• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제60권5호
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• pp.485-497
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• 2017

Surgical treatment of the degenerative disc disease has evolved from traditional open spine surgery to minimally invasive spine surgery including endoscopic spine surgery. Constant improvement in the imaging modality especially with introduction of the magnetic resonance imaging, it is possible to identify culprit degenerated disc segment and again with the discography it is possible to diagnose the pain generator and pathological degenerated disc very precisely and its treatment with minimally invasive approach. With improvements in the optics, high resolution camera, light source, high speed burr, irrigation pump etc, minimally invasive spine surgeries can be performed with various endoscopic techniques for lumbar, cervical and thoracic regions. Advantages of endoscopic spine surgeries are less tissue dissection and muscle trauma, reduced blood loss, less damage to the epidural blood supply and consequent epidural fibrosis and scarring, reduced hospital stay, early functional recovery and improvement in the quality of life & better cosmesis. With precise indication, proper diagnosis and good training, the endoscopic spine surgery can give equally good result as open spine surgery. Initially, endoscopic technique was restricted to the lumbar region but now it also can be used for cervical and thoracic disc herniations. Previously endoscopy was used for disc herniations which were contained without migration but now days it is used for highly up and down migrated disc herniations as well. Use of endoscopic technique in lumbar region was restricted to disc herniations but gradually it is also used for spinal canal stenosis and endoscopic assisted fusion surgeries. Endoscopic spine surgery can play important role in the treatment of adolescent disc herniations especially for the persons who engage in the competitive sports and the athletes where less tissue trauma, cosmesis and early functional recovery is desirable. From simple chemonucleolysis to current day endoscopic procedures the history of minimally invasive spine surgery is interesting. Appropriate indications, clear imaging prior to surgery and preplanning are keys to successful outcome. In this article basic procedures of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy through transforaminal and interlaminar routes, percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy, percutaneous endoscopic posterior cervical foraminotomy and percutaneous endoscopic thoracic discectomy are discussed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제30권sup2호
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• pp.300-308
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• 2001

Objectives : Anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion has become a well-accepted surgical treatment of degenerative cervical diseases. Implatable cages have a stabilizing effect without plates and no need for autogenous bone graft. The authors evaluates the effect of implatable titanium cage(RABEA) on the clinical and radiological outcomes. Methods : 34 patients with symptomatic cervical degenerative diseases due to one level disc pathology were underwent anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion with titanium cages(RABEA) which were not filled with cancallous bone grafts from January 1999 to May 2001. Patients with osteoporosis and older than 65 years were not included. Among them, 15 patients could be followed-up for at least 1 year. The authors retrospectively reviewed the charts and radiographic data. Mean follow-up period was $1.3{\pm}0.2years$. Results : Clinical results according to the Odom's criteria was exellent and good in 14(93%) patients. One patient with fair result showed complete loss of the disc space height due to settlement of the cage. Preoperatively, the mean height of the disc space(${\pm}$standard deviation) was $3.42{\pm}1.10mm$(range 2.0-5.5mm), and at 1 day postoperatively it was $7.88{\pm}0.90mm$(range 6.50-9.0). The mean height of the disc space after 1 year was $6.50{\pm}1.38mm$(range 3.0-8.0). The restoration of the height was statistically significant(p<0.05). The mean height after 1 year was $82.7{\pm}15.9%$ of the height at 1 day postoperatively. Preoperatively the mean value of the cervical lodortic angle was $21.8{\pm}11.8^{\circ}$ and 1 year postopertively, it was $24.5{\pm}8.3^{\circ}$, which was statistically not significant. All patients showed no abnormal movements on flexion and extension lateral film after 6 months. Conclusion : Implantable titanium cages appear safe and effective in selected patients, and their use helps to avoid complications associated with bone graft harvest. Subsidence of the cage seems to be a potential risk factor for recurrence of the symptoms. For long-term results, a longer follow-up is required.

