Fusobacterium Detected in Barrett's Esophagus and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Tissues.

We examined Fusobacterium nucreatum (F. nucleatum) and whole Fusobacterium species (Pan-fusobacterium) in non-neoplastic Barrett's esophagus (BE) from patients without cancer (n = 67; N group), with esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) (n = 27) and EAC tissue (n = 22). F. nucleatum was only detectable in 22.7% of EAC tissue. Pan-fusobacterium was enriched in EAC tissue and associated with aggressive clinicopathological features. Amount of Pan-fusobacterium in non-neoplastic BE was correlated with presence of hital hernia and telomere shortening. The result suggested potential association of Fusobacterium species in EAC and BE, featuring clinicpathological and molecular features.

Short segment myelitis as a dominant manifestation of cryptococcal infection: a case report.

Cryptococcal infection of central nervous system commonly involves meningitis or meningoencephalitis, but rarely mimics inflammatory myelitis. We present short segment myelitis as a dominant manifestation caused by Cryptococcus neoformans in a patient with nephrotic syndrome under immunosuppressive therapy. This case report highlights Cryptococcus neoformans as a potential etiological factor for short segment myelitis in immunocompromised hosts.

Long- vs short-segment Barrett's esophagus-derived adenocarcinoma: clinical features and outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of Barrett's esophageal adenocarcinoma (BEA) is increasing, and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been frequently performed for its treatment. However, the differences between the characteristics and ESD outcomes between short- and long-segment BEA (SSBEA and LSBEA, respectively) are unclear. We compared the clinicopathological characteristics and short- and long-term outcomes of ESD between both groups. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 155 superficial BEAs (106 SSBEAs and 49 LSBEAs) treated with ESD in 139 patients and examined their clinicopathological features and ESD outcomes. SSBEA and LSBEA were classified based on whether the maximum length of the background mucosa of BEA was < 3 cm or ≥ 3 cm, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with SSBEA, LSBEA showed significantly higher proportions of cases with the macroscopically flat type (36.7% vs. 5.7%, p < 0.001), left wall location (38.8% vs. 11.3%, p < 0.001), over half of the tumor circumference (20.4% vs. 1.9%, p < 0.001), and synchronous lesions (17.6% vs. 0%, p < 0.001). Compared with SSBEA, regarding ESD outcomes, LSBEA showed significantly longer resection duration (91.0 min vs. 60.5 min, p < 0.001); a lower proportion of submucosal invasion (14.3% vs. 29.2%, p = 0.047), horizontal margin negativity (79.6% vs. 94.3%, p = 0.0089), and R0 resection (69.4% vs. 86.8%, p = 0.024); and a higher proportion of post-procedural stenosis cases (10.9% vs. 1.9%, p = 0.027). The 5-year cumulative incidence of metachronous cancer in patients without additional treatment was significantly higher for LSBEA than for SSBEA (25.0% vs. 0%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The clinicopathological features of LSBEA and SSBEA and their treatment outcomes differed in many aspects. As LSBEAs are difficult to diagnose and treat and show a high risk of metachronous cancer development, careful ESD and follow-up or eradication of the remaining BE may be required.

Short-segment spinal fusion for chronic low back pain with bone marrow edema adjacent to the vertebral endplate in adult spinal deformity.

PURPOSE: Corrective long spinal fusion is a widely accepted surgical method for patients with adult spinal deformities. However, instrumented long fusion is associated with a significant risk of complications. Therefore, we aimed to assess the success of short-segment spinal fusion, particularly for bone marrow edema (BME) adjacent to the vertebral endplate, in patients with low back pain (LBP) and spinal deformity. METHODS: A prospective study was performed at multiple hospitals wherein we monitored patients with spinal deformities and accompanying LBP. Patients aged ≥ 50 years with a minimum LBP severity score of 40 mm on the visual analog scale (VAS) were included in the study. We also included patients with lumbar BME on magnetic resonance imaging. Short spinal fusion was performed on segments with BME. Clinical evaluations of LBP on VAS and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and radiological parameters for sagittal vertical axis (SVA), pelvic incidence (PI), lumbar lordosis (LL) and pelvic tilt (PT) were carried out. RESULTS: Overall, 35 patients (22 men and 13 women), with a mean age of 66.7 years and a mean follow-up period of 32 months, were included in the study. The mean VAS and ODI scores were 72.4 mm and 49.0% before surgery and 25.5 mm and 29.9% at the final follow-up, respectively; these parameters significantly improved after surgery. The SVA, PI-LL, and PT scores were 70.1 mm, 20.9°, and 22.8° before surgery and 85.4 mm, 13.8°, and 22.7° at the final follow-up, respectively. The spinal alignment parameters did not change significantly after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Short-segment spinal fusion is effective for treating LBP and spinal deformity with BME adjacent to the vertebral endplate without spinal correction.

