• Asian Spine Journal
• /
• v.12 no.6
• /
• pp.992-997
• /
• 2018

Study Design: Feasibility study. Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of using serum pentosidine level as a potential marker for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). Overview of Literature: A review of previous studies suggests a negative correlation between serum pentosidine concentration and bone strength. However, it is unclear whether serum pentosidine level might be a potential marker of OVCF in Koreans. Methods: Forty patients who underwent bone mineral density examination were included in this study, and their serum pentosidine levels were prospectively analyzed. Serum pentosidine level was evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Among all the patients, 11 with OVCF were assigned to the vertebral fracture group and 29 who did not have vertebral fracture were included in the non-fracture group. In addition, we used the Fracture Risk Assessment (FRAX) tool Korean version for assessing the 10-year probability of fracture. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the mean serum pentosidine level (p=0.04) of the vertebral fracture group (110.8 ng/mL) and the non-fracture group (64.3 ng/mL). Logistic regression analyses showed that serum pentosidine was significantly associated with OVCF. The vertebral fracture group had significantly higher 10-year probability of major osteoporotic fracture as per FRAX than the non-fracture group. There was a positive correlation between pentosidine level and FRAX results (r=0.35, p=0.02). Conclusions: These results suggest that increased serum pentosidine level could be a potential marker for OVCF.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.30 no.9
• /
• pp.1234-1238
• /
• 2017

Objective: The vertebral number is associated with body length and carcass traits, which represents an economically important trait in farm animals. The variation of vertebral number has been observed in a few mammalian species. However, the variation of vertebral number and quantitative trait loci in sheep breeds have not been well addressed. Methods: In our investigation, the information including gender, age, carcass weight, carcass length and the number of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae from 624 China Kazakh sheep was collected. The effect of vertebral number variation on carcass weight and carcass length was estimated by general linear model. Further, the polymorphic sites of Vertnin (VRTN) gene were identified by sequencing, and the association of the genotype and vertebral number variation was analyzed by the one-way analysis of variance model. Results: The variation of thoracolumbar vertebrae number in Kazakh sheep (18 to 20) was smaller than that in Texel sheep (17 to 21). The individuals with 19 thoracolumbar vertebrae (T13L6) were dominant in Kazakh sheep (79.2%). The association study showed that the numbers of thoracolumbar vertebrae were positively correlated with the carcass length and carcass weight, statistically significant with carcass length. To investigate the association of thoracolumbar vertebrae number with VRTN gene, we genotyped the VRTN gene. A total of 9 polymorphic sites were detected and only a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs426367238) was suggested to associate with thoracic vertebral number statistically. Conclusion: The variation of thoracolumbar vertebrae number positively associated with the carcass length and carcass weight, especially with the carcass length. VRTN gene polymorphism of the SNP (rs426367238) with significant effect on thoracic vertebral number could be as a candidate marker to further evaluate its role in influence of thoracolumbar vertebral number.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.125-128
• /
• 2010

Objective : The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal volume of injected cement and its distribution when used to treat vertebral compression fractures, and to identify factors related to subsequent vertebral fractures. Methods : A retrospective analysis of newly developing vertebral fractures after percutaneous vertebroplasty was done. The inclusion criteria were that the fracture was a single first onset fracture with exclusion of pathologic fractures. Forty-three patients were included in the study with a minimum follow up period of six months. Patients were dichotomized for the analysis by volume of cement, initial vertebral height loss, bone marrow density, and endplate-to-endplate cement augmentation. Results : None of the four study variables was found to be significantly associated with the occurrence of a subsequent vertebral compression fracture. In particular, and injected cement volume of more or less that 3.5 cc was not associated with occurrence (p = 0.2523). No relation was observed between initial vertebral height loss and bone marrow density (p = 0.1652, 0.2064). Furthermore, endplate-to-endplate cement augmentation was also not found to be significantly associated with a subsequent fracture (p = 0.2860) by Fisher's exact test. Conclusion : Neither volume of cement, initial vertebral height loss, bone marrow density, or endplate-to-endplate cement augmentation was found to be significantly related to the occurrence of a subsequent vertebral compression fracture. Our findings suggest that as much cement as possible without causing leakage should be used.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.209-212
• /
• 2009

