• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.363-366
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• 2007

Objective : Kyphoplasty performed in the middle thoracic spine presents technical challenges that differ from those in the lower thoracic or lumbar region due to small pedicle size and angular severity for thoracic kyphosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of balloon kyphoplasty through extrapedicular approach for the treatment of intractable osteoporotic compression fractures in the middle thoracic spine. Methods : The patients who were performed with one level balloon kyphoplasty through extrapedicular approach due to painful osteoporotic compression fractures at T5-T8 from June 2003 to July 2005 were retrospectively analyzed. Imaging and clinical features were analyzed including involved vertebrae level, vertebral height, Injected cement volume, clinical outcome and complications. Results : Eighteen female patients (age ranged from 60 to 77 years old) were included in this study. The average amount of the implanted cement was $4.2{\pm}1.5\;cc$. The mean cobb angle and compression rate were improved from $12.1{\pm}6.5^{\circ}$ to $8.5{\pm}7.2^{\circ}$ and from 30% to 15%, respectively. The mean pain score (visual analogue scale) prior to kyphoplasty was 7.9 and it decreased to 3.0 after the procedure. Cement leakage to the adjacent disc (2 cases) and paravertebral soft tissues (1 case) were seen but there were no major complications such as pneumothorax, segmental arte 이 Injury, pulmonary embolism, or epidural leakage. Conclusion : Balloon kyphoplasty through extrapedicular approach is considered as a safe and effective in treating the middle thoracic regions with low complication rate.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.142-145
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• 2005

Background: Vertebroplasty that is performed in the upper and middle thoracic spine presents technical challenges that are different from those in the lower thoracic or lumbar region due to the small pedicle size and angular severity for thoracic kyphosis. We report the results of percutaneous vertebroplasty and review its effectiveness in treating intractable osteoporotic compression fractures in the upper and middle thoracic spine. Methods: Patients who underwent vertebroplasty due to painful osteoporotic compression fractures at T3 T8 were retrospectively analyzed. The compression rate, volume of injected cement, clinical outcome (VAS score) and complications were analyzed. Results: Forty-three vertebral bodies from 41 patients (32 females and 9 males, age from 64 to 78 years old) underwent vertebroplasty. The mean compression rate improved from 35% to 17%. Bipedicular injections of bone cement were performed at 3 levels of 2 patients, and unipedicular injections were performed in 40 levels of 39 patients. The mean VAS score prior to surgery was 7.7, which improved to 2.4 within 48 hours after surgery, and the mean VAS score after 6 months was 1.5, which was significantly lower. All patients recovered uneventfully, and the neurological examination revealed no deficits. Cement leakage to the adjacent disc (9 levels) and paravertebral soft tissues (10 levels) developed. However, there were no significant complications related to the procedure such as a pneumothorax or pulmonary embolism. Conclusions: Transpedicular vertebroplasty is a safe and effective treatment for the upper and middle thoracic regions, and has a low complication rate.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.90-93
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• 1976

Pulmonary hamartoma is often incidental, asymptomatic finding on routine chest roentgenogram. It has been considered a congenital malformation. Since the original description by Albrecht in 1908, it has been classified into two types, a small, fibrocartilaginous mass in adults, and a cystic lobar mass in infants. We experienced two cases of pulmonary hamartoma which proved to be the adult form of hamartoma. One was located in left upper lobe of a 58 year old male patient, the other was located in the perihilar region of the right middle lobe of a 38 year old male patient. The former case was treated by wedge resection: the latter by right middle lobectomy and the postoperative courses of both cases were very good and without complication.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.90-97
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• 2009

One of the most important factors that affect a person's risk of injury in a motor vehicle crash is the age of the person. This study investigates the characteristics of crash injuries among young, middle-aged and older drivers and occupants. Based on the comprehensive claim data from automobile insurance from 2000 to 2007, this study examines in great detail the drivers and occupants injury body regions and severity by age in car-to-car frontal crashes. It has been shown that elderly drivers and occupants suffer more injuries at a chest region compared to the middle-aged group. This research calls attention to the need for design to make vehicles more protective for older drivers in car-to car frontal crashes.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.134-141
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• 2010

