• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.342-348
• /
• 2019

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) can be defined as an ectopic ossification in the tissues of spinal ligament showing a hyperostotic condition. OPLL is developed mostly in the cervical spine and clinical presentations of OPLL are majorly myelopathy and/or radiculopathy, with serious neurological pathology resulting in paralysis of extremities and disturbances of motility lowering the quality of life. OPLL is known to be an idiopathic and multifactorial disease, which genetic factors and non-genetic factors including diet, obesity, physical strain on the posterior longitudinal ligament, age, and diabetes mellitus, are involved into the pathogenesis. Up to now, surgical management by decompressing the spinal cord is regarded as standard treatment for OPLL, although there might be the risk of development of reprogression of ossification. The molecular pathogenesis and efficient therapeutic strategy, especially pharmacotherapy and/or preventive intervention, of OPLL has not been clearly elucidated and suggested. Therefore, in this review, we tried to give an overview to the present research results on OPLL, in order to shed light on the potential pharmacotherapy based on molecular pathophysiologic aspect of OPLL, especially on the genetic/genomic factors involved into the etiology of OPLL.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.24 no.12
• /
• pp.1192-1196
• /
• 1991

Thoracic outlet syndrome is very rare thoracic surgical neurovascular disorder which is subject to compression by bones and muscular structures impinging upon the subclavian artery, vein k brachial plexus. The operative therapy is applied to remove the anatomical abnormal structures which leads to the compression to develop symptoms. We have operated one patient with thoracic outlet syndrome by excision of cervical ribs & first ribs with using transaxillary & posterior parascapular approaches in the thoracic surgical department, Yonsei University College of medicine, The post-operative courses has been uneventful for 7 months to now.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.529-535
• /
• 2016

Background The trapezius muscle flap is not usually the first reconstructive option for skin and soft tissue defects in the posterior neck and scalp due to surgeons' unfamiliarity with the surgical anatomy and developments in free tissue transfer techniques. The goals of this study were to describe the clinical use of trapezius flaps in posterior neck and scalp reconstruction, and to investigate the vascular anatomy of trapezius flaps in Asians in order to obtain information facilitating the safe design and elevation of flaps in which most of the muscle is preserved. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed of 10 patients who underwent trapezius muscle flap for posterior neck and scalp defects. We also performed an anatomical study of 16 flaps harvested from 8 preserved Asian adult cadavers and evaluated the main landmarks relevant for trapezius muscle flap. Results In the anatomical study, the mean vertical height from the inferior angle of the scapula to the point at which the superficial cervical artery penetrated the trapezius was $4.31{\pm}2.14cm$. The mean vertical height of the trapezius muscle flap pivot point was $9.53{\pm}2.08cm$ from the external occipital protuberance. Among the 10 flaps, partial necrosis on the overlaid skin graft occurred in 1 patient and postoperative seroma occurred in another patient. Conclusions Vascular variations in the trapezius muscle flap are uncommon in Asians, but when present, such variations appear to have little impact on harvesting the flap or on its circulation. The trapezius muscle flap is a viable alternative for posterior neck and scalp reconstruction.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.265-282
• /
• 1988

