Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scale Score Research Articles

Clinical significance of the C2 slope after multilevel cervical spine fusion.

The C2 slope (C2S) is one of the parameters that can determine cervical sagittal alignment, but its clinical significance is relatively unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of the C2S after multilevel cervical spine fusion. A total of 111 patients who underwent multilevel cervical spine fusion were included in this study. The C2S, cervical sagittal vertical axis (cSVA), C2-7 lordosis, and T1 slope (T1S) were measured in standing lateral cervical spine radiographs preoperatively and 2 years after the surgery. Clinical outcome measures were visual analog scale (VAS) neck and arm pain scores, Neck Disability Index (NDI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scale score, and patient-reported subjective improvement rate (IR) percentage. Statistical analysis was performed using a paired-samples t-test and Pearson's correlation, and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to determine the cutoff values of C2S. C2S demonstrated a significant correlation with the cSVA, C2-7 lordosis, T1S, and T1S minus cervical lordosis. C2S revealed a significant correlation with the JOA, neck pain VAS, and NDI scores at 2 years after surgery. Change in the C2S correlated with postoperative neck pain and NDI scores. ROC curves demonstrated the cutoff values of C2S as 18.8°, 22.25°, and 25.35°, according to a cSVA of 40 mm, severe disability expressed by NDI, and severe myelopathy, respectively. C2S can be an additional cervical sagittal alignment parameter that can be a useful prognostic factor after multilevel cervical spine fusion.

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy with severe axial neck pain: is anterior or posterior approach better?

The aim of this study was to determine whether multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) or posterior cervical laminectomy and fusion (PCLF) is superior for patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and high preoperative neck pain. This was a retrospective study of prospectively collected data using the Quality Outcomes Database (QOD) CSM module. Patients who received a subaxial fusion of 3 or 4 segments and had a visual analog scale (VAS) neck pain score of 7 or greater at baseline were included. The 3-, 12-, and 24-month outcomes were compared for patients undergoing ACDF with those undergoing PCLF. Overall, 1141 patients with CSM were included in the database. Of these, 495 (43.4%) presented with severe neck pain (VAS score > 6). After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, we compared 65 patients (54.6%) undergoing 3- and 4-level ACDF and 54 patients (45.4%) undergoing 3- and 4-level PCLF. Patients undergoing ACDF had worse Neck Disability Index scores at baseline (52.5 ± 15.9 vs 45.9 ± 16.8, p = 0.03) but similar neck pain (p > 0.05). Otherwise, the groups were well matched for the remaining baseline patient-reported outcomes. The rates of 24-month follow-up for ACDF and PCLF were similar (86.2% and 83.3%, respectively). At the 24-month follow-up, both groups demonstrated mean improvements in all outcomes, including neck pain (p < 0.05). In multivariable analyses, there was no significant difference in the degree of neck pain change, rate of neck pain improvement, rate of pain-free achievement, and rate of reaching minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in neck pain between the two groups (adjusted p > 0.05). However, ACDF was associated with a higher 24-month modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale (mJOA) score (β = 1.5 [95% CI 0.5-2.6], adjusted p = 0.01), higher EQ-5D score (β = 0.1 [95% CI 0.01-0.2], adjusted p = 0.04), and higher likelihood for return to baseline activities (OR 1.2 [95% CI 1.1-1.4], adjusted p = 0.002). Severe neck pain is prevalent among patients undergoing surgery for CSM, affecting more than 40% of patients. Both ACDF and PCLF achieved comparable postoperative neck pain improvement 3, 12, and 24 months following 3- or 4-segment surgery for patients with CSM and severe neck pain. However, multilevel ACDF was associated with superior functional status, quality of life, and return to baseline activities at 24 months in multivariable adjusted analyses.

A Novel Method of Making Hinges Using a Newly Designed Sharp Rongeur to Enhance Radiological and Clinical Outcomes in French-Door Cervical Expansive Laminoplasty.

