Hemoptysis due to progressive scoliosis associated with congenital heart disease: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) are associated with an increased incidence of scoliosis, often with severe progression. We report a case of hemoptysis caused by rapid scoliosis progression subsequent to surgery for CHD that was successfully managed by surgical curve correction following coil embolization. CASE PRESENTATION: A 14-year-old girl with scoliosis had undergone open heart surgery for CHD at the age of 1 year. She was first noted to have scoliosis at 12 years of age, which began to progress rapidly. At age 13, her main thoracic curve Cobb angle was 46°, and hemoptysis with high pulmonary vein pressure due to vertebral rotation was detected. Nine months after coil embolization, she received posterior spinal fusion from T5 to L2 for scoliosis correction. Postoperatively, her pulmonary vein diameter was enlarged, with no detectable signs of hemoptysis. CONCLUSIONS: We encountered a case of hemoptysis caused by advanced scoliosis after cardiac surgery that was successfully treated by correction of the scoliotic curve following coil embolization. Patients with secondary scoliosis after surgery for CHD should be carefully monitored for the possibility of cardiovascular system deterioration.

A case of adult-onset Grisel's syndrome.

Aim: Grisel's syndrome is a non-traumatic subluxation of the atlanto-axial joint that occurs after infection or inflammation in the otolaryngological area, primarily in children.Method: This report describes the clinical characteristics of an extremely rare case of adult-onset Grisel's syndrome.Result: A 77-year-old woman presented with neck and bilateral shoulder pain and stiffness. Her temperature was 37.6 °C. Blood testing revealed a mildly elevated inflammatory response, although blood cultures were negative. Computed tomography (CT) showed atlanto-axial subluxation and joint destruction. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) displayed high signals in the soft tissues in the anterior space of the atlas and axis, posterior wall of the pharynx, and interspinous ligament, indicating spinal cord compression at the C1 level. Differential diagnoses of inflammation and diseases causing atlanto-axial subluxation included rheumatoid arthritis, amyloidosis, pyogenic spondylitis due to posterior pharyngeal abscess, and crowned dens syndrome. After the systematic elimination of each condition, we considered Grisel's syndrome and began non-surgical treatment with intravenous antibiotics and a Philadelphia neck collar. Her inflammatory response and neck pain gradually decreased. Six months later, there was no progression of instability. She was able to walk unaided and live normally with the use of a neck collar as needed.Conclusion: Grisel's syndrome occurs predominantly in children, but can also afflict adults. Since early diagnosis and treatment can improve symptoms in some cases and prevent progressive atlanto-axial instability, prompt evaluation of the atlanto-axial joint using CT or MRI is advised in patients with neck pain and limited range of motion.

Scoliosis in Goldenhar syndrome with curve reversal during brace treatment: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Goldenhar syndrome sometimes displays progressive scoliosis and other spinal deformities that require treatment. However, few reports exist on scoliosis correction in Goldenhar syndrome. We described the rare radiological outcomes of a patient with Goldenhar syndrome who received brace treatment for scoliosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 4-year-old boy was diagnosed as having Goldenhar syndrome and referred to our hospital for scoliosis treatment. The deformity deteriorated gradually, and left convex scoliotic angle was 26 degrees (T3-L2) at 11 years of age. Unexpectedly during treatment with an orthopedic brace, the curve had reversed to 21 degrees (T5-L2) at 7 months of therapy. After another adjustment of the brace, his right convex scoliotic angle improved to 13 degrees (T4-L2) at 15 months of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Curve reversal may occur during brace treatment for scoliosis in Goldenhar syndrome. Clinicians may opt to periodically check curve correction despite the risk of increased radiation exposure.

Postprandial Hyperchylomicronemia and Thin-Cap Fibroatheroma in Nonculprit Lesions.

