• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.186-195
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• 2022

Objective : To explore the histological feature of the cervical disc degeneration in patients with degenerative ossification (DO) and its potential mechanisms. Methods : A total of 96 surgical segments, from cervical disc degenerative disease patients with surgical treatment, were divided into ossification group (group O, n=46) and non-ossification group (group NO, n=50) based on preoperative radiological exams. Samples of disc tissues and osteophytes were harvested during the decompression operation. The hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson trichrome staining and Safranin O-fast green staining were used to compare the histological differences between the two groups. And the distribution and content of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, p-Smad2 and p-Smad3 between the two groups were compared by a semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry (IHC) method. Results : For all the disc tissues, the content of disc cells and collagen fibers decreased gradually from the outer annulus fibrosus (OAF) to the central nucleus pulposus (NP). Compared with group NO, the number of disc cells in group O increased significantly. But for proteoglycan in the inner annulus fibrosus (IAF) and NP, the content in group O decreased significantly. IHC analysis showed that TGF-β1, p-Smad2, and p-Smad3 were detected in all tissues. For group O, the content of TGF-β1 in the OAF and NP was significantly higher than that in group NO. For p-Smad2 in IAF and p-Smad3 in OAF, the content in group O were significantly higher than group NO. Conclusion : Histologically, cervical disc degeneration in patients with DO is more severe than that without DO. Local higher content of TGF-β1, p-Smad2, and p-Smad3 are involved in the disc degeneration with DO. Further studies with multi-approach analyses are needed to better understand the role of TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway in the disc degeneration with DO.

• 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 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.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.28-33
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to find out the effects of Joint and Muscle Mobilization applied to the patients with Degenerative Disc Disease by measuring, assessing and analyzing the changes on pain and in flexibility before and after Joint and Muscle Mobilization. Method: Surveyed from June. 2008 to July. 2009 were 10 patients suffering from DDD. Joint and muscle Mobilization were applied for 15 minutes in total. After Joint Mobilization, the Oswestry Disability Index(ODI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used to measure the degree of the pain on the patients. After Joint and Muscle Mobilization, Spinal-$Mouse^{(R)}$ were used to measure the degree of the flexibility on the patients. Result: 1. There was significant decrease in the numerical values of the VAS & ODI after Joint and Muscle Mobilization (p<0.01). 2. There was significant decrease in the degree of the pain on the patients after Joint and Muscle Mobilization (p<0.01). 3. From the analysis into DDD in the degree the pain before and after Joint and Muscle Mobilization with Paired Sample T-test, It became evident that the longer the period of treatment was, the higher the pains decreases drastically, while significant difference was shown in the flexibility and the degree of the pain (p<0.01). Conclusion: Summed up, it can be generally concluded that Joint and Muscle Mobilization is an effective treatment to rid the patients with DDD of pains safely and promptly. It is, therefore, suggested to continue and expand the study on the cure of DDD and to motivate patients. Joint and Muscle Mobilization is considered as safest and most efficient pain remedy.

• 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.

• 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 Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.363-368
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• 2006

Objective : Little is known about the comprehensive molecular and biological mechanism on the development of the degeneration of the intervertebral disc. Many kinds of matrix metalloproteinase[MMP] initiate the degradation of the extracellular matrix including several kinds of collagens and proteoglycans. We compared molecular and immunohistochemical features of degenerated intervertebral disc and normal counterparts in order to investigate the role of MMP-1, 2, 3, 9. Methods : We have evaluated MMP-1, 2, 3, 9 expression in 30 surgically resected lumbar disc from degenerative disc disease patients and 5 normal control cases. RT-PCR[reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction] and immunohistochemistry were performed. Results : By RT-PCR, normal tissue samples showed merely scant expression of MMP-1, 2, 3, 9 mRNA, but degenerated disc samples revealed more pronounced expression. mRNA amplifications were detected in 60%, 63.3%, 70%, 53.3% cases By immunohistochemistry, normal tissue samples showed minimal protein expression of MMP-1, 2, 3, 9, but degenerated disc samples revealed more pronounced expression. Protein expressions were detected in 73.3%, 63.3%, 76.7%, 63.3% cases. Both the mRNA amplification and protein overexpression rates were significantly higher in degenerated disc than in the normal tissue. Concordance between both the mRNA amplification and protein expressions of MMP-1, 3, 9 were not observed, but there is well correlation in MMP-2 expression. Conclusion : We concluded that the over-expressions of the MMP-1, 2, 3, 9 may contribute to the development of degeneration of the intervertebral disc.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.452-458
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• 2012

