• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.292-299
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• 2009

Objective : Clinical and radiological results of posterior dynamic stabilization using interspinous U (ISU, $Coflex^{TM}$, Paradigm Spine $Inc.^{(R)}$, NY, USA) were analyzed in comparison with posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) in degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Methods : A retrospective study was conducted for a consecutive series of 61 patients with degenerative LSS between May 2003 and December 2005. We included only the patients completed minimum 24 months follow up evaluation. Among them, 30 patients were treated with implantation of ISU after decompressive laminectomy (Group ISU) and 31 patients were treated with wide decompressive laminectomy and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF; Group PLIF). We evaluated visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for clinical outcomes (VAS, ODI), disc height ratio disc height (DH), disc height/vertebral body length ${\times}100$), static vertebral slip (VS) and depth of maximal radiolucent gap between ISU and spinous process) in preoperative, immediate postoperative and last follow up. Results : The mean age of group ISU ($66.2{\pm}6.7$ years) was 6.2 years older than the mean age of group PLIF ($60.4{\pm}8.1$ years; p=0.003). In both groups, clinical measures improved significantly than preoperative values (p<0.001). Operation time and blood loss was significantly shorter and lower in group ISU than group PLIF (p<0.001). In group ISU, the DH increased transiently in immediate postoperative period ($15.7{\pm}4.5%{\rightarrow}18.6{\pm}5.9%$), however decreased significantly in last follow up ($13.8{\pm}6.6%$, p=0.027). Vertebral slip (VS) of spondylolisthesis in group ISU increased during postoperative follow-up ($2.3{\pm}3.3{\rightarrow}8.7{\pm}6.2$, p=0.040). Meanwhile, the postoperatively improved DH and VS was maintained in group PLIF in last follow up. Conclusion : According to our result, implantation of ISU after decompressive laminectomy in degenerative LSS is less invasive and provides similar clinical outcome in comparison with the instrumented fusion. However, the device has only transient effect on the postoperative restoration of disc height and reduction of slip in spondylolisthesis. Therefore, in the biomechanical standpoint, it is hard to expect that use of Interspinous U in decompressive laminectomy for degenerative LSS had long term beneficial effect.

• 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.

• 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.9 no.1
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• pp.15-26
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Korean medicicine treatment in patients with Spondylolisthesis and Lumbar Herniated Intervertebral Disc(HIVD). Methods : This clinical study was carried out on 62 patients who were diagnosed as spondylolisthesis and lumbar herniated intervertebral disc(HIVD) on L-spine X-ray and L-spine magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), who had been admitted from Feb. 2013 to Apr. 2014. All of 62 patients were treated with acupuncture, chuna treatment and herbal medicine during the whole admission period. Numerical rating scale(NRS) was used to evaluated the effectiveness of the oriental medical treatment. Results : 1. Distribution showed female predominance in general. 2. Degenerative type is the most common in this study. 3. In the duration of symptoms, the largest group was" Subacute"(32.26%). 4. Almost of patients had radiation pain, but in SLR test and valsalva test, more patients had no significant sign. 5. Spondylolytic type involved the 5th lumbar vertebra in 80% and degenerative type involved the 4th lumbar vertebra in 53.84%. 6. Most of case were grade 1(93.54%) in degree of slipping. 7. By the oriental medical treatment, NRS reduction in spondylolytic spondylolisthesis, was better than degenerative spondylolisthesis. Conclusions : The result of treatment by Korean medical is satisfactory for the tretment of spondylolisthesis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.119-130
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• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to find cut the characteristics of intervertebral disc changes arid relative factors of the patients with spondylolisthesis. Methods: We investigated 95 cases of patients who visited one Korean traditional medicine hospital and were diagnosed as spondylolisthesis on lumbar spine X-ray and lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). We selected these cases retrospectively and randomly. We analysed the relativity between number of changed discs and type of change disc and age, level of spondylolisthesis and type of spondylolisthesis. Results: 1. The number of changed discs increased with older and degenerative spondylolisthesis type(p<0.05) and was not related to the level of spondylolisthesis. 2. Bulging disc is the dominant type of disc change(74.12%). The type of changed disc was shown to be similar in lytic and degenerative spondylolisthesis. It was not relative to the level of spondylolisthesis(p>0.05). 3. The direction of nerve compression was diffuse type in about halfly of the patients(47.06%) and the symptoms of patent and dermatome did not matched in 54 cases. Conclusions: The patients who visited a Korean medicine hospital and were diagnosed as spondyolithesis have different characteristics from the established studies. Their discs changed dominantly to diffuse bulging type and the symptoms of patient were not related with the direction and level of the changed discs were spondylolisthesis existed.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.165-169
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• 2019

A 6-year-old Dachshund was presented with acute, non-localized pain without neurological dysfunction. Radiography revealed multiple calcifications of intervertebral discs and narrowing of disc space in the thoracolumbar region. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed calcified disc-like material entrapped in the left extraforaminal area and showed a displaced nerve root. Fenestration and removal of the extruded disc material were performed in a routine manner. Histopathological examination showed degenerative disc materials with severe calcification both in the nucleus pulposus and around the annulus fibrosis. Based on imaging, surgical, and histopathologic results, the dog was diagnosed with far lateral lumbar disc extrusion.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.38-43
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• 2023

This study compared the degree of disc degeneration of intervertebral disc between normal disc and disc disease using Magnetic Resonance images of tholacolumbar and lumbar vertebrae in dogs. The sample population consisted of 72 dogs and 188 intervertebral discs. These dogs were divided into four groups according to MRI criteria: normal, disc protrusion, disc extrusion, and fibrocartilaginous embolism. The Pfirrmann classification developed by Pfirrmann for use in human medicine was used to assess the degree of disc degeneration. Statistical analysis revealed that disc diseases had a significant difference in the degree of disc degeneration compared to normal discs in the intervertebral disc. Fibrocartilaginous embolism was found to have a relatively low disc degenerative change compared to two other disc disease groups, disc protrusion and disc extrusion. Disc degeneration in the disc extrusion group was slightly higher than that in the disc protrusion group, although the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.136-140
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• 2005

The authors describe two cases of Brown-Sequard syndrome associated with cervical disc herniation. In both cases, magnetic resonance images of the cervical spine showed a large paramedian disc herniation at C5-C6 with ipsilateral severe spinal cord compression. Microsurgical removal of the herniated disc via anterior foraminotomy was performed and complete decompression of the spinal cord was achieved. Postoperatively, the neurological symptoms recovered rapidly and both patients experienced a complete remission of their symptoms. Although Brown-Sequard syndrome is rarely associated with degenerative cervical spine disease, cervical disc herniation should be kept in mind and prompt evaluations are mandatory. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first reported case of Brown-Sequard syndrome produced by cervical disc herniation which was treated by anterior foraminotomy.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.67-78
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• 1996

This study was performed to compare the TMJ sounds by means of vibration-related items by Sonopak such as integral, high integral, above 300/(0-300) ratio, peak amplitude, peak frequency and median frequency before and after occlusa1 splint therapy as well as counselling, physical modalities. For this study 22 patients with craniomandibular disorders (CMDs) were selected and examined by routine diagnostic procedure for CMDs including Transcranial and Panoramic radiographs and were classified into 3 CMDs subgroups : disc displacement with reduction, disc displacement without reduction, and degenerative joint disease. Visual analogue scale (VAS) about joint sound was recorded during treatment period and VAS treatment index (VAS Ti) was calculated from the VAS data and treatment duration. The author evaluated and compared treatment results by several parmeters such as symptom duration, timing of joint sound, parafunctional habits, trauma, and diagnostic classification. The obtained results were as follows : 1. Before the treatment, the highest value of peak amplitude was observed in disc displacement with reduction group and value of median frequency was highest in degenerative joint disease group. In addition the highest values of peak frequency and ratio ware observed in degenerative joint disease group, though they were not significant. Furthermore the lowest value of high integral was observed in disc displacement without reduction group and though it was not significant, value of integral was lowest in that group. 2. Among 3CMDs subgroups disc displacement with reduction group showed the significantly decreased value of high integral and degenerative joint disease group had the significantly decreased value of integral after conservative treatment including occlusal splint therapy. Conclusively conservative treatment including occlusal splint therapy vay be effective in the treatment of CMDs including TMJ sound. 3. Fair prognosis for conservative treatment was observed in acute group under 6 months than chronic group, 6 months over in symptom duration but there was no statistical difference. The result for conservative treatment was observed slightly poor in subjects with bruxism, clenching, unilateral chewing habit and trauma history but there were no statistical differences.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.215-226
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• 2001

Objective : Spondylolisthesis has become one of the major causes of the lower back pain in the orthopedic field. We wanted to compare the radiological change with before & after treatment including constitution-acupuncture on spondylolisthesis. Methods : This study were carried out on 9 patients with spondylolisthesis. We reviewed medical records and radiological films. We studied rating score, percent of slip, sagittal angle, percent of posterior disc height. Results and conclusions : The improvement index showed 0.04, 030, 033, 0.00, 0.32 points in isthmic type, and 0.55, 0.56, 0.53, 0.00 points in degenerative type. The percent of slip for pre/post-treatment showed 20/20, 12/11, 24/20, 30/30, 4/3 percents in isthmic type, and 12/4, 16/11, 13/9, 8/8 percents in degenerative type. Sagittal angle showed 11/11, 15/12, 21/18, 17/15, 21.19 degrees in isthmic type, and 22/21, 19/15, 2/2, 8/9 degrees in degenerative type. Percent of posterior disc height were 17/18, 26/28, 24/25, 22/23, 25/27 in isthmic type, and 29/33, 37/45, 25/31, 24/24 in degenerative type. The result suggest that constitution-acupuncture and conservational treatment are good method for treatment of spondylolisthesis, and especially in degenerative type.