Korean Journal of SpinePub Date : 2016-03-01Epub Date: 2016-03-31DOI: 10.14245/kjs.2016.13.1.1
Dae Cheol Rim
{"title":"Quantitative Pfirrmann Disc Degeneration Grading System to Overcome the Limitation of Pfirrmann Disc Degeneration Grade.","authors":"Dae Cheol Rim","doi":"10.14245/kjs.2016.13.1.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14245/kjs.2016.13.1.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Pfirrmann disc degeneration grade is one of morphologic disc degeneration grading system and it was reliable on routine T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the agreement of Pfirrmann disc degeneration grade, and check the alternative technique of disc degeneration grading system.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Fifteen volunteers (4 medical doctors related to spinal disease, 2 medical doctors not related to spinal disease, 6 nurses in spinal hospital, and 3 para-medicines) were included in this study. Three different digitalized MR images were provided all volunteers, and they checked Pfirrmann disc degeneration grade of each disc levels after careful listening to explanation. Indeed, all volunteers checked the signal intensity of disc degeneration at the points of nucleus pulposus (NP), disc membrane, ligaments, fat, and air to modify the quantitative Pfirrmann disc degeneration grade.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Total 225 grade results of Pfirrmann disc degeneration grade and 405 signal intensity results of quantitative Pfirrmann disc degeneration grade were analyzed. Average interobserver agreement was \"moderate (mean±standard deviation, 0.575±0.251)\" from poor to excellent. Completely agreed levels of Pfirrmann disc degeneration grade were only 4 levels (26.67%), and the disagreement levels were observed in 11 levels; two different grades in 8 levels (53.33%) and three different grades in 3 levels (20%). Quantitative Pfirrmann disc degeneration showed relatively cluster distribution with the interobserver deviations of 0.41-1.56 at the ratio of NP and disc membrane, and it showed relatively good cluster and distribution indicating that the proposed grading system has good discrimination ability.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Pfirrmann disc degeneration grade showed the limitation of different interobserver results, but this limitation could be overcome by using quantitative techniques of MR signal intensity. Further evaluation is needed to access its advantage and reliabilities.</p>","PeriodicalId":17867,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Spine","volume":"13 1","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.14245/kjs.2016.13.1.1","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"34439016","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Korean Journal of SpinePub Date : 2016-03-01Epub Date: 2016-03-31DOI: 10.14245/kjs.2016.13.1.9
Jae Meen Lee, Dong Hwan Kim, Hwan Soo Kim, Byung Kwan Choi, In Ho Han
{"title":"The Applicability of Intraoperative Neuromonitoring in Patients with Preoperative Motor Weakness during Spine Surgery.","authors":"Jae Meen Lee, Dong Hwan Kim, Hwan Soo Kim, Byung Kwan Choi, In Ho Han","doi":"10.14245/kjs.2016.13.1.9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14245/kjs.2016.13.1.9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The purpose of our study is to evaluate the success rate and feasibility of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) focusing on transcranial motor evoked potential (TcMEP) monitoring for patients with preoperative motor weakness in spine surgery.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between November 2011 and December 2013, TcMEP and somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) monitoring were attempted in 130 consecutive patients undergoing spine surgeries for cervical or thoracic cord lesions. Patients ranged in age from 14 to 81 years (mean±standard deviation, 56.7±14.8 years), and 84 patients were male. The success rates of both SSEP and MEPs monitoring were assessed according to the preoperative Medical Research Council (MRC) and Nurick grades.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>TcMEP was recorded successfully in 0%, 28.6%, 72.3%, and 100% of patients with MRC grades 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. SSEP was obtained from 0%, 37.5%, 21.5%, 61.4%, and 85.4% of patients with MRC grades 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. TcMEP was recorded successfully in 84% of patients with Nurick grades 1-3 and 26% of patients with Nurick grades 4-5. SSEPs were recorded successfully in 76.3% of patients with Nurick grades 1-3 and 24% of patients with grades 4-5.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>IONM during spine surgery may be useless in patients with MRC grades 1-2, applicable MRC grade 3, and useful MRC grades 4-5. MRC grade 3 is a critical point of indication for application of MEPs. In unmonitorable cases with MRC grade 3, increasing stimulus intensity or facilitation techniques may be considered to improve the usefulness of TcMEP.</p>","PeriodicalId":17867,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Spine","volume":"13 1","pages":"9-12"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/1f/41/kjs-13-9.PMC4844661.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"34498577","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Korean Journal of SpinePub Date : 2016-03-01Epub Date: 2016-03-31DOI: 10.14245/kjs.2016.13.1.13
