• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.139-142
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• 2011

Vertebral involvement of fibrous dysplasia (FD) is rare, especially in the cervical spine. Moreover, cervical FD presenting as a pathologic fracture in older patients is extremely rare. We report a case of symptomatic cervical FD associated with pathologic fracture in a 63-year-old man. The patient presented with progressive weakness of the left arm and pain in the shoulder and arm. Radiologic studies revealed a collapsed and typical 'ground glass' radiolucency of C4. Multiple lytic lesions involved the odontoid process of C2 and the body, left pedicle, and posterior elements of C4. Combined anterior and posterior decompression and reconstruction were performed. Post-operatively, the histopathologic examination confirmed FD. On the post-operative follow-up examination, the neurologic deficits had completely resolved.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.6-12
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• 2013

Objective : This consecutive retrospective study was designed to analyze and to compare the efficacy and outcomes of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) using a fibular and femur allograft with anterior cervical plating. Methods : A total of 88 consecutive patients suffering from cervical degenerative disc disease (DDD) who were treated with ACDF from September 2007 to August 2010 were enrolled in this study. Thirty-seven patients (58 segments) underwent anterior interbody fusion with a femur allograft, and 51 patients (64 segments) were treated with a fibular allograft. The mean follow-up period was 16.0 (range, 12-25) months in the femur group and 19.5 (range, 14-39) months in the fibular group. Cage fracture and breakage, subsidence rate, fusion rate, segmental angle and height and disc height were assessed by using radiography. Clinical outcomes were assessed using a visual analog scale and neck disability index. Results : At 12 months postoperatively, cage fracture and breakage had occurred in 3.4% (2/58) and 7.4% (4/58) of the patients in the femur group, respectively, and 21.9% (14/64) and 31.3% (20/64) of the patients in the fibular group, respectively (p<0.05). Subsidence was noted in 43.1% (25/58) of the femur group and in 50.5% (32/64) of the fibular group. No difference in improvements in the clinical outcome between the two groups was observed. Conclusion : The femur allograft showed good results in subsidence and radiologic parameters, and sustained the original cage shape more effectively than the fibular allograft. The present study suggests that the femur allograft may be a good choice as a fusion substitute for the treatment of cervical DDD.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1388-1393
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• 2001

Objective : In the retrospective analyzing 19 consecutive patients with subaxial cervical spine(C3~T1) injury treated by posterior cervical fixation and fusion, clinical manifestation, radiologic finding, operative technique, and postoperative results following 6 months were analyzed. Materials and Methods : Most common fracture level was C4-5, mean age 41, and male to female ratio 13 : 6. The most common cause of injury was motor vehicle accident(17 cases). In 19 cervical procedures, interspinous triple wiring was done in 14 cases, lateral mass plating in 5 cases, and additional anterior fusion in 2 cases. Results : Twelve weeks after operation, all cases were reviewed by plain cervical radiogram. In 17 cases that treated by posterior fusion only, 14 cases(81%) had kyphotic angle change less than $5^{\circ}$, 2 cases(12%) $5-20^{\circ}$, and 1 case(6%) more than $20^{\circ}$. Overall fusion rate was 88%, and there was no significant difference of bone fusion rate between autogenous bone graft and allogenous bone graft. Conclusion : In the case of severe posterior column injury or displacement, posterior approach seems superior to anterior approach, but in the case of combined anterior column injury, anterior approach is considered necessary. In this study, posterior fixation and fusion might be acceptable procedure for subaxial cervical fracture and dislocation, owing to its high fusion rate, low kyphotic angulation and low operation related complication rate.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.67 no.1
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• pp.6-13
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• 2024

The integrity of the high cervical spine, the transition zone from the brainstem to the spinal cord, is crucial for survival and daily life. The region protects the enclosed neurovascular structure and allows a substantial portion of the head motion. Injuries of the high cervical spine are frequent, and the fractures of the C2 vertebra account for approximately 17-25% of acute cervical fractures. We review the two major types of C2 vertebral fractures, odontoid fracture and Hangman's fracture. For both types of fractures, favorable outcomes could be obtained if the delicately selected conservative treatment is performed. In odontoid fractures, as the most common fracture on the C2 vertebrae, anterior screw fixation is considered first for type II fractures, and C1-2 fusion is suggested when nonunion is a concern or occurs. Hangman's fractures are the second most common fracture. Many stable extension type I and II fractures can be treated with external immobilization, whereas the predominant flexion type IIA and III fractures require surgical stabilization. No result proves that either anterior or posterior surgery is superior, and the surgeon should decide on the surgical method after careful consideration according to each clinical situation. This review will briefly describe the basic principles and current treatment concepts of C2 fractures.

