We presented two cases of entrapment neuropathy which were confused with herniated lumbar disc syndrome. One was "meralgia paresthetica in association with lumbar disc herniation", and "the other inguinal neuritis along with obturator neuritis". Syndromes of these entrapment neuropathies were confirmed by subcidence of pain and creation of progressively longer pain-free intervals after analgesic blocks of the corresponding nerves by infiltration of Xylocaine and prednisolone.
Lidocaine ; Nerve Compression Syndromes ; Neuritis ; Prednisolone

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT) compared to conventional overground training. METHODS: Sixty patients with motor incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) were included in a prospective, randomized clinical trial by comparing RAGT to conventional overground training. The RAGT group received RAGT three sessions per week at duration of 40 minutes with regular physiotherapy in 4 weeks. The conventional group underwent regular physiotherapy twice a day, 5 times a week. Main outcomes were lower extremity motor score of American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale (LEMS), ambulatory motor index (AMI), Spinal Cord Independence Measure III mobility section (SCIM3-M), and walking index for spinal cord injury version II (WISCI-II) scale. RESULTS: At the end of rehabilitation, both groups showed significant improvement in LEMS, AMI, SCIM3-M, and WISCI-II. Based on WISCI-II, statistically significant improvement was observed in the RAGT group. For the remaining variables, no difference was found. CONCLUSION: RAGT combined with conventional physiotherapy could yield more improvement in ambulatory function than conventional therapy alone. RAGT should be considered as one additional tool to provide neuromuscular reeducation in patient with incomplete SCI.
Gait* ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Prospective Studies ; Recovery of Function ; Rehabilitation ; Robotics ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Injuries* ; Spinal Injuries ; Walking

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the surface properties and biological response of an anodized titanium surface by cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity analysis. METHODS: Commercial pure titanium (Ti) disks were prepared. The samples were divided into an untreated machined Ti group and anodized Ti group. The anodization of cp-Ti was formed using a constant voltage of 270 V for 60 seconds. The surface properties were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and an image analyzing microscope. The surface roughness was evaluated by atomic force microscopy and a profilometer. The contact angle and surface energy were analyzed. Cell adhesion, cell proliferation, and alkaline phosphatase activity were evaluated using mouse MC3T3-E1 cells. RESULTS: The anodized Ti group had a more porous and thicker layer on its surface. The surface roughness of the two groups measured by the profilometer showed no significant difference (P>0.001). The anodized Ti dioxide (TiO2) surface exhibited better corrosion resistance and showed a significantly lower contact angle than the machined Ti surface (P>0.001). Although there was no significant difference in the cell viability between the two groups (P>0.001), the anodized TiO2 surface showed significantly enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the surface modification of Ti by anodic oxidation improved the osteogenic response of the osteoblast cells.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Survival ; Corrosion ; Dental Implants ; Durapatite ; Mice ; Microscopy, Atomic Force ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Osteoblasts ; Photoelectron Spectroscopy ; Surface Properties ; Titanium

Background: Tobacco smoking is associated with several diseases and deaths in older Koreans. This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with smoking cessation in older Koreans. Methods: We selected 579 subjects who started smoking before the age of 65 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016–2018. We excluded the subjects who quit smoking before the age of 65 years, and then categorized the rest of subjects into those who stopped smoking after the age of 65 years and those who are constant smokers. Multivariable logistic analysis was performed to evaluate the factors related to smoking cessation among older Koreans. Results: Among the participants, 66.1% were persistent smokers. After multivariable analysis, the factors significantly associated with smoking cessation were as follows: being in the age group of 75–79 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.12–7.83), being in the age group of 70–74 years (aOR, 3.10; 95% CI, 1.72–5.61), a family history of ischemic heart disease (aOR, 3.36; 95% CI, 1.09–10.35), and having had no cancer screening (aOR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.18–0.70). Conclusion Further efforts to identify the factors related to smoking cessation will help formulate a smoking cessation policy.

