Does the Choice of Operative Side Affect the Clinical Outcome of Unilateral Percutaneous Kyphoplasty for Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture?

Background: Studies have found that the rate of improvement in pain after percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) is 49% to 90%, and there are still some patients who may continue to sustain intractable back pain after surgery.

Objectives: To compare the clinical efficacy and imaging results between unilateral PKP performed from the symptom-dominating side and the non-dominating side in OVCF treatment.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Roles of p38 MAPK signalling in intervertebral disc degeneration.

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a common degenerative disease mediated by multiple factors. Because of its complex aetiology and pathology, no specific molecular mechanisms have yet been identified and no definitive treatments are currently available for IVDD. p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling, part of the serine and threonine (Ser/Thr) protein kinases family, is associated with the progression of IVDD, by mediating the inflammatory response, increasing extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, promoting cell apoptosis and senescence and suppressing cell proliferation and autophagy.

Roles of Hippo-YAP/TAZ signalling in intervertebral disc degeneration.

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD), a common cartilage-degenerative disease, is considered the main cause of low back pain (LBP). Owing to the complex aetiology and pathophysiology of IVDD, its molecular mechanisms and definitive treatment of IVDD remain unclear. As an evolutionarily and functionally conserved signalling pathway, Hippo-YAP/TAZ signalling plays a crucial role in IVDD progression.

Risk factors for proximal junctional kyphosis after posterior long-segment internal fixation for chronic symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures with kyphosis.

Background: This study aimed to analyze the risk factors for proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) for patients with chronic symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures (CSOTLF) and kyphosis who underwent long-segment internal fixation.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with CSOTLF complicated with kyphosis who underwent posterior multilevel internal fixation in our hospital between January 2013 and January 2020. The patients' age, sex, body mass index (BMI), bone mineral density (BMD), smoking status, cause of injury, comorbidities, injury segments, and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading non-surgical data; posterior ligament complex (PLC) injury, upper and lower instrumented vertebral position (UIV and LIV, respectively), number of fixed segments surgical data, proximal junctional angle (PJA), sagittal vertebral axis (SVA), pelvic incidence (PI), lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis mismatch (PI-LL), pelvic tilt (PT), and sacral slope (SS) surgical indicators were collected.

Multivariate analysis of pedicle screw invasion of the proximal facet joint after lumbar surgery.

Background: To analyze the risk factors for pedicle screw invasion of the proximal facet joint after lumbar surgery.

Methods: From January 2019 to January 2021, 1794 patients with lumbar degenerative disease, such as lumbar disc herniation, lumbar spinal stenosis and lumbar spondylolisthesis, were treated at our hospital. In all, 1221 cases were included.

Comparison of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis and isthmic lumbar spondylolisthesis: effect of pedicle screw placement on proximal facet invasion in surgical treatment.

Background: Pedicle screw invasion of the proximal articular process will cause local articular process degeneration and acceleration, which is an important factor affecting adjacent segment degeneration. Although lumbar spondylolisthesis is a risk factor for screw invasion of the proximal joint, there is no clear conclusion regarding the two different types of spondylolisthesis. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the influence of pedicle screw placement on proximal facet invasion in the treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis and isthmic spondylolisthesis.

Risk Factors for New Vertebral Fracture After Percutaneous Vertebroplasty for Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures.

Purpose: To analyze the risk factors for new vertebral fractures after percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs).

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with symptomatic OVCFs who underwent PVP in our hospital, from January 2014 to January 2019. Demographic and lifestyle data on the presence of underlying chronic disease, preoperative bone mineral density, details of vertebral fractures, postoperative osteoporosis treatment, and new fracture development were collected.

Posterior Ligament-Bone Injury Classification and Severity Score: A Novel Approach to Predict the Failure of Anterior-only Surgery for Subaxial Cervical Facet Dislocations.

Study Design: Clinical case series.

Objective: The aim of this study was to propose a novel posterior ligament-bone injury classification and severity (PLICS) score system that can be used to reflect the severity of subaxial cervical fracture dislocations (SCFDs) and predict the failure of anterior-only surgery; and to measure the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of this system.

Summary Of Background Data: The approach selection for SCFDs is controversial.

Comparison of robot-assisted and freehand pedicle screw placement for lumbar revision surgery.

Background: The accuracy of robot-assisted pedicle screw implantation is a safe and effective method in lumbar surgery, but it still remains controversial in lumbar revision surgery. This study evaluated the clinical safety and accuracy of robot-assisted versus freehand pedicle screw implantation in lumbar revision surgery.

Methods: This was a retrospective study.

When is the circumferential stabilization necessary for subaxial cervical fracture dislocations? The posterior ligament-bone injury classification and severity score: a novel treatment algorithm.

Objective: To propose a novel classification and scoring system called the posterior ligament-bone injury classification and severity score (PLICS) that offers a quantitative score to guide the need for posterior stabilization in addition to anterior reconstruction for subaxial cervical fracture dislocations (SCFDs).

Methods: A total of 456 patients with SCFDs were prospectively included. Patients with PLICS ≥ 7 together with extremely unstable lateral mass fracture (EULMF) were classified as high-risk group, and the other patients were classified as low-risk group.

Reliability and application of the new morphological classification system for chronic symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture.

Background: We propose a new classification system for chronic symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture (CSOTF) based on fracture morphology. Research on CSOTF has increased in recent years; however, the lack of a standard classification system has resulted in inconvenient communication, research, and treatment. Previous CSOTF classification studies exhibit different symptoms, with none being widely accepted.

Is laminectomy and fusion the better choice than laminoplasty for multilevel cervical myelopathy with signal changes on magnetic resonance imaging? A comparison of two posterior surgeries.

Background: This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and complications between laminectomy and fusion (LF) and laminoplasty (LP) for multi-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy (MCSM) with increased signal intensity (ISI) on T2-weighted images (T2WI).

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed 52 patients with MCSM with ISI on T2WI who underwent laminoplasty (LP group). The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, the physical and mental component scores (PCS and MCS) of Short-Form 36 (SF-36), and the extension and flexion ranges of motion (ROMs) were recorded.

Epidemiological characteristics of spinal cord injury in Northwest China: a single hospital-based study.

Background: While the cities in China in which spinal cord injury (SCI) studies have been conducted previously are at the forefront of medical care, northwest China is relatively underdeveloped economically, and the epidemiological characteristics of SCI have rarely been reported in this region.

Methods: The SCI epidemiological survey software developed was used to analyze the data of patients treated with SCI from 2014 to 2018. The sociodemographic characteristics of patients, including name, age, sex, and occupation, were recorded.

Can the Novel LumboIliac Triangle Technique Based on Biplane Oblique Fluoroscopy Facilitate Transforaminal Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy for Patients with L5-S1 Disc Herniation Combined with High Iliac Crest? Case-Control Study of 100 Patients.

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) via the transforaminal approach is difficult at L5-S1 in patients presenting with high iliac crests (HIC). The conventional wisdom is that measurement using lumbar radiography, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is necessary.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to introduce a lumbo-iliac triangular (LI-Tri) technique based on biplane oblique fluoroscopy and verify whether it facilitated transforaminal PELD for patients with L5-S1 lumbar disc herniation (LDH) combined with HIC.

Cocktail Treatment with a Gelatin Sponge Impregnated with Ropivacaine, Dexamethasone, and Vitamin B12 Promotes Early Postoperative Recovery after Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy: A Retrospective, Case-Controlled Study.

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) can only relieve mechanical compression but cannot directly reduce the inflammatory reaction of the adjacent nerve root, which contributes to persistent pain and physical disabilities postoperatively. Numerous studies have explored the application of epidural steroids after an open lumbar discectomy in relieving pain by reducing local inflammatory reactions and further peridural scar formation.

Objectives: To explore that whether "cocktail treatment" in which a gelatin sponge was impregnated with ropivacaine, dexamethasone, and vitamin B12 promoted early postoperative recovery after PELD.

Can Zero-Profile Cage Maintain the Cervical Curvature Similar to Plate-Cage Construct for Single-Level Anterior Cervical Diskectomy and Fusion?

Objective: We sought to compare the clinical and radiologic outcomes after anterior cervical surgery between zero-profile (Zero-P) cage and plate-cage construct (PCC).

