Average Number Of Vertebrae Research Articles

Wednesday, September 26, 2018 7:35 AM–9:00 AM ePosters

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Neural compression in tuberculosis spine is anterior and ideally requires anterior decompression. Posterior or posterolateral decompression avoids approach related morbidity of Anterior decompression but has the disadvantage of further destabilizing the spinal column. Tuberculosis of the spine is further compounded by osteopenia necessitating longer constructs for stabilization. Thus, posterior instrumentation in tuberculosis of the spine traditionally involved fixation of multiple segments. PURPOSE Authors devised the technique of sparing as much of the lamina with the intention of reducing the implant density or number of instrumented vertbrae while achieving desirable decompression. Sparing the healthy posterior elements while decompressing the cord is optimally required while planning the surgery. Lamina sparing approach not only gives the desired decompression but destabilizes the spinal column to lesser extent. By sparing midline structures like part of lamina, spinous process and supraspinous or interspinous ligaments the need for long posterior constructs may be obviated. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Prospective cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLE Twenty-two patients suffering from active spinal tuberculosis. OUTCOME MEASURES Blood loss, duration, number of vertebrae instrumented against number of vertebrae affected. Radiological outcome: correction of deformity as measured with Cobb angle. Neurological outcome: Frankel grade. Functional outcome: Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and VAS score. METHODS A total of 22 consecutive patients operated at single centre by a single surgeon were included in the study. Inclusion criteria: patients with active spinal tuberculosis, patients developing neurological deficit or deficit progressing, deficit persisting during course of conservative treatment (3–4 weeks), patients with mechanical instability of spine. RESULTS A total of 8 males, 14 females with an average age of 34.2 (range 4–69 years). A total of 12 patients had dorsal, 6 lumbar and 4 thoracolumbar spine involvement. A total of 14 had single level disease while 4 multifocal contagious and 4 multifocal non contagious. Indication of surgery was neurological deficit (n=14) and instability (n=8). Average preoperative Cobb angle was 27.5° (8°–50°) and postoperative Cobb angle was 15.5°(36° to −2°). Average Kyphosis correction was 16° (0°–40°). Average blood loss was 547.89 mL (130–1200 mL). Duration of surgery was 4.07 hours (1–6 hours). Average number of vertebrae involved was 2.9 while average number of vertebrae instrumented was 3.5. A total of 14 Patients presented with sensory or motor or both deficit (Grade A=1,B=3,C=1,D=9). Recovery occurred in 13 Patients and 1 remained status quo. Average preoperative ODI was 74.35 (32–100) and at 18 months 17.5 (0–60). preoperative VAS was 7.15 (6–9) and at 18 months 1 (0–4). Complications: two patients had infection, one each dural tear and loosening of screws. CONCLUSIONS Lamina sparing decompression in spinal tuberculosis gives good decompression which translates clinically by improvement in neurological and functional outcome. On the other hand, preserving the posterior midline structures allows shorter instrumentation.

Changes in vertebral-column characters and in swimming abilities of the walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma (Pallas) under the pressure of fishing activities

After 30 years of intensive walleye pollock fishing in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk, the average number of vertebrae has increased significantly in the caudal section of the spinal column. The maximum frequency of occurrence of “multivertebrae” phenotype (33 caudal vertebrae) has increased from 3–5 to 76–78%. The number and frequency of occurrence of the abdominal vertebrae did not change. Experimental testing of walleye pollock on its ability to resist the flow justifies our suggestion that the number of vertebrae in the caudal section is an important adaptive feature. We argue that the changes in phenotypic structure of the studied population are the result of intensive fishing.

Exploring Vertebral Height Deficits in Patients with Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease,

