• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.522-527
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of bone using Tc-99m MDP in the diagnosis of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. Materials and Methods: Thirty two patients with osteoporotic vertebral fracture were included in this study (mean age: $67{\pm}8$, male: 5, female: 27). Seventy nine vertebral fractures were detected (38 thoracic/thoracolumbar lesions and 41 lumbar lesions), which were classified by type of deformity (wedge, biconcave or compression). The patterns and locations of increased uptakes were examined and analyzed. Results: Forty seven wedge fractures, 20 biconcave fractures and 12 compression fractures were found. Diffuse and asymmetric uptakes were common in fractured bodies. More than one uptake were examined in 69 posterior elements of fractured vertebrae (87.3%) including 40 of 47 wedge fractures (85.1%), 17 of 20 biconcave fractures (85.0%) and 12 of 12 compression fractures (100%). Wedge fractures were predominant fracture in thoracic/thoracolumbar spine whereas incidence of biconcave or compression type war similar to that of wedge fracture in lumbar spine (p=0.04). Spinous process uptake was more frequently seen in lumbar lesions than thoracic/thoracolumbar lesions (p=0.009). Facet joint uptake in biconcave fracture was more common in lumbar spine (92.3%) than thoracic/thoracolumbar spine (57.1%). Spinous process uptake in biconcave fracture was also more frequently detected in lumbar spine (p=0.043). Conclusion: Bone SPECT was useful in the evaluation of osteoporotic vertebral fracture, especially posterior elements of vertebrae.

• International Journal of Safety
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.22-25
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• 2012

Scoliosis can be biomechanically described as a three dimensional deformity of the spine, with deviations from the physiologic curves in the sagittal and frontal planes, usually combined with intervertebral rotation. Various factors are suspected such as genetic defects, uneven growth of the vertebrae, hormonal effects, abnormal muscular activity, postural problems, or a mix of some of these elements, but its initial cause is known in only 15-20% cases. The screening test for diagnosing scoliosis is called the Adams Forward Bend Test. During the experiment, the subjects were asked to bend over, with arms dangling, until a curve could be observed. The Scoliometer was placed on the back of the subjects and used to measure the difference between the left and right apex of the curve in the thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbar area. Then, the subjects were asked to perform Maximum Voluntary Contractions (MVCs) using the digital back muscle dynamometer in three different postures: (1) 0o (sagittally symmetric); (2) 30o from the mid-sagittal plane (clockwise); and (3) 30o from the mid-sagittal plane (counterclockwise). In addition to the experimental data, subject-dependent variables including Body Mass Index (BMI), percentage of body fat and muscle mass of left/right arms and legs were employed to reveal the cause of difference among three MVC conditions. All those variables were tested using statistical methods.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.217-222
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• 2000

A 31-year-old male with the complaint of severe limitation of mouth opening was referred to our department of Chonbuk National University Hospital. The physical status of the patient was hyposthenic. Extraoral examination showed no condylar movement of the both temporomandibular joints, no pain, no facial swelling or paresthesia. Intraoral examination showed several cervical caries on the upper anterior teeth, and gingival swelling on the whole dentition. Transcranial view showed no condylar movement, and narrowing of joint spaces. Chest P-A view showed straightening of thoracic, lumbar spine, and squaring of vertebrae of the same spines. Conventional lateral radiograph of cervical spine showed calcification of the intervertebral ligament. Computed tomograph showed extensive bone formation between temporal bone and the condylar head at both sides. Laboratory findings showed positive reaction on HLA-B27 histocompatibility antigen and increased level of IgA, IgG, ESR. Based on the clinical, radiographic, and the laboratary findings, final diagnosis was made as bony ankylosis of the both temporomandibular joints secondary to ankylosing spondylitis.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.74-80
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of distance measurements from the medial border of the scapula to the spinous process of the thoracic vertebrae when obtained using tape and photography measurements. The study included 20 healthy subjects (10 males, 10 females); for a total of 40 scapula measurements. The distance measurements made using tape or photography methods were conducted with the subject in a standing position. Repeated tape and photography measurements were conducted in two sessions on different days by two examiners to assess the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of the two methods. The reliability of scapular distance measured using tape and photography methods was tested using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC(3,1)) and the standard error of measurement (SEM). The inter-rater reliability of the tape measurement method was excellent (ICC=.77) and the intra-rater reliability was fair to good (ICC=.74). The inter-rater and intra-rater reliabilities of the photography measurement method were excellent (ICC=.76 and .76 respectively). Our results suggest that photography measurement is an objective and qualitative measurement tool for scapular distance measurements.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.271-278
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• 2014

PURPOSE: This study researched the effects of different types of high heels on the muscles surrounding the cervical spine, the thoracic spine, and the lumbar spine by analyzing muscle activation of the paraspinal muscles during walking while wearing high heels. The high heels were all of the same height: 8cm. METHODS: The 28 subjects in this experiment were females in their 20s with a foot size of 225-230mm. To measure the muscle activation of the paraspinal muscles, EMG electrodes were attached on the paraspinal muscles around C6, T7, and L5. The muscle activation during walking while wearing 8cm high wedge heels, setback heels, and french heels was measured. The measurements were performed 3 times each and the mean value of the result was used for analysis. Two kinds of velocity were used in this study. One of the velocity was 2.5 m/s. The other was 3.5 m/s. RESULTS: The muscle activation of paraspinal muscles increased significantly according to increase of walking velocity. But there was no significant difference according to the heel types. CONCLUSION: In view of the results, the height of heels and the velocity of walking are more convincing variables than the width of the heels on the muscle activation of paraspinal muscles. So wearing high heels is not recommended for those who have pain or functional problem of cervical and lumbar vertebrae.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.215-218
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• 2015

