• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제44권6호
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• pp.623-627
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• 2021

Cervical foraminal stenosis is a disease in which the nerves that pass from the spinal canal to the limbs are narrowed and the nerves are compressed or damaged. Due to the lack of an imaging method that provides quantitatively stenosis, this study attempted to evaluate the area of the cervical vertebrae by reconstructing a three-dimensional computed tomography image, and to determine the area of the neural foramen in normal adults to calculate the stenosis rate. Using a three-dimensional image processing program, the surrounding bones including the posterior spinous process, lateral process, and lamellar bones of the cervical vertebra were removed so that the neural foramen could be observed well. A region of interest including the neural foraminal area of the three-dimensional image was set using ImageJ, and the number of pixels in the neural foraminal area was measured. The neural foraminal area was calculated by multiplying the number of measured pixels by the pixel size. To measure the largest neural foraminal area, it was measured between 40~50 degrees in the opposite direction and 15~20 degrees toward the head. The average area of the right C2-3 foramen was 44.32 mm², C3-4 area was 34.69 mm², C4-5 area was 36.41 mm², C5-6 area was 35.22 mm², C6-7 area was 36.03 mm². The average area of the left C2-3 foramen was 42.71 mm², C3-4 area was 32.23 mm², C5-6 area was 34.56 mm², and C6-7 area was 31.89 mm². By creating a reference table based on the neural foramen area of normal adults, the stenosis rate of patients with neural foraminal stenosis could be quantitatively calculated. It is expected that this method can be used as basic data for the diagnosis of cervical vertebral foraminal stenosis.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.224-234
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• 2023

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a standard imaging modality for diagnosing spinal stenosis, which is a common degenerative disorder in the elderly population. Standardized interpretation of spinal MRI for diagnosing and grading the severity of spinal stenosis is necessary to ensure correct communication with clinicians and to conduct clinical research. In this review, we revisit the Lee grading system for central canal and neural foraminal stenosis of the cervical and lumbar spine, which are based on the pathophysiology and radiologic findings of spinal stenosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제66권4호
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• pp.426-437
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• 2023

Objective : To investigate the efficacy and safety of the posterior endoscopic cervical foraminotomy (PECF) using ultrasonic osteotome for the treatment of cervical osseous foraminal stenosis, focusing on introduction of the advantages of ultrasonic osteotome in partial pediculectomy and ventral osteophyte resection in PECF. Methods : Nineteen patients with cervical osseous foraminal stenosis who underwent PECF using ultrasonic osteotome in our institution between April 2018 and April 2021 were enrolled in this study. All the patients were followed up more than 12 months. The patients' medical data, as well as pre- and postoperative radiologic findings were thoroughly investigated. The visual analogue score (VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, cervical dysfunction index (Neck disability index, NDI), and modified MacNab criteria were used to assess the surgical efficacy. Results : All the patients were successfully treated with PECF using ultrasonic osteotome. The pre- and postoperative VAS, NDI, and JOA scores were significantly improved (p<0.05). According to the modified MacNab criteria, 17 patients were assessed as "excellent", two patients were assessed as "good" at the last follow-up. There was no dura tear, nerve root damage, incision infection, neck deformity, or other complications. Conclusion : Adequate nerve root decompression can be accomplished successfully with the help of ultrasonic osteotome in PECF, which has the advantage of reducing the probability of damage to the nerve root and dura mater, in addition to the original merits of endoscopic surgery.

• Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.433-438
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• 2018

Background: Cervical foraminal stenosis (CFS) is one of the degenerative changes of the cervical spine; however, correlations between the severity of stenosis and that of symptoms are not consistent in the literature. Studies to date on the prevalence of stenosis are based on images obtained from the departments treating cervical lesions, and thus patient selection bias may have occurred. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of CFS according to the site, extent, and morphology of stenosis using cervical computed tomography (CT) images obtained from patients who were visiting not because of symptoms related to the cervical spine, cervical pain, or upper limb pain. Methods: Among patients who underwent CT from January 2016 to March 2016 for reasons other than cervical spine symptoms, a total of 438 subjects were enrolled, and 2,628 cervical disc images (C4-5, C5-6, and C6-7; left and right sides) were examined. Three orthopedic surgeons performed two measurements each at 4-week intervals. Values were used for analysis if matched by more than two surgeons; if no match was found, the median values were used for analysis. The left and right sides on the same axial image were independently classified. Results: Left C5-6 stenosis was most common (24.66%) among patients. At the left C6-7, there were 20 focal types and 33 diffuse types. At bilateral C4-5 and right C6-7, the focal type was more common, whereas at bilateral C5-6 and left C6-7, the diffuse type was more common. Age and the severity of stenosis showed statistically significant correlation at all cervical levels. Conclusions: The prevalence of CFS was highest at the C5-6 level (19.06%). Compared to other levels, focal stenosis was more frequent at C4-5 and diffuse stenosis was more common at C5-6. At C6-7, the incidence of focal stenosis was higher on the right side and that of diffuse stenosis was higher on the left side.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.51-55
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• 2006

