• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.320-322
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• 2005

A 45-year-old man presented with lower back pain and pain in the right leg of 3years duration. A plain radiographic examination revealed grade I isthmic spondylolisthesis, with instability at L4-5. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated bilateral foraminal stenosis, with soft foraminal disc herniation on the right side at the L4-5 level. He underwent anterior lumbar interbody fusion[ALIF] with percutaneous posterior fixation[PF] at the L4-5 level. Without removing the posterior bony structures, removal of foraminal disc herniation and reduction of spondylolisthesis were successfully performed using ALIF with percutaneous PF. When there is no hard disc herniation or lateral recess stenosis, ALIF with percutaneous PF can be one of the treatment options for isthmic spondylolisthesis, even in the presence of foraminal disc herniation, as in our case.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제44권6호
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• pp.385-388
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• 2008

We herein describe the case of a focal spontaneous spinal epidural abscess who was initially diagnosed to have a free fragment of a lumbar disc. A 71-year-old woman presented with history of low back and right leg pain. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested a peripherally enhancing free fragment extending down from S1 nerve root axilla. Preoperative laboratory investigation showed elevation of c-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels. She was taken for surgery and a fluctuating mass at the axilla of S1 nerve was found. When the mass was probed with a dissector, a dark yellow, thick pus drained out. Pus cultures were negative. Patients who present with extreme low back plus leg pain and increased leucocyte count, ESR and CRP levels should raise the suspicion of an infection of a vertebral body or spinal epidural space.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.217-220
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• 2010

A 73-year-old male presented with a rare dorsally sequestrated lumbar disc herniation manifesting as severe radiating pain in both leg, progressively worsening weakness in both lower extremities, and urinary incontinence, suggesting cauda equina syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested the sequestrated disc fragment located in the extradural space at the L4-L5 level had surrounded and compressed the dural sac from the lateral to dorsal sides. A bilateral decompressive laminectomy was performed under an operating microscope. A large extruded disc was found to have migrated from the ventral aspect, around the thecal sac, and into the dorsal aspect, which compressed the sac to the right. After removal of the disc fragment, his sciatica was relieved and the patient felt strength of lower extremity improved.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.232-234
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• 2010

Gas pseudocysts are a rare cause of lumbar radiculopathy and most symptomatic gas pseudocysts are found within the confines of the spinal canal. A gas pseudocyst in the foramen causing lumbar radiculopathy is very rare. We present a case of a 67-year-old woman suffering from severe pain in the right leg. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a gas pseudocyst compressing the L2 root at the right L2-3 foramen. The patient underwent cyst excision using the lateral transmuscular approach and her leg pain was improved after the operation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.310-313
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• 2006

Although lipomyelomeningocele and dermoid cyst are formed during a similar embryologic developmental stage of 'neural tube formation', they are caused by entirely different embryologic mechanisms. We encountered a case, which has not been previously reported, that had a lumbar subcutaneous dermoid cyst associated with lipomyelomeningocele. A 52-year-old man presented with a slowly growing lumbar mass of 3 years duration, which had been present since birth. Lumbosacral magnetic resonance imaging[MRI] showed lipomyelomeningocele at the L3, 4 and 5 levels and a subcutaneous cystic mass of high signal intensity on the T2 weighted image and iso or low signal intensity on the T1 weighted image. He underwent total resection of the lumbar subcutaneous mass. Intraoperative findings and histological examination were consistent with the preoperative diagnosis of a 'dermoid cyst'. We demonstrate that the formation of a dermoid cyst might coexist with lipomyelomeningocele during the embryologic developmental stage.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제42권6호
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• pp.481-483
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• 2007

A 57-year-old man presented with weakness in both legs upon awakening after drinking. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbar spine did not reveal any intraspinal abnormalities but MRI of the pelvis revealed lesions with abnormal intensities with heterogeneous contrast enhancement in both gluteal muscles. Serum creatine phosphokinase was markedly elevated. A diagnosis of lumbosacral plexopathy, complicating rhabdomyolysis was made. With supportive care he recovered well but mild weakness of the right ankle remained at 6 month-follow-up. Pelvic MRI is a helpful diagnostic tool in localizing rhabdomyolysis. Lumbosacral plexopathy should be included in the differential diagnosis of the such cases, presenting with sudden weakness of legs.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.34-38
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• 2005