Objective- Although postprandial hypertriglyceridemia can be a risk factor for coronary artery disease, the extent of its significance remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the postprandial lipid profiles rigorously estimated with the meal tolerance test and the presence of lipid-rich plaque, such as thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA), in the nonculprit lesion. Approach and Results- A total of 30 patients with stable coronary artery disease who underwent a multivessel examination using optical coherence tomography during catheter intervention for the culprit lesion were enrolled. Patients were divided into 2 groups: patients with TCFA (fibrous cap thickness ≤65 µm) in the nonculprit lesion and those without TCFA. Serum remnant-like particle-cholesterol and ApoB-48 (apolipoprotein B-48) levels were measured during the meal tolerance test. The value of remnant-like particle-cholesterol was significantly greater in the TCFA group than in the non-TCFA group ( P=0.045). Although the baseline ApoB-48 level was similar, the increase in the ApoB-48 level was significantly higher in the TCFA group than in the non-TCFA group ( P=0.028). In addition, the baseline apolipoprotein C-III levels was significantly greater in the TCFA group ( P=0.003). These indexes were independent predictors of the presence of TCFA (ΔApoB-48: odds ratio, 1.608; 95% confidence interval, 1.040-2.486; P=0.032; apolipoprotein C-III: odds ratio, 2.581; 95% confidence interval, 1.177-5.661; P=0.018). Conclusions- Postprandial hyperchylomicronemia correlates with the presence of TCFA in the nonculprit lesion and may be a residual risk factor for coronary artery disease.

Determination of optimal screw number based on correction angle for main thoracic curve in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

BACKGROUND: Reducing the number of screw insertions while maintaining good clinical outcomes can improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of scoliosis surgery. However, the optimal minimum number of pedicle screws remains unclear. This study searched for factors to estimate the fewest number of pedicle screws required between end vertebrae in relation to preoperative main thoracic curve flexibility. METHODS: Sixty-nine subjects (4 male and 65 female, mean age: 14.8 ± 2.5 years) who underwent skip pedicle screw fixation for Lenke type 1-4 or 6 curves and were followed for at least 1 year were enrolled. Intervention technique was selected according to the size and flexibility of the preoperative main thoracic curve. Surgery-related variables included pedicle screw number, rod material and diameter, and extent of Ponte osteotomy. The effect on postoperative correction angle (i.e., the difference between the preoperative supine position maximum bending and postoperative standing Cobb angles of the main thoracic curve) according to surgical intervention technique was estimated using multiple linear mixed regression models with the preoperative supine position maximum bending correction angle (i.e., the difference between the standing preoperative and supine position maximum bending Cobb angles) as a random effect. RESULTS: The preoperative maximum bending correction angle was 8-42° and had a moderate negative correlation with postoperative correction angle (r = -0.65, P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed a 1.7° (95% CI 0.7-2.6; P < 0.01) correction gain per single-screw insertion and a 1.8° (95% CI 0.5-3.1; P < 0.01) gain per intervertebral level in Ponte osteotomy. CONCLUSIONS: The number of pedicle screws necessary to correct main thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis curves can be estimated by calculating correction gains of 1.7° per pedicle screw and 1.8° per Ponte osteotomy intervertebral level. Based on these results, it may be possible to reduce invasiveness and cost for patients requiring a smaller degree of correction.

Volume elastic modulus of the brachial artery and coronary artery stenosis in patients with suspected stable coronary artery disease.

This study aimed to examine the association between the non-invasive measurement of the brachial artery volume elastic modulus (V E), an index of arterial stiffness, and the presence of coronary artery stenosis in patients with suspected stable coronary artery disease (CAD). A total of 135 patients with suspected stable CAD (87 men, mean age, 64 ± 12 years) underwent oscillometric measurement of the brachial artery to obtain V E. Coronary angiography was thereafter carried out to diagnose CAD, defined as having ≥75 % stenosis in the epicardial coronary arteries. V E was significantly higher in patients with CAD (1.94 ± 0.34 mmHg/%) than in those without CAD (1.71 ± 0.35 mmHg/%, P < 0.001). In multiple logistic regression analysis, V E was an independent predictor for the presence of CAD (odds ratio 1.19 per 0.1 mmHg/% increase, 95 % CI 1.04-1.51) even after adjusting for multiple potential confounders including the Framingham risk score (FRS). The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for discriminating CAD increased significantly after the addition of V E to the FRS (from 0.75 to 0.81, P = 0.034). The category-free net reclassification improvement and the integrated discrimination improvement by adding V E to the FRS were 0.476 (95 % CI 0.146-0.806) and 0.086 (95 % CI 0.041-0.132), respectively. In conclusion, the brachial V E was significantly associated with the presence of coronary artery stenosis. The additional measurement of V E to the FRS improved the ability to identify patients with coronary artery stenosis among those with suspected stable CAD.

