• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.166-169
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• 2008

Sacral insufficiency fractures are usually known to develop in elderly patients with osteoporosis without definite trauma history. It is difficult to diagnose the sacral insufficiency fracture at an early stage because lower lumbar diseases. concurrently or not, may also be presented with similar symptoms and signs. We report a rare case of sacral insufficiency fracture who was not diagnosed initially but, instead, showed progressively worsening of clinical symptoms and radiological findings after decompression surgery for upper level lumbar stenosis.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.213-220
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• 2014

Insufficiency fracture occurs when normal or physiological stress applied to weakened bone with demineralization and decreased elastic resistance. Recently, many studies reported the development of IF after radiation therapy (RT) in gynecological cancer, prostate cancer, anal cancer and rectal cancer. The RT-induced insufficiency fracture is a common complication during the follow-up using modern imaging studies. The clinical suspicion and knowledge the characteristic imaging patterns of insufficiency fracture is essential to differentiate it from metastatic bone lesions, because it sometimes cause severe pain, and it may be confused with bone metastasis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.58-63
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• 2010

Sacral insufficiency fracture is a debilitating injury not easily found in general radiologic examinations and is rarely diagnosed, since its symptoms are obscure. It is known to frequently occur in patients with osteoporosis, but the treatment has not yet been established and various kinds of treatment methods are being attempted. Sacroplasty is sometimes performed by applying percutaneous vertebroplasty which is known to be a less invasive treatment. Since the course of diagnosis of sacral insufficiency fracture is difficult and clear guidelines for treatments have not yet been established, many spine surgeons fail to diagnose patients or speculate on treatment methods. We report our experience in diagnosing a sacral insufficiency fracture in a 54-year-old healthy female patient using MRI and treating her with sacroplasty. From a therapeutic point of view, we then cover the usefulness, effects and characteristics relating to the complications of sacroplasty, along with literature review.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 2020

We report a case of a healthy 38-year-old man presenting with insufficiency fracture of proximal tibia associated with unrecognized osteoporosis. Radiologic bone DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) assessment revealed osteoporosis, but the patient displayed no apparent risk factors for insufficiency fractures and osteoporosis except for a history of smoking. Following right proximal tibial open reduction and internal fixation, the patient commenced smoking cessation and began taking alendronate. The patient was treated for gait rehabilitation, which included quadriceps strengthening exercises and his condition improved with independent walking. This report highlights an unusual site of proximal tibial insufficiency fractures and the potential effect of smoking on low bone mineral density in a young male patient.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.73-76
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• 2015

The calcaneal insufficiency avulsion fracture usually occurs in an area of fused apophysis in adults without significant history of trauma or overuse activities. It is an uncommon injury which has been described in patients with complicated diabetes, Charcot neuroarthropathy, amyloidosis with neuropathy, severe osteoporosis, and other conditions. Discussion of the issue of fracture location is still not sufficient. We report on a case of a 50-year-old male who experienced a non-traumatic diabetic calcaneal insufficiency fracture. Intraoperatively, a biopsy specimen was obtained from the exposed fracture site for histological study. We assume that the calcaneal fused apophyseal line is the weak point of failure due to various incomplete mixtures of trabecular bone, woven bone, and cartilaginous tissues, and may fail when repeated tensile stress is imposed.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.229-232
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• 2008

Insufficiency fractures of the sacrum are relatively common and cause severe low back and buttock pain. Percutaneous vertebroplasty is effective for treating vertebral compression fractures. We present a case of percutaneous sacroplasty for the treatment of low back and buttock pain in a sacral insufficiency fracture. A 79-year-old male with non-small lung cancer presented with severe low back and buttock pain after series of radiation treatments. Preoperative MRI showed both a sacral ala and S2 metastatic insufficiency fracture. An epidural port was inserted for continuous morphine infusion and sacral nerve root blocks were performed. However, his pain did not diminish and we attempted percutaneous sacroplasty. Both sides of the sacroplasty were done with a fluoroscopy-guided technique with 1.7 ml and 2.3 ml of bone cement injected into the right and left sacral ala. Pain relief was significant and the patient was able to sit down 1 day after the procedure.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.258-266
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• 2018

