• Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.433-438
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• 2018

Background: Cervical foraminal stenosis (CFS) is one of the degenerative changes of the cervical spine; however, correlations between the severity of stenosis and that of symptoms are not consistent in the literature. Studies to date on the prevalence of stenosis are based on images obtained from the departments treating cervical lesions, and thus patient selection bias may have occurred. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of CFS according to the site, extent, and morphology of stenosis using cervical computed tomography (CT) images obtained from patients who were visiting not because of symptoms related to the cervical spine, cervical pain, or upper limb pain. Methods: Among patients who underwent CT from January 2016 to March 2016 for reasons other than cervical spine symptoms, a total of 438 subjects were enrolled, and 2,628 cervical disc images (C4-5, C5-6, and C6-7; left and right sides) were examined. Three orthopedic surgeons performed two measurements each at 4-week intervals. Values were used for analysis if matched by more than two surgeons; if no match was found, the median values were used for analysis. The left and right sides on the same axial image were independently classified. Results: Left C5-6 stenosis was most common (24.66%) among patients. At the left C6-7, there were 20 focal types and 33 diffuse types. At bilateral C4-5 and right C6-7, the focal type was more common, whereas at bilateral C5-6 and left C6-7, the diffuse type was more common. Age and the severity of stenosis showed statistically significant correlation at all cervical levels. Conclusions: The prevalence of CFS was highest at the C5-6 level (19.06%). Compared to other levels, focal stenosis was more frequent at C4-5 and diffuse stenosis was more common at C5-6. At C6-7, the incidence of focal stenosis was higher on the right side and that of diffuse stenosis was higher on the left side.

• CELLMED
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• v.13 no.15
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• pp.54.1-54.4
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• 2023

Objective: A single-patient case study on the use of OCNT for cervical spinal stenosis. Methods: A50-year-old Korean male with frequent leg muscle cramps and severe muscle weakness was treated with OCNT. Results: After OCNT, pain and cramps disappeared, and muscle strength improved to the point of no longer hindering daily activities. Conclusion: OCNT can be beneficial in alleviating symptoms of pain and muscle weakness in patients with cervical spinal stenosis.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2000

Objective: To evaluate the hydrodynamic changes occurring in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow in cervical spinal stenosis using the spatial modulation of magnetization (SPAMM) technique. Materials and Methods: Using the SPAMM technique, 44 patients with cervical spinal stenosis and ten healthy volunteers were investigated. The degree of cervical spinal stenosis was rated as low-, intermediate-, or high-grade. Low-grade stenosis was defined as involving no effacement of the subarachnoid space, intermediate-grade as involving effacement of this space, and high-grade as involving effacement of this space, together with compressive myelopathy. The patterns of SPAMM stripes and CSF velocity were evaluated and compared between each type of spinal stenosis and normal spine. Results: Low-grade stenosis (n = 23) revealed displacement or discontinuity of stripes, while intermediate- (n = 10) and high-grade (n = 11) showed a continuous straight band at the stenotic segment. Among low-grade cases, 12 showed wave separation during the systolic phase. Peak systolic CSF velocity at C4-5 level in these cases was lower than in volunteers (p < .05), but jet-like CSF propulsion was maintained. Among intermediate-grade cases, peak systolic velocity at C1-2 level was lower than in the volunteer group, but the difference was not significant (p > .05). In high-grade stenosis, both diastolic and systolic velocities were significantly lower (p < .05). Conclusion: Various hydrodynamic changes occurring in CSF flow in cervical spinal stenosis were demonstrated by the SPAMM technique, and this may be a useful method for evaluating CSF hydrodynamic change in cervical spinal stenosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2013

