BackgroundDiffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is characterized by ossification of the enthesis. The diagnosis has been mainly based on the chest or whole spine lateral plain film. Recently, chest or thoracolumbar computed tomography (CT) has been reported to be more reliable for the diagnosis of DISH. The purposes of this study were to investigate the prevalence and location of DISH and evaluate the prevalence of comorbidities, such as ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF), using whole spine CT.MethodsWhole spine CT scans of patients over 16 years of age who were examined at Cheju Halla General Hospital between February 2011 and December 2016 were reviewed for this study. The diagnosis of DISH was made according to the modified Resnick criteria. The prevalence of DISH in each age decade and its location were evaluated. Also, the prevalence of OPLL and OLF in DISH patients was investigated.ResultsThe overall incidence of DISH was 24.4% (40 of 164 cases). There was no case of DISH in patients in their 40s and younger. The percentile incidences of DISH in patients in their fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth decades were 20.0% (4 of 20 cases), 32.3% (10 of 31 cases), 40.0% (10 of 25 cases), 34.5% (10 of 29 cases), and 27.3% (6 of 22 cases), respectively. A strong positive correlation between the age decade and the incidence of DISH was noted (r = 0.853, p = 0.007). DISH patients had higher incidences of OLF (22.5%) and OPLL (37.5%). The most common location of DISH was the middle thoracic spine (90.0%) followed by the lower thoracic spine (87.5%). There was one case of DISH involving only the cervical spine.ConclusionsThe incidence of DISH diagnosed by CT was higher than we expected. Whole spine CT can be a valuable modality to evaluate the location of DISH in the cervical and lumbar spine and the comorbidity rates of OLF and OPLL.

BackgroundThe sacrococcygeal morphology of Arabs and Europeans has been studied using computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging to determine the cause of coccydynia. Studies have suggested differences in sacrococcygeal morphology among ethnic groups. However, there are no data on the sacrococcygeal anatomy of Koreans.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of 606 pelvic CT scans that were taken at Cheju Halla General Hospital between 2008 and 2014. Fractures of the sacrum or coccyx were excluded. Differences in the sacrococcygeal morphology among age groups stratified by decade of life and between genders were analyzed using sagittal plane pelvic CT scans. The morphological parameters studied were the sacral and coccygeal curved indexes, sacrococcygeal angle, intercoccygeal angle, coccygeal type, coccygeal segmental number, and sacrococcygeal fusion.ResultsThe average sacral and coccygeal curved indexes were 6.15 and 7.41, respectively. The average sacrococcygeal and intercoccygeal angles were 110° and 49°, respectively. Type II coccyx was most common, and the rate of sacrococcygeal fusion was 34%. There was a moderate positive correlation between age and the sacral curved index (r = 0.493, p = 0.000) and a weak negative correlation between age and the coccyx curved index (r = −0.257, p = 0.000). There was a weak negative correlation between age and the intercoccygeal angle (r = −0.187, p = 0.000). The average intercoccygeal angle in males and females was 53.9° and 44.7°, respectively.ConclusionsThe sacrum tended to be more curved and the coccyx straighter with age. The coccyx was straighter in females than males. Knowledge of the sacrococcygeal anatomy of Koreans will promote better understanding of anatomical differences among ethnicities and future studies on coccydynia.

Study DesignA prospective analysis of an adaptive change of the spinopelvic alignment after total knee arthroplasty.PurposeTo evaluate the effect of correction of the contractured knee in flexion on the spinopelvic alignment by total knee arthroplasty.Overview of LiteratureFlexion contracture of the knee joint may affect the body posture and precipitate the symptoms in the lumbar spine, which is known as the 'knee-spine syndrome'.MethodsFifteen patients who could be followed at least over 12 months were used in this study. Neutral whole spine lateral standing radiograms taken at certain intervals were analyzed. The subjects were divided into two groups (group A, the patients who obtained over 10° correction; group B, the others). The sacral slope, the pelvic tilt and the pelvic incidence were measured preoperatively and at 12 months and thereafter postoperatively in all the patients. Also, the thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, and lumbosacral angle were measured, including the spinal sagittal balance, S1 overhang and spino-sacral angle.ResultsThe average correction of the contractured knee in flexion were 13.8° in group A and 2.7° in group B. The median of changes of the sacral slope were 4.2° in group A and -0.4° in group B. These results revealed that there was a significant increase of the sacral slope for group A (p=0.001). However, there were no significant differences between the other parameters.ConclusionsThe sacral slope appears to be affected by the change of the flexion contracture after total knee arthroplasty.

BackgroundIntertrochanteric fractures of the femur are the most common type of fracture, and are an increasing occurrence due to the aging of the population. The objectives of our study are to predict the fate of intertrochanteric fractures treated with intramedullary hip nails by assessing the postoperative fracture stability utilizing the newly developed scoring system, and to help rehabilitate these patients.MethodsEighty-two patients with intertrochanteric fractures that were treated with intramedullary hip nails between December, 2004 and January, 2011 were subjected to this study. The patients who could be followed for a minimum of one year postoperatively were enrolled. The immediate postoperative conditions were determined by radiograms: reduction status (3 parameters/4 points: contact accuracy of posteromedial cortex, severity of angulation, and distraction), fixation status (3 parameters/3 points: tip-apex distance, location of tip of the lag screw, entry point of the intramedullary nail), and fracture type (1 parameter/1 point: stable or unstable type by the Kyle's classification). Postoperative reduction loss and fixation failure were checked by radiograms taken at a minimum 3 months postoperative.ResultsReduction loss and fixation failure were observed in 14 consecutive patients (17%). The fixation failure rate was 100% (2 patients) in score 1, 60% (3 out of the 5 patients) in score 2, 39% (3 out of the 8 patients) in score 3, and 50% (4 out of the 8 patients) in score 4 groups. There were fixation failures only in 1 out of 13 patients with score 5, and in 1 out of 18 patients with score 6. There was no fixation failure in 17 patients with score 7 and 11 patients with score 8.ConclusionsMaintenance of the fracture reduction by the stable fixation in the patient scores over 5 could be predicted by the postoperative radiograms.

BackgroundTo assess the preoperative nutritional status of patients with various disorders and to provide data for pre- and postoperative patient management plans, particularly in the elderly. There is no published information on age-matched and disease-matched preoperative nutritional/immunologic status for orthopedic patients, especially in the elderly, in Jeju.MethodsIn total, 331 patients with four categories of orthopedic conditions were assessed: 92 elective surgery patients, 59 arthroplasty patients, 145 patients with fractures, and 35 infection patients. Malnutrition was defined as body mass index (BMI) below 18 kg/m2 of expected body weight (below 20% of normal), serum albumin/globulin ratio below 1.5 (normal range, 1.5 to 2.3), albumin level below 3.5 g/dL, total lymphocyte count below 1,500 cells/mm3, and lymphocyte/monocyte ratio below 5 versus 1.ResultsIn 92 elective surgery patients, the average BMI was 23 kg/m2, hemoglobin was 15 g/dL, lymphocytes (2,486 cells)/monocytes (465 cells) ratio was 6.1, and the albumin (4.4 g/dL)/globulin (2.5 g/dL) ratio as a protein quotient was 1.7. Among the 59 hip and knee arthroplasty patients, the average BMI was 25 kg/m2, hemoglobin was 12 g/dL, lymphocytes (2,038 cells)/monocytes (391 cells) ratio was 6.6, and albumin (4.1 g/dL)/globulin (2.4 g/dL) ratio was 1.6. No subject showed malnutrition. Among the 145 fracture patients, the average BMI was 23 kg/m2. The hemoglobin level was 13 g/dL, monocytes (495 cells)/lymphocytes (1,905 cells) ratio was 1 versus 4.6, and albumin (4.1 d/gL)/globulin (2.5 d/gL) ratio was 1.6. However, both ratios decreased after 70 years of age. Among the 17 of 35 infection patients, albumin levels were below 3.5 g/dL, the average BMI was 22 kg/m2, lymphocytes (1,532 cells)/monocytes (545 cells) ratio was 2.4 versus 1, and albumin (3.0 g/dL)/globulin (3.3 g/dL) ratio was 0.9, while in 18 patients albumin levels were over 3.5 g/dL, the average BMI was 22 kg/m2, hemoglobin was 12 g/dL, lymphocytes (1,998 cells)/monocytes (583 cells) ratio was 3 versus 1, and albumin/globulin ratio was 1.4. Thus, in the infection group, approximately 50% of the patients showed poor nutrition and immunosuppression.ConclusionsIt was found that nutritional and immune condition deteriorated gradually to some degree in elderly patients over 60 years of age.

A 58-year-old male patient who had developed left knee pain with a history of trauma was referred to our hospital. Physical examination and further examination by magnetic resonance imaging revealed results that closely resemble a horizontal tear of the lateral meniscus and a tear of the medial meniscus. Arthroscopically, we found a cord-like structure originating from the posterior 1/3 portion of the lateral meniscus and passing obliquely toward the medial femoral condyle in front of the posterior cruciate ligament without a tear of the lateral meniscus. In this report, we describe a rare case of anterior meniscofemoral ligament that was clearly seen on arthroscopy and mimicked a meniscal tear, which is also known as a pseudo-tear of the meniscus.

No abstract

Study DesignA prospective radiographic study of cervical spine with congenital monosegment fusion.PurposeTo evaluate the effect of cervical synostosis on adjacent segments and the vertebral morphology.Overview of LiteratureThere are numerous clinical studies of adjacent segment disease (ASD) after monosegment surgical fusion. However, there was no report on ASD in the cervical spine with congenital monosegment synostosis.MethodsRadiograms of 52 patients, aged 5 to 90 years, with congenital monosegment synostosis (CMS) between C2 and C6, who complained of neck/shoulder discomfort or pain were studied. 51 were normally aligned and one was kyphotically aligned.ResultsSpondylosis was not found in the patients below 35 years of age. Only 12 out of 24 patients with normally aligned C2-3 synostosis had spondylosis in 19 more caudal segments, and only one at C3-4. A patient with kyphotic C2-3 had spondylolysis at C3-4. In 8 patients with C3-4 synostosis, spondylosis was found in only 9 caudal segments (4 at C4-5, 4 at C5-6, and 1 at C6-7). The caudate C4-5 disc was the most liable to degenerate in comparison with other caudate segments. Caudal corporal flaring and inwaisting of the synostotic vertebra were the features that were the most evident. In 2 of 9 C4-5 and 7 out of 10 C5-6 synostosis patients, spondylosis was found at the two adjacent cephalad and caudate segments, respectively. Only corporal inwaisting without flaring was found. In all cases, spondylosis was confined to the adjacent segments. More advanced spondylosis was found in the immediate caudal segment than the cephalad one.ConclusionsIt is concluded that spondylosis at the mobile segments in a synostotic spine is thought to be a fusion-related pathology rather than solely age-related disc degeneration. Those data suggested that CMS definitely precipitated the disc degeneration in the adjacent segments.