• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제37권5호
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• pp.380-382
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• 2005

We report a case of atlantoaxial subluxation with bilateral high-riding vertebral artery with narrow isthmus. Because of the potential risk of bilateral vertebral artery injury, we performed atlantoaxial fixation using rod and screw instead of transarticular screw fixation. Although postoperative computed tomography reconstruction demonstrated slight breach of bilateral vertebral artery groove, postoperative angiography showed no evidence of vertebral artery injury. Though technically demanding, atlantoaxial fixation using rod and screw can be a one of the treatment options for atlantoaxial instability with bilateral high riding vertebral artery.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.235-238
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• 2011

Vertebral compression fractures result in vertebral height loss and alter sagittal spinal alignment, which in turn can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. Acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures are known to increase mobility and instability of the spine. There are limited published data correlating the degree of dynamic mobility and the efficacy of kyphoplasty on vertebral compression fractures. Here we report a 73-year-old female with a severe acute osteoporotic L2 compression fracture who obtained total vertebral height restoration following kyphoplasty, with resolution of back pain.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제61권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2018

Posttraumatic delayed vertebral collapse, known as Kummell's disease, is increasing in number of patients. This disease is already progressive kyphosis due to vertebral collapse at the time of diagnosis and it causes intractable pain or neurologic deficit due to intravertebral instability. Treatment is very difficult after progression of the disease, and the range of treatment, in hospital day, and cost of treatment are both increased. Clinical features, pathogenesis and radiologic findings of these disease groups were reviewed to determine risk factors for delayed vertebral collapse. The purpose of this article is to suggest appropriate treatment before vertebral collapse for patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture who have risk factors for posttraumatic delayed vertebral collapse.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.141-144
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• 2007

A vertebral arte [VA] injury presents a difficult problem in atlantoaxial fixation. Recent technical reports described posterior C2 fixation using bilateral, crossing C2 laminar screws. The translaminar screw technique has the advantages of producing little risk of VA injury and the unconstrained screw placement. In addition, biomechanical studies have demonstrated the potential of the translaminar screw technique to provide a firmer construct that is equivalent to methods currently used. We report the successful treatment of C1-2 instability with a left-side high-riding VA. Because of the potential risk of VA injury, we performed a posterior C1-2 fixation with a combination of pedicle screws and a laminar screw in C2. We first placed bilateral C1 lateral mass screws and a right-side C2 pedicle screw. However, placement of the left- side C2 pedicle screw was technically difficult due to a narrow isthmus and pedicle. A laminar screw was inserted instead and authors believe that this posterior C1-C2 fixation with a combination of pedicle screws and a laminar screw in C2 can be a useful alternative technique for the treatment of C1-C2 instability in the presence of a unilateral high-riding VA.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제51권3호
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• pp.177-181
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• 2012

We present a case of an athetoid cerebral palsy with quadriparesis caused by kyphotic deformity of the cervical spine, severe spinal stenosis at the cervicomedullary junction, and atlantoaxial instability. The patient improved after the first surgery, which included a C1 total laminectomy and C-arm guided righ side unilateral C1-2 transarticular screw fixation. C1-2 fixation was not performed on the other side because of an aberrant and dominant vertebral artery (VA). Eight months after the first operation, the patient required revision surgery for persistent neck pain and screw malposition. We used intraoperative VA angiography with simultaneous fluoroscopy for precise image guidance during bilateral C1-2 transarticular screw fixation. Intraoperative VA angiography allowed the accurate insertion of screws, and can therefore be used to avoid VA injury during C1-2 transarticular screw fixation in comorbid patients with atlantoaxial deformities.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제52권1호
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• pp.21-26
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• 2012

Objective : To evaluate a new posterior atlantoaxial fixation technique using a nitinol shape memory loop as a simple method that avoids the risk of vertebral artery or nerve injury. Methods : We retrospectively evaluated 14 patients with atlantoaxial instability who had undergone posterior C1-2 fusion using a nitinol shape memory loop. The success of fusion was determined clinically and radiologically. We reviewed patients' neurologic outcomes, neck disability index (NDI), solid bone fusion on cervical spine films, changes in posterior atlantodental interval (PADI), and surgical complications. Results : Solid bone fusion was documented radiologically in all cases, and PADI increased after surgery (p<0.05). All patients remained neurologically intact and showed improvement in NDI score (p<0.05). There were no surgical complications such as neural tissue or vertebral artery injury or instrument failure in the follow-up period. Conclusion : Posterior C1-2 fixation with a nitinol shape memory loop is a simple, less technically demanding method compared to the conventional technique and may avoid the instrument-related complications of posterior C1-2 screw and rod fixation. We introduce this technique as one of the treatment options for atlantoaxial instability.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.209-212
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• 2009