[Pediatric neurosurgical treatment of aneurysmal bone cyst at the level of thoracic spine]. / Aneurysmás csontcysta gyermek-idegsebészeti megoldása a háti gerinc magasságában.

Aneurysmal bone cysts are benign but locally aggressive bone tumours, most often affecting children and young adults. In this case report, we present the clinical  picture of a 15-year-old boy with progressive, chronic back pain. An MRI of thoracic spine  confirmed a T2 cystic spinal tumour. After considering potential options surgical removal was our choice and gross total removal was achieved with T1-3 short-segment fixation. Aneurysmal bone cysts are often rapidly expanding lesions with vascular  transformation. In order to avoid irreversible damage, in addition to early diagnosis, it is necessary to carefully consider the therapeutic options, perform surgical removal and stabilization as necessary. In case of the presented patient, extensive surgical removal and short-segmentation were performed. At 18 months of follow-up, he had no complaints and was asymptomatic. Follow-up imaging studies showed no residual or recurrent tumour to date.

Comprehensive DNA methylation profiling of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma in Japanese patients.

Molecular mechanisms of Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) remain unclear in Japanese patients. Japanese EACs frequently have underlying short length BE: short-segment BE (SSBE), for which, neoplastic potential remains unclear. We performed comprehensive methylation profiling of EAC and BE in Japanese patients, mostly comprised with SSBE. Using three different groups of biopsies obtained from non-neoplastic BE from patients without cancer (n = 50; N group), with EAC (n = 27; ADJ group) and EAC (n = 22; T group), methylation statuses of nine candidate genes (N33, DPYS, SLC16A12, CDH13, IGF2, MLF1, MYOD1, PRDM5, and P2RX7) were examined by the bisulfite pyrosequencing. Reduced representation bisulfite sequencing was performed to characterize the genome-wide methylation status in 32 samples (12 from N, 12 ADJ, and 8 from T groups). In the candidate approach, methylation levels of N33, DPYS, and SLC16A12 were higher in ADJ and T groups compared to that in N group. The ADJ group was an independent factor for higher DNA methylation in non-neoplastic BE. The genome-wide approach demonstrated an increase of hypermethylation from ADJ to T groups relative to N group near the transcription start sites. Among gene groups hypermethylated in ADJ and T groups (n = 645) and T group alone (n = 1438), 1/4 and 1/3 were overlapped with downregulated genes in the microarray data set, respectively. Accelerated DNA methylation is observed in EAC and underlying BE in Japanese patients, mostly comprised with SSBE, highlighting the potential impact of methylation in early carcinogenesis.

Telomere Shortening of Barrett's Esophagus and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma in Japanese Patients.

Telomere shortening is deeply involved in many types of cancer. Telomere length of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and Barrett's esophagus (BE) was examined in Japanese patients. Among BE from cancer free patients (Cancer free), BE from patients with EAC (Adjacent) and EAC tissue (Cancer), Cancer free group presented the longest telomeres, while Cancer group presented the shortest telomeres and Adjacent group presented intermediate telomeres. Direction of endoscopic biopsy, 2 o'clock direction was also significantly associated with shorter telomere length in non-neoplastic BE (p = 0.027). Shortened telomere highlighted the impact of this molecular change in early carcinogenesis in EAC.

Bowel function at preschool and early childhood age in children with long-segment Hirschsprung disease.

