• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.221-227
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• 2012

Objective : Spinal cord hemangioblastomas are rare tumors. Despite their benign, slow-growing nature, they can cause severe neurological consequences. The purpose of this study was to evaluate variable factors, including clinical features, tumor findings, the extent of resection, and its recurrence or progression, which determine postoperative functional outcomes. Methods : This study included sixteen patients at our institute who underwent microsurgical resection for sporadic spinal intramedullary hemangioblastomas and spinal intramedullary hemangioblastomas associated with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease, between June 2003 and March 2012. Results : A total of 30 operations were performed. Total resection (TR) of the tumor was achieved in 10 patients, and subtotal resection (STR) was achieved in 6. Postoperatively, the initial presenting symptoms were improved in 18.7% of the patients and were unchanged in 56.3%, but 25% were worse. Stable postoperative neurological functions were found in 83% of patients with preoperative McCormick grade I, and TR was achieved in 75% of these patients. In the STR group, poorer neurological status was observed in one patient, despite multiple operations. There were no poorer outcomes in the four cases of VHL disease. Various factors were analyzed, but only a correlation between the pre- and postoperative neurological status was verified in the TR-group patients. Conclusion : Preoperative focal neurological impairment and meticulous microsurgical manipulation may be predictors of favorable outcomes for solitary hemangioblastomas. In addition, the preservation of function is more important than the extent of resection in VHL disease.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.108-113
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• 2014

Objective : Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory rheumatic disease mainly affecting the axial skeleton. The rigid spine may secondarily develop osteoporosis, further increasing the risk of spinal fracture. In this study, we reviewed fractures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis that had been clinically diagnosed to better define the mechanism of injury, associated neurological deficit, predisposing factors, and management strategies. Methods : Between January 2003 and December 2013, 12 patients with 13 fractures with neurological complications were treated. Neuroimaging evaluation was obtained in all patients by using plain radiography, CT scan, and MR imaging. The ASIA Impairment Scale was used in order to evaluate the neurologic status of the patients. Management was based on the presence or absence of spinal instability. Results : A total of 9 cervical and 4 thoracolumbar fractures were identified in a review of patients in whom ankylosing spondylitis had been diagnosed. Of these, 7 fractures were associated with a hyperextension mechanism. 10 cases resulted in a fracture by minor trauma. Posttraumatic neurological deficits were demonstrated in 11 cases and neurological improvement after surgery was observed in 5 of these cases. Conclusions : Patients with ankylosing spondylitis are highly susceptible to spinal fracture and spinal cord injury even after only mild trauma. Initial CT or MR imaging of the whole spine is recommended even if the patient's symptoms are mild. The patient should also have early surgical stabilization to correct spinal deformity and avoid worsening of the patient's neurological status.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.89-100
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• 2018

Objectives: Korean Standard Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (KCF), a useful tool for a comprehensive consideration of the health-related overall implications, might be also promising way to validate the effectiveness of Korean medicine. This study reports the change of pre- and post-hospitalization using the KCF in a patient with spinal cord infarction who underwent rehabilitation plus Korean medicine treatment. This study aims to apply the KCF to this case, evaluate its applicability, and review its expected benefits and obstacles in the clinical practice of Korean medicine. Methods: The changes in the overall health status of the patient were assessed by the KCF as well as the chief complaints, diagnosis, neurological deficits, and activities of daily living (ADL), impairment scale etc. before and after admission to a Korean medicine hospital were investigated. Results: Most of the chief complaints of the patient were improved enough to perform her daily routine activities independently. These improvements were reflected in the neurological function and ADL scores, but could not change the diagnosis according to the Korean Standard Classification of Diseases nor the impairment scale. The KCF, on the other hand, was able to grasp the changes of the patient in various aspects in terms of body function, body structure, activity and participation, and environmental factors. Conclusions: Through this case, we found the applicability of the KCF in clinical practice of Korean medicine and the possibility that the KCF can be a promising tool to show the effectiveness and benefits of Korean medicine.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.61-77
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• 2023

