Mean Japanese Orthopaedic Association Score Research Articles

Simultaneous Cervical and Lumbar Spine Surgery: Retrospective Analysis of 45 Cases

Abstract Background The term ‘tandem spinal stenosis’ (TSS) was first introduced by Dagi et al to describe concurrent symptomatic cervical and lumbar spinal stenosis. A typical clinical picture includes intermittent neurogenic claudication, myelopathy, and polyradiculopathy in both the upper and lower extremities. The incidence of TSS ranges from 0.12 to 28%. Methods We studied patients who presented with tandem canal stenosis and operated cervicolumbar decompression with or without fusion procedures by two separate neurosurgical teams simultaneously from June 2015 to 2017 with follow-up period of minimum 6 months. Results We had 30 (66.66%) male and 15 (33.33%) female patients who underwent simultaneous cervical and lumbar spine surgeries. The average age was 57.8 years (male) and 53.9 years (female). Cervical canal stenosis was graded as per magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) morphological grades of stenosis by Kang et al and lumbar grading, was done as per Schizas et al grading system. The mean duration of complaints in cervical and lumbar compression was 29.54 ± 44.99 months and 30.55 ± 38.11 months, respectively. The mean preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score of was 10.46 ± 1.39, whereas the postoperative mean JOA score was 11.93 ± 1.28, and mean preoperative (38.59 ± 16.52) and postoperative (29.22 ± 9.38) Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores showed a statistically significant difference (p = 0.0001). Conclusion Patients with TSS are elderly and have associated comorbidities, still simultaneous cervical and lumbar surgery is feasible with the good outcome if you have two neurosurgical teams operating simultaneously and having good other super specialty teams’ support. It can be timesaving and cost effective for patients. Also, it avoids patients from undergoing exposure to two separate surgical and anesthetic stress.

Anterior Controllable Antedisplacement Fusion for Multilevel Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy with Spinal Stenosis: Comparison with Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion

To introduce anterior controllable antedisplacement fusion (ACAF), a new surgical technique, to treat multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy with spinal stenosis and compare ACAF with anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF). Patients with multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy with spinal stenosis who underwent ACAF (36 cases) and ACCF (45 cases) from January 2016 to June 2017 were enrolled in this study. Japanese Orthopaedic Association score was analyzed before the operation and at each scheduled follow-up during the follow-up period after surgery to evaluate neurologic function. Clinical and radiologic outcomes and perioperative complications were analyzed. At the final follow-up, mean Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores of the 2 groups were significantly improved compared with preoperatively (P < 0.01 and P < 0.01). However, mean Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores between the 2 groups were not statistically significant (13.7 ± 1.9 vs. 13.5 ± 1.8, P= 0.66). Operative duration was longer and blood loss was greater in the ACAF group compared with the ACCF group. Overall occurrence of complications in the ACAF group wassignificantly lower compared with the ACCF group (P< 0.05). ACAF has similar clinical and radiologic outcomes and fewer complications compared with ACCF in treatment of multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy with spinal stenosis. ACAF can be used as an alternative treatment for cervical stenosis.

Assessment of unloading effects after open wedge high tibial osteotomy using quantitative bone scintigraphy

IntroductionWe evaluated changes in bone tracer uptake (BTU) in open wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) and determined if BTU correlates with clinical symptoms, postoperative alignment, or cartilage regeneration after OWHTO. Materials and methodsSeventy-five knees in 64 patients who underwent OWHTO for medial compartment osteoarthritis were enrolled in this retrospective study. All cases were assessed preoperatively and at plate removal using bone scintigraphy. Visual analog scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, Oxford Knee Score (OKS), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and the weight-bearing line ratio (WBLR) were assessed preoperatively and at plate removal. In addition, cartilage regeneration was evaluated at plate removal. We assessed changes in BTU for the medial and lateral compartment after OWHTO and the correlations between BTU of the medial compartment and all other parameters were analyzed. ResultsPostoperatively, all outcome measures significantly improved: mean VAS 61.4 ± 18.3 to 9.5 ± 8.2, mean JOA score 65.1 ± 11.5 to 94.7 ± 6.0, mean OKS 29.4 ± 8.1 to 42.3 ± 4.1, mean KOOS 57.0 ± 14.3 to 83.7 ± 9.6, mean WBLR 22.8 ± 10.9 to 70.0 ± 9.4. Cartilage regeneration was observed in 53 knees (70.7%). BTU of the medial compartment significantly decreased after OWTHO, whereas no increased postoperative BTU was found in the lateral compartment. Postoperative BTU of the medial compartment significantly correlated with VAS, KOOS, and WBLR. No statistically significant associations were found between BTU and cartilage regeneration. ConclusionsOWHTO significantly decreased BTU of the medial compartment, which correlated with knee pain and postoperative mechanical alignment. Unloading effects of OWHTO led to pain relief after surgery, regardless of cartilage regeneration.

