• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.49-63
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• 1995

Examination at the spine is dependent on assessment of function. At all spine levels a number of general anatomical considerations hold sway which together dictate the format of the evaluation. Because disc lesions are common and generally responsive to treatment, the examination sets out to differentiate between disc lesions and the other sources of pain as well as establishing the particular treatment that will benefit any given displacement. As elsewhere in the body, displacements give rise to certain characteristic symtoms and signs. First, the history is indicative. Second, any loose fragment in the joint restricts spinal movement in some but not all directions, producing the non-capsular pattern characteristic of internal derangement. Third, a displacement protruding posteriorly interferes with the dura mater ; apart from pain, this adversely affects the dura's normal painless mobility. Fourth, a displacement protruding laterally connects with the appropriate nerve root emerging from the dura mater. Finally, compression of the spinal cord strongly contraindicates manipulation, the primary treatment for cartilaginous displacements.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1533-1537
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• 2000

Granulocytic sarcomas are solid tumors resulting from the localized proliferation of myelogenous leukions cells. Epidural involvement of granulocytic sarcoma is very rare in acute myelogenous leukemia(AML). We report a patient with a thoracic epidural granulocytic sarcoma whose presentation with acute paraparesis led to the diagnosis of relapsing of alleged AML. Early recognition of the etiology of the paraparesis and treatment with emergency decompressive, laminectomy, radiation therapy and chemotherapy resulted in an excellent neurological and hematological outcome.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.130-133
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• 2011

Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) is an overgrowth of the normally encapsulated adipose tissue in the epidural space around the spinal cord in the thoracic and lumbar spine causing compression of the neural components. Idiopathic SEL in non-obese patients is exceptional. Idiopathic SEL can result in thoracic myelopathy and lumbar radiculopathy. A thoracic radiculopathy due to idiopathic SEL has not been reported yet. We report a case of idiopathic SEL with intractable chest pain and paresthesia. We suggest that idiopathic SEL should be considered as a cause of chest pain.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.125-128
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• 2013

A 65-year-old man who had lateral cervical disc herniation underwent cervical posterior laminoforaminotomy at C5-6 and C6-7 level right side. During the operation, there was no serious surgical bleeding event. After operation, he complained persistent right shoulder pain and neck pain. Repeated magnetic resonance image (MRI) showed diffuse cervical epidural hematoma (EDH) extending from C5 to T1 level right side and spinal cord compression at C5-6-7 level. He underwent exploration. There was active bleeding at muscular layer. Muscular active bleeding was controlled and intramuscular hematoma was removed. The patient's symptom was reduced after second operation. Symptomatic postoperative spinal EDH requiring reoperation is rare. Meticulous bleeding control is important before wound closure. In addition, if patient presents persistent or aggravated pain after operation, rapid evaluation using MRI and second look operation is needed as soon as possible.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.406-409
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• 2007

Craniovertebral junction (CVJ) tuberculosis is a rare disease, potentially causing severe instability and neurological deficits. The authors present a case of CVJ tuberculosis with atlantoaxial dislocation and retropharyngeal abscess in a 28-year-old man with neck pain and quadriparesis. Radiological evaluations showed a widespread extradural lesion around the clivus, C1, and C2. Two stage operations with transoral decompression and posterior occipitocervical fusion were performed. The pathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of tuberculosis. Treatment options in CVJ tuberculosis are controversial without well-defined guidelines. But radical operation (anterior decompression and posterior fusion and fixation) is necessary in patient with neurological deficit due to cord compression, extensive bone destruction, and instability or dislocation. The diagnosis and treatment options are discussed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.383-387
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• 2012

Spinal epidural abscess, if especially caused by Brucellosis is a very rare disease which is usually a consequence of spondylodiscitis. The spinal column can be affected at any joint; however, the lumbar spine is the most common region, especially at the level of the L4-5 and L5-S1. The frequency of spinal involvement usually seen at the lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine respectively. As an occupational disease in farmers, veterinaries, butchers, laboratory staff and shepherds, brucellosis can also occur by direct contact to animals and infected materials or ingestion of raw cheese, milk or unpasteurized milk products. In this study, we presented two cases with cervical spinal epidural abscess caused by brucella melitensis, which was successfully treated by surgical approach. Initial treatment was combined with antibiotic therapy after the surgery for 3 months.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.47-50
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• 2006

This 51-year-old man suffered from paraparesis of 1-week history. On preoperative images, spinal cord compression by infiltrative vertebral mass was shown at T3 and T4 level. Several months earlier, he underwent surgical resection of left 2nd to 4th ribs, due to painful growing chest wall mass, which was proved to be hepatocellular carcinoma. All available diagnostic procedure failed to uncover origin of malignancy. Operation was followed by adjuvant irradiation and chemotherapy to the vertebral mass, however he only to die in 3 months after operation. This is an extremely rare case of ectopic hepatocellular carcinoma at thoracic vertebrae which showed very aggressive clinical course. Possible pathogenic process is presented and discussed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.54-57
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• 2006

Central nervous system[CNS] involvement of acute lymphoblastic leukemia may occur. However, CNS involvement as a first manifestation of leukemia is very rare. An 8-year-old girl complained of a backache after playing in the water. Neurological examination detected progressing paraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging[MRI] of the thoracolumbar spine showed a well-circumscribed homogeneous posterior extradural mass lesion extending from T7 to T9. MRI of the brain showed diffused fatty marrow replacement of the calvarium and the skull base. We report a patient with epidural Burkitt's lymphoma of the thoracic and lumbar vertebra causing compression of the spinal cord after pathologic evaluation. The tumor consisted mainly of lymphoblastic cells, which were identical to those originally seen in the bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. After decompressive laminectomy she began consolidation chemotherapy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.114-116
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• 2006

A Solitary plasmacytoma of bone[SPB] is a rare disease. This paper reports a case of SPB with massive aggregation of histiocytes known as pseudo-Gaucher cells. A 40-year-old male presented with progressive paraparesis and paraesthesia. The Magnetic Resornance Image[MRI] revealed a tumor mass in the thoracic spine that occupied the three colum. The tumor invaded the epidural space of T6 vertebra with compression of the spinal cord. There were no laboratory abnormalities. It was gross totally resected and his neurological symptoms improved. The microscopic examination revealed a plasmacytoma with massive aggregation of histiocytes. Futher neuroradiological studies were carried out and no other lesions were detected.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.390-393
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• 2009

Although prompt diagnosis and emergent surgical intervention are important in acute spinal subdural hematoma (SSDH), some cases with spontaneous remission of symptom and hematoma without surgery have been reported. We present a case of acute nontraumatic SSDH presenting with transient left hemiplegia for 4 hours. A magnetic resonance imaging study of cervical spine confirmed SSDH with C3-6 cervical cord compression at the left side. The patient had conservative management without recurrence. Although hemiplegia is an unusual clinical manifestation of SSDH, it should be differentiated from that of cerebrovascular origin promptly. Conservative management may be an alternative therapeutic option for selective cases with transient neurological deficits.