• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.65-67
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• 2009

The authors report two cases of spontaneous regression of disc herniation at the level adjacent to the anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) level. This phenomenon may be due to the increased tension on the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) by appropriate restoration of the disc height and lumbar lordosis, which is a mechanism similar to ligamentotaxis applied to the thoracolumbar burst fracture.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.1055-1062
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• 2000

Objectives : Burst fracture of the lower lumbar spine(L3-L5) is rare and has some different features compare to that of thoracolumbar junction. Lower lumbar spine is flexible segments located deeply, and has physiologic lordosis. All of these contribute to making surgical approach difficult. Generally, lower lumbar burst fracture is managed either anteriorly or posteriorly with various fixation and fusion methods. But there is no general guideline or consensus regarding the proper approach for such lesion. We have tried to find out the influencing factors for selecting the surgical approach through the analysis of lower lumbar burst fractures treated for last 4 years(1994.3-1998.3). Method : This study includes 15 patients(male : 10, female : 5, age range 20-59 years with mean age of 36.7 years, L3 : 8 cases, L4 : 5 cases, L5 : 2 cases). Patients were classified into anterior(AO) and posterior operated(PO) groups. We investigated clinical findings, injured column, operation methods, and changes in follow-up radiologic study (kyphotic angle) to determine the considerable factors in selecting the surgical approaches. Results : There were 5 AO and 10 PO patients. Anterior operation were performed with AIF with Kaneda or Z-plate and posterior operation were done with pedicle screw fixation with PLIF with cages or posterolateral fusion. Canal compression was 46.6% in AO and 38.8% in PO. The degree of kyphotic angle correction were 10.7 degree(AO) and 8.5 degree(PO), respectively. There was no statistical difference between anterior and posterior operation group. All patients showed good surgical outcome without complications. Conclusion : Anterior operation provided good in kyphotic angle correction and firm anterior strut graft, but it difficulty arose in accessing the lesions below L4 vertebra. While posterior approach showed less correction of kyphotic angle, it required less time and provided better results for accompanied adjacent lesion and pathology such as epidural hematoma. The level of injury, canal compression, biomechanics, multiplicity, and pathology are considered to be important factors in selection of the surgical approach.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.211-217
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• 2014

Objective : In Korea, early vertebroplasty (EVP) or delayed vertebroplasty (DVP, which is performed at least 2 weeks after diagnosis) were performed for the treatment of acute osteoporotic compression fracture (OCF) of the spine. The present study compared the outcomes of two surgical strategies for the treatment of single-level acute OCF in the thoracolumbar junction (T12-L2). Methods : From 2004 to 2010, 23 patients were allocated to the EVP group (EVPG) and 27 patients to the DVP group (DVPG). Overall mean age was $68.3{\pm}7.9$ and minimum follow-up period was 1.0 year. Retrospective study of clinical and radiological results was conducted. Results : No significant differences in baseline characteristics were observed between the two groups. As expected, mean duration from onset to vertebroplasty and mean duration of hospital stay were significantly longer in the DVPG ($17.1{\pm}2.1$ and $17.5{\pm}4.2$) than in the EVPG ($3.8{\pm}3.3$ and $10.8{\pm}5.1$, p=0.001). Final clinical outcome including visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index, and Odom's criteria did not differ between the two groups. However, immediate improvement of the VAS after vertebroplasty was greater in the EVPG ($5.1{\pm}1.3$) than in the DVPG ($4.0{\pm}1.0$, p=0.002). The proportion of cement leakage was lower in the EVPG (30.4%) than in the DVPG (59.3%, p=0.039). In addition, semiquantitative grade of cement interdigitation was significantly more favorable in the EVPG than in the DVPG (p=0.003). Final vertebral body collapse and segmental kyphosis did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusion : Our findings suggest that EVP achieves a better immediate surgical effect with more favorable cost-effectiveness.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.5
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• pp.730-740
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• 2022

