• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
• /
• v.54 no.4
• /
• pp.336-342
• /
• 2019

Purpose: To examine the relationship between the progression of a kyphotic deformity and the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in conservatively treated osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fracture patients. Materials and Methods: This study categorized the patients who underwent conservative treatment among those patients who underwent treatment under the suspicion of a thoracolumbar compression fracture from January 2007 to March 2016. Among them, this retrospective study included eighty-nine patients with osteoporosis and osteopenia with a bone density of less than -2.0 and single vertebral body fracture. This study examined the MRI of anterior longitudinal ligament or posterior longitudinal ligament injury, superior or inferior endplate disruption, superior of inferior intravertebral disc injury, the presence of low signal intensity on T2-weighted images, and bone edema of intravertebral bodies in fractured intravertebral bodies. Results: In cases where the superior endplate was disrupted or the level of bone edema of the intravertebral bodies was high, the kyphotic angle, wedge angle, and anterior vertebral compression showed remarkably progression. In the case of damage to the anterior longitudinal ligament or the superior disc, only the kyphotic angle was markedly prominent. On the T2-weighted images, low signal intensity lesions showed a high wedge angle and high anterior vertebral compression. On the other hand, there were no significant correlations among the posterior longitudinal ligament injury, inferior endplate disruption, inferior disc injury, and the progression of kyphotic deformity and vertebral compression. The risk factors that increase the kyphotic angle by more than 5° include the presence of injuries to the anterior longitudinal ligament, superior endplate disruption, and superior disc injury, and the risk factors were 21.3, 5.1, and 8.5 times higher than those of the uninjured case, and the risk differed according to the level of bone edema. Conclusion: An osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fracture in osteoporotic or osteopenic patients, anterior longitudinal ligament injury, superior endplate and intravertebral disc injury, and high level of edema in the MRI were critical factors that increases the risk of kyphotic deformity.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.59 no.2
• /
• pp.122-128
• /
• 2016

Objective : To illustrate the technique of single-stage posterior subtotal corpectomy and circumferential reconstruction for the treatment of unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures and to evaluate the radiographical and clinical outcomes of patients treated using this technique. Methods : 16 consecutive patients with unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures were treated with single-stage posterior subtotal corpectomy and circumferential reconstruction. The mean patient age was 54.8 years. The mean follower up period was 25 months. Five patients suffered from T12 fractures, 10 from L1, 1 from L2. The segmental kyphosis, neurologic status, visual analogue scale for back pain was evaluated before surgery and at follow up. Results : The segmental kyphotic angle improved from 18.5 degrees before surgery to -9.2 degrees at the last follow up. The mean correction angle was 28.9 degrees. The mean surgical time was 255 minutes, and a mean intraoperative blood loss was 1073 mL. Intraoperative complications included two dural tears, and a superficial wound infection. There were no other severe complications. The mean visual analog scale of back pain decreased from a mean value of 6.6 to 2 at the last follow up. Conclusion : The single-stage posterior subtotal corpectomy and circumferential reconstruction achieved satisfactory kyphosis correction with direct visualization of the circumferentially decompressed spinal cord, as well as good fusion with less blood loss and complications. It is a safe and reliable surgical treatment option for unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.10-17
• /
• 2018

Purpose: To evaluate interpretation errors involving spine MRIs by residents in their second to fourth year of training, classified as minor, intermediate and major discrepancies, as well as the types of commonly discordant lesions with or without clinical significance. Materials and Methods: A staff radiologist evaluated both preliminary and final reports of 582 spine MRIs performed in the emergency room from March 2011 to February 2013, involving (1) the incidence of report discrepancy, classified as minor if there was sufficient description of the main MR findings without ancillary or incidental lesions not influencing the main diagnosis, treatment, or patients' clinical course; intermediate if the correct diagnosis was made with insufficient or inadequate explanation, potentially influencing treatment or clinical course; and major if the discrepancy affected the main diagnosis; and (2) the common causes of discrepancy. We analyzed the differences in the incidence of discrepancy with respect to the training years of residents, age and sex of patients. Results: Interpretation discrepancy occurred in 229 of the 582 cases (229/582, 39.3%), including 146 minor (146/582, 25.1%), 40 intermediate (40/582, 6.9%), and 43 major cases (43/582, 7.4%). The common causes of major discrepancy were: over-diagnosis of fracture (n = 10), missed cord lesion (n = 9), missed signal abnormalities associated with diffuse marrow (n = 5), and failure to provide differential diagnosis of focal abnormal marrow signal intensity (n = 5). No significant difference was found in the incidence of minor, intermediate, and major discrepancies according to the levels of residency, patients' age or sex. Conclusion: A 7.4% rate of major discrepancies was found in preliminary reporting of emergency MRIs of spine interpreted by radiology residents, probably related to a relative lack of clinical experience, indicating the need for additional training, especially involving spine trauma, spinal cord and bone marrow lesions.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.14-21
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to analyze the results of the combined and posterior approaches for treating thoracolumbar and lumbar burst fractures and to find an adequate method of treatment. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the cases of 46 patients with unstable thoracolumbar and lumbar burst fractures who had been surgically treated. All cases were divided into two groups based on the operation method used. Eleven patients had undergone the combined approach, while 35 patients had undergone the posterior approach. Radiological and clinical evaluations were performed before surgery, after surgery, and at the final follow-up. Results: The stenotic ratios of the area occupied by the retropulsed bony fragments to the estimated area of the original spinal canal were 68.2% and 45.6% for the combined and the posterior approaches, respectively. No significant differences in the neurological improvement or the corrected state of the sagittal index were noted, but the patients who had been treated with the combined approach group had better results than those who had been treated with the posterior approach group in terms of correction and maintenance of the sagittal index. The average kyphosis corrections at the final follow-up were 15.3 degrees for the patients in the combined approach group and 10.0 degrees for those in the posterior approach group. Surgical time and estimated blood loss were all significantly higher for patients in the combined approach group. Conclusion: The combined and the posterior approaches showed similar results in the improvements of the neurologic state and the corrected state of the sagittal index. However, use of the combined approach is recommended for patients with severe kyphosis and with severe canal encroachment.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.7-16
• /
• 2012

