• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.65 no.2
• /
• pp.186-195
• /
• 2022

Objective : To explore the histological feature of the cervical disc degeneration in patients with degenerative ossification (DO) and its potential mechanisms. Methods : A total of 96 surgical segments, from cervical disc degenerative disease patients with surgical treatment, were divided into ossification group (group O, n=46) and non-ossification group (group NO, n=50) based on preoperative radiological exams. Samples of disc tissues and osteophytes were harvested during the decompression operation. The hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson trichrome staining and Safranin O-fast green staining were used to compare the histological differences between the two groups. And the distribution and content of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, p-Smad2 and p-Smad3 between the two groups were compared by a semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry (IHC) method. Results : For all the disc tissues, the content of disc cells and collagen fibers decreased gradually from the outer annulus fibrosus (OAF) to the central nucleus pulposus (NP). Compared with group NO, the number of disc cells in group O increased significantly. But for proteoglycan in the inner annulus fibrosus (IAF) and NP, the content in group O decreased significantly. IHC analysis showed that TGF-β1, p-Smad2, and p-Smad3 were detected in all tissues. For group O, the content of TGF-β1 in the OAF and NP was significantly higher than that in group NO. For p-Smad2 in IAF and p-Smad3 in OAF, the content in group O were significantly higher than group NO. Conclusion : Histologically, cervical disc degeneration in patients with DO is more severe than that without DO. Local higher content of TGF-β1, p-Smad2, and p-Smad3 are involved in the disc degeneration with DO. Further studies with multi-approach analyses are needed to better understand the role of TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway in the disc degeneration with DO.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.44 no.5
• /
• pp.968-978
• /
• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report the effectiveness of Korean medicine treatment on postoperative state patients with cervical spinal cord injury due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Methods: A 55-year-old Korean male patient diagnosed with cervical spinal cord injury due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament was treated in an inpatient setting with Korean medicine treatment consisting of herbal medicine, acupuncture, and others from May 22 to August 21. The outcome was evaluated with the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS), Spinal Cord Independence Measure-III (SCIM-III), modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale (mJOA), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) before and after, or during the treatment period. Results: After 92 days of treatment, the patient's scores on all scales improved. Conclusion: The results suggest that Korean medicine treatment may be effective for postoperative patients with cervical spinal cord injury due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Further studies should be conducted on a larger number of patients.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.109-111
• /
• 2008

Ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) usually occurs in the lower thoracic spine, and is rare in the cervical region. We report the case of a 67-year-old woman who presented a seven month's history of progressive weakness and paresthesia in her right upper extremity. MRI and CT scans of the spine revealed the presence of ossified ligamentum flavum from C3-C4. A cervical laminectomy resulted in a good post-operative improvement of muscle strength.

• Journal of International Society for Simulation Surgery
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.84-86
• /
• 2016

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is the formation of mature bone in soft tissue where bone normally does not exist. Although HO is among the most common complications after orthopedic surgery, it is not familiar to oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Here we report rare cases of HO. When a patient presents atypical osseous lesions, HO as well as similar lesions such as osteoma, osteochondroma should be considered in the provisional diagnosis. Three-dimensional reconstruction of preoperative computerized tomography imaging improves surgical success.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.67-69
• /
• 2002

Ossification of the ligamentum flavum(OLF) is not infrequent in the cervical and lumbar regions but is very rare in the thoracic spine. We reported a 62-year-old women with left thoracic intercostal neuralgia due to an OLF. Physical and neurological examination were normal. MRI showed an OLF with compression of the thecal sac in the posterolateral aspect of the T9-T10 level. Laminectomy and removal of the ligament resulted in marked clinical improvement. OLF is known to cause thoracic radiculomyelopathy, but presentation with intercostal neuralgia only is very rare.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.59-65
• /
• 2016

Objectives The purpose of this review is to analyze domestic research trend of the ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament in Korean medicine. Methods We searched articles in Korean databases such as OASIS, RISS, NDSL and sorted the articles by journals, published year, institutions and research type. Results 9 suitable theses were reviewed. They were published between 2002 till 2011. Most of the theses were published in The Acupuncture, the journal of Korean Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine Society. There were 6 case reports, 2 case series and single disease review. Conclusions There were only 9 studies about the ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament in Korean medicine and most of them were case reports. To reinforce the evidence of effectiveness of Korean medicine, additional studies are required and well designed studies such as randomized controlled trials need to be carried out.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.11-18
• /
• 1989

