• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제62권4호
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• pp.442-449
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• 2019

Objective : Bone mineral density (BMD) is an important consideration during fusion surgery. Although dual X-ray absorptiometry is considered as the gold standard for assessing BMD, quantitative computed tomography (QCT) provides more accurate data in spine osteoporosis. However, QCT has the disadvantage of additional radiation hazard and cost. The present study was to demonstrate the utility of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithm for assessing osteoporosis using Hounsfield units (HU) of preoperative lumbar CT coupling with data of QCT. Methods : We reviewed 70 patients undergoing both QCT and conventional lumbar CT for spine surgery. The T-scores of 198 lumbar vertebra was assessed in QCT and the HU of vertebral body at the same level were measured in conventional CT by the picture archiving and communication system (PACS) system. A multiple regression algorithm was applied to predict the T-score using three independent variables (age, sex, and HU of vertebral body on conventional CT) coupling with T-score of QCT. Next, a logistic regression algorithm was applied to predict osteoporotic or non-osteoporotic vertebra. The Tensor flow and Python were used as the machine learning tools. The Tensor flow user interface developed in our institute was used for easy code generation. Results : The predictive model with multiple regression algorithm estimated similar T-scores with data of QCT. HU demonstrates the similar results as QCT without the discordance in only one non-osteoporotic vertebra that indicated osteoporosis. From the training set, the predictive model classified the lumbar vertebra into two groups (osteoporotic vs. non-osteoporotic spine) with 88.0% accuracy. In a test set of 40 vertebrae, classification accuracy was 92.5% when the learning rate was 0.0001 (precision, 0.939; recall, 0.969; F1 score, 0.954; area under the curve, 0.900). Conclusion : This study is a simple machine learning model applicable in the spine research field. The machine learning model can predict the T-score and osteoporotic vertebrae solely by measuring the HU of conventional CT, and this would help spine surgeons not to under-estimate the osteoporotic spine preoperatively. If applied to a bigger data set, we believe the predictive accuracy of our model will further increase. We propose that machine learning is an important modality of the medical research field.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.197-206
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• 1996

This study ws performed to investigate the relationship between cervical curvature and the spatial position of the posterior part of the atlas imaged in the lateral cephalograph. Sixty six patients with temporomandibular disorders(TMD) and twenty dental students were selected for patients group and control group, respectively. The average age of patients group was 26.3 years, and 24.9 years in control group. Measured variables were cervical depth, upper space between the atlas and the base of the occiput, lower space between the atlas and the spinous process of the axis, rea of the posterior part of the atlas imaged in the lateral cephalograph, and the cervical curvature passing through the uppermost point in dorsal side of Dens of the Axis to the lowermost and rearmost point of the 5th cervical vertebra. The reliability of the method used for measuring cervical curvature with curved ruler was also tested. The results obtained were as follows : 1. Cervical depth of patients group was 122.9mm and significantly shorter than that of control group, in which cervical depth was 131.9mm, and cervical depth was significantly correlated with other variables in all subjects. 2. Upper space was greater in patients group, but total space including upper and lower space showed no difference between the two groups. The average value of total space was 26.5mm. 3. Area of the posterior part of the atlas was 168.2$\textrm{mm}^2$ in patients group, and 186.5$\textrm{mm}^2$ in control group with significant difference between the two groups. 4. Average range of radius of cervical curvature were 33-40cm and there was no difference between the two groups. 5. There was no significant correlation between the cervical curvature and the area of the posterior arch of the atlas. 6. The method using curved ruler for measuring cervical curvature could be accepted as a reliable method.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제60권6호
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• pp.611-619
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• 2017

Objective : In addition to bone bridging inside a cage or graft (intragraft bone bridging, InGBB), extragraft bone bridging (ExGBB) is commonly observed after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with a stand-alone cage. However, solid bony fusion without the formation of ExGBB might be a desirable condition. We hypothesized that an insufficient contact area for InGBB might be a causative factor for ExGBB. The objective was to determine the minimal area of InGBB by finite element analysis. Methods : A validated 3-dimensional, nonlinear ligamentous cervical segment (C3-7) finite element model was used. This study simulated a single-level ACDF at C5-6 with a cylindroid interbody graft. The variables were the properties of the incorporated interbody graft (cancellous bone [Young's modulus of 100 or 300 MPa] to cortical bone [10000 MPa]) and the contact area between the vertebra and interbody graft (Graft-area, from 10 to $200mm^2$). Interspinous motion between the flexion and extension models of less than 2 mm was considered solid fusion. Results : The minimal Graft-areas for solid fusion were $190mm^2$, $140mm^2$, and $100mm^2$ with graft properties of 100, 300, and 10000 MPa, respectively. The minimal Graft-areas were generally unobtainable with only the formation of InGBB after the use of a commercial stand-alone cage. Conclusion : ExGBB may be formed to compensate for insufficient InGBB. Although various factors may be involved, solid fusion with less formation of ExGBB may be achieved with refinements in biomaterials, such as the use of osteoinductive cage materials; changes in cage design, such as increasing the area of polyetheretherketone or the inside cage area for bone grafts; or surgical techniques, such as the use of plate/screw systems.

