• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2014

Purpose: To determine the therapeutic effectiveness of ultrasound-guided medial branch block (MBB) for the herniated lumbar disc patients who did not relieve their symptoms after percutaneous epidural neuroplasty (PEN). Materials and Methods: From August 2011 to February 2013, 559 patients with herniated lumbar disc have undergone PEN. Among them, ultrasound-guided MBBs were performed for the patients who had sustained low back pain and refered pain to lower extremities. Eighty eight patients were followed at 1 month and 39 patients could be followed at 6 month. All procedures have been performed by the one operator, and 23 G, 10 cm needle was placed and 0.5% lidocaine was injected under ultrasound guide. To target medial branches from L1 to L5, the groove at the root of transverse process and the base of superior articular process has been identified on transverse scan. Patients were evaluated by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at each follow-up. Significant pain relief was described as a 50% or more reduction in VAS and significant improvement in function was described as at least a 40% reduction in ODI. Results: VAS showed that preprocedure pain ($7.35{\pm}1.68$; $mean{\pm}SD$) significantly decreased 1 month after block ($3.36{\pm}2.98$) and 6 month ($3.05{\pm}2.27$) (p<0.05). ODI also showed that preprocedure score ($32.82{\pm}8.77$) significantly decreased at 1 month ($15.14{\pm}14.01$) and 6 month ($12.97{\pm}8.82$) (p<0.05). Significant pain relief was observed in 64.49% at 1 month and 64.10% at 6 month. Significant functional improvement in 59.81% at 1 month and 61.54% at 6 month. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided medial branch block may sufficiently treat the facet problems secondary from disc disease.

• Anatomy & Biological Anthropology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.145-154
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to provide basic biometric data on Korean adults through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based measurements of the distances between the apex of sacral hiatus (SH) and the termination of dural sac (DS), and between SH and conus medullaris (CM) because they are critical to the performance of epidural neuroplasty. A total of 200 patients(88 males and 112 females) with back pain, who had no spine fracture, significant spinal deformity, and spondyloisthesis were selected for this study. The subjects were of mean age 54.3 (20~84) years and mean height 161.3 cm (135~187). T2-weighted MRI images were used for correlation analysis to evaluate the relationships between the distances, and variables such as sex and height. In all patients, the mean distance between SH and DS was $62.8{\pm}9.4mm$ and the mean distance between SH and CM was $232.2{\pm}21.8mm$. The minimum distance and the maximum distance between SH and DS were 34.8 mm and 93.9 mm respectively, and the minimum distance and the maximum distance between SH and CM were 155.0 mm and 284.0 mm respectively. In female patients, both the distances between the SH and DS, and between SH and CM were shorter when compared to those of the male patients(p<0.05). Both the distances between SH and DS and between SH and CM showed a significant correlation with height(p<0.01). The results of this study will provide a useful biometric data on the distances between SH and DS and between SH and CM in Korean in ensuring clinical safety and in the development of more effective catheterization techniques for epidural neuroplasty in Korean.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.111-121
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• 1991

It has been well known that the splanchnic nerve block is effective for patients who suffer from intractable upper abdominal pain. However, it is unclear whether the effect of the splanchnic nerve block depends on varied alcoholic concentration. In this study, an attempt was made to use absolute ethanol on patients who recieved a splanchnic nerve block at Severance Hospital during the period from September l990 to April l991. The results are as follows; 1) Among the 33 patients, including 22 males and 1l females, the fifties and sixties were the major age groups. 2) Stomach cancer was the most common underlying disease(13 cases), with pancreatic can- cer next(9 cases). 3) The main locations of pain were the upper abdomen, epigastrium, and entire abdomen in decreasing order. 4) There were 17 cases who had had chemotherapy, and 1l cases of whom had had surgery before the splanchnic nerve block. 5) The volume of alcohol used was 12 ml bilaterally. 6) Among the 33 patients, 15.2% required a second block within two weeks of the first block. One case required a third block. 7) The most common complications of splanchnic nerve block were hypotension(33.3%), occasional transient sharp burning pain, flushing of face, pain on injection site, nausea, vomiting, dyspnea, chest discomfort and diarrhea. 8) The supplemental block most commonly used was a continuous epidural block. It was used both as a diagnostic block and to afford relief from pain before the splanchnic nerve block was done. 9) The interval between the receiving the absolute ethanol block and discharge was within 2 weeks in l5 cases. But, in the patients with poor general health, the interval between the splanchnic nerve block and discharge prolonged. The above results suggest that bilateral splanchnic nerve block done with absolute ethanol after an effective test block with 1% lidocaine under C-arm fluroscopic control is satisfactory and reliable. Still, 26.6% of the patients received a repeat block within 2 weeks. Insufficient spread of ethanol due to its small volume seems to be a major factor in the repeat block. Minimizing the incidence of repeat block remains a problem to be solved.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.240-248
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• 2000

