First detection and characterization of hepatitis E virus (Rocahepevirus ratti) from urban Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) in the Republic of Korea.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV), an emerging zoonotic pathogen, poses a significant public health concern worldwide. Recently, rat HEV (Rocahepevirus ratti genotype C1; HEV-C1) has been reported to cause zoonotic infections and hepatitis in humans. Human infections with HEV-C1 are considered to be underestimated worldwide due to limited knowledge of transmission routes, genome epidemiology, and the risk assessment of zoonosis associated with these viruses. A total of 186 wild Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) were collected from the Republic of Korea (ROK) between 2011 and 2021. The prevalence of HEV-C1 RNA was 8 of 180 (4.4%) by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. We first reported three nearly whole-genome sequences of HEV-C1 newly acquired from urban rats in the ROK. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that Korea-indigenous HEV-C1 formed an independent genetic group with those derived from R. norvegicus rats in other countries, indicating geographical and genetic diversity. Our findings provide critical insights into the molecular prevalence, genome epidemiology, and zoonotic potential of Rocahepevirus. This report raises awareness of the presence of Rocahepevirus-related hepatitis E among physicians in the ROK.

High-resolution phylogeographical surveillance of Hantaan orthohantavirus using rapid amplicon-based Flongle sequencing, Republic of Korea.

Orthohantaviruses, etiological agents of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome, pose a critical public health threat worldwide. Hantaan orthohantavirus (HTNV) outbreaks are particularly endemic in Gyeonggi Province in northern area of the Republic of Korea (ROK). Small mammals were collected from three regions in the Gyeonggi Province during 2017 and 2018. Serological and molecular prevalence of HTNV was 25/201 (12.4%) and 10/25 (40%), respectively. A novel nanopore-based diagnostic assay using a cost-efficient Flongle chip was developed to rapidly and sensitively detect HTNV infection in rodent specimens within 3 h. A rapid phylogeographical surveillance of HTNV at high-resolution phylogeny was established using the amplicon-based Flongle sequencing. In total, seven whole-genome sequences of HTNV were newly obtained from wild rodents collected in Paju-si (Gaekhyeon-ri) and Yeoncheon-gun (Hyeonga-ri and Wangnim-ri), Gyeonggi Province. Phylogenetic analyses revealed well-supported evolutionary divergence and genetic diversity, enhancing the resolution of the phylogeographic map of orthohantaviruses in the ROK. Incongruences in phylogenetic patterns were identified among HTNV tripartite genomes, suggesting differential evolution for each segment. These findings provide crucial insights into on-site diagnostics, genome-based surveillance, and the evolutionary dynamics of orthohantaviruses to mitigate hantaviral outbreaks in HFRS-endemic areas in the ROK.

Usefulness of ultrasound assessment of median nerve mobility in carpal tunnel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral compression neuropathy of the upper extremity. Recently, dynamic ultrasound (US) imaging has shown differences in median nerve mobility between the affected and unaffected sides in CTS. PURPOSE: The present study was performed to compare the median nerve mobility between patients with CTS and healthy individuals, and to correlate median nerve mobility with the severity of CTS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 101 patients (128 wrists) with CTS and 43 healthy individuals (70 wrists) were evaluated. Electrodiagnostic studies were initially conducted to determine the neurophysiological grading scale (NGS). The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve and the grade of median nerve mobility were measured using US. RESULTS: The mean grade of median nerve mobility in the CTS group (1.9) was significantly lower than that in the control group (2.6; P < 0.001). There were significant negative correlations between the grade of median nerve mobility and distal motor latency of the median nerve (r = -0.218, P = 0.015), NGS (r = -0.207, P = 0.020) and CSA of the median nerve (r = -0.196, P = 0.028). CONCLUSION: The grade of median nerve mobility was negatively correlated with the severity of CTS. US assessment of median nerve mobility may be useful in diagnosing and determining the severity of CTS.

Distribution of Platelet-rich Plasma after Ultrasound-Guided Injection for Chronic Elbow Tendinopathies.

