• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1484-1490
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• 2000

Objectives : In spinal metastasis and myeloma, percutaneous vertebroplasty could be an effective treatment method to provide spinal stabilization and to relief pain for early rehabilitation. The authors report twenty-five cases the clinical results of percutaneous vertebroplasty for twenty-five cases of spinal metastasis and myeloma. Materials and Methods : From September 1998 to December 1999, seventy percutaneous vertebroplasties(PVP) were performed for spinal metastases and myeloma in 25 patients, sixteen women and nine men ranging in age from 34 to 74. The primary malignancies were 6 multiple myelomas, and in metastatic tumore from various origin. All patients complained of severe pain and had osteolytic vertebral body destructions without spinal cord compression. To evaluate clinical improvement, suObjective verbal analogue pain score(VAS) and Karnofsky performance scale(KPS) were used. Thin sliced(2mm-thickness) sectional computed tomography(CT) was performed before and after PVP. Plain X-ray film was followed up every 1 month to assess the vertebral column stability. Results : In 25 patients, a total of seventy PVPS were performed successfully : 6 cervical, 33 thoracic and 31 lumbar vertebrae. Most patients had clear improvement of pain after PVP ; mean as score was 8.1 and 2.9 before and after PVP, respectively. Improvement was maintained in most patients. No further collapse of treated vertebrae was observed(mean follow-up, 7 months). Leakage of PMMA was notod in the spinal canal(13 levels), neural foramen (2 levels), adjacent disk(15 levels), paravertebral soft tissue(14 levels) and vein(8 levels). Pulmonary embolism was detected in three patients after the procedure, but was not associated with clinical symptoms. Conclusion : These results indicate that percutaneous vertebroplasty can be valuable treatment method in osteolytic spinal metastasis and myeloma, providing immediate pain relief and spinal stabilization and contributing to early rehabilitation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.54-59
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• 2015

Objective : The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of bone cement-augmented percutaneous short segment fixation for treating Kummell's disease accompanied by severe osteoporosis. Methods : From 2009 to 2013, ten patients with single-level Kummell's disease accompanied by severe osteoporosis were enrolled in this study. After postural reduction for 1-2 days, bone cement-augmented percutaneous short segment fixation was performed at one level above, one level below, and at the collapsed vertebra. Clinical results, radiological parameters, and related complications were assessed preoperatively and at 1 month and 12 months after surgery. Results : Prior to surgery, the mean pain score on the visual analogue scale was $8.5{\pm}1.5$. One month after the procedure, this score improved to $2.2{\pm}2.0$ and the improvement was maintained at 12 months after surgery. The mean preoperative vertebral height loss was $48.2{\pm}10.5%$, and the surgical procedure reduced this loss to $22.5{\pm}12.4%$. In spite of some recurrent height loss, significant improvement was achieved at 12 months after surgery compared to preoperative values. The kyphotic angle improved significantly from $22.4{\pm}4.9^{\circ}$ before the procedure to $10.1{\pm}3.8^{\circ}$ after surgery and the improved angle was maintained at 12 months after surgery despite a slight correction loss. No patient sustained adjacent fractures after bone cement-augmented percutaneous short segment fixation during the follow-up period. Asymptomatic cement leakage into the paravertebral area was observed in one patient, but no major complications were seen. Conclusion : Bone cement-augmented percutaneous short segment fixation can be an effective and safe procedure for Kummell's disease.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 1996

Malignant rhabdold tumor is a distinct renal tumor in the pediatric age group. It was originally described as a rhabdomyosarcomatold variant of Wilms' tumor. However, subsequent studies fatted to confirm myogenous differentiation, so it is now considered to be a distinct and unique type of highly malignant tumor, histogenetically unrelated. Although extrarenal forms of this tumor are rare, several examples have been described in other sites, especially the liver, prostate, paravertebral area, urinary bladder and soft tissue. We experienced a case of malignant rhabdiod tumor located in the intraabdominal cavity in a 10 month-old boy. Smear of peritoneal fluid showed round, polygonal and irregular shaped cells with large nuclei, ample cytoplasm containing light pink to purple cytoplasmic inclusions, and one or a few prominent nucleoli. Immunocytochemistry revealed positivity to cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen and vimentin, and negativity to desmin and neuron-specific enolase. These distinct cytologic appearance and immunophenotypes were most consistent with a diagnosis of extrarenal malignant rhabdoid tumor. The cytoplasmic inclusions were correlated with eosinophilic inclusions seen in histologic section and electron microscopy confirmed this interpretation, showing filamentous aggregations in the cytoplasms of the tumor cells.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.142-145
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• 2005