Linkage of sleep-disordered breathing and acute aortic dissection with patent false lumen.

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is known as a cardiovascular risk factor and has high prevalence in hypertension, which is a major risk factor of aortic dissection (AD). However, the impact of SDB on AD has not been fully clarified. The aim of this study is to elucidate the impact of SDB on AD, especially on the type of false lumen in AD. We enrolled twenty-three consecutive patients with acute AD (mean age: 66 ± 13 years). All subjects were evaluated by an ambulatory polygraphic sleep monitoring within 1 month from the onset. AD was evaluated by axial images of computed tomography. We comparatively analyzed SDB and AD. 35 % of the subjects presented severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index: AHI ≥30). The patent false lumen group showed significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) on arrival and AHI, and lower percutaneous oxygen saturation (SaO2) compared with those in the thrombosed false lumen group. The prevalence of severe SDB was higher in the patent false lumen group (60 vs 15 %, p = 0.039). Systolic BP on arrival was significantly correlated with AHI (r = 0.457, p = 0.033) and the minimum SaO2 (r = -0.537, p = 0.010). The present study revealed close linkage between SDB and AD, and a high prevalence of SDB among AD patients. Severe SDB was related to the development of AD, especially for the patent false lumen type through highly elevated BP which might be easily evoked in the presence of severe SDB. Repetitive occurrence of intrathoracic negative pressure also might influence the repair or closure of false lumen of AD, although the present analysis did not reach statistical significance.

Blunted renal vasoconstriction in patients with subclinical contrast-induced renal injury.

Contrast media are considered to cause acute kidney injury by activating various factors that induce renal vasoconstriction. We analysed the renal microvascular haemodynamic response using the Doppler flow wire method. Then changes in urinary liver-type fatty acid-binding protein levels following contrast medium administration were compared between groups with or without a micro-injury of the kidney. In the group without renal micro-injury, the average peak velocity (APV) decreased significantly, whereas the renal artery resistance index (RI) increased significantly following contrast medium administration. In contrast, there was no significant change in either the APV or RI in the group with a renal micro-injury. A blunted microvascular response was found in the micro-injury group, whereas microvascular resistance increased in the non-micro-injury group.

Microvascular resistance in response to iodinated contrast media in normal and functionally impaired kidneys.

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is considered to result from intrarenal vasoconstriction, and occurs more frequently in impaired than in normal kidneys. It was hypothesized that iodinated contrast media would markedly change renal blood flow and vascular resistance in functionally impaired kidneys. Thirty-six patients were enrolled (32 men; mean age, 75.3 ± 7.6 years) undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography and were divided into two groups based on the presence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) (CKD and non-CKD groups, n = 18 in both). Average peak velocity (APV) and renal artery resistance index (RI) were measured by Doppler flow wire before and after administration of the iodinated contrast media. The APV and the RI were positively and inversely correlated with the eGFR at baseline, respectively (APV, R = 0.545, P = 0.001; RI, R = -0.627, P < 0.001). Mean RI was significantly higher (P = 0.015) and APV was significantly lower (P = 0.026) in the CKD than in the non-CKD group. Both APV (P < 0.001) and RI (P = 0.002) were significantly changed following contrast media administration in the non-CKD group, but not in the CKD group (APV, P = 0.258; RI, P = 0.707). Although renal arterial resistance was higher in patients with CKD, it was not affected by contrast media administration, suggesting that patients with CKD could have an attenuated response to contrast media.

Cervical myelopathy due to amyloid deposition with accompanying cardiac abnormalities.

