• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.645-651
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• 2009

Previous studies have introduced the technique of spinous process osteotomy to decompress spinal stenosis, a procedure which aims to afford excellent visualization while minimizing destruction of tissues not directly involved in the pathologic process. However, biomechanically it has not been investigated whether the sacrifice of posterior spinous process might have potential risk of spinal instability or not, even though supra-spinous and inter-spinous ligaments are preserved. Therefore the aim of this study is to evaluate the biomechanical properties after spinous process osteotomy, using finite element analysis. The model of spinous process osteotomy exhibited no significant increase in disc stress or change in segmental range of motion. It is due to the fact that the instability of lumbar spine has been maintained by the two-types of ligaments compared with the prior surgical technique. Therefore, according to the finite element result on this study, this osotetomy was considered to be a clinically safe surgical procedure and could not cause the instability of the lumbar spine.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.27-36
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• 2018

Background: We developed a novel integrative lumbar stabilization technique that combines lumbar extension (LE) exercise with abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) to ameliorate low back pain (LBP) associated with neuromuscular imbalance and instability, based on the collective evidence of contemporary spinal rehabilitation. Objects: The specific aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of LE exercise with and without ADIM on core muscle strength, lumbar spinal instability, and pain, as well as functional characteristics in individuals with LBP using advanced radiographic imaging techniques. Methods: patients with mechanical LBP (N = 40, 6 males; $35.1{\pm}7.6years$) were recruited and randomly assigned either to the combined LE and ADIM (experimental group) or the LE alone (control group). Outcome measures included the visual analog scale, the modified Oswestry Disability Index, muscle strength imbalance (MSI), and radiographic imaging. The lumbar intervertebral displacement (LID), intervertebral (IV) and total lumbar extension (TLE) angles were calculated to evaluate the lumbar segmental instability. Results: The experimental group showed significant differences in the L3-L4, L5-S1 LIDs, L4-L5 and L5-S1 IV angles, and TLE angle as compared to the controls (p<.05). Immediate pain reduction and muscle strength imbalance ratio were significantly different between the groups (p<.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that the addition of ADIM significantly increased lumbar spinal stabilization in individuals with LBP, thereby reducing pain associated with functional lumbar flexion during daily activities.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.108-113
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• 2014

Objective : Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory rheumatic disease mainly affecting the axial skeleton. The rigid spine may secondarily develop osteoporosis, further increasing the risk of spinal fracture. In this study, we reviewed fractures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis that had been clinically diagnosed to better define the mechanism of injury, associated neurological deficit, predisposing factors, and management strategies. Methods : Between January 2003 and December 2013, 12 patients with 13 fractures with neurological complications were treated. Neuroimaging evaluation was obtained in all patients by using plain radiography, CT scan, and MR imaging. The ASIA Impairment Scale was used in order to evaluate the neurologic status of the patients. Management was based on the presence or absence of spinal instability. Results : A total of 9 cervical and 4 thoracolumbar fractures were identified in a review of patients in whom ankylosing spondylitis had been diagnosed. Of these, 7 fractures were associated with a hyperextension mechanism. 10 cases resulted in a fracture by minor trauma. Posttraumatic neurological deficits were demonstrated in 11 cases and neurological improvement after surgery was observed in 5 of these cases. Conclusions : Patients with ankylosing spondylitis are highly susceptible to spinal fracture and spinal cord injury even after only mild trauma. Initial CT or MR imaging of the whole spine is recommended even if the patient's symptoms are mild. The patient should also have early surgical stabilization to correct spinal deformity and avoid worsening of the patient's neurological status.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.242-245
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• 2008

A 64-year-old man with TBI was admitted to our institute. In following days, he showed unusual behavior of agitation, restlessness, emotional instability and inattention. Post-traumatic delirium was tentatively diagnosed, and donepezil was given for his cognitive dysfunction. Although there was partial relief of agitation, he sustained back pain despite medication. Lumbar magnetic resonance image revealed SDH along the whole lumbar spine, and surgical drainage was followed. Postoperatively, his agitation disappeared and further medication was discontinued. We report a unique case of post-traumatic delirium in a patient with concomitant TBI and spinal subdural hemorrhage (SDH) that resolved with operative drainage of spinal hemorrhage.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.1364-1367
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• 2003

These days, spinal interbody arthrodesis using fusion cage is very popular. The cage used for the spinal interbody arthrodesis is mainly inserted from the posterior of the spine. Accordingly, there could possibly occur damages at posterior and results in instability of structure. Moreover, one or two cages are inserted depending on the patients. In this study, it is attempted to evaluate the stability quantitatively by comparing two cases where one and two cages are inserted. For this purpose, a very fine 3-dimensional finite element model of vertebra is generated from the MRI data. From this vertebra model, two models are made: one with one cage and the other with two cages. Finally, finite element analys is performed for these two models and both of the mechanical behaviors are examined In addition, the effect on the stability is evaluated and compared quantitatively.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.176-180
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• 2009