• Asian Spine Journal
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• 제12권6호
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• pp.1060-1068
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• 2018

Study Design: Retrospective study. Purpose: Lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration is an important cause of low back pain. Overview of Literature: Spinal fusion is often reported to have a good course for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). However, many studies have reported that adjacent segment degeneration is accelerated after lumbar spinal fusion. Radiography is a simple method used to evaluate the orientation of the vertebral column. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the method most often used to specifically evaluate intervertebral disc degeneration. The Pfirrmann classification is a well-known method used to evaluate degenerative lumbar disease. After spinal fusion, an increase in stress, excess mobility, increased intra-disc pressure, and posterior displacement of the axis of motion have been observed in the adjacent segments. Methods: we retrospectively secured and analyzed the data of 15 patients (four boys and 11 girls) with AIS who underwent a spinal fusion surgery. We studied the full-length view of the spine (anterior-posterior and lateral) from the X-ray and MRI obtained from all patients before surgery. Postoperatively, another full-length spine X-ray and lumbosacral MRI were obtained from all participants. Then, pelvic tilt, sacral slope, curve correction, and fused and free segments before and after surgery were calculated based on X-ray studies. MRI images were used to estimate the degree to which intervertebral discs were degenerated using Pfirrmann grading system. Pfirrmann grade before and after surgery were compared with Wilcoxon signed rank test. While analyzing the contribution of potential risk factors for the post-spinal fusion Pfirrmann grade of disc degeneration, we used generalized linear models with robust standard error estimates to account for intraclass correlation that may have been present between discs of the same patient. Results: The mean age of the participant was 14 years, and the mean curvature before and after surgery were 67.8 and 23.8, respectively (p<0.05). During the median follow-up of 5 years, the mean degree of the disc degeneration significantly increased in all patients after surgery (p<0.05) with a Pfirrmann grade of 1 and 2.8 in the L2-L3 before and after surgery, respectively. The corresponding figures at L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1 levels were 1.28 and 2.43, 1.07 and 2.35, and 1 and 2.33, respectively. The lower was the number of free discs below the fusion level, the higher was the Pfirrmann grade of degeneration (p<0.001). Conversely, the higher was the number of the discs fused together, the higher was the Pfirrmann grade. Conclusions: we observed that the disc degeneration aggravated after spinal fusion for scoliosis. While the degree of degeneration as measured by Pfirrmann grade was directly correlated by the number of fused segments, it was negatively correlated with the number of discs that remained free below the lowermost level of the fusion.

• 대한정형외과학회지
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• 제52권1호
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• pp.65-72
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• 2017

목적: 후관절 근접 낭종이 동반된 퇴행성 요추부 질환으로 수술 받은 23명의 환자를 대상으로 방사선적 특징과 임상적 결과를 분석하고자 한다. 대상 및 방법: 23명의 환자를 대상으로 척추관 협착증 동반 여부, 불안정성, 척추 전방 전위증 동반 여부, 낭종의 위치 및 방향, 후관절의 퇴행성 변화 정도, 후관절 각도, 추간판 퇴행 정도를 확인하였다. 모든 환자에게 광범위 감압술 및 기기고정 유합술을 시행하였다. 임상적 결과를 Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire 및 visual analogue scale을 이용하여 평가하였다. 결과: 23예 중 19예(82.6%)에서 척추관 협착증이 동반되었고, 4예(17.4%)에서는 후관절 낭종이 독립적으로 존재하였다. 이 중 7예(30.4%)에서 불안정성과 전방 전위가 동반되었다. 낭종의 발생은 제4-5 요추간(69.6%)이 가장 많았으며 이환된 병변측의 후관절이 반대측에 비하여 심한 퇴행성 변화를 보였다. 후관절 각도는 좌 우측에 유의한 차이가 없었으며 해당 분절의 추간판은 17예(69.6%)에서 퇴행성 변화를 보였다. 임상적 결과는 수술 후 2년 추시 양호하였다. 결론: 낭종의 발생과 퇴행성 변화는 유의한 상관관계가 있었으며 후관절 낭종과 동반된 퇴행성 요추부 질환에서 광범위 감압술 및 유합술이 좋은 임상적 결과을 얻어 유용한 술식으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제43권5호
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• pp.221-226
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• 2008

