Radiographic Analysis of Instrumented Posterolateral Fusion Mass Using Mixture of Local Autologous Bone and b-TCP (PolyBone(R)) in a Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery

OBJECTIVE: Although iliac crest autograft is the gold standard for lumbar fusion, the morbidity of donor site leads us to find an alternatives to replace autologous bone graft. Ceramic-based synthetic bone grafts such as hydroxyapatite (HA) and b-tricalcium phosphate (b-TCP) provide scaffolds similar to those of autologous bone, are plentiful and inexpensive, and are not associated with donor morbidity. The present report describes the use of Polybone(R) (Kyungwon Medical, Korea), a beta-tricalcium phosphate, for lumbar posterolateral fusion and assesses clinical and radiological efficacy as a graft material. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed data from 32 patients (11 men, 21 women) who underwent posterolateral fusion (PLF) using PolyBone(R) from January to August, 2008. Back and leg pain were assessed using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and clinical outcome was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Serial radiological X-ray follow up were done at 1, 3, 6 12 month. A computed tomography (CT) scan was done in 12 month. Radiological fusion was assessed using simple anterior-posterior (AP) X-rays and computed tomography (CT). The changes of radiodensity of fusion mass showed on the X-ray image were analyzed into 4 stages to assess PLF status. RESULTS: The mean NRS scores for leg pain and back pain decreased over 12 months postoperatively, from 8.0 to 1.0 and from 6.7 to 1.7, respectively. The mean ODI score also decreased from 60.5 to 17.7. X-rays and CT showed that 25 cases had stage IV fusion bridges at 12 months postoperatively (83.3% success). The radiodensity of fusion mass on X-ray AP image significantly changed at 1 and 6 months. CONCLUSION: The present results indicate that the use of a mixture of local autologous bone and PolyBone(R) results in fusion rates comparable to those using autologous bone and has the advantage of reduced morbidity. In addition, the graft radiodensity ratio significantly changed at postoperative 1 and 6 months, possibly reflecting the inflammatory response and stabilization.

Significance of MRI Cord Signal Patterns in Acute Spinal Trauma / 대한정형외과학회잡지

In the diagnosis of acute spinal trauma, meticulous physical examination and history taking is the most important tool and auxilliary support support can be given by plain X-ray, CT or myelography, etc. But these cannot show the state of cord injury directly. On the contrary, MRI shows the cord directly as well as the soft and bony tissues. We analysed retrospectively 39 patients who suffered from acute spinal trauma at the level of cervical and thoracic spine and had their spine MRI taken. We verified the meaningful correlation between the signal change in the spinal cord on MRI and the degree of neurologic deficit and prognosis, using Frankel classification and trauma motor index at the time of admission and the final follow-up.

Production of Carotid Artery Aneurysm in Pigs

PURPOSE: To establish the method of constructing an experimental aneurysm model in porcine carotid artery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen aneurysms were created in the carotid arteries of eight pigs. After paramedian incision under intravenous anesthesia, the common carotid artery and external jugular vein were separated. A portion of the latter was cut to make an aneurysmal sac and this was sutured to the side wall of the common carotid arterial wall (end to side). Within one week, an arteriogram was obtained in all pigs and color Doppler study was performed in four. Digital subtraction arteriograms were serially obtained three images/sec, and these were analyzed to determine the size of the sac and the neck, flow pattern in the aneurysm, and stenosis in the common carotid artery. RESULTS: Arteriographic findings were obtained in ten of 14 aneurysms. Six aneurysms were saccular in shape, and the mean size of the sac and neck was 16x10 mm and 5.3 mm, respectively. Four aneurysms were lobulated, and in these cases, the mean size of the sac and neck was 9x3 mm and 3.7 mm, respectively. The mean size of the proximal common carotid artery was 4.5 mm, and at the operation site, mean stenosis was 40%. CONCLUSION: In 10/14 cases (71%), we successfully established an aneurysm model in the porcine carotid artery, and believe that it is suitable for use in interventional neuroradiology experiments.

Adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder: CT features

Adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder, including urachal carcinoma, is a rare tumor with incidence in the range between 0.5% and 2.2% of all epithelial bladder neoplasms. Ten cases of adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder(eight cases of primary adenocarcinoma and two cases of urachal carcinoma)are presented. We described the computed tomography(CT)appearances of adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder and tried to find out the characteristic CT findings of urachal carcinoma. CT scan were evaluated for the location of the tumors, presence of calcification in the tumor, and the tumor extension. Seven tumors were located at the dome of the bladder(70%0, two were at lateral walls, and one was at anterior wall. Seven were single mass and three were multicentric masses in the bladder. Fine punctate calcifications scattered within the tumors were detected in four cases(40%); three of the eight, primary adenocarcinoma, and one of the two, urachal carcinoma. Two urachal carcinomas were characterized by midline position and predominantly extravesical growth along the urachus. Gross extravesical extension with distant metastasis were presented in seven cases(70%) at the time of initial diagnosis. CT may be useful in evaluating the adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder and differentiating urachal carcinoma from bladder cancer.