Bowel dysfunction has been proven to be the most typical complication of long-segment Hirschsprung disease (LSHD). Additionally, bowel dysfunction in preschool and early childhood should be properly assessed, because it may result in persistent bowel dysfunction, social issues, and depression in adolescence and adulthood. This study evaluated bowel function during preschool and early childhood in patients with LSHD. A cross-sectional bowel function score (BFS) questionnaire survey was conducted on 270 infants with short-segment Hirschsprung disease (SSHD) and LSHD who underwent pull-through (PT) between January 2014 and December 2019 at the Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. One hundred ninety patients who consented to the survey were asked to complete the questionnaire and were divided into two groups: the LSHD group (n = 42) and the SSHD group (n = 148). Bowel function outcomes were assessed by using a questionnaire. The total BFS score in the LSHD group was significantly lower than that in the SSHD group (15.0 [14.0, 17.0] vs. 18.0 [16.0, 19.0], p < 0.05) and did not improve with age (p > 0.05). Independent BFS items with lower scores were discovered in LSHD than in SSHD, including the capacity to hold back defecation, feeling/reporting the urge to defecate, frequency, soiling, and accidents (all p < 0.05). After subgroup analysis of follow-up age (3-5 years, 5 ~ 7 years, and > 7 years), there was no difference between the score of ability to hold back defecation over 7 years old and feeling/reporting the urge to defecate over 5 years old (all p > 0.05). The frequency and soiling scores were lower in the LSHD group than in the SSHD group over 5 years of age (all p < 0.05). Fortunately, there was no difference in constipation scores and social problems between the LSHD and SSHD groups in every sub-follow-up group (all p > 0.05).  Conclusion: Overall, bowel function at preschool and early childhood age was poorer in LSHD than in SSHD and did not improve with age. However, the ability to hold back defecation and feeling/reporting the urge to defecate with age in LSHD may be similar to those in SSHD. Simultaneously, the frequency, soiling, and number of accidents were consistently worse in the LSHD group.  Trial registration: This study was retrospectively registered in the ClinicalTrials database.gov (NCT05461924) in August 2022. What is Known: • Bowel function in SSHD is satisfactory or near-normal, and the general consensus is that the longer the aganglionic segment, the worse the bowel function after surgery. • Bowel functional outcomes of LSHD were not defined, and the limited reports of bowel functional outcomes compared with SSHD were extensively varied. Bowel dysfunction at preschool and early childhood may lead to persistent bowel dysfunction, social problems, and depression in adolescence or adulthood. What is New: • Bowel function in preschool and early childhood in patients with LSHD has not been defined and should be thoroughly assessed in a larger group of patients with precise definitions of incontinence or soiling. • The present study was primarily designed to evaluate bowel function at preschool and early childhood age in LSHD compared with SSHD in a relatively large number of HD cases using BFS.

Ten-year trends in surgical management of 1207 congenital scoliosis.

PURPOSE: To report and analyze development trends in the surgical treatment of congenital scoliosis (CS) in a large CS cohort over a 10-year period. METHODS: We retrospectively searched and extracted medical records of CS inpatients receiving posterior instrumented fusion surgery at our institute from January 2010 to December 2019. We analyzed information on demographics and surgical information, including the surgical approach, number of fused segments, use of osteotomy and titanium cage implantation, length of stay, intraoperative blood loss, and rates of complications and readmission. RESULTS: 1207 CS inpatients were included. In the past decade, the proportion of patients younger than 5 years increased from 15.5 to 26.9%. The average number of fused segments decreased from 9.24 to 7.48, and the proportion of patients treated with short-segment fusion increased from 13.4 to 30.3%. The proportion of patients treated with osteotomy and titanium cage implantation increased from 55.65% and 12.03% to 76.5% and 40.22%. The average length of stay and blood loss decreased from 16.5 days and 816.1 ml to 13.5 days and 501.7 ml. The complication and readmission rates also decreased during these ten years. CONCLUSION: During this ten-year period, the surgical treatment of CS at our institute showed trends toward a younger age at fusion, lower number of fused segments, higher rate of osteotomy and titanium cage implantation, reduced blood loss, shorter length of stay and lower rate complications and readmission. These results suggest performing osteotomy combined with titanium cage implantation at an earlier age can achieve fewer fused segments and complications.

