• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.385-388
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• 2008

We herein describe the case of a focal spontaneous spinal epidural abscess who was initially diagnosed to have a free fragment of a lumbar disc. A 71-year-old woman presented with history of low back and right leg pain. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested a peripherally enhancing free fragment extending down from S1 nerve root axilla. Preoperative laboratory investigation showed elevation of c-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels. She was taken for surgery and a fluctuating mass at the axilla of S1 nerve was found. When the mass was probed with a dissector, a dark yellow, thick pus drained out. Pus cultures were negative. Patients who present with extreme low back plus leg pain and increased leucocyte count, ESR and CRP levels should raise the suspicion of an infection of a vertebral body or spinal epidural space.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.52-56
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• 2013

Four patients underwent lumbar surgery. In all four patients, the dura was minimally torn during the operation. However, none exhibited signs of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage. In each case, a few days after the operation, the patient suddenly experienced severe recurring pain in the leg. Repeat magnetic resonance imaging showed transdural nerve rootlets entrapped in the intervertebral disc space. On exploration, ventral dural tears and transdural nerve rootlet entrapment were confirmed. Midline durotomy, herniated rootlet repositioning, and ventral dural tear repair were performed, and patients' symptoms improved after rootlet repositioning. Even with minimal dural tearing, nerve rootlets may become entrapped, resulting in severe recurring symptoms. Therefore, the dural tear must be identified and repaired during the first operation.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.93-98
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• 2019

Objectives : This study aimed to introduce a new traction therapy and proposes that a new Chuna manual therapy technique could be implemented. Methods : The patient is placed in the prone position and their ankle is fixed to the fixing table. Next, clinicians contact on the vertebral spinal process above herniated disc region with the tissue pulled head part of scaphoid bone and the lower part of the pelvis is pulled horizontally to the foot. Conclusions : It was recently identified that traction while maintaining lumbar lordosis is more effective for lumbar disc herniation and is associated with fewer side effects. Chuna manual therapy also uses a technique of lumbar flexion-distraction manipulation to treat HIVD. further research is required.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2000

Objective : Percutaneous lumbar approaches such as arthroscopic discectomy, laser discectomy, and nucleotome remain controversial and have technical limitations to free fragment disc, bony pathology and access to L5-S1, The purpose of this study was to determine efficacy of this new endoscopic system and to report techniques and tactics. Methods : From July 1997 to May 1998, we treated 40 consecutive patients(43 levels) with the MED system. Mean age was 32 years(range ; 18 to 62). There were 30 males and 10 females. All patients had sciatica with SLRT limitation. There were 23 patients with disc herniation at L4-5 and 14 patients at L5-S1. Three patients had 2 level disc herniations. There was one far lateral disc herniation at L4-5. Results : Using modified MacNab criteria, there were 37 excellent results and 3 good result. Most patients were discharged within 3-4 days except 2 patients with dural tearing. There were no other complications. Mean operation time was 1.5 hours(range : 40 minutes to 2.5 hours). Conclusion : The MED system is a reliable approach to lumbar disc herniations. This system combines the advantages of conventional open surgery and a minimally invasive technique. As tactics for the doctors who wish to attempt, "palpate" the lamina by first dilator, identification of interlaminar space by removal of overlying soft tissue and confirmation of the shoulder portion of nerve root before discectomy are important to this procedure. We conclude that lumbar disc herniations can be successfully treated with MED approach.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.109-113
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• 2017

A 55-year-old male presented with dysesthesia of the right anteromedial thigh. A magnetic resonance image revealed a globular mass at the right extraforaminal area of the L3/4 level. Based on the diagnosis of neurogenic tumor, surgical excision was performed. The surgical impression and pathology confirmed extrusion of intervertebral disc. In a retrospective review of the magnetic resonance image, we noticed a fibrillary pattern directed from the intervertebral disc space to the lesion, and disrupted annulus fibrosus and indentation caused by the ring apophysis. We suggest aforementioned features, indicative of intervertebral disc lesions, to be checked when interpreting mass lesions around the intervertebral foramen.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.19-22
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• 2013

Background: Excessive pronation of the feet can cause excessive inner rotation of the femur, followed by increased stress in the gluteus maximum, increased front slope of the pelvis, and lumbar lordosis, which leads to lumbar pain. The aim of the present study was to use the navicular drop test to examine foot pronation that can cause lumbar lordosis and to determine whether the navicular drop is lower in patients diagnosed with lumbar disc than in patients without this diagnosis. Methods: The Navicular Drop score was set by subtracting the navicular height at a standing position from the navicular height in a sitting position. The Navicular Drop measurements for college student with and without Lumbar Herniated Intervertebral Disc were compared using an independent t-test. Results: The control group were measured right $7.44{\pm}2.96$ and left $8.04{\pm}3.23$. The experimental group were measured right $2.12{\pm}1.33$ and left $2.80{\pm}1.29$. Therefore significant difference was found between the two groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: The navicular drop affected lumbar herniated intervertebral disc.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.36-39
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• 2012