Sang Youp Han, Hyun Woo Kim, Cheol Young Lee, Hong Rye Kim, Dong Ho Park
{"title":"Stand-Alone Cages for Anterior Cervical Fusion: Are There No Problems?","authors":"Sang Youp Han, Hyun Woo Kim, Cheol Young Lee, Hong Rye Kim, Dong Ho Park","doi":"10.14245/kjs.2016.13.1.13","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14245/kjs.2016.13.1.13","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>There are complications in stand-alone cage assisted anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), such as cage subsidence and kyphosis. Here we report our clinical result on ACDF, comparing with stand-alone cages and with cervical plate system for degenerative cervical spine diseases.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Patients with degenerative cervical disease who were diagnosed and treated in Konyang University Hospital between January 2004 and December 2014 were included in this study. Patients who had operation in single level ACDF were selected. Patients scored the degree of pain using visual analog scale before and after the surgery. Subsidence was defined as ≥3-mm decrease of the segmental height, and cervical kyphosis was defined as progression of ≥5° at 12 months after postoperative follow-up compared to that measured at the immediate postoperative period.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 81 patients were enrolled for this study. Forty-five patients were included in a cervical plate group and the others were in stand-alone cage group. There was no statistical difference in pain score between the 2 groups. Segmental subsidence was observed in 7 patients (15.6%) in plate-assisted cervical fusion group, and 13 patients (36.1%) in stand-alone cage group. Segmental kyphosis was observed in 4 patients (8.9%) in plate-assisted cervical fusion group, and 10 patients (27.8%) in stand-alone cage group. There was statistical difference between the 2 groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>There was no difference in pain between 2 groups. But stand-alone case group showed higher incidence rate than plate-assisted cervical fusion group in segmental subsidence and cervical kyphosis. When designing cervical fusion, more attention should be given selecting the surgical technique.</p>","PeriodicalId":17867,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Spine","volume":"13 1","pages":"13-9"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/ca/b9/kjs-13-13.PMC4844655.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"34498578","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Combined Interlaminar and Paraisthmic Approach for Co-existing Intracanal and Foraminal Lesion","authors":"Jung-Sup Lee, Jong-Yun Woo, J. Jang, I. Jang","doi":"10.14245/kjs.2015.12.4.256","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14245/kjs.2015.12.4.256","url":null,"abstract":"Objective Stenosis or herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) occupying lumbar intracanal and foraminal area is an important cause of double radicular symptoms. Using the combined interlaminar and paraisthmic approach, we performed decompression surgery in patients with co-existing intracanal and foraminal lesions. The objective of this study is to describe usefulness and outcome of combined interlaminar and paraisthmic approach surgery and to analysis the cause of poor outcome. Methods Between Apr 2009 and Apr 2014, 78 patients (42 males and 36 females) with intracanal and foraminal lesions were enrolled in this study. Patients with a vacuum disc, spondylolisthesis, instability or an isthmic defect on the preoperative dynamic view radiograph were excluded from this study. All patients underwent surgery through a combined approach for discectomy and decompression. The outcome of surgery was evaluated and classified into excellent, good, fair and poor. Results The results were excellent in 53 patients, good in 9, fair in 6 and poor in 10 during the follow-up. The outcome of the combined approach was excellent to fair in 87% (68 of 78) patients in our study. In the poor outcome group, three patients complained of early-onset relapsed pain (<1 month) and another seven patients complained of delayed-onset pain (>3 months). Conclusion Combined approach for both intracanal and foraminal area lesions may be useful if selectively performed on patients whose facet joint is relatively intact, and that it is worthy of consideration as an alternative to fusion surgery; however, further studies are needed.","PeriodicalId":17867,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Spine","volume":"3 1","pages":"256 - 260"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75531629","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mini-open PLIF for Moderate to High Grade Spondylolisthesis: Technique to Achieve Spontaneous Reduction","authors":"S. Jeong, H. Kim, S. Kim","doi":"10.14245/kjs.2015.12.4.251","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14245/kjs.2015.12.4.251","url":null,"abstract":"Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surgical technique and outcome of mini-open posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) under circumferential releasing technique. Methods Fourty patients who underwent mini-open PLIF using the percutaneous screw fixation system for Meyerding Grade II spondylolisthesis or more were retrospectively studied. After complete circumferential release, the slipped vertebrae would tend to obtain spontaneous reduction, and with compressive force by percutaneous screw fixation, additional reduction could be achieved. The radiological measurements including slippage reduction, disc height, restoration of lumbar lordotic angle and focal segmental angle were analyzed. The clinical outcome was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and low back outcome score (LBOS), and procedure related complications were also analyzed. Results Slippage percentage was improved from 38.0±12.6% to 9.3±7.8% and lumbar lordotic angle was changed from 43.0±13.8° to 48.2±10.3°. Focal segmental angle improved from 10.1±8.5° to 15.9±6.0°. The mean LBOS and mean pain score were also improved significantly. Complications included one case of medial penetration of pedicle border and two cases of transient radiculopathy. However, there were no signs of neurological aggravation or fusion failure during the follow-up period. Conclusion Mini-open PLIF using the percutaneous screw fixation following complete circumferential release can be safe and effective treatment for even moderate to severe grade spondylolisthesis.","PeriodicalId":17867,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Spine","volume":"7 1","pages":"251 - 255"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86939632","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cauda Equina Syndrome Caused by Idiopathic Epidural Lipomatosis","authors":"Yun-Seong Kim, C. Ju, S. Kim, H. Kim","doi":"10.14245/kjs.2015.12.4.272","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14245/kjs.2015.12.4.272","url":null,"abstract":"Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) is a rare condition that presents as a back pain with progressive neurologic symptoms. Most affected patients are obese and receiving steroid therapy, or have an endocrinopathies. We report a rare case of cauda equina syndrome caused by SEL in a non-obese healthy young man without any evident traumatic episode. A healthy 19-year-old man, who had experienced lower back pain for two months, visited our emergency room because of the sudden development of motor weakness and voiding difficulty. Lumbar magnetic resonance image revealed extradural fat compressing the cauda equina. Urgent decompression via posterior laminectomy and excision of excess epidural fat resulted in an immediate symptom improvement.","PeriodicalId":17867,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Spine","volume":"367 1","pages":"272 - 274"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79712114","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yoon Hwan Byun, Seil Sohn, Sung-Hye Park, C. Chung
{"title":"Cervical Spine Chondroma Compressing Spinal Cord: A Case Report and Literature Review","authors":"Yoon Hwan Byun, Seil Sohn, Sung-Hye Park, C. Chung","doi":"10.14245/kjs.2015.12.4.275","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14245/kjs.2015.12.4.275","url":null,"abstract":"Chondromas are benign tumor of cartilaginous tissue that is rarely found in spine. The authors document a rare case of a 72 year old male patient with a cervical spinal chondroma compressing the spinal cord. The patient had symptoms of motor and sensory deficits, dysphagia and dysarthria. C1 and C2 laminotomy was done and the spinal tumor was removed. The patient gradually recovered from his previous symptom after the surgery.","PeriodicalId":17867,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Spine","volume":"252 1","pages":"275 - 278"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74665913","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ji-won Shin, Sung-Won Jin, Se-Hoon Kim, J. Choi, Bum-Joon Kim, Sang-Dae Kim, D. Lim
{"title":"Predictors of Outcome in Patients with Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Undergoing Unilateral Open-Door Laminoplasty","authors":"Ji-won Shin, Sung-Won Jin, Se-Hoon Kim, J. Choi, Bum-Joon Kim, Sang-Dae Kim, D. Lim","doi":"10.14245/kjs.2015.12.4.261","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14245/kjs.2015.12.4.261","url":null,"abstract":"Objective This study aimed to analyze prognostic factors affecting surgical outcomes of expansive laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Methods Using the Frankel scale and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scale, we retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of 45 consecutive patients who underwent modified unilateral open-door laminoplasty using hydroxyapatite spacers and malleable titanium miniplates between June 2008 and May 2014. The patients were assigned to the good and poor clinical outcome groups, with good outcome defined as a JOA recovery rate >75%. Results The mean preoperative JOA scale was significantly higher in the good outcome group (14.95±3.21 vs. 10.78±6.07, p<0.001), whereas the preoperative cervical range of motion (ROM) in this group was significantly lower (29.89°±10.11 vs. 44.35°± 8.88, p<0.001). In univariate analysis, a high preoperative JOA scale (odds ratio (OR) 1.271, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.005-1.607) and low preoperative cervical ROM(OR 0.858, 95% CI 0.786-0.936) were statistically correlated with good outcomes. Furthermore, these factors demonstrated an independent association with clinical outcomes (preoperative JOA scale: OR 1.344, 95% CI 1.019-1.774, p=0.036; preoperative cervical ROM: OR 0.860, 95% CI 0.788-0.940, p=0.001). Conclusion In this study, a high preoperative JOA scale was associated with good clinical outcome after laminoplasty, whereas a higher preoperative cervical spine ROM was associated with poor clinical outcome. This may suggests that cervical mobility and preoperative neurological status affect clinical outcomes of laminoplasty.","PeriodicalId":17867,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Spine","volume":"34 1","pages":"261 - 266"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82490919","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fully Endoscopic Interlaminar Detethering of Spinal Cord in Tethered Cord Syndrome: A Case Report and Technical Description","authors":"M. S. Gürbüz, S. Aydın, D. Bozdoğan","doi":"10.14245/kjs.2015.12.4.287","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14245/kjs.2015.12.4.287","url":null,"abstract":"A 19-year-old man presented with long lasting significant back and bilateral leg pain, and hypoesthesia on the lateral side of both his thighs for which he had undergone several courses of medication and bouts of physical therapy treatment. His urodynamic parameters were normal and lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a low-lying conus at the L2-3 level with a thickened fatty filum, and he was diagnosed as having tethered cord syndrome (TCS). The patient underwent a fully endoscopic detethering through an interlaminar approach with intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring. The thickened filum terminale was located and then the filum was coagulated and cut. The patient showed a significant improvement in his preoperative symptoms, and reported no problems at 2-year follow-up. Detethering of the spinal cord in tethered cord syndrome using a fully endoscopic interlaminar approach provides the advantages of minimal damage to tissues, less postoperative discomfort, early postoperative recovery, and a shorter hospitalization.","PeriodicalId":17867,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Spine","volume":"50 1","pages":"287 - 291"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78611630","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Idiopathic Spontaneous Intramedullary Hemorrhage: A Report of a Rare Case of Repeated Intramedullary Hemorrhage with Unknown Etiology","authors":"B. Choi, Sungjoon Lee","doi":"10.14245/kjs.2015.12.4.279","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14245/kjs.2015.12.4.279","url":null,"abstract":"A 48-year-old woman presented with acute voiding difficulty, numbness and weakness of both lower extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an intramedullary hemorrhagic mass that extended from T9 to T10. T8-T10 laminotomy and surgical removal of the hemorrhagic mass was performed. The pathological diagnosis was hematoma. Her neurological status remained the same after the operation. At 5 days post-operation, the patient suddenly became paraplegic, and MRI that was immediately performed revealed a recurrent intramedullary hemorrhage. Emergent surgical evacuation was performed. Again, histological examination showed only hematoma, without any evidence of abnormal vessels or a tumor. A postoperative MRI revealed no abnormal lesions other than those resulting from postoperative changes. At a 9-month follow up, the patient could walk a short distance with the aid of a walker. Because spontaneous intramedullary hemorrhage with unknown etiology is very rare, it is essential to perform a meticulous inspection of the hemorrhagic site to find the underlying cause. Repeated hemorrhage can occur; therefore, close observation of patients after surgery is important in cases without an apparent etiology. Urgent surgical evacuation is important to improve outcomes in these cases.","PeriodicalId":17867,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Spine","volume":"38 1","pages":"279 - 282"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73046700","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}