• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.638-648
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• 2022

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the diurnal variation in cervical disc hydration and its relationship with cervical degeneration. Materials and Methods: C3-C7 discs of 86 prospectively enrolled participants (37 males, 49 females; mean age ± standard deviation, 23.5 ± 2.5 years) were assessed using T2 mapping in the morning and evening. All discs were stratified by Miyazaki grade or C2-C7 Cobb angle and T2 values (T2). The degree of diurnal T2 variation (T2-DDV), defined as (morning T2 - evening T2)/morning T2 x 100%, was measured for the entire disc, annulus fibrosus (AF), nucleus pulposus (NP), and endplate zones. Results: T2 of the entire disc decreased significantly after the daytime load (p < 0.001), with a T2-DDV of 13.3% for all discs and 16.0%, 12.2%, and 13.0% for healthy (grade I), mild degenerative (grade II), and advanced degenerative (grade III/IV) discs, respectively. T2 of regional NPs and AFs decreased significantly from morning to evening (p ≤ 0.049) except in the healthy anterior inner AF (p = 0.092). Compared with healthy discs, mild degenerative discs displayed lower T2 and T2-DDV in regional NPs (p < 0.001). Advanced degenerative discs showed higher T2-DDV in the anterior inner AF compared with healthy discs (p = 0.050). Significant diurnal T2 changes in the endplate zones were observed only in healthy discs (p = 0.013). Cervical discs in the low Cobb angle group showed higher T2-DDV in the anterior AFs and anterior NP and lower T2-DDV in the posterior AF than those in the high Cobb angle group (p ≤ 0.041). Conclusion: This study characterized the diurnal variation in hydration of the cervical discs as assessed using T2 mapping and revealed early chemo-mechanical coupling dysfunction in degenerating discs. Cervical sagittal alignment on MRI can affect the diurnal stress patterns of the cervical discs. T2 mapping is sensitive to disc biomechanical dysfunction and offers translational potential from biomechanical research to clinical application.

• 척추신경추나의학회지
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.17-32
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• 2007

Objectives : The lumbosacral joint is unstable area from an anatomical viewpoint, while it is also a very mobile area in ordinary life, so that clinically major causes of low back pain originate in this joint. The purpose of this study is to assess the difference of the Ferguson's angles, Lumbar gravity lines, Lumbar lordotic angles among Herniated of Intervertebral Disc(HIVD) patients. Methods : We analyzed the lateral view of lumbar spine checked at erect position on 88 patients who had been diagnosed as HIVD by Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI). We investigated the Ferguson's angle, Lumbar gravity line, Lumbar lordotic angle on X-ray film. Results and Conclusions : In the acute lumbago group the Ferguson's angle had a tendency to decrease, while in the chronic group it had a tendency to increase. In the acute lumbago group the Lumbar gravity line fell in front of the normal range(sacrum), while in the chronic group it fell behind the normal range(sacrum). In the acute lumbago group the Lumbar lordotic angle usually decreased, while in the chronic group it increased. The Ferguson's angle and the Lumbar gravity line, the Ferguson's angle and the Lumbar lordotic angle, the Lumbar gravity line and Lumbar lordotic angle each had a positive realtionship. The Ferguson's angle, the Lumbar gravity line and the Lumbar lordotic angle was less influenced by the level of HIVD and was more influenced by how long the patient had the pain. The correlationship between each factor was less in the chronic lumbago group than the acute group. In the chronic lumbago group the instability of the lumbosacral joint increased, while in the acute group the compression of the weight on the sacrum increased.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.91-95
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• 2005

