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BACKGROUND Clinically, percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is frequently applied to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). It is believed that new compression fractures are more likely to occur adjacent to the PVP-treated segment, typically within 1 month after PVP. The purpose of this study was to investigate risk factors for adjacent vertebral compression fractures (AVCF) after PVP in patients with OVCF after menopause. MATERIAL AND METHODS Between Jun 2012 and Dec 2016, 412 patients were initially identified. We enrolled 390 patients in this study, and 22 were lost to follow-up. The medical records of the patients were retrospectively collected. Patients were followed up for at least 6 months, with an average follow-up period of 18 months. The potential risk factors investigated in this study included age, duration of menopause (DoM), preoperative vertebral compression, number of preoperative vertebral fractures (NPVF), bone mineral density (BMD), surgical approach (unilateral or bilateral), anesthesia methods, bone cement dose, complications (including COPD), and anti-osteoporosis treatment. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors. RESULTS Sixty-eight patients were observed to have suffered from AVCF after PVP at the last follow-up. Univariate analysis showed that age, DoM, NPVF, BMD, COPD, and anti-osteoporosis treatment were the potential variables associated with the onset of AVCF (all P

BACKGROUND Not all patients with spinal cord compression due to cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) have clinical symptoms and signs. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the imaging findings in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients with CSM with mild to moderate cervical spinal cord compression. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective clinical study included 68 patients. Group A (n=30) had no symptoms and signs; group B (n=38) had symptoms and signs of cervical myelopathy. The age, sex, body mass index (BMI), history of steroid treatment, duration of symptoms, number of spondylotic cervical segments, Torg ratio, range of motion (ROM), incidence of cervical segmental instability, overall curvature of the cervical spine, direction of spinal cord compression, and spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal intensity were compared. RESULTS For groups A and B, the Torg ratio was 90.3% and 83.6% (P

Based on long-term follow-ups, this study was designed to investigate the incidence and risk factors for postoperative adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) or total disc replacement (TDR) in treating cervical degenerative diseases. Between January 2000 and December 2005, 108 cases undergoing ACDF and 78 undergoing TDR, were enrolled into this study. All medical records were retrospectively collected. Every patient was followed up at least 10 years. Outcome assessment included visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Neck Disability Index (NDI) score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and radiographic parameters. Consequently, thirty-eight (35.2%) of 108 cases suffered from ASD in ACDF group, and 26 (33.3%) of 78 cases in TDR group. There was no statistical difference between the two groups regarding ASD incidence, VAS/NDI/JOA score, recovery rate. Logistic regression analysis showed that age (OR = 2.86, 95% CI, 1.58–4.14) and preoperative segmental lordosis (OR = 1.90, 95% CI, 1.05–3.20) were risk factors associated with increased odds of ASD regardless of surgical procedures. On the other hand, preoperative overall lordosis (OR = 0.54, 95% CI, 0.26–0.82) was most likely protective. In conclusion, advanced age and preoperative segmental lordosis were identified as risk factors for postoperative ASD, while preoperative overall lordosis proves to be a protective factor.

Rationale: Kümmell's disease is defined as delayed traumatic vertebral collapse disease in which patients develop a kyphosis after asymptomatic minor spinal trauma. Both anterior approach and posterior approach have been reported, however, there is no standard treatment for Kümmell's disease. Patient concerns: We described a successful modified posterior vertebral column resection in a patient with Kümmell's disease. A 65-year-old woman reported persistent back pain for almost three months. Diagnoses: Kümmell's disease was diagnosed based on computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Interventions: Modified posterior vertebral column resection combined with short-segment fixation was designed to treat this disease. Outcomes: The procedure was successful without any complications. Patient reported that symptoms were obviously improved in one week after operation. Lessons: Modified posterior vertebral column resection combined with short-segment fixation is an effective treatment option for Kümmell's disease.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of modified posterior vertebral column resection (MPVCR) in treating osteoporotic Kummell disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS Between January 2013 and January 2015, 10 patients who were diagnosed with Kummell disease underwent MPVCR treatment, and their medical records were retrospectively collected. Every patient had follow-up for at least one year, with an average of 15 months. Clinical efficacy of MPVCR treatment was evaluated by kyphotic Cobb's angle, Oswestry disability index (ODI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) score. RESULTS Data analyses showed that operation time was 188.39±30.8 minutes, and blood loss was 860±130 mL with 600±200 mL of blood transfusions. VAS score decreased significantly after MPVCR surgery (p

The purpose of this study was to explore incidence and risk factors of adjacent segment disease (ASD) following posterior decompression and instrumented fusion for degenerative lumbar disorders, and hope to provide references in decision making and surgical planning for both spinal surgeon and surgically treated patients. By retrieving the medical records from January 2011 to December 2013 in our hospital, 237 patients were retrospectively reviewed. According to the occurrence of ASD at follow up, patients were divided into 2 groups: ASD and N-ASD group. To investigate risk values for the occurrence of ASD, 3 categorized factors were analyzed statistically: Patient characteristics: age, sex, body mass index (BMI), bone mineral density (BMD), duration. Surgical variables: surgical strategy, number of fusion level, surgery segment, surgery time, blood loss, intraoperative superior facet joint violation. Radiographic parameters: preoperative lumbar lordosis, preoperative angular motion at adjacent segment, preoperative adjacent segment disc degeneration, preoperative paraspinal muscle degeneration. Postoperative ASD was developed in 15 of 237 patients (6.3%) at final follow up. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in patient characteristics of age, sex composition, BMD, duration, while the BMI was higher in ASD group than that in N-ASD group. There was no difference in surgical variables of surgical strategy, number of fusion level, surgery segment, surgery time, blood loss, while intraoperative superior facet joint violation was more common in ASD group than that in N-ASD group. There was no difference in radiographic parameters of preoperative lumbar lordosis, preoperative paraspinal muscle degeneration, while preoperative adjacent segment disc degeneration were more severe in ASD group than that in N-ASD group. The Logistic regression analysis revealed that, BMI >25 kg/m2, preoperative disc degeneration, and superior facet joint violation were independently associated with ASD. In conclusion, higher BMI, preoperative disc degeneration at adjacent segment and intraoperative superior facet joint violation are risk factors for ASD. Patients who are overweight or obesity and with preoperative disc degeneration at adjacent segment should be fully informed the risk of ASD. For surgeons, it is essential to prevent superior facet joint violation in pedicle screw insertion procedure.

Levofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone, is a widely-used and effective antibiotic. However, various adverse side effects are associated with levofloxacin. The purpose of this study was to further explore the effects of levofloxacin on rat nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs). Inverted phase-contrast microscopy, flow cytometry and caspase-3 activity assays were used and revealed that serum deprivation induced apoptosis, which was markedly increased by levofloxacin in a dose-dependent manner. Simultaneously, levofloxacin decreased cell binding to type II collagen (COL2). Thus, levofloxacin-induced apoptosis exhibits characteristics of anoikis, the process by which cell death is triggered by separation from the extracellular matrix, which contains COL2. Furthermore, real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used to further confirm that levofloxacin downregulates COL2 expression in a dose-dependent manner. At last, western blot was used to find that levofloxacin increased the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and active caspase-3 in a dose-dependent manner. Levofloxacin therefore increases the effects of serum deprivation on anoikis by downregulating COL2 in rat NPCs in vitro via Bax/Bcl-2/caspase-3 pathway. This research provides a novel insight into the mechanisms of levofloxacin-induced toxicity and may potentially lead to a better understanding of the clinical effects of levofloxacin, especially in terms of intervertebral disc degeneration.

To evaluate the clinical outcome of two different surgical treatments in treating degenerative scoliosis. Forty patients with degenerative scoliosis hospitalized in our department from June 2010 to June 2012 were selected. They were randomly divided into two groups. The first group was performed on the points with nerve or spinal compression for decompression, bone grafting, and short-segmental fixation in situ; The second group was treated with sufficient decompression, long-segmental fixation, and short-segmental fusion to operate orthopedic on scoliosis in three dimensions. All patients completed the follow-up period for more than 1 year, with the average of 18 months. Bone grafting fusion was achieved in all of the patients. The second group showed significantly better result in remission rate of postoperative pain and ODI improvement rate than the first group. Long-segmental internal fixation orthopedic is a better surgical option for patients with degenerative scoliosis to achieve sufficient decompression and three-dimensional orthopedic; therefore, it is a better solution for biomechanical reconstruction of spine.

Levofloxacin has been reported to have cytotoxicity to chondrocytes in vitro. And 17β-estradiol has been widely studied for its protective effects against cell apoptosis. Based on apoptotic cell model induced by levofloxacin, the purpose of this study was to explore the mechanism by which 17β-estradiol protects rat nucleus pulposus cells from apoptosis. Inverted phase-contrast microscopy, flow cytometry, and caspase-3 activity assay were used to find that levofloxacin induced marked apoptosis, which was abolished by 17β-estradiol. Interestingly, estrogen receptor antagonist, ICI182780, and functional blocking antibody to α2β1 integrin, both prohibited the effect of 17β-estradiol. Simultaneously, levofloxacin decreased cellular binding ability to type II collagen, which was also reversed by 17β-estradiol. Furthermore, western blot and real-time quantitative PCR were used to find that integrin α2β1 was responsible for estrogen-dependent anti-apoptosis, which was time-response and dose-response effect. 17β-estradiol was proved for the first time to protect rat nucleus pulposus cells against levofloxacin-induced apoptosis by upregulating integrin α2β1 signal pathway.

To explore incidence and risk factors of postoperative adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) following anterior decompression and instrumented fusion for degenerative disorders of the cervical spine.Medical records from January 2005 to September 2011 of 283 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on occurrence of ASD at follow-up: ASD group and no ASD group. To investigate risk for occurrence of ASD, 3 sets of factors were analyzed statistically: patient characteristics, surgical variables, and radiographic parameters.Postoperative ASD developed in 68 of 283 patients. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in patient characteristics or the surgical variables of surgical strategy, surgical time, and blood loss. The number of patients receiving 2-level spinal fusion was higher in the ASD group. Upper instrumented vertebra at C5 was more common in the ASD group. There was no difference between groups in all but 1 of the radiographic parameters; the plate-to-disc distance was much smaller in the ASD group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that upper instrumented vertebra at C5, plate-to-disc distance3.0 mm, and 2-level anterior cervical fusion were independently associated with ASD.Patients with degenerative disorders of the cervical spine who receive 2-level cervical fusion and with upper instrumented vertebra at C5 are at high potential risk of ASD.

Background: In previous studies, both 17β-estradiol (E2) and resveratrol (RES) were reported to protect intervertebral disc cells against aberrant apoptosis. Given that E2 has a better anti-apoptotic effect with more cancer risk and RES has an anti-apoptotic effect with less cancer risk, the combined use of E2 with RES is promising in developing clinical therapies to treat apoptosis-related diseases such as intervertebral disc degeneration in the future.Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the combined effect of E2 with RES on rat nucleus pulposus cells and the underlying mechanisms.Methods: TUNEL assay and FACS analysis were used to determine apoptotic incidence of nucleus pulposus cells. MTS assay was used to determine cell viability, and cellular binding assay was used to determine cell-ECM (extracellular matrix) ability. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR was to determine mRNA level of target genes. And Western blot was used to determine the protein level.Results: Both E2 and RES decreased apoptotic incidence when used singly; interestingly, they decreased apoptosis more efficiently when used combinedly. Meanwhile, E2 and RES combined together against the decrease of cell viability and binding ability resulting from IL-1β cytotoxicity. As well, activated caspase-3 was suppressed by the combined effect. Furthermore, IL-1β downregulated expression level of type II collagen and aggrecan (standing for anabolism), while upregulated MMP-3 and MMP-13 (standing for catabolism). However, the combined use of E2 with RES effectively abolished the above negative effects caused by IL-1β, better than either single use. Finally, it turned out to be that E2 and RES combined together against apoptosis via the activation of PI3K/Akt/caspase-3 pathway.Conclusion: This study presented that IL-1β induced aberrant apoptosis, which was efficiently resisted by the combined use of E2 with RES via PI3K/Akt/caspase-3 pathway.

Kyphosis may occur after arthroplasty as the result of the disc insertion angle and overmilling; however, few studies have described techniques to avoid these factors. We investigated whether modified techniques of Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty can prevent adverse outcomes. Twenty patients (control group) underwent surgery using techniques described in the Bryan disc product monograph (Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Minneapolis, MN, USA). Twenty-nine patients (investigation group) underwent surgery using a modified technique which included changes in disc insertion angle, reducing overmilling of the endplates, ensuring the anterior borders of the two halves of the prosthesis were at the same horizontal line, and accurately fitting the prosthesis. Disability and pain were assessed using self-administered questionnaires and the change in functional spinal unit (FSU) angle between the two groups was also compared. Both groups demonstrated statistically significant improvement compared with preoperative values for the following functional outcomes measures. The mean neck pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores before surgery were 73.45 (control) and 74.53 (investigation); at the 2-year follow-up these scores were 22.1 and 14.79 (p = 0.0013), respectively. After surgery, 14 of 20 patients in the control group developed a tendency toward kyphosis of the FSU in the neutral position (range = –9°–13°, mean = –1.1 °± 5.05). Conversely, none of the 29 patients in the investigation group developed kyphosis of the FSU in the neutral position (range = 0–10°, mean = 3.79° ± 2.90) (p = 0.0007). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding preoperative and postoperative scores with the exception of neck pain VAS and FSU angle changes. There were no intraoperative complications, vascular or neurologic complications, spontaneous fusions, or device failures or explantations.

Objective: To identify an appropriate surgical approach for the management of cervical cord injury with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Methods: A retrospective study of 25 cases of cervical cord injury with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament was performed. Two cases were classified as Frankel grade A, three as grade B, fourteen as grade C, and six as grade D. Treatment procedures consisted of anterior decompression with instrumentation (twelve patients), posterior decompression (eight patients), and combined anterior and posterior decompression (five patients). Results: There were no iatrogenic injuries of great vessels, trachea, esophagus or spinal cord. All patients were followed up for 15–86 months (average, 38.3 months). All segment with anterior fixation attained solid fusion, without implants loosening or breakage. No reclosed open-door was found after posterior laminoplasty. Twenty-one patients improved by one to two Frankel grades. The patients with complete spinal cord injury achieved no neurologic recovery, but did experience relief of upper limb pain or numbness. Conclusion: The surgical outcomes of cervical cord injury with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament were satisfactory. It is important to select a suitable surgical approach according to the findings on radiological imaging and the clinical characteristics and general condition of the patients.

Rationale Kummell disease is described as avascular necrosis of a vertebral body that occurred in a delayed fashion after a minor trauma. Anterior, posterior, and anterior-posterior approaches have been reported. Nevertheless, there is no standard treatment for patients with Kummell disease. Patient concerns We reported a successful cement-augmented pedicle screw placement in a patient with Kummell disease. A 63-year-old woman with serious osteoporosis complained persistent back pain with progressive lower extremities weakness for almost 2 years. Diagnoses The diagnosis of Kummell disease was mainly depended on clinical symptoms and imaging examinations. Interventions The application of a cement-augmented pedicle screw was designed to treat this illness. Outcomes The operation was successful without any complications. The patient stated that symptoms were obviously improved in 1 week after operation. Lessons The application of a cement-augmented pedicle screw is an effective treatment option for Kummell disease.

Background The purpose of the current study was to use the Iliac Bars Lever Reduction and Fixation System (IBLRFS) for Grades 1 and 2 spondylolytic spondylolisthesis, evaluate its stability and reductive efficacy, and examine the complications. Methods Between April 2005 and August 2006, 44 patients with Grades 1 and 2 spondylolytic spondylolisthesis were treated surgically: 21 patients underwent posterior Iliac Bars Lever Reduction and Fixation (IBRLFS), 23 patients were treated with traditional stabilization and reduction systems (SRS). The follow-up periods ranged from 1 to 2 years (mean, 1 year and 2 months). The clinical outcome, fusion rate, average percentile degree of displacement, displacement angle, sacral inclination, ratio of intervertebral height, and complications were evaluated. Operating time, blood loss, and duration of hospital stay were compared. Results There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in blood loss, recovery rate, and radiographic results. However, there were statistically significant differences in operating time (P < .05), duration of hospital stay (P < .05). There were no cases of nonunion in the two groups. In the IBLRFS group, preoperatively, the average percentile degree of displacement, displacement angle, sacral inclination, and ratio of intervertebral height were 23.48% ± 5.36%, 2.2° ± 1.1°, 29.4° ± 6.5°, and 0.68 ± 0.21, respectively. Postoperatively, the respective measurements were 6.47% ± 1.49%, 10.3° ± 3.3°, 42.6° ± 8.1°, and 0.85 ± 0.12. No patients experienced major complications. In the SRS group, preoperatively, the average percentile degree of displacement, displacement angle, sacral inclination, and ratio of intervertebral height were 21.78% ± 5.16%, 2.3° ± 1.0°, 26.4° ± 8.5°, and 0.62 ± 0.25, respectively. Postoperatively, the respective measurements were 6.34% ± 2.01%, 9.8° ± 2.1°, 44.1° ± 7.6°, and 0.79 ± 0.23. One patient experienced a badly placed screw in the right pedicle of lumbar 4. Conclusions This kind of new fixation system (IBLRFS) was shown to be useful in the treatment of spondylolisthesis, and its use was associated with minimal complications after 14 months of mean follow-up. Level of Evidence Therapeutic, case studies (level 4).

High-speed drill is the main osteotomy instrument in pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) currently. Considering the long duration of surgery, the large amount of blood loss, and the high incidence of neurovascular injury, the osteotomy procedure is challenging. Use of trephine for the osteotomy displays high efficiency by shortening surgery time and reducing blood loss in anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion. However, the potential risk of neurological injury is high. We modified the trephine by adding locking instrument, when the serrated top of the trephine reaches the tip of the probe; the locking instrument on the probe restricts the trephine and improves security during the osteotomy procedure. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and radiological improvement between the modified trephine and high-speed drill as main osteotomy instrument in PSO. From February 2009 to 2013, 50 patients with severe thoracolumbar kyphotic deformity caused by old compressive vertebrae were prospectively reviewed. All patients were randomly assigned to the experimental group (27 patients received PSO with modified trephine) and the control group (23 patients received PSO with high-speed drill). The clinical records were reviewed and compared for surgical time, operative blood loss, functional improvement (Oswestry Disability Index), and pain relief (visual analog scale). The radiological records were reviewed and compared for correction of kyphotic deformity postoperatively and correction loss at 2-year follow-up. All patients successfully finished the PSO procedure, and got satisfactory kyphotic deformity correction and overall function improvement. The surgery time was shorter in the experimental group than that in the control group (132.7 ± 12.6 vs 141.7 ± 16.7 min; P = 0.03). No significant difference was found in blood loss (882.9 ± 98.9 mL vs 902.2 ± 84.9 mL; P = 0.47) or correction of the kyphotic angle (33.4 ± 3.4° vs 32.1 ± 2.5°, P = 0.13) postoperatively between the 2 groups. At 24-month follow-up, no difference was discovered in loss of the correction (4.9 ± 1.6° vs 4.5 ± 1.6°; P = 0.42), change of Oswestry Disability Index (49.4 ± 6.2% vs 48.2 ± 4.2%; P = 0.44), or in back pain relief (6.2 ± 1.4 vs 6.4 ± 1.2 min; P = 0.51) between the 2 groups. No internal fixation related complication occurred and bony fusion was detected in lateral X-ray in all patients. In the control group, 2 patients had transient nerve root deficit, 14 patients at 3-month follow-up and 3 patients at 2-year follow-up experienced graft donor site morbidity, and pain killer medicine was always required. In conclusion, the modified trephine obviously shortens surgery time, and prevents graft donor site morbidity when compared to a high-speed drill. The learning curve for using the modified trephine in PSO procedure is short.

Levofloxacin was previously reported to induce apoptosis of rat annulus fibrosus (AF) cells by upregulating active caspase-3 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 expression in vitro. However, the effects of levofloxacin on rat AF cells, as well as the related mechanism, have not been revealed completely. The purpose of this study was to further explore the changes in extracellular matrix and MMPs of rat AF cells based on levofloxacin-induced apoptosis. AF cells isolated from rat AF regions were cultured in monolayers and treated with levofloxacin in a dose- and time-dependent manner. To determine the cytotoxic effects of levofloxacin, inverted phase-contrast microscopy was used to perform morphological observation of apoptotic cells. The mRNA expression levels of MMP-2, -9 and -13 were quantified by reverse transcription and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Protein level of MMP-2 and MMP-13 were determined by western blot. The results showed that levofloxacin induced marked AF cell apoptosis, which was observed by inverted phase-contrast microscopy, and indicated by the increased expression of active caspase-3. Both RT-qPCR and western blot revealed that MMP-2 and MMP-13 expression were upregulated by levofloxacin treatment in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Moreover, cellular binding to type I collagen was found to be decreased by levofloxacin. In conclusion, the results above suggest that the possible cytotoxic effects of levofloxacin on AF cells in vitro may be attributed to the decreased cell binding to type I collagen and up-regulated expression of MMP-2 and MMP-13.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is common seen in patients undergoing spine surgery. However, its prevalence and associated risk factors have not been well understood yet. This retrospective case-cohort study was designed to investigate risk factors for postoperative DVT using retrospectively collected data from department of spine surgery between 07/2013 and 07/2014. Univariate analysis and binary logistic regression analysis were used to determine risk factors for DVT. A total of 861 patients were admitted into DVT-associated analyses, including 410 males and 451 females, aged from 15 to 87 years old (median 54, IQR 18). Of them, 147 cases (17%) sustained postoperative DVT. DVT incidence was 15.9% in patients undergoing lumbar interbody fusion, 13.5% in patients treated by low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), while only 8.1% in patients without LMWH. However, it revealed no significant difference between LMWH group and non-LMWH group (χ2 = 1.933, p = 0.164). Logistic regression equation was logit P = −4.09 + 0.05*X1 − 0.55*X2 + 0.41*X3 + 1.41*X7, (X1 = age; X2 = regions; X3 = hypertension; X7 = D-dimer). In this study, LMWH prophylaxis after spine surgery proved ineffective. Advanced age, D-dimer and hypertension have proved to be the risk factors for postoperative DVT in patients undergoing spine surgery.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the influence of pelvic incidence (PI) on spinopelvic parameters in patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) and compare them with those of a normal population. Methods: There were two groups in this study. One group was composed by 136 patients with DLS and another was composed by 120 participants free of spinal disease. In each group there were three subgroups according to PI, which were low (PI less than 45°), middle (PI between 45° and 60°) and high PI group (PI more than 60°). Sagittal spinopelvic parameters were compared between the DLS patients and asymptomatic participants in each PI group. Results: The number of DLS patients with low, middle, and high PI were 38 (27.9%), 50 (36.8%), and 48 (35.3%), respectively. In the control group, the number of low, middle, and high PI participants were 52 (43.3%), 41 (34.2%), and 27 (22.5%), respectively. There were significant difference in PT, SS, LL, SVA and TLJ between the three subgroups in the DLS patients. Patients with high PI showed large TLJ, LL, PT, SS and small SVA. In the Control group and DLS group, PI determined pelvic orientation (PT, SS) and sagittal spinal parameters (LL, TLJ). In terms of correlation between SS and LL, between SS and TLJ, both DLS and Control groups showed significant correlations. In terms of correlation between PT and SVA, between PT and TLJ, only the DLS group showed a significant correlation. Compared with the asymptomatic participants, DLS patients showed a high PT and low SS as well as kyphotic TLJ, lumbar hypolordosis and thoracic hypokyphosis in all PI groups. Conclusions: The changes in spinopelvic parameters and pelvic compensatory mechanisms differ according to PI in patients with DLS, restoration of LL based on individual PI could help in accomplishing a balanced spinopelvic alignment.

In our previous study, 17β-estradiol was proved to protect rat annulus fibrosus cells against apoptosis induced by interleukin-1β (IL-1β). However, whether 17β-estradiol has protective effect on rat nucleus pulposus cells remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to further explore the effects of 17β-estradiol on rat nucleus pulposus cells based on IL-1β-induced apoptosis. TUNEL assay and Annexin V/PI double staining were used to detect apoptosis and revealed that IL-1β induced notable apoptosis, which was reversed by 17β-estradiol. Meanwhile, cell viability and binding ability were decreased by IL-1β, but activated caspase-3 was increased. However, all of the detected effects of IL-1β were eliminated by 17β-estradiol. Furthermore, real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used to further find that IL-1β downregulated expression level of type II collagen, aggrecan, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, while upregulated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, MMP-13 and Bcl-2, which was further confirmed by western blot. Finally, 17β-estradiol was proved to abolish the above negative effects of IL-1β. In summary, this work presented that IL-1β maybe induced apoptosis of rat nucleus pulposus cells, which was resisted by 17β-estradiol by down-regulating MMP-3 and MMP-13 via a mitochondrial pathway. This research provides a novel insight into the anti-apoptotic effect of 17β-estradiol on IL-1β-induced cytotoxicity, and may potentially lead to a better understanding of the clinical effects of 17β-estradiol, especially in terms of intervertebral disc degeneration.

A multicenter retrospective study.The purpose of this study was to explore risk factors of dysphagia after anterior cervical surgery and factors affecting rehabilitation of dysphagia 2 years after surgery.Patients who underwent anterior cervical surgery at 3 centers from January 2010 to January 2013 were included. The possible factors included 3 aspects: demographic variables-age, sex, body mass index (BMI): hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, smoking, alcohol use, diagnose (cervical spondylotic myelopathy or ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament), preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA), surgical-related variables-surgical option (ACDF, ACCF, ACCDF, or Zero profile), operation time, blood loss, operative level, superior fusion segment, incision length, angle of C2 to C7, height of C2 to C7, cervical circumference, cervical circumference/height of C2 to C7.The results of our study indicated that the rate of dysphagia at 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery was 20%, 5.4%, 2.4%, 1.1%, and 0.4%, respectively. Our results showed that age (58.8 years old), BMI (27.3 kg/m), course of disease (11.6 months), operation time (103.2 min), blood loss (151.6 mL), incision length (9.1 cm), cervical circumference (46.8 cm), angle of C2 to C7 (15.3°), cervical circumference/height of C2 to C7 (4.8), preoperative VAS (7.5), and ODI (0.6) in dysphagia group were significantly higher than those (52.0, 24.6, 8.6, 88.2, 121.6, 8.6, 42.3, 12.6, 3.7, 5.6, and 0.4, respectively) in nondysphagia group; however, height of C2 to C7 (9.9 vs 11.7 cm) and preoperative JOA (8.3 vs 10.7) had opposite trend between 2 groups. We could also infer that female, smoking, diabetes, ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament, ACCDF, multilevel surgery, and superior fusion segment including C2 to C3 or C6 to C7 were the risk factors for dysphagia after surgery immediately. However, till 2 years after surgery, only 2 risk factors, smoking and diabetes, could slow rehabilitation of dysphagia.Many factors could significantly increase rate of dysphagia after anterior cervical surgery. Operation time as a vital factor markedly increases immediate postoperative dysphagia and smoking, as the most important factor, lower recovery of dysphagia. Further study is needed to prove if these factors could influence dysphagia.

A retrospective study aims to explore differences in spinopelvic sagittal alignment between thoracolumbar disc herniation (TLD) and lower lumbar disc herniation (LLD).A total of 185 patients included 26 with TLD and 129 with LLD and 30 asymptomatic volunteers in normal group (NG). Each individual took full spine X-ray to evaluate pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), lumbar lordosis (LL), thoracic kyphosis (TK), TK+LL+PI, TK/LL, and sacrum-femoral-pubic symphysis (SFP). The Roussouly classification was used to categorize all subjects according to their sagittal alignment. Spinopelvic parameters and Roussouly classification results were compared between groups.PI (51.0°), SS (30.5°), and LL (42.0°) in the TLD were significantly higher than those in the LLD (47°, 27°, 33°, respectively). However, TK (30.0°), TK/LL (0.75), and TK+LL+PI (40.0°) in the TLD were significantly lower than these in the LLD (33.0°, 1.07, 47.2°, respectively) and the similar trend between TLD and NG (34.3°, 0.93, 48.5°, respectively). But LL (42.0°) in the TLD was significantly higher than in the NG (35°). Roussouly types among 3 groups were marked differences. The LLD had a higher rate (59.7%) of type II lordosis (flat back), and the TLD had a higher rate (61.5%) of type III lordosis than other groups.This study implied that patients with TLD have higher LL, lower TK, TK/LL, and TK+LL+PI than LLD patients. We inferred that high LL combined with low TK may be the prospective factors of TLD.

Background: Dysphagia is a well-known complication following anterior cervical spine surgery. Although risk factors for dysphagia have been reported in the literature, they still remain controversial. This study aims to investigate the risk factors associated with dysphagia following anterior cervical spinal surgery. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and The Cochrane Library were searched up to June 2016 for studies examining dysphagia following anterior cervical spinal surgery. Risk factors associated with dysphagia were extracted. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for outcomes. Data analysis was conducted with RevMan 5.3 and STATA 12.0. Results: The final analysis includes a total of 18 distinct studies. The pooled analysis reveals that there are significant differences in female gender (OR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.76–2.99, P

This is a retrospective study.The purpose of this study is to explore incidence and risk factors for surgical site infection (SSI) after posterior lumbar surgery.SSI is a common complication after posterior lumbar surgery, bringing mental and physical pain and prolonging hospital stay. However, predisposing factors, as reported less, remain controversial.Patients who underwent posterior lumbar surgery at 3 centers between 2006 and 2016 were included. The possible factors include 3 aspects: demographic variables-age, sex, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip radio (WHR), hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, smoking, drinking, steroidal injection, surgical time between June and September, preoperative shower; blood test variables-white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil, red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), total protein (TP), albumin, albumin/globulin (A/G), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and surgical related variables-operation time, blood loss, operative level, instrumentation, incision length. Factors related with SSI were also performed by multivariate analysis.The prevalence of SSI was 3.00% (267 cases of 8879) had a postoperative wound infection. There were significant difference in WHR (0.92 vs 0.83), WBC (4.31 vs 6.69), TP (58.7 vs 65.2), albumin (36.9 vs 43.2), CRP (2.01 vs 0.57), PCT (0.097 vs 0.067), operation time (217.9 vs 195.7), blood loss (997.1 vs 915.3) and operative level (3.05 vs 2.45) and incision length (24.1 vs 20.0) between SSI group and non-SSI group. >60 years old, female, BMI 30.0, diabetes, male smoking, preoperative steroidal injection, surgical time between June and September, no preoperative shower, instrumentation surgery were risk factors for SSI after posterior lumbar surgery.Many factors, >60 years old, female, BMI, WHR, diabetes, male smoking, preoperative steroidal injection, surgical time between June and September, preoperative shower, WBC, TP, albumin, CRP, PCT, operation time, blood loss and operative level, instrumentation surgery and incision length, could predict SSI after posterior lumbar surgery. Measure should be taken before surgery to lower incidence of SSI after surgery.

Both general anesthesia (GA) and cervical plexus anesthesia (CPA) can be used for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of anesthetic techniques on perioperative mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing cervical surgery. From January 2008 to December 2015, 356 patients who underwent 1-level ACDF for cervical spinal myelopathy were prospectively reviewed. They were assigned to receive GA (group A) and CPA (group B). The analgesic efficacy of the block was assessed by anesthesia preparation time, the maximum heart rate, and mean arterial blood pressure changes compared with the baseline, time of postoperative revival, and duration of recovery stay. Duration of surgery, blood loss, and anesthesia medical cost were also recorded. Numerical rating scale (NRS) was used to evaluate pain at different time points. Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) was assessed, and postoperative average administered dosages of meperidine and metoclopramide were also recorded. The spinal surgeon satisfaction, anesthetist satisfaction, and patient satisfaction were assessed. Both the anesthesia induction time and postoperative revival time were longer in group A than that in group B; both the duration of surgery and recovery stay were also longer in group A than that in group B, whereas there was no difference in blood loss between the 2 groups. The average dosage of both meperidine and metoclopramide was more in group A than that in group B, and the anesthesia medical cost was greater in group A than that in group B. There were no significant differences in baseline data of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate between the 2 groups. But the intraoperative data of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate were higher/larger in group B than that in group A. In group A, there was no complaint of pain in the surgery procedure, but the pain increased after GA, with highest degree at 8 hours postoperation; then the pain degree decreased, and the NRS was 1 at 24 hours postoperation. In group B, intraoperative pain was NRS 4, and pain degree decreased from 4 hours postoperation; the NRS was 2 at 24 hours postoperation. The incidence of severe PONV was higher in group A than that in group B. There was no significant difference in the spinal surgeon satisfaction and anesthetist satisfaction for the anesthetic techniques. There was significant difference in patient satisfaction between the 2 groups, with high satisfaction for GA. General anesthesia is superior to CPA in maintaining better intraoperative hemodynamic stability and providing high patient satisfaction with no intraoperative pain for patients receiving ACDF, but it entails longer surgery and anesthesia time, and requires more postoperative analgesic and anesthesia cost.

BACKGROUND Both the mini-plate fixation and suture suspensory fixation techniques are extensively applied in cervical laminoplasty, but which technique is superior has not been ascertained. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to compare the results between mini-plate fixation and suture suspensory fixation in cervical laminoplasty for the patients with multilevel cervical compressive myelopathy. METHODS PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane library, CNKI, and WANFANG were searched for studies that compared mini-plate fixation and suture suspensory fixation in cervical laminoplasty up to November 1, 2016. We calculated odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for dichotomous outcomes and mean difference (MD) with 95% CI for continuous outcomes. Review Manager 5.3 was used for the statistical analyses. RESULTS A total of 25 studies, involving 1603 participants, were included in this review. The results of this meta-analysis indicated that there were statistically significant differences in postoperative Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores (MD = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.34-0.99, P

Background Fluoroquinolones are in wide clinical use as safe and effective antibiotics. Articular cartilage, tendons, and epiphyseal growth plates have been recognized as targets of fluoroquinolone-induced connective tissue toxicity. However, the effects of fluoroquinolones on annulus fibrosus (AF) cells are still unknown. Material/methods The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of levofloxacin, a typical fluoroquinolone antibiotic drug, on rat AF cells in vitro. Rat annulus fibrosus (RAF) cells were treated with levofloxacin at different concentrations (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, and 90 μg/ml) and were assessed to determine the possible cytotoxic effects of levofloxacin. Inverted phase-contrast microscopy was used to accomplish the morphological observation of apoptosis of treated cells. Western blot and real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR) was used to explore the expression of active caspase-3 and MMP-3. Flow cytometry was used to measure the apoptotic incidences. Results Our study showed that levofloxacin, with concentrations at 30, 60, and 90 μg/ml, induced dose-dependent RAF cell apoptosis and higher expression of caspase-3 and MMP-3. More apoptotic cells were observed by inverted phase-contrast microscopy. Moreover, levofloxacin increased the activity of caspase-3, and it also reduced cell viability with different concentrations ranging from 10 to 80 μg/ml. Conclusions Our study results suggest that levofloxacin has cytotoxic effects on RAF cells, characterized by enhancing apoptosis and reducing cell viability, and indicate a potential toxic effect of fluoroquinolones on RAF cells.

Background: Upper lumbar disc herniation (ULDH) is easy to be misdiagnosed due to its special anatomical and atypical clinical features. Few studies have identified the relationship between ULDH and adjacent wedge-shaped vertebrae (WSV). Hypothesis: WSV may have some indicative relations withULDH. Patients and methods: Between January 2003 and October 2013, 47 patients (27 males and 20 females; mean age, 41.2 years) with single-level ULDH (as study group) and 47 sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers (as control group) were studied by radiograph. The two groups were compared with respect to age, sexual proportion, body mass index (BMI), kyphotic angle, and the proportion of WSV. Also, correlative analyses were conducted in the study group to investigate the relation between the kyphotic angle of target vertebrae and other factors including age, BMI, Cobb angle, JOA score and bone mineral density (BMD). Results: The average kyphotic angle in the study group was 11° (4°-22°), while the average kyphotic angle in the control group was 2° (0°-7°). Obviously, the mean kyphotic angle in the study group was statistically larger than that in the control group (t=13.797, P

The aim of this study was to explore the incidence and risk factors of postoperative neurological deterioration after posterior decompression with or without instrumented fusion for thoracic myelopathy, and hope to provide references in decision-making and surgical planning for both spinal surgeon and thoracic stenosis patients. By retrieving the medical records from January 2001 to November 2015, 168 patients were retrospectively reviewed. According to the occurrence of postoperative neurological deterioration, patients were divided into 2 groups: neurological deterioration (ND) group and non-ND group. To investigate risk values for the occurrence of ND, 3 categorized factors were analyzed statistically: patient characteristics—preoperative data of age, sex, body mass index, bone mineral density, the duration of disease (from first symptoms to operation), the preoperative neurological function (Frankel grade), and diagnosis; surgical variables—surgery time, the amount of bleeding, mean arterial pressure, intervertebral fusion or not, and instrumentation or not; radiographic parameters—the spinal canal occupancy ratio, location of the lesion, thoracic kyphosis, and kyphosis correction. Postoperative neurological deterioration was developed in 23 of 168 patients (13.7%), and were enrolled as ND group. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in age at operation, sex composition, body mass index, and bone mineral density. The preoperative diagnosis presented significant difference between the 2 groups, because ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament combined with ossification of the ligamentum flavum was more common in ND group, whereas ossification of the ligamentum flavum alone was more common in non-ND group. There was no difference between the 2 groups in mean surgery time, the incidence of intraoperative direct trauma, and the number of patients that received instrumentation. The mean bleeding was much more in ND group than that in non-ND group, and the mean arterial pressure was lower in ND group than that in non-ND group. Also, the mean spinal canal occupancy ratio was more severe in ND group than that in non-ND group. There were no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in stenosis location and preoperative thoracic kyphosis. The mean kyphosis correction was more significant in ND group. When included in a multivariate logistic regression model, thoracic disc herniation + ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament, spinal canal occupancy ratio more than 70%, bleeding more than 800 mL, and mean arterial pressure less than 81 mm Hg were independently associated with the postoperative neurological deterioration. In conclusion, ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament combined with ossification of the ligamentum flavum, spinal canal occupancy ratio more than 70%, intraoperative bleeding more than 800 mL, and mean arterial pressure less than 81 mm Hg are risk factors for the occurrence of postoperative neurologic deterioration. Improving surgical technique, shortening operation time, and paying more attention to hemostasis could provide opportunities to reduce the incidence of neurologic deterioration and to improve therapeutic outcomes.

To evaluate the relationship between Modic change and disc height together with lumbar hyperosteogeny and study the role of Modic change in lumbar degeneration.The imaging data of 150 elderly patients with chronic low back pain were analysed retrospectively. All patients underwent MRI and lumbar lateral X-ray examination. The lumbar disc from L1-L2 to L5-S1 were selected for this study, including 750 discs, vertebral and endplate close to disc in 150 patients. The incidence rate of lumbar endplate Modic change, disc height and the degree of vertebral bone hyperplasia were recorded. The ratio of disc height/lumbar intervertebral disc height50% was defined as disc collapse. The patients were divided into 4 groups in the basis of imaging changes. Group A1:disc collapse without severe lumbar hyperosteogeny; Group A2: disc collapse with severe lumbar hyperosteogeny; Group B1: Neither disc collapse nor severe lumbar hyperosteogeny; Group B2: severe lumbar hyperosteogeny without disc collapse. The incidence rates of Modic change were compared between the 4 groups by χ(2) test. Finally, the influence of disc height and vertebral bone hyperplasia on the incidence rate of Modic change was analysed.Four groups of patients observed a total of 750 discs. The number of intervertebral discs in the group A1 was 208, the incidence rate was 54.3%. The number of intervertebral discs in the group A2 was 135, the incidence rate of group A2 was 34.8%. The number of intervertebral discs in the B1 group was 225, the incidence rate of group B1 was 16.9%. The number of intervertebral discs in the B2 group was 182, the incidence rate of group B2 was 29.7%. There was significant difference of lumbar endplate Modic change incidence rate among the 4 groups(χ(2) = 69.565, P0.05). The results of post hoc test showed that the incidence rate of Modic change in group A1 was higher than group A2, B1 and B2 (χ(2) = 12.524, 66.701 and 24.102, P0.00714). There was significant difference of Modic change incidence rate between group A2 and B1(χ(2) = 15.032, P0.00714), but there was no significant difference of Modic change incidence rate between group A2 and B2 (χ(2) = 0.945, P0.00714) . There was significant difference of Modic change incidence rate between group B2 and group B1 (χ(2) = 9.395, P0.00714).The incidence rate of Modic change with disc collapse but without severe lumbar hyperosteogeny is high in elderly patients with chronic low back pain. There is no significant difference of Modic change incidence between patients with both disc collapse and severe lumbar hyperosteogeny and patients with severe lumbar hyperosteogeny but without disc collapse.

Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty can be used to restore and maintain the mobility and function of the involved cervical spinal segments. The efficiency of posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) resection in anterior cervical decompression and fusion has been demonstrated. However, no clinical reports have compared PLL removal with preservation in Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty. This study aimed to assess the role of removal of PLL in Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty at an 18-month follow-up.We performed a prospective investigation of clinical and radiological outcomes in patients after Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty. Sixty patients who underwent Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty were included. The PLL was removed in 35 patients (investigational group) and preserved in 25 patients (control group). All of the patients were followed up for more than 18 months. Clinical (Japanese Orthopedic Association score and Visual Analogue Scale pain score) and radiological (functional spinal unit (FSU) angle, range of movement (ROM), and diameter of the spinal cord) parameters were compared between the two groups before and after surgery (18 months).Clinical outcomes in the investigational group were significantly superior to those in the control group. There were no significant differences in the FSU angle and ROM (P = 0.41 and 0.16, respectively) between the two groups. However, the increase in diameter of the spinal cord in the investigational group was significantly greater than that in the control group (P0.01).Removal of the PLL can improve the clinical outcomes of Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty. This procedure does not have a large effect on imbalance and motion of the cervical spine.

Bisphosphonates (BPs) have been reported to reduce local recurrence in giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone because of their osteoclast-suppressing effect; however, the optimal mode of delivery and the dose and duration of treatment of BPs remain to be established. To address these issues, it is first necessary to clarify the manner of action of BPs on osteoclasts. We herein evaluated the osteoclast-suppressing effect of sodium ibandronate in vitro.Mouse osteoclasts (OCLs) were generated in vitro using mouse bone marrow mononuclear cells. First, various concentrations of sodium ibandronate and equal amounts of phosphate-buffered saline were added to cell culture media. The number of multinucleated cells (over three nuclei) was recorded in each group, OCL formation was compared, and the most effective concentration of sodium ibandronate was determined. Then, high concentrations of sodium ibandronate were added to the experimental cell culture media; no ibandronate was given in the control group. Comparisons were made between the two groups in terms of OCL adhesion, migration, and bone resorption.OCL formation was suppressed by sodium ibandronate in vitro; the most pronounced effect was observed at the concentration of 10(-5) mol/L. OCL migration and bone resorption were significantly suppressed at this concentration, though there was no effect on OCL adhesion.Sodium ibandronate was effective in suppressing OCLs and decreasing resorption in GCT. The strong anti-OCL effectiveness at a high concentration in vitro indicates a topical mode of application.

To investigate the radiological change of bilateral paravertebral muscles in degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) and analyze its clinical significance.As a retrospective study, 66 patients with DLS and 66 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis were retrospectively enrolled from April 2004 to August 2011 as scoliosis group and lumbar spinal stenosis group, meanwhile 66 health persons with no lumbar spinal stenosis were selected as control group. No significant differences were found in the gender, age and body mass index among the three groups. The cross-sectional area (CSA) and percentage of fat infiltration area (FIA) of the bilateral paravertebral muscles at the L(1)-S(1) levels were measured using T2-weighted axial MRI and Image J software. The measured data were analyzed with a paired t-test.In the DLS with bilateral symptom group, the mean percentage of FIA of the multifidus muscle on the convex side were 18% ± 4%, 21% ± 4%, 27% ± 4%, 34% ± 6%, 42% ± 10% and on the concave side were 25% ± 8%, 30% ± 7%, 35% ± 7%, 40% ± 10%, 44% ± 8% at L(1-2), L(2-3), L(3-4), L(4-5) and L(5)-S(1) levels, which showed significant differences between the convex side and the concave side (t = 7.95, 9.30, 5.35, 2.78, 2.38, P0.05); the mean percentage of FIA of the longissimus muscle on the convex side were 25% ± 9%, 28% ± 8% and on the concave side were 27% ± 9%, 31% ± 9% at L(3-4), L(4-5) levels, which showed significant differences between the convex side and the concave side (t = 2.52, 3.48, P0.05). There were no significant differences in the CSA of both muscles between the concave and convex sides (P0.05). In the DLS with unilateral symptom group, the mean percentage of FIA of the multifidus muscle on the convex side were 18% ± 5%, 23% ± 5%, 29% ± 5%, 34% ± 6%, 42% ± 9% and on the concave side were 23% ± 6%, 30% ± 7%, 36% ± 7%, 41% ± 10%, 45% ± 8% at L(1-2), L(2-3), L(3-4), L(4-5) and L(5)-S(1) levels, which showed significant differences between the convex side and the concave side (t = 6.67, 7.96, 6.43, 3.86, 2.15, P0.05). There were on significant differences in the CSA of both muscles, and in the percentage of FIA of the longissimus between the concave and convex sides (P0.05).There exist asymmetric degeneration in paravertebral muscle in DLS, which have potential clinical importance on the evaluation of curve progression, and muscle degeneration is more often seen in the concave side. Spinal deformity and radiculopathy may contribute to the paravertebral muscle degeneration.

Cervical spondylotic amyotrophy is a rare clinical condition. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of anterior decompression in patients with unilateral upper-extremity amyotrophy caused by cervical spondylosis. The authors retrospectively analyzed the records of 31 patients (23 men and 8 women) who underwent anterior decompressive surgery for cervical spondylotic amyotrophy at the authors’ institution between 2000 and 2011. Demographic characteristics, pre- and postoperative results of imaging studies, and postoperative muscle power improvement were reviewed at a mean follow-up of 22.2 months (range, 14–36 months). Patients were divided into proximal (n=21) and distal (n=10) types according to the most severely atrophic muscle, and the 2 groups were compared statistically. The most commonly affected intervertebral level in proximal-type patients was C4–C5, whereas that in distal-type patients was C5–C6. Impingements against the ventral nerve root and anterior horn were observed in 22 and 25 cases, respectively, with 16 cases having both impingements. Eighty-one percent of proximal-type patients gained 1 or more grades of muscle power improvement on manual muscle testing, whereas 40% of distal-type patients improved. Within 15 postoperative days, 57% of proximal-type patients attained subjective or objective improvement of muscle power, whereas all distal-type patients failed to improve. Anterior decompression was effective for most patients with unilateral cervical spondylotic amyotrophy, although postoperative muscle power improvement in distal-type patients was inferior to that in proximal-type patients. Furthermore, compared with the proximal type, the distal type showed a slower postoperative recovery.

Radiographic features of consecutive lumbar spondylolisthesis were retrospectively analyzed in a total of 17 patients treated for this condition at the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from June 2005 to March 2012. To investigate the radiographic features, pelvic compensatory mechanisms, and possible underlying etiologies of consecutive lumbar spondylolisthesis. To the best of our knowledge, there is no previous report concerning the characteristics of consecutive lumbar spondylolisthesis. The Taillard index and the lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), sacrum slope (SS), and pelvic tilt (PT) were determined on lateral X-ray images, and the angular displacement was analyzed on flexion–extension X-ray images. Correlation between LL and various pelvic parameters and correlation between Taillard index and angular displacement were assessed by Pearson correlation analysis. A total of 20 cases of isthmic spondylolisthesis and 14 of degenerative spondylolisthesis were retrospectively studied in 17 patients. The Taillard index and the angular displacement in the lower vertebrae were both larger than those in the upper vertebrae. Statistical analysis revealed that LL was correlated with PI and PT, whereas PI was correlated with PT and SS. However, no correlation was identified between Taillard index and angular displacement. In consecutive lumbar spondylolisthesis, the degree of vertebral slip and the angular displacement of the lower vertebrae were both greater than those of the upper vertebrae, indicating that the compensatory mechanism of the pelvis plays an important role in maintaining sagittal balance.

The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) in degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) following long instrumented posterior spinal fusion, and to search for predictable risk factors for the progression of junctional kyphosis. In total 98 DLS patients with a minimum 2-year follow-up were reviewed prospectively. According to the occurrence of PJK at the last follow-up, patients were divided into 2 groups: PJK group and non-PJK group. To investigate risk values for the progression of PJK, 3 categorized factors were analyzed statistically: patient characteristics—preoperative data of age, sex, body mass index (BMI), bone mineral density (BMD) were investigated; surgical variables—the most proximal and distal levels of the instrumentation, the number of instrumented levels; pre- and postoperative radiographic parameters include the scoliotic angle, sagittal vertical axis, thoracic kyphosis, thoracolumbar junctional angle, lumbar lordosis, pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt, and sacral slope. PJK was developed in 17 of 98 patients (17.3%) until to the final follow-up and were enrolled as the PJK group, and 81 patients without PJK at final follow-up were enrolled as the non-PJK group. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in age at operation (P = 0.900). The patient's sex was excluded in statistical analysis because of the predominance of female patients. There were statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in BMI ([25.5 ± 1.7] kg/m2 in the PJK group and [23.6 ± 1.9] kg/m2 in the non-PJK group, P 25 kg/m2, osteoporosis, and UIV at thoracolumbar junction were independently associated with PJK. In conclusion, osteoporosis, obesity, and UIV at thoracolumbar junction are risk factors for the development and progression of PJK in DLS patients following long instrumented posterior spinal fusion. Antiosteoporosis treatment extends the fusion level above the thoracolumbar region and controlling body weight before and after surgery could provide opportunities to reduce the rate of PJK and to improve therapeutic outcomes.

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of lower limb rehabilitation gymnastics on postoperative rehabilitation in elderly patients with femoral shaft fracture after undergoing intramedullary nail fixation surgery. We collected medical records of elderly patients aged ≥ 60 years with femoral shaft fracture between 03/2010 and 03/2015 in Longyao County Hospital. Totally, 160 patients were identified and divided into the intervention group (n = 80) and the control group (n = 80). During the postoperative period, the intervention group received lower limb rehabilitation gymnastics treatment for 3 months, but the control group did not. All patients were routinely asked to return hospital for a check in the 1st postoperative week, as well as the 2nd week, the 1st month, and the 3rd month, after surgery. The clinical rehabilitation effect was evaluated by checking lower limb action ability, detecting the lower limb deep venous thrombosis (DVT), scoring muscle strength of quadriceps and visual analog scale (VAS) score, and performing satisfaction survey. At the 1st week and 2nd week after surgery, the clinical rehabilitation effect in the intervention group was better regarding lower limb action ability, lower limb DVT, muscle strength of quadriceps, VAS score, and patient satisfaction, as compared with the control group. However, there was no significant difference at the 1st month and the 3rd month after surgery when comparing the intervention group to the control group. In the early postoperative stage, lower limb rehabilitation gymnastics can effectively improve the recovery of lower limb function, beneficial to reducing postoperative complications such as lower limb DVT and muscle atrophy, and increasing patient satisfaction rate.

To study the etiology and clinical significance of axial symptoms after posterior operative procedures for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).From February 2005 to February 2010, 76 patients with OPLL treated were retrospectively experienced. There were 34 male and 42 female with average of 52.1 years (range from 37 to 74 years), the average duration of the disease was 32.1 months (range from 11 to 56 months). Nineteen patients underwent traditional laminectomy in group A, 33 patients received open-door laminoplasty in group B and 24 patients underwent lateral mass screw fixation in group C. All patients underwent X-ray examination pre- and post operative, computed tomography were used for diagnosis of OPLL, the recovery rate was calculated using pre- and postoperative Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores for each patient. Pre- and postoperative cervical curvature index and axial symptoms were measured and compared. χ(2) test and SNK test were used as statistical methods.All patients were followed up for 14 - 35 months, average (21 ± 5) months. Loss of cervical curvature index was 4.2% ± 1.7% in group A, 2.9% ± 2.2% in group B and 2.3% ± 1.9% in group C. The difference was significant in loss of cervical curvature indice between group A and B (q = 2.94, P0.01), group A and C (q = 4.23, P0.01). The average JOA recovery rate was 58.3% for group A, 64.3% for group B and 66.7% for group C. There was no significant difference in JOA recovery rate among the three groups (P0.05). The rate of early evident axial symptoms was 7/19 in group A, 30.3% in group B and 33.3% in group C and the difference was not statistically significant (P0.05). The incidence of late evident axial symptoms was 5/19 in group A, 12.1% in group B and 8.3% in group C, the difference was not significant between group B and C (χ(2) = 13.762, P0.01), but of statistical difference between group A and B(χ(2) = 6.368, P0.01), group A and C (χ(2) = 11.481, P0.01). No kyphotic deformity in the group A, no "Close Door" phenomenon in group B and no internal failure in group C.The incidence of early axial symptoms are of no significant difference among the three groups, but late axial symptoms are higher in the laminectomy than other groups, which may be associated with loss of cervical lordosis.

Degenerative lumbar scoliosis is common in older patients. Decreased bone density and the degeneration of intervertebral discs are considered to be correlated with degenerative lumbar scoliosis. A means of quantifying the relative signal intensity for degenerative disc disease has not been previously discussed. The purpose of this study was to compare bone mineral density and intervertebral disc degeneration between degenerative lumbar scoliosis and lumbar spinal stenosis patients in a nine-year retrospective study.From January 2001 to August 2010, 96 patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis were retrospectively enrolled and 96 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis were selected as controls. Cobb angle, height of the apical disc and the contiguous disc superiorly and inferiorly on convex and concave sides, the height of the convex and concave side of the apical and the contiguous vertebral body superiorly and inferiorly were measured in the scoliosis group. The height of L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 discs and the height of L2/L4 vertebral body was measured in the control group. The grade of intervertebral disc degeneration was evaluated using T2WI sagittal images in both groups. The bone density of lumbar vertebrae was measured with dual-energy X-ray.In scoliosis group, the intervertebral disc height on the convex side was greater than the height on the concave side (P0.001). The vertebral body height on the convex side was greater than the height on the concave side (P = 0.016). There was a significant difference between the scoliosis group and the control group (P = 0.003), and between T-value and the rate of osteoporosis between the two groups (both P0.001).were verified using multiple linear regression analysis.Degenerative lumbar scoliosis is accompanied by height asymmetry between the intervertebral disc and vertebral body regarding the convex and concave surfaces. There is a positive correlation between the angle of scoliosis and the disc index, the degree of degeneration of the intervertebral disc, and a negative correlation between the angle of scoliosis and bone density.

This cross-sectional study was designed to obtain the current prevalence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and analyze related risk factors in patients undergoing lumbar interbody fusion. Medical record data were collected from Department of Spinal Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, between July 2014 and March 2015. Both univariate analysis and binary logistic regression analysis were performed to determine risk factors for DVT. A total of 995 patients were admitted into this study, including 484 men and 511 women, aged from 14 to 89 years old (median 50, IQR 19). The detection rate of lower limb DVT by ultrasonography was 22.4% (223/995) in patients undergoing lumbar interbody fusion. Notably, average VAS (visual analog scale) score in the first 3 days after surgery in the DVT group was more than that in the non-DVT group (Z = -21.69, P < 0.001). The logistic regression model was established as logit P = -13.257 + 0.056*X1 - 0.243*X8 + 2.085*X10 + 0.001*X12, (X1 = age; X8 = HDL; X10 = VAS; X12 = blood transfusion; x = 677.763, P < 0.001). In conclusion, advanced age, high postoperative VAS scores, and blood transfusion were risk factors for postoperative lower limb DVT. As well, the logistic regression model may contribute to an early evaluation postoperatively to ascertain the risk of lower limb DVT in patients undergoing lumbar interbody fusion surgery.

Study design A retrospective study of the operative approaches for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy (MCSM) patients to establish an imageology scoring system and a prospective study to explore the clinical significance of the scoring system. Objective To develop and establish an imageology scoring system and explore its clinical significance for selecting the best surgical approach to treat MCSM. Summary of background data MCSM often requires surgical intervention. A number of surgical methods are available, including anterior, posterior, and posterior-anterior united approaches. The key issue is to select an appropriate surgical approach that optimizes clinical outcomes. However, the selection of a surgical approach for MCSM is still controversial. As there is a lack of high-quality quantitative data and a uniform standard for selecting the best surgical approach, the choice is usually based on surgeon experience in practice. Methods A total of 226 MCSM patients who underwent different surgical approaches with satisfactory clinical results (>60% recovery rates) from January 1998 to June 2004 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the surgical approach they underwent: anterior, posterior, or posterior-anterior united approach. Six imageological indices closely related to MCSM were collected for each patient. The indices included the following: the stability of the cervical vertebra, the degree of spinal stenosis, the degree of spinal cord compression, hypertrophy of ligamentum flava, and the local (≤2 levels) or continuous (>2 levels) ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. The maximum likelihood method for discriminatory analysis was adopted to analyze the imageology indices, thus the imageology scores were obtained and the imageology scoring system was established. During the second stage of the study, 165 MCSM patients were prospectively analyzed between June 2005 and September 2008. The surgical approach with the maximum total score according to the imageology scoring system was regarded as the recommended surgical approach, but the actual surgical approach was determined by the surgeon's clinical experience. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the actual surgical approach. Patients underwent either an anterior approach, posterior-anterior united approach, or posterior approach in groups A, B, and C, respectively. The following criteria were evaluated: perioperative and postoperative complications, Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores, and recovery rates. The correlation between the actual surgical approach and the recommended surgical approach by the imageology scoring system was analyzed. Results The postoperative JOA score improved significantly in all the 3 groups. There were no significant differences in JOA scores (group A: 13.10±1.47, group B: 12.89±1.26, group C: 12.98±1.69) or recovery rates (group A: 61.71%±11.41%, group B: 60.21%±9.35%, group C: 60.93%±15.20%) at a 1-year follow-up in all the 3 groups. The correlation between the actual surgical approach and the recommended surgical approach was 87.27%, 90.16%, and 82.05% in groups A, B, and C, respectively. Conclusions The imageological scoring system proved to be effective for selecting a surgical approach for MCSM, which can make surgical techniques more quantified and standardized.