Numerical Model for Cerebrovascular Hemodynamics with Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Videoangiography

Objective@#: The use of indocyanine green videoangiography (ICG-VA) to assess blood flow in the brain during cerebrovascular surgery has been increasing. Clinical studies on ICG-VA have predominantly focused on qualitative analysis. However, quantitative analysis numerical modelling for time profiling enables a more accurate evaluation of blood flow kinetics. In this study, we established a multiple exponential modified Gaussian (multi-EMG) model for quantitative ICG-VA to understand accurately the status of cerebral hemodynamics. @*Methods@#: We obtained clinical data of cerebral blood flow acquired the quantitative analysis ICG-VA during cerebrovascular surgery. Varied asymmetric peak functions were compared to find the most matching function form with clinical data by using a nonlinear regression algorithm. To verify the result of the nonlinear regression, the mode function was applied to various types of data. @*Results@#: The proposed multi-EMG model is well fitted to the clinical data. Because the primary parameters—growth and decay rates, and peak centres and heights—of the model are characteristics of model function, they provide accurate reference values for assessing cerebral hemodynamics in various conditions. In addition, the primary parameters can be estimated on the curves with partially missed data. The accuracy of the model estimation was verified by a repeated curve fitting method using manipulation of missing data. @*Conclusion@#: The multi-EMG model can possibly serve as a universal model for cerebral hemodynamics in a comparison with other asymmetric peak functions. According to the results, the model can be helpful for clinical research assessment of cerebrovascular hemodynamics in a clinical setting.

Location of Ulnar Nerve Branches to the Flexor Carpi Ulnaris during Surgery for Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Objective@#: Cubital tunnel syndrome, the most common ulnar nerve entrapment neuropathy, is usually managed by simple decompression or anterior transposition. One of the concerns in transposition is damage to the nerve branches around the elbow. In this study, the location of ulnar nerve branches to the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) was assessed during operations for cubital tunnel syndrome to provide information to reduce operation-related complications. @*Methods@#: A personal series (HJY) of cases operated for cubital tunnel syndrome was reviewed. Cases managed by transposition and location of branches to the FCU were selected for analysis. The function of the branches was confirmed by intraoperative nerve stimulation and the location of the branches was assessed by the distance from the center of medial epicondyle. @*Results@#: There was a total of 61 cases of cubital tunnel syndrome, among which 31 were treated by transposition. Twenty-one cases with information on the location of branches were analyzed. The average number of ulnar nerve branches around the elbow was 1.8 (0 to 3), only one case showed no branches. Most of the cases had one branch to the medial head, and one other to the lateral head of the FCU. There were two cases having branches without FCU responses (one branch in one case, three branches in another). The location of the branches to the medial head was 16.3±8.6 mm distal to the medial epicondyle (16 branches; range, 0 to 35 mm), to the lateral head was 19.5±9.5 mm distal to the medial epicondyle (19 branches; range, -5 to 30 mm). Branches without FCU responses were found from 20 mm proximal to the medial condyle to 15 mm distal to the medial epicondyle (five branches). Most of the branches to the medial head were 15 to 20 mm (50% of cases), and most to the lateral head were 15 to 25 mm (58% of cases). There were no cases of discernable weakness of the FCU after operation. @*Conclusion@#: In most cases of cubital tunnel syndrome, there are ulnar nerve branches around the elbow. Although there might be some cases with branches without FCU responses, most branches are to the FCU, and are to be saved. The operator should be watchful for branches about 15 to 25 mm distal to the medial epicondyle, where most branches come out.

Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society from 2001 to 2006, the Pivotal Period of Transition and Preparation for Making Great Stride

In the circumstances of overflowing numbers of medical journals, progress of their own medical journal is one of the primary concerns of many medical societies. Among the 46-year-history of Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society (JKNS), it undertook a period of important transition and preparation to take off for journal with international reputation during the period from 2001 to 2006. The overall process of manuscript handling, peer review, and editorial work has undergone systematic improvement. Workshops for authors, reviewer and editors were held, which were very helpful to improve the quality of submitted manuscript, peer review and editorial processing. Articles on the history, current status of the JKNS, citations and the change of proportion of types of articles were published, which provided insight about present condition and direction for further progress. It was changed into English journal in 2005. These efforts resulted in registration of the journal Chemical Abstract Service in 2005 and Science Citation Index Expanded in 2008 and SCOPUS in 2009. Now JKNS has become international journal, with about half of the submitted manuscripts from abroad, with increasing impact factor. Along with the effort of Korean Neurosurgical Society (KNS) members and support of KNS, dedication of Professor Dong Gyu Kim for the progress of JKNS is worth remembering, who served as Editor-in-Chief of JKNS during this period.

Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society from 2001 to 2006, the Pivotal Period of Transition and Preparation for Making Great Stride

In the circumstances of overflowing numbers of medical journals, progress of their own medical journal is one of the primary concerns of many medical societies. Among the 46-year-history of Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society (JKNS), it undertook a period of important transition and preparation to take off for journal with international reputation during the period from 2001 to 2006. The overall process of manuscript handling, peer review, and editorial work has undergone systematic improvement. Workshops for authors, reviewer and editors were held, which were very helpful to improve the quality of submitted manuscript, peer review and editorial processing. Articles on the history, current status of the JKNS, citations and the change of proportion of types of articles were published, which provided insight about present condition and direction for further progress. It was changed into English journal in 2005. These efforts resulted in registration of the journal Chemical Abstract Service in 2005 and Science Citation Index Expanded in 2008 and SCOPUS in 2009. Now JKNS has become international journal, with about half of the submitted manuscripts from abroad, with increasing impact factor. Along with the effort of Korean Neurosurgical Society (KNS) members and support of KNS, dedication of Professor Dong Gyu Kim for the progress of JKNS is worth remembering, who served as Editor-in-Chief of JKNS during this period.

Impacts of the Journal Evaluation Program of the Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors (KAMJE) on the Quality of the Member Journals

BACKGROUND: In 1997 the Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors (KAMJE) instituted a program to evaluate member journals. Journals that passed the initial evaluation were indexed in the KoreaMed. Here, we report changes in measures of quality of the KAMJE member journals during the last 20 years. METHODS: Quality measures used in the study comprised 3 assessment categories; self-assessment by journal editors, assessment of the journals by KAMJE reviewers, and by Korean health science librarians. Each used detailed criteria to score the journals on a scale of 0 to 5 or 6 in multiple dimensions. We compared scores at baseline evaluation and those after 7 years for 129 journals and compared improvements in journals indexed vs. not-indexed by the Web of Science (Science Citation Index Expanded; SCIE). RESULTS: Among 251 KAMJE member journals at the end of 2015, 227 passed evaluation criteria and 129 (56%) had both baseline and 7-year follow-up assessment data. The journals showed improvement overall (increase in median [interquartile range; IQR] score from baseline, 0.47 [0.64]; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.44–0.61; P < 0.001) and within each category (median [IQR] increase by editor's assessment, 0.17 [0.83]; 95% CI, 0.04–0.26; P = 0.007; by reviewer's, 0.45 [1.00]; 95% CI, 0.29–0.57; P < 0.001; by librarian's, 1.75 [1.08]; 95% CI, 1.77–2.18, P < 0.001). Before the foundation of KAMJE in 1996, there were only 5 Korean medical journals indexed in the MEDLINE and none in SCIE, but 24 journals in the MEDLINE and 34 journals in SCIE were indexed by 2016. CONCLUSION: The KAMJE journal evaluation program successfully contributes improving the quality of the member journals.