Abstract 3198Low bone mass has been described in as many as 60% of patients with thalassemia (Thal) and sickle cell disease (SCD). Bone pain is also frequently reported in each disorder, however few have explored the relationship between low bone mass and bone pain. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of vertebral height abnormalities in patients with Thal and SCD at the Children’s Hospital & Research Center, Oakland (CHRCO). The secondary objective was to evaluate the relationship between vertebral height abnormalities and low bone mass and patient assessed bodily pain. Methods:Data for this analysis were collected from two sources: the Thalassemia Clinical Research Network Pain Survey study and the CHRCO Clinical Bone Density database. The TCRN Pain study used a validated pain survey to collect data on 45 patients from CHRCO at multiple time points. Pain data was then analyzed along with bone mineral density (BMD) scans if performed within 6 months. BMD Z-scores were abstracted from the CHRCO database along with patient demographics. Full lateral spine scans conducted at the time of BMD scan were re-analyzed by one observer using the Vertebral Fracture Analysis (VFA) software (Hologic v12.6.1.), and scored according to Genant for vertebral abnormalities (crush, wedge, biconcavity, Grades 1 to 3). Results:A total of 254 VFA scans were re-analyzed from 93 patients with Thal (21.5 ± 10.7 yrs, 55% female), 45 SCD (38.1 ± 12.7 yrs, 61% Female) and 11 healthy control subjects (29.9 ± 10.2 yrs, 64% female). The patients with Thal were primarily Asian (78%), with 68.8% B-thal, 24%E-Bthal and 12.1% Hb H; while 98% of the SCD patients were Black, all HbSS. Patients with Thal were more likely to have low bone mass (any BMD Z-score ≧ −2.0) compared to those with SCD (73% vs. 33%, p<0.01). Of the patients with Thal who had VFA scans, 25 (26.9%) had at least one vertebral abnormality, compared to 16 (34.8 %) of the 45 patients with SCD (p=NS). SCD patients had significantly more vertebral abnormalities compared to healthy controls (p=0.04). However, a similar percentage of Thal patients had substantial vertebral height deficits (Grade 2 or 3; 15.1%) compared to those with SCD (13.3%). The average number of vertebrae with abnormalities within an individal scan was lower in Thal (1.6±0.2) compared to SCD (2.8 ± 0.4; p=0.003). Thal were more likely to have wedge-type deformities in the lumbar region, while SCD had biconcavity-type deformed vertebrae in the thoracic region. Of the patients with multiple VFA scans, 12 progressed toward vertebral abnormality during a 7 year period, all with Thal. The presence of a vertebral abnormality was positively related to age in Thal but not SCD (24.2 ± 1.2 vs. 20.6 ± 0.8 yrs, p=0.029) with a trend towards a relationship to low bone mass (p=0.12). Abnormal VFA was unrelated to gender and vitamin D level. In a sub-set of the Thal subjects who participated in the TCRN pain study, two-thirds reported significant pain within the past month, 16% severe and 27% reported pain localized in the lower back. However in the patients for which both VFA scans and pain studies were performed (n=32), bodily pain was not related to vertebral abnormalities. Discussion:A surprisingly high percentage of both SCD and Thal patients had significant vertebral abnormalities. In many cases the etiology of the observed abnormal morphology unclear but appears to be more developmental in SCD whereas in Thal a consequence of collapse secondary to inherent bone fragility and/or trauma. It is also yet to be determined if this phenomenon results from skeletal effects of the underlying disease or the various treatments (i.e., chelation toxicity). The prevalence of vertebral abnormality observed in this cohort of Thal patients (27%) is twice that previously reported from the TCRN (12%). The prevalence of vertebral abnormality by DXA scan has never before been reported in SCD. It is conceivable that the high rate of lower back pain in Thal is related to the observed abnormal vertebrae, however we were unable to explore this thoroughly given the small sample size. This study was limited by the absence of multiple VFA scans for all subjects and the discordance of a temporal relationship between the pain studies and VFA scans. Further research should focus on the clinical relevance of vertebral abnormalities and its etiology in these at risk patient populations. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Posterior Hemivertebra Excision in Congenital Scoliosis

Study Design: Retrospective study Objectives: To evaluate the surgical outcome of congenital scoliosis with a hemivertebra treated by posterior hemivertebra excision and pedicle screw instrumentation. Summary of Literature Review: Posterior hemivertebra excision can be accomplished through a single posterior approach, and excellent correction and outcome may be achieved. Materials and Methods: Forty patients with one fully segmented hemivertebra treated by posterior hemivertebra excision with pedicle screw instrumentation were retrospectively analyzed after a minimum follow-up of 2 years (range 2~7.7 years). The mean age at surgery was 15.9 years (range 2.6~37.9 years). Preoperative and postoperative standing radiographs were used to assess radiographic parameters. Results: The average number of vertebrae in the major curve was 4.2 (range 3~8), and the average flexibility was 29% (range 8~59%). The average length of fusion was 3.5 segments (range 1~6). The number of fused vertebrae had a positive correlation with age at the index surgery (r=0.345, p�0.05). Mean preoperative scoliosis of 48±12。was corrected to a mean of 17±10。 (65% correction), and mean preoperative kyphosis of 46±18。was corrected to a mean of 12±12。at the most recent follow-up. The compensatory curve had a mean of 25±10。preoperatively and spontaneously corrected to a mean of 8±8。(70% correction) at the most recent follow-up. The mean operating time was 233±81 min, with an average blood loss of 2904 ml. There was neither crankshaft phenomenon nor iatrogenic spinal stenosis in 6 patients under the age of 5 years after an average follow-up of 6 years. Conclusions: Posterior hemivertebra excision using pedicle screw instrumentation in congenital scoliosis due to a hemivertebra is a safe and effective procedure. Posterior hemivertebra excision at an early age may reduce the fusion length while avoiding the induction of iatrogenic spinal stenosis during follow-up.

