• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제38권5호
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• pp.355-358
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• 2005

Objective : The purpose of this study is to analyze the patterns of intervertebral disc enhancement seen in infectious spondylitis, differentiate between two groups[tuberculous vs pyogenic spondylitis]. Methods : Between January 1994 and December 2002, 83patients underwent operative procedure with confirmed to histopathologic evaluation. Magnetic resonance[MR] images were obtained in all patients and were analyzed retrospectively. 57patients had tuberculosis and 26patients were infected by pyogens. The patterns of gadolinium enhancement of disc were classified into 4 types[post's classification] : Type I, non-enhancing; Type II, enhancement of the peripheral rim; Type III, Type II with central area and partial endplate; Type IV, general enhancement. Results : The enhancement patterns observed were as follows : Common pattern of tuberculous spondylitis was Type II, and pyogenic spondylitis was Type III. [p < 0.01] This difference may result from pathophysiologic varieties of organisms. Conclusion : Careful preoperative MR analysis of the patterns of disc enhancement occuring in infectious spondylitis can be useful for differentiating between the tuberculous and pyogenic spondylitis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제52권4호
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• pp.423-426
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• 2012

Spinal infection is an inflammatory process around the vertebral body, and it can extend to the epidural space, posterior elements and paravertebral soft tissues. Infectious spondylitis is a rare infectious disorder, which is often associated with significant neurologic deficits and mortality. When an extensive soft tissue defect is accompanied by infectious spondylitis, effective infection control and proper coverage of soft tissue are directly connected to successful outcomes. However, it is not simple to choose the appropriate treatment methods for infectious spondylitis accompanied by a soft tissue defect. Herein, we report a case of severe infectious spondylitis that was accompanied by an extensive soft tissue defect which was closed with a reverse latissimus muscle flap after traumatic spinal epidural hemorrhage.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제62권4호
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• pp.487-491
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• 2019

Conservative therapy with appropriate antibiotics is essential for most patients with infectious spondylitis. Although most antibiotics do not cause problems if it used properly and serious side effects are rare, side effects can occur with any class of drugs and adverse reactions of antibiotics can range from mild allergic reactions to serious and fulminant adverse events. These side effects are also extremely variable from patient to patient and from antibiotic to antibiotic. A side effect of antibiotics may paradoxically increase inflammatory marker levels. Here, the author presents two cases of antibiotic-induced increase in inflammatory markers in cured infectious spondylitis. The patients were successfully treated after stopping the antibiotic therapy. The differential diagnosis between antibiotic side effects and infection should be considered very carefully because the treatment is completely different. Although the exact mechanisms underlying successful treatment without antibiotics are unclear, we should consider the side effects of antibiotics when following inflammatory markers during treatment of infectious spondylitis.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.152-157
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• 2002