Although the lamina open angle of making hinges is closely related to the outcomes of French-door laminoplasty (FDL) for treatment of cervical spondylosis, there have been no methods to predict the lamina open angle preoperatively as yet. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of predicting the laminal open angle using our newly designed sharp rongeur, and to compare the postoperative outcomes and complications between the methods of making hinges using the newly designed sharp rongeur and the traditional high-speed micro-drill during the FDL. This was a single-center retrospective study. Following the approval of the institutional ethics committee, a total of 39 patients (Male: 28; Female: 11) diagnosed with cervical spondylos who underwent FDL in our institution between January 2018 and May 2019 were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups based on the method of making hinges (sharp rongeur: 22 cases; high-speed micro-drill: 17 cases). The average age at surgery was 59.1 years (range: 16-85 years). The radiological parameters, clinical outcomes, modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) scale score, and the recovery rate of mJOA were recorded and compared between the groups, respectively. The radiological parameters and clinical measurements at pre- and post-operation stages were compared using the paired-sample t-test, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and the Friedman's test, and variables in the two groups were analyzed using an unpaired Student's t-test or a Mann-Whitney U test. The average follow-up period was 20.4 months (range: 14.0-25.9 months), the postoperative open angle was 60.13° ± 3.69° in the rongeur group with 22.78° ± 4.34° of angular enlargement, which was significantly lower than that of 68.96° ± 1.00° in the micro-drill group with 32.75° ± 4.22° of angular enlargement (U=19.000, p < 0.001). The rongeur group showed a higher fusion rate (34.1% vs 14.7%, χ2 =11.340, p=0.001), and a lower fracture rate of the lamina (7.8% vs 25.5%, χ2 =14.185, p < 0.001) at 1-month post-surgery, compared to the micro-drill group. There were no significant differences in the clinical outcomes and postoperative complications between the two groups (p > 0.05), except in the recovery rate of mJOA scores (0.836 ± 0.138 vs 0.724 ± 0.180, U=115.000, p=0.042) and neck disability index (NDI) at the final follow-up (7.55 ± 10.65 vs 14.71 ± 8.72, U=94.000, p=0.008). The special sharp rongeur with a tip angle of 20° could be a preferred method to make hinges during FDL, which can predict the laminal open angle accurately and enlarge it to about 23°, thus reducing the fracture rate and accelerating the bony fusion of hinges compared with the outcomes of the traditional micro-drill method.

Comparison of Atlantoaxial Intra-Articular Fusion and Posterior Structural Bone Grafting Techniques for Treating Atlantoaxial Dislocation.

The structural bone grafting (SBG) technique provided high fusion rate and satisfied outcomes for treating atlantoaxial dislocation, but it is unclear whether the atlantoaxial intra-articular cage (AIC) technique can provide clinical results comparable with SBG technique. To compare the outcomes of 2 bone graft techniques applied in posterior C1-C2 screw-rod fixation and fusion surgery for treating atlantoaxial dislocation. The data from 55 patients with atlantoaxial dislocation were retrospectively reviewed. The SBG technique had been used in 29 patients and the AIC technique in 26 patients. The outcomes were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopedic Association scale score, Neck Disability Index, and visual analog scale score for neck pain and compared between the 2 groups. The donor site complications were also recorded in SBG group, and donor site pain was assessed using a visual analog scale. In the final follow-up, the bone fusion rate was 100% in both groups. No significant differences were found in the bone fusion time between the 2 groups ( P > .05). Postoperatively, the Japanese Orthopedic Association, Neck Disability Index, and visual analog scale score for neck pain indexes improved significantly within both SBG (all P < .05) and AIC groups (all P < .05). Nevertheless, there were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups (all P > .05). The SBG and AIC techniques were both effective for achieving atlantoaxial arthrodesis, and the AIC technique is a perfect alternative to the SBG technique when the posterior arch of C1 is incompetent.

Association Between the Cervical Extensor Musculature and the Demographic Features, Symptoms, and Sagittal Balance in Patients with Multilevel Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

To obtain the quantitative measurements of the muscle morphology of cervical extensors in patients with multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy, and determine whether the morphological parameter of each muscle correlates with the patients' demographic features, symptoms, and cervical sagittal balance. We retrospectively evaluated 100 hospitalized patients scheduled to undergo surgery for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Demographic data, including age, sex, and body mass index, were recorded, and symptoms were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS), neck disability index (NDI), and modified Japanese Orthopedic Association scale scores. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the multifidus, semispinalis capitis, semispinalis cervicis, splenius capitis and splenius cervicis were measured on magnetic resonance imaging. The CSA of the total extensor muscles, deep extensor muscles (DEM, consisting of multifidus and semispinalis capitis), and superficial extensor muscles (consisting of semispinalis cervicis, splenius capitis and splenius cervicis) were calculated. The adjusted CSA (aCSA) was calculated as the CSA of the muscle/CSA of the corresponding vertebral body. The fat infiltration ratio (FIR) of the posterior extensor muscles was assessed using a pseudocoloring technique. Sagittal parameters, including cervical lordosis (CL), C2-7 cervical sagittal vertical axis (SVA), T1-slope, mismatch between T1-slope and CL (T1S-CL), and range of motion, were measured. The measured parameters were compared between the males and the females, between the patients with higher muscle aCSA and the patients with lower muscle aCSA, and between the patients with and without sagittal balance. A Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to determine the correlations between the paraspinal muscle measurements, and the clinical and radiographic parameters. There were 67 males and 33 females in this study, and the mean age was 59.22±9.54years. Compared with females, male patients showed higher CSA and aCSA of extensor muscles. Patients with lower muscle aCSA were significantly older and had worse NDI scores, with significantly greater C2-7 SVA and T1S-CL. Patients with sagittal imbalance showed significantly lower aCSA of total extensor muscles and DEM, as well as a significantly higher FIR. Age was significantly correlated with the aCSA of each measured muscle and the FIR. The aCSA of the DEM was correlated with the NDI score, the visual analog scale score, the SVA, the T1-slope, and the T1S-CL. In patients with multilevel CSM, age and sex were demographic factors that were highly correlated with muscle morphology changes. Extensor muscles, especially DEM, play important roles in maintaining cervical sagittal balance and are associated with the severity of neck symptoms.

