• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.321-325
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• 2014

Background: Epidural blocks are widely used for the management of acute and chronic pain. The technique of loss of resistance is frequently adopted to determine the epidural space. A discontinuity of the ligamentum flavum may increase the risk of failure to identify the epidural space. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anatomic variations of the cervical and high thoracic ligamentum flavum in embalmed cadavers. Methods: Vertebral column specimens of 15 human cadavers were obtained. After vertebral arches were detached from pedicles, the dural sac and epidural connective tissue were removed. The ligamentum flavum from C3 to T6 was directly examined anteriorly. Results: The incidence of midline gaps in the ligamentum flavum was 87%-100% between C3 and T2. The incidence decreased below this level and was the lowest at T4-T5 (8%). Among the levels with a gap, the location of a gap in the caudal third of the ligamentum flavum was more frequent than in the middle or cephalic portion of the ligamentum flavum. Conclusions: The cervical and high thoracic ligamentum flavum frequently has midline intervals with various features, especially in the caudal portion of the intervertebral space. Therefore, the ligamentum flavum is not always reliable as a perceptible barrier to identify the epidural space at these vertebral levels. Additionally, it may be more useful to insert the needle into the cephalic portion of the intervertebral space than in the caudal portion.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제61권2호
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• pp.243-250
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• 2018

Objective : To compare the morphometry of subaxial cervical spine between cerebral palsy (CP) and normal control. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed 72 patients with CP, as well as 72 patients from normal population. The two groups were matched for age, sex, and body mass index. Pedicle, lateral mass (LM), and vertebral foramen were evaluated using computed tomography (CT) imaging. Pedicle diameter, LM height, thickness, width and vertebral foramen asymmetry (VFA) were measured and compared between the two groups. Cervical dynamic motion, disc and facet joint degeneration were investigated. Additionally, we compared the morphology of LM between convex side and concave side with cervical scoliotic CP patients. Results : LM height was smaller in CP group. LM thickness and width were larger in CP group at mid-cervical level. In 40 CP patients with cervical scoliosis, there were no height and width differences between convex and concave side. Pedicle outer diameter was not statistically different between two groups. Pedicle inner diameter was significantly smaller in CP group. Pedicle sclerosis was more frequent in CP patients. VFA was larger in CP group at C3, C4, and C5. Disc/facet degeneration grade was higher in the CP group. Cervical motion of CP group was smaller than those of the control group. Conclusion : LM morphology of CP patients was different from normal population. Sclerotic pedicles and vertebral foramen asymmetry were more commonly identified in CP patients. CP patients were more likely to demonstrate progressive disc/facet degeneration. This data may provide useful information on cervical posterior instrumentation in CP patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.141-145
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• 2018

Purpose: Changes in the curvature of the vertebral columns of elderly women with increasing age causes various side effects and disorders. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the 8-figure scapular brace to improve pulmonary function and balance ability based on lung capacity and foot pressure by increasing the vertebral curvature. Methods: Seventeen elderly women with a forward head posture were selected. Women were asked to wear the 8-figure scapular brace and the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were measured, as were changes in foot pressure. Measurements were conducted three times each and the mean values were used for subsequent analyses. For static evaluation, we used the paired t-test to identify differences between pre and post values. Results: There was no significant difference in FEV1 and FVC before and after use of the brace (p>0.05); however, there was a significant decrease in forefoot pressure and an increase in rearfoot pressure following application of the brace (p<0.05). Conclusion: Application of the 8-figure scapular brace to correct vertebral curvature in elderly women influenced pressure distribution change from immediate effect body arrange of cervical and thoracic. However, wearing the 8-figure scapular brace may interfere with expansion of the chest and therefore respiratory muscle activity. Accordingly, it is necessary to apply appropriate treatment when wearing a scapular brace and to allow a sufficient intervention period while also providing therapeutic interventions such as posture correction or respiration training.

