• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.364-369
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• 2005

Objective: Spinal instrumentation without fusion often fails due to biological failure of intervertebral joints (spontaneous fusion, degeneration, etc). The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of fixation rigidity on viability of intervertebral joints. Methods: Twenty pigs in growing period were subjected to posterior segmental fixation. Twelve were fixed with a rigid fixation system(RF) while eight were fixed with a flexible unconstrained implant(FF). At the time of the surgery, a scoliosis was created to monitor fixation adequacy. The pigs were subjected to periodic radiological examinations and 12pigs (six in RF, six in FF) were euthanized at 12-18months postoperatively for analysis. Results: The initial scoliotic curve was reduced from $31{\pm}5^{\circ}$ to $27{\pm}8^{\circ}$ in RF group (p=0.37) and from $19{\pm}4^{\circ}$ to $17{\pm}5^{\circ}$ in FF group (p=0.21). Although severe disc degeneration and spontaneous fusion of facet joints were observed in RF group, disc heights of FF group were well maintained without major signs of degeneration. Conclusion: The viability of the intervertebral joints depends on motion spinal fixation. Systems allowing intervertebral micromotion may preserve the viability of intervertebral discs and the facet joint articular cartilages while maintaining a reasonably stable fixation.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.201-206
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• 2024

This report showed a case of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis suspected to be associated with ankylosing spondylitis based on the observation of bony ankylosis of the cervical spine on computed tomography (CT) images. A 53-year-old man presented with a chief complaint of difficulty in opening his mouth. His medical history indicated that in his 20 s, he became aware of the difficulty in moving his neck. CT revealed marked osteoarthritic changes in the right mandibular condyle, suggesting fibrotic TMJ ankylosis. In addition, bony ankylosis of the cervical vertebral body and facet joints from the axis (C2) to C5 in continuity was observed. CT of the entire spine also showed bony deformity of the sacroiliac joints and bony ankylosis. Based on these findings, ankylosing spondylitis was suspected. The possibility of an ankylosing spondylitis complication should be considered in cases of TMJ ankylosis if bony ankylosis of the cervical spine is observed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.341-345
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• 2015

Objective : To measure the orientation of the facet joints of cervical spine (C-spine) segments in the sagittal plane, known as the pedicle-facet (P-F) angle, and to use these measurements to evaluate the relationship between the P-F angle and the amount of vertebral anterolisthesis in patients with degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis (DCS). Methods : A retrospective case-control study was performed including 30 age- and sex-matched patients with DCS and 30 control participants. Anterior-posterior and lateral view radiographs of the C-spine were obtained in a standing position. The P-F angle at all cervical levels and the amount of anterolisthesis at C4-5 were measured from lateral view plain radiographs. Results : The P-F angles at C4-5 were $141.14{\pm}7.14^{\circ}$ for the DCS group and $130.53{\pm}13.50^{\circ}$ (p=0.012) for the control group, and at C5-6 were $137.46{\pm}8.53^{\circ}$ for the DCS group and $128.53{\pm}16.01^{\circ}$ for the control group (p=0.001). The mean P-F angle at C4-5 did not correlate with the amount of anterolisthesis (p=0.483). The amount of anterior slippage did correlate with age (p<0.001). Conclusion : The P-F angle was intrinsically higher at C4-5, compared to C5-6, in both the DCS and control groups, which might explain the increased likelihood for anterolisthesis of C4. Higher P-F angles in the DCS group may be a predisposing factor to slippage. The P-F angle may interact with age to increase incidence of anterolisthesis with increasing age.

• Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.884-887
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• 2018

We report a female proband carrying a de novo 5q34-q35.2 deletion breakpoint, and review the unique skeletal phenotype and possible genotype related to this mutation. The patient presented with a persistent head tilt and limited head rotation. Non-contrast-enhanced three-dimensional computed tomography of the cervical spine revealed several malformations including a bone cleft in the right pars interarticularis, a bone defect in both C5 lamina and the transverse foramen at C2-C3, agenesis of the right articular process of C5, bony fusion of C4-C5, and subluxation of the craniocervical joints. Several deformities of the cervical spine seen in this patient have not been associated with the 5q deletion. A review of 5q-related mutations suggests that abnormalities associated with MSX2 gene might cause cervical spine abnormalities.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.87-95
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• 2015

Background : Charcot Marie Tooth disease can cause muscle weakness and foot deformity. Ankle pain induced by foot deformity affect patients' gait pattern and quality of life. Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the traditional Korean medicine treatment for ankle pain induced with Charcot-Marie Tooth Disease, especially Chuna manual therapy on ankle joints. Methods : One patient was treated with acupuncture, phamacopuncture, herbal medication and chuna manual therapy on ankle joints. To evaluate the pain of ankle, lower back and lower extremity, visual analog scale(VAS) was measured. Results : After treatment for 5 week, the pain of ankle joint was declined from VAS 6 to VAS 2. Conclusions : Traditional Korean medicine treatment including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medication and Chuna manual therapy is effective for ankle pain with foot deformity. But further studies are required to prove the effectiveness of Chuna manual therapy on ankle joints.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.74-85
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• 2021

