Foraminoplastic Superior Vertebral Notch Approach with Reamers in Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy : Technical Note and Clinical Outcome in Limited Indications of Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy

To describe the details of the foraminoplastic superior vertebral notch approach (FSVNA) with reamers in percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) and to demonstrate the clinical outcomes in limited indications of PELD. Retrospective data were collected from 64 patients who underwent PELD with FSVNA from August 2012 to April 2014. Inclusion criteria were high grade migrated disc, high canal compromised disc, and disc protrusion combined with foraminal stenosis. The clinical outcomes were assessed using by the visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and modified MacNab criteria. Complications related to the surgery were reviewed. The procedure used a unique approach, using the superior vertebral notch as the target and performing foraminoplasty with only reamers under C-arm control. The mean age of the 55 female and 32 male patients was 52.73 years. The mean F/U period was 12.2+/-4.2 months. Preoperative VAS (8.24+/-1.25) and ODI (67.8+/-15.4) score improved significantly at the last follow-up (VAS, 1.93+/-1.78; ODI, 17.14+/-15.7). Based on the modified MacNab criteria, excellent or good results were obtained in 95.3% of the patients. Postoperative transient dysthesia (n=2) and reoperation (n=1) due to recurred disc were reported. PELD with FSVNA could be a good method for treating lumbar disc herniation. This procedure may offer safe and efficacious results, especially in the relatively limited indications for PELD.

Radicular Compression by Intraspinal Epidural Gas Bubble Occurred in Distant Two Levels after Lumbar Microdiscectomy

The authors report a case of symptomatic epidural gas accumulation 2 weeks after the multi-level lumbar surgery, causing postoperative recurrent radiculopathy. The accumulation of epidural gas compressing the dural sac and nerve root was demonstrated by CT and MRI at the distant two levels, L3-4 and L5-S1, where vacuum in disc space was observed preoperatively and both laminectomy and discectomy had been done. However, postoperative air was not identified at L4-5 level where only laminectomy had been done in same surgical field, which suggested the relationship between postoperative epidural gas and the manipulation of disc structure. Conservative treatment and needle aspiration was performed, but not effective to relieve patient's symptoms. The patient underwent revision surgery to remove the gaseous cyst. Her leg pain was improved after the second operation.

Morphometric Relationship between the Cervicothoracic Cord Segments and Vertebral Bodies

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the morphologic characteristics between the vertebral body and the regions of the cervical and thoracic spinal cords where each rootlets branch out. METHODS: Sixteen adult cadavers (12 males and 4 females) with a mean age of 57.9 (range of 33 to 70 years old) were used in this study. The anatomical relationship between the exit points of the nerve roots from the posterior root entry zone at each spinal cord segment and their corresponding relevant vertebral bodies were also analyzed. RESULTS: Vertical span of the posterior root entry zone between the upper and lower rootlet originating from each spinal segment ranged from 10-12 mm. The lengths of the rootlets from their point of origin at the spinal cord to their entrance into the intervertebral foramen were 5.9 mm at the third cervical nerve root and increased to 14.5 mm at the eighth cervical nerve root. At the lower segments of the nerve roots (T3 to T12), the posterior root entry zone of the relevant nerve roots had a corresponding anatomical relationship with the vertebral body that is two segments above. The posterior root entry zones of the sixth (94%) and seventh (81%) cervical nerve roots were located at a vertebral body a segment above from relevant segment. CONCLUSION: Through these investigations, a more accurate diagnosis, the establishment of a better therapeutic plan, and a decrease in surgical complications can be expected when pathologic lesions occur in the spinal cord or vertebral body.

