• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.151-163
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• 2009

Objectives : In the assessment of the lumbar spine by magnetic resonance imaging (hereinafter, "MRI"), changes in the paraspinal muscles are overlooked. The purpose of our study is to examine the correlation between the multifidus muscle atrophy on MRI findings and the clinical findings in low back pain (hereinafter, "LBP") patients. Methods : The retrospective study on 38 LBP patients, presenting either with or without associated leg pains, was undertaken. The MRI findings on the patients were visually analysed to find out a lumbar multifidus muscle atrophy, disc herniation, disc degeneration, spinal stenosis and nerve root compressions. The clinical history in each case was obtained from their case notes and pain drawing charts. Results : The lumbar multifidus muscle atrophy has occurred from more than 80% of the patients with LBP. Most of lumbar multifidus muscle atrophies have increased from lower level of lumbar spine. It was bilateral in the majority of the cases. In addition, multifidus muscle atrophy was correlated to the patient's age, disc degenerations and spinal stenosis. On the contrary, gender, the duration of LBP, referred leg pain, disc herniation and nerve root compressions had no relevance to multifidus muscle atrophies. Therefore, when assessing the MRIs of the lumbar spine, we should have more attetion on multifidus muscle, because it has lot's of information about spinal neuropathy problems. Conclusions : Therefore, the examination of multifidus muscle atrophies should be considered when assessing the MRIs of the lumbar spine. In addition, it helps to evaluate and plan the treatment modalities of LBP. Moreover, it prevents from LBP by discovering the importance between the multifidus muscle and the spine stabilization exercise.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.51-54
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• 2010

A herniated intervertebral disc is the most common type of soft tissue mass lesion within the lumbar spinal canal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a useful tool for the assessment of patients with lower back pain and radiating pain, especially intervertebral disc herniation. MRI findings of intervertebral disc herniation are typical. However, from time to time, despite an apparently classic history and typical MRI findings suggestive of disc herniation, surgical exploration fails to reveal any lesion of an intervertebral disc. Our patient underwent lumbar disc surgery with the preoperative diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation; however, nothing could be found during the surgical procedure, except a swollen nerve root.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.79-86
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• 2013

Objective : The purpose of this study was to suggest (diagnostic) criteria for lumbar disc space and see the correlation between lumbar disc space narrowing and the level of HIVD. Methods : We looked at the 113 patients diagnosed disc space narrowing with lumbar x-ray and MRI films who have visited Jaseng Hospital of Oriental Medicine with low back pain in October,2013. The width of lumbar disc space and the severity of Herniated Intervertebral Disc(HIVD) on MRI films were collected and stastically analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Results : In this study, measured value(%) for lumbar disc space of the group diagnosed serious HIVD, such as protrusion, extrusion and migration was significantly decresed compared to the normal group and the bulging group. Conclusion : There was a significant correlation between lumbar disc space narrowing and the level of HIVD.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.39-46
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• 2013

Objectives : To identify the association between cross-sectional area of lumbar regional muscle and stability(ST), center of pressure(COP) assessed by tetrax. Methods : Patients(n=55) who had taken L-SPINE MRI and Tetrax(Sunlight, Israel) were analyzed retrospectively. To evaluate the cross-sectional area of lumbar regional muscle, L-SPINE MRI was used. Data of ST, COP were accumulated by using dynamic equilibrium analysis by Tetrax. Of the lumbar regional muscles, the Psoas muscles and the Paraspinalis muscles were examined. Using Pearson correlation, we analyzed COP, ST and the difference between the cross-sectional area of lumbar regional muscles. Results : The variance of cross-sectional area of both sides of Psoas muscle and COP had moderate positive correlation(r=0.621). Between variance of cross-sectional area of both sides of Paraspinalis and lumbar regional muscle and COP there was low positive correlation(r=0.287, r=0.329) ST also had low correlation with variance of cross-sectional area of both sides of Psoas muscle. Conclusion : The variance of cross-sectional area between both sides of Psoas muscle had moderate correlation with COP.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.156-158
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• 2012

Intervertebral intradural lumbar disc herniation (ILDH) is a quite rare pathology, and isolated intradural lumbar disc herniation is even more rare. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may not be able to reveal ILDHs, especially if MRI findings show an intact lumbar disc annulus and posterior longitudinal ligament. Here, we present an exceedingly rare case of an isolated IDLH that we initially misidentified as a spinal intradural tumor, in a 54-year-old man hospitalized with a 2-month history of back pain and right sciatica. Neurologic examination revealed a positive straight leg raise test on the right side, but he presented no other sensory, motor, or sphincter disturbances. A gadolinium-enhanced MRI revealed what we believed to be an intradural extramedullary tumor compressing the cauda equina leftward in the thecal sac, at the L2 vertebral level. The patient underwent total L2 laminectomy, and we extirpated the intradural mass under microscopic guidance. Histologic examination of the mass revealed a degenerated nucleus pulposus.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.863-869
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this case study was to report the effectiveness of Korean medicine treatment on severe lumbar disc herniation patient diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: The patient was treated with complex Korean medicine treatment, including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, acupotomy, and Chu-na treatment. The treatment effect was evaluated by a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and MRI. Results: After the treatment, the NRS score of pain intensity was reduced from severe to mild degree. The volume of extruded disc in MRI images was clearly reduced. Conclusion: Korean medicine treatment might be effective in patients with lumbar disc herniation.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.109-117
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• 2021