Characteristics of the spreads of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are not widely known despite commonly use. This study aims to evaluate whether PRP stays within the injected area by using ultrasonography, to improve understanding of the spreads of intratendinous injected PRP. Thirty-nine patients (15 males, 24 females; mean age, 49.3 years), who had symptoms on their elbows (> 6 months) and diagnosed as lateral (25 elbows) or medial (14 elbows) tendinopathies of elbow, were included. The severity of tendon pathology was assessed by ultrasonography as tear or no tear. Immediately after ultrasound-guided PRP injection, ultrasound images were evaluated to assess the area of PRP distribution, which was defined as the presence of fluid or microbubbles. Ultrasound revealed that 13 elbows had tendon tear and 26 had no tear, respectively. Post-injection ultrasound confirmed the injected PRP was within the tendon in all cases. The mean distance of distribution from the injection site was 12.6 mm (5.0-26.0 mm). There was no difference in the distance of PRP distribution between tendon tear and no tear. Injected PRP spread to soft tissue outside the tendon in 20 of 39 cases. Intra-articular extension of PRP was observed in 5 cases. Although PRP remained intratendinous after the injection in all cases, some portion tended to spread outside from the injection site in a short space of time. Postinjection ultrasonographic imaging has a value for observing the spreading patterns of intratendinous PRP injection.

A New Sacroiliac Joint Injection Technique and Its Short-Term Effect on Chronic Sacroiliac Region Pain.

OBJECTIVES: Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) injections have been used to provide short-term relief of SIJ pain. In this study, the authors investigated a new technique using a superior approach. METHODS: Twenty four patients with chronic SI joint paint were recruited. Each patient was treated with a single SIJ intra-articular injection plus a periarticular injection of local anesthetic and corticosteroid in one procedure. Technical accuracy of the intra-articular procedure was determined by having 2 independent observers review and rate the quality of arthrograms obtained. Treatment effects were evaluated using a numerical rating scale, the Oswestry disability index (ODI) and global perceived effect (GPE). RESULTS: Both independent observers agreed that satisfactory arthrograms were obtained in all patients. Pain scores and disability were significantly reduced at 2 weeks and 4 weeks after treatment. Nineteen patients (79%) reported satisfaction with treatment. No serious adverse effects were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: The superior approach consistently achieves good access to the SI joint, and achieves outcomes that are compatible with those of other techniques. The superior approach constitutes an alternative to other techniques for injections into the SI joint.

Anatomic Differences in the Sacral Hiatus During Caudal Epidural Injection Using Ultrasound Guidance.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to clarify differences in the anatomic structure of the sacral hiatus and angle of needle insertion during caudal epidural steroid injection using ultrasound guidance in patients according to sex and age. METHODS: A total of 237 patients with low back pain with or without sciatica were included. Sonograms of the sacral hiatus were obtained, and caudal epidural steroid injection using ultrasound guidance was performed in all patients. The intercornual distance, diameter of the sacral canal, thickness of the sacrococcygeal ligament, optimal angle for needle insertion, and actual angle of needle insertion were measured. RESULTS: Between men and women, significant differences were observed for the intercornual distance (17.7 versus 16.5 mm; P< .01) and thickness of the sacrococcygeal ligament (4.3 versus 3.9 mm; P = .02). In all patients, the thickness of the sacrococcygeal ligament (r= 0.28) and diameter of the sacral canal (r= 0.40) were positively correlated with the optimal angle for needle insertion (P < .01). In women, the thickness of the sacrococcygeal ligament (r = -0.24), diameter of the sacral canal (r = -0.27), optimal angle for needle insertion (r = -0.29), and actual angle of needle insertion (r = -0.18) were negatively correlated with age. In men, only the diameter of the sacral canal was negatively correlated with age (r = -0.30). CONCLUSIONS: We found that the sacral hiatus has anatomic differences between patients of different sexes and ages. Understanding these differences, especially in women, may improve the safety and reliability of caudal epidural steroid injection.

Changes in the Expressions of Iba1 and Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide in Adjacent Lumbar Spinal Segments after Lumbar Disc Herniation in a Rat Model.