BACKGROUND: Amyloidosis is a rare group of diseases in which fibrillar amyloid proteins are deposited in systemic organs to result in functional disorder. However, amyloidosis affecting the cervical spine is very rare. We herein describe a case of systemic amyloidosis including a combination of cervical myelopathy with amyloid deposition and cardiac dysfunction due to cardiac amyloidosis. CASE PRESENTATION: An 86-year-old man with cervical myelopathy accompanied with cardiac dysfunction due to cardiac amyloidosis underwent posterior cervical laminectomy from C3 to C4. We were able to identify the patient's cardiac amyloidosis and significant cardiac dysfunction before surgery and manage his perioperative treatment successfully. Preoperative cervical computed tomography (CT) showed multiple fine calcifications below the lamina, which were later confirmed by pathological analysis as amyloid deposition. CONCLUSIONS: This is a relatively rare report of systemic amyloidosis including a combination of cervical myelopathy with amyloid deposition and cardiac dysfunction from cardiac amyloidosis. CT findings of multiple fine calcifications suggest the possibility of amyloidosis and may warrant further examination of cardiac function.

Surgical results for cervical spondylotic myelopathy with inconsistent between deep tendon reflex findings and magnetic resonance imaging findings.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the surgical results of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) with inconsistency between deep tendon reflex findings and cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and to analyze the differences between patients with good and poor surgical outcomes. METHODS: We evaluated 50 subjects with CSM (30 males, 20 females; mean age: 70.4 years) who underwent posterior surgery and were followed for at least 1 year postoperatively. Matched CSM was defined as a consistent preoperative neurological pattern determined by deep tendon reflex and cervical MRI T2-weighted high-signal intramedullary area or stenosis in the most cranial compression levels. A lack of consistency was classified as unmatched CSM. Recovery rate (RR) according to Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scoring preoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The matched and unmatched CSM group included 27 subjects (13 males, 14 females; mean age: 68.2 years) and 23 subjects (17 males, 6 females; mean age: 72.8 years), respectively. RR was significantly higher in the matched CSM group (56.1 ± 3.7 % vs 36.8 ± 2.7 %; p = 0.002). Unmatched CSM was significantly associated with a lower RR independently of sex, patient age, surgical procedure, preoperative JOA score, diagnosis levels, and complication of diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative JOA score RR was significantly diminished among unmatched CSM patients comprising of 46% of cases. Some patients with unmatched CSM had multiple levels of spinal canal stenosis, foraminal stenosis, and peripheral neuropathy, suggesting that surgical results were poorer than those of matched CSM.

Postoperative Residual Coronal Decompensation Inhibits Self-image Improvement in Adolescent Patients with Idiopathic Scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between C7 plumb line (C7PL) decompensation and the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) 22-item patient questionnaire scores, including those related to self-image, preoperatively and 2 years after surgery. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: In the surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), inferior trunk balance caused by C7PL decompensation can negatively affect patients' quality of life. However, there are few reports in the literature that describe or clarify how postoperative trunk imbalance affects each SRS-22 domain, including self-image domain scores. METHODS: A total of 120 patients with AIS who underwent posterior spinal fusion from August 2006 to March 2017 at our facility and were followed up for 2 years or more were included. Radiological parameters were measured on whole-spine anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. Revised SRS-22 (SRS-22r) values were also recorded. Coronal trunk imbalance was defined as a deviation of ≥2.0 cm between the C7PL and the central sacral vertical line. Patients with and without coronal trunk imbalance at 2 years after surgery were defined as D (+) (decompensation type) and D (-), respectively. Mean SRS-22r values, including function, pain, self-image, mental health, and subtotal were compared between the D (+) and D (-) groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to detect the preoperative factors related to D (+) using predictors, including curve type, maximum Cobb angle, and coronal trunk imbalance. RESULTS: At 2 years after surgery, the D (+) group had a significantly lower self-image in the domain of SRS-22r scores compared with the D (-) group. Preoperative coronal trunk imbalance was significantly related to D (+) but not to significant changes in the postoperative SRS-22 score in any of the SRS-22 domains. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative C7PL deviation lowers the self-image in patients with AIS. Patients with preoperative coronal trunk imbalance were significantly more likely to be D (+).

Reliability and validity of gait dynamic balance assessment in adult spinal deformity patients using a two-point trunk motion measuring device.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients often complain of walking discomfort. However, dynamic balance evaluation methods of gait in ASD have not been well established. DESIGN: Case series study. PURPOSE: Characterize the gait of ASD patients using a novel two-point trunk motion measuring device. PATIENT SAMPLE: Sixteen ASD patients scheduled for surgery and 16 healthy control subjects. OUTCOME MEASURES: Trunk swing width and track length of the upper back and sacrum. METHODS: Gait analysis was performed using a two-point trunk motion measuring device on 16 ASD patients and 16 healthy control subjects. Three measurements were taken for each subject, and the coefficient of variation was determined to compare measurement accuracy between the ASD and control groups. Trunk swing width and track length were measured in three dimensions for comparisons between the groups. The relationship among output indices, sagittal spinal alignment parameters, and quality of life (QOL) questionnaire scores was examined as well. RESULTS: No significant difference was found for the precision of the device between the ASD and control groups. Compared with controls, the walking style of ASD patients tended to have larger right-left swing of the trunk (+14.0 cm and +23.3 cm at the sacrum and upper back, respectively), larger horizontal plane movement of the upper body (+36.4 cm), less vertical movement (-5.9 cm and -8.2 cm up-down swing at the sacrum and upper back, respectively), and longer gait cycle (+0.13 sec). Regarding QOL in ASD patients, greater right-left/front-back swing of the trunk, greater movement in the horizontal plane, and longer gait cycle were associated with lower QOL scores. Conversely, greater vertical movement was associated with higher QOL. CONCLUSIONS: ASD patients had unique gait characteristics, the intensity of which were associated with diminished QOL. The two-point trunk motion measuring device may be reliable and useful for the clinical assessment of balance during gait in ASD patients.

Massive pulmonary embolism requiring extracorporeal life support treated with catheter-based interventions.

When pulmonary embolism (PE) develops, circulatory collapse and hypoxia are caused at the same time. The rapid and proper use of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) can improve the mortality rate of patients with collapsed massive PE. No study has examined the influence of treatment that involved adding catheter based-intervention to ECLS with massive collapsed PE. Thirty-five patients with massive PE were examined, and 10 of these patients were placed on ECLS. Eight of the 10 patients placed on ECLS for massive PE were female, and the median age was 61 years. Seven patients had in-hospital onset PE and 3 patients out-of-hospital onset PE. Their underlying conditions were a cerebral infarction (3 patients), coronary artery disease (5 patients), collagen disease (one patient), postoperative state (3 patients), and lung disease (2 patients). Pulmonary angiographic findings showed that a filling defect or complete occlusion was observed in all 10 patients in the proximal lobular arteries, 6 of which had large thrombi stretching to the main pulmonary arteries. All patients underwent thrombolysis. Percutaneous catheter embolus fragmentation and/or thrombectomy were undertaken in 7 patients. All patients required red blood cell transfusion for cannulation site bleeding. The mean duration of ECLS bypass was 48 ± 44 hours. The 30 day mortality rate was 30%. The current study clarified the characteristics of patients with massive PE requiring ECLS. These patients have extensive pulmonary thromboemboli, thus, the aggressive use of catheter-based intervention appears to have beneficial effects for massive PE requiring ECLS.

Frequency of Change in Assessment from Bony Union to Nonunion after Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Multicenter Study.

