Percutaneous Epidural Neuroplasty for Symptomatic Lumbar Juxtafacet Cysts.

The term "Juxtafacet cyst" refers to both synovial cysts and ganglion pseudocysts associated with the lumbar facet joint. As conservative treatment for the juxtafacet cyst has a minimal effect, complete excision through surgery is considered the first choice of treatment. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the clinical outcomes of percutaneous epidural neuroplasty for symptomatic lumbar juxtafacet cysts.

Manipulating the Cathodic Modification Effect on Corrosion Resistance of High Corrosion-Resistant Titanium Alloy.

Further improving the corrosion resistance of the ASTM Grade 13 (Gr13) titanium alloy was achieved by manipulating the cathodic modification effect. The cathodic modification of Gr13 was mainly related to the TiNi precipitate, where minor Ru was contained and controlled the precipitate in terms of size and distribution, which could manipulate the cathodic modification effect. Parameters such as temperature and cooling rate during the recrystallization process were designed to control precipitation behavior, where the temperature at 850 °C was selected to allow the full dissolution of the TiNi precipitate.

Effects of Upper-Body Flexibility Exercise on Golf Performance of Amateur Female Golfer: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND We investigated the effects of the upper-body flexibility exercises on the golf performance of a female amateur golfer. CASE REPORT The participant was a 43-year-old woman who performed a general golf swing exercise (30 min) and an upper-body flexibility exercise (20 min) 3 times a week, for a total of 6 times in 2 weeks. The maximum rotation angle of the upper body was measured using a goniometer.

Effect of Iron Content on Corrosion Properties of Pure Titanium as Grain Refiner.

Microstructures and corrosion properties of pure titanium were characterized when iron was used as a grain refiner. The added Fe element acted as a strong grain refiner for pure titanium by forming β Ti phase at grain boundaries, and 0.15 wt% Fe was revealed to be a sufficient amount to make the grain size of pure titanium below 20 μm, which was the requirement for the desired titanium cathode.

The Influence of Comorbidities on Reoperations Following Primary Surgery of Lumbar Degenerative Diseases : A Nationwide Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study from 2009-2016.

Objective: Spinal degeneration is a progressive disease, worsening over time. Lumbar degenerative disease (LDD) is a major spinal disease in elderly patients. Surgical treatment is considered for medically intractable patients with LDD and reoperation after primary surgery is not uncommon.

Spark Plasma Sintering Behavior of Nb-Mo-Si Alloy Powders Fabricated by Hydrogenation-Dehydrogenation Method.

In this study, the sintering behaviors of Nb-6Mo-20Si-3Cr (at percentage) in situ composite powders were studied. The Nb alloy powder was fabricated by a hydrogenation-dehydrogenation method, and both the alloy ingot and powders consisted of two phases: An Nb metal phase and the α-NbSi phase. Consolidation of the alloy powders was performed at 1500, 1600, and 1700 °C using spark plasma sintering, and the microstructures and phases formed at various sintering temperatures were analyzed.

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease in the temporomandibular joint: diagnosis and treatment.

Background: Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease (CPDD) is a rare disease in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) space. It forms a calcified crystal mass and induces a limitation of joint movement.

Case Presentation: The calcified mass in our case was occupied in the left TMJ area and extended to the infratemporal and middle cranial fossa.

Predictors of Reoperation after Microdecompression in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.

Objective: The risk factors of reoperation after microdecompression (MD) for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) are unclear. In this study, we presented the outcomes of MD for degenerative LSS and investigated the risk factors associated with reoperation.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted using the clinical records and radiographs of patients with LSS who underwent MD.

Long-Term Outcome of Posterior Cervical Inclinatory Foraminotomy.

Objective: A modified surgical technique of posterior cervical foramintomy called posterior cervical inclinatory foraminotomy (PCIF) was introduced in previous preliminary article. PCIF allows better preservation of facet joint and capsule than conventional techniques. The authors conducted a study to investigate long-term outcomes of PCIF.

Strain Sensing Characteristics of Rubbery Carbon Nanotube Composite for Flexible Sensors.

In this study, the piezoresistive properties of CNT (Carbon Nanotube)/EPDM composite are characterized for the applications of a flexible sensor. The CNT/EPDM composites were prepared by using a Brabender mixer with MWCNT (Multi-walled Carbon Nanotube) and organoclay. The static and quasi-dynamic voltage output responses of the composite sensor were also experimentally studied and were compared with those of a conventional foil strain gage.

Review of stereotactic radiosurgery for intramedullary spinal lesions.

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SR) represents an increasingly utilized modality in the treatment of intracranial and extracranial pathologies. Stereotactic spine radiosurgery (SSR) uses an alternative strategy to increase the probability of local control by delivering large cumulative doses of radiation therapy (RT) in only a few fractions. SSR in the treatment of intramedullary lesions remains in its infancy-this review summarizes the current literature regarding the use of SSR for treating intramedullary spinal lesions.

Evaluation of simultaneous cranioplasty and ventriculoperitoneal shunt procedures.

Object: Some patients with severe brain swelling treated with decompressive craniectomy may develop hydrocephalus. Consequently, these patients require cranioplasty and a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt to relieve the hydrocephalus. However, there is no consensus as to the timing of the cranioplasty and VP shunt placement in patients requiring both.

Minimum 3-year outcomes in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis after bilateral microdecompression by unilateral or bilateral laminotomy.

Objective: Lumbar spine stenosis (LSS) can result in symptomatic compression of the neural elements, requiring surgical treatment if conservative management fails. Minimally invasive surgery has come to be more commonly used for the treatment of LSS. The current study describes outcomes of bilateral microdecompression by unilateral or bilateral laminotomy (BML) for degenerative LSS after a minimum follow-up period of 3 years and investigates factors that result in a poor outcome.

Effect of the initial structure on the electrical property of crystalline silicon films deposited on glass by hot-wire chemical vapor deposition.

Crystalline silicon films on an inexpensive glass substrate are currently prepared by depositing an amorphous silicon film and then crystallizing it by excimer laser annealing, rapid thermal annealing, or metal-induced crystallization because crystalline silicon films cannot be directly deposited on glass at a low temperature. It was recently shown that by adding HCI gas in the hot-wire chemical vapor deposition (HWCVD) process, the crystalline silicon film can be directly deposited on a glass substrate without additional annealing. The electrical properties of silicon films prepared using a gas mixture of SiH4 and HCl in the HWCVD process could be further improved by controlling the initial structure, which was achieved by adjusting the delay time in deposition.

The management of vertebral artery injury in anterior cervical spine operation: a systematic review of published cases.

Purpose: Anterior cervical spine operations (ACSO) are generally considered to be safe and effective, but the vertebral artery (VA) is at risk during the procedure. Because the consequences of VA injury can be catastrophic, properly managing a VA injury is very important. However, due to the rarity of these injuries, there is no agreed upon treatment strategy.

Stereotactic radiosurgery for central neurocytoma: a quantitative systematic review.

Central neurocytoma was originally described as a rare benign neuronal tumor. However, progression and local recurrences after surgery are well recognized. Stereotactic radiosurgery is another option for treatment of CN.

N-type crystalline silicon films free of amorphous silicon deposited on glass by HCl addition using hot wire chemical vapour deposition.

Since n-type crystalline silicon films have the electric property much better than those of hydrogenated amorphous and microcrystalline silicon films, they can enhance the performance of advanced electronic devices such as solar cells and thin film transistors (TFTs). Since the formation of amorphous silicon is unavoidable in the low temperature deposition of microcrystalline silicon on a glass substrate at temperatures less than 550 degrees C in the plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition and hot wire chemical vapour deposition (HWCVD), crystalline silicon films have not been deposited directly on a glass substrate but fabricated by the post treatment of amorphous silicon films. In this work, by adding the HCl gas, amorphous silicon-free n-type crystalline silicon films could be deposited directly on a glass substrate by HWCVD.

Idiopathic thoracic epidural lipomatosis with chest pain.

Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) is an overgrowth of the normally encapsulated adipose tissue in the epidural space around the spinal cord in the thoracic and lumbar spine causing compression of the neural components. Idiopathic SEL in non-obese patients is exceptional. Idiopathic SEL can result in thoracic myelopathy and lumbar radiculopathy.

Posterior cervical inclinatory foraminotomy for spondylotic radiculopathy preliminary.

Posterior cervical foraminotomy is an attractive therapeutic option in selected cases of cervical radiculopathy that maintains cervical range of motion and minimize adjacent-segment degeneration. The focus of this procedure is to preserve as much of the facet as possible with decompression. Posterior cervical inclinatory foraminotomy (PCIF) is a new technique developed to offer excellent results by inclinatory decompression with minimal facet resection.

Morphometric study of the nerve roots around the lateral mass for posterior foraminotomy.

Objective: Morphometric data on dorsal cervical anatomy were examined in an effort to protect the nerve root near the lateral mass during posterior foraminotomy.

Methods: Using 25 adult formalin-fixed cadaveric cervical spines, measurements were taken at the lateral mass from C3 to C7 via a total laminectomy and a medial one-half facetectomy. The morphometric relationship between the nerve roots and structures of the lateral mass was investigated.

Morphometric study of the korean adult pituitary glands and the diaphragma sellae.

Objective: To investigate the morphometric characteristics of the pituitary gland and diaphragma sellae in Korean adults.

Methods: Using the 33 formaline fixed adult cadavers (23 male, 10 female), the measurements were taken at the diaphragma sellae and pituitary gland. The authors investigated the relationship between dura and structures surrounding pituitary gland, morphometric aspects of pituitary gland and stalk, and morphometric aspect of central opening of diaphragma sellae.

A morphometric aspect of the brachial plexus in the periclavicular region.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the normal morphometric landmarks of the uniting and dividing points of the brachial plexus (BP) in the periclavicular region to provide useful guidance in surgery of BP injuries.

Methods: A total of 20 brachial plexuses were obtained from 10 adult, formalin-fixed cadavers. Distances were measured on the basis of the Chassaignac tubercle (CT), and the most lateral margin of the BP (LMBP) crossing the superior and inferior edge of the clavicle.

Clinical factors for the development of posttraumatic hydrocephalus after decompressive craniectomy.

Objective: Earlier reports have revealed that the incidence of posttraumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) is higher among patients who underwent decompressive craniectomy (DC). The aim of this study was to determine the influencing factors for the development of PTH after DC.

Methods: A total of 693 head trauma patients admitted in our hospital between March 2004 and May 2007 were reviewed.

Surgical approaches to paraspinal nerve sheath tumors.

Object: The goal of this study was to analyze the results of surgical treatment of paraspinal nerve sheath tumors (NSTs) and review the surgical approaches to paraspinal NSTs.

Methods: A retrospective review of the cases of paraspinal NSTs treated surgically by two senior authors during the period between 1970 and 2006 was undertaken. Surgical approaches that allow minimal disruption of normal anatomy and are aimed at complete resection of paraspinal lesions and preservation of spinal stability are reviewed according to the spinal level.