• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.70-72
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• 2005

Primary spinal cord lymphomas are rare, and are either extra-/intradural masses with leptomeningeal infiltration or intramedullary in nature. The authors present a patient with a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma involving the sacral nerve root, extension to extradural space, and the cranial nerve.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.494-498
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• 2015

Objective : To describe a novel spinous process-splitting hemilaminoplasty technique for the surgical treatment of intradural and posterior epidural lesions that promotes physiological restoration. Methods : The spinous process was split, the area of the facet lamina junction was drilled, and en bloc hemilaminectomy was then performed. After removing intradural and posterior epidural lesions, we fitted the previously en bloc-removed bone to the pre-surgery same shape, and held it in place with non-absorbable sutures. Surgery was performed on 16 laminas from a total of nine patients between 2011 and 2014. Bony union of the reconstructed lamina was assessed using computed tomography (CT) at 6 months after surgery. Results : Spinous process-slitting hemilaminoplasty was performed for intradural extramedullary tumors in eight patients and for ossification of the ligament flavum in one patient. Because we were able to visualize the margin of the ipsilateral and contralateral dura, we were able to secure space for removal of the lesion and closure of the dura. None of the cases showed spinal deformity or other complications. Bone fusion and maintenance of the spinal canal were found to be perfect on CT scans. Conclusion : The spinous process-splitting hemilaminoplasty technique presented here was successful in creating sufficient space to remove intradural and posterior epidural lesions and to close the dura. Furthermore, we were able to maintain the physiological barrier and integrity after surgery because the posterior musculature and bone structures were restored.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.14-18
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• 2013

Objective : Although removal of the anterior clinoid process (ACP) is essential surgical technique, studies about quantitative measurements of the space broadening by the anterior clinoidectomy are rare. The purposes of this study are to investigate the dimension of the ACP, to quantify the improved exposure of the parasellar space after extradural anterior clinoidectomy and to measure the correlation of each structure around the paraclinoidal area. Methods : Eleven formalin-fixed Korean adult cadaveric heads were used and frontotemporal craniotomies were done bilaterally. The length of C6 segment of the internal carotid artery on its lateral and medial side and optic nerve length were checked before and after anterior clinoidectomy. The basal width and height of the ACP were measured. The relationships among the paraclinoidal structures were assessed. The origin and projection of the ophthalmic artery (OA) were investigated. Results : The mean values of intradural basal width and height of the ACP were 10.82 mm and 7.61 mm respectively. The mean length of the C6 lateral and medial side increased 49%. The mean length of optic nerve increased 97%. At the parasellar area, the lengths from the optic strut to the falciform liament, distal dural ring, origin of OA were 6.69 mm, 9.36 mm and 5.99 mm, respectively. The distance between CN III and IV was 11.06 mm. Conclusion : With the removal of ACP, exposure of the C6 segments and optic nerve can expand 49% and 97%, respectively. This technique should be among a surgeon's essential skills for treating lesions around the parasellar area.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.439-442
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• 1996

Continuous epidural analgesia has been used widely for chronic pain control, especially in cancer patients. As one of the complications, paraplegia developed during continuous epidural analgesia may be caused by epidural abscess, epidural hematoma, neural damage, chronic adhesive arachnoiditis, anterior spinal artery syndrome, delayed migration of extradural catheter into subdural space or subarachnoid space and preexisting disease. A 55-years-old male with lung cancer was implanted with continuous thoracic epidural catheter for pain control. Twenty days after catheterization, moderate back pain, weakness of lower extremity and urinary difficulty were developed. We suspected epidural abscess at first and made differential diagnosis with MRI which showed metastatic cancer at T2-4 spine, And compressed spinal cord was the main cause of the lower extremity paralysis.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.283-287
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• 1996

Recently, continuous epidural catheter insertion is usually employed in operation and chronic pain control. Delayed migration of an extradural catheter into subdural space or subarachnoid space is a rare but life threatening complication of continuous epidural catheter insertion, especially with out patients. The symptoms may include lower extremity weakness, hypotension, drowsy and respiratory depression. We experienced two cases of lower extremity paralysis due to delayed migration into subdural or subarachnoid spaces at our pain clinic. The tecnical procedures for continuous epidural catheterization went smoothly without any complications. However, clinical signs of lower extremity paralysis and sensory loss developed gradually, about 2 hours and 30 minutes after the continuous epidural injection. Two cases were confirmed by subdurogram and myelogram.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.188-191
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• 1988