INTRODUCTION: Assessments of early postoperative bony union after posterior lumbar interbody fusion via computed tomography (CT) have revealed cases in which interbody fixation by bony union resulted in nonfusion due to bone absorption. The apparent bone union state reverted to a nonunion state several months later, exhibiting a so-called "fake union" phenomenon. Additionally, few reports have evaluated the effect of teriparatide on bony union. The present study aimed to evaluate the frequency of change in assessment from fusion to nonfusion in the postoperative follow-up of lumbar interbody fusion, compare the late postoperative bony union rates in groups with or without early postoperative fusion, and examine the effect of postoperative teriparatide in those groups. METHODS: Sixty-nine subjects enrolled from multiple hospitals were prospectively evaluated following single-level lumbar interbody fusion. The patients were randomly allocated into treatment with or without weekly postoperative teriparatide. The subjects were then classified as having bony union or nonfusion at 2 months postoperatively, and fusion rates at 6 months were compared. For the evaluation of bony union, blinded radiological examinations were performed via CT. Additional comparisons were made according to teriparatide use. RESULTS: The rate of nonunion at 6 months postoperatively in patients with fusion at 2 months postoperatively was 27.8%. Among subjects with bony union at 2 months postoperatively, the fusion rate at 6 months in those who received teriparatide was 93.3% (p=0.027) versus 57.1% in those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of nonunion at 6 months postoperatively in patients exhibiting union at 2 months after surgery was 27.8%. Postoperative weekly teriparatide treatment significantly reduced the rate of fake union.

Comparison of differences and random errors in pedicle diameter measurements between MRI and CT: observational study of 315 pedicles in Lenke type 1 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Posterior spinal fusion with pedicle screws is commonly used for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). To reduce radiation exposure, methods other than computed tomography (CT) are desirable for preoperative determination of pedicle diameter. PURPOSE: Investigate the differences between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CT measurements of pedicle diameter. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional research. PATIENT SAMPLE: Twenty-one AIS Lenke type 1 patients (19 female and 2 males, mean age at surgery: 15.4 years) who underwent posterior spinal fusion between April 2009 and October 2019. OUTCOME MEASURES: Gap between CT and MRI pedicle diameters. METHODS: The inner and outer diameters of the right and left pedicles from T1 to L3 were measured separately by two spine surgeons for statistical comparisons. RESULTS: The respective minimum and maximum CT-MRI values were -3.7 mm and 4.7 mm for inner diameter and -4.6 mm and 5.3 mm for outer diameter. Regarding inter-examiner error, the probability of a 2 mm difference in measurement was less than 5% for both modalities. The probability of a 1 mm difference was also less than 5%, and that of a 3 mm or more difference was 2.1% for the inner diameter and 2.9% for the outer diameter. Whereas low body weight was significantly associated with measurement differences, pedicle laterality was not. CONCLUSIONS: MRI does not have the reliability to measure pedicle size in AIS patients at present. However, with advancements in image processing technology, the accuracy of pedicle size measurement by MRI may soon improve.

How much residual deformity is acceptable according to SRS-22r and satisfaction scores after posterior spinal fusion for Lenke type 1 and 2 curves in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis?

OBJECTIVE: In recent years, it has become possible to predict postoperative correction and residual deformity in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) surgery based on the technique used and extent of fixation. However, the recommended degree of correction has not yet been established. In this study, the authors aimed to clarify the extent to which a residual postoperative deformity would be acceptable according to Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-22r and satisfaction scores after AIS surgery. METHODS: Overall, 92 patients who underwent posterior spinal fusion for Lenke type 1 or 2 AIS were retrospectively included. The Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) cutoff values for each SRS-22r domain were calculated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to obtain predictive values of treatment satisfaction 2 years after surgery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed with deformity parameters and demographic data as explanatory variables, and achieving the PASS cutoff value of each SRS-22r domain and treatment satisfaction were objective variables. Cutoff values were calculated using ROC analysis. RESULTS: The PASS cutoff values for SRS-22r domains were 3.69 (area under the ROC curve [AUC] 0.86) for self-image, 4.25 (AUC 0.82) for mental health, and 4.22 (AUC 0.82) for the subtotal. The residual main thoracic Cobb angle was not remarkably related to SRS-22r or treatment satisfaction. The residual thoracolumbar/lumbar (TL/L) Cobb angle was significantly associated with treatment satisfaction, with a cutoff value of 12.5° (AUC 0.75). The parameters of deformity that were significantly associated with achieving the PASS cutoff value for self-image were the TL/L Cobb angle and main thoracic apical vertebral translation, although their respective AUCs were < 0.7. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with Lenke type 1 and 2 AIS, the residual postoperative TL/L Cobb angle was significantly associated with achieving the PASS cutoff values for self-image and treatment satisfaction. Satisfaction with treatment was more likely when the TL/L Cobb angle was ≤ 12.5°.

