STUDY DESIGN: A case report. OBJECTIVES: To report a rare case of subacute delayed ascending myelopathy. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: After low spinal cord injury, the cord injury may proceed to a proximal level and lead to subacute delayed ascending myelopathy. The patient suffered from orthostatic hypotension, weakness and sensory loss in the upper extremities and dyspnea. MRI showed more proximal progression of the spinal cord injury. There is no prevention or treatment for this condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 62-year-old man fell from heights and had 11th thoracic spine flexion-distraction injury. Upon arrival at the hospital, he was found to suffer from lower extremity weakness and sensory loss, but showed no neurologic symptom in his upper extremities. Two days later, we performed posterior instrumentation with fusion, and no postoperative neurologic symptom change was detected. One week after the fall, he suffered from dyspnea, upper extremity weakness and sensory loss. MRI was taken and we discovered that his spinal cord injury had proceeded to the 2nd cervical spine level. RESULTS: Three months later, he showed little improvement in his upper extremity motor power, but not to the extent of the previous low spinal injury. CONCLUSION: Physicians should pay attention to the upper extremity and respiratory function of the patient with low spinal cord injury, because the level of spinal cord injury may proceed to a proximal level.
Dyspnea ; Humans ; Hypotension, Orthostatic ; Lower Extremity ; Middle Aged ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Spine ; Upper Extremity

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVES: To report a case of osteosarcoma involving the thoracic spine in an elderly patient. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Spinal osteosarcoma has been reported as a relatively low incidence (3-5%) of musculoskeletal osteosarcoma. Dominant histologic type was osteoblastic. Radical excision or palliative excision followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy was tried. The overall prognosis was shown to be poorer than osteosarcomas in other skeletal areas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of clinical and radiologic data of osteosarcoma involving the 12th thoracic spine that were confirmed by histopathology. RESULTS: Palliative surgery followed by adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy was performed. CONCLUSIONS: We report here the clinical and radiological findings of a case of osteosarcoma that arose in the thoracic spine with a literature review.
Aged ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Humans ; Incidence ; Osteoblasts ; Osteosarcoma ; Palliative Care ; Prognosis ; Spine

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate clinical & radiologic significance about complications of spinopelvic fixation with iliac screw in patients with adult spinal deformity. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Complications of iliac screw fixation in adult spinal deformity patients was obscure in spite of the good results of iliac screw fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 27 patients, followed over 1-year, with adult spinal deformity (lumbar degenerative kyphosis, degenerative lumbar scoliosis, flat back syndrome). The study was done for complications of iliac screw fixation by clinical and radiological evaluations. RESULTS: Post-operative iliac screw prominence were 15 cases (55.5%), iliac screw breakage was 1 case (3.7%), bursitis was 1 case (3.7%), sacroiliac joint pain were 5 cases (18.5%), halo sign around iliac screw were 23 cases (85.1%), and 3 cases (11.1%) were performed reoperation. There was no significance between halo sign and sacroiliac joint pain. CONCLUSIONS: Iliac screw fixation is a very useful operative method without severe complications on spinopelvic fixation. There are some complications of iliac screw fixation and iliac screw prominence is a most common problem, but few counterplan exits. So, further studies about reducing complication method, management protocols of iliac screw complication were needed.
Adult ; Bursitis ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Sacroiliac Joint ; Scoliosis

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To assess the operative risks and complications of posterior decompression and fusion for degenerative spine disorders, we compared single level posterior decompression and posterolateral fusion of lumbar spine with total hip arthroplasty which have been evaluated in many reports and articles on complications and operative risks. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: There has been no study comparing the relative risks of spinal surgery with total hip arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and thirty-six subjects (mean age 69.6 years) who received single level posterior decompression and posterolateral fusion for degenerative lumbar disorders from February 2000 to May 2010 were selected as group A, and 136 subjects (mean age 67.2 years) who received total hip arthroplasty during the same period were selected as group B. A comparative analysis was performed according to age, gender, pre-operative ASA status based on their underlying medical conditions, total operative time, blood loss, hospitalization period, incidence of major and minor complications and functional recovery at the time of final follow up using retrospective and statistical manners from medical records and radiologic evaluations. RESULTS: The total operative time and blood loss were longer in group A with statistical significance (P<0.01). Major complications were frequent in group B with 16 cases and in group A with 6 cases (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the total hospitalization period, incidence of minor complications and post-operative functional recovery. CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed no increased operative risks for surgery for degenerative lumbar disorders compared with total hip arthroplasty in similar age groups.
Arthroplasty ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Decompression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Medical Records ; Operative Time ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Spine

