• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제50권4호
• /
• pp.332-340
• /
• 2011

Objective : Pyogenic spondylitis often results in acute neurological deterioration requiring adequate surgical intervention and appropriate antibiotic treatment. The purpose of this study was to conduct an analysis of the clinical effect of continuous irrigation via laminotomy in a series of patients with pyogenic spondylitis in thoracic and lumbar spine. Methods : The authors conducted a retrospective investigation of 31 consecutive patients with pyogenic thoracic and lumbar spondylitis who underwent continuous irrigation through laminotomy from 2004 to 2008. The study included 22 men and 9 women, ranging in age from 38 to 78 years (mean 58.1 years). The average follow-up duration was 13.4 months (range, 8-34 months). We performed debridement and abscess removal after simple laminotomy, and then washed out epidural and disc space using a continuous irrigation system. Broad spectrum antibiotics were administered empirically and changed according to the subsequent culture result. Clinical outcomes were based on the low back outcome scale (LBOS), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Frankel grade at the last follow-up. Radiological assessment involved plain radiographs, including functional views. Results : Common predisposing factors included local injection for pain therapy, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, and liver cirrhosis. Causative microorganisms were identified in 22 cases (70.9%) : Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus spp. were the main organisms. After surgery, LBOS, VAS score, and Frankel grade showed significant improvement in most patients. Spinal stability was maintained during the follow-up period, making secondary reconstructive surgery unnecessary for all patients, except one. Conclusion : Simple laminotomy with continuous irrigation by insertion of a catheter into intervertebral disc space or epidural space was minimally invasive and effective in the treatment of pyogenic spondylitis. This procedure could be a beneficial treatment option in patients with thoracolumbar spondylitis combined with minimal or moderate destructive change of vertebrae.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제53권5호
• /
• pp.288-292
• /
• 2013

Objective : Vertebral distraction is routinely performed during anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Overdistraction can injure the facet joints and may cause postoperative neck pain consequently. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical relevance of distraction force during ACDF. Methods : This study included 24 consecutive patients with single level cervical disc disease undergoing single level ACDF. We measure the maximum torque just before the the arm of the Caspar retractor was suspended by the rachet mechanism by turning the lever on the movable arm using a torque meter. In order to turn the lever using the torque driver, we made a linear groove on the top of the lever. We compared the neck disability index (NDI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores between the high torque group (distraction force>6 $kgf{\cdot}cm$) and the low torque group (distraction force${\leq}6kgf{\cdot}cm$) at routine postoperative intervals of 1, 3, 5 days and 1, 3, 6 months. Results : The VAS scores for posterior neck pain had a linear correlation with torque at postoperative 1st and 3rd days ($y=0.99{\times}-1.1$, $r^2=0.82$; $y=0.77{\times}-0.63$, $r^2=0.73$, respectively). VAS scores for posterior neck pain were lower in the low torque group than in the high torque group on both 1 and 3 days postoperatively ($3.1{\pm}1.3$, $2.6{\pm}1.0$ compared with $6.0{\pm}0.6$, $4.9{\pm}0.8$, p<0.01). However, the difference in NDI scores was not statistically significant in all postoperative periods. Conclusion : Vertebral distraction may cause posterior neck pain in the immediate postoperative days. We recommend not to distract the intervertebral disc space excessively with a force of more than 6.0 $kgf{\cdot}cm$.

• Asian Spine Journal
• /
• 제12권6호
• /
• pp.973-980
• /
• 2018

Study Design: Retrospective review. Purpose: To identify the trends in stimulator use, pair those trends with various grafting materials, and determine the influence of stimulators on the risk of revision surgery. Overview of Literature: A large number of studies has reported beneficial effects of electromagnetic energy in healing long bone fractures. However, there are few clinical studies regarding the use of electrical stimulators in spinal fusion. Methods: We used insurance billing codes to identify patients with lumbar disc degeneration who underwent anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF). Comparisons between patients who did and did not receive electrical stimulators following surgery were performed using logistic regression analysis, chi-square test, and odds ratio (OR) analysis. Results: Approximately 19% of the patients (495/2,613) received external stimulators following ALIF surgery. There was a slight increase in stimulator use from 2008 to 2014 (multi-level $R^2=0.08$, single-level $R^2=0.05$). Patients who underwent multi-level procedures were more likely to receive stimulators than patients who underwent single-level procedures (p<0.05; OR, 3.72; 95% confidence interval, 3.02-4.57). Grafting options associated with most frequent stimulator use were bone marrow aspirates (BMA) plus autograft or allograft for single-level and allograft alone for multi-level procedures. In both cohorts, patients treated with bone morphogenetic proteins were least likely to receive electrical stimulators (p<0.05). Patients who received stimulation generally had higher reimbursements. Concurrent posterior lumbar fusion (PLF) (ALIF+PLF) increased the likelihood of receiving stimulators (p<0.05). Patients who received electrical stimulators had similar revision rates as those who did not receive stimulation (p>0.05), except those in the multilevel ALIF+PLF cohort, wherein the patients who underwent stimulation had higher rates of revision surgery. Conclusions: Concurrent PLF or multi-level procedures increased patients' likelihood of receiving stimulators, however, the presence of comorbidities did not. Patients who received BMA plus autograft or allograft were more likely to receive stimulation. Patients with and without bone stimulators had similar rates of revision surgery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제62권4호
• /
• pp.432-441
• /
• 2019

