• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.166-169
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• 2008

Sacral insufficiency fractures are usually known to develop in elderly patients with osteoporosis without definite trauma history. It is difficult to diagnose the sacral insufficiency fracture at an early stage because lower lumbar diseases. concurrently or not, may also be presented with similar symptoms and signs. We report a rare case of sacral insufficiency fracture who was not diagnosed initially but, instead, showed progressively worsening of clinical symptoms and radiological findings after decompression surgery for upper level lumbar stenosis.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.229-232
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• 2008

Insufficiency fractures of the sacrum are relatively common and cause severe low back and buttock pain. Percutaneous vertebroplasty is effective for treating vertebral compression fractures. We present a case of percutaneous sacroplasty for the treatment of low back and buttock pain in a sacral insufficiency fracture. A 79-year-old male with non-small lung cancer presented with severe low back and buttock pain after series of radiation treatments. Preoperative MRI showed both a sacral ala and S2 metastatic insufficiency fracture. An epidural port was inserted for continuous morphine infusion and sacral nerve root blocks were performed. However, his pain did not diminish and we attempted percutaneous sacroplasty. Both sides of the sacroplasty were done with a fluoroscopy-guided technique with 1.7 ml and 2.3 ml of bone cement injected into the right and left sacral ala. Pain relief was significant and the patient was able to sit down 1 day after the procedure.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.58-63
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• 2010

Sacral insufficiency fracture is a debilitating injury not easily found in general radiologic examinations and is rarely diagnosed, since its symptoms are obscure. It is known to frequently occur in patients with osteoporosis, but the treatment has not yet been established and various kinds of treatment methods are being attempted. Sacroplasty is sometimes performed by applying percutaneous vertebroplasty which is known to be a less invasive treatment. Since the course of diagnosis of sacral insufficiency fracture is difficult and clear guidelines for treatments have not yet been established, many spine surgeons fail to diagnose patients or speculate on treatment methods. We report our experience in diagnosing a sacral insufficiency fracture in a 54-year-old healthy female patient using MRI and treating her with sacroplasty. From a therapeutic point of view, we then cover the usefulness, effects and characteristics relating to the complications of sacroplasty, along with literature review.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제61권2호
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• pp.258-266
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• 2018

Objective : The diagnosis of insufficiency fractures of the sacrum in an elder population increases annually. Fractures show very different morphology. We aimed to classify sacral insufficiency fractures according to the position of cortical break and possible need for intervention. Methods : Between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2014, all patients with a proven fracture of the sacrum following a low-energy or an even unnoticed trauma were prospectively registered : 117 females and 13 males. All patients had a computer tomography of the pelvic ring, two patients had a magnetic resonance imaging additionally : localization and involvement of the fracture lines into the sacroiliac joint, neural foramina or the spinal canal were identified. Results : Patients were aged between 46 and 98 years (mean, 79.8 years). Seventy-seven patients had an unilateral fracture of the sacral ala, 41 bilateral ala fractures and 12 patients showed a fracture of the sacral corpus : a total of 171 fractures were analyzed. The first group A included fractures of the sacral ala which were assessed to have no or less mechanical importance (n=53) : fractures with no cortical disruption ("bone bruise") (A1; n=2), cortical deformation of the anterior cortical bone (A2; n=4), and fracture of the anterolateral rim of ala (A3; n=47). Complete fractures of the sacral ala (B; n=106) : parallel to the sacroiliac joint (B1; n=63), into the sacroiliac joint (B2; n=19), and involvement of the sacral foramina respectively the spinal canal (B3; n=24). Central fractures involving the sacral corpus (C; n=12) : fracture limited to the corpus or finishing into one ala (C1; n=3), unidirectional including the neural foramina or the spinal canal or both (C2; n=2), and horizontal fractures of the corpus with bilateral sagittal completion (C3; n=8). Sixty-eight fractures proceeded into the sacroiliac joint, 34 fractures showed an injury of foramina or canal. Conclusion : The new classification allowes the differentiation of fractures of less mechanical importance and a risk assessment for possible polymethyl methacrylate leaks during sacroplasty in the direction of the neurological structures. In addition, identification of instable fractures in need for laminectomy and surgical stabilization is possible.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.187-192
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• 2020