Prognostic factors affecting clinical outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: importance of functional recovery by 3\u2009months after surgery

BackgroundTo examine important factors that affect clinical outcomes following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR).MethodsAmong 163 patients who underwent ARCR, we included 71 shoulders in 71 patients whose progress was monitored for > 2 years, postoperatively. We divided the patients into groups A (scores ≥ 83 points, 59 patients) and B (scores < 83 points, 12 patients) using the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score at 24 months. We then conducted univariate and multivariate analyses of pre- and postoperative (2 and 3 months, respectively) factors.ResultsThe mean JOA score for all patients significantly improved from 63.7 ± 11.5 points preoperatively to 90.3 ± 9.6 points at 24 months postoperatively (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant between-group differences in the preoperative scores. In addition, there were no significant differences in the postoperative re-tear rate. Univariate analysis revealed that the range of motion (preoperative abduction and postoperative elevation, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation), muscle strength (external rotation 3 months postoperatively), postoperative pain level [visual analog scale (VAS) maximum score, 10 points], partial repair, Cofield classification, and preoperative width were significant factors (P < 0.05 for all factors). Multivariate and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses showed that VAS at 2 months postoperatively and elevation at 3 months postoperatively were significant factors.ConclusionsTo obtain a JOA score of ≥ 83 points at 24 months postoperatively, following ARCR, a postoperative VAS of < 5 points at 2 months and postoperative elevation of ≥ 110° at 3 months should be achieved.

Stand-Alone Cervical Cages in 2-Level Anterior Interbody Fusion in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: Results from a Minimum 2-Year Follow-up.

Study DesignA retrospective review of patients who underwent 2-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with standalone polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of stand-alone PEEK cage in 2-level cervical interbody fusion for CSM.Overview of LiteratureACDF is a standard surgical procedure to treat degenerative disc disease. However, the use of additional anterior plating for 2-level ACDF remains controversial.MethodsWe reviewed outcomes of patients who underwent 2-level ACDF with stand-alone PEEK cages for CSM over a 7-year period (2007–2015) in a regional hospital. Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, fusion rate, subsidence rate, cage migration, and cervical alignment by the C2–7 angle as well as the local segmental angle (LSA) of the cervical spine were assessed.ResultsIn total, 31 patients (mean age, 59 years; range, 36–87 years) underwent 2-level ACDF with a cage-only construct procedure between 2007 and 2015. The minimum follow-up was 24 months; mean follow-up was 51 months. C3–5 fusion was performed in 45%, C4–6 fusion in 32%, and C5–7 fusion in 23%. Mean JOA score improved from 10.1±2.2 to 13.9±2.1 (p<0.01) at the 24-month follow-up. Fusion was achieved in all patients. Subsidence occurred in 22.5% of the cages but was not associated with differences in JOA scores, age, sex, or levels fused. Lordosis of the C2–7 angle and LSA increased after surgery, which were maintained for up to 1 year but subsequently disappeared after 2 years, yet the difference was not statistically significant. No cage migration was noted; two patients developed adjacent segment disease requiring posterior laminoplasty 3 years after ACDF.ConclusionsThe use of a stand-alone PEEK cage in a 2-level cervical interbody fusion achieves satisfactory improvements in both clinical outcomes and fusion.