Objective : This study analyzed the correlation between cognitive function and oral health-related quality of life (OHQoL). Methods : Demographic and clinical characteristics were extracted and utilized for subjects aged 45 years or older who participated in the 8th Korean Longitudinal Study on Aging in 2020. The dependent variable was the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index, and the independent variable was the level of cognitive function classified by the Mini-Mental State Examination scores. The analysis method used inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). Then, the association between cognitive function and OHQoL was analyzed by multiple regression analysis. Results : Among the participants, 4,367 (71.40%) had normal cognition, 1,155 (18.89%) had moderate cognitive impairment, and 594 (9.71%) had severe cognitive impairment. As a result of analysis by applying IPTW, there was a negative correlation between the cognitive function group and OHQoL (normal vs. moderate: β = -2.534, p < .0001; normal vs. severe: β = -2.452, p < .0001). Conclusion : After propensity score matching, mild cognitive impairment showed a more negative association than severe cognitive impairment. Therefore, patients with cognitive impairment require oral health management education to improve OHQoL regardless of the level of cognitive impairment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2007

Objective : The purpose of this study is to determine the factors that have effects on the neurological deficit in the patients with thoracolumbar fracture. Methods : Forty-eight patients were included. Cause of injury, type of injury, time interval, combined injury, kyphotic angle, spinal canal compromise, sagittal diameter, the most narrow sagittal diameter, transverse diameter, the most narrow transverse diameter, and remained height of vertebra body were concerned as the factors. The patients with American Spinal Injury Association[ASIA] impairment scale grade A to D were considered as having neurology while others with ASIA grade E were considered to be without neurology. The patients with ASIA grade A were classified to paraplegia group and the patients with ASIA grade B to E were not thought to be paraplegia. Statistical analysis for these groups were performed. Results : Spinal canal compromise [P<0.001] have correlation with neurological deficit. The most narrow sagittal diameter was smaller in the group with deficit than that in the group without deficit [P<0.004]. Also, combined injury have correlation with neurology [P=0.028]. Spinal canal compromise [P<0.001], sagittal diameter [P=0.032], the most narrow sagittal diameter [P=0.025], and Denis type [P<0.001] also have correlation with paraplegia. Conclusion : The factors of percentage of spinal canal compromise, the most narrow sagittal diameter, and combined injury are predictive of neurological deficit. The patients with paraplegia may be predicted by the factors such as type of injury, spinal canal compromise, sagittal diameter, the most narrow sagittal diameter, and Denis type.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.287-291
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• 2016

Objective : Because elderly patients are undergoing more surgeries, the importance of postoperative cognitive impairment (CI) evaluations is rising, especially for spine surgery, which is related to subjective pain. We investigated the prevalence of undiagnosed CI among elderly patients who underwent spine surgery and the impact of CI on postoperative outcomes. Methods : The preoperative cognitive statuses of 129 patients over 65 who underwent lumbar spine surgery from 2012 to 2014 were determined with the Mini-Mental State Examination, and patients with scores under 24 were diagnosed with CI. The patients were then divided into a CI group (n=49) and non-cognitive impairment (NCI) group (n=80). Results : Among the 129 patients, 49 (38.0%) were diagnosed with CI, and 9 (7.0%) had severe CI. The age of the CI group ($72.88{\pm}6.20years$) was significantly greater than that of the NCI group ($69.96{\pm}4.53years$). In contrast, the postoperative visual analog scale scores and performance statuses did not differ significantly. However, postoperative delirium was more frequent and the hospital stay length was longer in the CI group compared with the NCI group (p<0.05). Conclusion : A high prevalence of undiagnosed CI was discovered among elderly patients undergoing spine surgery. The existence of CI was associated with higher rates of postoperative delirium and prolonged hospital stays, which affected clinical outcomes. Thus, CI assessments should be included in preoperative evaluations of elderly patients prior to spine surgery.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.296-298
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• 2006