Percutaneous pedicle screw fixation without arthrodesis of 368 thoracolumbar fractures: long-term clinical and radiological outcomes in a single institution.

PURPOSE: Traumatic thoracolumbar (TL) fractures are the most common vertebral fractures. Although a consensus on the preferred treatment is missing, percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (PPSF) has been progressively accepted as treatment option, since it is related to lower soft tissues surgical-injury and perioperative complications rate. This study aims to evaluate the long-term clinical-radiological outcomes after PPSF for TL fractures at a single tertiary academic hospital. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study. Back pain was obtained at preoperative, postoperative and final follow-up using Visual Analog Scale. Patient-reported outcomes, the Oswestry Disability Index and the 36-Item Short Form, were obtained to asses disability during follow-up. Radiological measures included Cobb angle, mid-sagittal index, sagittal index (SI) and vertebral body height loss. A multivariate regression analysis on preoperative radiological features was performed to investigate independent risk factors for implant failure. RESULTS: A total of 296 patients with 368 TL fractures met inclusion criteria. Mean follow-up was 124.3 months. The clinical and radiological parameters significantly improved from preoperative to last follow-up measurements. The multivariate analysis showed that Cobb angle (OR = 1.3, p < 0.001), SI (OR = 1.5, p < 0.001) and number of fractures (OR = 1.1, p = 0.05), were independent risk factors for implant failure. The overall complication rate was 5.1%, while the reoperation rate for implant failure was 3.4%. CONCLUSIONS: In our case series, PPSF for TL injuries demonstrated good long-term clinical-radiological outcomes, along with low complication and reoperation rates. Accordingly, PPSF could be considered as a valuable treatment option for neurologically intact patients with TL fractures. Additionally, in this cohort, number of fractures ≥ 2, Cobb angle ≥ 15° and sagittal index ≥ 21° were independent risk factors for implant failure.

Correction loss following short-segment posterior fixation for traumatic thoracolumbar burst fractures related to endplate and intervertebral disc destruction.

BACKGROUND: There has been widespread use of short-segment posterior fixation (SSPF) for traumatic thoracolumbar burst fractures. The relationship between the destruction of the vertebral endplate and adjacent disc and postoperative correction loss has been studied in only a few studies. This study investigated the risk factors for correction loss following SSPF. METHODS: Forty-eight patients (mean age 35.0 years) who underwent SSPF for thoracolumbar burst fractures were enrolled. The mean follow-up period was 25.7 months (12-98 months). The neurological status and postoperative back pain were assessed by the medical records. Segmental kyphotic angle (SKA) and anterior vertebral body height ratio (AVBHR) were measured radiographically to assess indirect vertebral body reduction and local kyphosis. Preoperative Sander's traumatic intervertebral disc lesion (TIDL) classification and AO classification were used to evaluate the severity of disc and vertebral endplate injury. The corrective loss was considered present if ΔSKA was ≥10°. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors associated with postoperative loss of correction. RESULTS: The fracture distribution was as follows: 10 at T12, 17 at L1, 10 at L2, 9 at L3, and 2 at L4. Vertebral fractures were classified in the following way: A3 in 13 patients, A4 in 11, B1 in 11, and B2 in 13. In 47 patients (98%), a union of the fractured vertebrae was achieved. SKA and AVBHR improved significantly after surgery from 11.6° to 3.5° and from 67.2 to 90.0%, respectively. However, the correction loss at follow-up was 10.4° and 9.7%, respectively. Twenty patients (42%) had severe TIDL (grade 3). Postoperative ΔSKA and ΔAVBHR were significantly higher in patients with TIDL grade 3 than with TIDL grade 0-2. The presence of cranial TIDL grade 3 and older age were significant risk factors for ΔSKA ≥10° on multivariate logistic regression analysis. All patients could walk at follow-up. TIDL grade 3 and ΔSKA ≥10° were associated with severe postoperative back pain. CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors for loss of correction after SSPF for thoracolumbar burst fractures were severe disc and endplate destruction at the time of injury and older age.

Characterization of the Transition Zone in Short Segment Hirschsprung Disease Using Calretinin Immunostaining.

Introduction: The detailed expression pattern of calretinin immunohistochemistry in the transition zone (TZ) of Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) has not yet been reported. This study aims to examine the value of calretinin immunohistochemistry for more accurately determining the distal and proximal border of the TZ in short segment HSCR. Methods: Specimens of pull-through surgery from 51 patients with short form of HSCR were analyzed on two longitudinal strips using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and calretinin immunohistochemistry. Results: In all but two patients, the first appearance of calretinin expression was seen on mucosal nerve fibers before the appearance of any ganglion cells, indicating the distal border of the TZ. The maximum distance between the distal border of the TZ and the proximal border of the TZ, defined by ganglion cells in a normal density on H&E stained sections, a strong calretinin expression on mucosal nerve fibers and in >80% of submucosal and myenteric ganglion cells, with no nerve hypertrophy and absence of ganglionitis was 60 mm. Conclusion: The distal border of the TZ is characterized by calretinin positive intramucosal neurites in nearly all of short form of HSCR and not by calretinin expression on ganglion cells.

Clinical evaluation of S1 alar screws application in short-segment lumbosacral fixation and fusion for spine infection with severe S1 vertebral body loss.

BACKGROUND: The one-stage posterior approach for treating spinal infection has recently been generally accepted. However, severe vertebral body loss caused by infection remains a major challenge in posterior surgery. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical application and outcomes of S1 alar screws used in the one-stage posterior surgery of short-segment lumbosacral fixation and fusion after debridement for infection with severe S1 vertebral body loss. METHODS: The clinical features and treatment outcomes of 7 patients with spinal infections from August 2016 to August 2021 who were treated with one-stage posterior surgery using S1 alar screws were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical data, including patient data, visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), fusion time and complications of the patients, were recorded. RESULTS: All 7 patients were followed up for an average duration of 14.57 months (range, 12-18 months). The VAS score decreased significantly from 7.3 preoperatively (range, 6-8) to 2.6 postoperatively (range, 2-3). The ODI score demonstrated a steady and gradual increase from 73.8 preoperatively (range, 68-75) to 33.6 postoperatively (range, 30-37). Bony fusion time was observed approximately 6.8 months after surgery. Two patients in our study experienced the postoperative local pain, which could be relieved by analgesics and disappeared 3 months after the operation. There were no complications of intraoperative fracture, posterior wound infection or neurovascular injury. CONCLUSIONS: S1 alar screws are suitable for use in the operation and could be an alternative option to S1 pedicle screws for short-segment lumbosacral fixation and fusion with severe S1 vertebral body loss caused by spinal infection, which could provide satisfactory clinical outcomes.

Predictors for the restoration of the sagittal spinal malalignment in patients with lumbar stenosis after short-segment decompression and fusion surgery.

BACKGROUND: To explore the predictors for the restoration of the sagittal spinal malalignment in the elderly patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) after short-segment decompression and fusion surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 82 LSS patients with sagittal malalignment (SVA ≥ 50 mm or PT ≥ 20° or PI-LL ≥ 20°) who underwent short-segment decompression and fusion surgery between January 2019 and March 2021. Patients' characteristic, radiographic and paravertebral muscle parameters were assessed. The patients were divided into group A (postoperative malalignment) and B (postoperative alignment) according to whether the postoperative restoration of the sagittal alignment was achieved. RESULTS: There existed more males in group B than in group A (p = 0.002). The age of group A (73.36 ± 8.02) was greater than that of group B (69.08 ± 6.07, p = 0.009). Preoperative PT in group A (27.40 ± 5.82) was greater than that in group B (19.30 ± 7.32, p < 0.001). The functional cross-sectional area (fCSA) in group A (28.73 ± 4.23) was lower than that in group B (36.94 ± 7.81, p < 0.001). And the fatty infiltration rate (FI) of group A (27.16% ± 5.58%) was higher than that of group B (22.61% ± 5.81%, p = 0.001). The fCSA was negatively correlated with the postoperative PT and PTr (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Stronger lumbar paravertebral muscles, smaller preoperative PI, PT or PI-LL, male and younger age are the predictors for the restoration of the sagittal spinal malalignment in the elderly LSS patients after short-segment decompression and fusion surgery.

Long-segment fixation VS short-segment fixation combined with kyphoplasty for osteoporotic thoracolumbar burst fracture.

BACKGROUND: To retrospectively compare clinical and radiological results of long-segment fixation (LF) and six-screw short-segment fixation combined with kyphoplasty (SSFK) for osteoporotic thoracolumbar burst fracture (OTBF). METHODS: Forty patients affected by OTBF with mean age of 61.85 years were included in this study. The mean follow-up period was 13.63 months. Twenty-four patients were treated by SSFK, and 16 patients were treated by LF. Clinical outcomes, radiological parameters and complications were assessed and compared. RESULTS: The mean operative time and blood loss were 89.71 ± 7.62 min and 143.75 ± 42.51 ml for SSFK group, respectively; 111.69 ± 12.25 min (P < 0.01) and 259.38 ± 49.05 ml (P < 0.01) for LF group, respectively. The two groups were similar in terms of preoperative radiological and clinical results. Compared with preoperative values, both groups achieved significant improvement in terms of VAS, ODI, Cobb angle and anterior vertebral body height (AVH) ratio at final follow-up. However, during the follow-up period, significant loss of Cobb angle and AVH ratio were observed for both groups. Five cases (20.83%) of asymptomatic cement leakage were observed in SSFK group. One case of implant failure and two cases of adjacent or non-adjacent vertebral fractures were observed in LF group. CONCLUSIONS: Both SSFK and LF are safe and effective for treatment of OTBF. Comparatively, SSFK is less invasive and can preserve more motion segments, which may be a more valuable surgical option in some elderly patients. A high-quality randomized controlled study is required to confirm our finding in the future.

Endoscopic features of esophageal adenocarcinoma derived from short-segment versus long-segment Barrett's esophagus.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The study aims to clarify the endoscopic features and clinicopathological differences in superficial Barret's esophageal adenocarcinoma (s-BEA) derived from short-segment Barrett's esophagus (SSBE) and long-segment Barrett's esophagus (LSBE). METHODS: We reviewed data of 130 patients (141 lesions) with pathologically confirmed s-BEA (SSBE: 95 patients and 95 lesions; LSBE: 35 patients and 46 lesions). We analyzed endoscopic and clinicopathological features of s-BEA in patients with SSBE and LSBE. RESULTS: The distribution of lesions according to macroscopic findings were as follows (s-BEA in SSBE vs LSBE): flat type (0-IIb), 3.2% (3/95) vs 32.6% (15/46) (P < 0.001); accompanied type 0-IIb, 2.1% (2/95) vs 21.7% (10/46) (P < 0.001); and complex type (0-I + IIb, 0-IIa + IIc, etc.), 30.5% (29/95) vs 50.0% (23/46) (P = 0.025). Complex-type s-BEAs had high incidences of T1b invasions and poorly differentiated components (simple type: 22.5% [20/89] and 18.0% [16/89]; complex type: 59.6% [31/52] and 44.2% [23/52], P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). In SSBE, 72.6% (69/95) of lesions were located at the right anterior wall (P = 0.01). All flat-type or depressed-type lesions derived from SSBE were identified as reddish areas, whereas only 65.2% (15/23) from LSBE were identified as reddish areas (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In LSBE, flat-type, accompanied-type 0-IIb, and complex-type lesions were significantly more prevalent. Furthermore, complex-type s-BEAs tended to have T1b invasions and poorly differentiated components. S-BEAs in LSBE should be more carefully evaluated on endoscopic appearance including flat-type and complex-type lesions than in SSBE.

One-stage posterior debridement, bone grafting fusion, and mono-segment vs. short-segment fixation for single-segment lumbar spinal tuberculosis: minimum 5-year follow-up outcomes.

BACKGROUND: To compare the clinical and radiological outcomes between posterior mono-segment and short-segment fixation combined with one-stage posterior debridement and bone grafting fusion in treating single-segment lumbar spinal tuberculosis (LSTB). METHODS: Sixty-two patients with single-segment LSTB treated by a posterior-only approach were divided into two groups: short-segment fixation (Group A, n = 32) and mono-segment fixation (Group B, n = 30). The clinical and radiographic outcomes were analyzed and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The intraoperative bleeding volume, operation time, and hospitalization duration were lower in Group B than in Group A. All patients achieved the bony fusion criteria. The visual analog scale score, Japanese Orthopedic Association score, and Oswestry Disability Index were substantially improved 3 months postoperatively and at the last visit in both groups, with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Kirkaldy-Willis functional evaluation at the final follow-up demonstrated that all patients in both groups achieved excellent or good results. The difference in the angle correction rate and correction loss between Groups A and B was not significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: One-stage posterior debridement, bone grafting fusion, and mono-segment or short-segment fixation can provide satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes. Mono-segment fixation is more suitable for the treatment of single-segment LSTB because the lumbar segments with normal motion can be preserved with less trauma, a shorter operation time, shorter hospitalization, and lower costs.

Short- versus long-segment posterior spinal fusion with vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral collapse with neurological impairment in thoracolumbar spine: a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Vertebroplasty with posterior spinal fusion (VP + PSF) is one of the most widely accepted surgical techniques for treating osteoporotic vertebral collapse (OVC). Nevertheless, the effect of the extent of fusion on surgical outcomes remains to be established. This study aimed to evaluate the surgical outcomes of short- versus long-segment VP + PSF for OVC with neurological impairment in thoracolumbar spine. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from 133 patients (median age, 77 years; 42 men and 91 women) from 27 university hospitals and their affiliated hospitals. We divided patients into two groups: a short-segment fusion group (S group) with 2- or 3-segment fusion (87 patients) and a long-segment fusion group (L group) with 4- through 6-segment fusion (46 patients). Surgical invasion, clinical outcomes, local kyphosis angle (LKA), and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: No significant differences between the two groups were observed in terms of neurological recovery, pain scale scores, and complications. Surgical time was shorter and blood loss was less in the S group, whereas LKA at the final follow-up and correction loss were superior in the L group. CONCLUSION: Although less invasiveness and validity of pain and neurological relief are secured by short-segment VP + PSF, surgeons should be cautious regarding correction loss.

Pure spinal multiple sclerosis: A possible novel entity within the multiple sclerosis disease spectrum.

We identified five female patients retrospectively with relapsing short-segment partial myelitis whose clinical and paraclinical features were suggestive of cord involvement of multiple sclerosis (MS)-type albeit not rigidly fulfilling the 2017 McDonald criteria. Notably, these patients had not developed any typical MS-like brain lesions despite repeated neuroimaging assessments over years. Comprehensive work-up for differential diagnoses of MS and other causes of transverse myelitis particularly neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders had been consistently negative on longitudinal follow-up. Thus, we postulate a possible entity of pure spinal MS which may represent a novel forme fruste within the MS disease spectrum.

Short segment sensory nerve stimulation in suspected ulnar neuropathy at the elbow: A pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Routine ulnar nerve conduction studies may be normal in very mild ulnar neuropathies at the elbow (UNE). Short segment ulnar sensory stimulation across the elbow may detect mild abnormalities in these cases. METHODS: Short segment ulnar sensory nerve stimulation was performed in 20 controls and 15 patients with clinically suspected mild UNE. Greatest peak latency shift and amplitude drop between 2 adjacent stimulation sites were calculated. RESULTS: The upper limit of normal for peak latency shift and amplitude reduction between sites was 0.7 ms and 15%, respectively. Abnormal latency shift was detected in 12 of 15 patients and focal sensory conduction block in 6 of 15 patients. In 5 of 7 patients in whom all other studies were normal, sensory inching was abnormal. DISCUSSION: Ulnar sensory short segment stimulation may provide diagnostic confirmation and localization of the site of nerve compression in mild UNE, and may improve UNE detection when all other studies are normal. Muscle Nerve 59:125-129, 2019.