Validating the Definition of Lumbar Instability-A Cross-Sectional Study with 420 Healthy Volunteers.

: Low back pain is thought to be caused by lumbar instability. To date, multiple definitions of radiological lumbar instability have been used without verifying the "normal range" of the lumbar segmental mobility. Ideally, normative data for lumbar mobility in healthy individuals are required to establish an acceptable threshold for lumbar instability.

Decreased Abundance of Genus in Individuals With Obesity and Colorectal Adenoma.

Background And Aims: The increasing prevalence of obesity has significantly contributed to the global burden of colorectal cancer and the precancerous colorectal adenoma (CRA). Gut microbiota vary at each stage of colorectal carcinogenesis and participate in energy homeostasis. Elucidating gut microbiotal characteristics in obesity-related CRA may help prevent and treat colorectal tumors; however, this remains unclarified.

Reliability of Conventional Two-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Diagnosing Extraforaminal Stenosis in Lumbosacral Transition.

Introduction: Three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is reportedly superior to two-dimensional (2D) MRI for diagnosing lumbar foraminal stenosis at L5-S1. In this study, we strictly distinguished the intra- and extraforaminal regions and compared the diagnostic reliability and accuracy of 2D and 3D MRI in each region.

Methods: A total of 92 surgical cases of unilateral L5 radiculopathy were selected for imaging analysis, including 46 of foraminal stenosis at L5-S1 (Group F) and 46 of intraspinal canal stenosis at L4-5 (Group C) (48 men, 44 women; mean age, 66 years).

Radical decompression without fusion for L5 radiculopathy due to foraminal stenosis.

Background: The highest incidence of lumbar foraminal stenosis (LFS) occurs in the L5-S1 segment and its anatomical features differ from those of other segments. Few previous reports have exhaustively assessed surgical outcomes after decompression surgery, limiting the materials to patients with LFS at the L5-S1 segment. We aimed to prospectively investigate instability and neurological improvement following our novel surgical technique for LFS at L5-S1, named "radical decompression" of the nerve root.

Are T1-Weighted Three-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Images Inferior to T2-Weighted Images for Diagnosing Lumbar Foraminal Stenosis in the Fifth Lumbar Nerve Root? A Prospective, Comparative Study in Identical Patients.

Introduction: Imaging analysis of foraminal stenosis in the fifth lumbar (L5) nerve root remains to be a challenge because of the anatomical complexity of the lumbosacral transition. T2-weighted three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance images (MRI) have been dominantly used for diagnosis of lumbar foraminal stenosis, while the reliability of T1-weighted images (WI) has also been proven. In this study, we aim to compare the reliability and reproducibility of T1- and T2-weighted 3D MRI in diagnosing lumbar foraminal stenosis (LFS) of the L5 nerve root.

Foraminal Stenosis at L5-S1 as an Overlooked Pathology of Bilateral Radiculopathy: A Case Series.

Introduction: The classical symptom of foraminal stenosis is unilateral radiculopathy. Bilateral radiculopathy caused purely by foraminal stenosis is rare. Here, we report five cases of bilateral L5 radiculopathy caused purely by L5-S1 foraminal stenosis and describe the clinical and radiological features of these patients in detail.

Facet cysts in the subaxial cervical spine: Case series focused on radiological and histopathological findings with a scoping review.

Background: Facet cysts in the subaxial cervical spine are a relatively rare cause of neuropathy. This case series aimed to investigate the radiological and histopathological features and surgical results of these lesions, and provide possible mechanisms of cyst development.

Methods: Thirteen subaxial cervical facet cysts in 12 patients were diagnosed on the basis of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography with facet arthrography.

Imaging diagnosis of lumbar foraminal stenosis in the fifth lumbar nerve root: reliability and reproducibility of T1-weighted three-dimensional lumbar MRI.

Background: Various magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques have been reported in detection of lumbar foraminal stenosis (LFS), especially for T2-weighted three-dimensional MRI (3D-MRI) describing the shape of nerve roots. The detection of LFS in the fifth lumbar nerve root (L5 root), however, is still less reliable compared to other lumbar nerve roots. Then we have been using T1-weighted 3D-MRI aiming to depict the shape of, and also pathology affecting the L5 root.

Electrolyzed hydrogen-rich water for oxidative stress suppression and improvement of insulin resistance: a multicenter prospective double-blind randomized control trial.

Introduction: Electrolyzed hydrogen-rich water (EHW) is known to have suppressive effects on oxidative stress (OS). However, its benefit in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of EHW on T2DM.

Low serum pancreatic amylase levels as a novel latent risk factor for colorectal adenoma in non-alcohol drinkers.

Background And Aim: Obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic alterations increase the risk of colorectal cancer and adenoma (CRA). Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or pancreatic disease (NAFPD) shares many risk factors with CRA that may have significant roles in its development; however, the relationship between CRA and NAFLD/NAFPD remains unclear.

Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 712 eligible participants without current drinking who had undergone total colonoscopy as part of a health checkup.

Characteristics of the gut microbiome profile in obese patients with colorectal cancer.

Background And Aim: Obesity affects the gut microbiome, which in turn increases the risk for colorectal cancer. Several studies have shown the mechanisms by which some bacteria may influence the development of colorectal cancer; however, gut microbiome characteristics in obese patients with colorectal cancer remain unclear. Therefore, this study evaluated their gut microbiome profile and its relationship with metabolic markers.

Physiological heating augments the anti-inflammatory reactions during granulocyte/monocyte apheresis: A in vitro study.

Granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis (GMA), an effective therapy for inflammatory disorders, exerts an anti-inflammatory influence by utilizing the biological reaction between blood and cellulose acetate (CA) beads, which are the carriers of the GMA column. Although the biological reaction has an optimum temperature, blood contacts the CA beads below body temperature as GMA is performed in an extracorporeal circulation system. We investigated various soluble factors in blood treated with CA beads at 25°C and 37°C.

Anterior Decompression and Fusion Versus Laminoplasty for Cervical Myelopathy Caused by Soft Disk Herniation: A Long-term Prospective Multicenter Study.

Study Design: A prospective multicenter study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether laminoplasty (LP) is comparable for myelopathy caused by cervical disk herniation (CDH).

Summary Of Background Data: Anterior decompression and fusion (ADF) has conventionally been used for myelopathy caused by CDH with stable outcomes.

Reoperation Rates after Laminoplasty for Cervical Disorders: A 26-Year Period Survival Function Method Analysis.

Introduction: Laminoplasty is a common surgery for cervical myelopathy. Previous studies have analyzed the reoperation rates in posterior decompression surgeries of the cervical spine. However, few studies have solely focused on midline-splitting laminoplasty (MSL) using a large number of patients.

Association between High Levels of Circulating Chemerin and Colorectal Adenoma in Men.

Background: Obesity and metabolic syndrome are considered the risk factors of colorectal adenoma (CRA) and colorectal cancer (CRC). Chemerin is a novel adipocytokine associated with the development of gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and CRC. However, the relationship between chemerin levels and CRA remains unclear.

Rate of spinal surgery in a rapidly aging society: the 27-year changes in Miyagi prefecture, Japan.

Background: Japan has had a rapidly aging population during the past 30 years. This study aimed to investigate longitudinal changes in the surgical rate for spinal disorders in Miyagi Prefecture (2.35 million inhabitants) with a similar population composition to Japan.

The Incidence of Atypical Femoral Fractures in Patients with Rheumatic Disease: Yamagata Prefectural Committee of Atypical Femoral Fractures (YamaCAFe) Study.

Atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) have been reported to occur with minimal or spontaneous subtrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures with a characteristic transverse pattern, compared with typical femoral fractures in young patients with high-energy trauma. AFFs are related to long-term use of bisphosphonates (BPs), glucocorticoids and rheumatic diseases. We have estimated a blind analysis of AFFs in rheumatic patients receiving BPs and glucocorticoids ordinary over a long time in all Yamagata prefectural area through radiographic examination.

Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebrae Cause Spinal Level Misconception in Surgeries for Degenerative Lumbar Spine Disorders.

Human lumbar spine usually consists of five vertebrae; however, some individuals have vertebral anomalies with four or six lumbar vertebrae because of sacralized fifth lumbar vertebra (L5 sacralization) or lumbarized first sacral vertebra (S1 lumbarization), respectively. These vertebral anomalies are called lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV). Although LSTV is an asymptomatic anomaly, it is known to cause misconception in spinal counts and in spinal level at lumbar spinal surgery.

New diagnostic support tool for patients with leg symptoms caused by lumbar spinal stenosis and lumbar intervertebral disc herniation: A self-administered, self-reported history questionnaire.

Background: There are no diagnostic support tools composed of a simple, single-sheet, self-administered, self-reported history questionnaire (SSHQ) for patients with leg symptoms caused by either lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) or lumbar disc herniation (LDH), at the same time, can discriminate the two diseases.

Methods: We conducted retrospective and prospective derivation studies and a prospective validation study. Based on data from 137 patients with LSS and 206 with LDH, we identified key prediction factors to establish the diagnosis of LSS and LDH, which became the basis of a temporary SSHQ.

Elderly-onset degenerative "lumbar spondylotic myelopathy" in a patient with a low-placed spinal cord successfully treated by laminotomy: a case report.

The authors report a rare case of elderly-onset "lumbar spondylotic myelopathy" occurred on a low-placed spinal cord compressed at multiple levels with thickened ligamenta flava. A posterior decompression surgery could alleviate neurological symptoms successfully instead of untethering of the spinal cord, a widely accepted surgery for tethered cord.