Intraoperative Cone Beam CT in Hybrid Operation Room for Pediatric Scoliosis Patients: Comparison of Pedicle Screw Violation Rate at Normal and Low Radiation Doses.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effect of reducing the radiation dose of intraoperative cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) during posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for pediatric scoliosis on the rate of pedicle screw (PS) violation. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Intraoperative CBCT for pediatric scoliosis improves the accuracy of PS insertion in PSF. However, few reports have addressed the PS perforation rate from reduced radiation doses in hybrid navigation. METHODS: We evaluated 855 PSs inserted into 58 pediatric scoliosis patients (11 male and 47 female, mean age: 16.6 yr) who underwent PSF using CBCT. A radiation dose of 1/3 or 1/5 of the normal dose (ND) was defined as a low dose (LD). After PS insertion, intraoperative CBCT images were reviewed to assess the degree of PS perforation. G2-3 (i.e., perforations of 4 mm or more) was defined as a violation. The PS violation rate was compared between the groups, and factors associated with violations were examined. RESULTS: A total of 567 and 288 screws were inserted in the ND group and LD group, respectively. The PS violation rate was comparable at 1.8% in the ND group and 1.7% in the LD group. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that distance from the upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) was an independently associated factor of PS violation (+1 vertebra, operation room 0.73, P   =  0.038). In addition, the mean height of patients with PS violations (148.8 ±â€Š3.6 cm) was significantly shorter than that of patients without violations (157.9 ±â€Š1.2 cm) ( P  = 0.034). CONCLUSION: There was no increase in PS violation rate with lower doses of radiation for intraoperative navigation CBCT. Extra care is warranted for vertebrae close to the UIV and patients of shorter stature.Level of Evidence: 3.

Usefulness of modified S-line for upper instrumented vertebra selection in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis Lenke type 2 curves.

No validated systems exist for selecting the upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) for optimal postoperative shoulder balance in Lenke type 2 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). This study evaluated a new method for shoulder balance prediction using the modified Shinshu line (MSL) for UIV selection in AIS Lenke type 2 curves. Fifty-five consecutive AIS patients receiving posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for a Lenke type 2 AIS curve were retrospectively analyzed according to several UIV determination models. Shoulder imbalance was judged as absolute radiographic shoulder height ≥ 10 mm at the 2-year observational endpoint. The MSL was the line between the center of the spinous process of C7 and that of the lowest instrumented vertebra. The vertebral body first touched proximally by the MSL was defined as the MSL vertebra (MSLV) and recommended as the UIV. The group with the UIV matching the MSLV had a significantly lower prevalence of shoulder imbalance of 23% (odds ratio 4.08, 95% CI 1.22-13.7, P = 0.02). Setting the MSLV as the UIV in PSF for AIS Lenke type 2 may reduce the prevalence of postoperative shoulder imbalance.

A Novel Technique for Cervical Microscopic Foraminotomy Utilizing Spinous Process Splitting: Microscopic Mini-Open Foraminotomy.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we present "microscopic mini-open foraminotomy (MicroMOF)" as a new, less invasive method for posterior cervical foraminotomy. TECHNICAL NOTE: Using surgical microscope guidance, the spinous process is hemi-split, and the posterior muscle is detached from the laminar subperiosteal surface. Bony resection is then performed obliquely from medial posterior to lateral anterior under lateral-tilted surgical field exposure. MicroMOF has been performed successfully for cervical radiculopathy and cervical spondylotic amyotrophy, which achieved postoperative symptom improvement with few complications. CONCLUSIONS: The novel MicroMOF foraminotomy technique has been found to protect the nerve root and vertebral artery and help preserve muscle and cervical facet joint bone.