• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.4-12
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• 2021

Spinal metastases can present with varying degrees of mechanical instability. The Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) was developed as a tool to assess spinal neoplastic-related instability while helping to guide referrals among oncology specialists. Some previous papers suggested that the SINS was accurate and reliable, while others disagreed with this opinion. We performed a systematic review regarding the SINS to evaluate its accuracy and precision in predicting vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). The 21 included studies investigated a total of 2118 patients. Thirteen studies dealt with the accuracy of SINS to predict post-radiotherapy VCFs, and eight dealt with the precision. Among 13 studies, 11 agreed that the SINS categories showed statistically significant accuracy in predicting VCF. Among eight studies, body collapse was effective for predicting VCFs in six studies, and alignment and bone lesion in two studies. Location has no statistical significance in predicting VCFs in any of the eight studies. The precision of SINS categories was substantial to excellent in six of eight studies. Among the six components of the SINS, the majority of the included studies reported that location showed near perfect agreement; body collapse, alignment, and posterolateral involvement showed moderate agreement; and bone lesion showed fair agreement. Bone lesion showed significant accuracy in predicting VCFs in half of eight studies, but displayed fair reliability in five of seven studies. Although location was indicated as having near perfect reliability, the component showed no accuracy for predicting VCFs in any of the studies and deleting or modifying the item needs to be considered. The SINS system may be accurate and reliable in predicting the occurrence of post-radiotherapy VCFs for spinal metastasis. Some components seem to be substantially weak and need to be revised.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.8-17
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• 2024

Background: Sleep accounts for approximately one-third of a person's lifetime. It is a relaxing activity that relieves mental and physical fatigue. Pillows of different sizes, shapes, and materials have been designed to improve sleep quality by achieving an optimal sleep posture. Objects: This study aimed to determine which pillow provides the most comfortable and supports the head and neck during sleep, which may enhance sleep quality. Methods: Twenty-eight healthy adults (19 males and 9 females) with an average age of 29 years participated in this cross-sectional study. This experiment was conducted while the participants laid down for 5 minutes in four different pillow conditions: (1) no pillow (NP), (2) neck support foam pillow (NSFP), (3) standard microfiber filled pillow (SFP), and (4) hybrid foam pillow (HFP). The head-neck peak pressure, cranio-vertebral angle in supine (CVAs), cranio-horizontal angle in supine (CHAs), chin-sternum distance (CSD), and muscle tone of sternocleidomastoid were analyzed using one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: The head-neck peak pressure was the highest in the NSFP condition, followed by the NP, SFP, and HFP conditions. The CVAs, CHAs, and CSD of the SFP were lower than those of the other pillows. Muscle tone was the highest in the NP condition, followed by the of NSFP, HFP, and SFP conditions. The participants subjective comfort level in both the supine and side-lying postures was highest in the HFP condition, followed by the SFP and NSFP conditions. Conclusion: This study can be used to establish the importance of pillow selection for high-quality sleep. The results of this study, suggest that a hybrid pillow with a good supportive core and appropriate fluffiness can maintain comfort and correct cervical spine alignment during sleep.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2014

Objective : The purpose of this study is to offer a new approach to diagnostic X-ray in perspective of Chuna manual medicine for clinical application. Methods : Characteristics of each malposition in X-ray were analyzed comprehensively, based on the listing system. By verifying these results, find out the methods of X-ray diagnosis according to the each malposition. Results : 1. Vertebral malposition can be explained by alignment and relative position of vertebral body in the X-ray. To obtain more accurate estimation of subluxation, features of other structures should be considered, such as spinous process, intervertebral foramen and disc space. 2. Pelvic malposition can be determined by relative location of anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) in the X-ray. Also other pelvic parameters should be utilized to make a diagnosis of sacral malposition. Conclusions : Diagnostic X-ray should be applied to many clinicians for reasonable Chuna manual medicine application. And further studies are needed to use the diagnostic X-ray in the perspective of Chuna manual medicine.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.922-932
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• 2021