Clinical outcomes after posterior cervical decompression and fusion surgery for destructive spondyloarthropathy in patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis: A matched case–control study

BackgroundCervical destructive spondyloarthropathy (DSA) often leads to cervical myelopathy in long-term hemodialysis patients. However, the surgical outcomes after instrumented fusion surgery for cervical DSA are still unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical outcomes of cervical DSA in comparison with a control group. Materials and methodsA consecutive series of 20 undergoing long-term hemodialysis patients who underwent instrumented fusion surgery for cervical DSA between 2010 and 2016 were included in this study (DSA group). The mean age at surgery was 65 years, and there were 11 men and 9 women. The average length of hemodialysis was 23 years. The age- and sex-matched control group consisted of 20 patients (degenerative conditions). The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, recovery rate, complications, and loss of correction of fused level were compared between the groups. ResultsTwo of the 20 patients died due to perioperative complications. More than 1 year of follow-up data after surgery was available for 18 patients. The mean JOA score significantly increased from 5.4 before surgery to 9.7 at 1 year after surgery and 8.3 at the final follow-up (mean: 33.2 ± 21.3 months, P = 0.019). There were no significant differences in the mean recovery rate (41% vs. 37%, P = 0.44) between the DSA group and control group. Loss of correction of more than 5°was significantly higher in the DSA group (44% vs. 10%, P = 0.027). The rate of pseudarthrosis (17% vs. 5%, P = 0.328) and adjacent segment disease (22% vs. 10%, P = 0.17) tended to be higher in the DSA group. DiscussionThe clinical outcomes showed significant recovery in both groups. Therefore, posterior cervical decompression and fusion surgery was effective for treating cervical DSA.

Evaluation of result of lumbar laminoplasty for multilevel lumbar canal stenosis

&lt;p class="Abstract"&gt;The aim of our study is to evaluate the clinical and functional outcome following lumbar laminoplasty with posterior element reconstruction with mini-plate and screws for multilevel lumbar canal stenosis. This study was done on 40 patients (18 males and 22 females) of degenerative multilevel lumber canal stenosis patients underwent open double door lumbar laminoplasty with posterior element reconstruction with mini-plate and screws from January 2015 to June 2018. Thirty four patients underwent surgery for 2 level involvement and 6 underwent for 3 level involvement of lumbar canal stenosis. The mean post-operative hospital stay was 5.2 ± 1.1 days. Per-operative complication was dural tear in 2 cases. Pre-operative mean VAS score of back pain and leg pain were 7.0 ± 0.7 and 7.2 ± 1.1 which were significantly reduced to 1.0 ± 0.2 and 1.0 ± 0.8 respectively at final follow-up. All patients were followed-up for minimum 1 year. Pre-operative mean Japanese Orthopedic Association score was 8.6 ± 2.2 which was significantly increased to 14.8 ± 0.4 after 12 months of surgery. Pre-operative mean Oswestry Disability Index was 34.4 ± 3.0 which was significantly reduced to 8.5 ± 2.2 after 12 months of surgery. The outcome of lumbar laminoplasty with posterior element reconstruction with mini-plate and screws for multilevel lumbar canal stenosis show good result and can be one of the good option for the treatment for multilevel lumbar canal stenosis.&lt;/p&gt;

Friday, September 28, 2018 4:05 PM–5:05 PM abstracts: new concepts: cervical spine: 244. Which is better for C2 involved ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL): Dome-like laminoplasty or double-door laminoplasty?

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Dome-like laminoplasty technique was used in the treatment of OPLL with C2 involvement, but it is not clear if the dome-like laminoplasty has more advantages over the other techniques. PURPOSE To determine which is better for C2 involved ossification of OPLL between dome-like laminoplasty (DLL) and double-door laminoplasty (DDL). STUDY DESIGN/SETTING This is a retrospective study. PATIENT SAMPLE Twenty-four subjects underwent C2 dome-like laminoplasty or C2 double-door laminoplasty were included in the analysis. OUTCOME MEASURES The neurological function and axial neck pain were evaluated with Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and visual analogue scale (VAS). METHODS The medical records and imaging were reviewed to determine the involved segment length, type of OPLL, surgical methods of decompression, perioperative complications, and surgical outcome after surgery. RESULTS The continuous type of ossification was observed in 5/9 patients and the mixed type in 7/3 patients before surgery in DLL/DDL group. The length of involved level or decompression was 5.2±0.5/6.3±0.4 levels and 5.4±0.7/6.3±0.4 levels in DLL group and DDL group, respectively. The high signal of spinal cord was observed in 9(75%) and 8(66.7%) patients respectively in DLL group and DDL group. The JOA score improved rapidly within 1 year and continued to improve for up to 2 years after surgery in both groups. The mean JOA score in DLL group increased from 8.3 (range 2–13) points before surgery to 13.8 (9–17) points, and the recovery rate was 68.4% at final follow-up. The mean JOA score in DDL group increased from 7.2 (0–16) to 13.17 (7–17), and the recovery rate was 66.7%. Postoperative neurological assessment by JOA score and recovery rate showed no statistically significant difference between two groups (P>.05). The recovery rate of the patients with intramedullary high intensity signal (HIS) was slightly lower than the patients without HIS at the final follow up in DDL group, while slightly higher in DLL group. However, these differences were not statistically significant (P>.05). The VAS score improved from 2.3±0.4 to 1.9±0.6 in DLL group whilst worsen from 3.3±0.8 to 4.3±0.6 in DDL group. There was a significant difference in the postoperative VAS score between two groups (P=.01). CONCLUSIONS For OPLL patients with C2 involvement, dome-like laminoplasty is a good option to achieve the equivalent decompression outcomes as double-door laminoplasty and prevent the postoperative axial neck pain.

