• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.19 no.6
• /
• pp.1140-1146
• /
• 2018

Objective: To compare the spinal enumeration methods that establish the first lumbar vertebra in patients with spinal variants. Materials and Methods: Of the 1446 consecutive patients who had undergone computed tomography of the spine from March 2012 to July 2016, 100 patients (62 men, 38 women; mean age, 47.9 years; age range, 19-88 years) with spinal variants were included. Two radiologists (readers 1 and 2) established the first lumbar vertebra through morphologic analysis of the thoracolumbar junction, and labeled the vertebra by counting in a cranial-to-caudal manner. Inter-observer agreement was established. Additionally, reader 1 detected the 20th vertebra under the assumption that there are 12 thoracic vertebra, and then classified it as a thoracic vertebra, lumbar vertebra, or thoracolumbar transitional vertebra (TLTV), on the basis of morphologic analysis. Results: The first lumbar vertebra, as established by morphologic analysis, was labeled by each reader as the 21st segment in 65.0% of the patients, as the 20th segment in 31.0%, and as the 19th segment in 4.0%. Inter-observer agreement between the two readers in determining the first lumbar vertebra, based on morphologic analysis, was nearly perfect (${\kappa}$ value: 1.00). The 20th vertebra was morphologically classified as a TLTV in 60.0% of the patients, as the first lumbar segment in 31.0%, as the second lumbar segment in 4.0%, and as a thoracic segment in 5.0%. Conclusion: The establishment of the first lumbar vertebra using morphologic characteristics of the thoracolumbar junction in patients with spinal variants was consistent with the morphologic traits of vertebral segmentation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.459-461
• /
• 2005

The authors describe a case of aneurysmal bone cyst of a thoracic vertebra. A 34-year-old woman presented with posterior neck and upper back pain. Radiological examination demonstrated an aneurysmal bone cyst involving the posterior elements of the second thoracic vertebra. The spinal cord was compressed severely also. Satisfactory results were obtained after complete resection of the lesion.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.154-156
• /
• 2005

We present a case of chondroblastoma in the thoracic vertebra. A 40-year-old patient with upper back pain and lower extremity weakness was admitted to our clinic. On neurological examination, the patient exhibited lower extremity spastic paraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass infiltrating the 7th thoracic vertebra and its adjacent structures with concomitant compression of the epidural space. After right upper lung tuberculoma was resected through the transthoracic approach, T7 total corpectomy was done with anterior stabilization using a MESH cage and T7 rib bone graft. Two weeks after the first operation, remained part of vertebra was removed and posterior stabilization was performed using a pedicle screw fixation and cross linkage bar with the assistance of the navigation system. The final pathologic diagnosis of the vertebral lesion was benign chondroblastoma.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.59-69
• /
• 1979

For the clearer visualization of the lung apices in the routine chest P-A view, we have analysed the films at the different positions and different directions of the central X-ray beams. The brief results are as the follows. 1. Best visualization of the lung apices are made with the following position of the patient and central ray. Central ray is directed to the median sagittal plane at the level of the 5th thoracic vertebra with the palms of the hands placing at the greater trochanteric area of the both femurs. 2. The position of the sterno-clavicular joint shows no alteration between the radiographs with the central beam to the film center and to the 5th thoracic vertebra, and position of the hands at the greater trochanters or iliac crests. 3. No relationship exists between the center of the film and the position of the hand. The central beam is projected more inferiorly when the beam is centered to the film center than to the 5th thoracic vertebra. 4. The scapulae are rotated sufficiently anteriorly and more inferiorly, with placing the palms at the greater trochanters, directing central ray to the 5th thoracic vertebra, and with close contact the lung apices to the cassette.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
• /
• 2002.05a
• /
• pp.150-153
• /
• 2002

The use of the finite element method for biomechanical analysis is increasing rapidly in recent years. Since biomechanical models are usually in very complex shapes, it takes a lot of time and efforts to build reasonable finite element models. In this paper, a new tetrahedral meshing algorithm from the series of 2-D computed tomography(CT) images has been proposed. In this scheme, the planar sections of three-dimensional objects and the side surfaces between two planar sections are triangulated first, and then an advancing front algorithm is employed to construct tetrahedral elements by using basic operators. A sample finite element model for thoracic vertebra is presented.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.119-122
• /
• 1983

Paravertebral anesthesia for operation of abdominal wall in Korean cattle were effectively accomplished with the following technique. Any problems in surgical procedure were not observed under the block of ventral branches of the last thoracic nerve and the first and second lumbar nerves with the administration of preanesthetic. The site of injection for blocking of ventral branches of the thirteenth thoracic nerve were approximately 5cm lateral to the midline from the posterior edge of spinous process of the 13th thoracic vertebra and about 10ml of local anesthetic was injected immediately anterior to the transverse process of the first lumbar vertebra through thin site. The block of ventral branches of the first and second lumbar nerves were obtained by injecting 10ml of local anesthetic immediately below the posterior edge of transverse process of the 2nd and 4th lumbar vertebra, respectively.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.295-300
• /
• 1988

