Soo Uk Chae

Intradural extramedullary tuberculoma mimicking en plaque meningioma.

A 24-year-old man with tuberculosis meningitis developed acute paraplegia and sensory disturbances 5 weeks after receiving conventional antituberculous therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intradural extramedullary long segmental mass mimicking en plaque meningioma at the T2-T6 vertebrae levels. Prompt surgical decompression was performed. A histology examination of the mass revealed a tuberculoma. After surgery, the patient showed improved motor power and a normal bladder function. Intradural extramedullary tuberculoma of the spinal cord is rare complication of tuberculosis meningitis, which can occur as a response to conventional antituberculous therapy.

Changes of Paraspinal Muscles in Postmenopausal Osteoporotic Spinal Compression Fractures: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Background To investigate the changes of cross sectional area (CSA) in paraspinal muscles upon magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal osteoporotic spinal compression fractures. Methods We reviewed 81 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, who had underwent MRI examination. The patients were divided into 51 patients who had osteoporotic spinal compression fractures (group I), and 30 patients who without fractures (group II). Group I were subdivided into IA and IB, based on whether they were younger (IA) of older (IB) than 70 years of age. We additionally measured body mass index and BMD. The CSA of multifidus, erector spinae, paraspinal muscles, psoas major (PT), and intervertebral (IV) discs were measured. The degree of fatty atrophy was estimated using three grades. Results The BMD and T-score of group I were significantly lower than those of group II. The CSA of erector spinae, paraspinal muscles, and PT in the group I was significantly smaller than that of group II. The CSA of paraspinal muscles in group IB were significantly smaller than those of group IA. The CSA of erector spinae, mutifidus, and PT in group IB were smaller than those of group IA, but the difference was not statistically significant. Group 1 exhibited greater fat infiltration in the paraspinal muscle than group II. Conclusions Postmenopausal osteoporotic spinal compression fracture is associated with profound changes of the lumbar paraspinal muscle, reduction of CSA, increased CSA of IV disc, and increased intramuscular fat infiltration.

Radiographic Detection of Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture without Collapse

Background On retrospective basis, we investigated the detection of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) without radiologic collapse using a modified Yoshidas classification, which was designed by the authors. Methods We observed 82 cases in 76 patients with confirmed OVFs without collapse at the thoracolumbar junction. The following factors were measured: age, gender, body mass index (BMI, kg/m2), bone mineral density (BMD, mg/cm3), type of a modified Yoshidas classification. The correct diagnosis rate for the presence and location of OVFs and the correct diagnosis rate according to the morphological type by a modified Yoshidas classification of the OVFs were analyzed. Results The mean BMI was 21.2; mean BMD, 44.1; and T-score, -4.4. As for the four subtypes of anterior cortical morphological change, there were 14 cases of the protruding type, 12 cases of the indented type, 5 cases of the disrupted type and 8 cases of the prow type. As for the three subtypes of endplate depression, there were 20 cases of upper endplate depression, 12 cases of lower endplate depression and 11 cases of endplate slippage type. According to the examiners, there was a significant difference between being informed before and after the modified Yoshidas classification. For the relationship of examiners and the type of fracture, there was a significant difference between being informed before and after the modified Yoshidas classification, particularly in the protruding type and the upper plate type. Conclusions A modified Yoshidas classification can be helpful for the diagnosis of OVFs without radiologic collapse in a simple radiograph.

Osteoporotic Lumbar Compression Fracture in Patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis Treated with Kyphoplasty

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory disease primarily affecting the spine. Osteoporosis can be a complication of AS and associated with low bone mineral density. As well, spinal fractures in the AS are usually unstable and may cause neurologic deficit at the mainly cervical region with low energy trauma. However, reports of lumbar compression fracture in AS are very rare. Thus, we report a 73-year-old male patient with osteoporotic L3 compression fracture with AS treated with kyphoplasty which has no symptom improvement with conservative treatment. Kyphoplasty is a useful procedure option in the treatment of the lumbar compression fracture in AS.

Is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome a Cause of Post-Operative Syndrome in the Lumbar Spine? - A Case Report -

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) along with post-operative syndrome in the lumbar spine shows confusing and duplicated symptoms, and this makes it difficult to make a clear differential diagnosis. Therefore, the patient with post-operative syndrome in the lumbar spine suffers losses of time and money, and the surgeon who diagnoses and treats post-operative syndrome in the lumbar spine also agonize from the patients losses. It is necessary to provide these patients with a multidisciplinary approach to their disease and symptoms. We diagnosed herniation of an intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine (L4/5) and we performed discetomy twice in different hospitals. However, the symptoms did not improve, so we re-operated and performed discetomy along with monosegmental fixation using pedicular screws and interbody cages. There was improvement of pre-operation symptoms, but neurogenic symptoms occurred and then progressed after the surgery. Therefore, we report here on the case of CRPS that was diagnosed with the exclusion of the causes of post-operative syndrome in the lumbar spine, and the patient was finally effectively treated with spinal cord stimulation. Although differentiating post-operative syndrome in the lumbar spine from CRPS is difficult, we recommend suspecting CRPS as the cause of post-operative syndrome in the lumbar spine and taking CRPS as the main interest in order to diagnose and treat CRPS more effectively and accurately.