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To examine the radiologic and clinical results of patients classified as excessive translation and excessive angulation, treated by posterolateral fusion only, or posterolateral fusion with posterior lumbar interbody fusion in isthmic spondylolisthesis. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Isthmic spondylolisthesis is usually treated by PLF only or PLF with PLIF. But it is not reported the clinical and radiologic results classified by translation type. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who had received surgery for spondylolisthesis between January 2005 to January 2010, there were 56 for whom follow-up observations were possible for 2 years. According to the fusion methods and preoperative flexion-extension simple radiograph, we classified as excessive translation and excessive angulation by segmental instability and as PLF and PLIF by surgical methods. We examine the clinical results(Visual Analogue Scale, Oswestry Distability Index, operation time, blood loss, complication rate) and the radiologic results(reduction rate of slippage, change of segmental angle, reduction ratio of disc height, bone union). RESULTS: In radiologic results, excessive angulation(group II) did not show significant difference from excessive translation(group I) in terms of reduction rate of slippage, change of segmental angle, reduction ratio of disc height, bone union. But we found excessive translation-PLIF(group I-B) was better than excessive translation-PLF(group I-A) and excessive angulation-PLIF(group II-B) was better than excessive angulation-PLF(II-A) in terms of reduction ratio of disc height(P<0.05). In clinical results, both sides group did not show significant difference in operation time, blood loss, complication rate. CONCLUSIONS: In spondylolisthesis patients, excessive translation group(I) and excessive angulation group(II) did not show significant difference in radiologic results and clinical results. But both sides group showed the PLF with PLIF was better than the PLF only in terms of reduction ratio of disc height.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Spondylolisthesis

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To observe the short term effect of selective nerve root block (sNRB) depending on the contrast pattern and spinal canal size. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: A number of studies have demonstrated that sNRB is quite effective not only for patients with herniated intervertebral discs but also for those with spinal stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Visual Analog Scale(VAS) score was collected before and after the procedure from 217 subjects with lumbar spinal stenosis and underwent sNRB. Two types were classified after observing the contrast's spreading pattern, Type I contrast reaching the spinal canal and Type II not reaching the spinal canal. Efficacy of the treatment for each type was also compared. In addition, the spinal canal size was classified into three categories. Treatment efficacy depending on the contrast pattern was also compared in each category. RESULTS: When divided into two types based on the contrast pattern, type I showed a more significant reduction in VAS score according to T-test although both types showed a decrease in VAS score after the procedure. In regards to spinal canal dimension, both types showed decreased VAS scores after the procedure in patients with spinal canal size larger than 172.2mm2; however, there were no changes in VAS score before and after the procedure for those with spinal canal size smaller than 73mm2. CONCLUSIONS: There was a short term effect of selective nerve root block (sNRB) in patients with spinal stenosis regardless of their contrast pattern, type I group showing a stronger correlation. In regards to spinal canal dimension, patients with larger spinal canal sizes not only showed a significant decrease in VAS score after selective nerve root block (sNRB) but also showed differences depending on the contrast pattern. On the contrary, there was no significant difference in VAS score before and after selective nerve root block (sNRB) in patients with small spinal canal sizes, and there was also no difference in the outcome depending on the contrast pattern in patients with small spinal canal sizes. Therefore, when performing selective root nerve block (sNRB), the operator should remember to manipulate the angle and position of the spinal needle when injecting the appropriate drug after confirming that the contrast material reached the spinal canal. The operator should also consider surgical management when performing selective nerve root block (sNRB) in patients with severe central spinal stenosis.
Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Needles ; Nerve Block ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Canal ; Spinal Stenosis ; Treatment Outcome

STUDY DESIGN: Case study of two cases. OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study is to describe atypical patterns of tuberculous spondylitis. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Few reports of tuberculous spondylitis have discussed atypical cases, which resulted in a poor prognosis due to the delay in early diagnosis and proper treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 74-year-old female underwent an incision and drainage, and posterior decompression and fusion (PDF) due to tuberculous epidural abscess after vertebroplasty of a compression fracture at T12. A 52-year-old female underwent interbody fusion and posterior lateral fusion (PLF) because of aggravation of an abscess and neurologic symptoms following non-invasive intervention to treat atypical tuberculous spondylitis. RESULTS: Clinical symptoms and serological tests of the patients were improved at postoperative 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: When a patient presents with focal bony or soft tissue abnormality on an image study, the possibility of non-typical tuberculous spondylitis has to be considered when infective spondylitis or a tumor is detected. Moreover, an invasive diagnosis tool such as biopsy will be needed for proper management.
Abscess ; Aged ; Biopsy ; Decompression ; Diagnosis ; Drainage ; Early Diagnosis ; Epidural Abscess ; Female ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Prognosis ; Serologic Tests ; Spondylitis* ; Vertebroplasty

STUDY DESIGN: A case report. OBJECTIVES: To report a case of spinal extradural arachnoid cyst. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Extradural arachonid cysts of the spine are a rare cause of spinal cord and nerve root compression. There are few reports about it, and the etiology remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors performed a clinical and radiographic case review. RESULTS: A 56-year-old male patient presented with both lower extremity radiating pain and tingling sensation in both feet for four years. His MRI revealed a large, well-demarcated extradural lesion, isointense to cerebrospinal fluid from L1 to L3. We performed dural repair and laminectomy for partial resection of the cyst. The outcome was good in the immediate postoperative period, and the patient made a full recovery without complications. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment should be considered for large spinal extradural arachnoid cysts with neurologic symptoms when conservative treatment does not work.
Arachnoid Cysts ; Arachnoid* ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Foot ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Lower Extremity ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Postoperative Period ; Radiculopathy ; Sensation ; Spinal Cord ; Spine

STUDY DESIGN: A case report. OBJECTIVES: We report a case of posterior ring apophysis fracture (PRAF) with lumbar disc herniation treated by immobile bony fragment excision. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: PRAF causes severe radiculopathy, so treating with surgery is common. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 30-year-old male diagnosed with PRAF with lumbar disc herniation was treated with discectomy, but his clinical symptoms were not relieved. Consequently, bony fragment excision, extended laminectomy and interbody fusion were also done. RESULTS: Radicular pain was relieved and showed good clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: When treating PRAF, bony fragment excision and extended laminectomy should be considered even if an immobile bony fragment exists.
Adult ; Diskectomy ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Male ; Radiculopathy

STUDY DESIGN: A case report. OBJECTIVES: Nodular fasciitis is a non-neoplastic soft-tissue lesion located in the deep subcutaneous region; it may be misdiagnosed as a malignant tumor due to its rapid growth and microscopic characteristics. We introduce an unusual case of nodular fasciitis which presented as a posterior neck mass. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Nodular fasciitis is an unusual benign lesion.Becaue it sometimes shows aggressive microscopic characteristics, (being hypercellular and polymorphic), the condition has the potential to be misdiagnosed as sarcoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 20-year-old woman presented with a 1-month history of a progressively enlarging mass on her posterior neck. Computed tomography (CT) scans of the neck showed a markedly enhanced, well-defined, ovoid soft tissue mass at the posterior of the spinous process of C2. The patient underwent marginal excision. There was a 2 cm, well-capsulated, pinkish-gray mass. RESULTS: She recovered without any complications. Histopathologic examination showed a spindle cell proliferation, increased cellularity, and nuclear atypia with mitosis. The immunohistochemistry stain showed negative findings. The mass was diagnosed as nodular fasciitis. CONCLUSIONS: A diagnosis of nodular fasciitis, not just malignant tumor, should be considered for a rapidly growing posterior neck mass showing aggressive microscopic appearance, Nodular fasciitis is a self-limiting lesion readily treated by marginal excision. However, follow-ups should be increased to watch for recurrence.
Cell Proliferation ; Diagnosis ; Fasciitis* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mitosis ; Neck ; Recurrence ; Sarcoma ; Young Adult