Objective : Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the vertebral body is known as a relatively uncommon phenomenon in a vertebral compression fracture (VCF). The outstanding radiologic findings of AVN are intravertebral vacuum phenomenon with or without fluid collection. Several reports revealed that PVP or balloon kyphoplasty might be the effective treatment modalities for AVN. We also experienced excellent results when using PVP for the treatment of AVN of the vertebral body, and intend to describe the treatment's efficacy in this report. Methods : Thirty-two patients diagnosed with AVN of the vertebral body were treated with PVP. We measured the pre- and post-operative anterior body height and kyphotic angulation. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to determine the relief of back pain. Results : The anterior body height (pre-operative : 1.49 cm, post-operative : 2.22 cm) and kyphotic angulation (pre-operative : 14.47 degrees, post-operative : 6.57 degrees) were significantly restored (p<0.001). VAS was improved from 8.9 to 3.7. Pseudoarthrosis was corrected in all cases, which was confirmed by dynamic radiographs. Fluid collection was found in sixteen cases and was aspirated with serous nature. No organism and tumor cell were noted. Conclusion : PVP proved to be an effective procedure for the treatment of AVN of the vertebral body, which corrected dynamic instability and significantly restored the anterior body height and kyphotic angulation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제64권5호
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• pp.837-842
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• 2021

An atlantoaxial subluxation from the unstable Os odontoideum by the failure of proper integrations between the embryological somites might be a commonly reported pathology. However, its suspicious origin or paralleled occurrence with other congenital anomalies of vertebral body might be a relatively rare phenomenon. The authors present two cases, who simply presented with clinical signs of prolonged, intractable cervicalgia without any neurological deficits, revealed this rare feature of C1-2 subluxation from the unstable, orthotropic type of Os odontoideum that coincide with congenitally fused cervical vertebral bodies between C2-3. Surprisingly, in one case, when traced from the lower cervical down to the thoracic-lumbar levels during the preoperative work-up process, was also compromised with multi-level butterfly vertebrae formations. Presented cases highlight the association of various congenital vertebrae anomalies and the rationale to fuse only affected joints.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제65권4호
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• pp.603-608
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• 2022

Vertebral artery (VA) occlusion is frequently encountered, usually without acute ischemic injury of the brain. However, when it is accompanied by hypoplasia or stenosis of the opposite VA, brain ischemia may develop due to insufficient collateral supply. Both hemodynamic instability and embolic infarction can occur in VA occlusion, which may cause severe symptoms in a patient. Extracranial carotid-VA bypass should be considered for symptomatic VA occlusion patients, especially when the patient has repeated ischemic brain injuries. In this report, the cases of three extracranial carotid-VA bypass patients are introduced, along with a brief description of the surgical techniques. All three cases were treated with different bypass methods according to their disease location.

• 대한정형외과학회지
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• 제55권1호
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• pp.85-89
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• 2020

보우 헌터 증후군은 경추의 운동 시 척추동맥의 동적 폐쇄나 협착으로 인해 척추기저동맥의 혈행 장애의 증상을 나타내는 드문 질환이다. 증례의 59세 남자 환자는 복시, 이명, 보행장애를 주소로 응급실에 내원하였다. 뇌 자기공명영상 및 뇌혈관조영술상 다발성 소뇌 경색이 있었다. 우측 척추동맥은 이미 완전 폐쇄되었고 좌측 척추동맥은 경추 신전 시에 동적 폐쇄가 발생함이 확인되었다. 경색이 악화되어 혈전 제거술을 시행하였으며 좌측 척추동맥에 대해 제5-6 경추간 후방 감압술 및 유합술을 시행하였다. 수술 중 및 수술 후 시행한 혈관조영술상 좌측 척추동맥의 혈행이 원활함이 확인되었으며 수술 후 6개월 추적관찰 동안 증상의 재발은 없었다. 경추 불안정증이 있을 경우, 경추 신전 시 척추동맥이 패쇄되어 척추기저동맥 혈행 장애를 유발할 수 있으므로 진단에 유의해야 한다.