• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.30 no.sup1
• /
• pp.144-148
• /
• 2001

We report a rare case of Brown-Sequard syndrome associated with Horner's syndrome in cervical epidural hematoma caused by a ruptured arteriovenous malformation. A 54-year-old man developed sudden sharp neck pain, radiating to the interscapular area. Within hours, left side hemiplegia and decreased tactile sense and loss of contralateral pain sense ensued. Emergency cervical magnetic resonance image showed an epidural hematoma over the cervico-thoracic junction. The hematoma was located in the left posterolateral area of the cervical spinal canal. Emergent decompressive laminectomy and an evacuation of the hematoma were performed. A tangled soft tissue mass found in the hematoma was proven to be an arteriovenous malformation. To the authors, knowledge, this might be the first case of a Brown-Sequard syndrome associated with Horner's syndrome caused by ruptured cervical epidural arteriovenous malformation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.231-238
• /
• 2001

Vertebral artery injury is a rare complication of anterior cervical approach. We report two patients who suffered injury to vertebral artery during anterior cervical spine surgery. The mechanism of injury, their operative management, and the subsequent outcome were assessed and relevant literatures reviewed. The awareness of the possibility of vertebral artery injury is most important to prevent and it's occurrence is best avoided by a thorough understanding of the anatomical relationships of the artery, the spinal canal, and the vertebral body and careful use of surgical instruments.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.165-169
• /
• 2021

A burst fracture refers to the fracture of the anterior and middle vertebral columns which are moving into the spinal canal causing neurological impairments, generally requiring surgical treatment. We herein report a rare case of burst fracture with kissing spine in a 90-year-old man who had severe lower back pain that worsened during back extension. Considering the surgical treatment risk, he was hospitalized at a Korean medicine hospital for 85 days and underwent combined Korean medicine treatments including pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, chuna, deep-fascia meridian therapy, walking practice, and abdominal breathing. Based on patient-reported scales, his pain was alleviated, and his physical function improved. Furthermore, his range of motion and walking time increased. This case report suggests that combined Korean medicine treatments could be an effective alternative for patients with burst fracture who have surgery risks.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.265-271
• /
• 2023

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a disease that narrows the spinal canal, causing neurological symptoms. To date, there have been several reports on traditional Korean medicine treatments for OPLL; however, there is no study on complex acupuncture treatment. Herein, we report 2 cases of cervical OPLL involving cervical pain, upper limb radiating pain, and hypoesthesia. The patients were diagnosed using C-spine computed tomography and did not receive any treatment at any other hospital. The patients were treated with acupuncture treatments, including electroacupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and acupotomy, at Daegu Korean Medicine Hospital at Daegu Haany University. The results were assessed using the visual analog scale, neck disability index, and Japanese Orthopedic Association scores, and the results indicated an improvement in the symptoms. Thus, this study demonstrated that complex acupuncture treatment may be helpful for treating cervical OPLL and improving the quality of life.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.83 no.1
• /
• pp.102-111
• /
• 2022

Purpose To evaluate the correlation between Lee's grades and surgical intervention for central lumbar spinal stenosis (CLSS) and to assess whether this grading system can be used as a decision-making tool for the surgical treatment of this condition. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 290 patients (M:F = 156:134; mean age, 46 ± 16 years). Radiologists assessed the presence and grade of CLSS at the stenosis point according to Lee's grading system, in which CLSS is classified into four grades according to the shape of the cauda equina. Correlation coefficients (r_s) between Lee's grades and the operation were calculated with Spearman rank correlation. Results Among the operated patients, grade 2 was the most commonly assigned grade (50%-58%), grade 3 was less common (35%), and grade 0 was the least common (2%-3%). Among the non-operated patients, grade 1 was the most common (63%-65%), grade 0 was less common (15%-16%), and grade 3 was the least common (8%). The distribution of grades differed between the operated and non-operated groups (p < 0.001). Less than 25% of patients who underwent surgery were assigned grades 0 and 1, and more than 88% were assigned grades 2 and 3. A moderate correlation was found between the grade and surgical intervention (r_s = 0.632 and r_s = 0.583). Conclusion Lee's grade was moderately correlated with surgical intervention. Lee's grading system can be a decision-making tool for the surgical treatment of CLSS.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.15 no.4 s.71
• /
• pp.664-667
• /
• 2005

Hydrosyringomyelia is a dilation of the spinal cord central canal. In human it may be caused by congenital malformations such as Dandy-Walker syndrome and Chiari malformations or may be acquired as a result of infection, trauma or neoplasia. Hydrocephalus is an excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricles and occipital dysplasia is the dorsal extension of the foramen magnum. Hydrosyringomyelia and hydrocephalus can be confirmed by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A 3-year-old male maltese was presented with a history of long-term seizure. Blood examination was all unremarkable. On rostrodorsal-caudoventral oblique radiograph of the skull showed severe occipital dysplasia. On brain sonography through the persistent fontanelle, severe lateral ventriculomegaly was revealed. MRI examination revealed hydrocephalus and hydrosyringomyelia. Diuretic therapy didn't reduce clinical symptoms and surgical decompression was conducted. The dog responded well with ventriculo-peritoneal shunting. MRI is the most superior modality to diagnose hydrocephalus and hydrosyringomyelia, to plan therapy and to determine the prognosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.16 no.6
• /
• pp.787-797
• /
• 2022