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• 제15권7호
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• pp.1041-1050
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• 2001

Control of bone cement volume (PMMA) may be critical for preventing complications in vertebroplasty, the percutaneous injection of PMMA into vertebra. The purpose of this study was to predict the optimal volume of PMMA injection based on CT images. For this, correlation between PMMA volume and textural features of CT images was examined before and after surgery to evaluate the appropriate PMMA amount. The gray level run length analysis was used to determine the textural features of the trabecular bone. Extimation of PMMA volume was done using 3D visualization with semi-automatic segmentation on postoperative CT images. Then, finite element (FE) models were constructed based on the CT image data of patients and PMMA volume. Appropriate material properties for the trabecular bone were assigned by converting BMD to elastic modulus. Structural reinforcement due to the changes in PMMA volume and BMD was assessed in terms of axial displacement of the superior endplate. A strong correlation was found between the injected PMMA volume and the area of the intertrabecular space and that of trabecular bone calculated from the CT images (r=0.90 and -0.90, respectively). FE results suggested that vertebroplasty could effectively reinforce the osteoporotic vertebra regardless of BMD or PMMA volume. Effectiveness of additional PMMA injection tended to decrease. For patients with BMD well lower than 50mg/ml, injection of up to 30% volume of the vertebral body is recommended. However, less than 30% is recommended otherwise to avoid any complications from excessive PMMA because the strength has already reached the normal level.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제54권5호
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• pp.384-389
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• 2013

Objective : Use of quantitative computed tomography (CT) to evaluate bone mineral density was suggested in the 1970s. Despite its reliability and accuracy, technical shortcomings restricted its usage, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) became the gold standard evaluation method. Advances in CT technology have reduced its previous limitations, and CT evaluation of bone quality may now be applicable in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to determine if the Hounsfield unit (HU) values obtained from CT correlate with patient age and bone mineral density. Methods : A total of 128 female patients who underwent lumbar CT for back pain were enrolled in the study. Their mean age was 66.4 years. Among them, 70 patients also underwent DXA. The patients were stratified by decade of life, forming five age groups. Lumbar vertebrae L1-4 were analyzed. The HU value of each vertebra was determined by averaging three measurements of the vertebra's trabecular portion, as shown in consecutive axial CT images. The HU values were compared between age groups, and correlations of HU value with bone mineral density and T-scores were determined. Results : The HU values consistently decreased with increasing age with significant differences between age groups (p<0.001). There were significant positive correlations (p<0.001) of HU value with bone mineral density and T-score. Conclusion : The trabecular area HU value consistently decreases with age. Based on the strong positive correlation between HU value and bone mineral density, CT-based HU values might be useful in detecting bone mineral diseases, such as osteoporosis.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.374-381
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• 2010

본 연구는 체질량지수가 $23\;kg/m^2$ 이상 또는 체지방률이 27% 이상인 과체중 혹은 비만인 여성을 대상으로 무작위 배정, 이중 맹검, 위약-대조 연구 디자인을 통해 8주간의 생커피두 엑기스 섭취가 체지방 개선에 미치는 영향을 평가하기 위하여 실시되었다. 시험군 또는 대조군으로 배정된 대상자는 시험제제 또는 placebo제제를 하루 2번 2캡슐씩 식전에 물과 함께 섭취하게 하였으며, 연구에 참여하는 동안 평상시 식습관 및 커피 섭취량을 그대로 유지하도록 하였다. 본 연구에서 사용된 시험제제에는 1캡슐 당 생커피두 엑기스 50 mg와 덱스트린 150 mg을 함유하였고, placebo제제에는 200 mg의 덱스트린을 함유하였다. 생커피두 엑기스에는 28.4%의 클로로겐산과, 49.3%의 클로로겐산 류 (ferulic acid, coumalic acid, neochlorogenic acid 등), 그리고 12.6%의 카페인을 함유하도록 하였다. 총 48명이 시험을 완료하였으며, 이 중 섭취율 미달로 유효성 평가가 불가능한 5명을 제외한 43명을 대상으로 결과분석을 실시하였으며, 시험군 23명 대조군 20명이었다. 컴퓨터 단층촬영을 통한 복부지방면적 측정결과, 상복부에서는 생커피두 엑기스 섭취군에서 총 지방 면적은 섭취 전 $231.2\;{\pm}\;12.2\;cm^2$에서 8주 후 $220.1\;{\pm}\;11.2\;cm^2$으로 4.8%가 유의적으로 감소하였고 (p < 0.05), 내장지방 면적은 섭취 전 $86.4\;{\pm}\;6.08\;cm^2$에서 8주 후 $82.4\;{\pm}\;5.84\;cm^2$으로 4.6%가 감소하는 경향을 나타냈다 (p = 0.062). 하복부에서는 생커피두 엑기스 섭취군에서 내장지방 면적은 섭취 전 $71.8\;{\pm}\;4.81\;cm^2$에서 8주 후 $68.4\;{\pm}\;4.72\;cm^2$으로 4.7%가 유의적으로 감소하였다 (p<0.05). 또한 상복부의 총 지방 면적 (p < 0.05)과 내장지방 면적 (p < 0.05)의 변화량은 군간 비교에서도 유의하였다. 본 연구 결과 생커피두 엑기스를 섭취하는 기간 동안 식사 섭취량 조절 없이 평상시 식습관을 유지하였음에도 불구하고 복부 내장지방의 유의적인 감소로 체지방 분포의 개선 효과를 보여주었다. 따라서 생커피두 엑기스의 섭취와 병행하여 식사조절과 운동이 실시 될 경우 체지방 감소에 더욱 효과적일 것으로 사료되며, 추후 대상자 수의 확대 및 복용기간의 연장 등을 통한 생커피두 엑기스의 체지방 분포 개선 효과 및 대사 관련 지표 개선을 평가하는 후속 연구도 필요할 것이다.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.85-88
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• 1989

