Calf Muscle Shortening after Radiofrequency Muscle Reduction: A case report

Thirty-year old female developed limited range of motion (ROM) of both ankles after radiofrequency muscle reduction procedure for one month prior to her visit. Dorsiflexion of both ankles was severely limited to zero degree. Plantar flexion of both ankles was limited to 20 degree on the right and 15 degree on the left. The electrodiagnostic study and MRI showed normal nerve conduction study and inflammatory change of both gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. She received ROM and stretching exercise for 1 hour per day and twice per week for 4 weeks as an outpatient with continuous home programming. After 2 weeks of treatment, ROM improved to 20 degree plantar flexion and to 20 degree dorsiflexion on the right ankle and to 20 degree plantar flexion to 10 degree dorsiflexion on the left ankle. This is a case of severe muscles contracture after radiofrequency procedure reversible after intensive strengthening exercise.

Fragile X Syndrome in Korea: A Case Series and a Review of the Literature

The purposes of this study were to present DNA analysis findings of our case series of fragile X syndrome (FXS) based on methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR), PCR, and Southern blotting alongside developmental characteristics including psychological profiles and to review the literature on FXS in Korea. The reports of 65 children (male:female, 52:13; age, 6.12+/-4.00 yrs) referred for the diagnosis of FXS over a 26-months period were retrospectively reviewed for the identification of full mutation or premutation of fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1). Among the 65 children, there were 4 boys with full mutation, and one boy showed premutation of FMR1, yielding a 6.15% positive rate of FXS. All 4 children with full mutation showed significant developmental delay, cognitive dysfunction, and varying degrees of autistic behaviors. The boys with premutation showed also moderate mental retardation, severe drooling, and behavioral problems as severe as the boys with full mutation. Thirteen articles on FXS in Korea have been published since 1993, and they were reviewed. The positive rate of FXS was in the range of 0.77-8.51%, depending on the study groups and the method of diagnosis. Finally, the population-based prevalence study on FXS in Korea is required in the near future.

A New Method for Vestibulo-Collic Reflex

OBJECTIVE: Vestibulo-collic reflex (VCR) has been thought to be a simple and reliable test in evaluating the vestibular function. But it can only be examined by actively contracting the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) and it would be impossible to conduct the examination without the cooperation of the subject. The aim of this study was to demonstrate a new method for VCR in the absence of the subject's cooperation. METHOD: Records were collected from 20 volunteers. Each subject was properly positioned on the bed with the head flexed, ipsilaterally bent and contralaterally rotated. An active electrode was placed over the belly of the SCM. 100 dB clicks were delivered through headphones. We compared the active contraction and passive positioning of the SCM in terms of the P1 latency and amplitude. RESULTS: Vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) were recorded without actively contracting the SCMs for all the subjects by using our new method. There was no difference in P1 latency and amplitude between the active contraction and passive positioning of the SCM. CONCLUSION: With our new method, VEMPs can be recorded without actively contracting the SCM. It may be useful for evaluating the vestibular function of children and patients who cannot cooperate.