• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제30권12호
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• pp.1388-1393
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• 2001

Objective : In the retrospective analyzing 19 consecutive patients with subaxial cervical spine(C3~T1) injury treated by posterior cervical fixation and fusion, clinical manifestation, radiologic finding, operative technique, and postoperative results following 6 months were analyzed. Materials and Methods : Most common fracture level was C4-5, mean age 41, and male to female ratio 13 : 6. The most common cause of injury was motor vehicle accident(17 cases). In 19 cervical procedures, interspinous triple wiring was done in 14 cases, lateral mass plating in 5 cases, and additional anterior fusion in 2 cases. Results : Twelve weeks after operation, all cases were reviewed by plain cervical radiogram. In 17 cases that treated by posterior fusion only, 14 cases(81%) had kyphotic angle change less than $5^{\circ}$, 2 cases(12%) $5-20^{\circ}$, and 1 case(6%) more than $20^{\circ}$. Overall fusion rate was 88%, and there was no significant difference of bone fusion rate between autogenous bone graft and allogenous bone graft. Conclusion : In the case of severe posterior column injury or displacement, posterior approach seems superior to anterior approach, but in the case of combined anterior column injury, anterior approach is considered necessary. In this study, posterior fixation and fusion might be acceptable procedure for subaxial cervical fracture and dislocation, owing to its high fusion rate, low kyphotic angulation and low operation related complication rate.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제60권2호
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• pp.211-219
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• 2017

Objective : This study aimed to compare the clinical and radiologic outcomes of patients with subaxial cervical injury who underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with autologous iliac bone graft or polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages using demineralized bone matrix (DBM). Methods : From January 2005 to December 2010, 70 patients who underwent one-level ACDF with plate fixation for post-traumatic subaxial cervical spinal injury in a single institution were retrospectively investigated. Autologous iliac crest grafts were used in 33 patients (Group I), whereas 37 patients underwent ACDF using a PEEK cage filled with DBM (Group II). Plain radiographs were used to assess bone fusion, interbody height (IBH), segmental angle (SA), overall cervical sagittal alignment (CSA, C2-7 angle), and development of adjacent segmental degeneration (ASD). Clinical outcome was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and Frankel grade. Results : The mean follow-up duration for patients in Group I and Group II was 28.9 and 25.4 months, respectively. All patients from both groups achieved solid fusion during the follow-up period. The IBH and SA of the fused segment and CSA in Group II were better maintained during the follow-up period. Nine patients in Group I and two patients in Group II developed radiologic ASD. There were no statistically significant differences in the VAS score and Frankel grade between the groups. Conclusion : This study showed that PEEK cage filled with DBM, and plate fixation is at least as safe and effective as ACDF using autograft, with good maintenance of cervical alignment. With advantages such as no donor site morbidity and no graft-related complications, PEEK cage filled with DBM, and plate fixation provide a promising surgical option for treating traumatic subaxial cervical spine injuries.

• Neurospine
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.368-375
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• 2018

Objective: To evaluate the results of operative management of subaxial spine injuries managed with 2-level anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion with a cervical locking plate and autologous bone-filled titanium mesh cage. Methods: This study included 23 patients with a subaxial spine injury who matched the inclusion criteria, underwent 2-level anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion at our institution between 2013 and 2016, and were followed up for neurological recovery, axial pain, fusion, pseudarthrosis, and implant failure. Results: According to Allen and Ferguson classification, there were 9 cases of distractive extension; 4 of compressive extension; 3 each of compressive flexion, vertical compression, and distractive flexion; and 1 of lateral flexion. Sixteen patients had a score of 6 on the Subaxial Injury Classification system, and the rest had a score of more than 6. The mean follow-up period was 19 months (range, 12-48 months). Neurological recovery was observed in most of the patients (78.21%). All patients experienced relief of axial pain. None of the patients received a blood transfusion. Twenty-one patients (91.3%) showed solid fusion and 2 (8.69%) showed possible pseudarthrosis, with no complications related to the cage or plate. Conclusion: Two-level anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion, along with stabilization with a cervical locking plate and autologous bone graft-filled titanium mesh cage, can be considered a feasible and safe method for treating specific subaxial spine injuries, with the benefits of high primary stability, anatomical reduction, and direct decompression of the spinal cord.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.232-243
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• 2014

