• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.163-167
• /
• 2001

Objective : Percutaneous vertebroplasty has recently been introduced as an interesting therapeutic alternative for the treatment of thoracolumbar vertebral body fractures in elderly persons with osteoporosis. The authors present the early results of this method. Method and Material : From July 1999 to April 2000, percutaneous transpedicular technique was used in 20 patients (2 men and 18 women) whose mean age was 67.5 years old(range 59-79) with painful vertebral compression(22) and burst(2) fractures. The interval between fracture and vertebroplasty ranged 1 day to 4 months. The procedure involved percutaneous puncture of the injured vertebra via transpedicular approach under fluoroscopic guidance, followed by injection of polymethylmetacrylate(PMMA) into the vertebral body through a disposable 11-guage Jamshidi needle. Result : The most common cause of fracture was slip down and the most frequent injured level was the twelfth thoracic spine. The procedure was technically successful bilaterally in 18 patients(9 thoracic and 15 lumbar spines) with an average injection amount of 7.7ml PMMA in each level. Seventeen(94.4%) patients reported significant pain relief immediately after treatment. Two leaks of PMMA were detected with postoperative CT in spinal epidural space and extravertebral soft tissue without clinical symptoms. Conclusion : Although this study represents the early results, percutaneous vertebroplasty seems to be valuable tool in the treatment of painful osteoporotic vertebral body fractures in elderly, providing acute pain relief and early mobilization.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.52 no.4
• /
• pp.339-345
• /
• 2012

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the patterns and the risk factors of newly developed vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) after percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP). Methods : We performed a retrospective review of the 244 patients treated with PVP from September 2006 to February 2011. Among these patients, we selected 49 patients with newly developed VCFs following PVP as the new VCFs group, and the remaining 195 patients as the no VCFs group. The new VCFs group was further divided into 2 groups : an adjacent fractures group and a nonadjacent fractures group. The following data were collected from the groups : age, gender, body weight/height, body mass index (BMI), bone mineral density (BMD) score of the spine and femur, level of initial fracture, restoration rate of anterior/middle vertebral height, and intradiscal cement leakage, volume of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Results : Age, gender, mean body height/weight, mean BMI and volume of PMMA of each of the group are not statistically significantly associated with fractures. In comparison between the new VCFs group and the no VCFs group, lower BMD, intradiscal cement leakage and anterior vertebral height restoration were the significant predictive factors of the fracture. In addition, new VCFs occurrence at the adjacent spines was statistically significant, when the initial fracture levels were confined to the thoracolumbar junction, among the subgroups of new VCFs. Conclusion : Lower spinal BMD, the greater anterior vertebral height restoration rate and intradiscal cement leakage were confirmed as risk factors for newly formed VCFs after PVP.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.58-65
• /
• 2000

Objective : Thoracolumbar junction is second most common level of injury next to cervical spine. The object of this study is to study the usefulness of surgical titanium mesh instead of bone graft, as well as to evaluate the correction of spinal deformity and safety of early ambulation in patients with injury at thoracolumbar junction. Patients and Methods : This review included 51 patients who were operated from July 1994 to December 1997. The injured spine is considered to be unstable, if it shows involvement of two or more columns, translatory displacement more than 3.5mm, decrease more than 35% in height of vertebral body and progression of malalignment in serial X-ray. The decision to operate was determined by (1) compression of spinal cord or cauda eguina, (2) unstable fracture, (3) malalignment and (4) fracture dislocation. The procedure consisted of anterior decompression through corpectomy and internal fixation with anterior instrument and surgical titanium mesh which was impacted with gathered bone chip from corpectomy. Results : Fifty-one patients were followed up for at least 12 months. The main causes of injury were fall and vehicle accident. The twelfth thoracic and the first and the second lumbar vertebrae were frequently involved. Complete neural decompression was possible under direct vision in all cases. Kyphotic angulation occurred in a patient. Radiologic evaluation showed correction of deformity and no distortion or loosening of surgical titanium mesh with satisfactory fixation postoperatively. Conclusions : We could obtain neurological improvement, relief of pain, immediate stabilization and early return to normal activities postoperatively. Based on these results, authors recommend anterior decompression and internal fixation with surgical titanium mesh in thoracolumbar unstable spine injuries.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.56 no.3
• /
• pp.211-217
• /
• 2014

