• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.152-155
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• 2014

Dural ateriovenous fistula (DAVF) at the craniocervical junction is rare. We report a patient presenting with brainstem dysfunction as an uncommon onset. Brainstem lesion was suggested by magnetic resonance image study. Angiogram revealed a DAVF at a high cervical segment supplied by the meningeal branch of the right vertebral artery, with ascending and descending venous drainage. Complete obliteration of the fistula was achieved via transarterial Onyx embolization. Clinical cure was achieved in the follow-up period; meanwhile, imaging abnormalities of this case disappeared. Accordingly, we hypothesize that a brainstem lesion of this case was caused by craniocervical DAVF, which induced venous hypertension. Thus, venous drainage patterns should be paid attention to because they are important for diagnosis and theraputic strategy.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.30-33
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• 2018

A 7-month-old female Bichon Frise, displaying neck pain and ataxia, was diagnosed with craniocervical junction abonormality (CJA), along with atlantoaxial subluxation. Surgical fixation of the atlantoaxial subluxation was performed, using cortical screws and bone cement, along with an odontoidectomy. After surgery, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication was prescribed for pain control, and a loose bandage was applied to the neck. Mild ambulatory tetraparesis remained 1 week after surgery. Three weeks after surgery, the range of neck motion was near normal, and clinical signs had improved. CJA should be considered as a differential diagnosis in dogs with cervical myelopathy. Surgical stabilization using cortical screws and bone cement through a ventral approach can be successful in dogs with CJA and atlantoaxial subluxation.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.64-69
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• 2008

Craniovertebral junction (CVJ) tuberculosis is a rare disease, and potentially fatal due to the risk of atlantoaxial dislocation. The disease usually accompanies a retropharyngeal cold abscess, which can cause subsequential otolaryngologic symptoms such asdysphagia, odynophagia, or airway obstruction. Such a patient must be handled with great care to avoid a disaster. The disease is diagnosed with microbiological or other laboratory tests on the pus collected through puncture and aspiration, which will need otolaryngologic skills. For treatment, otolaryngologists play an important role by doing incision and drainage of the retropharyngeal abscess, or by attending the transoral vertebra surgery as partners with spine surgeons who will manage the CVJ lesions and ensure the craniocervical stability.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.96-101
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• 2023

The endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) to the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) has recently been considered a safer alternative and less invasive approach than the traditional transoral approach because the complications associated with the latter are avoided or minimized. Here, we present two challenging cases of CVJ pathologies. The first case involved os odontoideum associated with anterior displacement of the occipitocervical junction where the EEA was used, followed by C0-C1-C2 fusion using a posterior approach to decompress the CVJ, and was complicated by rhinorrhea and Candida albicans meningitis. The second case involved basilar invagination with syringomyelia previously treated using a posterior approach, where aggravation of neuropathic symptoms required combined treatment with EEA and occipitocervical fusion of C0-C2-C3-C4, with the postoperative course challenged by operative site infection requiring drainage with debridement and antibiotic therapy. The EEA is an alternative approach for accessing the CVJ in well-selected patients. Knowledge of EEA complications is crucial for the optimal care of patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2010

Objective : Craniovertebral junction (CVJ) consists of the occipital bone that surrounds the foramen magnum, the atlas and the axis vertebrae. The mortality and morbidity is high for irreducible CVJ lesion with cervico-medullary compression. In a clinical retrospective study, the authors reviewed clinical and radiographic results of occipitocervical fusion using a various methods in 32 patients with CVJ instability. Methods : Thirty-two CVJ lesions (18 male and 14 female) were treated in our department for 12 years. Instability resulted from trauma (14 cases), rheumatoid arthritis (8 cases), assimilation of atlas (4 cases), tumor (2 cases), basilar invagination (2 cases) and miscellaneous (2 cases). Thirty-two patients were internally fixed with 7 anterior and posterior decompression with occipitocervical fusion, 15 posterior decompression and occipitocervical fusion with wire-rod, 5 C1-2 transarticular screw fixation, and 5 C1 lateral mass-C2 transpedicular screw. Outcome (mean follow-up period, 38 months) was based on clinical and radiographic review. The clinical outcome was assessed by Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score. Results : Nine neurologically intact patients remained same after surgery. Among 23 patients with cervical myelopathy, clinical improvement was noted in 18 cases (78.3%). One patient died 2 months after the surgery because of pneumonia and sepsis. Fusion was achieved in 27 patients (93%) at last follow-up. No patient developed evidence of new, recurrent, or progressive instability. Conclusion : The authors conclude that early occipitocervical fusion to be recommended in case of reducible CVJ lesion and the appropriate decompression and occipitocervical fusion are recommended in case of irreducible craniovertebral junction lesion.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.361-369
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• 2022

Pediatric spine has growth potential with incomplete ossification, and also unique biomechanics which have important implications for trauma patients. This article intends to review various aspects of pediatric spine trauma including epidemiology, anatomy and biomechanics, and clinically relevant details of each type of injury based on the location and mechanism of injury. With the appropriate but not superfluous treatment, pediatric spine trauma patients can have better chance of recovery. Therefore, as a spine surgeon, understanding the general concept for each injury subtype together with the debate and progress in the field is inevitable.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.399-403
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• 2006

Caudal occipital malformation syndrome (COMS) is relatively common disease which occurs at craniocervical junction. It has been known that this syndrome was developed mainly in Cavalier King Charles spaniels, but these days there are a lot of case reports about COMS in other small breed dogs. In this report, COMS was diagnosed in ten dogs presented to Haemaru Referral Animal Hospital using MRI examination from January 2005 to April 2006. These cases were also investigated about concurrent diseases and syringomyelia was the most common type of complication, but clinical signs were nonspecific. COMS could be controlled by medical therapy with corticosteroid except cases with concurrent meningitis. It is considered that the present report could provide information regarding imaging and clinical features of COMS such as concurrent diseases, clinical signs, and prognosis in small animal practice despite of limited case numbers.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.1094-1102
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• 2001

Objective : During the trans-condylar or trans-jugular approach for the lesion of cranio-cervical junction(CCJ), its necessary to identify the accurate locations of vertebral artery(VA), internal jugular vein(IJV) and its related lower cranial nerves. These neurovascular structures can also be damaged during the operation for vascular tumor or traumatic aneurysm around extra-jugular foramen, because of their changed locations. To reduce the neurovascular injury at the operation for CCJ, morphometric relationship of its surrounding neurovascular structures based on the tip of the transverse process of atlas(C1 TP), were studied. Materials & Methods : Using 10 adult formalin fixed cadavers, tip of mastoid process(MT) and TPs of atlas and axis were exposed bilaterally after removal of occipital and posterior neck muscles. Using standard caliper, the distances were measured from the C1 TP to the following structures : 1) exit point of VA from C1 transverse foramen, 2) branching point of muscular artery from VA, 3) entry point of VA into posterior atlanto-occipital membrane(AOM), 4) branching point of C-1 nerve. In addition, the distances were measured from the mid-portion of the posterior arch of atlas to the entry point of the VA into AOM and to the exit point of the VA from C1 transverse foramen. After removal of the ventrolateral neck muscles, neurovascular structures were exposed in the extra-jugular foraminal region. Distances were then measured from the C1 TP to the following structures : 1) just extra-jugular foraminal IJV and lower cranial nerves, 2) MT and branching point of facial nerve in parotid gland. In addition, distance between MT and branching point of facial nerve was measured. Results : The VA was located at the mean distance of 12mm(range, 10.5-14mm) from the C1 transverse foramen and entered into the AOM at the mean distance of 24mm(range, 22.8-24.4mm) from the C1 TP. The mean distance from the mid portion of the C1 posterior arch was 20.6mm(range, 19.1-22.3mm) to the entry point of the VA into AOM and 38.4mm(range, 34-42.4mm) to the exit point of the VA from C1 transverse foramen. Muscular artery branched away from the posterior aspect of the transverse portion of VA below the occipital condyle at the mean distance of 22.3mm(range, 15.3-27.5mm) from the C1 TP. The C-1 nerve was identified in all specimens and ran downward through the ventroinferior surface of the transverse segment of VA and branched at the mean distance of 20mm(range, 17.7-20.3mm) from the C1 TP. The IJV was located at the mean distance of 6.7mm(range, 1-13.4mm) ventromedially from the lateral surface of the C1 TP. The XI cranial nerve ran downward on the lateral surface of the IJV at the mean distance of 5mm(range, 3-7.5mm) from the C1 TP. Both IX and X cranial nerves were located in the soft tissue between the medial aspect of the internal carotid artery(ICA) and the medial aspect of the IJV at the mean distance of 15.3mm(range, 13-24mm) and 13.7mm(range, 11-15.4mm) from the C1 TP, respectively. The IX cranial nerve ran downward ventroinferiorly crossing the lateral aspect of the ICA. The X cranial nerve ran downward posteroinferior to the IX cranial nerve and descended posterior to the ICA. The XII cranial nerve was located between the posteroinferior aspect of the IX cranial nerve and the posterior aspect of the ICA at the mean distance of 13.3mm(range, 9-15mm) ventromedially from the C1 TP. The distance between MT and C1 TP was 17.4mm(range, 12.5-23.9mm). The VII cranial nerve branched at the mean distance of 10.2mm(range, 6.8-15.3mm) ventromedially from the MT and at the mean distance of 17.3mm(range, 13-21mm) anterosuperiorly from the C1 TP. Conclusion : This study facilitates an understanding of the microsurgical anatomy of CCJ and may help to reduce the neurovascular injury at the surgery around CCJ.