• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.79-83
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• 2006

Objective : The purpose of this study was to describe a surgical technique of axillary approach of percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy for L5-S1 disc herniation and its preliminary results. Methods : From July 2002 to September 2003, 101 patients with lumbar radiculopathy due to L5-S1 disc herniation, who were treated by percutaneous interlaminar endoscopic discectomy, were retrospectively reviewed. There were 57 males and 44 females with a mean age of 44.8 years [range, 18 to 62 years]. The surgery consisted of needle insertion into the epidural space via the interlaminar space, sequential dilatation, and endoscopic discectomy through the axillary area of the S1 root. Results : The mean follow-up period was 14.5 months and the average surgical time was 41 min. According to the modified Macnab criteria, 44 patients [43.6%] had excellent outcomes, 49 [48.5%] had good results and only 8 [78%] had fair or poor outcomes. Four patients had a revision microdiscectomy due to incomplete removal of disc fragment. There were no major complications related to this surgical approach. Conclusion : Axillary approach of percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy is safe and effective procedure for the treatment of L5-Sl disc herniation. It combines the advantages of MED and conventional percutaneous endoscopic discectomy.

• 대한두개안면성형외과학회지
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.211-217
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• 2016

Background: Nonsyndromic craniosynostosis is a relatively common craniofacial anomaly and various techniques were introduced to achieve its operative goals. Authors found that by using smaller bone fragments than that used in conventional cranioplasty, sufficiently rigid bone union and effective regeneration capacity could be achieved with better postoperative outcome, only if their stable fixation was ensured. Methods: Through bicoronal incisional approach, involved synostotic cranial bone together with its surrounding areas were removed. The resected bone flap was split into as many pieces as possible. The extent of this 'multi-split osteotomy' depends on the degree of dysmorphology, expectative volume increment after surgery and probable dead space caused by bony gap between bone segments. Rigid interosseous fixation was performed with variable types of absorbable plate and screw. In all cases, the pre-operational three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) was checked and brain CT was taken immediately after the surgery. Also about 12 months after the operation, 3D CT was checked again to see postoperative morphology improvement, bone union, regeneration and intracranial volume change. Results: The bony gaps seen in the immediate postoperative brain CT were all improved as seen in the 3D CT after 12 months from the surgery. No small bone fragment resorption was observed. Brain volume increase was found to be made gradually, leaving no case of remaining epidural dead space. Conclusion: We conclude that it is meaningful in presenting a new possibility to be applied to not only nonsyndromic craniosynostosis but also other reconstructive cranial vault surgeries.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.127-132
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• 1991

Recently a non-electronic, disposable and portable infusor(Baxter infusor with patient control module, Baxter health care Co., Deerfield IL 60015 USA: BI $\bar{c}$ PCM) has been developed that will deliver both a continuous drug infusion as well as allow the patient to deliver extra doses of medication on a demand basis under predetermined limitation of analgesics. Patients may also not require as high analgesic dose rate to control pain when the acceptable and tolerable level of pain relief can be maintained by this device. From April l99l, we have used a total l93 units of BI $\bar{c}$ PCM. These units consisting of two components which one made by a balloon reservoir(capacity 65 ml, flow rate 0.5 ml/hr) to store medication and to regulate the pump power(490 torr), and another two PCMs to regulate additional analgesic administration by patients demand at intervals of 1S minutes and 60 minutes. The dose administered to the patient can be varied by changing the concentration of the infusate within the balloon reservoir. These devices were utilized for the pain control of 44 patients. These patients were divided into two groups. Twenty seven cases had cancer pain and 17 cases had non-cancer pain. The Touhy needle(No. l8 G.) tip was inserted into the epidural space and was used to guide the catheter to the spinal nerve level corresponding to the most painful area. The device was connected to the opposite site of the catheter tip and was filled with 60 ml of mixture solution such as 0.5% bupivacaine 15 ml, morphine HCl 10 mg, trazodone 10 ml, Tridol 3 ml and normal saline 31 ml were administed as the initial dose. When the initial dose was less effective, the next dose could be varied by increasing the concentration of bupivacaine, by adding more morphine (5~10 mg), and by reducing the volume of normal saline. Using these modules of drug self administration, we experienced the following: 1) Improvement of patient's self titration of analgesic requirement was provided. 2) The patients anxiety with pain recurrence resulting from delays in administering pain control medication was decreased significantly. 3) The working load accompanying with the single bolus injection as the usual method was reduced remarkably. 4) There was urinary retention in 5 cases and pruritus in 4 eases which developed as side effects but respiratory depression and vomiting was not encountered in a single case.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제41권3호
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• pp.161-165
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• 2007

