Sang-Deok Kim

Comparison of Motion Changes and Clinical Outcomes between Cervical Disc Replacement and Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion in Single Level Cervical Degenerative Disease: Retrospective Analysis

Objective: Cervical Total Disc Replacement (CTDR) has recently been developed as an alternative to Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) in cervical degenerative disease to preserve the motion at the treated level. The aim of this study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of CTDR by comparing it with ACDF in the treatment of single-level cervical degenerative disease, retrospectively. Methods: This study included 61 patients, who underwent either stand-alone single-level ACDF (n = 33) or singlelevel CTDR (Bryan cervical artificial disc, n = 28) at C3 to C7 for degenerative cervical disease between June 2007 and December 2009. Cervical radiographs were obtained to measure overall and regional cervical angle and Range of Motion (ROM). For evaluation for patient’s pain, visual analogue scale and Japanese Orthopedic Association score was measured. Results: The changes of the overall Cervical Sagittal Angle (CSA) were not significantly different between the two groups. The Segmental Angle (SA) was maintained at a significantly higher in the CTDR group compared to the ACDF group during the follow-up period (p < 0.05). The ROM of the upper adjacent segment was significantly increased in the ACDF group compared to the CTDR group. Conclusions: Clinically, CTDR is at least as efficient as ACDF. CTDR using a Bryan artificial disc provided a significant maintenance of the SA and the ROM at the treated level, and prevented the hyper-mobility at the upper adjacent segment compared to the ACDF. In the Future, prospective, randomized, long-term follow-up study with large-number will be required to clarify the efficacy of CTDR.

Is stand alone PEEK cage the gold standard in multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)? Results of a minimum 1-year follow up

INTRODUCTIONnThis study was designed to evaluate the clinical and radiologic results of stand-alone synthetic polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages for two- or three-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), with a focus on subsidence.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnWe retrospectively reviewed a total of 68 patients who underwent two- or three-level ACDF with a stand-alone PEEK cage between April 2005 and August 2016. Radiologic parameters were assessed on lateral radiographs, and fusion was assessed on computed tomography scans. For the evaluation of clinical outcomes, visual analogue scale, neck disability index, and modified Japanese Orthopedic Association scores were measured.nnnRESULTSnAmong the total of 68 patients with a total of 144 segments, ACDF at two and three levels was performed in 60 and 8 patients, respectively, with a mean follow-up duration of 27.6u202fmonths. The overall fusion rate was 81.3% (117 of 144 segments), and subsidence occurred in 63 segments (43.8%) at the last follow-up. There was no statistically significant difference between the subsidence group and the nonsubsidence group in terms of fusion rate, radiologic outcomes, and clinical outcomes (pu202f>u202f.05).nnnCONCLUSIONnSubsidence might be an inevitable course and only a radiologic phenomenon with no effect on the clinical and radiologic outcomes of the use of stand-alone cages.

Contralateral Hemispheric Brain Atrophy After Primary Intracerebral Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVEnIn patients with intracerebral hematoma (ICH), it is well known that brain atrophy occurs in the hemisphere ipsilateral to the hematoma. The present study aimed to investigate contralateral hemispheric volume changes in patients with ICH as well as related factors.nnnMETHODSnOf 112 patients with ICH who were surgically treated at our hospital between January 2011 and December 2015, 44 were included in the present study. We measured contralateral hemispheric brain areas in 3 planes of axial brain computed tomography images. We obtained the proportion of contralateral hemispheric parenchyma to the hemispheric intracranial area to adjust for individual differences in head size. We analyzed the relationship between various factors and volume changes in the contralateral hemisphere.nnnRESULTSnThe average volume percentages of preoperative and follow-up contralateral hemispheric parenchyma were 92.3% versus 88.8%, 90.3% versus 85.3%, and 86.9% versus 82.5% in the level of foramen of Monro, septum pellucidum, and lateral ventricle, respectively. These decreases were all statistically significant (paired t-test; Pxa0<xa00.001). As far as the causes of these decreases, the presence of intraventricular hematoma was the most significant factor for a decrease (Pxa0= 0.006). Glasgow coma scale score on arrival, as well as, smoking were independent factors in a multivariate analysis (Pxa0= 0.016, 0.039).nnnCONCLUSIONSnContralateral parenchymal volumes were significantly decreased at the 3-month follow-up brain computed tomography scan. These findings may offer important clinical information on the remote brain injury of ICH.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis in the adult lumbar spine: case report

IntroductionLangerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) occurs rarely in the spine of adults. The radiological findings usually resemble vertebral tumors. Etiology of LCH has not been clearly established yet. Therapeutic approaches are still controversial. We describe a case of LCH in an adult spine.Case descriptionA patient who presented with low back pain had an osteolytic lesion in the L1 vertebral body without neurological deficits, and fluoroscopy-guided needle biopsy of the L1 vertebral body was performed. The immunohistochemical diagnosis confirmed LCH. The patient was successfully treated with conservative methods.DiscussionThe choice of appropriate therapy is very important, with treatment options varying from watch-and to aggressive treatment.ConclusionLCH is considered as a pediatric disease that is extremely rare in the spine of adults and should be include in the differential diagnosis of osteolytic vertebral lesions. Conservative treatment is best choice for a patient with LCH without neurological deficit or spinal instability.

The prognosis of anaplastic astrocytoma with radiologic necrosis mimicking glioblastoma.

Abstract Anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) sometimes shows a rapid poor course like glioblastoma. In this study, we investigated the prognosis of AA with radiologic necrosis which is the representative radiologic finding of glioblastoma. From 1995 to 2010, we operated on 26 patients who were confirmed to have AA. The male:female ratio was 13:13, and the median age was 47.23 years. The mean follow-up period was 3 years. We analyzed the prognostic significance of radiologic necrosis with age, sex, KPS, tumour location, radiologic findings, extent of removal and radiation therapy oncology group recursive partitioning analysis (RTOG-RPA) classification. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 0.5 (±u20090.17) years and the median overall survival (OS) was 1.6 (±u20090.40) years. In univariate analysis, the clinical variables of younger age (p = 0.030) and RTOG-RPA class III (p = 0.043) correlated with longer PFS, and KPS (p = 0.038), radiologic necrosis (p = 0.013) and the extent of removal (p = 0.041) correlated with OS. The median OS was 1.0 (±u20090.21) year in AA with radiologic necrosis compared to AA without radiologic necrosis, which showed 2.1 (±u20090.29) years median OS. On multivariate analysis, there was no statistically significant prognostic factor. However, Coxs regression model revealed that gross total removal was associated with a longer OS (hazard ratio =u20090.136; 95% CI, 0.018 to 1.046; p = 0.055) compared to partial removal or biopsy. Gross total resection was associated with good prognosis, and AA with radiologic necrosis had poor prognosis like glioblastoma.

Acute transverse myelitis following scrub typhus: A case report and review of the literature

Context: Scrub typhus is an acute febrile disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi. The disease can usually involve the lungs, heart, liver, spleen and brain through hematogenous dissemination. However, very rarely, acute transverse myelitis in the spinal cord develops from scrub typhus. We present a case of acute transverse myelitis following scrub typhus with a review of the literature. Findings: A 66-year-old male visited a hospital for general myalgia, mild headache, and fever in October. He was noted to have thick, black papule skin on his abdomen, which was highly suggestive of scrub typhus. To confirm the diagnosis, O. tsutsugamushi antibody titers were examined and detected highly in serum by an indirect fluorescence antibody assay. Doxycycline, the standard treatment for scrub typhus, was administered. However, after seven days of treatment, he rapidly developed weakness in the right leg, paresthesia in both lower limbs, and voiding difficulty. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed lesions with high signal intensity involving the spinal cord at the thoracolumbar junction. Paraparesis gradually improved following steroid pulse therapy for five days. At one-year follow-up, he could walk without cane. Conclusions: Orientia tsutsugamushi causes scrub typhus, which can affect not only the brain, but also the spinal cord. Although acute transverse myelitis develops rarely from scrub typhus, this should be considered as differential diagnosis in patients of fever with neurological deficit in endemic areas.