목적 : 척추종판 주위 골수를 주로 침범하는 Medic I형 퇴행성 척추와 감염성 척추염은 고식적 자기공명영상에서 유사한 신호강도를 보여 간혹 감별이 어려운 경우가 있다. 퇴행성 척추와 감염성 척추염의 감별에 있어 확산강조 자기공명영상의 유용성을 알아보고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: CT 유도하 조직검사 혹은 임상 적으로 진단이 가능하였던 감염성 척추염 14예와 Medic I형 퇴행성 척추 8예를 대상으로 하였다 전 예에서 스핀 에코와 확산강조 척추 자기공명 영상을 시행하였다 확산강조 영상은 PSIF(reversed fast imaging with steady-state precession) 기법에 의래 시행되었다. 퇴행성 척추와 감염성 척추염의 스핀 에코와 확산강조영상에서 침범골수의 신호강도를 비교하였다. 결과: T1-강조영상에서는 Medic I형의 퇴행성 척추와 감염성 척추염 모두에서 저신호강도를 보였다. T2-강조영상에서는 Medic I형의 퇴행성 척추는 모두 고신호강도를 보였고, 감염성 척추염은 11예에서는 고신호강도를, 3예에서는 불균질한 혼합신호강도를 보였다. 확산강조영상에서는 Modic I형의 퇴행성 척추는 전 예에서 정상 척추에 비해 저신호 강도로 보였으나, 감염성 척추염은 11예서는 고신호강도로, 3예서는 저신호강도로 보였다. 퇴행성 척추의 경우 저신호강도 주위로 고신호강도를 동반하였다. 결론: 결론적으로 확산강조 자기공명영상은 Medic I형 퇴행성 척추와 감염성 척추염의 감별에 도움을 준다. 확산강조 영상에서 고신호강도를 보이는 경우는 감염성 척추염을 시사하는 소견이며, 주위 고신호강도를 가지는 저신호강도는 Medic I형 퇴행성 척추를 시사한다 총담관 확장의 원인을 찾는데 있어서 MRCP는 총담관 원위부 협착 및 만성 췌장염, 역동적 MRCP를 이용한 생리적 총담관의 확장, 조영증강 MRI 를 통한 담관염 및 담관 외 병소의 발견 등에 있어서 도움이 되는 것으로 생각된다.여를 요구하게 되었다. 자녀양육에 대한 책임인식 공유와 자녀와의 많은 시간공유 등 보다 적극적인 참여가 현대 사회의 이상적이고 바람직한 아버지상으로 요구되었으며 아버지의 역할에 대한 문화적 관심과 사회적 기대가 높아지게 된 것이다. 이러한 사실을 인지하여 아버지는 바람직한 자녀의 인성발달 및 여러 영역에 걸친 발달을 위하여 항상 애정과 관심을 가지고 적극적으로 참여해야 할 것이다. 자녀양육은 더 이상 어머니 혼자의 역할이 아닌 부모 둘 다의 몫이며 교임이므로 부모들은 좋은 가정을 만들고 좋은 부모가 되기 위해서 끊임없이 자신을 갈고 닦으며 노력을 기울여야 할 것이다.서 이들 4개 지표로서 전체의 927%를 설명할 수 있다. 7. 자치구별 평가는 모든 음식점에서 식재료 보관시설(냉장, 냉동), 불량부정식품 사용여부, 남은 반찬의 폐기, 식당상태 등에서는 비교적 양호하였으나, 주방의 청결상태, 식재료 창고의 관리 및 주방 근무직원의 위생상태는 열악하였다. 평가 지표 14개의 총 평가결과가 가장 우수한 자치구는 동작구였으며, 다음으로 서대문구, 금천구, 성동구, 마포구의 순서이었다. 나머지 20개 자치구는 모두 보통이상으로 평가되었다. 8. 음식점 업태 별로 주방과 식당의 청결도 평가에서 가장 중요한 요인은 주방의 내부설비(바닥, 벽면, 천장, 환풍기, 기구 등) 또는 주방종업원의 근무 환경(주방의 환기설비, 설치 및 쾌적한 환경상태유지)이었다. 그러나

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제56권1호
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• pp.21-27
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• 2014