Objective : The diagnosis of insufficiency fractures of the sacrum in an elder population increases annually. Fractures show very different morphology. We aimed to classify sacral insufficiency fractures according to the position of cortical break and possible need for intervention. Methods : Between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2014, all patients with a proven fracture of the sacrum following a low-energy or an even unnoticed trauma were prospectively registered : 117 females and 13 males. All patients had a computer tomography of the pelvic ring, two patients had a magnetic resonance imaging additionally : localization and involvement of the fracture lines into the sacroiliac joint, neural foramina or the spinal canal were identified. Results : Patients were aged between 46 and 98 years (mean, 79.8 years). Seventy-seven patients had an unilateral fracture of the sacral ala, 41 bilateral ala fractures and 12 patients showed a fracture of the sacral corpus : a total of 171 fractures were analyzed. The first group A included fractures of the sacral ala which were assessed to have no or less mechanical importance (n=53) : fractures with no cortical disruption ("bone bruise") (A1; n=2), cortical deformation of the anterior cortical bone (A2; n=4), and fracture of the anterolateral rim of ala (A3; n=47). Complete fractures of the sacral ala (B; n=106) : parallel to the sacroiliac joint (B1; n=63), into the sacroiliac joint (B2; n=19), and involvement of the sacral foramina respectively the spinal canal (B3; n=24). Central fractures involving the sacral corpus (C; n=12) : fracture limited to the corpus or finishing into one ala (C1; n=3), unidirectional including the neural foramina or the spinal canal or both (C2; n=2), and horizontal fractures of the corpus with bilateral sagittal completion (C3; n=8). Sixty-eight fractures proceeded into the sacroiliac joint, 34 fractures showed an injury of foramina or canal. Conclusion : The new classification allowes the differentiation of fractures of less mechanical importance and a risk assessment for possible polymethyl methacrylate leaks during sacroplasty in the direction of the neurological structures. In addition, identification of instable fractures in need for laminectomy and surgical stabilization is possible.

• Journal of the Korean Fracture Society
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.186-191
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the radiological and epidemiological characteristics, as well as the clinical course of pelvic insufficiency fractures in the elderly population. Materials and Methods: At a Haeundae Paik Hospital, we retrospectively reviewed patients with pelvic insufficiency fractures between March 2010 and May 2017. The demographic data of patients were analyzed, and bone mineral density and bone turnover markers were evaluated to estimate the metabolic status of the bone. The radiological characteristics were evaluated by comparing the simple x-ray images with the computed tomography images, and the types of fractures were classified via computed tomography images. For clinical course evaluation, we investigated comorbid complications, and compared the walking ability scale before and 6 months after the fracture. Results: A total of 42 patients were included, with an average age of 76.5 years. All were female except one case. In 5 cases where the initial medical examination was from another institution, the fracture was not found in 3 cases. All cases received conservative treatment. After the diagnosis of pelvic bone fracture using a simple x-ray imaging, additional fractures were found in 81.0% of the study population using a computed tomography. Initiation of gait occurred at an average of 2.8 weeks, and every case except 1 (97.6%) fully recovered their gait ability. Conclusion: We concluded that there was a limitation with diagnosing pelvic insufficiency fracture using only a simple x-ray imaging technique. In general, cases in this study showed conservative treatment yielded favorable clinical outcome with relatively less critical complications.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.269-276
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• 2011

Purpose: To determine the incidence, risk factors, and clinical characteristics of pelvic insufficiency fracture (PIF) in patients with cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: Between July 2004 and August 2009, 235 patients with non-metastatic cervical cancer were treated with definitive chemoradiation or postoperative radiotherapy. Among 235 patients, 117 (49.8%) underwent the first positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) within 1 year after radiotherapy. The median radiation dose was 55 Gy (range, 45 to 60 Gy). Medical charts and imaging studies, including PET/CT, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CT. bone scintigraphy were reviewed to evaluate the patients with PIF. Results: Among 235 patients, 16 developed PIF. The 5-year detection rate of PIF was 9.5%. The 5-year detection rate of PIF in patients who underwent the first PET/CT within a year was 15.6%. The median time to development of PIF was 12.5 months (range, 5 to 30 months). The sites of fracture included 12 sacroiliac joints, 3 pubic rami, 3 iliac bones, and 1 femoral neck. Eleven of 16 patients having PIF complained of hip pain requiring medications. One patient required hospitalization for pain control. The significant risk factors of PIF were old age, body mass index less than 23, bone mineral density less than -3.5 SD, and the first PET/CT within a year after radiotherapy. Radiation dose and concurrent chemotherapy had no impact on PIF rate. Conclusion: PIFs were not rare after pelvic radiotherapy in cervical cancer patients in the era of PET/CT. Timely diagnosis and management of PIF can improve quality of life in patients with cervical cancer, in addition to reducing unnecessary medical expenses.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.16-21
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• 2010

The prevalence of overuse syndrome in the lower extremity including chronic compartment syndrome and stress fracture is increasing with popularity of sports activities. Chronic compartment syndrome is defined as elevation of the interstitial pressure during exertional activities in a closed osseofascial compartment that results in microvascular compromise and operative procedures can be necessary if conservative treatments fail. Stress fracture can be classified as fatigue and insufficiency fracture; stress fracture occurs by repeated strain under abnormal conditions from the patient's activity whereas insufficiency fracture does by those from a process intrinsic to the bone. Most stress fractures occur in the lower extremity, most commonly in the tibial region. Fatigue fractures begin in athletes with the change in their training programs. The radiographic findings are usually diagnostic or at least strongly suggestive and MRI has proven to be a beneficial diagnostic tool for difficult diagnostic cases. Fatigue fractures are treated with a decrease in activity, but surgical procedure may be necessary in those in anterior cortex of the tibial diaphysis.