The epidural abscess, while rare, should be taken seriously, as it can result in permanent neurological complications. Fever, back pain, leukocytosis and elevation of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) are major signs and symptoms of epidural abscesses. But clinical recognition of such abscesses may be very difficult because of nonspecific symptoms or signs as well as previous or underlying painful disorders. Few cases has been reported of epidural abscess and epidural fibrosis associated with back surgery or temporary epidural blocks. In these cases, however, fever, low back pain, sciatica and elevation of ESR were the major findings. Magnetic Resonance Imaging findings after Gadolinium- diethylenetriaminopenta-acetic acid (Gd-DTPA) enhancement show central low signal intensity and surrounding high signal intensity at the anterior epidural space between the 5th lumbar and 1st sacral vertebrae. We suspected an epidural abscess caused by epidural block, and so operated. But our operative finding was epidural fibrosis without abscess. Our final pathological diagnosis was epidural fibrosis.
Abscess ; Back Pain ; Blood Sedimentation ; Diagnosis* ; Epidural Abscess* ; Epidural Space ; Fever ; Fibrosis* ; Leukocytosis ; Low Back Pain ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Sciatica ; Spine

BACKGROUND: We studied the interaction between Succinylcholine (SCh) and mivacurium when mivacurium was administered during early and late recovery from SCh block was investigated. METHODS: Eighty patients undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia were studied. General anesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol under TCI control. Neuromuscular function was measured in response to TOF stimulation of the ulnar nerve using an electromyographic method. The patients were allocated randomly to the following four groups; group 1 (n = 20): a bolus intravenous injection of 0.08 mg/kg mivacurium; group 2 (n = 20): intravenous injection of 0.08 mg/kg mivacurium after 2 minutes of 1 mg/kg SCh injection; group 3 (n = 20): intravenous injection of 0.08 mg/kg mivacurium after 25% recovery of initial twitch height from twitch height depression induced by 1 mg/kg SCh; group 4 (n = 20): intravenous injection of 0.08 mg/kg mivacurium after 75% recovery of initial twitch height from twitch height depression induced by 1 mg/kg SCh. The onset and duration of neuromuscular blockade, recovery rate and TOF ratio at T75% were measured. RESULTS: The onset of block in groups 3 and 4 were slower than in group 1 (5.2 +/- 0.7 and 2.3 +/- 0.6 vs 2.5 +/- 0.4 min P < 0.05). The clinical duration in groups 2 and 3 were longer than in groups 1 and 4 (12.5 +/- 2.1 min and 11.3 +/- 1.7 min vs 17.0 +/- 3.0 min and 18.5 +/- 2.6 min, p < 0.05). There was no difference in recovery index all groups. The TOF ratio of groups 2, 3 and 4 were smaller than for group 1 (38.2 +/- 5.3, 32.3 +/- 5.6 and 31.5 +/- 4.2 vs 56.0 +/- 7.3, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The Previous 1 mg/kg SCh injection was affected the time course of action of mivacurium 0.08 mg/kg-induced neuromuscular block.
Anesthesia, General ; Depression ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Neuromuscular Blockade* ; Propofol ; Succinylcholine* ; Ulnar Nerve

STUDY DESIGN: This study is a retrospective evaluation of the surgical outcome by the patient satisfaction and Oswestry low back pain questionnaire. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the clinical correlations of various factors with the patient's satisfaction and with the surgical results in degenerative spinal stenosis. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The patients satisfaction and surgical outcome of the degenerative spinal stenosis by the objective method have not been well described in the literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Mean follow-up period was 4.8 years after surgery in 114 patients. Outcome was based on subjective disability using Oswestry low back pain questionnaire. Patient satisfaction degree was rated to 'very satisfied(1)', 'somewhat satisfied(2)', 'somewhat dissatisfied(3)' and 'very dissatisfied(4)'. Several factors that might be associated with patient satisfac-tion and outcome were investigated. RESULTS: Of the one hundred and fourteen patients, 84(73.9%) were satisfied to the surgery and mean satisfaction degree was 1.94. Ninety two patients(80.7%) had excellent-to-good results with the mean Oswestry disability score 26.9. There were 7 complications including dural tear in 3 cases, pseudarthrosis in 1 case, dissociation between rod and screw in 1 case, pedicle screw breakage in 1 case and termination of operatin due to massive bleeding during operation in 1 case. CONCLUSION: Clinical results and patient satisfaction were better in the cases with short segments fusion than long segments fusion and the patients with preoperative leg symptom as major symptom had significantly lower Oswestry disability score.
Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Leg ; Low Back Pain ; Patient Satisfaction* ; Pseudarthrosis ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Stenosis*

