• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제45권3호
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• pp.176-178
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• 2009

Traumatic brainstem hemorrhage after blunt head injury is an uncommon event. The most frequent site of hemorrhage is the midline rostral brainstem. The prognosis of these patients is poor because of its critical location. We experienced a case of traumatic brainstem hemorrhage. A 41-year-old male was presented with drowsy mentality and right hemiparesis after blunt head injury. Plain skull radiographs and brain computerized tomography scans revealed a depressed skull fracture, epidural hematoma, and hemorrhagic contusion in the right parieto-occipital region. But, these findings did not explain the right hemiparesis. T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) image of the cervical spine demonstrated a focal hyperintense lesion in the left pontomedullary junction. Brain diffusion-weighted and FLAIR MR images showed a focal hyperintensity in the ventral pontomedullary lesion and it was more prominent in the left side. His mentality and weakness were progressively improved with conservative treatment. We should keep in mind the possibility of brainstem hemorrhage if supratentorial lesions or spinal cord lesions that caused neurological deficits in the head injured patients are unexplainable.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제52권3호
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• pp.204-209
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• 2012

Objective : The authors performed a retrospective study to assess the accuracy and clinical benefits of a navigation coupled with O-arm$^{(R)}$ system guided method in the thoracic and lumbar spines by comparing with a C-arm fluoroscopy-guided method. Methods : Under the navigation guidance, 106 pedicle screws inserted from T7 to S1 in 24 patients, and using the fluoroscopy guidance, 204 pedicle screws from T5 to S1 in 45 patients. The position of screws within the pedicle was classified into four groups, from grade 0 (no violation cortex) to 3 (more than 4 mm violation). The location of violated pedicle cortex was also assessed. Intra-operative parameters including time required for preparation of screwing procedure, times for screwing and the number of X-ray shot were assessed in each group. Results : Grade 0 was observed in 186 (91.2%) screws of the fluoroscopy-guided group, and 99 (93.4%) of the navigation-guided group. Mean time required for inserting a screw was 3.8 minutes in the fluoroscopy-guided group, and 4.5 minutes in the navigation-guided group. Mean time required for preparation of screw placement was 4 minutes in the fluoroscopy-guided group, and 19 minutes in the navigation-guided group. The fluoroscopy-guided group required mean 8.9 times of X-ray shot for each screw placement. Conclusion : The screw placement under the navigation-guidance coupled with O-arm$^{(R)}$ system appears to be more accurate and safer than that under the fluoroscopy guidance, although the preparation and screwing time for the navigation-guided surgery is longer than that for the fluoroscopy-guided surgery.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.74-77
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• 2009

말초에서부터 야기된 행동장애가 존재하는지 아니면 말초 신경 손상 후의 행동장애가 심리적인 것으로 인한 것인지에 대한 논의가 계속되고 있다. 말초 신경 손상에 의해 야기된 상지의 진전에 대한 증례를 보고하고자 한다. 25세 남자환자는 자동차 사고 이틀 후 상지의 통증과 진전이 발생하였다. 뇌 및 경추의 자기공명영상 촬영상 특이소견이 없었다. 과거력상 특이 소견 없었으며 행동장애에 대한 가족력 또한 없었다. 그는 하루에 약 네 차례에서 여섯 차례 십분 이상 지속되며 악화되는 진전으로 고통 받았다. 약물 치료, 경막외주사 주입, 경추의 신경차단술, 통증유발부위 주사요법 등으로 통증 조절을 하였다. 그 결과 통증이 반 정도 줄었으며 진전의 강도, 시간, 빈도가 줄어들었다.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.491-498
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• 1995

A numerical human head/neck model was constructed for analyzing the implication in decleration injuries. This model consists of nine rigid bodies representing the head, cervical vertebrae C1-C7, and T1. These rigid bodies were connected by intervertebral disks described by massless beam elements. Muscles and ligaments were also incoperated in the model represented by nonlinear spring and viscoblastic element respectively Agreement of the analytical kinematic response with the results of experimental data from a volunteer run was satisfactory. Moreover, possible injury estimation from the calculated moment, force variations in the disc, and force variation in ligaments matched well with clinical observations.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.60-63
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• 2019