Objective : Infectious spinal disease is regarded as an infection by a specific organism that affects the vertebral body, intervertebral disc and adjacent perivertebral soft tissue. Its incidence seems to be increasing as a result of larger proportion of the older patients with chronic debilitating disease, the rise of intravenous drug abuser, and the increase in spinal procedure and surgery. In Korea, studies assessing infectious spinal disease are rare and have not been addressed in recent times. The objectives of this study are to describe the epidemiology of all kind of spinal infectious disease and their clinical and microbiological characteristics as well as to assess the diagnostic methodology and the parameters related to the outcomes. Methods : A retrospective study was performed in all infectious spinal disease cases presenting from January 2005 to April 2010 to three tertiary teaching hospitals within a city of 1.5 million in Korea. Patient demographics, risk factors, clinical features, and outcomes were assessed. Risk factors entailed the presence of diabetes, chronic renal failure, liver cirrhosis, immunosuppressants, remote infection, underlying malignancy and previous spinal surgery or procedure. We comparatively analyzed the results between the groups of pyogenic and tuberculous spinal infection. SPSS version 14 statistical software was used to perform the analyses of the data. The threshold for statistical significance was established at p<0.05. Results : Ninety-two cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Overall, patients of tuberculous spinal infection (TSI) and pyogenic spinal infection (PSI) entailed 20 (21.7%) and 72 (78.3%) cases, respectively. A previous spinal surgery or procedure was the most commonly noted risk factor (39.1%), followed by diabetes (15.2%). The occurrence of both pyogenic and tuberculous spondylitis was predominant in the lumbar spine. Discs are more easily invaded in PSI. At initial presentation, white cell blood count and C-reactive protein levels were higher in PSI compared to TSI (p<0.05). Etiological agents were identified in 53.3%, and the most effective method for identification of etiological agents was tissue culture (50.0%). Staphyococcus aureus was the most commonly isolated infective agent associated with pyogenic spondylitis, followed by E. coli. Surgical treatment was performed in 31.5% of pyogenic spondylitis and in 35.0% of tuberculous spondylitis cases. Conclusion : Many previous studies in Korea usually reported that tuberculous spondylitis is the predominant infection. However, in our study, the number of pyogenic infection was 3 times greater than that of tuberculous spinal disease. Etiological agents were identified in a half of all infectious spinal disease. For better outcomes, we should try to identify the causative microorganism before antibiotic therapy and make every effort to improve the result of culture and biopsy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제63권2호
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• pp.218-227
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• 2020

Objective : To evaluate and compare the clinical and radiographic features of 25 patients with infectious spondylitis treated with anterior debridement and reconstruction using autogenous bone grafts vs. a metal cage with allogenic bone grafts. Methods : The study analyzed 25 patients diagnosed with infectious thoracolumbar spondylitis who underwent anterior radical debridement and reconstruction. Autogenous bone grafts were used in 13 patients (group 1), and a metal cage with allogenic bone grafts was used in 12 patients (group 2). Clinical outcomes were assessed by the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and neurological status. Additionally, the serological results and the radiographic results using the sagittal Cobb angle were compared. Fusion was evaluated by computed tomography (CT) imaging at 24 months postoperatively. Results : Both groups showed a significant decrease in the postoperative mean VAS scores; however, only, group 1 patients showed a significantly higher VAS score than group 2 patients, 1 month postoperatively (p=0.002). The postoperative neurological status significantly improved. Elevated C-reactive protein levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate values returned to normal limits at the 2-year follow-up without recurrent infection. No significant intergroup difference was observed in Cobb angle. Bony fusion was confirmed in all patients at CT 24 months postoperatively. Conclusion : Although the use of a metal cage with allogenic bone grafts for anterior column reconstruction remains controversial, our results suggest that it can be considered as an effective treatment of option for anterior column reconstruction in patients with infectious spondylitis.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.219-223
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• 2007

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are well-known, useful techniques for the treatment of painful vertebral compression fractures. Although the risk associated with these procedures is low, serious complications can occur. Of these complications, infection is even rarer, however, when it does occur, it is difficult to manage and can become life-threatening. We describe here a case of infectious spondylitis with epidural inflammation that occurred after performing kyphoplasty in a patient who had a thoracic vertebra compression fracture. We reviewed other case and literatures. Extreme asepsis of the operating theater, screening and treatment for systemic infection prior to the procedure, as well as the use of appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis are strongly recommended when conducting kyphoplasty to prevent infection.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제61권1호
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• pp.81-88
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• 2018

Objective : Spondylitis is often chemotherapy resistant and requires long-term treatment. Without adequate chemotherapy, the outcome can be fatal or result in severe neurologic damage. Therefore, differentiating the etiology of spondylitis is very important, particularly in spontaneous cases. As the prevalence of tuberculosis in Korea has decreased in recent years, updated clinical research about spondylitis is warranted. Methods : From April 2010 to March 2016, data from spondylitis patients were collected retrospectively. In total, 69 patients (51 with pyogenic spondylitis and 18 with tuberculous spondylitis) were included. Clinical data, laboratory findings including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) level, measurements of Cobb angles at the initial and final follow-up, and radiologic features on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were evaluated. To test differences between the pyogenic and tuberculous groups, numerical data were compared using the student's t-test and Mann-Whitney U test, and categorical data were compared using the chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. Results : The patients' mean age was 60.0 years. Male sex was slightly predominant (56.5%). There was no difference in mean age and sex between the two groups. The pyogenic group had a relatively higher proportion of immunocompromised patients. The peak CRP value was higher in the pyogenic group than in the tuberculous group (14.08 mg/dL and 8.50 mg/dL, respectively, p=0.009), whereas the ESR was not significantly different between the groups (81.5 mm/h and 75.6 mm/h, respectively, p=0.442). Radiologically, the presence of disc space sparing and vertebral body collapse differed between the groups. In the tuberculous group, the disc was more commonly preserved on contrast-enhanced MRI (50% and 23.5%, respectively, p=0.044), and vertebral body collapse was more common (66.6% and 15.7%, respectively, p<0.001). The mean length of hospitalization was longer in the pyogenic group (56.5 days and 41.2 days, respectively, p=0.001). Four mortality cases were observed only in the pyogenic group. The most commonly isolated microorganism in the pyogenic group was Staphylococcus aureus(S. aureus) (methicillin susceptible S. aureus and methicillin resistant S. aureus [MRSA] in 8 and 4 cases, respectively). Conclusion : The clinical and radiological manifestations of spontaneous spondylitis differ based on the causative organism. Pyogenic spondylitis patients tend to have a higher CRP level and a more severe clinical course, whereas tuberculous spondylitis patients present with destruction of the vertebral body with disc sparing more frequently. The presence of MRSA is increasing in community-acquired spondylitis cases.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.56-60
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• 2022

The most common cause of foot drop is lumbar degenerative disc herniation, particularly at L4/5. We present a rare case of spinal cord injury accompanied by a thoracolumbar lesion that presented with bilateral foot drop. A 69-year-old male patient presented with sudden-onset severe bilateral leg pain and bilateral foot drop. Radiologic findings revealed T12 spondylitis compressing the conus medullaris. He had undergone vertebroplasty for a T12 compression fracture after a fall 6 months before. A physical examination showed bilateral foot drop, paresthesia of both L5 dermatomes, increased deep tendon reflex, and a positive Babinski sign. An acute bilateral L5 root lesion and a conus medullaris lesion were suspected based on electromyography. A surgical procedure was done for decompression and reconstruction. After the operation, bilateral lower extremity muscle strength recovered to a good grade from the trace grade, and the patient could walk without a cane. The current case is a very rare report of bilateral foot drop associated with T12 infectious spondylitis after vertebroplasty. It is essential to keep in mind that lesions of the thoracolumbar junction can cause atypical neurological symptoms. Furthermore, understanding the conus medullaris and nerve root anatomy at the T12-L1 level will be helpful for treating patients with atypical neurological symptoms.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제63권6호
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• pp.784-793
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• 2020

Objective : We attempted to compare the incidence of pyogenic spondylitis (PS) and tuberculous spondylitis (TS) between 2007 and 2016. Furthermore, we investigated the patients who underwent surgery in 2016 compared to that in 2007. Methods : We used a nationwide database managed by the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) in 2007 and 2016. Total 9655 patients with a newly diagnosis of PS or TS were enrolled in PS or TS group. Among them, 1721 patients underwent either fusion or decompression surgery. We analyzed demographic distribution of patients according to gender and age and year of diagnosis. Results : Comparing between 2007 and 2016, the incidence of PS has increased in 2016 than in 2007 (4874 vs. 2431, p<0.0001). Conversely, declination of incidence of TS was discovered in 2016 compared to 2007 (594 vs. 1756, p<0.0001). Females showed predominance over males regarding both PS and TS (5228 vs. 4427, p<0.0001). Among them, the number of PS patients who underwent surgery increased significantly in 2016 relative to that in 2007 (979 vs. 592, p<0.0001). Conclusion : This nationwide study suggests that PS may increase and TS may decrease in Korea. In addition, demand for surgery regarding PS may increase.