Background: Osteoarthritis is the most intervening factors in producing mechanical low back pain (LBP). We aimed to evaluate the correlation between radiologic signs of osteoarthritis and functional status in patients with chronic mechanical LBP. Methods: Severity of osteoarthritis and disability were evaluated with Kellgren and Lawrence Grading Scale (K&L) by simple lumbar X-ray and Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (ODQ) respectively. Results: Although there was no significant correlation between ODQ and K&L score in general, the correlation was seen in female group (P = 0.024, r = 0.207). Conclusions: Mechanical LBP provides more disability in females suffering from more advanced osteoarthritis.
Low Back Pain ; Osteoarthritis ; Radiography ; Spondylosis

Several reports of coccygodynia have been confined to the causes, the methods of treatment, and the methods of radiological examination. As far as we know, there has been no previous study about the objective measurement of the coccyx. The purpose of this study was to find the possible cause of idiopathic coccygodynia by comparing the clinical and radiological differences between traumatic and idiopathic coccygodynia by innovative objective clinical and radiological measurements. Thirty-two patients with coccygodynia were evaluated retrospectively. We divided the patients into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 19 patients with traumatic coccygodynia and group 2 consisted of 13 patients with idiopathic coccygodynia. We reviewed medical records and checked age, sex distribution, symptoms, and treatment outcome in each group. We also reviewed coccyx AP and lateral views of plain radiological film and measured the number of coccyx segments and the intercoccygeal angle in each group. The intercoccygeal angle devised by the authors was defined as the angle between the first and last segment of the coccyx. We also checked the intercoccygeal angle in a normal control group, which consisted of 18 women and 2 men, to observe the reference value of the intercoccygeal angle. The outcome of treatment was assessed by a visual analogue scale based on the pain score. Statistical analysis was done with Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test. Group 1 consisted of 1 male and 18 female patients, while group 2 consisted of 2 male and 11 female patients. There were no statistically significant differences between the traumatic and idiopathic coccygodynia groups in terms of age (38.7 years versus 36.5 years), male/female sex ratio (1/18 versus 2/11), and the number of coccyx segments (2.9 versus 2.7). There were significant differences between the traumatic and idiopathic coccygodynia groups in terms of the pain score (pain on sitting: 82 versus 47, pain on defecation: 39 versus 87), the intercoccygeal angle (47.9 degree versus 72.2 degrees), and the satisfactory outcome of conservative treatment (47.4% versus 92.3%). The reference value of the intercoccygeal angle in the normal control group was 52.3 degrees, which was significantly different from that of the idiopathic group. In conclusion, the intercoccygeal angle of the idiopathic coccygodynia group was greater than that of the traumatic group and normal control group. Based on the results of this study, the increased intercoccygeal angle can be considered a possible cause of idiopathic coccygodynia. The intercoccygeal angle was a useful radiological measurement to evaluate the forward angulation deformity of the coccyx.
Adult ; Coccyx/radiography* ; Coccyx/physiopathology* ; Female ; Human ; Male ; Pain/therapy ; Pain/surgery ; Pain/radiography* ; Pain/physiopathology* ; Pain/etiology ; Spinal Injuries/complications ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the whole spine of the patients with chronic low back pain. METHOD: The cervico-thoraco-lumbar spine were evaluated in 128 patients with chronic low back pain. We analyzed radiologic and clinical findings of the cervico-lumbar spine and electrodiagnostic findings. RESULTS: Most of all cases showed abnormal findings in plain radiography and electrodiagnostic study. The radiologic findings were as follow: cervical X-ray with straightening of cervical lordotic curve in 85 cases; thoracic X-ray with scoliosis in 55 cases; lumbar X-ray with disc space narrowing in 85 cases. The electrodiagnostic study revealed lumbosacral radiculopathy in 87 cases. There were significant positive relationship between increased lumbosacral angle and straightening of cervical lordotic curve, and between lumbar scoliosis and thoracic scoliosis. CONCLUSION: Cervico-thoracic spinal abnormalities were shown in most of the patients with chronic low back pain. Therefore, The evaluation of whole spine would be needed comprehensive rehabilitation approach for the patients with chronic low back pain.
Humans ; Low Back Pain* ; Radiculopathy ; Radiography ; Rehabilitation ; Scoliosis ; Spine*

A 24-year-old male patient was initially evaluated for persistent back pain. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 7 points. Physical examination revealed a decreased range of lumbar spinal motion, which caused pain. Simple X-ray revealed Meyerding grade 1 spondylolisthesis at L4 on L5, with mild dome-shaped superior endplate and consecutive multilevel spondylolysis at T12-L5. Standing anteroposterior and lateral views of the entire spine revealed normal balance of sagittal and coronal alignment. A computed tomography scan revealed bilateral spondylolysis at T12-L4, left unilateral spondylolysis at L5, and spina bifida at L5 to sacral region. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed mild dural ectasia at the lumbar region. Due to the absence of any neurological symptoms, the patient was managed conservatively. He was rested a few weeks with corset brace and physiotherapy. After treatment, his back pain improved, VAS score changed from 7 to 2, and he was able to return to normal activity.
Adult ; Back Pain/etiology ; Humans ; *Lumbar Vertebrae/pathology/radiography ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; *Spinal Dysraphism ; *Spondylolisthesis/pathology/radiography ; *Spondylolysis/pathology/radiography ; *Thoracic Vertebrae/pathology/radiography ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: To evaluate effectiveness of alcohol sclerosis combined with percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) for treatment of infected bulla. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Infected bulla in four consecutive patients were treated. In all patients, percutaneous catheter drainage of the bulla was performed. Instillation of sterile alcohol (99% ethanol) was carried out into the cavity of the bulla. Alcohol was left in the cavity for approximately 30 minutes in each session. Alcohol instillation was repeated according to the size of bulla. Patients were subsequently followed up with serial chest radiographs and CT scans. RESULTS: All patients showed significant improvement both clinically and radiologically. Disappearance of the bulla and reexpansion of surrounding lung parenchyma was observed in two patients and partial resolution (80% reduction in size) was seen in another two patients. Complications included mild chest pain during instillation of alcohol in all patients and delayed radiating shoulder pain in one patient. CONCLUSION: We provisionally conclude that intracavitary alcohol instillation combined with PCD is effective in the treatment of the infected bulla.
Catheters* ; Chest Pain ; Drainage* ; Humans ; Lung ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Sclerosis* ; Shoulder Pain ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Low back pain is one of the most common disorders during the lives in general population. When it is persistent for a long time without relief or aggravated, or accompanied with neurological signs such as weakness or radiculopathy, the imaging studies are required. Discogenic disease and facet joint disease are the common causes developing back pain. Other diseases should be included in the differential diagonsis, for example, spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis, congenital lesions, infection and trauma. As a imaging method, radiography, computed tomography, Magnetic resonance imaging, myelography and discography combined with or without ccmputed tomography are currently used. In this review, I like to describe about principles, advantages, and limitations of the imaging methods as well as finding of the common spinal disorders briefly.
Back Pain ; Low Back Pain ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Myelography ; Radiculopathy ; Radiography ; Spine* ; Spondylolisthesis ; Spondylolysis ; Zygapophyseal Joint

Percutaneous vertebroplasty is an effective, minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures, and is a technique for treating lower back pain that appears to be increasingly popular throughout the world. We experienced two cases involving a rare complication of percutaneous vertebroplasty, namely pulmonary embolism caused by acrylic cement. One patient showed no subjective symptoms after vertebroplasty, while the other experienced chest pain. In the former, fluoroscopy demonstrated perivertebral venous leakage during vertebroplasty, and at chest radiography, tubular or branching high-density linear structures were observed. In addition, intravascular emboli were identified at CT. In the second patient, symptomatic therapy led to reduced chest pain.
Chest Pain ; Fluoroscopy ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; Pulmonary Embolism* ; Radiography ; Thorax ; Vertebroplasty*

The author observed a new accessory bone of the foot in the distal portion of navicular, which articulated with the medial cuneiform and the intermediate cuneiform, and named it os infranaviculare. A degenerative change was observed between the accessory bone and the navicular; this caused midfoot pain to the patient during weight-bearing. Thus, the patient was treated by excision of the accessory bone. The symptom was relieved at one-year postoperative.
Bone Diseases/complications/*pathology/radiography/surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain/etiology ; Running ; Tarsal Bones/*pathology/radiography/surgery

Pleural effusion represents a rare complication of acute hepatitis A infection. Twelve year-old girl was admitted with complaints of general weakness, nausea and icteric sclerae. She also complained of right chest pain. Right decubitus view of chest radiograph showed pleural fluid accumulation. Laboratory findings were as follows: AST/ALT 1692/1970 IU/L, total/direct bilirubin 4.48/3.66 mg/dL and HA IgM Ab (+). On the seventh day of hospitalization, her general condition was much improved and chest radiography showed resolved pleural effusion.
Bilirubin ; Chest Pain ; Female ; Hepatitis A ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; Nausea ; Pleural Effusion* ; Radiography ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Sclera ; Thorax

The development of cardiac CT has provided a non-invasive alternative to echocardiography, exercise electrocardiogram, and invasive angiography and cardiac CT continues to develop at an exponential speed even now. The appropriate use of cardiac CT may lead to improvements in the medical performances of physicians and can reduce medical costs which eventually contribute to better public health. However, until now, there has been no guideline regarding the appropriate use of cardiac CT in Korea. We intend to provide guidelines for the appropriate use of cardiac CT in heart diseases based on scientific data. The purpose of this guideline is to assist clinicians and other health professionals in the use of cardiac CT for diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases, especially in patients at high risk or suspected of heart disease.
Chest Pain/*diagnosis/radiography ; Exercise ; Heart/radiography ; Heart Diseases/diagnosis/*radiography ; Humans ; Republic of Korea ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/instrumentation/*methods/*standards