Recent studies have shown that narcotic drugs produce an intense prolonged analgesic action when injected into the subarachnoidal or extradural space of animals and man. In order to study the effects of intrathecal injection of morphine on postoperative pain relief and segmental block effect, we administered 0.25 mg of morphine sulfate (0.25 mg of morphine/1 ml normal saline) into lumbar subarachnoid space prior to brahial plexus block for upper extremity surgery group The results were as follows: 1) more than 20 hours analgesic effect at least 2) no segemental block effect in analgesia 3) some adverse effect (Nausea, Vomiting, Pruritus, Urinary retention).

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1677-1681
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• 2000

Microsurgical transthoracic extrapleural approach for thoracic discectomy in three cases were modified and simplified in order to achieve better exposure of ventral extradural space than posterolateral extrapleural(lateral extracavitary) approach and less pulmonary complications than transthoracic transpleural approach. These approaches were optimized by microscope and video-assistance. Surgery was followed by clinical improvement in all patients. The results of treatment seem to support the use of these modified techniques as adequate surgical treatment of thoracic disc herniations without any complications.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.519-522
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• 2003

An appearance of herniated intervertebral disc into thoracolumbar vertebral canal was evaluated in two patients using computed tomography (CT). Before CT scanning, plain radiography and myelography were performed in both cases. CT images were compared to those of myelography. Dogs were positioned in sternal recumbency under inhalation anesthesia and transverse slices with 2 mm thickness were obtained around thoracolumbar region. The transverse CT images were examined using both vertebral and spiral window mode. The most common findings on CT images were loss of vertebral canal epidural fat, bulging of vertebral canal disc margins, displacement of spinal cord and flatted vertebral canal. Whereas, narrowed intervertebral disc space and simple extradural pattern were the main findings on plain and contrast radiographs. CT imges showed the extent of the herniated disc lesion, type II intervertebral disc hernation, and the displacement of spinal cord in detail in both occations. It is considered that degree and precise localization of the intervertebral disc herniation and subtle lesion of spinal cord could be identified accurately using computed tomography.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.74-76
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• 2005

Cavernous angiomas represent 5 to 12% of spinal vascular malformations and usually are located at the vertebral body level with possible extension into the extradural space. The intradural intramedullary cavernous angioma occurs in about 3% of cases, whereas extramedullary localization is extremely rare. We report a case of intradural extramedullary cavernous angioma in which the patient presented with low back pain and both leg pain. The magnetic resonance imaging study showed intraspinal mass lesion at L1-2. It was removed totally through laminectomy of L1-2 and confirmed as cavernous angioma. The postoperative course was uneventful without any neurologic deficit. We report this unusual spinal malformation.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.296-304
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• 2018

Epiduroscopy is defined as a percutaneous, minimally invasive endoscopic investigation of the epidural space. Periduroscopy is currently used mainly as a diagnostic tool to directly visualize epidural adhesions in patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), and as a therapeutic action in patients with low back pain by accurately administering drugs, releasing inflammation, washing the epidural space, and mechanically releasing the scars displayed. Considering epiduroscopy a minimally invasive technique should not lead to underestimating its potential complications. The purpose of this review is to summarize and explain the mechanisms of the side effects strictly related to the technique itself, leaving aside complications considered typical for any kind of extradural procedure (e.g. adverse reactions due to the administration of drugs or bleeding) and not fitting the usual concept of epiduroscopy for which the data on its real usefulness are still lacking. The most frequent complications and side effects of epiduroscopy can be summarized as non-persistent post-procedural low back and/or leg discomfort/pain, transient neurological symptoms (headache, hearing impairment, paresthesia), dural puncture with or without post dural puncture headache (PDPH), post-procedural visual impairment with retinal hemorrhage, encephalopathy resulting in rhabdomyolysis due to a dural tear, intradural cyst, as well as neurogenic bladder and seizures. We also report for first time, to our knowledge, a case of symptomatic pneumocephalus after epiduroscopy, and try to explain the reason for this event and the precautions to avoid this complication.