The Change of Preoperative and Postoperaive Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Lipofibromatous Hamartoma of the Median Nerve

Lipofibromatous hamartoma is a very uncommon, benign tumor that involves diffuse infiltration of peripheral nerves by normal-appearing fibrous and adipose tissues. We repost a rare case of secondary carpal tunnel syndrome due to a lipofibromatous hamartoma of the median nerve with preoperative and postoperative magnetic resonance images.

Comparison of Ultrasonography- and Fluoroscopy-Guided Facet Joint Block in the Lumbar Spine

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. PURPOSE: Facet joint block is performed for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes and generally carried out under computerd tomography (CT) or radiologic fluoroscopy guidance. Ultrasonography-guided facet block has recently been attempted. So, we compared the results of ultrasonography-guided facet joint block with the results of fluoroscopy-guided facet joint block. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Because fluoroscopic or CT guided facet joint block has been reported side effects, we performed spinal facet block using a fluoroscopy-guided method. METHODS: We selected 133 patients who had lumbar pain or referred pain. They were diagnosed as having spinal stenosis and hospitalized from January 2008 to June 2008. As the subjects, we selected 105 patients who had been follow-up for more than 6 months and carried out a prospective study. RESULTS: The procedure in group 2 averaged 4 minutes and 25 seconds, and in group 1, 4 minutes and 7 seconds. The coast was an average of 38,000 won in group 2 and 25,000 won in group 1. The VAS score was improved from an average of 7.5 (range, 5 to 9) to 2.8 (range, 2 to 6) in group 2 and from 7.8 (range, 4 to 10) to 2.7 (range, 2 to 5) in group 1. The Oswestry disability index was improved from an average of 32.3 (range, 28 to 41) to 23.5 (range, 17 to 26) in group 2 and from 34.2 (range, 29 to 43) to 24.8 (range, 18 to 28) in group 1. As for complications, worsening of lumbar pain, paresthesia, headache and allergic reaction were detected in 5 cases of group 2 and in 3 of group 1. Those symptoms were improved within several hours. One case of superficial infection that developed in group 2 was improved within several days. CONCLUSIONS: We should consider that ultrasonography-guided facet joint block is a minimal invasive procedure that is easily carried out without radiation exposure.

Evaluation of Website that Provide Information about Scoliosis / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality and accuracy of information on the Web about scoliosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five search engines were selected and the key word "scoliosis" was entered. 25 web site were chosen. Each Web site was evaluated for the type, quality, accuracy of Web site. Web site type was classified as academic, commercial, physician, nonphysician. Web site quality was evaluated according to scoliosis specific content using 32 disease specific key words. The accuracy was evaluated by three board certified orthopaedic surgeons. One point was given when we agreed with less than 25% of the information and four points were given when we agreed with greater than 75%. RESULTS: 25 Web sites were evaluated, 20% were academic, 64% were physician based. The quality score for academic was 13.4, physician 8.2. The accuracy score for academic was 10.6, physician 6.9. CONCLUSION: The internet information about scoliosis is limited for quality and information value. The majority of the Web sites were physician site but the quality and accuracy score were poor. The lowest scoring Web sites were physician sites. The public and medical association need to be aware of the limitation of the Web site. The guide line and certification for the Web site about scoliosis should be established.