Chordoma is a malignant tumor arising from the primitive notochord involving the axial skeleton. It usually occurs at sacrococcygeal and besisphenoidal area but only rarely does at other vertebral areas, especially at the thoracic vertebrae. It has a slow growth rate and is locally aggressive with an extremely high rate of local recurrence. Either surgery or radiation alone often fails to cure the disease and the local failure is the main cause of treatment failure and death. Overall 5 year survival rate is less than $10\%$. Useful palliation or occasional cure can be obtained by the combination of surgery and radiotherapy. After incomplete resection, the tumor requires radiation dose of 7,000 cGy or more over 6-7 weeks for local control. Tumor regression is slow in response to irradiation and continuation of the regression for several months after completion of RT is not unusual. We report a case of chordoma of the thoracic vertebra, the site of extreme rarity, which showed good local control after partial resection and radiation therapy. He is well and alive without any evidence of recurrence after 13 months of treatment with near complete tumor regression.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.235-240
• /
• 2022

Background: A spinal extension and intensive rehabilitation program reduced the symptoms and pain of kyphosis, and improved function. Objects: This study aimed to demonstrate the effect of a spine extension device on the degree of thoracic kyphosis and extension angles, confirm reduction of the kyphosis angle and an increase in flexibility. Methods: Thirteen adults were enrolled in the experiment, using the spine extension device, which was set to passively extend the spine. The angle between the spinous process of the first thoracic vertebra and the spinous process of the twelfth thoracic vertebra was measured by dual inclinometer before and after using the spine extension device. Results: In the static posture, the thoracic kyphosis decreased after using the spine extension device in the thoracic extension posture, and there was a significant difference (p < 0.05); thoracic extension angle increased with statistical significance (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In this study, the thoracic kyphosis angle and thoracic extension angle of the subjects before and after using spine extension device was compared and analyzed, which proved that the spine extension device can effectively improve the mobility of spinal extension.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.55-60
• /
• 2011

In this paper, we propose a new method for extracting muscles from lumbar images. The proposed method sets areas without distortions with field expert's assistance as areas of measuring interest and removing noises from initial ultrasonic videos. Then, the method emphasizes the brightness contrast with Ends-in search stretching algorithm and separate thoracic vertebra from subcutaneous fat area using morphological characteristics. 4-directions contour tracing algorithm is applied to extract the bottom of subcutaneous fat area. Extracting thoracic vertebra area requires noise removal and morphological characteristics as well among candidate areas obtained by controlling min-max brightness. The thickness of muscles is then defined as the length between subcutaneous fat area and extracted thoracic vertebra. The experiment which consists of 368 image analysis verifies that the proposed method is more effective in measuring the thickness of muscles than before.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.139-148
• /
• 2000

Objectives : Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue(華佗夾脊穴) is the Jing-Wai-Qi-Xue(經外奇穴) that is widely used in clinic and effective in Acupuncture and Moxibustion. But the location, number, acupuncture method, clinical application of Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue have not been explained clearly and consistently; moreover, studies or clinical reports about this are insufficient. The purpose of this study is to investigate the location, number, acupuncture method, clinical apptication of Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue. Methods : We investigated Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue through survey of 11 books and 26 relevant journals published in China Results : 1. Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue is located in about 0.5 Cun(寸) at both sides of spinous process of each vertebra. 2. There is differ as the number of Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue is 34, 48, 56, 58 in each documents. Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue located in first, second cervical vertebra and first sacrum is low in application frequency, Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue located from third cervical vertebra to fourth lumbar vertebra is high in apptication frequency. Therefore, all of the acupoints located in about 0.5 Cun(寸) both sides of spinous process of cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral vertebrae are regarded as Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue in wide meaning. 3. There are Kou-Ci-Fa(叩刺法), Qian-Ci-Fa(淺刺法), Yan-Pi-Ci-Fa(沿皮刺法), Shen-Ci-Fa(深刺法) in acupuncture method of Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue. Acupuncturing depths, directions is differ in each location(cervical, thoracic, lumbar vertebra, sacrum) and have something to do with therapeutic effect of Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue. The feeling that patient receive after acupuncture is the key to the treatment of disease. 4. The clinical application of each Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue is mainly selected by distribution of meridians, nerve roots, vertebral segments which are attacked with a disease. The musculoskeletal diseases in treatment of disease by Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue are the most common as 12 cases. Second, there are many reports about nervous system diseases. In addition, good therapeutic results by application of Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue are reported in some diseases, for instance, diseases of five viscera and six entrails, organ, tissue Conclusions : Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue is located in about 0.5 Cun(寸) at both sides of spinous process of each cervical, thoracic lumbar and sacral vertebra. Therapeutic effect of Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue has something to do with acupuncturing depths, directions and feelings. Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue is mainly selected by distribution of meridians, nerve roots, vertebral segments which are attacked with a disease and is mainly applied musculoskeletal diseases, nervous system diseases.