Delayed Trochlear Nerve Palsy Following Traumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Usefulness of High-Resolution Three Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Unusual Course of the Nerve / 대한신경손상학회지

Cranial nerve palsies are relatively common after trauma, but trochlear nerve palsy is relatively uncommon. Although traumatic trochlear nerve palsy is easy to diagnose clinically because of extraocular movement disturbances, radiologic evaluations of this condition are difficult to perform because of the nerve's small size. Here, we report the case of a patient with delayed traumatic trochlear nerve palsy associated with a traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and the related radiological findings, as obtained with high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A 63-year-old woman was brought to the emergency room after a minor head trauma. Neurologic examinations did not reveal any focal neurologic deficits. Brain computed tomography showed a traumatic SAH at the left ambient cistern. The patient complained of vertical diplopia at 3 days post-trauma. Ophthalmologic evaluations revealed trochlear nerve palsy on the left side. High-resolution 3D MRI, performed 20 days post-trauma, revealed continuity of the trochlear nerve and its abutted course by the posterior cerebral artery branch at the brain stem. Chemical irritation due to the SAH and the abutting nerve course were considered causative factors. The trochlear nerve palsy completely resolved during follow-up. This case shows the usefulness of high-resolution 3D MRI for evaluating trochlear nerve palsy.

Difference in Spinal Fusion Process in Osteopenic and Nonosteopenic Living Rat Models Using Serial Microcomputed Tomography

OBJECTIVE: To identify and investigate differences in spinal fusion between the normal and osteopenic spine in a rat model. METHODS: Female Sprague Dawley rats underwent either an ovariectomy (OVX) or sham operation and were randomized into two groups: non-OVX group and OVX group. Eight weeks after OVX, unilateral lumbar spinal fusion was performed using autologous iliac bone. Bone density (BD) was measured 2 days and 8 weeks after fusion surgery. Microcomputed tomography was used to evaluate the process of bone fusion every two weeks for 8 weeks after fusion surgery. The fusion rate, fusion process, and bone volume parameters of fusion bed were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: BD was significantly higher in the non-OVX group than in the OVX group 2 days and 8 weeks after fusion surgery. The fusion rate in the non-OVX group was higher than that in the OVX group 8 weeks after surgery (p=0.044). The bony connection of bone fragments with transverse processes and bone formation between transverse processes in non-OVX group were significantly superior to those of OVX group from 6 weeks after fusion surgery. The compactness and bone maturation of fusion bed in non-OVX were prominent compared with the non-OVX group. CONCLUSION: The fusion rate in OVX group was inferior to non-OVX group at late stage after fusion surgery. Bone maturation of fusion bed in the OVX group was inferior compared with the non-OVX group. Fusion enhancement strategies at early stage may be needed to patients with osteoporosis who need spine fusion surgery.

Pyogenic Intradural Abscess of Lumbar Spine: A Case Report / 대한신경손상학회지

We report a case of spinal intradural abscess which shows serial changes on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Well-encapsulated, rim-enhancing lesion with mass effect was visualized at ventral side of lumbar spinal canal on 17 days after initial negative MRI, which was thought to be epidural abscess. It was revealed to be intradural in location on operation and successfully treated by drainage and antibiotics. Follow-up MRI showed resolution of abscess. Clinical significance and pathogenesis of this case was briefly discussed.

Usefulness of Fracture Risk Assessment Tool Using Lumbar Bone Mineral Density in Prediction of Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) in fracture risk assessment (FRAX) tool. METHODS: One hundred and ten patients aged over 60 years were enrolled and divided into 2 groups as non-osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF) and OVF groups. The 10-year-risk of major osteoporotic vertebral fracture of each group was calculated by FRAX tool with femoral and lumbar spine BMDs to compare the usefulness of lumbar spine BMD in prediction of OVF. The blood level of osteocalcin and C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) as markers of activities of osteoblast and osteoclast, respectively were analyzed using the institutional database. RESULTS: In the OVF group, the ratio of patients with previous fracture history or use of glucocorticoid was higher than those in non-OVF group (p=0.000 and 0.030, respectively). The levels of T-score of femur neck and lumbar spine in OVF group were significantly lower than those in non-OVF group (p=0.001 and 0.000, respectively). The risk of OVF in FRAX using femur BMD in non-OVF and OVF groups was 6.7+/-6.13 and 11.4+/-10.06, respectively (p=0.007). The risk of using lumbar BMD in the 2 groups was 6.9+/-8.91 and 15.1+/-15.08, respectively (p=0.002). The areas under the receiver operator characteristic curve in the FRAX risk with lumbar and femur neck BMD were 0.726 and 0.684, respectively. The comparison of osteocalcin and CTX was not significant (p=0.162 and 0.369, respectively). CONCLUSION: In our study, the 10-year risk of major osteoporotic fracture in the OVF group of our study was lower than the recommended threshold of intervention for osteoporosis. Hence, a lower threshold for the treatment of osteoporosis may be set for the Korean population to prevent OVF. In the prediction of symptomatic OVF, FRAX tool using lumbar spine BMD may be more useful than that using femur neck BMD.

The Impact of Menopause on Bone Fusion after the Single-Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the successful fusion rate in postmenopausal women with single-level anterior cervical discectomy and successful fusion (ACDF) and identify the significant factors related to bone successful fusion in pre- and postmenopausal women. METHODS: From July 2004 to December 2010, 108 consecutive patients who underwent single-level ACDF were prospectively selected as candidates. Among these, the charts and radiological data of 39 women were reviewed retrospectively. These 39 women were divided into two groups : a premenopausal group (n=11) and a postmenopausal group (n=28). To evaluate the significant factors affecting the successful fusion rate, the following were analyzed : the presence of successful fusion, successful fusion type, age, operated level, bone mineral density, graft materials, stand-alone cage or plating with autologous iliac bone, subsidence, adjacent segment degeneration, smoking, diabetes mellitus, and renal disease. RESULTS: The successful fusion rates of the pre- and postmenopausal groups were 90.9% and 89.2%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the successful fusion rate or successful fusion type between the two groups. In the postmenopausal group, three patients (10.8%) had successful fusion failure. In the postmenopausal group, age and subsidence significantly affected the successful fusion rate (p=0.016 and 0.011, respectively), and the incidence of subsidence in patients with a cage was higher than that in patients with a plate (p=0.030). CONCLUSION: Menopausal status did not significantly affect bone successful fusion in patients with single-level ACDF. However, in older women with single-level ACDF, the combination of use of a cage and subsidence may unfavorably affect successful fusion.

Post-Carotid Endarterectomy Cerebral Hyperperfusion Syndrome : Is It Preventable by Strict Blood Pressure Control?

OBJECTIVE: Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) is a serious complication after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). However, the prevalence of CHS has decreased as techniques have improved. This study evaluates the role of strict blood pressure (BP) control for the prevention of CHS. METHODS: All 18 patients who received CEA from February 2009 through November 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were routinely managed in an intensive care unit by a same protocol. The cerebral perfusion state was evaluated on the basis of the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) study by perfusion computed tomography (pCT) and mean velocity by transcranial doppler (TCD). BP was strictly controlled (100% increase in the rCBF by pCT or in the mean velocity by TCD compared with preoperative values) or CHS was detected, BP was maintained below 120/80 mm Hg. RESULTS: TCD and pCT data on the patients were analyzed. Ipsilateral rCBF was significantly increased after CEA in the pCT (p=0.049). Post-CEA hyperperfusion was observed in 3 patients (18.7%) in the pCT and 2 patients (12.5%) in the TCD study. No patients developed clinical CHS for one month after CEA. Furthermore, no patients developed additional neurological deficits related to postoperative cerebrovascular complications. CONCLUSION: Intensive care with strict BP control (<140/90 mm Hg) achieved a low prevalence of post-CEA hyperperfusion and prevented CHS. This study suggests that intensive care with strict BP control can prevent the prevalence of post-CEA CHS.

