• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.266-270
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• 2014

Background: Knowledge of the anatomical variation of the vertebral artery has clinical importance not only for the performance of interventional or surgical procedures itself but also to ensure their safety. We conducted a study of the anatomical variation by reviewing multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) images of the cervical spine from 460 Korean patients. Methods: 16-row MDCT data from 460 patients were used in this study. We observed 920 vertebral arteries. Examination points included level of entrance of the artery into the transverse foramen of the cervical vertebra, origin site of the vertebral artery, course of a vertebral artery with aberrant entrance. Result: The vertebral artery in 2 (0.2%) cases in this study entered into the transverse foramen of the 7th cervical vertebra from the left. In 45 (4.9%) cases, the vertebral artery entered into the transverse foramen of the 5th cervical vertebra. Of these, the entrance was on the right in 15 (1.6%) and on the left in 30 (3.3%). We found 17 (1.8%) cases in which the artery entered into the transverse foramen of the 4th cervical vertebra, 10 (1.1%) on the right and 7 (0.7%) on the left side. As is commonly acknowledged, the 6th cervical vertebra was the most common site of entry; the vertebral artery entered the transverse foramen of the 6th cervical vertebra in the remaining 855 (93.0%) cases, on the right in 434 (47.2%) and on the left in 421 (45.8%). Conclusions: In conclusion, the possibility of an atypical course of the vertebral artery in segments V1 and V2 should be evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or CT images before carrying out procedures involving the anterior cervical vertebrae.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.107-111
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• 2011

Objective : The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of volume-rendered helical computerized tomography (CT) angiography focusing tracheostomy tube and innominate artery for prevention of tracheoinnominate artery fistula. Methods : The authors retrospectively analyzed 22 patients with tracheostomy who had checked CT angiography. To evaluate the relationship between tracheostomy tube and innominate artery, we divided into three categories. First proximal tube position based on cervical vertebra, named "tracheostomy tube departure level (TTDL)". Second, distal tube position and course of innominate artery, named "tracheostomy tube-innominate artery configuration (TTIC)". Third, the gap between the tube and innominate artery, named "tracheostomy tube to innominate artery gap (TTIG)". The TTDL/TTIC and TTIG are based on 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction around tracheostomy and enhanced axial slices of upper chest, respectively. Results : First, mean TTDL was $6.8{\pm}0.6$. Five cases (23%) were lower than C7 vertebra. Second, TTIC were remote to innominate artery (2 cases; 9.1 %), matched with it (14 cases; 63.6%) or crossed it (6 cases; 27.3%). Only 9% of cases were definitely free from innominate artery injury. Third, average TTIG was $4.3{\pm}4.6$ mm. Surprisingly, in 6 cases (27.3%), innominate artery, trachea wall and tracheostomy tube were tightly attached all together, thus have much higher probability of erosion. Conclusion : If low TTDL, match or crossing type TTIC with reverse-L shaped innominate artery, small trachea and thin TTIG are accompanied all together, we may seriously consider early plugging and tube removal.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.297-299
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• 2009

We present two rare cases of anomalous vertebral artery (VA) with retroesophaqeal right subclavian artery. One patient had a right VA arising from the right common carotid artery (CCA), and a left VA originating from the third branch off the aorta. Both VAs ascended anteriorly to the transverse foramen of C5 to C6 vertebra and entered the transverse foramen of C4. The other patient had a right VA arising from the right CCA and entering the transverse foramen of C5. The presence of anomalous variations of the oriqin and course of vertebral artery might have serious implications in anqioqraphic and surgical procedures, and it is of great importance to be aware of such a possibility.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.394-398
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• 1994

Takayasu`s arteritis is one of chronic inflammatory disease characteristically involving the aorta and it`s major branches. We experienced two surgical cases of Takayasu`s arteritis associated with the stenosis of the descending thoracic aorta. One case was 15 year-old girl and she was admitted because of dyspnea on exertion for 12 months. Aortogram showed the stenosis of the descending thoracic aorta from just below left subclavian artery to the 9th thoracic vetebra. The other case was 10 year-old girl and she was admitted because of URI and hypertension. Aortogram showed narrowing of right innominate artery, but developed collateral circulation, and the stenosis of the descending thoracic aorta near the 9th thoracic vertebra. In each case, bypass graft from the ascending aorta to the abdominal aorta just above the inferior mesenteric artery was performed with satisfactory result.

• Journal of International Society for Simulation Surgery
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.67-70
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• 2015

We propose an automatic vessel segmentation method of vertebral arteries in CT angiography using combined circular and cylindrical model fitting. First, to generate multi-segmented volumes, whole volume is automatically divided into four segments by anatomical properties of bone structures along z-axis of head and neck. To define an optimal volume circumscribing vertebral arteries, anterior-posterior bounding and side boundaries are defined as initial extracted vessel region. Second, the initial vessel candidates are tracked using circular model fitting. Since boundaries of the vertebral arteries are ambiguous in case the arteries pass through the transverse foramen in the cervical vertebra, the circle model is extended along z-axis to cylinder model for considering additional vessel information of neighboring slices. Finally, the boundaries of the vertebral arteries are detected using graph-cut optimization. From the experiments, the proposed method provides accurate results without bone artifacts and eroded vessels in the cervical vertebra.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.961-964
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• 1994

The pulmonary sequestration is an uncommon congenital anomaly characterized by the presence of nonfunctioning lung tissue supplied by aberrant artery from the aorta or its branches and usually has no communication with the normal bronchial tree. The patient was 35 year old female and had no specific complaints. The lung mass was found incidentally and was continned to be intralobar pulmonary sequestration by aotography whitch showed aberrant blood supply from thoracic aorta at the T. vertebra level. The right lower lobectomy was done.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.194-196
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• 2013

Isolated abducens nerve paresis related to ruptured vertebral artery (VA) aneurysm is rare. It usually occurs bilaterally or ipsilaterally to the pathologic lesions. We report the case of a contralateral sixth nerve palsy following ruptured dissecting VA aneurysm. A 38-year-old man was admitted for the evaluation of a 6-day history of headache. Abnormalities were not seen on initial computed tomography (CT). On admission, the patient was alert and no signs reflecting neurologic deficits were noted. Time of flight magnetic resonance angiography revealed a fusiform dilatation of the right VA involving origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. The patient suddenly suffered from severe headache with diplopia the day before the scheduled cerebral angiography. Neurologic examination disclosed nuchal rigidity and isolated left abducens nerve palsy. Emergent CT scan showed high density in the basal and prepontine cistern compatible with ruptured aneurismal hemorrhage. Right vertebral angiography illustrated a right VA dissecting aneurysm with prominent displaced vertebrobasilar artery to inferiorly on left side. Double-stent placement was conducted for the treatment of ruptured dissecting VA aneurysm. No diffusion restriction signals were observed in follow-up magnetic resonance imaging of the brain stem. Eleven weeks later, full recovery of left sixth nerve palsy was documented photographically. In conclusion, isolated contralateral abducens nerve palsy associated with ruptured VA aneurysm may develop due to direct nerve compression by displaced verterobasilar artery triggered by primary thick clot in the prepontine cistern.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.309-314
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• 2007

A 7-year-old, intact female Korean Jindo dog was referred due to ataxia and pain on palpation of the thorax. Radiograph, echocardiography and computed tomogram revealed a mass on the heart base region and osteolytic change of fifth thoracic (T5) vertebra. At necropsy, a firm, encapsulated and round mass was seen arising from the heart base region surrounding the ascending aorta and pulmonary artery. Histopathologically, nests of cuboidal and polyhedral cells having abundantly granular and eosinophilic cytoplasm with round to oval nucleus were separated by fibrous septa. Immunohistochemistry using chromogranin A revealed that tumor cells were originated from neuroendocrine organ and metastasized into some organs including lung, spleen, liver, kidney and T5 vertebra. By electron microscopy, we found the electron-dense and membrane-bound granules in cytoplasm of the tumor cells. This study provides the uncommon evidence that aortic body tumor metastasized to both multiple organs and bone.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.119-122
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• 2008

The crossing laminar screw fixation might be the most recently developed approach among various fixation techniques for C2. The new construct has stability comparable to transarticular or transpedicular screw fixation without risk of vertebral artery injury. Quantitative anatomical studies about C2 vertebra suggest significant variation in the thickness of C2 lamina as well as cross sectional area of junction of lamina and spinous process. We present an elderly patient who underwent an occipito-cervical stabilization incorporating crossed C2 laminar screw fixation. We preoperatively recognized that she had low profiles of C2 lamina, and thus made a modification of trajectory for the inferiorly crossing screw. We introduce a simple modification of crossing C2 laminar screw technique to improve stability in patients with low laminar profiles.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.161-165
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• 2007

Objective : Percutaneous approach to the middle thoracic vertebra through the transpedicular route for the patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures is difficult due to the small size of the pedicle and parasagittally oriented vertebra body anatomy. The percutaneous vertebral body access [PVBA] technique utilizing the posterolateral extrapedicular approach avoids the pedicle and provides direct access to the vertebral body. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the vertebroplasty utilizing PVBA technique for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in the middle thoracic vertebrae. Methods : A retrospective review was done on 20 patients who underwent vertebroplasty utilizing PVBA technique performed for painful osteoporotic compression fracture in the middle thoracic vertebrae at 22 levels from May 2003 to June 2006. The average amount of the injected cement was 1.5-2.5ml. The postprocedural outcome was assessed using a visual analogue scale [VAS]. Results : The treated vertebrae were T5 [1 level], T6 [5 levels], 17 [7 levels], and T8 [9 levels]. The compression rate and kyphotic angle were improved after procedure from $18%{\pm}13.4$ to $16%{\pm}13.8$ [p > 0.05] and from $6.9^{\circ}{\pm}6.7$ to $6.6^{\circ}{\pm}6.2$ [p>005], respectively. Preprocedural VAS was $8.2{\pm}0.70$ and was decreased to $2.1{\pm}1.02$ [p < 0.01] after treatment. Postprocedural cement leakage was noted in 3 levels [13.7%]. There were no cases of leakage to epidural space or neural foramen, segmental artery injury, and pneumothorax. Conclusion : These results suggest that the complication rates are low and good results can be achieved with vertebroplasty utilizing PVBA technique for the osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures especially in the middle thoracic vertebrae.