Droopy shoulder syndrome (DSS) is a rare disease, characterized by drooping shoulders, which stretches the brachial plexus, and causes pain, but without any signs of neurological impairment. These patients suffer from pain in the neck, shoulders, arms and hands, which result in long, graceful, swan necks, low-set shoulders, and horizontal or down sloping clavicles. No abnormalities in the vascular, neurological or electrical findings have also been known. The T1 and/or T2 bodies can be seen in the lateral view in a radiological study of the cervical spine. In the majority of cases, conservative treatments, such as postural correction and shoulder girdle strengthening exercise, are commonly recommended. However, DSS may be misdiagnosed as severe thoracic outlet syndrome or herniated cervical disc disease, leading to unnecessary and hazardous invasive treatments. The presented case was consistent with DSS, and was treated with stellate ganglion block, trigger point injection, and shoulder girdle strengthening exercise.

• Journal of Korean Academic Society of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to identify the brain injury patients's disability degree and educational needs of family caregivers. Methods: A convenience sample of 94 families with brain injury patients, who have been receiving treatment at the neurological intensive care unit and neurosurgery ward, were used. Data was collected with a self-report questionnaire from September 5 to November 28, 2011, and was analyzed using SAS program. Results: 'Defecation/urination' disability was the highest score of patient's physical disability and the next ranking was 'paralysis'. 'Memory impairment' disability was the highest score of patient's cognitive disability, and the next ranking was 'personality changes'. Overall, educational needs of family caregivers scored 4.15 out of the perfect score of 5. The factor, which scored highest, was 'information related with disease'. In addition, educational needs of family caregivers were positively related with patient's degree of. Conclusion: Educational needs of family caregivers are distinct, according to the disability degree of brain injury patient. Therefore, the study suggests the development of individualized educational program for family with brain injury patient.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-4
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• 2007

Vertigo is an illusion of rotation, which results from an imbalance within the vestibular system. This review focuses on two common presentations of spontaneous vertigo: acute prolonged spontaneous vertigo and recurrent spontaneous vertigo. Common causes of acute prolonged spontaneous vertigo include vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis, and brainstem or cerebellar stroke. The history and detailed neurological/neurotological examinations usually provide the key information for distinguishing between peripheral and central causes of vertigo. Brain MRI is indicated in any patient with acute vertigo accompanied by abnormal neurological signs, profound imbalance, severe headache, and central patterns of nystagmus. Recurrent spontaneous vertigo occurs when there is a sudden, temporary, and largely reversible impairment of resting neural activity of one labyrinth or its central connections, with subsequent recovery to normal or near-normal function. Meniere's disease, migrainous vertigo, and vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) are common causes. The duration of the vertigo attack is a key piece of information in recurrent spontaneous vertigo. Vertigo of vascular origin, such as VBI, typically lasts for several minutes, whereas recurrent vertigo due to peripheral inner-ear abnormalities lasts for hours. Screening neurotological evaluations, and blood tests for autoimmune and otosyphilis are useful in assessment of recurrent spontaneous vertigo that are likely to be peripheral in origin.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.143-150
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• 2021

Spinal dysraphism often causes neurological impairment from direct involvement of lesions or from cord tethering. The conus medullaris and lumbosacral roots are most vulnerable. Surgical intervention such as untethering surgery is indicated to minimize or prevent further neurological deficits. Because untethering surgery itself imposes risk of neural injury, intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) is indicated to help surgeons to be guided during surgery and to improve functional outcome. Monitoring of electromyography (EMG), motor evoked potential, and bulbocavernosus reflex (BCR) is essential modalities in IONM for untethering. Sensory evoked potential can be also employed to further interpretation. In specific, free-running EMG and triggered EMG is of most utility to identify lumbosacral roots within the field of surgery and filum terminale or non-functioning cord can be also confirmed by absence of responses at higher intensity of stimulation. The sacral nervous system should be vigilantly monitored as pathophysiology of tethered cord syndrome affects the sacral function most and earliest. BCR monitoring can be readily applicable for sacral monitoring and has been shown to be useful for prediction of postoperative sacral dysfunction. Further research is guaranteed because current IONM methodology in spinal dysraphism is still deficient of quantitative and objective evaluation and fails to directly measure the sacral autonomic nervous system.