The purpose of this study was to confirm the reduction of pain and symptom relief of Parkinson's disease by vertically stimulating the spine through the application of a mechanical bed capable of thermal and massage stimulation. For this purpose, after confirming the segmental motion of the spine due to the use of a medical combination stimulation bed for Parkinson's disease patients, VAS, ODI, gait ability, and spiral drawing tests were performed, and the relationship between the variables was identified. In the 10-day visual analog scale and evaluation of low back pain dysfunction, the average trend of decreasing after bed use was confirmed. For walking ability, a decrease in the moving time and an increase in the moving distance were observed. In the spiral drawing test, the mean test time after using bed was significantly lower than before. As a result, it suggested the possibility of using it as an auxiliary method for recovery and pain relief of Parkinson's disease patients due to spinal segmental movement with mechanical heating and massage. However, this study is a preliminary study, and there is a small number of subjects, so additional research is needed that considers the number and condition of future subjects in detail.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.27 no.5
• /
• pp.546-552
• /
• 2010

Previous studies could not offer available guideline to decide size of balloon and grade of injury before induction of spinal cord injury (SCI) because grade of SCI was assessed after inserting a catheter and each experimental animal were different in body size and weight as well as in species. This study was performed to provide guideline for standardized SCI model. Eight healthy adult beagle dogs that had 8 mm of spinal canal height were assigned to four groups according to the diameter of balloon and compression time: 4 mm/3hrs, 4 mm/6hrs, 4 mm/12hrs and 6 mm/3hrs group. Radiography was performed to standardize between experimental animal and balloon before selecting balloon diameter to induce SCI. Behaviors outcomes, somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathological examination were evaluated. Behaviors outcomes and SEPs were not available to assess grade of SCI and those only indicate SCI. The damaged area was revealed clear hyperintensity on STIR image and T2WI after induction of SCI. The hyperintense area on MRI was cranially and caudally expanded with increasing of the diameter of balloon or the compression time. Well corresponded to expanding of hyperintense area on MRI, the damaged region and the numbers of caspase-3 and PARP immunoreactive cells were increased on histopathological findings. Therefore, these results will be considered fundamental data to induce standardized SCI model in experimental animal that has various weight and size.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.79-87
• /
• 2000

Objectives : To evaluate the findings useful for differential diagnosis and associated abnormaiities of isthmic spondylolisthesis and degenerative spondylolisthesis on CT. Materials and methods : We reviewed retrospectively the CT images of 65 patients who were diagnosed spondylolisthesis during 3 years period. Our technique was 5mm slices at 5mm intervals with gantry angle to parallel the interspaces. Also reformatted sagittal views were taken. 41 patients were isthmic spondylolisthesis and 24 patients were degenerative spondylolisthesis. Resuits : Isthmic spondylolisthesis. 1. Isthmic type was more common at L5-S1. 2. The degree of anterior displacement was grade I and II. 3. The plane of defect was more horizontal than the usual facet joint. 4. The defect had an irregular shape. 5. Medial aspect of bone just anterior to defect had a small round prominence. 6. Anteroposterior elongation of the spinal canal was common. 7. Pseudobulging disk was common. 8. The most common associated abnormality was a HNP at the upper level of the defect. Degenerative spondylolisthesis. 1. Degenerative type was more common at L4-5. 2. The degree of anterior disptacement was grade I and II. 3. The Plane of facet joint was oriented obliquely instead of horizontally. 4. The posterior facet(inferior facet of superior vertebra) was anteriorly displaced. 5. Bony spur of the posterior portion of anterior facet was seen. 6. The facet joints often contain gas(vaccum phenomenum). 7. The most common associated abnormality was a HNP at the level of the displacement. Conclusions : CT is a highly accurate and most sensitive technique for recognition, differential diagnosis of isthmic and degenerative types and the detection of associated abnormalities.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.51 no.5
• /
• pp.247-252
• /
• 2012

Objective : The anatomical knowledge is the most important and has a direct link with success of operation in cervical spine surgery. The authors measured various cervical parameters in cadaveric dry bones and compared with previous reported results. Methods : We made 255 dry bones age from 19 to 72 years (mean, 42.3 years) that were obtained from 51 subjects in 100 subjects who donated their bodies. All measurements from C3-C7 levels were made using digital vernier calipers, standard goniometer, and self-made fix tool for two different cervical axes (canal and disc setting). We classified into 4 groups (uncinate process, vertebral body, lamina, and pedicle) and measured independently by two neurosurgeons for 28 parameters. Results : We analyzed 23970 measurements by mean value and standard deviations. In comparing with previous literatures, there are some different results. The mean values for uncinate process (UP) width ranged from 5.5 mm at C4 and 5 to 6.3 mm at C3 and C7 in men. Also, in women, the mean values for UP width ranged from 5.5 mm at C5 to 6.3 mm at C7. C7 was widest and C5 was most narrow than other levels. The antero-posterior length of UP tended to increase gradually from C3 to C6. The tip way, tip distance, and base distance of UP also showed increasing pattern from C3 to C7. Conclusion : These measurements can provide the spinal surgeons with a starting point to address bony architectures surrounding targeted soft tissues for safeguard against unintended damages during cervical operation.