Objective : The authors reviewed their experiences of combined surgery (open door laminoplasty with unilateral screw fixation) for unstable multi-level cervical stenosis, to clarify the situation regarding the surgical approach most appropriate for the treatment of diffuse unstable multi-level cervical stenosis. Methods : From January 2011 to January 2012, combined surgery was performed for unstable multi-level cervical stenosis by one surgeon at our institution. The subjects of this study were 6 men of mean age 53.7 years (range, 48-71) with a mean follow-up of 9.3 (range, 3-14) months. All imaging studies showed severe multi-level cervical stenosis with spinal cord signal change, and instability or kyphotic deformity. A retrospective review of clinical, radiological, and surgical data was conducted. Results : Average laminoplasty level was 4.8 and the average screw fixation level was 5.0. Japanese Orthopedic Association score improved from an average of 5.2 to 11.2 points. According to Nurick's grades and Odom's criteria, symptom improvement was statistically significant. On the other hand, Cobb's angle changes were not significant. Average operation time was 5.86 hours with an average blood loss of 460 mL. No significant surgical complication was encountered. Conclusion : Despite the small cohort and the short follow-up duration, the present study demonstrates that laminoplasty with unilateral screw fixation is a safe and effective treatment for unstable multi-level cervical stenosis.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.51-55
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• 2006

Background: A cervical transforaminal steroid injection is an effective therapeutic modality for radiculopathy of a herniated cervical disc or a cervical foraminal stenosis. However, there is some debate regarding the safety of the transforaminal approach under C-arm guidance compared with the posterior interlaminar approach. We report a new technique for cervical transforaminal steroid injection guided by MDCT. Methods: Patients presenting with radiating pain on their shoulder or arm were diagnosed using CT or MRI of a cervical herniated disc or a foraminal stenosis. Each patient whose symptoms were compatible with the image scan was enrolled in this study. They received a cervical transforaminal steroid injection under CT guidance, and the effectiveness and complications of this technique were evaluated over a 2-month period. Results: According to the CT scan, none of the participants had an internal jugular vein or a carotid artery invasion during the procedure. No vertebral artery injection was noted, and no patient developed a hematoma after the injection. The VAS score had improved significantly by 2, 4 and 8 weeks after the injection. Conclusions: While a conventional C-arm guided cervical transforaminal steroid injection does not appear to differentiate between the major vessels and structures in images, a CT guided approach is a more useful and safer technique for the precise placement of a needle.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.85-94
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• 2009

Objects : This study was to report a clinical effect of Korean Treatment for a patient diagnosed by Computed Tomography as Cervical Spinal Stenosis with Ossification of posterior Longitudinal Ligament. Methods : In order to alleviate left shoulder pain and neck stiffness, the patient was treated by acupuncture therapy, herbal medicine, distilled herbal injection, cervical traction technique of Chuna treatment and conservative managements. To evaluate the effect of the treatment, Recovery rate of Hirabayashi, VAS(Visual Anlaogue Scale), NDI and ROM(Range of Motion) were used. Lhermitte's sign, Valsalva test, Distraction test, Compression test and Spurling test were carried out. Results : VAS, NDI and ROM were improved and Recovery rate was 100%. Conclusions : Korean Treatment can be effectively used for a patient with Cervical Spinal Stenosis with OPLL. Further clinical studies are needed to verify the findings.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.224-234
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• 2023

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a standard imaging modality for diagnosing spinal stenosis, which is a common degenerative disorder in the elderly population. Standardized interpretation of spinal MRI for diagnosing and grading the severity of spinal stenosis is necessary to ensure correct communication with clinicians and to conduct clinical research. In this review, we revisit the Lee grading system for central canal and neural foraminal stenosis of the cervical and lumbar spine, which are based on the pathophysiology and radiologic findings of spinal stenosis.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.623-627
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• 2021