Analysis of combined clinical and diffusion basis spectrum imaging metrics to predict the outcome of chronic cervical spondylotic myelopathy following cervical decompression surgery.

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is the most common cause of chronic spinal cord injury, a significant public health problem. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a neuroimaging technique widely used to assess CNS tissue pathology and is increasingly used in CSM. However, DTI lacks the needed accuracy, precision, and recall to image pathologies of spinal cord injury as the disease progresses. Thus, the authors used diffusion basis spectrum imaging (DBSI) to delineate white matter injury more accurately in the setting of spinal cord compression. It was hypothesized that the profiles of multiple DBSI metrics can serve as imaging outcome predictors to accurately predict a patient's response to therapy and his or her long-term prognosis. This hypothesis was tested by using DBSI metrics as input features in a support vector machine (SVM) algorithm. Fifty patients with CSM and 20 healthy controls were recruited to receive diffusion-weighted MRI examinations. All spinal cord white matter was identified as the region of interest (ROI). DBSI and DTI metrics were extracted from all voxels in the ROI and the median value of each patient was used in analyses. An SVM with optimized hyperparameters was trained using clinical and imaging metrics separately and collectively to predict patient outcomes. Patient outcomes were determined by calculating changes between pre- and postoperative modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) scale scores. Accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score were reported for each SVM iteration. The highest performance was observed when a combination of clinical and DBSI metrics was used to train an SVM. When assessing patient outcomes using mJOA scale scores, the SVM trained with clinical and DBSI metrics achieved accuracy and an area under the curve of 88.1% and 0.95, compared with 66.7% and 0.65, respectively, when clinical and DTI metrics were used together. The accuracy and efficacy of the SVM incorporating clinical and DBSI metrics show promise for clinical applications in predicting patient outcomes. These results suggest that DBSI metrics, along with the clinical presentation, could serve as a surrogate in prognosticating outcomes of patients with CSM.

Surgical Outcomes of Full-Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy in the Early Adoption Phase.

Background We adopted full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy (FELD) in 2019 with the assistance of the Japanese Society for Minimally Invasive and Endoscopic Techniques of Spinal Neurosurgery (JASMETS). This study analyzed short-term outcomes in our initial FELD cases and compared them with microdiscectomy cases performed during the same period. Methods FELD was performed in 21 patients over a period of 2 years and 6 months (15 men and 6 women; mean age, 57.0±17.0 years). The transforaminal approach was performed in 8 patients, the posterolateral approach in 3, and the interlaminar approach in 10. During the same period, microdiscectomy was performed in 30 patients. Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and visual analog scale (VAS) scores, operation time, blood loss volume, complications, and incidence of lumbar disc herniation recurrence were compared between the groups. Results Preoperative VAS and JOA scores did not significantly differ between the FELD and microdiscectomy groups. JOA and VAS scores significantly improved in both groups after surgery. Operation time and incidence of recurrence rate did not differ. Conclusion Spine surgeons who adopt FELD can achieve good surgical outcomes similar to those of microdiscectomy, even in the early period. Participation in JASMETS seminars and training and proctoring by a certified endoscopic spine surgeon were instrumental in our experience.

Posterior atlanto-axial intraarticular distraction technique as revision surgery to treat atlanto-axial dislocation associated with basilar invagination

