• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.166-172
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• 2011

Objective : The intralaminar screw (ILS) fixation technique offers an alternative to pedicle screw (PS) and lateral mass screw (LMS) fixation in the C7 spine. Although cadaveric studies have described the anatomy of the pedicles, laminae, and lateral masses at C7, 3-dimensional computed tomography (CT) imaging is the modality of choice for pre-surgical planning. In this study, the goal was to determine the anatomical parameter and optimal screw trajectory for ILS placement at C7, and to compare this information to PS and LMS placement in the C7 spine as determined by CT evaluation. Methods : A total of 120 patients (60 men and 60 women) with an average age of $51.7{\pm}13.6$ years were selected by retrospective review of a trauma registry database over a 2-year period. Patients were included in the study if they were older than 15 years of age, had standardized axial bone-window CT imaging at C7, and had no evidence of spinal trauma. For each lamina and pedicle, width (outer cortical and inner cancellous), maximal screw length, and optimal screw trajectory were measured, and the maximal screw length of the lateral mass were measured using m-view 5.4 software. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test. Results : At C7, the maximal PS length was significantly greater than the ILS and LMS length (PS, $33.9{\pm}3.1$ mm; ILS, $30.8{\pm}3.1$ mm; LMS, $10.6{\pm}1.3$; p<0.01). When the outer cortical and inner cancellous width was compared between the pedicle and lamina, the mean pedicle outer cortical width at C7 was wider than the lamina by an average of 0.6 mm (pedicle, $6.8{\pm}1.2$ mm; lamina, $6.2{\pm}1.2$ mm; p<0.01). At C7, 95.8% of the laminae measured accepted a 4.0-mm screw with a 1.0 mm of clearance, compared with 99.2% of pedicle. Of the laminae measured, 99.2% accepted a 3.5-mm screw with a 1.0 mm clearance, compared with 100% of the pedicle. When the outer cortical and inner cancellous height was compared between pedicle and lamina, the mean lamina outer cortical height at C7 was wider than the pedicle by an average of 9.9 mm (lamina, $18.6{\pm}2.0$ mm; pedicle, $8.7{\pm}1.3$ mm; p<0.01). The ideal screw trajectory at C7 was also measured ($47.8{\pm}4.8^{\circ}$ for ILS and $35.1{\pm}8.1^{\circ}$ for PS). Conclusion : Although pedicle screw fixation is the most ideal instrumentation method for C7 fixation with respect to length and cortical diameter, anatomical aspect of C7 lamina is affordable to place screw. Therefore, the C7 intralaminar screw could be an alternative fixation technique with few anatomic limitations in the cases when C7 pedicle screw fixation is not favorable. However, anatomical variations in the length and width must be considered when placing an intralaminar or pedicle screw at C7.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.271-279
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• 2008

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of a belly-board device (BBD) in reducing the volume of small bowel during four-field pelvic irradiation. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two cancer patients (14 uterine cervical cancer, 6 rectal cancer, and 2 endometrial cancer) scheduled to receive pelvic irradiation were selected for this study. Two sets of CT images were taken with and without the belly-board device using the Siemens 16 channel CT scanner. All patients were set in the prone position. The CT images were transferred to a treatment planning system for dose calculation and volume measurements. The external surfaces of small bowel and the bladder were contoured on all CT scans and the 4-pelvic fields were added. The dose-volume-histogram of the bladder and small bowel, with and without the BBD, were plotted and analyzed. Results: In all patients, the total small bowel volume included in the irradiated fields was reduced when the BBD was used. The mean volume reduction was 35% (range, $1{\sim}79%$) and was statistically significant (p<0.001). The reduction in small bowel volume receiving $10{\sim}100%$ of the prescribed dose was statistically significant when the BBD was used in all cases. Almost no change in the total bladder volume involved was observed in the field (<8 cc, p=0.762). However, the bladder volume receiving 90% of the prescribed dose was 100% in 15/22 patients (68%) and $90{\sim}99%$ in 7/22 patients (32%) with the BBD. In comparison, the bladder volume receiving 90% of the prescribed dose was 100% in 10/22 patients (45%), $90{\sim}99%$ in 7/22 patients (32%), and $80{\sim}89%$ in 5/22 patients (23%) without the BBD. When the BBD was used, an increase in the bladder volume receiving a high dose range was observed Conclusion: This study shows that the use of a BBD for the treatment of cancer in the pelvic area significantly improves small bowel sparing. However, since the BBD pushed the bladder into the treatment field, the bladder volume receiving the high dose could increase. Therefore it is recommended to be considerate in using the BBD when bladder damage is of concern.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.81-85
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• 2009

