Does vacuum phenomenon at non-fused discs affect the postoperative course after transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in patients showing a positive value of difference in lumbar lordosis?

INTRODUCTION: Preoperative difference in lumbar lordosis (DiLL) was associated with surgical outcomes after single-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). Patients with DiLL>0 (DiLL (+)) tended to show worse clinical outcomes and postoperative greater restoration of lumbar lordosis (LL). However, some patients with DiLL (+) showed relatively good outcomes and no postoperative LL restration. This study aimed to elucidate whether the lumbar intervertebral disc vacuum phenomenon (VP) influences clinical course after single-level TLIF in patients with DiLL (+) and DiLL (-). METHODS: Patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis treated with single-level TLIF were included. Pre- and postoperative LL were measured, and postoperative LL improvement was calculated. Preoperative DiLL was calculated as preoperative supine LL minus standing LL. Severity of VP at the non-fused discs (SVP (non-FS)) was evaluated using preoperative reconstructed computed tomography imaging. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Oswestry disability index, visual analogue scale (VAS; low back pain (LBP), lower-extremity pain, numbness, and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire. Patients were stratified by the median preoperative SVP (non-FS) score into severe and mild VP groups in patients with DiLL (+) or DiLL (-), and their surgical outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Overall, 89 patients were included. In patients with DiLL (+) (n = 37), patients with severe VP showed worse clinical outcomes, particulary for LBP and DiLL (+) patients with mild VP showed greater LL improvement (6.5° ± 10.0°). In patients with DiLL(-) (n = 52), patients with severe VP showed worse clinical outcomes, particularly for LBP and no differences in preoperative, postoperative, and improvement of LL were observed between two groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with DiLL (+) and DiLL (-) showed different clinical courses depending on VP severity at the non-fused discs after single-level TLIF.

Postoperative change in lumbopelvic alignment after short-segment transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion is related to preoperative postural difference in lumbar lordosis.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative changes in lumbar lordosis (LL) after transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and the related factors are not well-understood. Recently, the preoperative difference in LL between standing and supine positions (DiLL) was proposed as a factor for predicting postoperative radiologic outcomes after short-segment TLIF. This study investigated the influence of DiLL on mid-term radiological outcomes after short-segment TLIF. METHODS: Sixty-six patients with lumbar degenerative disease treated with short-segment TLIF (1-2 levels) who underwent lumbar spine standing radiographs at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, and 5 years postoperatively were divided into DiLL (+) and DiLL (-) groups (preoperative DiLL ≥0° and <0°, respectively). Associations between the postoperative change in LL and DiLL and clinical outcomes (Oswestry disability index (ODI) and Nakai score) were evaluated. RESULTS: Temporary restoration of LL (+4.5°) until 1 year postoperatively and a subsequent decrease in LL from 1 to 5 years postoperatively (-5.3°) was observed in the DiLL (+) group. No postoperative change in LL was observed in the DiLL (-) group. Postoperative changes in LL were mainly observed in non-fused segments. The postoperative change in LL (ΔLL) until 1 year postoperatively had a significant positive association with DiLL (p = 0.00028), whereas ΔLL from 1 to 5 years postoperatively showed a significant negative association with DiLL (p = 0.010) and a positive association with Nakai score (p = 0.028). ΔLL until 5 years postoperatively showed a significant positive association with postoperative ODI improvement (p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: DiLL (+) patients showed a specific time course with temporary LL restoration until 1 year postoperatively and a subsequent decrease in LL from 1 to 5 years postoperatively. Patients with larger postoperative increase in LL until 5 years postoperatively and lesser decrease in LL from 1 to 5 years postoperatively tended to show better mid-term clinical outcomes.

Intra-articular injection of monoiodoacetate induces diverse hip osteoarthritis in rats, depending on its dose.

BACKGROUND: Monoiodoacetate (MIA)-induced arthritis models are used widely in osteoarthritis (OA) research to develop effective conservative treatments for hip OA, as an alternative to joint replacement surgery. In joint OA models, such as the MIA-induced knee OA model, various doses of MIA are utilized, depending on the purpose of the research. So far, only 2 mg of MIA has been used for MIA-induced hip OA research. We hypothesized that the amount of MIA should be adjusted according to the osteoarthritis model under investigation. We performed radiographic and histological evaluations in rats for hip OA models induced by different doses of MIA. METHODS: One hundred and eighty right hips of six-week-old, male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 30 rats per group) were treated with either a single intra-articular injection of various doses of MIA (0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 mg) dissolved in 25 µl of sterile saline (MIA group), or with 25 µl of sterile saline alone (Sham group). Radiographic and histological evaluations of the hip joint were performed at one, two, four, eight, and 12 weeks after administration (n = 6 rats per group per time point). RESULTS: OA changes progressed from 1 week after administration in the 1.0-mg, 2.0-mg, and 4.0-mg MIA groups. The degree of OA changes increased as the dose of MIA increased. The 0.25-mg and 0.5-mg MIA groups presented fewer OA changes than the 2.0-mg and 4.0-mg MIA groups during the entire study period (up to 12 weeks). The administration of 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg of MIA-induced both radiographic and histological OA changes in a time-dependent manner, whereas more than 2 mg of MIA provoked end-stage OA at 8 weeks after injection. Absolute, dose-dependent histopathological OA changes were observed 4 weeks after MIA administration. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-articular MIA injection to the hip joints of rats induced diverse OA changes dose-dependently. Research for developing novel conservative treatments for hip OA and intractable pain should consider the pathological condition when determining the dose of MIA to be employed.