• 척추신경추나의학회지
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.19-27
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• 2008

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the results of korean traditional conservative therapy for thoraco-lumbar compression fracture and it's recovery rate and different result in accordance with sex, age, medical history. Method : We studied about 35 cases who were admitted to Jaseng Hospital of Oriental Medicine with diagnosis of 'Thoraco lumbar compression fracture' with X-ray examination. Result : Out of 35 patients 31 patients discharged with satisfying results. Most of the compression fracture occurred in age of $60{\sim}70$. And the single fractured patients recovered more easily than the multi-level fractured patients. It didn't affect the results whether the patient had another vertebral disease(such as Herniated intervertebral disc or osteoporosis) or not. And most of the patients who had vertebral compression fracture visited the western medicine hospital first. Conclusions : We analyzed the tendency of the patients who had vertebral compression fracture, and concluded that the conservative Korean traditional therapy is an effective means of treatment for the patients who have thoraco-lumbar compression fracture.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.77-81
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• 2011

조영 증강 MR 혈관조영 영상에서 척추동맥 기시부의 협착이 과장되어 보이며 종종 가성협착율을 보인다는 것은 잘 알려져 있다. 그러나 뇌의 후방순환의 허혈, 경색의 임상적 중요성을 고려하면, 척추동맥 기시부 협착의 정확한 진단은 매우 중요하다. 따라서 저자들은 thin-slab maximum-intensity projection(MIP) 영상을 이용하여 통상적인 full thickness MIP 영상에서 보이는 척추동맥 기시부의 진성협착과 가성협착을 구분하고자 한다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.187-192
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• 2005

Objective: Spinal myeloma has been treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. However, the role of surgery was not fully evaluated. This study is performed to evaluate the efficacy of surgery in the treatment of spinal myeloma. Methods: 22 patients who were treated with surgery for spinal myeloma from August 1999 to April 2003 were analyzed. Radiological finding, surgical methods and result were reviewed in retrospective study. For compression fracture due to myeloma infiltration, percutaneous vertebroplasy(PVP) was done. Decompression surgery with or without fixation was performed for patients with neurologic deficit. The modalities of surgery consist of PVP (14 cases), corpectomy and fixation (7 cases), and laminectomy and epidural mass removal (3 cases). To evaluate clinical outcome, visual analogue pain score and Frankel neurological scale were used. Results: In 14 cases of PVP, total 57 vertebral segments were treated including 21 thoracic vertebral bodies and 36 lumbar vertebral bodies. Pain relief was achieved in all cases. The pain score changed from 7.7 (preoperatively) to 2.5 (postoperatively). And pain relief effect was maintained over than one year. Frankel grade improved in decompression cases. Conclusion: Surgical treatment can alleviate pain and improve neurologic deficit immediately in spinal myeloma patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제56권5호
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• pp.395-399
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• 2014

Objective : Blood blister-like aneurysms (BBAs) resemble arterial dissections. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between these two disease entities and highlight commonalities and distinct features. Methods : Among 871 consecutive patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, 11 BBAs of internal carotid artery and seven vertebral artery dissections (VADs) with a short segmental eccentric dilatation (Mizutani type 4), which is morphologically similar to a BBA, were selected. The following clinical factors were studied in each group : age, gender, risk factors, Hunt and Hess grade (HHG), Fisher grade (FG), vasospasms, hydrocephalus, perioperative rebleeding rate, and treatment outcome. Results : The mean age was 47.9 years in the BBAs group and 46.4 years in the type 4 VADs group. All the BBA patients were female, whereas there was a slight male predominance in the type 4 VAD group (male : female ratio of 4 : 3). In the BBA and type 4 VAD groups that underwent less aggressive treatment to save the parent artery, 29% (n=2/7) and 66.6% (n=2/3), respectively, eventually required retreatment. Perioperative rebleeding occurred in 72.7% (n=8) and 28.6% (n=2) of patients in the BBA and type 4 VAD groups, respectively. There was no statistical difference in the other clinical factors in both groups, except for the male dominancy in the type 4 VAD group (p=0.011). Conclusion : BBAs and ruptured type 4 VADs have a similar morphological appearance but there is a distinct clinical feature in gender and perioperative rebleeding rates. Complete isolation of an aneurysm from the parent artery might be the most important discipline for the treatment of these diseases.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제50권3호
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• pp.370-374
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• 2018

