• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.18-25
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• 2018

Purpose: To investigate the various imaging factors associated with aggravation of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and develop a scoring system for prediction of LDH aggravation. Materials and Methods: From 2015 to 2017, we retrospectively reviewed the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of 60 patients (30 patients with aggravated LDH and 30 patients without any altered LDH). Imaging factors for MRI evaluation included the level of LDH, disc degeneration, back muscle atrophy, facet joint degeneration, ligamentum flavum thickness and interspinous ligament degeneration. Flexion-extension difference was measured with simple radiography. The scoring system was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: The aggravated group manifested a higher grade of disc degeneration, back muscle atrophy and facet degeneration than the control group. The ligamentum flavum thickness in the aggravated group was thicker than in the group with unaltered LDH. The summation score was defined as the sum of the grade of disc degeneration, back muscle atrophy and facet joint degeneration. The area under the ROC curve showing the threshold value of the summation score for prediction of aggravation of LDH was 0.832 and the threshold value corresponded to 6.5. Conclusion: Disc degeneration, facet degeneration, back muscle atrophy and ligamentum flavum thickness are important factors in predicting aggravation of LDH and may facilitate the determination of treatment strategy in patients with LDH. The summation score is available as supplemental data.

• 대한정형외과학회지
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• 제56권5호
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• pp.413-418
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• 2021

목적: 경추에서 후관절 비대칭성이 후관절 퇴행과 추간판 퇴행에 미치는 영향력에 대해 조사하고자 한다. 대상 및 방법: 2017년 1월부터 2018년 12월까지 총 100명의 환자를 대상으로 경추 제5-6번의 후관절 비대칭성을 후향적으로 분석하였다. 컴퓨터 단층촬영(computed tomography, CT)에서 수평면, 시상면, 관상면에 대한 양쪽 후관절 각도를 측정하였으며 자기공명영상 촬영(magnetic resonance imaging, MRI) 및 CT에서 후관절의 퇴행을 등급 체계를 이용하여 평가하였다. 추간판 퇴행은 MRI 시상면, 수평면에서 5등급으로 나누어 평가하였다. 좌우 후관절 각도 차이가 7도 이상인 경우를 비대칭군으로, 7도 미만인 경우를 대조군으로 구분하였다. 결과: 환자의 평균 나이는 비대칭군에서 55.44±12.3세(31-81세)였으며 대조군에서는 55.66±10.7세(32-76세)였다. 비대칭군의 경우 남성이 32명, 여성이 18명이었고 대조군에서는 남성이 24명, 여성이 26명이었다. 관절 퇴행은 비대칭군에서 24명(48.0%), 대조군에서 14명(28.0%)으로 측정되었으며 유의한 차이를 보였다(p=0.037). 추간판 퇴행은 비대칭군에서 29명(58.0%), 대조군에서 17명(34.0%)으로 측정되었으며 유의한 차이를 보였다(p=0.005). 다변량 분석 결과상 후관절 비대칭성이 후관절 퇴행과 추간판 퇴행에 영향을 주는 인자였다. 결론: 경추 제5-6번에서 경추 후관절 퇴행 및 추간판 퇴행이 유의하게 많이 발생하였으며 후관절 비대칭성이 후관절 퇴행 및 추간판 퇴행에 영향을 주는 인자로 생각된다.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.187-194
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to observe the correlation between modic type changes 2 and facet joint arthrosis. Methods : We randomly selected the 93 patients with Lumbar MRI films who had been admitted to Haeundae Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital from January to June 2015. Modic type changes 2 and facet joint arthrosis data were collected and statistically analyzed. Results : In this study, if the findings of the MRI showed modic type changes 2, the cases of facet joint arthrosis increased. Conclusions : There was a significant correlation between modic type changes 2 and facet joint arthrosis.

• 대한정형외과학회지
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• 제52권1호
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• pp.65-72
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• 2017

목적: 후관절 근접 낭종이 동반된 퇴행성 요추부 질환으로 수술 받은 23명의 환자를 대상으로 방사선적 특징과 임상적 결과를 분석하고자 한다. 대상 및 방법: 23명의 환자를 대상으로 척추관 협착증 동반 여부, 불안정성, 척추 전방 전위증 동반 여부, 낭종의 위치 및 방향, 후관절의 퇴행성 변화 정도, 후관절 각도, 추간판 퇴행 정도를 확인하였다. 모든 환자에게 광범위 감압술 및 기기고정 유합술을 시행하였다. 임상적 결과를 Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire 및 visual analogue scale을 이용하여 평가하였다. 결과: 23예 중 19예(82.6%)에서 척추관 협착증이 동반되었고, 4예(17.4%)에서는 후관절 낭종이 독립적으로 존재하였다. 이 중 7예(30.4%)에서 불안정성과 전방 전위가 동반되었다. 낭종의 발생은 제4-5 요추간(69.6%)이 가장 많았으며 이환된 병변측의 후관절이 반대측에 비하여 심한 퇴행성 변화를 보였다. 후관절 각도는 좌 우측에 유의한 차이가 없었으며 해당 분절의 추간판은 17예(69.6%)에서 퇴행성 변화를 보였다. 임상적 결과는 수술 후 2년 추시 양호하였다. 결론: 낭종의 발생과 퇴행성 변화는 유의한 상관관계가 있었으며 후관절 낭종과 동반된 퇴행성 요추부 질환에서 광범위 감압술 및 유합술이 좋은 임상적 결과을 얻어 유용한 술식으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제49권5호
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• pp.308-313
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• 2011

Posterior cervical foraminotomy is an attractive therapeutic option in selected cases of cervical radiculopathy that maintains cervical range of motion and minimize adjacent-segment degeneration. The focus of this procedure is to preserve as much of the facet as possible with decompression. Posterior cervical inclinatory foraminotomy (PCIF) is a new technique developed to offer excellent results by inclinatory decompression with minimal facet resection. The highlight of our PCIF technique is the use of inclinatory drilling out for preserving more of facet joint. The operative indications are radiculopathy from cervical foraminal stenosis (single or multilevel) with persistent or recurrent root symptoms. The PCIFs were performed between April 2007 and December 2009 on 26 male and 8 female patients with a total of 55 spinal levels. Complete and partial improvement in radiculopathic pain were seen in 26 patients (76%), and 8 patients (24%), respectively, with preserving more of facet joint. We believe that PCIF allows for preserving more of the facet joint and capsule when decompressing cervical foraminal stenosis due to spondylosis. We suggest that our PCIF technique can be an effective alternative surgical approach in the management of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제61권2호
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• pp.243-250
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• 2018

Objective : To compare the morphometry of subaxial cervical spine between cerebral palsy (CP) and normal control. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed 72 patients with CP, as well as 72 patients from normal population. The two groups were matched for age, sex, and body mass index. Pedicle, lateral mass (LM), and vertebral foramen were evaluated using computed tomography (CT) imaging. Pedicle diameter, LM height, thickness, width and vertebral foramen asymmetry (VFA) were measured and compared between the two groups. Cervical dynamic motion, disc and facet joint degeneration were investigated. Additionally, we compared the morphology of LM between convex side and concave side with cervical scoliotic CP patients. Results : LM height was smaller in CP group. LM thickness and width were larger in CP group at mid-cervical level. In 40 CP patients with cervical scoliosis, there were no height and width differences between convex and concave side. Pedicle outer diameter was not statistically different between two groups. Pedicle inner diameter was significantly smaller in CP group. Pedicle sclerosis was more frequent in CP patients. VFA was larger in CP group at C3, C4, and C5. Disc/facet degeneration grade was higher in the CP group. Cervical motion of CP group was smaller than those of the control group. Conclusion : LM morphology of CP patients was different from normal population. Sclerotic pedicles and vertebral foramen asymmetry were more commonly identified in CP patients. CP patients were more likely to demonstrate progressive disc/facet degeneration. This data may provide useful information on cervical posterior instrumentation in CP patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제37권5호
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• pp.364-369
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• 2005

Objective: Spinal instrumentation without fusion often fails due to biological failure of intervertebral joints (spontaneous fusion, degeneration, etc). The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of fixation rigidity on viability of intervertebral joints. Methods: Twenty pigs in growing period were subjected to posterior segmental fixation. Twelve were fixed with a rigid fixation system(RF) while eight were fixed with a flexible unconstrained implant(FF). At the time of the surgery, a scoliosis was created to monitor fixation adequacy. The pigs were subjected to periodic radiological examinations and 12pigs (six in RF, six in FF) were euthanized at 12-18months postoperatively for analysis. Results: The initial scoliotic curve was reduced from $31{\pm}5^{\circ}$ to $27{\pm}8^{\circ}$ in RF group (p=0.37) and from $19{\pm}4^{\circ}$ to $17{\pm}5^{\circ}$ in FF group (p=0.21). Although severe disc degeneration and spontaneous fusion of facet joints were observed in RF group, disc heights of FF group were well maintained without major signs of degeneration. Conclusion: The viability of the intervertebral joints depends on motion spinal fixation. Systems allowing intervertebral micromotion may preserve the viability of intervertebral discs and the facet joint articular cartilages while maintaining a reasonably stable fixation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.358-365
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• 2001

Objectives : Although posterior lumbar fusion operations had been reported to accelerate spinal degeneration, there have been only a few studies for their biomechanical effects. We have studied the change of motion range at the vertebral joint one level above the fusion(UVJ) in pedicle screw fixation group(PSF)(n=13) where facet capsule was destroyed and in posterior lumbar interbody fusion group(PLIF)(n=8) where it was spared. Patients and Methods : The patients were divided into early(3 to 6 months) and late(over 12 months) according to postoperative follow-up period. The flexion, extension and flexion-extension angles(FA, EA, FEA) were measured at the UVJ with pre-operative, early and late post-operative films. Results : Mean age and male to female ratio were $52.7{\pm}9.3$ and 1 : 3.2. Mean follow-up periods were $144.1{\pm}30.0$ and $528.8{\pm}160.3$ days in early and late groups, respectively. The FEA and FA in the late PSF($11.8{\pm}3.1$, $8.5{\pm}2.9$) were significantly greater than pre-operative angles($7.8{\pm}3.9$, $5.1{\pm}3.7$)(p<0.01, p<0.05). All angles in the PLIF showed no significant changes with time. The FEA and FA in the late PSF($11.8{\pm}3.1$, $8.5{\pm}2.9$) were significantly greater than those of the late PLIF($7.6{\pm}2.3$, $3.4{\pm}2.0$)(p<0.01, p<0.001). All angles at early follow-up period were similar between PSF and PLIF. The EA showed no significant change in relation with follow-up period or fusion method. Conclusion : As a result, the facet capsule injury in pedicle screw fixation seems to be related with increased flexion angle or degeneration of the adjacent joint above the fused vertebra in the late phase.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.24-31
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• 2009

Objective : To investigate the effectiveness of radiographic parameters on segmental instability in the lumbar spine using Kinetic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods : Segmental motion, defined as excessive (more than 3 mm) translational motion from flexion to extension, was investigated in 309 subjects (927 segments) using Kinetic MRI. Radiographic parameters which can help indicate segmental instability include disc degeneration (DD), facet joint osteoarthritis (FJO), and ligament flavum hypertrophy (LFH). These three radiographic parameters were simultaneously evaluated, and the combinations corresponding to significant segmental instability at each level were determined. Results : The overall incidence of segmental instability was 10.5% at L3-L4, 16.5% at L4-L5, and 7.3% at L5-S1. DD and LFH at L3-L4 and FJO and LFH at L4-L5 were individually associated with segmental instability (p<0.05). At L4-L5, the following combinations had a higher incidence of segmental instability (p<0.05) when compared to other segments : (1) Grade IV DD with grade 3 FJO, (2) Grade 2 or 3 FJO with the presence of LFH, and (3) Grade IV DD with the presence of LFH. At L5-S1, the group with Grade III disc and Grade 3 FJO had a higher incidence of segmental instability than the group with Grade I or II DD and Grade 1 FJO. Conclusion : This study showed that the presences of either Grade IV DD or grade 3 FJO with LFH at L4-L5 were good indicators for segmental instability. Therefore, using these parameters simultaneously in patients with segmental instability would be useful for determining candidacy for surgical treatment.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.368-373
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• 2013

Background: Bertolotti's syndrome (BS), a form of lumbago in lumbosacral transitional vertebrae, is an important cause of low back pain in young patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the etiology of low back pain and the efficacy of treatment offered to patients with BS. Methods: All patients of BS Castellvi type1a during a period of 6 months were enrolled in the study. The patients underwent interventional pain procedures for diagnosis and pain relief. Response to the therapy was assessed based on VAS and ODI scores. A 50% decrease in VAS score or a VAS score less than 3 would be considered adequate pain relief. Results: All 20 patients diagnosed with BS during the 6-month observation period had scoliosis. Common causes of back pain were the ipsilateral L5-S1 facet joint, neoarticulation, the SI joint, and disc degeneration. Responses to various interventions for pain relief were different and inconsistent from patient to patient. In particular, responses to interventions for neoarticular pain were generally poor. Conclusions: Pain in patients with BS does not usually respond to interventional pain treatment. A very dynamic treatment approach must be pursued while managing BS patients, and the treatment plan must be individualized at various stages in order to obtain satisfactory pain relief.