Objective: : Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) has been widely used during spine surgery to reduce or prevent neurologic deficits, however, its application to the surgical management for cervical myelopathy remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the success rate of IONM in patients with cervical myelopathy and to investigate the factors associated with successful baseline monitoring and the effect of increasing the stimulation intensity by focusing on motor evoked potentials (MEPs). Methods: : The data of 88 patients who underwent surgery for cervical myelopathy with IONM between January 2016 and June 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The success rate of baseline MEP monitoring at the initial stimulation of 400 V was investigated. In unmonitorable cases, the stimulation intensity was increased to 999 V, and the success rate final MEP monitoring was reinvestigated. In addition, factors related to the success rate of baseline MEP monitoring were investigated using independent t-test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, chi-squared test, and Fisher’s exact probability test for statistical analysis. The factors included age, sex, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, smoking history, symptom duration, Torg-Pavlov ratio, space available for the cord (SAC), cord compression ratio (CCR), intramedullary increased signal intensity (SI) on magnetic resonance imaging, SI length, SI ratio, the Medical Research Council (MRC) grade, the preoperative modified Nurick grade and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score. Results: : The overall success rate for reliable MEP response was 52.3% after increasing the stimulation intensity. No complications were observed to be associated with increased intensity. The factors related to the success rate of final MEP monitoring were found to be SAC (p<0.001), CCR (p<0.001), MRC grade (p<0.001), preoperative modified Nurick grade (p<0.001), and JOA score (p<0.001). The cut-off score for successful MEP monitoring was 5.67 mm for SAC, 47.33% for the CCR, 3 points for MRC grade, 2 points for the modified Nurick grade, and 12 points for the JOA score. Conclusion : Increasing the stimulation intensity could significantly improve the success rate of baseline MEP monitoring for unmonitorable cases at the initial stimulation in cervical myelopathy. In particular, the SAC, CCR, MRC grade, preoperative Nurick grade and JOA score may be considered as the more important related factors associated with the success rate of MEP monitoring. Therefore, the degree of preoperative neurological functional deficits and the presence of spinal cord compression on imaging could be used as new detailed criteria for the application of IONM in patients with cervical myelopathy.

STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVES: To provide reference data for the study and treatment of thoracic scoliosis. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: There have been no reports on the prevalence of thoracic scoliosis in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From August 2011 to October 2012, radiographs of patients under 80 years of age who underwent routine chest radiographs were retrospectively reviewed. Based on their age when the chest radiographs were obtained, the patients were divided into 8 groups. The prevalence and angle of the curve of thoracic scoliosis were investigated in each age group, and the prevalence of thoracic scoliosis according to sex, the direction of the curve, number of vertebrae in the major curve, the location and rotation of the apical vertebrae, and osteophyte location were examined. RESULTS: The prevalence of thoracic scoliosis was 2.4% (621 patients), and female patients (3.0%, 375 of 12471) showed a higher prevalence than male patients (1.8%, 246 of 13654) (p<0.001). Right curvature was present in 445 patients and left curvature in 176 patients. In each age group, the prevalence and degree of thoracic scoliosis were 1.1% (14.2°±3.2°), 2.3% (17.4°±7.7°), 2.5% (17.0°±8.9°), 1.9% (15.8°±5.9°), 1.3% (15.5°±6.6°), 2.1% (18.0°±13.6°), 2.9% (14.3°±3.6°), and 6.1% (16.2°±4.8°), respectively. The mean curvature in all scoliosis patients was 16.0°±7.0°. The angle of the curve was significantly different by sex (15.4°±7.1° for males, 16.8°±7.6° for females). The average curve angle of patients with thoracic scoliosis was 16.0°±7.0°, among whom it was 10°–20° in 533 patients, 20°–30° in 64, 30°–40° in 11, and over 40° in 13. CONCLUSIONS: This study could be used as a reference point for the study and treatment of thoracic scoliosis.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Osteophyte ; Prevalence ; Radiography ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; Spine ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; Thorax

