• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.55 no.6
• /
• pp.383-386
• /
• 2014

Objective : Symptomatic thoracic disc herniation often requires prompt surgical treatment to prevent neurological deterioration and permanent deficits. Anterior approaches offer direct visualization and access to the herniated disc and anterior dura but require access surgeons and are often associated with considerable postoperative pain and pulmonary complications. A disadvantage with using posterior approaches in the setting of central calcified thoracic disc herniation however, has been the limited visualization of anterior dura and difficulty to accurately assess the extent of decompression. Methods : We report our experience with intraoperative ultrasound (US) guidance during a modified posterior transpedicular approach for removal of a central calcified thoracic disc herniation with a review of pertinent literature. Results : The herniated thoracic disc was successfully removed with posterior approach with the aid of intraoperative US. The patient had significant neurological improvement at three months follow-up. Conclusion : Intraoperative ultrasound is a simple yet valuable tool for real-time imaging during transpedicular thoracic discectomy. Visualization provided by intraoperative US increases the safety profile of posterior approaches and may make thoracotomy unnecessary in a selected group of patients, especially when a patient has existing pulmonary disease or is otherwise not medically fit for the transthoracic approach.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.863-868
• /
• 1995

Electroacupuncture therapy was performed in 2 dogs with thoracolumbar disc disease. Case was a 3-year-old female chihuahua with a calcified disc between the 13th thoracic and 1st lumbar vertebrae. Treatment was done by electroacupuncture at San sho yu, Shen yu, Huan tiao and Fu yang-San yin jiao with the current of 0.5~8 volts, 30 Hz for 30 min. She could pass feces and urine 2 days, and walk 9 days after the beginning of the therapy. Case 2 Was a 6-year-old male cocker spaniel with 4 calcified discs(T12-T13, T13-L1, L2-L3 and L6-L7) and spondylosis(lumbosacral junction). Treatment was done by electroacupuncture at Tian ping, Bai hui and Pung kung yu with the current of 2~4 volts, 30 Hz for 20 min. He could pass feces 6 days, urine 8 days, and stand 21 days, after the beginning of the therapy.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.59 no.3
• /
• pp.165-169
• /
• 2019

A 6-year-old Dachshund was presented with acute, non-localized pain without neurological dysfunction. Radiography revealed multiple calcifications of intervertebral discs and narrowing of disc space in the thoracolumbar region. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed calcified disc-like material entrapped in the left extraforaminal area and showed a displaced nerve root. Fenestration and removal of the extruded disc material were performed in a routine manner. Histopathological examination showed degenerative disc materials with severe calcification both in the nucleus pulposus and around the annulus fibrosis. Based on imaging, surgical, and histopathologic results, the dog was diagnosed with far lateral lumbar disc extrusion.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.284-287
• /
• 2001

Three dogs referred to Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Seoul National University were diagnosed as intervertebral disc disease. Physical examination, neurologic examination, survey radiograph, and myelography were performed in patients. Case 1 showed narrowing intervertebral space and calcified intervertebral disc material in survey radiograph. Case 2 showed increased opacity in the intervertebral opacity in survey radiograph. All of 3 cases showed extradural pattern during myelography. In survey radiography, radiographic signs consistent with intervertebral disc herniations include narrowing of the disc space and the dorsal intervertebral articular process joint space, small intervertebral foramen, increase opacity in the intervertebral foramen and extruded, mineralized disc material within the vertebral canal. Myelography is useful for evaluating the spinal cord and the cauda equina. Indication for myelography includes confirming a spinal lesion seen or suspected on survey radiograph, defining the extent of a survey lesion, finding a lesion not observed on survey radiograph, and distinguishing between surgical and nonsurgical lesion. In presentcases, two of three cases show radiographic signs of IVDD with survey radiograph and all of three case show extradural pattern during myelography. It is observed that intervertebral disc disease is one of the most important indication for radiographic examination and myelography of the vertebral column of small animals.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.46 no.6
• /
• pp.515-521
• /
• 2009

Objective : The purpose of this study was to compare clinical and radiological outcomes of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) and open lumbar microdiscectomy (OLM) for recurrent disc herniation. Methods : Fifty-four patients, who underwent surgery, either PELD (25 patients) or repeated OLM (29 patients), due to recurrent disc herniation at L4-5 level, were divided into two groups according to the surgical methods. Excluded were patients with sequestrated disc, calcified disc, severe neurological deficit, or instability. Clinical outcomes were assessed using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Radiological variables were assessed using plain radiography and/or magnetic resonance imaging. Results : Mean operating time and hospital stay were significantly shorter in PELD group (45.8 minutes and 0.9 day, respectively) than OLM group (73.8 minutes and 3.8 days, respectively) (p < 0.001). Complications occurred in 4% in PELD group and 10.3% in OLM group in the perioperative period. At a mean follow-up duration of 34.2 months, the mean improvements of back pain, leg pain, and functional improvement were 4.0, 5.5, and 40.9% for PELD group and 2.3, 5.1, and 45.0% for OLM group, respectively. Second recurrence occurred in 4% after PELD and 10.3% after OLM. Disc height did not change after PELD, but significantly decreased after OLM (p = 0.0001). Neither sagittal rotation angle nor volume of multifidus muscle changed significantly in both groups. Conclusion : Both PELD and repeated OLM showed favorable outcomes for recurrent disc herniation, but PELD had advantages in terms of shorter operating time, hospital stay, and disc height preservation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.63 no.6
• /
• pp.767-776
• /
• 2020

