Safe, simple, and valid position for obtaining flexion-extension radiographs to assess instability in patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis: one specific instruction can make a difference.

Objective: In lumbar spondylolisthesis, conventional standing flexion-extension radiography can yield varying results depending on the patient's effort and cooperation. Previous research suggested that assisted flexion radiography provides larger flexion with a significantly greater change in lumbar lordosis (ΔLL) and increased sagittal translation (ST), posterior opening (PO), segmental angulation (SA), and instability detection rates. In this study, the authors aimed to identify a safe, simple, and valid position for obtaining functional radiographs to evaluate abnormal instability in lumbar spondylolisthesis.

Association of central sensitization, visceral fat, and surgical outcomes in lumbar spinal stenosis.

Background: Controversy remains regarding predictors of surgical outcomes for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Pain sensitization may be an underlying mechanism contributing to LSS surgical outcomes. Further, obesity is associated with dissatisfaction and poorer outcomes after surgery for LSS.

Dexmedetomidine Might Exacerbate Acute Kidney Injury, While Midazolam Might Have a Postconditioning Effect: A Rat Model of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Kidney Injury.

Background: The preconditioning effects of dexmedetomidine and propofol on septic acute kidney injury (AKI) have been reported, but the postconditioning effects remain unknown. This study investigated the postconditioning effects of dexmedetomidine, midazolam, and propofol on septic AKI.

Methods: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were intraperitoneally administered lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 8.

Does the L4 nerve root extend during femoral nerve stretch test? A cadaveric study of four cases analyzing the extension rates of the lumbar nerve root.

Background: Lumbar radicular pain is a common symptom of lumbar disc herniation and spinal canal stenosis, and L4 nerve root impingement is difficult to diagnose. This study aimed to elucidate the extension rate of L4 nerve roots in Thiel-embalmed specimens using both classic and new femoral nerve stretch test (FNST), as well as straight leg raising test (SLRT). Additionally, the extension rate of the L2 and L3 nerve roots and L5 and S1 roots were determined using FNST (both classic and new) and SLRT, respectively.

Evaluation of segmental mobility in patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis : A comparison of images from standing flexion-extension and standing/supine slippage.

Purpose: To evaluate segmental mobility with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS), upright lateral flexion-extension radiographs (FE) are widely used. However, some authors have described that a combination of lateral radiographs in the standing position and supine sagittal image (SS) reveal more segmental mobility than FE. The purpose of this study was to investigate the optimal method for evaluating segmental mobility with DLS.

Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Factors Affecting Collapse and Nonunion of Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture.

Study Design: Longitudinal study.

Objectives: Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM), a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning technique that applies diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), is effective for the quantitative assessment of malignant tumors of the vertebral bone. We hypothesized that IVIM parameters of vertebral bodies are associated with the prognosis of osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF).

The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and serum albumin as predictors of acute kidney injury after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) is a highly prevalent and serious complication after cardiac surgery. The aim of this study is to identify the predictors of AKI and the cut-off values after isolated off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). A total of 329 adult patients, who underwent isolated OPCAB between December 2008 and February 2021, were retrospectively analyzed.

Small extracellular vesicles released by infused mesenchymal stromal cells target M2 macrophages and promote TGF-β upregulation, microvascular stabilization and functional recovery in a rodent model of severe spinal cord injury.

Intravenous (IV) infusion of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) stabilizes the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) and improves functional recovery in experimental models of spinal cord injury (SCI). Although IV delivered MSCs do not traffic to the injury site, IV delivered small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) derived from MSCs (MSC-sEVs) do and are taken up by a subset of M2 macrophages. To test whether sEVs released by MSCs are responsible for the therapeutic effects of MSCs, we tracked sEVs produced by IV delivered DiR-labelled MSCs (DiR-MSCs) after transplantation into SCI rats.

Intravenous infusion of auto serum-expanded autologous mesenchymal stem cells in spinal cord injury patients: 13 case series.

Background: Although spinal cord injury (SCI) is a major cause of disability, current therapeutic options remain limited. Recent progress in cellular therapy with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has provided improved function in animal models of SCI. We investigated the safety and feasibility of intravenous infusion of MSCs for SCI patients and assessed functional status after MSC infusion.

Factors Associated with Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting after Breast Cancer Surgery with Inhalation Anesthesia.

Background: The incidence and risk factors of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and early PONV (ePONV) were evaluated in patients who underwent breast surgery with volatile anesthesia.

Methods: In this retrospective study, multivariate logistic regression was used to determine incidence and identify risk factors for PONV.

Results: Among 928 patients, 166 (18%) and 220 (24%) had ePONV and PONV, respectively.

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Analysis of Multifidus Muscle Lipid Contents and Association with Nociceptive Pain in Chronic Low Back Pain.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the differences in the lipid contents in chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients with nociceptive pain (NocP) and neuropathic pain (NeP) using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of the multifidus muscle (Mm).

Overview Of Literature: Early identification of the pain characteristics with CLBP is important because specific treatment approaches are required, depending on NocP and NeP.