Background: A cervical transforaminal steroid injection is an effective therapeutic modality for radiculopathy of a herniated cervical disc or a cervical foraminal stenosis. However, there is some debate regarding the safety of the transforaminal approach under C-arm guidance compared with the posterior interlaminar approach. We report a new technique for cervical transforaminal steroid injection guided by MDCT. Methods: Patients presenting with radiating pain on their shoulder or arm were diagnosed using CT or MRI of a cervical herniated disc or a foraminal stenosis. Each patient whose symptoms were compatible with the image scan was enrolled in this study. They received a cervical transforaminal steroid injection under CT guidance, and the effectiveness and complications of this technique were evaluated over a 2-month period. Results: According to the CT scan, none of the participants had an internal jugular vein or a carotid artery invasion during the procedure. No vertebral artery injection was noted, and no patient developed a hematoma after the injection. The VAS score had improved significantly by 2, 4 and 8 weeks after the injection. Conclusions: While a conventional C-arm guided cervical transforaminal steroid injection does not appear to differentiate between the major vessels and structures in images, a CT guided approach is a more useful and safer technique for the precise placement of a needle.

• 한국방사선학회논문지
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• 제14권7호
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• pp.975-980
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• 2020

경추 신경공 협착은 모든 연령대의 비교적 많은 수의 사람들에게 침범하는 매우 흔한 척추 질환이다. 그러나 신경공 협착을 정량적으로 제공하는 영상검사법이 부족하므로, 본 연구는 3차원 전산화단층촬영상을 재구성하여 정량적인 측정방법을 제시하고자 한다. 3차원 영상처리 프로그램을 이용하여 경추의 후극돌기와 측돌기, 층뼈를 포함하여 신경공이 잘 관찰되도록 주변 뼈를 제거하였다. Image J를 이용하여 3차원 영상의 신경공 면적을 포함하는 관심영역을 설정하고, 신경공 면적의 화소수를 측정하였다. 측정 화소수에 화소크기를 곱하여 신경공 면적을 산출하였다. 가장 넓은 신경공 면적을 측정하기 위하여 측정 반대쪽 방향으로 40~50도 사이와, 머리쪽으로 15~20도 사이에서 측정하였다. 측정한 경추 신경공의 면적은 일관된 측정값을 보였다. 가장 크게 측정한 우측 신경공 C5-6 면적은 12.21 ㎟에서, 2년 후에 9.95 ㎟으로 18% 협착이 진행된 것을 알 수 있었다. 기존에 CT 검사 영상을 이용하여 3차원 재구성하므로 추가적인 방사선 피폭을 받지 않으며 신경공 협착 면적을 객관적으로 제시할 수 있다. 또한 3차원 영상을 보면서 신경공 협착 환자에게 설명하기 좋으며, 협착의 진행정도와 수술 후 평가에서도 사용하기 좋은 방법이라 사료된다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제49권5호
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• pp.308-313
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• 2011

Posterior cervical foraminotomy is an attractive therapeutic option in selected cases of cervical radiculopathy that maintains cervical range of motion and minimize adjacent-segment degeneration. The focus of this procedure is to preserve as much of the facet as possible with decompression. Posterior cervical inclinatory foraminotomy (PCIF) is a new technique developed to offer excellent results by inclinatory decompression with minimal facet resection. The highlight of our PCIF technique is the use of inclinatory drilling out for preserving more of facet joint. The operative indications are radiculopathy from cervical foraminal stenosis (single or multilevel) with persistent or recurrent root symptoms. The PCIFs were performed between April 2007 and December 2009 on 26 male and 8 female patients with a total of 55 spinal levels. Complete and partial improvement in radiculopathic pain were seen in 26 patients (76%), and 8 patients (24%), respectively, with preserving more of facet joint. We believe that PCIF allows for preserving more of the facet joint and capsule when decompressing cervical foraminal stenosis due to spondylosis. We suggest that our PCIF technique can be an effective alternative surgical approach in the management of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.

