Importance of Hemoglobin A1c Levels for the Detection of Post-Surgical Infection Following Single-Level Lumbar Posterior Fusion in Patients with Diabetes.

Objective: Several studies have reported that patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are vulnerable to infection. However, the mechanism underlying this remains unclear. We hypothesized that preoperative blood glucose levels in patients with DM may be a risk factor for surgical site infection (SSI).

Variation of C-Reactive Protein and White Blood Cell Counts in Spinal Operation: Primary Fusion Surgery Versus Revision Fusion Surgery.

Objective: Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations and white blood cell (WBC) count are commonly used to identify postoperative wound infections. We investigated whether changes in serum CRP levels and WBC counts actually differed between patients undergoing revision spinal fusion surgery and those undergoing a primary fusion.

Methods: Patients who underwent posterolateral fusion (PLF) surgery at Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital between October 2013 and April 2015 were considered for this study.

Effect of Modic Changes in Cervical Degenerative Disease.

Objective: Modic changes are signal intensity changes in adjacent vertebral bone marrow on magnetic resonance imaging. Few studies have investigated these changes with regard to the cervical spine. In this study, we investigated the associations between cervical degenerative disease and Modic changes.