• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제27권3호
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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 International Society for Simulation Surgery
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• 제2권2호
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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.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.235-238
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• 2011

Vertebral compression fractures result in vertebral height loss and alter sagittal spinal alignment, which in turn can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. Acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures are known to increase mobility and instability of the spine. There are limited published data correlating the degree of dynamic mobility and the efficacy of kyphoplasty on vertebral compression fractures. Here we report a 73-year-old female with a severe acute osteoporotic L2 compression fracture who obtained total vertebral height restoration following kyphoplasty, with resolution of back pain.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.519-522
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• 2003

An appearance of herniated intervertebral disc into thoracolumbar vertebral canal was evaluated in two patients using computed tomography (CT). Before CT scanning, plain radiography and myelography were performed in both cases. CT images were compared to those of myelography. Dogs were positioned in sternal recumbency under inhalation anesthesia and transverse slices with 2 mm thickness were obtained around thoracolumbar region. The transverse CT images were examined using both vertebral and spiral window mode. The most common findings on CT images were loss of vertebral canal epidural fat, bulging of vertebral canal disc margins, displacement of spinal cord and flatted vertebral canal. Whereas, narrowed intervertebral disc space and simple extradural pattern were the main findings on plain and contrast radiographs. CT imges showed the extent of the herniated disc lesion, type II intervertebral disc hernation, and the displacement of spinal cord in detail in both occations. It is considered that degree and precise localization of the intervertebral disc herniation and subtle lesion of spinal cord could be identified accurately using computed tomography.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제42권2호
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• pp.112-117
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• 2007

Objective : Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are two minimally invasive procedures for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the radiological findings and clinical outcomes between two procedures. Methods : Osteoporotic vertebral fractures were treated in 76 vertebrae, using kyphoplasty (n=35 vertebrae) and using vertebroplasty (n=41 vertebrae). Fractured vertebral bodies were diagnosed by correlating the clinical symptoms with radiologic study. The responses of pain symptoms were measured by a self-reported Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score. Plain X-rays were checked preoperatively and postoperatively at admission and 6 months. The vertebral body height and kyphotic angle were measured to assess the reduction of the sagittal alignment. Results : The mean pain scores were decreased significantly for both procedures postoperatively, but there were no significant differences between two groups. Kyphoplasty led to a significant reduction of the vertebral body height and improvement of kyphotic angle. There were no neurological deficits after kyphoplasty, but one patient experienced paraparesis after vertebroplasty. During the 6 months follow-up both procedures provided stabilization of the sagittal alignment. Conclusion : Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are considered effective minimally invasive techniques for the stabilization of osteoporotic vertebral body fractures, leading to a statistically significant reduction in pain. Kyphoplasty significantly restore sagittal alignment. Also, complications and the incidence of bone cement leakage are significantly lesser than vertebroplasty. Therefore, kyphoplasty seems to be reasonable procedure for osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractures when medical treatment fail.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제56권6호
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• pp.513-516
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• 2014

We report a case of cervicomedullary compression by an anomalous vertebral artery treated using microsurgical decompression with intraoperative monitoring. A 68-year-old woman presented with posterior neck pain and gait disturbance. MRI revealed multiple abnormalities, including an anomalous vertebral artery that compressed the spinal cord at the cervicomedullary junction. Suboccipital craniectomy with C1 laminectomy was performed. The spinal cord was found to be compressed by the vertebral arteries, which were retracted dorsolaterally. At that time, the somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) changed. After release of the vertebral artery, the SSEP signal normalized instantly. The vertebral artery was then lifted gently and anchored to the dura. There was no other procedural complication. The patient's symptoms improved. This case demonstrates that intraoperative monitoring may be useful for preventing procedural complications during spinal cord microsurgical decompression.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.26-32
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• 2005

Purpose: We evaluate the characteristics of vertebral body fractures in two level flexion-distraction injuries of the thoracolumbar spine Methods: The findings of radiographs, computed tomographs, and MRIs of 43 patients with flexion-distraction injuries combined with vertebral body fractures were retrospectively evaluated. We divided the patients with bursting fractures into two groups, the distractive group (posterior vertebral height ratio >1) and the compressive group (vertebral height ratio <1). Results: There were 23 compression fractures and 20 bursting fractures. In bursting fractures, the distractive group had 5 cases, and the compressive group 15 cases. In 24 cases (55.8%), the interspinous distances were widened. The average of the canal encroachment was 4% in the distractive group and 40% in the compressive group. At last follow-up, the average loss of correction was 2.0 degree in compression fractures and 2.7 degree in bursting fractures. Conclusion: The configurations of vertebral body fractures in flexion-distraction injuries of the thoracolumbar spine were varied as to the location of the axis of flexion. Because bursting fractures in flexion-distraction injuries had distractive or compressive features, one should consider that in establishing operative plan.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.253-257
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• 2005

Objective: We analyze pain relief, deformity correction and complication rate after percutaneous kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed medical records and radiological findings of 32 patients who underwent percutaneous kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Results: The patients had significant pain improvement with the procedure. The visual analogue scale score reduced from 8.6 to 3.4 significantly after the procedure. The midline vertebral body height significantly increased postoperatively, but mean kyphotic angle did not. There was no serious complication except one case of epidural cement leakage without neurological impairment. Conclusion: Balloon kyphoplasty safely can reduce severe back pain and returned geriatric patients to higher activity levels. The midline vertebral height is restored significantly. However kyphotic deformity correction is not significant as contrary to what we expected from the present study before it was carried out.

• 대한정형도수물리치료학회지
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.31-37
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• 2013

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of cervical manipulation for improve blood velocity and flow in the subjects with asymmetric vertebral artery. Methods: Twenty-four subjects on asymmetric vertebral artery with right side have less blood flow than left side participated in this study for apply to non-specific cervical manipulation on lower portion. Measurement method were using duplex ultrasound with colour doppler imaging for blood velocity and flow on left and right vertebral artery. Results: Compared changes of blood velocity and flow on unilateral after the cervical manipulation, the left blood velocity decreased significantly (p<.01) and the right blood velocity increased significantly (p<.01). The left blood flow no significant changes and the right blood flow increased significantly (p<.01). Compared changes of blood velocity and flow on bilateral, the left and right blood velocity and flow made significantly difference on pre-manipulation (p<.01). However, both side no significantly difference on post-manipulation. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the non-specific cervical manipulation took effect for improve blood velocity and flow in the subjects with asymmetric vertebral artery. Therefore, therapeutic approaches for improve to asymmetric vertebral artery should be consider non-specific cervical manipulation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.1047-1049
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• 2015

Background: This systematic analysis was conducted to investigate pathological diagnosis of vertebral tumor metastasis with unknown primaries. Methods: Clinical studies conducted to pathologically investigate vertebral tumor metastasis were identified using a predefined search strategy. Pooled diagnosis (PD) of each pathological confirmation was calculated. Results: For vertebral tumor metastasis, 5 clinical studies which included 762 patients were considered eligible for inclusion. Systematic analysis suggested that, for all patients with vertebral tumor metastasis, dominant PD was pathologically confirmed with lung cancer in 21.7% (165/762), with breast cancer in 26.6% (203/762) and with prostate cancer in 19.2% (146/762). Other diagnosis that could be confirmed included lymphoma, multiple myeloma, renal cancer, for example, in this cohort of patients. Conclusions: This systemic analysis suggested that breast, lung and prostate lesions could be the most common pathological types of cancer for vertebral tumor metastasis formunknown primaries, and other common diagnoses could include lymphoma, multiple myeloma, renal cancer.