Preoperative MRI-based endplate quality: a novel tool for predicting cage subsidence after anterior cervical spine surgery.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to examine the predictive value of a newly developed MRI-based Endplate Bone Quality (EBQ) in relation to the development of cage subsidence following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). METHODS: Patients undergoing ACDF for degenerative cervical diseases between January 2017 and June 2022 were included. Correlation between EBQ scores and segmental height loss was analyzed using Pearson's correlation. ROC analyses were employed to ascertain the EBQ cut-off values that predict the occurrence of cage subsidence. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the risk factors associated with postoperative cage subsidence. RESULTS: 23 individuals (14.56%) exhibited the cage subsidence after ACDF. In the nonsubsidence group, the average EBQ and lowest T-score were determined to be 4.13 ± 1.14 and - 0.84 ± 1.38 g/cm2 respectively. In contrast, the subsidence group exhibited a mean EBQ and lowest T-score of 5.38 ± 0.47 (p < 0.001) and - 1.62 ± 1.34 g/cm2 (p = 0.014), respectively. There was a significant positive correlation (r = 0.798**) between EBQ and the segmental height loss. The EBQ threshold of 4.70 yielded optimal sensitivity (73.9%) and specificity (93.3%) with AUC of 0.806. Furthermore, the lowest T-score (p = 0.045, OR 0.667) and an elevated cervical EBQ score (p < 0.001, OR 8.385) were identified as significant risk factors for cage subsidence after ACDF. CONCLUSIONS: The EBQ method presents itself as a promising and efficient tool for surgeons to assess patients at risk of cage subsidence and osteoporosis prior to cervical spine surgery, utilizing readily accessible patient data.

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. For patients in the low-risk group, anterior-only reconstruction was performed; for patients in the high-risk group, additional posterior lateral mass fixation and fusion was performed after anterior reconstruction. Clinical outcome evaluation included using the visual analogue score (VAS), the Neck Disability Index (NDI), and the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale. The change in the local sagittal alignment kyphosis Cobb angle was also recorded. RESULTS: A total of 370 patients (81.1%) completed the minimal 12-month follow-ups, including 321 patients of low-risk group and 49 patients of high-risk group. Compared with the average VAS score preoperatively, the score at 12-month follow-up was significantly improved (from 6.1 + 0.3 to 1.1 + 0.2 in the low-risk group, P < 0.001; from 6.4 + 0.2 to 1.4 + 0.2 in the high-risk group, P < 0.001). The average NDI score at the 12-month follow-up was statistically low in the low-risk group (8.8 + 2.5 vs 13.8 + 3.4, P = 0.034). At least more than one grade improvement in the ASIA scale was observed in 80.5% of all patients. The local kyphosis Cobb angle at the injured segment averaged improved in both groups. CONCLUSION: A PLICS score ≥ 7 together with EULMF can be the threshold for posterior stabilization in addition to anterior reconstruction for the patients with SCFDs.

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. Although the anterior approach is familiar for most surgeons, postoperative hardware failure and/or delayed cervical deformity is a nonnegligible complication. METHODS: Ten patients were randomly selected for intraobserver reliability evaluation on two separate occasions, one month apart. Another 30 patients were randomly selected, and the interobserver reliability was measured by comparing results of each case between each reviewer and averaging. To analyze the difference in the PLICS score, 354 patients fulfilled the follow-up were divided into stable and unstable groups according to whether radiologically stable was observed during follow-up. RESULTS: For the intraobserver reliability, the mean intraclass correlation coefficient for the 10 reviewers was 0.931. For the interobserver reliability, the mean interobserver correlation coefficient for the three elements was 0.863. Among 16 patients with PLICS score ≥7, two patients in the stable group manifested with severe injury of the posterior ligamentous complex (PLC); extremely unstable lateral mass fractures with or without severe injury of PLC were detected in the 14 patients of the unstable group. CONCLUSION: The proposed PLICS score system showed excellent intraobserver and interobserver reliability. When a PLICS score is >7 or 7 accompanied by extremely unstable lateral mass fractures, the risk of postoperative failure after an anterior-only reconstruction is high and supplemental posterior strengthening can be considered.Level of Evidence: 4.

Circular RNA hsa_circ_0000282 contributes to osteosarcoma cell proliferation by regulating miR-192/XIAP axis.