Occasionally, unexpected neurological deficits occur after lumbar spinal surgery. We report a case of monoparesis after lumbar decompressive surgery. A 63-year-old man, who had undergone decompression of L4-5 for spinal stenosis 4 days previously in the other hospital, visted the emergency department with progressive weakness in the left leg and hypoesthesia below sensory level T7 on the right side. He had been cured of lung cancer with chemotherapy and radiation therapy 10 years previously, but detailed information of radiotherapy was not available. Whole spine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed fatty marrow change from T1 to T8, most likely due to previous irradiation. The T2-weighted MR image showed a high-signal T4-5 spinal cord lesion surrounded by a low signal rim, and the T1-weighted MR image showed focal high signal intensity with focal enhancement. The radiological diagnosis was vascular disorders with suspicious bleeding. Surgical removal was refused by the patient. With rehabilitation, the patient could walk independently without assistance 2 months later. Considering radiation induced change at thoracic vertebrae, vascular disorders may be induced by irradiation. If the spinal cord was previously irradiated, radiation induced vascular disorders needs to be considered.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.8-12
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• 2016

Mucolipidosis (ML) is a kind of skeletal dysplasia. Characteristic X-ray findings of the bone may contribute to the early diagnosis and treatment of ML II/III. Skeletal radiographs show distinctive patterns at different ages: neonatal hyperparathyroidism, osteodystrophy (similar to chronic osteitis fibrosa cystica), and dysostosis multiplex. Patients with ML II/III show a mixture of osteodystrophic bone changes and atypical changes of dysostosis multiplex: proximal pointing of the metacarpals in the wrist, dysplastic changes in the lower third of the ilia, marked broadening of the ribs becoming oar-shaped, and beaking of the lower thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. In ML II, the osteodystrophy has clinical and radiographic features of neonatal hyperparathyroidism. In some neonatal subjects, chemical hyperparathyroidism is also demonstrated. After transient hyperparathyroidism in newborns, the progressive osteitis fibrosa cystica develops from 3-6 months of age. Patients with ML III show prominent skeletal involvement, particularly the destruction of vertebral bodies and the femoral heads. Intravenous pamidronate treatment is well tolerated, and it can produce clinical effects, with a reduction in bone pain and improvements in mobility in patients with ML III. In this review, the skeletal manifestations of ML II and III are investigated.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.236-240
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• 2002

Vertebral osteomyelitis represents only 1% to 2% of osteomyelitis and may pose a diagnostic conundrum, with disastrous consequences if diagnosis and therapy are delayed. We report a neonate with the unique association of vertebral osteomyelitis and MRSA infection. A 1-month-old boy was admitted to the hospital for evaluation of high fever and decreased oral intake. He was born at 34 wks, and his birth weight was 1.6 kg. We founded MRSA on his blood culture. Magnetic resonance imaging study showed findings of T7-T8 vertebral osteomyelitis. With 8 weeks of intravenous vancomycin treatment, the patient improved clinically and radiologically.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.1063-1073
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• 1999

Objective: Poor head and neck support during sleep can exacerbate the neck pain. Based on the ideal sleep posture and pillow suggested by Cyriax, we designed a new cervical pillow and compared the degree of pain reduction, quality of sleep and pillow satisfaction with a low hospital pillow and a high pillow. Method: The newly designed pillow has a built-in pressure-adjustable air bag in the cervical area and provides normal cervical lordotic curve in supine position and maintains cervical and thoracic vertebrae to form a horizontal line in side-lying position. Thiry-four patients with cervical pain used low hospital pillows for the first week of 3-week randomized crossover design study. They were subsequently randomly assigned to use each of the other two pillows for 1-week period. Outcomes were measured using Visual analog scale, Sleep questionaire, a pillow satisfaction scale. Result: Compared with other 2 types of pillow, Subjects using the newly desinged pillow showed much reduced pain intensity, increased duration of sleep and better satisfaction. Conclustion: We desinged a cervical pillow with built-in pressure adjustable air bag and it can significantly reduce pain intensity and improve quality of sleep in patients with cervical pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.375-393
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• 2021

Percutaneous osteoplasty (POP) is defined as the injection of bone cement into various painful bony lesions, refractory to conventional therapy, as an extended technique of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP). POP can be applied to benign osteochondral lesions and malignant metastatic lesions throughout the whole skeleton, whereas PVP is restricted to the vertebral body. Common spinal metastases occur in the thoracic (70%), lumbosacral (20%), and cervical (10%) vertebrae, in order of frequency. Extraspinal metastases into the ribs, scapulae, sternum, and humeral head commonly originate from lung and breast cancers; extraspinal metastases into the pelvis and femoral head come from prostate, urinary bladder, colon, and uterine cervical cancers. Pain is aggravated in the dependent (or weight bearing) position, or during movement (or respiration). The tenderness and imaging diagnosis should match. The supposed mechanism of pain relief in POP is the augmentation of damaged bones, thermal and chemical ablation of the nociceptive nerves, and local inhibition of tumor invasion. Adjacent (facet) joint injections may be needed prior to POP (PVP). The length and thickness of the applied needle should be chosen according to the targeted bone. Bone cement is also selected by its osteoconduction, osteoinduction, and osteogenesis. Needle route should be chosen as a shortcut to reach the target bony lesions, without damage to the nerves and vessels. POP is a promising minimally invasive procedure for immediate pain relief. This review provides a technical survey for POPs in painful bony lesions.