• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.9-15
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• 2010

Purpose: To evaluate, in patients with degenerative disc disease (DDD), the efficacy of using spinal stabilizing exercises for the reversal? of atrophy of the multifidus and psoas major, reductions in pain and disability, and for increases in paraspinal muscle strength. Methods: Nineteen patients diagnosed with DDD participated for 10 weeks in a spinal stabilization exercise program. Pain and disability were measured before and after exercise using, respectively, a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Paraspinal muscular strength in four directions was evaluated using CENTAUR. Both before and after exercise we used computed tomography (CT) too measure cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of both the left and right multifidus and the psoas major at the upper & lower endplate of L4. Results: After 10 weeks of a spinal stabilization exercise program, pain was significantly decreased from $5.7{\pm}0.9$ to $2.5{\pm}0.9$ (p<0.01); the ODI score decreased from $16.7{\pm}4.9$ to $7.3{\pm}3.1$. Paraspinal muscle strength was significantly increased (p<0.01) and the CSAs of the left and right multifidus and psoas major muscles were significantly increased (p<0.01). Conclusion: Spinal stabilization exercise is effective in reversing atrophy in DDD patients, in reducing pain and disability, and in increasing paraspinal muscle strength. It is an effective treatment foro aiding rehabilitation in these cases.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.6
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• pp.703-715
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• 2023

Objective : This retrospective study investigated the factors that affect cage obliquity angle despite orthogonal maneuvers performed during oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) and assessed the relationship between cage obliquity angle and radiological outcomes post-surgery. Methods : Twenty-nine males who underwent L4-L5 OLIF for lumbar degenerative disease between 2019 and 2021 with a followup duration greater than 12 months were analyzed. Radiological parameters were measured including psoas muscle volume, total psoas area index (total psoas muscle area [cm²]/height squared [m²]), distance from the iliac artery to the origin of the psoas muscle (DIAPM), angle between the origin of the psoas muscle and the center of the vertebral disc (APCVD), iliac crest height, disc height, lumbar flexibility (lumbar flexion angle minus extension angle), cage location ratio, cage-induced segmental lumbar lordosis (LL) (postoperative index level segmental LL minus used cage angle), foraminal height changes, fusion grade. Results : DIAPM, APCVD, iliac crest height, postoperative index level segmental LL, and cage-induced segmental LL were significantly correlated with OLIF cage obliquity angle. However, other radiological parameters did not correlate with cage obliquity. Based on multiple regression analysis, the predictive equation for the OLIF cage obliquity angle was 13.062-0.318×DIAPM+0.325×1APCVD+0.174×iliac crest height. The greater the cage obliquity, the smaller the segmental LL compared to the cage angle used. Conclusion : At the L4-L5 level, OLIF cage obliquity was affected by DIAPM, APCVD, and iliac crest height, and as the cage obliquity angle increases, LL agnle achievable by the used cage could not be obtained.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.45-53
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between cross-sectional areas of the paraspinal and psoas muscles with low back pain. Methods : We assessed the cross-sectional area of the psoas and paraspinal muscles at the superior part of L4 level and vertebral body of L4 of 132 patients who were hospitalized with a chief complaint of low back pain at Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine from January 2013 to April 2013. After calculating the mean psoas area, we divided the patients into 2 groups by whether the psoas cross section was larger or smaller than the mean, and compared the admission period, verbal numeric rating scale(NRS) of low back pain(LBP), and improvement of verbal NRS of LBP. We also subcategorized the patients into acute and chronic groups according to the duration period, and compared the cross-sectional area of the psoas and paraspinal muscles. Results : Although analyses of the verbal NRS of LBP, and improvement of verbal NRS of LBP between groups with larger and smaller psoas cross section areas showed no significant difference, the admission period was significantly shorter in the group with larger psoas cross section areas. There was no significant difference in analyses of cross section areas in the acute and chronic groups. Of the possible prognostic variables, improvement of verbal NRS of LBP showed no correlation, while the admission period displayed a significant correlation. The cross-sectional area of the psoas and paraspinal muscles divided by the area of the vertebral body of L4 had a significant negative correlation with age. Conclusions : The cross-sectional area of the psoas and paraspinal muscles were correlated with the admission period in LBP patients, and the cross-sectional area of the surrounding muscles divided by the area of the L4 vertebral body was negatively correlated with age.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.192-195
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• 2009

