• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.7-11
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and radiographic characteristics of the nuchal ligament ossification on lateral cephalometric radiographs in Koreans. Subjects and Method: I review and interpreted the lateral cephalometric radiographs from 4,558 patients (1,857 males and 2,701 females, age range from 2 to 79 years) who visited the Kyungpook National University Dental Hospital from January 1, 2008 to February 3, 2009. I grouped the shapes of nuchal ligament ossification as round, rod-like, and segmented shape. And localized the ossification as the involvement of anterior cervical vertebral body. The data were analyzed by using chi-squared test with two-tailed and at a 5% significance level. Results: Among those who showed the nuchal ligament ossification, he mean age of the 143 males was 51.1 and that of the 97 females was 48.0 years. It as not observed completely below teens, and was observed 1% in twenties, 6.1% in thirties, 18.6% in forties, and 26.3% over fifties. It was significantly prevalent in older age group (P<0.01) and in males than females among the same age group (P<0.05). The shapes of nuchal ligament ossification were as follows in order of frequency: rod-like (49.2%), round (30.4%), and segmented (20.4%). The highest involvement of ossification as found at the level of C5 (67.9%), C4 (29.2%), C6 (22.9%), C3 (3.3%), C7 (2.9%), C2 (0.8%), and C1 (0.4%). Conclusion: The nuchal ligament ossifications on lateral cephalometric radiographs were showed as round, rod-like, or segmented shape. The nuchal ligament ossification is often observed after the age of 40 and is observed more frequently in males than females. The highest shape of nuchal ligament ossification was rod-like shape and the highest involvement of cervical spine was C5.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.239-249
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was investigated to observe Foot Soeum Meridian Muscle in human. Methods : In order to expose components related to Foot Soeum Meridian Muscle, cadaver was dissected in the order of their depth; being respectively divided into superficial, middle, and deep layer. Results : Anatomical components related to Foot Soeum Meridian Muscle in human are composed of muscles such as flexor digitorum brevis tendon, abductor hallucis muscle, psoas major m., erector spinae m., and flexor retinaculum, fascia such as plantar aoneurosis, ligament such as sacrotuberal ligament, sacrospinous lig., nuchal lig., nerves such as plantar cut. br. of med. plantar nerve, med. crural cut. br. of saphenous n., br. of tibial n., post. femoral cut. n., spinal n.(dorsal rami of C4-6, T7-12, L1-3, and S1-3), and autonomic nervous system(sacral plexus, pelvic splanchnic n., etc.), and etc. Conclusions : This study shows comparative differences from established studies on anatomical components related to Foot Soeum Meridian Muscle, and the methodical aspects of analytic process. In addition, Foot Soeum Meridian Muscle in human is a comprehensive concept including the relevant nerves, but it remains questionable.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.518-520
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• 2013

Ossified lipoma or osteolipoma are rarely reported. It is defined as a histologic variant of lipoma that has undergone osseous metaplasia. Osteolipoma presents with a dominant osseous component within a lipoma. We report a case of a histologically confirmed osteolipoma on the nuchal ligament independent of bone. The patient was a 51-year-old female who presented with a 5-year history of a painless, progressively enlarging mass on the posterior neck. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a circumscribed mass compatible with fat between the C2 and C6 spinous processes with a large calcified irregular component. The mass with dual components was totally removed under general anesthesia and no recurrence was observed after 6 months of follow-up. We also reviewed the clinicopathologic features of previously reported osteolipomas in the literature and suggest that although osteolipoma is a rare variant of lipoma, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis when a lipoma of the posterior neck mixed with a bony component is encountered.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.575-584
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• 2021

Objective : Cervical expansive laminoplasty is an effective surgical method to address multilevel cervical spinal stenosis. During surgery, the spinous processes of C2 and C7 are usually preserved to keep the insertion points of the cervical musculature and nuchal ligament intact. In this regard, dome-like laminectomy (undercutting of C7 lamina) instead of laminoplasty is performed on C7 in selected cases. However, resection of the lamina can weaken the C7 lamina, and stress fractures may occur, but this complication has not been characterized in the literature. The objective of the present study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors for C7 laminar fracture after C7 dome-like laminectomy and its impact on clinical and radiological outcomes. Methods : Patients who underwent cervical open-door laminoplasty combined with C7 dome-like laminectomy (n=123) were classified according to the presence of C7 laminar fracture. Clinical parameters (neck/arm pain score and neck disability index) and radiologic parameters (C2-7 angle, C2-7 sagittal vertical axis, and C7-T1 angle) were compared between the groups preoperatively and at postoperatively at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Risk factors for complications were evaluated, and a formula estimating C7 fracture risk was suggested. Results : C7 lamina fracture occurred in 32/123 (26%) patients and occurred at the bilateral isthmus in 29 patients and at the spinolaminar junction in three patients. All fractures appeared on X-ray within 3 months postoperatively, but patients did not present any neurological deterioration. The fracture spontaneously healed in 27/32 (84%) patients at 1 year and in 29/32 (91%) at 2 years. During follow-up, clinical outcomes were not significantly different between the groups. However, patients with C7 fractures showed a more lordotic C2-7 angle and kyphotic C7-T1 angle than patients without C7 fractures. C7 fracture was significantly associated with the extent of bone removal. By incorporating significant factors, the probability of C7 laminar fracture could be assessed with the formula 'Risk score = 1.08 × depth (%) + 1.03 × length (%, of the posterior height of C7 vertebral body)', and a cut-off value of 167.9% demonstrated a sensitivity of 90.3% and a specificity of 65.1% (area under the curve, 0.81). Conclusion : C7 laminar fracture can occur after C7 dome-like laminectomy when a substantial amount of lamina is resected. Although C7 fractures may not cause deleterious clinical outcomes, they can lead to an unharmonized cervical curvature. The chance of C7 fracture should be discussed in the shared decision-making process.