Objective : Although several commercialized bone cements are used during percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF), there are no reports using domestic products from South Korea. In this study, we investigated the safety and efficacy of Spinofill^® (Injecta Inc., Gunpo, Korea), a new polymethyl methacrylate product. Methods : A prospective, single-center, and single-arm clinical trial of 30 participants who underwent PVP using Spinofill^® for painful thoracolumbar OVCF was performed with 6-months follow-up. Clinical and surgical outcomes included the Visual analog scale (VAS), Korean-Oswestry disability index (K-ODI), and Odom's criteria, complication rate, and recurrence rate. Radiological outcomes were evaluated by measuring the findings of postoperative computed tomography and simple radiograph. Results : The pain of VAS (from 8.95±1.05 to 4.65±2.06, p<0.001) and the life quality based on K-ODI (from 33.95±5.84 to 25.65±4.79, p<0.001) improved significantly, and successful patient satisfaction were achieved in 20 patients (66.7%) 1 day after surgery. These immediate improvements were maintained or more improved during the follow-up. There was no surgery- or product-related complications, but OVCF recurred in two patients (6.7%). Favorable cement interdigitation was reported in 24 patients (80.0%), and extra-vertebral cement leakage was reported in 13 patients (43.0%). The mean vertebral height ratio (from 60.49%±21.97% to 80.07%±13.16%, p<0.001) and segmental kyphotic angle (from 11.46°±8.50° to 7.79°±6.08°, p=0.002) improved one day after surgery. However, these short-term radiological findings somewhat regressed at the end. Conclusion : The overall outcomes of PVP using Spinofill^® were as favorable as those of other conventionally used products.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.427-436
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• 1998

Thirty two cases of patient with Thoracolumbar Compression Fracture were treated and observed clinically from November, 1997, to August, 1998, in the Dept. of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Chon-an Oriental Medical Hospital, Taejon University. The results were obtained as follows; 1. The distribution of sex was male 6 cases(18.7%), female 26 cases(81.3%) and the distribution of age was seventies 17 cases(53.2%) the most. 2. The distribution of the causes was Slip-down 17 cases(53.2%) the most. 3. The distribution of the period before admission was within a week 19 cases(59.4%) the most. 4. The distribution of treatment duration in descending order: Under a week and two weeks under four weeks was the most number in 11 cases(59.4%) each. 5. The distribution of the injured level was L1 body 15 cases(18.3%) the most. 6. In the distribution of grading clinical severity on admission, the most cases were Gr.IV(18cases, 56.3%). 7. In the distribution of clinical symptoms on admission, 30 patients(21.9%) complained lower back pain and disturbance in turning over. 8. In the distribution of treatment result, the most cases(18 cases, 56.3%) was good. 9. The distribution of treatment duration according to the clinical grade on admission was as follows: Two weeks under four weeks was the most number in 8 cases(25%) in the group of Gr.IV, under two weeks was the most number in 6 cases(18.7%) in the group of Gr.III, and under four weeks was the most number in 2 cases(6.2%) in the group of Gr.II. 10. The distribution of treatment result according to the clinical grade on admission was as follows: Good was the most number in 10 cases(31.2%) in the group of Gr.IV, 6 cases(10.7%) in the group of Gr.III and 2 cases(6.2%) in the group of Gr.II. 11. The distribution of treatment result according to the treatment duration was as follows: Good was the most number in 4 cases(12.5%) under two weeks, 6cases(18.7%) two weeks under four weeks, and 6 cases(18.7%) four weeks under six weeks.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.100-107
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• 2015