Objective : The aim of the present study was to assess the safety and efficacy of the dynamic stabilization system in the treatment of degenerative spinal diseases. Methods : The study population included 20 consecutive patients (13 females, 7 males) with a mean age of $61{\pm}6.98$ years (range 46-70) who underwent decompression and dynamic stabilization with the Dynesys system between January 2005 and August 2006. The diagnoses included spinal stenosis with degenerative spondylolisthesis (9/20, 45%), degenerative spinal stenosis (5/20, 25%), adjacent segmental disease after fusion (3/20, 15%), spinal stenosis with degenerative scoliosis (2/20, 10%) and recurrent intervertebral lumbar disc herniation (1/20, 5%). All of the patients completed the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The following radiologic parameters were measured in all patients : global lordotic angles and segmental lordotic angles (stabilized segments, above and below adjacent segments). The range of motion (ROM) was then calculated. Results : The mean follow-up period was $27.25{\pm}5.16$ months (range 16-35 months), and 19 patients (95%) were available for follow-up. One patient had to have the implant removed. There were 30 stabilized segments in 19 patients. Monosegmental stabilization was performed in 9 patients (47.3%), 9 patients (47.3%) underwent two segmental stabilizations and one patient (5.3%) underwent three segmental stabilizations. The most frequently treated segment was L4-5 (15/30, 50%), followed by L3-4 (12/30, 40%) and L5-S1 (3/30, 10%). The VAS decreased from $8.55{\pm}1.21$ to $2.20{\pm}1.70$ (p<0.001), and the patients' mean score on the Korean version of the ODI improved from $79.58%{\pm}15.93%$ to $22.17%{\pm}17.24%$ (p<0.001). No statistically significant changes were seen on the ROM at the stabilized segments (p=0.502) and adjacent segments (above segments, p=0.453, below segments, p=0.062). There were no patients with implant failure. Conclusion : The results of this study show that the Dynesys system could preserve the motion of stabilized segments and provide clinical improvement in patients with degenerative spinal stenosis with instability. Thus, dynamic stabilization systems with adequate decompression may be an alternative surgical option to conventional fusion in selected patients.

• 대한영상의학회지
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• 제85권1호
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• pp.54-76
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• 2024

후관절병증은 퇴행성 추간판 질환 또는 척추관 협착증과 같은 척추 퇴행성 질환과 잘 동반되는 진행성 퇴행성 질환이다. 요추의 후관절병증은 근위부 하지의 통증을 유발할 수 있지만 그 증상과 영상 소견이 비특이적이기 때문에 추간판 탈출증이나 신경근 압박에 의한 통증과 감별이 어렵다. 또한 치료적 요추 후관절 내 스테로이드 주사는 현재까지 그 근거가 낮다고 분류되어 있으나, 다른 여러 연구들에서는 후관절 내 스테로이드 주사의 치료적 효과를 보고하고 있다. 실제 진료 현장에서는 치료적 후관절 내 스테로이드 주사 시술이 증가하고 있는 추세로, 본 종설에서는 후관절 내 주사에 대한 저자들의 경험을 바탕으로 요추 후관절 내 주사의 임상적 유용성 및 시술의 안전성에 대해서 소개하고자 한다.

• 대한정형외과학회지
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• 제54권3호
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• pp.203-210
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• 2019

최소 침습적 외측 요추체간 유합술의 최신 지견에 대하여 알아보고자 하였다. 아직 도입된 지 얼마 되지 않았으나 근래에 각광받고 있는 최소 침습적 외측 요추체간 유합술에 대한 적응증 및 임상 결과와 유합률, 그리고 합병증에 대하여 문헌 고찰을 하였다. 외측 요추간 유합술의 적응증은 퇴행성 요추부 질환에서 고식적인 전방, 후방 추체간 유합술의 적응증과 거의 유사하다. 특히 척추관 협착증 및 퇴행성 척추 전방 전위증, 퇴행성 척추 변형, 퇴행성 추간판 질환, 인접 분절 퇴행성 질환에서 최소 침습적 수술로서 효과적이다. 또한 고식적 요추부 유합술과 비교하여 임상적 결과 및 유합률이 대등한 것으로 보고되고 있다. 하지만 수술 접근 및 과정에서 발생하는 수술 후 고관절 굴곡근 약화 및 신경 손상, 혈관 손상, 장기 손상, 케이지 침강, 위탈장 등의 비특이적 합병증들이 보고되고 있다. 외측 추체간 유합술은 고식적인 전방 또는 후방 추체간 유합술의 장점을 취합하고 단점을 보완한 수술이며 그 임상 결과나 유합률에도 큰 차이가 없어 퇴행성 요추부 질환의 치료에 최소 침습 수술로서 유용한 치료법이다. 하지만 수술 과정에서 발생하는 비특이적 합병증들을 개선해야 하는 것이 향후 과제이다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.217-221
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• 2008