Objective : The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of posterior cervical foraminotomy (PCF) for adjacent segmental disease (ASD) after anterior cervical fusion (ACF). As ACF is accepted as the standard treatment for cervical spondylosis, many studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of various surgical techniques to overcome symptomatic ASD after the previous surgery. Herein, PCF was performed for the treatment of symptomatic ASD and the feasibility of the surgery was evaluated. Methods : Forty nine patients who underwent PCF due to symptomatic ASD from August 2008 to November 2017 were identified. For demographic and perioperative data, the sex, age, types of previous surgery, ASD levels, operation times, and bleeding amount were recorded. The clinical outcome was assessed using the visual analogue scale for the neck and arm, the modified Odom's criteria as well as neck disability index. Radiologic evaluations were performed by measuring disc softness, disc height, the cervical 2-7 sagittal vertical axis, cervical cobb angle, and facet violation. Results : Thirty-seven patients were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into two groups based on the location of the pathology; paracentral (group P) or foramina (group F). Both groups showed significant clinical improvement (p<0.05). The proportion of calcified disc and facet violations was significantly larger in group F (p<0.05). The minimal disc height decrease with mild improvement on sagittal alignment and cervical lordosis was radiologically measured without statistical significance in both groups (p>0.05). Conclusion : PCF showed satisfactory clinical and radiologic outcomes for both paracentral and foraminal pathologies of ASD after ACF. Complications related to anterior revision were also avoided. PCF can be considered a feasible and safe surgical option for ASD after ACF.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.758-770
• /
• 1996

Discectomy is the oldest and most commonly performed operation for the painful temporomandibular joint with internal derangement. It is the one operation for which there are longest follow-up study, with Eriksson, Silver, and Tolvanen et al reporting good results in patients about 30 years after discectomy. About 80% to 90% of patients clinically experience relief from pain and dysfunction after discectomy, and interestingly, the results may improve with time. However such as Myrhaug found headache and Poswillo supposed pain and limitation of movement as postoperative complications, even though this operation had the longest follow-up term, several aspects of discectomy remain unclear. The controversies to discectomy for TMJ with pain and dysfunction have laid emphasis only upon clinical results, and then the histomorphological study was planned to evaluate the morphologic change of TMJ after discectomy. To clarify the nature of the change through an observation on the morphologic changes of articular cartilage and subchondral bone of the condyle resulting from experimental unilateral discectomy in rabbit, the author excised the left articular discs of 12 male rabbits(control 4 rabbits), weighing about 3kg, and at 1, 3, 6, 9 weeks following surgery, harvested both(left surgical site and right nonsurgical sits) TMJ. The specimens were examined with light microscope after H-E and MT stain and the obtained results were as follows. 1. Histopathological features showed thickening of articular zone and active proliferation of fibrocartilaginous zone associated with slight proliferative zone in surgical site than control group. Also replacement of chondrocytes in calcified cartilaginous zone into bone cells was observed. 2. There were thinning of thickness of each zone of articular cartilage except calcified cartilagnous zone was observed in nonsurgical site. 3. In MT stain of condylar trabeculae, there was increased calcification in nonsurgical site than control and surgical site and the degree of calcification was similar in surgical site and control group. 4. In both site of experimental group no features of degenerative changes were observed. From the above results, it is presumed that the morphologic changes of surgical site discectomy are compensatory remodeling process characterized by an hyperplastic reaction of the articular zone and fibrocartilaginous zone filling the void created by removing the disc, and the bone changes are secondary to changes in the cartilage. Increased degree of calcification seen in condylar trabeculae of nonsurgical site results from the excessive use of condyle of that site.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.19-24
• /
• 1972

The recent development of cardiovascular surgery as well as aortoarteriogaphy has been established excellent operative result with great aid of limb-salvage. However, less consideration or less experience still exists on the regard of vascular accident and vascular disease, as well as vascular surgery in Korea. During the last 13 years, we experienced only two cases of aorto-iliac occlusion,acute and chronic, regardless of having had more than 300 cases of mitral valvotomy and gradual increasing tendency of arteriosclerosis and hypertension in Korea. Therefore it is noteworthy to report the cases in order to promote the consideration for vascular surgery. Case 1; 52 year old female who had 20 years history of mitral stenosis with uricular fibrillation and received medical treatment for recent 1 year in the medical department. 10 days before admission, acute saddle emboli developed and 15 days after the onset, embolectomy through both common femoral arteries on the groin and abdominal approach was made. The progression of emboll to the right popliteal bifurcation was found by arteriography on operating table and retrograde flushing with heparin solution by the polyethylene catheter inserted through posterior tibial artery. The operation was successful, but 9 hours after operation sudden death occurred. Considering this case, first, mitral valvotomy already before might prevent peripheral embolizatlon, secondarily, the more early detection and surgery might also prevent the progression of emboli. Thirdly, although preoperative or postoperatlve heparinization is controversial for mitraI stenosis, heparinization might prevent additional emboli to vital organs in this case Cases 2; 66 year old female who had 4 years history of left hip and calf intermittent claudication and has had rest pain, inability to walk and ischemic necrosis on the the left leg since last 3 months prior to admission to the orthopedic department under the suspicion of herniated disc. Absence of pulsation on the groin and aortography evidenced aortoillac occlusion predominantly on the left side. Thromboendarterectomy was made and the operative result was successful with absence of claudication, healing of ulcer and aortographic patency of occlusive site. This chronic occlusion is considered to result from arteriosclerosis in origin with the evidence of moderate hypertension, x-ray evidence of calcified plaque on the aortic knob and operative finding of palpable plaques.