Short segment percutaneous pedicle screw fixation after direct spinal canal decompression in thoracolumbar burst fractures: An alternative option

OBJECTIVEnTo investigate the surgical results of percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (PPSF) after spinal canal decompression via a small laminectomy for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures.nnnMETHODnTwenty-seven patients underwent PPSF after spinal canal decompression via small laminectomies between April 2009 and April 2015. Inclusion criteria consisted of a single-level, closed, thoracolumbar burst fracture and neurological symptoms. Decompression was performed via a small laminectomy, followed by PPSF, including at the level of the fractured vertebra. Cobb angle, vertebral wedge angle, and vertebral body index were each measured from lateral radiographs before and after surgery, and at last follow-up. Neurological assessment was made using the Frankel grading system.nnnRESULTSnThe average follow-up period was 26u202fmonths. The preoperative average Cobb angle was 15.8°u202f±u202f6.6°, and significantly decreased to 6.5°u202f±u202f6.2° postoperatively (pu202f<u202f0.001). Average Cobb angle at last follow-up increased slightly to 8.9°u202f±u202f6.9°, but this was not significant (pu202f=u202f0.112). The preoperative average vertebral wedge angle was 20.6°u202f±u202f6.3°, and decreased significantly to 12.2°u202f±u202f6.2° postoperatively (pu202f<u202f0.001). The vertebral body index significantly decreased from 0.58u202f±u202f0.11 to a postoperative value of 0.78u202f±u202f0.10 (pu202f<u202f0.001). Clinically, no patient deteriorated subsequent to surgery.nnnCONCLUSIONnPercutaneous pedicle screw fixation after spinal canal decompression via small laminectomy provides significant kyphotic correction and improved neurological outcome while offering decreased surgical morbidity. This may be applied as an effective primary surgery in select patients with TLBFs with neurologic symptoms.

Ruptured choroidal artery aneurysms in patients with moyamoya disease: Two case series and review of the literatures

Distal peripheral artery aneurysms in moyamoya disease (MMD) remain difficult to treat given their deep location, small size, and fragility. Here, we report two cases of choroidal artery aneurysms associated with MMD who were treated through direct clipping and coil embolization. Timing of aneurysm formation remains unclear, however, annual follow-up DSA for surveillance of hemodynamic status is necessary and prompt treatment of aneurysm should be performed when diagnosed. Moreover, choroidal artery aneurysms may benefit from endovascular coil embolization due to their characteristics.

Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery for extensive calvarial metastases of a neuroblastoma.

Neuroblastoma is a common tumor of children. We report a patient with extensive calvarial metastases of a neuroblastoma as an initial presentation. A 2-year-old girl presented with a history of gradually increasing head size and fever. A brain CT showed a multilobulated, large, extra-axial tumor involving both frontotemporoparietal areas with a sunray-spiculated hyperostosis of the skull and marked contrast enhancement. A brain MRI demonstrated extensive calvarial lesions with simultaneous involvement of the orbits. A biopsy was performed and a ganglioneuroblastoma was diagnosed. On systemic evaluation, an enlarged abdominal mass was detected. After neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, most of the tumors disappeared except for a tumor in the left parietal area; there was a corresponding decrease in the circumference of the head. We performed surgery for the remnant mass. Intensive chemotherapy was administered and a bone marrow transplantation was performed. Adequate neo-adjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery to the neuroblatoma with extensive metastases to the skull and orbit may be helpful.