BACKGROUND: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as a novel category of non-coding RNA, which exhibit a pivotal effect on regulating gene expression and biological functions, yet how circRNAs function in osteosarcoma (OSA) still demands further investigation. This study aimed at probing into the function of hsa_circ_0000282 in OSA. METHODS: The expressions of circ_0000282 and miR-192 in OSA tissues and cell lines were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and the correlation between the expression level of circ_0000282 and clinicopathological features of OSA patients was analyzed. The expressions of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) in OSA cells were assayed by Western blot. The proliferation and apoptosis of OSA cells were examined by CCK-8, BrdU and flow cytometry, respectively. Bioinformatics analysis, dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and RIP experiments were employed to predict and validate the targeting relationships between circ_0000282 and miR-192, and between miR-192 and XIAP, respectively. RESULTS: Circ_0000282 was highly expressed in OSA tissues and cell lines, which represented positive correlation with Enneking stage of OSA patients and negative correlation with tumor differentiation degree. In vitro experiments confirmed that overexpression of circ_0000282 markedly facilitated OSA cell proliferation and repressed cancer cell apoptosis in comparison to control group. Besides, knockdown of circ_0000282 repressed OSA cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis. Additionally, the binding relationships between circ_0000282 and miR-192, and between miR-192 and XIAP were validated. Circ_0000282 indirectly up-regulated XIAP expression by adsorbing miR-192, thereby playing a role in promoting cancer in OSA. CONCLUSION: Circ_0000282 was a novel oncogenic circRNA in OSA. Circ_0000282/miR-192/XIAP axis regulated OSA cell proliferation apoptosis with competitive endogenous RNA mechanism.

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. METHODS: Imaging data of 368 patients with CSOTF treated at our hospital from January 2010 to June 2017 were systematically analyzed to develop a classification system. Imaging examinations included dynamic radiography, computed tomography scans, and magnetic resonance imaging. Ten investigators methodically studied the classification system grading in 40 cases on two occasions, examined 1 month apart. Kappa coefficients (κ) were calculated to determine intraobserver and interobserver reliability. Based on the radiographic characteristics, the patients were divided into 5 types, and different treatments were suggested for each type. Clinical outcome evaluation included using the visual analog score (VAS), the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale. RESULTS: The new classification system for CSOTF was divided into types I-V according to whether the CSOTF exhibited dynamic instability, spinal stenosis or kyphosis deformity. Intra- and interobserver reliability were excellent for all types (κ = 0.83 and 0.85, respectively). The VAS score and ODI of each type were significantly improved at the final follow-up compared with those before surgery. In all patients with neurological impairment, the ASIA grading after surgery was significantly improved compared with that before surgery (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The new classification system for CSOTF demonstrated excellent reliability in this initial assessment. The treatment algorithm based on the classification can result in satisfactory improvement of clinical efficacy for the patients of CSOFT.

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. The definition of functional healing of PLS was based on evaluations of clinical function and radiographic stability of PLS. RESULTS: Follow-up was available for 354 patients (89.8%). The PLS of 339 cases was functionally healed at the first follow-up interval without any posterior surgical intervention. No hardware failure or progressive cervical kyphosis was observed at further follow-up. At 12 months postoperatively, interbody fusion was satisfactory. However, the other 15 patients experienced nonhealing PLS at 8 weeks postoperatively and developed cervical deformity at further follow-up. Five patients refused revision surgery; the other 10 patients obtained solid fusion after revision surgeries. CONCLUSIONS: Among 354 patients with SCFD and treated by single anterior reduction and fixation, simple PLS injury without any bony instability at the posterior column of the cervical spine can be functionally healed in 95.8% of patients by external fixation for 8 weeks. Whether this finding is applicable to various types of SCFD should be verified in further prospective studies with larger samples.

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. The other 30 patients underwent fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous pedicle screw placement. RESULTS There were 130 screws placed under fluoroscopic guidance, with 26.2% penetration of the pedicle wall. There were 130 screws placed in robotic-assisted surgery, with 6.2% penetration of the pedicle wall. Severe screw deviation (Neo grade III) was identified in 4 screws in the fluoroscopy-guided group, while no severe deviation was noted in the robot-assisted group. In the fluoroscopic group, 15.6% of screws penetrated the superior articular process, and 2.1% screws had severe complications (Babu grade III). However, only 5.1% of screws in the robot-assisted group had severe complications. The mean screw insertion angle was significantly greater in the robot-assisted group than in the fluoroscopy-guided group (23.8±6.1° vs. 18.4±7.2°, P=0.017). CONCLUSIONS Compared to fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous pedicle screw placement, robot-assisted percutaneous pedicle screw placement has the following advantages: greater accuracy, lower incidences of screw penetration of the pedicle wall and invasion of the facet joints, and better screw insertion angle. Combined with MIS-TLIF, robot-assisted percutaneous pedicle screw placement is an effective minimally invasive treatment for lumbar spondylolisthesis.