Objective: To examine the effect of posterior atlanto-axial intraarticular distraction technique as revision surgery for failed posterior fossa decompression in patients with basilar invagination(BI) and atlanto-axial dislocation(AAD). Methods: The clinical data of 13 cases of AAD accompanied with BI treated at Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. There were 3 males and 10 females,aged (42.6±9.5) years (range:30 to 63 years). All cases had assimilation of atlas and once underwent posterior fossa decompression. Anterior tissue was released through posterior approach followed by cage implantation into facet joint and occipital-cervical fixation with cantilever technique. The clinical results were evaluated using Japanese Orthopedic Association scale(JOA) and the main radiological measurements including atlantodental interval (ADI), the distance of odontoid tip above Chamberlain line(DCL),clivus-canal angle(CCA) and the length of syrinx were collected. Paired sample t test was used to compared the data before and after operation. Results: All patients underwent surgery successfully, the mean surgical time was (187.7±47.4) minutes (range from 116 to 261 minutes). Twenty occipital condyle screws, 26 C2 pedicle screws and 3 occipital plates were implanted. Clinical symptoms improved in all patients. Twelve patients had complete reduction of basilar invagination and atlanto-axial dislocation, 1 achieved near completely reduction of basilar invagination. The postoperative ADI, DCL and CCA significantly improved((4.3±1.1) mm vs. (1.8±0.8) mm, (11.7±5.0) mm vs. (6.4±2.8) mm, (142.4±7.9)° vs. (133.3±7.9)°, all P<0.01).There were 5 cases with syringomyelia before surgery, and shrinkage of syrinx was observed 1 week after surgery in all cases. Eight patients achieved bone fusion 3 months after surgery, all patients achieved bone fusion 6 months after surgery. The JOA score increased from 12.8±2.3 before surgery to 14.8±1.3 one year after surgery, with statistically significant difference (t=4.416, P<0.01).No implant failure, spacer subsidence and infection were observed. Conclusion: In cases of failure posterior fossa decompression of basilar invagination and atlanto-axial dislocation, using posterior atlanto-axial intraarticular distraction and cantilever technique with cage implantation could achieve complete reduction and symptomatic relief.

Artificial Intelligence-Based CT Imaging on Diagnosis of Patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation by Scalpel Treatment.

The aim of this study was to explore the application effect of computed tomography (CT) image based on active contour segmentation algorithm in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with scalpel. 78 patients with LDH were selected and divided into a lateral crypt block treatment group (group A) and a scalpel treatment group (group B) randomly. All the patients were examined by lumbar CT images based on artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm. Then, the clinical efficacy and Japanese orthopedic association (JOA) and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were compared between the two groups. It was found that the total effective rate in group B was higher (92.31% vs. 84.62%) (P < 0.05). After treatment, the disc height (DH) in group A was obviously lower, and the vertebral body slippage was obviously higher (P < 0.05) than before. After treatment, there were more patients with nerve root location changes, edema, or disappearance in group B (P < 0.05). In contrast with JOA and VAS scores before treatment, both the groups showed obvious differences after treatment, especially group B (P < 0.05). Therefore, the CT images based on the AI algorithm can be used to analyze the treatment effect of LDH, and the scalpel treatment was more effective.

What is the role of dynamic cervical spine radiographs in predicting pseudarthrosis revision following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion?

Background ContextPostoperative dynamic radiographs are used to assess fusion status after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with comparable accuracy to computed tomography (CT) scans. PurposeTo (1) determine if dynamic radiographs accurately predict pseudarthrosis revision in a cohort of largely asymptomatic patients who underwent ACDF, (2) determine how adjacent segment motion is affected by fusion status, and (3) analyze how clinical outcomes differ between patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic pseudarthrosis. Study DesignRetrospective cohort study. Patient SamplePatients ≥ 18 years who underwent primary one- to four-level ACDF at a single institution over a 10-year period. Outcome MeasuresInterspinous motion on preoperative and postoperative flexion-extension radiographs and preoperative and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale for Neck Pain (VAS Neck) and Arm Pain (VAS Arm), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale (mJOA), Mental and Physical Component Scores of the Short-Form 12 (SF-12) Health Survey (MCS-12 and PCS-12) MethodsThe difference in spinous process motion between flexion and extension radiographs was used to determine motion at each level of the ACDF construct. Pseudarthrosis was defined as ≥ 1 mm spinous process motion on dynamic radiographs. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated to predict the probability of surgical revision for pseudarthrosis based on millimeters of interspinous motion at each instrumented level. Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) were used to assess the effect of pseudarthrosis on clinical outcomes. Alpha was set at p<.05. ResultsA total of 597 patients met inclusion criteria including 1,203 ACDF levels. Of those, 215 patients (36.0%) were diagnosed with a pseudarthrosis on dynamic radiographs with 29 patients (4.9%) requiring pseudarthrosis revision. ROC analysis identified a “cutoff” value of 1.00 mm of interspinous process motion for generating an optimal area under the curve (AUC). The negative predictive value (NPV) was 99.6%, whereas the positive predictive value (PPV) was 13.7%. When analyzing adjacent segment motion, the Δ supra-adjacent interspinous process motion (ISM) was significantly lower for patients with a superior construct pseudarthrosis (-1.06 mm vs. 1.80 mm, p<.001), whereas the Δ infra-adjacent level ISM was significantly lower for patients with an inferior construct pseudarthrosis (-1.21 mm vs. 2.15 mm, p<.001). Patients with a pseudarthrosis not requiring revision had worse postoperative NDI (29.3 vs. 23.4, p=.027), VAS Neck (3.40 vs. 2.63, p=.012), and VAS Arm (3.09 vs. 1.85, p=.001) scores at 3 months, but not 1-year, compared with patients who were fused. Patients requiring pseudarthrosis revision had higher 1-year postoperative NDI (38.0 vs. 23.7, p=.047) and lower 1-year postoperative Δ VAS Arm (-0.22 vs. -2.97, p=.016) scores. ConclusionsOne-year postoperative dynamic radiographs have a greater than 99% negative predictive value for identifying patients requiring pseudarthrosis revision, but they have a low positive predictive value. Most patients with a pseudarthrosis remain asymptomatic with similar 1-year postoperative patient-reported outcomes compared with patients without a pseudarthrosis.

