• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제57권1호
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• pp.42-49
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• 2015

Objective : The cervicothoracic junction (CTJ) is a biomechanically and anatomically complex region that has traditionally posed problems for surgical access. In this retrospective study, we describe our clinical experiences of the treatment of metastatic spinal tumors at the CTJ and the results. Methods : From June 2006 to December 2011, 23 patients who underwent surgery for spinal tumors involving the CTJ were enrolled in our study. All of the patients were operated on through the posterior approach, and extent of resection was classified as radical, debulking, and simple neural decompression. Adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) was also considered. Visual analog scale score for pain assessment and Medical Research Council (MRC) grade for motor weakness were used, while pre- and post-operative performance status was evaluated using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG). Results : Almost all of the patients were operated using palliative surgical methods (91.3%, 21/23). Ten complications following surgery occurred and revision was performed in four patients. Of the 23 patients of this study, 22 showed significant pain relief according to their visual analogue scale scores. Concerning the aspect of neurological and functional recovery, mean MRC grade and ECOG score was significantly improved after surgery (p<0.05). In terms of survival, radiation therapy had a significant role. Median overall survival was 124 days after surgery, and the adjuvant-RT group (median 214 days) had longer survival times than prior-RT (63 days) group. Conclusion : Although surgical procedure in CTJ may be difficult, we expect good clinical results by adopting a palliative posterior surgical method with appropriate preoperative preparation and postoperative treatment.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.224-230
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• 2015

Purpose: To determine whether we should recommend ultrasonography (US) for an incidental thyroid nodule identified by additional cervicothoracic sagittal T2-weighted image (C-T sag T2WI) of lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of 61 patients who underwent both lumbar spine MRI and thyroid US between December 2011 and April 2015 was conducted. For all US-found thyroid nodules > 1 cm, investigators evaluated whether there was any correlation between thyroid nodule detectability by C-T sag T2WI and US features such as echogenicity, composition, or suspicion of malignancy. Results: Solid hypoechoic (2/4; 50%) or mixed echoic nodules (4/8; 50%) appeared to be found relatively more easily by C-T sag T2WI than more benign-looking solid isoechoic (1/4; 25%) or spongiform nodules (0/6; 0%). Among six nodules with ultrasonographic suspicion for malignancy, only one nodule was detected by C-T sag T2WI. Conclusion: If an incidental thyroid nodule is seen by C-T sag T2WI, it would be better to recommend thyroid US for identifying malignancy.

• 대한정형외과학회지
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• 제54권6호
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• pp.562-566
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• 2019

골연골종은 흔한 양성골병변이나 척추에서는 비교적 드물게 발견된다. 척추의 골연골종은 주로 척추후주에서 기원하며, 척수강 내로 확장하거나 척수병증을 유발하는 경우는 흔하지 않다. 36세 남자 환자가 2년 전부터 시작된 경부통을 주소로 내원하였다. 영상학적 검사상 흉추 제1번의 상관절돌기에서부터 척수강을 침범하는 골연골종 소견이 관찰되었다. 척추 골연골종의 대부분은 경추에서 기원하는 반면 경흉추 이행부에서의 기원은 보고된 바가 극히 드물다. 이에 저자들은 경흉추 이행부에서 발생한 골연골종을 그 발생 부위의 희귀성에 비추어 문헌 고찰과 함께 보고하는 바이다.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.91-100
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• 2013

목적: 요추 MR 영상에 추가된 경흉추 시상T2강조영상(CT SAG T2WI)의 임상적 효용성을 평가하고자 한다. 대상과 방법: 2005년 1월부터 2005년 12월까지 요추 MRI를 시행하였던 2,113명의 환자를 대상으로 하였다. 경흉추 시상T2강조영상을 후향적으로 분석하였고, 의무기록을 후향적으로 검토하여 경추 또는 흉추 병변의 추가적인 평가를 위한 MRI 또는 CT 시행여부와 이러한 병변에 대한 치료 및 경과를 알아보았다. 결과: 2,113명중 139명의 환자에게서 총 142개의 병변이 경흉추 시상T2강조영상에서 관찰되었다. 요추 MRI 촬영시, 환자의 자세변화 없이 2분 이내에 경흉추 시상T2강조영상을 추가적으로 얻었다. 13명의 환자만이 경추 또는 흉추의 병변에 대해 MR영상 또는 CT를 시행하였고, 7명의 환자는 T2강조영상 고신호강도 여부에 상관 없이 척추관협착증 또는 추간판탈출증에 대해 수술적 치료를 받았다. 결론: 요추 MRI촬영 시, 2분 이내로 소요되는 경흉추 시상T2강조영상의 추가촬영은 요추의 증상으로 오인된 경흉추의 병변을 평가하는데 유용하다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제54권4호
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• pp.363-365
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• 2013