목적: 축추이하 경추 손상시 발생하는 연속적, 비연속적 연골하골 압박손상의 빈도와 원발부위 손상 패턴에 대해 알아보고자 하였다. 대상과 방법: 축추이하 경추 손상이 있는 환자 47명의 전산화 단층촬영, 자기공명영상, 의무기록을 후향적으로 검토하여 연속적, 비연속적 연골하골 압박손상의 발생유무와 수, 레벨, 손상 부위를 기록하였다. 원발부위 손상 패턴을 알아보기 위하여 손상된 원발부위의 레벨, 수, 손상 형태, 전/후방 추간판인대복합체의 손상유무, 후방인대복합체의 손상유무, 척수 손상유무를 분석하고 손상 기전을 분석하였다. 분석된 원발손상 패턴과 손상기전은 Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson's chi square test, Fisher's exact test의 통계적 기법으로 연골하 압박손상의 발생유무와 연관성을 조사하였다. 결과: 총 18명에게서 (18/47, 38.29%) 연골하 압박손상이 발생했으며 그 중 9명은 원발부위와 인접하여 연속적으로, 다른 9명은 원발부위와 떨어져 비연속적으로 발생하였다. 3번 흉추에 가장 흔하게 발생하였고 (15/47, 31.91%), 세 개의 레벨에 걸쳐있는 경우가 가장 많았다 (6/18, 33.33%). 모든 연골하 압박손상은 척추체의 전상방 부위나 상종판 주변에 발생하였으며 강한 외력의 외상과 연관되었다. 연골하 압박손상의 발생은 원발부위의 손상형태와 후방인대복합체의 손상과 통계학적으로 유의한 연관성을 보였다. 비연속적 연골하 압박손상은 연속적 연골하 압박손상에 비해 비교적 상부 경추에 원발 손상부위가 있고 후방추간판인대 복합체의 손상을 동반하는 경우가 통계학적으로 유의하게 많았다. 그외 분석한 다른 인자들은 통계학적으로 유의한 결과를 보이지 않았다. 결론: 이차성 연골하 압박손상은 흔하며 강한 외력에 의한 굴곡압박성 경추 외상과 관련 있을 것이다.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.7-16
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• 2012

Purpose: Cervical dislocations with locked facets account for more than 50% of all cervical injuries. Thus, investigating a suitable management of cervical locked facets is important. This study examined factors of close reduction failure in traumatically locked facets of the subaxial cervical spine patients to determine suitable surgical management. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed of the case histories of 28 patients with unilateral/bilateral cervical locked facets from Nov. 2004 to Dec. 2010. Based on MRI evaluation of disc status at the injury level, we found unilateral dislocations in 9 cases, and bilateral dislocations in 19 cases, The patients were investigated for neurologic recovery, closed reduction rate, factors of the close reduction barrier, fusion rate and period, spinal alignment, and complications. Results: The closed reduction failed in 23(82%) patients. Disc herniation was an obstacle to closed reduction (p=0.015) and was more frequent in cases involving a unilateral dislocation (p=0.041). The pedicle or facet fracture was another factor, although some patients showed aggravation of neurologic symptoms, most patients had improved by the last follow up. The kyphotic angle were statistically significant (p=0.043). Sixs patient underwent anterior decompression/fusion, and 15 patients underwent circumferential fusion, and 7 patients underwent posterior fusion. All patients were fused at 3 months after surgery. The complications were 1 case of CSF leakage and 1 case of esphageal fistula, 1 case of infection. Conclusion: We recommend closed reduction be performed as soon as possible after injury to maximize the potential for neurological recovery. Patients fot whom closed reduction of the cervical locked facets have a higher incidence of anatomic obstacles to reduction, including facet fractures and disc herniation. Immediate direct open anterior reduction or circumferential fixation/fusion of locked cervical facets is recommended as a treatment of choice for traumatic locked cervical facet patients after closed reduction failure.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제64권5호
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• pp.791-798
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• 2021

Objective : The period of mechanical ventilator (MV)-dependent respiratory failure after cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) varies from patient to patient. This study aimed to identify predictors of MV at hospital discharge (MVDC) due to prolonged respiratory failure among patients with MV after CSCI. Methods : Two hundred forty-three patients with CSCI were admitted to our institution between May 2006 and April 2018. Their medical records and radiographic data were retrospectively reviewed. Level and completeness of injury were defined according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) standards. Respiratory failure was defined as the requirement for definitive airway and assistance of MV. We also evaluated magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of the cervical spine. These characteristics included : maximum canal compromise (MCC); intramedullary hematoma or cord transection; and integrity of the disco-ligamentous complex for assessment of the Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury Classification (SLIC) scoring. The inclusion criteria were patients with CSCI who underwent decompression surgery within 48 hours after trauma with respiratory failure during hospital stay. Patients with Glasgow coma scale 12 or lower, major fatal trauma of vital organs, or stroke caused by vertebral artery injury were excluded from the study. Results : Out of 243 patients with CSCI, 30 required MV during their hospital stay, and 27 met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 48.1% (13/27) of patients had MVDC with greater than 30 days MV or death caused by aspiration pneumonia. In total, 51.9% (14/27) of patients could be weaned from MV during 30 days or less of hospital stay (MV days : MVDC 38.23±20.79 vs. MV weaning, 13.57±8.40; p<0.001). Vital signs at hospital arrival, smoking, the American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, Associated injury with Injury Severity Score, SLIC score, and length of cord edema did not differ between the MVDC and MV weaning groups. The ASIA impairment scale, level of injury within C3 to C6, and MCC significantly affected MVDC. The MCC significantly correlated with MVDC, and the optimal cutoff value was 51.40%, with 76.9% sensitivity and 78.6% specificity. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, MCC >51.4% was a significant risk factor for MVDC (odds ratio, 7.574; p=0.039). Conclusion : As a method of predicting which patients would be able to undergo weaning from MV early, the MCC is a valid factor. If the MCC exceeds 51.4%, prognosis of respiratory function becomes poor and the probability of MVDC is increased.