Noninvasive Skin Autofluorescence of Advanced Glycation End Products in Patients with Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy.

Objective: To clarify the association between skin autofluorescence of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and clinical outcomes and pain in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM).

Methods: Consecutive patients with DCM were prospectively enrolled. AGEs assessed by skin autofluorescence (the AGE score) were examined at the middle fingertip in eligible patients.

Validation of the Japanese version of the scoliosis research society-30 questionnaire for adult patients with spinal deformity.

Background: The Scoliosis Research Society-30 (SRS-30) is a questionnaire that was originally developed from the SRS-22r questionnaire and is used to evaluate adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). It comprises two sections, with Section 1 containing 22 items related to the SRS-22r questionnaire and 1 item regarding self-image and Section 2 containing 7 items specifically related to postoperative status. The SRS-30 has been also found useful in evaluating spinal disorders or deformity in adults.

Reoperation after short-segment lumbar spinal fusion surgery in dialysis patients: A retrospective cohort study.

Patients with dialysis are at high risk of reoperation after lumbar spinal fusion surgery. However, the risk of reoperation after short-segment (≤2 fusion levels) lumbar spinal fusion surgery in this patient group has not been completely investigated. This study aimed to compare the risk of reoperation after short-segment lumbar spinal fusion surgery between patients with dialysis and matched controls without dialysis.

Effect of Facet Joint Resection on Postoperative Radiographic and Clinical Outcomes After Microendoscopic Laminectomy for Single-Level Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.

Objective: Facet joint destruction causes postoperative spinal instability, resulting in poor clinical outcomes after lumbar decompression surgery. However, the effect of facet joint destruction on radiographic and clinical outcomes after microendoscopic laminectomy (MEL) is unknown. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine the effect of facet joint resection on radiographic and clinical outcomes after single-level MEL surgery.

The Validation of the Japanese Version of the Scoliosis Research Society-30 Questionnaire for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Patients.

Introduction: The Scoliosis Research Society-30 (SRS-30) is a questionnaire originally developed from the SRS-22r questionnaire and is used to evaluate adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). It comprised questions on five domains: function, pain, self-image, mental health, and satisfaction, with seven additional questions related to postoperative aspects. In addition to the original English version, translations in multiple languages have been effectively applied.

Motion Capture-based 3-Dimensional Measurement of Range of Motion in Patients Undergoing Cervical Laminoplasty.

Study Design: A prospective study.

Objective: To measure 3-dimensional cervical range of motion (ROM) by noninvasive optical tracking-based motion-capture technology in patients undergoing laminoplasty, and to elucidate the postoperative effects of laminoplasty on cervical mobility.

Summary Of Background Data: Cervical laminoplasty is a motion-sparing decompression surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy.

Postoperative Complications of Surgery for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy with and Without Athetoid Cerebral Palsy.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: With the aging of the Japanese population, patients with athetoid cerebral palsy (ACP) are getting older, and the rate of surgery for CSM is increasing in ACP patients. However, postoperative complications of such surgery among adult patients with ACP have not been reported yet.

Patients with a large ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament have a higher incidence of arteriosclerosis in the carotid artery.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the impact of the severity of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) on the incidence of arteriosclerosis in the carotid artery.

Methods: Patients with OPLL-induced cervical myelopathy were prospectively enrolled. The study involved analyzing patient characteristics, blood samples, computed tomography scans of the spine, and intima-media thickness (IMT) measurements of the common carotid artery.

Does surgical site infection affect patient-reported outcomes after spinal surgery? A multicenter cohort study.

Background: Surgical site infections are common in spinal surgeries. It is uncertain whether outcomes in spine surgery patients with vs. without surgical site infection are equivalent.

Reduced volume and altered composition of paraspinal muscles in Marfan syndrome: A retrospective cohort study.

Retrospective cohort study. Spinal deformities in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) are distinct from those in patients with idiopathic scoliosis (IS). It is more prone to progression and more likely to present with sagittal malalignment than IS.

A Novel Screening Method for Scoliosis Using a Bodysuit and 3-Dimensional Imaging.

Study Design: A single-center prospective observational study.

Objective: To clarify the usefulness of a novel scoliosis screening method using a 3-dimensional (3D) human fitting application and a specific bodysuit.

Summary Of Background Data: Several scoliosis screening methods, such as scoliometer and Moiré topography, are available for detecting scoliosis.

Bone Turnover Markers in Patients With Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament in the Thoracic Spine.

Study Design: A prospective, single-center, observational study.