Feasibility of lateral mass screw insertion in patients with the risky triad of C1: evaluation of the over-the-arch technique.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and complications of the over-the-arch (OTA) technique for screw insertion into the C1 lateral mass in patients in whom conventional techniques (i.e., posterior arch [PA] and inferior lateral mass [ILM]) are not feasible due to 1) PA with a very small height (< 3.5 mm), 2) a caudally tilted PA blocking the inferior part of the C1 lateral mass, or 3) loss of height at the ILM (< 3.5 mm). The authors reviewed the medical records of 60 patients who underwent C1 screw fixation with the OTA technique (13 screws) and the PA/ILM technique (107 screws) between 2011 and 2019. Vertebral artery (VA) injuries, screw malposition, and bony union were radiologically assessed. Clinical outcome measures, including Neck Disability Index (NDI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scale score, and occipital neuralgia, were recorded. Thirteen OTA screws were successfully inserted without any major complications. NDI and JOA scale scores did not show significant differences between the two groups at final follow-up. No VA injuries were recognized during screw insertion. There was no evidence of ischemic damage to the VA or bony erosion in the occiput or atlas. Medial wall violation was observed in 1 screw (7.7%); however, no C0-1, C1-2, or lateral wall violations were observed. No patients developed new-onset neuralgia postoperatively after C1 fixation with the OTA technique. The OTA technique was safe and useful for C1 screw fixation in patients in whom conventional techniques could not be employed.

Cervical and spinopelvic parameters can predict patient reported outcomes following cervical deformity surgery.

Background:Recent studies have evaluated the correlation of health-related quality of life (HRQL) scores with radiographic parameters. This relationship may provide insight into the connection of patient-reported disability and disease burden caused by cervical diagnoses.Purpose:To evaluate the association between spinopelvic sagittal parameters and HRQLs in patients with primary cervical diagnoses.Methods:Patients ≥18 years meeting criteria for primary cervical diagnoses. Cervical radiographic parameters assessed cervical sagittal vertical axis, TS-CL, chin-to-brow vertical angle, C2-T3, CL, C2 Slope, McGregor's slope. Global radiographic alignment parameters assessed PT, SVA, PI-LL, T1 Slope. Pearson correlations were run for all combinations at baseline (BL) and 1 year (1Y) for continuous BL and 1Y modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale (mJOA) scores, as well as decline or improvement in those HRQLs at 1Y. Multiple linear regression models were constructed to investigate BL and 1Y alignment parameters as independent variables.Results:Ninety patients included 55.6 ± 9.6 years, 52% female, 30.7 ± 7kg/m2. By approach, 14.3% of patients underwent procedures by anterior approach, 56% posterior, and 30% had combined approaches. Average anterior levels fused: 3.6, posterior: 4.8, and mean total number of levels fused: 4.5. Mean operative time for the cohort was 902.5 minutes with an average estimated blood loss of 830 ccs. The mean BL neck disability index (NDI) score was 56.5 and a mJOA of 12.81. While BL NDI score correlated with gender (P = 0.050), it did not correlate with BL global or cervical radiographic factors. An increased NDI score at 1Y postoperatively correlated with BL body mass index (P = 0.026). A decreased NDI score was associated with 1Y T12-S1 angle (P = 0.009) and 1Y T10 L2 angle (P = 0.013). Overall, BL mJOA score correlated with the BL radiographic factors of T1 slope (P = 0.005), cervical lordosis (P = 0.001), C2-T3 (P = 0.008), C2 sacral slope (P = 0.050), SVA (P = 0.010), and CL Apex (P = 0.043), as well as gender (P = 0.050). Linear regression modeling for the prior independent variables found a significance of P = 0.046 and an R2 of 0.367. Year 1 mJOA scores correlated with 1Y values for maximum kyphosis (P = 0.043) and TS-CL (P = 0.010). At 1Y, a smaller mJOA score correlated with BL S1 sacral slope (P = 0.014), pelvic incidence (P = 0.009), L1-S1 (P = 0.012), T12-S1 (P = 0.008). The linear regression model for those 4 variables demonstrated an R2 of 0.169 and a P = 0.005. An increased mJOA score correlated with PI-LL difference at 1Y (P = 0.012), L1-S1 difference (P = 0.036), T12-S1 difference (0.006), maximum lordosis (P = 0.026), T9-PA difference (P = 0.010), and difference of T4-PA (P = 0.008).Conclusions:While the impact of preoperative sagittal and cervical parameters on mJOA was strong, the BL radiographic factors did not impact NDI scores. PostOp HRQL was significantly associated with sagittal parameters for mJOA (both worsening and improvement) and NDI scores (improvement). When cervical surgery has been indicated, radiographic alignment is important for postoperative HRQL.