Purpose: The inferior orbital wall is the most vulnerable to injury and inadequate reconstruction of inferior orbital fracture result in postoperative complications include enophthalmos, ocular dystopia and diplopia. Although the anatomical reconstruction of the inferior orbital wall is necessary to prevent these complications, the complexity of inferior orbital wall makes it difficult. We fabricated and remodeled the titanium micro-mesh plate for the anatomical reconstruction of inferior orbital wall. Methods: Twenty-nine patients with inferior orbital wall blow-out fracture were operated and twelve of them presented large extensive fracture. We intraoperatively fabricated and remodeled the Titanium-micro mesh to angulated lazy S shape similar to contralateral uninjured orbit. The preoperative and postoperative facial CT scan verified the 3-dimensional and anatomical reconstruction of the fractures. The mean follow-up was 19.7 months and postoperative complications was evaluated. Results: All cases showed the exact anatomical reconstruction, but there were minor complications in two cases. one patient had postoperative diplopia until 3months after surgery and the other patient had persistent enophthalmos (2 mm), but no further surgical correction was required. Conclusion: The comprehensive understanding of orbital convexity is the most important factor for anatomical reconstruction of inferior orbital fracture. We could prevent postoperative complications after inferior orbital wall reconstruction by intraoperative fabrication and anatomical remodeling of Titanium micro-mesh.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.633-638
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• 2010

Purpose: Orbital bone is one of the most complex bones in the human body. When the patient has a fracture of the orbital bone, it is difficult for the surgeon to restore the fractured orbital bone to normal anatomic curvature because the orbital bone has complex curvature. We developed a rapid prototyping model based on a mirror image of the patient's 3D-CT (3 dimensional computed tomography) for accurate reduction of the fractured orbital wall. Methods: A total of 7 cases of large orbital wall fracture recieved absorbable plate prefabrication using rapid prototyping model during surgery and had the manufactured plate inserted in the fracture site. Results: There was no significant postoperative complication. One patient had persistent diplopia, but it was resolved completely after 5 weeks. Enophthalmos was improved in all patients. Conclusion: With long term follow-up, this new method of orbital wall reduction proved to be accurate, efficient and cost-effective, and we recommend this method for difficult large orbital wall fracture operations.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.261-266
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• 2002

Vascular ring, originating from abnormal regression of the aortic arch during fetal life, can cause prolonged and recurrent respiratory symptoms and dysphagia when the diagnosis is delayed. We report a 4 month old girl with vascular ring, who had been treated for persistent respiratory symptoms including stridor, wheezing, and dyspnea soon after birth. Initially her respiratory symptoms were thought to be due to bronchiolitis, for which respiratory syncytial virus was confirmed by immunofluorescent staining. Her clinical course was again complicated with tracheitis and pneumonia due to Haemophilus influenzae type b. The possibility of anatomical anomaly was investigated when it was felt to be difficult to insert a suction catheter deep down through a endotracheal tube which was placed for adequate ventilatory management. A three-dimensional chest CT revealed a vascular ring consisting of a double aortic arch. For 5 months following surgery, her respiratory symptoms have slowly been improving. She developed another episode of pneumonia which was milder than the one which occurred before the surgery.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.537-548
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• 2006

Statement of problem : The use of mouthguard is important as the leisure life is popular today. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of a mouthguard on stress distribution in teeth, maxilla and mandible for maxilla impact. Material and methods: The 3-dimensional finite element model was based on a CT scan film of an average korean adult when the subject is using a customized mouthguard which was made with the Signature Mouthguard system of Dreve. The load was applied to the upper central incisor cervical area parellel impact force for 0.1sec(L1). The Von-mises stress analysis with a mouthguard and without a mouthguard was compared. Results: The results of this study were as follows: 1. Without the mouthguard, stress was concentrated on teeth and alveolar bone in all load conditions. 2. With the mouthguard. maximum stress value was decreased and stress was dispersed in all load conditions. 3. Stress extinction with the mouthguard was faster than without the mouthguard in all load conditions. Conclusion: We acknowledged that the mouthguard has a stress buffer effect as the maximum stress value was decreased and stress was dispersed when impact force was applied.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.703-708
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• 2013

