• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제39권5호
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• pp.879-885
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• 2018

Background: A herniated intervertebral disc (HIVD) triggers low back pain (LBP). Korean conservative treatment can decrease the herniated disc size without traditional surgery, but detailed prognosis is unclear. Case summary: One patient presented with LBP and bilateral sciatica. She was diagnosed with lumbar HIVD by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and treated by Korean medicine (acupuncture, decoction, and physical therapy). For 6 months, MRI follow-up exams showed the aggravation and migration of L5-S1 followed by distinct improvement of the same lumbar vertebra. Conclusion: The disc size in a patient with lumbar HIVD was reduced by Korean conservative treatment, and periodic radiologic examination showed the previously unrecognized process of absorbing the disc.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제52권3호
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• pp.210-214
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• 2012

Objective : This retrospective study aimed to compare clinical outcomes in terms of pain relief and recurrence rate between fragmentectomies and conventional microdiscectomies in patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Methods : Between January 2008 and May 2011, a total of 175 patients met the inclusion criteria of this study. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of back and radicular pains were recorded before surgery, 2 and 6 weeks after surgery. Recurrence was defined when a patient had the same pattern of preoperative symptoms and was confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging. Results : Seventy-four patients (42.3%) were suitable for fragmentectomy, and 101 patients underwent conventional microdiscectomy. There were no significant differences in VAS scores between the fragmentectomy and conventional microdiscectomy groups 2 and 6 weeks after surgery. During the follow-up period, 3 patients (4.05%) in the fragmentectomy group and 7 patients (6.93%) in the conventional microdiscectomy group relapsed. Conclusion : If patients are selected according to well-defined criteria, fragmentectomy can be a good surgical option for LDH, in the physiological aspect of preserving healthy intervertebral disc materials.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제46권1호
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• pp.65-67
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• 2009

The authors report two cases of spontaneous regression of disc herniation at the level adjacent to the anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) level. This phenomenon may be due to the increased tension on the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) by appropriate restoration of the disc height and lumbar lordosis, which is a mechanism similar to ligamentotaxis applied to the thoracolumbar burst fracture.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제47권6호
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• pp.446-453
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• 2010

Objective : The purpose of this study was to analyze the biomechanical effects of three different constrained types of an artificial disc on the implanted and adjacent segments in the lumbar spine using a finite element model (FEM). Methods : The created intact model was validated by comparing the flexion-extension response without pre-load with the corresponding results obtained from the published experimental studies. The validated intact lumbar model was tested after implantation of three artificial discs at L4-5. Each implanted model was subjected to a combination of 400 N follower load and 5 Nm of flexion/extension moments. ABAQUS$^{TM}$ version 6.5 (ABAQUS Inc., Providence, RI, USA) and FEMAP version 8.20 (Electronic Data Systems Corp., Plano, TX, USA) were used for meshing and analysis of geometry of the intact and implanted models. Results : Under the flexion load, the intersegmental rotation angles of all the implanted models were similar to that of the intact model, but under the extension load, the values were greater than that of the intact model. The facet contact loads of three implanted models were greater than the loads observed with the intact model. Conclusion : Under the flexion load, three types of the implanted model at the L4-5 level showed the intersegmental rotation angle similar to the one measured with the intact model. Under the extension load, all of the artificial disc implanted models demonstrated an increased extension rotational angle at the operated level (L4-5), resulting in an increase under the facet contact load when compared with the adjacent segments. The increased facet load may lead to facet degeneration.

• Asian Spine Journal
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• 제12권6호
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• pp.1060-1068
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• 2018

Study Design: Retrospective study. Purpose: Lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration is an important cause of low back pain. Overview of Literature: Spinal fusion is often reported to have a good course for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). However, many studies have reported that adjacent segment degeneration is accelerated after lumbar spinal fusion. Radiography is a simple method used to evaluate the orientation of the vertebral column. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the method most often used to specifically evaluate intervertebral disc degeneration. The Pfirrmann classification is a well-known method used to evaluate degenerative lumbar disease. After spinal fusion, an increase in stress, excess mobility, increased intra-disc pressure, and posterior displacement of the axis of motion have been observed in the adjacent segments. Methods: we retrospectively secured and analyzed the data of 15 patients (four boys and 11 girls) with AIS who underwent a spinal fusion surgery. We studied the full-length view of the spine (anterior-posterior and lateral) from the X-ray and MRI obtained from all patients before surgery. Postoperatively, another full-length spine X-ray and lumbosacral MRI were obtained from all participants. Then, pelvic tilt, sacral slope, curve correction, and fused and free segments before and after surgery were calculated based on X-ray studies. MRI images were used to estimate the degree to which intervertebral discs were degenerated using Pfirrmann grading system. Pfirrmann grade before and after surgery were compared with Wilcoxon signed rank test. While analyzing the contribution of potential risk factors for the post-spinal fusion Pfirrmann grade of disc degeneration, we used generalized linear models with robust standard error estimates to account for intraclass correlation that may have been present between discs of the same patient. Results: The mean age of the participant was 14 years, and the mean curvature before and after surgery were 67.8 and 23.8, respectively (p<0.05). During the median follow-up of 5 years, the mean degree of the disc degeneration significantly increased in all patients after surgery (p<0.05) with a Pfirrmann grade of 1 and 2.8 in the L2-L3 before and after surgery, respectively. The corresponding figures at L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1 levels were 1.28 and 2.43, 1.07 and 2.35, and 1 and 2.33, respectively. The lower was the number of free discs below the fusion level, the higher was the Pfirrmann grade of degeneration (p<0.001). Conversely, the higher was the number of the discs fused together, the higher was the Pfirrmann grade. Conclusions: we observed that the disc degeneration aggravated after spinal fusion for scoliosis. While the degree of degeneration as measured by Pfirrmann grade was directly correlated by the number of fused segments, it was negatively correlated with the number of discs that remained free below the lowermost level of the fusion.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.160-168
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• 2003

