• Asian Spine Journal
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• v.12 no.6
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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 Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.74-83
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• 2022

Objective : Oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) is a surgical technique that utilizes a large interbody cage to indirectly decompress neural elements. The position of the cage relative to the vertebral body could affect the degree of foraminal decompression. Previous studies determined the position of the cage using plain radiographs, with conflicting results regarding the influence of the position of the cage to the degree of neural foramen decompression. Because of the cage obliquity, computed tomography (CT) has better accuracy than plain radiograph for the measurement of the obliquely inserted cage. The objective of this study is to find the correlation between the position of the OLIF cage with the degree of indirect decompression of foraminal stenosis using CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods : We review imaging of 46 patients who underwent OLIF from L2-L5 for 68 levels. Segmental lordosis (SL) was measured in a plain radiograph. The positions of the cage were measured in CT. Spinal canal cross-sectional area (SCSA), and foraminal crosssectional area (FSCA) measurements using MRI were taken into consideration. Results : Patients' mean age was 69.7 years. SL increases 3.0±5.1 degrees. Significant increases in SCSA (33.3%), FCSA (43.7% on the left and 45.0% on the right foramen) were found (p<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis shows putting the cage in the more posterior position correlated with more increase of FSCA and decreases SL correction. The position of the cage does not affect the degree of the central spinal canal decompression. Obliquity of the cage does not result in different degrees of foraminal decompression between right and left side neural foramen. Conclusion : Cage position near the posterior part of the vertebral body increases the decompression effect of the neural foramen while putting the cage in the more anterior position correlated with increases SL.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.586-589
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• 2016

A pressure sore wound is often extensive or complicated by local infection involving adjacent soft tissue and bone. In this case, a regional flap after simple debridement is not adequate. Here, we present a case of an extensive pressure sore in the sacral area with deep tissue infection. A 43-year-old female patient with a complicated sore with deep tissue infection had a presacral abscess, an iliopsoas abscess, and an epidural abscess in the lumbar spine. After a multidisciplinary approach performed in stages, the infection had subsided and removal of the devitalized tissue was possible. The large soft tissue defect with significant depth was reconstructed with a free latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap, which was expected to act as a local barrier from vertical infection and provide tensionless skin coverage upon hip flexion. The extensive sacral sore was treated effectively without complication, and the deep tissue infection completely resolved. There was no evidence of donor site morbidity, and wheelchair ambulation was possible by a month after surgery.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.83-85
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• 2014

Dural ectasia refers to the widening or ballooning of the dural sac surrounding the spinal cord. It can affect any plane of the spinal canal, but occurs primarily in the lumbosacral region. Dural ectasia is present in 63-92% patients who have Marfan syndrome, and is related to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, neurofibromatosis type I, and ankylosing spondylitis. The most common symptoms are low back pain, headache, weakness, numbness above and below the affected limb, and occasional rectal and genital pain. However, in most patients, dural ectasia is usually asymptomatic. We report the case of a 5-year-old boy who presented with a severe headache who had been diagnosed with Marfan syndrome. During the evaluation, magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar and sacral spine revealed dural ectasia. To our knowledge, this is the first report on Marfan syndrome with symptomatic dural ectasia in Korea. We concluded that dural ectasia should be suspected in patients diagnosed with Marfan syndrome who have a severe headache.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2009