Hemipartial Laminectomy and Bilateral Flavectomy Technique With Unilateral Approach in Patients With Cervical Spinal Stenosis Due to Ligamentum Flavum Hypertrophy: A Technique Note.

The aim of this procedure is to widen the spinal canal by using minimally invasive techniques to do hemipartial laminectomy and bilateral flavectomy in patients with cervical spinal stenosis due to ligamentum flavum hypertrophy.A 66-year-old man presented with increasing neck and right shoulder pain for one year to Koç University Hospital. He reported a three-month history of numbness in his hands. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores were 15 and 8, respectively. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed spinal canal stenosis at the C3-4 level secondary to ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. Hemi-partial laminectomy at the C3 level, flavectomy, and bilateral decompression were performed using the right unilateral approach. The patient's complaints of symptoms considerably decreased three months later. The VAS and JOA scores were 2 and 16, respectively.This minimally invasive approach can be an alternative to classic laminectomy in patients who have radiculopathy and myelopathy due to posterior origin spinal stenosis in order to safely resolve pain and neurologic dysfunction.

Role of Three-dimensional Printing in Neurosurgery: An Institutional Experience.

Background:Recent advancements in three-dimensional (3D) printing technology in the field of neurosurgery have given a newer modality of management for patients. In this article, we intend to share our institutional experience regarding the use of 3D printing in three modalities, namely, cranioplasty using customized 3D-printed molds of polymethylmethacrylate, 3D-printed model-assisted management of craniovertebral (CV) junction abnormalities, and 3D model-assisted management of brain tumors.Materials and Methods:A total of 55 patients were included in our study between March 2017 and December 2019 at S. M. S Medical College, Jaipur, India. 3D-printed models were prepared for cranioplasty in 30 cases, CV junction anomalies in 18 cases, and brain tumors in 7 cases. Preoperative and postoperative data were analyzed as per the diagnosis.Results:In cranioplasty, cranial contour and approximation of the margins were excellent and esthetic appearance improved in all patients. In CV junction anomalies, neck pain and myelopathy were improved in all patients, as analyzed using the visual analog scale and the Japanese Orthopedic Association Scale score, respectively. Our questionnaire survey revealed that 3D models for brain tumors were useful in understanding space interval and depth intraoperatively with added advantage of patient education.Conclusion:Rapid prototyping 3D-printing technologies provide a practical and anatomically accurate means to produce patient-specific and disease-specific models. These models allow for surgical planning, training, simulation, and devices for the assessment and treatment of neurosurgical disease. Expansion of this technology in neurosurgery will serve practitioners, trainees, and patients.

A prospective study of the relation of patient-reported outcome measures with lumbar disc surgery for herniated lumbar disc

Introduction: The aim of this 6-month prospective study was to seek out the factors affecting surgical outcome, predictors of treatment response and their correlates in open discectomy for herniated lumbar disc. Methods and Materials: Eighty patients who fulfilled the required criteria were chosen. Socio-demographic, clinical data proforma, Visual Analogue Scale for pain (VAS), Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) Scale for subjective and objective pain related QoL, General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) for screening mental health, Short Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey for assessing Health-related Quality of Life (HRQOL) and Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) for measurement of clinical depression were used at the preoperative stage and reassessed again at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months post-discectomy. Results: Postoperatively, VAS and JOA Scale scores continued to show improvement at each follow up (p&lt;0.001). Majority of the SF-36 subscales showed significant improvement at 3-months and 6-months of the postoperative period. A significant correlation was seen between the duration of pain symptoms and depression scores at 6 months (rho 0.301 p&lt;0.01). Baseline VAS score had a significant negative correlation with baseline Physical Functioning and General Health scores at 6 months. The duration and severity of pain symptoms before surgery predicted the depression scores at 6 months (adjusted R square 0.056 p&lt;0.001) postoperatively. Conclusion: The discectomy procedure resulted in significant improvement in baseline subjective pain symptoms and overall HRQOL. Greater the duration and intensity of pain symptoms at baseline, greater was the depression scores and lesser was the SF-36 physical functioning and general health at 6-month postoperative period.

