• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제54권4호
• /
• pp.275-279
• /
• 2013

Objective : This study was designed to determine the most reliable cephalometric measurement technique in the normal population and patients with basilar invagination (BI). Methods : Twenty-two lateral radiographs of BI patients and 25 lateral cervical radiographs of the age, sex-matched normal population were selected and measured on two separate occasions by three spine surgeons using six different measurements. Statistical analysis including intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was carried out using the SPSS software (V. 12.0). Results : Redlund-Johnell and Modified (M)-Ranawat had a highest ICC score in both the normal and BI groups in the inter-observer study. The M-Ranawat method (0.83) had a highest ICC score in the normal group, and the Redlund-Johenll method (0.80) had a highest ICC score in the BI group in the intra-observer test. The McGregor line had a lowest ICC score and a poor ICC grade in both groups in the intra-observer study. Generally, the measurement method using the odontoid process did not produce consistent results due to inter and intra-observer differences in determining the position of the odontoid tip. Opisthion and caudal point of the occipital midline curve are somewhat ambiguous landmarks, which induce variable ICC scores. Conclusion : On the contrary to other studies, Ranawat method had a lower ICC score in the inter-observer study. C2 end-plate and C1 arch can be the most reliable anatomical landmarks.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제47권3호
• /
• pp.221-223
• /
• 2010

C1 lateral mass and C2 pedicle (C1LM-C2P) fixation is a relatively new technique for atlantoaxial stabilization. Complications from C1LM-C2P fixation have been rarely reported. The authors report unilateral rod migration into the posterior fossa as a rare complication after this posterior C1-C2 stabilization technique. A 23-year-old man suffered severe head trauma and cervical spine injury after vehicle accident. He was unconscious for 2 months and regained consciousness. He underwent C1LM-C2P fixation for stabilization of type II odontoid process fracture described by Harms. The patient recovered without a major complication. Twenty months after operation, brain computed tomogram performed at psychology department for disability evaluation showed rod migration into the right cerebellar hemisphere. The patient had mild occipital headache and dizziness only regarding the misplaced rod. He refused further operation for rod removal. To our knowledge, this complication is the first report regarding rod migration after Harms method. We should be kept in mind the possibility of rod migration, and C1LM-C2P fixation should be performed with meticulous technique and long-term follow-up.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제67권1호
• /
• pp.6-13
• /
• 2024

The integrity of the high cervical spine, the transition zone from the brainstem to the spinal cord, is crucial for survival and daily life. The region protects the enclosed neurovascular structure and allows a substantial portion of the head motion. Injuries of the high cervical spine are frequent, and the fractures of the C2 vertebra account for approximately 17-25% of acute cervical fractures. We review the two major types of C2 vertebral fractures, odontoid fracture and Hangman's fracture. For both types of fractures, favorable outcomes could be obtained if the delicately selected conservative treatment is performed. In odontoid fractures, as the most common fracture on the C2 vertebrae, anterior screw fixation is considered first for type II fractures, and C1-2 fusion is suggested when nonunion is a concern or occurs. Hangman's fractures are the second most common fracture. Many stable extension type I and II fractures can be treated with external immobilization, whereas the predominant flexion type IIA and III fractures require surgical stabilization. No result proves that either anterior or posterior surgery is superior, and the surgeon should decide on the surgical method after careful consideration according to each clinical situation. This review will briefly describe the basic principles and current treatment concepts of C2 fractures.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제29권11호
• /
• pp.1469-1475
• /
• 2000

Objective : The goal of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of the posterior C1-2 transarticular screw fixation without C1-2 sublaminar wiring in atlantoaxial instability. Methods : Between Apr. 1995 and Feb. 2000, we used this technique in treat randomly selected 17 patients (11 men, 6 women) who had atlantoaxial instability. The causes of instability were : type II-A odontoid process fracture(10 cases) ; type II-P odontoid process fracture(1 case) ; Os odontoideum(2 cases) ; transverse ligament laxity due to rheumatoid disease(1 case) ; and, transverse ligament injury without bone fracture(3 cases). All cases were operated with posterior C1-2 transarticular screw fixation with 3.5mm cortical screw and interlaminar iliac graft without sublaminar wire fixation. The mean follow-up period was 28 months(5 to 58 months) and the mean age at the time of operation was 41 years(15 to 68 years). All Patients were allowed to ambulate with Philadelphia neck collar on the first post-operation day. Results : Bony fusion was successfully achieved in all cases demonstrated at 3-month follow-up studies. There was no operative mortality or morbidity. Conclusion : The authors conclude that the posterior transarticular screw fixation without C1-2 sublaminar wiring provide adequate stability with high bony union rate in atlantoaxial instability of various causes.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제57권4호
• /
• pp.276-282
• /
• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate morphological change at the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) region using computed tomography. Methods : A total of 238 patients were included in this study, and mean age was $47.8{\pm}21.3months$. Spinal canal diameter, Power's ratio, McRae line, antero-posterior C1 ring height, atlantoaxial joint space, C2 growth, epidural space from the dens (M-PB-C2) and longitudinal distance (basion to C2 lower margin, B-C2) were measured. The mean value of each parameter was assessed for individual age groups. The cohorts were then divided into three larger age groups : infancy (I) (${\leq}2years$), very early (VE) childhood (2-5 years) and early (E) childhood ($5{\geq}years$). Results : Spinal canal diameter increased with age; however, this value did not increase with statistical significance after VE age. A significant age-related difference was found for all C2 body and odontoid parameters (p<0.05). Mean McRae line was 8.5, 8, and 7.5 mm in the I, VE, and E groups, respectively. The M-PB-C2 line showed up-and-down dynamic change during early pediatric periods. Conclusion : Expansion of the spinal canal was restricted to the very early childhood period (less than 5 years) in the CVJ region; however, the C2 body and odontoid process increased continuously with age. The above results induced a dynamic change in the M-PB-C2 line. Although C2 longitudinal growth continued with age, the McRae line showed relatively little change.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제29권3호
• /
• pp.309-316
• /
• 2000