Anterior Controllable Antedisplacement Fusion as a Choice for Degenerative Cervical Kyphosis with Stenosis: Preliminary Clinical and Radiologic Results

The optimal surgical procedure for degenerative cervical kyphosis with stenosis (DCKS) remains controversial. The purpose of this study is to describe the preliminary clinical and radiologic results of anterior controllable antedisplacement fusion (ACAF) as a surgical technique for DCKS. In the period from 2016 through 2017, a consecutive cohort of adults with degenerative cervical kyphosis (30° ≥ Cobb angles ≥5°) and stenosis (anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal <12 mm) underwent ACAF, a technique making the vertebrae move forward in a hoisting manner. We retrospectively reviewed these patients, and primary outcomes of interest included operation duration, blood loss, hospital stay, kyphosis correction, decompression width, anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal, morphology of the spinal cord, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, and complications. Thirty patients were included in the study. All patients were followed for a mean of 12 months. Mean operation duration and estimated blood loss were 104.8 minutes and 221.6 mL, respectively, and the mean length of hospital stay was 5.6 days. The decompression width reached 17.7 mm. The postoperative anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal was 14.8 mm, with a significant improvement compared with preoperation (P < 0.01). There was also significant kyphosis correction after operation (20.4° vs. 4.8°, P < 0.01). The mean JOA score was significantly better than preoperation (15.0 vs. 9.3 points; P < 0.01). There were no surgery-related complications. ACAF, correcting cervical kyphosis and simultaneously enlarging the volume of the spinal canal, is a good choice for DCKS.

Zoning laminectomy for the treatment of ossification of thoracic ligamentum flavum

Objective To investigate the and effect of zoning laminectomy for the ossification of thoracic ligamentum flavum. Methods From November 2011 to December 2014, 34 patients (15 males, 19 females; 41-76 years old, average 55.0±8.1) with ossification of thoracic ligamentum flavum (OLF) were treated by zoning laminectomy. The course of disease ranged from 1 month to 123 months (average 16.5 months). According to the anatomical characteristics and the pathological ossification process of the thoracic ligamentum flavum, we proposed the concept of zoning, which divided each segmental thoracic OLF into three zones: safety zone, middle and risk zone. From the features of anatomy of LF and process of OLF development, we found there is no or less cerebrospinal fluid between spinal cord and the tip of each ossified nodular masses in severe OLF, any procedures using instruments in this area have the potential to cause irreversible spinal cord injury, we defined this area as risk zone, the null area of each lamina and lateral and dorsal side of nodular masses as safety zone, and the other area as middle zone. From safety to risk the spinal canal decreased gradually, different zone needs different surgical strategy: This surgical procedure first removed the null area of superior and inferior lamina and dorsal side of each segmental OLF. Next, partially or totally resected the middle zone, exploring the lateral side of nodular masses, and the risk was exposed and isolated. Finally, dissected the lateral side of nodular masses, and then the risk was floated and resected with a directly decompressing the spinal cord. Preoperative and postoperative modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and neurologic functional recovery ratio were used to evaluate the surgical outcomes. Results Of the total 83 decompressed OLF segments, 5 (6.0%) located in the upper thoracic spine (T1-T4), 8 (9.6%) in the midthoracic spine (T5-T8), and 70 (84.4%) in the lower thoracic spine (T9-L 1). The followed up ranged from 4 to 40 months, with an average of 21.7±9.9 months. The mean JOA score increased significant from 5.3±2.0 preoperatively to 8.8±1.8 at the final follow-up (t=11.566, P=0.001). Postoperative average JOA neurologic functional recovery rates were 63.2%±24.7%, including excellent in 15 cases, good in 11 cases and fair in 8 cases. The excellent and good rate was 76.5%. Twelve cases had transient CSF leakage because of dural defect. The dural defect was only treated by tightly suturing the paraspinal muscles, the subcutaneous tissue, and the skin layers. The CSF leakage lasted for 6 to 8 days after operation. Two cases with wound infection were treated with debridement and antibiotics and healed completely. One case with thoracic spinal cord transient incomplete paralysis due to a post-operative epidural hematoma was treated with an emergency operation and got recovered neurological function. Conclusion Zoning laminectomy has the advantages of safe manipulation and thorough decompression, which is an effective choice for the surgical treatment of thoracic OLF. Key words: Thoracic vertebrae; Ligamentum flavum; Ossification, heterotopic; Treatment outcome