Intramuscular ganglion of the quadriceps femoris.

Ganglion cysts are common lesions that are most often found around the joints of the hands and feet. Ganglia around the distal femur usually occur within the synovial membrane or tendon sheath, but rarely within muscles. Several cases of intramuscular ganglions in the hand and wrist have been reported, but a ganglion cyst in the quadriceps muscle has rarely been addressed in studies. In this report, we present a 17-year-old patient with a painful movable mass in the intramuscular area of the quadriceps femoris that was diagnosed by ultrasound and treated by excision and biopsy.

Circadian Effects on Neural Blockade of Intrathecal Hyperbaric Bupivacaine

Background Circadian variations in the absorption, distribution, protein binding, elimination and metabolism of drugs account for many of the administration-time-dependent differences in their pharmacokinetics. The aim of this study is to determine whether the time of intrathecal injection influences spinal anesthesia. Methods Ninety patients scheduled for orthopedic surgery were randomly assigned to three groups. Each group received spinal anesthesia with 0.5% bupivacaine 10 mg at different times; group AM (8 am to 12:00), group Noon (12:00 to 4:00 pm) and group PM (4:00 pm to 8:00 pm). Sensory and motor blockade were assessed by pinprick and a four-point modified Bromage scale. Time to first postoperative analgesic requirement and side effects such as hypotension, bradycardia, nausea, and shivering were recorded. Results No significant differences were found among the three groups in peak sensory blockade, duration of motor block to Bromage 1 or side effects, but time to first postoperative analgesic requirement (P = 0.008), and recovery time of S1 sensation to pinprick were significantly prolonged in group Noon compared with the other groups (P = 0.03). Conclusions The tine of administration of spinal local anesthetics influences the duration of local anesthesia.

Analysis of Clinical Features of Hip Fracture Patients with or without Prior Osteoporotic Spinal Compression Fractures.

Background To analyze and compare the clinical characteristics including bone mineral density (BMD) in a group who had operation of hip fracture with or without prior osteoporotic spinal compression fractures. Methods Two hundred forty patients who had undergone operation of hip fractures were evaluated, 127 patients who had with prior osteoporotic spinal compression fractures were in group I, and 113 patients without prior spinal fractures were in group II. In each group, we measured age, gender, body mass index (BMI, kg/m2), BMD (mg/cm3), type of hip fractures, concomitant diseases, presence of secondary hip fracture and history of percutaneous vertebroplasty. Results The mean age of group I was 79.4 years (male/female: 28/99) and that of group II was 77.6 years (male/female: 37/76). The mean BMI of group I was 21.3 kg/m2 and that in group II was 22.0 kg/m2. The mean BMD and T-score of group I were 41.1 mg/cm3 and -4.45 and those in group II were 51.0 mg/cm3 and -4.17 (P<0.05). The numbers of patients of neck and intertrochanter fracture of group I were 31 and 96 patients and those in group II were 61 and 52 patients. Sixty in group I and 45 in group II patients had concomitant diseases. Thirteen patients had undergone percutaneous vertebroplasty and 18 patients (7.5%) had second hip fractures. Conclusions The hip fracture patients who had with prior osteoporotic spinal compression fractures had lower BMD compared to the hip fracture patients without previous spinal compression fractures.

Superficial Fibromatosis Mimicking Glomus Tumor of the Second Toe

Various types of tumor can occur in the subungual space, including glomus tumors, subungual exostosis, hemangioma, epidermal cysts, and malignant tumors. While fibromatosis can occur at various sites throughout the body, it is very rarely seen in the toe. Here, we are the first to report a case of superficial fibromatosis mimicking a glomus tumor in the subungual space of the second toe. The presentation of this condition shows the possibility of encountering uncommon superficial fibromatosis in the distal phalanx of the toe, and suggests that superficial fibromatosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of a glomus tumor in the toe.

Medial Malleolar Insufficiency Fracture of the Ankle in an Elderly Patient with Osteoporosis

Insufficiency fracture is a type of stress fracture, which is the result of normal stresses on abnormal bone. Postmenopausal osteoporosis is the most common cause of insufficiency fractures. An early diagnosis is best made with a bone scan or magnetic resonance imaging, as radiographs may initially appear normal. Insufficiency fractures of the lower leg and ankle are less common. Furthermore, reports of medial malleolar insufficiency fracture without any history of trauma in elderly patients are extremely rare. Thus, we report a case with a medial malleolar insufficiency fracture of the ankle in an elderly patient with osteoporosis. This case shows that we should be aware of the possibility of encountering an uncommon medial malleolar insufficiency fracture as a cause of pain in the ankle region of an elderly patient with osteoporosis.