• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.52-56
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• 2013

Four patients underwent lumbar surgery. In all four patients, the dura was minimally torn during the operation. However, none exhibited signs of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage. In each case, a few days after the operation, the patient suddenly experienced severe recurring pain in the leg. Repeat magnetic resonance imaging showed transdural nerve rootlets entrapped in the intervertebral disc space. On exploration, ventral dural tears and transdural nerve rootlet entrapment were confirmed. Midline durotomy, herniated rootlet repositioning, and ventral dural tear repair were performed, and patients' symptoms improved after rootlet repositioning. Even with minimal dural tearing, nerve rootlets may become entrapped, resulting in severe recurring symptoms. Therefore, the dural tear must be identified and repaired during the first operation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 2005

Objective : Upper lumbar disc herniation is rare disease, compared with lower. The lamina of this high level lumbar vertebra is narrower than that of low level, and this have taken surgeon into important consideration for surgical methods because partial removal of lamina for discectomy weakens the base of the articular process and may result in fracture. The authors an accurate preoperative diagnosis that enables the surgeon to operative approach for preserving the facet joint. Methods : Thirteen patients with upper lumbar disc herniation have underone surgical procedure by midline approach for removal of ruptured disc fragment and paraspinal approach for removal of residual disc materials simultaneously without instrumentation. All patients who underwent surgery were analyzed and long-term follow-up was conducted. Results : At a mean follow-up of 24months, there were complete resolution of presenting radiating leg pain in 85% of the patients, 7.5% were left with minimal residual discomfort, and 7.5% derived little or no benefit from surgery. The follow-up radiologic findings of all patients shows that lamina and facet joint have preserved safely and no instability. Conclusion : Simultaneously, paraspinal with midline approach provides highly satisfactory operating methods by simplifying exposure and greatly limiting the risk of complications. This provides the basis for a planned surgical approach in which destruction of the facet joint can be avoided.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.135-140
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• 2012

Objective : To evaluate radiographic results of anterior fusion methods in two-level cervical disc disease : tricortical autograft and plate fixation (ACDF-AP), cage and plate fixation (ACDF-CP), stand-alone cage (ACDF-CA), and corpectomy and plate fixation (ACCF). Methods: The numbers of patients were 70 with a minimum 6 month follow-up (ACDF-AP : 12, ACDF-CP : 27, ACDF-CA : 15, and ACCF : 16). Dynamic simple X-ray and computed tomography were evaluated preoperatively, postoperatively, 6 month, and at the final follow-up. The fusion and subsidence rates at the final were determined, and global cervical lordosis (GCL), cervical range of motion, fused segment angle (FSA), and fused segment height (FSH) were analyzed. Results: Nonunion was observed in 4 (25%) patients with ACDF-CA, 1 (8%) patient with ACDF-AP, 1 (4%) patient with ACDF-CP. The number of loss of FSH (%) more than 3 mm were 2 patients (16%) in ACDF-AP, 3 patients (11%) in ACDF-CP, 5 patients (33%) in ACDF-CA, and 3 patients (20%) in ACCF. The GCL was decreased with ACDF-CA and increased with others. The FSA was increased with ACDF-AP, ACDF-CP, and ACCF, but ACDF-CA was decreased. At the final follow-up, the FSH was slightly decreased in ACDF-CP, ACDF-AP, and ACCF, but ACDF-CA was more decreased. Graft related complication were minimal. Screw loosening, plate fracture, cage subsidence and migration were not identified. Conclusion: ACDF-CP demonstrated a higher fusion rate and less minimal FSH loss than the other fusions in two-level cervical disc disease. The ACDF-AP and ACCF methods had a better outcome than the ACDF-CA with respect to GCL, FSA, and FSH.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.363-368
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• 2006

Objective : Little is known about the comprehensive molecular and biological mechanism on the development of the degeneration of the intervertebral disc. Many kinds of matrix metalloproteinase[MMP] initiate the degradation of the extracellular matrix including several kinds of collagens and proteoglycans. We compared molecular and immunohistochemical features of degenerated intervertebral disc and normal counterparts in order to investigate the role of MMP-1, 2, 3, 9. Methods : We have evaluated MMP-1, 2, 3, 9 expression in 30 surgically resected lumbar disc from degenerative disc disease patients and 5 normal control cases. RT-PCR[reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction] and immunohistochemistry were performed. Results : By RT-PCR, normal tissue samples showed merely scant expression of MMP-1, 2, 3, 9 mRNA, but degenerated disc samples revealed more pronounced expression. mRNA amplifications were detected in 60%, 63.3%, 70%, 53.3% cases By immunohistochemistry, normal tissue samples showed minimal protein expression of MMP-1, 2, 3, 9, but degenerated disc samples revealed more pronounced expression. Protein expressions were detected in 73.3%, 63.3%, 76.7%, 63.3% cases. Both the mRNA amplification and protein overexpression rates were significantly higher in degenerated disc than in the normal tissue. Concordance between both the mRNA amplification and protein expressions of MMP-1, 3, 9 were not observed, but there is well correlation in MMP-2 expression. Conclusion : We concluded that the over-expressions of the MMP-1, 2, 3, 9 may contribute to the development of degeneration of the intervertebral disc.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-4
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• 2003

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution and frequency of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) effusion in magnetic resonance (MR) images of patients with disc displacements. Materials and Methods: On T2 weighted MR images of 148 TMJs taken from 74 patients presenting with TMJ pain and dysfunction, we assessed the cases showing TMJ effusion, defined as an amount of fluid that exceeded the maximum amount seen in a control group of asymptomatic volunteers. The amount of TMJ fluid was graded as: I (none or minimal), II (moderate), III (marked), and IV (extensive), according to a standard set by a reference. Disc displacement categories were also recorded. Results: Of the 148 TMJs examined in this study, 52 joints (35.1%) presented with joint effusion, 24 (16.2%) showing bilateral joint effusion. 38 joints showed upper joint space effusion, 3 showed lower joint space effusion, and 11 showed both upper and lower joint space effusion. 96 joints (64.9%) had grade I joint fluid, 27 (18.2%) grade II, 15 (10.1 %) grade III, and 10 (6.8%) grade IV. 80.0% of the joints presenting with grade IV effusion showed disc displacement without reduction. Conclusion: Joint effusion was found not only in upper, but also in lower joint spaces. The higher the effusion grade, the greater the frequency of disc displacement without reduction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.12
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• pp.1745-1752
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the antimicrobial activity of 70% ethanol (EtOH) extract and the five fractions of the crude extract from Sasa borealis leaves against seven food poisoning bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococus luteus, Listeria monocytogens, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The yield of 70% EtOH extract was 11.4% and those of n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and aqueous fractions were 3.0%, 1.1%, 0.6%, 1.3%, and 5.1%, respectively. The 70% EtOH extract and the four fractions except aqueous fraction demonstrated antimicrobial activity against all the seven food poisoning bacteria at a concentration of 0.5%, although it was less compared to benzoic acid. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the 70% EtOH extract against all the food poisoning bacteria except S. aureus was $50{\mu}L$/disc. Moreover, chloroform fraction was $35{\mu}L$/disc against 3 food poisoning bacteria and $50{\mu}L$/disc against the other 4 food poisoning bacteria; ethyl acetate fraction was $50{\mu}L$/disc against all the food poisoning bacteria. In addition, n-butanol fraction was $50{\mu}L$/disc against all the food poisoning bacteria except S. aureus. Aqueous fraction, which did not show antimicrobial activity at 5%, was $200{\mu}L$/disc against only S. aureus and L. monocytogen. The 0.25%, and 0.5% of ethyl acetate fraction inhibited the growth of all the food poisoning bacteria 8 to 12 hours and 24 hours, respectively. These results indicate that the Sasa borealis leaves may be useful as a natural antimicrobial substance.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.55-59
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• 2000

