• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.206-210
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• 2014

Objective : Lumbar spinal stenosis is a common degenerative spine disease that requires surgical intervention. Currently, there is interest in minimally invasive surgery and various technical modifications of decompressive lumbar laminectomy without fusion. The purpose of this study was to present the author's surgical technique and results for decompression of spinal stenosis. Methods : The author performed surgery in 57 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis between 2006 and 2010. Data were gathered retrospectively via outpatient interviews and telephone questionnaires. The operation used in this study was named central decompressive laminoplasty (CDL), which allows thorough decompression of the lumbar spinal canal and proximal two foraminal nerve roots by undercutting the lamina and facet joint. Kyphotic prone positioning on elevated curvature of the frame or occasional use of an interlaminar spreader enables sufficient interlaminar working space. Pain was measured with a visual analogue scale (VAS). Surgical outcome was analyzed with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Data were analyzed preoperatively and six months postoperatively. Results : The interlaminar window provided by this technique allowed for unhindered access to the central canal, lateral recess, and upper/lower foraminal zone, with near-total sparing of the facet joint. The VAS scores and ODI were significantly improved at six-month follow-up compared to preoperative levels (p<0.001, respectively). Excellent pain relief (>75% of initial VAS score) of back/buttock and leg was observed in 75.0% and 76.2% of patients, respectively. Conclusion : CDL is easily applied, allows good field visualization and decompression, maintains stability by sparing ligament and bony structures, and shows excellent early surgical results.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.265-268
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• 2009

Two cases of dynamic lumbar spinal stenosis were identified by the authors using axial loaded magnetic resonance image (MRI). In both cases, the patients presented with neurogenic claudication but MRI in decumbency showed no definite pathologic condition associated with their symptoms. In contrast, axial loaded MRI demonstrated constrictive spinal stenosis and a significantly decreased dural sac caused by epidural fat buckling and thickening of the ligamentum flavum in both cases. In the second case, a more prominent disc protrusion was also demonstrated compared with decumbent MRI. After decompressive surgery, both patients had satisfactory outcomes. Axial loaded MRI can therefore give decisive information in dynamic spinal disorders by allowing simulation of an upright position.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.75-80
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• 2003

Lumbar spinal stenosis results from the progressive combined narrowing of the central spinal canal, the neurorecesses, and the neuroforaminal canals. In the absence of prior surgery, tumor, or infection, the spinal canal may become narrowed by bulging or protrusion of the intervertebral disc annulus, herniation of the nucleus pulposis posteriorly, thickening of the posterior longitudinal ligament, hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum, epidural fat deposition, spondylosis of the intervertebral disc margins, or a combination of two or more of the above factors. Patients with spinal stenosis become symptomatic when pain, motor weakness, paresthesia, or other neurologic compromise causes distress. In one case, we administrated oriental medical treatment with acupuncture treatment and herb-medicine. Oriental medical treatment showed desirable effect on lumbar spinal stenosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.35-37
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• 2006

We present a case of acute spinal epidural hematoma[EDH] following unilateral laminectomy for bilateral decompression[ULBD]. A 45-year-old male presented with severe multi-level spinal stenosis underwent ULBD on the left side at the L2-3 and L3-4 level. Five hours after operation, paraparesis developed along with severe bilateral buttock pain. The CT scan showed an acute spinal EDH at the L2-3 level. The acute spinal EDH was successfully decompressed after emergency decompressive surgery with performing an additional laminectomy on the contralateral side at the L2-3 level. Although ULBD is an effective minimally invasive surgical technique for treating spinal stenosis, the possibility of acute spinal EDH should be kept in mind, as happened in our case.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.76-78
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• 2005