Objective : Although anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is the standard treatment for degenerative cervical disc disease, concerns regarding adjacent level degeneration and loss of motion have suggested that arthroplasty may be a better alternative. We have compared clinical and radiological results in patients with cervical disc herniations treated with arthroplasty and ACDF. Methods : We evaluated 53 patients treated for cervical disc herniations with radiculopathy, 21 of whom underwent arthroplasty and 32 of whom underwent ACDF. Clinical results included the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for upper extremity radiculopathy, neck disability index (NDI), duration of hospital stay and convalescence time. All patients were assessed radiologically by measuring cervical lordosis, segmental lordosis and segmental range-of-movement (ROM) of operated and adjacent disc levels. Results : Mean hospital stay (5.62 vs. 6.26 days, p<0.05) and interval between surgery and return to work (1.10 vs 2.92 weeks, p<0.05) were significantly shorter in the arthroplasty than in the fusion group. Mean NDI and extremity VAS score improved after 12 months in both groups. Although it was not significant, segmental ROM of adjacent levels was higher in the fusion group than in the arthroplasty group. And, segmental motion of operated levels in arthroplasty group maintained more than preoperative value at last follow up. Conclusion : Although clinical results were similar in the two groups, postoperative recovery was significantly shorter in the arthroplasty group. Although it was not significant, ROM of adjacent segments was less in the arthroplasty group. Motion of operated levels in arthroplasty group was preserved at last follow up.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제30권sup2호
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• pp.254-258
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• 2001

Objective : The terminology of degenerative disc disease lacks official standardization. Lacks of such standardization may provoke some clinical and litigation problems. The authors investigated interobserver and intraobserver variability in interpretation of lumbar disc abnormality. Methods : Magnetic resonance imaging studies of the lumbar spine performed prospectively in 50 patients, were read blindly by three doctors dealing spinal disorders, using two nomenclature. Nomenclature I was normal, bulging, protrusion, extrusion. Nomenclature II was normal, bulging, herniation without neural compression, with neural compression. Intraobserver and interobserver variation were measured statistically. Results : Interobserver agreement was 70.4-80.8% for nomenclature I, 76.2-80.2% for nomenclature II. Intraobserver agreement was 84.0-88.0% for nomenclature I, 79.2-86.8% for nomenclature II. Interobserver Kappa statistic was 0.53-0.56 for nomenclature I, 0.54-0.57 for nomenclature II. Intraobserver Kappa statistic was 0.60-0.85 for nomenclature I, 0.53-0.72 for nomenclature II. Conclusion : Experienced doctors showed only moderate interobserver agreement when interpreting disc status on lumbar magnetic resonance imaging. Intraobserver agreement was superior to interbserver. The standardization of nomenclatures for lumbar disc extension beyond interspace are needed.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.41-47
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• 2009

Background: Discogenic pain can develop into chronic low back pain that is very difficult to treat effectively, because the pathogenesis of the disease still remains controversial. To clarify the pathogenesis, numerous animal models of intervertebral disc degeneration have been proposed in the literature, each with attendant advantages and disadvantages. The aim of this study was to determine the most efficacious method and dose of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) injection into intervertebral disc to develop a discogenic pain in a rat. Methods: CFA was injected into the L5-L6 or L4-L5 disc of male Sprague-Dawley rats in various conditions including a dose of CFA (10, 20, or 50 uL), drilling, injection site sealing using cyanoacrylate, and injection velocity. Sham animals were subjected to the same procedure, except for the CFA injection. Mechanical and heat allodynia were serially measured at both hindpaws until 8 weeks post-operatively. Serial MRI analyses were performed to observe degenerative changes of the discs. In addition, CGRP & Substance P-immunoreactivities (ir) in the superficial dorsal horn were evaluated at 4 weeks using immunohistochemistry. Results: Each condition provoked various problems such as development of hindpaw paralysis, CFA leakage, and no pain development. Mid-sagittal T2 MRI revealed no significant degenerative changes in the CFA injected disc. The CGRP-ir of the bilateral superficial dorsal horns at the level of L5-L6 was significantly increased in the CFA group. Conclusions: A total of 10 uL CFA injection into L5-L6 disc for a period of 10 minutes using a 26-gauge needle without drilling was the most efficacious way to develop discogenic pain animal model.