• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.67 no.1
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• pp.6-13
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• 2024

The integrity of the high cervical spine, the transition zone from the brainstem to the spinal cord, is crucial for survival and daily life. The region protects the enclosed neurovascular structure and allows a substantial portion of the head motion. Injuries of the high cervical spine are frequent, and the fractures of the C2 vertebra account for approximately 17-25% of acute cervical fractures. We review the two major types of C2 vertebral fractures, odontoid fracture and Hangman's fracture. For both types of fractures, favorable outcomes could be obtained if the delicately selected conservative treatment is performed. In odontoid fractures, as the most common fracture on the C2 vertebrae, anterior screw fixation is considered first for type II fractures, and C1-2 fusion is suggested when nonunion is a concern or occurs. Hangman's fractures are the second most common fracture. Many stable extension type I and II fractures can be treated with external immobilization, whereas the predominant flexion type IIA and III fractures require surgical stabilization. No result proves that either anterior or posterior surgery is superior, and the surgeon should decide on the surgical method after careful consideration according to each clinical situation. This review will briefly describe the basic principles and current treatment concepts of C2 fractures.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.435-441
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• 2005

Objective : Expandable cage used for spinal reconstruction after corpectomy has several advantages over nonexpendable cages. Here we present our clinical experience with the use of this cage after anterior column corpectomy with an average of one year follow up. Methods : Ten patients underwent expandable cage reconstruction of the anterior column after single-level or multilevel corpectomy for various cervical spinal disorders. Anterior plating with or without additional posterior instrumentation were performed in all patients. Functional outcomes, complications, and radiographic outcomes were determined. Results : There was no cage-related complication. Functionally, neurological examination revealed improvement in 7 of 10 patients and no patient had neurological deterioration after the surgery. Immediate stability was achieved and maintained throughout the period of follow-up. There was minimal subsidence [<2mm] noticeable in three of the cases that underwent a two-level corpectomy. Subsidence was noted in osteoporotic patients and patients undergoing multi-level corpectomies. Average pre-operative kyphotic angle was 9 degrees. This was corrected to an average of 5.4 degrees in lordosis postoperatively. Conclusion : In conclusion, expandable cages are safe and effective devices for vertebral body replacement after cervical corpectomy when used in combination with anterior plating with or without additional posterior stabilization. The advantages of using expandable cages include its ability to easily accommodate itself into the corpectomy defect, its ability to tightly purchase into the end plates after expansion and thus minimizing the potential for migration, and finally, its ability to correct kyphosis deformity via its in vivo expansion properties.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.295-298
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• 2005

We report a case of a 48-year-old man with a paradoxic upper airway obstruction and central sleep apnea that developed after an anterior cervical spinal fusion. Nine months before being admitted to this hospital, he was diagnosed with a herniated intervertebral disc between the 5th and 6th cervical spine, and the first operation was carried out. Two months later, a pseudoarthrosis has developed and a second operation, an anterior interbody fusion of the C5 and C6 using autogenous strut bone graft, was performed. After the second operation, he began to complain of snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, insomnia, and a bizarre sound heard near the upper airway during breathing. Nasopharyngoscope and magnetic resonance imaging disclosed a paradoxical narrowing of the nasopharynx during expiration. On the overnight polysomnography, the apnea index was 8.7/h (central apnea, 7.0/h; obstructive apnea, 1.7/h). Nasal continuous positive airway pressure was applied, but he complained of pressure-intolerance, and laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty was then performed. Two months after surgery, clinical symptoms as well as the apneas had improved markedly. We suggest that this paradoxic upper airway obstruction might be associated with the anterior cervical spinal surgery even though the mechanism is unclear. This case also emphasizes that an upper airway obstruction can contribute to the development of central sleep apnea.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.401-406
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the position of the hyoid bone and soft palate and the amount of airway space after bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (B-SSRO). Methods: This study is a review of lateral cephalometric tracings of 30 patients who underwent B-SSRO with setbacks at Kyunghee Dental Hospital from 2005 to 2009. Lateral cephalograms were taken before (T0), within one month (T1), and more than six months after the surgery (T2). Results: The hyoid bone at T1 changed significantly towards the inferoposterior position. At T2, it had significantly moved superiorly, but not anteriorly. At T1, the nasopharyngeal space, extending from the posterior nasal spine to the posterior pharyngeal space, decreased significantly, but did not show a significant increase at T2. The nasopharyngeal space, extending from the middle of soft palate to the posterior pharyngeal space, decreased significantly at T1, but did not show a significant decrease at T2. The oropharyngeal airway space decreased significantly at T1 and did not return to its original position at T2. The hypopharyngeal space, extending from the anterior to the posterior pharyngeal space at the level of the most anterior point of the third cervical vertebrae, slightly decreased at T1, but the amount was insignificant; however, the amount of decrease at T2 was significant. The hypopharyngeal space extending from the anterior to the posterior pharyngeal space at the level of the lowest point of the third cervical vertebrae, decreased significantly at T1 but returned to its original position at T2. Conclusion: B-SSRO changes the position of the hyoid bone and muscles inferoposteriorly. These change allows enough space for the tongue and prevent airway obstruction. Airway changes may be related to post-operative edema, posterior movement of the soft palate, anteroposterior movement of the hyoid bone, or compensation for decreased oral cavity volume. The position of the pogonion which measures anterior relapse after surgery did not show significant differences during the follow-up period.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.138-145
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• 2009