[Comparison of accuracy between robot-assisted and fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous pedicle screw placement for treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis].

Objective: To explore the clinical application value of the spinal robot-assisted surgical system in mild to moderate lumbar spondylolisthesis and evaluate the accuracy of its implantation. Methods: The clinical data of 56 patients with Meyerding grade Ⅰ or Ⅱ lumbar spondylolisthesis who underwent minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) between January 2017 and December 2017 were retrospectively analysed. Among them, 28 cases were preoperatively planned with robotic arm and percutaneous pedicle screw placement according to preoperative planning (group A); the other 28 cases underwent fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous pedicle screw placement (group B). There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, slippage type, Meyerding grade, and surgical segmental distribution between the two groups ( P>0.05). The screw insertion angle was measured by CT, the accuracy of screw implantation was evaluated by Neo's criteria, and the invasion of superior articular process was evaluated by Babu's method. Results: One hundred and twelve screws were implanted in the two groups respectively, 5 screws (4.5%) in group A and 26 screws (23.2%) in group B penetrated the lateral wall of pedicle, and the difference was significant ( χ2=9.157, P=0.002); the accuracy of nail implantation was assessed according to Neo's criteria, the results were 107 screws of degree 0, 3 of degree 1, 2 of degree 2 in group A, and 86 screws of degree 0, 16 of degree 1, 6 of degree 2, 4 of degree 3 in group B, showing significant difference between the two groups ( Z=4.915, P=0.031). In group B, 20 (17.9%) screws penetrated the superior articular process, while in group A, 80 screws were removed from the decompression side, and only 3 (3.8%) screws penetrated the superior articular process. According to Babu's method, the degree of screw penetration into the facet joint was assessed. The results were 77 screws of grade 0, 2 of grade 1, 1 of grade 2 in group A, and 92 screws of grade 0, 13 of grade 1, 4 of grade 2, 3 of grade 3 in group B, showing significant difference between the two groups ( Z=7.814, P=0.029). The screw insertion angles of groups A and B were (23.5±6.6)° and (18.1±7.5)° respectively, showing significant difference ( t=3.100, P=0.003). Conclusion: Compared to fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous pedicle screw placement, robot-assisted percutaneous pedicle screw placement has the advantages such as greater accuracy, lower incidence of screw penetration of the pedicle wall and invasion of the facet joints, and has a better screw insertion angle. Combined with MIS-TLIF, robot-assisted percutaneous pedicle screw placement is an effective minimally invasive treatment for lumbar spondylolisthesis.

Hamstring tendon transplantation embedding reconstruction of medial patellofemoral ligament for the treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effectiveness of hamstring tendon graft embedding reconstruction of medial patellofemoral ligament for the treatment of recurrent dislocation of the patella.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From March 2008 to June 2013,67 patients with recurrent dislocation of patella were treated, including 28 males, 39 females with an average age of 22 years ranging from 10 to 42 years old. The clinical manifestations involved knee joint instability,"giving way", sense of patellar dislocation, anterior knee pain. All 67 patients underwent arthroscopic hamstring tendon graft embedding reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament. The curative effect were evaluated by preoperative and postoperative Lysholm score and Q angle changes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All cases were followed up after operation and the mean follow-up time was(27.5±13.4) months(4 to 69 months). Postoperative incision were healed well and no patellar dislocation or subluxation occurred. Lysholm score improved from preoperative 76.35±2.86 to 82.71±2.29 postoperatively; Q angle decreased from preoperative (18.75±2.33)° to postoperative(13.28±1.75)°.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The method for the reconstruction of medial patellofemoral ligament can provide enough tension, patellar stability.imoroving the function of knee ioint.</p>

Arthroscopic patelloplasty and circumpatellar denervation for the treatment of patellofemoral osteoarthritis / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate surgical procedure and clinical effects for the treatment of patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA) with arthroscopic patelloplasty and circumpatellar denervation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 156 patients with PFOA (62 males and 94 females; aged from 45 to 61 years old with an average of 52) were treated from September 2011 and March 2013. The clinical manifestations included recurrent swelling and pains on knee-joint,and aggravated pains upon going up/down-stairs, squatting-down, or standing-up. PFOAs were treated with arthroscopic patelloplasty and circumpatellar denervation. The therapeutic effects before and after surgery were evaluated by Lysholm scores and Kujala scores. The therapeutic effects were graded by classification of cartilage injury degrees.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally 149 cases were successfully followed up for 14.8 months. The incisions were healed well and no complication were occurred. Lysholm score was improved from 73.29 preoperatively to 80.93 postoperatively and average Kajala score from 68.34 preoperatively to 76.48 after surgery. This procedure was highly effective for patients with I - III degree cartilage injury, while not for patients with IV degree cartilage injury.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>For PFOA patients, arthroscopic patelloplasty and circumpatellar denervation is effective for significantly relieving anterior knee pains, improving knee-joint functions and quality of life, and deferring arthritic procession.</p>