The rate of suicide is the 5th leading cause of death in Korea. Moreover, suicide is the 1st cause of death in from 2nd to 4th decade. In order to treat suicide attempters who have visited the emergency room and to prevent retries, it is necessary to understand the nature of the suicide and to take the right approach. Suicide is more than doubled in women, and retry rates are high among patients with a history of suicide. Suicidal means are throat, fall, gas poisoning, poisoning and drowning. All suicide attempters should suspect and treat cervical spine injury and airway management, and rapid hyperbaric oxygen therapy is recommended for carbon monoxide addicts. Interviewing a suicide attempter requires a sympathetic attitude and examines the underlying depression or adaptation disorders. Interdisciplinary care with mental health departments is necessary, and interventions in emergency roombased suicide attempt management work can be helpful to connect with the community.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제34권4호
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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.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제50권1호
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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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• 제63권2호
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• pp.237-247
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• 2020

Objective : Fixation of the C1-2 segment is challenging because of the complex anatomy in the region and the need for a high degree of accuracy to avoid complications. Preoperative 3D-computed tomography (CT) scans can help reduce the risk of complications in the vertebral artery, spinal cord, and nerve roots. However, the patient may be susceptible to injury if the patient's anatomy does not match the preoperative CT scans. The intraoperative 3D image-based navigation systems have reduced complications in instrument-assisted techniques due to greater accuracy. This study aimed to compare the radiologic outcomes of C1-2 fusion surgery between intraoperative CT image-guided operation and fluoroscopy-guided operation. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the radiologic images of 34 patients who underwent C1-2 fusion spine surgery from January 2009 to November 2018 at our hospital. We assessed 17 cases each of degenerative cervical disease and trauma in a study population of 18 males and 16 females. The mean age was 54.8 years. A total of 139 screws were used and the surgical procedures included 68 screws in the C1 lateral mass, 58 screws in C2 pedicle, nine screws in C2 lamina and C2 pars screws, four lateral mass screws in sub-axial level. Of the 34 patients, 19 patients underwent screw insertion using intraoperative mobile CT. Other patients underwent atlantoaxial fusion with a standard fluoroscopy-guided device. Results : A total of 139 screws were correctly positioned. We analyzed the positions of 135 screws except for the four screws that performed the lateral mass screws in C3 vertebra. Minor screw penetration was observed in seven cases (5.2%), and major pedicle screw penetration was observed in three cases (2.2%). In one case, the malposition of a C2 pedicle screw was confirmed, which was subsequently corrected. There were no complications regarding vertebral artery injury or onset of new neurologic deficits. The screw malposition rate was lower (5.3%) in patients who underwent intraoperative CT-based navigation than that for fluoroscopy-guided cases (10.2%). And we confirmed that the operation time can be significantly reduced by surgery using intraoperative O-arm device. Conclusion : Spinal navigation using intraoperative cone-beam CT scans is reliable for posterior fixation in unstable C1-2 pathologies and can be reduced the operative time.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.158-165
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of X-rays in patients with acute traumatic vertebral fractures visiting the emergency department and to analyze the diagnostic value of X-rays for each spine level. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed basal characteristics by reviewing medical records of 363 patients with adult traumatic vertebral fractures, admitted to the emergency center from March 1, 2014 to February 28, 2017. We analyzed spine X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to determine distribution according to the vertebral level, and we evaluated the efficacy of X-rays by comparing discrepancies between X-rays and MRI scans. Results: For a total of 363 patients, the mean age was 56.65 (20-93) and 214 (59%) were males. On the basis of X-rays, 67 cases (15.1%) were of the cervical spine, 133 cases (30.0%) were of the thoracic spine, and 243 cases (54.9%) were of the lumbar spine. In particular, the thoracolumbar region (T11-L2) was the most common, with 260 cases (58.7%). In X-rays, fractures were the least in the upper thoracic region (T1-T3), whereas MRI scans revealed fairly uniform distribution across the thoracic spine. Sensitivity of X-rays was lowest in the upper thoracic spine and specificity was almost always greater than 98%, except for 94.7% in L1. Positive predictive value was lower in the mid-thoracic region (T4-T9) and negative predictive value was slightly lower in C6, T2, and T3 than at other sites. Diagnostic accuracy of X-rays by vertebral body, transverse process, and spinous process according to fractured vertebral structures was significantly different according to vertebral level. Conclusions: Diagnostic accuracy of X-rays was lower in the upper thoracic region than in other parts. Further studies are needed to identify better methods for diagnosis considering cost and neurological prognosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제30권10호
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• pp.1210-1219
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• 2001

