• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.178-186
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• 2019

Background: Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) have been widely used in managing spinal pain. Dexamethasone has recently emerged as a useful drug in this setting, relative to particulate steroids, although the associated systemic effects have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the incidences and types of systemic effects after fluoroscopically guided ESI with dexamethasone. Methods: This retrospective study included 888 ESIs with dexamethasone (fluoroscopically guided at the cervical and lumbosacral levels) performed on 825 patients during January to June 2017. Data regarding systemic effects were collected via telephone interviews using a standardized questionnaire at 2 weeks after the procedure. Data on patient demographic, clinical, and procedural characteristics were collected and analyzed to identify factors that were associated with systemic effects. All statistical analyses were performed using the chi-squared test. Results: Among the 825 patients, 40 patients (4.8%) experienced systemic effects during the 2-week follow-up period. The most common systemic effect was facial flushing (12 patients, 1.5%), which was followed by urticaria (7 patients, 0.8%) and insomnia (7 patients, 0.8%). A history of spine surgery was significantly associated with the occurrence of systemic effects (P = 0.036). Systemic effects were significantly more common for injections at the cervical level than at the lumbar level (P = 0.019). Conclusions: Approximately 4.8% of the patients who underwent ESI with dexamethasone experienced minor and transient systemic effects. These effects were more common in patients who had undergone a previous spine surgery or received a cervical ESI.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.339-345
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• 2021

Background: Ultrasound-guided caudal epidural injection (CEI) is limited in that it cannot confirm drug distribution at the target site without fluoroscopy. We hypothesized that visualization of solution flow through the inter-laminar space of the lumbosacral spine using color Doppler ultrasound alone would allow for confirmation of drug distribution. Therefore, we aimed to prospectively evaluate the usefulness of this method by comparing the color Doppler image in the paramedian sagittal oblique view of the lumbosacral spine (LS-PSOV) with the distribution of the contrast medium observed during fluoroscopy. Methods: Sixty-five patients received a 10-mL CEI of solution containing contrast medium under ultrasound guidance. During injection, flow was observed in the LSPSOV using color Doppler ultrasonography, following which it was confirmed using fluoroscopy. The presence of contrast image at L5-S1 on fluoroscopy was defined as "successful CEI." We then calculated prediction accuracy for successful CEI using color Doppler ultrasonography in the LS-PSOV. We also investigated the correlation between the distribution levels measured via color Doppler and fluoroscopy. Results: Prediction accuracy with color Doppler ultrasonography was 96.9%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 96.7%, 100%, 100%, and 60.0%, respectively. In 52 of 65 patients (80%), the highest level at which contrast image was observed was the same for both color Doppler ultrasonography and fluoroscopy. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that color Doppler ultrasonography in the LS-PSOV is a new method for determining whether a drug solution reaches the lumbosacral region (i.e., the main target level) without the need for fluoroscopy.

• 한국임상수의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국임상수의학회 2007년도 추계국제학술대회 및 컨퍼런스
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• pp.576-576
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• 2007

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제57권1호
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• pp.61-64
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• 2015

A number of dynamic stabilization systems have been used to overcome the problems associated with spinal fusion with rigid fixation recently and the demand for an ideal dynamic stabilization system is greater for younger patients with multisegment disc degeneration. Nitinol, a shape memory alloy of nickel and titanium, is flexible at low temperatures and regains its original shape when heated, and the Nitinol shape memory loop (SML) implant has been used as a posterior tension band mostly in decompressive laminectomy cases because the Nitinol implant has various characteristics such as high elasticity and a tensile force, flexibility, and biological compatibility. The reported short-term outcomes of the application of SMLs as posterior column supporters in cervical and lumbar decompressive laminectomies seem to be positive, and complications are minimal except for the rare occurrence of pullout and fracture of the SML. However, there was no report of neurological complications related to neural compression in spite of the use of the loop of SML in the epidural space. The authors report a case of delayed development of radiating pain caused by subsidence of the SML resulting epidural compression.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.346-368
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• 2021

Background: Recalcitrant disc herniation may result in chronic lumbar radiculopathy or sciatica. Fluoroscopically directed epidural injections and other conservative modalities may provide inadequate improvement in some patients. In these cases, percutaneous neurolysis with targeted delivery of medications is often the next step in pain management. Methods: An evidence-based system of methodologic assessment, namely, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was used. Multiple databases were searched from 1966 to January 2021. Principles of the best evidence synthesis were incorporated into qualitative evidence synthesis. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of patients with significant pain relief and functional improvement (≥ 50%). Duration of relief was categorized as short-term (< 6 months) and long-term (≥ 6 months). Results: This assessment identified one high-quality randomized controlled trial (RCT) and 5 moderate-quality non-randomized studies with an application of percutaneous neurolysis in disc herniation. Overall, the results were positive, with level II evidence. Conclusions: Based on the present systematic review, with one RCT and 5 non-randomized studies, the evidence level is II for percutaneous neurolysis in managing lumbar disc herniation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제52권5호
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• pp.491-494
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• 2012

