• Asian Spine Journal
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.1017-1027
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• 2018

Study Design: This retrospective study was conducted including 18 patients who underwent posterior-only stabilization and fusion procedure for pseudoarthrosis in the ankylosed spine from October 2007 to May 2015. Purpose: This study aimed to describe the treatment outcomes in 18 patients with Andersson lesion (AL) who were managed using the posterior-only approach. Literature Review: AL is an unstable, localized, vertebral, or discovertebral lesion of the spine. It is observed in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. The exact etiology of this disorder remains unclear, and the treatment guidelines are not clearly described. Methods: We analyzed 18 patients with AL who were treated with posterior long segment spinal fusion without any anterior interbody grafting or posterior osteotomy. Pre- and postoperative radiography, computed tomography, and recent follow-up images were examined. The pre- and postoperative Visual Analog Scale score and the Oswestry Disability Index score were evaluated for all patients. Whiteclouds' outcome analysis criteria were applied at the follow-up. Moreover, at study completion, patient feedback was collected; all the patients were asked to provide their opinion regarding the surgery and were asked whether they would recommend this procedure to other patients and them self undergo the same procedure again if required. Results: The most common site was the thoracolumbar junction. The symptom duration ranged from 1 month to 10 years preoperatively. Most patients experienced fusion by the end of 1 year, and the fusion mass could be observed as early as 4 months. Pseudoarthrosis void of up to 2.5 cm was noted to be healed in subsequent imaging. In addition, clinically, the patients reported good symptomatic relief. No patient required revision surgery. Whiteclouds' outcome analysis score at the latest follow-up revealed goodto-excellent outcomes in all patients. Conclusions: ALs can be treated using the posterior-only approach with long segment fixation and posterior spinal fusion. This is a safe, simple, and quick procedure that prevents the morbidity of anterior surgery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.439-450
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• 1987

The arterial blood pressure response elicited by stimulating the peripheral afferent fibers of different groups and origins was studied in cats. Experimental animals were anesthetized with a-chloralose [60mg/kg] and artificially ventilated with a respirator. The lumbosacral spinal cord was exposed through a laminectomy and L7 ventral root was isolated. The sural, medial gastrocnemius and common peroneal nerves were also exposed in the hindlimb. The arterial blood pressure was monitored continuously while the exposed peripheral nerves and L7 ventral root were being stimulated. Then, spinal lesions were made on the dorsolateral sulcus area, dorsolateral funiculus and other areas at the thoracolumbar junction. The arterial blood pressure responses were compared before and after making spinal lesions. The following results were obtained. 1. The mean arterial blood pressure was elevated from 103*7.3 to 129*8, 1 [mean*S.E.] mmHg [p<0.001] during stimulation of the sural nerve with C-strength [1000T], 20Hz. Stimulation with Ad-strength, 1Hz resulted in the depression of the arterial pressure by 8 mmHg [p<0.01]. 2. Stimulation of the medial gastrocnemius nerve with Ad-strength did not elicit any significant change in arterial blood pressure. Stimulation with C-strength, 20 Hz induced a pressor response from 102*6.2 to 117*6.4 mmHg [p<0.01] while that with C-strength, 1Hz induced a depressor response from 104*6.1 to 93*4.9 mmHg [p<0.001]. 3. A pressor response by 56 [from 107*7 5 to 163*9.4] mmHg [p<0.001] was induced during stimulation of the common peroneal nerve with C-strength, 20Hz stimuli. Stimulation with A4-strength, 1Hz depressed the arterial blood pressure from 111~9.3 to 94*7.8 mmHg [P<0.005]. The activation of the ventral root afferent fibers with C-strength, 20 Hz stimuli induced a pressor response by 22 mmHg [from 115*9.4 to 137*8.6 mmHg] [p<0.001]. 4. The pressor response elicited during stimulation of the sural nerve was abolished by making lesions on the dorsolateral sulcus area bilaterally. With the medial gastrocnemius nerve, the pressor response had not been abolished completely by the dorsolateral sulcus lesions. The pressor response disappeared completely with addition of the bilateral dorsolateral funiculus lesions. 5. The depressor response induced by stimulation of the sciatic nerve with Ad-strength, 1Hz was decreased by making lesions on the dorsolateral funiculus. 6. From the above results it is concluded that the difference in the blood pressure responses to the activation of the muscular afferent and the cutaneous afferent fibers is responsible for the groups of afferent fibers and the spinal ascending pathways.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.451-455
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• 2001

Objectives : There have been several studies documenting the changing level of the conus throughout infancy and childhood, but there is only a little detailed study that documents the range of conus positions in a living adult population, especially in Korean, without spinal deformity. Methods : we made a sequential study of magnetic resonance images of the lumbar spine to determine the variation in position of the conus medullaris in 650 living korean adults population without spinal deformity who checked MRI to identify the cause of low back pain. The study population consisted of patients over the age of 16 years. A T1-weighted, midline, sagittal image was reviewed for identifying the postion of conus. This location was recorded in relation to the upper, middle, or lower third of the adjacent vertebral body or the adjacent intervertebral disc. Results : The study group consisted of 305 men(47%) and 345 women(53%) with a mean age 45.9 years(range, 16-79 years). The conus existed commonly at the middle third of L1(131cases, 20.2%), at the L1-2 intervertebral space(129cases, 19.8%), and the lower third of L1(123cases, 18.9%). The mean position of conus was the lower third of L1(range, middle third of T12 to middle third of L3). Conclusions : The mean position of conus was at the lower third of L1(range, middle third of T12 to middle third of L3). This results was same as that of foreign study. Our results of living korean adult population could allow for safe clinical procedures such as lumbar puncture, spinal anesthesia, and help to explain the differences among observed neurologic injuries from fracture-dislocation at the thoracolumbar junction.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.148-154
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• 2006

Purpose: Although radionuclide cisternography (RNC) is an useful study to detect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage in the patient with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH), it sometimes fails to demonstrate the site of CSF leakage. The aim of the study is to improve the detection of leakage site of CSF and to reduce time for the study in RNC using modified protocol (m-RNC). Materials & methods : The study consists of 8 studies of 7 patients ($38{\pm}8$ years, M:F=2:5) with SIH, who underwent m-RNC following administration of 185-222 MBq of $^{99m}Tc$-DTPA into the lumbar subarachnoid space. Sequential images were obtained the whole spine with the head including urinary bladder at 10 minute, 30 minute, 1 hour, 2 hour, 4 hour and 6 hour. Radioactivity of extradural space and urinary bladder was evaluated. Results: Leakage site of CSF was identified in all 8 cases by m-RNC. Leakage site was cervicothoracic junction (CTJ, n=3), CTJ with C1-2 (n=2), CTJ with thoracic spine, thoracolumbar spine and lumbar spine (each n=1). All cases presented leakage sites within 1 hour and multiple sites, where CTJ was included in 6 cases. Only one case presented additional site in 6 hour image. Early radioactivity within the urinary bladder was noted in 6 cases, but that was fellowing after identification of the leakage site. Conclusion: Radionuclide cisternography is sensitive to detect the leakage site of CSF and is expected to improve the detection of CSF leakage site and reduce time for the study using modified protocol.