Clinical and Radiological Outcomes in C2 Recapping Laminoplasty for the Pathologies in the Upper Cervical Spine.

Objective: To evaluate C2 muscle preservation effect and the radiological and clinical outcomes after C2 recapping laminoplasty.

Methods: Fourteen consecutive patients who underwent C2 recapping laminoplasty around C1-2 level were enrolled. To evaluate muscle preservation effect, the authors conducted a morphological measurement of extensor muscles between the operated and nonoperated side.

Do Obliquity and Position of the Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion Cage Influence the Degree of Indirect Decompression of Foraminal Stenosis?

Objective: Oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) is a surgical technique that utilizes a large interbody cage to indirectly decompress neural elements. The position of the cage relative to the vertebral body could affect the degree of foraminal decompression. Previous studies determined the position of the cage using plain radiographs, with conflicting results regarding the influence of the position of the cage to the degree of neural foramen decompression.

Intraoperative surveillance of the vertebral artery using indocyanine green angiography and Doppler sonography in craniovertebral junction surgeries.

Objective: The authors sought to evaluate the usefulness of indocyanine green (ICG) angiography and Doppler sonography for monitoring the vertebral artery (VA) during craniovertebral junction (CVJ) surgery and compare the incidence of VA injury (VAI) between the groups with and without the monitoring of VA using ICG angiography and Doppler sonography.

Methods: In total, 344 consecutive patients enrolled who underwent CVJ surgery. Surgery was performed without intraoperative VA monitoring tools in 262 cases (control group) and with VA monitoring tools in 82 cases (monitoring group).

Comparative Analysis of 2 Different Types of Titanium Mesh Cage for Single-level Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion in Terms of Postoperative Subsidence and Sagittal Alignment.

Study Design: This was a retrospective observatory analysis study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the differences in clinical and radiologic outcomes among patients who underwent anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) using titanium mesh cage (TMC) with end-caps and patients who underwent ACCF using TMC without end-cap.

Summary Of Background Data: TMC has been widely used as an effective treatment option for ACCF.

Epidemiology of C5 Palsy after Cervical Spine Surgery: A 21-Center Study.

Objective: C5 palsy is a severe complication after cervical spine surgery, the pathophysiology of which remains unclear. This multicenter study investigated the incidence of C5 palsy following cervical spine surgery in Korea.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter study involving 21 centers from the Korean Cervical Spine Study Group.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients with Culture-Negative Pyogenic Spondylitis according to Empiric Glycopeptide Use.

Background: The optimal choice of antibiotics is challenging in culture-negative pyogenic spondylitis (PS). The empiric use of glycopeptides is suggested depending on various risk factors, although clinical data are sparse. This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with culture-negative PS and evaluate the effect of empiric glycopeptide use on clinical outcomes in these patients.

Full-endoscopic interlaminar discectomy for the treatment of a dorsal migrated thoracic disc herniation: Case report.

Rationale: Thoracic disc herniation (TDH) is an infrequent spinal disease and difficult to treat well. Various surgical approaches and procedures were introduced in many literatures. The authors report a patient with dorsal migrated TDH compressing the spinal cord at T10-11 level.

Time Course Observation of Outcomes between Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion and Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

The purpose of this study is to compare the long-term patient-outcomes, spinal fusion, and incidence of adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) between minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) and open posterior lumbar interbody fusion (O-PLIF). We retrospectively reviewed 70 consecutive cases who underwent single-level MIS-TLIF or O-PLIF from March 2010 to July 2013. All the patients achieved a minimum of 5-year follow-up.

Epidemiology of Iatrogenic Vertebral Artery Injury in Cervical Spine Surgery: 21 Multicenter Studies.

Background: The overall incidence of iatrogenic vertebral artery injury (IVAI) in cervical spine surgeries (CSSs) is reported to be 0.07%-1.4%.

Accuracy and Safety in Screw Placement in the High Cervical Spine: Retrospective Analysis of O-arm-based Navigation-assisted C1 Lateral Mass and C2 Pedicle Screws.

Study Design: This study was a retrospective analysis.

Objective: The purpose of present study was to evaluate accuracy, efficiency, and safety of intraoperative O-arm-based navigation system for the placement of C1 lateral mass screw (C1LMS) and C2 pedicle screws (C2PSs) in high cervical spine operations.

Summary Of Background Data: High screw misplacement rates, various pedicle morphometry and vertebral body size variations have led to a search of image-guided systems to improve the surgical accuracy of screw insertion in high cervical spine.

Comparative analysis of the intervertebral disc signal and annulus changes between immediate and 1-year postoperative MRI after transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy and annuloplasty.

Purpose: Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after microdiscectomy for lumbar disc herniation frequently shows spinal canal compression by the remaining annulus, which gradually decreases over time. Transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD) can remove the herniation with minimal trauma to surrounding soft tissue. We aim to identify this remodeling of annulus fibrosus and the change of disc signal after TELD.

The Clinical Usefulness of Preoperative Imaging Studies to Select Pathologic Level in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: Comparative Analysis of Three-Position MRI and Post-Myelographic CT.

Aim: To compare the accuracy of determining pathologic segment between three-position MRI (3P-MRI) and post-myelographic CT (PMCT) in cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) by assessing the degree of inter-observer and intra-observer agreement.

Material And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 3P-MRI and PMCT for the diagnosis of multilevel CSM in 136 patients who underwent surgery. Using an assessment scale, 8 blind observers with various clinical experiences examined 5 parameters: spinal canal narrowing, foraminal stenosis, bony abnormality, intervertebral disc herniation, and nerve root compression.

Dimensions of the spinous process and interspinous space: a morphometric study.

Purpose: To measure the morphological dimensions of the spinous process (SP) and interspinous space, and provide a basis for the development of interspinous devices for the Korean or East Asian populations.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the anatomical parameters of 120 patients. The parameters included height, length, and width of SP, interspinous distance (supine, standing, and dynamic), cortical thickness of SP, and spino-laminar (S-L) angle.

Time Course of Radiologic Changes After Lumbar Total Disc Replacement: Experience of Single Institute With Minimum 5-Year Follow-up.

Study Design: This was a retrospective observatory analysis study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term safety and therapeutic effectiveness of the lumbar total disc replacement (TDR) using ProDisc-L by analyzing the radiologic changes at the index and adjacent levels in minimum 5-year follow-up.

Summary Of Background Data: Early successful clinical results of lumbar TDR have been reported.

Correction to: Outcomes of oblique lateral interbody fusion for degenerative lumbar disease in patients under or over 65 years of age.

In the original publication of this article [1] is an error in the Results section in the first paragraph in regards to a patient value introduced.

Outcomes of oblique lateral interbody fusion for degenerative lumbar disease in patients under or over 65 years of age.

Background: Oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) offers the solution to problems of anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) and lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF). However, OLIF technique for degenerative spinal diseases of elderly patients has been rarely reported. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical and radiological results of OLIF technique for degenerative spinal diseases in patients under or over 65 years of age.

Safety of Lateral Interbody Fusion Surgery without Intraoperative Monitoring.

Aim: Oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) is a minimally invasive surgical method that can provide an access to the lumbar spine without direct dissection of psoas muscle and the need for intraoperative neuromonitoring (IOM) is questionable. The aim of this study was to examine and document the transient and persistent perioperative complications in patients who underwent OLIF for degenerative lumbar disease without IOM.

Material And Methods: A total of 129 consecutive patients who were diagnosed as degenerative spinal disease from L1 to S1 and underwent mini-open OLIF were identified and retrospectively reviewed.

Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Using Banana-Shaped and Straight Cages: Radiological and Clinical Results from a Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: In minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF), cage type and position play important roles in fusion achievement and sagittal alignment correction. However, no prospective randomized comparison of the results using different types of cage has been reported to date.

Objective: To compare the radiological and clinical outcomes of unilateral MIS-TLIF using 2 types of cage.

Endoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation of the Sacroiliac Joint Complex in the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain: A Preliminary Study of Feasibility and Efficacy of a Novel Technique.

. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a less invasive technique for treatment of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain. .

Comparative Study of the Difference of Perioperative Complication and Radiologic Results: MIS-DLIF (Minimally Invasive Direct Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion) Versus MIS-OLIF (Minimally Invasive Oblique Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion).

Study Design: Retrospective observatory analysis.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of perioperative complication, difference of cage location, and sagittal alignment between minimally invasive oblique lateral lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-OLIF) and MIS-direct lateral lumbar interbody fusion (DLIF) in the cases of single-level surgery at L4-L5.

Summary Of Background Data: MIS-DLIF using tubular retractor has been used for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases; however, blunt transpsoas dissection poses a risk of injury to the lumbar plexus.

Surgical Outcomes of Anterior Cervical Fusion Using Deminaralized Bone Matrix as Stand-Alone Graft Material: Single Arm, Pilot Study.

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of demineralized bone matrix (DBM) as a bone graft substitute for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery.

Methods: Twenty consecutive patients treated with ACDF using stand-alone polyestheretherketone (PEEK) cages (Zero-P) with DBM(CGDBM100) were prospectively evaluated with a minimum of 6 months of follow-up. Radiologic efficacy was evaluated with a 6-point scoring method for osseous fusion using plain radiograph and computed tomogrpahy scans.

Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion at L5-S1 through a Unilateral Approach: Technical Feasibility and Outcomes.

Background. Minimally invasive spinal transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) at L5-S1 is technically more demanding than it is at other levels because of the anatomical and biomechanical traits. Objective.

Bilateral Decompression via Microscopic TubularCrossing Laminotomy (MTCL) for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Technique and Early Surgical Result.

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and efficacy of bilateral decompression procedure via microscopic tubular crossing laminotomy (MTCL) for treating lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Seventeen patients with LSS underwent bilateral decompression via an MTCL procedure in which tubular retractor was placed. The mean age was 72 (range 59-84) years and there were 10 men and 7 women.

The effectiveness of endoscopic radiofrequency denervation of medial branch for treatment of chronic low back pain.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical results of endoscopic radiofrequency ablation of medial branch in patients with chronic low back pain originating from facet joints.

Methods: Between October 2010 and December 2013, 52 consecutive patients had suffering from chronic low back pain had undergone endoscopic radiofrequency denervation of medial branch of dorsal ramus. The clinical outcomes of these 52 patients were reviewed retrospectively.