Background: Over the years, disc surgery has progressively evolved in the direction of decreasing trauma and its invasiveness. Conventional open surgery has many complications, such as scarring, instability, bleeding and a relative high mortality rate. Minimally invasive spinal surgery is now an alternative to a traditional discectomy. Herein, we present an operative technique, and the early results, for a percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy in herniated lumbar disc disease. Methods: 43 patients, including 27 men and 16 women, with ages ranging from 18 to 66 years, were enrolled in this study. All the patients showed a protruded or extruded soft disc herniation at the lumbar level on magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. A percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy was applied to the patients, and clinical responses evaluated using MacNab's criteria. Results: 40 patients were regarded as showing successful responses (93.1%), and there were no severe complications, such as a hematoma, nerve injury, postoperative dysesthesia or death. One patient underwent fusion surgery for remnant back pain six month later. Conclusions: We conclude that, in properly selected patients, a percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy is a safe, noninvasive and effective treatment modality for herniated lumbar intervertebral disc disease.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.231-233
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• 2011

Chronic spinal epidural hematoma related to Kummell's disease is extremely rare. An 82-year-old woman who had been managed conservatively for seven weeks with the diagnosis of a multi-level osteoporotic compression fracture was transferred to our institute. Lumbar spine magnetic resonance images revealed vertebral body collapse with the formation of a cavitary lesion at L1, and a chronic spinal epidural hematoma extending from L1 to L3. Because of intractable back pain, a percutaneous vertebroplasty was performed. The pain improved dramatically and follow-up magnetic resonance imaging obtained three days after the procedure showed a nearly complete resolution of the hematoma. Here, we present the rare case of a chronic spinal epidural hematoma associated with Kummell's disease and discuss the possible mechanism.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제18권6호
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• pp.43-49
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• 2006

Purpose: Changes of degenerative disc have been analyzed or with the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to assign appropriate meaning, and the relationship between the degenerative changes of the discs and its living function has been evaluated through the living function evaluation scores collected by functional rating index. Methods: in April, 2006, a physical examination was conducted for physical laborers to be employed as on-site laborer in a steel industrial complex located at a region. A month later, these 20 laborers who participated in lumbar vertebra MRI tests have been investigated for one-to-one mobile phone functional rating index test. Excluding 3 of 14 respondents whom scored 0 in functional rating index, the rest of respondents' degenerative disc grade changes shown in MRI and its relationship to living functional rating index have been performed. Results: The Dabbs method of measuring disc height resulted to show significant increase as the disc height changes from L1-2 level to L5-S1 level (p<0.01). However, there was no statistical significance with a relationship between disc height and functional rating index, and disc height average. The Magnetic Resonance Imaging analysis regard on the degree of disc degeneration and its relationship to living functional rating proved to have significant relationship (p<0.05). Conclusion: The degenerative changes monitored by Magnetic Resonance Imaging show significant relationship (p<0.05) to living function. However, this relationship could vary depend upon the characteristics of study population. So, it suggested that the future studies should be performed by considering population's age and job career.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.91-100
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• 2013

목적: 요추 MR 영상에 추가된 경흉추 시상T2강조영상(CT SAG T2WI)의 임상적 효용성을 평가하고자 한다. 대상과 방법: 2005년 1월부터 2005년 12월까지 요추 MRI를 시행하였던 2,113명의 환자를 대상으로 하였다. 경흉추 시상T2강조영상을 후향적으로 분석하였고, 의무기록을 후향적으로 검토하여 경추 또는 흉추 병변의 추가적인 평가를 위한 MRI 또는 CT 시행여부와 이러한 병변에 대한 치료 및 경과를 알아보았다. 결과: 2,113명중 139명의 환자에게서 총 142개의 병변이 경흉추 시상T2강조영상에서 관찰되었다. 요추 MRI 촬영시, 환자의 자세변화 없이 2분 이내에 경흉추 시상T2강조영상을 추가적으로 얻었다. 13명의 환자만이 경추 또는 흉추의 병변에 대해 MR영상 또는 CT를 시행하였고, 7명의 환자는 T2강조영상 고신호강도 여부에 상관 없이 척추관협착증 또는 추간판탈출증에 대해 수술적 치료를 받았다. 결론: 요추 MRI촬영 시, 2분 이내로 소요되는 경흉추 시상T2강조영상의 추가촬영은 요추의 증상으로 오인된 경흉추의 병변을 평가하는데 유용하다.