• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.211-219
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• 2017

Objective : This study aimed to compare the clinical and radiologic outcomes of patients with subaxial cervical injury who underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with autologous iliac bone graft or polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages using demineralized bone matrix (DBM). Methods : From January 2005 to December 2010, 70 patients who underwent one-level ACDF with plate fixation for post-traumatic subaxial cervical spinal injury in a single institution were retrospectively investigated. Autologous iliac crest grafts were used in 33 patients (Group I), whereas 37 patients underwent ACDF using a PEEK cage filled with DBM (Group II). Plain radiographs were used to assess bone fusion, interbody height (IBH), segmental angle (SA), overall cervical sagittal alignment (CSA, C2-7 angle), and development of adjacent segmental degeneration (ASD). Clinical outcome was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and Frankel grade. Results : The mean follow-up duration for patients in Group I and Group II was 28.9 and 25.4 months, respectively. All patients from both groups achieved solid fusion during the follow-up period. The IBH and SA of the fused segment and CSA in Group II were better maintained during the follow-up period. Nine patients in Group I and two patients in Group II developed radiologic ASD. There were no statistically significant differences in the VAS score and Frankel grade between the groups. Conclusion : This study showed that PEEK cage filled with DBM, and plate fixation is at least as safe and effective as ACDF using autograft, with good maintenance of cervical alignment. With advantages such as no donor site morbidity and no graft-related complications, PEEK cage filled with DBM, and plate fixation provide a promising surgical option for treating traumatic subaxial cervical spine injuries.

• Neurospine
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.329-337
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• 2018

Objective: Machine learning algorithms excel at leveraging big data to identify complex patterns that can be used to aid in clinical decision-making. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the performance of machine learning models in predicting postoperative complications following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Methods: Artificial neural network (ANN), logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), and random forest decision tree (RF) models were trained on a multicenter data set of patients undergoing ACDF to predict surgical complications based on readily available patient data. Following training, these models were compared to the predictive capability of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification. Results: A total of 20,879 patients were identified as having undergone ACDF. Following exclusion criteria, patients were divided into 14,615 patients for training and 6,264 for testing data sets. ANN and LR consistently outperformed ASA physical status classification in predicting every complication (p < 0.05). The ANN outperformed LR in predicting venous thromboembolism, wound complication, and mortality (p < 0.05). The SVM and RF models were no better than random chance at predicting any of the postoperative complications (p < 0.05). Conclusion: ANN and LR algorithms outperform ASA physical status classification for predicting individual postoperative complications. Additionally, neural networks have greater sensitivity than LR when predicting mortality and wound complications. With the growing size of medical data, the training of machine learning on these large datasets promises to improve risk prognostication, with the ability of continuously learning making them excellent tools in complex clinical scenarios.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.300-304
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• 2009

Objective : This is retrospective study of clinical and radiological outcomes of anterior cervical fusion using Bongros-$HA^{TM}$ (BioAlpha, Seongnam, Korea) which is a type of synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA) spacer to evaluate the efficacy in its clinical application and usefulness as a reliable alternative to autograft bone. Methods : Twenty-nine patients were enrolled in this study and 40 segments were involved. All patients were performed anterior cervical interbody fusion using HA spacer and plating system. Indications for surgery were radiculopathy caused by soft-disc herniation or spondylosis in 18 patients, spondylotic myelopathy in 1 patient, and spinal trauma in 10 patients. Cervical spine radiographs were obtained on postoperative 1day, 1week, and then at 1, 2, 6, and 12 months in all patients to evaluate intervertebral disc height, and the degrees of lordosis. Cervical computed tomography was done at postoperative 12 month in all patients to confirm the fusion status. The mean period of clinical follow-up was 17 months. Results : Complete interbody fusion was achieved in 100% of patients. Preoperative kyphotic deformities were corrected in all cases after surgery. Intervertebral disc height was well maintained during follow up period. There were no cases of graft extrusion, graft deterioration and graft fracture. Conclusion : HA spacer is very efficient in achieving cervical fusion, maintaining intervertebral disc height, and restoring lordosis. When combined with the placement of a cervical plate, immediate stability can be achieved and graft related complication can be prevented.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.194-200
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• 2001

