• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.101-103
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• 2006

Oral prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) is a medicine that is clinically applied during a treatment of patients suffering with vascular disease with chronic arterial obstruction because it has vasodilation and anti-platelet effects. The mechanisms of lumbosacral symptoms associated with spinal stenosis probably include vascular insufficiency with hypoxic injury to the cauda equina and the nerve roots. Thus, increasing the blood supply would be beneficial to improve the pathophysiologic condition. Several studies on the improvement of clinical symptoms of spinal stenosis by PGE1 treatment have been reported on. In this case, 47-year old female underwent posterior compression and posterolateral fusion with a cage at L2-4 due to L3 compression fracture, and she did not show improvement of the radiating pain of her right leg after the operation. Therefore, she received repetitive epidural catheterization and adhesiolysis, epidural block and physical therapy, but her symptoms deteriorated after temporary improvement. Finally, she was given PGE1 and the radiculopathy was completely improved, although some muscle weakness still remained.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.381-385
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• 2009

The first case of intracranial metastases of a cervical intramedullary low-grade astrocytoma without malignant transformation in adult is presented in this report. Seven years ago, a 45 year-old male patient underwent biopsy to confirm pathologic characteristics and received craniocervical radiation and chemotherapy for a grade II astrocytoma in the cervical spinal cord. Two years later, posterior fusion was necessary for progressive kyphosis in the cervical spine. He was well for approximately 7 years after the primary surgery. Two months ago, he presented with partial weakness and incoordination with gait difficulty. MRI Scan demonstrated multiple small lesions in the cerebellar vermis and left hemisphere. After suboccipital craniectomy and posterior cervical exposure, the small masses in the cerebellar vermis and hemispheres were excised to a large extent by guidance of an intraoperative navigation system. The tumor at the cervical and brain lesions was classified as an astrocytoma (WHO grade II). When a patient with low-grade astrocytoma in the spinal cord has new cranial symptoms after surgery, radiaton, and chemotherapy, the possibility of its metastasis should be suspected because it can spread to the intracranial cavity even without malignant transformation as shown in this case.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.88-94
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• 2007

Objective : The aim of this study is to investigate predictable risk factors for radiologic degeneration of adjacent segment after lumbar fusion and preoperative radiologic features of patients who underwent additional surgery with adjacent segment degeneration. Methods : Between January 1995 and December 2002, 201 patients who underwent lumbar fusion for degenerative conditions of lumbar spine were evaluated. We studied radiologic features, the method of operation, the length of fusion, age, sex, osteoporosis, and body mass index. Special attention was focused on, preoperative radiologic features of patients who required additional surgery were studied to detect risk factors for clinical deterioration. Results : Follow-up period ranged from 3 to 11 years. In our study, 61 [30%] patients developed adjacent segment degeneration, and 15 [7%] patients required additional surgery for neurologic deterioration. Age, the postoperative delay, facet volume, motion range, laminar inclination, facet tropism, and preexisting disc degeneration of adjacent segment considered as possible risk factors. Among these, laminar inclination and preexisting disc degeneration of adjacent segment were significantly correlated with clinical deterioration. Conclusion : The radiologic degeneration of adjacent segment after lumbar fusion can be predicted in terms of each preoperative radiologic factor, age and the postoperative delay. Laminar inclination and preexisting disc degeneration of adjacent segment have shown as strong risk factors for neurologic deterioration. Thus, careful consideration is warranted when these risk factors are present.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.248-254
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• 2014

Objective : According to the recent development of minimally invasive spinal surgery, direct lumbar interbody fusion (DLIF) was introduced as an effective option to treat lumbar degenerative diseases. However, comprehensive results of DLIF have not been reported in Korea yet. The object of this study is to summarize radiological and clinical outcomes of our DLIF experience. Methods : We performed DLIF for 130 patients from May 2011 to June 2013. Among them, 90 patients, who could be followed up for more than 6 months, were analyzed retrospectively. Clinical outcomes were compared using visual analog scale (VAS) score and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Bilateral foramen areas, disc height, segmental coronal and sagittal angle, and regional sagittal angle were measured. Additionally, fusion rate was assessed. Results : A total of 90 patients, 116 levels, were underwent DLIF. The VAS and ODI improved statistically significant after surgery. All the approaches for DLIF were done on the left side. The left and right side foramen area changed from $99.5mm^2$ and $102.9mm^2$ to $159.2mm^2$ and $151.2mm^2$ postoperatively (p<0.001). Pre- and postoperative segmental coronal and sagittal angles changed statistically significant from $4.1^{\circ}$ and $9.9^{\circ}$ to $1.1^{\circ}$ and $11.1^{\circ}$. Fusion rates of 6 and 12 months were 60.9% and 87.8%. Complications occurred in 17 patients (18.9%). However, most of the complications were resolved within 2 months. Conclusion : DLIF is not only effective for indirect decompression and deformity correction but also shows satisfactory mechanical stability and fusion rate.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.85 no.1
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• pp.36-53
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• 2024

As the number of spinal surgeries being performed expands, the number of medical imaging procedures such as radiography, CT, and MRI is also increasing, and the importance of their interpretation is becoming more significant. Herein, we present the radiological findings of a variety of complications that can occur after spinal surgery and discuss how effectively and accurately they can be diagnosed through imaging. In particular, this study details the characteristic imaging findings specific to the early and long-term postoperative periods. Early complications of spinal surgery include improper placement of surgical instruments (instrument malpositioning), seromas, hematomas, pseudomeningoceles, and infections in the region surrounding the surgical site. Conversely, long-term complications may include osteolysis around surgical instruments, failure of fusion, adjacent segment disease, and the formation of epidural fibrosis or scar tissue. A precise understanding of the imaging assessments related to complications arising after spinal surgery is crucial to ensure timely and accurate diagnosis, which is necessary to achieve effective treatment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.347-353
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• 2010

Objective : Iliac screw fixation has been used to prevent premature loosening of sacral fixation and to provide more rigid fixation of the sacropelvic unit. We describe our technique for iliac screw placement and review our experience with this technique. Methods : Thirteen consecutive patients who underwent spinopelvic fixation using iliac screws were enrolled. The indications for spinopelvic fixation included long segment fusions for spinal deformity and post-operative flat-back syndrome, symptomatic pseudoarthrosis of previous lumbosacral fusions, high-grade lumbosacral spondylolisthesis, lumbosacral tumors, and sacral fractures. Radiographic outcomes were assessed using plain radiographs, and computed tomographic scans. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and questionnaire about buttock pain. Results : The median follow-up period was 33 months (range, 13-54 months). Radiographic fusion across the lumbosacral junction was obtained in all 13 patients. The average pre- and post-operative ODI scores were 40.0 and 17.5, respectively. The questionnaire for buttock pain revealed the following : 9 patients (69%) perceived improvement; 3 patients (23%) reported no change; and 1 patient (7.6%) had aggravation of pain. Two patients complained of prominence of the iliac hardware. The complications included one violation of the greater sciatic notch and one deep wound infection. Conclusion : Iliac screw fixation is a safe and valuable technique that provides added structural support to S1 screws in long-segment spinal fusions. Iliac screw fixation is an extensive surgical procedure with potential complications, but high success rates can be achieved when it is performed systematically and in appropriately selected patients.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify demographic, clinical, physical, and psychosocial factors affecting discharge delay in lumbar spinal surgery patients who were treated according to a critical pathway. Methods: A sample of 170 patients with lumbar spinal surgery agreed to participate in the study, between April 1, 2014 and August 30, 2015. Data were analyzed by mean, standard deviation, t-test, ${\chi}^2$-test, ANCOVA, and logistic regression analysis using SPSS 22.0 program. Results: Approximately fifty-nine percent of the participants was delayed discharge. On logistic regression analysis, female gender (OR=2.63, 95% CI=1.40~4.94), age (OR=1.03, 95% CI=1.01~1.05), spondylolisthesis (OR=4.49, 95% CI=1.90~10.61), and spinal fusion operation (OR=4.14, 95% CI=1.89~9.05) were significant factors predicting discharge delay of the participants. However, discharge delay was not related with pain, physical function, depression, or family support. Conclusion: An analysis of discharge delay may assist in evaluating and revising critical pathway for optimal care. In addition, nurses need to understand the factors affecting discharge delay of the given population who were treated according to a critical pathway.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.604-609
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• 2016