We present a case of an acute psoas muscle hematoma following percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy. A 60-year-old female who presented with far lateral lumbar disc herniation underwent endoscopic discectomy on the right side at the L4-5 level. On the second postoperative day, the patient complained of severe right flank and leg pain and her blood pressure decreased. A computed tomography scan showed a large acute psoas muscle hematoma at right L4-5 level. The patient was transfused with packed red blood cells and placed at absolute bed rest. After observing the patient in intensive care, the severe flank and leg pain subsided, but the mild back pain persisted. Although percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy is an effective minimally invasive surgical technique for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation, this case highlights the inherent risks of acute lumbar segmental vessel injury.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 2010

Background: We prospectively evaluated the incidence and possible factors causing intramuscular injection during lumbar sympathetic ganglion block and compared the multiple needle technique to the single technique to obtain a profound and complete block effect. Methods: Among 83 patients, 58 patients (group A, n = 27, multiple needle technique and group B, n = 31, single needle technique) were reevaluated for the changes of skin temperature (Ts) and mean segment of longitudinal contrast spread. After injecting the contrast agent, the incidence of psoas muscle injection and the change of Ts was compared between two groups. Results: The incidence of psoas muscle injection was 21.3% (46/216) and it was associated with the level of injection (L2) significantly (${\chi}_2$ = 14.773, P = 0.001). $DT^{post}$ (postblock temperature difference between ipsilateral and contralateral great toe, $4.6{\pm}2.8^{\circ}C$, $1.8{\pm}1.6^{\circ}C$, P < 0.001 for group A and B) and $DT^{net}$ ($DT^{post}$ - $DT^{pre}$, $3.9{\pm}2.7^{\circ}C$, $1.5{\pm}1.5^{\circ}C$, P < 0.001 for group A and B) was significantly higher in group A. The mean segment of longitudinal contrast spread was $8.1{\pm}0.9$ for group A and $3.2{\pm}1.6$ for group B (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The LSGB at the L2 level showed the lowest incidence of psoas muscle injection of contrast. Multiple needle approach showed more significant increase of $DT^{net}$ and $DT^{post}$.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.224-230
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• 1993

Most patients who have suffered from pain and muscle weakness on femoral nerve distributing area show no definite pathologic finding on X-ray or laboratory examinations. Therefore proper diagnosis is difficult to determine for the proper treatment of the symptoms. Based on my clinical experiences and anatomical studies, I have found most of these symptoms are a result of femoral nerve compression on trigger point of psoas major muscle. Accordingly, releasing the compression of femoral nerve by Laser stimulation and local anesthetic injection to the identified trigger point of psoas major muscle was found to be an effective treatment for femoral neuralgic pain.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.137-144
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the fusion effects and difference them of the deep transverse stroking, manual stretching exercise and active muscle release technique on psoas major muscle thickness and muscle tone, and pelvic angle in non-specific low back pain patients. Psoas major muscle thickness was significantly decreased after the application of the deep transverse stroking $0.19{\pm}0.16cm$ (p <0.05), manual stretching exercise $0.18{\pm}0.14cm$ (p <0.05), and active muscle release technique $0.43{\pm}0.35cm$ (p <0.05). The pelvic angle was significantly decreased after the application of the deep transverse stroking $4.48{\pm}1.63^{\circ}$ (p <0.05), manual stretching exercise $5.36{\pm}2.04^{\circ}$ (p <0.05), and active muscle release technique $7.24{\pm}2.23^{\circ}$ (p <0.05). The Psoas major muscle tone was significantly decreased after application of the deep transverse stroking $0.96{\pm}0.93Hz$ (p <0.05), but manual stretching exercise $0.87{\pm}1.20Hz$ (p> 0.05) and active muscle release technique $0.82{\pm}0.98Hz$ (p> 0.05) there was no significant difference after application. There were no significant differences between the three intervention methods in the pelvic angle and psoas major muscle thickness and tone changes. In order to change psoas major muscle thickness and pelvic angle, three intervention methods should be applied appropriately according to the condition and environment of the patient, and deep transverse stroking is more effective for changing psoas major muscle tone.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.950-956
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• 2021

Objective : Psoas and masseter muscles are known markers of sarcopenia. However, the relative superiority of either muscle as a marker is unclear. Therefore, this study analyzed the two muscles in patients with a prognosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods : Patients with TBI visiting a regional trauma center between January 2017 and December 2018 were selected, and their medical records were reviewed. TBI patients with an abbreviated injury score (AIS) of 4 or 5 were selected. Patients with an AIS of 4 or 5 at the chest, abdomen, and extremity were excluded. Patients with a hospital stay of 1 to 2 days were excluded. Both muscle areas were measured based on the initial computed tomography. The psoas muscle index (PMI) and the masseter muscle index (MMI) were calculated by dividing both muscle areas by height in meters squared (cm²/m²). These muscle parameters along with other medical information were used to analyze mortality and the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS). Results : A total of 179 patients, including 147 males (82.1%), were analyzed statistically. The mean patient age was 58.0 years. The mortality rate was 16.8% (30 patients). The mean GOS score was 3.7. Analysis was performed to identify the parameters associated with mortality, which was a qualitative study outcome. The psoas muscle area (16.9 vs. 14.4 cm², p=0.028) and PMI (5.9 vs. 5.1 cm²/m², p=0.004) showed statistical differences between the groups. The PMI was also statistically significant as a risk factor for mortality in logistic regression analysis (p=0.023; odds ratio, 0.715; 95% confidence interval, 0.535-0.954). Quantitative analyses were performed with the GOS scores. Bivariate correlation analysis showed a statistically significant correlation between PMI and GOS scores (correlation coefficient, 0.168; p=0.003). PMI (p=0.004, variation inflation factor 1.001) was significant in multiple regression analysis. The masseter muscle area and MMI did not show significance in the study. Conclusion : Larger PMI was associated with statistically significant improved survival and GOS scores, indicating its performance as a superior prognostic marker. Further analyses involving a larger number of patients, additional parameters, and more precise settings would yield a better understanding of sarcopenia and TBI.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1640-1649
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• 2021

Objective: Flattening in the anteroposterior direction (AP flattening) of the terminal ileum (TI) or sigmoid colon (SC) lying across the psoas muscle, on magnetic resonance enterography (MRE), might mimic bowel inflammation in the coronal view. This study investigated the prevalence of AP flattening and the factors associated with its development. Materials and Methods: A total of 364 surgery-naïve patients with Crohn's disease (CD) who had undergone MRE were retrospectively reviewed. AP flattening was defined as a luminal collapse in the anteroposterior direction, with a bowel width in the axial plane < 1/4 of the normal diameter without reduction of bowel width in coronal images. The prevalence of AP flattening of the TI and SC on MRE in patients with bowel segments lying across the psoas muscle was determined. We further compared the rate of AP flattening between MRE and computed tomography enterography (CTE) in a subcohort of patients with prior CTE. The factors associated with AP flattening were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression in a subcohort of patients with endoscopic findings of TI. Results: Three hundred and twenty-two and 363 patients, respectively, had TI and SC lying across the psoas muscle. The prevalence of AP flattening on MRE was 7.5% (24/322) in TI and 5.2% (19/363) in SC. The prevalences were significantly higher on MRE than on CTE in both the TI (7.3% [12/164] vs. 0.6% [1/164]; p = 0.003) and SC (5.8% [11/190] vs. 1.6% [3/190]; p = 0.039). AP flattening of the TI was independently and strongly associated with the absence of CD inflammation on endoscopy, with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.066 (p = 0.003) for the presence versus the absence (reference) of inflammation. Conclusion: AP flattening of the TI or SC lying across the psoas muscle was uncommon and predominantly observed on MRE of the bowel without CD inflammation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.447-459
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• 2021

Objective : Oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) is becoming the preferred treatment for degenerative lumbar diseases. As beginners, we performed 143 surgeries over 19 months. In these consecutive cases, we analyzed the learning curve and reviewed the complications in our experience. Methods : This was a retrospective study; however, complications that were well known in the previous literature were strictly recorded prospectively. We followed up the changes in estimated blood loss (EBL), operation time, and transient psoas paresis according to case accumulation to analyze the learning curve. Results : Complication-free patients accounted for 43.6% (12.9%, early stage 70 patients and 74.3%, late stage 70 patients). The most common complication was transient psoas paresis (n=52). Most of these complications occurred in the early stages of learning. C-reactive protein normalization was delayed in seven patients (4.89%). The operation time showed a decreasing trend with the cases; however, EBL did not show any significant change. Notable operation-induced complications were cage malposition, vertebral body fracture, injury to the ureter, and injury to the lumbar vein. Conclusion : According to the learning curve, the operation time and psoas paresis decreased. It is important to select an appropriately sized cage along with clear dissection of the anterior border of the psoas muscle to prevent OLIF-specific complications.