OBJECTIVES: To provide reference data for the study and treatment of thoracic scoliosis.SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: There have been no reports on the prevalence of thoracic scoliosis in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From August 2011 to October 2012, radiographs of patients under 80 years of age who underwent routine chest radiographs were retrospectively reviewed. Based on their age when the chest radiographs were obtained, the patients were divided into 8 groups. The prevalence and angle of the curve of thoracic scoliosis were investigated in each age group, and the prevalence of thoracic scoliosis according to sex, the direction of the curve, number of vertebrae in the major curve, the location and rotation of the apical vertebrae, and osteophyte location were examined. RESULTS: The prevalence of thoracic scoliosis was 2.4% (621 patients), and female patients (3.0%, 375 of 12471) showed a higher prevalence than male patients (1.8%, 246 of 13654) (p<0.001). Right curvature was present in 445 patients and left curvature in 176 patients. In each age group, the prevalence and degree of thoracic scoliosis were 1.1% (14.2°±3.2°), 2.3% (17.4°±7.7°), 2.5% (17.0°±8.9°), 1.9% (15.8°±5.9°), 1.3% (15.5°±6.6°), 2.1% (18.0°±13.6°), 2.9% (14.3°±3.6°), and 6.1% (16.2°±4.8°), respectively. The mean curvature in all scoliosis patients was 16.0°±7.0°. The angle of the curve was significantly different by sex (15.4°±7.1° for males, 16.8°±7.6° for females). The average curve angle of patients with thoracic scoliosis was 16.0°±7.0°, among whom it was 10°–20° in 533 patients, 20°–30° in 64, 30°–40° in 11, and over 40° in 13. CONCLUSIONS This study could be used as a reference point for the study and treatment of thoracic scoliosis.

BACKGROUND: A prolonged-release formulation of oxycodone/naloxone has been shown to be effective in European populations for the management of chronic moderate to severe pain. However, no clinical data exist for its use in Korean patients. The objective of this study was to assess efficacy and safety of prolonged-release oxycodone/naloxone in Korean patients for management of chronic moderate-to-severe pain. METHODS: In this multicenter, single-arm, open-label, phase IV study, Korean adults with moderate-to-severe spinal disorder-related pain that was not satisfactorily controlled with weak opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs received prolonged-release oral oxycodone/naloxone at a starting dose of 10/5 mg/day (maximum 80/40 mg/day) for 8 weeks. Changes in pain intensity and quality of life (QoL) were measured using a numeric rating scale (NRS, 0–10) and the Korean-language EuroQol-five dimensions questionnaire, respectively. RESULTS: Among 209 patients assessed for efficacy, the mean NRS pain score was reduced by 25.9% between baseline and week 8 of treatment (p < 0.0001). There was also a significant improvement in QoL from baseline to week 8 (p < 0.0001). The incidence of adverse drug reactions was 27.7%, the most common being nausea, constipation, and dizziness; 77.9% of these adverse drug reactions had resolved or were resolving at the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged-release oxycodone/naloxone provided significant and clinically relevant reductions in pain intensity and improved QoL in Korean patients with chronic spinal disorders. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01811238)
Adult ; Analgesia ; Analgesics, Opioid ; Chronic Pain* ; Constipation ; Dizziness ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; Humans ; Incidence ; Nausea ; Quality of Life ; Spine

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the factors related to the incidence of a new fracture in an adjacent vertebra after kyphoplasty for single vertebral body fracture due to osteoporosis and to assess the impact of such factors on patients' survival rate. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: It is controversial whether fracture of an adjacent vertebra after kyphoplasty is due to the natural course of osteoporosis or as a complication of kyphoplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From December 2006 to December 2016, among 490 cases of kyphoplasty for single vertebral body fracture due to osteoporosis, 153 cases were analyzed retrospectively. The survival rate was analyzed based on age, gender, body mass index (BMI), fracture level, leakage of cement, amount of cement, compression rate, recovery rate, bone density, osteoporotic medication rate and compliance, existence of a compression fracture, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking habit. The average follow-up duration was 15.1 months (range, 1 month to 8 years and 8 months) and the mean age was 74.4 years (range, 54–93 years). RESULTS: A new fracture in an adjacent vertebral body occurred in 27 cases (17.3%). The 1-year survival rate was 82.6%, the 2-year survival rate was 72.5%, and the 6-year survival rate was 53.7%. The survival rate was significantly higher in patients younger than 75 years (p=0.0495). The survival rate was also significantly higher in patients with a preoperative vertebral bone density greater than −3.7 and hip bone density greater than −2.2 (p < 0.0001, p=0.0114). The survival rate was significantly higher in patients with a BMI greater than 18.1 kg/m2 at the time of surgery (p=0.0014). Furthermore, the survival rate was significantly higher in patients with a postoperative recovery of vertebral height of 14% or less (p=0.0031). In addition, the survival rate was higher in patients without a compression fracture before surgery (p=0.0297). In multiple factor analysis, vertebral bone density (p=0.0049) and age (p=0.0408) were identified as statistically significant factors. CONCLUSIONS: The survival rate was significantly lower at 1, 2, and 6 years in patients with an adjacent vertebral fracture. The most crucial factors affecting the survival rate were age and vertebral bone density.
Body Mass Index ; Bone Density ; Compliance ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Kyphoplasty ; Osteoporosis ; Pelvic Bones ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Spine ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the factors related to the incidence of a new fracture in an adjacent vertebra after kyphoplasty for single vertebral body fracture due to osteoporosis and to assess the impact of such factors on patients' survival rate.SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: It is controversial whether fracture of an adjacent vertebra after kyphoplasty is due to the natural course of osteoporosis or as a complication of kyphoplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From December 2006 to December 2016, among 490 cases of kyphoplasty for single vertebral body fracture due to osteoporosis, 153 cases were analyzed retrospectively. The survival rate was analyzed based on age, gender, body mass index (BMI), fracture level, leakage of cement, amount of cement, compression rate, recovery rate, bone density, osteoporotic medication rate and compliance, existence of a compression fracture, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking habit. The average follow-up duration was 15.1 months (range, 1 month to 8 years and 8 months) and the mean age was 74.4 years (range, 54–93 years). RESULTS: A new fracture in an adjacent vertebral body occurred in 27 cases (17.3%). The 1-year survival rate was 82.6%, the 2-year survival rate was 72.5%, and the 6-year survival rate was 53.7%. The survival rate was significantly higher in patients younger than 75 years (p=0.0495). The survival rate was also significantly higher in patients with a preoperative vertebral bone density greater than −3.7 and hip bone density greater than −2.2 (p < 0.0001, p=0.0114). The survival rate was significantly higher in patients with a BMI greater than 18.1 kg/m2 at the time of surgery (p=0.0014). Furthermore, the survival rate was significantly higher in patients with a postoperative recovery of vertebral height of 14% or less (p=0.0031). In addition, the survival rate was higher in patients without a compression fracture before surgery (p=0.0297). In multiple factor analysis, vertebral bone density (p=0.0049) and age (p=0.0408) were identified as statistically significant factors. CONCLUSIONS The survival rate was significantly lower at 1, 2, and 6 years in patients with an adjacent vertebral fracture. The most crucial factors affecting the survival rate were age and vertebral bone density.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the factors affecting the incidence of new vertebral fractures and the survival rate associated with the occurrence of a new fracture in an adjacent vertebra after vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty for single-vertebral body fracture due to osteoporosis. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: It is controversial whether adjacent-vertebra fractures after vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty are due to the natural course of osteoporosis or are a complication of vertebroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From May 2002 to January 2010, among 490 cases of vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty for the fracture of a single vertebral body due to osteoporosis, 250 cases were analyzed retrospectively, and a survival rate analysis was performed based on the incidence of a new fracture in an adjacent vertebral body. The survival rate analysis was conducted based on age at the time of surgery, gender, surgical method, leakage of cement into the vertebral disc, compression rate before surgery, recovery of vertebral height after surgery, bone density before surgery, surgeon, the presence of diabetes, and smoking. The average follow-up period was 13.8 months (range, 1 month to 7 years and 11 months) and the mean age at the time of surgery was 72.1 years (range, 47-92 years). RESULTS: Among the 250 cases, a new fracture in an adjacent vertebral body occurred in 30 cases (12%). The 1-year survival rate of patients undergoing vertebroplastry or kyphoplasty for a vertebral fracture was 88.4%, the 5-year rate was 66.8%, and the 7-year rate was 53.5%. When the cases were analyzed according to whether the patient's age at the time of surgery was under or over 70 years, the survival rate was significantly higher in the under-70 group (p=0.026). Moreover, when analyzing the survival rate using a 3% vertebral height recovery rate after surgery as baseline, the group that showed 3% or less had a significantly higher survival rate (p=0.04); moreover, the survival rate was significantly higher in patients with a bone density higher than −3.6 (p=0.046). In multiple factor analysis, age at the time of surgery (p=0.022) and the vertebral height recovery rate after surgery (p=0.046) were found to be statistically significant factors. CONCLUSIONS: The survival rate associated with a new fracture in an adjacent vertebra after vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty for osteoporotic compression fractures was significantly decreased at 1, 5, and 7 years. Based on the survival rate analysis, the most crucial factors were age and the vertebral height recovery rate after surgery.
Bone Density ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Kyphoplasty* ; Methods ; Osteoporosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Spine* ; Survival Analysis* ; Survival Rate ; Vertebroplasty*

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical outcomes of distal hook augmentation using a pedicle screw in thoracolumbar fusion in elderly patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective multicenter study recruited 20 patients aged 65 years or older, who underwent anterior support and long level posterior fusion in the thoracolumbar junction with a follow-up of one year. To assess the effect of distal hook augmentation, the patients were divided into two groups; the pedicle screw with hook group (PH group, n=10) and the pedicle screw alone group (PA group, n=10). RESULTS: The average age was 72.4 years (65–83 years). The average fusion segment was 4.6 segments (3–6 segments). There were no significant differences in age, sex, causative diseases, bone mineral density of lumbar and proximal femur, number of patients with osteoporosis, and number of fused segments between the two groups (p≥0.05). At 1 year follow-up after surgery, parameters related with distal screw pullout were significantly worse in the PA group. No patients in the PH group had distal screw pullout. However, six patients (60%, 6/10) in the PA group had distal screw pullout. There were no significant differences in the progression of distal junctional kyphosis between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Distal hook augmentation is an effective procedure in protecting distal pedicle screws against the pullout when long level thoracolumbar fusion was performed in elderly patients aged 65 years or older.
Aged* ; Bone Diseases ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Kyphosis ; Miners ; Osteoporosis ; Pedicle Screws* ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion

PURPOSE: To evaluate the risk factors for subsequent vertebral fracture following acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a multicenter retrospective study. We recruited 135 patients treated for acute osteoporotic compression fracture with available spine image taken at the 1-year follow-up mark in 3 different hospitals. The patients were divided into 2 groups in accordance with the occurrence of subsequent vertebral fracture. Variables including age, sex, bone mineral density, medical comorbidity, acute fracture level, presence of prior vertebral fracture, osteoporosis medication, and treatment method were analyzed and compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The new subsequent vertebral fractures were detected in 25 patients (18.5%). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups with respect to age, sex, medical comorbidity, presence of prior vertebral fracture, and acute fracture level, as shown by univariate analysis. However, in the group with subsequent vertebral fracture, more patients were treated by vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty and had a femur neck T-score of ≤-2.5, as well as poor compliance of osteoporosis medication with significant difference (p<0.05). According to the multivariate analysis, subsequent vertebral fractures were significantly influenced by vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty (p=0.003, odds ratio=4.71) and femur neck T-score of ≤-2.5 (p=0.013, odds ratio=3.47). CONCLUSION: Subsequent vertebral fractures were found in 19% at the 1-year mark after the treatment of acute osteoporotic compression fracture. The two risk factors for subsequent vertebral fractures were vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty and femur neck T-score of ≤-2.5.
Bone Density ; Comorbidity ; Compliance ; Femur Neck ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Compression* ; Humans ; Kyphoplasty ; Methods ; Multivariate Analysis ; Osteoporosis ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Spinal Fractures ; Spine ; Vertebroplasty

The drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptom (DRESS) syndrome is a severe adverse drug-induced reaction which includes a severe skin eruption, fever, hematologic abnormalities (eosinophilia or atypical lymphocytes) and internal organ involvement. The most frequently reported drug was anticonvulsants. The diagnosis of DRESS syndrome is challenging because the pattern of cutaneous eruption and the types of organs involved are various. The treatments for DRESS syndrome are culprit drug withdrawal and corticosteroids. Here we report a 71-year-old man with skin eruption with eosinophilia and hepatic and renal involvement that appeared 4 weeks after he had taken anti-tuberculosis drugs (isoniazid, ethambutol, rifampicin, and pyrazinamide), and resolved after stopping anti-tuberculosis drugs and the administration of systemic corticosteroids. DRESS recurred after re-challenging isoniazid, we identified isoniazid was causative drug.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Aged ; Anticonvulsants ; Diagnosis ; Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome ; Eosinophilia* ; Ethambutol ; Fever ; Humans ; Isoniazid* ; Rifampin ; Skin ; Tuberculosis