Lumbar disc herniation is commonly encountered in clinical practice and can induce sciatica due to mechanical and/or chemical irritation and the release of proinflammatory cytokines. However, symptoms are not confined to the affected spinal cord segment. The purpose of this study was to determine whether multisegmental molecular changes exist between adjacent lumbar spinal segments using a rat model of lumbar disc herniation. Twenty-nine male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to either a sham-operated group (n=10) or a nucleus pulposus (NP)-exposed group (n=19). Rats in the NP-exposed group were further subdivided into a significant pain subgroup (n=12) and a no significant pain subgroup (n=7) using mechanical pain thresholds determined von Frey filaments. Immunohistochemical stainings of microglia (ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1; Iba1), astrocytes (glial fibrillary acidic protein; GFAP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) was performed in spinal dorsal horns and dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) at 10 days after surgery. It was found immunoreactivity for Iba1-positive microglia was higher in the L5 (P=0.004) dorsal horn and in the ipsilateral L4 (P=0.009), L6 (P=0.002), and S1 (P=0.002) dorsal horns in the NP-exposed group than in the sham-operated group. The expression of CGRP was also significantly higher in ipsilateral L3, L4, L6, and S1 segments and in L5 DRGs at 10 days after surgery in the NP-exposed group than in the sham-operated group (P<0.001). Our results indicate that lumbar disc herniation upregulates microglial activity and CGRP expression in many adjacent and ipsilateral lumbar spinal segments.

Clinical Impairments and Rotator Cuff Tendon Pathology in Primary and Intrinsic Secondary Adhesive Capsulitis.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to compare the differences in clinical impairments between patients with primary and intrinsic secondary adhesive capsulitis and confirm rotator cuff tendon pathology in intrinsic secondary adhesive capsulitis. DESIGN: This study included 130 patients with unilateral adhesive capsulitis in freezing or frozen stages. Clinical impairment was evaluated using visual analog scale score, shoulder passive range of motion, Cyriax stage, and Constant-Murley score. Plain radiography, ultrasonography, single-contrast arthrography, and intravenous gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging were performed in all patients. RESULTS: Among 130 patients, 77 patients were diagnosed as primary adhesive capsulitis and 53 patients as intrinsic secondary adhesive capsulitis. Among intrinsic secondary adhesive capsulitis patients, 44 rotator cuff tendon tears, 6 calcific tendinitis, and 3 rotator cuff tendon tears with calcific tendinitis were observed. No significant intergroup difference was observed in all clinical parameters, including shoulder passive range of motion, visual analog scale, Cyriax stage, and Constant-Murley score. The prevalence of subacromial subdeltoid bursitis was significantly higher in intrinsic secondary adhesive capsulitis compared with primary adhesive capsulitis. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in all clinical parameters investigated between patients with primary and intrinsic secondary adhesive capsulitis caused by rotator cuff tendon pathology.

Radiologic differences in white matter maturation between preterm and full-term infants: TBSS study.

BACKGROUND: Widespread white matter (WM) pathology in preterm children has been proposed. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate maturational differences of WM between preterm infants with thinning of the corpus callosum and full-term infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 18 preterm children and 18 full-term children were divided into three subgroups according to the corrected age at the time of diffusion tensor imaging scanning. Tract-based spatial statistics was used for assessing differences in fractional anisotropy (FA) between preterm and full-term children, and between each age-related subgroup in preterm and in full-term children. RESULTS: In the preterm group, FA values of overall WM showed an increase with age. This trend indicates that WM maturation is a gradual occurrence during a child's first 2 years. In the full-term group, most WM structures had reached maturation at around 1 year of age; however, centrum semiovale level showed sustained maturation during the first 2 years. CONCLUSION: Results of our study demonstrate radiologic maturational differences of WM and provide evidence of the need for therapeutic intervention within 2 years of birth to prevent specific functional impairment and to improve clinical outcome in preterm children.

Therapeutic effect of microcurrent therapy in a rat model of secondary lymphedema.

BACKGROUND: Secondary lymphedema is a clinically incurable disease that commonly occurs following surgical cancer treatment and/or radiation. Microcurrent therapy (MT) has been shown to decrease inflammation and promote wound healing. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of MT in a rat model for forelimb lymphedema induced by axillary lymph node dissection. METHODS: The model was created by dissecting the right axillary lymph node. Two weeks after surgery, 12 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: one that underwent MT in the lymphedematous forelimb (MT, n=6) and a sham MT group (sham MT, n=6). MT was applied daily for 1 h in each session for two weeks. The circumferences of the wrist and 2.5 cm above the wrist were measured 3 days and 14 days after surgery, weekly during MT and 14 days after the last MT. Immunohistochemical staining of pan-endothelial marker (CD31), Masson's trichrome, and western blot analysis of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR3) were performed 14 days after the last MT. Quantification of the area covered by blood vessels (CD31+) and fibrotic tissue area were measured using an image analysis program (ImageJ software). RESULTS: The circumference of the carpal joint in the MT group was significantly decreased 14 days after the last MT compared to that in the sham MT group (P=0.021). The area covered by blood vessels (CD31+) was significantly higher in the MT group than in the sham MT and contralateral control group (P<0.05). The extent of fibrotic tissue was significantly attenuated in the MT group compared to the sham MT group (P<0.05). The expression of VEFGR3 was 2.02-fold higher for MT group, compared for the contralateral control group, which was statistically significant (P=0.035). VEGF-C expression was 2.27-fold higher for MT group than that for contralateral control group; however, the difference between the groups was not significant (P=0.051). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that MT promotes angiogenesis, and improves fibrosis in secondary lymphedema. Therefore, MT may be a novel and non-invasive treatment modality for secondary lymphedema.

A Development of Rapid Whole-Genome Sequencing of Seoul orthohantavirus Using a Portable One-Step Amplicon-Based High Accuracy Nanopore System.

Whole-genome sequencing provides a robust platform for investigating the epidemiology and transmission of emerging viruses. Oxford Nanopore Technologies allows for real-time viral sequencing on a local laptop system for point-of-care testing. Seoul orthohantavirus (Seoul virus, SEOV), harbored by Rattus norvegicus and R. rattus, causes mild hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and poses an important threat to public health worldwide. We evaluated the deployable MinION system to obtain high-fidelity entire-length sequences of SEOV for the genome identification of accurate infectious sources and their genetic diversity. One-step amplicon-based nanopore sequencing was performed from SEOV 80-39 specimens with different viral copy numbers and SEOV-positive wild rats. The KU-ONT-SEOV-consensus module was developed to analyze SEOV genomic sequences generated from the nanopore system. Using amplicon-based nanopore sequencing and the KU-ONT-consensus pipeline, we demonstrated novel molecular diagnostics for acquiring full-length SEOV genome sequences, with sufficient read depth in less than 6 h. The consensus sequence accuracy of the SEOV small, medium, and large genomes showed 99.75-100% (for SEOV 80-39 isolate) and 99.62-99.89% (for SEOV-positive rats) identities. This study provides useful insights into on-site diagnostics based on nanopore technology and the genome epidemiology of orthohantaviruses for a quicker response to hantaviral outbreaks.

A comparison of microstructural maturational changes of the corpus callosum in preterm and full-term children: a diffusion tensor imaging study.

INTRODUCTION: Preterm children with thinning of the corpus callosum (CC) frequently achieve poor neurodevelopmental outcomes despite the absence of a definite brain lesion. Here, the authors compared the microstructural characteristics of the CC in preterm and full-term children using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). METHODS: Twenty-two preterm children with no definite focal lesion but with thinning of the CC by conventional magnetic resonance imaging and 23 age-matched full-term children were investigated by DTI. CCs were subdivided into genu, rostral body, body, isthmus, and splenium, and voxel counts (VC), fractional anisotropies (FA), and apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) were measured in each subdivision. Eleven preterm and 11 age-matched full-term subjects underwent follow-up scanning and interval changes in these parameters for each subdivision were compared. RESULTS: VC and FA were significantly lower in the preterm group than in the full-term group, particularly in the isthmus. Furthermore, incremental changes in VC and FA were significantly smaller in the preterm group. Differences in maturation between the two groups were more pronounced with age in all subdivisions except the splenium. At all ages, noticeable FA differences between the two groups were observed in the isthmus. For white matter tracts, the preterm group displayed lower FA and fiber number, higher ADC values than the term group. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that thinning of the CC is correlated with lower FA value and that it is more pronounced in preterm children. In addition, the isthmus was found to be the most vulnerable subdivision in preterm children.

Effectiveness of Mobiderm® bandages in the treatment of cancer-related secondary lymphedema: A pilot study.