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of the results of various methodologies for the surgical treatment of an unstable burst fracture with posterior column injuries. OBJECTIVES: To compare the radiological and clinical results in unstable burst fractures, treated with various surgical methodologies (anterior, posterior and combined fusion), and to confirm their efficacy. LITERATURE REVIEW SUMMARY: Many authors recommended various surgical methods for the treatment of an unstable burst fracture, and of these, combined fusion is recommended for the preservation of stability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of results was carried out on 22 patients, confirmed with an unstable burst fracture associated with a posterior column injury, between Nov. 1996 and Mar. 2003. The preoperative plane x-ray, CT and MRI, and the last postoperative follow up plane X-ray and CT, in 22 unstable burst fracture patients, were reviewed. The authors looked for laminar fracture, facet injury and inter-spinous widening in the plane x-ray, canal compromise on the CT, and a posterior ligament injury and dural tear on the MRI. The neurological injury was evaluated using the Bardford and McBride criteria and the clinical result with the Denis' pain and work scale. RESULTS: In the anterior fusion group, the radiological findings showed 3 laminar fractures, 2 facet injuries, 7 inter-spinous widening and 8 posterior ligament injuries. In the posterior fusion group, they showed 5 laminar fractures, 4 facet injuries, 5 inter-spinous widening and 5 posterior ligament injuries. In the combined fusion group, they showed 5 laminar fractures, 4 facet injuries, 4 inter-spinous widening and 5 posterior ligament injuries. The average canal compromise was 54.3% in cases of anterior fusion, 20.9% of posterior fusion and 74% of the combined fusion groups. A dural tear was found in 1 each of the anterior and posterior and 4 of the combined group. From the clinical results, improvements of the neurology in the anterior, posterior and combined groups were 2.0, 1.7 and 1.3 degrees, respectively. From the Denis' pain & work scale better than good degrees were shown in 3 of the anterior, 4 of the posterior and 2 of the combined groups. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, there were no differences in the improvements of the neurology and clinical results according to the surgical methodology employed. However, the use of combined fusion is recommended for the preservation of stability in an unstable burst fracture with combined posterior ligament and bony injuries as well as with severe canal compromise.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neurology ; Retrospective Studies ; Tears

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of the results of various methodologies for the surgical treatment of an unstable burst fracture with posterior column injuries. OBJECTIVES: To compare the radiological and clinical results in unstable burst fractures, treated with various surgical methodologies (anterior, posterior and combined fusion), and to confirm their efficacy. LITERATURE REVIEW SUMMARY: Many authors recommended various surgical methods for the treatment of an unstable burst fracture, and of these, combined fusion is recommended for the preservation of stability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of results was carried out on 22 patients, confirmed with an unstable burst fracture associated with a posterior column injury, between Nov. 1996 and Mar. 2003. The preoperative plane x-ray, CT and MRI, and the last postoperative follow up plane X-ray and CT, in 22 unstable burst fracture patients, were reviewed. The authors looked for laminar fracture, facet injury and inter-spinous widening in the plane x-ray, canal compromise on the CT, and a posterior ligament injury and dural tear on the MRI. The neurological injury was evaluated using the Bardford and McBride criteria and the clinical result with the Denis' pain and work scale. RESULTS: In the anterior fusion group, the radiological findings showed 3 laminar fractures, 2 facet injuries, 7 inter-spinous widening and 8 posterior ligament injuries. In the posterior fusion group, they showed 5 laminar fractures, 4 facet injuries, 5 inter-spinous widening and 5 posterior ligament injuries. In the combined fusion group, they showed 5 laminar fractures, 4 facet injuries, 4 inter-spinous widening and 5 posterior ligament injuries. The average canal compromise was 54.3% in cases of anterior fusion, 20.9% of posterior fusion and 74% of the combined fusion groups. A dural tear was found in 1 each of the anterior and posterior and 4 of the combined group. From the clinical results, improvements of the neurology in the anterior, posterior and combined groups were 2.0, 1.7 and 1.3 degrees, respectively. From the Denis' pain & work scale better than good degrees were shown in 3 of the anterior, 4 of the posterior and 2 of the combined groups. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, there were no differences in the improvements of the neurology and clinical results according to the surgical methodology employed. However, the use of combined fusion is recommended for the preservation of stability in an unstable burst fracture with combined posterior ligament and bony injuries as well as with severe canal compromise.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neurology ; Retrospective Studies ; Tears

The continuous epidural anesthesia is an effective method for postoperative pain control and improvement of pulmonary function. A 39-year-old man was scheduled for postoperative intestinal obstruction. After adhesiolysis under the general anesthesia, epidural anesthesia was done for postoperative pain control. Because an accidental dural puncture was noticed, the adjacent interspace of epidural anesthesia was tried and catheter was inserted. Respiratory depression, hypotension, loss of consciousness and cardiac arrest were developed about 20 minutes after the first injection of 1% lidocain 10ml. Endotracheal intubation was performed and the respiration was controlled using 100% oxygen. Self respiration and alert mentality returned after 180 minutes. No CSF leakage, delayed onset time, severe hypotension, complete recovery may be the result of subdural anesthesia and postoperative hypoxia. But radiological examination was not performed.
Adult ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Epidural ; Anesthesia, General ; Anoxia ; Catheters ; Heart Arrest* ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Intestinal Obstruction ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Oxygen ; Pain, Postoperative* ; Punctures ; Respiration ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Unconsciousness

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review was carried out on 23 patients with rigid fixed kyphosis who underwent surgical correction for their deformity. PURPOSE: To report the results of surgical correction of fixed kyphosis according to the surgical approaches or methods. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Surgical correction of fixed kyphosis is more dangerous than the correction of any other spinal deformity because of the high incidence of paraplegia. METHODS: There were 12 cases of acute angular kyphosis (6 congenital, 6 healed tuberculosis) and 11 cases of round kyphosis (10 ankylosing spondylitis, 1 Scheuermann's kyphosis). Patients were excluded if their kyphosis was due to active tuberculosis, fractures, or degenerative lumbar changes. Operative procedures consisted of anterior, posterior and combined approaches with or without total vertebrectomy. Anterior procedure only was performed in 2 cases, while posterior procedure only was performed in 8 cases. Combined procedures were used in 13 cases, including 4 total vertebrectomies. RESULTS: The average kyphotic angle was 71.8degrees preoperatively, 31.0degrees postoperatively, and the average final angle was 39.2degrees. Thus, the correction rate was 57% and the correction loss rate was 12%. In acute angular kyphosis, correction rate of an anterior procedure only was 71%, correction rate of the combined procedures without total vertebrectomy was 49% and correction rate of the combined procedures with total vertebrectomy was 60%. In round kyphosis, correction rate of posterior procedure only was 65% and correction rate of combined procedures was 59%. The clinical results according to the Kirkaldy-Willis scale demonstrated 17 excellent outcomes, 5 good outcomes and one poor outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicates that the combined approach and especially the total vertebrectomy showed the safety and the greatest correction rate if acute angular kyphosis was greater than 60 degrees.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kyphosis* ; Paraplegia ; Retrospective Studies ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Tuberculosis

Tumoral calcinosis is a rare disease involving the ectopic calcifications in the major juxtaarticular sites that was first described by Inclan Alberto in 1943. The etiology of tumoral calcinosis is still obscure. A disturbance of the phosphate metabolism in the kidney has been considered a major cause. However, some patients have no laboratory abnormalities. Tumoral calcinosis in the spine has not been reported in Korea. Recently, we encountered a case of tumoral calcinosis in the lumbar region. The clinical and pathological findings are discussed with a review of the relevant literature.
Calcinosis* ; Humans ; Kidney ; Korea ; Lumbosacral Region* ; Metabolism ; Rare Diseases ; Spine

Posterior epidural migration of sequestered lumbar disc fragments is an uncommon event. We present here an especially uncommon case involving a patient with paraparesis that was due to posterior migration of a ruptured disc in the adjacent segment after spinal fusion. The patient had a herniated lumbar disc in a diseased spinal junction with sequestered fragments that were located posterior to the thecal sac.
Humans ; Paraparesis ; Spinal Fusion

A paraspinal foreign body reaction is a rare condition that can cause severe neurological complications or death. However, the condition is often neglected. The authors report a case of a paraspinal textiloma that was diagnosed and treated with a surgical excision.
Foreign-Body Reaction ; Granuloma, Foreign-Body