Object : Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is accepted as appropriate surgical intervention for disease processes of the ventral cervical spine. In some cases, however, improvement of symptom following operation develop myelopathy or rhizopathy at longterm follow-up. We studied to clarify the correlation between clinical results and plain radiologic findings at long term follow-up. Methods : A total of 86 patients who underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion were grouped into deteriorated and good recovery group. These two groups were compared in lateral functional roentgenograms on the cervical kyphosis and disc height at fused level, sagittal plane rotation and dynamic sagittal canal diameter at adjacent level. Results : The presence of cervical kyphosis and disc height at fused level do not correlate with long term followup results. Sagittal plane rotation of more than 20 degrees were identified in 36% of the cases in deteriorated group, whereas the same findings were identified in 15% of the cases in good group. Sagittal diameter of less than 12mm were identified in 48% of the cases in deteriorated group, whereas the same finding were identified in 8% of the cases in good group. Preoperatively, sagittal plane rotation of more than 20 degrees at adjacent level were identified in 28% of the cases in deteriorated group, whereas the same findings were identified in 13% of the cases in good group. Preoperatively sagittal diameter of less than 12mm at adjacent level were identified in 40% of the cases in deteriorated group, whereas the same finding were identified in 7% of the cases in good group. Conclusion : Large sagittal plane rotation and small dynamic sagittal diameter at adjacent level were factors that might be associated with later clinical deterioration after cervical anterior fusion.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.541-543
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• 2010

The purpose of this case report is to describe a rare case of a cervicothoracic spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) after anterior cervical spine surgery. A 60-year-old man complained of severe neck and arm pain 4 hours after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion at the C5-6 level. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a postoperative SEH extending from C1 to T4. Direct hemostasis and drainage of loculated hematoma at the C5-6 level completely improved the patient's condition. When a patient complains of severe neck and/or arm pain after anterior cervical spinal surgery, though rare, the possibility of a postoperative SEH extending to non-decompressed, adjacent levels should be considered as with our case.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.943-950
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare by finite element analysis the biomechanical performance, in terms of cervical stand-alone cage screw insert angle (Type 3 - 5: 2 Screws) and screw arrangement (Type 6 and 7: 3 Screws / Type 8 and 9: 4 Screws), and the range of motion (ROM) of traditional anterior cervical discectomy of a fusion device (Type 1: Cage / Type 2: Cage + ACP). Our study suggests that the biomechanical behavior of a postoperative cervical spine could indeed be influenced by design features, such as screw angle and number of screws. In particular, ROM and the risk of subsidence were more sensitive during extension about type 5 (Insert Angle $20^{\circ}$). Our study also suggested that the number of screw asymmetries between up and down for type 6 and 7 could result in differences in the risk of screw fracture manifesting in different clinical aspects.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 2007

Objective : This purpose of this study was to determine the clinical efficiency and applicability, and to analyze the radiologic findings of the anterior cervical approach using two synthetic cages for interbody fusion. Methods : A total of 41 patients with cervical diseases underwent anterior discectomy and interbody fusion with the PEEK $Solis^{TM}$ cage in 21 patients and the carbon composite $Osta-Pek^{TM}$ cage in 20 patients. Outcome assessment was done using Odom's criteria. Radiological assessment was performed with respect to subsidence, bony fusion and lordosis. The mean follow-up period was 13 months. Results : There were 34 [92.9%] successful cases. The average height of the disc space 12 months after surgery compared the height just after surgery was decreased over 3mm in 4 cases, indicating severe subsidence. The use of these synthetic cages have provided the increase in postoperative cervical lordosis. Conclusion : There were no significant differences between the $Solis^{TM}$ and $Osta-Pek^{TM}$ cages on clinical and radiologic outcomes. Both $Solis^{TM}$ and $Osta-Pek^{TM}$ cages showed low subsidences and complications associated with hardware with good clinical outcomes, high fusion rates, restored disc heights, and restored cervical lordosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.552-561
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• 2021