Purpose: To investigate the reliability of CT and MRI for quantitative and qualitative analyses of lumbar paraspinal muscle fatty infiltration (PSFI) and correlation of PSFI with intervertebral disc pathology. Materials and Methods: Lumbar spine CT and MRI of 36 subjects were reviewed retrospectively. Two observers independently outlined lumbar paraspinal muscles at each mid-intervertebral disc level. Paraspinal muscles on CT and MRI were graded according to the Goutallier grading system (GGS). The area, mean value, and standard deviation (SD) of the Hounsfield unit (HU) were obtained. Intervertebral discs were assessed on axial image of T2WI at each level. Correlations between qualitative and quantitative data and intervertebral disc pathology, age, and sex were evaluated. Results: Inter- and intra-observer agreements for results of GGS on MRI were substantial (κ = 0.79) and moderate (κ = 0.59), respectively. Inter- and intra-observer agreements for results of GGS on CT were almost perfect (κ = 0.88) and substantial (κ = 0.66), respectively. Quantitative measurements of HU showed almost perfect inter- and intra-observer reliabilities (κ = 0.82 and κ = 0.99, respectively). There were statistically significant correlations between intervertebral disc pathology and PSFI at L1-2, L2-3, and L4-5 levels on MRI and at L1-2 and L3-4 levels on CT. Age showed significant correlation with results of GGS at all levels on CT and MRI. Conclusion: This study showed that GGS results and HU measurements could be useful for evaluating PSFI because they showed correlations with intervertebral disc pathology results at certain levels.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.101-110
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• 2010

Objectives: The propose of this study is to find out the clinical application of conservative treatment to 3 patients who has Disc Extrusion on L-spine MRI Methods: We examined 3 patients with Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Herniation (HIVD of L-spine) with Disc Extrusion who showed changes on MRI images before/after the treatment among HIVD of L-spine patients who visited Jaseng Hospital of Oriental Medicine. Results: In this study, the first MRI examination of HIVD of L-spine patients was performed at the first visit and re-examination of MRI was done after the treatment. In each case, the size of the extruded disc was considerably reduced in MRI image. Low back and leg pain was also reduced significantly after conervative oriental medical treatment. Conclusions: Conservative oriental medical treatment can be effective for improving symptoms of HIVD, decreasing pain, also decreasing the volume of herniated disc.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.112-118
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• 2015

Objective : Thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) is a relatively rare disease. Because of ambiguous clinical symptom, it is difficult for early diagnosis of OLF and subsequent treatment can be delayed or missed. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to comprehensively assess the prevalence and distribution of thoracic OLF by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and coexisting spinal disease in Korean patients with back pain or leg pain. Methods : The sample included 2134 Korean patients who underwent MRI evaluation for back pain. The prevalence and distribution of thoracic OLF were assessed using lumbar MRI with whole spine sagittal images. Additionally, we examined the presence of coexisting lumbar and cervical diseases. The presence of thoracic OLF as well as clinical parameters such as age, sex, and surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Results : The prevalence of thoracic OLF in total patients was 16.9% (360/2134). The prevalence tended to increase with aging and was higher in women than in men. The lower thoracic segment of T10-11 was the most frequently affected segment. Of the 360 patients with OLF, 31.9% had coexisting herniated thoracic discs at the same level. Approximately 74% of the patients with OLF had coexisting lumbar and cervical disease. Nine (2.5%) of 360 OLF patients underwent surgery for thoracic lesion. Conclusion : The prevalenceof thoracic OLF was relatively higher than those of previous reports. And coexisting lumbar and cervical disease were very frequent. Therefore, we should check coexisting spinal diseases and the exact diagnostic localization of ossification besides lumbar disease.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.41-51
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• 2016

Objectives : This study is planned to classify Correlation between Cobbs Angle of Lumbar scoliosis and prevalence of Lumbar Intervertebral Disc. Methods : We Measured the lumbar scoliosis angle of the 114men and 91 women patients with lumbar pain in Bucheon Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital. We use Cobb's angle method for measuring the lumbar scoliosis. And We use Magentic Resonance Imaging(MRI) for classifying the patient who has lumbar intervertebral disc or not. Results : 1.There was no statistical relation between the Cobbs angle and gender(P>0.05) 2.There was no statistical relation between the Cobbs angle and age(P>0.05) 3.There was significant relation between the direction of lumbar scoliosis and the direction of disc herniation(P<0.05) 4.There was no statistical relation between on the Cobbs angle and disc herniation. The more severe of lumbar scoliosis has not tendency of disc herniation. 5.There was no statistical relation between lumbar scoliosis Cobbs Angle on HIVD of L-spine patient and direction of disc herniation on horizontal plane. Conclusions : The direction of disc herniation has tendency of the opposite direction of lumbar scoliosis. When disc herniation, opposite side bending broad intervertebral foramen and reduce pressure.