We report a rare case of cauda equina syndrome due to bilateral lumbar facet cyst. A 62-year-old woman has developed both legs sciatica 3 months prior to her visit, but recently motor weakness and voiding difficulty occurred. Lumbar magnetic resonance image showed bilateral lumbar facet cyst compressing and surrounding both L5 nerve root and accompanying spinal stenosis. Urgent decompressive laminectomy and cyst removal was performed. Although sciatica was relieved and motor weakness was recovered usefully. Voiding difficulty and dysesthesia were not improved.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.23-38
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• 2007

Objectives : The aim of this study was to understand scale of lumbar spinal stenosis. Methods : Papers including questionnaires for assessment disability, fuction, activity limitation, or prticipation restriction in adult patients with low back pain or spinal stenosis were searched in the MEDLINE. Results and Conclusions : 1. VAS, VRS, NRS were recommended to the pain scale. 2.ODI and RMDQ were recommended to the function scale. 3. ODI, RMDQ, QBPDS, LBOS, MVAS, WDI commonly used to the fuction scale.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2007

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the effect of Bee Venom Acupuncture Therapy on Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. Methods : The patient was diagnosed as Lumbar Spinal Stenosis through Lumbar spine MRI and treated with Bee Venom Acupuncture Therapy and so on and measured of VAS and ODI score to evaluate treatment effects. Results and Conclusions : ROM of Lumbar, Milgram test and sensory test has improved. VAS and ODI score were also decreased.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.93-105
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• 2011

Objectives : This study aims to evaluate currently available clinical evidence for the use of acupuncture in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis in the context of Republic of Korea. Methods : Five Korean databases were searched for all clinical studies employing acupuncture for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. The exceptions were case reports and series involving less than 10 patients from their inception to September 2011. Only studies reported in Korean databases were searched. Results : Five retrospective audits among 22 initially identified studies were eligible for analysis in this review. There was no randomized controlled trial for this topic. The number of patients varied between 15 and 119 in each audit, and all the patients analyzed were inpatients. In all the included studies, acupuncture was conducted in combination with other concomitant treatments, including moxibustion, cupping, herbal remedies, acupoint injection, Chuna, and various physical therapies. All the included audits reported symptomatic and/or functional improvements compared to baseline. None of the included audits indicated whether any adverse events were reported. Conclusions : Current evidence for the use of acupuncture in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis in the context of South Korea is based solely on five retrospective audits that are very likely prone to a high risk of bias. Thus, further prospective and methodologically sound clinical trials to overcome this huge gap between clinical practice and the available evidence for the use of acupuncture in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis are needed.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.106-110
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• 2011

In the patient who has intradural mass associated with spinal stenosis, if the operation for spinal stenosis is performed alone, the symptom may remain. We report with literature review that we achieved the successful outcome after simultaneous decompression of spinal stenosis and space occupying mass removal in the case of intradural and extradural compression. A 71-year-old female patient suffering from low back pain and radiating pain of both lower extremities admitted. In magnetic resonance imaging, spinal stenosis on L4-5 and spondylolisthesis on L5-S1 compressed dural sac and intradural space occupying mass on L4 level compressed. By posterior approach, decompression and interbody fusion were carried out. Then mass was removed with median durotomy. Pathologic diagnosis was schwannoma and the symptom was improved remarkably.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.93-99
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• 2007

Purpose : The aim of this study is to consider degenerative spine disease theoretically and compare plain radiography which is a basic study for low back pain with MRI in cases of degenerative lumbar spine disease to find out whether the abnormalities agree with each other. Methods : In 4 cases of lumbar degenerative disease, we studied the relation of the abnormalities such as disc space narrowing, spinal space narrowing, loss of lordosis and osteophytes on plain radiography with those on MRI of HIVD, spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis. Results : Many abnormalities such as disc space narrowing, spinal space narrowing, loss of lordosis, osteophytes and change of cortex & bone marrow on plain radiography suggest HIVD, spinal stenosis, spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis on MRI. Conclusion : For low back pain patients, plain radiography is a basic study in diagnosis of HIVD, spinal stenosis, spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis but MRI or CT scan is necessary to develop(build) a treatment plan like an operation.