Objective : In the present study, we evaluated the effect, safety and radiological outcomes of cervical hybrid surgery (cervical disc prosthesis replacement at one level, and interbody fusion at the other level) on the multilevel cervical degenerative disc disease (DDD). Methods : Fifty-one patients (mean age 46.7 years) with symptomatic multilevel cervical spondylosis were treated using hybrid surgery (HS). Clinical [neck disability index (NDI) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score] and radiologic outcomes [range of motion (ROM) for cervical spine, adjacent segment and arthroplasty level] were evaluated at routine postoperative intervals of 1, 6, 12, 24 months. Review of other similar studies that examined the HS in multilevel cervical DDD was performed. Results : Out of 51 patients, 41 patients received 2 level hybrid surgery and 10 patients received 3 level hybrid surgery. The NDI and VAS score were significantly decreased during the follow up periods (p<0.05). The cervical ROM was recovered at 6 and 12 month postoperatively and the mean ROM of inferior adjacent segment was significantly larger than that of superior adjacent segments after surgery. The ROM of the arthoplasty level was preserved well during the follow up periods. No surgical and device related complications were observed. Conclusion : Hybrid surgery is a safe and effective alternative to fusion for the management of multilevel cervical spondylosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.323-330
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• 2013

Objective : To develop a simple, reproducible model of disc degeneration in rabbits through percutaneous annular puncture and to confirm the degree of degeneration over time. Methods : Fifteen New Zealand white rabbits (4 to 5 months old and weighing approximately 3 to 3.5 kg each) underwent annular puncture of the L2-L3, L3-L4, and L4-L5 discs. Rabbits were sacrificed at 4, 8, or 20 weeks after puncture. For a longitudinal study to assess changes in disc height over time, serial X-rays were performed at 0, 2, 4, 8, and 20 weeks for rabbits in the 20-week group. Upon sacrifice, the whole spinal column and discs were extracted and analyzed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), real time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and histological staining. Results : The X-rays showed a slow, progressive decrease in disc height over time. Significant disc space narrowing compared to preoperative disc height was observed during the time period (p<0.001). The MRI grade, aggrecan, and matrix metalloprotease-13 mRNA expression and hematoxylin and eosin/safranin O/anti-collagen II staining were consistently indicative of degeneration, supporting the results of the X-ray data. Conclusion : Percutaneous annular puncture resulted in slow, reproducible disc degeneration that was confirmed by radiology, biochemistry, and histology. This in vivo model can be used to study and evaluate the safety and efficacy of biologic treatments for degenerative disc disease.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 2008

Objective : Spondylothesis is a disease which sagittal facet of vertebral body's invariable alignment is being broken and vertebral body being pushed forward. Main pattern of spondylothesis is isthmic spondylothesis by isthmus defect or fracture, degenerative spondylothesis occurred by desiccated change of intervertebral disc or vertebral condyle joint's ligament. The purpose of this study is to assess the difference of the Pelvic angles, Lumbosacral angles, Pelvic tilt, and Lumbar lordotic angles of the spondylothesis patients. Methods : We analyzed the lateral view of lumbar spine of 49 isthmic spondylothesis patients, 45 degenerative spondylothesis patients and 26 patients who haven't been diagnosed as vertebra disease. We investigated each patient's pelvic angle, lumbosacral angle, pelvic tilt and lumbar lordotic angle. Results and Conclusion : 1. Pelvic incidence, in cases of degenerate spondylothesis patients, is higher than spondylothesis patients but shows less significance. On the contrary significance is higher than the group haven't been diagnosed as vertebra disease. 2. Lumbosacral incidence, in cases of isthmic spondylothesis patients, shows higher significance than degenerative spondylothesis patients and the group haven't been diagnosed as vertebra disease. 3 Pelvic tilt, in cases of degenerative spondylothesis patients, shows higher significance than isthmic spondylothesis patients and the group haven't been diagnosed as vertebra disease. 4. Lumbar lordotic angle, in cases of isthmic spondylothesis patients, shows higher significance than degenerative spondylothesis patients and the group haven't been diagnosed as vertebra disease. 5. Degenerative spondylothesis patient shows specific impression, a forwardly moved high femoral axial and as a result of large lumbrosacral angle and lumbar lordotic angle shows specific impression, an increased weight pressure on sacrum.