Purpose: Giant cell tumor of the spine is very rare, and the treatment is very difficult. However, surgical techniques and diagnostic modalities are developed, and postoperative functional results are improved. To evaluate the efficacy of total spondylectomy for giant cell tumor of the spine, the clinical results of the surgical treatments for the giant cell tumor of the spine with intralesional curettage or total spondylectomy were evaluated. Materials and Methods: From April 1987 to March 2006, 10 patients who were underwent surgical treatments using total spondylectomy or intralesional curettage were studied. There were 3 men and 7 women. The mean age of the patients was 32 years (range, 25~44 years). The mean duration of follow-up was 8 years (range, 3~15 years). Locations of the tumor were 2 cervical spines, 4 thoracic spines, 2 lumbar spines and 2 sacrum. Initial main symptom of 10 patients was pain, and 7 patients had neurologic impairments too. Four patients were treated with total spodylectomy using anterior and posterior combined approach, 1 patient was treated with total sacrectomy using posterior approach only, and 5 patients were treated with intralesional curettage using anterior approach. Results: Nine patients improved pain and neurologic impairments. Local recurrences developed in 4(40%) patients (2 cervical spines, 1 thoracic spine, 1 sacrum). While a local recurrence developed from 5 total spondylectomy, 3 local recurrences developed from 5 intralesional curettage. Conclusion: Local recurrence rate after surgical treatment with intralesional curettage for the giant cell tumor of the spine was very high. Total spondylectomy using anterior and posterior approach is advisable to prevent the local recurrence after surgical treatment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.217-222
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• 2005

Objective: To achieve optimal fit of implant, it is necessary to bend the implant during spine surgery. Bending procedure may decrease stiffness of plate especially made of titanium and stainless steel. Typically titanium suffers adverse effects including early crack propagation when it is bent. We investigate whether 6 degree bending of titanium plates would decrease the stiffness after full cyclic loading by comparing with non-bending titanium plates group. Methods: Authors experimented 40 titanium alloy plates of 57mm in length, manufactured by 5 different companies. Total 40 plates were divided into two groups (20 bent plates for experimental group and 20 non-bent plates for control group). Twenty plates of experimental group were bent to 6 degree with 3-point bending technique and verified with image analyzer. Using the electron microscope, we sought for a initial crack before and after 3-point bending. Mechanical testing by means of 6000 cyclic axial-compression loading of 35N in compression with moment arm of 35mm-1.1 Nm was conducted on each plate and followed by the electron microscopic examination to detect crack or fissure on plates. Results: The stiffness was decreased after 6000 cyclic loading, but there was no statistically significant difference in stiffness between experimental and control group. There was no evidence of change in grain structure on the electron microscopic magnification. Conclusion: The titanium cervical plates can be bent to 6 degree without any crack or weakness of plate. We also assume that minimal bending may increase the resistance to fatigue fracture in cervical flexion-extension movement.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.600-604
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• 2001

Objective : The authors report the microsurgical anterolateral tunnel approach for the treatment of the cervical disc diseases and its postoperative surgical results. Methods : All surgical procedures followed the method of classical microsurgical anterior discectomy. Small tunnel(7-8mm) was made on the disc space reaching to the posterior longitudinal ligament. The disc materials and bony spurs were removed through this tunnel. Thirty-one patients of cervical disc herniation(24 cases with pure disc herniation, 7 cases with combined cervical spondylosis) were evaluated on the symptoms, conformation in plain X-ray, C-T, and MRI. The follow up time was over 2 years. Results : Postoperatively the result(following the out come scale) was excellent and good in Twenty-nine patients. One with fair result showed remnant disc particle and spur and another one is combined with cord contusion. One patient with lesion in C 3-4 space and two cervicothoracic junction showed excellent result. Two patients with osteoporosis also showed good results. Cervical spine curvature and disc space height were not changed on the plain X-ray and MRI in all patients. Twenty-nine patients were discharged within 3 days after surgery without any postoperative complications. Conclusions : The microsurgical anterolateral tunnel approach could be indicated for the treatment of patients with cervical disc diseases and with difficulty in achieving interbody fusion(the higher cervical level and cervicothoracic junction, osteoporosis etc.).