Split cord malformations (SCMs) usually present in childhood, and are rarely reported in adults. And also, a cervicothoracic SCM associated with tethered cord syndrome has very rarely been reported in the literature. We report a case of SCM associated with tethered cord and spina bifida in an adult. This report describes the case of a 34-year-old woman who presented for evaluation of neck pain, back pain, and intermittent paraparesis of several months duration. The MRI and CT showed a SCM at the cervicothoracic level and a fibrous septum at the thoracic level. She underwent surgery for the SCM and tethered cord syndrome, and was followed for 7 years. Patient presented complete recovery in the follow-up. The authors discuss this unusual lesion and describe the anatomical relationship of the level of cord duplication and fibrous septum.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제30권5호
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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.).

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제58권3호
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• pp.236-241
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• 2015

Objective : We report on the technical feasibility and limitations of the transmanubrial approach for cervicothoracic junction (CTJ) lesions and emphasize the advantage of bisecting the upper part of the manubrium in an inverted Y-shape. Methods : Thirteen patients who underwent the fourteen transmanubrial approach for various CTJ lesions were enrolled during 2005-2014. For the evaluation of the accessibility for the CTJ lesion, we analyzed the two parallel line defined as a straight line parallel to the inferior and superior plateau of the upper and lower healthy vertebrae, the angle of the two parallel lines and the distance from the sternal notch to lines at the sternum on preoperative magnetic resonance images. Surgical limitations and perspectives, as well as postoperative clinical outcomes were evaluated retrospectively. Results : The CTJ lesions were six metastases, three primary bone tumors, two herniated discs, and one each of a traumatic dislocation with syrinx formation and tuberculous spondylitis and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. If two parallel lines pass below the sternal notch, the manubriotomy should be inevitably performed. The mean preoperative Visual analogue scale score was 8 (range, 5-10), which improved to 4 (range, 0-6) postoperatively. Seven cases showed an increase in Frankel score postoperatively. Conclusion : The spatial relationship between the sternal notch and the two parallel lines to the lesion was rational to determine the feasibility of manubriotomy. The transmanubrial approach for CTJ lesions can achieve favorable clinical outcomes by providing direct decompression of lesion and effective reconstruction.

• 대한두경부종양학회지
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.155-158
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• 2006

Intrathoracic goiters can be classified anterior and posterior mediastinal goiter with its locations. Most intrathoracic goiters are retrosternally situated in the anterior mediastinal compartment. Posterior mediastinal goiters are rare, but might present a difficult diagnostic and surgical problem. Although thyroid goiters are nearly always amenable to a cervical approach, posterior mediastinal goiters may require a combined cervicothoracic approach with sternotomy or thoracothomy. We herein describe a case of posterior mediastinal goiter which was excised only by cervical approach. The relevant literature is briefly reviewed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.345-351
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• 1985

Tracheal stenosis is due to tracheostomy or prolonged intubation. Development of tracheal stenosis following tracheostomy is very serious complication. In recent practice, tracheostomy has became more popular because of increased occasions of major and minor traumas. At the Dept. of thoracic surgery, Chonbuk national university hospital, we have experienced one case of tracheal stenosis following tracheostomy for assisted ventilation. Chest X-ray revealed the narrowing of trachea at cervicothoracic junction due to previous tracheostomy. We resected the narrow segment & tracheal reconstruction was performed with an excellent result in postoperative periods. Postoperative air tracheogram did not reveal demonstrable narrowing of air filled trachea.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.111-116
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• 1997

The treatment of chronic digital pain and cold intolerance due to Raynaud's phenomenon is quite difficult especially it is combined with scleroderma. Several surgical trial such as cervicothoracic sympathectomy have been attempted for the medically unresponsible Raynaud's phenomenon, but their results were unsatisfactory. We have tried peripheral periarterial sympathectomy for the 44 years old female patient who had medically unresponsible severe Raynaud's phenomenon with scleroderma. Periarterial adventitial stripping was performed at the level of wrist, superficial palmar arch, common digital artery and proper digital artery about 1.5-2 cm in length. Preoperative angiography and radioactive angiography were done and preoperatively and postoperatively the blood flow was measured by the desk top computer-aided histogram. Both hands digital pain were markedly reduced after operation and blood flow increased as compaired with the preoperative measure.