Objective : Percutaneous approach to the middle thoracic vertebra through the transpedicular route for the patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures is difficult due to the small size of the pedicle and parasagittally oriented vertebra body anatomy. The percutaneous vertebral body access [PVBA] technique utilizing the posterolateral extrapedicular approach avoids the pedicle and provides direct access to the vertebral body. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the vertebroplasty utilizing PVBA technique for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in the middle thoracic vertebrae. Methods : A retrospective review was done on 20 patients who underwent vertebroplasty utilizing PVBA technique performed for painful osteoporotic compression fracture in the middle thoracic vertebrae at 22 levels from May 2003 to June 2006. The average amount of the injected cement was 1.5-2.5ml. The postprocedural outcome was assessed using a visual analogue scale [VAS]. Results : The treated vertebrae were T5 [1 level], T6 [5 levels], 17 [7 levels], and T8 [9 levels]. The compression rate and kyphotic angle were improved after procedure from $18%{\pm}13.4$ to $16%{\pm}13.8$ [p > 0.05] and from $6.9^{\circ}{\pm}6.7$ to $6.6^{\circ}{\pm}6.2$ [p>005], respectively. Preprocedural VAS was $8.2{\pm}0.70$ and was decreased to $2.1{\pm}1.02$ [p < 0.01] after treatment. Postprocedural cement leakage was noted in 3 levels [13.7%]. There were no cases of leakage to epidural space or neural foramen, segmental artery injury, and pneumothorax. Conclusion : These results suggest that the complication rates are low and good results can be achieved with vertebroplasty utilizing PVBA technique for the osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures especially in the middle thoracic vertebrae.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.240-245
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• 2005

Herein is described the successful treatment of complex regional pain syndrome type II with the combination treatment of spinal cord stimulation and radiofrequency thermocoagulation of the lumbar sympathetic ganglion. A 62 years old male patient, suffering from CRPS type II in his left lower extremity, visited our pain clinic. Medication and nerve blockade produced only slight improvement in his symptoms and signs. Therefore, a linear type spinal cord simulator was inserted into the thoracic epidural space, using a non-surgical percutaneous approach, with the cephalad lead located at the T11 level. Two months later, the repositioning of the electrode to the T12 level for more effective pain control, with radiofrequency thermocoagulation of lumbar sympathetic ganglion also performed at the left L2 and 3 levels for the control of trophic change. These resulted in significant pain relief and decreased trophic change, with no complications, after which the patient was able to resume a normal life.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.109-115
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• 2018

Background: Patients with lumbar disc herniation are treated with physiotherapy/medication and some with surgery. However, even after technically successful surgery some develop a failed back syndrome with persistent pain. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of epiduroscopy in patients who suffer chronic low back pain and/or radicular pain with or without surgery and the gender difference in outcome. Methods: A total of 88 patients were included with a mean age of 52 years (27-82), 54 women and 34 men. 66 of them were operated previously and 22 were non-operated. They all had persistent chronic back pain and radicular pain despite of medication and physical rehabilitation. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were evaluated preoperatively, after one month, six months and one-year after the epiduroscopy. Results: All patients, and also the subgroups (gender and operated/non-operated) improved significantly in pain (VAS) and disability (ODI) at one month. A significant improvement was also seen at one year. No differences were found between men and woman at the different follow-up times. A slight worsening in VAS and ODI was noticed over time except for the non-operated group. Conclusions: Epiduroscopy helps to improve the back and leg pain due to lumbar disc herniation in the early stage. At one year an improvement still exists, and the non-operated group seems to benefit most of the procedure.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제29권5호
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• pp.701-705
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• 2000