The pulp response of posterior composite resins in relation to the thickness of remaining dentin was studied with 120 teeth from 6 dogs, Class V. cavities were prepared on the cervical area of facial surfaces. The thickness of remaining dentin was controlled with Caries Meter$^{(R)}$. The cavities of group A were prepared to show the electrical impedance of 22-26$K{\Omega}$(thickness of remaining dentin:0.4-0.5mm). The cavities of group B, 50-55$K{\Omega}$(thickness of remaining dentin: 0.8-0.9mm). Zinc - Oxide Eugenol cement, Estilux$^{(R)}$ posterior, Heliomolar$^{(R)}$ radiopaque, P-30$^{(R)}$ and Scotchbond$^{(R)}$+P-30$^{(R)}$ were filled in each cavity. After 3days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 9 weeks and 13 weeks, the teeth and pulp tissue were processed routinely and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin. Pathological tissue changes were observed with light microscope. The following results were obtained. I. The pulp response of group A cavties was severer than that of group B cavities. 2. In the pulp of group A cavities which were filled with Zinc-Oxide Eugenol Cement, only vascular changes were observed after 3 days and 1 week, severe acute inflammation after 4 weeks, moderate acute inflammation after 9 weeks, and chronic inflammation and formation of granulation tissue after 13 weeks. 3. In the pulp of group A cavities which were filled with Estilux$^{(R)}$ posterior, only vascular changes were observed after 3 days and 1 week. But the inflammatory response has became much severer with the elapsed experimental period. 4. In the pulp of group A cavities which were filled with Heliomolar$^{(R)}$ radiopaque, the inflammatory response with the elapsed experimental period was not severer than that of the pulp of group A cavities which were filled with other materials. 5. In the group B cavities, the difference of pulp response by filling materials was not recognizable. In the group A cavities, the pulp response of Estilux$^{(R)}$ posterior was severest and in order P-30$^{(R)}$, Heliomolar$^{(R)}$ radiopaque was slighter.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.11-20
• /
• 2016

Background: A forward head posture (FHP) is one of the most common types of poor head posture in patients with neck disorder. A prolonged FHP might increase pressure on the posterior cranio-cervical structure and exhibit reduced performance on a cranio-cervical flexion test (CCFT). CCFT is included to activate deep cervical flexor muscles and inhibit excessive activation of superficial cervical flexor muscles. Therefore, the selective activation of deep cervical flexors is needed for effective exercise for FHP. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare muscle thickness between longus colli (Lco) and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) using ultrasonography in subjects with FHP depending on head support. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, case-control research design study. The ultrasonographic images of Lco and SCM were taken in 17 subjects with FHP during the 5 phases of the CCFT with and without a head support. Towel was used for supporting head to make the neutral head position in supine. Changes in muscle thickness during the test were calculated to infer muscle activation. Data were analyzed using repeated measures of two-way analysis of variance with the significance level of .05. Results: When subjects performed the CCFT with head support, there was a significant difference in muscle thickness of Lco and SCM (p<.05). According to a post hoc paired t-test, change of thickness of Lco was greater at all phases, and change of thickness of SCM muscle was less at phase 4 and 5 in condition with head support (p<.01) compared to condition without head support (p<.01). Conclusion: The result of this study suggest that applying head support for neutral head position during CCFT could be a useful method for activating Lco muscle without excessive activation of SCM muscle.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.623-627
• /
• 2021

Cervical foraminal stenosis is a disease in which the nerves that pass from the spinal canal to the limbs are narrowed and the nerves are compressed or damaged. Due to the lack of an imaging method that provides quantitatively stenosis, this study attempted to evaluate the area of the cervical vertebrae by reconstructing a three-dimensional computed tomography image, and to determine the area of the neural foramen in normal adults to calculate the stenosis rate. Using a three-dimensional image processing program, the surrounding bones including the posterior spinous process, lateral process, and lamellar bones of the cervical vertebra were removed so that the neural foramen could be observed well. A region of interest including the neural foraminal area of the three-dimensional image was set using ImageJ, and the number of pixels in the neural foraminal area was measured. The neural foraminal area was calculated by multiplying the number of measured pixels by the pixel size. To measure the largest neural foraminal area, it was measured between 40~50 degrees in the opposite direction and 15~20 degrees toward the head. The average area of the right C2-3 foramen was 44.32 mm², C3-4 area was 34.69 mm², C4-5 area was 36.41 mm², C5-6 area was 35.22 mm², C6-7 area was 36.03 mm². The average area of the left C2-3 foramen was 42.71 mm², C3-4 area was 32.23 mm², C5-6 area was 34.56 mm², and C6-7 area was 31.89 mm². By creating a reference table based on the neural foramen area of normal adults, the stenosis rate of patients with neural foraminal stenosis could be quantitatively calculated. It is expected that this method can be used as basic data for the diagnosis of cervical vertebral foraminal stenosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.58 no.3
• /
• pp.225-230
• /
• 2015