Background: Tobacco smoking is associated with several diseases and deaths in older Koreans. This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with smoking cessation in older Koreans. Methods: We selected 579 subjects who started smoking before the age of 65 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016–2018. We excluded the subjects who quit smoking before the age of 65 years, and then categorized the rest of subjects into those who stopped smoking after the age of 65 years and those who are constant smokers. Multivariable logistic analysis was performed to evaluate the factors related to smoking cessation among older Koreans. Results: Among the participants, 66.1% were persistent smokers. After multivariable analysis, the factors significantly associated with smoking cessation were as follows: being in the age group of 75–79 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.12–7.83), being in the age group of 70–74 years (aOR, 3.10; 95% CI, 1.72–5.61), a family history of ischemic heart disease (aOR, 3.36; 95% CI, 1.09–10.35), and having had no cancer screening (aOR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.18–0.70). Conclusion Further efforts to identify the factors related to smoking cessation will help formulate a smoking cessation policy.

Background: Smoking increases total mortality and the risk of complications in patients with diabetes; however, smokers tend to smoke persistently even after the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study was to analyze risk factors predicting persistent smoking in Korean adults with diabetes. Methods: This study included 265 persistent-smokers and 146 quit-smokers among the participants with diabetes from the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The subjects were smokers at the time of diagnosis of diabetes and were categorized into two groups according to the change in smoking status between the time of diabetes diagnosis and survey. Factors associated with persistent smoking were evaluated using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of persistent-smokers with diabetes in this study was 65.3%. After adjusting for covariates, persistent smoking in Korean adults with diabetes was significantly associated with a history of cancer (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.322; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.116–0.889), strength exercise (aOR, 2.753; 95% CI, 1.361–5.566), stress (aOR, 2.036; 95% CI, 1.046–3.950), non-medical treatment for diabetes (aOR, 6.814; 95% CI, 1.661–27.957), and duration of diabetes (aOR, 0.952; 95% CI, 0.919–0.987). Conclusion Identifying the risk factors related to persistent smoking among Korean adults with diabetes can help in developing effective smoking cessation strategies.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted in order to investigate the therapeutic effect of closed reduction according to a classification in patients with nasal bone fracture. METHODS: The study was conducted retrospectively on 186 patients with a mean age of 38 years (range: 7 to 80 years). All patients were diagnosed by clinical and radiologic examination, and then classified according to Hwang's classification by computed tomography. The patients were further classified by their age, gender, causes of fracture, operation timing after fracture, concurrent facial bone fracture, and complications. All patients underwent the same reduction and treatment protocol and were then followed up regularly for at least three months. RESULTS: The cause of the fracture was slip down, and the highest prevalence was shown in the 20s. The mean operation timing after fracture was 4.1 days (range: 1 to 14 days), and it tended to be longer in the case of defected septal bone or more severe fracture. The most common concurrent facial bone fracture was orbital blow-out fracture, and zygomaticomaxillary complex and maxillary fracture occured frequently. The largest number of complications occurred in class III and IIBs patients, and the main complication was postoperative pain. CONCLUSION: Results of nasal bone closed reduction on the 186 patients showed that serious complications rarely occurred. Closed reduction is generally an effective treatment for nasal bone fracture. However, in the case of severe concurrent septal bone fracture or comminuted fracture with depression, open reduction should be considered. Further study with a larger number of patients and further classification is required.
Classification ; Clinical Protocols ; Depression ; Facial Bones ; Fractures, Bone ; Fractures, Comminuted ; Humans ; Maxillary Fractures ; Nasal Bone* ; Orbit ; Orbital Fractures ; Orthopedics ; Pain, Postoperative ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies*