Purpose: Cervical dislocations with locked facets account for more than 50% of all cervical injuries. Thus, investigating a suitable management of cervical locked facets is important. This study examined factors of close reduction failure in traumatically locked facets of the subaxial cervical spine patients to determine suitable surgical management. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed of the case histories of 28 patients with unilateral/bilateral cervical locked facets from Nov. 2004 to Dec. 2010. Based on MRI evaluation of disc status at the injury level, we found unilateral dislocations in 9 cases, and bilateral dislocations in 19 cases, The patients were investigated for neurologic recovery, closed reduction rate, factors of the close reduction barrier, fusion rate and period, spinal alignment, and complications. Results: The closed reduction failed in 23(82%) patients. Disc herniation was an obstacle to closed reduction (p=0.015) and was more frequent in cases involving a unilateral dislocation (p=0.041). The pedicle or facet fracture was another factor, although some patients showed aggravation of neurologic symptoms, most patients had improved by the last follow up. The kyphotic angle were statistically significant (p=0.043). Sixs patient underwent anterior decompression/fusion, and 15 patients underwent circumferential fusion, and 7 patients underwent posterior fusion. All patients were fused at 3 months after surgery. The complications were 1 case of CSF leakage and 1 case of esphageal fistula, 1 case of infection. Conclusion: We recommend closed reduction be performed as soon as possible after injury to maximize the potential for neurological recovery. Patients fot whom closed reduction of the cervical locked facets have a higher incidence of anatomic obstacles to reduction, including facet fractures and disc herniation. Immediate direct open anterior reduction or circumferential fixation/fusion of locked cervical facets is recommended as a treatment of choice for traumatic locked cervical facet patients after closed reduction failure.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.161-165
• /
• 2007

Objective : Percutaneous approach to the middle thoracic vertebra through the transpedicular route for the patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures is difficult due to the small size of the pedicle and parasagittally oriented vertebra body anatomy. The percutaneous vertebral body access [PVBA] technique utilizing the posterolateral extrapedicular approach avoids the pedicle and provides direct access to the vertebral body. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the vertebroplasty utilizing PVBA technique for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in the middle thoracic vertebrae. Methods : A retrospective review was done on 20 patients who underwent vertebroplasty utilizing PVBA technique performed for painful osteoporotic compression fracture in the middle thoracic vertebrae at 22 levels from May 2003 to June 2006. The average amount of the injected cement was 1.5-2.5ml. The postprocedural outcome was assessed using a visual analogue scale [VAS]. Results : The treated vertebrae were T5 [1 level], T6 [5 levels], 17 [7 levels], and T8 [9 levels]. The compression rate and kyphotic angle were improved after procedure from $18%{\pm}13.4$ to $16%{\pm}13.8$ [p > 0.05] and from $6.9^{\circ}{\pm}6.7$ to $6.6^{\circ}{\pm}6.2$ [p>005], respectively. Preprocedural VAS was $8.2{\pm}0.70$ and was decreased to $2.1{\pm}1.02$ [p < 0.01] after treatment. Postprocedural cement leakage was noted in 3 levels [13.7%]. There were no cases of leakage to epidural space or neural foramen, segmental artery injury, and pneumothorax. Conclusion : These results suggest that the complication rates are low and good results can be achieved with vertebroplasty utilizing PVBA technique for the osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures especially in the middle thoracic vertebrae.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.202-205
• /
• 2008