The spontaneous regression of herniated cervical discs is not a well-established phenomenon. However, we encountered a case of a spontaneous regression of a severe radiculopathic herniated cervical disc that was treated with acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and herb medicine. The symptoms were improved within 12 months of treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conducted at that time revealed marked regression of the herniated disc. This case provides an additional example of spontaneous regression of a herniated cervical disc documented by MRI following non-surgical treatment.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.7-16
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• 2012

Purpose: Cervical dislocations with locked facets account for more than 50% of all cervical injuries. Thus, investigating a suitable management of cervical locked facets is important. This study examined factors of close reduction failure in traumatically locked facets of the subaxial cervical spine patients to determine suitable surgical management. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed of the case histories of 28 patients with unilateral/bilateral cervical locked facets from Nov. 2004 to Dec. 2010. Based on MRI evaluation of disc status at the injury level, we found unilateral dislocations in 9 cases, and bilateral dislocations in 19 cases, The patients were investigated for neurologic recovery, closed reduction rate, factors of the close reduction barrier, fusion rate and period, spinal alignment, and complications. Results: The closed reduction failed in 23(82%) patients. Disc herniation was an obstacle to closed reduction (p=0.015) and was more frequent in cases involving a unilateral dislocation (p=0.041). The pedicle or facet fracture was another factor, although some patients showed aggravation of neurologic symptoms, most patients had improved by the last follow up. The kyphotic angle were statistically significant (p=0.043). Sixs patient underwent anterior decompression/fusion, and 15 patients underwent circumferential fusion, and 7 patients underwent posterior fusion. All patients were fused at 3 months after surgery. The complications were 1 case of CSF leakage and 1 case of esphageal fistula, 1 case of infection. Conclusion: We recommend closed reduction be performed as soon as possible after injury to maximize the potential for neurological recovery. Patients fot whom closed reduction of the cervical locked facets have a higher incidence of anatomic obstacles to reduction, including facet fractures and disc herniation. Immediate direct open anterior reduction or circumferential fixation/fusion of locked cervical facets is recommended as a treatment of choice for traumatic locked cervical facet patients after closed reduction failure.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.477-486
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• 2020

Objectives : Due to recent developments and the wide application of percutaneous transforaminal discectomy (PTED) in China, we herein compare its clinical effects with microendoscopic discectomy (MED) for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation in terms of recurrence and revision rates. Methods : Six databases, namely, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Ovid, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang, were searched by computer. The literature was screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the quality of the included literature was evaluated. After extracting the data from the papers, Review Manager 5.2 software (Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, UK) was applied to analyze these data. Finally, sensitivity and publication bias analyses of the results were conducted. Results : A total of 12 studies consisting of 2400 patients were included in this meta-analysis. A comparison of PTED with MED revealed higher postoperative recurrence and postoperative revision rates for PTED (odds ratio [OR] recurrence, 1.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 2.53; p=0.05 and OR revision, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.18 to 2.64, p=0.006). Conclusion : PTED has a number of advantages because it is a minimally invasive surgery, but its recurrence and revision rates are higher than MED. Therefore, MED should not be completely replaced by PTED.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.150-155
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• 2001

Between January 1995 and May 1998, 177 patients with proven lumbar disc herniation were treated by microdiscectomy or by percutaneous endoscopic discectomy(PED). Among them, 43(24.2%) patients underwent PED and were followed for long term outcome. We included only those patients who were followed up more than 13 months. Three patients who did not improved immediately after PED and underwent microdiscectomy were excluded for this study. Of remaining 40 patients, there were 22 men and 18 women who ranged in age from 23 to 68 years (mean 38.1 years). The disc herniations were located at L1-2(1), L2-3(1), L3-4(1), L4-5(26) and L5-S1(11). Three patients were treated by biportal approach. The mean follow up period was 34.7 months(range 13-47 months). Overall, excellent and good results were achieved in 12(30%) and 19(47.5%) patients, and fair and poor results in 7(17.5%) and 2(5%) patients, respectively. Thirty-eight(95%) patients returned to their previous works and the mean duration was 5.7 months. Thirty-three(82.5%) patients answered that they would recommend this procedure to others. There was no complication except for one patient who suffered from discitis. The indication of PED is restricted to contained or small subligamentous lumbar disc herniation without stenosis, spondylolisthesis and sequestration. PED can be performed under local anesthesia and tissue trauma, risk of epidural scarring, hospitalization time and postoperative morbidity are minimal. The result of the present study justify the assumption that PED can be a surgical alternative for patients suitable for its indications.