Sacral insufficiency fractures (SIF) are a common, but often underdiagnosed source of lower back pain without apparent trauma. This report presents the clinical outcome of a 75-year-old female with SIF, and an underlying medical history of osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. She was treated non-operatively, in-hospital, with Korean medicine. Patient progress was assessed using the numerical rating scale and self-reported symptoms. Post-treatment, the numerical rating scale score for pain in her hip decreased from 7 to 2. At admission, the patient was unable to sit, and could only walk 3 m with assistance. At discharge, she could sit for longer than 1 hour and walk further than 200 m unassisted. On the follow-up visit, the patient was asymptomatic, and x-ray scans showed ossification of the sacral and pubic fractures. These results suggest that, Korean medicine can effectively reduce pain and aid rehabilitation in patients with SIF, without the need for surgery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제60권1호
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• pp.60-66
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• 2017

Objective : Sacral insufficiency fracture (SIF) contributes to severe low back pain. Prolonged immobilization resulting from SIF can cause significant complications in the elderly. Sacroplasty, a treatment similar to vertebroplasty, has recently been introduced for providing pain relief in SIF. The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical short-term effects of percutaneous sacroplasty on pain and mobility in SIF. Methods : This study is conducted prospectively with data collection. Sixteen patients (3 men and 13 women) with a mean age of 77.5 years (58 to 91) underwent sacroplasty. Patients reported visual analogue scale (VAS; 0-10) and Oswestry disability index (ODI; 0-100%) scores. VAS and ODI scores were collected preoperatively and again at one day, one month, and three months postoperatively. Questionnaires measuring six activities of daily living (ADLs) including ambulating, performing housework, dressing, bathing, transferring from chair, and transferring from bed were collected. Ability to perform ADLs were reported preoperatively and again at three months postoperatively. Results : The mean preoperative VAS score ($mean{\pm}SD$) of $7.5{\pm}0.8$ was significantly reduced to $4.1{\pm}1.6$, $3.3{\pm}1.0$, and $3.2{\pm}1.2$ postoperatively at one day, one month, and three months, respectively (p<0.01). The mean ODI score (%) also significantly improved from $59{\pm}14$ preoperatively to $15.5{\pm}8.2$ postoperatively at one month and $14.8{\pm}8.8$ at three months (p<0.01). All ADL scores significantly improved at three months postoperatively (p<0.01). Conclusion : Percutaneous sacroplasty alleviates pain quickly and improves mobility and quality of life in patients treated for SIF.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.119-128
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• 2007

목적 : 이 연구는 낮은 b값의 SSFP-확산강조영상에 의한 물분자의 확산 성질 측정이 가능한지를 알기 위한 모형연구를 하고 이 기법이 골수질환에 적용이 가능한 가를 아는 것이 목적이다. 재료 및 방법: 모형 연구：순수한 물로 구성된 모형에서 확산강조 영상을 시행하였다. 섭씨 3도, 23도 그리고 63도의 순수한 물로 구성된 모형에서 SSFP 확산강조영상과 echo plannar imaging (EPI) 확산강조영상 (b값: $1000s/mm^2$)을 모두 시행하여 각각에서 신호 대 잡음 비 (SNR; signal to noise ratio)와 확산계수를 얻었다. 임상 연구 : 10명의 천골 부족 골절, 10명의 골다공증에 의한 급성 요추 압박골절, 그리고 전이암에 의한 요추 압박골절 8명에서 각각 SSFP 확산강조영상을 시행하였다. SSFP 확산 강조영상 외 확산계수를 측정하기 위해 single shot stimulated echo-acquisition mode sequence 를 이용한 확산강조영상을 시행하였다. 결과: 모형연구에서 EPI 확산 강조영상뿐만 아니라 SSFP 확산강조영상에서 물의 온도가 증가됨에 따라 신호강도의 감소를 보였다. EPI-확산계수 영상에서 확산계수 값은 3도의 물은 $0.13{\times}10^{-3}mm^2/s$, 23도는 $0.22{\times}10^{-3}mm2/s$ 그리고 63도에서 $0.37{\times}10^{-3}mm^2/s$를 나타냈다. 이러한 결과는 SSFP 기법은 비록 낮은 b 값을 가지지만 확산 강조 영상으로 확신된다. SSFP 확산강조영상에서 모든 천골 부족 골절과 골다공증 척추 압박골절은 높은 확산계수를 의미하는 저신호강도를 전이암에 의한 압박골절은 낮은 확산 값을 나타내는 고신호 강도를 보였다. 결론 : SSFP 확산강조영상에서 다른 확산계수를 가진 골수질환이 영상화 되었으며 모든 양성골절은 주위 정상 골수에 비해 저신호강도, 악성 종양에 의한 골절은 고신호강도로 관찰되었다.