I. 목 적 : 경추의 퇴행성 질환이나 분리증을 진단하는데 필수적인 전 후 사방향 촬영은 $45^{\circ}$사방향 (하 상방향 tube angle $15^{\circ}$)으로 촬영하여 경추 추간공과 주변 구조물을 살피는 것으로 알려져 있으나 아직까지 우리나라 성인에 대한 연구결과는 거의 없는 실정이다. 본 연구는 우리나라 성인에 적합한 전 후 사방향 촬영 각도를 알아보는데 목적이 있다. II. 대상 및 실험방법 : 1. 연구대상인 성인의 경추 신경공과 정중 시상면이 이루는 평균 각을 알아보기 위해 C-spine MRI를 촬영한 환자 200명(남 100명, 평균 40.3세, 여자 100명 47.6세)을 대상으로 축방향 T2 강조영상에서 C2-C3부터 C7-T1까지의 평균 각을 구하였다. 2. 경추에 이상이 없는 남자 10명(평균 36.2세)을 대상으로 전 후 사방향 촬영시 경추 신경공과 정중 시상면이 이루는 각도에서 실제로 추간공이 가장 크게 관찰되는지를 알아보기 위하여 나선식CT(QXi, GE medical) 촬영을시행하여, 축방향 영상에서 추간공이 이루는 각과 3D Raysum기법에서의 추간공의 최대횡경을 이루는 각도를 비교하였다. 또한 경추 전후 사방향 $45^{\circ}$, $50^{\circ}$, $55^{\circ}$(하 상방향 tube angle $15^{\circ}$)로 촬영한 일반촬영 영상을 PACS로 전송하여 최대횡경을 측정하고, 그 차이를 비교하였다. III. 결 과 : 연구대상인 성인추간공의 평균 각도를 MR영상에서 측정한 결과 C2-C3, C3-C4, C4-C5, C5-C6, C6-C7, C7-T1에서의 각은 $47.4^{\circ}{\pm}3.3$, $50.5^{\circ}{\pm}2.3$, $52.7^{\circ}{\pm}4.2$, $53.2^{\circ}{\pm}1.9$, $53.2^{\circ}{\pm}2.3$, $55.2^{\circ}{\pm}2.3$로 나타나 하부 경추로 갈수록 신경공과 정중 시상면이 이루는 각이 커짐을 알 수 있었다. 10명을 대상으로 CT촬영하여 Raysum 영상에서 추간공의 최대 횡경을 보이는 각도와 2D 축방향 영상에서 측정한 추간 공의 각도의 비교에서는 유의한 차이가 없었다(P>0.01). 전 후 사방향 $45^{\circ}$, $50^{\circ}$, 그리고 $55^{\circ}$로 촬영한 일반촬영에서의추간공의최대횡경을측정한결과 C2-C3, C3-C4, C4-C5까지는 각도가 $5^{\circ}$씩 커질수록 횡경이 감소($0.11\;mm{\sim}0.21\;mm$)한 반면 C5-C6, C6-C7, C7-T1에서는 횡경이 증가($0.32\;mm{\sim}0.91\;mm$)함을 알 수 있었으며, 그 차이를 분산분석(ANOVA)을 통해 비교한 결과 하부경추로 갈수록 유의한 차이가 있는 것으로 나타났다(P<0.001). IV. 결 론 : 우리나라 성인에 있어서 추간공을 관찰하기 위한 전 후 사방향촬영각도는 상부 경추의 경우 전 후사방향 $50^{\circ}$에서, 하부 경추의 경우 $55^{\circ}$에서 추간공을 가장 크게 관찰할 수 있었다. 따라서 향후 경추의 퇴행성 질환을 진단하는데 본 연구의 촬영법이 유용할 것으로 사료된다.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.396-400
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• 2013

Conventional transcrural CPB via the "walking off" the vertebra technique may injure vital organs while attempting to proximally spread injectate around the celiac plexus. Therefore, we attempted the CT-simulated fluoroscopy-guided transdiscal approach to carry out transcrural CPB in a safer manner, spreading the injectate more completely and closely within the celiac plexus area. A 54-year-old male patient with pancreatic cancer suffered from severe epigastric pain. The conventional transcrural approach was simulated, but the needle pathway was impeded by the kidney on the right side and by the aorta on the left side. After simulating the transdiscal pathway through the T11-12 intervertebral disc, we predetermined the optimal insertion point (3.6 cm from the midline), insertion angle (18 degrees), and advancement plane, as well as the proper depth. With the transdiscal approach, we successfully performed transcrural CPB within a narrow angle, and the bilateral approach was not necessary as we were able to achieve the bilateral spread of the injectate with the single approach.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제30권5호
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• pp.173-180
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• 2018

Purpose: This study examined the effects of sling exercise therapy on vertebral alignment, VAS, muscle activity, and multifidus of patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: Simple random sampling was used to divide the patients (n=116) into the sling exercise therapy group (SETG) and conservative physical therapy group (CPTG), with each group provided a intervention program in 3 sessions a week for 12 weeks. The lumbar lordosis angle (LLA), lumbar intervertebral disc angle (LIVDA) for vertebral alignment, lumbar muscle activity, and multifidus atrophy were measured before and after the intervention. Results: SETG showed significant changes in LLA, LIVDA of rate of change (delta score), and in relieving pain. The right-left balance gap for the lumbar dynamic muscle activity decreased after the intervention. The SETG showed significant changes in the grade of lumbar multifidus atrophy. Conclusion: The sling exercise therapy program is an effective exercise therapy method on vertebral alignment, muscle activity, recovery from multifidus atrophy, and pain relief for patients with chronic low back pain.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제37권6호
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• pp.422-426
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• 2005

Objective: Different types of interbody fusion cages are available for use in the surgical treatment of degenerative cervical diseases. The purpose of this study is to assess the technical feasibility, clinical efficacy and radiological results of intervertebral fusion with a carbon composite Osta-Pek frame cage (Co-Ligne AG, Switzerland) following anterior cervical discectomy. Methods: 41 patients (25males and 16females) with minimum 6months follow-up were included in the study. Disc height, cervical lordotic angle, segmental angle, and fusion rate were assessed by lateral radiographs. In this retrospective analysis, clinical outcome was assessed as evaluated according to Odom's criteria. Results: Fifty-four cages were implanted in 30 single-level, 9 two-level, and 2 three-level procedures. The mean disc height, cervical lordosis angle, segmental angle were $4.2{\pm}1.8mm,\;23.5{\pm}7.2^{\circ},\;2.3{\pm}3.3^{\circ}$ pre-operatively and $5.3{\pm}2.1mm,\;24.2{\pm}8.3^{\circ},\;3.8{\pm}3.5^{\circ}$ at 6months after the surgery. Six months after surgery, there was radiographic evidence of fusion in 92.7% (38/41) of the patients. According to Odom's criteria, 37 of 41 (90.2%) patients experienced good to excellent functional recovery. Conclusion: These clinical and radiological results suggest that the carbon composite Osta-Pek frame cages are safe and effective alternative to autologous bone graft after anterior cervical discectomy for treatment of degenerative cervical disease.

