Entrapment of Sural Nerve in Essex-Lopresti Axial Fixation for Calcaneal Fracture: A Case Report / 대한족부족관절학회지

Injuries to sural nerve through surgical incision or open wound in calcaneal fractures were reported as complications causing lateral hindfoot pain. But sural nerve entrapment by adhesive fibrous tissue after Essex-Lopresti axial fixation has not been reported. We report a case of sural nerve entrapment after Essex-Lopresti axial fixation which was successfully treated by nerve decompression.

Four Cases of Bilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis by Ischemic Stroke

Bilateral vocal cord paralysis (VCP) is a rare, life-threatening complication of stroke. We described the clinical course and treatment of bilateral VCP by acute ischemic stroke. We confirmed 4 cases of VCP. Two cases had brain-stem lesions, one case showed bilateral cerebral lesions and the last one had brainstem and cerebral lesions. One of the 4 cases showed spontaneous improvement of unilateral vocal cord function after 2 months. Among the rest, one under-went laser cordotomy, one remained tracheostomized, one was lost. (J Korean Neurol Assoc 19(4):400~403, 2001)

Diagnostic Sensitivity of Several Muscles in Repetitive Nerve Stimulation Test for Myasthenia Gravis / 영남의대학술지

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity of several muscles in repetitive nerve stimulation test (RNST) for myasthenia gravis (MG) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 39 MG patients classified by modified Ossermann's classification. Using Stalberg's method, RNST was systematically performed in facial (orbicularis oculi and nasalis) and upper extremity (flexor carpi ulnaris, abductor digiti quinti and anconeus) muscles. RESULTS: The significant electrodecremental response of RNST were noted in orbicularis oculi (58.9%), nasalis (51.3%), flexor carpi ulnaris (42%), anconeus (41%) and abductor digiti quinti muscles (27%). Among the 3 muscles of upper extremity (abductor digiti quinti, flexor carpi ulnaris and anconeus), the positive electrodecremental response of anconeus muscles was significantly higher than other two muscles (p<0.05) in type IIa, IIb and there were no statistical differences of the positive electrodecremental response between orbicularis oculi and nasalis muscles. The facial muscles showed more prominent decremental responses than upper extremity muscles in type I MG(p<0.05). In type IIa MG patients, there were no significant statistical differences between facial and upper extremity muscles but significant statistical differences among upper extremity muscles. In type IIb MG patients, there were no significant statistical differences in all tested muscles in spite of the increased positive electrodecremental response of RNST. CONCLUSION: On the basis of this study, RNST would be initially performed for the orbicularis or nasalis in type I MG and for the anconeus in type IIa or IIb MG.

Detection of Acute Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Comparison of FLAIR MR Imaging with Unenhanced CT

PURPOSE: Our aim was to evaluate the usefulness of fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) MR imaging for detection of acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) compared with unenhanced CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared FLAIR MR images with unenhanced CT scans in 28 patients with acute SAH. Findings of SAH on CT and MR images were graded as 0 (absence), 1 (suspicious), 2 (definite) in the cerebral sulci, sylvian fissure, basal cistern, and cisterns of the posterior fossa. We also compared FLAIR MR images of 28 patients with those of 35 normal subjects, and then the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of FLAIR MR image for detection of acute SAH were calculated. RESULTS: FLAIR MR image was superior to CT in detecting SAH in the posterior fossa (1.41+/-.74 vs 0.78+/-.80; p<0.05) and cortical sulci(1.11+/-.80 vs 0.70+/-.83; p<0.05). There was no significant difference between FLAIR MR image and CT in detecting SAH in the basal cistern and sylvian fissure. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of FLAIR MR image for detection of SAH were 100% in all. CONCLUSION: FLAIR MR image is useful in detecting acute SAH, especially in patients with small amount of SAH or SAH in the posterior fossa.

Comparison of the Repetitive Nerve Stimulation Test(RNST) Findings Between in Upper and Lower Extremity Muscles in Myasthenia Gravis / 영남의대학술지

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to compare the sensitivity of the Repetitive Nerve Stimulation Test (RNST) between the upper and lower extremity muscles in myasthenia gravis(MG) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 20 normal persons(control group) and 10 MG patients(MG group). Using Stalberg's method. RNST was systemically performed in orbicularis oculi muscle. upper extremity muscles(flexor carpi ulnaris. abductor digiti quinti), and lower extremity muscles(tibialis anterior. extensor digitorum brevis. vastus medialis). RESULTS: There were statistical differences of decremental response(mean+/-SD) in orbicularis oculi and upper extremity muscles between the control and MG groups(p<0.05 or p<0.01). However, there was no statistical difference of decremental response(mean+/-SD) to RNST in lower extremity muscles between the control and MG groups. There were highersensitivity in orbicularis oculi and upper extremity muscles than lower extremity muscles. Although positive reponse were detected in the lower extremity muscles, the positive response rates of lower extremity muscles were lower than o.oculi and upper extremity muscles. CONCLUSIONS: When the response rates of RNST in facial and upper extremity muscles are normal, may not be required RNST in lower extremity muscles.

A Case of Idiopathic Hypoparathyroidism with Extensive Intracranial Calcification / 영남의대학술지

Idiopathic hypoparathyroidism is frequeutly associated with intracranial calcification and neuropsychiatric abnormalities. The most commonly recognized central nervous system manifestations of chronic hypoparathyroidism are seizure, alteration of mental function and extrapyramidal signs. We present a care of hypoparathyroidism, demonstrating extensive intracranial calcification, not only basal ganglia, but also outside the extrapyramidal system. An 58-year-old woman presented with 30 year history of seizure and memory disturbance. The physical examination and several laboratory studies disclosed normal. However hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia with hypocalciuria and decreased parathormone level were demonstrated. Clinical symptoms and signs showed improvement after supplementary calcium and Vit D3 therapy.

Occupational Status of the Epileptics

We studied occupational status of 175 epileptics have been treated at Yeungnarn university hospital from 1991 to 1992. Their age were in the range of being capable of working. The main purposes were to study the effect of seizure type and degree of control to having job;the effect of additional disabilities to the means of living of epileptics. The results were like these: 1. The employment rate of our patients was 56%. 2. There were no statistical significancy at the effect of seizure type and degree of control to having job(P0.05). But additional disabilities and education showed significant effect to the position of job (p<0.05). 4. Among the 138 responders 14 patients had experienced seizure attacks at work and 6 of these 14 patients had some kinds of problem on performing their work by the attacks. 11 of 138 patients disclosed their disease to the employer at the beginning of employment. Conclusion our epileptic patients also have many problems on having job. Which were predominantly related to education. Disabilities and self-denial rather than other related factors.

Significance of Dexamethasone Suppression Test in Patients with Stroke / 영남의대학술지

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of stroke on hypothalamic-pituitary axis using dexamethasone suppression test. The effects were evaluated according to age, sex, type, size, and lesion site of stroke. There tests were performed in 62 patients with stroke(cerebral infarction, 42 cases : intracerebral hemorrage, 20 cases) and 21 disabled controlled patients without intracranial diseases at Yeungnam University Hospital from June 1992 to June 1993. The results summarized as follows. 1. Cerebral infarction showed significantly higher frequency of DST non-suppression in stroke patients than control (p<0.05). 2. Patients with left hemisphere stroke showed more frequent abnormal neuroendocrine test results (p<0.01). 3. Patients with large infarction revealed strongly non-suppressed DST results(p<0.01). 4. Significantly higher basal cortisol level in patients with cerebral infarction was noted(p<0.01). 5. There are no statistical significance between DST results and sex, age, motor impairment, type of cerebral infarction.