• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.53 no.3
• /
• pp.167-173
• /
• 2013

Objective : There are many cases in which degenerative changes are prevalent in both the cervical and lumbar spine, and the relation between both spinal degenerative findings of MRI is controversial. The authors analyzed the prevalence of abnormal findings on MRI, and suggested a model to explain the relationship between cervical and lumbar disc in asymptomatic Korean subjects. Methods : We performed 3 T MRI sagittal scans on 102 asymptomatic subjects (50 men and 52 women) who visited our hospital between the ages of 14 and 82 years (mean age 46.3 years). Scores pertaining to herniation (HN), annular fissure (AF), and nucleus degeneration (ND) were analyzed. The total scores for the cervical and lumbar spine were analyzed using correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression with various predictive parameters, including weight, height, sex, age, smoking, occupation, and sedentary fashion. Results : The correlation coefficients of HN, AF, and ND were 0.44, 0.50, and 0.59, respectively. We made the best model for relationship by using multiple linear regression. Conclusion : The results of the current study showed that there was a close relationship between the cervical score (CS) and lumbar score (LS). In addition, the correlation between CS and LS, as well as the LS value itself, can be altered by other explanatory variables. Although not absolute, there was also a linear relationship between degenerative changes of the cervical and lumbar spine. Based on these results, it can be inferred that degenerative changes of the lumbar spine will be useful in predicting the degree of cervical spine degeneration in an actual clinical setting.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.103-109
• /
• 2009

Strong winds according to global warming cause the increase of the frequency and the repair cost of damaged roofs. In the United States, Factory Mutual Insurance Company(FMIC) promotes the roofing design that resists heavy wind-load, as the means of strict criteria. This fact reveals that more durable roofing system will be also required in Korea. Therefore, this study aims at developing such a system with high wind-resistance performance using Thermoplastic polyolefin(TPO) and Electromagnetic induction technology(EIT) than the previous systems. The system presented in this study consists of 4 main devices as follow; 1) a disc to fix sheets for TPO & EIT method, which can conduct structural design according to site condition, such as region, building height, and wind load. 2) a nail to have about 30% stronger lifting-up capacity than that of the previous nail. 3) a disc to fix sheets, which has triangle protuberance not to damage sheets in the repeatable wind load, and 4) a electromagnetic induction device to combine a disc and a sheet by heating uniformly and quickly adhesive agent on the disc. The results of mock-up test illustrate that the system provides wind-resistant performance to achieve satisfactorily the structural design criteria of FMIC. In addition, the system is faster, chipper, and easier than the existing system, and is expected that this roofing system can be applied to the rehabilitations of an existing as well as a new building.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
• /
• v.11 no.8
• /
• pp.1420-1427
• /
• 2000

We described a method to obtain electromagnetic solution and resonant frequencies in dielectric-disc loaded cylindrical cavity resonators. Resonant frequency of dielectric-disc loaded cylindrical cavity resonators is calculated by analyzing the characteristic equation. The characteristic equation is solved by using the ContourPlot graph of Mathematica. As increasing to height of cavity, we compare the calculated resonant frequency with experimental frequency. The calculated results well agree with the experimental ones. The error between them is 0.2% or 1.6% for the case of the top plate is close to or far from concentric dielectric-disc, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.276-286
• /
• 1995

In this study, pressure drop and heat transfer coefficients were measured in tubes with three dimensional roughness. Dimples were made by rotating the saw-tooth shaped finning disc on the outer tube surface. Resultant dimple shape was oval. Friction and heat transfer tests were performed with a range of roughness variables-roughness height 'e', axial roughness pitch 'p', circumferential roughness pitch 'z'. Within the test range, tube with e=0.5mm, z=5mm, p=3mm performed best. The efficiency ratio(rati of the heat transfer improvement and the pressure drop increase) of the tube approached 1.0 at low Reynolds number, and it was higher than that of the two-dimensional roughess tube of the same roughness height. Test data were predicted by 'discrete element method'. Results show that discrete element method underpredicts the friction data by 2% to 32%, and overpredicts the heat transfer data by-12% to 113%.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.30 no.6
• /
• pp.749-754
• /
• 2001

Objective : The IDET(Intradiscal electrothermal therapy) appears as a new therapeutic modality for intractable discogenic back pain. We carried out a prospective study to analyze and evaluate the therapeutic effects of IDET. Methods & Results : During a six month period, we performed IDET in 39 patients with chronic low back pain using RITA Model 30 Electrosurgical device. The patients included 21 men and 18 women. The mean patient age was 50.2 years(range 21-73 years). All patients underwent preoperative plain radiography and MRI for excluding non-discogenic back pain. We conducted discography-CT to reveal painful discs in all patients. During the study, we measured intradiscal pressure subjectively. The area of annular tear, which identified with post-discography CT scan, was coagulated in $90^{\circ}C$ of temperature for 15 minutes. Of the 17 patients who were followed up more than three months after surgery, the 10 patients(58.8%) experienced clinical improvement. Three patients had high intradiscal pressure on discography, other three patients had loss of disc height more than 30% of normal on plain radiography, and one patient suffered from postoperative epidural abscess. All of these patients were included in the remaining no improvement group(41.2%). Conclusion : The IDET procedure could be an alternative modality for discogenic back pain. It appears that a patient who has low intradiscal pressure on discography and intact disc height on plain radiography is considered a good candidate for IDET.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.30 no.11
• /
• pp.1284-1290
• /
• 2001

