Correction of the overall coronal and/or sagittal plane deformities is one of the main predictors of successful spinal surgery. In routine clinical practice, spinal alignment is assessed using several spinal and pelvic parameters, such as pelvic incidence and tilt, sacral slope, lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, and sagittal vertical axis. Standard values have been defined for all these parameters, and the formulas of correction have been set for determining the surgical strategy. However, several factors can potentially bias these formulas. First, all standard values are measured using conventional plain radiographs and are, therefore, prone to bias. The radiologist, measuring surgeon, and patient are possible confounding influencing factors. Second, spino-pelvic compensatory effects and biomechanically relevant structures for the patient’s posture, including ligaments, tendons, and muscles, have received minimal consideration in the literature. Therefore, even in cases of appropriately planned deformity correction surgeries, complications, revision rates, and surgical outcomes significantly vary. This study aimed to illustrate the current clinical weaknesses of the assessment of spinal alignment and the importance of holistically approaching the musculoskeletal system for any spinal deformity surgery. We believe that our detailed insights regarding spinal, sagittal, and coronal alignments as well as the considerations of an individual's spinal balance will contribute toward improvement in routine patient care.
Animals ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kyphosis ; Ligaments ; Lordosis ; Muscles ; Musculoskeletal System ; Patient Care ; Posture ; Tendons

We investigated the livebirths prevalence and occurrence pattern of birth defects in Korea. After the survey on birth defects was done in 2,348 medical institutions around the nation, the birth defect prevalence of livebirths in 2005-2006 was calculated. This study was based on the medical insurance claims database of the National Health Insurance Corporation. The number of livebirths in Korea was 883,184 from 2005-2006, and 25,335 cases of birth defects were notified to our study, equivalent to a prevalence of 286.9 per 10,000 livebirths. Anomalies of the circulatory system were the most common defects, accounting for 43.4% of birth defects with a prevalence of 124.5 per 10,000 livebirths. It was followed by the musculoskeletal system anomalies, the digestive system anomalies, and the urinary system anomalies. The five major birth defects based on the ranking of prevalence were atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, hydronephrosis, patent ductus arteriosus, and cleft lip/palate. Birth defects in livebirths were associated with a high proportion of low birthweight, prematurity, multiple births and advanced maternal age. The prevalence of birth defects in Korea is similar to or lower than those reported in developed countries. Our study suggests baseline data to explain the current status of birth defects and to establish a registry system of birth defects in Korea.
Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cleft Lip/epidemiology ; Cleft Palate/epidemiology ; Congenital Abnormalities/*epidemiology ; Databases, Factual ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent/epidemiology ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial/epidemiology ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular/epidemiology ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis/epidemiology ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Live Birth ; Male ; Maternal Age ; Musculoskeletal Abnormalities/epidemiology ; Pregnancy ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology

PURPOSE: Since there has been little reporting on the prevalence or morphologic characteristics of ponticulus posticus in Asians, we retrospectively reviewed cervical 3-dimensional CT scan images and plain radiographs which had been ordered by neurosurgeons or orthopaedic surgeons for evaluation of cervical spine problems to investigate the prevalence and morphologic features of the ponticulus posticus in Koreans. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The presence and types of ponticulus posticus were investigated on 200 consecutive cervical 3-D CT scans. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients, 48 ponticulus posticus, complete or partial, bilateral or unilateral, were identified on the 200 cervical 3-D CT scans; therefore, the prevalence was 15.5% in our patient population. In plain radiographs analysis, the prevalence was 6.95%. CONCLUSION: The ponticulus posticus is a relatively common anomaly in Koreans. Therefore, proper identification of this anomaly on preoperative lateral radiographs should alert surgeons to avoid using the ponticulus posticus as a starting point for a lateral mass screw. Because of its size and shape have wide variation, 3-D CT scanning should be considered before lateral mass screw placement into the posterior arch if its presence is suspected or confirmed on radiographs.
Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Atlas/*abnormalities/*radiography ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Musculoskeletal Abnormalities/*ethnology/*radiography ; Prejudice ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to investigate and analyze bilateral incidence and morphology of complete discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) with possible relation to tears and symptoms in knee joints. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight consecutive patients with symptomatic or already-torn complete DLM on magnetic resonance imaging in a unilateral knee underwent diagnostic arthroscopy on both knee joints upon agreement. The presence and shape of complete DLM as well as presence and pattern of tear were recorded accordingly. RESULTS: In total, 89.5% (34 of 38 patients) showed bilateral complete DLM, and 84.2% yielded bilateralism with identical shape. Cape-slab was the most frequent shape, comprising 68.8% of patients with identically-shaped bilateral DLM overall. Tear patterns were more frequent, in the order of longitudinal, simple horizontal, radial, and degenerative; however, the morphological shape of complete DLM was not significantly related to tear incidence or pattern. Meniscus tears and knee symptoms occurred in the contralateral knee with incidences of 32.4% and 26.5% in patients with bilateral complete DLM, respectively. CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, more aggressive warning on the presence of discoid pathology and the need for evaluation on the contralateral knee should be considered during consultation with patients with symptomatic complete DLM in a unilateral knee in the outpatient clinic.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Arthroscopy/*methods ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Knee Joint/*pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods ; Male ; Menisci, Tibial/*injuries/surgery ; Middle Aged ; Musculoskeletal Abnormalities/complications/diagnosis/epidemiology/*surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult