• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.15-29
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• 2009

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the correlation between cervical, lumbar lordosis and low back pain(LBP), sex, age and duration of LBP. Methods : Cervical, lumbar lordosis(by Cobb's Method) and Ferguson's angle were measured and evaluated in LBP group and control. Radiograph was taken in lateral direction, erect position. Cobb's angle between C1-C7, C2-C7, L1-L5, L1-S1 and Ferguson's angle were measured and investigated with statistical program. Results: 1. Cervical lordosis have no relation to LBP, sex and age. 2. Lumbar lordosis and Ferguson's angle have no relation to LBP and sex. 3. Cobb's angle L1-L5 have no relation to age. Lumbar lordosis from L1 to S1(Cobb's angle L1-S1) increased in old group(Age>40) compared to young group(Age${\leq}$40). 4. In LBP group, Cobb's angle L1-S1 have no relation to duration of LBP. Lumbar lordosis from L1 to L5(Cobb's angle L1-L5) decreased in acute LBP group compared to Chronic group. Conclusions : Cervical, lumbar lordosis and Ferguson's angle have no relation to LBP and sex. As far as age is concerned, old group have larger lumbosacral lordosis than young group. Acute LBP group have smaller lumbar lordosis(Cobb's angle L1-L5) than chronic group.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.356-369
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• 2013

Objective : We performed a retrospective analysis of medical records and radiographic images of patients who never underwent spinal treatment including diagnosis. The objective of this study is to explain the biomechanical and physiologic characteristics of cervical alignment related to thoracic inlet angle including T1 slope changes in each individual. Methods : We reviewed the cervical CT radiographs of 80 patients who visited ENT outpatient clinic without any symptom, diagnosis and treatment of cervical spine from January 2011 to September 2012. All targeted people were randomized without any prejudice. We assessed the data-T1 slope, Cobb's angle C2-7, neck tilt, sagittal vertical axis (SVA) C2-7 and thoracic inlet angle by the CT radiographs. Results : The relationships between each value were analyzed and we concluded that Cobb's angle C2-7 gets higher as the T1 slope gets higher, while the SVA C2-7 value decreases. Conclusion : We propose that the T1 slope is background information in deciding how much angle can be made in the cervical spinal angle of surgical lordotic curvature, especially severe cervical deformity.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.552-561
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• 2021

Objective : To compare the anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and posterior cervical fusion (PCF) with wide facetectomy in the treatment of parallel-shaped bony foraminal stenosis (FS). Methods : Thirty-six patients underwent surgery due to one-or-two levels of parallel-shaped cervical FS. ACDF was performed in 16 patients, and PCF using CPS was performed in 20 patients. All patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Standardized outcome measures such as Numeric rating scale (NRS) score for arm/neck pain and Neck disability index (NDI) were evaluated. Cervical radiographs were used to compare the C2-7 Cobb's angle, segmental angle, and fusion rates. Results : There was an improvement in NRS scores after both approaches for radicular arm pain (mean change -6.78 vs. -8.14, p=0.012), neck pain (mean change -1.67 vs. -4.36, p=0.038), and NDI score (-19.69 vs. -18.15, p=0.794). The segmental angle improvement was greater in the ACDF group than in the posterior group (9.4°±2.7° vs. 3.3°±5.1°, p=0.004). However, there was no significant difference in C2-7 Cobb angle between groups (16.2°±7.9° vs. 14.8°±8.5°, p=0.142). As a complication, dysphagia was observed in one case of the ACDF group. Conclusion : In the treatment of parallel-shaped bony FS up to two surgical levels, segmental angle improvement was more favorable in patients who underwent ACDF. However, PCF with wide facetectomy using CPS should be considered as an alternative treatment option in cases where the anterior approach is burdensome.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2019

Objective: To determine the relationship between cervical sagittal parameters and the degree of the cervical disc degeneration at each cervical level by using cervical plain radiographs and disc degeneration grading. Method: This study analyzed 110 patients with posterior neck pain. Cervical radiographic measurements included the occipito-cervical (O~C2) angle; sagittal Cobb angles of C1~C2, C2~C7; and sagittal vertical axis (SVA) of C1~C7 and C2~C7. The degenerations of cervical discs at each level were evaluated through Pfirrmann grading system by magnetic resonance images of the cervical spine. The correlations between the cervical sagittal measurements and the disc degeneration at each level were analyzed by Spearman's correlation. Results: A significant correlation was found for the C2~C7 angle with disc degenerations at C2~C6 levels. O~C2 angle was correlated significantly with disc degenerations at C2~C4 and C5~C7 levels. There was significant correlation between C1~C2 angle and disc degeneration at C6~C7 level. No significant relationship was found between the cervical SVA and the cervical disc degeneration at all cervical levels. Conclusion: Cervical sagittal parameters representing cervical angles (C2~C7, O~C2, and C1~C2 angles) were significantly correlated with the degree of the cervical disc degeneration. These findings suggest that the loss of the natural cervical lordosis rather than loss of natural SVA could be correlated with progression of the cervical disc degeneration.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.638-648
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• 2022

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the diurnal variation in cervical disc hydration and its relationship with cervical degeneration. Materials and Methods: C3-C7 discs of 86 prospectively enrolled participants (37 males, 49 females; mean age ± standard deviation, 23.5 ± 2.5 years) were assessed using T2 mapping in the morning and evening. All discs were stratified by Miyazaki grade or C2-C7 Cobb angle and T2 values (T2). The degree of diurnal T2 variation (T2-DDV), defined as (morning T2 - evening T2)/morning T2 x 100%, was measured for the entire disc, annulus fibrosus (AF), nucleus pulposus (NP), and endplate zones. Results: T2 of the entire disc decreased significantly after the daytime load (p < 0.001), with a T2-DDV of 13.3% for all discs and 16.0%, 12.2%, and 13.0% for healthy (grade I), mild degenerative (grade II), and advanced degenerative (grade III/IV) discs, respectively. T2 of regional NPs and AFs decreased significantly from morning to evening (p ≤ 0.049) except in the healthy anterior inner AF (p = 0.092). Compared with healthy discs, mild degenerative discs displayed lower T2 and T2-DDV in regional NPs (p < 0.001). Advanced degenerative discs showed higher T2-DDV in the anterior inner AF compared with healthy discs (p = 0.050). Significant diurnal T2 changes in the endplate zones were observed only in healthy discs (p = 0.013). Cervical discs in the low Cobb angle group showed higher T2-DDV in the anterior AFs and anterior NP and lower T2-DDV in the posterior AF than those in the high Cobb angle group (p ≤ 0.041). Conclusion: This study characterized the diurnal variation in hydration of the cervical discs as assessed using T2 mapping and revealed early chemo-mechanical coupling dysfunction in degenerating discs. Cervical sagittal alignment on MRI can affect the diurnal stress patterns of the cervical discs. T2 mapping is sensitive to disc biomechanical dysfunction and offers translational potential from biomechanical research to clinical application.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.21-29
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the relation between cervical spine lateroflexion and upper limb numbness after whiplash injury by traffic accident. Methods : Outpatients who visited Jaseng korean medicine hospital after traffic accident took cervical MRI. Patients who had Normal disc and bulging disc were reviewed to measure the cervical lateroflexion by C2-C7 Cobb's angle & scalenus muscle's length through neutrality AP X-ray views. For statistics, we used SPSS version 18.0 for windows. Results : Groups classified into difference of scalenus muscle's length were showen statistical significance than into cobb's angle. Means of numbness group's length difference are $4.18{\pm}2.26mm$ and that of non-numbness group is $1.59{\pm}1.17mm$. Unilateral numbness group had greater angle and longer of length's difference than non-numbness group. Conclusions : The more severe the lateroflexion of the upper extremity numbness occurs well. Group classifed into difference of scalenus muscle's length has more tendency of occurrence of upper limb numbness than that into cobb's angle. And upper limb numbness occurs more frequently at the same direction of lateroflexion.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.6
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• pp.534-538
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• 2015

Objective : To correct apical vertebral rotation for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), direct vertebral derotation (DVD) or simple rod rotation (SRR) might be considered. The aim of the present study is to introduce the surgical experiences of AIS by a Korean neurosurgeon and to evaluate the effectiveness of SRR for apical vertebral rotation. Methods : A total of 9 patients (1 male and 8 females) underwent scoliosis surgery by a neurosurgeon of our hospital. The Lenke classifications of the patients were 1 of 1B, 2 of 1C, 1 of 2A, 1 of 2C, 3 of 5C and 1 of 6C. Surgery was done by manner of simple rod rotation on the concave side and in situ coronal bending. Coronal Cobb's angles, vertebral rotation angles and SRS-22 were measured on a plain standing X-ray and CT before and after surgery. Results : The mean follow up period was 25.7 months (range : 5-52). The mean number of screw positioning level was nine (6-12). The mean age was 16.4 years (range : 13-25) at surgery. The mean Risser grade was $3.7{\pm}0.9$. The apical vertebral rotation measured from the CT scans was $25.8{\pm}8.5^{\circ}$ vs. $9.3{\pm}6.7^{\circ}$ (p<0.001) and the Coronal Cobb's angle was $53.7{\pm}10.4^{\circ}$ vs. $15.4{\pm}6.5^{\circ}$ (p<0.001) preoperatively and postoperative, respectively. The SRS-22 improved from 71.9 preoperatively to 90.3 postoperatively. There were no complications related with the operations. Conclusion : SRR with pedicle screw instrumentation could be corrected successfully by axial rotation without complications. SRR might serve as a good option to correct AIS deformed curves of AIS.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.73-78
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• 2017

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of morphological Change of cervical spine to apply to neck retraction and extension regarding the straight deformity of cervical spine. Methods: A 40-year male subject with straight deformity of cervical spine participated in this study. The study subject underwent a cervical lateral radiography on the static position, neck retraction and neck extension on standing. Measurement method were using computer-based digital radiogram on a picture achieving computer system forthe centroid method, Cobb's angle and Jackson's angle. Results: Neck retraction was increased kyphosis on the C2-4 with lordosis on the C5-7. Neck extension was increased lordosis on the C2-7. Conclusions: These findings suggest that neck retraction was increased kyphosis and neck extension was increased lordosis based on the straight deformity of cervical spine. Therefore, we should be consider that neck extension exercise when increased lordosis for the patients of straight deformity of cervical spine.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.433-440
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• 2017

Objective : Although minimally invasive posterior cervical foraminotomy (MI-PCF) is an established approach for motion preservation, the outcomes are variable among patients. The objective of this study was to identify significant factors that influence motion preservation after MI-PCF. Methods : Forty-eight patients who had undergone MI-PCF between 2004 and 2012 on a total of 70 levels were studied. Cervical parameters measured using plain radiography included C2-7 plumb line, C2-7 Cobb angle, T1 slope, thoracic outlet angle, neck tilt, and disc height before and 24 months after surgery. The ratios of the remaining facet joints after MI-PCF were calculated postoperatively using computed tomography. Changes in the distance between interspinous processes (DISP) and the segmental angle (SA) before and after surgery were also measured. We determined successful motion preservation with changes in DISP of ${\leq}3mm$ and in SA of ${\leq}2^{\circ}$. Results : The differences in preoperative and postoperative DISP and SA after MI-PCF were $0.03{\pm}3.95mm$ and $0.34{\pm}4.46^{\circ}$, respectively, fulfilling the criteria for successful motion preservation. However, the appropriate level of motion preservation is achieved in cases in which changes in preoperative and postoperative DISP and SA motions are 55.7 and 57.1%, respectively. Based on preoperative and postoperative DISP, patients were divided into three groups, and the characteristics of each group were compared. Among these, the only statistically significant factor in motion preservation was preoperative disc height (Pearson's correlation coefficient=0.658, p<0.001). The optimal disc height for motion preservation in regard to DISP ranges from 4.18 to 7.08 mm. Conclusion : MI-PCF is a widely accepted approach for motion preservation, although desirable radiographic outcomes were only achieved in approximately half of the patients who had undergone the procedure. Since disc height appears to be a significant factor in motion preservation, surgeons should consider disc height before performing MI-PCF.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.61 no.5
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• pp.574-581
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• 2018

Objective : The zero-profile implant (Zero-P) is accepted for use in anterior cervical fusion for the treatment of degenerative cervical disease. However, evidence pertaining to its efficiency and safety in traumatic cervical injury is largely insufficient. This study aimed to compare the overall outcomes of patients who underwent Zero-P for traumatic cervical disc injury. Methods : Data from a total of 53 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for traumatic or degenerative cervical disc disease using the Zero-P were reviewed. Seventeen patients (group A) had traumatic cervical disc injury and the remaining 36 (group B) had degenerative cervical disc herniation. The fusion and subsidence rates and Cobb angle were measured retrospectively from plain radiographs. The patients' clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and Odom's criteria. Results : The C2-7 Cobb and operative segmental angles increased by $3.45{\pm}7.61$ and $2.94{\pm}4.59$ in group A; and $2.46{\pm}7.31$ and $2.88{\pm}5.49$ in group B over 12 postoperative months, respectively. The subsidence and fusion rate was 35.0% and 95.0% in group A; and 36.6% and 95.1% in group B, respectively. None of the parameters differed significantly between groups. The clinical outcomes were similar in both groups in terms of increasing the JOA score and producing a grade higher than "good" using Odom's criteria. Conclusion : The application of Zero-P in patients with traumatic cervical disc injury was found to be acceptable when compared with the clinical and radiological outcomes of degenerative cervical spondylosis.