Objective : Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is a rarely reported syndrome of spontaneous postural headache associated with low CSF pressure and has rarely been demonstrated radiographically or surgically. But recently, it is being recognized with increasing frequency. The purpose of this study was to characterize clinical and imaging features, etiologic factors, and outcome in the spontaneous intracranial hypotension. Patients and Methods : We reviewed our experience with documented cases of spontaneous intracranial hypotension in 5 consecutive patients with orthostatic headaches from April 1998 to April 1999. Results : The mean age was 41 years(from 35 to 49 years). All patients had postural headaches, which were completely alleviated by recumbency position. Nausea, neck pain, horizontal diplopia, photophobia, and blurred vision were noted in some of the patients. Brain MRI showed diffuse pachymeningeal gadolinium enhancement, subdural collections of fluid, and descent of the brain. The opening pressure from lumbar puncture was $4cmH_2O$ or less in three of five patients whereas the opening pressure was within normal range in two patients. All patients underwent radioisotope cisternography and computerized tomographic myelography. On radioisotope cisternography, CSF leakage was suspected at the level of cervical area(1 patient), upper thoracic area(2 patients), mid-thoracic area(1 patient). Computed tomography myelography revealed extraarachnoid accumulation of contrast media(compatible finding with CSF leakage) at the level of cervical or thoracic area. In all patients, the symptoms resolved in response to supportive measures or epidural blood patch(1 patient). Conclusion : Spontaneous spinal CSF leakage is increasingly recognized as a cause of spinal postural headache. Most CSF leaks are located at the cervicothoracic junction or in the thoracic spine and can be demonstrated by variable diagnostic method. The condition is usually self-limiting and its prognosis is typically good.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.985-994
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• 2000

Objective : There are some advantages of trigeminal evoked potential(TEP) recording compared to other somatosensory evoked potential(SSEP) recordings. The trigeminal sensory pathway has a pure sensory nerve branch, a broader receptive field in cerebral cortex, and a shorter pathway. Despite these advantages, there is little agreement as to what constitutes a normal response and what wave forms truly characterize the intraoperative TEP. This study presents the normative data of TEP recorded on the epidural surface of the rat with a platinum ball electrode. Materials & Methods : Under general anesthesia with urethane, the adult Sprague-Dawley male rats(300-350g) were given electrical stimulation with two stainless steel electrodes which were inserted into the subcutaneous layer of the area around whiskers. A reference electrode was positioned in the temporalis muscle ipsilateral to the recording site. Results : TEPs were recorded in the Par I area of somatosensory cortex and recorded most apparently on the point of 2mm posterior from the bregma and 6mm lateral from the midline. The typical wave form consisted of 5 peaks (N1-P1-N2-P2-N3 according to emerging order, upward negativity). Each latency to corresponding peaks was not influenced by the different intensities of stimulation, especially from 1 to 5mA. Average latencies of 5 peaks were in the following order ; 7.7, 11.1, 15, 22.3, 29.4ms. There was also no significant difference between latencies before and after administration of muscle relaxant(pancuronium). For the electrophysiological localization of recorded waves, the action potential of a single unit was recorded with glass microelectrode(filled with 2M NaCl, $3-5M{\Omega}$) in the thalamus of rat. A sharp wave was recorded in the VPM nucleus, in which the latency was shorter than that of N1. This suggests that all 5 peaks were generated by neural activities in the suprathalamic pathway. Conclusion : In terms of recording near-field potentials, our data also suggests that TEP in the rat may be superior to other SSEPs. In overall, these results may afford normative data for the studies of supratentorial lesions such as hydrocephalus or cerebral ischemia which can have an influence on near-field potentials.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.224-230
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• 2009