Cervical foraminal stenosis is a disease in which the nerves that pass from the spinal canal to the limbs are narrowed and the nerves are compressed or damaged. Due to the lack of an imaging method that provides quantitatively stenosis, this study attempted to evaluate the area of the cervical vertebrae by reconstructing a three-dimensional computed tomography image, and to determine the area of the neural foramen in normal adults to calculate the stenosis rate. Using a three-dimensional image processing program, the surrounding bones including the posterior spinous process, lateral process, and lamellar bones of the cervical vertebra were removed so that the neural foramen could be observed well. A region of interest including the neural foraminal area of the three-dimensional image was set using ImageJ, and the number of pixels in the neural foraminal area was measured. The neural foraminal area was calculated by multiplying the number of measured pixels by the pixel size. To measure the largest neural foraminal area, it was measured between 40~50 degrees in the opposite direction and 15~20 degrees toward the head. The average area of the right C2-3 foramen was 44.32 mm², C3-4 area was 34.69 mm², C4-5 area was 36.41 mm², C5-6 area was 35.22 mm², C6-7 area was 36.03 mm². The average area of the left C2-3 foramen was 42.71 mm², C3-4 area was 32.23 mm², C5-6 area was 34.56 mm², and C6-7 area was 31.89 mm². By creating a reference table based on the neural foramen area of normal adults, the stenosis rate of patients with neural foraminal stenosis could be quantitatively calculated. It is expected that this method can be used as basic data for the diagnosis of cervical vertebral foraminal stenosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.4
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• pp.426-437
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• 2023

Objective : To investigate the efficacy and safety of the posterior endoscopic cervical foraminotomy (PECF) using ultrasonic osteotome for the treatment of cervical osseous foraminal stenosis, focusing on introduction of the advantages of ultrasonic osteotome in partial pediculectomy and ventral osteophyte resection in PECF. Methods : Nineteen patients with cervical osseous foraminal stenosis who underwent PECF using ultrasonic osteotome in our institution between April 2018 and April 2021 were enrolled in this study. All the patients were followed up more than 12 months. The patients' medical data, as well as pre- and postoperative radiologic findings were thoroughly investigated. The visual analogue score (VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, cervical dysfunction index (Neck disability index, NDI), and modified MacNab criteria were used to assess the surgical efficacy. Results : All the patients were successfully treated with PECF using ultrasonic osteotome. The pre- and postoperative VAS, NDI, and JOA scores were significantly improved (p<0.05). According to the modified MacNab criteria, 17 patients were assessed as "excellent", two patients were assessed as "good" at the last follow-up. There was no dura tear, nerve root damage, incision infection, neck deformity, or other complications. Conclusion : Adequate nerve root decompression can be accomplished successfully with the help of ultrasonic osteotome in PECF, which has the advantage of reducing the probability of damage to the nerve root and dura mater, in addition to the original merits of endoscopic surgery.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.975-980
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• 2020

Cervical neural foraminal stenosis is a very common spinal disease that affects a relatively large number of people of all ages. However, since imaging methods that quantitatively provide neural foraminal stenosis are lacking, this study attempts to present quantitative measurement results by reconstructing 3D computed tomography images. Using a 3D reconstruction software, the surrounding bones were removed, including the spinous process, transverse process, and lamina of the cervical spine so that the neural foramen were well observed. Using Image J, a region of interest including the neural foramen area of the 3D image was set, and the number of pixels of the neural foramen area was measured. The neural foramen area was calculated by multiplying the number of measured pixels by the pixel size. In order to measure the widest area of the neural foramen, it was measured between 40-50 degrees in the opposite direction and 15-20 degrees toward the head. The measured cervical neural foramen area showed consistent measurement values. The largest measured area of the right neural foramen C5-6 was 12.21 ㎟, and after 2 years, the area was measured to be 9.95 ㎟, indicating that 18% stenosis had progressed. Since 3D reconstruction using axial CT scan images, no additional radiation exposure is required, and the area of stenosis can be objectively presented. In addition, it is good to explain to patients with neural stenosis while viewing 3D images, and it is considered a good method to be used in the evaluation of the progression of stenosis and post-operative evaluation.