Objective : It is challenging to make solid fusion by posterior screw fixation and laminectomy with posterolateral fusion (PLF) in thoracic and thoracolumbar (TL) diseases. In this study, we report our experience and follow-up results with a new surgical technique entitled posterior thoracic cage interbody fusion (PTCIF) for thoracic and TL spine in comparison with conventional PLF. Methods : After institutional review board approval, a total of 57 patients who underwent PTCIF (n=30) and conventional PLF (n=27) for decompression and fusion in thoracic and TL spine between 2004 and 2019 were analyzed. Clinical outcomes and radiological parameters, including bone fusion, regional Cobb angle, and proximal junctional Cobb angle, were evaluated. Results : In PTCIF and conventional PLF, the mean age was 61.2 and 58.2 years (p=0.46), and the numbers of levels fused were 2.8 and 3.1 (p=0.46), respectively. Every patient showed functional improvement except one case of PTCIF. Postoperative hematoma as a perioperative complication occurred in one and three cases, respectively. The mean difference in the regional Cobb angle immediately after surgery compared with that of the last follow-up was 1.4° in PTCIF and 7.6° in conventional PLF (p=0.003), respectively. The mean durations of postoperative follow-up were 35.6 months in PTCIF and 37.3 months in conventional PLF (p=0.86). Conclusion : PTCIF is an effective fusion method in decompression and fixation surgery with good clinical outcomes for various spinal diseases in the thoracic and TL spine. It provides more stable bone fusion than conventional PLF by anterior column support.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.113-124
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise intervention combined with 3D visual feedback and motion observation on postural alignment and cerebral cortical activity in subjects with forward head posture (FHP). Methods : The study included 28 participants with FHP, randomly divided into a 3D visual feedback plus motion observation group (n=14) or control group (n=14). The experimental group received corrective exercise combined with 3D visual feedback and motion observation for FHP, three times a week for four weeks. We examined cervical spine radiographs in the lateral standing position with both arms crossed to measure the craniovertebral angle (CVA) and cervical lordosis (CL). Relative alpha (RA) and beta waves (RB) were measured by wireless dry EEG. Results : The CVA value was significantly different between the groups, and the CL value was significantly different only in the experimental group. RA and RB values were not significantly different before and after intervention in the control group. RB values were significantly decreased before and after intervention in the experimental group. Conclusion : Based on the results of this study, we suggest that interventions combined with motion observation and 3D visual feedback may be effective as exercise methods to improve postural alignment and cerebral activity in subjects with FHP. Further research is required to generalize our results on technical supplementation complemented with 3D visual feedback devices.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.265-272
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• 2019

Purpose : Excessive computer use frequently results in musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and shoulder such as forward head posture (FHP). The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of neck and shoulder exercise program on spino-pelvic alignment and the correlation between change in head and neck posture and spino-pelvic alignment in FHP. Methods : The study included 44 participants with FHP. The participants performed the exercise for correction of FHP 2-3 times a week for 4 weeks. We examined whole spine X-ray images in the lateral standing position with both arms crossed. We measured anterior head translation distance (AHT), craniovertebral angle (CVA), cervical lordosis (CL), thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbosacral lordosis (LSL), sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT), and pelvic incidence (PI) of the subjects. The association between change in AHT and each spino-pelvic parameter was also subjected to Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis. Results : There were statistically significant differences before and after exercise in the parameters of AHT, CVA, and SS (p<.05). Significant negative correlation was observed between the change in AHT and CVA (r=-.768, p<.001), and CL (r=-.388, p<.05). There was significant positive correlation between the change in AHT and SS (r=.328, p<.05), and PI (r=.333, p<.05). However, no significant correlation was observed in change in AHT with that of TK, LSL, and PT. Conclusion : Based on the above results, we conclude that there is a relationship between change in AHT, which is a parameter associated with forward displacement of the head, and that of CVA, CL, SS, and PI after exercise in cases of FHP.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.93-102
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• 1999

Alignment of the hip joint and pelvis affects it's weight-bearing capabilities as well as the motion available at the joints. The normal hip joint is well designed to withstand the forces that act through and around it, assisted by the trabecular systems, cartilagious, muscles, and ligaments. Alterations in the direction or magnitude of forces action around the injury and degenerative changes. The integration of motion of the pelvis with motion of the vertebral column not only increases the ROM available to the total column but also reduces the amount of flexibility required of the lumbar lesion. In any instance in which there is normal or abnormal pelvic motion during weight hearing and the head must remain upright, compensatory motions of the lumber spine will occur if available. The motions that occur at the hip, pelvis, and lumbar spine during forward trunk bending with the motions that occur during anterior and posterior tilting of the pelvis in the erect standing postion.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.532-537
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• 2009