Objective : PCB cervical instrument is a newly introduced fusion device which comprises cervical plate, cage (spacer) and screw system. It is developed to enhance fusion rate and stability, as well as to reduce complications related to hardware failure. We investigated the efficacy of clinical and radiological results of PCB instrument and Lubboc bone. Methods : From August, 1998 to October, 1999, authors performed 54 cases of anterior cervical interbody fusion with PCB instrument and Lubboc bone. Retrospective analysis was undertaken based on clinical and radiological findings. Clinical improvement was evaluated according to Odom's criteria. Cervical plain films and tomography were taken every 2 months to evaluate the degree of interbody fusion and disc height changes. Results : Bone fusion was observed in 36 cases(90%) over 6 months after operation, and during which time there was no significant interval change. There were 3 cases of hardware dislodgement. Disc height was increased significantly and preserved in all cases. Clinical outcome over good degree was seen more than 94% of patients. Conclusion : Longer follow-up period and comparative studies to similar instrument appear to be necessary, but this instrumentation system has shown high fusion rate and fewer adverse effects in our series. We believe this system might be indicated for the treatment of cervical trauma and degenerative disease in selective cases.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.59 no.2
• /
• pp.129-136
• /
• 2016

Objective : The purpose of this study was to figure out the radiologic findings and risk factors related to adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) using 3-year follow-up radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance image (MRI). Methods : A retrospective matched comparative study was performed for 64 patients who underwent single-level ACDF with a cage and plate. Radiologic parameters, including upper segment range of motion (USROM), lower segment range of motion (LSROM), upper segment disc height (UDH), and lower segment disc height (LDH), clinical outcomes assessed with neck and arm visual analogue scale (VAS), and risk factors were analyzed. Results : Patients were categorized into the ASD (32 patients) and non-ASD (32 patients) group. The decrease of UDH was significantly greater in the ASD group at each follow-up visit. At 36 months postoperatively, the difference for USROM value from the preoperative one significantly increased in the ASD group than non-ASD group. Preoperative other segment degeneration was significantly associated with the increased incidence of ASD at 36 months. However, pain intensity for the neck and arm was not significantly different between groups at any post-operative follow-up visit. Conclusion : The main factor affecting ASD is preoperative other segment degeneration out of the adjacent segment. In addition, patients over the age of 50 are at higher risk of developing ASD. Although there was definite radiologic degeneration in the ASD group, no significant difference was observed between the ASD and non-ASD groups in terms of the incidence of symptomatic disease.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.105-110
• /
• 2007

Objective : This purpose of this study was to determine the clinical efficiency and applicability, and to analyze the radiologic findings of the anterior cervical approach using two synthetic cages for interbody fusion. Methods : A total of 41 patients with cervical diseases underwent anterior discectomy and interbody fusion with the PEEK $Solis^{TM}$ cage in 21 patients and the carbon composite $Osta-Pek^{TM}$ cage in 20 patients. Outcome assessment was done using Odom's criteria. Radiological assessment was performed with respect to subsidence, bony fusion and lordosis. The mean follow-up period was 13 months. Results : There were 34 [92.9%] successful cases. The average height of the disc space 12 months after surgery compared the height just after surgery was decreased over 3mm in 4 cases, indicating severe subsidence. The use of these synthetic cages have provided the increase in postoperative cervical lordosis. Conclusion : There were no significant differences between the $Solis^{TM}$ and $Osta-Pek^{TM}$ cages on clinical and radiologic outcomes. Both $Solis^{TM}$ and $Osta-Pek^{TM}$ cages showed low subsidences and complications associated with hardware with good clinical outcomes, high fusion rates, restored disc heights, and restored cervical lordosis.

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

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.56 no.6
• /
• pp.469-474
• /
• 2014

Objective : The use of direct lumbar interbody fusion (DLIF) has gradually increased; however, no studies have directly compared DLIF and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). We compared DLIF and TLIF on the basis of clinical and radiological outcomes. Methods : A retrospective review was performed on the medical records and radiographs of 98 and 81 patients who underwent TLIF and DLIF between January 2011 and December 2012. Clinical outcomes were compared with a visual analog scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI). The preoperative and postoperative disc heights, segmental sagittal/coronal angles, and lumbar lordosis were measured on radiographs. Fusion rates, operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL), length of hospital stay, and complications were assessed. Results : DLIF was superior to TLIF regarding its ability to restore disc height, foraminal height, and coronal balance (p<0.001). As the extent of surgical level increased, DLIF displayed significant advantages over TLIF considering the operative time and EBL. However, fusion rates at 12 months post-operation were lower for DLIF (87.8%) than for TLIF (98.1%) (p=0.007). The changes of VAS and ODI between the TLIF and DLIF were not significantly different (p>0.05). Conclusion : Both DLIF and TLIF are less invasive and thus good surgical options for treating degenerative lumber diseases. DLIF has higher potential in increasing neural foramina and correcting coronal balance, and involves a shorter operative time and reduced EBL, in comparison with TLIF. However, DLIF displayed a lower fusion rate than TLIF, and caused complications related to the transpsoas approach.