• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.247-254
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• 2021

Objective : The subaxial cervical pedicle screwing technique shows powerful biomechanical properties for posterior cervical fusion. When applying a pedicle screw using the freehand technique, it is essential to analyse cervical computed tomography and plan the surgery accordingly. Normal cervical computed tomography is usually performed in the supine position, whereas during surgery, the patient lies in a prone position. This fact leads us to suppose that radiological evaluations may yield misleading results. Our study aimed to investigate whether there is any superiority between preoperative preparation on computed tomography performed in the prone position and that performed in the supine position. Methods : This study included 17 patients (132 pedicle screws) who were recently operated on with cervical vertebral computed tomography in the prone position and 17 patients (136 pedicle screws) who were operated on by conventional cervical vertebral computed tomography as the control group. The patients in both groups were compared in terms of age, gender, pathological diagnosis, screw malposition and complications. A screw malposition evaluation was made according to the Gertzbein-Robbins scale. Results : No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding age, gender and pathological diagnosis. The screw malposition rate (from 11.1% to 6.9%, p<0.05), mean malposition distance (from 2.18 mm to 1.86 mm, p <0.05), and complications statistically significantly decreased in the prone position computed tomography group. Conclusion : Preoperative surgical planning by performing cervical vertebral computed tomography in the prone position reduces screw malposition and complications. Our surgical success increased with a simple modification that can be applied by all clinicians without creating additional radiation exposure or additional costs.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.475-481
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• 2014

Objective : To evaluate the anatomical feasibility of 3.5 mm screw into the cervical spine in the pediatric population and to establish useful guidelines for their placement. Methods : A total of 37 cervical spine computerized tomography scans (24 boys and 13 girls) were included in this study. All patients were younger than 10 years of age at the time of evaluation for the period of 2007-2011. Results : For the C1 screw placement, entry point height (EPH) was the most restrictive factor (47.3% patients were larger than 3.5 mm). All C2 lamina had a height larger than 3.5 mm and 68.8% (51/74) of C2 lamina had a width thicker than 3.5 mm. For C2 pedicle width, 55.4% (41/74) of cases were larger than 3.5 mm, while 58.1% (43/74) of pedicle heights were larger than 3.5 mm. For pedicle width of subaxial spine, 75.7% (C3), 73% (C4), 82.4% (C5), 89.2% (C6), and 98.1% (C7, 1/54) were greater than 3.5 mm. Mean lamina width of subaxial cervical spine was 3.1 (C3), 2.7 (C4), 2.9 (C5), 3.8 (C6), and 4.0 mm (C7), respectively. Only 34.6% (127/370) of subaxial (C3-7) lamina thickness were greater than 3.5 mm. Mean length of lateral mass for the lateral mass screw placement was 9.28 (C3), 9.08 (C4), 8.81 (C5), 8.98 (C6), and 10.38 mm (C7). Conclusion : C1 lateral mass fixation could be limited by the morphometrics of lateral mass height. C2 translamina approach is preferable to C2 pedicle screw fixation. In subaxial spines, pedicle screw placement was preferable to trans-lamina screw placement, except at C7.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.251-255
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• 2006

Objective : To determine the clinical and radiological safety of 15 consecutive patients managed with plate and screw fixation systems applied to the cervical lateral mass. Methods : 15 patients who underwent posterior cervical and T1 arthrodesis were reviewed from Jan 2002 to Dec 2004. Posterior cervical screw and plate fixation was applied on the lateral mass of the cervical spine. The authors have tried lateral mass screw fixation using a modified Magerl's technique [$20^{\circ}$ lateral and $20{\sim}30^{\circ}$ rostral screw trajectory] under preliminary radiological study. The average patient age was $39.73^{\circ}{\pm}11.00\;years$, and the average follow-up period was $9.73^{\circ}{\pm}6.77\;months$. Computed tomography scans taken after surgery were reviewed to confirm the attempted screw trajectory correct and safety. Results : Three of 93 lateral mass screws were malpositioned but clinical damage was not noted. Two of 8 pedicle screws on the T1 vertebrae were not placed on the correct pedicle area. Screw and plate loosening was observed in one case but was not subjected to an additional procedure because of maintained screw position observed during follow-up periods. Conclusion : The results of this study indicate that lateral mass screw fixation using the Modified Magerl's technique on the cervical lateral mass may provide safe and effective application on the patients. In addition, the chance of incorrectly placed screws was higher in T1 pedicle screw fixation than in lateral mass screw fixation of the cervical area.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Computer Information Conference
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• 2017.07a
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• pp.99-100
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• 2017