Objective : We aimed to analyze clinical and radiological outcomes retrospectively in patients with basilar apex aneurysms treated by coiling or clipping. Methods : Outcomes of basilar bifurcation aneurysms were assessed retrospectively in 77 consecutive patients (61 women, 16 men), ranging in age from 25 to 79 years (mean, 53.7 years) from 1999 to 2007. Results : Forty-nine patients out of 77 patients (63.6%) presented with subarachnoid hemorrhages of the 49 patients treated with coiling, 27 (55.1 %) showed complete occlusion of the aneurysm sac. Of these, 13 patients (26.5%) developed coil compaction on angiographic or MRI follow-up, with recoiling required in 9 patients (18.4%). Procedural complications of coiling were acute infarction in nine patients and the bleeding of the aneurysms in six patients. The remaining 28 patients underwent microsurgery : twenty-six of these (92.9%) with microsurgery followed up with conventional angiography. Complete occlusion of the aneurysm sac was achieved in 19 patients (73.1%). Operation-related complications of microsurgery were thalamoperforating artery injuries in three patients, retraction venous injury in two, postoperative epidural hemorrhage (EDH) in one, and transient partial or complete occulomotor palsy in 14 patients. Glasgow Outcome Scores (GOS) were 4 or 5 in 21 of 28 (75%) patients treated with microsurgery at discharge, and at 6 month follow-up, 20 of 28 (70.9%) maintained the same GOS. In comparison, GOS of four or 5 was observed in 36 of 49 (73.5%) patients treated with coiling at discharge and at 6 month follow-up, 33 of 49 patients (67.3%) maintained the GOS from discharge. Conclusion : Basilar top aneurysms were still challenging lesions based on our series. Endovascular or microsurgery endowed with its inborn risks and procedural complications for the treatment of basilar apex aneurysms individually. Microsurgery provided better outcome in some specific basilar apex aneurysms. For reaching the most favorable outcome, endovascular modality as well as microsurgery was inevitably considered for each specific basilar apex aneurysm.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.12-17
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• 2011

Purpose: A rib fracture secondary to blunt thoracic trauma continues to be an important injury with significant complications. Unfortunately, there are no definite treatment guidelines for severe multiple rib fractures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the result of early operative stabilization and to find the risk factors of surgical fixation in patients with bilateral multiple rib fractures or flail segments. Methods: From December 2005 to December 2008, the medical records of all patients who underwent operative stabilization of ribs for severe multiple rib fractures were reviewed. We investigated patients' demographics, preoperative comorbidities, underlying lung disease, chest trauma, other associated injuries, number of surgical rib fixation, combined operations, perioperative ventilator support, and postoperative complications to find the factors affecting the mortality after surgical treatment. Results: The mean age of the 96 patients who underwent surgical stabilization for bilateral multiple rib fractures or flail segments was 56.7 years (range: 22 to 82 years), and the male-to-female ratio was 3.6:1. Among the 96 patients, 16 patients (16.7%) underwent reoperation under general or epidural anesthesia due to remaining fracture with severe displacement. The surgical mortality of severe multiple rib fractures was 8.3% (8/96), 7 of those 8 patients (87.5%) dying from acute respiratory distress syndrome or sepsis. And the other one patient expired from acute myocardial infarction. The risk factors affecting mortality were liver cirrhosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, concomitant severe head or abdominal injuries, perioperative ventilator care, postoperative bleeding or pneumonia, and tracheostomy. However, age, number of fractured ribs, lung parenchymal injury, pulmonary contusion and combined operations were not significantly related to mortality. Conclusion: In the present study, surgical fixation of ribs could be carried out as a first-line therapeutic option for bilateral rib fractures or flail segments without significant complications if the risk factors associated with mortality were carefully considered. Furthermore, with a view of restoring pulmonary function, as well as chest wall configuration, early operative stabilization of the ribs is more helpful than conventional treatment for patients with severe multiple rib fractures.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 1996

