Abrogation of LBX1 in skeletal muscle results in hypoplastic limbs and progressive kyphosis in mice.

LBX1 is a gene located near a single-nucleotide polymorphism, rs11190870, which is highly associated with susceptibility to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. However, the potential involvement of LBX1 in the etiology of this spinal deformity has not been elucidated. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the lack of LBX1 in skeletal muscle results in spinal deformities in mice.

A Case of Fragility Fracture of the Pelvis Initially Diagnosed as Osteoarthritis of the Hip.

We present the case of a 58-year-old woman who presented with anterior groin pain, initially diagnosed with hip osteoarthritis (OA), scheduled for total hip arthroplasty, and subsequently diagnosed with an occult fragility fracture of the pelvis (FFP) by preoperative computed tomography (CT) examination. We diagnosed the patient with pre-existing hip OA and a bilateral sacrum and left pubic tubercle fracture that exacerbated the groin pain. We operated on the FFP followed by simultaneous bilateral total hip arthroplasty.

A novel approach for identifying serological markers indicative of surgical-site infection following spine surgery: Postoperative lymphopenia is a risk factor.

Background: Postoperative lymphopenia (PL) after spine surgery is reported to be an indicator of surgical-site infection (SSI). PL without SSI is often encountered, resulting in a treatment dilemma. We focused on PL, so as to improve the accuracy of detecting SSI.

Establishment of a suitable combination of serological markers to diagnose surgical site infection following spine surgery: A novel surgical site infection scoring system.

Background: The accuracy rates of several effective serological markers of surgical site infection following spine surgery are unclear. We aimed to verify the accuracy of each significant marker and identify the most suitable and effective combination of these markers for the diagnosis of surgical site infection following spine surgery.

Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 329 patients who underwent spine surgery for causes other than infectious spondylitis, including 9 patients with surgical site infection.

Impact of Screw Diameter and Length on Pedicle Screw Fixation Strength in Osteoporotic Vertebrae: A Finite Element Analysis.

Study Design: Biomechanical study.

Purpose: To quantitatively investigate the effect of screw size on screw fixation in osteoporotic vertebrae with finite element analysis (FEA).

Overview Of Literature: Osteoporosis poses a challenge in spinal instrumentation; however, the selection of screw size is directly related to fixation and is closely dependent on each surgeon's experience and preference.

Mobile Spinal Schwannoma with a Completely Cystic Appearance.

BACKGROUND Spinal schwannomas are benign tumors arising from Schwann cells. Although they have been well described, tumor movement in the spinal canal is an extremely rare finding, and entirely cystic spinal schwannomas have rarely been reported. This is the first report of a spinal schwannoma that simultaneously exhibited both these unusual features.

Feasibility of using tapping torque during lumbar pedicle screw insertion to predict screw fixation strength.

Background: Rigid pedicle screw fixation is mandatory for achieving successful spinal fusion; however, there is no reliable method predicting screw fixation before screw insertion. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of measurement of tapping torque to predict pedicle screw fixation.

Methods: First, different densities of polyurethane foam were used to measure tapping torque.

Comparison of Pedicle Screw Fixation Strength Among Different Transpedicular Trajectories: A Finite Element Study.

Study Design: Comparative biomechanical study by finite element (FE) method.

Objective: To investigate the pullout strength of pedicle screws using different insertional trajectories.

Summary Of Background Data: Pedicle screw fixation has become the gold standard for spinal fusion, however, not much has been done to clarify how the fixation strength of pedicle screws are affected by insertional trajectories and bone properties.

Cortical Bone Trajectory for Thoracic Pedicle Screws: A Technical Note.

Study Design: A morphometric measurement of new thoracic pedicle screw trajectory using computed tomography and a biomechanical study on cadaveric thoracic vertebrae using insertional torque.

Objective: To introduce a new thoracic pedicle screw trajectory which maximizes engagement with denser bone.

Summary Of Background Data: Cortical bone trajectory (CBT) which maximizes the thread contact with cortical bone provides enhanced screw purchase.

Factors that regulate spinal cord position after expansive open-door laminoplasty.

Introduction: Although appropriate dorsal migration of the spinal cord is a desired end point of cervical laminoplasty, it is difficult to predict in advance the spinal cord position after surgery and to control it during surgery. The aim of the present study was to investigate the factors that affect postoperative spinal cord position after cervical laminoplasty using multivariable analysis.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively assessed 56 consecutive patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy treated by open-door laminoplasty.

Biomechanical evaluation of lumbar pedicle screws in spondylolytic vertebrae: comparison of fixation strength between the traditional trajectory and a cortical bone trajectory.

OBJECTIVE In the management of isthmic spondylolisthesis, the pedicle screw system is widely accepted surgical strategy; however, there are few reports on the biomechanical behavior of pedicle screws in spondylolytic vertebrae. The purpose of the present study was to compare fixation strength between pedicle screws inserted through the traditional trajectory (TT) and those inserted through a cortical bone trajectory (CBT) in spondylolytic vertebrae by computational simulation. METHODS Finite element models of spondylolytic and normal vertebrae were created from CT scans of 17 patients with adult isthmic spondylolisthesis (mean age 54.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Adjacent Cranial Facet Joint Violation Following Pedicle Screw Insertion Using Cortical Bone Trajectory Technique.

Study Design: Retrospective study evaluating cranial facet joint violation (FJV) by pedicle screws.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the incidence and risk factors of FJV following screw placement via cortical bone trajectory (CBT).

Summary Of Background Data: CBT is a new minimally invasive technique for lumbar pedicle screw insertion that minimizes muscle dissection.

Biomechanical Evaluation of Cross Trajectory Technique for Pedicle Screw Insertion: Combined Use of Traditional Trajectory and Cortical Bone Trajectory.

Objective: To introduce a novel double-screw (cross trajectory) technique that combines use of the traditional trajectory (TT) and cortical bone trajectory (CBT) and to investigate its fixation strength quantitatively by finite element (FE) analysis.

Methods: Three-dimensional FE models of 30 osteoporotic L4 vertebrae (patients' mean age: 77.3 ± 7.

Biomechanical evaluation of fixation strength among different sizes of pedicle screws using the cortical bone trajectory: what is the ideal screw size for optimal fixation?

Background: The cortical bone trajectory (CBT) has attracted attention as a new minimally invasive technique for lumbar instrumentation by minimizing soft-tissue dissection. Biomechanical studies have demonstrated the superior fixation capacity of CBT; however, there is little consensus on the selection of screw size, and no biomechanical study has elucidated the most suitable screw size for CBT. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of screw size on fixation strength and to clarify the ideal size for optimal fixation using CBT.

Evaluation of the Fixation Strength of Pedicle Screws Using Cortical Bone Trajectory: What Is the Ideal Trajectory for Optimal Fixation?

Study Design: In vivo analysis of insertional torque of pedicle screws using cortical bone trajectory (CBT) technique.

Objective: To investigate factors contributing to the fixation strength of CBT screws and to clarify the ideal cortical trajectory for lumbar fusion.

Summary Of Background Data: CBT has developed as a new minimally invasive technique of lumbar instrumentation.

Biomechanical evaluation of the fixation strength of lumbar pedicle screws using cortical bone trajectory: a finite element study.

Object: Cortical bone trajectory (CBT) maximizes thread contact with the cortical bone surface and provides increased fixation strength. Even though the superior stability of axial screw fixation has been demonstrated, little is known about the biomechanical stiffness against multidirectional loading or its characteristics within a unit construct. The purpose of the present study was to quantitatively evaluate the anchorage performance of CBT by the finite element (FE) method.

Comparison of fusion rates following transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion using polyetheretherketone cages or titanium cages with transpedicular instrumentation.

Purpose: Compared to titanium cage, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage with pedicle screw fixation has been increasingly used in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). However, there is insufficient evidence supporting the superiority of PEEK cages over titanium cages as optimal TLIF spacers. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients at a 2-year follow-up after undergoing instrumented TLIF in which either a PEEK cage or a titanium cage was implanted.

Cortical bone trajectory for lumbosacral fixation: penetrating S-1 endplate screw technique: technical note.

Object: A cortical bone trajectory (CBT) is a new pedicle screw trajectory that maximizes the thread contact with cortical bone surface, providing enhanced screw purchase. Despite the increased use of the CBT in the lumbar spine, little is known about the insertion technique for the sacral CBT. The aim of this study was to introduce a novel sacral pedicle screw trajectory.

In vivo analysis of insertional torque during pedicle screwing using cortical bone trajectory technique.

Study Design: The insertional torque of pedicle screws using the cortical bone trajectory (CBT) was measured in vivo.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of the CBT technique by measurement of the insertional torque.

Summary Of Background Data: The CBT follows a mediolateral and caudocephalad directed path, engaging with cortical bone maximally from the pedicle to the vertebral body.

Morphometric measurement of cortical bone trajectory for lumbar pedicle screw insertion using computed tomography.

Study Design: A morphometric measurement of cortical bone trajectory (CBT) for the lumbar pedicle screw insertion using computed tomography (CT).

Objective: The aim of this study was to conduct a detailed morphometric measurement of the CBT.

Summary Of Background Data: The CBT is a novel lumbar pedicle screw trajectory, which follows a caudocephalad path sagittally and a laterally directed path in the transverse plane.

Torticollis of a specific C1 dislocation with split atlas.

Study Design: A case report.

Objective: We report a novel case of torticollis disorder because of a congenital split atlas after minor trauma.

Summary Of Background Data: Torticollis experienced after minor trauma in childhood is usually because of atlantoaxial rotatory fixation, which is a common disorder in pediatric patients and is usually diagnosed with computed tomography (CT).

Age-related changes in expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 associated with transition from the notochordal nucleus pulposus to the fibrocartilaginous nucleus pulposus in rabbit intervertebral disc.

Study Design: Experimental study on age-related changes in expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 (TIMP-3) associated with transition from notochordal nucleus pulposus (NP) to fibrocartilaginous NP in rabbit intervertebral disc (IVD).

Objectives: To identify roles of notochordal NP in extracellular matrix (ECM) metabolism of IVD.

Summary Of Background Data: One of most interesting properties of TIMP-3 is to inhibit aggrecanases in addition to matrix metalloproteinases.

Combination of hTERT and bmi-1, E6, or E7 induces prolongation of the life span of bone marrow stromal cells from an elderly donor without affecting their neurogenic potential.

Murine bone marrow stromal cells differentiate not only into mesodermal derivatives, such as osteocytes, chondrocytes, adipocytes, skeletal myocytes, and cardiomyocytes, but also into neuroectodermal cells in vitro. Human bone marrow stromal cells are easy to isolate but difficult to study because of their limited life span. To overcome this problem, we attempted to prolong the life span of bone marrow stromal cells and investigated whether bone marrow stromal cells modified with bmi-1, hTERT, E6, and E7 retained their differentiated capability, or multipotency.

Can the life span of human marrow stromal cells be prolonged by bmi-1, E6, E7, and/or telomerase without affecting cardiomyogenic differentiation?

Background: Cell transplantation has recently been challenged to improve cardiac function of severe heart failure. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are multipotent cells that can be isolated from adult marrow stroma, but because of their limited life span, it is difficult to study them further. To overcome this problem, we attempted to prolong the life span of hMSCs and investigate whether the hMSCs modified with cell-cycle-associated genes can differentiate into cardiomyocytes in vitro.

Nuclear transfer of adult bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells: developmental totipotency of tissue-specific stem cells from an adult mammal.

Recent studies have demonstrated that somatic stem cells have a flexible potential greater than previously expected when they are transplanted into different tissues. On the other hand, recent studies also have revealed that these potentials might occur because of spontaneous cell fusion with recipient cells. The nuclei of somatic cells could have been reprogrammed when they were artificially or spontaneously fused with mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells.