The MRI-based vertebral bone quality score is a predictor of pedicle screw loosening following instrumented posterior lumbar fusion.

Objective: To investigate the predictive ability of the MRI-based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score for pedicle screw loosening following instrumented transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).

Methods: Data from patients who have received one or two-level instrumented TLIF from February 2014 to March 2015 were retrospectively collected. Pedicle screw loosening was diagnosed when the radiolucent zone around the screw exceeded 1 mm in plain radiographs.

High viscosity bone cement vertebroplasty versus low viscosity bone cement vertebroplasty in the treatment of mid-high thoracic vertebral compression fractures.

Background Context: As science and technology have advanced, novel bone cements with numerous formulated ingredients have greatly evolved and been commercialized for vertebroplasty. Recently, viscosity has been a focus to achieve better clinical outcomes and fewer complications. Meanwhile, the experience in the treatment of mid (T7-9) to high (T4-6) thoracic vertebral compression fractures is limited.

Surgery for metastatic epidural spinal cord compression in thoracic spine, anterior or posterior approach?

Background: The most commonly encountered tumour of the spine is metastasis, and thoracic spine is the most commonly metastatic spine. Controversy exists regarding the optimal surgical approach for this kind of patient. The author conducted a study to assess the differences between anterior thoracotomy and a posterior approach in patients with malignant epidural cord compression in the thoracic spine.

Tuberculous spondylitis after percutaneous vertebroplasty: A case series of 9 cases.

Background: Percutaneous vertebroplasty has become the treatment of choice for compression fractures. Although the incidence is low, infection after vertebroplasty is a serious complication. The pathogens most often responsible for infection are bacteria.

Surgical outcomes of infectious spondylitis after vertebroplasty, and comparisons between pyogenic and tuberculosis.

Background: Infection after vertebroplasty (VP) is a rare but serious complication. Previous literatures showed most pathogens for infection after VP were bacteria; tuberculosis (TB) induced infection after VP was extremely rare. We reported our treatment experiences of cases with infectious spondylitis after VP, and compared the differences between developed pyogenic and TB spondylitis.

Surgical outcomes after instrumented lumbar surgery in patients of eighty years of age and older.

Background: In Taiwan, the life expectancy of an 80-year-old man is 88.4 years and the life expectancy of an 80-year-old woman is 89.8 years.

Effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on spinal pseudarthrosis created by nicotine administration: a model of lumbar posterolateral pseudarthrosis in rabbits.

Objectives: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (US) can enhance spinal fusion and fracture healing; however, its effect on spinal pseudarthrosis has not been reported in the literature. We hypothesized that low-intensity pulsed US could overcome spinal pseudarthrosis created by nicotine administration.

Methods: Thirty-two rabbits underwent posterolateral fusion with an iliac bone graft and nicotine administration.

The effects of anterior vacuum disc on surgical outcomes of degenerative versus spondylolytic spondylolisthesis: at a minimum two-year follow-up.

Background: The vacuum phenomenon within the intervertebral disc usually represents disc degeneration. There are no reports in the English literature that focus on the effect of an anterior vacuum disc on surgical outcome of same-segment spondylolisthesis.

Methods: Patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) or isthmic spondylolisthesis (IS) who underwent a spinal surgery between January 2005 and December 2006 were reviewed.

Surgical outcomes of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis with anterior vacuum disc: can the intervertebral cage overcome intradiscal vacuum phenomenon and enhance posterolateral fusion?

Background: The vacuum phenomenon within an intervertebral disc is not an uncommon radiographic finding in the elderly. However, no reports in the English literature have focused on the effect of an anterior vacuum disc in relation to surgical outcome of same-segment spondylolisthesis. We hypothesized that instrumented posterolateral fusion is not adequate in this situation and that additional interbody fusion with cages would provide better radiographic and clinical outcomes.

Minimally invasive percutaneous endoscopic discectomy and drainage for infectious spondylodiscitis.

The primary goals for treating infectious spondylodiscitis are to make an accurate diagnosis, isolate the causative organism, and prescribe effective antibiotic therapy based on the culture data. A positive culture of the responsible organism is not required for diagnosis, although it is extremely important for successful treatment and prevention of further morbidity. Surgical intervention is usually reserved for cases that are unresponsive to antibiotic therapy and for patients who have developed progressive spinal deformity or instability, epidural abscesses, or neurological impairment.

Chemical and physical properties of bone cement for vertebroplasty.

Vertebral compression fracture is the most common complication of osteoporosis. It may result in persistent severe pain and limited mobility, and significantly impacts the quality of life. Vertebroplasty involves a percutaneous injection of bone cement into the collapsed vertebrae by fluorescent guide.

Complications associated with instrumented lumbar surgery in patients with liver cirrhosis: a matched cohort analysis.

Background: There is no information in the English literature on the outcome of liver cirrhotic patients who have undergone instrumented lumbar surgery.

Purpose: To review the results of instrumented lumbar surgery in patients with liver cirrhosis and determine the surgical risk factors in this group of patients.

Study Design: A retrospective study for comparison between two cohorts (liver cirrhosis vs.

Current status of vertebroplasty for osteoporotic compression fracture.

Vertebral compression fracture is the most common complication of osteoporosis. It may result in persistent severe pain and limited mobility, and significantly impact the quality of life. Conservative therapy using external bracing, bed rest and analgesics is necessary for pain control in these patients.

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound enhances healing of laminectomy chip bone grafts on spinal fusion: a model of posterolateral intertransverse fusion in rabbits.

Background: Laminectomy-derived chip bone graft was usually used in spinal fusion; however, the result of this kind of local bone used in lumbar posterolateral fusion is uncertain. This study tested the hypotheses that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPU) can accelerate the healing process of laminectomy bone chips in a spinal fusion and enhance the union rate.

Methods: Forty-eight rabbits were randomly divided into three groups for the spinal unilateral uninstrumented posterolateral fusion of L5-L6: autologous iliac bone graft (AIBG), laminectomy chip bone graft (LCBG), LCBG plus LIPU (LCBG + LIPU).

Surgical outcomes of degenerative spondylolisthesis with L5-S1 disc degeneration: comparison between lumbar floating fusion and lumbosacral fusion at a minimum 5-year follow-up.

Study Design: A retrospective clinical and radiographic study was performed.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes of patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis and a preexisting degenerative L5-S1 disc treated with a lumbar floating fusion (LFF) versus lumbosacral fusion (LSF).

Summary Of Background Data: Fusion for treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis often ends at the L5 level.

Transpedicular grafting after short-segment pedicle instrumentation for thoracolumbar burst fracture: calcium sulfate cement versus autogenous iliac bone graft.

Study Design: A retrospective clinical and radiographic study was performed.

Objective: To compare 2 grafting materials of anterior augmentation for thoracolumbar burst fractures: transpedicular cancellous bone (TPCB) grafting and transpedicular calcium sulfate grafting and to decide whether calcium sulfate cement can replace autogenous cancellous bone applied in anterior vertebral body augmentation after posterior short-segment instrumentation.

Summary Of Background Data: Additional TPCB grafting was developed as an alternative to prevent early implant failure.

Transpedicular bone grafting following short-segment posterior instrumentation for acute thoracolumbar burst fracture.

Posterior short-segment instrumentation for thoracolumbar burst fracture is known for a high implant failure rate because of the lack of anterior support. Anterior body augmentation by transpedicular bone grafting has been developed as an alternative to overcome this failure. However, the efficacy of transpedicular bone grafting remains debatable.