빗장밑혈류빼앗김증후군은 왼쪽 근위부 빗장밑동맥이나 오른쪽 팔머리동맥에 심한 협착 혹은 폐색으로 인해 반대쪽 척추동맥으로부터 관류압이 감소된 병변쪽 빗장밑동맥으로 혈류가 역으로 유입되는 현상이 나타나게 되고, 그 결과로 척추-뇌바닥혈류부전이나 허혈성 말초동맥질환 증상이 동반되는 경우를 말한다. 빗장밑동맥을 포함한 뇌혈관 협착증에서 신경중재술을 이용한 혈류의 회복 및 방향 교정은 환자의 증상과 예후를 좋게 한다고 알려져 있다. 저자는 오른팔에 비해 왼팔 혈압이 12 mmHg 낮은 환자에서 이중초음파검사를 시행하였고, 왼쪽 척추동맥에서 빗장밑혈류빼앗김증후군의 특징적인 혈류파형이 관찰되어 혈관성형술 및 스텐트 설치술을 통해 성공적으로 치료된 증례를 보고하고자 한다. 6개월 후 추적검사에서 왼쪽 척추동맥의 혈류파형은 정상으로 회복되었고, 양팔의 혈압 차는 5 mmHg로 감소하였다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제55권6호
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• pp.337-342
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• 2014

Objective : To determine deformity correction by postural correction and subsequent balloon inflation in acute vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) and to examine the effect of bone mineral density on deformity correction. Methods : A totol of 50 acute OVCFs received balloon kyphoplasty. Lateral radiographs were taken and analyzed at five different time points : 1) preoperative, 2) after placing the patient in prone hyperextended position, 3) after balloon inflation, 4) after deposition of the cement, and 5) postoperative. All fractures were analyzed for height restoration of anterior (Ha), middle (Hm) and posterior (Hp) vertebra as well as Cobb angle and Kyphotic angle. The bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. According to the T-score, the patients were divided into two groups which were osteoporosis group and osteopenia group. Results : Postoperative measurements of Ha, Hm and the Cobb angle demonstrated significant reduction of 4.62 mm, 3.66 mm and $5.34^{\circ}$ compared with the preoperative measurements, respectively (each p<0.05). Postural correction significantly increased Ha by 5.51 mm, Hm by 4.35 mm and improved the Cobb angle by $8.32^{\circ}$ (each p<0.05). Balloon inflation did not demonstrate a significant improvement of Ha, Hm or the Cobb angle compared with baseline prone hyperextended. Postural correction led to greater improvements of Ha, Hm and Cobb angle in osteoporosis group than osteopenia group (each p<0.05). Conclusion : In acute OVCFs, the height restoration was mainly attributed to postural correction rather than deformity correction by balloon inflation. BMD affected deformity correction in the process of postural correction.

• 대한물리치료과학회지
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.44-51
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• 2018

Background: In this paper, the relationship between the Cranio-Vertebral Angle (CVA) and the vital capacity in each position is reviewed, and the vital capacity in the position is studied. Methods: This study targeted 20 non-smoking female students of U university, which is located in Gyeongju-si. To review the Forward Head Posture (FHP) of each subject, CVA was measured, and FVC, FEV1, and FEF (25-75%) were measured and analyzed using a spirometer. Subjects were ordered to exhale three times with ease and then inhale up to their total lung capacity. After then, they were requested to exhale longer than six seconds. Then the inspiration and expiration were repeated. The measurement was executed in three positions, including supine, prone, and sitting. In each position the measurement was repeated twice, and a one-minute break was given between each cycle, so it was measured six times in total. SPSS 14.0 for Windows was used to analyze the data. The subjects' general properties were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the correlation between the angle and the respiration variable result in each position was analyzed. The result of the respiration variable in each position was analyzed using the one-way ANOVA, and then a Scheffe post-hoc comparison was executed. Results: According to the analysis result of the correlation between the angle and respiration variable in each position, the sitting position and FEF (25-75%) showed a positive correlation (P<0.05). The respiration variable in each position showed a significant difference in FVC (p<0.05), and the Scheffe post-hoc comparison differed in prone and sitting positions. Conclusion: To increase the FVC of FHP patients, different exercises for each position can be applied, and the result of this study can be utilized as background data for further research.