목 적 : 경구강 치상돌기제거술은 두개척추연결부위에 대한 접근법 중 중요한 수술법이나 수술상처의 문제나 수술후 뇌막염 등의 합병증의 문제점과 해부학적으로 익숙하지 않다는 점 때문에 광범위하게 사용되지 않고 있다. 이 부위의 해부학적 구조의 이해를 위해 사체해부를 통한 미세해부학을 기술하고자 한다. 방 법 : 10구의 고정 혹은 비고정 사체두부를 이용하여 경구강 치상돌기제거술을 단계적으로 시행하였다. 각 두부는 두부 고정기를 이용하여 고정하였으며, 고속드릴과 수술현미경을 이용하여 미세수술을 시행하며 각 단계별로 사진을 촬영하였다. 결 과 : 수술단계는 6단계로 나눌 수 있으며, 연구개, 후측 인두부, 근육조직, 골조직, 치상돌기 및 인대, 십자인대 및 경막으로 나눌 수 있다. 결 론 : 이 부위의 해부학적인 지식을 충분히 숙지하면 경구강 치상돌기제거술은 합병증을 피하면서 비교적 용이하게 두개척추연결부위의 다양한 병변에서 사용될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제50권2호
• /
• pp.139-142
• /
• 2011

Vertebral involvement of fibrous dysplasia (FD) is rare, especially in the cervical spine. Moreover, cervical FD presenting as a pathologic fracture in older patients is extremely rare. We report a case of symptomatic cervical FD associated with pathologic fracture in a 63-year-old man. The patient presented with progressive weakness of the left arm and pain in the shoulder and arm. Radiologic studies revealed a collapsed and typical 'ground glass' radiolucency of C4. Multiple lytic lesions involved the odontoid process of C2 and the body, left pedicle, and posterior elements of C4. Combined anterior and posterior decompression and reconstruction were performed. Post-operatively, the histopathologic examination confirmed FD. On the post-operative follow-up examination, the neurologic deficits had completely resolved.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제45권4호
• /
• pp.246-248
• /
• 2009

Atlantoaxial rotatory fixation (AARF) in adult is a rare disorder that occurs followed by a trauma. The patients were presented with painful torticollis and a typical 'cock robin' position of the head. The clinical diagnosis is generally difficult and often made in the late stage. In some cases, an irreducible or chronic fixation develops. We reported a case of AARF in adult patient which was treated by immobilization with conservative treatment. A 25-year-old female was presented with a posterior neck pain and limitation of motion of cervical spine after a traffic accident. She had no neurological deficit but suffered from severe defect on the scalp and multiple thoracic compression fractures. Plain radiographs demonstrated torticollis, lateral shift of odontoid process to one side and widening of one side of C1-C2 joint space. Immobilization with a Holter traction were performed and analgesics and muscle relaxants were given. Posterior neck pain and limitation of the cervical spine' motion were resolved. Plain cervical radiographs taken at one month after the injury showed that torticollis disappeared and the dens were in the midline position. The authors reported a case of type I post-traumatic AARF that was successfully treated by immobilization alone.

• 대한기계학회논문집A
• /
• 제29권6호
• /
• pp.913-920
• /
• 2005

Compared to previous in-vitro test, FE model showed reliable motion patterns. A finite element model of a 50th percentile male neck was developed to study the mechanics of whiplash injury while the rear impacts. The model was consisted of the whole cervical vertebrae including part of occipital, intervertebral discs. which were modeled using linear viscoelastic materials and posterior elements. The sliding interfaces were defined to simulate contact phenomena in facet joints and in odontoid process. All ligaments and atlanto-occipital membrane were modeled as nonlinear bar elements. Only muscle elements were not considered. Motion of each cervical vertebra was obtained from the dynamic simulation with a MADYMO model for 15 km/h $40\%$ rear end offset impacts. Soft tissue neck injury(STNI) was investigated with a developed FE model. In FE model analysis, the high stress was appeared at C3/C4 disc in offset impact. Further research is still needed in order to improve the developed neck FE model for many different crash patterns.

• 대한정형외과학회지
• /
• 제56권6호
• /
• pp.530-534
• /
• 2021

소아, 특히 유아의 치상돌기 골절은 매우 드물고, 따라서 그 진단 및 치료에 대하여 정립된 기술을 쉽게 볼 수 없다. 특히 전위가 심한 경우 보존적 혹은 수술적 치료 중 무엇을 적용해야 할지 결정하기가 어렵다. 이론적으로 수술적 고정을 통해 골절의 조기 정복과 견고한 유지가 가능할 것으로 보이나, 작고 연약한 소아에서 안전하게 수행되기가 쉽지 않고, 환축추 관절의 영구적 고정이라는 문제가 남는다. 저자들은 교통사고로 발생한 2세 여아의 고도 굴곡 전위된 치상돌기 골절 1예를 보존적으로 치료하여 양호한 결과를 얻었기에 이 체험을 문헌 고찰과 함께 보고하는 바이다.