Objective : The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes associated with the use of hydroxyapatite (HA) spacer and allogeneic bone (AB) spacer in laminoplasty. Methods : From January 2006 to July 2014, 79 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy or ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament underwent cervical laminoplasty. The radiologic parameters were obtained from plain radiography and three-dimensional computed tomography. All images were taken before and after surgery. Cervical lordosis, spinal canal dimension, fusion between lamina and spacer, and resorption of spacer were checked. Clinical outcomes were assessed using visual analog scale and Japanese Orthopedic Association. Results : Double-door laminoplasty was performed on 280 levels : 182 in the HA group and 98 in the AB group. The mean follow-up was 23.1 months (range : 4-69 months). Similar fusion rates were found in these groups (p=0.3). The resorption rate between lamina and spacer was lower in the HA group (p<0.001). During the immediate postoperative period, the canal dimension of both groups increased compared with the results in the preoperative period. However, the canal dimension of the AB group decreased over time compared with that of the HA group (p<0.001). Conclusion : Double-door laminoplasty improved the clinical outcomes of both groups. However, the spinal canal dimension in the AB group showed a greater degree of reduction than in the HA group at the final postoperative follow-up. Therefore, we suggest that surgeons consider the use of larger-sized AB spacers in double-door laminoplasties.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.605-610
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• 2001

Objective : The authors investigated the efficacy of the calcium sulfate(OsteoSet$^{(R)}$ pellets) as an autograft extender when used to perform posterolateral lumbar fusions. Patients and Methods : Twenty patients who underwent lumbar posterolateral arthrodesis for various spinal diseases between October 1999 and March 2000 were evaluated. Arthrodesis was performed by transpedicular screw fixation and bone grafting with a mixture of autograft + calcium sulfate in a 1 : 1 ratio. At time intervals of 1, 2, 3, and 6 months, postoperative radiographs were obtained to review the resorption of calcium sulfate and the evidence of fusion. A modified Lenke scale was used to assess the status of the fusion. Results : At 2 months after operation, the average modified Lenke scale score for the OsteoSet$^{(R)}$ pellets group was 3.8. However at 6 months after operation, the average modified Lenke scale score for the OsteoSet$^{(R)}$ pellets group was 1.8. Resorption of calcium sulfate pellets was revealed in all cases at 6 months after surgery. Conclusion : It is presumed that a combination of calcium sulfate and autograft can play a role as an effective autograft extender in the posterolateral spinal fusion.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.6
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• pp.700-711
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• 2019

Objective : The treatment of multiple thoracolumbar spine fractures according to fracture continuity has rarely been reported. Herein we evaluate the clinical features and outcomes of multiple thoracolumbar fractures depending on continuous or noncontinuous status. Methods : From January 2010 to January 2016, 48 patients with acute thoracic and lumbar multiple fractures who underwent posterior fusion surgery were evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups (group A : continuous; group B : noncontinuous). We investigated the causes of the injuries, the locations of the injuries, the range of fusion levels, and the functional outcomes based on the patients' general characteristics. Results : A total of 48 patients were enrolled (group A : 25 patients; group B : 23 patients). Both groups had similar pre-surgical clinical and radiologic features. The fusion level included three segments (group A : 4; group B : 5) or four segments (group A : 19; group B : 5). Group B required more instrumented segments than did group A. Group A scored 23.5 and group B scored 33.4 on the Korean Oswestry Disability Index (KODI) at the time of last follow-up. In both groups, longer fusion was associated with worse KODI score. Conclusion : In this study, due to the assumption of similar initial clinical and radiologic features in both group, the mechanism of multiple fractures is presumed to be the same between continuous and noncontinuous fractures. The noncontinuous fracture group had worse KODI scores in long-term follow-up, thought to be due to long fusion level. Therefore, we recommend minimizing the number of segments that are fused in multiple thoracolumbar and lumbar fractures when decompression is not necessary.