Purpose: A missed fracture is a very common occurrence in the Emergency Department (ED) and can have serious results because of delays in treatment, resulting in long-term disability. It is also one of the most common causes leading to medical legal issues. We analyzed the causes of missed fractures by using a bone scan which is known to be an effective tool for diagnosing bony lesions. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of trauma patients who underwent a bone scan after being discharged the ED from September 2006 to March 2008. Cases of missed fractures were identified by using electronic medical records to review each diagnosis. Definition of missed fracture was read after bone scan by radiologist. We decided that there was no fracture if we read 'trauma-related lesion' or 'cannot rule out fracture' on a bone scan read by a radiologist. Enrolled patients were analyzed by age, sex, time until bone scan and Injury Severity Score (ISS). Patients were divided into two groups, alert mentality and not-alert mentality, so there were split between a diagnosis group and a missed fracture group. ISS was also used in determining the severity of the patient's injury upon discharge from the ED. Results: A total of 532 patients were enrolled in this study. Of those, 487 patients were in the diagnosis group, and 45 patients (8.4%) were discovered to have had a fracture. Of the 45 missed fracture patients, 34 patients (6.4%) had one-site fractures, 8 patients (1.5%) had two-site fractures, and 3 patients (0.6%) had three-site fractures. The most commonly missed fracture was multiple rib fractures (18 patients, 30.5%), followed by lumbosacral (LS) spine fractures (10 patients, 16.9%), thoracic spine fractures (8 patients, 13.6%), and clavicle fractures (6 patients, 10.2%). Mean age was $50.12{\pm}18.54$ years in the diagnosis group and $57.38{\pm}16.88$ years in the missed fracture group. For the diagnosis group, the mean ISS was $9.03{\pm}8.26$, but in the missed fracture group it was $17.53{\pm}9.69$. Missed fractures were much more frequent in the not-alert mentality (p<0.01) and in the high (ISS$ ISS{\geq}16$) group (p<0.01). Conclusion: Missed fractures occur most frequent in patients of old age, not-alert mentality, and high ISS. Multiple rib and spine fractures were found to be the most frequent missed fractures, regardless of trauma severity. This study also shows a high possibility of clavicle and scapula fractures in patients with severe trauma.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.414-421
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• 2019

Objective : To evaluate 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of Kambin's safe zone to calculate maximum cannula diameter permissible for safe percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy. Methods : Fifty 3D MRIs of 19 males and 31 females (mean, 47 years) were analysed. Oblique, axial and sagittal views were used for image analysis. Three authors calculated the inscribed circle (cannula diameter) individually, within the neural (original) and bony Kambin's triangle in oblique views, disc heights on sagittal views and root to facet distances at upper and lower end plate levels on axial views and their averages were taken. Results : The mean root to facet distances at upper end plate level measured on axial sections increased from $3.42{\pm}3.01mm$ at L12 level to $4.57{\pm}2.49mm$ at L5S1 level. The mean root to facet distances at lower end plate level measured on axial sections also increased from $6.07{\pm}1.13mm$ at L12 level to $12.9{\pm}2.83mm$ at L5S1 level. Mean maximum cannula diameter permissible through the neural Kambin's triangle increased from $5.67{\pm}1.38mm$ at L12 level to $9.7{\pm}3.82mm$ at L5S1 level. The mean maximum cannula diameter permissible through the bony Kambin's triangle also increased from $4.03{\pm}1.08mm$ at L12 level to $6.11{\pm}1mm$ at L5S1 level. Only 2% of the 427 bony Kambin's triangles could accommodate a cannula diameter of 8mm. The base of the bony Kambin's triangle taken in oblique view (3D MRI) was significantly higher than the root to facet distance at lower end plate level taken in axial view. Conclusion : The largest mean diameter of endoscopic cannula passable through "bony" Kambin's triangle was distinctively smaller than the largest mean diameter of endoscopic cannula passable through "neural" Kambin's triangle at all levels. Although proximity of exiting root to the facet joint is always taken into consideration before PELD procedure, our 3D MRI based anatomical study is the first to provide actual maximum cannula dimensions permissible in this region.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.265-272
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• 2019

