Predictors of Postoperative Persistent Low Back Pain Following Lumbar Fusion in Patients Older than 75 Years: An Analysis of a Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate preoperative and perioperative predictors associated with persistent low back pain (LBP) following lumbar fusion in patients aged >75 years.

Methods: This single-center retrospective study examined 310 patients aged >75 years who underwent lumbar fusion for lumbar degenerative disease (104 males, 206 females; mean age, 79 [75-90] years). The visual analog scale (VAS) score for LBP was examined preoperatively and 2-year postoperatively.

Patient of Congenital Absence of a Lumbar Pedicle With Nerve Root Anomaly Presenting With Ipsilateral Foraminal Stenosis by Vertebral Fracture.

Patients with congenital absence of a lumbar pedicle and nerve root anomaly presenting with ipsilateral foraminal stenosis are extremely rare. An 80-year-old man had low back and right thigh pain. Radiographs and computed tomography (CT) showed L3 vertebral body fracture and the absence of the right L3 lumbar pedicle.

Predictors of Persistent Postoperative Numbness Following Lumbar Fusion in Patients Older Than 75 Years: A Minimum 2-Year Follow-up.

Objective: To evaluate the preoperative and perioperative predictors of persistent leg numbness following lumbar fusion in patients aged ≥ 75 years.

Methods: This single-center retrospective study examined 304 patients aged ≥ 75 years who underwent lumbar fusion for lumbar degenerative disease (102 men, 202 women; mean age, 79.2 [75-90] years).

Tiger prowling: Distribution modelling for northward-expanding Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Japan.

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is a significant public health concern owing to its expanding habitat and vector competence. Disease outbreaks attributed to this species have been reported in areas under its invasion, and its northward expansion in Japan has caused concern because of the potential for dengue virus infection in newly populated areas. Accurate prediction of Ae.

Potential of whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to predict muscle size of psoas major, gluteus maximus and back muscles.

Background: Measurement of trunk muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) using axial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered clinically meaningful for understanding several spinal pathologies, such as low back pain and spinal sagittal imbalance. However, it remains unclear whether trunk muscle mass (TMM) measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) can predict the trunk muscle CSA. The aim of this study is to determine if DXA-derived TMM is associated and predicts with CSA of paraspinal muscles and gluteus maximus measured using MRI in healthy volunteers.

Effect of pre-operative HbA1c and blood glucose level on the surgical site infection after lumbar instrumentation surgery.

Background: This study aims to investigate the effect of pre-operative hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and pre-operative blood glucose control on the rate of surgical site infection (SSI) after posterior lumbar instrumentation surgery in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients.

Methods: A total of 1046 patients who had undergone posterior lumbar instrumentation surgery were reviewed. Based on pre-operative HbA1c, patients were divided into three groups: non-DM group, low HbA1c group (HbA1c < 7.

Posterior lumbar fusion surgery doesn't change sexual activities in patients with lumbar degenerative disease: an observational study.

Background: There are few studies about sexual function in the patient with posterior lumbar spinal fusion for degenerative lumbar disease. The aim of this study is to investigate sexual activities in patients with lumbar degenerative disease before and after lumbar fusion surgery.

Methods: We recruited 35 patients who underwent lumbar spinal fusion at the age of 55 years or younger.

Characteristics of older patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis who developed loss of muscle mass during the COVID-19 pandemic - a case-control study.

Background: Under the restriction of social activities during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there was concern about the loss of muscle mass due to a decrease in physical activity for the elderly. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of older patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis who developed loss of muscle mass during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.

Methods: A total of 54 patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis were evaluated in this study.

Clinical outcomes of short-segment lumbar fusion in patients older than 85 years with a minimum 2-year follow-up.

Objective: Although the number of elderly patients requiring lumbar fusion for lumbar degenerative disorders has increased over time, the postoperative outcomes of lumbar fusion in very elderly patients (> 85 years) remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the comprehensive outcomes of lumbar fusion in elderly patients older than 85 years with mid-term follow-up.

Methods: The authors retrospectively researched patients older than 85 years who underwent single- or double-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion or transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion from 2012 to 2019.

Patterns of Vertebral Bone Marrow Edema in the Normal Healing Process of Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Baseline Data for Diagnosis of Pathological Events.

Study Design: Retrospective investigation using a prospectively collected database.

Objective: To examine the appearance and characteristics of vertebral bone marrow edema (BME) in the normal healing of lumbar interbody fusion.

Summary Of Background Data: Although BME in pathological spinal conditions has been well-documented, the patterns and characteristics of BME in the normal healing process of spinal fusion remains unexplored.

Characteristics of the Patients with Poor Clinical Outcomes After Symptomatic Postoperative Lumbar Epidural Hematoma.

Objective: Symptomatic postoperative lumbar epidural hematoma (PLEH) may lead to poor outcomes even after evacuation. This study aimed to verify the short-term clinical outcomes after the evacuation of PLEH and to clarify the characteristics of the patients with poor postoperative outcomes.

Methods: Twenty-five patients (average age; 70.

Perioperative Complications of Open Spine Surgery in Older Adults over 90 Years of Age.

Introduction: Despite perioperative risks in nonagenarian patients who undergo open spine surgery for degeneration disorder or spinal trauma being of great interest, the prevalence of complications in this group remains unclear. This study aims to examine the perioperative complications of open spine surgery in the elderly over 90 years of age.

