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

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 2005

Osteolgical development of Korean striped bitterling, Acheilognathus yamatsutae (Cyprinidae), were investigated using cartilage and bone staining. The parasphenoid, dentary, pterygoid, ceratohyal, branchial arch and parts of the caudal skeleton were formed first as cartilaginous elements at $6.82{\pm}0.08mm$ total length (TL). Formation of frontal, parietal, and maxillary were notable at $7.76{\pm}0.09mm$ TL, and the proximal radial, scapula,and coracoid in the pectoral girdle were developed at this stage. At the same time, the neural and hemal spine were present in the caudal vertebra. The opercle and branchiostegals were observed at $9.68{\pm}0,14mm$, and the posttemporal was formed at $12.9{\pm}40.64mm$ TL, respectively. Ossification in the parasphenoid, pharyngeal bone, dentary, premaxillary, maxillary, and opercle began at about $9.68{\pm}0.14mm$ TL. The cleithrum, supracleithrum, urostyle, and caudal fin were calcified at this stage. The vertebral column was formed and ossified at $11.52{\pm}0.13mm$ TL, and the frontal, preopercle, subopercle, and hyomandibular were ossified at $15.30{\pm}0.68mm$ TL. This fish was late in developing the skeletal formation and ossification as compared with other fishes.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.19-27
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• 1980

Although primary application of radioisotope scanning technics to the liver has been of use in the detection of the intra-hepatic space occupying lesion from the normal functioning liver parenchyme, there has been on increasing awareness of its use in evalution of Liver function. In this study, the diseases of the liver were classified into group A,B,C and D by the liver scanning findings, conventional liver function tests and clinical findings. Following were the results: 1. The colloidal radiogold liver scan appeared normal in the group A, also the albumin in serum, alkaline phosphatase activity and prothrombin time were within normal levels in this group. 2. In the group B, there were acute hepatitis 24(48%), chronic hepatitis 5(10%), toxic hepatitis 3(6%), subacute hepatic necrosis 3(6%), typhoid liver 4(8%), hepatic tuberculosis 2(4%), diabetes mellitus 3(6%) and others 3(6%). In this group, SGOT and SGPT were increased predominantly as compared with group A, and the liver scan showed small amount of mottling of activity and faintly visualized spleen. 3. In the group C, there were postnecrotic liver cirrhosis 30(60%), Laennec cirrhosis 10(20%), cardiac cirrhosis 1(2%), cholangiocarcinoma 1(2%), chronic active hepatitis 6(12%), hepatic milliary tuberculosis 1(2%) and gall bladder cancer 1(2%). In this group, the albumin in serum and prothrombin time were lowered significantly and the liver scan showed severe mottling of activity with extra-hepatic uptake in the spleen and bone marrow along the vertebral column. 4. In the group D, there were primary hepatoma 26(52%), hepatoma with liver cirrhosis 7(14%), metastatic liver cancer 5(10%), liver abscess 10(20%), multiple liver cyst 1(2%) and cystic duct adenoma 1(2%), In this group, the alkaline phosphatase activity was elevated with single or multiple intrahepatic space occupying lesion in the radiogold colloid liver scan.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.160-168
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• 2003

Background: Confirm the stability of intervertebral disc sustaining each fused lumbar spine cases, comparing vertical compression, A-P shear force and rotational moment on intervertebral disc of instrumented lumbar spine with simple vertical compression load and follower load using finite element analysis. Materials and Methods: We analyze the stability of intervertebral disc L4-5 supporting fused lumbar spine segments. After performing finite element modelling about L1-L5 lumbar vertebral column and L1-L4 each fusion level pedicle screw system for fused lumbar spine fine element model. Intervertebral discs with complex structure and mechanical properties was modeled using spring element that compensate stiffness and tube-to-tube contact element was employed to give follower load. Performing geometrical non-linear analysis. Results: The differences of intervertebral disc L4-5 behavior under the follower compression load in comparision with vertical compression load are as follows. Conclusion: As a result of finite element interpretation of instrumented lumbar spine, the stability of L4-5 sustaining fused lumbar segment, the long level fused lumbar spine observed hing stability under follower load. This research method can be the basis tool of effects prediction for instrumentation, a invention of a more precious finite element interpretation model which consider the role of muscle around the spine is loaded.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.57-65
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• 2016