Objective : Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the vertebral body is known as a relatively uncommon phenomenon in a vertebral compression fracture (VCF). The outstanding radiologic findings of AVN are intravertebral vacuum phenomenon with or without fluid collection. Several reports revealed that PVP or balloon kyphoplasty might be the effective treatment modalities for AVN. We also experienced excellent results when using PVP for the treatment of AVN of the vertebral body, and intend to describe the treatment's efficacy in this report. Methods : Thirty-two patients diagnosed with AVN of the vertebral body were treated with PVP. We measured the pre- and post-operative anterior body height and kyphotic angulation. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to determine the relief of back pain. Results : The anterior body height (pre-operative : 1.49 cm, post-operative : 2.22 cm) and kyphotic angulation (pre-operative : 14.47 degrees, post-operative : 6.57 degrees) were significantly restored (p<0.001). VAS was improved from 8.9 to 3.7. Pseudoarthrosis was corrected in all cases, which was confirmed by dynamic radiographs. Fluid collection was found in sixteen cases and was aspirated with serous nature. No organism and tumor cell were noted. Conclusion : PVP proved to be an effective procedure for the treatment of AVN of the vertebral body, which corrected dynamic instability and significantly restored the anterior body height and kyphotic angulation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.615-622
• /
• 2000

Objective : Percutaneous vertebroplasty is an effective and minimally invasive procedure consisting of the injection of a PMMA(polymethyl methacrylate) into the vertebral body compression fracture with osteoporosis. Matherials and Methods : Twenty-eight procedures were performed for vertebral body compression fractures with osteoporosis in 25 patients(22 women, 3 men). The mean age was 65.9 years old. The inclusion criteria for percutaneous vertebroplasty were 1) acute vertebral body compression fracture with osteoporosis, 2) expected high operative morbidity in old age, 3) no neurologic deficits, 4) no or minimal canal enchroachment, 5) patient refusal of invasive surgery. All patients underwent MR images before the procedure. Under local anesthesia, after the percutaneous needle puncture of the involved vertebra via a transpedicular approach and venography using the water soluble contrast material, PMMA injection was introduced into the fractured vertebral body. Results : The procedure was technically successful in all patients. All patients experienced excellent pain relief (complete pain relief ; 10, marked pain relief ; 14). One patient experienced marked pain relief, however, the patient died during the follow-up period due to stomach cancer. There were twelve paravertebral tissue leaks, twelve paravertebral venous plexus leaks, four epidural leaks and one intradiskal leak, but no clinically significant complications occurred in all patients. Conclusion : Percutaneous vertebraoplasty is a valuable procedure in the treatment of vertebral body compression fracture with osteoporosis, providing immediate pain relief and early mobilization. MRI is the most reliable diagnostic tool for identifying painful fractured vertebral body.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.271-275
• /
• 2007

Objective : Although a significant correction of local kyphosis has been reported previously, only a few studies have investigated whether this correction leads to an improved overall sagittal alignment. The study objective was to determine whether an improvement in the local kyphotic angle improves the overall sagittal alignment. We examined and compared the effects of thoracic and lumbar level kyphoplasty procedures on local versus overall sagittal alignment of the spine. Methods : Thirty-eight patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures who showed poor response to conventional, palliative medical therapy underwent single-level kyphoplasty. The pertinent clinical data of these patients, from June 2006 to November 2006, were reviewed retrospectively. We measured preoperative and postoperative vertebral body heights, which were classified as anterior, middle, or posterior fractured vertebral body heights. Furthermore, the local and overall sagittal angles after polymethylmethacrylate deposition were measured. Results : More height was gained at the thoracic level, and the middle vertebral height regained the most. A significant local kyphosis correction was observed at the fractured level, and the correction at larger spanning segments decreased with the distance from the fractured level. Conclusion : The inflatable balloon kyphoplasty procedure was the most effective in regaining the height of the thoracic fractured vertebra in the middle vertebral body. The kyphosis correction by kyphoplasty was mainly achieved in the fractured vertebral body. Sagittal angular correction decreased with an increase in the distance from the fractured vertebra. No significant improvement was observed in the overall sagittal alignment after kyphoplasty. Further studies in a larger population are required to clarify this issue.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.90-94
• /
• 2006

Objective : Acute vertebral burst fractures warrant extensive fixation and fusion on the spine. Osteoplasty [vertebroplasty with high density resin without vertebral expansion] has been used to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. We report our experiences with osteoplasty in acute vertebral burst fractures. Methods : Twenty-eight cases of acute vertebral burst fracture were operated with osteoplasty. Eighteen patients had osteoporosis concurrently. Preoperative MRI was performed in all cases to find fracture level and to evaluate the severity of injury. Preoperative CT revealed burst fracture in the series. The patients with severe ligament injury or spinal canal compromise were excluded from indication. Osteoplasty was performed under local anesthesia and high density polymethylmethacrylate[PMMA] was injected carefully avoiding cement leakage into spinal canal. The procedure was performed unilaterally in 21 cases and bilaterally in 7 cases. The patients were allowed to ambulate right after surgery. Most patients discharged within 5 days and followed up at least 6 months. Results : There were 12 men and 16 women with average age of 45.3[28-82]. Five patients had 2 level fractures and 2 patients had 3 level fractures. The average injection volume was 5.6cc per level Average VAS [Visual Analogue Scale] improved 26mm after surgery. The immediate postoperative X-ray showed 2 cases of filler spillage into spinal canal and 4 cases of leakage into the retroperitoneal space. One patient with intraspinal leakage was underwent the laminectomy to remove the resin. Conclusion : Osteoplasty is a safe and new treatment option in the burst fractures. Osteoplasty with minimally invasive technique reduced the hospital stay and recovery time in vertebral fracture patients.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.52.1-52.8
• /
• 2021

Background: The normal vertebral anatomy of Korean raccoon dogs and their variants require research attention as a prerequisite for identifying pathologies and anomalies. Objectives: This retrospective study aimed at describing the vertebral formula and congenital vertebral anomalies in Korean raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis). Methods: Radiographs of 82 raccoon dogs (42 males, 40 females) acquired from May 2013 to June 2020 in the Gangwon Wildlife Medical Rescue Center were reviewed to evaluate the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae of the spine. Results: Normal morphology of all vertebrae was observed in 50 of the 82 raccoon dogs, and the vertebral formula was cervical 7, thoracic 13, and lumbar 7. Congenital vertebral anomalies were found in 32 raccoon dogs: transitional vertebrae (TV) in 31 and block vertebrae in 2. Two raccoon dogs had 2 types of vertebral anomalies: one had TV and block vertebra, and the other had 2 types of TV. Twenty-nine raccoon dogs had thoracolumbar TV (TTV) and 3 had lumbosacral TV. TTV was morphologically classified into 4 different types: unilateral extra-rib in 5 raccoon dogs, bilateral extra-ribs in 14, bilateral elongated transverse processes in 4, and an asymmetric mixed formation of extra-rib with elongated transverse process in 6. Conclusions: This study showed that TTV is common in Korean raccoon dogs, and that the vertebral formula is relatively diverse. The bilateral extra-ribs type TTV is the most common variant, which is almost similar to normal rib to be confused the radiographic evaluation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
• /
• 2007.11a
• /
• pp.511-512
• /
• 2007

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.87-93
• /
• 2009

Background/aim : Atherosclerotic disease at the origin of the vertebral arteries is one of the risk factors for vertebrobasilar ischemic disease. Assessment and visualization of the origin of the vertebral arteries with color doppler sonography is a non-trivial task. The aim of this study is to increase the visualization rate of the origin of the vertebral arteries with color doppler sonography. Materials and Methods : Color doppler sonography for the vertebral arteries included carotid arteries was performed to 198 patients. We first examined the vertebral artery in the upper neck in the direction of the subclavian artery to distinguish its origin more easily. If the vertebral artery origin was not visualized in natural position, the examiner pushed the transducer toward a clavicle or pushed the shoulder of patient by the other hand. The technical methods for visualization of the vertebral artery origin were classified into three grades: natural position, pushing the transducer, and pushing the shoulder of patient according to the depth (3.0 cm and shallower, deeper than 3.0 cm) of the origin. Results : The origin of the vertebral arteries could be visualized in 97% on the right and in 92% on the left. The origin of the vertebral arteries could be visualized in 98.6%, 1.4%, and 0.0% in natural position, pushing the transducer, and pushing the shoulder of patient, respectively, at shallower than 3.0 cm on the right side. The origin of the vertebral arteries could be visualized in 81.2%, 14.6%, and 4.2% in natural position, pushing the transducer, and pushing the shoulder of patient, respectively, at deeper than 3.0 cm on the right side. The origin of the vertebral arteries could be visualized in 85.4%, 10.7%, and 3.9% in natural position, pushing the transducer, and pushing the shoulder of patient, respectively, at shallower than 3.0 cm on the left side. The origin of the vertebral arteries could be visualized in 55.7%, 30.4%, and 13.9% in natural position, pushing the transducer, and pushing the shoulder of patient, respectively, at deeper than 3.0 cm on the left side. Conclusion : If the examiner pushes the transducer toward a clavicle or pushes the shoulder of patient by the other hand, when the vertebral artery origin during the color doppler sonography is not visualized in natural position, visualization rate of the origin of the both vertebral arteries is increased.