Purpose : Excessive computer use frequently results in musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and shoulder such as forward head posture (FHP). The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of neck and shoulder exercise program on spino-pelvic alignment and the correlation between change in head and neck posture and spino-pelvic alignment in FHP. Methods : The study included 44 participants with FHP. The participants performed the exercise for correction of FHP 2-3 times a week for 4 weeks. We examined whole spine X-ray images in the lateral standing position with both arms crossed. We measured anterior head translation distance (AHT), craniovertebral angle (CVA), cervical lordosis (CL), thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbosacral lordosis (LSL), sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT), and pelvic incidence (PI) of the subjects. The association between change in AHT and each spino-pelvic parameter was also subjected to Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis. Results : There were statistically significant differences before and after exercise in the parameters of AHT, CVA, and SS (p<.05). Significant negative correlation was observed between the change in AHT and CVA (r=-.768, p<.001), and CL (r=-.388, p<.05). There was significant positive correlation between the change in AHT and SS (r=.328, p<.05), and PI (r=.333, p<.05). However, no significant correlation was observed in change in AHT with that of TK, LSL, and PT. Conclusion : Based on the above results, we conclude that there is a relationship between change in AHT, which is a parameter associated with forward displacement of the head, and that of CVA, CL, SS, and PI after exercise in cases of FHP.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.59-64
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• 2019

Objective: This study evaluated the feasibility of ultrasound-guided lumbar nerve root block (LNRB) and S1 nerve root block by identifying spread patterns via fluoroscopy in cadavers. Method: A total of 48 ultrasound-guided injections were performed in 4 fresh cadavers from L1 to S1 roots. The target point of LNRB was the midpoint between the lower border of the transverse process and the facet joint at each level. The target point of S1 nerve root block was the S1 foramen, which can be visualized between the median sacral crest and the posterior superior iliac spine, below the L5-S1 facet joint. The injection was performed via an in-plane approach under real-time axial view ultrasound guidance. Fluoroscopic validation was performed after the injection of 2 cc of contrast agent. Results: The needle placements were correct in all injections. Fluoroscopy confirmed an intra-foraminal contrast spreading pattern following 41 of the 48 injections (85.4%). The other 7 injections (14.6%) yielded typical neurograms, but also resulted in extra-foraminal patterns that occurred evenly in each nerve root, including S1. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided injection may be an option for the delivery of injectate into the S1 nerve root, as well as lumbar nerve root area.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.6
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• pp.703-715
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• 2023

Objective : This retrospective study investigated the factors that affect cage obliquity angle despite orthogonal maneuvers performed during oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) and assessed the relationship between cage obliquity angle and radiological outcomes post-surgery. Methods : Twenty-nine males who underwent L4-L5 OLIF for lumbar degenerative disease between 2019 and 2021 with a followup duration greater than 12 months were analyzed. Radiological parameters were measured including psoas muscle volume, total psoas area index (total psoas muscle area [cm²]/height squared [m²]), distance from the iliac artery to the origin of the psoas muscle (DIAPM), angle between the origin of the psoas muscle and the center of the vertebral disc (APCVD), iliac crest height, disc height, lumbar flexibility (lumbar flexion angle minus extension angle), cage location ratio, cage-induced segmental lumbar lordosis (LL) (postoperative index level segmental LL minus used cage angle), foraminal height changes, fusion grade. Results : DIAPM, APCVD, iliac crest height, postoperative index level segmental LL, and cage-induced segmental LL were significantly correlated with OLIF cage obliquity angle. However, other radiological parameters did not correlate with cage obliquity. Based on multiple regression analysis, the predictive equation for the OLIF cage obliquity angle was 13.062-0.318×DIAPM+0.325×1APCVD+0.174×iliac crest height. The greater the cage obliquity, the smaller the segmental LL compared to the cage angle used. Conclusion : At the L4-L5 level, OLIF cage obliquity was affected by DIAPM, APCVD, and iliac crest height, and as the cage obliquity angle increases, LL agnle achievable by the used cage could not be obtained.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.83 no.4
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• pp.938-944
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• 2022

Spinal epidermoid cysts are extremely rare benign tumors and can be congenital or acquired. Acquired spinal epidermoid cysts are found in the lumbosacral region. To our knowledge, no case of epidermoid cyst related to spinal cord stimulator insertion has yet been reported. We report the MRI findings of a rare case of thoracic intradural epidermoid cyst acquired after spinal cord stimulator insertion in a 50-year-old female.