Accuracy of Screw Placement and Clinical Outcomes After O-Arm–Navigated Occipitocervical Fusion

This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of screw placement and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing occipitocervical fusion. Patients who underwent occipitocervical fusion with O-arm-based navigation were retrospectively reviewed between January 2015 and December 2017. The patients' characteristics, clinical and radiographic outcomes, and surgical complications were recorded and analyzed. Cervical screw insertion accuracy was evaluated using the Richter scale. Thirty consecutive patients (11 male and 19 female) with an average treatment age of 40.03 ± 15.19 years were studied. The most common cause was atlantoaxial instability combined with Chiari malformation (63.33%). Weakness (76.67%) and paresthesia (70.00%) were the most common symptoms. Eighty-six occipital and 139 cervical screws were placed using an O-arm-assisted navigation system. In total, 130 (93.53%) cervical screws were graded as group A and 9 (6.47%) as group B. The optimal accuracy rate was 88.41% (61 of 69 screws) in the first 15 patients and 98.57% (69 of 70 screws) in the subsequent 15 patients. The mean follow-up time was 7.50 ± 5.70 months. The mean Japanese Orthopedic Association scores were 13.30 ± 2.41 preoperatively and 15.30 ± 1.60 at final follow-up (P < 0.001), and the mean recovery rate in the Japanese Orthopedic Association score was 53.26 ± 33.82%. Clinical improvement was seen in 25 patients (83.33%), whereas no change was observed in 5 patients (16.67%). The overall complication rate was 6.67% (2/30), with 1 intraoperative vertebral artery injury and 1 postoperative screw loosening. Occipitocervical fusion with O-arm-based navigation is effective and safe for treating instability of the craniovertebral junction. Intraoperative navigation can help surgeons insert screws accurately.

Surgical treatment of middle cluneal nerve entrapment neuropathy: technical note

OBJECTIVE The etiology of low-back pain (LBP) is heterogeneous and is unknown in some patients with chronic pain. Superior cluneal nerve entrapment has been proposed as a causative factor, and some patients suffer severe symptoms. The middle cluneal nerve (MCN) is also implicated in the elicitation of LBP, and its clinical course and etiology remain unclear. The authors report the preliminary outcomes of a less invasive microsurgical release procedure to address MCN entrapment (MCN-E). METHODS The authors enrolled 11 patients (13 sites) with intractable LBP judged to be due to MCN-E. The group included 3 men and 8 women ranging in age from 52 to 86 years. Microscopic MCN neurolysis was performed under local anesthesia with the patient in the prone position. Postoperatively, all patients were allowed to walk freely with no restrictions. The mean follow-up period was 10.5 months. LBP severity was evaluated on the numerical rating scale (NRS) and by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) scores. RESULTS All patients suffered buttock pain, and 9 also had leg symptoms. The symptoms were aggravated by standing, lumbar flexion, rolling over, prolonged sitting, and especially by walking. The numbers of nerve branches addressed during MCN neurolysis were 1 in 9 patients, 2 in 1 patient, and 3 in 1 patient. One patient required reoperation due to insufficient decompression originally. There were no local or systemic complications during or after surgery. Postoperatively, the symptoms of all patients improved statistically significantly; the mean NRS score fell from 7.0 to 1.4, the mean RDQ from 10.8 to 1.4, and the mean JOA score rose from 13.7 to 23.6. CONCLUSIONS Less invasive MCN neurolysis performed under local anesthesia is useful for LBP caused by MCN-E. In patients with intractable LBP, MCN-E should be considered.