Objective : The clinical outcomes according to the radiological results after cervical total disc replacement (TDR) are not well established. Here, the authors reviewed the clinical results according to the asymmetry in radiographs. Methods : This retrospective analysis included patients after TDR ($Mobi-C^{(R)}$ disc) with at least 12 months follow up, and the clinical and radiological data were obtained preoperatively and postoperatively for 12 months. Clinical outcome measures numerical rating scale (NRS) score for neck pain, visual analog scale (VAS) for arm pain, and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) value. The asymmetries of TDRs were evaluated on the anterior-posterior (AP) and the lateral radiographs, and the radiographic adjacent segment degenerations were evaluated for 12 months. Results : A total of 24 patients (one level cervical TDR; 10 male and 14 female; aged $41.50{\pm}8.35years$) were included in this study. The clinical results including NRS for neck pain, VAS for arm pain, and ODIs were similar between the normal and asymmetrized TDRs in AP and lateral radiographs. The radiographic adjacent segment degenerations were significantly increased in deviated TDRs (AP >10 mm asymmetry and lateral>10 mm asymmetry). Conclusion : Asymmetrical location of TDR is not related to the clinical outcomes, but related to the risk of radiographic adjacent disc segment degeneration.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.67 no.1
• /
• 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
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.341-347
• /
• 2011

Objective : The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of atlantoaxial stabilization using a new entry point for C2 pedicle screw fixation. Methods : Data were collected from 44 patients undergoing posterior C1 lateral mass screw and C2 screw fixation. The 20 cases were approached by the Harms entry point, 21 by the inferolateral point, and three by pars screw. The new inferolateral entry point of the C2 pedicle was located about 3-5 mm medial to the lateral border of the C2 lateral mass and 5-7 mm superior to the inferior border of the C2-3 facet joint. The screw was inserted at an angle $30^{\circ}$ to $45^{\circ}$ toward the midline in the transverse plane and $40^{\circ}$ to $50^{\circ}$ cephalad in the sagittal plane. Patients received followed-up with clinical examinations, radiographs and/or CT scans. Results : There were 28 males and 16 females. No neurological deterioration or vertebral artery injuries were observed. Five cases showed malpositioned screws (2.84%), with four of the screws showing cortical breaches of the transverse foramen. There were no clinical consequences for these five patients. One screw in the C1 lateral mass had a medial cortical breach. None of the screws were malpositioned in patients treated using the new entry point. There was a significant relationship between two group (p=0.036). Conclusion : Posterior C1-2 screw fixation can be performed safely using the new inferolateral entry point for C2 pedicle screw fixation for the treatment of high cervical lesions.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
• /
• v.50 no.3
• /
• pp.181-187
• /
• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the differences in cephalometric characteristics and skeletal maturation in girls with central precocious puberty (CPP) via lateral and hand-wrist radiographs. We also aimed to identify the indicators that are most effective for determining skeletal maturity in these patients. Methods: The study included 70 Korean girls (mean age, 8.5 ± 0.5 years) diagnosed with CPP at the Department of Pediatrics, and 48 normal healthy age-matched girls who visited the Department of Orthodontics and had no history of hormone treatment or growth problems. Skeletal maturation was evaluated using lateral cephalometric and hand-wrist radiographs using cervical vertebrae maturation indicators (CVMI) and skeletal maturity indicators (SMI). Results: The mean mandibular plane angle was smaller in the CPP group than in the control group (35.8° ± 4.9° vs. 39.0° ± 6.5°), resulting in greater posterior facial height (p = 0.003). SMI was significantly greater in the CPP group (3.5 ± 1.4 vs. 2.0 ± 1.0) than in the control group (p = 0.001) and was significantly associated with CPP (r = 0.492; p = 0.001), whereas CVMI was not. Conclusions: In comparison with the control group, the CPP group exhibited a smaller mandibular plane angle, greater posterior facial height, and greater skeletal maturation. SMI may be more suitable than CVMI for determining skeletal maturation in CPP. Hand-wrist radiography is recommended in addition to lateral cephalogram for predicting growth in girls with CPP.