• 한국방사선학회논문지
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• 제16권7호
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• pp.919-925
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• 2022

본 연구는 경추 CT 검사 후에 영상을 재구성하는 방법으로, 사위 관상면(oblique coronal) 재구성 각도에 따라서 신경공 골성 협착을 가장 잘 표현할 수 있는 재구성 각도를 제시하고자 한다. 경추의 정중시상면과 구추관절에서 척수 중심을 지나는 선을 그어 만들어지는 각도를 측정하였다. 신경공에서 척수 중심을 지나는 선을 그어, 정중시상면과 이루는 각도를 측정하여 비교하였다. 경추 4-5 레벨에서는 평균 9.2°, 경추 5-6 레벨에서는 평균 9.9°, 경추 6-7 레벨에서는 평균 8.4° 로 구추관절각보다 돌기사이관절각이 크게 측정되었으며, 통계적으로 평균에 유의한 차이가 있었다(p<0.01). 또한, 하부 경추로 갈수록 각도가 증가하는 것을 알수 있었다. 하부 경추(C5-6, C6-7)의 신경공과 척수 중심이 이루는 각은 55~60° 사이이며, 여기에 90°가 되도록 사위 관상면 영상을 재구성하면 신경공협착 정도가 잘 관찰된다. 기존 CT 스캔 영상을 이용한 재구성 영상이므로 추가적인 방사선 피폭을 받지 않으면서, 경추 신경공 골성 협착을 진단하는데 큰 의의가 있다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제64권4호
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• pp.552-561
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• 2021

Objective : To compare the anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and posterior cervical fusion (PCF) with wide facetectomy in the treatment of parallel-shaped bony foraminal stenosis (FS). Methods : Thirty-six patients underwent surgery due to one-or-two levels of parallel-shaped cervical FS. ACDF was performed in 16 patients, and PCF using CPS was performed in 20 patients. All patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Standardized outcome measures such as Numeric rating scale (NRS) score for arm/neck pain and Neck disability index (NDI) were evaluated. Cervical radiographs were used to compare the C2-7 Cobb's angle, segmental angle, and fusion rates. Results : There was an improvement in NRS scores after both approaches for radicular arm pain (mean change -6.78 vs. -8.14, p=0.012), neck pain (mean change -1.67 vs. -4.36, p=0.038), and NDI score (-19.69 vs. -18.15, p=0.794). The segmental angle improvement was greater in the ACDF group than in the posterior group (9.4°±2.7° vs. 3.3°±5.1°, p=0.004). However, there was no significant difference in C2-7 Cobb angle between groups (16.2°±7.9° vs. 14.8°±8.5°, p=0.142). As a complication, dysphagia was observed in one case of the ACDF group. Conclusion : In the treatment of parallel-shaped bony FS up to two surgical levels, segmental angle improvement was more favorable in patients who underwent ACDF. However, PCF with wide facetectomy using CPS should be considered as an alternative treatment option in cases where the anterior approach is burdensome.

• 대한정형외과학회지
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• 제56권6호
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• pp.512-518
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• 2021

목적: 경추 추간공 협착증에서 전방경유 경추 추간판 절제술 및 유합술과 추간공 절제술 후 추간공의 크기 변화 및 임상 결과를 비교하여 그 효용성에 대하여 알아보고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: 2018년 1월부터 2019년 3월까지 전방경유 경추 추간판 절제술 및 유합술 및 추간공 절제술을 시행한 186명 중에서 나이, 성별, 체질량지수 등을 고려한 환자-대조군 연구를 통해 선별된 102예를 대상으로 하여 후향적으로 분석하였다. 술 전 및 술후 5일째 자기공명영상을 촬영하여 전방경유 경추 추간판 절제술 및 유합술을 시행 받은 군(A군-51명)과 추간공 절제술을 시행 받은 군(B군-51명) 사이의 추간공의 크기 변화 및 임상 결과를 비교하였다. 결과: 술 후 A군에서 추간공 수직 직경의 변화는 평균 1.7 mm, B군에서는 평균 1.2 mm로 증가하였으며 A군에서 0.5 mm 높게 나타났다(p=0.042). 추간공 횡단 직경의 변화는 A군에서 평균 1.2 mm, B군에서는 1.8 mm로 B군에서 0.6 mm 넓게 나타났다(p=0.021). Neck disability index (NDI), Japanese orthopaedic association (JOA) score 모두 양 군에서 호전되는 결과를 보였으며 A군에서 더 높은 호전을 보였지만 통계학적으로 유의하지는 않았다(각각 p=0.356, p=0.607). 결론: 미세현미경과 내시경을 이용한 추간공 절제술은 전방경유 경추 추간판 절제술 및 유합술에 필적하는 임상적 결과를 보였고, 수술 후 경부의 통증 및 불편감을 줄이면서 인접분절의 퇴행변화를 줄일 수 있기 때문에 경추의 추간공 협착증 환자에서 유용한 치료 방법 중 하나로 판단된다.