RESUMEN
The lack of a definitive approach for improving severe upper extremity (UE) paresis after stroke makes it difficult to achieve full recovery. Thus, we investigated the effects of repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) on UE paresis and activities of daily living in the chronic phase of stroke. We present the case of a 65-year-old female patient who developed right UE paresis 6 years after stroke. She received 20 min of rPMS per session on her affected UE prior to the standard care. She underwent a total of nine rPMS sessions in 3 months. Outcome measures included UE motor section of the Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment scale，Wolf Motor Function Test, and Box and Block Test. All measurements have improved. After the intervention, she used the affected UE more frequently and positively in her daily life than she did prior to the intervention. The outcomes of the case demonstrate the benefits of rPMS for UE paresis even in the chronic phase of stroke, with shorter duration and lower dose of intervention.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Sclerotherapy with aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid (ALTA) has a potent effect on internal hemorrhoids. In this retrospective study, we compared the effects of endoscopic ALTA therapy and standard ALTA therapy.METHODS: We investigated patients who underwent treatment for internal hemorrhoids at our institution between 2014 and 2016. They were divided into a standard ALTA group (n=33, treated using proctoscopy) and an endoscopic ALTA group (n=48). We compared the clinical findings between the 2 groups.RESULTS: There were no intergroup differences in background factors. The mean ALTA dose was 21.9±7.2 mL and 17.8±3.4 mL in the standard and endoscopic ALTA groups, respectively (p<0.01). Adverse events occurred in 4 patients (12.1%) from the standard ALTA group and 6 patients (12.5%) from the endoscopic ALTA group. In both groups, the patients reported good satisfaction with the therapeutic effect at 1 month after the procedure. Hemorrhoids recurred in 2 patients (6.3%) from the standard ALTA group and 4 patients (8.3%) from the endoscopic ALTA group.CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic ALTA sclerotherapy is equivalent to standard ALTA therapy in terms of efficacy, adverse events, and recurrence. Therefore, it is a useful non-surgical option for patients with internal hemorrhoids who prefer a less invasive treatment.