Background: Lumbar radicular pain is a frequent and often debilitating event. Although many treatment methods have been described in several studies, the available evidences regarding efficacy is not sufficient enough to draw definitive conclusions on an optimal therapy regime. Pulsed radiofrequency (RF) treatment was found to exert a beneficial effect on intractable radicular pain in individuals. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of pulsed RF of the dorsal root ganglion for chronic lumbar radicular pain. Methods: Twenty five patients with chronic lumbar radicular pain that was refractory to selective nerve root blockage met the inclusion criteria of our study and received pulsed RF treatment. The average numeric rating scale (NRS) for leg pain during usual activities and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) were measured at 1 and 3 months after the procedure. Results: Of the 25 patients accepted for pulsed RF treatment, one dropped out due to a vertebral compression fracture during this study. ODI and NRS showed a positive trend in favor of the pulsed RF treatment. No significant complications were observed during the study period. Conclusions: It appears that pulsed RF treatment of the lumbar spinal dorsal root ganglion may be an effective treatment method for patients suffering from lumbar radicular pain, and who were not responsive to selective nerve root blockage.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.112-117
• /
• 2007

Objective : Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are two minimally invasive procedures for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the radiological findings and clinical outcomes between two procedures. Methods : Osteoporotic vertebral fractures were treated in 76 vertebrae, using kyphoplasty (n=35 vertebrae) and using vertebroplasty (n=41 vertebrae). Fractured vertebral bodies were diagnosed by correlating the clinical symptoms with radiologic study. The responses of pain symptoms were measured by a self-reported Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score. Plain X-rays were checked preoperatively and postoperatively at admission and 6 months. The vertebral body height and kyphotic angle were measured to assess the reduction of the sagittal alignment. Results : The mean pain scores were decreased significantly for both procedures postoperatively, but there were no significant differences between two groups. Kyphoplasty led to a significant reduction of the vertebral body height and improvement of kyphotic angle. There were no neurological deficits after kyphoplasty, but one patient experienced paraparesis after vertebroplasty. During the 6 months follow-up both procedures provided stabilization of the sagittal alignment. Conclusion : Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are considered effective minimally invasive techniques for the stabilization of osteoporotic vertebral body fractures, leading to a statistically significant reduction in pain. Kyphoplasty significantly restore sagittal alignment. Also, complications and the incidence of bone cement leakage are significantly lesser than vertebroplasty. Therefore, kyphoplasty seems to be reasonable procedure for osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractures when medical treatment fail.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.41 no.5
• /
• pp.295-300
• /
• 2007

Objective : Unilateral facet dislocation of the cervical spine occurs by flexion and rotation injuries and cannot be easily reduced by axial traction. We analyzed 14 consecutive patients with unilateral facet dislocation of the cervical spine to increase knowledge about anatomical reduction of locked facet and factors for successful reduction. Methods : Fourteen patients [10 men and 4 women] with unilateral facet dislocation of the cervical spine were retrospectively analyzed. Plain X-ray, computerized tomography scan, and magnetic resonance imaging were performed. All patients underwent manual reduction and surgery with anterior interbody fusion and plate fixation. The manual reduction was performed by neck flexion and rotation to the opposite side of dislocation, followed by rotation and flexion of the head toward the side of dislocation and extension with relaxation of traction. Mean follow-up period was 17 months. The level of spine, amount of subluxation, combined facet fracture, and time from injury to initial reduction were analyzed using the data obtained from medical records. Results : Thirteen [93%] patients were reduced successfully. Immediate reduction was achieved in 7 patients but failed in 7 patients. Seven patients underwent delayed closed reduction under general anesthesia, and successful reduction was achieved in 6 patients. Only one patient with bone chips between articular facets failed to achieve anatomical reduction. Conclusion : In order to reduce the locked facet more easily and safely, we recommend manipulative traction with anterior interbody fusion and plate fixation under general anesthesia after being aware of spinal cord injury with magnetic resonance imaging.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.52 no.5
• /
• pp.435-440
• /
• 2012

Objective : The purpose of this study is to find the optimal stiffness and volume of bone cement and their biomechanical effects on the adjacent vertebrae to determine a better strategy for conducting vertebroplasty. Methods : A three-dimensional finite-element model of a functional spinal unit was developed using computed tomography scans of a normal motion segment, comprising the T11, T12 and L1 vertebrae. Volumes of bone cement, with appropriate mechanical properties, were inserted into the trabecular core of the T12 vertebra. Parametric studies were done by varying the volume and stiffness of the bone cement. Results : When the bone cement filling volume reached 30% of the volume of a vertebral body, the level of stiffness was restored to that of normal bone, and when higher bone cement exceeded 30% of the volume, the result was stiffness in excess of that of normal bone. When the bone cement volume was varied, local stress in the bony structures (cortical shell, trabecular bone and endplate) of each vertebra monotonically increased. Low-modulus bone cement has the effect of reducing strain in the augmented body, but only in cases of relatively high volumes of bone cement (>50%). Furthermore, varying the stiffness of bone cement has a negligible effect on the stress distribution of vertebral bodies. Conclusion : The volume of cement was considered to be the most important determinant in endplate fracture. Changing the stiffness of bone cement has a negligible effect on the stress distribution of vertebral bodies.