This study analyzed the regional morphological and mechanical characteristics of vertebrae by using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and micro finite element analysis (FEA). For the present study, the $12^{th}$ human thoracic vertebral bones (an 85-years female and a 48-years male) were used. These were scanned by using micro-CT. Structural parameters were evaluated from the acquired 20 image data for fifteen $4{\times}4mm^2$ regions (five regions in respective layers of superior, middle and inferior part) in the thoracic vertebral trabecular bones. $4{\times}4{\times}4mm^3$ cubic finite element models of each regions were created at $70{\mu}m$ voxel resolution to investigate effective modulus ($E^+$). The present study indicated that there were significant differences in morphological and elastic mechanical characteristics of each region. There are close relationship between effective modulus and structural model index (SMI) in the bone of the 48-years male and between effective modulus and bone volume fraction (BV/TV) in the bone of the 85-years female. In addition, the effective modulus of central regions is about 80% stiffer than that of lateral regions at transverse plane. These findings may be likely to explain the previous result that a change of loading distribution of the vertebral trabecular bones is caused by spinal curvature and nucleus pulpous degeneration of the intervertebral disc.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 1993

An abnormal female Korean native calf at five months age with five legs was observed macroscopically and radiographically. External features included two normal forelimbs, and hindlimbs, and an abnormal forelimb which was underdeveloped. A rudimentary forelimb, which was attached to the pectoral region, was observed at the right axillary part. The extra forelimb was scapural and humeral meromelia. It consisted of an underdeveloped forearm (antebrachium), several carpal bones (three bones), large metacarpal bone (Mc. 3 + 4), and two digits with two hoofs. The proximal, middle and distal phalanges, proximal and distal sesamoid bones are normal.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1163-1169
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• 2001

Objective : To assess the surgical outcome for patients with primary spondylitis who were treated surgically. Materials and Methods : We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics of 19 patients who underwent surgical treatment from september 1997 to October 1999 in our department. Results : The 19 patients presented 13 tuberculous spondylitis and 6 pyogenic spondylitis. The male to female ratio was 1.4 : 1 and average age 48.4 years(range 15-68 years). The most prevalent location was thoracic region(47%) and paraparesis was frequently seen in patients with middle and lower spinal lesions. Operative approaches were either anterior(13) or posterior(6). All patients with neurologic deficits improved after surgery. Autogenous rib and/or iliac strut bone grafting was performed, followed by spinal instrumentation. Solid bone fusion was obtained in all patients. There was no need for prolongation of duration of antituberculous drug therapy and no increased incidence of secondary infection due to spinal instrumentation. Conclusion : From the results, it may be advised that patients of primary spondylitis who had neurologic deficit should receive an aggressive opeation in their early stage.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.3 s.272
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• pp.180-192
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• 2007

Background: As determined from the recent investigations of discordant cardiac xenotransplantation, hyperacute rejection occurs mainly at the endothelial cells in donor microvascular systems, but this does not occur at cardiac valve leaflets or at medium-to-large caliber vessels. On the basis of this background, this study was performed to look into the biocompatibility for transplantation of a middle or large diameter xenogenic blood vessel by conducting xenogenic arterial transplantation with the carotid artery in a pig-to-goat model. Material and Method: The experimental group was composed of 10 pairs of pig-to-goat combinations. They were divided into each period of 1 week, and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Four carotid artery grafts obtained through collection of the bilateral carotid arteries from two pigs were preserved at $-70^{\circ}C$ without other treatment, and then they were transplanted into the bilateral carotid arteries of two goats. Doppler ultrasonography was done on a periodic basis after transplantation to evaluate the patency of the grafted blood vessel. At the ends of a predetermined period, the grafts were explanted from the goats and they underwent gross examination. Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome staining were conducted. In addition, in order to examine the immunological rejection of the grafted xenogenic blood vessel, immunohistochemical staining was conducted with T-lymphocyte indicator and von Willebrand factor. Result: Two goats at the each one-week period and the one-year period died during the experimental period because of a reason unrelated to the experimental procedure, and the remaining 8 goats survived until the end of each experiment period. On Doppler ultrasonography, unilateral carotid artery occlusion was found in a goat, whose period was specified as 3 months, among the 8 survived goats. However, the vascular patency was maintained well and there was no graft that formed aneurysms in the other goats. On gross examination, the region of vascular anastomosis was preserved well, and calcification of the grafted blood vessel was not shown. Histologically, the endothelial cells of the graft disappeared one week after transplantation, and then there was progressive spread of the recipients' endothelial cells from the anastomotic site. The reendothelialization occurred over the whole graft at one month after transplantation. The neointimal thickening and adventitial inflammation became severe by 3 months after transplantation, but this lessened at 6 months and 12 months, respectively. The rate of CD3 positive cells was very low among the infiltrated inflammatory cells. Conclusion: The fresh-frozen xenogenic artery kept its patency without being greatly influenced by xenogenic immune reaction.