Objective : Recently, motion preservation has come to the forefront of emerging technologies in spine surgery. This is the important background information of the emergence of cervical arthroplasty as an alternative to arthrodesis that offers the promise of restoring normal spinal movement and reduces a kinematic strain on adjacent segments. The study was designed to evaluate early surgical outcome and radiological effects of $Bryan^{(R)}$ cervical disc prosthesis. Methods : The authors retrospectively reviewed radiographic and clinical outcomes in 52 patients who received the $Bryan^{(R)}$ Cervical Disc prosthesis, for whom follow-up data were available. Static and dynamic radiographs were measured by computer to determine the angles formed by the endplates of the natural disc preoperatively, those formed by the shells of the implanted prosthesis, the angle of functional spine unit (FSU), and the C2-7 Cobb angle. The range of motion (ROM) was also determined radiographically, whereas clinical outcomes were assessed using Odom's criteria, visual analogue pain scale (VAS) and neck disability index (NDI). Results : A total of 71 $Bryan^{(R)}$ disc were placed in 52 patients. A single-level procedure was performed in 36 patients, a two-level procedure in 13 patients, and a three-level procedure in 3. Radiographic and clinical assessments were made preoperatively. Mean follow-up duration was 29.2 months, ranging from 6 to 36 months. All of the patients were satisfied with the surgical results by Odom's criteria, and showed significant improvement by VAS and NDI score (p < 0.05). The postoperative ROM of the implanted level was preserved without significant difference from preoperative ROM of the operated level (p < 0.05). 97% of patients with a preoperative lordotic sagittal orientation of the FSU were able to maintain lordosis. The overall sagittal alignment of the cervical spine was preserved in 88.5% of cases at the final follow up. Interestingly, preoperatively kyphotic FSU resulted in lordotic FSU in 70% of patients during the late follow up, and preoperatively kyphotic overall cervical alignment resulted in lordosis in 66.6% of the patients postoperatively. Conclusion : Arthroplasty using the $Bryan^{(R)}$ disc seemed to be safe and provided encouraging clinical and radiologic outcome in our study. Although the early results are promising, this is a relatively new approach, therefore long-term follow up studies are required to prove its efficacy and its ability to prevent adjacent segment disease.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 2008

Objective : Spondylothesis is a disease which sagittal facet of vertebral body's invariable alignment is being broken and vertebral body being pushed forward. Main pattern of spondylothesis is isthmic spondylothesis by isthmus defect or fracture, degenerative spondylothesis occurred by desiccated change of intervertebral disc or vertebral condyle joint's ligament. The purpose of this study is to assess the difference of the Pelvic angles, Lumbosacral angles, Pelvic tilt, and Lumbar lordotic angles of the spondylothesis patients. Methods : We analyzed the lateral view of lumbar spine of 49 isthmic spondylothesis patients, 45 degenerative spondylothesis patients and 26 patients who haven't been diagnosed as vertebra disease. We investigated each patient's pelvic angle, lumbosacral angle, pelvic tilt and lumbar lordotic angle. Results and Conclusion : 1. Pelvic incidence, in cases of degenerate spondylothesis patients, is higher than spondylothesis patients but shows less significance. On the contrary significance is higher than the group haven't been diagnosed as vertebra disease. 2. Lumbosacral incidence, in cases of isthmic spondylothesis patients, shows higher significance than degenerative spondylothesis patients and the group haven't been diagnosed as vertebra disease. 3 Pelvic tilt, in cases of degenerative spondylothesis patients, shows higher significance than isthmic spondylothesis patients and the group haven't been diagnosed as vertebra disease. 4. Lumbar lordotic angle, in cases of isthmic spondylothesis patients, shows higher significance than degenerative spondylothesis patients and the group haven't been diagnosed as vertebra disease. 5. Degenerative spondylothesis patient shows specific impression, a forwardly moved high femoral axial and as a result of large lumbrosacral angle and lumbar lordotic angle shows specific impression, an increased weight pressure on sacrum.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2015

Objective : $Dynesys^{(R)}$ is one of the pedicle-based dynamic lumbar stabilization systems and good clinical outcome has been reported. However, the cylindrical spacer between the heads of the screws undergoes deformation during assembly of the system. The pre-strain probably change the angle of instrumented spine with time and oblique-shaped spacer may reduce the pre-strain. We analyzed patients with single-level stabilization with $Dynesys^{(R)}$ and simulated oblique-shaped spacer with finite element (FE) model analysis. Methods : Consecutive 14 patients, who underwent surgery for single-level lumbar spinal stenosis and were followed-up more than 24 months (M : F=6 : 8; age, $58.7{\pm}8.0$ years), were analyzed. Lumbar lordosis and segmental angle at the index level were compared between preoperation and postoperative month 24. The von Mises stresses on the obliquely-cut spacer ($5^{\circ}$, $10^{\circ}$, $15^{\circ}$, $20^{\circ}$, $25^{\circ}$, and $30^{\circ}$) were calculated under the compressive force of 400 N and 10 Nm of moment with validated FE model of the L4-5 spinal motion segment with segmental angle of $16^{\circ}$. Results : Lumbar lordosis was not changed, while segmental angle was changed significantly from $-8.1{\pm}7.2^{\circ}$ to $-5.9{\pm}6.7^{\circ}$ (p<0.01) at postoperative month 24. The maximum von Mises stresses were markedly decreased with increased angle of the spacer up to $20^{\circ}$. The stress on the spacer was uneven with cylindrical spacer but it became even with the $15^{\circ}$ oblique spacer. Conclusion : The decreased segmental lordosis may be partially related to the pre-strain of Dynesys. Further clinical and biomechanical studies are required for relevant use of the system.