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

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.149-165
• /
• 1999

The pathomechanism of obstructive sleep apnea(OSA) is not clearly elucidated. The possible mechanisms are pathologic reduction of pharyngeal muscular tonus during sleep, abnormal anatomical stenosis of nasopharyx or a combination of the above two mechanisms. It is very important to find the cause(anatomical location or pathologic dynamic change) of OSA in order to treat it. Cephalometric analysis in patients with obstructive sleep apnea is a good method for evaluating anatomical morphologic change but it cannot give any information about the dynamic changes occurring during sleep. On the contrary, nasopharyngeal endoscopy offer 3 dimensional image and information about the dynamic changes. Accordingly, these two diagnostic tools can be utilize in the diagnosis and treatment planning of OSA Cephalometric analysis of craniofacial skeletal and soft tissue morphology in 53 patients with OSA and 43 controls was performed and cephalometric analysis and nasopharygeal endoscopy were performed in 9 patients with OSA in order to come up with individualized therapy plans. Following results were obtained ; Patients with OSA showed 1. body weight gain 2. clockwise mandibular rotation 3. increased anterior lower facial height 4. inferiorly positioned hyoid bone 5. increased length of soft palate 6. decreased sagittal dimension of nasopharyx 7. increased vertical length of inferior collapsable nasopharyx 8. increased length of tongue Through cephalometric analysis and nasopharygeal endoscopy(mutually cooperative in diagnosis), 9. one can find the possible origin of OSA and make a adequate individualized therapy plan and predict accurate prognosis. Cephalometric analysis and nasopharygeal endoscopy are highly recommended as a diagnostic aid in OSA patients

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.58 no.1
• /
• pp.43-49
• /
• 2015

Objective : $Dynesys^{(R)}$ is one of the pedicle-based dynamic lumbar stabilization systems and good clinical outcome has been reported. However, the cylindrical spacer between the heads of the screws undergoes deformation during assembly of the system. The pre-strain probably change the angle of instrumented spine with time and oblique-shaped spacer may reduce the pre-strain. We analyzed patients with single-level stabilization with $Dynesys^{(R)}$ and simulated oblique-shaped spacer with finite element (FE) model analysis. Methods : Consecutive 14 patients, who underwent surgery for single-level lumbar spinal stenosis and were followed-up more than 24 months (M : F=6 : 8; age, $58.7{\pm}8.0$ years), were analyzed. Lumbar lordosis and segmental angle at the index level were compared between preoperation and postoperative month 24. The von Mises stresses on the obliquely-cut spacer ($5^{\circ}$, $10^{\circ}$, $15^{\circ}$, $20^{\circ}$, $25^{\circ}$, and $30^{\circ}$) were calculated under the compressive force of 400 N and 10 Nm of moment with validated FE model of the L4-5 spinal motion segment with segmental angle of $16^{\circ}$. Results : Lumbar lordosis was not changed, while segmental angle was changed significantly from $-8.1{\pm}7.2^{\circ}$ to $-5.9{\pm}6.7^{\circ}$ (p<0.01) at postoperative month 24. The maximum von Mises stresses were markedly decreased with increased angle of the spacer up to $20^{\circ}$. The stress on the spacer was uneven with cylindrical spacer but it became even with the $15^{\circ}$ oblique spacer. Conclusion : The decreased segmental lordosis may be partially related to the pre-strain of Dynesys. Further clinical and biomechanical studies are required for relevant use of the system.