• Journal of Auto-vehicle Safety Association
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.20-26
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• 2018

It was a pilot study for developing an algorithm to determine the presence or absence of cervical spine injury by analyzing the severity factor of the patients in motor vehicle occupant accidents. From August 2012 to October 2016, we used the KIDAS database, called as Korean In-Depth Accident Study database, collected from three regional emergency centers. We analyzed the general characteristics with several factors. Moreover, cervical spine injury patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 for from Quebec Task Force (hereinafter 'QTF') grade 0 to 1, and group 2 for from QTF grade 2 to 4. The score was assigned according to the distribution ratio of cervical spine injured patients compared to the total injured patients, and the cut-off value was derived from the total score by summation of the assigned score of each factors. 987 patients (53.0%) had no cervical spine injuries and 874 patients (47.0%) had cervical spine injuries. QTF grade 2 was found in 171 patients (9.2%) with musculoskeletal pain, QTF grade 3 was found in 38 patients (2.0%) with spinal cord injuries, and QTF grade 4 was found in 119 patients (6.4%) with dislocation or fracture, respectively. We selected the statistically significant factors, which could be affected the cervical spine injury, like the collision direction, the seating position, the deformation extent, the vehicle type and the frontal airbag deployment. Total score, summation of the assigned each factors, 10 was presented as a cut-off value to determine the cervical spine injury. In this study, it was meaningful as a pilot study to develop algorithms by selecting limited influence factors and proposing cut-off value to determine cervical spine injury. However, since the number of data samples was too small, additional data collection and influencing factor analysis should be performed to develop a more delicate algorithm.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.73-91
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• 2002

Method of management of the spine injury should be determined, based on the status of neurological injury as well as on the presence of traumatic instability. At the thoracic and lumbar spine, patterns of neurological injury are different from the cervical spine due to their neuro-anatomical characteristics. Especially, at the thoracolumbar junction, neurological injury patterns with their respective prognosis vary from the complete cord injury or conus medullaris syndrome to the cauda equina syndrome according to the injury level. The concept of Holdsworth's instability based on the posterior ligament complex theory has evolved into the current 3-column theory of Denis. Flexion-rotation injury and fracture-dislocation are well known to be unstable that surgical fixation is frequently needed for these injuries. However, there have been some controversies for the stability of burst fractures and their treatment, such as indirect or direct decompression and anterior or posterior approach. In this article, current concepts and management of traumatic instabilities at the thoracic and lumbar spine have been reviewed and summarized.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.530-534
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• 2021

Fractures of the dens (odontoid process) in children's cervical spine are rare, with very few case reports dealing with these injuries. In particular, a treatment modality has not been established for severe displaced fractures. Surgical fixation can theoretically afford early reduction and better maintenance, but it requires a very delicate and cautious procedure and results in permanent fusion of 1-2 cervical articulation. The authors chose conservative management for a displaced dens fracture in a two-year-old toddler and achieved a promising result. We report this case with a review of the relevant literature.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.537-540
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• 2001

Fractures of C1 are not uncommon, constituting only 10% of all cervical spine injuries. There is a high prevalence of concomitant fractures of the second and first cervical vertebral complex. Surgical treatment is controversal. Mainstay of treatment is various combination of traction and cervical orthosis according to degree of displacement and location of fracture. We experienced unusual type of fracture, anterior arch fracture of C1 who had a history of total laminectomy of C1,2 due to cervical cord tumor(neurilemmoma arising from C2 root). We performed C1,2 lateral mass screw fixation with posterior fusion with good postoperative outcome.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.411-415
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• 2023

An odontoid process fracture is a serious type of cervical spine injury. This injury is categorized into three types based on the location of the fracture. Severe or even fatal neurological deficits can occur due to associated cord injury, which can result in complete quadriplegia. Computed tomography is the primary diagnostic tool, while magnetic resonance imaging is used to evaluate any associated cord injuries. These injuries can occur either directly from the injury or during transportation to the hospital if mishandled. There are two main treatment approaches: surgical fixation or external nonsurgical fixation, with various types and models of fixation devices available. In this case study, computed tomography follow-up confirmed that external fixation can yield successful results in terms of complete healing, even in cases complicated by other factors that may impede healing, such as pregnancy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.264-266
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• 2012

Injury to the bilateral internal branch of superior laryngeal nerve (ibSLN) brings on an impairment of the laryngeal cough reflex that could potentially result in aspiration pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses. We describe a patient with traumatic cervical injury who underwent bilateral ibSLN palsy after anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF). An 75-year-old man visited with cervical spine fracture and he underwent ACDF through a right side approach. During the post-operative days, he complained of high pitched tone defect, and occasional coughing during meals. With a suspicion of SLN injury and for the work up for the cause of aspiration, we performed several studies. According to the study results, he was diagnosed as right SLN and left ibSLN palsy. We managed him for protecting from silent aspiration. Swallowing study was repeated and no evidence of aspiration was found. The patient was discharged with incomplete recovery of a high pitched tone and improved state of neurologic status. The SLN is an important structure; therefore, spine surgeons need to be concerned and be cautious about SLN injury during high cervical neck dissection, especially around the level of C3-C4 and a suspicious condition of a contralateral nerve injury.