This study was undertaken to obtain basic data of the sternal development in Korean native cattle from the earliest sternal formation to the ossification using histological and histochemical methods. Thrity three sterna were collected from a series of embryos and fetuses ranging from 11 to 225mm (estimated age 37~120days) in crown rump length. The bilateral sternal bars were observed in the 2nd group(CRL 21~3mm) of Korean cattle embryos. Those bars initiated to be fused in the 3rd group (CRL 31~4mm) and completed in the 7th group(CRL 71~80mm). The ossification centers were detected in the 8th group(CRL 81~90mm) also bilateral ossification centers were found in the same group. The typical epiphyseal plates, endochondral bone and calcium deposit were found in the 9th group(CRL 91~100mm). Osteocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts and myeloid cells appeared in ossification centers in the 10th group(more than CRL 101mm). The alcianophility responded markedly in the 9th group that was decreased and showed slightly positive reaction in territorial matrix of the 10th group. Marked positive reaction to PAS was observed in bony trabeculae in the 10th group. The positive reaction to calcium deposit by trichrome stain was observed initially in the hypertrophied zone of epiphyseal plate in the 9th group and was conspicuous in the calcified zone of epiphyseal plate in the 10th group. The 1st positive reaction to the von Kossa stain was observed in the 9th group.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.58 no.2
• /
• pp.112-118
• /
• 2015

Objective : Thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) is a relatively rare disease. Because of ambiguous clinical symptom, it is difficult for early diagnosis of OLF and subsequent treatment can be delayed or missed. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to comprehensively assess the prevalence and distribution of thoracic OLF by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and coexisting spinal disease in Korean patients with back pain or leg pain. Methods : The sample included 2134 Korean patients who underwent MRI evaluation for back pain. The prevalence and distribution of thoracic OLF were assessed using lumbar MRI with whole spine sagittal images. Additionally, we examined the presence of coexisting lumbar and cervical diseases. The presence of thoracic OLF as well as clinical parameters such as age, sex, and surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Results : The prevalence of thoracic OLF in total patients was 16.9% (360/2134). The prevalence tended to increase with aging and was higher in women than in men. The lower thoracic segment of T10-11 was the most frequently affected segment. Of the 360 patients with OLF, 31.9% had coexisting herniated thoracic discs at the same level. Approximately 74% of the patients with OLF had coexisting lumbar and cervical disease. Nine (2.5%) of 360 OLF patients underwent surgery for thoracic lesion. Conclusion : The prevalenceof thoracic OLF was relatively higher than those of previous reports. And coexisting lumbar and cervical disease were very frequent. Therefore, we should check coexisting spinal diseases and the exact diagnostic localization of ossification besides lumbar disease.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.20 no.5
• /
• pp.447-456
• /
• 1987

The osteological development of the larvae and juveniles of Prognichthys agoo was examined on the laboratory-roared materials of 5.06-20.01 mm in mean total length(MTL). Cranium, vertebrae, caudal skeleton, siloulder girdle bone, pelvic girdle bone, pterygiophore and jaw bones were descriued in detail to examine the sequences of ossification. Ossification of the cranium took place at ca. 5.06 mm of MTL in exoccipital, basioccipital, parasphenoid. Ossification of the visceral skeleton occurred in areas where active movements of bones were required, notably in the parts for feeding and respiration. Vertebrae began to develop from the anterior end and to ossify posteriorly. Neural and haemal spines of vertebrae ossified always prior to the corresponding centra. Urostyle bone developed as an elongated bone from the early larvae and ossified prior to the centra caudal part. In jaw bones, maxillary and a part of dentary appeared first at 5.06 mm of MTL and attained a fundamental structure at 9.30 mm of MTL. Ossification of all bones was nearly completed at ca. 20.01 mm of MTL.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.56 no.2
• /
• pp.228-242
• /
• 2023

We examined the osteological development of the cranium, visceral skeleton, pectoral girdle, vertebral column, fins, and pterygiophore of small yellow croaker Larimichthys polyactis cultured at the Jeju Fisheries Research Institute. At 5.89 mm NL (notochord length), the larvae already had ossified frontal and basioccipital bones, parasphenoids, and vomer in the cranium. All elements of the visceral skeleton except the metapterygoid were ossified at 5.89 mm NL. Preorbital bone was ossified at 8.11 mm SL (standard length), and suborbital bones were ossified at 12.90 mm SL. In the vertebral column, ossification proceeded from the first to last centrum. The urostyle ossified at 7.41 mm SL. The caudal skeleton ossified at 6.78 mm NL, along with three hypural bones. In the pectoral girdle, the cleithrum, supracleithrum, postcleithrum, and post-temporal bones ossified at 5.89 mm NL. Caudal fin ossification began at 6.19 mm SL and was complete at 7.16 mm SL. Dorsal and anal fin ossification began at 7.16 mm SL and was complete at 8.62 mm and 8.11 mm SL, respectively. Anal and dorsal pterygiophore bone ossification was complete at 9.86 mm and 11.54 mm SL, respectively, and that of the supraneural bones was complete at 9.60 mm SL.