서 론 : 후방 경유 경추 융합을 위한 후관절 금속판 고정술은 외상성 및 퇴행성 불안정성의 치료에 효과적인 방법이다. 후관절 금속판 고정의 안정성은 여러 가지 인자에 의해 결정된다. 이중 하나가 나사못의 삽입깊이이다. 이 방법이 처음 소개될 때에는 양피질골성 삽입이 이용되었다. 외과의사의 관심은 어떻게 안전하면서 생역학적으로 강력한 고정을 얻느냐에 있다. 목 적 : 이 연구의 목적은 사체에서 단피질성과 양피질성 나사못 삽입술을 시행한 후 안전성, pull-out 강도, 방사선학적 특성을 분석하고 나사못의 삽입에 대한 교육 훈련의 수준에 따른 영향을 평가하는데 있다. 방 법 : 평균 나이 78.9세인 21구의 사체에 대하여, Magerl의 기술을 변형하여 C3-C6(n=168)까지 3.5mm AO 나사못을 양쪽 후관절에 삽입하였다. 수술중 방사선 사진영상은 사용되지 않았다. 오른 쪽(단피질성 삽입)은 14mm 나사못(11mm의 유효 길이)을 이용하고, 왼쪽은 양피질성 삽입을 시도하였다. 각 사체는 3개의 군으로 나누어 척추 수술 수련의 수준이 다른 받은 3명의 척추 외과 의사들(전임 강사, 임상 강사, 수석 레지던트)이 수술을 시행했다. 수술 후 경추를 떼어내어 나사못의 위치를 육안적으로 확인하고 방사선학적으로 안정성과 삽입 위치 (1,2,3)를 평가하였다. 척수, 후관절, 신경근과 척추 동맥에 대한 나사못의 위치를"만족할 만한","위험한", 그리고"직접적인 손상"으로 구분하였다. material testing machine을 이용하여 모든 나사못에 대해서 Pull-out 강도를 측정하였다. 결 과 : 대다수의 나사못(92.9%)은 만족할 만한 상태였다. 전예에서 척수에 대한 위험성은 없다. 오른 편(단피질성 : 14mm) 나사못의 98.9%는"만족할 만한"에 속했다. 그리고 왼쪽 편(양피질성)의 68.1%는"만족할 만한"에 속했다. 양피질성 나사못 군에서 5.8%의 척추 동맥에 대한 직접적인 손상이 있었고 신경근의 직접적인 손상 발생율은 17.4%였다. 반면에 단피질성 나사못 군에서는 이들에 대한 직접적인 손상은 없었다. 양피질성 나사못에서 보인"직접 손상"의 거의 대부분은 외과 의사의 경험 부족으로 발생하였다. 나사못의 안정성과 삽입 위치 사이에는 특별한 관련이 없었다. 모든 나사못의 pull-out 강도는 $542.0{\pm}296.6N$였다. 단피질성에 있어서의 pull-out 강도($519.0{\pm}289.9N$)와 양피질성($565.2{\pm}306N$) 나사못에는 아무런 통계학적으로 의미있는 차이점을 발견할 수 없었다(p>0.05). 나사못 삽입위치와 pull-out 강도 사이에는 의미있는 차이가 없었다. 결 론 : 이번 연구는 경추 후관절 나사못 고정술시 단피질성과 양피질성 나사못의 안정성과 효능을 집중적으로 알아보았다. 명백한 것은 14mm의 나사못(효과적인 길이는 11mm)이 보다 긴 양피질성 나사못 보다 손상의 위험이 훨씬 낮고 거의 동등한 pull-out강도를 갖는다는 것이다. 또한, 수술시 방사선 영상을 사용할 수 없을 때, 훈련과 축적된 경험에 의해 나사못 삽입의 정확성과 안전성이 향상될 수 있다.