PURPOSE: Maxillectomy for malignant tumor resection often leads to functional and aesthetic sequalae. Reconstruction following maxillectomy has been a challenging problem in the field of head and neck cancer surgery. In this article, we described three dimensional midface reconstructions using free flaps and their functional and aesthetic outcomes. METHODS: We reconstructed 35 cases of maxillectomy defects using 9 radial forearm free flaps, 7 lattisimus dorsi musculocutaneous free flaps, 6 rectus abdominis musculocutaneous free flaps, 4 fibular osteocutaneous free flaps, and 9 anterolateral thigh free flaps, respectively. We classified post-maxillectomy defects by Brown's classification.1 Articulation clarity was measured with picture consonant articulation test. Swallowing function was evaluated with the University of Washington quality-of-life Head and Neck questionnaire by 4 steps. Aesthetic outcomes were checked to compare preoperative with postoperative full face photographs by 5 medical doctors who did not involve in our operation. RESULTS: The average articulation clarity was 92.4% (100-41.9%). 27 (81.9%) patients were able to eat an unrestricted diet. Aesthetic results were considered excellent in 18 patients (51.4%). Functional results were best in the group reconstructed with fibular osteocutaneous free flap. Considering the range of wide excision, aesthetic results is best in the group reconstructed with anterolateral thigh free flap. CONCLUSION: The free flap is a useful technique for the reconstruction of the midface leading to good results, both functionally and aesthetically. Especially, because osteocutaneous flap such as fibular osteocutaneous free flap offered bone source for osteointegrated implant, It produces the best functional results. And perforator flap like as anterolateral thigh free flap reliably provides the best aesthetic results, because it provides sufficient volume and has no postoperative volume diminution.
Deglutition ; Diet ; Forearm ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Head ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Humans ; Neck ; Perforator Flap ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rectus Abdominis ; Thigh ; Washington

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to find out cognitive function of the patients with subjective memory complaint. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From March 1st 2005 to May 31st 2009, 155 normal individuals without any medical illness who visited Yeungnam University Hospital to undergo medical checkup with neurocognitive test was enrolled, and checked by using Cognitive Assessment & Reference Diagnostic System. RESULTS: 107 of the patients had normal cognitive function, 21 patients (about 15%) were diagnosed with dementia, and 10 patients (about 7%) were diagnosed with considerable psychiatric illness, such as depression, anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder. CONCLUSION: Because the patients with subjective memory complaint can be diagnosed as any psychiatric illness as well as dementia, sensitive screening test and early psychiatric approach is needed.
Adjustment Disorders ; Anxiety Disorders ; Dementia ; Depression ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Memory

Sciatic nerve injury can result from intragluteal administration of any kind of antibiotics or other agents therapeutically or prophylactically. This experimental study was conducted in order to observe the histopathological findings of injured sciatic nerve following injection with normal saline, chloromycetin, penicillin and rheumapyrine. Fifty-five experimental normal adult rabbits were divided into 4 groups and various substances were injected intraneurally on the right side and perineurally on the left side. Pathological specimens were then taken at intervals of 1, 3, 7, and 21 days after injection. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. Rheumapyrine produced the greatest reaction, penicllin was the next and chlomycetin was the least damaging of the drugs in this study. 2. More conspicuous pathological changes were observed on the right side than on the left side. 3. It was thought that major source of damage to the sciatic nerve was chemical toxicity to the peripheral nerve. 4. Intraneural injections of rheumaphyrine induced irreversible damage on nervous tissue and perineural fibrosis. 5. Intraneural injection of penicillin caused transient reversible damage on nervous tissue with perineural deposition of collagen. 6. Intraneural injection of chloromycetin induced early reversible damage on nervous tissue with persistant inflammatory reaction in soft tissue. 7. Perineural injection of rheumapyrine, penicillin and chloromycetin induced mild damage on nerveus tissue and revealed moderate inflammatory reaction on soft tissue.
Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Chloramphenicol ; Collagen ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Penicillins ; Peripheral Nerves ; Rabbits ; Sciatic Nerve*