• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.537-539
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• 2013

Charcot spinal arthropathy is a rare, progressive type of vertebral joint degeneration that occurs in the setting of any preexisting condition characterized by decreased afferent innervation to the extent that normal protective joint sensation in the vertebral column is impaired. The authors report on a case of Charcot arthropathy of the lower lumbar spine mimicking a spinal tumor following cervical cord injury.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.304-307
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• 1997

Continuous epidural infusion, a combination of local anesthetic and opioid, have been widely administered for treatment of chronic cancer pain. A serious complications of epidural block is paraplegia which can also be caused by : direct spinal cord injury, epidural hematoma, epidural abscess, ischemic change, neurotoxicity, preexisting disease. Continuous epidural block for pain control of patient with cervical cancer was performed at $T_{12}/L_1$ interspace. A 4 cm catheter was inserted cephalad into the epidural space. After four months, back pain and motor weariless of lower extremities progressively developed. Spine CT showed bony destruction and soft mass-like lesion at $T_9$ & $T_{12}$ spine. We propose paraplegia was caused by spinal cord compression which resulted from vertebral metastasis of cervical cancer.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.419-425
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to analyze the physical characteristic by directly measuring the wheelchair using disabled women. The subjects were 103 disabled women of wheelchair used women and between 20 - 55 years of age. The result of this study is as follow. There was a remarkable difference in the physical characteristic of wheelchair using disabled women due to their cause of disability. The cause of disability was classified into the 4 groups; poliomyelitis, spiral cord injury, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy. Poliomyelitis disability generally had a large horizontal area due to their strong upper body. People with spiral cord injury disability was shown to have the largest height, cervical height, waist back length, crotch length, knee length, The group of muscular dystrophy disabled people have the shortest length of body and also lean. The cebral palsy group of disabled people has an average length and height size body. A comparison of anthropometric measurements of wheelchair using disabled women with National Anthropometric Survey Korea(1997) was significant difference. People with poliomyelitis disability was shown to have a larger waist back length, neck point to breast point compared to normal women, but stature, crotch length was shorter compared to normal women. People with spiral cord injury disability had a similar in the vertical area. The group of muscular dystrophy and cebral palsy disabled people was short and smaller in general compared to a normal woman.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.71-84
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to provide information on driving characteristics in persons with spinal cord injury through basic statistic analysis of the survey results. The survey was administered to 44 drivers with spinal cord injury. The subjects' general, neurologic and driving characteristics were analyzed, as well as the degree of difficulty in using their vehicles between tetraplegia and paraplegia. The results were as follows: thirty-five (79.6%) of forty-four respondents was men. The average age was 35.0 years old and the age at the time of injury was 29.0 years old. Their neurologic characteristics were tetraplegics 12 (27.3%) and paraplegics 32 (72.2%). Among complete lesions, the highest level those who could drive independently was C7. All the vehicles were equipped with special devices, including "power steering", "automatic transmission" and "hand controls". The vehicles for cervical cord injury were equipped with "grip bars" as well as for the degree of difficulty in using their vehicles, all the subjects felt that "moving the wheelchair in and out of their vehicles" was too difficult for them to do. We suggest that the driver training should be an essential part of the rehabilitation program for patients with spinal cord injuries to maximize their mobility in the community. This training seems to be essential in order to modify the standards of the Handicapped Drivers Ability Test and to aid the driver rehabilitation program in the health insurance payment system. Also, the driver rehabilitation training program should include instruction in that moving wheelchairs in and out of vehicles.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.108-115
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of fludrocortisone in patients suffering from cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) with orthostatic hypotension (OH). Twenty-six patients with cervical SCI diagnosed with OH through a head-up tilt test were randomly assigned, and they were given either conservative treatment or additional fludrocortisone treatment. Fludrocortisone was administered for 2 weeks, increasing from 0.1 mg to 0.2 mg week . Blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and blood parameters were measured at the beginning and after 2 weeks. After 2 weeks of treatment, there was a significant increase in the baseline BP of the treatment groups (p<.05). When analyzing the drop ratio, there was a tendency for a lower orthostatic BP drop in the treatment groups. Mild adverse events were reported in 7.69% of the treatment groups. Fludrocortisone exhibited therapeutic effects such as preventing cardiovascular complications and continuing rehabilitation through increased baseline BP and reduced OH, and can therefore be considered as a treatment option for OH in patients with SCI.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.80-85
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• 2019

Purpose: To compare the time intervals to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and surgical treatment in patients having traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) with and without bony lesions. Methods: Retrospectively analyzed adult patients visited Kyungpook National University Hospital and underwent surgical treatment for cervical SCI within 24 hours. The patients who were suspected of having cervical SCI underwent plain radiography and computed tomography (CT) upon arrival. After the initial evaluation, we evaluated the MRI findings to determine surgical treatment. Waiting times for MRI and surgery were evaluated. Results: Thirty-four patients were included. Patients' mean age was 57 (range, 23-80) years. Patients with definite bony lesions were classified into group A, and 10 cases were identified (fracture-dislocation, seven; fracture alone, three). Patients without bony lesions were classified into group B, and 24 cases were identified (ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, 16; cervical spondylotic myelopathy, eight). Mean intervals between emergency room arrival and start of MRI were 93.60 (${\pm}60.08$) minutes in group A and 313.75 (${\pm}264.89$) minutes in group B, and the interval was significantly shorter in group A than in group B (p=0.01). The mean times to surgery were 248.4 (${\pm}76.03$) minutes in group A and 560.5 (${\pm}372.56$) minutes in group B, and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.001). The American Spinal Injury Association scale at the time of arrival showed that group A had a relatively severe neurologic deficit compared with group B (p=0.046). There was no statistical significance, but it seems to be good neurological recovery, if we start treatment sooner among patients treated within 24 hours (p=0.198). Conclusions: If fracture or dislocation is detected by CT, cervical SCI can be easily predicted resulting in MRI and surgical treatment being performed more rapidly. Additionally, fracture or dislocation tends to cause more severe neurological damage, so it is assumed that rapid diagnosis and treatment are possible.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.220-224
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• 2013