Effect of combinatorial bone morphogenetic protein 2 and bone morphogenetic protein 7 gene delivery on osteoblastic differentiation / 대한치주과학회지

PURPOSE: Gene therapy (ex vivo) has recently been used as a means of delivering bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) to sites of tissue regeneration. In the present study, we investigated the effect of co-transduction of adenoviruses expressing BMP-2 and BMP-7 on osteogenesisof C2C12 cells in vitro. METHODS: A replication-defective human adenovirus 5 (Ad5) containing a cDNA for BMPs in the E1 region of the virus (Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7) was constructed by in vivo homologous recombination. Functional activity of Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 were evaluated in mouse stromal cells (W20-17cells). C2C12 cells are transduced with various MOI (multiplicity of infection) of Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 to assess most effective and stable titer. Based on this result, C2C12 cells were transduced with Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 alone or by combination. BMPs expression, alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity, cell proliferation, and mineralization were assessed. RESULTS: Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 are successfully transduced to W20-17 cells, and secreted BMPs stimulated cell differentiation. Also, C2C12 cells transduced with Ad5BMPs showed expression of BMPs and increased ALPaseactivity. In all groups, cell proliferation was observed over times. At 7days, cells co-transduced with Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 showed lower proliferation than the others. C2C12 cells co-transduced with Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 had greater ALPaseactivity than that would be predicted if effect of individual Ad5BMPs were additive. Little mineralized nodule formation was detected in cells transduced with individual Ad5BMPs. In contrast, Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 combination stimulated mineralization after culturing for 10 days in mineralizing medium. CONCLUSIONS: Present study demonstrated that adenoviruses expressing BMPs gene successfully produced BMPs protein and these BMPs stimulated cells to be differentiated into osteoblastic cells. In addition, the osteogenic activity of Ad5BMPs can be synergistically increased by co-transduction of cells with Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7.

Anesthetic experience of a patient with hereditary factor XI deficiency (Hemophilia C) : A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Factor XI deficiency (also called Hemophilia C) rarely occurs among ethnicities other than Ashkenazi Jews. A boy was scheduled for frontoethmoidectomy due to bilateral chronic rhinosinusitis. He was incidentally found to have factor XI deficiency due to prolonged aPTT on preoperative laboratory finding. His medical history reveals frequent epistaxis 2 or 3 times per day and his factor XI and XII activity were 17% (normal; 60-140%) and 34% (normal; 60-140%), respectively on furthermore laboratory evaluation. He was diagnosed as hereditary factor XI deficiency. He underwent the operation with administration of the fresh frozen plasma without complication.

Survey study of powered toothbrush with guiding device for oral hygiene improvement / 대한치주과학회지

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the effect of powered toothbrush with a wireless remote display on the subjective and objective oral hygiene improvement. METHODS: One hundred and fifteen subjects in healthy or mild gingivitis status between the ages of 20 and 90 were recruited and reviewed for study inclusion criteria. At first visit, 115 pre-screened subjects filled in the questionnaire form which consisted of demographic factors, behavioral factors (smoking, alcohol consumption), toothbrushing habits (brushing time and frequency), self-reported oral health status, and self-satisfaction. Baseline clinical indices (Plaque index, Gingival index) were also recorded by a periodontist. Subjects were instructed how to use powered toothbrush with a wireless remote display, and were provided with it. Thirty days after first visit, 90 subjects returned for the second assessment by self-reported questionnaire form and professional clinical checkup. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test for the difference between baseline and second visit data. The relationship among variables was examined with chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Significant differences were not found on self-reported satisfaction related with sex, smoking, alcohol consumption (P<0.05). Self-reported tooth brushing habit was improved in the aspect of brushing time and frequency. Significant differences were found on the self-reported oral health status, self-satisfaction, and clinical indices between the baseline and second visit data (P<0.01). Clinical indices were significantly reduced after using powered toothbrush with a wireless remote display (P<0.01). No adverse reactions were reported during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Powered toothbrush with a wireless remote display successfully promoted oral hygiene from the subjective and objective viewpoint after 30 days of home usage.