• 척추신경추나의학회지
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.83-90
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• 2012

Objectives : The perpose of this study was to observe the correlation between lumbar lordotic angle and radiological result. Methods : We randomly selected among the 150 patients with lumbar X-ray and MRI films who have visited Jaseng Hospital of Oriental Medicine with low back pain. Radiographic lumbar lordotic angle and lumbar HIVD were collected and stastically analyzed. Results : In this study, if the finding of a X-ray showed straightening of lumbar lordotic curve, based on MRI finding, the number of HIVD increased. Conclusions : There was a significant correlation between lumbar hypolordosis and HIVD, hypolordosis complained mare HIDVs.

• Clinical Pain
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.8-15
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• 2019

Objective: To determine the relationship between cervical sagittal parameters and the degree of the cervical disc degeneration at each cervical level by using cervical plain radiographs and disc degeneration grading. Method: This study analyzed 110 patients with posterior neck pain. Cervical radiographic measurements included the occipito-cervical (O~C2) angle; sagittal Cobb angles of C1~C2, C2~C7; and sagittal vertical axis (SVA) of C1~C7 and C2~C7. The degenerations of cervical discs at each level were evaluated through Pfirrmann grading system by magnetic resonance images of the cervical spine. The correlations between the cervical sagittal measurements and the disc degeneration at each level were analyzed by Spearman's correlation. Results: A significant correlation was found for the C2~C7 angle with disc degenerations at C2~C6 levels. O~C2 angle was correlated significantly with disc degenerations at C2~C4 and C5~C7 levels. There was significant correlation between C1~C2 angle and disc degeneration at C6~C7 level. No significant relationship was found between the cervical SVA and the cervical disc degeneration at all cervical levels. Conclusion: Cervical sagittal parameters representing cervical angles (C2~C7, O~C2, and C1~C2 angles) were significantly correlated with the degree of the cervical disc degeneration. These findings suggest that the loss of the natural cervical lordosis rather than loss of natural SVA could be correlated with progression of the cervical disc degeneration.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제47권5호
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• pp.338-344
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• 2010

Objective : This study assessed the safety and efficacy of one level unilateral laminotomy bilateral decompression (ULBD) with the placement of a device for intervertebral assisted motion (DIAM) compared with one level ULBD only in elderly patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS). Methods : A non randomized prospective analysis was performed on 16 patients who underwent one level ULBD with DIAM (Group A) and 20 patients with one level ULBD only (Group B) between February 2007 and March 2008. Radiographic imaging, visual analog scale (VAS) and MacNab outcome scale were obtained before and after surgery at a mean interval of 21 months (range 17-27 months). Results : The disc height, interpedicular distance, slip distance and segmental lordotic angle were similar between two groups. In the group A, there was no significant difference between the pre- and post-operative imaging in terms of the sagittal balance and disc height. Both groups showed significant improvement in the clinical outcomes. In addition, there was significantly less low-back pain in the group A than in the group B at the last follow up, while the clinical improvement of the leg pain and MacNab outcome scale showed no significant difference in the two groups. There were no major complications or DIAM associated complications. Conclusion : ULBD with DIAM is a safe and efficacious treatment for selective elderly patients with DLSS, particularly for relieving low back pain comparing to ULBD. ULBD with DIAM did not alter the disc height or sagittal alignment at the mean 21 months follow-up interval.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.27-36
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• 2018

Background: We developed a novel integrative lumbar stabilization technique that combines lumbar extension (LE) exercise with abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) to ameliorate low back pain (LBP) associated with neuromuscular imbalance and instability, based on the collective evidence of contemporary spinal rehabilitation. Objects: The specific aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of LE exercise with and without ADIM on core muscle strength, lumbar spinal instability, and pain, as well as functional characteristics in individuals with LBP using advanced radiographic imaging techniques. Methods: patients with mechanical LBP (N = 40, 6 males; $35.1{\pm}7.6years$) were recruited and randomly assigned either to the combined LE and ADIM (experimental group) or the LE alone (control group). Outcome measures included the visual analog scale, the modified Oswestry Disability Index, muscle strength imbalance (MSI), and radiographic imaging. The lumbar intervertebral displacement (LID), intervertebral (IV) and total lumbar extension (TLE) angles were calculated to evaluate the lumbar segmental instability. Results: The experimental group showed significant differences in the L3-L4, L5-S1 LIDs, L4-L5 and L5-S1 IV angles, and TLE angle as compared to the controls (p<.05). Immediate pain reduction and muscle strength imbalance ratio were significantly different between the groups (p<.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that the addition of ADIM significantly increased lumbar spinal stabilization in individuals with LBP, thereby reducing pain associated with functional lumbar flexion during daily activities.