Objective: To explore the association between serum levels of bone turnover markers and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) in the thoracic spine.

Summary Of Background Data: The relationship between bone turnover markers, such as N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP) or tartrate-resistant acid phosphate 5b (TRACP-5b), and OPLL has previously been examined.

Adaptation and Limitations of painDETECT Questionnaire Score Approach Before and After Posterior Cervical Decompression Surgery.

Background: The painDETECT questionnaire (PDQ) is one of the available screening tools for neuropathic pain (NeP), with a cut-off score of 13. This study aimed to investigate changes in PDQ scores in patients undergoing posterior cervical decompression surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM).

Methods: Patients with DCM undergoing cervical laminoplasty or laminectomy with posterior fusion were recruited.

Reliability and head-loading effects in imaging diagnosis of vertical subluxation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the reproducibility of vertical subluxation (VS) parameters using X-ray, computed tomography (CT), and tomosynthesis (TS) while comparing the head-loading effects.

Methods: The VS parameters of 26 patients (retrospective review) were evaluated. Using the intra-class correlation coefficient, we statistically examined the intra-rater and inter-rater reliabilities of the parameters.

Impact of body mass index on outcomes after lumbar spine surgery.

The impact of body mass index (BMI) on outcomes after lumbar spine surgery is currently unknown. Previous studies have reported conflicting evidence for patients with high BMI, while little research has been conducted on outcomes for underweight patients. This study aims to examine the impact of BMI on outcomes after lumbar spine surgery.

Predictors for hemostatic thrombin-gelatin matrix usage in spine surgery: a multicenter observational study.

Study Design: A prospective cohort study.

Objectives: Thrombin-gelatin matrix (TGM) is a rapid and potent hemostatic agent, but it has some limitations, including the cost and its preparation time. The purpose of this study was to investigate the current trend in the use of TGM and to identify the predictors for TGM usage in order to ensure its proper use and optimized resource allocation.

Effect of Early Postoperative Resolution of MRI Signal Intensity Changes on the Outcomes of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To investigate whether the timing of postoperative resolution of increased signal intensity (ISI) in the spinal cord is associated with surgical outcomes.

Summary Of Background Data: It remains unclear whether changes in ISI in the early postoperative period influence surgical outcomes.

Noninvasive Skin Autofluorescence of Advanced Glycation End Products for Detecting Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament in the Thoracic Spine.

Study Design: A single-center prospective observational study.

Objective: The aim was to clarify the usefulness of assessing advanced glycation end products (AGEs) by noninvasive skin autofluorescence in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).

Summary Of Background Data: AGE accumulation is associated with various systemic disorders, including aging, diabetes mellitus, and obesity.

A dynamic pedicle screw system using polyethylene insert for the lumbar spine.

Rigid spinal fusion with instrumentation has been widely applied in treating degenerative spinal disorders and has shown excellent and stable surgical results. However, adjacent segment pathology or implants' loosening could be problematic due to the spine's segmental fusion. Therefore, this study verified a novel concept for posterior stabilization with polyethylene inserts inside a pedicle screw assembly using bone models.

Surgical outcomes between posterior decompression alone and posterior decompression with fusion surgery among patients with Meyerding grade 2 degenerative spondylolisthesis: a multicenter cohort study.

Background: Whether lumbar decompression with fusion surgery is effective against Meyerding grade 2 degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) is unknown. Therefore, the current study aimed to compare the surgical outcomes between posterior decompression alone and posterior decompression with fusion surgery among patients with grade 2 DS with central canal stenosis.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included prospectively registered patients (n = 3863) who underwent surgery for degenerative lumbar spinal canal stenosis at nine high-volume spine centers from April 2017 to July 2019.

Clinical Feasibility of Completely Autologous Fibrin Glue in Spine Surgery.

Introduction: Fibrin glue is widely used in spine surgery. Nevertheless, no report has demonstrated the feasibility of completely autologous fibrin glue (CAFG) in spine surgery. This study aims to investigate the safety, efficacy, and effect of bone fusion of CAFG on spine surgery.

Association Between Preoperative Neuropathic Pain and Patient Reported Outcome Measures After Cervical Spinal Cord Decompression Surgery.

Study Design: A prospective observational study.

Objective: To evaluate the impact on surgical outcomes of preoperative neuropathic pain (NeP) assessed by the painDETECT questionnaire (PDQ) administered to participants undergoing cervical decompression surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM).

Methods: Participating patients were separated into the Non-NeP group (preoperative PDQ score ≤ 12), and NeP group (score ≥ 13).