The effect of minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery on sagittal spinopelvic alignment in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis: a 5-year follow-up study.

Several studies have examined the relationship between sagittal spinopelvic alignment and clinical outcomes after spinal surgery. However, the long-term reciprocal changes in sagittal spinopelvic alignment in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis after decompression surgery remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate radiographic changes in sagittal spinopelvic alignment and clinical outcomes at the 2-year and 5-year follow-ups after minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery. The authors retrospectively studied the medical records of 110 patients who underwent bilateral decompression via a unilateral approach for lumbar spinal stenosis. Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and visual analog scale (VAS) scores for low-back pain (LBP), leg pain, leg numbness, and spinopelvic parameters were evaluated before surgery and at the 2-year and 5-year follow-ups. Sagittal malalignment was defined as a sagittal vertical axis (SVA) ≥ 50 mm. Compared with baseline, lumbar lordosis significantly increased after decompression surgery at the 2-year (30.2° vs 38.5°, respectively; p < 0.001) and 5-year (30.2° vs 35.7°, respectively; p < 0.001) follow-ups. SVA significantly decreased at the 2-year follow-up compared with baseline (36.1 mm vs 51.5 mm, respectively; p < 0.001). However, there was no difference in SVA at the 5-year follow-up compared with baseline (50.6 mm vs 51.5 mm, respectively; p = 0.812). At the 5-year follow-up, 82.5% of patients with preoperative normal alignment maintained normal alignment, whereas 42.6% of patients with preoperative malalignment developed normal alignment. Preoperative sagittal malalignment was associated with the VAS score for LBP at baseline and 2-year and 5-year follow-ups and the JOA score at the 5-year follow-up. Postoperative sagittal malalignment was associated with the VAS score for LBP at the 2-year and 5-year follow-ups and the VAS score for leg pain at the 5-year follow-up. There was a trend toward deterioration in clinical outcomes in patients with persistent postural malalignment compared with other patients. After minimally invasive surgery, spinal sagittal malalignment can convert to normal alignment at both short-term and long-term follow-ups. Sagittal malalignment has a negative impact on the VAS score for LBP and a weakly negative impact on the JOA score after decompression surgery.

Single-Stage Posterior Approach for Multilevel Cervical Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament With K-line (-) Using Thick Cervical Pedicle Screw System: A Technical Note and Preliminary Results.

Technical note, retrospective case series. The optimal surgical strategy for multilevel cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) with a negative kyphosis line (K-line (-)) remains controversial. We present a novel single-stage posterior approach that converts the K-line from negative to positive in patients with multilevel cervical OPLL, using a posterior thick cervical pedicle screw (CPS) system and report the procedure's outcomes and feasibility. Twelve consecutive patients with multilevel cervical OPLL and K-line (-) underwent single-stage posterior thick CPS fixation, with laminectomy and foraminal decompression. A pre-bent rod was installed to convert the K-line from negative to positive. Radiographic parameters, including the extent and occupying ratio of OPLL and the C2-C7 angle, were examined. CPS accuracy was assessed using computed tomography. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were analyzed. Quality of life was assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). The mean OPLL extent was 5 vertebral body levels, and posterior decompression was performed on 4.2 segments. The average C2-C7 angle and the occupying ratio of OPLL improved from -9.0° to 14.3° and from 63% to 33%, respectively. The preoperative JOA, VAS, and NDI scores significantly improved from 8.4 to 13.3, from 7.1 to 2.2, and from 21.9 to 9.3, respectively. The K-line was converted from negative to positive in all cases. No severe complications were identified. Single-stage posterior surgery with a thick CPS system may be a reliable and effective treatment for multilevel cervical OPLL and K-line (-).

