Changes in Electrophysiologic and Histologic Findings after thanol and Phenol Injection into the Sciatic Nerve of Rat

OBJECTIVE: In the management of spasticity, intramuscular neurolysis with small amount of dilute aqueous phenol has proved to be a useful measure. But, considerable problem has taken place in utilization of phenol. This study was attempted to compare the effect of phenol and alcohol for the peripheral nerve blocking in the management of spasticity. METHOD: Intraneural injection of 5% phenol, 50% alcohol and 90% alcohol solution carried out in each group of 10 rats. A total of 30 rat were injected and examined electrophysiologically before and after blocking the nerve (24 hour, 1 weeks, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks). The randomized one rat of each group was sacrificed for the histological examination of the sciatic nerve at every examined day. RESULTS: There was no difference of the distal latencies and amplitudes of compound muscle action potentials among the groups before injection. The latencies were prolonged at 24 hours post-injection and shortened at 1 week post-injection in all the groups. The amplitudes were markedly decreased at 24 hours post-injection and increased at 1 week post- injection and reached the pre-injection value at 8 week post-injection in all the groups. Histologic studies showed necrosis at 1 week post-injection and regeneration at 2 week post- injection in 50% and 90% ethanol groups. Phenol injection group showed necrosis at 4 week post-injection and regeneration after 8 weeks. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary experience with alcohol for peripheral nerve blocking with encouraging result has been described.

The Change of Cervical Spine Curvature by Three Measurement Methods in Cervical Pain Patients

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the curvature of the cervical spine and various clinical parameters and to identify the validity of new curvature measurement methods. METHOD: The cervical spine curvature was assessed on lateral view of plain radiographs by three measurement indices. Index 1 is the ratio of length of line drawn by C2-C7 posteroinferior points and the longest length of vertical line to the posterior curve of C2-C7. Index 2 is the angle formed by three points of index 1. Index 3 is the sum of each distance from line drawn by C2-C7 posteroinferior point to C3-C7 posterior mid-points. The difference of each group and the relationship between pain scale and three indices were statistically analyzed by t-test and Pearson's correlation test. RESULTS: Sixty-three percent of control group patients showed a straight or kyphotic curvature and younger women group was more likely to have a straight curvature than other age groups. The newly designed measurement methods reflect the diagnostic significance of cervical curvature type measurement. Cervical lordosis did not exactly correlate with pain scale, symptom duration and the difference of clinical diagnosis. But the patients showing interval changes of pain scale were revealed the correlative change of curvature indices with each correlation coefficient of -0.43, -0.69 and -0.55 respectively. CONCLUSION: The altered cervical curvature is less valuable for the diagnostic significance and did not relate to the pain scale and duration, but cervical curvature reflect the interval change of the pain scale.

Use of Prosthesis in the Burn Induced Upper Extremity Amputees

OBJECTIVE: Many amputees do not use their prostheses consistently because of the unhelpfulness or discomfort. In this point, this survey was to assess the prosthetic problems in their function and willingness to use. METHOD: We investigated the 18 burn induced upper extremity amputees of Hankang Sacred Heart Hospital Burn Center with the questionnaire or interview. RESULTS: The mean age was 39.6 years at the time of amputation & 43.3 years at the time of survey. Their amputation levels were composed of 72.2% of below elbow and 27.8% of above elbow. The using time of prosthesis was revealed that 'all day long' use in 50%, 'going out' use in 33.3% and 'living activity' use in 11.1%. Their complaint for prosthetic problems were discoloration (38.9%), poor appearance (27.8%), sweating (27.8%) and inadequate function (22.2%). Considerable number of them suffered from residual burn wound or scar in contact with a socket (27.8%) and itching and tingling sensation (22.2%). Employment was not accomplished in 61.1% of the amputees. CONCLUSION: The information thus obtained in this investigation would be expected to be helpful in the prosthetic prescription and rehabilitation training of upper extremity amputees for their welfare.