Arthroscopic repair of meniscus injury with Fast-fix under local anesthesia / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical outcome of arthroscopic repair method of meniscus injury with Fast-fix under local anesthesia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From October 2005 to September 2012,106 patients with meniscus injuries admitted into our - hospital were studied, including 74 males and 32 females, ranging in age from 13 to 71 years old, averaged 27.6 years old. The duration of the disease ranged from 15 days to 5 years. The main clinical manifestations included knee joint pain after exercise, joint locking, pressing pain of knee joint and positive McMurray signs. The MRI showed meniscus tear or degeneration. Arthroscopic repairing surgeries were performed with Fast-fix under local anesthesia. Each patient was assessed with VAS pain evaluation and Lysholm knee-joint score system before and after operation. All the patients were followed up more than 1 year.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>One hundred and 2 patients were followed up by recording subjective symptoms, clinical examinations and questions naires for an average of 2.6 years (ranged, 1.1 to 8 years), and 4 patients lost follow-up. All the 102 patients had no anesthetic complications. Ninety-six patients had normal subjective symptom and clinical examinations. Four patients had a mild ache with activities,2 patients had moderate pain after activities with joint space pressing pain. VAS pain evaluation and Lysholm knee-joint score after operation both were much better than that before operation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>onclusion: Local anesthesia can provide nice circumstances for surgeries. Arthroscopic repair using Fast-fix is an idea method for meniscus injury, especially for the posterior horn tear of medial meniscus, which is simple and convenient with less complications, and satisfactory results.</p>

Etiological analysis and significance of anterior knee pain induced by gluteal muscles contracture / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore causes of gluteal muscle contracture induced anterior knee pain and curative effect of arthroscopic release.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From March 2002 to August 2013,36 patients with gluteal muscle contracture induced anterior knee pain were treated, including 15 males, 21 females, aged from 9 to 40 years old with an average (18.7±7.2) years old; the courses of diseases ranged from 4 to 30 years. The clinical manifestations involved limited to symmelia, positive Ober sign, buttocks touch contracture belts, knee and patella slide to lateral when doing squat activities. All patients were performed gluteal muscle contracture release under arthroscopic. Postoperative complications were observed, Kujala scoring before and after operation was used for compare curative effect.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients were followed up with an average of 29 months. The incision were healed well, and no complications were occurred. Postoperative Kujala score were improved more than preoperative.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Gluteal muscle contracture release could alleviate hypertension of lateral patella, and palys an important role in preventing patellofemoral arthritis.</p>

Comparative study of perpendicular versus parallel double plating methods for type C distal humeral fractures / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Double plate osteosynthesis is the standard treatment for intra-articular fractures of the distal humerus. However, there is still controversy concerning dual plate positions in terms of providing optimal stability. The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the clinical outcomes in patients with type C intra-articular distal humeral fractures using perpendicular and parallel plating methods.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between March 2008 and June 2011, a total of 45 patients with type C distal humerus fractures were treated using two different dual plating methods. Of them, 24 patients were treated by perpendicular plating (group I) and 21 patients were treated by parallel plating (group II). The surgical time, blood loss, and union time were compared between the two groups. The flexion-extension arc, the total range of flexion and extension at the end of follow-up were compared between the two groups. The Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) was used to determine the elbow functional results.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients were followed up. The mean duration of follow-up was 16 months (range 12 - 25 months) in group I and 15.5 months in group II (range 12 - 25 months). There were no significant differences in the surgical time, blood loss, and the bone union time between the two groups. In group I, the mean elbow flexion-extension arc was 101° and the mean MEPS was 85 points. The rate of excellent and good results was 87.5%. In group II, the mean flexion-extension arc was 100° and the mean MEPS was 86.1 points. The rate of excellent and good results was 90.5%. There were no significant differences in the MEPS, flexion-extension arc, and the total range of flexion and extension between the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Perpendicular and parallel plate configurations with the appropriate surgical techniques can provide anatomical reconstruction and stable fixation of type C intra-articular distal humeral fractures and allow early mobilization of the elbow after an operation. The occurrence of post-operative elbow stiffness can be reduced and good outcomes can be obtained.</p>