Objectives Our goal was to review literatures on tool-based manipulation for musculoskeletal diseases with emphasis on guasha and IASTM (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Manipulation) by searching foreign and domestic controlled trials. Methods We found literatures published up to August 2016 in electronic databases (OASIS, KoreaMed, KMbase, NDSL, RISS, KISS, MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) without any limitations on language. Results 17 studies were included in the review. 13 out of 17 articles were published within this decade. VAS was the main evaluation tool for most of the articles (14 out of 17). 10 studies showed statistically significant difference between the experimental group and the control group. In terms of materials used for treatment, 6 out of 17 studies used stainless steel. Considering anatomical locations for treatment, trunk area was treated the most, accounting for 7 out of 17 studies. Conclusions Our results show that recently, research on tool-based manipulation treatments for musculoskeletal diseases are actively being performed. Diseases of the vertebral column were the main target for tool-based manipulation treatments, and stainless steel was the most popular and safe material used. Further research should be performed for more accurate data.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.163-167
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• 2000

Aneurysmal bone cyst(ABC) is a benign lesion and generally occurs in the long bones and vertebral column. ABC of the rib is an uncommon entity. We reported a case of ABC originating in the left first rib. The patient was a 19-year-old woman and presented with palpable mass on the shoulder. Chest X ray and MRI showed a large expansile mass, with multiple cystic areas, arising from the left first rib and bulging out into retroclavicular and paravertebral soft tissue, so the lesion was initially misdiagnosed as a soft tissue malignant tumor destructing adjacent rib. On histological examination, the mass, which was surrounded by a peripheral band of mature trabecular bone, consisted of multiple anastomosing cavernous blood channels separated by fibrous septa that containing osteoid, myxochondroid material and osteoclast-type giant cells.

• Asian Spine Journal
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.1060-1068
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• 2018

Study Design: Retrospective study. Purpose: Lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration is an important cause of low back pain. Overview of Literature: Spinal fusion is often reported to have a good course for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). However, many studies have reported that adjacent segment degeneration is accelerated after lumbar spinal fusion. Radiography is a simple method used to evaluate the orientation of the vertebral column. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the method most often used to specifically evaluate intervertebral disc degeneration. The Pfirrmann classification is a well-known method used to evaluate degenerative lumbar disease. After spinal fusion, an increase in stress, excess mobility, increased intra-disc pressure, and posterior displacement of the axis of motion have been observed in the adjacent segments. Methods: we retrospectively secured and analyzed the data of 15 patients (four boys and 11 girls) with AIS who underwent a spinal fusion surgery. We studied the full-length view of the spine (anterior-posterior and lateral) from the X-ray and MRI obtained from all patients before surgery. Postoperatively, another full-length spine X-ray and lumbosacral MRI were obtained from all participants. Then, pelvic tilt, sacral slope, curve correction, and fused and free segments before and after surgery were calculated based on X-ray studies. MRI images were used to estimate the degree to which intervertebral discs were degenerated using Pfirrmann grading system. Pfirrmann grade before and after surgery were compared with Wilcoxon signed rank test. While analyzing the contribution of potential risk factors for the post-spinal fusion Pfirrmann grade of disc degeneration, we used generalized linear models with robust standard error estimates to account for intraclass correlation that may have been present between discs of the same patient. Results: The mean age of the participant was 14 years, and the mean curvature before and after surgery were 67.8 and 23.8, respectively (p<0.05). During the median follow-up of 5 years, the mean degree of the disc degeneration significantly increased in all patients after surgery (p<0.05) with a Pfirrmann grade of 1 and 2.8 in the L2-L3 before and after surgery, respectively. The corresponding figures at L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1 levels were 1.28 and 2.43, 1.07 and 2.35, and 1 and 2.33, respectively. The lower was the number of free discs below the fusion level, the higher was the Pfirrmann grade of degeneration (p<0.001). Conversely, the higher was the number of the discs fused together, the higher was the Pfirrmann grade. Conclusions: we observed that the disc degeneration aggravated after spinal fusion for scoliosis. While the degree of degeneration as measured by Pfirrmann grade was directly correlated by the number of fused segments, it was negatively correlated with the number of discs that remained free below the lowermost level of the fusion.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.96-105
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• 2019

Objective : The aims in the management of thoracolumbar spinal fractures are not only to restore vertebral column stability, but also to obtain acceptable alignment of the thoracolumbar junction (T-L junction) to prevent complications. However, insufficient surgical correction of the thoracolumbar spine would be likely to cause late progression of abnormal kyphosis. Therefore, we identified the surgical factors that affected unfavorable radiologic outcomes of the thoracolumbar spine after surgery. Methods : This study was conducted in a single institution from January 2007 to December 2013. A total of 98 patients with unstable thoracolumbar spine fracture were included. In these patients, fixation was done through transpedicular screws with rods by three surgical patterns. We reviewed digital radiographs and analyzed the images preoperatively and postoperatively during follow-up visits to compare the change of the thoracolumbar Cobb angle with radiologic parameters and clinical outcomes. The unfavorable radiologic group was defined as the patients who were measured as having greater than 20 degrees of thoracolumbar Cobb angle on the last follow-up, or who underwent kyphotic progression of thoracolumbar Cobb angle greater than 10 degrees from the immediate postoperative state to final follow-up, or who had overt instrument failure with/without additional surgery. We assessed the risk factors that affected the unfavorable radiologic outcomes. Results : We had 43 patients with unfavorable radiologic outcomes, including 35 abnormal thoracolumbar alignments and 14 instrumental failures with/without additional surgery. The multivariate logistic regression test showed that immediate postoperative T-L junction Cobb angle less than 10.5 degrees was a statistically significant risk factor, as well as the presence of osteoporosis (p=0.017 and 0.049, respectively). Conclusion : Insufficient correction of thoracolumbar kyphosis was considered to be a major factor of an unfavorable radiological outcome. The spinal surgeon should consider that having a T-L junction Cobb angle larger than 10.5 degrees immediately after surgery could result in an unfavorable radiological outcome, which is related to a poor clinical outcome.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.81-92
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• 2021

In this study, we investigated the effects of five EMS lumbar back pressure belts produced on an anatomical basis on lumbar spine stabilization. Five core muscles were selected, including the urinal, vertebral column, endotracheal, external abdominal, and large back muscles, and patterns were designed using a conductive fabric considering the appropriate muscle shape and pain-causing points. We experimented with four motions to examine the effects of different EMS abdominal compression belts on lumbar spine stabilization. Five healthy men in their 20s were selected. The selection conditions include no back pain history for the past three months, no restricted movements through pre-inspection, and the muscular strength of the body should belong to the normal grade. Using SLR, the sequence of experimental actions was chosen from the following but not limited to left-hand, body-hand, and back-line forces. Resting between movements lasted for 2 min, and the experiments were conducted after wearing the EMS abdominal pressure belt. Electrical stimulation was applied for 10 min to increase blood flow and muscle activation. The statistics of the experimental results were analyzed for specific differences by conducting the Wilcoxon and Friedman tests with nonparametric tests. The ranking results of each pattern were successfully assessed in the order of 5, 4, 3, 1, 2 for the five patterns, and we could identify slightly more significant results for experimental behavior associated with each muscle movement. Patterns produced based on anatomy showed differentiated effects when electric stimulation was applied to each muscle in different shapes, which could improve the stabilization of the lumbar spine in everyday life or training to the public. Based on these results, subsequent research would focus on developing smart healthcare clothing that is practical in daily life by employing different anatomical mechanisms, depending on the back pain, to utilize trunk-type tights.