많은 연구에서 측면 나사 고정(laminar screw fixation)보다 척추경 나사 고정(pedicle screw fixation)의 생체 역학 강도가 더 나은 것으로 알려져 있다. 그러나 비교적 작은 크기의 척추경(pedicle)과 척수(spinal code), 신경 뿌리 및 척추 동맥에 대한 상해의 위험으로 일반적으로 이 방법은 사용에 제한이 있었다. 최근 3차원 모델링 및 3D 프린팅 기술의 진보는 해부학적인 연구, 특히 척추를 포함한 뼈와 관련된 연구를 용이하게 하고 있으며, 로봇 수술을 위한 다양한 아이디어를 제공하고 있다. 본 연구는 로봇 암(robotic arm)으로 경추 척추경에 나사를 삽입할 때 사용될 수 있는 척추경 나사 삽입을 위한 이상적인 궤적을 계산하는 방법을 제시하였다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.933-943
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• 2021

Objective : Percutaneous pedicle screw (PPS) fixation is a needle based procedure that requires fluoroscopic image guidance. Consequently, radiation exposure is inevitable for patients, surgeons, and operation room staff. We hypothesize that reducing the production of radiation emission will result in reduced radiation exposure for everyone in the operation room. Research was performed to evaluate reduction of radiation exposure by modifying imaging manner and mode of radiation source. Methods : A total of 170 patients (680 screws) who underwent fusion surgery with PPS fixation from September 2019 to March 2020 were analyzed in this study. Personal dosimeters (Polimaster Ltd.) were worn at the collar outside a lead apron to measure radiation exposure. Patients were assigned to four groups based on imaging manner of fluoroscopy and radiation modification (pulse mode with reduced dose) : continuous use without radiation modification (group 1, n=34), intermittent use without radiation modification (group 2, n=54), continuous use with radiation modification (group 3, n=26), and intermittent use with radiation modification (group 4, n=56). Post hoc Tukey Honest significant difference test was used for individual comparisons of radiation exposure/screw and fluoroscopic time/screw. Results : The average radiation exposure/screw was 71.45±45.75 µSv/screw for group 1, 18.77±11.51 µSv/screw for group 2, 19.58±7.00 µSv/screw for group 3, and 4.26±2.89 µSv/screw for group 4. By changing imaging manner from continuous multiple shot to intermittent single shot, 73.7% radiation reduction was achieved in the no radiation modification groups (groups 1, 2), and 78.2% radiation reduction was achieved in the radiation modification groups (groups 3, 4). Radiation source modification from continuous mode with standard dose to pulse mode with reduced dose resulted in 72.6% radiation reduction in continuous imaging groups (groups 1, 3) and 77.3% radiation reduction in intermittent imaging groups (groups 2, 4). The average radiation exposure/screw was reduced 94.1% by changing imaging manner and modifying radiation source from continuous imaging with standard fluoroscopy setting (group 1) to intermittent imaging with modified fluoroscopy setting (group 4). A total of 680 screws were reviewed postoperatively, and 99.3% (675) were evaluated as pedicle breach grade 0 (<2 mm). Conclusion : The average radiation exposure/screw for a spinal surgeon can be reduced 94.1% by changing imaging manner and modifying radiation source from real-time imaging with standard dose to intermittent imaging with modified dose. These modifications can be instantly applied to any procedure using fluoroscopic guidance and may reduce the overall radiation exposure of spine surgeons.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.807-813
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• 2011

High precision of planning in the preoperative phase can contribute to increase operational safety during computer-aided spinal fusion surgery, which requires extreme caution on the part of the surgeon, due to the complexity and delicacy of the procedure. In this paper, an advanced preoperative planning framework for spinal fusion is presented. The framework is based on spinal pedicle data obtained from CT (Computed Tomography) images, and provides optimal insertion trajectories and pedicle screw sizes. The proposed approach begins with safety margin estimation for each potential insertion trajectory that passes through the pedicle volume, followed by procedures to collect a set of insertion trajectories that satisfy operation safety objectives. The radius of a pedicle screw was chosen as 70% of the pedicle radius. This framework has been tested on 68 spinal pedicles of 8 patients requiring spinal fusion. It was successfully applied, resulting in an average success rate of 100% and a final safety margin of $2.44{\pm}0.51mm$.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.131-139
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to insert a pedicle screw into a pig thoracic vertebrae, a general CT scan(Non MAR), and a thoracic axial image obtained with the Metallic Artifact Reduction for Orthopedic Implants (O-MAR) to reduce artifacts. The image obtained by reconstructing the algorithm (Standard, Soft, Bone, Detail) was used using the image J program. Signal to noise ratio(SNR) and contrast to noise ratio(CNR) were compared and analyzed by obtaining measured values based on the given equation. And this study was to investigate tube voltage and algorithm suitable for CT scan for thoracic pedicle screw insertion. As a result, when non-MAR was used, the soft algorithm showed the highest SNR and CNR at 80, 100, 120, and 140 kVp, On the other hand, when MAR was used, the standard algorithm showed the highest at 80 kVp, and the standard and soft algorithms showed similar values at 100 kVp. At 120 kVp, the Soft and Standard algorithms showed similar values, and at 140 kVp, the Soft algorithm showed the highest SNR and CNR. Therefore, when comparing Non-MAR and MAR, even if MAR was used, SNR and CNR did not increase in all algorithms according to the change in tube voltage. In conclusion, it is judged that it is advantageous to use the Soft algorithm at 80, 100, 120, and 140 kVp in Non MAR, the Standard algorithm at 80 and 100 kVp in MAR, and the Soft algorithm at 120 and 140 kVp. This study is expected to serve as an opportunity to further improve the quality of images by using selective tube voltage and algorithms as basic data to help evaluate images of pedicle screw CT scans in the future.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.1
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• pp.44-52
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• 2023

Objective : This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of transverse process (TP) hook system at the upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) for preventing screw pullout in adult spinal deformity surgery using the pedicle Hounsfield unit (HU) stratification based on K-means clustering. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 74 patients who underwent deformity correction surgery between 2011 and 2020 and were followed up for >12 months. Pre- and post-operative data were used to determine the incidence of screw pullout, UIV TP hook implementation, vertebral body HU, pedicle HU, and patient outcomes. Data was then statistically analyzed for assessment of efficacy and risk prediction using stratified HU at UIV level alongside the effect of the TP hook system. Results : The screw pullout rate was 36.4% (27/74). Perioperative radiographic parameters were not significantly different between the pullout and non-pullout groups. The vertebral body HU and pedicle HU were significantly lower in the pullout group. K-means clustering stratified the vertebral body HU ≥205.3, <137.2, and pedicle HU ≥243.43, <156.03. The pullout rate significantly decreases in patients receiving the hook system when the pedicle HU was from ≥156.03 to < 243.43 (p<0.05), but the difference was not statistically significant in the vertebra HU stratified groups and when pedicle HU was ≥243.43 or <156.03. The postoperative clinical outcomes improved significantly with the implementation of the hook system. Conclusion : The UIV hook provides better clinical outcomes and can be considered a preventative strategy for screw-pullout in the certain pedicle HU range.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.67 no.1
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• pp.60-72
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• 2024

Objective : Recently, robotic-assisted spine surgery (RASS) has been considered a minimally invasive and relatively accurate method. In total, 495 robotic-assisted pedicle screw fixation (RAPSF) procedures were attempted on 100 patients during a 14-month period. The current study aimed to analyze the accuracy, potential risk factors, and learning curve of RAPSF. Methods : This retrospective study evaluated the position of RAPSF using the Gertzbein and Robbins scale (GRS). The accuracy was analyzed using the ratio of the clinically acceptable group (GRS grades A and B), the dissatisfying group (GRS grades C, D, and E), and the Surgical Evaluation Assistant program. The RAPSF was divided into the no-breached group (GRS grade A) and breached group (GRS grades B, C, D, and E), and the potential risk factors of RAPSF were evaluated. The learning curve was analyzed by changes in robot-used time per screw and the occurrence tendency of breached and failed screws according to case accumulation. Results : The clinically acceptable group in RAPSF was 98.12%. In the analysis using the Surgical Evaluation Assistant program, the tip offset was 2.37±1.89 mm, the tail offset was 3.09±1.90 mm, and the angular offset was 3.72°±2.72°. In the analysis of potential risk factors, the difference in screw fixation level (p=0.009) and segmental distance between the tracker and the instrumented level (p=0.001) between the no-breached and breached group were statistically significant, but not for the other factors. The mean difference between the no-breach and breach groups was statistically significant in terms of pedicle width (p<0.001) and tail offset (p=0.042). In the learning curve analysis, the occurrence of breached and failed screws and the robot-used time per screw screws showed a significant decreasing trend. Conclusion : In the current study, RAPSF was highly accurate and the specific potential risk factors were not identified. However, pedicle width was presumed to be related to breached screw. Meanwhile, the robot-used time per screw and the incidence of breached and failed screws decreased with the learning curve.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1995 no.05
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• pp.23-26
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• 1995

The objectives of the present study are 1)to find the effect of the diameter of transpedicular screws on their fixational strength in pedicles under static pull-out loading, 2)to determine the biomechanical correlation between the pedicle diameter and the screw diameter, and 3)to find the effects of other factors in the screw design, such as materials, screw pitch, thread height and shape on their fixational strength. Biomechanical tests (Test I) were performed to evaluate the effect of the screw diameter on pull-out strength by using 60 porcine pedicls and six groups of custom-made pedicle screws with different diameters (the major and the minor diameter of the screws used in the testing varied from 4mm upto 9mm and from 3mm upto 8mm, respectively) while all other factors (materials, screw pitch, thread height and shape etc.) were fixed. In Test II, by using 61 porcine pedicles, the relationship between the ratio of the pedicle diameter and the screw diameter(=aspect ratio) of the custum-made screw and the pull-out strength of the screw was investigated. Test III was performed with 94 porcine pedicles and 8 different types of the commercial screws from 6 major productors in order to determine the effect of the screw diameter, pitch and the thread shape on the pull-out strength of the screw, respectively. The results of Test I showed that the axial pull-out resistance of the screw could be increased prportionaly to the screw diameter(P<0.05). But this increase in the pull-out resistance did not found when the screws of 4mm or 9mm in the diameter were employed. It was found from the results of Test II that the screws had its maximum pull-out resistant force when the aspect ratio ranging 40 - 69% (P<0.05). based on the results for the major diameter against the minor diameter of screw, the maximal pull-out resistance was found at 60-65% (P<0.05). According to these biomechanical testing results, it seems that the screw with a moderately large pitch is more desirable and the buttress-shaped screw can provide stronger fixation than the V-shape one can, if other designal factor and conditions were fixed.