Eighteen-level analysis of vertebral rotation following Harrington-Luque instrumentation in idiopathic scoliosis.

We used the Perdriolle method to measure the rotation of each vertebra from the seventh cervical to the fifth lumbar level, before and after posterior spinal arthrodesis and Harrington-Luque instrumentation in fifteen patients who had idiopathic scoliosis. The primary curve was corrected an average of 50 per cent and the secondary curve, an average of 73 per cent. Following the operation, the average number of vertebrae involved in the primary curve increased from seven (range, five to ten) to nine (range, seven to fifteen). The rotation of the apical vertebra of the primary curve increased 10 degrees in four patients and 5 degrees in two patients and decreased 5 degrees in one patient. The rotation of the apical vertebra of the secondary curve increased 10 degrees in three patients and 5 degrees in one patient and decreased 5 degrees in four patients. In seven patients, correction of the curve was associated with unexpected counter-rotation, beyond the levels of instrumentation, of three or more vertebral segments that had been in neutral position before the operation.

Influence of temperature on the number of vertebrae in fish.

THE number of vertebrae in fish is considered to vary with temperature during early development. From field observations, it is generally considered that fish subjected to low temperature tend to have more vertebrae than those in warmer waters. This was supported by the experiments of Gabriel1 on Fundulus heteroclitus, of Dannevig2 on Pleuronectes platessa, and of Kubo and Kobayashi3 on Oncorhynchus keta. On the other hand, Taning4 showed that the lowest average number of vertebrae was obtained at an intermediate temperature, while both higher and lower temperatures produced a higher average in his experiment on Salmo trutta trutta. A similar result was obtained by Lindsey's5 experiments on Macropodus opercularis. Thus the results of experimental studies are not consistent.

Effect of Solar Radiation and of Gravel Cover on Development, Growth, and Loss by Predation in Salmon and Trout

Abstract Several earlier researchers have pointed out that trout and salmon fry hatched under gravel are hardier than those reared in a hatchery. The present report confirms these observations, and tries to delineate the effect of certain environmental factors on the embryonic development of salmon fry. Salmon fry (Salmo salar) hatched under gravel were better developed, more deeply pigmented, and on the average 15 percent heavier than those hatched in troughs. The average number of vertebrae was significantly influenced by solar radiation and by gravel cover. The separate effects of these two environmental conditions tended to obscure one another. Vertebral malformations were numerous in fry hatched under gravel in total darkness. Mortality, caused by blue-sac disease at the time of the spring run-off of snow water was less among brown trout (Salmo fario) alevins hatched in gravel than among hatchery reared alevins. Rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri irideus) fingerlings hatched under gravel were less vulner...

天草周邊に於ける重要生物の資源學的研究II.カタクチイワシに関する研究

The present papar is based on the measurements of Japanese anchovy, Engraulis japonicus Temminck & Schlegel, carried out at Tomioka, Amakusa, from September in 1946 to February in 1948. The fishing season of the said species is extending from January or February to October or November at the mentioned districts. It measures from 40mm to 120mm in total length, but it does not increase in size uniformly according to the advancement of the season. Judging from the degree of maturity of gonad, the spawning season of this species seems to be twice in a year around Amakusa, one corresponding to the latter part of May, while the other to the beginning of November. The average number of vertebrae for each group (containing a urostyle) is whithin a range from 44.93±0.0774 (S. E.) to 45.68±0.1060. Further, it shows a minimum in April, while it becomes maximum in July. The coefficient of variability of to ?? al length, C (=σ×100/M; M, mean total length in mm; σ standard deviation), indicates a rather complicated seasonal variation, but it becomes minimum twice during the season, namely in the beginning of May and in the latter paat of August. The values of k and n in a formula, W=kLn (W, body weight in g; L, total, length in mm), are 1.75×10-6 and 3, 267 respectively. When n is made equal to 3.267, the value of k for each group is whithin a range from 1.46×10-6 to 2.10×10-6. Such a value of k bears some relation to the total length, being low between 80mm and 90mm. Further, it shows a seasonal variation, being high in March and October, while low in July. This seasonal variation of k is considered to be mainly affected by the maturation of gonad or spawning.

Herring Investigations at Plymouth

TVTR. E. FORD has published a report on his herring investigations in the Journal of the Marine Biological Association (vol. 15, No. 1, Feb. 1928, pp. 267-319). The report is in four parts, dealing in turn with the methods used in the treatment of the data, the average number of vertebrae in the herrings of the English Channel and the south-east of Ireland, the Plymouth winter fishery of 1924–25 to 1926–27, and the growth of young herrings in the area under discussion.