• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.158-165
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of X-rays in patients with acute traumatic vertebral fractures visiting the emergency department and to analyze the diagnostic value of X-rays for each spine level. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed basal characteristics by reviewing medical records of 363 patients with adult traumatic vertebral fractures, admitted to the emergency center from March 1, 2014 to February 28, 2017. We analyzed spine X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to determine distribution according to the vertebral level, and we evaluated the efficacy of X-rays by comparing discrepancies between X-rays and MRI scans. Results: For a total of 363 patients, the mean age was 56.65 (20-93) and 214 (59%) were males. On the basis of X-rays, 67 cases (15.1%) were of the cervical spine, 133 cases (30.0%) were of the thoracic spine, and 243 cases (54.9%) were of the lumbar spine. In particular, the thoracolumbar region (T11-L2) was the most common, with 260 cases (58.7%). In X-rays, fractures were the least in the upper thoracic region (T1-T3), whereas MRI scans revealed fairly uniform distribution across the thoracic spine. Sensitivity of X-rays was lowest in the upper thoracic spine and specificity was almost always greater than 98%, except for 94.7% in L1. Positive predictive value was lower in the mid-thoracic region (T4-T9) and negative predictive value was slightly lower in C6, T2, and T3 than at other sites. Diagnostic accuracy of X-rays by vertebral body, transverse process, and spinous process according to fractured vertebral structures was significantly different according to vertebral level. Conclusions: Diagnostic accuracy of X-rays was lower in the upper thoracic region than in other parts. Further studies are needed to identify better methods for diagnosis considering cost and neurological prognosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.384-386
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• 2011

A foraminal gas pseudocyst is a rare cause of lumbar radiculopathy. The association with a sudden foot drop has not been previously reported. Here, a 67-year-old woman with sudden foot drop on the left side is reported. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging identified a foraminal gas containing lesion compressing the left L5 root at the L5-S1 foramen. The foraminal gas containing lesion compressing the L5 ganglion was successfully removed by the posterior approach. The histological diagnosis was a gas pseudocyst. This unique case of surgically proven gas pseudocyst indicates that it should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with sudden foot drop.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.50-53
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• 2018

We present a patient with metastatic colon carcinoma who developed paraplegia following a neurolytic splanchnic block. A 41-year old man with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the colon received a splanchnic neurolytic block using alcohol because of severe abdominal pain. Bilateral motor weakness and a sensorial deficit in both legs developed after the procedure. Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging revealed spinal cord ischemia between T8 and L1. The motor and sensorial deficits were almost completely resolved at the end of the third month. We think that anterior spinal artery syndrome due to reversible spasms of the lumbar radicular arteries using alcohol have resulted in transient paraplegia. The retrograde spread of alcohol to neural structures may have also contributed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.58-60
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• 2011

Ligamentum flavum hematoma (LFH) is a very rare condition of dural compression; most are observed in the mobile cervical and lumbar spine regions. A 67-year-old man who had a long level interbody fusion at L3-S1 four years ago presented with symptoms suggestive of dural compression. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a posterior semicircular mass located at the adjacent L2-L3 level. After decompression of the spinal canal and removal of the mass lesion, pathological examination of the surgical specimen revealed a hematoma within the ligamentum. The patient fully recovered to normal status after surgery. Here, we report our experience with a LFH in the adjacent segment after a long level fusion procedure and discuss the possible associated mechanisms.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.54-57
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• 2006

Central nervous system[CNS] involvement of acute lymphoblastic leukemia may occur. However, CNS involvement as a first manifestation of leukemia is very rare. An 8-year-old girl complained of a backache after playing in the water. Neurological examination detected progressing paraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging[MRI] of the thoracolumbar spine showed a well-circumscribed homogeneous posterior extradural mass lesion extending from T7 to T9. MRI of the brain showed diffused fatty marrow replacement of the calvarium and the skull base. We report a patient with epidural Burkitt's lymphoma of the thoracic and lumbar vertebra causing compression of the spinal cord after pathologic evaluation. The tumor consisted mainly of lymphoblastic cells, which were identical to those originally seen in the bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. After decompressive laminectomy she began consolidation chemotherapy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.313-315
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• 2005

A 66 year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for progressive weakness of both lower extremities since a month ago. Imaging study, based on plain X-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance image revealed spinal stenosis owing to anterior slipping of T10/11 segment. Degenerative spondylolisthesis is common in the lumbar spine and rarely occurs in the cervical spine. But there was no report of degenerative spondylolisthesis in thoracic spine. The authors experienced a case of degenerative spondylolisthesis in the thoracic spine. And we achieved a satisfactory result with posterior decompressive laminectomy alone.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.467-469
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• 2010

We report an extremely rare case of traumatic cervical spinal subdural hematoma not related to intracranial injury. There has been no report on traumatic cervical spinal subdrual hematoma not related to intracranial injury. A 27-year-old female patient was admitted to our emergency room due to severe neck pain and right arm motor weakness after car collision. On admission, she presented with complete monoplegia and hypoesthesia of right arm. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed subdural hematoma compressing spinal cord. Lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed 210,000 red blood cells/$mm^3$. She was managed conservatively by administrations of steroid pulse therapy and CSF drainage. Her muscle power of right arm improved to a Grade III 16 days after admission. Follow-up MRI taken 16th days after admission revealed almost complete resolution of the hematoma. Here, the authors report a traumatic cervical spinal SDH not associated with intracranial injury.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.99-103
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• 2009

We studied the historical changes of intervertebral disc displacement using magnetic resonance imaging. The phenomenon of the spontaneous regression of herniated discs is well known. The case of a 40-years-old male presenting with a large disc herniation at L5-S1, experiencing severe sciatic pain, and having the straight leg raising test positive at 25 degrees is presented. The extruded disc was documented by clinical examination. He was treated conservatively with epidural steroid injection (ESI), medication, physical therapy and self-exercise and reevaluated in 10 weeks later, 30 and 1 year. Large extruded disc can be treated successfully by physical therapy with ESI. However, the degeneration and the dehydration of disc result in decrease of disc height. Consequently, the regression of extruded disc might have been due to the resorption and the dehydration.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.192-197
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• 2004

A 9-year-old boy who was confirmed measles by clinical manifestations and serum measles IgM antibody presented with bilateral visual loss 12 days after the onset of maculopapular rash. Complete ophthalmic and neurologic examinations, radiologic studies, and lumbar puncture were performed. Visual acuities were counting fingers in both eyes, with mild bilateral optic disk hyperemia and swelling noted. Neurologic examination was unremarkable, however, a magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed high signals on basal ganglia, and periventricular white matter. The cerebrospinal fluid was devoid of white cells. Intravenous methylprednisolone and high dose immunoglobulins were administered, and clinical findings resolved completely within 6 months.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.193-199
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the convenience and image quality of patients with acute lumbar pain patients at a general hospital in Daejeon using ancillary devices for postural changes and correction. The results of the study are summarized as follows. First, the Turbo S pin Echo technique(TS E) using ancillary equipment has the highest image evaluation rating with an average score of 4.440, which is highly valuable on a diagnosis. Second, the average score for patient the questionnaire 'When using ancillary equipment, I feel that my body is calibrated to side without bias.' was shown as 4.440, which is very useful for the correction of the patient's body when using ancillary equipment. Finally, Breath Hold technique(BH) is very effective in shortening test time of acute lumbar pain patients, because it can reduce test time 86.4% faster than Turbo Spin Echo technique(TSE). The results of the study showed that the use of ancillary equipment to perform the test through the side lying postures helped to reduce the pain and control the patient's breathing, and the diagnostic value of the image was high.