Cases of pyogenic spondylodiscitis are relatively rare diseases that concern 2-7% of total cases of osteomyelitis. Owing to the low frequency and initial nonspecific nature of signs and symptoms, diagnosis is often delayed up to 2-6 months. If the proper treatment is not established due to a diagnostic delay, there is a possibility of a serious neurologic deficit and spinal instability. We report two cases of infectious spondylodiscitis which were misdiagnosed as compression fracture and spinal stenosis respectively. They could be correctly diagnosed after MRI and laboratory test and under the recovery state after an antifungal and antibiotic medication. Special careful attention during the diagnostic procedure is a really important step considering the diagnostic delay and its resultant unsatisfactory outcome.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.258-261
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• 2012

Posterior neck pain is a common complaint of patients in the pain clinic. The atlas (C1) burst fracture is known to be a cause of posterior neck pain and instability. Although the atlas burst fracture and instability can be discovered by plain X-rays which show lateral mass displacement or widening of the atlantodental interval, assessment of an atlas burst fracture can be difficult if there is no instability in the imaging study. Here we report a case of a 46-year-old female patient who had complained of sustained posterior neck pain for 6 months. Plain X-rays showed only disc space narrowing at C4/5 and C5/6, without any cervical instability. However, an unrecognized C1 lateral mass fracture was detected by CT and MRI. The patient's pain was then successfully treated after atlantoaxial joint injection with a C2 DRG block.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.316-319
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• 2005

A 42-year-old female was admitted with an 11-month history of progressive spastic paraparesis and ataxic gait. Magnetic resonance imaging showed intraspinal space occupying lesion compressing the spinal cord posteriorly, located from C5 to T2 with iso to high signal intensity at T2-weighted images and high signal intensity at T1-weighted images. The patient underwent surgery for decompression of the affected spinal cord because of the progressive neurological deficit. At surgery, the lesion was intradural extramedullary lipoma composed with mature adipose tissue. Partial tumor removal to decompress the neural structures and laminoplasty to avoid postoperative instability and deformity were performed. Postoperatively, she demonstrated improvement in paraparesis and was able to walk without assistance. Though attempts to decrease the size of or even to totally remove a lipoma are not required to achieve satisfactory results and carry considerable risks of surgical morbidity, a careful and limited decompression of the affected spinal cord through a partial removal of the tumor and laminoplasty could result in a significant neurological improvement.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.143-147
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to investigate how the application of a Thorax belt affects the stability of the spine in subjects with a wide infra-sternal angle. A total of 15 subject with wide infra-sternal angle participated in the experiment. Active Double leg lowering and active one-leg raising were performed with or without a thorax belt. Two spinal stability tests (active double lowering and active one-leg raising) performed with or without thorax belt application showed significant differences between each condition. Based on the results of present study, the application of a thorax belt is considered to be an effective therapeutic tool that can stabilize the spine to subjects with abnormally increased chest cage and spinal or trunk instability.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.317-325
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• 2007

Objective : The purpose of the study was to determine the clinical effects of anterior radical debridement on a series of patients with spontaneous spinal infection. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics of 32 patients who underwent surgical treatment from January 2000 to December 2005 in our department. The average follow-up Period was 33.4 months (range, 6 to 87 months). Thirty-two patients presented with the following : 23 cases with pyogenic spondylitis, eight with tuberculous spondylitis and one with fungal spondylitis. The indications for surgery were intractable pain, failure of medical management, neurological impairment with or without an associated abscess, vertebral destruction causing spinal instability and/or segmental kyphosis. Results : The study included 15 (46.9%) males and 17 (53.1%) females ranging in age from 26 to 75 years (mean, 53.1 years). Diabetes mellitus (DM) and pulmonary Tbc were the most common predisposing factors for pyogenic spondylitis and tuberculous spondylitis. Staphylococcus aureus (13%) was the main organism isolated. The most prevalent location was the lumbar spine (75%). Changes in the pain score, Frankel's classification, and laboratory parameters demonstrated a significant clinical improvement in all patients. However, there were recurrent infections in two patients with tuberculous spondylitis and inappropriate debridement and intolerance of medication and noncompliance. Autologous rib, iliac bone and allograft(fibular) were performed in most patients. However, 10 patients were grafted using a titanium mesh cage after anterior radical debridement. There were no recurrent infections in the 10 cases using the mesh cage with radical debridement. Conclusion : The findings of this study indicate that surgery based on appropriate surgical indications is effective for the control of spinal infection and prevention of recurrence with anterior radical debridement, proper drug use and abscess drainage.