Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy as a Treatment for Acute Radiculopathy after Osteoporotic Lumbar Compression Fracture: A Case Report / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVES: To document unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) as a treatment for acute radiculopathy after osteoporotic vertebral fracture. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Acute radiculopathy after osteoporotic vertebral fracture leads to claudication. Treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures with accompanying radiating pain is challenging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 74-year-old woman was diagnosed with an osteoporotic vertebral fracture at L3 after slipping and falling. Vertebroplasty was performed for the osteoporotic vertebral fracture at L3. She still complained of right lower extremity radiating pain. UBE was performed to treat acute radiculopathy. RESULTS: Foraminal decompression using UBE was performed at the L3–4 right foraminal area. Her symptoms resolved after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: UBE is a useful treatment method for acute radiculopathy after osteoporotic vertebral fracture.

Evaluation of Muscular Atrophy and Fatty Infiltration Using Time-zero Magnetic Resonance Imaging as Baseline Data, After Rotator Cuff Repair

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated postoperative changes in the supraspinatus from time-zero to 6 months, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We hypothesized that restoration of the musculotendinous unit of the rotator cuff by tendon repair immediately improves the rotator cuff muscle status, and maintains it months after surgery. METHODS: Totally, 76 patients (29 men, 47 women) with rotator cuff tears involving the supraspinatus tendon who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs were examined. MRI evaluation showed complete repair with intact integrity of the torn tendon at both time-zero and at 6 months follow-up. All patients underwent standardized MRI at our institution preoperatively, at 1 or 2 days postoperative, and at 6 months after surgery. Supraspinatus muscular (SSP) atrophy (Thomazeau grade) and fatty infiltrations (Goutallier stage) were evaluated by MRI. The cross-sectional area of SSP in the fossa was also measured. RESULTS: As determined by MRI, the cross-sectional area of SSP significantly decreased 11.41% from time-zero (immediate repair) to 6 months post-surgery, whereas the Goutallier stage and Thomazeau grade showed no significant changes (p<0.01). Furthermore, compared to the preoperative MRI, the postoperative MRI at 6 months showed a no statistically significant increase of 8.03% in the cross-sectional area. In addition, morphological improvements were observed in patients with high grade Goutallier and Thomazeau at time-zero, whereas morphology of patients with low grade factors were almost similar to before surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that cross-sectional area of the initial repair appears to decrease after a few months postoperatively, possibly due to medial retraction or strained muscle.

Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy as a Treatment for Acute Radiculopathy after Osteoporotic Lumbar Compression Fracture: A Case Report

OBJECTIVES@#To document unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) as a treatment for acute radiculopathy after osteoporotic vertebral fracture.SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Acute radiculopathy after osteoporotic vertebral fracture leads to claudication. Treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures with accompanying radiating pain is challenging.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#A 74-year-old woman was diagnosed with an osteoporotic vertebral fracture at L3 after slipping and falling. Vertebroplasty was performed for the osteoporotic vertebral fracture at L3. She still complained of right lower extremity radiating pain. UBE was performed to treat acute radiculopathy.@*RESULTS@#Foraminal decompression using UBE was performed at the L3–4 right foraminal area. Her symptoms resolved after surgery.@*CONCLUSIONS@#UBE is a useful treatment method for acute radiculopathy after osteoporotic vertebral fracture.

Evaluation of Muscular Atrophy and Fatty Infiltration Using Time-zero Magnetic Resonance Imaging as Baseline Data, After Rotator Cuff Repair

BACKGROUND@#This study evaluated postoperative changes in the supraspinatus from time-zero to 6 months, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We hypothesized that restoration of the musculotendinous unit of the rotator cuff by tendon repair immediately improves the rotator cuff muscle status, and maintains it months after surgery.@*METHODS@#Totally, 76 patients (29 men, 47 women) with rotator cuff tears involving the supraspinatus tendon who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs were examined. MRI evaluation showed complete repair with intact integrity of the torn tendon at both time-zero and at 6 months follow-up. All patients underwent standardized MRI at our institution preoperatively, at 1 or 2 days postoperative, and at 6 months after surgery. Supraspinatus muscular (SSP) atrophy (Thomazeau grade) and fatty infiltrations (Goutallier stage) were evaluated by MRI. The cross-sectional area of SSP in the fossa was also measured.@*RESULTS@#As determined by MRI, the cross-sectional area of SSP significantly decreased 11.41% from time-zero (immediate repair) to 6 months post-surgery, whereas the Goutallier stage and Thomazeau grade showed no significant changes (p<0.01). Furthermore, compared to the preoperative MRI, the postoperative MRI at 6 months showed a no statistically significant increase of 8.03% in the cross-sectional area. In addition, morphological improvements were observed in patients with high grade Goutallier and Thomazeau at time-zero, whereas morphology of patients with low grade factors were almost similar to before surgery.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Our results indicate that cross-sectional area of the initial repair appears to decrease after a few months postoperatively, possibly due to medial retraction or strained muscle.

Loss of Disc Height after Spontaneous Regression of a Herniated Lumbar Disc: A Case Report / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVES: We report 3 cases of loss of disc height after spontaneous regression of a herniated lumbar disc. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Reports of spontaneous regression of a herniated lumbar disc were identified. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conservatively treated 3 patients who were diagnosed with a herniated lumbar disc. During outpatient follow-up, radiating pain improved in all patients, but they complained of chronic lower back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed for diagnostic purposes. RESULTS: On MRI, spontaneous regression of the herniated lumbar discs was observed, but loss of disc height was also found. CONCLUSIONS: A herniated lumbar disc may be a risk factor for loss of disc height. It is important to recognize that a patient with a herniated lumbar disc can struggle with chronic lower back pain even if spontaneous regression of the herniated lumbar disc occurs.

Fistula Formation Between the Disc and Dura after Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy: A Case Report / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: Case report OBJECTIVES: To document fistula formation between the disc and dura by an unrecognized dural tear after percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD). SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The risk of durotomy is relatively low with PELD, but cases of unrecognized durotomies have been reported. An effective diagnostic tool for such situations has not yet been identified. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A patient twice underwent transforaminal PELD under the diagnosis of a herniated lumbar disc at L4-5. She still complained of intractable pain and motor weakness around the left lower extremity at 6 months postoperatively. Magnetic resonance imaging showed no specific findings suggestive of violation of the nerve root. However, L5 and S1 nerve root injury was noted on electromyography. An exploratory operation was planned to characterize damage to the neural structures. RESULTS: In the exploration, a dural tear was found at the previous operative site, along with a fistula between the disc and dura was also found at the dural tear site. The durotomy site was located on the ventrolateral side of the dura and measured approximately 5 mm. The durotomy site was repaired with Nylon 5-0 and adhesive sealants. The patient's preoperative symptoms diminished considerably. CONCLUSIONS: Fistula formation between the disc and dura can be caused by an unrecognized dural tear after PELD. Discography is a reliable diagnostic tool for fistulas formed by an unrecognized durotomy.

Loss of Disc Height after Spontaneous Regression of a Herniated Lumbar Disc: A Case Report

OBJECTIVES@#We report 3 cases of loss of disc height after spontaneous regression of a herniated lumbar disc.SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Reports of spontaneous regression of a herniated lumbar disc were identified.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#We conservatively treated 3 patients who were diagnosed with a herniated lumbar disc. During outpatient follow-up, radiating pain improved in all patients, but they complained of chronic lower back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed for diagnostic purposes.@*RESULTS@#On MRI, spontaneous regression of the herniated lumbar discs was observed, but loss of disc height was also found.@*CONCLUSIONS@#A herniated lumbar disc may be a risk factor for loss of disc height. It is important to recognize that a patient with a herniated lumbar disc can struggle with chronic lower back pain even if spontaneous regression of the herniated lumbar disc occurs.

Fistula Formation Between the Disc and Dura after Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy: A Case Report

OBJECTIVES@#To document fistula formation between the disc and dura by an unrecognized dural tear after percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD).SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The risk of durotomy is relatively low with PELD, but cases of unrecognized durotomies have been reported. An effective diagnostic tool for such situations has not yet been identified.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#A patient twice underwent transforaminal PELD under the diagnosis of a herniated lumbar disc at L4-5. She still complained of intractable pain and motor weakness around the left lower extremity at 6 months postoperatively. Magnetic resonance imaging showed no specific findings suggestive of violation of the nerve root. However, L5 and S1 nerve root injury was noted on electromyography. An exploratory operation was planned to characterize damage to the neural structures.@*RESULTS@#In the exploration, a dural tear was found at the previous operative site, along with a fistula between the disc and dura was also found at the dural tear site. The durotomy site was located on the ventrolateral side of the dura and measured approximately 5 mm. The durotomy site was repaired with Nylon 5-0 and adhesive sealants. The patient's preoperative symptoms diminished considerably.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Fistula formation between the disc and dura can be caused by an unrecognized dural tear after PELD. Discography is a reliable diagnostic tool for fistulas formed by an unrecognized durotomy.

Results of Dual Growing Rods Treatment for Progressive Pediatric Spinal Deformity

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study. OBJECTIVES: To report the results of new designed dual growing rods system for progressive pediatric spinal deformity. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The current expandable spinal implant system appears effective in controlling progressive pediatric spinal deformity, allowing for spinal growth. However, there was no report concerning the growing rod in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2010 and 2011, seven pediatric patients, who had a minimum of 1year follow-up, had undergone surgery for spinal deformity correction with a dual growing rods technique. We analyzed the demographic and radiologic data, including height, weight, age at surgery, diagnosis, number of lengthening, Cobb's angle of the major curve, thoracic kyphosis angle, lumbar lordosis angle, T1-S1 length, instrumented segment length, and complications, from the preoperative period to the last follow up period. RESULTS: Four male and three female patients with 5 neuromuscular scoliosis, 1 idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis and 1 spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia had underwent corrective surgery with dual growing rods. The mean age at the initial surgery was 11.6 years (7-13.8). The mean follow-up duration was 19.3 months (12-24), and the mean lengthening procedure time was 2.8 (2-4) for every patient. Cobb's angle of scoliosis curve was corrected from preoperative 80.2degrees(55-136) to 37.6degrees (15-81) on the last follow-up. Thoracic kyphosis angle and lumbar lordosis angle were changed from preoperative 48.7degrees(12-101) and 38.3degrees(9-72) to 44.5degrees(12-75) and 18.8degrees(1-46) on the last follow-up, respectively. Growth length during the follow-up period was measured as instrumented segment is 46 mm (33-59) and T1-S1 segment is 82 mm (66-98). Complications, such as breakage of rod in 3 cases and soft tissue infection in 1 case, occurred during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: New designed dual growing rods system for pediatric patients with progressive spinal deformity is an effective and relatively safe method because of adequate correction and acceptable rate of complications.

The Inferior Accessory Ossicle of the Anterior Arch of the Atlas Misdiagnosed as Anterior Arch Fracture: A Case Report

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVES: We report a very rare case of the inferior accessory ossicle of the anterior arch of the atlas misdiagnosed as anterior arch fracture. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: It is necessary to know the existence of inferior accessory ossicle of the anterior arch of the atlas, even though it is extremely rare. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 29-year-old woman was referred to our emergency service unit with symptoms of neck pain and scalp laceration, after being involved in a car accident. She was diagnosed as the inferior accessory ossicle of the anterior arch of the atlas, by multiple diagnostic mordalities. RESULTS: The symptom of neck pain was relieved spontaneously, and her symptom has been relieved at her latest visit, as a follow up within 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to be aware of cervical anatomical variants because we commonly confuse it with other pathologic conditions, such as a fracture and thus, misdiagnose the condition.

A Case of Arthroscopic Excision of Synovial Hemangioma with Dual Coagulation Shaver

A 17-year-old male patient visited our hospital with a palpable mass on the lateral aspect of the knee joint of five years duration without any related trauma history. The patient felt tenderness around the mass and had limitations in doing flexion exercises. Magnetic resonance imaging of the knee suggested the possibility of synovial hemangioma, and thus surgical treatment was planned. A tumor within the knee joint was found by arthroscopy, and a resection was carried out by dual coagulation shaver. The biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of a synovial hemangiomas. The patient presented months later at the out-patient clinic with no evidence of recurrence.

Comparison of Antiglide Plate Fixation and Lateral Plate Fixation for Danis-Weber Type B Isolated Lateral Malleolar Fractures / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: This study was performed retrospectively and to compare the clinical outcomes of the surgical management using Antiglide plating and lateral plating for Danis-Weber type B isolated lateral malleolar fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2004 and March 2009, 92 patients were followed up for more than 6 months after surgical treatment. 49 patients were treated with Antiglide plating, whereas the remaining 43 patients underwent lateral plating. The results of the two groups were analyzed both radiographically and clinically using Ankle scoring system. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable for age, sex distribution, time to surgery, and operation time. Bone union was noted at average of 8 weeks in all fractures. The mean ankle score was similar in both groups (94% versus 93%). CONCLUSION: Antiglide plating for Danis-Weber type B isolated lateral malleolar fracture is one of the good methods which has some advantages such as early ankle motion, ambulation and smaller operative incision.

Results of the Proximal Crescentic Osteotomy for Moderate to Severe Hallux Valgus Deformity / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively analyze the clinical and radiologic results of the proximal crescentic osteotomy for moderate to severe hallux valgus deformity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2001 and March 2008, 55 patients (71 feet) who had undergone crescentic osteotomy and distal soft tissue procedure for hallux valgus were followed up for more than one year. The average follow-up period was 15.8 months (12~28 months) and the average age at the time of surgery was 49.8 years (20~69 years). We analyzed the hallux valgus angle (HVA), the first-second intermetatarsal angle (IMA), the length of 1st metatarsal bone and the position of medial sesamoid in preoperative and the last follow-up radiographs. The American Othopeaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and patient satisfaction were measured by modifying Johnson's method which were used for clinical outcome assessments. RESULTS: The HVA and the IMA were 36.2 and 15.8 degrees preoperatively, and 10.8 and 3.9 degrees at the last follow-up, respectively. The amount of shortening of 1st metatarsal bone averaged 2.3+/-1.1 mm postoperatively. The medial sesamoid position improved from a preoperative average of grade 6.6 to the last follow-up average of grade 1.9. The AOFAS score improved from a preoperative average of 45.3 points to an average 90.6 points at the last follow-up. The patient's satisfaction was completely satisfied in 61 cases (85.9%), satisfied with minor reservations in 6 cases (8.5%), satisfied with major reservations in 2 cases (2.8%), and dissatisfied in 2 cases (2.8%). CONCLUSION: Proximal crescentic osteotomy produced satisfactory results for moderate to severe hallux valgus deformity.

Results of the Proximal Crescentic Osteotomy for Moderate to Severe Hallux Valgus Deformity / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively analyze the clinical and radiologic results of the proximal crescentic osteotomy for moderate to severe hallux valgus deformity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2001 and March 2008, 55 patients (71 feet) who had undergone crescentic osteotomy and distal soft tissue procedure for hallux valgus were followed up for more than one year. The average follow-up period was 15.8 months (12~28 months) and the average age at the time of surgery was 49.8 years (20~69 years). We analyzed the hallux valgus angle (HVA), the first-second intermetatarsal angle (IMA), the length of 1st metatarsal bone and the position of medial sesamoid in preoperative and the last follow-up radiographs. The American Othopeaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and patient satisfaction were measured by modifying Johnson's method which were used for clinical outcome assessments. RESULTS: The HVA and the IMA were 36.2 and 15.8 degrees preoperatively, and 10.8 and 3.9 degrees at the last follow-up, respectively. The amount of shortening of 1st metatarsal bone averaged 2.3+/-1.1 mm postoperatively. The medial sesamoid position improved from a preoperative average of grade 6.6 to the last follow-up average of grade 1.9. The AOFAS score improved from a preoperative average of 45.3 points to an average 90.6 points at the last follow-up. The patient's satisfaction was completely satisfied in 61 cases (85.9%), satisfied with minor reservations in 6 cases (8.5%), satisfied with major reservations in 2 cases (2.8%), and dissatisfied in 2 cases (2.8%). CONCLUSION: Proximal crescentic osteotomy produced satisfactory results for moderate to severe hallux valgus deformity.