We developed an experimental model of brain death using dogs. Brain death was induced by increasing the intracranial pressure (ICP) gradually by continuous Infusion of saline through an epidural Foley catheter in 5 mongrel dogs (weight, 18~22kg). Hemodynamic and electrocardiographic changes were evaluated continuously during the process of brain death and obtained the following results. 1. The average volume and time required to induce brain death was 4.8$\pm$1.0ml and 143.0$\pm$30.9minutes respectively. 2. There was a steady rise of the ICP after starting the constant infusion of saline, and ICP rised continuously until the brain death (122.0$\pm$62.5mmHg). After reaching to the maximal value (125.0$\pm$47.7mmHg) at 30 minutes after brain death, the ICP dropped and remained approximately constant at the slightly higher level than the mean arterial pressure (MAP). 3. MAP showed no change until the establishment of brain death and it declined gradually. The peak heart rate reached to 172.6$\pm$35.3/min at 30 minutes after the brain death. 4. Even though the body temperature and all hemodynamic variables, such as cardiac output, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic pressure and LV maximum + dp/dt, were slightly greater than those of basal state, at the point of brain death, there was no statistically significant change during t e process of brain death. 5. There was no remarkable arrhythmias during the experiment except ventricular premature beats which was observed transiently in one dog at the time of brain death. Hemodynamic changes in the brain death model induced by gradual ICP increment were inconspicuous, and arrhythmias were rarely seen. Hyperdynamic state, which was observed at the point of brain death in another brain death model caused by abrupt ICP increase, was not observed.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.110-120
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• 1992

The purpose of this study was to prevent the dilutional effect of excessive absorption of irrigating solution by using furosemide intraoperatively during transurethral resection of the prostate, 30 patients, who belonged to physical status II or III of ASA classification, were selected randomly and divided with two groups as follows : G1(N=15) : Not-administrated furosemide(control group) G2(N=15) : Administrated furosemide(Experimental group). All patients were premedicated with Hydroxyzine(1mg/kg, IM) and were performed continous epidural anesthesia with 2% lidocaine(1-1.5mg/segment). For irrigating solution, 5% D-sorbitol was used and Hartman's solution were given for maintenance fluid and fixed the height of irrigating container to 60 cm from symphysis pubis. With the starting of operation, 20mg furosemide was administrated to experimental group. The blood samples for the values of $Na^+$, $K^+$, Glucose and BUN were performed at the periods of preoperation, 10 min, 20 min, 30 min after the starting of operation and immediate postoperation. Based these data, serum osmolality and effective osmolality were calculated. The results were as follows : 1. The sodium concentration of control group was decreased statistically significantly at 10 min, 20 min, 30 min after the starting of operation and immediate postoperative period as comparing with the preoperation value(p<0.05). But that of experimental Group was not changed significantly. 2. The serum osmolality and effective osmolality were decreased statistically significantly at 30 min after the starting of operation and immediate postoperative period as comparing with the preoperation value(p<0.05). But those of experimental group were not changed significantly. These results show that the dilutional effect of excessive absorption of irrigating solution might be prevented by using furosemide intraopertively. And so we recommend the use of furosemide during TURP, especially in patients with congestive heart failure or renal failure.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1365-1371
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• 2000

Objectives : Spinal cord compression is a rare presentation of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(NHL), occurring in 0.1% to 10.2% of patients. Primary spinal extradural NHL, i.e. occurring in the absence of any detectable extraspinal lymphoproliferative disorder, has a potentially favourable outcome if diagnosed and treated early. The authors describe two patients with a clinical picture of acute spinal cord compression as the first presentation of NHL. Methods : The patients were 48-year-old female and 27-year-old female. Both presented with back pain followed by acute paraparesis and voiding difficulty. One patient was diabetic. Plain radiographs of the spine were not specific. Thoracic spine magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) revealed evidence of extradural soft tissue mass extending multiple vertebral segments. Results : The patients underwent emergency laminectomy for decompression and tissue diagnosis. Histological and immunohistochemical study revealed B-cell lymphoma, intermediate grade in both patients. Postoperative staging did not reveal any additional lesions other than extradural manifestation of the malignant lymphoma. Surgery with additional chemotherapy and radiotherapy allowed the clinical improvement of both patients. Conclusion : The authors report two patients with a clinical picture of acute spinal cord compression as the first presentation of NHL, and stress that primary spinal epidural NHL should be a diagnostic consideration in the patient without prior history of malignancy who presents with a prodrome of back pain followed by a rapid neurological deterioration.