Objective : In Korea, early vertebroplasty (EVP) or delayed vertebroplasty (DVP, which is performed at least 2 weeks after diagnosis) were performed for the treatment of acute osteoporotic compression fracture (OCF) of the spine. The present study compared the outcomes of two surgical strategies for the treatment of single-level acute OCF in the thoracolumbar junction (T12-L2). Methods : From 2004 to 2010, 23 patients were allocated to the EVP group (EVPG) and 27 patients to the DVP group (DVPG). Overall mean age was $68.3{\pm}7.9$ and minimum follow-up period was 1.0 year. Retrospective study of clinical and radiological results was conducted. Results : No significant differences in baseline characteristics were observed between the two groups. As expected, mean duration from onset to vertebroplasty and mean duration of hospital stay were significantly longer in the DVPG ($17.1{\pm}2.1$ and $17.5{\pm}4.2$) than in the EVPG ($3.8{\pm}3.3$ and $10.8{\pm}5.1$, p=0.001). Final clinical outcome including visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index, and Odom's criteria did not differ between the two groups. However, immediate improvement of the VAS after vertebroplasty was greater in the EVPG ($5.1{\pm}1.3$) than in the DVPG ($4.0{\pm}1.0$, p=0.002). The proportion of cement leakage was lower in the EVPG (30.4%) than in the DVPG (59.3%, p=0.039). In addition, semiquantitative grade of cement interdigitation was significantly more favorable in the EVPG than in the DVPG (p=0.003). Final vertebral body collapse and segmental kyphosis did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusion : Our findings suggest that EVP achieves a better immediate surgical effect with more favorable cost-effectiveness.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.65 no.5
• /
• pp.730-740
• /
• 2022

Objective : Although several commercialized bone cements are used during percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF), there are no reports using domestic products from South Korea. In this study, we investigated the safety and efficacy of Spinofill^® (Injecta Inc., Gunpo, Korea), a new polymethyl methacrylate product. Methods : A prospective, single-center, and single-arm clinical trial of 30 participants who underwent PVP using Spinofill^® for painful thoracolumbar OVCF was performed with 6-months follow-up. Clinical and surgical outcomes included the Visual analog scale (VAS), Korean-Oswestry disability index (K-ODI), and Odom's criteria, complication rate, and recurrence rate. Radiological outcomes were evaluated by measuring the findings of postoperative computed tomography and simple radiograph. Results : The pain of VAS (from 8.95±1.05 to 4.65±2.06, p<0.001) and the life quality based on K-ODI (from 33.95±5.84 to 25.65±4.79, p<0.001) improved significantly, and successful patient satisfaction were achieved in 20 patients (66.7%) 1 day after surgery. These immediate improvements were maintained or more improved during the follow-up. There was no surgery- or product-related complications, but OVCF recurred in two patients (6.7%). Favorable cement interdigitation was reported in 24 patients (80.0%), and extra-vertebral cement leakage was reported in 13 patients (43.0%). The mean vertebral height ratio (from 60.49%±21.97% to 80.07%±13.16%, p<0.001) and segmental kyphotic angle (from 11.46°±8.50° to 7.79°±6.08°, p=0.002) improved one day after surgery. However, these short-term radiological findings somewhat regressed at the end. Conclusion : The overall outcomes of PVP using Spinofill^® were as favorable as those of other conventionally used products.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.219-225
• /
• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to review whether Korean medicine treatment was effective to maintain the spinal stability and to relieve spinal symptom by reviewing medical records of 18 vertebral compression fracture patients. Methods: The subjects were 18 thoracolumbar compression fracture patients who were taken more than two lateral view x-rays of fractured vertebra from Jan, 2010 to June, 2018. They were divided into two groups: the time admitted into Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine, Pohang Korean Medical Hospital of Daegu Hanny University from onset (Research 1) and whether or not they have a past history of osteoporosis (Research 2). Then, they were follow-up observed and compared by compression ratio and numerical rating scale (NRS) and so on. Results: The amount of weekly compression rate increase of 18 patients was 1.76% per week. According to the result of Research 1, the patients group (14 patients) who were admitted into the hospital within 1-2 weeks from getting injury was 1.88% per week whereas the patients group(4 patients) who were admitted into the hospital within 3-4 weeks from getting injury was 1.22% per week. By Research 2 result, the patients group (7 patients) who had been diagnosed as an osteoporosis patient was 2.19% per week, and those (11 patients) who had not was 1.49% per week. There was a statistical significance in the change of the amount of compression rate increase in the case of Research 1, but there was not in the case of Research 2. NRS was decreased without significant difference regardless of the time admitted into the hospital and whether or not the patients had the past history of osteoporosis. Conclusion: Considering that there were more amount of compression rate increase at 1-4 weeks from onset, it is necessary to offer treatment more actively on early time from onset. Further research is needed into the increase of compression rate by the patients' having a past history of osteoporosis or not. Given that NRS decreased without significant difference, it is assumed that Korean medicine treatment has a meaningful effect on relieving subjective symptom of patients who are diagnosed as vertebral compression fractures.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.29 no.6
• /
• pp.763-771
• /
• 2000

