• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.46-49
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• 2007

Background: Cervical epidural injection, performed via the interlaminar approach, represents a useful interventional pain management procedure indicated in patients with a cervical herniated disk. Due to thedecreased epidural space in the cervical region, cervical epidural injections may result in potentially serious complications, especially during a large volume injection. Methods: Thirty-four patients with neck pain due to a cervical herniated disk that were referred to the pain clinic for cervical epidural steroid injection were randomized into two groups. One group received a cervical epidural injection of 4 ml drug and the other group received 2 ml drug. The injected mixture included triamcinolon, ropivacaine and omnipaque. Spread levels of the drug after injection were estimated with the use of C-arm fluoroscopy. Results: Spread levels to the cephalad for patients in the two groups were $4.88{\pm}0.78segments$ and $4.53{\pm}0.49segments$, respectively. Spread levels to the caudad for patients in the two groups were $4.59{\pm}0.93segments$ and $4.47{\pm}0.51segments$, respectively. The results showed no significant difference in the spread level between the two groups. Conclusions: Use of a small volume of drug (2 ml) can provide a sufficient spread level of the injected drug that is desirable for patients with a cervical herniated disk.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.485-497
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• 2017

Surgical treatment of the degenerative disc disease has evolved from traditional open spine surgery to minimally invasive spine surgery including endoscopic spine surgery. Constant improvement in the imaging modality especially with introduction of the magnetic resonance imaging, it is possible to identify culprit degenerated disc segment and again with the discography it is possible to diagnose the pain generator and pathological degenerated disc very precisely and its treatment with minimally invasive approach. With improvements in the optics, high resolution camera, light source, high speed burr, irrigation pump etc, minimally invasive spine surgeries can be performed with various endoscopic techniques for lumbar, cervical and thoracic regions. Advantages of endoscopic spine surgeries are less tissue dissection and muscle trauma, reduced blood loss, less damage to the epidural blood supply and consequent epidural fibrosis and scarring, reduced hospital stay, early functional recovery and improvement in the quality of life & better cosmesis. With precise indication, proper diagnosis and good training, the endoscopic spine surgery can give equally good result as open spine surgery. Initially, endoscopic technique was restricted to the lumbar region but now it also can be used for cervical and thoracic disc herniations. Previously endoscopy was used for disc herniations which were contained without migration but now days it is used for highly up and down migrated disc herniations as well. Use of endoscopic technique in lumbar region was restricted to disc herniations but gradually it is also used for spinal canal stenosis and endoscopic assisted fusion surgeries. Endoscopic spine surgery can play important role in the treatment of adolescent disc herniations especially for the persons who engage in the competitive sports and the athletes where less tissue trauma, cosmesis and early functional recovery is desirable. From simple chemonucleolysis to current day endoscopic procedures the history of minimally invasive spine surgery is interesting. Appropriate indications, clear imaging prior to surgery and preplanning are keys to successful outcome. In this article basic procedures of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy through transforaminal and interlaminar routes, percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy, percutaneous endoscopic posterior cervical foraminotomy and percutaneous endoscopic thoracic discectomy are discussed.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.264-270
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• 2019

Background: To develop a rabbit epidural steroid injection (ESI) model for analyzing steroid retention in the tissue, and to assess the difference in steroid retention in the model according to the location and time elapsed after ESI. Methods: Fluoroscopy-guided ESI was performed using the interlaminar approach between the lowest two lumbar segments in 13 female New Zealand white rabbits. Four rabbits were allocated to each of three different groups according to the time of sacrifice: 3, 7, and 15 days post-ESI; the remaining rabbit was sacrificed immediately post-ESI to obtain baseline data. After sacrifice, two segments were harvested: the lowest two lumbar vertebrae and another two lumbar vertebrae immediately above these. The residual steroid amount (RSA) and residual steroid concentration (RSC) in the collected spinal columns were analyzed. A linear mixed model was used to compare RSAs and RSCs between the injected and adjacent segments, and among the number of days until sacrifice; P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Both RSA and RSC of the injected segment were significantly higher than those of the adjacent segment (P < 0.001, both). The RSA and RSC significantly decreased over time (P = 0.009 and P = 0.016, respectively). Conclusions: The developed rabbit ESI model verified that significantly more steroid was retained at the injected segment than at the adjacent segment and the residual steroid decreased over time. This model could be useful not only for comparing current steroid medications, but also for developing new, better steroid formulations.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2000

Objective : Percutaneous lumbar approaches such as arthroscopic discectomy, laser discectomy, and nucleotome remain controversial and have technical limitations to free fragment disc, bony pathology and access to L5-S1, The purpose of this study was to determine efficacy of this new endoscopic system and to report techniques and tactics. Methods : From July 1997 to May 1998, we treated 40 consecutive patients(43 levels) with the MED system. Mean age was 32 years(range ; 18 to 62). There were 30 males and 10 females. All patients had sciatica with SLRT limitation. There were 23 patients with disc herniation at L4-5 and 14 patients at L5-S1. Three patients had 2 level disc herniations. There was one far lateral disc herniation at L4-5. Results : Using modified MacNab criteria, there were 37 excellent results and 3 good result. Most patients were discharged within 3-4 days except 2 patients with dural tearing. There were no other complications. Mean operation time was 1.5 hours(range : 40 minutes to 2.5 hours). Conclusion : The MED system is a reliable approach to lumbar disc herniations. This system combines the advantages of conventional open surgery and a minimally invasive technique. As tactics for the doctors who wish to attempt, "palpate" the lamina by first dilator, identification of interlaminar space by removal of overlying soft tissue and confirmation of the shoulder portion of nerve root before discectomy are important to this procedure. We conclude that lumbar disc herniations can be successfully treated with MED approach.