• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.275-279
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• 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 Trauma and Injury
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.241-246
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• 2012

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the appropriateness of the cross table lateral cervical X-ray used in the emergency department for severely traumatized Korean patients. Methods: Patients visiting our institution from May 2011 to May 2012, who had injury severity score (ISS) > 15 and who received a cervical X-ray in the emergency department, were included in this study. Data including demographics, ISS score, GCS score, and place where the x-ray was taken were collected to evaluate their relationship with appropriate coverage of the cervical X-ray. The appropriateness of a cervical cross lateral view X-ray was evaluated using exposure of the basion, and the opisthion, as well as the distal level of exposure. Results: Fifty-two patients were included in this study. The identification rate of the basion was 79.2%, and the identification rate of the opisthion was 88.7%. Complete exposure of C7/T1 was accomplished in 3.8% of the patients. The ISS was higher for X-ray taken in the trauma bay, but the range of exposure showed no difference between the places where the X-rays taken. Patients who had exposure of C 5/6 or more had lower body weight and body mass index (BMI) compared with unexposed patients. Conclusion: In severely traumatized Korean patients, the adequacy of the cross table lateral cervical X-ray was inappropriate in most cases. No difference was observed in the exposure range between the places where the X-rays were taken, and patients with less exposure showed higher body weight and higher BMI.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2023

Anatomical knowledge of the occipital condyle (OC) and its relationships to surrounding structures is important for avoiding injury during craniovertebral junction (CVJ) surgeries. This study was conducted to evaluate the morphology and morphometry of OC and its relationship to foramen magnum, jugular foramen (JF), and hypoglossal canal (HC). Morphometric parameters including length, width, height, and distances from the OC to surrounding structures were measured. The oval-like condyle was the most common OC shape, representing for 33.0% of all samples. The mean length, width and height of OC were 21.3±2.4, 10.5±1.4, and 7.4±1.1 mm, respectively. Moreover, OC was classified into three types based on its length. The most common OC length in both sexes was moderate length or type II (62.5%). The mean distance between anterior tips and posterior tips of OC to basion, and opisthion were 11.5±1.4, 39.1±3.3, 25.2±2.2, and 27.4±2.7 mm, respectively. The location of intracranial orifice of HC was commonly found related to middle 1/3 of OC in 45.0%. JF was related to the anterior 2/3 of OC in 81.0%, the anterior 1/3 of OC in 12.5%, and the entire OC length in 6.5%. These morphological analysis and morphometric data should be taken into consideration before performing surgical operation to avoid CVJ instability and neurovascular structure injury.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.207-212
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• 2014

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the deviation of landmarks from horizontal or midsagittal reference planes according to the methods of establishing reference planes. Materials and Methods: Computed tomography (CT) scans of 18 patients who received orthodontic and orthognathic surgical treatment were reviewed. Each CT scan was reconstructed by three methods for establishing three orthogonal reference planes (namely, the horizontal, midsagittal, and coronal reference planes). The horizontal (bilateral porions and bilateral orbitales) and midsagittal (crista galli, nasion, prechiasmatic point, opisthion, and anterior nasal spine) landmarks were identified on each CT scan. Vertical deviation of the horizontal landmarks and horizontal deviation of the midsagittal landmarks were measured. Results: The porion and orbitale, which were not involved in establishing the horizontal reference plane, were found to deviate vertically from the horizontal reference plane in the three methods. The midsagittal landmarks, which were not used for the midsagittal reference plane, deviated horizontally from the midsagittal reference plane in the three methods. Conclusion: In a three-dimensional facial analysis, the vertical and horizontal deviations of the landmarks from the horizontal and midsagittal reference planes could vary depending on the methods of establishing reference planes.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.454-461
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• 2015

Objective : In this study, we aimed to investigate the underlying ethiological factors in chiari malformation (CM) type-I (CMI) via performing volumetric and morphometric length-angle measurements. Methods : A total of 66 individuals [33 patients (20-65 years) with CMI and 33 control subjects] were included in this study. In sagittal MR images, tonsillar herniation length and concurrent anomalies were evaluated. Supratentorial, infratentorial, and total intracranial volumes were measured using Cavalieri method. Various cranial distances and angles were used to evaluate the platybasia and posterior cranial fossa (PCF) development. Results : Tonsillar herniation length was measured $9.09{\pm}3.39mm$ below foramen magnum in CM group. Tonsillar herniation/concurrent syringomyelia, concavity/defect of clivus, herniation of bulbus and fourth ventricle, basilar invagination and craniovertebral junction abnormality rates were 30.3, 27, 18, 2, 3, and 3 percent, respectively. Absence of cisterna magna was encountered in 87.9% of the patients. Total, IT and ST volumes and distance between Chamberlain line and tip of dens axis, Klaus index, clivus length, distance between internal occipital protuberance and opisthion were significantly decreased in patient group. Also in patient group, it was found that Welcher basal angle/Boogard angle increased and tentorial slope angle decreased. Conclusion : Mean cranial volume and length-angle measurement values significantly decreased and there was a congenital abnormality association in nearly 81.5 percent of the CM cases. As a result, it was concluded that CM ethiology can be attributed to multifactorial causes. Moreover, congenital defects can also give rise to this condition.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.85-89
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• 2008

Purpose: Unicoronal synostosis is the craniofacial anomaly caused by premature fusion of unilateral coronal suture. Ipsilateral flattening of the frontal and parietal bones, temporal retrusion with elevation and recession of the supraorbital rim are main clinical features. Compensatory contralateral frontal bossing and deviation of the nasal root and/or chin can also occur. There is a controversy about techniques for surgical correction, however, bilateral approach technique is more effective for correction of deformity. Methods: A 4-year-old patient with unicoronal synostosis had undergone unilateral suturectomy at 28-month-old but fronto-facial deformity had remained and aggravated as she grew older. She had both fronto-facial and endocranial asymmetry. We performed coronal cranial approach and fully exposed affected cranium including supraorbital rim. Anterior 2/3 calvarial reconstruction with bilateral frontal bone osteotomy and fronto-orbital bandeau advancement was performed. Results: Fronto-facial symmetry including fronto-orbital contour, nasal devation was improved. Endocranial twisting was also improved from $158^{\circ}$ to $162^{\circ}$ in CSO(crista gallisella turcica-opisthion) degree. There was no postoperative complications and no need for revision, and facial asymmetry improved at the period of 2 years of follow-up. Conclusion: Bilateral approach with fronto-orbital bandeau remodeling in surgery of unicoronal synostosis looked superior to unilateral approach in achieving better symmetry and preventing recurrence of asymmetry. Remodeling surgery should be tried in patients even at an older age to correct fronto-facial asymmetry.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.405-410
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• 2013

Objective : The objective of this study was to investigate changes in the posterior cranial fossa in patients with symptomatic Chiari malformation type I (CMI) compared to a control group. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed clinical and radiological data from 12 symptomatic patients with CMI and 24 healthy control subjects. The structures of the brain and skull base were investigated using magnetic resonance imaging. Results : The length of the clivus had significantly decreased in the CMI group than in the control group (p=0.000). The angle between the clivus and the McRae line (p<0.024), as the angle between the supraocciput and the McRae line (p<0.021), and the angle between the tentorium and a line connecting the internal occipital protuberance to the opisthion (p<0.009) were significantly larger in the CMI group than in the control group. The mean vertical length of the cerebellar hemisphere (p<0.003) and the mean length of the coronal and sagittal superoinferior aspects of the cerebellum (p<0.05) were longer in the CMI group than in the control group, while the mean length of the axial anteroposterior aspect of the cerebellum (p<0.001) was significantly shorter in the CMI group relative to control subjects. Conclusion : We elucidate the transformation of the posterior cranial fossa into the narrow funnel shape. The sufficient cephalocaudal extension of the craniectomy of the posterior cranial fossa has more decompression effect than other type extension of the craniectomy in CMI patients.