Conventional total hip joint replacement(THR) surgery requires a long incision and long rehabilitation time. The stem used in THR is inserted into the cancellous bone of the femur where it plays the role of the artificial joint. Minimally invasive surgery(MIS) has been devised to reduce muscle damage to patients. In this study, a mechanical stem was developed on the basis of MISto reduce the incision length through the principle of the gear. The mechanical stem consists of six components. A prototypical model for a mechanical stem was fabricated using an acryl-based polymer, and its workability was confirmed. To actualize the mechanical stem, a three-dimensional Bio-CAD modeling technique was applied. The hip joint area based on computed tomography(CT) was reconstructed. The safety of the mechanical stem by applying more load than the weight of a man under virtual surgery environment conditions was confirmed by finite element analysis.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.68-74
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• 2016

In this study, we investigated the rotational characteristics which were comprised of directionality and linearity of target registration error (TRE) as a study in advance to enhance the accuracy of contour-based registration in neuronavigation. For the experiment, two rigid head phantoms that have different faces with specially designed target frame fixed inside of the phantoms were used. Three-dimensional coordinates of facial surface point cloud and target point of the phantoms were acquired using computed tomography (CT) and 3D scanner. Iterative closest point (ICP) method was used for registration of two different point cloud and the directionality and linearity of TRE in overall head were calculated by using 3D position of targets after registration. As a result, it was represented that TRE had consistent direction in overall head region and was increased in linear fashion as distance from facial surface, but did not show high linearity. These results indicated that it is possible for decrease TRE by controlling orientation of facial surface point cloud acquired from scanner, and the prediction of TRE from surface registration error can decrease the registration accuracy in lesion. In the further studies, we have to develop the contour-based registration method for improvement of accuracy by considering rotational characteristics of TRE.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.39
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• pp.22.1-22.9
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• 2017

Background: Two-jaw surgery including mandibular and maxillary backward movement procedures are commonly performed to correct class III malocclusion. Bimaxillary surgery can reposition the maxillofacial bone together with soft tissue, such as the soft palate and the tongue base. We analyzed changes of pharyngeal airway narrowing to ascertain clinical correlations with the prevalence of snoring after two-jaw surgery. Methods: A prospective clinical study was designed including a survey on snoring and three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) in class III malocclusion subjects before and after bimaxillary surgery. We conducted an analysis on changes of the posterior pharyngeal space find out clinical correlations with the prevalence of snoring. Results: Among 67 subjects, 12 subjects complained about snoring 5 weeks after the surgical correction, and examining the 12 subjects after 6 months, 6 patients complained about the snoring. The current findings demonstrated the attenuation of the largest transverse width (LTW), anteroposterior length (APL), and cross-sectional area (CSA) following bimaxillary surgery given to class III malocclusion patients, particularly at the retropalatal level. The average distance of maxillary posterior movements were measured to be relatively higher (horizontal distance 3.9 mm, vertical distance 2.6 mm) in case of new snorers. Conclusions: This study found that bimaxillary surgery could lead to the narrowing of upper airway at the retropalatal or retroglossal level as well as triggering snoring in subjects with class III malocclusion. Based on the current clinical findings, we also found that upper airway narrowing at retropalatal level may contribute to increasing the probability of snoring and that polysonography may need to be performed before orthognathic surgery in subjects with class III malocclusion.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2019

We aimed to propose a novel computational approach to predict the electromechanical performance of pre- and post-mitral valve cerclage annuloplasty (MVCA). Furthermore, we tested a virtual estimation method to optimize the left ventricular basement tightening scheme using a pre-MVCA computer model. The present model combines the three-dimensional (3D) electromechanics of the ventricles with the vascular hemodynamics implemented in a lumped parameter model. 3D models of pre- and post-MVCA were reconstructed from the computed tomography (CT) images of two patients and simulated by solving the electromechanical-governing equations with the finite element method. Computed results indicate that reduction of the dilated heart chambers volume (reverse remodeling) appears to be dependent on ventricular stress distribution. Reduced ventricular stresses in the basement after MVCA treatment were observed in the patients who showed reverse remodeling of heart during follow up over 6 months. In the case who failed to show reverse remodeling after MVCA, more virtual tightening of the ventricular basement diameter than the actual model can induce stress unloading, aiding in heart recovery. The simulation result that virtual tightening of the ventricular basement resulted in a marked increase of myocardial stress unloading provides in silico evidence for a functional impact of MVCA treatment on cardiac mechanics and post-operative heart recovery. This technique contributes to establishing a pre-operative virtual rehearsal procedure before MVCA treatment by using patient-specific cardiac electromechanical modeling of pre-MVCA.