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Introduction: For older adults, dysphagia is a serious problem that can occur after spinal cord injury (SCI), but its risk factors are unclear. This study aimed to identify risk factors for dysphagia in elderly patients (65 years) with cervical SCI. Methods: This multicenter study included 707 patients with cervical SCI (mean age 75.3 years). Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted for patient characteristics and geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI). Results: Dysphagia occurred in 69 patients (9.8%). The significant factors were as follows: male sex (odds ratio [OR] 3.43), GNRI

Introduction: Despite that lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) is a minimally invasive surgery, some patients complain of severe site pain immediately after the surgery. This study aimed to explore the extent of perioperative pain after LLIF, compare the degree of perioperative pain after LLIF with that after other surgical procedures, and evaluate the factors associated with severe pain in the early postoperative period. Methods: In this study, 93 patients who underwent lumbar spine surgeries for lumbar degenerative diseases were analyzed. The patients were categorized into three groups based on the surgical procedure: Group L, LLIF with percutaneous pedicle screw (PPS); Group P, posterolateral fusion (PLF) or posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF); and Group D, posterior decompression (fenestration). The extent of low back pain was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) preoperatively and from postoperative days 1 to 14. Results: The VAS score for postoperative pain decreased in a time-dependent manner in all three groups (P

Abstract This retrospective cohort study established malnutrition’s impact on mortality and neurological recovery of older patients with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). It included patients aged ≥ 65 years with traumatic cervical SCI treated conservatively or surgically. The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index was calculated to assess nutritional-related risk. Overall, 789 patients (mean follow-up: 20.1 months) were examined and 47 had major nutritional-related risks on admission. One-year mortality rate, median survival time, neurological recovery, and activities of daily living (ADL) at 1 year post-injury were compared between patients with major nutrition-related risk and matched controls selected using 1:2 propensity score matching to adjust for age, pre-traumatic neurological impairment, and activity. In the Kaplan–Meier analysis, the median survival times were 44.9 and 76.5 months for patients with major nutrition-related risk and matched controls, respectively (p = 0.015). Matched controls had more individuals with a neurological improvement of American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale ≥ 1 grade (p = 0.039) and independence in ADL at 1 year post-injury than patients with major nutrition-related risk (p

Abstract Background Little is known about the progression pattern of vertebral deformities in elderly patients with prevalent vertebral fractures. This population-based cohort study investigated the incidence, progression pattern, and risk factors of vertebral deformity in prevalent vertebral fractures over a finite period of four years in a population-based cohort study. Methods A total of 224 inhabitants of a typical mountain village underwent medical examinations every second year from 1997 to 2009, and each participant was followed up for four years. The extent (mild, moderate, severe) and type (wedge, biconcave, crush) of prevalent vertebral fractures on spinal radiographs were evaluated using the Genant semi-quantitative method. Of these participants, 116 with prevalent vertebral fractures at baseline (32 men and 84 women; mean age: 70.0 years) were included in this study. The progression patterns of the 187 vertebral fractures with mild and moderate deformities (except severe deformity) were evaluated. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors associated with deformity progression. Results The progression of vertebral deformities was identified in 13.4% (25 vertebral fractures) of the total 187 prevalent (mild and moderate) vertebral fracture deformities over four years. Among the three deformity types, the prevalence of deformity progression was significantly lower in wedge-type vertebral fractures (P

Abstract Background Intradiscal condoliase injection is an alternative therapeutic option for lumbar disc herniation (LDH). However, it is often associated with disc degeneration. Several in vivo studies have demonstrated the regenerative potential of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in disc degeneration. Thus, we hypothesized that the intradiscal injection of PRP releasate (PRPr), a soluble releasate isolated from PRP, has the potential to regenerate degenerated intervertebral discs (IVDs) induced by condoliase. This study examined the regenerative effects of PRPr on rabbit IVDs degenerated following condoliase injection. Methods Eleven New Zealand white rabbits were used in this study. Condoliase (12.5 mU/10 μl) was injected into two non-contiguous discs (L2-L3 and L4-L5), and L3-L4 disc was left intact as a non-injection control. Saline (20 μl) or PRPr (20 μl) was randomly injected into L2-L3 and L4-L5 discs 4 weeks after the condoliase injection. Disc height (DH) was radiographically monitored biweekly from the day of condoliase injection to 16 weeks post-injection. Changes in DH were expressed as percentage DH (%DH) normalized to the baseline DH. Sixteen weeks after condoliase injection, all rabbits were euthanized, and subjected to MRI and histological analyses. Results Intradiscal injection of condoliase induced a significant decrease in %DH (L2-L3 and L4-L5) to 52.0% at week 4. However, the %DH began to return to normal after saline injection and reached 76.3% at week 16. In the PRPr group, %DH began to recover to normal after the PRPr injection and was restored to 95.5% at week 16. The MRI-modified Pfirrmann grade of the PRPr group was significantly lower than that of the saline group (P

Study Design Retrospective study. Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, characteristics, and risk factors for clinical L5–S1 adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) after L5 floating lumbar fusion. Overview of Literature ASD is known to occur after lumbar spine fusion at a certain frequency. Several studies on radiological L5–S1 ASD have been reported. However, there are only a few studies on L5–S1 ASD with clinical symptoms, including back pain and/or radiculopathy. Methods In total, 306 patients who received L5 floating lumbar fusion were included in this study. Clinical L5–S1 ASD was defined as newly developed radiculopathy in relation to the L5–S1 segment. Patients’ medical records and imaging data were retrospectively analyzed. The risk factors for clinical ASD were assessed by an inverse probability of treatment weighting-adjusted logistic regression analysis. Results Clinical L5–S1 ASD occurred in 17 patients (5.6%). The mean onset time of L5–S1 ASD was 12.9±7.5 months after the primary surgery. Among these patients, 10 (58.8%) presented with clinical L5–S1 ASD within 12 months. Reoperation was performed in three patients (1.0%). The severity of L5–S1 disk degeneration did not affect the occurrence of L5–S1 ASD. Logistic regression analysis showed that the number of fusion levels was a significant risk factor for clinical L5–S1 ASD. Conclusions The incidence and characteristics of clinical L5–S1 ASD after L5 floating lumbar fusion were retrospectively investigated. This study established that the number of fusion levels was a significant candidate factor for clinical L5–S1 ASD. Careful clinical follow-up is deemed necessary after L5 floating lumbar fusion surgery, especially for patients who received multiple-level fusions.

Abstract Although the incidence of cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) has increased in older adults, its etiology and neurological outcomes remain unknown. We identified OPLL characteristics and determined whether they influence neurological severity and improvement of CSCI in older patients. This multicenter retrospective cohort study identified 1512 patients aged ≥ 65 years diagnosed with CSCI on admission during 2010–2020. We analyzed CSCI etiology in OPLL patients. We performed propensity score-adjusted analyses to compare neurological outcomes between patients with and without OPLL. Cases were matched based on variables influencing neurological prognosis. The primary neurological outcome was rated according to the American Spine Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale (AIS) and ASIA motor score (AMS). In 332 OPLL patients, the male-to-female ratio was approximately 4:1. Half of all patients displayed low-energy trauma-induced injury and one-third had CSCI without a bony injury. Propensity score matching created 279 pairs. There was no significant difference in the AIS grade and AMS between patients with and without OPLL during hospitalization, 6 months, and 12 months following injury. OPLL patients tended to exhibit worse neurological findings during injury; nevertheless, OPLL was not associated with poor neurological improvement in older CSCI patients.

Abstract Although traumatic cervical spine injuries in older adults are commonly caused by minor traumas, such as ground-level falls, their prognosis is often unfavorable. Studies examining the clinical characteristics of cervical spine injuries in older adults according to the external cause of injury are lacking. This study included 1512 patients of ≥ 65 years of age with traumatic cervical spine injuries registered in a Japanese nationwide multicenter database. The relationship between the external causes and clinical characteristics, as well as factors causing unfavorable outcomes at the ground-level falls, were retrospectively reviewed and examined. When fall-induced cervical spine injuries were categorized and compared based on fall height, the patients’ backgrounds and injury statuses differed significantly. Of note, patients injured from ground-level falls tended to have poorer pre-injury health conditions, such as medical comorbidities and frailty, compared with those who fell from higher heights. For ground-level falls, the mortality, walking independence, and home-discharge rates at 6 months post-injury were 9%, 67%, and 80%, respectively, with preexisting medical comorbidities and frailty associated with unfavorable outcomes, independent of age or severity of neurological impairment at the time of injury.

Abstract Background The 1-year mortality and functional prognoses of patients who received surgery for cervical trauma in the elderly remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the rates of, and factors associated with mortality and the deterioration in walking capacity occurring 1 year after spinal fusion surgery for cervical fractures in patients 65 years of age or older. Methods Three hundred thirteen patients aged 65 years or more with a traumatic cervical fracture who received spinal fusion surgery were enrolled. The patients were divided into a survival group and a mortality group, or a maintained walking capacity group and a deteriorated walking capacity group. We compared patients’ backgrounds, trauma, and surgical parameters between the two groups. To identify factors associated with mortality or a deteriorated walking capacity 1 year postoperatively, a multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted. Results One year postoperatively, the rate of mortality was 8%. A higher Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score, a more severe the American Spinal Cord Injury Association impairment scale (AIS), and longer surgical time were identified as independent factors associated with an increase in 1-year mortality. The rate of deterioration in walking capacity between pre-trauma and 1 year postoperatively was 33%. A more severe AIS, lower albumin (Alb) and hemoglobin (Hb) values, and a larger number of fused segments were identified as independent factors associated with the increased risk of deteriorated walking capacity 1 year postoperatively. Conclusions The 1-year rate of mortality after spinal fusion surgery for cervical fracture in patients 65 years of age or older was 8%, and its associated factors were a higher CCI score, a more severe AIS, and a longer surgical time. The rate of deterioration in walking capacity was 33%, and its associated factors were a more severe AIS, lower Alb, lower Hb values, and a larger number of fused segments.

Introduction: In elderly patients with cervical spinal cord injury, comorbidities such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are common, with frequent administration of antiplatelet/anticoagulant (APAC) drugs. Such patients may bleed easily or unexpectedly during surgery despite prior withdrawal of APAC medication. Few reports have examined the precise relationship between intraoperative blood loss and history of APAC use regarding surgery for cervical spine injury in the elderly. The present multicenter database survey aimed to answer the question of whether the use of APAC drugs affected the amount of intraoperative blood loss in elderly patients with cervical spinal cord trauma. Methods: The case histories of 1512 patients with cervical spine injury at 33 institutes were retrospectively reviewed. After excluding cases without spinal surgery or known blood loss volume, 797 patients were enrolled. Blood volume loss was the outcome of interest. We calculated propensity scores using the inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) method. As an alternative sensitivity analysis, linear mixed model analyses were conducted as well. Results: Of the 776 patients (mean age: 75.1±6.4 years) eligible for IPTW calculation, 157 (20.2%) were taking APAC medications before the injury. After weighting, mean estimated blood loss was 204 mL for non-APAC patients and 215 mL for APAC patients. APAC use in elderly patients was not significantly associated with surgical blood loss according to the IPTW method with propensity scoring or linear mixed model analyses. Thus, it appeared possible to perform surgery expecting comparable blood loss in APAC and non-APAC cases. Conclusions: This multicenter study revealed no significant increase in surgical blood loss in elderly patients with cervical trauma taking APAC drugs. Surgeons may be able to prioritize patient background, complications, and preexisting conditions over APAC use before injury when examining the surgical indications for cervical spine trauma in the elderly.

PurposeThe purposes of this study were to investigate 1) the location of low back pain (LBP) and 2) the relationships between the location of LBP and the LBP intensity or the quality of life (QoL) in a population-based study.MethodsThe location of LBP was categorized into four areas using palpation: midline of the lumbar region, paravertebral muscles, upper buttock, and sacroiliac joint. The extent of LBP in the situations/positions was assessed. The relationships between the location of LBP and the extent of LBP on the QoL were statistically analyzed.Results174 participants (average age: 72.3 years-old) were analyzed in this study. 93 participants (53.4% of the total) who had experienced LBP in the past three months were included in the LBP-positive group. Numerical rating scale (NRS) scores of the LBP-positive group were highest in the standing position. 51.6% of the LBP-positive group had LBP at the midline of the lumbar region, 40.9% at the paravertebral muscles, 28.0% at the upper buttock, and 15.1% at the sacroiliac joint. In the standing position, NRS scores of LBP at the upper buttock were significantly higher than those at the midline of the lumbar region and the paravertebral muscles (PConclusionOur study was the first report to investigate the location of LBP using palpation in a population-based study. LBP localization was significantly associated with LBP intensity and LBP-related QoL.

Background and Objectives: Adult (de novo) degenerative scoliosis (ADS) develops through degenerative changes in the lumbar spine, leading to spinal malalignment, which usually progresses with age. Strong evidence for non-operative care in patients with ADS is lacking, and whether physical exercise can improve the scoliosis curve remains unknown. Materials and Methods: We present a case of early stage ADS in which the coronal imbalance was improved by daily training. A 65-year-old female patient complained of lower back pain (LBP) and bilateral leg pain. She was diagnosed with early stage ADS with lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis by imaging. She completed six months of daily physical training, including swimming, aerobic bikes, stretching, yoga, and Taijiquan. Results: Her LBP and neurological symptoms improved, and coronal–spinal balance was restored, which was maintained for four years by continued daily physical training. Conclusions: This is the first case of a 65-year-old ADS patient whose coronal balance was significantly restored through daily physical training. Substantial physical training focused on trunk muscle strength is important for spinal stabilization and for improving spinal malalignment in patients with early stage ADS.

Background and Objectives: Recently, the clinical application of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has gained popularity for the treatment of degenerative disc diseases. However, the regenerative effects and factors associated with treatment outcomes after intradiscal injection of PRP remain unknown. This study aimed to evaluate time-dependent changes in imaging findings related to intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration and to identify factors associated with the outcomes of PRP injection therapy. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of a previous randomized clinical trial of intradiscal injection of the releasate isolated from PRP (PRPr) in patients with discogenic low back pain (LBP) was performed. Radiographic parameters (segmental angulation and lumbar lordosis) and MRI phenotypes, including Modic changes, disc bulge, and high-intensity zones (HIZs), were evaluated at baseline and 6 and 12 months post-injection. Treatment outcomes were evaluated based on the degree of LBP and LBP-related disability at 12 months post-injection. Results: A total of 15 patients (mean age: 33.9 ± 9.5 years) were included in this study. Radiographic parameters showed no significant changes after the PRPr injection. There were no remarkable changes in the prevalence or type of MRI phenotype. Treatment outcomes were significantly improved after treatment; however, the number of targeted discs and the presence of posterior HIZs at baseline were significantly but negatively associated with treatment outcomes. Conclusions: Intradiscal injection of PRPr significantly improved LBP and LBP-related disability 12 months post-injection; however, patients with multiple target lesions or posterior HIZs at baseline were significantly associated with poor treatment outcomes.

Abstract Background Previous clinical studies reported that thoracolumbar vertebral fractures (VFs) associated with high energy spine trauma cause adjacent intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration; however, the effect of non-traumatic VFs on the progression of adjacent disc degeneration remains to be determined. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between non-traumatic VFs and degenerative changes of adjacent IVDs. Methods Ninety-eight consecutive patients undergoing spinal surgery were included in this study. VFs were semi-quantitatively evaluated by lateral lumbar radiography. Five hundred eighty-eight vertebral bodies (from T12 to L5) and 486 discs (from T12/L1 to L4/L5) were analyzed. The degree of IVD degeneration was evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and classified into two groups according to Pfirrmann’s classification. Grades I, II and III were defined as the early stage of IVD degeneration and Grades IV and V as the advanced stage. Intradiscal vacuum phenomena (VPs) were evaluated by computed tomography. Adjacent IVDs were categorized according to the locations of VFs (superior, inferior, and bilateral). Associations between the presence of VFs and the extent of IVD degeneration or the presence of VPs were statistically analyzed. Results IVDs adjacent to VFs were identified in 115 IVDs (31.1% of total; superior: 11.4%, bilateral: 8.6%, inferior: 11.1%). The presence of VFs was significantly associated with MRI grades of adjacent IVD degeneration (P

Abstract Background Although spinal schwannomas generally grow very slowly, it has been reported that these clinical growths and their associated neurological symptoms accelerate during pregnancy. Because these cases are rare, surgical intervention for this tumor during pregnancy poses a significant challenge. The change of pregnancy-related hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, is considered to have an effect on the clinical symptoms of spinal tumors. Expressions of the receptors for estrogen and progesterone in orbital and vestibular schwannomas have been reported; however, those expressions in spinal schwannomas have not been examined. Case presentation A 36-year-old woman at 8 weeks' gestation suffered from developing neck pain and neurological symptoms in the right upper extremity. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed the presence of a cervical intradural extramedullary tumor. Under general anesthesia, using intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring of motor-evoked potentials (MEPs), spinal tumor resection following a hemi-laminoplasty was performed in a prone position at 12 weeks gestation. The pathological diagnosis following surgery was spinal schwannoma. Her neurological symptoms were significantly improved after surgery and she delivered a healthy baby in her 40th week of pregnancy. At a 12-month follow-up, no abnormalities were observed during medical examinations of both mother and child. An immunohistochemical study identified the expression of estrogen receptors, but not progesterone receptors, in the spinal schwannoma. Conclusions A cervical spinal schwannoma was successfully removed under general anesthesia at 12 weeks gestation by coordination between orthopaedic, obstetric and anesthesia teams. For the first time, an immunohistochemical analysis showed that the expression of estrogen receptors was identified in spinal schwannoma cells, suggesting the possibility that these hormone receptors in spinal schwannoma might contribute to the worsening of neurological symptoms during pregnancy.

PurposeLumbar radiography is a primary screening tool for lumbar spondylosis (LS). Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) classification is widely used to evaluate LS; however, it cannot individually evaluate each radiographic feature. The purpose of this study was to 1) evaluate radiographic LS using a novel elemental grading system and 2) investigate the relationship between the grades of radiographic LS and low back pain (LBP) in a population-based cohort study.MethodsA total of 260 (75 men, 185 women; mean age, 71.5 ± 8.7 years) participants were included in this study. Participants were divided into two groups according to the presence of LBP (LBP- and LBP+ groups). Radiographic features, including osteophyte (OP), disc height narrowing (DHN), vertebral sclerosis (VS), and spondylolisthesis (SL), were classified between grades of 0-2 grades according to the extent of radiographic changes. The sum of grades at each intervertebral level was designated as the intervertebral grade (IG).ResultsIntra- and inter-observer reliability (kappa coefficient) of OP, DHN, VS, and SL were 0.82-0.92. OP, DHN, VS, and IG grades were significantly higher in the LBP+ group than in the LBP- group. There were no significant differences in KL grades between the LBP- and LBP+ groups. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that VS grade was a significant independent factor associated with LBP.ConclusionThe novel elemental grading system of LS would reflect LBP more accurately than the KL classification by individually evaluating each radiographic feature.

Abstract Background The expression of the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (RANK) /RANK ligand (RANKL) /osteoprotegerin (OPG) system and its association with the progression of intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration has recently been reported in a human IVD. However, the effect of the RANK/RANKL/OPG system on the matrix metabolism of human IVD cells, especially on the expression of catabolic factors relevant to IVD degeneration, remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the expression of the RANK/RANKL/OPG system, and then to evaluate the effect of this system on the expression of catabolic factors by human IVD cells. Methods Annulus fibrosus (AF) and nucleus pulposus (NP) cells isolated by sequential enzyme digestion from human IVD tissues obtained during spine surgeries were monolayer cultured. The expression of the RANK/RANKL/OPG system was determined using immunohistochemical methods and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). To evaluate the influence of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) stimulation on the mRNA expression of RANK, RANKL, and OPG, recombinant human IL-1β (rhIL-1β) was administered in the culture media of IVD cells. To examine the influence of RANKL signaling on the expression of matrix metalloprotease-3 (MMP-3), MMP-13, and IL-1β, the cells were cultured with exogenous recombinant human RANKL (rhRANKL), recombinant human OPG (rhOPG) or anti-human RANKL mouse monoclonal antibody (ahRANKL-mAB) with or without rhIL-1β. Results Immunoreactivity to RANK/RANKL/OPG and the mRNA expression of the three genes were obviously identified in both AF and NP cells. rhIL-1β stimulation significantly upregulated the mRNA expression level of RANK/RANKL/OPG. The mRNA expression of catabolic factors was significantly upregulated by stimulation of rhRANKL in the presence of rhIL-1β. On the other hand, the administration of either rhOPG or ahRANKL-mAB significantly suppressed the mRNA expression of catabolic factors that had been upregulated by rhIL-1β stimulation. The suppressive effect of ahRANKL-mAB against rhIL-1β stimulation was also confirmed by the protein expression of MMP-3. Conclusions The present study showed that the RANK/RANKL/OPG system may be involved in the progression of IVD degeneration. This study also suggested the potential use of anti-RANKL monoclonal antibody and OPG as therapeutic agents to suppress the progression of IVD degeneration.

With improving prognosis for recipients of liver transplantation, the necessity of medical care for musculoskeletal disorders, including spinal diseases, of these patients is also increasing. Only a few reports are available on cases of spine surgery following liver transplantation. Furthermore, a case of lateral access surgery following liver transplantation has not thus far been reported. The purpose of this study is to present the first two cases of patients treated with lateral access spine surgery following liver transplantation. Case 1. A 49-year-old female had received living donor liver transplantation (LT) for acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) ten years prior to spine surgery. The patient underwent two levels of lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) followed by posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) for degenerative lumbar disease. Although neurological symptoms in the lower extremity improved, a liver disorder resulting from acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity occurred at an early stage following spine surgery. Case 2. A 66-year-old female had received living donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) six years prior to spine surgery. She underwent posterior instrumentation surgery followed by a T12 corpectomy using a wide-foot print expandable cage for T12 vertebral collapse. Following surgery, her weakened muscle strength in the lower extremities was significantly improved. Lateral access spine surgery for lumbar and thoracolumbar lesions can be successfully performed for patients following liver transplantation. However, careful follow-up should be performed for complications related to the function of the liver graft following spine surgery.

Background and Objectives: Clinical studies of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for the treatment of low back pain (LBP) have been reported; however, less is known about its long-term efficiency. Materials and Methods: This study was a long-term follow-up of a previous prospective clinical feasibility study for the use of PRP releasate (PRPr) to treat discogenic LBP patients. Among 14 patients, 11 patients were evaluated for a long-term survey. The efficacy was assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS) for LBP intensity and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) for LBP-related disability. Radiographic disc height was evaluated for seven patients. Results: Improvements in VAS and RDQ were sustained at an average of 5.9 years after the intradiscal injection of PRPr (p < 0.01 vs. baseline, respectively). Clinically meaningful improvements (more than 30% decrease from baseline) in VAS and RDQ were identified in 91% of patients at final survey. The radiographic measurement of disc height of PRPr-injected discs showed a mild decrease (13.8% decrease compared to baseline) during the average 5.9 years. Conclusions: The results of this study with a small number of patients suggest that the intradiscal injection of PRPr has a safe and efficacious effect on LBP improvement for more than 5 years after treatment. Further large-scale studies would be needed to confirm the clinical evidence for the use of PRPr for the treatment of patients with discogenic LBP.

Abstract Background The progression of intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration leads to rupture within IVD tissues. The location and appearance of areas of gaseous radiolucency in the IVD, known as vacuum phenomena (VPs), are considered to indirectly indicate the position and extent of IVD rupture. The clinical significance of VPs in degenerated IVDs is not fully understood. The purpose of this study is to assess and classify the morphology of IVD ruptures by the presence of intradiscal VPs, and to examine the association between morphological VP-positive IVD ruptures and degenerative lumbar diseases. Methods IVD rupture was evaluated by the presence of VPs using computed tomography (CT) imaging. VP shape (spot, linear, island) was classified using sagittal imaging, and VP distribution (A-N: anterior AF-NP; N: NP only; N-P: NP-posterior AF; A-N-P: anterior and posterior AF-NP) was classified using axial imaging. The disc height index (DHI) was calculated from lateral radiographs. Disc degeneration and lumbar spinal stenosis were evaluated by MRI grade. Results In the VP shape analysis, the island type was the most common, followed by linear and spot types. In the VP distribution analysis, A-N was the most common group, followed by N, N-P and A-N-P. Intra- and inter-observer reliabilities were statistically sufficient to classify different rupture shapes and distributions. The DHI tended to be lower in discs that contained VPs, especially in the anterior AF area. The shape and distribution of intradiscal VPs were significantly associated with the degree of disc degeneration and lumbar spinal stenosis graded by MRI. Discs with VPs extending from the NP into the anterior and/or posterior AF had a significantly higher proportion of advanced disc degeneration (Pfirrmann’s classification: grades IV and V). Conclusions This is the first study to analyze the morphology of IVD rupture evaluated by the presence of intradiscal VPs using CT imaging. This classification can comprehensively present the shape and axial distribution of VPs within IVDs. Intradiscal VPs are associated with the progression of disc degeneration and lumbar spinal stenosis.

Abstract Background The receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL), a member of the TNF ligand superfamily, is known to regulate bone metabolism. The expression of each component of the RANK/RANKL/osteoprotegerin (OPG) system in the intervertebral disc (IVD) has not been examined in detail. The purposes of this study were to examine the expression of the RANK/RANKL/OPG system and to evaluate the function of RANKL in the matrix metabolism of the rat IVD. Methods Sprague-Dawley, 12-week-old, male rats were used in this study. Anulus fibrosus (AF), nucleus pulposus (NP) and cartilaginous endplate (CEP) cells isolated from dissected thoracolumbar discs were monolayer-cultured. RANK/RANKL/OPG expression in rat IVDs was examined using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemical analysis (cultured cells and IVD tissues). To examine the effect of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) stimulation on the mRNA levels of RANK, RANKL and OPG, the cells were cultured with or without recombinant human IL-1β (rhIL-1β). To evaluate the effect of RANKL on the mRNA expression of catabolic factors (IL-1β, matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and MMP-13), the cells were cultured with RANKL in the presence or absence of rhIL-1β. The immunohistochemical expression of this system was also evaluated using human IVD tissues with different grades of degeneration. Results mRNA expression levels of RANK, RANKL, and OPG were clearly identified in AF, NP and CEP cells. Immunoreactivity to RANK, RANKL and OPG was distributed in the cell membranes and/or cytoplasm of the three types of cells. The mRNA level of RANKL was significantly upregulated by treatment with rhIL-1β of the three types of cells. Treatment with RANKL without rhIL-1β did not induce significant effects on the mRNA expression of catabolic factors by AF, NP and CEP cells. However, the expression was significantly upregulated by stimulation with RANKL in the presence of rhIL-1β. There was a general trend for more RANK/RANKL/OPG-positive cells in human IVD tissues in an advanced stage of degeneration compared to an early stage. Conclusions Our study showed the possibility that the RANK/RANKL/OPG system may play a part in the process of intervertebral disc degeneration.

Study DesignPreliminary clinical trial.PurposeTo determine the safety and initial efficacy of intradiscal injection of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) releasate in patients with discogenic low back pain.Overview of LiteraturePRP, which is comprised of autologous growth factors and cytokines, has been widely used in the clinical setting for tissue regeneration and repair. PRP has been shown in vitro and in vivo to potentially stimulate intervertebral disc matrix metabolism.MethodsInclusion criteria for this study included chronic low back pain without leg pain for more than 3 months; one or more lumbar discs (L3/L4 to L5/S1) with evidence of degeneration, as indicated via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); and at least one symptomatic disc, confirmed using standardized provocative discography. PRP releasate, isolated from clotted PRP, was injected into the center of the nucleus pulposus. Outcome measures included the use of a visual analog scale (VAS) and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ), as well as X-ray and MRI (T2-quantification).ResultsData were analyzed from 14 patients (8 men and 6 women; mean age, 33.8 years). The average follow-up period was 10 months. Following treatment, no patient experienced adverse events or significant narrowing of disc height. The mean pain scores before treatment (VAS, 7.5±1.3; RDQ, 12.6±4.1) were significantly decreased at one month, and this was generally sustained throughout the observation period (6 months after treatment: VAS, 3.2±2.4, RDQ; 3.6±4.5 and 12 months: VAS, 2.9±2.8; RDQ, 2.8±3.9; p

Titanium (Ti)-6Al-4V alloy, which is widely used in spinal instrumentation with a pedicle screw (PS) system. However, significant clinical problems, including loosening and back-out of PSs, persist. During the last decade, a novel technology that produces bioactive Ti from chemical and heat treatments has been reported that induces the spontaneous formation of a hydroxyapatite (HA) layer on the surface of Ti materials. The purpose of this study was to study the effect of bioactivation of Ti-6Al-4V PSs on the ability of HA formation in vitro and its biocompatibility and bone-bonding ability in vivo.Ti-6V-4Al alloy PSs were prepared and bioactivated by NaOH-CaCl2-heat-water treatments. The HA-forming ability of bioactive PSs in simulated body fluid (SBF) was evaluated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Six 11-month-old female beagle dogs were used for the in vivo study. Bioactive and control (without bioactivation) PSs were left and right randomly placed from L1 to L6. One and three months after surgery, lumbar spines were removed for biomechanical and histological analyses.In vitro: The surface analysis of bioactive PSs by FE-SEM and EDX showed substantial HA deposits over the entire surface. In vivo: The mean extraction torque was significantly higher for bioactive PSs compared to controls PSs (P