We experienced 3 cases of continuous caudal block. The first case had suffered from severe pain of the external genitalis after urethral injury from a car accident and this was controlled by continuous caudal block. The other 2 cases were a metastaric malignant tumor of the lumbar vertebra from cancer of the cervix and histiocytoma of the breast, and both had suffered from intractable pain of the lower extremity. But lumbar epidural block was impossible because of radiation fibrosis and previous operation scar of the spine. So a continuous caudal block was performed and the pain was controlled effectively. The longest duration was 50 days and there were no problems related catheter indwelling. Pain in the area of the lumbar and sacral nerve distribution can be controlled by continuous caudal block. Here in we reported 3 cases and reviewed the literature.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.119-122
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• 2008

The crossing laminar screw fixation might be the most recently developed approach among various fixation techniques for C2. The new construct has stability comparable to transarticular or transpedicular screw fixation without risk of vertebral artery injury. Quantitative anatomical studies about C2 vertebra suggest significant variation in the thickness of C2 lamina as well as cross sectional area of junction of lamina and spinous process. We present an elderly patient who underwent an occipito-cervical stabilization incorporating crossed C2 laminar screw fixation. We preoperatively recognized that she had low profiles of C2 lamina, and thus made a modification of trajectory for the inferiorly crossing screw. We introduce a simple modification of crossing C2 laminar screw technique to improve stability in patients with low laminar profiles.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제49권5호
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• pp.273-277
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• 2011

Objective : A single balloon extrapedicular kyphoplasty has been introduced as one of the unilateral approaches for thoracic compression fractures; however, the unilateral extrapedicular technique in the lumbar area needs a further understanding of structures in the lumbar area. The purpose of the present study is to describe methods and pitfalls of this procedure based on the anatomy of the lumbar area and to analyze clinical outcome and complications. Methods : Anatomical evaluation was performed with 2 human cadavers. A retrospective review of unilateral extrapedicular approaches yielded 74 vertebral levels in 55 patients that were treated with unilateral extrapedicular vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. Radiographic assessment included the restoration rate of vertebral height and correction of kyphosis. Results : Anatomical evaluation indicates that the safe needle entry zone of bone for the extrapedicular approach was located in the supero-lateral aspect of the junction between the pedicle and vertebral body. The unilateral extrapedicular procedure achieved adequate pain relief with a mean decreases in pain severity of $7.25{\pm}1.5$ and $2.0{\pm}1.4$, respectively. Complications were 1 retroperitoneal hematoma, 6 unilateral fillings and 3 epidural leak of the polymethylmethacrylate. Conclusion : The method of a unilateral extrapedicular approach in kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty in the lumbar area might be similar to that in thoracic approach using a route via the extrapedicular space. However, different anatomical characteristics of the lumbar area should be considered.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제44권6호
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• pp.623-627
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• 2021

Cervical foraminal stenosis is a disease in which the nerves that pass from the spinal canal to the limbs are narrowed and the nerves are compressed or damaged. Due to the lack of an imaging method that provides quantitatively stenosis, this study attempted to evaluate the area of the cervical vertebrae by reconstructing a three-dimensional computed tomography image, and to determine the area of the neural foramen in normal adults to calculate the stenosis rate. Using a three-dimensional image processing program, the surrounding bones including the posterior spinous process, lateral process, and lamellar bones of the cervical vertebra were removed so that the neural foramen could be observed well. A region of interest including the neural foraminal area of the three-dimensional image was set using ImageJ, and the number of pixels in the neural foraminal area was measured. The neural foraminal area was calculated by multiplying the number of measured pixels by the pixel size. To measure the largest neural foraminal area, it was measured between 40~50 degrees in the opposite direction and 15~20 degrees toward the head. The average area of the right C2-3 foramen was 44.32 mm², C3-4 area was 34.69 mm², C4-5 area was 36.41 mm², C5-6 area was 35.22 mm², C6-7 area was 36.03 mm². The average area of the left C2-3 foramen was 42.71 mm², C3-4 area was 32.23 mm², C5-6 area was 34.56 mm², and C6-7 area was 31.89 mm². By creating a reference table based on the neural foramen area of normal adults, the stenosis rate of patients with neural foraminal stenosis could be quantitatively calculated. It is expected that this method can be used as basic data for the diagnosis of cervical vertebral foraminal stenosis.