Efficacy of transforaminal laser annuloplasty versus intradiscal radiofrequency annuloplasty for discogenic low back pain

BACKGROUND: Discogenic pain is a common cause of disability and is assumed to be a major cause of non-specific low back pain. Various treatment methods have been used for the treatment of discogenic pain. This study was conducted to compare the therapeutic success of radiofrequency (an intradiscal procedure) and laser annuloplasty (both an intradiscal and extradiscal procedure). METHODS: This single-center study included 80 patients and followed them for 6 months. Transforaminal laser annuloplasty (TFLA, 37 patients) or intradiscal radiofrequency annuloplasty (IDRA, 43 patients) was performed. The main outcomes included pain scores, determined by the numeric rating scale (NRS), and Oswestry disability index (ODI), at pre-treatment and at post-treatment months 1 and 6. RESULTS: The patients were grouped according to procedure. In all procedures, NRS and ODI scores were significantly decreased over time. Mean post-treatment pain scores at months 1 and 6 were significantly lower (P 40%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that annuloplasty is a reasonable treatment option for carefully selected patients with lower back and radicular pain of discogenic origin, and TFLA might be superior to IDRA in patients with discogenic low back pain.

A Case of Immunoglobulin G4-Related Sialadenitis and Dacryoadenitis / 대한이비인후과학회지

Hypertrophy of salivary gland was developed by sialadenitis, sialolithiasis, autoimmune diasease and other tumorous conditions. Mikulicz's disease has been used to describe symptomless hypertrophy of the salivary gland and lacrimal gland. In the past, it was thought that Mikulicz's disease is included within the diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome. However, Mikulicz's disease represents Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related hypertrophy of salivary gland and lacrimal gland by an elevated level of IgG4 in the serum of the patient and good responsiveness to glucocorticoid, eventually leading to recovery of gland function. We have experienced a case of IgG4-related sialadenitis and dacryoadenitis with bilateral hypertrophy of parotid, submandibular and lacrimal glands. We report this case with a brief review of the literature.

A Case of Sudden Deafness with Spontaneous Nystagmus in the Absence of Canal Paresis / 대한이비인후과학회지

Spontaneous nystagmus is a reflection of tonic left-right vestibular asymmetry. It is typically seen after a recent unilateral peripheral vestibular lesion and has fast phases away from the side of the lesion. Sometimes spontaneous nystagmus is seen in the absence of a recent unilateral peripheral lesion, in which case it provides evidence of a vestibular lesion but does not localize it. We experienced a case of 35-year-old man who had sudden sensorineural hearing loss on the left side with acute onset of vertigo and transient spontaneous nystagmus, which had fast phases away from the side of the sudden deafness, without canal paresis on the bithermal caloric test.