• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.114-124
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• 2001

Objective : To evaluate the effect of treatment for cervical headache by using Cathami Flos herbal acupuncture that are known for anti-inflammatory and function of relieving the pain. Methods : Evaluated the result of Cathami Flos herbal acupuncture treatment twice in a week for patients who have cervical headache with cervical MRI abnormality at Gun-Po Oriental medical hospital in affiliation with wonkwang university. Results : 1. In the distribution of sex; Female rate was 45.9% and male rate was 54.1%., In the distribution of age, Thirties and forties group was the largest group by each 32.8%. 2. In the distribution of Cervical MRI abnormality; Abnormality of C2/3, C3/4, C4/5 was 94.6%, disk bulging and disk protrusion was 94.5%. 3. The effect of treatment by age was as follows; Thirties and forties group were each 31.1%, total 62.2%. 4. In the distribution of treatment period and curative value; 'Two weeks to four week' was 63.9%. Conclusion : These results shows that it is possible for headache to be occurred by cervical abnormality and that the effect of treatment by Cathami Flos herbal acupuncture is exellent by relaxing contracted muscles, strengthening weakened' ligaments and improving inflammatory parts.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.28-30
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• 2005

Bilateral brachial neuritis is clinically uncommon and accidentally involvement of bilateral phrenic nerves is rarely reported. We experienced a 26 year old man who developed subacute onset of asymmetric bilateral shoulder and arm weakness. The weakness slowly aggravated and finally suffered from dyspnea due to bilateral phrenic nerve palsy. Cervical spine MRI and CSF study showed no abnormality. Viral markers and other serological test showed no specific finding. Electromyographic study showed bilateral brachial axonal polyneuropathy with cervical and upper thoracic polyradiculopathy. And bilateral phrenic nerve conduction study showed no resopnse. He showed no improvement for 10 months after treatment and managed with continuous artificial ventilation. We report a case of idiopathic bilateral brachial neuritis accidentally involving bilateral phrenic nerves.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2008

Objectives : The os odontoideum is an uncommon abnormality which is due to non fusion of axis and odontoid process that exists as a separate ossicle apart from a hypoplastic dens. Its clinical significance lies in its potential to produce serious neurologic symptoms after cervical Chuna Manipulation Treatment. We experienced a patient diagnosed as os odontoideum which corresponds to absolute contra-indications of chuna manipulation treatment and report it. Methods : The patient was diagnosed as os odontoideum through cervical spine CT and MRI. Results and Conclusion : During cervical physical examination, we encountered L'hermitte's phenomenon from the patient and suspected one of contra-indications of chuna manipulation treatment. We could diagnose the patient as os odontoideum through cervical spine CT, MRI and prevent him from severe sequelae caused by chuna manipulation treatment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.891-898
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• 2000

Objective : It is difficult to differentiate intramedullary spinal cord tumors preoperatively from non-neoplastic pathologies in patients presenting as non-compressive myelopathies in magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). In this report, the authors reviewed nonneoplastic intramedullary spinal cord lesions preoperatively diagnosed as tumors and discussed their clinical and radiological characteristics and usefulness of surgical intervention. Methods : From January, 1985 to January, 1999, authors experienced eight non-neoplastic pathologies mimicking intramedullary spinal cord tumors and analysed their medical records, radiological findings and histopathological specimens retrospectively. Results : There were five males and three females and the duration of symptoms were from two to 20 months(mean, 9.8 months). The location of lesions were four cervical, one cervicothoracic and three thoracic. All patients manifested sensory abnormality, seven motor weakness, and six bladder symptom. All cases had swollen spinal cords and increased signal intensities in spin-echo sequences. Six cases showed contrast enhancement : four cases were focal and two diffuse. Under the impression of intramedullary tumors, the patients were operated upon. Final diagnoses on the base of clinical and pathologic finding were : three subacute necrotizing myelopathies, two multiple scleroses, two myelopathy of unknown etiology. One case showed no gross abnormality in surgical field in spite of adequate exposure of the lesion, so biopsy was not performed. In that case, postoperative MRI revealed spontaneous resolution of the lesion. Conclusion : MRI is invaluable diagnostic tool in screening myelopathies. However, its high sensitivity and lack of specificity make difficulty in preoperative differential diagnosis of non-compressive myelopathies. Although no surgical morbidity occurred in our series, we sometimes failed to confirm definite diagnosis even with biopsy. In such a circumstance, long-term follow up is needed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.436-440
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• 2007

Objective : Spinal cord hemangioblastoma is an uncommon vascular neoplasm with a benign nature and is associated with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease in 20-30% of patients. Total removal of these tumors without significant neurological deficit remains a great challenge. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of VHL mutation analysis and to evaluate surgical outcome of patients with spinal cord hemangioblastomas. Methods : This study included nine patients treated for spinal cord hemangioblastomas at our institute between December 1994 and March 2006. There were four male and five female patients. Mean age was 37.8 years. The mean follow-up period was 22.4 months. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the complete neuraxis was done in all cases and VHL mutation analysis was performed in three cases for a definite diagnosis. Results : Six patients had intramedullary tumor, and the remaining patients had intradural extramedullary lesions. Five patients were associated with VHL disease. The von Hippel-Lindau mutation analysis was done in three patients and two of them showed VHL gene abnormality. Tumors were located in the cervical cord in five cases and in the thoracic cord in four cases. All patients underwent surgical intervention, and total removal was achieved in six cases. All patients showed improvement or, at least, clinically stationary state. Surgical complications did not develop in any cases. Conclusion : Spinal hemangioblastoma in this series has been safely and effectively removed via a posterior approach. Postoperatively, clinical outcome was excellent in the majority of cases. The VHL mutation analysis was useful in patients with family history and in those with multiple hemangioblastomas.