Secondary lymphedema is a clinically incurable disease that commonly occurs following surgical cancer treatment and/or radiation. One of the most common forms of lymphedema treatment is complete decongestive therapy (CDT). This study aimed to investigate the clinical effects of new compression bandages (Mobiderm® bandages) in patients with secondary lymphedema after cancer treatment. This study included 17 patients with ipsilateral limb lymphedema after cancer treatment (one male and 16 female patients; age, 45-80 years). Patients were divided into the Mobiderm® bandage group (n = 9) and classical bandage group (n = 8). The International Society of Lymphology (ISL) stage was also evaluated. Limb circumference was measured at 5 to 6 sites per limb to identify the maximal circumference difference (MCD) between the affected and unaffected limbs. Pre-and posttreatment MCD were analyzed. After intensive CDT, both the Mobiderm® bandage group (1.2 ± 0.56 cm) and classical bandage group (0.85 ± 0.40 cm) had a significant decrease in MCD compared to pretreatment (P < .05). However, in patients with ISL stage 2, the mean MCD decrease rate was greater in the Mobiderm® bandage group (22.82 ± 10.92 %) than in the classical bandage group (12.18 ± 8.1 1%)(P = .045). Both new bandages (Mobiderm® bandages and classical bandages) reduced the circumference of limb edema in patients with secondary lymphedema after cancer treatment. This study findings suggest that Mobiderm® bandages as an alternative modality for controlling ISL stage 2 lymphedema.

Clinical usefulness of diffusion tensor imaging in patients with transtentorial herniation following traumatic brain injury.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the clinical usefulness of diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) for elucidation of the corticospinal tract (CST) state in patients with transtentorial herniation (TH) following traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Eleven consecutive patients with TH were recruited among 175 patients with TBI. Patients who showed TH were classified into two groups according to DTT findings: Group 1: the integrity of CST was preserved, Group 2: the integrity of CST was disrupted at the cerebral peduncle (CP) or pons. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Five patients belonged to Group 1 of TH, six patients to Group 2 of TH. On DTT of Group 1, fractional anisotropy values of the CP and pons along the CST in the affected hemisphere were lower than those of the unaffected hemisphere; however, the difference was not significant (p > 0.05). In Group 2, fractional anisotropy values of the CP and pons in the affected hemisphere were significantly lower than those of the unaffected hemisphere (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It was found that DTT is useful in evaluation of the presence and the severity of CST injury in patients with TH following TBI.

Multifocal acquired demyelinating sensory and motor neuropathy misdiagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome: a case report.

Multifocal acquired demyelinating sensory and motor neuropathy (MADSAM), a subtype of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, is a non-compressive peripheral nerve disorder. Symptoms of MADSAM include asymmetrical weakness and sensory deficits in the distribution of individual peripheral nerves, which are frequently noted in the distal portion of peripheral nerves. MADSAM can be easily misdiagnosed as any of the various compressive peripheral neuropathies. Here, we present a case of MADSAM misdiagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). A 53-year-old woman had bilateral asymmetrical hand weakness (left hand: significant weakness, right hand: slight motor weakness) and a slight weakness of her bilateral lower extremities. Sensory deficit was found on the volar side of her left hand. She had visited many clinics previously and was diagnosed with CTS. However, an electrodiagnostic study performed in our hospital did not identify CTS but indicated a demyelinating peripheral neuropathy in all limbs. On the basis of the patient's clinical symptoms and laboratory findings, she was diagnosed with MADSAM. When patients exhibit progressive aggravating motor weakness and sensory deficits in more than one distal limb without a specific finding of compressive neuropathy in electrodiagnostic studies, clinicians should consider the possibility of MADSAM.

Two methods of extracorporeal shock-wave therapy in a rat model of secondary lymphedema: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of two methods of extracorporeal shock-wave therapy (ESWT) in a rat model of forelimb lymphedema, induced by axillary lymph node dissection. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to a group that received 500 ESWT shocks only in the lymphedematous forelimb (Forelimb/ESWT) and a group that received 300 ESWT shocks in the axilla and 200 shocks in the lymphedematous forelimb (Axilla+Forelimb/ESWT). The circumferences of each limb were then measured. Immunohistochemistry for a pan-endothelial marker (cluster of differentiation [CD]31) and lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1, and western blot analysis for vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR3) and VEGF-C were performed. RESULTS: The circumferences of the limbs showed significant effects of group and time following surgery. The circumferences at the carpal joint and 2.5 cm above were smallest in the naïve limbs, larger in the Axilla+Forelimb/ESWT group, and the largest in the control group. VEGFR3 tended to be expressed at a higher level in the Axilla+Forelimb/ESWT group (1.96-fold) than in the Forelimb/ESWT group (1.20-fold) versus the opposite non-edematous forelimbs, although this difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that ESWT protocols have differential effects on angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in lymphedematous limbs.