Impact of Chronic Simulated Snoring on Carotid Atherosclerosis in Rabbits

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Chronic simulated snoring was induced in rabbits to determine the impact of snoring on the development of atherosclerosis. METHODS: The pressure wave of induced snoring at the carotid bifurcation of rabbits was acquired by gently pressing the airway. This wave was then simulated using custom-made mechanical devices. Twelve rabbits were used in this study, seven of which were assigned to the experimental group and the remaining five formed the control group. All of the rabbits were raised on a 1% high-cholesterol diet. Either working or sham devices were positioned at the ventral center of the neck in each rabbit. At the end of a 2-month observation period, all of the rabbits were sacrificed by perfusion fixation, the carotid arteries harvested, and the carotid atherosclerosis histology reviewed. RESULTS: All of the rabbits survived to the end of the experimental period. Blood sampling revealed the presence of hypercholesterolemia in both groups, with no significant difference between them. The presence and degree of atherosclerosis did not differ significantly between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study show the feasibility of making a chronic simulated snoring rabbit model. However, the causative role of snoring in carotid atherosclerosis was not detected in this animal study.

Quantitative Evaluation of Median Nerve Motor Function in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Using Load Cell : Correlation with Clinical, Electrodiagnostic, and Ultrasonographic Findings

OBJECTIVE: Major complaints of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are sensory components. However, motor deficit also impedes functional status of hand. Contrary to evaluation of sensory function, the objective, quantitative evaluation of median nerve motor function is not easy. The motor function of median was evaluated quantitatively using load cell and its correlation with findings of electrodiagnostic study (EDS) was evaluated. METHODS: Objective motor function of median nerve was evaluated by load cell and personal computer-based measurement system. All of the measurement was done in patients diagnosed as having idiopathic CTS by clinical features and EDS findings. The strength of thumb abduction and index finger flexion was measured in each hand three times, and the average value was used to calculate thumb index ratio (TIR). The correlation of TIR with clinical, EDS, and ultrasonographic findings were evaluated. RESULTS: The TIR was evaluated in 67 patients (119 hands). There were 14 males and 53 females, mean age were 57.6 years (range 28 to 81). The higher preoperative nerve conductive studies grade of the patients, the lower TIR was observed [p<0.001, analysis of variance (ANOVA)]. TIR of cases with thenar atrophy were significantly lower than those without (p<0.001, t-test). TIR were significantly lower in patients with severe median nerve swelling in ultrasonography (p=0.042, ANOVA). CONCLUSION: Measurements of median nerve motor function using load cell is a valuable evaluation tool in CTS. It might be helpful in detecting subclinical motor dysfunction before muscle atrophy develops.

Mobile Computed Tomography : Three Year Clinical Experience in Korea

OBJECTIVE: Obtaining real-time image is essential for neurosurgeons to minimize invasion of normal brain tissue and to prompt diagnosis of intracranial event. The aim of this study was to report our three-year experience with a mobile computed tomography (mCT) for intraoperative and bedside scanning. METHODS: A total of 357 mCT (297 patients) scans from January 2009 to December 2011 in single institution were reviewed. After excluding post-operative routine follow-up, 202 mCT were included for analysis. Their medical records such as diagnosis, clinical application, impact on decision making, times, image quality and radiologic findings were assessed. RESULTS: Two-hundred-two mCT scans were performed in the operation room (n=192, 95%) or intensive care unit (ICU) (n=10, 5%). Regarding intraoperative images, extent of resection of tumor (n=55, 27.2%), degree of hematoma removal (n=42, 20.8%), confirmation of catheter placement (n=91, 45.0%) and monitoring unexpected complications (n=4, 2.0%) were evaluated. A total of 14 additional procedures were introduced after confirmation of residual tumor (n=7, 50%), hematoma (n=2, 14.3%), malpositioned catheter (n=3, 21.4%) and newly developed intracranial events (n=2, 14.3%). Every image was obtained within 15 minutes and image quality was sufficient for interpretation. CONCLUSION: mCT is feasible for prompt intraoperative and ICU monitoring with enhanced diagnostic certainty, safety and efficiency.

Large Spinal Meningioma with Hemorrhage after Selective Root Block in the Thoraco-Lumbar Spine

Spinal meningioma accounts for 25% of all spinal cord tumors and occurs mostly in the thoracic region. Spontaneous intraspinal bleeding associated with spinal meningioma has rarely been reported. Most cases of hemorrhage associated with meningiomas are extratumoral and subarachnoid, whereas subdural and intratumoral hemorrhage cases have been reported to occur rarely. We experienced a case of a 58-year-old woman with thoracolumbar spinal meningioma accompanied by intraspinal subdural hematoma. She presented with progressively worsened back pain and newly developed weakness in the right lower extremity after a selective nerve root block in the lumbar spine. She underwent the operation and progressively showed neurological recovery during the postoperative course. We report a thoracolumbarspinal meningioma with subdural and intratumoral hemorrhage after a spinal procedure that caused a sudden neurological deterioration.

Quantitative Analysis of Intraoperative Indocyanine Green Video Angiography in Aneurysm Surgery

OBJECTIVE: Indocyanine green (ICG) videoangiography (VA) is being used in assessment of blood flow during cerebrovascular surgery. However, data collected during ICG angiography are usually interpreted qualitatively. In this study, quantitative analysis of ICG angiogram was attempted. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ICG VA, performed during aneurysm surgery was analyzed retrospectively. The angiogram was captured serially in regular time interval. The stacked images were then fed into an image analysis program, ImageJ. The selected areas of interest were as follows: parent and branch vessels, and dome of aneurysm. Changes of signals of measurement points were plotted. The time to peak, washout time, and the peak intensity between areas were compared. RESULTS: Among the 16 cases enrolled in this study, five cases were anterior communicating artery aneurysms, and 11 cases were middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysms. There was no signal intensity of aneurysm dome in our series. No difference in time to peak or maximum signal intensity was observed between vessels in each case. The average time to peak was 9.0 and washout time was 31.3 seconds. No significant difference in time profile was observed between anterior communicating artery aneurysms and middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysms. CONCLUSION: Findings of this study demonstrate that quantitative analysis is possible using a personal computer and common video capture and analysis software. It can be a good adjunctive to evaluation of vascular status during aneurysm surgery. It displays time profiles of multiple points of interest over time, and is helpful in objective evaluation of changes of blood flow over time. It might be helpful in various fields of cerebrovascular surgery.

Medial Loop of V2 Segment of Vertebral Artery Causing Compression of Proximal Cervical Root

OBJECTIVE: It is rare that the medial loop in the V2 segment of the vertebral artery (VA) causes compression of the proximal cervical root of the spinal cord without leading to bony erosion and an enlarged foramen. We evaluated the clinical significance and incidence of the medial loop in the V2 segment of the VA. METHODS: We reviewed the records from 1000 consecutive patients who had undergone magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of the cervical spine between January 2005 and January 2008. The inclusion criteria were that over a third of the axial aspect of the VA located in the intervertebral foramen was inside the line between the most ventral points of the bilateral lateral mass, and that the ipsilateral proximal root deviated dorsally because of the medial loop of the VA. We excluded cases of bone erosion, a widened foramen at the medial loop of the VA, any bony abnormalities, tumors displacing VA, or vertebral fractures. The medical records were reviewed retrospectively to search for factors of clinical significance. RESULTS: In six patients (0.6%), the VA formed a medial loop that caused compression of the proximal cervical root. One of these patients had the cervical radiculopathy that developed after minor trauma but the others did not present with cervical radiculopathy related to the medial loop of the VA. CONCLUSION: The medial loop of the VA might have a direct effect on cervical radiculopathy. Therefore, this feature should be of critical consideration in preoperative planning and during surgery.

Outcomes of Instrumented Posterolateral Fusion for Patients Over 70 Years with Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Disease: A Minimum of 2 Years Follow-up

OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcome of posterolateral fusion (PLF) for patients over 70 years of age with degenerative lumbar spinal disease. METHODS: The authors reviewed 18 patients (13 women and 5 men) over 70 years of age who underwent PLF with a minimum 2-years follow-up at a single institution. The parameters for analysis were clinical outcome, intraoperative bleeding, operating time, transfusion amount, fusion rate, decreased disc height at the operated level, and the incidence of adjacent disc degeneration. RESULTS: The mean age and follow-up duration were 74.1 years and 44.7 months, respectively. The mean fusion level was 2.5 levels. 12 patients (66.7%) reported good or excellent outcomes, and 4 patients complained of poor outcomes. The fusion rate was 61.1%. The rate of adjacent segment degeneration was 61.1%. Among all of the patients, 5 had decreased intervertebral disc heights compared to their initial statuses. In correlative comparison analyses of parameters, a significant correlation was observed between a "good" or better clinical outcome and fusion (p=0.034). Also, there were significant relationships between a "fair" or better clinical outcome and fusion (p=0.045) and decreased disc height at the operated level (p=0.017). Other factors did not have a significant relationship with the clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Before performing instrumented PLF in patients over 70 years old, problems related to the low fusion rate and adjacent segment degeneration should be considered and relevant information should be provided to the patients and the family.

Outcomes of Instrumented Posterolateral Fusion for Patients Over 70 Years with Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Disease: A Minimum of 2 Years Follow-up

OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcome of posterolateral fusion (PLF) for patients over 70 years of age with degenerative lumbar spinal disease. METHODS: The authors reviewed 18 patients (13 women and 5 men) over 70 years of age who underwent PLF with a minimum 2-years follow-up at a single institution. The parameters for analysis were clinical outcome, intraoperative bleeding, operating time, transfusion amount, fusion rate, decreased disc height at the operated level, and the incidence of adjacent disc degeneration. RESULTS: The mean age and follow-up duration were 74.1 years and 44.7 months, respectively. The mean fusion level was 2.5 levels. 12 patients (66.7%) reported good or excellent outcomes, and 4 patients complained of poor outcomes. The fusion rate was 61.1%. The rate of adjacent segment degeneration was 61.1%. Among all of the patients, 5 had decreased intervertebral disc heights compared to their initial statuses. In correlative comparison analyses of parameters, a significant correlation was observed between a "good" or better clinical outcome and fusion (p=0.034). Also, there were significant relationships between a "fair" or better clinical outcome and fusion (p=0.045) and decreased disc height at the operated level (p=0.017). Other factors did not have a significant relationship with the clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Before performing instrumented PLF in patients over 70 years old, problems related to the low fusion rate and adjacent segment degeneration should be considered and relevant information should be provided to the patients and the family.

The Effect of Vertebroplasty on Costal Pain Related to Osteoporotic Thoracic Compression Fractures in Elderly Patients

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of vertebroplasty on costal pain which develops following osteoporotic thoracic compression fractures (OTCFs). METHODS: The authors reviewed the medical records of 35 patients who underwent vertebral augmentation for the treatment of OTCFs over a five year period. The patients were divided into two groups: the costalgia group included patientswho had costal pain after a vertebral fracture and the non-costalgia group included patients without costalgia. To evaluate the effect of vertebroplasty on costal pain and factors related to costal pain, several factors including: vertebral body fracture type, pedicle injury, bone mineral density, the fracture level and clinical outcome were confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging and chart reviews. RESULTS: Among 35 patients, ten patients (28.6%) complained of costal pain with back pain. Only five of the ten patients (50%) had improved costal pain after a vertebroplasty. In the remaining 5 patients, the costal pain was improved through the use of medication including pain killers or a costal block during the follow-up period. Although the incidence of wedge deformity in the costal group was low(10%), there was no significant relationship to the incidence of costal pain statistically. Pedicle injury, bone mineral density and the fracture level had no significant relation to costal pain. CONCLUSION: The patients with wedge type, OTCFs may have a low incidence of costal pain as compared to those patients with bi-concave and crush deformities. The vertebroplasty effect on costal pain may not be effective. Therefore, before doing vertebroplasty, the surgeon should advise patients of this potential outcome in those treated for OTCFs.