The clinical effects of a hydroxyapatite containing toothpaste for dentine hypersensitivity / 대한치주과학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of hydroxyapatite containing toothpaste with positive control toothpastes in reducing dentine hypersensitivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This clinical trial was a double-blind, randomized, parallel group comparison of two, namely hydroxyapatite containing toothpaste and strontium chloride containing toothpaste. A total of 55 subjects were included in this study. The subjects were given randomly assigned one of the two toothpastes after received tooth brushing instruction at baseline. Some clinical indices(PI, GI, PD), verbal rating score(VRS) for sensitivity to stimulus, the effect in relieving sensitivity and visual analogue scale(VAS) for sensitivity at baseline, week 2, week 4 and week 8 were assessed. All data were evaluated by intention-to-treat analysis. RESULTS: Overall, PI and GI scores were significantly reduced compare baseline in all groups(p0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the new hydroxyapatite containing toothpaste was similarly effective in reducing dentine hypersensitivity with pre-existing benchmark toothpaste.

Investigation of postnatal stem cells from canine dental tissue and bone marrow / 대한치주과학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the stemness of cells from canine dental tissues and bone marrow. METHODS:Canine periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSC), alveolar bone stem cells (ABSC) and bone marrow stem cells(BMSC) were isolated and cultured. Cell differentiations (osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic) and surface antigens (CD146, STRO-1, CD44, CD90, CD45, CD34) were evaluated in vitro. The cells were transplanted into the subcutaneous space of nude mice to assess capacity for ectopic bone formation at 8 weeks after implantation. RESULTS: PDLSC, ABSC and BMSC differentiated into osteoblasts, adipocytes and chondrocytes under defined condition. The cells expressed the mesenchymal stem cell markers differently. When transplanted into athymic nude mice, these three kinds of cells with hydroxyapatite /beta tricalcium phosphate (HA/TCP) carrier showed ectopic bone formation. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that canine dental stem cells have stemness like bone marrow stem cells. Transplantation of these cells might be used as a therapeutic approach for dental stem cell-mediated periodontal tissue regeneration.

Fires and Burn Caused by Alcohol-based Disinfectants and Electrocautery: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Operating room fires, though rare, can involve substantial morbidity and mortality. Surgical fires require an ignition source, oxidizer, and fuel. Ignition sources generally include lasers and electrocautery, oxidizer are usually oxygen, nitrous oxide, and ambient air, whereas fuels are classically surgical drapes, materials, and prepping agents. We experienced a patient who, during skin incision, sustained burns resulting from a fire in the operating room. Shortly after application of disinfectants and placement of the surgical drapes, the surgeon used the electrosurgical unit on the incision. In this case, the use of an alcohol-based disinfectant was the major contributing factor to the surgical fire. To avoid recurrence, if alcohol is used for skin prepping, it should be allowed to dry completely before draping.

Surveillance in the Cerebral Aneurysm Surgery / 대한뇌혈관외과학회지

Intraoperative monitoring has been a valuable part in the cerebral aneurysm surgery. Insight into the nervous system and the relationship of the aneurysm to the adjacent structure during the surgery provide critical information to the surgeon allowing reversal or avoidance of neural insults and the complete clipping of the aneurysm. The goal of cerebral aneurysm surgery is to eliminate the risk of hemorrhage but not disrupt the surrounding vascular and neural structures. Several techniques including microvascular doppler ultrasonography, monitoring cerebral blood flow, evoked potentials, intraoperative angiography, endoscope assisted aneurysm surgery and neuronavigator system are used for the surveillance in the aneurysm surgery. The abnormal findings in these procedures can change surgical management during the surgery such as removal or readjustment of temporary or permanent clips and a decrease in brain retraction or manipulation. The additional feedback provided by intraoperative monitoring promises to improve the safety and efficacy of aneurysm surgery.

Pathophysiology of Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage / 대한뇌혈관외과학회지

Chronic hypertension causes pathologic changes within the tunica media, termed lipohyalinosis. The most prominent changes were seen at bifurcation point within the vessels and middle and distal portion of the vessels. The role of microaneursyms in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) secondary to hypertension is not well understood. A cerebral amyloid angiopathy is associated with fibrinoid necrosis and affects the small to medium sized vessels and it may account for a higher percentage of spontaneous ICH in the elderly. Neurologic dysfunction secondary to ICH is caused by initial hemorrhage with its associated mass effect, and tissue destruction with hematoma enlargement. Consequently, the further deterioration may be due to cerebral edema. The exact role of CBF changes is not unproved in the pathogenesis of neuronal injury. However, much has been learned about the mechanisms involved the brain edema formation after ICH. A number of components of blood are capable of inducing brain injury and brain edema formation. The hematoma exerts its effects not only by mechanical but also by chemical influences.