Methods: Preoperative and intraoperative characteristics including the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS) class, type of surgery, and complications within 30 postoperative days were retrospectively collected from the medical records of nonagenarians who underwent open spine surgery between April 2004 and July 2019 at our spine centers.

Radiobrominated probe targeting activated p38α in inflammatory diseases.

Objective: p38α, a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase superfamily, is activated by external stimuli, followed by nuclear translocation for the regulation of inflammatory responses at the transcriptional and translational levels in inflammatory diseases. Thus, activated p38α would be an appropriate target molecule for in vivo noninvasive imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy. For this purpose, we designed a radiobrominated compound, 6-(4-[Br]bromo-2-fluorophenoxy)-8-methyl-2-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-ylamino)-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7(8H)-one ([Br]4-BR), based on a potent p38α selective inhibitor, R1487, for use with single-photon emission computed tomography.

Trends of Spine Surgeries during the First COVID-19 Semi-Lockdown: Survey in a Non-Epidemic Region in Japan.

Introduction: In the early phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the importance of triaging surgeries was suggested to reduce burdens on the existing health system and maintaining service. The governor declared a state of emergency and requested that residents avoid going out unnecessarily (semi-lockdown) for the entire prefecture including our medical region from February 28 until May 25, 2020. However, for several spine patients, a significant delay in care may result in the progression of extremity weakness and pain.

Pre-existing adjacent level foraminal stenosis does not affect the outcome of a single level lumbar interbody fusion.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not pre-existing asymptomatic neuroforaminal stenosis adjacent to the fusion level develops adjacent segment disease (ASD) after single-level lumbar interbody fusion.

Summary And Background Data: Risk factors of ASD after spinal fusion have been well investigated, but there have been few studies focused on the relationship between ASD and pre-existing asymptomatic neuroforaminal stenosis.

Methods: A total of 302 patients who had undergone a single-level lumbar interbody fusion were reviewed at a minimum of 2 year follow-up.

Clinical Outcomes and Postoperative Radiographic Assessment of Osteoplastic Hemilaminectomy in the Treatment of Lumbar Foraminal Nerve Root Compression.

Introduction: Osteoplastic hemilaminectomy for the treatment of lumbar foraminal nerve root compression is a safe technique as the exiting nerve root can be directly observed during neuroforaminal decompression without spinal fusion. Moreover, this procedure allows anatomical reconstruction of the posterior elements. However, there might be a potential risk for the progression of lumbar segmental instability after performing this procedure.

Close association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine.

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the spine is a disease of unknown etiology occurring frequently in individuals with metabolic disturbances. Obesity has been suggested as a potential risk factor for the severity of OPLL. We aimed to investigate whether non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with OPLL severity.

Development of radioiodinated pyrimidinopyridone derivatives as targeted imaging probes of activated p38α for single photon emission computed tomography.

Objective: p38α, a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase superfamily, is ubiquitously expressed in a variety of mammalian cells. Activated p38α induces inflammatory responses to external stimuli, suggesting that non-invasive detection of activated p38α would be valuable for diagnosing inflammatory diseases. For this purpose, we designed radiolabeled compounds [I]2-IR and [I]4-IR based on a potent p38α selective inhibitor R1487 for use with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

Bone Metabolism in the Healing Process of Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Temporal Changes of Bone Turnover Markers.

Study Design: Prospective longitudinal study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate temporal changes of bone turnover markers (BTMs) after lumbar spinal fusion in patients without osteoporosis.

Summary Of Background Data: Radiological studies are the standard method to monitor bony fusion, but they do not allow a timely assessment of bone healing.

Is Bone Nonunion, Vertebral Deformity, or Spinopelvic Malalignment the Best Therapeutic Target for Amelioration of Low Back Pain After Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture?

Study Design: Cohort study (level 3).

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify independent risk factors for residual low back pain (LBP) following osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF).

Summary Of Background Data: Nonunion has been proposed as the primary cause of residual LBP following OVF.

The efficacy of osteoporotic treatment in patients with new spinal vertebral compression fracture pain, ADL, QOL, bone metabolism and fracture-healing - In comparison with weekly teriparatide with bisphosphonate.

We conducted a randomized control study to compare the effects of pain, QOL, bone metabolism and fracture healing by administering bisphosphonate (BP) or weekly teriparatide preparation (W-TPTD) to 43 patients (5 males and 38 females) with fresh spinal vertebral compression fractures for osteoporosis. The patients were aged between 61 and 93 years old (mean 78.1 years).

Peri-operative complications of lumbar spine surgery in patients over eighty five years of age: a retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: To compare peri-operative complication rates in ≥ 85-year-old patients who underwent decompression surgery with or without instrumented fusion for degenerative disorders.

Methods: This study involved 907 patients who underwent lumbar spine surgery for degenerative disorders between January 2006 and June 2012. Of these, 33 patients (3.

Impact of spino-pelvic and global spinal alignment on the risk of osteoporotic vertebral collapse.

Introduction: Numerous studies have reported the risk factors of osteoporotic vertebral collapse. However, whether spino-pelvic and global spinal alignments are associated with the occurrence of osteoporotic vertebral collapse remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between spino-pelvic and global spinal alignments and the occurrence of osteoporotic vertebral collapse.