• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.97-105
• /
• 2022

Background: Percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) has been widely used in the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases. Epidural injection of steroids can reduce the incidence and duration of postoperative pain in a short period of time. Although steroids are widely believed to reduce the effect of surgical trauma, the observation indicators are not uniform, especially the long-term effects, so the problem remains controversial. Therefore, the purpose of this paper was to evaluate the efficacy of epidural steroids following PTED. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Database from 1980 to June 2021 to identify randomized and non-randomized controlled trials comparing epidural steroids and saline alone following PTED. The primary outcomes included postoperative pain at least 6 months as assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The secondary outcomes included length of hospital stay and the time of return to work. Results: A total of 451 patients were included in three randomized and two non-randomized controlled trials. The primary outcomes, including VAS and ODI scores, did not differ significantly between epidural steroids following PTED and saline alone. There were no significant intergroup differences in length of hospital stay. Epidural steroids were shown to be superior in terms of the time to return to work (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Intraoperative epidural steroids did not provide significant benefits, leg pain control, improvement in ODI scores, and length of stay in the hospital, but it can enable the patient to return to work faster.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.505-512
• /
• 2022

In this study, a 3D printed assistive device was applied to X-ray examinations to diagnose human diseases. Based on the results of evaluating the device, statistical and regression analyses were conducted to evaluate its clinical utility and purchase intention, respectively. In the experiment, 90 radiologists performed X-ray examinations on patients who agreed with the use of the assistive device in oblique view X-rays of the lumbar spine, and then statistical analyses were undertaken with a traditional aid and factor analysis. The non-standardized coefficient values of the multiple regression analysis performed by setting the purchase intention of the 3D printed device as the dependent variable and the 3D printed device and traditional aid calculated by factor analysis as independent variables were 0.893 (p<0.001) and 0.269 (p<0.001), indicating statistically significant results. The results show that the 3D printed assistive device proposed in this study has higher clinical utility than traditional aids used in oblique view X-rays of the lumbar spine.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.55 no.5
• /
• pp.226-231
• /
• 2022

It is well-known that some species of lizard have an exceptional ability known as caudal autotomy (voluntary self-amputation of the tail) as an anti-predation mechanism. After amputation occurs, they can regenerate their new tails in a few days. The new tail section is generally shorter than the original one and is composed of cartilage rather than vertebrae bone. In addition, the skin of the regenerated tail distinctly differs from its original appearance. We performed a proteomics analysis for extracts derived from regenerating lizard tail tissues after amputation and found that endoplasmin (ENPL) was the main factor among proteins up-regulated in expression during regeneration. Thus, we performed further experiments to determine whether ENPL could induce chondrogenesis of tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells (T-MSCs). In this study, we found that chondrogenic differentiation was associated with an increase of ENPL expression by ER stress. We also found that ENPL was involved in chondrogenic differentiation of T-MSCs by suppressing extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.52 no.3
• /
• pp.239-244
• /
• 2022

Purpose: Despite the proliferation of numerous morphometric and anthropometric methods for sex identification based on linear, angular, and regional measurements of various parts of the body, these methods are subject to error due to the observer's knowledge and expertise. This study aimed to explore the possibility of automated sex determination using convolutional neural networks(CNNs) based on lateral cephalometric radiographs. Materials and Methods: Lateral cephalometric radiographs of 1,476 Iranian subjects (794 women and 682 men) from 18 to 49 years of age were included. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were considered as a network input and output layer including 2 classes(male and female). Eighty percent of the data was used as a training set and the rest as a test set. Hyperparameter tuning of each network was done after preprocessing and data augmentation steps. The predictive performance of different architectures (DenseNet, ResNet, and VGG) was evaluated based on their accuracy in test sets. Results: The CNN based on the DenseNet121 architecture, with an overall accuracy of 90%, had the best predictive power in sex determination. The prediction accuracy of this model was almost equal for men and women. Furthermore, with all architectures, the use of transfer learning improved predictive performance. Conclusion: The results confirmed that a CNN could predict a person's sex with high accuracy. This prediction was independent of human bias because feature extraction was done automatically. However, for more accurate sex determination on a wider scale, further studies with larger sample sizes are desirable.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.451-459
• /
• 2022

Purpose: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a common musculoskeletal problem that causes pain in and disability of masticatory muscles, the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ), and related structures. The purpose of this study was to compare pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) of masticatory muscles, cervical ranges of motion (ROM), and pelvic mobility during gait of subjects with or without TMD. Methods: In this study, pain thresholds and changes in the mobility of the cervical vertebrae and pelvis were measured in 25 patients with TMD and 25 healthy controls. Using a pressure algometer, the pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) of the masseter and temporalis muscles were measured in both groups. A gyroscope sensor with a mobile application was used to determine cervical ROM in the frontal and sagittal planes. A 3D-motion analysis system was used to evaluate pelvic mobility in the sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes during gait. Results: The TMD group showed significantly decreased PPTs of masseter and temporalis muscles compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Cervical ROM in flexion, extension, and lateral bending were significantly decreased in the TMD group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, antero-posterior pelvic tilt was significantly decreased in the TMD group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of the current study suggest that there are close anatomical and functional relationships between TMD and muscle chains related to the cervical spine and pelvis. Therefore, more comprehensive body posture assessments, especially of painful areas, should be undertaken when studying TMD patients.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.156-161
• /
• 2022

The objective of the present study was to assess the prevalence, occurrence pattern, and clinical outcomes of transfixation pinning and casting (TPC) for fractures in Korean native calves, and to identify the advantages of the procedure. The study investigated 52 cases of bone fractures documented from January 2017 to December 2020. Hindlimb fractures (72%) were the most common in bone fractures (n = 50). The distribution of fractures was highest in the tibia (n = 15), followed by the metatarsal (n = 12), femur (n = 9), radius/ulna (n = 8), metacarpal (n = 3), humerus (n = 3), mandible (n = 1), and caudal vertebrae (n = 1). All cases were diagnosed via radiographic evaluation. Closed fractures (86%) were the most common, followed by open fractures (14%). Surgery was performed on 34 calves using intramedullary pin (IM pin), TPC, cross pin, flexible wire (F-wire), and/or plate fixation. The rest of the calves were treated with external coaptation (n = 12) or were not treated (n = 6). Subsequently, 24 calves with follow-up records were evaluated in the bone fracture cases (n = 50). Bone union was observed in 15 (62%) calves; 3 (12%) calves showed non-union; 4 (16%) calves were dead after surgery; and 2 (8%) calves were euthanized at the owner's request. Among the 24 follow-up surgery cases, the most successful cases were tibia fractures (75%) surgically treated using TPC and/or IM pin. These findings suggest that TPC surgery is effective in the management of fractures in Korean native calves.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.39 no.6
• /
• pp.334-341
• /
• 2022

A decrease in the paraspinal muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and functional cross-sectional area (FCSA) are associated with low back pain and disc herniation in humans. This study examined whether chronicity or lateralization of disc herniation affects the CSA and FCSA of the paraspinal muscles. The CSA and FCSA of the paraspinal muscles between the 12th and 13th thoracic vertebrae were measured in 31 dogs with intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH). The muscle CSA and FCSA were evaluated by dividing the values of the body weight, spinal disc CSA, and spinal canal CSA to offset the differences in body type between subjects. In the chronic IVDH group, the ratio of the paraspinal muscle CSA divided by the body weight was significantly lower, and fat infiltration in the paraspinal muscle was significantly higher than in the acute group. The lateralization of the disc herniation was significantly related to the changes in the paraspinal muscle CSA. In the right-sided disc herniation group, right epaxial muscle CSA was significantly reduced compared to the left-sided disc herniation group. The change in the paraspinal muscle might be a helpful indicator to localize less obvious disc pathologies and target the search for the pathology responsible for disc-related symptoms in dogs.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.66 no.1
• /
• pp.33-43
• /
• 2023