Objectives : Thoracolumbar burst fractures(TBLF) result in not only compressive deformity of vertebral body but also spinal cord compression by bony fragments. Many thoracolumbar burst fractures demand both anterior decompression and intervertebral fusion. Most of spinal surgeons use anterior instrumentation for anteior intervertebral bony fusion. The use of Z-plate has been increased recently, however there has been only a few reports regarding its clinical long-term strength. We studied nineteen patients with TBLF to find out the long-term stability of Z-plate. Methods : We have operated 19 patients from March 1996 to August 1998. They were treated with anterior decompression through either a transthoracic, retroperitoneal extrapleural or retroperitoneal approach. Retropulsed bony fragments were removed completely by corpectomy. Iliac bone graft was used for interbody fusion in all of the cases. They were evaluated by plain X-ray films including flexion and extention lateral films. Cobbs angle was used to evaluate kyphotic and lateral wedging deformity. Results : Burst fractured sites were T11 in two, three T12, nine L1, and five L2. Mean follow-up duration was fifteen months. Preoperative average kyphotic angle was 23.7 degree. Immediate postoperative kyphotic angle was 10.2 degree. Follow-up resluts of average kyphotic angles revealed 14 degrees. Four patients(21%), including two spinal 3-column injury, showed increasement of kyphotic angle more than 5 degree or breakage of intrumentation. Two patients showed the difference of kyphotic angle more than 3 degree. Five patients(26%) revealed lateral wedging deformity more than 3 degrees. Postoperative complications were two meralgia parestheticas, one pulmonary atelectasis and two donor site infections. Four of the eight patients, who initially showed incomplete spinal cord deficits, were nerologically improved by Frankel's grade. Conclusion : Z-plate fixation and iliac bone graft after anterior decompression in thoracolumbar burst fractures is a safe and easy method. Immediate postoperative results revealed excellent correction of posttraumatic kyphosis, but long-term follow-up evalution showed insufficient strength. Therefore we believe that use of Z-plate should be carefully decided, especially in the case of large lumbar fracture or 3-column injury.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.56 no.3
• /
• pp.230-236
• /
• 2014

Objective : The technique of short segment pedicle screw fixation (SSPSF) has been widely used for stabilization in thoracolumbar burst fractures (TLBFs), but some studies reported high rate of kyphosis recurrence or hardware failure. This study was to evaluate the results of SSPSF including fractured level and to find the risk factors concerned with the kyphosis recurrence in TLBFs. Methods : This study included 42 patients, including 25 males and 17 females, who underwent SSPSF for stabilization of TLBFs between January 2003 and December 2010. For radiologic assessments, Cobb angle (CA), vertebral wedge angle (VWA), vertebral body compression ratio (VBCR), and difference between VWA and Cobb angle (DbVC) were measured. The relationships between kyphosis recurrence and radiologic parameters or demographic features were investigated. Frankel classification and low back outcome score (LBOS) were used for assessment of clinical outcomes. Results : The mean follow-up period was 38.6 months. CA, VWA, and VBCR were improved after SSPSF, and these parameters were well maintained at the final follow-up with minimal degree of correction loss. Kyphosis recurrence showed a significant increase in patients with Denis burst type A, load-sharing classification (LSC) score >6 or DbVC >6 (p<0.05). There were no patients who worsened to clinical outcome, and there was no significant correlation between kyphosis recurrence and clinical outcome in this series. Conclusion : SSPSF including the fractured vertebra is an effective surgical method for restoration and maintenance of vertebral column stability in TLBFs. However, kyphosis recurrence was significantly associated with Denis burst type A fracture, LSC score >6, or DbVC >6.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.56-60
• /
• 2022

The most common cause of foot drop is lumbar degenerative disc herniation, particularly at L4/5. We present a rare case of spinal cord injury accompanied by a thoracolumbar lesion that presented with bilateral foot drop. A 69-year-old male patient presented with sudden-onset severe bilateral leg pain and bilateral foot drop. Radiologic findings revealed T12 spondylitis compressing the conus medullaris. He had undergone vertebroplasty for a T12 compression fracture after a fall 6 months before. A physical examination showed bilateral foot drop, paresthesia of both L5 dermatomes, increased deep tendon reflex, and a positive Babinski sign. An acute bilateral L5 root lesion and a conus medullaris lesion were suspected based on electromyography. A surgical procedure was done for decompression and reconstruction. After the operation, bilateral lower extremity muscle strength recovered to a good grade from the trace grade, and the patient could walk without a cane. The current case is a very rare report of bilateral foot drop associated with T12 infectious spondylitis after vertebroplasty. It is essential to keep in mind that lesions of the thoracolumbar junction can cause atypical neurological symptoms. Furthermore, understanding the conus medullaris and nerve root anatomy at the T12-L1 level will be helpful for treating patients with atypical neurological symptoms.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.29 no.8
• /
• pp.1055-1062
• /
• 2000

Objectives : Burst fracture of the lower lumbar spine(L3-L5) is rare and has some different features compare to that of thoracolumbar junction. Lower lumbar spine is flexible segments located deeply, and has physiologic lordosis. All of these contribute to making surgical approach difficult. Generally, lower lumbar burst fracture is managed either anteriorly or posteriorly with various fixation and fusion methods. But there is no general guideline or consensus regarding the proper approach for such lesion. We have tried to find out the influencing factors for selecting the surgical approach through the analysis of lower lumbar burst fractures treated for last 4 years(1994.3-1998.3). Method : This study includes 15 patients(male : 10, female : 5, age range 20-59 years with mean age of 36.7 years, L3 : 8 cases, L4 : 5 cases, L5 : 2 cases). Patients were classified into anterior(AO) and posterior operated(PO) groups. We investigated clinical findings, injured column, operation methods, and changes in follow-up radiologic study (kyphotic angle) to determine the considerable factors in selecting the surgical approaches. Results : There were 5 AO and 10 PO patients. Anterior operation were performed with AIF with Kaneda or Z-plate and posterior operation were done with pedicle screw fixation with PLIF with cages or posterolateral fusion. Canal compression was 46.6% in AO and 38.8% in PO. The degree of kyphotic angle correction were 10.7 degree(AO) and 8.5 degree(PO), respectively. There was no statistical difference between anterior and posterior operation group. All patients showed good surgical outcome without complications. Conclusion : Anterior operation provided good in kyphotic angle correction and firm anterior strut graft, but it difficulty arose in accessing the lesions below L4 vertebra. While posterior approach showed less correction of kyphotic angle, it required less time and provided better results for accompanied adjacent lesion and pathology such as epidural hematoma. The level of injury, canal compression, biomechanics, multiplicity, and pathology are considered to be important factors in selection of the surgical approach.