Solitary plasmacytomas are rare and account for 5-10% of all plasma cell disorders. These tumors are categorized as solitary plasmacytomas of bone(osseous) or extramedullary plasmacytomas(non-osseous). About a half of solitary plasmacytomas of bone occur in the spine but rarely in the skull. We report a case of solitary plasmacytoma of the skull presented with a painless palpable left parietal calvarial mass in an otherwise asymptomatic 38- year-old man. Skull radiographs showed a large radiolucent lesion with well defined non-sclerotic margins. Computed tomograph scan demonstrated a markedly enhancing mass extending from the epidural to the subcutaneous space. The patient underwent surgery and tumor was completely excised. Pathological examination showed tumor to be a plasmacytoma synthesizing IgG. Postoperatively, the patient received radiotherapy. There was no evidence of systemic involvement on postoperative laboratory wokups. Our recommended treatment is a complete surgical excision combined with postoperative radiation therapy. The patient should be follwed carefully for more than 10 years because of either local recurrence or possible progression to multiple myeloma.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.241-245
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• 2007

Objective : So called "minimally invasive procedures" have evolved from chemonucleolysis, automated percutaneous discectomy, arthroscopic microdiscectomy that are mainly working within the confines of intradiscal space to transforaminal endoscopic technique to remove herniated epidural disc materials directly. The purpose of this study is to assess the result of endoscopic spinal surgery and favorable indication in the thoracolumbar spine. Methods : The records of 71 patients, 73 endoscopic procedures, were retrospectively analysed. Yeung Endoscopic Spine Surgery system with 7 mm working sleeve and $25^{\circ}$ viewing angle was used. The mean follow up period was 6 months [range, 3-9]. Results : Operated levels were from T12-L1 disc down to L5-L6 of S1 disc. Of 71 cases, 2 patients underwent transforaminal endoscopic surgery twice due to recurrence after initial operation. MacNab's criteria was used to assess the outcome. Favorable outcome, excellent of good, was seen in 78% [57 procedures] of the patients. Among 11 fair outcomes, only 1 procedure was followed by secondary open procedure, laminectomy with discectomy. Two of 5 poor outcomes were operated again by same procedure which resulted in fair outcomes. One patient with aggravated cauda equina syndrome remained poor and a lumbar fusion procedure was performed in other patient with poor outcome. There were 2 postoperative discitis that were treated with conservative care in one and anterior lumbar interbody fusion in the other. Conclusion : Evolving technology of mechanical, visual instrument enables minimal invasive procedure possible and effective. The transforaminal endoscopic spinal surgery can reach as high as T12-L1 disc level. The rate of favorable outcome is mid-range among reported endoscopic lumbar surgery series. Authors believe that the outcome will be better as cases accumulate and will be able to reach the fate of standard open microsurgery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제52권2호
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• pp.133-137
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• 2012

Objective : Twist-drill craniostomy (TDC) with closed-system drainage and burr-hole drainage (BHD) with a closed system are effective treatment options for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). The aim of this study was to analyze clinical data and surgical results from symptomatic CSDH patients who underwent TDC with closed-system drainage at the pre-coronal point (PCP). Methods : We analyzed data for 134 symptomatic CSDH patients who underwent TDC at the PCP with closed-system drainage. We defined the PCP for TDC to be 1 cm anterior to the coronal suture at the level of superior temporal line. TDC at the PCP with closed-system drainage was selected in patients with CSDH that extended beyond the coronal suture, confirmed by preoperative CT scans. Medical records, radiological findings, and clinical performance were reviewed retrospectively. Results : Of the 134 CSDH patients, 114 (85.1%) showed improved clinical performance and imaging findings after surgery. Catheter failures were seen in two cases (1.4%); the catheters were inserted in the epidural space. Recurrent cases were seen in eight patients (5.6%), and they were improved with a second BHD with a closed-system operation. Conclusion : TDC at the PCP with closed-system drainage is safe and effective for patients with symptomatic CSDH whose hematomas extend beyond the coronal suture.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.68-73
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• 2009

Opioids profoundly inhibit evoked discharges of spinal nociceptive neurons, thereby inhibiting the transmission of pain. Intrathecal administration of opioids using implantable continuous infusion systems is an effective method of pain relief when other treatments have failed, as well as for patients with adequate analgesia on high dose therapy that produces unacceptable side effects. We report two cases of intrathecal pump implantation performed in patients suffering from intractable chronic pain. A test dose of 3 mg morphine was injected into the epidural space. No side effects were noted and patients experienced considerable pain relief. Implantation was performed one day after the test. The initial intrathecal morphine delivery dose was half of the equivalent dose of daily oral intake opioids and the infusion rate was increased gradually under close observation for opioid side effects. Two days post-implantation, both patients were discharged without any complications.