Obturator nerve injury diagnosed by nerve conduction: a case report.

The obturator nerve lies deep within the pelvis, and it can be damaged by direct injury during surgery. In this study, nerve conduction was used to confirm an obturator nerve injury in a patient who presented with hip adductor weakness following gynecological surgery for endometrial cancer. A 56-year-old woman complained of weakness in the right adductor muscles after a laparoscopic hysterectomy due to endometrial cancer. Seven days after surgery, the degree of weakness of the right hip adductor was Medical Research Council (MRC) Scale 1; thus, a nerve conduction velocity test was conducted. To obtain the compound muscle action potentials of the obturator nerve, stimulation was performed (1.5 cm inferior and 1.5 cm lateral to the pubic tubercle) with a surface electrical simulator and recording (midpoint of the right medial thigh) of the adductor muscles. The compound muscle action potentials of the right obturator nerve showed lower amplitude (left side: 2.7 mV vs. right side: 0.3 mV) and delayed onset latency (left side: 3.2 ms vs. right side: 2.2 ms). These results indicate a partial right obturator neuropathy. Therefore, nerve conduction could be useful to diagnose an early-stage obturator nerve injury and provide information on the degree of damage.

The Successful Treatment of Herniated Lumbar Discs That are Refractory to Repeated Epidural Steroid Injection by Using a Navigable Percutaneous Disc Decompression Device: A Case Series.

PURPOSE: In most cases, lumbosacral radicular pain caused by herniated lumbar discs (HLDs) can be controlled with epidural steroid injections (ESIs). However, when the HLDs are large, the pain may not respond to ESIs. A navigable, percutaneous, disc decompression device has recently been developed to manage radicular pain that is secondary to HLD, which allows the wand tip to approach the herniated disc by rotating a control wheel. We performed a percutaneous disc decompression using the navigable percutaneous disc decompression device in two patients with a large HLD that did not respond to repeated ESIs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients A and B are presented with scores of 7 and 8 on the numeric rating scale (NRS), respectively. Both had lumbosacral radicular pain due to right central HLDs at L4-5 and L5-S1, despite repeated ESIs. Percutaneous disc decompression was performed under C-arm fluoroscopy. The wand was inserted through the introducer needle. Using the control wheel, we placed the needle tip on the posterolateral portion of the herniated disc. The radiofrequency current was applied to the herniated portion of the disc. The procedural time was 20-30 minutes. RESULTS: Neither of the patients reported adverse post-procedural effects. At their 1-week follow-up, patient A and B's NRS pain scores had reduced to 2 and 1, respectively. At their 2-year follow-up, patient A had mild pain (NRS 1), and patient B reported no pain. CONCLUSION: The navigable percutaneous disc decompression device may be effective for pain alleviation in patients with lumbosacral radicular pain that is refractory to repeated ESIs.

Effects of intra-articular pulsed radiofrequency current administration on a rabbit model of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by synovial proliferation and inflammation. Intra-articular corticosteroid injections are commonly used for the treatment of arthritis affecting one or two joints. Although corticosteroid injections are fast-acting, repeated usage can result in severe adverse events. Recently, intra-articular pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) stimulation has been proposed to treat arthritis. The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of intra-articular PRF with corticosteroid injection based on histopathological and motion analysis of an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced RA rabbit model. RA was induced in the right knee joint of 18 rabbits via OVA injection. The rabbits were randomly allocated into a PRF, an intra-articular corticosteroid injection or a sham PRF stimulation group. Movement was assessed in the rabbits before treatment, then at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after treatment using walking distance, fast walking time and mean walking speed. Histopathological evaluation of the distal femur and synovium was conducted 2, 4 and 8 weeks after treatment. Motion analysis demonstrated that changes in all movement variables showed significant group and time interaction as well as group effect among the three groups. The semiquantitative score based on the histopathological findings for the distal femoral condyle decreased 2 and 4 weeks after both the PRF and steroid groups, compared with the sham PRF group. Moreover, in the synovium, the semiquantitative histological score in the PRF and steroid groups tended to be lower compared with the sham PRF group, although this result was not statistically significant. Thus, intra-articular PRF stimulation may delay cartilage destruction and improve functional motion in RA.