Effect of Preoperative Severity and Location of Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Vacuum Phenomenon on Surgical Outcomes After Single-Level Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine whether preoperative severity and location of lumbar intervertebral disc vacuum phenomenon (VP) influence surgical outcomes after single-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. METHODS: We included 106 patients (age, 67.4 ± 10.4 years; 51 male/55 female) with lumbar degenerative diseases, who were treated with single-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. Severity of VP (SVP) score was measured preoperatively. SVP score at fused disc was used as SVP (FS) score and at nonfused discs was used as SVP (non-FS) score. Surgical outcomes were assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and visual analog scale (VAS; low back pain (LBP), lower extremity pain, numbness, LBP in motion, in standing, and in sitting). The patients were divided into severe VP (FS or non-FS) and mild VP (FS or non-FS) groups, and surgical outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. Correlations between each SVP score and surgical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: There were no differences in surgical outcomes between the severe VP (FS) and mild VP (FS) groups. Postoperative ODI, VAS score for LBP, lower extremity pain, numbness, and LBP in standing were significantly worse in the severe VP (non-FS) group than in the mild VP (non-FS) group. SVP (non-FS) scores significantly correlated with postoperative ODI, VAS score for LBP, lower extremity pain, numbness, and LBP in standing; however, SVP (FS) scores did not correlate with any surgical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative SVP at fused disc is not associated with surgical outcomes; however, SVP at nonfused discs is correlated with clinical outcomes.

Analgesic effects and arthritic changes following tramadol administration in a rat hip osteoarthritis model.

We investigated the analgesic effects of tramadol and the arthritic changes following tramadol administration in the rat hip osteoarthritis (OA) model using mono-iodoacetate (MIA). The right hip joints of male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 5 rats/group) in the Sham group were injected with 25 µl of sterile saline and 1% of fluorogold (FG) retrograde neurotracer. In the MIA + Vehicle and MIA + Tramadol groups, FG and 25 µl of sterile saline with 0.5 mg of MIA were injected into the right hip joint. The MIA + Vehicle and MIA + Tramadol groups were administered daily for 4 weeks, either sterile saline (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal [i.p.]) or tramadol (10 mg/kg, i.p.). We assessed hyperalgesia every week after MIA administration. Histopathological changes and immunoreactive neurons for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were evaluated after 4 weeks of treatment. MIA injection into the hip joint led to mechanical hyperalgesia (p < 0.01), which was significantly reduced by tramadol administration (p < 0.01). Furthermore, daily i.p injection of tramadol significantly suppressed CGRP expression in DRG (p < 0.0001). MIA + Vehicle and MIA + Tramadol groups showed significant cartilage reduction and degeneration compared to the Sham group (p < 0.0001). Interestingly, OA changes significantly progressed in the MIA + Tramadol group compared to the MIA + Vehicle group (p < 0.0001).

Postoperative loss of correction after combined posterior and anterior spinal fusion surgeries in a lumbar burst fracture patient with Class II obesity.

Background: When treating thoracolumbar fractures with severe cranial endplate injury but no or slight caudal endplate injury, it is debatable whether anterior fusion should be performed only for the injured cranial level, or for both cranial and caudal levels. We report an unexpected postoperative correction loss after combined multilevel posterior and single-level anterior fusion surgery in a patient with obesity. Case Description: A 28-year-old male with Class II obesity was brought to the emergency room with an L1 burst fracture with spinal canal involvement. Cranial endplate injury was severe, whereas caudal endplate injury was mild. The first surgery with 1-above 1-below posterior fixation failed to achieve sufficient stability; thus, additional surgeries (3-above 3-below posterior fixation and single-level T12-L1 anterior fusion) were performed. Postoperatively, the local kyphosis angle (LKA) between T12 and L2 was 22° in the lateral lying position and 29° in the standing position. Twenty-one-month post surgery, bony fusion between T12 and L1 was observed, and the LKA was 28° in both the lateral lying and standing positions. After posterior implants were removed 24 months after the surgery, significant correction loss both at the T12-L1 segment (6°) and L1-L2 segment (6°) occurred, and LKA was 40° at the final follow-up. Conclusion: In this patient, an intense axial load due to excessive body weight was at least one of the causes of postoperative correction loss. Postural differences in LKA may be useful to evaluate the stability of thoracolumbar fractures after fusion surgery and to predict postoperative correction loss.

