Comparison of facet fusion rates and clinical outcomes between cortical bone trajectory screw and percutaneous pedicle screw fixation for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.

Background Context: Cortical bone trajectory (CBT) screws have been introduced as an alternative technique for pedicle screw (PS) insertion because they have greater contact with the cortex and a greater uniaxial pullout load than traditional PS. CBT screwing can also minimize muscle dissection. However, CBT screws and traditional PSs have not yet been compared in terms of fusion rates and clinical outcomes for particular operative procedures.

Quantitative evaluation of the lumbar ligamentum flavum using MRI T2-mapping: Efficacy of its clinical application in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

Obejective: To perform a magnetic resonance imaging T2-mapping of the ligamentum flavum in healthy individuals and patients with lumbar spinal stenosis scheduled for surgery and compare the T2 relaxation times.

Subjects And Methods: The T2 relaxation time of the ligamentum flavum was compared among 3 groups, healthy young individuals (H group (age< 50)), healthy middle-aged and older individuals (H group (age≥50)), and patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (L group). Additionally, the thickness of the ligament was measured in the axial image plane, and the occupied area ratio of each fiber was measured by staining the surgically obtained ligament, and each was correlated with the T2 relaxation time.

Good 5-year postoperative outcomes after facet fusion using a percutaneous pedicle screw system for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.

Many authors have reported no significant differences in clinical outcomes between posterolateral fusion (PLF) and interbody fusion, as well as satisfactory long-term outcomes after PLF. Facet fusion (FF), a minimally invasive evolution of PLF, has also resulted in good clinical outcomes. This study aimed to assess the clinical outcomes 5 years after FF for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS) and determine whether good clinical outcomes were maintained after FF.

Good clinical outcomes in nonunion cases after facet fusion with a percutaneous pedicle screw system for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.

There are many satisfactory long-term outcomes after posterolateral fusion (PLF) for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS); nonunion cases have also achieved good clinical outcomes. Facet fusion (FF), a minimally invasive evolution of PLF, also resulted in good clinical outcomes. We aimed to assess the course of nonunion cases after FF and determine whether the nonunion cases achieved good clinical outcomes.

A simple formula for predicting diameter of safely inserted cortical bone trajectory screws for fixation of the lower lumbar spine.

Background: Cortical bone trajectory (CBT) screws are popular for spinal fixation, but their ideal diameter has not been determined. Studies using postoperative computed tomography (CT) have revealed ample bone marrow space around 5.5-mm screws, which are commonly used.

Pedicle screw shift without loosening following instrumented posterior fusion: limitations of pedicle screw fixation.

The disc angle at the fused segment is extended in operative prone position, but eventually returns to preoperative neutral position within 6 months to 1 year. This study aimed to assess pedicle screw (PS) shift without loosening to identify the mechanism of the change in disc angle after posterior fusion for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS). Sixty-three consecutive patients who underwent facet fusion for L4 single-level DLS were retrospectively reviewed using computed tomography (CT) immediately after surgery and 6 months postoperatively.

Good clinical outcomes and fusion rate of facet fusion with a percutaneous pedicle screw system for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis: minimally invasive evolution of posterolateral fusion.

Study Design: A retrospective clinical and radiographical study.

Objective: To assess the clinical outcomes and fusion rate of facet fusion (FF) for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS).

Summary Of Background Data: On the basis of the long-term clinical and radiological follow-up studies of posterolateral fusion (PLF)-that is, intertransverse process fusion with pedicle screw instrumentation-for DLS, we recognized that FF alone would be sufficient for spinal fusion.

Animated respiratory movement of a spinal intradural arachnoid cyst visualized by intraoperative ultrasonography.

This study aims to describe the animated respiratory movement of a spinal intradural arachnoid cyst visualized by intraoperative ultrasonography. A 69-year-old man with a spinal arachnoid cyst of the thoracic spine presented with gait disturbance. Magnetic resonance images showed a mild anterior displacement and flattening of the spinal cord at T4-T5.

Spontaneous reduction of a floated ossification of the ligamentum flavum after posterior thoracic decompression (floating method); report of a case (abridged translation of a primary publication).

Background Context: Although complete resection is the preferred surgical treatment for ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF), it sometimes results in the floating method because of adhesion to, or ossification of, the dura mater. It is difficult to anticipate the degree of floating, and if the floated ossification is large, decompression of the spinal cord may not be sufficient.

Purpose: To describe a case of spontaneous reduction of a floated OLF after posterior decompression.

Clinical results of posterior stabilization without decompression for thoracolumbar burst fractures: is decompression necessary?

The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical outcome of posterior stabilization without decompression for thoracolumbar burst fractures. Thirty-one consecutive cases of thoracolumbar fractures involving T11-L2 stabilized by a pedicle screw system were reviewed. Neither reduction of the height of a fractured body nor any decompression procedure was added during surgery.

Occipitocervical fusion has potential to improve sleep apnea in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and upper cervical lesions.

Study Design: Case series.

Objective: To analyze factors that contribute to the development of sleep apnea in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and upper cervical lesions.

Summary Of Background Data: No large prospective study has analyzed the association between sleep apnea and upper cervical involvement resulting from RA.

Evaluation of low back pain using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire for lumbar spinal disease in a multicenter study: differences in scores based on age, sex, and type of disease.

Background: The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) has investigated the JOA Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) to evaluate several aspects of low back pain in patients. The score includes five categories (25 items) selected from the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire and Short Form 36, and a visual analogue scale. Japanese physicians have recently used these scores to evaluate back pain; however, the efficacy has not been fully explored in large-scale studies.

Posterior instrumented fusion without neural decompression for incomplete neurological deficits following vertebral collapse in the osteoporotic thoracolumbar spine.

Previous reports have emphasized the importance of neural decompression through either an anterior or posterior approach when reconstruction surgery is performed for neurological deficits following vertebral collapse in the osteoporotic thoracolumbar spine. However, the contribution of these decompression procedures to neurological recovery has not been fully established. In the present study, we investigated 14 consecutive patients who had incomplete neurological deficits following vertebral collapse in the osteoporotic thoracolumbar spine and underwent posterior instrumented fusion without neural decompression.

Intradural extramedullary tuberculoma of the thoracic spine: paradoxical response to antituberculous therapy.

Intradural extramedullary tuberculoma of the spinal cord (IETSC) is a rare complication of tuberculosis, which can occur as a paradoxical response to antituberculous therapy. A 46-year-old woman with tuberculosis meningitis developed an acute sensory disturbance and paraplegia eight weeks after the antituberculous treatment was started. MRI revealed a cystic lesion at the Th 2 and 3 vertebrae levels, and continuous dural thickening.

[A case of parkinsonian syndrome caused by normal pressure hydrocephalus accompanied by the cauda equina neurinoma].

A case of parkinsonian syndrome caused by normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) accompanied by cauda equina neurinoma is reported. A 69-year-old woman presented with typical symptoms of parkinsonism, including akinesia, resting and postual tremor, and cog-wheel rigidity. CT scan of the brain revealed dilatation of ventricles, but she did not present dementia and urinary incontinence that are common symptoms in NPH.