Cement Augmented Anterior Reconstruction and Decompression without Posterior Instrumentation: A Less Invasive Surgical Option for Osteoporotic Thoracolumbar Fracture with Cord Compression.

Objective: We investigated the clinical and radiological outcomes of a cement augmented anterior reconstruction and decompression without pedicle screw fixation in patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral fracture with myelopathy.

Methods: There were 2 male and 6 female patients with thoracolumbar fracture and myelopathy included in the study. The mean follow-up period was more than 1 years.

Anterior lumbar interbody fusion with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation for multiple-level isthmic spondylolisthesis.

Objective: Multiple-level lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis is rarely reported. Here, we report 23 consecutive patients who underwent anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (PPF) for multiple-level isthmic spondylolisthesis.

Patients And Methods: From June 2008 through December 2014, multiple-level lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis was diagnosed in 23 patients (6 men, 17 women) at Wooridul Spine Hospital (Busan, South Korea).

Percutaneous Endoscopic Cervical Discectomy (PECD): An Analysis of Outcome, Causes of Reoperation.

Objective: Percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy (PECD) is regarded as an effective treatment modality in cervical disc herniation, including radicular pain and lateral location of disc herniation. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiologic outcomes of PECD along with the causes of reoperation and the technique itself.

Methods: Between January 2007 and November 2012, 101 patients underwent PECD at the Busan Wooridul Hospital.

Salvage Percutaneous Vertebral Augmentation Using Polymethyl Methacrylate in Patients with Failed Interbody Fusion.

Background: Percutaneous vertebral augmentation with cement is used as a salvage procedure for failed instrumentation. Few studies have reported the use of this procedure for failed anterior lumbar fusion in elderly patients with osteoporosis and other complicated diseases who have undergone a previous major operation.

Methods: Between January 2007 and December 2015, the clinical and radiographic results of 8 patients with osteoporosis who showed subsidence and migration of the implant after an initial operation were examined.

An Upper and Middle Cervical Spine Posterior Arch Defect Leading to Myelopathy and a Thoracic Spine Posterior Arch Defect.

Background: Abnormalities of the posterior arches of the upper and middle cervical spine that can cause myelopathy are rare, and no reports of such defects at the thoracic spinal level have been published.

Case Description: A 29-year-old male patient reported right arm weakness and pain for 1 year. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine showed spinal canal stenosis at the C3-4 and C4-5 levels, as well as a posterior arch defect at the C2, 3, and 4 levels that was compressing the spinal cord.

Epidural Steroids After a Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy.

Study Design: Randomized controlled study from a single surgeon.

Objective: The objective of the present study is to assess the effectiveness of the administration of epidural steroids in patients who undergo a percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) because of a herniated lumbar disc.

Summary Of Background Data: Steroids are drugs that show strong anti-inflammatory effects; in specific, the effects of epidural steroid application after an open lumbar discectomy have been studied extensively.

Microscopic anterior foraminal decompression combined with anterior lumbar interbody fusion.

Background Context: Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (PPF) provides successful surgical outcomes to isthmic spondylolisthesis patients with indirect decompression through foraminal volume expansion. However, indirect decompression through ALIF followed by PPF may not obtain a successful surgical outcome in patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis accompanied by foraminal stenosis caused by a posterior osteophyte or foraminal sequestrated disc herniation. Thus far, there has been no report of foraminal decompression through anterior direct access in the lumbar spine.

Primary extensive spinal subarachnoid cysticercosis.

Study Design: A case report.

Objective: To describe a patient with a primary extensive spinal subarachnoid cysticercosis that was successfully treated with a combination of surgical removal and albendazole.

Summary Of Background Data: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common parasitic infection of the central nervous system.

Herniated lumbar disc combined with spinal intradural extramedullary cysticercosis.

Spinal cysticercosis is a very uncommon manifestation of neurocysticercosis which is caused by the larvae of Taenia solium. However, it can develop as a primary infection through blood stream or direct larval migration. It can result in high recurrence and severe neurologic morbidity if not treated appropriately.