test. The amount and shape of hematoma on CT scans were carefully measured to know whether acute expansion was occurred or not. The patients who have acute expansion of the hematoma were 15 patients (15.6%). Expansion of the hematoma was not correlated with sex, age, site, shape, or amount of hematoma statistically. But thalamic hematoma in location, irregular shape of hematoma, or large amount of hematoma has a tendency of acute expansion. The time of onset to arrival, initial systolic pressure, liver dysfunction and history of heavy alcohol drinking were correlated with acute expansion statistically (p<0.05). The shorter the time of onset to arrival and the higher initial systolic pressure, the more the incidence of acute expansion of the hematoma significantly. Acute expansion of the hematoma was significantly increased with the severity of liver dysfunction and history of heavy alcohol drinking. The levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) and platelet (PLT) count were meaningful indices of hematoma expansion.
Alcohol Drinking ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Blood Platelets ; Blood Pressure ; Cause of Death ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; gamma-Glutamyltransferase ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Hematoma* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intracranial Hemorrhage, Hypertensive* ; Korea ; Liver ; Liver Diseases ; Neurologic Examination ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Trisomy 9p syndrome was first described by Rethore et al in 1970 and about 150 cases have been reported. The characteristic features of the partial trisomy 9p syndrome is clearly recognizable faces, which include microcephaly, facial deformities, skeletal and dermatoglyphic anomalies with variable degrees of mental retardation. The 3-ketothiolase deficiency was first described in 1971 and about 30 cases have been reported. The 3-ketothiolase deficeiency is an inborn error of isoleucine and ketone body catabolism that shows autosomal recessive traits, caused by a deficiency of mitochondrial acetoacetyl-coenzyme A thiolase(T2). We report a case of partial trisomy 9p syndrome with 3-ketothiolase deficeiency in a 4-years-old female. The karyotype of the patient was confirmed as 46,XY, add(9)(p23) mat. In the urine organic acid test, 3-ketothiolase deficiency was reported.
Acetyl-CoA C-Acyltransferase* ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Dermatoglyphics ; Female ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability ; Isoleucine ; Karyotype ; Metabolism ; Microcephaly ; Trisomy*

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS), characterized by a cleavage plane through basal keratinocytes, is caused by a mutation of the genes encoding keratin 5 and 14. It is often regarded as the least severe form of Epidermolysis bullosa. In 1886, Koebner described the seasonal blisterings predominantly on the palms and soles but occurring on the other sites of friction with clothes as well. His name is often used to describe EBS with the generalized blisterings. We have experienced a case of Koebner variant of EBS in a two-day old male neonate whose father had the same EBS. Hereby, we report his clinical, histopathological findings with a brief review of the literature.
Blister ; Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex* ; Epidermolysis Bullosa* ; Fathers ; Friction ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Keratin-5 ; Keratinocytes ; Male ; Seasons

Amicrobial pustulosis of the folds (APF) is a rare pustular eruption, which predominantly involves the cutaneous folds, including the external auditory canals, scalp, and palms. It occurs in patients with a wide spectrum of autoimmune abnormalities. Systemic lupus erythematosus is the autoimmune disorder observed most commonly in patients with APF. The etiology of APF is unclear, but all reported cases have involved women of reproductive age when the eruptions first occurred. This report describes a 34-year-old woman who presented with an acute pustular rash. Her medical history was unremarkable, except for transitory dry eyes, dry mouth, and polyarthralgia for 1 year. Coalescing pustular lesions arising on erythematous skin, forming crusted and eroded plaques, were observed, which predominantly affected the anterior chest, mainly the cutaneous folds. The periorificial regions were also involved, including the nasal alae, mouth angles, and external auditory canals. Our patient had the characteristic clinical and histopathological features of APF, in association with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS). In conclusion, we present a patient having APF associated with pSS.
Adult ; Arthralgia ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; Ear Canal ; Exanthema ; Eye ; Female ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Mouth ; Scalp ; Sjogren's Syndrome ; Skin ; Thorax