Acute Cerebral Infarction after General Anesthesia: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Perioperative cerebrovascular accidents after general anesthesia are rare but devastating, and are often fatal. We experienced a case of acute cerebral infarction found at 2 days after general anesthesia. A 64 year old, ASA physical status II, hypertensive male patient underwent radical neck dissection due to right thyroid cancer. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and succinylcholine and maintained with vecuronium-enflurane-nitrous oxide-oxygen. No special event occurred during anesthesia, except for of three hypotensive events that required ephedrine. On the second day after the operation, he complained dysarthria and left facial weakness. Brain CT and MRI revealed an infarction of the right middle cerebral artery territory. He was transferred to the department of neurology and received conservative care. Fortunately, he was discharged at 20 days after surgery with much improved symptoms.

Survey of the public's knowledge and opinions: the therapeutic effects of current orally administered drugs for periodontal diseases / 대한치주과학회지

No abstract available.

Delayed Emergence from General Anesthesia Caused by Acute Subdural Hematoma: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Emergence from anesthesia may be neurologically unsatisfactory. Delayed awakening after general anesthesia is most commonly caused by the effects of anesthetic drugs, but primary central neurologic events (hemorrhage, ischemia, and embolus, etc) that occur during surgery can cause failure to awaken. We experienced a patient whose emergence was delayed from general anesthesia for zygomatic bone savage. The patient had such unexpected focal neurologic abnormalities as left ankle clonus and anisocoria (right dilation). Brain CT revealed acute subdural hematoma as a cause of delayed emergence in the postanesthetic care unit. An emergency craniectomy was performed to evacuate the hematoma, but the patient failed to regain consciousness following surgery. The patient regained consciousness on the 28th postoperative day, and had left hemiparesis and right blindness.

Treatment Results of Twist-drill Craniostomy with Closed-system Drainage for the Symptomatic Chronic Subdural Hematoma Patients

OBJECTIVE: Symptomatic chronic subdural hematoma(CSDH) is a well-known neurosurgical entity and most of the lesion is managed by surgical treatment. The authors analyze the surgical indication and the treatment results of twist drill craniostomy with closed-system drainage(TDD) for the symptomatic CSDH. METHODS: From March 2001 through December 2003, 31patients who were treated with TDD for the symptomatic CSDH and followed more than 6months were included. The radiologic criteria of TDD in this study were 1) homogeneous density of hematoma on computed tomography(CT), 2) no septation of hematoma on magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), and 3) thicker hematoma more than twice thickness of skull. Surgical procedures were performed on the maximum thickness of hematoma on CT/MRI. Short and long Steinman pins were used to penetrate the skull and hematoma membrane. As the 5L catheter was inserted through the drill hole, it was kept for 1-7days for the drainage of CSDH. The patients of CSDH were followed with clinical symptoms and CT studies. RESULTS: Most of all the 31 patients were improved. However, one patient was suffered from postoperative epidural hematoma and the other patients have received the secondary operation because of the recurrence of CSDH on 3 months after initial surgery. CONCLUSION: TDD is safe procedure for the symptomatic CSDH if the patients are selected appropriately.

Endodermal Cyst of the Posterior Fossa

We report a case of endodermal cyst of the posterior fossa. A 44-year-old man presented with headache for three months. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 6x2.5x2cm sized extra-axial non-enhancing cystic lesion on the ventral aspect to brain stem. To avoid retraction injury to brain stem, far lateral transcondylar approach was selected. Right suboccipital craniotomy and partial removal of occipital condyle with resection of C-1 and C-2 hemilaminae exposed the extra-axial cyst well. The cyst has a whitish thick membrane. It was not adherent to brain stem and lower cranial nerves. Total removal of the cyst was done without difficulty. Histological analysis disclosed a layer of pseudostratified columnar epithelium with basement membrane. The result of immunohistochemical study was consistent with endodermal cyst.