Objective : To compare the outcomes of anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF), and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) in terms of global sagittal alignment. Methods : From January 2007 to December 2019, 141 adult patients who underwent multilevel interbody fusion for lumbar degenerative disorders were enrolled. Regarding the approach, patients were divided into the ALIF (n=23), OLIF (n=60), and TLIF (n=58) groups. Outcomes, including local radiographic parameters and global sagittal alignment, were then compared between the treatment groups. Results : Regarding local radiographic parameters, ALIF and OLIF were superior to TLIF in terms of the change in the anterior disc height (7.6±4.5 mm vs. 6.9±3.2 mm vs. 4.7±2.9 mm, p<0.001), disc angle (-10.0°±6.3° vs. -9.2°±5.2° vs. -5.1°±5.1°, p<0.001), and fused segment lordosis (-14.5°±11.3° vs. -13.8°±7.5° vs. -7.4°±9.1°, p<0.001). However, regarding global sagittal alignment, postoperative lumbar lordosis (-42.5°±9.6° vs. -44.4°±11.6° vs. -40.6°±12.3°, p=0.210), pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis mismatch (7.9°±11.3° vs. 6.7°±11.6° vs. 11.5°±13.0°, p=0.089), and the sagittal vertical axis (24.3±28.5 mm vs. 24.5±34.0 mm vs. 25.2±36.6 mm, p=0.990) did not differ between the groups. Conclusion : Although the anterior approaches were superior in terms of local radiographic parameters, TLIF achieved adequate global sagittal alignment, comparable to the anterior approaches.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.454-463
• /
• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare concurrent validity and test-retest reliability based on Craniovertebral angle of 'Angles video goniometer', a smart phone application for convenient range of motion measurement, and 'Image J', an analysis software with high reliability and validity. This was conducted to find out whether 'Angle video goniometer' can be used clinically. Design: Cross-sectional study Methods: Fifty subjects were imaged laterally, and the angle of the head and spine was measured using Image J and the Angles video goniometer, respectively, in a resting posture and a chin in posture. The level of concurrent validity between the two measurement methods and the level of inter-rater reliability and intra-rater reliability were analyzed. Results: For forty participants, the concurrent validity between Image J and Angles video goniometer showed very high validity with ICC of 0.997(0.995~0.999) and 0.994(0.994~0.998), CVME% 0.71~0.72%, SEM% 0.31~0.34, MDC% 0.86~0.94. The test-retest intra-rater reliability showed very high reliability ICC 0.994(0.991~0.996), CVME% 0.71%, SEM% 0.31~0.43, MDC% 0.86~1.19%. The test-retest inter-rater showed very high reliability ICC 0.995(0.992~0.997), CVME% 0.71%, SEM% 0.43~0.59%, MDC% 1.20~1.62% Conclusions: Angles video goniometer', a smartphone application, is a device with very high reliability and validity for craniovertebral angle measurement in healthy adults, and it is a device that can be easily used in clinical practice.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.135-138
• /
• 2023

A one-month-old Thoroughbred colt presented with left hindlimb lameness grade 5/5, according to the American Association of Equine Practitioners' lameness scale. The colt started showing signs of lameness two weeks earlier without being involved in an accident. A local veterinarian examined the foal; radiography revealed no significant findings under the hip joint. No improvement was noted after 15 days of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) medication. On presentation at our hospital, ultrasonography was performed, which revealed no significant findings in the iliac wings. The foal underwent a computed tomography (CT) scan under general anesthesia. CT revealed bone cysts in the following that could have caused the lameness: the left transverse process of the 5th, 6th lumbar, and the 1st sacrum vertebrae; osteophytes in the auricular surface of the ilium, suggestive of sacroiliac arthritis. The foal recovered smoothly from anesthesia with assistance. The foal was treated with NSAIDs and rested for more than six months. The owner reported that the foal showed no lameness one year later. CT revealed bony changes in the lumbosacral region that were not detected by radiography and ultrasonography, suggesting that CT could be useful for detecting abnormalities in the pelvic region of horses.