• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제64권4호
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• pp.562-574
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• 2021

Objective : This study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of demineralized bone matrix (DBM) gel versus DBM gel with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) used in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). Methods : This study was designed as a prospective, multi-center, double-blind method, randomized study. All randomized subjects underwent TLIF with DBM gel with rhBMP-2 group (40 patients) as an experimental group or DBM gel group (36 patients) as a control group. Post-operative observations were performed at 12, 24, and 48 weeks. The spinal fusion rate on computed tomography scans and X-rays films, Visual analog scale pain scores, Oswestry disability index and SF-36 quality of life (QOL) scores were used for the efficacy evaluation. The incidence rate of adverse device effects (ADEs) and serious adverse device effects (SADEs) were used for safety evaluation. Results : The spinal fusion rate at 12 weeks for the DBM gel with rhBMP-2 group was higher with 73.68% compared to 58.82% for the DBM gel group. The 24 and 48 weeks were 72.22% and 82.86% for the DBM gel with rhBMP-2 group and 78.79% and 78.13%, respectively, for the DBM gel group. However, there were no significant differences between two groups in the spinal fusion rate at 12, 24, and 48 weeks post-treatment (p=0.1817, p=0.5272, p=0.6247). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence rate of ADEs (p=0.3836). For ADEs in the experimental group, 'Pyrexia' (5.00%) was the most common ADE, followed by 'Hypesthesia', 'Paresthesia', 'Transient peripheral paralysis', 'Spondylitis' and 'Insomnia' (2.50%, respectively). ADEs reported in control group included 'Pyrexia', 'Chest discomfort', 'Pain', 'Osteoarthritis', 'Nephropathy toxic', 'Neurogenic bladder', 'Liver function analyses' and 'Urticaria' (2.86%, respectively). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence rate of SADEs (p=0.6594). For SADE in the experimental group, ''Pyrexia' and 'Spondylitis' were 2.50%. SADE reported in the control group included 'Chest discomfort', 'Osteoarthritis' and 'Neurogenic bladder'. All SADEs described above were resolved after medical treatment. Conclusion : This study demonstrated that the spinal fusion rates of DBM gel group and DBM gel with rhBMP-2 group were not significantly different. But, this study provides knowledge regarding the earlier postoperative effect of rhBMP-2 containing DBM gel and also supports the idea that the longer term follow-up results are essential to confirm the safety and effectiveness.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제69권5호
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• pp.389-391
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• 2010

Spinal epidural emphysema is rare and has been described secondary to following medical intervention, such as lumbar puncture and epidural analgesia, pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum, degenerative disk disease, epidural abscess, and trauma. Rarely, it occurs after chest tube placement. We report a case of spinal epidural emphysema incidentally noted on HRCT after chest tube placement.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제51권6호
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• pp.343-349
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• 2012

Objective : Pedicle-based dynamic stabilization systems, in which semi-rigid rods or cords are used to restrict or control spinal segmental motion, aim to reduce or eliminate the drawbacks associated with rigid fusion. In this study, we analyzed the two-year clinical outcomes of patients treated with the NFlex (Synthes Spine, Inc.), a pedicle-based dynamic stabilization system. Methods : Five sites participated in a retrospective study of 72 consecutive patients who underwent NFlex stabilization. Of these 72 patients, 65 were available for 2-year follow-up. Patients were included based on the presence of degenerative disc disease (29 patients), degenerative spondylolisthesis (16 patients), lumbar stenosis (9 patients), adjacent segment degeneration (6 patients), and degenerative lumbar scoliosis (5 patients). The clinical outcome measures at each assessment were Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to measure back pain, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) to measure functional status. Radiographic assessments included evidence of instrumentation failure or screw loosening. Results : Sixty-five patients (26 men and 39 women) with a mean age of 54.5 years were included. Mean follow-up was 25.6 months. The mean VAS score improved from 8.1 preoperatively to 3.8 postoperatively, representing a 53% improvement, and the ODI score from 44.5 to 21.8, representing a 51% improvement. Improvements in pain and disability scores were statistically significant. Three implant-related complications were observed. Conclusion : Posterior pedicle-based dynamic stabilization using the NFlex system seems effective in improving pain and functional scores, with sustained clinical improvement after two years. With appropriate patient selection, it may be considered an effective alternative to rigid fusion.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.471-478
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• 2021

Background: The effect of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and peripheral vascular disease (PVD), which occurs with similar degenerative conditions, when seen together, has not been studied. The aim of this study is to examine and compare the relationship between pain, balance, disability, fear of falling, and kinesiophobia in LSS patients with intermittent vascular claudication (IVC). Methods: Seventy-two patients diagnosed with LSS using magnetic resonance imaging participated in this study. Thirty-five patients with IVC symptoms and showing vascular lesions by lower extremity venous and arterial Doppler ultrasonography imaging were included in the IVC-LSS group. The pain, static balance, dynamic balance, disability, fear of falling, and kinesiophobia were evaluated using the numeric rating scale, single leg stance test, Time Up and Go (TUG), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Fall Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), and Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), respectively. Results: Age and female sex were found to be higher in the IVC-LSS group (P = 0.024; P = 0.012). The IVC-LSS group had a shorter single leg stance time and TUG test duration, pain intensity, ODI, FES-I, and TSK scores were higher than patients with LSS (P = 0.001). Pain, fear of falling, and kinesiophobia were moderately correlated with disability in the IVC-LSS group. No relationship was found between pain and dynamic balance. Also, the pain was not related to kinesiophobia. Conclusions: The findings indicated that IVC causes loss of balance and an increase in pain, disability, fear of falling, and kinesophobia in patients with LSS.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.46-51
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• 2013

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of acupotomy in patients with degenerative lumbar spine stenosis. Methods: A total of 437 patients who had been diagnosed as having lumbar spine stenosis and who had been admitted to Daejeon Oriental hospital from June 1, 2008, to September 31, 2012, were included in this study. The patients underwent acupotomy once, twice or three times on the lumbar spine, according to their symptoms. Then, the patients were asked to complete the verbal numeric rating scale (VNRS) and the oswestry disability index (ODI) before and after acupotomy and underwent a global assessment. The resulting data were analyzed. Results: The gender ratio of the participants was 1:1.54, and the mean age was $65{\pm}10.0$ yr. The number of patients over the age of 65 yr was less than that of the patients under the age of 65 yr in the ratio of 1:1.3. The average disease period was $30.17{\pm}56.63$ months. The verbal numeric rating scale (VNRS) significantly decreased from 10 to an average of $7.10{\pm}2.50$ after one acupotomy, $6.30{\pm}2.60$ after two acupotomies, and $5.50{\pm}2.50$ after three acupotomies. The ODI was significantly decrease from $20.60{\pm}8.70$ to $17.80{\pm}8.60$ after once acupotomy, $17.10{\pm}8.50$ after two acupotomies, and $16.70{\pm}8.60$ after three acupotomies. High scores were also observed on the global assessment. Conclusion: These results provide evidence that acupotomy is effective to relieve pain and to improve quality of life in patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제30권sup2호
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• pp.254-258
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• 2001

Objective : The terminology of degenerative disc disease lacks official standardization. Lacks of such standardization may provoke some clinical and litigation problems. The authors investigated interobserver and intraobserver variability in interpretation of lumbar disc abnormality. Methods : Magnetic resonance imaging studies of the lumbar spine performed prospectively in 50 patients, were read blindly by three doctors dealing spinal disorders, using two nomenclature. Nomenclature I was normal, bulging, protrusion, extrusion. Nomenclature II was normal, bulging, herniation without neural compression, with neural compression. Intraobserver and interobserver variation were measured statistically. Results : Interobserver agreement was 70.4-80.8% for nomenclature I, 76.2-80.2% for nomenclature II. Intraobserver agreement was 84.0-88.0% for nomenclature I, 79.2-86.8% for nomenclature II. Interobserver Kappa statistic was 0.53-0.56 for nomenclature I, 0.54-0.57 for nomenclature II. Intraobserver Kappa statistic was 0.60-0.85 for nomenclature I, 0.53-0.72 for nomenclature II. Conclusion : Experienced doctors showed only moderate interobserver agreement when interpreting disc status on lumbar magnetic resonance imaging. Intraobserver agreement was superior to interbserver. The standardization of nomenclatures for lumbar disc extension beyond interspace are needed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제61권4호
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• pp.494-502
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• 2018

Objective : The loosening of pedicle screws (PS) is one of the frequent problems of spinal surgery in the patients with osteoporosis. Previous studies had revealed that intermittent injection of teriparatide could reduce PS loosening by improving bone mass and quality when their patients took parathyroid hormone for a considerable duration before surgery. However, although the teriparatide is usually used after spine surgery in most clinical situations, there was no report on the efficacy of teriparatide treatment started after spine surgery. The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the efficacy of teriparatide treatment started immediately after lumbar spinal surgery to prevent pedicle screw loosening in patients with osteoporosis. Methods : We included 84 patients with osteoporosis and degenerative lumbar disease who underwent transforaminal interbody fusion and PS fixation and received parathyroid hormone or bisphosphonate (BP) postoperatively. They were divided into teriparatide group (daily injection of $20{\mu}g$ of teriparatide for 6 months, 33 patients, 172 screws) and BP group (weekly oral administration of 35 mg of risedronate, 51 patients, 262 screws). Both groups received calcium (500 mg/day) and cholecalciferol (1000 IU/day) together. The screw loosening was evaluated with simple radiographic exams at 6 and 12 months after the surgery. We counted the number of patients with PS loosening and the number of loosened PS, and compared them between the two groups. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) preoperatively, and at 12 months after surgery. Results : There was no significant difference in the age, sex, diabetes, smoking, bone mineral density, body mass index, and the number of fusion levels between the two groups. The number of PS loosening within 6 months after surgery did not show a significant difference between the teriparatide group (6.9%, 12/172) and the BP group (6.8%, 18/272). However, during 6-12 months after surgery, it was significantly lower in the teriparatide group (2.3%, 4/172) than the BP group (9.2%, 24/272) (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the number of patients showing PS loosening between the teriparatide and BP groups. The teriparatide group showed a significantly higher degree of improvement of the bone mineral density (T-score) than that of BP group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the pre- and post-operative VAS and ODI between the groups. Conclusion : Our data suggest that the teriparatide treatment starting immediately after lumbar spinal fusion surgery could reduce PS loosening compared to BP.

• 대한물리치료과학회지
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.47-57
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the problem on activities of daily living ; the problem which spinal cord injured patients have when they adapt in daily living ; Subjects were 113 members who used the hospital which is located in Kwangju-city from November 20, 2001 to May 20, 2002. The evaluation of the ADL was performed according to MBI and collected data were statistically analysed by SPSS PC for paired Chi-square test T-test, One way ANOVA and Duncan's post-hoc test. The result's were as follows; 1. Modified Barthel Index average mark was $63.77{\pm}33.60$ points and MBI score distribution according to characteristics of injury is as following. 1) A patient who had long duration of injury, small injury region, incomplete paralysis in paralysis degree, paraplegia in paralysis type got high MBI score as statistical and significantly(p<0.05). 2. Society adaptation state by characteristics of spinal cord injured is an following. 1) After lapse of time of disease, a patient who is injured for a long term present surrounding environmental problem, a patient who is injured for a short term shows psychological problem. In society activity, as lapse of time of disease is long, patient did many hobby activity and same private club, on the other hand as lapse of time of diseases is short, the others appeared high and significantly as statistical(p<0.01). 2) In society activity by injury region, cervical injury and thoracic injury did more hobby activity than lumbar injury and in lumbar injury same private club or religion life appeared higher than thoracic injury of cervical injury significantly as statistical(p<0.01). 3) In walk method by paralysis degree Complete paralysis had more wheelchair life than incomplete paralysis(p<0.01). 4) In serious problem by paralysis type psychological problem in quadriplegia and surrounding environmental problem in paraplegia appeared high and significantly as statistical(p<0.01). 3. In society adaptation state by MBI score difference between variables appeared but it wasn't significantly.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제60권5호
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• pp.485-497
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• 2017

Surgical treatment of the degenerative disc disease has evolved from traditional open spine surgery to minimally invasive spine surgery including endoscopic spine surgery. Constant improvement in the imaging modality especially with introduction of the magnetic resonance imaging, it is possible to identify culprit degenerated disc segment and again with the discography it is possible to diagnose the pain generator and pathological degenerated disc very precisely and its treatment with minimally invasive approach. With improvements in the optics, high resolution camera, light source, high speed burr, irrigation pump etc, minimally invasive spine surgeries can be performed with various endoscopic techniques for lumbar, cervical and thoracic regions. Advantages of endoscopic spine surgeries are less tissue dissection and muscle trauma, reduced blood loss, less damage to the epidural blood supply and consequent epidural fibrosis and scarring, reduced hospital stay, early functional recovery and improvement in the quality of life & better cosmesis. With precise indication, proper diagnosis and good training, the endoscopic spine surgery can give equally good result as open spine surgery. Initially, endoscopic technique was restricted to the lumbar region but now it also can be used for cervical and thoracic disc herniations. Previously endoscopy was used for disc herniations which were contained without migration but now days it is used for highly up and down migrated disc herniations as well. Use of endoscopic technique in lumbar region was restricted to disc herniations but gradually it is also used for spinal canal stenosis and endoscopic assisted fusion surgeries. Endoscopic spine surgery can play important role in the treatment of adolescent disc herniations especially for the persons who engage in the competitive sports and the athletes where less tissue trauma, cosmesis and early functional recovery is desirable. From simple chemonucleolysis to current day endoscopic procedures the history of minimally invasive spine surgery is interesting. Appropriate indications, clear imaging prior to surgery and preplanning are keys to successful outcome. In this article basic procedures of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy through transforaminal and interlaminar routes, percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy, percutaneous endoscopic posterior cervical foraminotomy and percutaneous endoscopic thoracic discectomy are discussed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제29권5호
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• pp.139-149
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• 2012

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate clinical features of the patients admitted to the department of acupuncture and moxibustion in an oriental medicine hospital in order to provide clinical preliminary data for advancement of acupuncture and moxibustion Methods : Total 526 patients were admitted to the department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Dunsan Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University from September 1st, 2011 to August 31st, 2012. Of these patients 11 were discharged on the day that they were admitted and the remaining 526 patients who were hospitalized for over 2 days were investigated this study. We analyzed inpatients by discharge progress notes and medical records, using PASW statistics 18.0 for statistical analysis. Results : 1. There were 361 females(62.9%) and 213 males(37.1%). The age distribution was skewed to 40s and 50s and the average age of the patients was 42.91 years. 2. The prevalence of the diseases groups was in the order of musculoskeletal disease, neuromuscular disease, neuro-psychological disease, and EENT disease. The musculoskeletal disease and neuromuscular disease together made up 92% of all diseases. 3. The prevalence of individual diagnosis was in the order of Bell's palsy, cervical sprain, lumbar sprain, herniated lumbar disc, herniated cervical disc, and lumbar spinal stenosis. 4. There were 261 patients with single diagnosis and 193 with two and 120 with three or more diagnoses. The days of hospitalization significantly increased with the number of diseases the patients were diagnosed with. Conclusions : With high concentration of patients seen in certain disease groups, continuous efforts needed to expand the usage of acupuncture and moxibustion treatments to other disease groups and to explore and develop other diverse treatment methods for better outcome of the disease treated.