Objective : Few studies have reported direct comparative data of lumbar spine angles between direct lateral interbody fusion (DLIF) and oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF). The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical and radiological outcomes of DLIF and OLIF, and determine influential factors. Methods : The same surgeon performed DLIF from May 2011 to August 2014 (n=201) and OLIF from September 2014 to September 2016 (n=142). Radiological parameters, cage height, cage angle (CA), cage width (CW), and cage location were assessed. We checked the cage location as the distance (mm) from the anterior margin of the disc space to the anterior metallic indicator of the cage in lateral images. Results : There were significant differences in intervertebral foramen height (FH; $22.0{\pm}2.4$ vs. $21.0{\pm}2.1mm$, p<0.001) and sagittal disc angle (SDA; $8.7{\pm}3.3$ vs. $11.3{\pm}3.2^{\circ}$, p<0.001) between the DLIF and OLIF groups at 7 days postoperatively. CA ($9.6{\pm}3.0$ vs. $8.1{\pm}2.9^{\circ}$, p<0.001) and CW ($21.2{\pm}1.6$ vs. $19.2{\pm}1.9mm$, p<0.001) were significantly larger in the OLIF group compared to the DLIF group. The cage location of the OLIF group was significantly more anterior than the DLIF group ($6.7{\pm}3.0$ vs. $9.1{\pm}3.6mm$, p<0.001). Cage subsidence at 1 year postoperatively was significantly worse in the DLIF group compared to the OLIF group ($1.0{\pm}1.5$ vs. $0.4{\pm}1.1mm$, p=0.001). Cage location was significantly correlated with postoperative FH (${\beta}=0.273$, p<0.001) and postoperative SDA (${\beta}=-0.358$, p<0.001). CA was significantly correlated with postoperative FH (${\beta}=-0.139$, p=0.044) and postoperative SDA (${\beta}=0.236$, p=0.001). Cage location (${\beta}=0.293$, p<0.001) and CW (${\beta}=-0.225$, p<0.001) were significantly correlated with cage subsidence. Conclusion : The cage location, CA, and CW seem to be important factors which result in the different-radiological outcomes between DLIF and OLIF.

• 척추신경추나의학회지
• /
• 제2권2호
• /
• pp.41-48
• /
• 2007

Objectives : These studies are designed to make a survey of the effectiveness of the non surgical decompression treatment. Methods : These studies 15 cases of L-spine herniated lumbar intervertebral disc(HIVD) which was treated with non surgical spinal decompression and other medicine treatment(acupuncture, cupping, interferential current therapy, ultra-sound therapy and hot poultice). Each patient has been treated with spine decompression and other medicine treatment. And degree of improvement has been evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire score for low back pain. Results and Conclusions : Through the results, the medical treatment proved to have valid effect for L-spine HIDV. And further clinical studies comparing non surgical spinal decompression treatment and other medicine treatment is necessary.

• 대한물리치료과학회지
• /
• 제18권2호
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2011

Background: The purpose of this study was to systematic review the effect of exercise programs for chronic low back pain patients. We needs systematic development of low back pain exercise program to reduce economic cost further doing great service to public health promotion. Methods: We searched to the effects of exercise programs for chronic low back pain patients by Dankook University electronic library databases of DBPIA, KSI KISS, CINAHL, MEDLINE and PEDro combined with a hand search of papers published in relevant journals. Any type of study relevant to the topic published during time period from 1970 to 2007 was included. Results: The literature search identified 30 studies. 1.Performing the flexion exercise increased abdominal muscle activity but acute herniated intervertebral disc should be avoided. 2.The general lumbar extension exercise used lumbar extension machine and the muscle power increases, significant probability the change. 3.The spinal segments exercise for the patients offered significant efficacy and appeared to be a reasonable therapeutic option. 4.Spinal stabilization exercises appear to improve trunk endurance and balance to patients with chronic low back pain. This exercise programs had effective decrease pain and disability. Conclusion: The review suggests that although the exercise programs for chronic low back pain patients, and we expected the efficacy of the exercise programs for chronic low back pain patients used in this study should be further investigated in a long period study and objective outcomes.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• 제20권5호
• /
• pp.252-260
• /
• 2003

Objective : The purpose of this report is to examine the effects of Scalp Acupuncture therapy in the H.I.V.D patients. Methods : We investigated 30 patients suffering from low back pain with sciatica which were admitted to Cheonan O. M. hospital from Aug. 1, 2001 to Jan. 31. 2002. 30 patients had a diagnosis of herniated lumbar intervertebral disc by Lumbar-C.T or Lumbar-M.R.I. we treated 30 patients by Scalp Acupuncture therapy. Results : 1. We operated Scalp Acupuncture on the foot-motion sensory area(족운동감각구), the sensory area(감각구) 2. In the result of treatment due to clinical symptoms, leg radiating pain was more effective than any other clinical symptoms. 3. The efficacy of Scalp Acupuncture therapy was 83.3%(when we set a standard things more than fair) and 63.3%(when we set a standard things more than good). Conclusions: The Scalp Acupuncture therapy is effective of H.I.V.D patients, but we thought that it needed to prove effects of Scalp Acupuncture therapy for efficient application by more clinical reports.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• 제27권4호
• /
• pp.85-97
• /
• 2010

Objectives : The study on Acupotomy therapy has recently become a popular academic field as proven to be an great alternative to the limitation of Western medical treatment. However, there has been little study examining acupotomy therapy on treating HIVD. Thus, this study aims to investigate the sense of improvement and satisfaction from the HIVD patients treated with acupotomy therapy. Methods : A total of 63 subjects that consists of HIVD patients were participated in this study. The experimental group(33subjects) was treated with acupotomy therapy and acupuncture, and the control group (30subjects) was treated with acupuncture. All the subjects were asked to answer VAS(visual analogue scale) and ODI(Oswestry disability index) before and after the treatment. Results : The results of the VAS and ODI of comparison analysis between two groups, show that the improvement of HIVD in acupotomy and acupuncture treatment group is more effective than that in acupuncture treatment group

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• 제34권3호
• /
• pp.131-138
• /
• 2017

Objectives : This study examined the effects of miniscalpel acupuncture (MA) in three patients with cervicogenic headache. Methods : Patients were treated with MA, which was performed once per week for three weeks. A headache score, visual analogue scale (VAS), and neck disability index (NDI) were used for the evaluation of treatment effects. Results : In cases 1, 2, and 3, the headache score decreased from 4 to 1, 3 to 0, and 3 to 1, respectively. The VAS score decreased from 8.5 to 1.9, 5 to 0.4, and 5.3 to 2 in cases 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The NDI score decreased from 28 to 4, 50 to 4, and 38 to 16 in cases 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Conclusion : MA appears to be effective for the treatment of cervicogenic headache. Further data should be collected and a comparative study using other treatment methods should be performed.

• 한국정밀공학회지
• /
• 제27권1호
• /
• pp.134-141
• /
• 2010

This study analyzed the regional morphological and mechanical characteristics of vertebrae by using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and micro finite element analysis (FEA). For the present study, the $12^{th}$ human thoracic vertebral bones (an 85-years female and a 48-years male) were used. These were scanned by using micro-CT. Structural parameters were evaluated from the acquired 20 image data for fifteen $4{\times}4mm^2$ regions (five regions in respective layers of superior, middle and inferior part) in the thoracic vertebral trabecular bones. $4{\times}4{\times}4mm^3$ cubic finite element models of each regions were created at $70{\mu}m$ voxel resolution to investigate effective modulus ($E^+$). The present study indicated that there were significant differences in morphological and elastic mechanical characteristics of each region. There are close relationship between effective modulus and structural model index (SMI) in the bone of the 48-years male and between effective modulus and bone volume fraction (BV/TV) in the bone of the 85-years female. In addition, the effective modulus of central regions is about 80% stiffer than that of lateral regions at transverse plane. These findings may be likely to explain the previous result that a change of loading distribution of the vertebral trabecular bones is caused by spinal curvature and nucleus pulpous degeneration of the intervertebral disc.