Methods: One-hundred and sixteen patients with single-level cervical disk herniation who underwent anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion between May 2015 and March 2017 were enrolled. They were divided into a Zero-P group (61 cases) and a PCC group (55 cases).

Can Posterior Ligament Structure Be Functionally Healed After Anterior Reduction and Fusion Surgery in Patients with Traumatic Subaxial Cervical Fracture-Dislocations?

Background: Selection of approach for subaxial cervical fracture-dislocation (SCFD) is controversial. The questions of whether a posterior ligamentous structure (PLS) can be functionally healed in patients with SCFD and how long this healing process takes are critical in these patients.

Methods: This study retrospectively enrolled 394 patients with SCFD who underwent anterior decompression, reduction, and fusion between January 2002 and December 2017.

Causes of Residual Back Pain at Early Stage After Percutaneous Vertebroplasty: A Retrospective Analysis of 1,316 Cases.

Background: Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is now well accepted in the treatment of painful osteopathic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF), providing early pain relief and strengthening of the bone of the vertebrae. However, some patients still experienced severe back pain after PVP.

Objectives: To analyze the possible reason for unsatisfactory back pain relief (UBPR) after PVP at early stage.

Safety and Efficacy of Hydrogen Peroxide in Controlling Blood Loss and Surgical Site Infection After Multisegmental Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Retrospective, Case-Controlled Study.

Objective: To explore the safety and efficacy of hydrogen peroxide HO in controlling blood loss and surgical site infection (SSI) after multisegmental lumbar spine surgery.

Methods: A total of 2626 patients who had undergone multisegmental lumbar spinal surgery from January 2015 to January 2018 were included in the present study. Stratified by the use of HO irrigation, they were divided into 2 groups: the control group (n = 1345) and the experimental group (n = 1281).

Suboccipital neuralgia after C1 pedicle screw insertion: do we neglect atlantooccipital joint violation? - Case report and literature review.

Background: Occipital neuralgia is one of the postoperative complications of C1 lateral mass screw insertion, which was deemed to be related with the C2 nerve root dysfunction.

Case Presentation: A 52-year-old female patient presented with gradually progressive numbness and weakness in her extremities for 6 months. X-ray and computed tomography (CT) scan revealed obvious anterior atlantoaxial dislocation (ADD), which was reducible on extensive view.

Dual pitch titanium-coated pedicle screws improve initial and early fixation in a polyetheretherketone rod semi-rigid fixation system in sheep.

Background: Reports on the efficacy of modifications to the thread design of pedicle screws are scarce. The aim of the study was to investigate initial and early fixation of pedicle screws with a plasma-sprayed titanium coating and dual pitch in the pedicle region (dual pitch titanium-coated pedicle screw [DPTCPS]) in a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rod semi-rigid fixation system.

Methods: Fifty-four sheep spine specimens and 64 sheep were used to investigate initial ("0-week" controls) and early (post-operative 6 months) fixation, respectively.

Posterior Unlocking of Facet Joints Under Endoscopy Followed by Anterior Decompression, Reduction, and Fixation of Old Subaxial Cervical Facet Dislocations: A Technical Note.

Objective: Besides the facet joints interlocking, the fibrous tissue or bony callus around the dislocated segments make the reduction for this kind of old injury to be more challenging and different from that of acute injuries. This study is aimed to present 4 cases of old subaxial cervical facet dislocations (SCFD) that were successfully treated with posterior unlocking under endoscopy followed by anterior decompression, reduction, and fixation.

Methods: Between January 2017 and December 2017, 4 patients with old SCFD who underwent posterior unlocking of facet joints under endoscopy followed by anterior decompression, reduction, and fixation were enrolled.

Accuracy of Robot-Assisted Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Placement for Treatment of Lumbar Spondylolisthesis: A Comparative Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND With the in-depth development of minimally invasive spine surgery in recent years, robot- and computer-assisted technologies have been increasingly used and successfully applied to spinal surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of 60 patients with grade I or II lumbar spondylolisthesis who underwent minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) from January 2017 to December 2017. A robot-assisted surgical system was used in 30 patients for pedicle screw placement.