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.187-195
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• 2002

This study was performed to assess the efficacy of Activator for the patient with chronic neck pain. Mail, 26 years old, is treated with Activator, which was applied for 15 minutes every two days during the 4 weeks. The results of this study are as follows: 1. The treated case compared with the previous case showed that R.O.M particularly increased in flexion and extension. 2. The atlas/skull angle compared with the previous case showed that the angle increased from $0.8^{\circ}$ to $1.5^{\circ}$. In the atlas/skull, normal angle is $5.6^{\circ}$. 3. The angle of cervical curve lordosis compared with the previous case showed that the angle increased from $38.3^{\circ}$ to $48.1^{\circ}$. In the healthy spine, the angle is $42.0^{\circ}$. 4. The anterior curvature compared with the previous case showed that curve radii decreased from 7,220mm to 200mm. In the spine, normal curvature is 165mm. 5. Rush Jackson's angle compared with the previous case showed that the angle increased from $14.8^{\circ}$ to $29.1^{\circ}$. In the healthy spine, normal angle is $39.9^{\circ}$. We can not find significant level for Activator, but it is considered that activator method of chiropractic technique is effective.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2011

Objective : In the present study, authors retrospectively reviewed the clinical outcomes of halo-vest immobilization (HVI) versus surgical fixation in patients with odontoid fracture after either non-surgical treatment (HVI) or with surgical fixation. Methods : From April 1997 to December 2008, we treated a total of 60 patients with upper cervical spine injuries. This study included 31 (51.7%) patients (22 men, 9 women; mean age, 39.3 years) with types II and III odontoid process fractures. The average follow-up was 25.1 months. We reviewed digital radiographs and analyzed images according to type of injury and treatment outcomes, following conservative treatment with HVI and surgical management with screw fixation. Results : There were a total of 31 cases of types II and III odontoid process fractures (21 odontoid type II fractures, 10 type III fractures). Fifteen patients underwent HVI (10 type II fractures, 5 type III fractures). Nine (60%) out of 15 patients who underwent HVI experienced successful healing of odontoid fractures. The mean period for bone healing was 20.2 weeks. Sixteen patients underwent surgery including anterior screw fixation (6 cases), posterior C1-2 screw fixation (8), and transarticular screw fixation (2) for healing the odontoid fractures (11 type II fractures, 5 type III fractures). Fifteen (93.8%) out of 16 patients who underwent surgery achieved healing of cervical fractures. The average bone healing time was 17.6 weeks. Conclusion : The overall healing rate was 60% after HVI and 93.8% with surgical management. Patients treated with surgery showed a higher fusion rate and shorter bony healing time than patients who received HVI. However, prospective studies are needed in the future to define better optimal treatment and cost-effective perspective for the treatment of odontoid fractures.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.89-98
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• 2020

Objective : Ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) in the thoracic spine may cause chronic compressive myelopathy that is usually progressive, and unfavorable by conservative treatment. Although surgical intervention is often needed, the standard surgical method has not been established. Recently, it has been reported that posterior decompression with dekyphosis is effective surgical technique for favorable clinical outcome. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surgical outcomes in patients with thoracic OPLL according to dekyphosis procedure and to identify predictive factors for the surgical results. Methods : A total of 25 patients with thoracic OPLL who underwent surgery for myelopathy from May 2004 to March 2017, were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with cervical myelopathy were excluded. We assessed the clinical outcomes according to various surgical approaches. The modified Japanese orthopedic association (JOA) scores for the thoracic spine (total, 11 points) and JOA recovery rates were used for investigating surgical outcomes. Results : Of the 25 patients, 10 patients were male and the others were female. The mean JOA score was 6.7±2.3 points preoperatively and 8.8±1.8 points postoperatively, yielding a mean recovery rate of 53.8±31.0%. The mean patients' age at surgery was 52.4 years and mean follow-up period was 40.2 months. According to surgical approaches, seven patients underwent anterior approaches, 13 patients underwent posterior approaches, five patients underwent combined approaches. There was no significant difference of the surgical outcomes related with different surgical approaches. Age (≥55 years) and high signal intensity on preoperative magnetic resonance (MR) image in the thoracic spine were significant predictors of the lower recovery rate after surgery (p<0.05). Posterior decompression with dekyphosis procedure was related to the excellent surgical outcomes (p=0.047). Dekyphosis did not affect the complication rates. Conclusion : In this study, our result elucidated that old age (≥55 years) and presence of intramedullary high signal intensity on preoperative MR images were risk factors related to poor surgical outcomes. In the meanwhile, posterior decompression with dekyphosis affected favorable clinical outcome. Posterior approach with dekyphosis procedure can be a recommendable surgical option for favorable results.