요추부 척추에 기구를 시술한 유한요소 복합체 모델을 이용하여 제 4-5 요추간판에 대한 해석을 수행한 결과, 근육의 작용을 케이블과 케이블 가이드로써 단순화 모사한 follower 하중에서 수직하중인 경우보다 높은 압축력을 나타내어 더욱 안정함을 보였고 불안정성의 원인이 되는 전단력과 굽힘모멘트의 발생은 미미하였다. 장분절 고정에 의한 인접 분절에 전단력이 증가됨을 실험적으로 보였는데, 이는 장분절 고정이 퇴행성 변화 촉진에 기여할 것으로 추정된다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제62권5호
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• pp.586-593
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• 2019

Objective : To study risk factors of secondary lumbar discectomy (LD) for recurrent herniated lumbar disc (HLD) and identify methods to lower the rate of recurrence. Methods : Data from 160 patients who underwent primary LD were collected retrospectively. Demographic features, radiologic findings including Pfirrmann disc degeneration, and surgical information were analyzed to compare risks between revision and non-revision patients. Results : The revision rate was 15% (24 patients), and the mean follow-up was 28.3 months. HLD recurrence was not related to any demographic characteristics. Primary and secondary LD were most common at the L4-5 level, but the level of operation was not significantly associated with revision. Primary LD most commonly had a Pfirrmann disc degeneration grade of 3, followed by 4. For recurrent HLD, Pfirrmann grade 4 was most common and was statistically significant (p<0.05). A body mass index (BMI) over 30 was considered obese and was significantly related with HLD revision (p<0.05). Conclusion : Patients with high BMI or severe disc degeneration should be informed of HLD revision.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제56권6호
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• pp.521-526
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• 2014

The authors report a case of symptomatic epidural gas accumulation 2 weeks after the multi-level lumbar surgery, causing postoperative recurrent radiculopathy. The accumulation of epidural gas compressing the dural sac and nerve root was demonstrated by CT and MRI at the distant two levels, L3-4 and L5-S1, where vacuum in disc space was observed preoperatively and both laminectomy and discectomy had been done. However, postoperative air was not identified at L4-5 level where only laminectomy had been done in same surgical field, which suggested the relationship between postoperative epidural gas and the manipulation of disc structure. Conservative treatment and needle aspiration was performed, but not effective to relieve patient's symptoms. The patient underwent revision surgery to remove the gaseous cyst. Her leg pain was improved after the second operation.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.126-135
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• 2019

Background: Because of fear of reoperation and low efficiency, some patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) opt for Korean medicine treatment. Gold standard treatment is not present for FBSS, therefore both surgical and non-surgical treatment are possible. Studies of Korean conservative medicine for FBSS had a short duration of treatment and mainly pre- and post-treatment comparisons. And case of female patients who have worsened after childbirth is rare. The purpose of this study was to report long-term follow-up and rare cases of FBSS. Case summary: A 33-year-old female patient diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation complained with low back pain and radicular pain in the left leg after surgery in 2011. Acupuncture and decoction (Cheongpa-jeon, GCSB-5) were administered to her twice a day for about 6 years and 6 months. The patient's complaints improved with each hospitalization, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed a slight decrease in the size of the recurrent disc (L4/5) and a newly developed disc (L5/S1) that had deteriorated after delivery. Conclusion: Korean medicine could be used to manage the pain of lumbar spine FBSS patients for 6-7 years and to alleviate lumbago after delivery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.312-316
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• 2009

Objective : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a transforaminal suprapedicular approach, semi-rigid flexible curved probe, and 3-dimensional reconstruction computed tomography (3D-CT) with discogram in the endoscopic treatment of non-contained lumbar disc herniations. Methods : The subjects were 153 patients with difficult, non-contained lumbar disc herniations undergoing endoscopic treatment. The types of herniation were as follows : extraforaminal, 17 patients; foraminal, 21 patients; high grade migration, 59 patients; and high canal compromise, 56 patients. To overcome the difficulties in endoscopic treatment, the anatomic structures were analyzed by 3D reconstruction CT and the high grade disc was extracted using a semi-rigid flexible curved probe and a transforaminal suprapedicular approach. Results : The mean follow-up was 18.3 months. The mean visual analogue scale (VAS) of the patients prior to surgery was 9.48, and the mean postoperative VAS was 1.63. According to Macnab's criteria, 145 patients had excellent and good results, and thus satisfactory results were obtained in 94.77% cases. Conclusion : In a posterolateral endoscopic lumbar discectomy, the difficult, non-contained disc is considered to be the most important factor impeding the success of surgery. By applying a semi-rigid flexible curved probe and using a transforaminal suprapedicular approach, good surgical results can be obtained, even in high grade, non-contained disc herniations.