Unexpectedly rapid decrease in the size of a spinal epidural abscess after percutaneous posterior pedicle screw fixation without decompression surgery: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Spondylodiscitis accompanying spinal epidural abscess is often treated with decompression surgery when there are neurological symptoms. We report a case of spondylodiscitis accompanying spinal epidural abscess with severe lower extremity pain that was successfully treated with percutaneous posterior pedicle screw fixation without decompression surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: A 53-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with severe low back pain (LBP), lower extremity pain and numbness, and fever. Lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed spondylodiscitis at L2-L3 and a small epidural abscess located ventrally in the spinal canal. Initially, the patient was treated conservatively with empirical antibiotics. However, the lower extremity symptoms worsened and the epidural abscess expanded cranially to the T12 level. Percutaneous pedicle screw fixation without decompression was performed thirty-three days after admission. Postoperatively, the LBP and lower extremity pain dramatically improved. A postoperative MRI performed one week post-operatively showed an unexpectedly rapid decrease in the size of the epidural abscess, although no decompression surgery was performed. Two months after surgery, the epidural abscess completely disappeared. At the final follow-up (five years postoperatively), no recurrence of epidural abscess was observed, and the patient had no symptoms or disturbance of activities of daily living. DISCUSSION: This surgical strategy should be carefully selected for patients with spondylodiscitis with accompanying spinal epidural abscess who have lower extremity symptoms. The stabilising effect of pedicle screw fixation may be advantageous for controlling spinal infections. Percutaneous posterior pedicle screw fixation without decompression is an optional treatment for spondylodiscitis accompanying spinal epidural abscess.

Changes in lumbar lordosis and predicted minimum 5-year surgical outcomes after short-segment transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

Although most patients who undergo transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) show favorable surgical results, some still have unfavorable results for various reasons. This study aimed to investigate the influence of differences in lumbar lordosis (LL) between the standing and supine positions (DiLL: supine LL-standing LL) on minimum 5-year surgical outcomes after short-segment TLIF. Ninety-one patients with lumbar degenerative disease who underwent short-segment TLIF (1-2 levels) were categorized based on preoperative differences in LL as DiLL (+) and DiLL (-). Comparison and correlation analyses were performed. The incidence of adjacent segment disease (ASD) by radiology (R-ASD) and symptomatic ASD (S-ASD), bony fusion rates, and pre- and postoperative clinical scores (visual analog scale [VAS]; Japanese Orthopaedic Association [JOA] score; Oswestry disability index (ODI); and Nakai's score) were evaluated. Postoperatively, VAS for low back pain (LBP) in the sitting position, JOA scores for LBP, lower leg pain, intermittent claudication, ODI, and Nakai's score were significantly worse in the DiLL (+) group than in the DiLL (-) group. DiLL values were significantly correlated with VAS for LBP, ODI, and Nakai's score, postoperatively. Positive DiLL values were associated with poorer postoperative outcomes. DiLL is a simple and useful method for predicting mid-term outcomes after TLIF.

Comparison study of bone strength of the proximal femur with and without hip osteoarthritis by computed tomography-based finite element analysis.

Proximal femoral fractures are common in elderly osteoporosis patients; however, its prevalence is clinically rare in hip fracture patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to evaluate bone strength of the proximal femur with or without hip OA and proximal femoral fracture risk using computed tomography (CT)-based finite element analysis (FEA). A retrospective analysis was done on CT data of 20 patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty for unilateral hip OA. Furthermore, the fracture load between OA and contralateral sides was compared and the association between fracture load and risk factor was analyzed. The fracture load was significantly higher in the OA side than that in the contralateral side (3819.5 ± 1557.8 N vs. 3224.5 ± 943.7 N, respectively; P = 0.0405). There was no significant difference in fracture load between OA and the contralateral side in Kellgren-Lawrence (KL)-3 and KL-4 grade, but the KL-4 fracture load tends to be high (P = 0.2461 and P = 0.0527, respectively). Moreover, there was no significant association between fracture load and OA severity or age. The study findings may assist in predicting bone strength and proximal femur fracture risk. The results of this FEA study indicate the bone strength of the proximal femur was affected by the severity of the osteoarthritis.