The Effect of an Intraperitoneal Injection of Ketamine and Ketorolac on Mechanical Allodynia in Rats with Spinal Nerve Ligation / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: It is difficult to manage the symptoms of neuropathic pain, especially alloynia. The mechanism of the induction and maintenance of mechanical allodynia has been extensively researched for several decades. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists are known to reduce mechanical allodynia. Recently, the role of prostaglandins in spinal nociceptive processing has been the focus of attention. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of a combination of ketamine, a non-competitive NMDA antagonist, and of ketorolac, non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor on mechanical allodynia. METHODS: Male SD rats were prepared by tightly ligating the left L5 and L6 spinal nerves. All rats developed mechanical allodynia 7 days after surgery. N group (control, n = 6) received 5 ml of 0.9% normal saline intraperitoneally. K group (n = 6) received ketamine 1 mg/kg. T group received ketorolac 30 mg/kg, and KT group received ketamine 1 mg/kg and ketorolac 30 mg/kg simultaneously. Paw withdrawal thresholds to von Frey hairs were measured before and at 15 min, 30 min, 60 min and 120 min after drug administration. RESULTS: Normal saline and ketamine 1 mg/kg did not increase the paw withdrawal threshold from baseline. Ketorolac 30 mg/kg increased the paw withdrawal threshold only at 120 min after intraperitoneal injection. However, the co-administration of ketamine 1 mg/kg and ketorolac 30 mg/kg increased the paw withdrawal threshold significantly from baseline for 120 min. CONCLUSIONS: Intraperitoneal injection of ketamine and ketorolac attenuated the mechanical allodynia developed by spinal nerve ligation. Therefore, we suggest that combination of ketamine and ketorolac might be useful for the management of neuropathic pain.

Change of plaque removal ability by worn toothbrush / 대한치주과학회지

No abstract available.

Traumatic Thoracic Spondyloptosis: A Case Report

The thoracic spine is rigidly stabilized by the ribs, anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments, and a sagittal orientation of the facet joints that resists axial rotation and horizontal translation. Thus, a significant force is required to cause a fracture and dislocation in the thoracic spine. A 32-year-old man was involved in a motor-vehicle accident and presented with complete paraplegia and spondyloptosis on the 8th thoracic vertebral segment. He also suffered with hypoxia and hypovolemic shock. Posterior reduction and fixation with pedicle screw was achieved with the anatomic alignment and rigid stability. This posterior technique for thoracic spondyloptosis is believed to be sufficient to make good alignment and solid fixation.

Early Effect of Endotoxin on Cerebral Autoregulation / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Under normal conditions, cerebral blood flow is regulated as cerebral perfusion pressure changes (autoregulation). Inflammatory conditions like bacterial meiningitis result in a loss of cerebral autoregulation several hours after exposure to bacterial endotoxin. Endotoxin appears to produce effects via the production of reactive oxygen species, such as the superoxide anion. METHODS: Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured by hydrogen clearance in anesthetized rats 30 minutes after intravenous endotoxin 5 mg/kg or normal saline (control). Mean arterial pressure was reduced from 100 mmHg to 80 mmHg and 60 mmHg by hemorragic hypotension, and cerebral blood flow was measured at each pressure. RESULTS: In the control group, CBF did not change when arterial pressure was reduced to 80 mmHg (113.9 ml vs 111.9 ml), but declined significantly at 60 mmHg (113.9 ml vs 88.4 ml). In the group treated with endotoxin, both a reduction of mean arterial pressure to 80 mmHg (129.8 ml vs 101.8 ml) and 60 mmHg (129.8 ml vs 78.4 ml) caused a significant reduction in CBF, indicating that autoregualtion had been abolished. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that within minutes of endotoxin exposure, CBF markedly increased, and that the autoregualtion of CBF was inhibited.