We report a rare complication of iatrogenic spinal intradural following minimally invasive extradural endoscopic procedues in the lumbo-sacral spines. To our knowledge, intradural cyst following epiduroscopy has not been reported in the literature. A 65-year-old woman with back pain related with previous lumbar disc surgery underwent endoscopic epidural neuroplasty and nerve block, but her back pain much aggravated after this procedure. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large intradural cyst from S1-2 to L2-3 displacing the nerve roots anteriorly. On T1 and T2-weighted image, the signal within the cyst had the same intensity as cerebrospinal fluid. The patient underwent partial laminectomy of L5 and intradural exploration, and fenestration of the cystic wall was accomplished. During operation, the communication between the cyst and subarachnoid space was not identified, and the content of the cyst was the same as that of cerebrospinal fluid. Postoperatively, the pain attenuated immediately. Incidental durotomy which occurred during advancing the endoscope through epidural space may be the cause of formation of the intradural cyst. Intrdural cyst should be considered, if a patient complains of new symptoms such as aggravation of back pain after epiduroscopy. Surgical treatment, simple fenestration of the cyst may lead to improved outcome. All the procedures using epiduroscopy should be performed with caution.

• 대한정형외과 초음파학회지
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.105-112
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• 2014

목적: 미추 경막외 차단술은 요통과 하지 방사통에 효과적으로 외래환자의 치료에 자주 사용되고 있으나 임상 경험이 풍부한 의사에 의해 시술되어도 25%의 실패율이 보고되고 있다. 저자들은 초음파 유도하 미추 경막외 차단술의 유효성을 추간판 탈출증 환자군과 척추관 협착증 환자군으로 나누어 결과를 비교하였다. 대상 및 방법: 요통과 하지 방사통을 호소하여 본원 외래에 내원한 55명의 환자를 대상으로 초음파 유도하 미추 경막외 차단술을 시행하였다. 환자를 복와위 자세로 눕힌 후 방사형 탐지자(round probe)를 이용하여 22게이지 바늘이 천-미추막을 통과한 것을 확인 후 약물을 투여하였다. 추간판 탈출증 환자군은 31명이었으며, 척추관 협착증 환자군은 24명이었다. 임상적 평가는 시각통증척도(VAS)를 이용하여 통증의 변화를 평가하였으며, 시행 전, 시행 후, 시행 2주 후, 시행 4주 후 전화 인터뷰와 외래 방문 시 조사하였다. 결과: 초음파 유도하 미추 경막외 차단술은 55예 중 53예에서 바늘이 성공적으로 삽입되어 96.4%의 성공률을 보였다. 추간판 탈출증 환자군과 척추관 협착증 환자군에서 성별의 차이는 없었으나 나이는 추간판 탈출증군에서 $42.3{\pm}10.8$세로 척추관 협착증군의 $62.8{\pm}15.1$세와 비교할 때 유의한 차이가 있었다(p<0.001). 시각통증척도는 추간판 탈출증 군에서 시행 전 6.8, 시행 후 3.1, 시행 2주 후 1.8, 시행 4주 후 1.77로 나타났으며, 척추관 협착증 군에서 시행 전6.9, 시행 후 3.6, 시행 2주 후 4.3, 시행 4주 후 4.9로 나타났다. 시행 전에 비해 시행 후 시각통증척도는 양 군에서 유의하게 호전되었으며(p<0.001), 나이를 보정한 후의 결과, 시간에 따라 양 군간 시각통증척도의 차이는 통계적으로 유의하였다(p<0.001). 결론: 초음파 유도하 미추 경막외 차단술은 높은 성공률을 보이며 척추관 협착증 환자군에 비해 추간판 탈출증 환자군에서 더 효과적인 것으로 사료된다.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제1권2호
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• pp.203-206
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• 1988

1) 통증치료 목적으로 실시한 308경막외 천자 중 원치 않는 경막천자를 일으킨 경우가 5회(1.6%)있었다. 2) 경막천자를 일으킨 5예 중 2예에서는 뇌척수액이 흡입되어 천자당시 알 수 있었으나 나머지 3예에서는 국소마취제 주사 후에 나타나는 척추마취 증상으로 경막천자를 추축할 수 있었다. 3) 뇌척수액이 흡입되지 않은 3예 중 1예에서는 추궁절제술 후 주위조직의 유착으로 인한 경막외강의 신축성 소실 또는 잠재공간의 감소를 일으켜 경막외 주사시의 압력에 의해 경막손상을 입었으리라는 추측이 가능하였고 1예에서는 조직편에 의한 주사침의 폐쇄로 실질적인 경막천자후 뇌척수액 흡입이 음성이었던 것으로 추출되었다. 나머지 1예에서는 경막천자를 의심할만한 이유가 없었으나 나타나는 증상에 의해 경막천자를 의심하였다. 이상의 결과로 보아 경막외 차단 중에는 숙련된 술자에 의해서도 원치않는 경막차단이 일어날 수 있고 특히 뇌척수액의 흡입이 음성인 경우에도 경막천자가 가능하므로 술자에게는 고위 및 전척추마취에 대한 충분한 예비지식 및 응급소생술을 포함한 대처방안이 미리 마련되어 있어야 하고 환자에게 시술전 그 가능성을 인지시켜야 하며 외래 환자의 경우 보호자와 동반 하지 않은 경우는 시술을 될 수록 피하는 것이 좋을 것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제50권4호
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• pp.332-340
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• 2011

Objective : Pyogenic spondylitis often results in acute neurological deterioration requiring adequate surgical intervention and appropriate antibiotic treatment. The purpose of this study was to conduct an analysis of the clinical effect of continuous irrigation via laminotomy in a series of patients with pyogenic spondylitis in thoracic and lumbar spine. Methods : The authors conducted a retrospective investigation of 31 consecutive patients with pyogenic thoracic and lumbar spondylitis who underwent continuous irrigation through laminotomy from 2004 to 2008. The study included 22 men and 9 women, ranging in age from 38 to 78 years (mean 58.1 years). The average follow-up duration was 13.4 months (range, 8-34 months). We performed debridement and abscess removal after simple laminotomy, and then washed out epidural and disc space using a continuous irrigation system. Broad spectrum antibiotics were administered empirically and changed according to the subsequent culture result. Clinical outcomes were based on the low back outcome scale (LBOS), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Frankel grade at the last follow-up. Radiological assessment involved plain radiographs, including functional views. Results : Common predisposing factors included local injection for pain therapy, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, and liver cirrhosis. Causative microorganisms were identified in 22 cases (70.9%) : Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus spp. were the main organisms. After surgery, LBOS, VAS score, and Frankel grade showed significant improvement in most patients. Spinal stability was maintained during the follow-up period, making secondary reconstructive surgery unnecessary for all patients, except one. Conclusion : Simple laminotomy with continuous irrigation by insertion of a catheter into intervertebral disc space or epidural space was minimally invasive and effective in the treatment of pyogenic spondylitis. This procedure could be a beneficial treatment option in patients with thoracolumbar spondylitis combined with minimal or moderate destructive change of vertebrae.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제60권2호
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• pp.189-194
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• 2017

Objective : We evaluated the validity of bone cement-augmented percutaneous screw fixation for treating malignant spinal metastases. Methods : Between 2011 and 2015, 14 patients (eight men and six women) who underwent bone cement-augmented percutaneous screw fixation for malignant spinal metastases were enrolled in this study. Their life expectancy was considered to be more than one month and less than one year, based on the revised Tokuhashi scoring system. Clinical findings including the back pain scale score, functional outcome, procedure related complications, and survival were assessed preoperatively, postoperatively, and then six months after the procedure. Results : Twelve of the patients (86%) survived up to six months after the procedure. Three required mini-open decompressive laminectomy for severe epidural compression. Bone cement-augmented percutaneous screw fixation was performed one level above, one level below, and at the pathologic level itself. The mean operation time was 60 minutes (45-180) and blood loss was less than 100 mL. Prior to surgery, the mean pain score on the visual analogue scale was 8.8, while one month after the procedure, it had reduced to 3.0; this improvement was maintained until the six-month assessment in the surviving patients. All patients were able to sit within the first two days after surgery, and no patient experienced neurological deterioration at the one-month follow up after the surgery. No patient experienced screw loosening during the six months of follow-up. Asymptomatic cement leakage into the epidural space was observed in two patients, but no major complications were observed. Conclusion : For selected patients with malignant spinal metastases, bone cement-augmented percutaneous screw fixation can provide significant pain relief and improve quality of life.