Ultrasound (US) can depict of various anatomical structures, such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerve roots, and vessels, around the neck. The usage of US around the neck is increasing due to its quick and easy application for guided injection for nerves, tendons, and joints. This article elaborates the degenerative diseases causing neck pain, sonoanatomy, and the use of US for diagnosis and intervention; for example, small nerves around the neck, cervical root, stellate ganglion, medial branches, greater occipital nerve (GON), and third occipital nerve (TON). The aim of this review article is to lead readers to understand the anatomy around the neck and structural relations, and to get to know about several US-guided intervention of the neck.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.141-148
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• 2011

Objectives : To introduce the medicare listing system for the clinicians that korean society of Chuna manual medicine for spine and nerves applies presently and wants to promote. Methods : Compare and analyse the differences, merits and demerits between Palmer-Gonstead listing system and medicare listing system using the publications and literatures of Chuna manual medicine and chiropractic. Results : It is easy to explain the movements and subluxations of spine when using medicare listing system. Also it has simple terminological system that can be applied when diagnosing the lesion of spinal joints with various palpations, Conclusion : Listing system used by Korean society of Chuna manual medicine for spine and nerves presently has very appropriate forms to indicate the movements and subluxations, However, it needs to spread to clinicians who still are using former listing system by continuous education.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.309-311
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• 2013

Ganglion cysts usually arise from the tissues around the facet joints. It is usually associated with degenerative cahanges in facet joints. Bilateral thoracic ganglion cysts are very rare and there is no previous case that located in bilateral intervertebral foramen compressing the L1 nerve root associated with severe radiculopathy. We report a 53 years old woman who presented with bilateral groin pain and severe numbness. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed bilateral cystic mass in the intervertebral foramen between 12th thoracal and 1st lumbar vertebrae. The cystic lesions were removed after bilateral exposure of Th12-L1 foramens. The result of hystopathology confirmed the diagnosis as ganglion cyst. The ganglion cyst may compromise lumbar dorsal ganglion when it located in the intervertebral foramen. The surgeon should keep this rare entity in their mind for differential diagnosis.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.11-20
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• 2006

Low back pain is often experienced by many people who are in an activity flag. Their work and daily life are affected by low back pain. There are many causes of low back pain. Among those many causes, this study was focused on a relation between low back pain and the tightness of iliopsoas. The study was implemented by measuring the angles of the hip joints in subjects consisting of a 30 patients group, who had been selected from the outpatients at the Median Hospital, and a 30 people control group from the outpatients at the M Hospital and employee of M hospital. The patients group consists of the patients with low back pain who have intermittently or continuously experienced low back pain within the last 6 months. The group also had no symptom of spondylolysis or spondylolithesis and no muscular abnormality in terms of pathology without any experience of disc or spine fusion operation. The control group consisted out of persons who had never experienced lower back pain and had never been subjected to physical therapy due to lower back pain. The hip joint angles of the subjects of this study were measured by means of the modified Thomas test position. Data was analysed by independent sampling t-test using SPSS 11.0. The following results were obtained: 1. The measured angles of patient's both hip joints were significantly smaller than the control group's. 2. In the males group, The angles of patients' both hip joints were smaller than the controls'. In the females group, The angles of patients' both hip joints were smaller than the controls'. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that there is a significant difference in the tightness of the iliopsoas muscles when comparing the patient group with the control group. We should therefore pay more attention in releasing the muscle tightness of iliopsoas muscles when performing physical therapy with patients with lower back pain.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.55-57
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• 2014

Synovial cysts of the cervical spine, although they occur infrequently, may cause acute radiculopathy or myelopathy. Here, we report a case of a cervical synovial cyst presenting as acute myelopathy after manual stretching. A 68-year-old man presented with gait disturbance, decreased touch senses, and increased sensitivity to pain below T12 level. These symptoms developed after manual stretching 3 days prior. Computed tomography scanning and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 1-cm, small multilocular cystic lesion in the spinal canal with cord compression at the C7-T1 level. We performed a left partial laminectomy of C7 and T1 using a posterior approach and completely removed the cystic mass. Histological examination of the resected mass revealed fibrous tissue fragments with amorphous materials and granulation tissue compatible with a synovial cyst. The patient's symptoms resolved after surgery. We describe a case of acute myelopathy caused by a cervical synovial cyst that was treated by surgical excision. Although cervical synovial cysts are often associated with degenerative facet joints, clinicians should be aware of the possibility that these cysts can cause acute neurologic symptoms.