Is the Lipid Content of the Psoas Major Correlated with Chronic Low Back Pain and Spinopelvic Alignment? A Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Study.

Study Design: Cross-sectional observational study.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze any potential associations of extramyocellular lipid (EMCL) and intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) contents with (1) the intensity of low back pain (LBP); (2) age, cross-sectional area (CSA), and fatty infiltration (FI) of the psoas major; and (3) spinopelvic parameters.

Overview Of Literature: The psoas major has clinically relevant function; however, the association of this muscle with chronic LBP is controversial.

Association between Spinopelvic Alignment and Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Quantified with Magnetic Resonance Imaging T2 Mapping in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain.

Introduction: Although intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) and spinopelvic malalignment are likely key structural features of spinal degeneration and chronic low back pain (CLBP), the correlation analysis has not been fully conducted. This cross-sectional quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 mapping study aimed to elucidate the association between IVDD and spinopelvic alignment in CLBP patients.

Methods: The subjects included 45 CLBP patients (19 men and 26 women; mean age, 63.

Relevance between Schmorl's Node and Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Quantified with Magnetic Resonance Imaging T2 Mapping in Chronic Low Back Pain.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the relevance among Schmorl's node (SN), chronic low back pain (CLBP), and intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) with the use of magnetic resonance imaging T2 mapping.

Overview Of Literature: SN may be combined with CLBP and/or IVDD; however, their relationship has not been determined to date.

Imaging diagnosis for intervertebral disc.

Various functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques have been investigated in recent years and are being used in clinical practice for the patients with low back pain (LBP). MRI is an important modality for diagnosing intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. In recent years, there have been several reported attempts to use MRI T2 mapping and MRI T1ρ mapping to quantify lumbar disc degeneration.

Specific microRNAs are involved in the reno‑protective effects of sevoflurane preconditioning and ischemic preconditioning against ischemia reperfusion injury in rats.

The kidneys are prone to developing ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) following certain renal surgeries and cardiovascular surgeries requiring cardiac arrest. Sevoflurane and ischemic preconditioning reportedly alleviate IRI, which is mediated via microRNAs. The present study compared anesthetic preconditioning (APC) and ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on microRNAs, which promote cell‑survival pathways in rats in a randomized controlled study.

Cerebral regional oxygen saturation: a useful monitor during a surgical procedure involving the right-sided aortic arch in an infant.

A right aortic arch with an aberrant left subclavian artery and a Kommerell's diverticulum represents a rare anatomic variant carrying the risk of dissection or rupture. Resection of the diverticulum and re-implantation of the left subclavian artery during childhood have been recommended. Because of the risk of cerebral blood flow reduction during the aberrant subclavian artery re-implantation to the common carotid artery, monitoring and prompt measures to curb blood flow reduction are required.

Quantitative Analysis Concerning Atrophy and Fat Infiltration of the Multifidus Muscle with Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Chronic Low Back Pain.

Introduction: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) enables detailed analysis of the composition of muscular fat tissues such as intramyocellular lipids (IMCLs) and extramyocellular lipids (EMCLs). The aim of this study was to analyze the EMCL and IMCL of the multifidus muscle (Mm) using MRS in chronic low-back pain (CLBP) patients and identify their possible correlations with age, body mass index (BMI), low-back pain (LBP) visual analog scale (VAS) score, cross-sectional area (CSA), and fat infiltration of the Mm.

Methods: Eighty patients (32 men and 48 women; mean age, 64.

Do We Have Adequate Flexion-extension Radiographs for Evaluating Instability in Patients With Lumbar Spondylolisthesis?

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients.

Objective: To investigate whether adequate flexion-extension was acquired in standard functional radiographs in lumbar spondylolisthesis.

Summary Of Background Data: In lumbar spondylolisthesis, flexion-extension radiographs taken in the standing position are most commonly used to evaluate spinal instability.

Multifidus Muscles Lipid Content Is Associated with Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: A Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Purpose: To determine the association between fatty degeneration of the multifidus muscle (Mm) and intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Overview Of Literature: Few studies have reported on quantitative MRI analysis of the relation between the Mm and IVDD.

Analysis of Neuropathic Pain Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging T2 Mapping of Intervertebral Disc in Chronic Low Back Pain.

Study Design: Cross sectional study.

Purpose: The study aimed to analyze mechanisms underlying chronic low back pain (CLBP) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 mapping of the intervertebral disc (IVD).

Overview Of Literature: MRI T2 mapping utilizes the T2 values for quantifying moisture content and collagen sequence breakdown.

Differentiating spinal intradural-extramedullary schwannoma from meningioma using MRI T weighted images.

Objective:: Prior studies advocate the subjective visual differences between meningioma and schwannoma on T weighted images, however objective measurement of signal intensity differences may be useful in certain cases. The aim of this study was to investigate whether an objective evaluation of SIs on T weighted images would be useful to differentiate spinal schwannomas from meningiomas.

Methods:: The patients with spinal MRIs demonstrating path proven and subsequently treated intradural extramedullary spinal tumors were selected between April 2008 and May 2017.