Effect of Ventral vs Dorsal Spinal Surgery on Patient-Reported Physical Functioning in Patients With Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is the most common cause of spinal cord dysfunction worldwide. It remains unknown whether a ventral or dorsal surgical approach provides the best results. To determine whether a ventral surgical approach compared with a dorsal surgical approach for treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy improves patient-reported physical functioning at 1 year. Randomized clinical trial of patients aged 45 to 80 years with multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy enrolled at 15 large North American hospitals from April 1, 2014, to March 30, 2018; final follow-up was April 15, 2020. Patients were randomized to undergo ventral surgery (n = 63) or dorsal surgery (n = 100). Ventral surgery involved anterior cervical disk removal and instrumented fusion. Dorsal surgery involved laminectomy with instrumented fusion or open-door laminoplasty. Type of dorsal surgery (fusion or laminoplasty) was at surgeon's discretion. The primary outcome was 1-year change in the Short Form 36 physical component summary (SF-36 PCS) score (range, 0 [worst] to 100 [best]; minimum clinically important difference = 5). Secondary outcomes included 1-year change in modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale score, complications, work status, sagittal vertical axis, health resource utilization, and 1- and 2-year changes in the Neck Disability Index and the EuroQol 5 Dimensions score. Among 163 patients who were randomized (mean age, 62 years; 80 [49%] women), 155 (95%) completed the trial at 1 year (80% at 2 years). All patients had surgery, but 5 patients did not receive their allocated surgery (ventral: n = 1; dorsal: n = 4). One-year SF-36 PCS mean improvement was not significantly different between ventral surgery (5.9 points) and dorsal surgery (6.2 points) (estimated mean difference, 0.3; 95% CI, -2.6 to 3.1; P = .86). Of 7 prespecified secondary outcomes, 6 showed no significant difference. Rates of complications in the ventral and dorsal surgery groups, respectively, were 48% vs 24% (difference, 24%; 95% CI, 8.7%-38.5%; P = .002) and included dysphagia (41% vs 0%), new neurological deficit (2% vs 9%), reoperations (6% vs 4%), and readmissions within 30 days (0% vs 7%). Among patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy undergoing cervical spinal surgery, a ventral surgical approach did not significantly improve patient-reported physical functioning at 1 year compared with outcomes after a dorsal surgical approach. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02076113.

The Effect of Cervical Paravertebral Extensor Degeneration on Sagittal Alignment and Functional Status of Cervical Spine in Patients With Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

This was a cross-sectional study. The objective of this study was to assess cervical paravertebral extensor degeneration in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and its impact on the sagittal parameters and functional status of the cervical spine. Paravertebral extensor degeneration is well-studied in CSM; however, the effect of extensor degeneration on the sagittal balance and functional status of the cervical spine is unclear. We enrolled 52 CSM patients (CSM group) and 52 age-matched and sex-matched healthy adults (control group). The C2-C7 and C0-C2 Cobb angles (CAs), C7 slope, T1 slope, cervical arc cord distance, cervical tilt (CERT), cranial tilt (CRAT), and C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA) were measured. The cross-sectional areas of the deep extensors (DEA), superficial extensors (SEA), and cervical vertebral body (VBA) of C4-C7 were measured. DEA/VBA and SEA/VBA were used to quantify the extensor volume. We analyzed the fatty infiltration ratio of the deep (DFIR) and superficial extensors (SFIR). The Visual Analog Scale, Neck Disability Index, and modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scale scores of the CSM group were calculated. The DEA/VBA was significantly lower and the DFIR and SFIR were significantly higher in the CSM group. The C4 DEA/VBA correlated with the C2-C7 SVA, C2-C7 CA, CERT, and the Neck Disability Index and modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scale scores (r=-0.608, 0.291, 0.335,-0.649, and 0.409, respectively). The DEA/VBA of C5 correlated with the cervical arc cord distance and CRAT (r=-0.350 and -0.356, respectively). The C4 DFIR correlated with the C2-C7 SVA, C2-C7 CA, and the Visual Analog Scale (r=0.286, -0.297, and 0.429, respectively). The SFIR of C7 correlated with the T1 slope and C7 slope (r=0.368 and 0.319, respectively). Paravertebral extensor degeneration negatively impacts the sagittal sequence and functional status of the cervical spine in CSM patients. Our study provides an insight into understanding the significance of cervical muscular degeneration in CSM patients. Level III.

Comparison of the application value of two commonly used minimally invasive spinal surgery in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.

The aim of the study was to compare the application value of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) and microendoscopic discectomy (MED) in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH). From January 2017 to July 2018, 108 LDH patients undergoing surgical treatment in our hospital were collected and divided into PTED group (treated with PTED, n=50) and MED group (treated with MED, n=58). The operation parameter index level, complications, recurrence and pain score (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scale (JOA) were compared between the two groups. VAS, ODI and JOA scores of the two groups were significantly decreased after operation (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Complications and recurrence of the two groups were similar (P>0.05). MED was superior to PTED in the number of intraoperative fluoroscopy and operation time, while PTED was superior to MED in intraoperative blood loss, incision length, length of hospital stay and bed rest time (P<0.05). Both PTED and MED can effectively treat LDH. Referring to clinical data, PTED may be the first choice for LDH treatment.