In order to develop a antimicrobial agent, dried bamboo trunk was extracted by high temperature suction and then antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 2825 and Escherichia coli DH 5$\alpha$ were investigated as compared with tea tree oil and BHA. The minimal inhibitory concentrationo(MIC) of the extracted substance against microorganisms were also examined. The results are as follows: 1. By disc diffusion method, BHA showed the strongest antimicrobial activity on Gram-positive bacteria such as S. aureus ATCC 2825 but bamboo essential oil showed the strongest antimicrobial activity on Gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli DH 5$\alpha$. 2. By broth dilution method, the minimum inhibitory concentration of the BHA, tea tree oil and bamboo oil were not detected against S. aureus ATCC 2825(MIC, 6.0 $\mu$l/ ml) and E. coli DH 5$\alpha$(MIC, 6.0 $\mu$l/ ml)

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.83-97
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• 2008

Cervical and thoracic radiculopathies are among the most common causes of neck pain. The most common causes are cervical disc herniation and cervical spondylosis in patients with cervical radiculopathy, and diabetes mellitus and thoracic disc herniation in thoracic radiculopathy. A thorough history, physical examination, and testing that includes electrodiagnostic examination and imaging studies may distinguish radiculopathy from other pain sources. Although various electrodiagnostic examinations may help evaluate radiculopathy, needle electromyography is the most important, sensitive, and specific method. Outcome studies of conservative treatments have shown varying results and have not been well controlled or systematic. When legitimate incapacitating symptoms continue despite conservative treatment attempts, more invasive spinal procedures and intradiscal treatment may be appropriate. Surgery has been shown to have excellent clinical outcomes in patients with disc extrusion and neurological deficits. However, patients with minimal disc herniation have fair or poor surgical outcomes. In addition, conventional open disc surgery entails various inadvertent surgical related risks. Although there has not yet been a non-surgical interventional procedure developed with the therapeutic efficacy of open surgery, conservative procedures can offer substantial benefits, are less invasive, and avoid surgical complications. While more invasive procedures may be appropriate when conservative treatment fails, prospective studies evaluating cervical and thoracic radiculopathies treatment options would help guide practitioners toward optimally cost-effective patient evaluation and care.

• Journal of applied mathematics & informatics
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• v.29 no.1_2
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• pp.49-53
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• 2011

In this paper, we adopt a numerical method to establish the smallest set to contain all Ger$\v{s}$gorin discs of a given complex matrix and its some similar matrices. With the smallest set, a new estimation for all eigenvalues of the matrix is obtained.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.406-411
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• 2006

Objective : The authors have developed a procedure, termed posterior microscopic lesionectomy, that creates a minimal laminotomy site according to the location of the shifted disc using the $METRx^{TM}$ system in the lumbar spine. This study compared the usefulness and surgical outcomes of this procedure with those of traditional standard lumbar discectomy. Methods : From June 2003 to June 2004, Twenty-two patients with one-level radiculopathy due to lumbar disc herniation underwent posterior microscopic lesionectomy with the assistance of an operating microscope and the $METRx^{TM}$ tubular retractor. Surgical results of the new procedure were compared to those of 39 patients who underwent traditional lumbar discectomy from April 2003 to September 2004. All patients were evaluated for pain score, clinical assessment according to the VAS, and Roland-Morris scores pre-operatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-operatively. Results : Mean blood loss, operation time, and admission date showed significant improvements for microscopic lesionectomy compared to traditional lumbar discectomy [P < 0.001]. Also, both measures of short-term functional improvement, the Visual Analogue Scale[VAS] and Roland-Morris[RM] scores, were statistically better for microscopic lesionectomy than for traditional discectomy [P < 0.001]. Conclusion : Posterior microscopic lesionectomy can be performed more safely and provide greater benefit than traditional discectomy. The procedure is associated with less post-operative pain, shorter hospital stays, and quicker rehabilitation.