Objective : To report a minimally invasive treatment option using percutaneous pedicle screw fixation with adjuvant treatment for metastatic thoraco-lumbar and lumbar spinal tumors. Methods : This is a retrospective study of charts of patients with spinal metastases. All were older than 18 years of age and were considered to have more than 3 months of life expectancy. The patients had single or two level lesions, and compression fracture or impending fracture. Exclusion criterion was metastasis showing severe epidural compression with definite neurological symptoms. Usually spinal segments from one level above to below pathology were stabilized. Visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain assessment and Frankel scale for neurological deficit were used, while pre- and post-operative performance status was evaluated using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG). Results : Twelve patients (nine men, three women; median age 54.29 years) underwent surgery. All patients presented with back pain with/without radicular pain. There were no early complications and perioperative mortalities. Following surgery, a significant difference between average pre- and post-operative VAS scores was found (p=0.003). Overall, 91.8% of patients (11/12) experienced improvement in their ECOG score post-operatively. The mean ambulation time was 196.9 days [95% confidence interval (CI), 86.2-307.6 days; median, 97 days]. During follow-up, nine patients died and the mean overall survival time in enrolled twelve patients was 249.9 days (95% CI, 145.3-354.4 days; median, 176 days). Conclusion : Minimally invasive treatment using percutaneous pedicle screw fixation with adjuvant treatment is a good alternative treatment option for potential instability of the thoraco-lumbar and lumbar spinal metastasis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.255-260
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• 2000

The authors report a posttraumatic syringomyelia in a 30-year-old man who has complained pain, weakness of upper arm and dissociation sensory loss since 2 months before. He was underwent by decompressive laminectomy from T12 to L1, reduction of encroached bony fragments, transpedicular screw fixation from T12 to L2 and posterolateral bony fusion due to burst fracture of L1 at other hospital 3 years ago. Preoperative spinal MRI was highly suggestive of wide-spread, multiseptated syringomyelia from C3 to thoracolumbar junction. We performed wide decompressive laminectomy from T10 to L2 and subarachnoid space reconstrucion composed of microdissection of meningeal fibrosis widely, iatrogenic meningocele formation with lefting the dura mater opened for treatment of spinal-spinal pressure dissociation. Clinical manifestations and radiological findings of the patient were improved after the operation. This technique was thought to be superior to shunting procedures in cases of wide-spread, multiseptated post-traumatic syringomyelia.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.41-51
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• 2000

Clinical observation was made on 44 cases of stable thoracolumbar compression fracture that were confirmed through simple x-ray and neurological examination. They were hospitalized and treated by acupuncture and moxibustion, bed rest, herb medicine and physical therapy. If necessary, patient was given an enema. The results obtained are as follows. 1. The patient distribution ratio, in regard to sex, was shown to be 1: 13.7 for males to females. In regard to age, it was shown that people in their 60's was the most predominant case, followed by people in their 70's, 80's, 50's and 40's, respectively. 2. In regard to contributing factors, it was observed that accidental falls were most frequent, followed by reasons unknown, repetitive lifting of heavy objects, overlaboring and bruise in that order. 3. In regard to duration of illness before treatment, it was found that treatment within 1 week was most predominant, followed by over 4 weeks, and 1-2 weeks, respectively. 4. With regard to the duration of hospitalization, hospitalization within 2 weeks was found to be most predominant, followed by 2-4 weeks. 5. In regard to the level of the affected vertebral body; The affected vertebral bodies distributed between T3 to L5 except for T7; T12 was found to be most predominant, followed in turn by L1 and L5. 6. In regard to the number of affected vertebral bodies, 2 was the most frequent followed by 1 and 3, in that order. The average of the number of affected vertebral bodies was observed to be 2.8 and single vertebral body compression fracture was shown to have no clinical and statistical difference as compared with multiple vertebral body compression fractures. 7. In regard to the grade of the seriousness of symptoms, it was found that Grade IV was most predominant, followed by Grade III. 8. With regard to signs at the first medical examination, low back pain was seen in the highest number, and followed in order by gait disturbance, flank pain, flexion-extension disturbance, disturbance of rotation to right or left, and bowel dysfunction. 9. Concerning the effect of treatment, good results were most predominantly seen, and 95.5% of total patients showed fair results. 10. The duration of admission treatment due to the grade of clinical symptoms was as follows; In the case of the Grade IV, it was observed that within 2 weeks was most predominant and for Grade III was 2-4 weeks. It was also found that the grade of clinical symptoms was not in proportion to the duration of admission treatment. 11. In regard to the result of treatment due to the grade of clinical symptoms; It was found that in the case of Grade IV, within 2 weeks was most predominant, and for Grade III, it was found to be 2-4 weeks. 12. Intestinal obstruction was shown in 50% of total patients; In the case of duration of constipation, more than 1 week was found to be most predominant, followed by 2 and 4 days respectively. 13. With regard to the treatment of intestinal obstruction, using acupuncture and moxibustion, herb - medicine and enema together were found to be most effective. 14. Intestinal obstruction was mostly seen in the case of Grade IV.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.520-526
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• 2020