Objective : This study aimed to determine the optimal time for tracheostomy by evaluating the benefits and safety of early versus late tracheostomy in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed a total of 254 patients with spinal cord injury. Of them, we selected 21 spinal cord injury patients who required tracheostomy due to long-term mechanical ventilation and analyzed their medical records. The patients were categorized into two groups. Early tracheostomy was performed day 1-10 from intubation in 10 patients and the late tracheostomy was performed after day 10 in 11 cases. We also evaluated the duration of mechanical ventilation, stay in the ICU and complications related to tracheostomy, the injury level of and clinical severity. All data was analyzed using SPSS 18.0/WIN. Results : The early tracheostomy offered clear advantages for shortening the total ICU stay (20.8 day vs. 38.0 day, p=0.010). There was also statistically significant reduction in the total length of time on mechanical ventilation (5.2 day vs. 29.2 day, p=0.009). However, the reductions in the incidence of pneumonia (40% vs. 82%) and the length of ICU stay post to tracheostomy (6 day vs. 15 day) were found to be statistically not significant. There were also no statistically significant differences in the injury level and clinical severity between the groups. Conclusion : We concluded that the early tracheostomy (at least 10 days) is beneficial for SCI patients who are likely to require prolonged mechanical ventilation.

• Neurospine
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.368-375
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• 2018

Objective: To evaluate the results of operative management of subaxial spine injuries managed with 2-level anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion with a cervical locking plate and autologous bone-filled titanium mesh cage. Methods: This study included 23 patients with a subaxial spine injury who matched the inclusion criteria, underwent 2-level anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion at our institution between 2013 and 2016, and were followed up for neurological recovery, axial pain, fusion, pseudarthrosis, and implant failure. Results: According to Allen and Ferguson classification, there were 9 cases of distractive extension; 4 of compressive extension; 3 each of compressive flexion, vertical compression, and distractive flexion; and 1 of lateral flexion. Sixteen patients had a score of 6 on the Subaxial Injury Classification system, and the rest had a score of more than 6. The mean follow-up period was 19 months (range, 12-48 months). Neurological recovery was observed in most of the patients (78.21%). All patients experienced relief of axial pain. None of the patients received a blood transfusion. Twenty-one patients (91.3%) showed solid fusion and 2 (8.69%) showed possible pseudarthrosis, with no complications related to the cage or plate. Conclusion: Two-level anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion, along with stabilization with a cervical locking plate and autologous bone graft-filled titanium mesh cage, can be considered a feasible and safe method for treating specific subaxial spine injuries, with the benefits of high primary stability, anatomical reduction, and direct decompression of the spinal cord.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.47-57
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the problem on activities of daily living ; the problem which spinal cord injured patients have when they adapt in daily living ; Subjects were 113 members who used the hospital which is located in Kwangju-city from November 20, 2001 to May 20, 2002. The evaluation of the ADL was performed according to MBI and collected data were statistically analysed by SPSS PC for paired Chi-square test T-test, One way ANOVA and Duncan's post-hoc test. The result's were as follows; 1. Modified Barthel Index average mark was $63.77{\pm}33.60$ points and MBI score distribution according to characteristics of injury is as following. 1) A patient who had long duration of injury, small injury region, incomplete paralysis in paralysis degree, paraplegia in paralysis type got high MBI score as statistical and significantly(p<0.05). 2. Society adaptation state by characteristics of spinal cord injured is an following. 1) After lapse of time of disease, a patient who is injured for a long term present surrounding environmental problem, a patient who is injured for a short term shows psychological problem. In society activity, as lapse of time of disease is long, patient did many hobby activity and same private club, on the other hand as lapse of time of diseases is short, the others appeared high and significantly as statistical(p<0.01). 2) In society activity by injury region, cervical injury and thoracic injury did more hobby activity than lumbar injury and in lumbar injury same private club or religion life appeared higher than thoracic injury of cervical injury significantly as statistical(p<0.01). 3) In walk method by paralysis degree Complete paralysis had more wheelchair life than incomplete paralysis(p<0.01). 4) In serious problem by paralysis type psychological problem in quadriplegia and surrounding environmental problem in paraplegia appeared high and significantly as statistical(p<0.01). 3. In society adaptation state by MBI score difference between variables appeared but it wasn't significantly.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.279-283
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• 2021

Traumatic spinal cord infarction is a rare condition that causes serious paralysis. The regulation of spinal cord blood flow in injured spinal cords remains unknown. Spinal cord infarction or ischemia has been reported after cardiovascular interventions, scoliosis correction, or profound hypotension. In this case, a 52-year-old man revisited the emergency center with motor and sensory abnormalities in all four extremities 56 hours after a motor vehicle collision. Despite the clinical presentation and imaging examination, there were no specific findings on the patient's first visit to the trauma center. Cervical spine computed tomography angiography showed a narrow vertebral artery, and diffusion-weighted imaging revealed spinal cord infarction from C3 to C5 with high signal intensity. It should be kept in mind that delayed-onset spinal cord infarction may occur in minor or major trauma patients as a result of head and neck injuries.