Objective : To compare the anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and posterior cervical fusion (PCF) with wide facetectomy in the treatment of parallel-shaped bony foraminal stenosis (FS). Methods : Thirty-six patients underwent surgery due to one-or-two levels of parallel-shaped cervical FS. ACDF was performed in 16 patients, and PCF using CPS was performed in 20 patients. All patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Standardized outcome measures such as Numeric rating scale (NRS) score for arm/neck pain and Neck disability index (NDI) were evaluated. Cervical radiographs were used to compare the C2-7 Cobb's angle, segmental angle, and fusion rates. Results : There was an improvement in NRS scores after both approaches for radicular arm pain (mean change -6.78 vs. -8.14, p=0.012), neck pain (mean change -1.67 vs. -4.36, p=0.038), and NDI score (-19.69 vs. -18.15, p=0.794). The segmental angle improvement was greater in the ACDF group than in the posterior group (9.4°±2.7° vs. 3.3°±5.1°, p=0.004). However, there was no significant difference in C2-7 Cobb angle between groups (16.2°±7.9° vs. 14.8°±8.5°, p=0.142). As a complication, dysphagia was observed in one case of the ACDF group. Conclusion : In the treatment of parallel-shaped bony FS up to two surgical levels, segmental angle improvement was more favorable in patients who underwent ACDF. However, PCF with wide facetectomy using CPS should be considered as an alternative treatment option in cases where the anterior approach is burdensome.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.370-374
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• 2008

Objective : Aim of study was to find a proper method for assessing subsidence using a radiologic measurement following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with stand-alone polyetheretherketone (PEEK), $Solis^{TM}$ cage. Methods : Forty-two patients who underwent ACDF with $Solis^{TM}$ cage were selected. With a minimum follow-up of 6 months, the retrospective investigation was conducted for 37 levels in 32 patients. Mean follow-up period was 18.9 months. Total intervertebral height (TIH) of two fused vertebral bodies was measured on digital radiographs with built-in software. Degree of subsidence (${\Delta}TIH$) was reflected by the difference between the immediate postoperative and follow-up TIH. Change of postoperative disc space height (CT-MR ${\Delta}TIH$) was reflected by the difference between TIH of the preoperative mid-sagittal 2D CT and that of the preoperative mid-sagittal T1-weighted MRI. Results : Compared to preoperative findings, postoperative disc height was increased in all cases and subsidence was observed only in 3 cases. For comparison of subsidence and non-subsidence group, TIH and CT-MR ${\Delta}TIH$ of each group were analyzed. There was no statistically significant difference in TIH and CT-MR ${\Delta}TIH$ between each group at 4 and 8 weeks, but a difference was observed at the last follow-up TIH (p=0.0497). Conclusion : ACDF with $Solis^{TM}$ cage was associated with relatively good radiologic long-term results. Fusion was achieved in 94.5% and subsidence occurred in 8.1% by the radiologic assessment. Statistical analysis reveals that the subsidence seen later than 8 weeks after surgery and the development of subsidence does not correlate statistically with the change of the postoperative disc space height.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.567-576
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• 2017

Objective : Preoperative parameters including the T1 slope (T1S) and C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA) have been recognized as predictors of kyphosis after laminoplasty, which is accompanied by posterior neck muscle damage. The importance of preoperative parameters has been under-estimated in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) because there is no posterior neck muscle damage. We aimed to determine whether postoperative subsidence and pseudarthrosis could be predicted according to specific parameters on preoperative plain radiographs. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed 41 consecutive patients (male : female, 22 : 19; mean age, $51.15{\pm}9.25years$) who underwent ACDF with a stand-alone polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) cage (>1 year follow-up). Parameters including SVA, T1S, segmental angle and range of motion (ROM), C2-C7 cervical angle and ROM, and segmental inter-spinous distance were measured on preoperative plain radiographs. Risk factors of subsidence and pseudarthrosis were determined using multivariate logistic regression. Results : Fifty-five segments (27 single-segment and 14 two-segment fusions) were included. The subsidence and pseudarthrosis rates based on the number of segments were 36.4% and 29.1%, respectively. Demographic data and fusion level were unrelated to subsidence. A greater T1S was associated with a lower risk of subsidence (p=0.017, odds ratio=0.206). A cutoff value of T1S<$28^{\circ}$ significantly predicted subsidence (sensitivity : 70%, specificity : 68.6%). There were no preoperative predictors of pseudarthrosis except old age. Conclusion : A lower T1S (T1S<$28^{\circ}$) could be a risk factor of subsidence following ACDF. Surgeons need to be aware of this risk factor and should consider various supportive procedures to reduce the subsidence rates for such cases.