Purpose: The need for revision fusion surgery after spinal fusion has increased. A revision rod that connects to the previous rod was newly developed for revision surgery. The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical and radiological results after spinal fusion revision surgery using revision rods. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one patients who underwent revision fusion surgery after spinal fusion in two university hospitals with minimum 1 year follow-up were reviewed. This study assessed 16 cases of adjacent-segment disease, four cases of thoracolumbar fracture, and one case of ossification of ligament flavum. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and numerical rating scale (NRS) were evaluated as clinical outcomes, and the union rate, lordosis or kyphosis of the revision level, lumbar lordosis, T5-12 kyphosis, and proximal junctional kyphosis angle were evaluated as the radiological outcomes. Results: The average ODI was 54.6±12.5 before surgery and improved to 29.8±16.5 at the final follow-up. The NRS for back pain and leg pain was 5.0±1.7 and 6.4±2.0 before surgery, which changed to 2.9±1.6 and 2.9±2.2 at the final follow-up. Lumbar lordosis was 18.1°±11.9° before surgery and 21.1°±10.3° at the final follow-up. Proximal junctional kyphosis was 10.8°±10.1° before surgery, and 9.2°±10.5° at the final follow-up. These angles were not changed significantly after surgery. Bony union was successful in all cases except for one case who underwent posterolateral fusion. Conclusion: Revision surgery using a newly developed revision rod on the thoracolumbar spine achieved good clinical outcomes with successful bony union. No problems with the newly developed revision rod were encountered.

• Journal of Oriental Medical Thermology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.28-37
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• 2002

Stable Compression Fractures(SCF hereafter) are most often caused by trauma such as traffic accidents. These SCFs usually occur in the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord. Human life spans have increased as a result of medical advances, which in turn has led to an increase in the elderly population. SCFs are divided into the categories of stable and unstable. The categories are determined through X-rays and P/Ex tests. The D.I.T.I. is then used to diagnose the severity and prognosis of the fracture injuries, and it allows an objective evaluation of the symptoms. This author researched 40 patients who were treated at Wonkwang University Oriental Medical Center from October 1995 to December 1996. The patients were diagnosed by X-ray as having SCFs and treated primarily with acupuncture. Both the changes in D.I.T.I. and patients' self-diagnoses of their conditions before and after treatment yielded the meaningful results which have been presented here. 1. 75% of those who suffer from Stable Compression Fractures are 60 years of older. Of those, the ratio of male to female is 1 to 4. This is due in part to the fact that many elderly women seek Oriental medicine treatment for conditions associated with advanced age. 2. 53.3% of these injuries occurred between T11 and L2. 3. 65% of patients were hospitalized for 10 to 29 days, and then able to be treated on an outpatiens basis. 4. The D.I.T.I. results showed 50% below $0.2^{\circ}C$, 30% between 0.3 and $0.5^{\circ}C$, 10% between 0.5 and $0.7^{\circ}C$, 10% between 0.7 and $0.9^{\circ}C$, and 0% over $0.9^{\circ}C$. 5. The results of treatment using Modified Evaluation System in Thoracolumbar Vertebral Fractures Method showed that 55% of patients achieved excellent recovery and 40% achived good recovery. After comparing the D.I.T.I. results before and after treatment, we found 50% of patients showed excellent recovery $({\Delta}T{\leq}0.2)$ and 40% showed good recovery$(0.2<{\Delta}T{\leq}0.5)$.