The Clinical Usefulness of Preoperative Imaging Studies to Select Pathologic Level in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: Comparative Analysis of Three-Position MRI and Post-Myelographic CT.

Aim: To compare the accuracy of determining pathologic segment between three-position MRI (3P-MRI) and post-myelographic CT (PMCT) in cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) by assessing the degree of inter-observer and intra-observer agreement.

Material And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 3P-MRI and PMCT for the diagnosis of multilevel CSM in 136 patients who underwent surgery. Using an assessment scale, 8 blind observers with various clinical experiences examined 5 parameters: spinal canal narrowing, foraminal stenosis, bony abnormality, intervertebral disc herniation, and nerve root compression.

Intrinsic Correlation between Electronic Structure and Degradation: From Few-Layer to Bulk Black Phosphorus.

Black phosphorus (BP) has received much attention owing to its fascinating properties, such as a high carrier mobility and tunable band gap. However, these advantages have been overshadowed by the fast degradation of BP under ambient conditions. To overcome this obstacle, the exact degradation mechanisms need to be unveiled.

Contralateral Sublaminar Endoscopic Approach for Removal of Lumbar Juxtafacet Cysts Using Percutaneous Biportal Endoscopic Surgery: Technical Report and Preliminary Results.

Background: Use of a contralateral sublaminar endoscopic approach may minimize facet violation and better visualize the dura and cystic lesions during operation. The aim of this study was to introduce a surgical technique for contralateral sublaminar endoscopic removal of lumbar juxtafacet cysts using a percutaneous biportal endoscopic approach.

Methods: Ten cases of lumbar juxtafacet cyst were consecutively treated via a contralateral sublaminar endoscopic approach using percutaneous biportal endoscopic surgery.

Endoscope-Assisted Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion with Computed Tomography-Guided, Image-Navigated Unilateral Cortical Bone Trajectory Screw Fixation in Managing Adjacent Segment Disease in L5/S1: Technical Note.

Objective: We sought to describe a novel technique in managing a patient with adjacent segment disease at the L5/S1 level.

Methods: We performed an endoscope-assisted anterior lumbar interbody fusion with computed tomography-guided, image-navigated unilateral cortical bone trajectory screw fixation to treat L5/S1 intervertebral disk pathology.

Results: Patient was successfully treated by a direct endoscopic decompression through the anterior access, interbody fusion using an anterior lumbar interbody fusion cage, unilateral cortical bone trajectory instrumentation under computed tomography-guided image navigation.

Direct Thermal Growth of Large Scale Cl-doped CdTe Film for Low Voltage High Resolution X-ray Image Sensor.

Polycrystalline cadmium telluride (CdTe) X-ray photodetector with advanced performance was fabricated in a Schottky diode form by direct thermal deposition (evaporation) on pixelized complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) readout panel. Our CdTe X-ray detector shows such a variety of benefits as relatively low process temperature, low cost, low operation voltage less than 40 V, and higher sensitivity and spatial resolution than those of commercial a-Se detectors. CdTe has cubic Zinc Blende structure and maintains p-type conduction after growth in general.

Dimensions of the spinous process and interspinous space: a morphometric study.

Purpose: To measure the morphological dimensions of the spinous process (SP) and interspinous space, and provide a basis for the development of interspinous devices for the Korean or East Asian populations.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the anatomical parameters of 120 patients. The parameters included height, length, and width of SP, interspinous distance (supine, standing, and dynamic), cortical thickness of SP, and spino-laminar (S-L) angle.

Delayed Infected Pseudomeningocele After Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Diskectomy.

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar diskectomy (PELD) has evolved over the last decades and has become an effective treatment for soft disk herniations. However, while its use increases, newer complications have been discovered.

Case Description: We present the unique case of a woman who underwent PELD/foraminotomy to treat right-side foraminal disk herniations on L4-5 and L5-S1 in the same procedure.

Clinical and Radiologic Outcomes of Direct Versus Indirect Decompression with Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Matched-Pair Comparison Analysis.

Objective: To compare the radiologic and clinical outcomes between oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) without laminectomy and minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF).

Methods: This was a retrospective study. Between April 2012 and January 2017, 25 patients in each of the MI-TLIF and OLIF groups were recruited as matched pairs.

Percutaneous endoscopic transpedicular approach for high-grade down-migrated lumbar disc herniations.

Background: Surgical options for removing high-grade down-migrated lumbar disc herniations located medial to the pedicle include an extensive laminectomy and facetectomy. A direct percutaneous endoscopic approach through the pedicle for reaching the herniated disc without risk of iatrogenic instability is feasible.

Method: The transpedicular approach consists of creating a tunnel through the pedicle.

Biportal Endoscopic Decompression of Exiting and Traversing Nerve Roots Through a Single Interlaminar Window Using a Contralateral Approach: Technical Feasibilities and Morphometric Changes of the Lumbar Canal and Foramen.

Background: Endoscopic surgery for lumbar stenosis is gaining acceptance because of the minimal muscle damage, short recovery times, reduced blood loss, and good clinical results. We report a novel technique of decompressing contralateral traversing and exiting nerve roots through a single interlaminar window, avoiding separate incision for foraminal decompression with minimal damage to facet joints and comparing morphometric changes after decompression.

Methods: Between March and December 2017, 30 patients were evaluated retrospectively for clinical, radiologic, and morphometric outcomes.

Time Course of Radiologic Changes After Lumbar Total Disc Replacement: Experience of Single Institute With Minimum 5-Year Follow-up.

Study Design: This was a retrospective observatory analysis study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term safety and therapeutic effectiveness of the lumbar total disc replacement (TDR) using ProDisc-L by analyzing the radiologic changes at the index and adjacent levels in minimum 5-year follow-up.

Summary Of Background Data: Early successful clinical results of lumbar TDR have been reported.

Correction to: Outcomes of oblique lateral interbody fusion for degenerative lumbar disease in patients under or over 65 years of age.

In the original publication of this article [1] is an error in the Results section in the first paragraph in regards to a patient value introduced.

Complications on minimally invasive oblique lumbar interbody fusion at L2-L5 levels: a review of the literature and surgical strategies.

Fusion is the cornerstone in the treatment of an unstable degenerative lumbar spinal disease. Various techniques have been developed. Amongst these techniques exists the oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF), which is the ante-psoas approach.

Percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy: a technical review.

The treatment of cervical disc herniations has evolved in the last 2 decades. While the anterior cervical discectomy and fusion continues being the gold standard for the treatment of radicular pain triggered by cervical disc herniation, other surgical approaches have been developed. Percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy has demonstrated the ability to decompress the exiting nerve root and dural sac correctly and encouraging clinical outcomes has been reported in the literature.

Optimization of treatment planning workflow and tumor coverage during daily adaptive magnetic resonance image guided radiation therapy (MR-IGRT) of pancreatic cancer.

Background: To simplify the adaptive treatment planning workflow while achieving the optimal tumor-dose coverage in pancreatic cancer patients undergoing daily adaptive magnetic resonance image guided radiation therapy (MR-IGRT).

Methods: In daily adaptive MR-IGRT, the plan objective function constructed during simulation is used for plan re-optimization throughout the course of treatment. In this study, we have constructed the initial objective functions using two methods for 16 pancreatic cancer patients treated with the ViewRay™ MR-IGRT system: 1) the conventional method that handles the stomach, duodenum, small bowel, and large bowel as separate organs at risk (OARs) and 2) the OAR grouping method.

Outcomes of oblique lateral interbody fusion for degenerative lumbar disease in patients under or over 65 years of age.

Background: Oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) offers the solution to problems of anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) and lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF). However, OLIF technique for degenerative spinal diseases of elderly patients has been rarely reported. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical and radiological results of OLIF technique for degenerative spinal diseases in patients under or over 65 years of age.

Optimal dose reduction algorithm using an attenuation-based tube current modulation method for cone-beam CT imaging.

To reduce the radiation dose given to patients, a tube current modulation (TCM) method has been widely used in diagnostic CT systems. However, the TCM method has not yet been applied to a kV-CBCT system on a LINAC machine. The purpose of this study is to investigate if a TCM method would be desirable in a kV-CBCT system for image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) or not.

Vertical and In-Plane Current Devices Using NbS/n-MoS van der Waals Schottky Junction and Graphene Contact.

A van der Waals (vdW) Schottky junction between two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) is introduced here for both vertical and in-plane current devices: Schottky diodes and metal semiconductor field-effect transistors (MESFETs). The Schottky barrier between conducting NbS and semiconducting n-MoS appeared to be as large as ∼0.5 eV due to their work-function difference.

Anterior transcorporeal tunnel approach for cervical myelopathy guided by CT-based intraoperative spinal navigation: Technical note.

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is the most common degenerative disease of the spine in elderly patients. Although there are several surgical options for the treatment of this disease, minimally invasive techniques for localized decompression of the true clinical generator of the patient's disease has revolutionized spinal surgery recently. This article presents an alternate application of the anterior transcorporeal tunnel approach in combination with computed tomography (CT)-based intraoperative navigation in the treatment of patients with cervical myelopathy secondary to spondylosis.

Generation of polychromatic projection for dedicated breast computed tomography simulation using anthropomorphic numerical phantom.

Numerical simulations are fundamental to the development of medical imaging systems because they can save time and effort in research and development. In this study, we developed a method of creating the virtual projection images that are necessary to study dedicated breast computed tomography (BCT) systems. Anthropomorphic software breast phantoms of the conventional compression type were synthesized and redesigned to meet the requirements of dedicated BCT systems.

Severe Spinal Cord Compression by Pure Giant Intradural Schwannoma of Cervical Spine.

Giant intradural extramedullary schwannoma of the cervical spine usually causes severe spinal cord compression. This type of tumor has a low incidence. Patients present progressive loss of strength and other functions of the spinal cord.

Monte Carlo simulation of secondary neutron dose for scanning proton therapy using FLUKA.

Proton therapy is a rapidly progressing field for cancer treatment. Globally, many proton therapy facilities are being commissioned or under construction. Secondary neutrons are an important issue during the commissioning process of a proton therapy facility.

Clinical outcomes of multileaf collimator-based CyberKnife for spine stereotactic body radiation therapy.

Objective: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for spinal metastases is becoming a prevalent therapeutic option. We aimed to evaluate the clinical feasibility and outcomes of the recently developed multileaf collimator (MLC)-based CyberKnife (CK-M) for spine SBRT.

Methods: We reviewed 119 patients of 144 cases with 229 lesions treated with CK between November 2014 and March 2016.

Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy: minimally invasive technique for multiple episodes of lumbar disc herniation.

Backgrounds: Although open lumbar discectomy is a gold standard surgical technique for lumbar disc herniation (LDH), surgery-induced tissue injury may actually become a source of postsurgical pain. Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) is introduced as a minimal invasive spinal technique for LDH. The PELD has gained popularity and shown successful results.

Clinical and radiological outcomes of spinal endoscopic discectomy-assisted oblique lumbar interbody fusion: preliminary results.

OBJECTIVE Direct neural decompression cannot be achieved by performing lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF). To overcome the indirect decompressive effect of LLIF, additional endoscopic discectomy with oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) has been attempted. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical and radiological outcomes of patients who underwent OLIF with additional endoscopic discectomy.