Evaluation of articular cartilage following rotational acetabular osteotomy for hip dysplasia using T2 mapping MRI.

Rotational acetabular osteotomy (RAO) is one of the surgical treatments for acetabular dysplasia, and satisfactory results have been reported. We evaluated the postoperative changes of articular cartilage and whether the pre-operative condition of the articular cartilage influences the clinical results using T2 mapping MRI. We reviewed 31 hips with early stage osteoarthritis in 31 patients (mean age, 39.6years), including three men and 28 women who underwent RAO for hip dysplasia. Clinical evaluations including Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and Japanese Orthopedic Association Hip Disease Evaluation Questionnaire (JHEQ), and radiographical evaluations on X-ray were performed. Longitudinal qualitative assessment of articular cartilage was also performed using 3.0-T MRI with T2 mapping technique preoperatively, 6 months, and at 1 and 2years postoperatively. There was no case with progression of osteoarthritis. The mean JOA score improved from 70.1 to 93.4 points, the mean postoperative JHEQ score was 68.8 points, and radiographical data also improved postoperatively. We found that the T2 values of the cartilage at both femoral head and acetabulum increased at 6months on coronal and sagittal views. However, they significantly decreased 1 and 2years postoperatively. The T2 values of the center to anterolateral region of acetabulum negatively correlated with postoperative JHEQ score, particularly in pain score. This study suggests that biomechanical and anatomical changes could apparently cause decreased T2 values 1-2 years postoperatively compared with those preoperatively. Furthermore, preoperative T2 values of the acetabulum can be prognostic factors for the clinical results of RAO.

Anterior Controllable Antedisplacement Fusion (ACAF) for Severe Cervical Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament: Comparison with Anterior Cervical Corpectomy with Fusion (ACCF)

Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF), in which a ventral constriction is resected, can decompress myelopathy and is considered the optimal treatment for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) up to now. However, its disadvantages are incomplete decompression, high surgery- and implant-related complication rates, and extremely surgical technique demanding. Our object was to introduce anterior controllable antedisplacement fusion (ACAF), a new surgical technique to treat OPLL, and compare it with ACCF. ACAF was performed on 34 patients with spinal stenosis with myelopathy due to severe (occupying rate ≥50%) OPLL. Pre- and postoperatively, we measured decompression width and spinal canal area on cross-sectional computed tomography and morphology and anteroposterior diameter of the spinal cord at the most severely affected segment on cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging and cross-sectional computed tomography. Japanese Orthopedic Association scoring was used to evaluate neurologic status. The ACAF group and a control group of 36 patients with ACCF were compared. Postoperatively, decompression width (17.9 ± 1.0 vs. 15.1 ± 0.8 mm; P < 0.01), spinal canal area (150.4 ± 31.6 vs. 127.0 ± 27.0 mm2; P < 0.01), and anteroposterior spinal cord diameter (5.4 ± 0.6 vs. 5.0 ± 1.1 mm; P < 0.05) were significantly greater in the ACAF group. At 6 months,mean Japanese Orthopedic Association score was significantly better in the ACAF group (15.4 ± 0.9 vs. 14.5 ± 2.5 points; P= 0.04). ACAF, providing adequate decompression of the spinal cord and good outcomes, is a well choice in the treatment of spinal stenosis due to severe OPLL.

Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement With Discover Prosthesis Does Not Reduce the Midterm Risk of Heterotopic Ossification: Results of a Cohort Study.

A prospective cohort study with 79 patients. To analyze the midterm incidence of heterotopic ossification (HO) after cervical artificial disc replacement with Discover prosthesis in treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease. A cohort of 79 patients with 102 Discover prostheses (56 monosegment and 23 bisegments) was evaluated. Clinical and radiographic follow-up was performed. The performance of HO of the operative segments was assessed annually after the operation for 4 years. Early follow-up at 2 years postsurgical treatment showed satisfactory clinical outcomes. No significant changes on the mean Japanese Orthopaedic Association and Visual Analog Scale scores were detected at 3 and 4 years postoperation. The occurrence rate of HO was 5.9% in 1-year follow-up and 17.6% in 2-year follow-up, and then the percentages increased to 49.2% in 3-year follow-up and 65.6% in 4-year follow-up, respectively. No association between the HO grades and the type of the surgical segment was detected by the Fisher exact test (P-value=0.56). No prosthesis subsidence or excursion was identified during the whole follow-up period. The use of Discover prosthesis resulted in satisfactory clinical outcomes after operation. However, the new prosthesis did not reduce the midterm risk of HO, despite the fact that the observed incidence was relatively low in the early follow-up.

The posterior approach operation to treat thoracolumbar disc herniation: A minimal 2-year follow-up study.

Thoracolumbar disc herniation (TLDH) is a rare and progressively disabling disorder; surgical procedures predispose the subjects to high incidence of complications including recurrence, neurological aggravation, and adjacent segment degeneration.Ten patients with TLDH underwent posterior approach operation in our institution from January, 2006 to December, 2015. The mean preoperative duration of clinical symptoms was 16.5 months. The clinical data including operative time, blood loss, and hospitalization duration were investigated. Furthermore, pre and postoperative neurological status was evaluated by the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scoring system and pain by visual analog scale (VAS) scoring system.The mean operative time was 176.50 ± 20.55 minutes, the mean blood loss was 435.00 ± 89.58 mL, and the mean hospitalization length was 13.30 ± 2.97 days. All patients were followed with a mean period of 35.1 months. The mean JOA score of all patients before operation, at discharge, 3 months after operation, and at last follow-up was 6.50 ± 1.28, 7.60 ± 1.22, 8.90 ± 0.99, and 9.00 ± 0.92, respectively. The differences between the pre and postoperative JOA and VAS scores were significant (P < .05). However, the differences of JOA and VAS scores at postoperative 3 months and final follow-up were not statistically significant.Posterior approach operation is an ideal surgical technique for treatment of TLDH; the operative time, blood loss, hospitalization duration, and symptomatic improvement are favorable.

Clinical and imaging characteristics in patients undergoing surgery for lumbar epidural lipomatosis

BackgroundLumbar epidural lipomatosis (LEL) is characterized by abnormal accumulation of unencapsulated adipose tissue in the spinal epidural space. Such accumulation compresses the dural sac and nerve roots, and results in various neurological findings. However, the pathophysiology of LEL remains unclear. This study examined the associations between imaging and clinical findings in detail, and investigated the mechanisms underlying symptom onset by measuring intraoperative epidural pressures in LEL.MethodsSixteen patients (all men; mean age, 68.8 years) were enrolled between 2011 and 2015. Mean body mass index was 26.5 kg/m2. Four cases were steroid-induced, and the remaining 12 cases were idiopathic. All patients presented with neurological deficits in the lower extremities. Cauda equina syndrome (CES) alone was seen in 8 patients, radiculopathy alone in 4, and both radiculopathy and CES (mixed CES) in 4. All patients subsequently underwent laminectomy with epidural lipomatosis resection and were followed-up for more than 1 year. We investigated the clinical course and imaging and measured epidural pressures during surgery.ResultsSubjective symptoms improved within 1 week after surgery. Mean Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was 15.2 ± 2.8 before surgery, improving to 25.4 ± 2.5 at 1 year after surgery. On magnetic resonance imaging, all lipomatosis lesions included the L4–5 level. On preoperative computed tomography, saucerization of the laminae was not observed in radiculopathy cases, whereas saucerization of the posterior vertebral body was observed in all radiculopathy or mixed CES cases. Intraoperative epidural pressures were significantly higher than preoperative subarachnoid pressures. The results suggest that high epidural pressure resulting from the proliferation of adipose tissue leads to saucerization of the lumbar spine and subsequent symptoms.ConclusionsClinical courses were satisfactory after laminectomy. In LEL, epidural pressure increases and symptoms develop through the abnormal proliferation of adipose tissue. Higher epidural pressures induce saucerization of the laminae and/or posterior vertebral body. Furthermore, the direction of proliferative adipose tissue (i.e., site of saucerization) might be related to the types of neurological symptoms.

Fusion Rate and Clinical Outcomes in Two-Level Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) has become a general surgical method for degenerative lumbar diseases. Although many reports have focused on single-level PLIF, few have focused on 2-level PLIF, and no report has covered the fusion status of 2-level PLIF. The purpose of this study is to investigate clinical outcomes and fusion for 2-level PLIF by using a combination of dynamic radiographs and multiplanar-reconstruction computed tomography scans. This study consisted of 48 consecutive patients who underwent 2-level PLIF for degenerative lumbar diseases. We assessed surgery duration, estimated blood loss, complications, clinical outcomes as measured by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, lumbar sagittal alignment as measured on standing lateral radiographs, and fusion status as measured by dynamic radiographs and multiplanar-reconstruction computed tomography. Patients were examined at a follow-up point of 4.8 ± 2.2 years after surgery. Thirty-eight patients who did not undergo lumbosacral fusion comprised the lumbolumbar group, and 10 patients who underwent lumbosacral fusion comprised the lumbosacral group. The mean Japanese Orthopaedic Association score improved from 12.1 to 22.4 points by the final follow-up examination. Sagittal alignment also was improved. All patients had fusion in the cranial level. Seven patients had nonunion in the caudal level, and the lumbosacral group (40%) had a significantly poorer fusion rate than the lumbolumbar group (97%) did. Surgical outcomes of 2-level PLIF were satisfactory. The fusion rate at both levels was 85%. All nonunion was observed at the caudal level and concentrated at L5-S level in L4-5-S PLIF.

Salvage Strategy for Failed Spinal Fusion Surgery Using Lumbar Lateral Interbody Fusion technique: A Technical Note.

Introduction Failed spinal fusion surgery sometimes requires salvage surgery when symptomatic, especially with postsurgical decrease in intervertebral disc height followed by foraminal stenosis. For such cases, an anterior approach to lumbar lateral interbody fusion (LLIF) provides safe, direct access to the pathological disc space and a potential improvement in the fusion rate. One LLIF approach, oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF), targets the oblique lateral window of the intervertebral discs to achieve successful lateral interbody fusion. The current technical note describes spinal revision surgery using the OLIF procedure. Technical Note The subjects were patients with leg pain and/or lower back pain derived from decreased intervertebral height followed by foraminal stenosis due to failed spinal fusion surgery. These patients underwent additional OLIF surgery and posterior fusion with no additional posterior direct decompression. Their outcomes were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores at baseline and final follow-up. Bony union was also evaluated using computed tomography images at final follow-up. Six subjects were evaluated, with two representative cases described in detail. Four patients had an adjacent segment disorder, and the other two patients had pseudarthrosis due to postoperative infection. The mean JOA score improved from 5.7 ± 5.4 to 21.2 ± 2.3, with a mean recovery rate of 65.0%. All cases showed intervertebral bony union. Conclusions We introduced a salvage strategy for failed posterior spine fusion surgery cases using the OLIF procedure. Patients effectively achieved recovered intervertebral and foraminal height with no additional posterior direct decompression.

Surgical strategies for the treatment of os odontoideum with atlantoaxial dislocation.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to compare the clinical results of using posterior fixation and fusion with or without anterior decompression to treat os odontoideum with atlantoaxial dislocation. METHODS Twenty-five consecutive patients with os odontoideum were included in this study. Sixteen patients with reducible atlantoaxial dislocation were treated by single-level posterior fusion and stabilization; the other 9 were treated with posterior fusion and stabilization combined with transoral decompression. Pre- and postoperative CT scans and MR images were obtained. RESULTS Twenty-four patients were followed for 24-54 months (average 36.5 months). Postoperative CT scans indicated that all pedicle screws were placed satisfactorily except in 2 cases, in which the screws slightly penetrated the transverse foramen. Postoperative MR images demonstrated that sufficient decompression of the spinal cord was obtained in all patients. Complications included 1 case each of pedicle screw breakage, pharynx ulcer, and persistent pharynx discomfort. Statistical analysis of all cases revealed that mean Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores improved from a preoperative score of 10.2 (range 7-13) to a postoperative score of 15.6 (range 11-18). CONCLUSIONS Patients who have os odontoideum with a reducible atlantoaxial dislocation can be effectively treated with single-level posterior fusion and stabilization. Combined transoral decompression and posterior fusion and stabilization is recommended for those with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation.