Patient-Reported Outcomes and Patient Satisfaction Following Surgery for Thoracic Myelopathy.

Introduction: The association between postoperative patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and patient satisfaction remains poorly defined in patients undergoing surgery for thoracic myelopathy. This study aimed to investigate PROs and patient satisfaction following surgical intervention for thoracic myelopathy.

Methods: A prospective cohort of 133 patients who underwent surgery for thoracic myelopathy at 13 hospitals between April 2017 and August 2021 was enrolled.

Tips and Complications of Two-step Open Procedure for Ethanol Sclerosis Therapy for a Venous Hemangioma of the Thoracic Spine: A Case Report.

Introduction: Venous hemangiomas of the thoracic spine are rare tumors that are diagnose based on radiological findings. Ethanol sclerosis therapy through the percutaneous or open approaches has been reported to be useful treatment options. Therefore, radiological examination and the treatment procedure can be performed together.

Ethanol Sclerosis Therapy for Aggressive Vertebral Hemangioma of the Spine: A Narrative Review.

Vertebral hemangiomas of the spine are rare benign tumors. They occur primarily in the thoracic region and are often asymptomatic and found incidentally on radiological examination; however, some are symptomatic, aggressive, and gradually increase in size. Various therapeutic approaches have been proposed for their management.

Relationship Between Sacroiliac Joint-related Pain and Spinopelvic Mobility.

Study Design: A case-control study.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between sacroiliac joint-related pain (SIJ-RP) and spinopelvic mobility.

Summary Of Background Data: No specific radiological findings are available for the diagnosis of SIJ-RP.

Effect of Early vs Delayed Surgical Treatment on Motor Recovery in Incomplete Cervical Spinal Cord Injury With Preexisting Cervical Stenosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The optimal management for acute traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) is unknown.

Objective: To determine whether early surgical decompression results in better motor recovery than delayed surgical treatment in patients with acute traumatic incomplete cervical SCI associated with preexisting canal stenosis but without bone injury.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This multicenter randomized clinical trial was conducted in 43 tertiary referral centers in Japan from December 2011 through November 2019.

The Impact of Cefazolin Shortage on Surgical Site Infection Following Spine Surgery in Japan.

Study Design: Retrospective study using prospectively collected data.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of alternative antimicrobial prophylaxis agents on surgical site infections (SSIs) after spine surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: Although the use of alternative antimicrobial prophylaxis agents might have a negative effect on SSI prevention, their association with SSI risk in spine surgery remains unclear.

Characteristics of the spinopelvic parameters of patients with sacroiliac joint pain.

To evaluate the characteristics of the spinopelvic parameters on radiography in patients with sacroiliac joint pain (SIJP). Two hundred fifty patients were included and divided into the SIJP group (those diagnosed with SIJP based on physical findings and response to analgesic periarticular injections; n = 53) and the non-SIJP group (those with low back pain [LBP] because of other reasons; n = 197). We compared their demographic characteristics and spinopelvic parameters using radiography.

Degree of satisfaction following full-endoscopic cervical foraminotomy.

Background: Foraminotomy has been reported to be effective for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy (CR). Foraminotomy has been performed by an open approach or minimally invasive approach using a microscope or endoscope. A review of the literature has revealed that both the open and minimally invasive approach provide good clinical results.

The association between sacroiliac joint-related pain following lumbar spine surgery and spinopelvic parameters: a prospective multicenter study.

Purpose: To prospectively calculate the incidence of postoperative sacroiliac joint-related pain (SIJP) and investigate the association between spinopelvic parameters and postoperative SIJP after lumbar spine surgery.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled consecutive patients who underwent lumbar spine surgery. We defined postoperative SIJP as unilateral buttock pain according to fulfillment of the following criteria within 3 months of the surgery: a sacroiliac joint (SIJ) score higher than 4/9 postoperatively; positive response to analgesic periarticular SIJ injection with fluoroscopy; no other complications related to the surgery.

Validation study of a diagnostic scoring system for sacroiliac joint-related pain.

Background: There are no specific radiological findings for the diagnosis of sacroiliac joint-related pain. A diagnostic scoring system had been developed in 2017. The score comprised the sum of scores of six items.

Evidence-based Care Bundles for Preventing Surgical Site Infections in Spinal Instrumentation Surgery.

Study Design: A retrospective study, using prospectively collected data.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of evidence-based care bundles for preventing surgical site infections (SSIs) in spinal instrumentation surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: About half of all SSIs are preventable via evidence-based methods.

Association between somatic symptom burden and health-related quality of life in people with chronic low back pain.

Depression is a relevant risk factor for low back pain and is associated with the outcomes of low back pain. Depression also often overlaps with somatisation. As previous studies have suggested that somatisation or a higher somatic symptom burden has a role in the outcomes of low back pain, the aim of the present cross-sectional study was to examine whether somatic symptom burden was associated with health-related quality of life in individuals with chronic low back pain independent of depression.

Factors related to subjective satisfaction following microendoscopic foraminotomy for cervical radiculopathy.

Background: Microendoscopic foraminotomy has been reported to be effective for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy, using outcome measurement scores such as the neck disability index (NDI) and numerical rating scale (NRS). However, the scores for spine surgery do not always reflect the true subjective satisfaction of the patient. The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors related to subjective satisfaction following microendoscopic foraminotomy for cervical radiculopathy.

A comparative study of three conservative treatments in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis: lumbar spinal stenosis with acupuncture and physical therapy study (LAP study).

Background: Although the efficiency of conservative management for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) has been examined, different conservative management approaches have not been compared. We have performed the first comparative trial of three types of conservative management (medication with acetaminophen, exercise, and acupuncture) in Japanese patients with LSS.

Methods: Patients with L5 root radiculopathy associated with LSS who visited our hospital for surgical treatment were enrolled between December 2011 and January 2014.

The associations between magnetic resonance imaging findings and low back pain: A 10-year longitudinal analysis.

Purpose: To conduct a 10-year longitudinal analysis of the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and low back pain (LBP).

Materials And Methods: Ninety-one volunteers with a history of LBP, but without current LBP were recruited between 2005 and 2006. Participants' baseline demographics and MRI findings were recorded.

Estimated risk for chronic pain determined using the generic STarT Back 5-item screening tool.

Objective: The generic STarT Back 5-item screening tool (STarT-G) is used to manage chronic pain in the lower back and elsewhere. This study evaluated the validity of the Japanese version of this generic screening tool.

Materials And Methods: Japanese participants between the ages of 20 and 64 years completed online surveys regarding pain.

Consideration of proper operative route for interlaminar approach for percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy.

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) is one of the less invasive treatments of lumbar disc herniation (LDH), and has three different operative approaches. This study focused on the interlaminar approach (ILA) and investigated the appropriate operative route for this approach.

Methods: ILA was performed in 41 patients with LDH.

The relationship between findings on magnetic resonance imaging and previous history of low back pain.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and previous low back pain (LBP) in participants without current LBP. Current LBP was defined as LBP during the past month. Previous LBP was defined as a history of medical consultation for LBP.

Diagnosing Discogenic Low Back Pain Associated with Degenerative Disc Disease Using a Medical Interview.

Purposes: To evaluate the usefulness of our original five questions in a medical interview for diagnosing discogenic low back pain (LBP), and to establish a support tool for diagnosing discogenic LBP.

Materials And Methods: The degenerative disc disease (DDD) group (n = 42) comprised patients diagnosed with discogenic LBP associated with DDD, on the basis of magnetic resonance imaging findings and response to analgesic discography (discoblock). The control group (n = 30) comprised patients with LBP due to a reason other than DDD.

A population approach to analyze the effectiveness of a back extension exercise "One Stretch" in patients with low back pain: A replication study.

Background: We examined the effectiveness of an intervention using a standing back extension exercise called "One Stretch", based on the McKenzie method, in improving or preventing low back pain and disability in Japanese care workers.

Methods: We conducted a non-randomized controlled trial in Japan. Care workers in the intervention group received an exercise manual and a 30-minute seminar on low back pain and were encouraged to exercise in groups, while care workers in a control group were given only the manual.

Psychometric Validation of the Japanese Version of the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI-J).

Design: Cross-sectional study design.

Subjects And Methods: The original Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI) was translated into Japanese according to published guidelines.

Anterior screw fixation for an odontoid fracture using an Acutrak 4/5 screw: a case report.

The direct anterior screw fixation of odontoid fractures by a single cancellous screw, especially for osteoporotic vertebrae, has a potential risk of leading to insufficient stability and implant failures. We experienced good results following surgery using a single Acutrak 4/5 screw to obtain sufficient stability for an odontoid fracture in a patient with osteopenia. The screw is a cannulated self-tapping headless screw and has a tapered profile and full threads with variable pitches, and it can yield sufficient compression force as the screw is inserted.

Validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the painDETECT questionnaire: a multicenter observational study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the painDETECT questionnaire (PDQ-J).

Materials And Methods: The translation of the original PDQ into Japanese was achieved according to the published guidelines. Subsequently, a multicenter observational study was performed to evaluate the validity and reliability of PDQ-J, including 113 Japanese patients suffering from pain.