Background: Vertebroplasty that is performed in the upper and middle thoracic spine presents technical challenges that are different from those in the lower thoracic or lumbar region due to the small pedicle size and angular severity for thoracic kyphosis. We report the results of percutaneous vertebroplasty and review its effectiveness in treating intractable osteoporotic compression fractures in the upper and middle thoracic spine. Methods: Patients who underwent vertebroplasty due to painful osteoporotic compression fractures at T3 T8 were retrospectively analyzed. The compression rate, volume of injected cement, clinical outcome (VAS score) and complications were analyzed. Results: Forty-three vertebral bodies from 41 patients (32 females and 9 males, age from 64 to 78 years old) underwent vertebroplasty. The mean compression rate improved from 35% to 17%. Bipedicular injections of bone cement were performed at 3 levels of 2 patients, and unipedicular injections were performed in 40 levels of 39 patients. The mean VAS score prior to surgery was 7.7, which improved to 2.4 within 48 hours after surgery, and the mean VAS score after 6 months was 1.5, which was significantly lower. All patients recovered uneventfully, and the neurological examination revealed no deficits. Cement leakage to the adjacent disc (9 levels) and paravertebral soft tissues (10 levels) developed. However, there were no significant complications related to the procedure such as a pneumothorax or pulmonary embolism. Conclusions: Transpedicular vertebroplasty is a safe and effective treatment for the upper and middle thoracic regions, and has a low complication rate.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.263-266
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• 2005

The ganglion impar is a solitary retroperitoneal structure at the caudal end of the paravertebral sympathetic chain. Block of this ganglion has been advocated as a means of managing intractable perineal pain. In 1990, Plancarte et al performed a neurolytic block of the ganglion impar using 4-6 ml of 10% phenol through the intergluteal skin over the anococcygeal ligament. However, technical difficulties are encountered with the placement of the needle while performing this technique, with complications from the injection of phenol also being a possibility. In 1995, a modified approach for blocking the ganglion impar through the sacrococcygeal ligament was introduced by Wemm and Saberski. We used a radiofrequency (RF) lesion generator to create a controlled and localized lesion with a lower incidence of neural damages compared to chemical neurolysis. RF thermocoagulation of the ganglion impar through the sacrococcygeal ligament was performed on a 70-year-old male patient with constant anal pain using a curved TEW electrode. The patient has been relieved of his pain, without serious complication. Therefore, this technique may be an easier and safer approach, which is associated with fewer chances of complications.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.363-366
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• 2007

Objective : Kyphoplasty performed in the middle thoracic spine presents technical challenges that differ from those in the lower thoracic or lumbar region due to small pedicle size and angular severity for thoracic kyphosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of balloon kyphoplasty through extrapedicular approach for the treatment of intractable osteoporotic compression fractures in the middle thoracic spine. Methods : The patients who were performed with one level balloon kyphoplasty through extrapedicular approach due to painful osteoporotic compression fractures at T5-T8 from June 2003 to July 2005 were retrospectively analyzed. Imaging and clinical features were analyzed including involved vertebrae level, vertebral height, Injected cement volume, clinical outcome and complications. Results : Eighteen female patients (age ranged from 60 to 77 years old) were included in this study. The average amount of the implanted cement was $4.2{\pm}1.5\;cc$. The mean cobb angle and compression rate were improved from $12.1{\pm}6.5^{\circ}$ to $8.5{\pm}7.2^{\circ}$ and from 30% to 15%, respectively. The mean pain score (visual analogue scale) prior to kyphoplasty was 7.9 and it decreased to 3.0 after the procedure. Cement leakage to the adjacent disc (2 cases) and paravertebral soft tissues (1 case) were seen but there were no major complications such as pneumothorax, segmental arte 이 Injury, pulmonary embolism, or epidural leakage. Conclusion : Balloon kyphoplasty through extrapedicular approach is considered as a safe and effective in treating the middle thoracic regions with low complication rate.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.92-95
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• 2006

Objective : Severe vertebral body collapse [vertebra plana] is considered a contraindication to vertebroplasty by most authors. The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of vertebroplasty in treating severe compression fracture patients with osteoporosis. Methods : 16 patients underwent 18 vertebroplasties following postural reduction for vertebra plana. The fractures were defined vertebrae that have collapsed to more than 75% of their original height. Imaging and clinical features were analyzed, including involved vertebrae level, vertebral height after postural reduction for 2 days, injected cement volume, clinical outcome and complications. Results : Involved veretebra were located from level T7 to L4. Vertebral body collapse averaged 79% [range $12{\sim}25%$] of the original height. After pillow reduction for 2 days, vertebral body height increased 35% of the original height [range $15{\sim}45%$]. The kyphotic wedge was $12^{\circ}$ before procedure and was decreased $7.0^{\circ}$ after vertebroplasty. The mean injected cement volume was 3.8ml [range $2.0{\sim}4.9ml$]. After the procedure, surgical outcome was excellent in 8 [50%] of 16 patients, good in 7 [42%] and unchanged in one [8%]. The mean pain score [VAS score] prior to vertebroplasty was 8.3 and it changed 3.2 after the procure. Cement leakage to the adjacent disc [5 cases] and paravertebral soft tissues [4 cases] developed but there were no major complications. Conclusion : We propose that vertebra plana due to osteoporosis is not a contraindication to vertebroplasty. Vertebroplasty following postural reduction for severe compression fracture is safe and effective treatment.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.171-175
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• 2006

The involvement in the spine of eosinophilic granuloma is not common. Especially, involvement of cervical spine and posterior neural arch is quite rare. In addition, radiographic findings including magnetic resonance images of eosinophilic granuloma are manifested as vertebral body collapse, loss of pedicle and paravertebral soft mass formation; it must be differentiated with other conditions, such as malignant bone tumor, metastatic cancer or tuberculous spondylitis. We experienced three cases of eosinophilic granuloma involving posterior neural arch of C4, C7, and body of C4 respectively, which were performed surgical treatment and achieved complete healing. We report these cases with review of literatures.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.454-462
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• 2021

Background: This study was performed to reveal the relationships between the cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of the paraspinal muscles and the severity of low back pain (LBP), including the level of disability. Methods: This single-center cross-sectional study was conducted on 164 patients with chronic LBP. The effects of demographic characteristics, posture, level of physical activity, disc herniation type, and sarcopenia risk on the CSAs of paraspinal muscles were evaluated along with the relationship between the CSAs and severity of pain and disability in all patients. The CSAs of paraspinal muscles were evaluated using the software program Image J 1.53. Results: A negative significant correlation was found between age and the paraspinal muscle's CSA (P < 0.05), whereas a positive correlation was present between the level of physical activity and the CSA of the paraspinal muscle at the L2-3 and L3-4 levels. The CSAs of paraspinal muscles in patients with sarcopenia risk was significantly lower than those in patients without sarcopenia risk (P < 0.05). The CSAs of paraspinal muscles at the L2-3 and L3-4 levels in obese patients were significantly higher than those in overweight patients (P = 0.028, P = 0.026, respectively). There was no relationship between the CSAs of paraspinal muscles and pain intensity or disability. Conclusions: Although this study did not find a relationship between paraspinal CSAs and pain or disability, treatment regimens for preventing paraspinal muscles from atrophy may aid pain physicians in relieving pain, restoring function, and preventing recurrence in patients with chronic LBP.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.202-208
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• 2022

Background: Neurolytic celiac plexus block (NCPB) is a typical treatment for severe epigastric cancer pain, but the therapeutic effect is often affected by the variation of local anatomical structures induced by the tumor. Greater and lesser splanchnic nerve neurolysis (SNN) had similar effects to the NCPB, and was recently performed with a paravertebral approach under the image guidance, or with the transdiscal approach under the guidance of computed tomography. This study observed the feasibility and safety of SNN via a transdiscal approach under fluoroscopic guidance. Methods: The follow-up records of 34 patients with epigastric cancer pain who underwent the splanchnic nerve block via the T11-12 transdiscal approach under fluoroscopic guidance were investigated retrospectively. The numerical rating scale (NRS), the patient satisfaction scale (PSS) and quality of life (QOL) of the patient, the dose of morphine consumed, and the occurrence and severity of adverse events were recorded preoperatively and 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 2 months after surgery. Results: Compared with the preoperative scores, the NRS scores and daily morphine consumption decreased and the QOL and PSS scores increased at each postoperative time point (P < 0.001). No patients experienced serious complications. Conclusions: SNN via the transdiscal approach under flouroscopic guidance was an effective, safe, and easy operation for epigastric cancer pain, with fewer complications.