Comparison of the Clinical Effectiveness Between Infrared Thermography and Electrophysiology Tests in Spinal Intradural Extramedullary Schwannoma.

Objective: Subjective pain is experienced differently by each patient; therefore, modalities that can objectify subjective symptoms are useful. Electrophysiology tests and infrared (IR) thermography can present subjective symptoms in an objective manner. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of electrophysiology tests and IR thermography in patients with intradural extramedullary (IDEM) schwannoma and statistically analyze the results to verify the positive relationship between the subjective neurologic symptoms and test results. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data from 23 patients, pathologically confirmed to have IDEM spinal schwannoma after surgery between January 2012 and December 2020. All patients were preoperatively examined using IR thermography and an electrophysiology test. IR thermography was conducted again week after operation. The IR thermography results were classified as either positive or negative. Results: Radiculopathy symptoms were reported in 16 cases and myelopathy in 7 cases. Among the radiculopathy patients, 9 out of 16 (56.2%) showed positive electrophysiology test results. Among the myelopathy patients, 2 out of 7 (28.5%) showed positive electrophysiology test results. In the radiculopathy group, 15 out of 16 (93.7%) patients showed positive IR thermography results. In the myelopathy group, 2 out of 7 (28.5%) patients showed positive IR thermography results. The correlation between the IR thermography and electrophysiology test was analyzed. In the radiculopathy group, positive electrophysiology test result was obtained in 8 out of 15 (53.5%) patients with positive IR thermography result. Conclusion: In patients with IDEM schwannoma presenting radiculopathy symptoms, IR thermography is a complementary tool to objectify the neurological symptoms.

Effects of patient-specific mobility therapy for TMJ, neck, and shoulder dysfunction after submandibular gland tumor surgery: a case report.

Aims: This case report describes a patient-specific mobility therapy (PSMT) program to restore range of motion (ROM) and overcome functional limitations of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), neck, and shoulder in a 48-year-old man who underwent submandibular gland tumor surgery.Methods: The patient also received transcutaneous electrical stimulation and ultrasound to relieve pain. Treatment was provided four sessions per week for four weeks. The measured outcomes included the Neck Disability Index (NDI), Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS), and mobility of the TMJ, neck, and shoulder.Outcomes: The ROM of the TMJ, neck, and shoulder improved from 4.00 mm to 21.00 mm, 1.67 cm to 6.40 cm, and 9.75° to 56.00°, respectively, during the 1st intervention phase when compared with the baseline phase, and these gains were also maintained in the later phases. Furthermore, the NDI and PSFS scores improved by 12.75 points (24.50 to 11.75) and 5.25 points (2.00 to 7.25), respectively.Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the success of PSMT in conjunction with transcutaneous electrical stimulation and ultrasound in alleviating pain and improving targeted impairments for this patient following submandibular gland tumor surgery.

Effect of maitland mobilization in cervical and thoracic spine and therapeutic exercise on functional impairment in individuals with chronic neck pain.

[Purpose] This study evaluated joint mobilization and therapeutic exercise applied to the cervical spine and upper thoracic spine for functional impairment caused by chronic neck pain. [Subjects and Methods] Eighteen study subjects were randomly assigned to two groups of nine people each. Therapeutic exercise only was applied to the cervical and upper thoracic spine for Group I, while both therapeutic exercise and joint mobilization were applied to Group II. The visual analog scale, neck disability index, active cervical range of motion, static balance capacity, and muscle tone were assessed with a pre-test. The intervention was carried out for 60 minutes a day, three times a week, for two weeks for each group, followed by a post-test using the same protocol as the pre-test. [Results] The visual analog scale, neck disability index, and active cervical range of motion improved significantly in both groups. Group II improved significantly more on right lateral flexion and rightward rotation. Muscle tone improved significantly in the upper trapezius in both groups. [Conclusion] The joint mobilization and therapeutic exercise for functional impairments caused by chronic neck pain had a significant effect on several types of functional impairment.