Comparison of dexmedetomidine and epinephrine as an adjuvant to 1% mepivacaine in brachial plexus block.

Background: Dexmedetomidine extends the duration of nerve block when administered perineurally together with local anesthetics by central and/or peripheral action. In this study, we compared the duration of nerve block between dexmedetomidine and epinephrine as an adjuvant to 1% mepivacaine in infraclavicular brachial plexus block.

Methods: Thirty patients, scheduled for upper limb surgery were assigned randomly to 3 groups of 10 patients each.

Comparison of the preventive effects of pretreatment of lidocaine with a tourniquet and a premixed injection of lidocaine on propofol-LCT/MCT injection pain.

Background: Lidocaine has been used widely to prevent propofol injection pain. Various methods of administration exist, such as lidocaine premixed with propofol or lidocaine pretreatment using a tourniquet, but it is unclear which method of lidocaine administration is more effective for the prevention of injection pain of propofol LCT/MCT. The purpose of this study was to compare pretreatment of lidocaine with a tourniquet and a premixed injection of lidocaine to prevent injection pain of propofol-LCT/MCT.

Pyomyositis of the iliacus muscle and pyogenic sacroiliitis after sacroiliac joint block -A case report-.

Sacroiliac joint block can be performed for the diagnosis and treatment of sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Although sacroiliac joint block is a common procedure, complications have not been reported in detail. We report a case of iliacus pyomyositis and sacroiliac joint infection following a sacroiliac joint block.

Newly developed urinary retention and motor weakness of lower extremities in a postherpetic neuralgia patient.

During the early stage of postherpetic neuralgia, an epidural block on the affected segment is helpful in controlling pain and preventing progression to a chronic state. The main neurologic complication following an epidural block is cord compression symptom due to an epidural hematoma. When neurologic complications arise from an epidural block for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia, it is important to determine whether the complications are due to the procedure or due to the herpes zoster itself.

Survey on the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia in Korea; multicenter study of 1,414 patients.

Background: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a serious complication resulting from herpes zoster infections, and it can impair the quality of life. In order to relieve pain from PHN, various treatments, including pharmacological and interventional methods have been used. However, little information on the recommendations for the interventional treatment of PHN, along with a lack of nation-wide surveys on the current status of PHN treatment exists.

Minimal volume of local anesthetic required for an ultrasound-guided SGB.

Background:  Compared with the blind technique, ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block (SGB) reduces the amount of local anesthetic needed for a successful block. The purpose of this study is to determine the minimal, optimal volume of local anesthetic required for successful ultrasound-guided SGB and to reduce its adverse effects.

Methods:  Thirty-five patients with postherpetic neuralgia and complex regional pain syndrome of the upper extremity and the facial area were selected.

Remifentanil alleviates transient cerebral ischemia-induced memory impairment through suppression of apoptotic neuronal cell death in gerbils.

Background: During neurosurgical procedures, patients are often exposed to hypoxic and ischemic brain damage. Cerebral ischemia leads to neuronal cell death and eventually causes neurological impairments. Remifentanil is a new ultra-short acting phenylpiperidine opioid analgesic.

Cerebellar hemorrhage after spine fixation misdiagnosed as a complication of narcotics use -A case report-.

Cerebellar hemorrhage occurs mainly due to hypertension. Postoperative cerebellar hemorrhage is known to be associated frequently with frontotemporal craniotomy, but quite rare with spine operation. A 56-year-old female received spinal fixation due to continuous leg tingling sensation for since two years ago.

Rhabdomyolysis following posterior lumbar interbody fusion in prone position: report 2 cases: Two cases report.

The spine surgery performed in the prone position could cause severe complications such as visual acuity impairment, spinal infarct and rhabdomyolysis. When treating rhabdomyolysis, it is important to prevent acute renal failure from accompanying rhabdomyolysis due to the poor prognosis. We have experienced two cases of rhabdomyolysis after spine surgery where dark urine was present during spine surgery under general anesthesia.

Anti-inflammatory effect of bee venom on type II collagen-induced arthritis.

Bee venom (BV) has been used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation in traditional Oriental medicine, especially in chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We previously reported that the BV injection into a traditional acupuncture point (Zusanli) reduced arthritis-associated edema and nociceptive responses in Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats (Kwon et al., 2001).