Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Nov;97(47):e13368

Department of General and Gastroenterological Surgery.

Rationale: Hepatic portal vein gas (HPVG) is known as a sign of a lethal condition resulting from bowel necrosis. Recently, the detection rate of non-life-threatening cases of HPVG has increased due to the technological development of imaging, i.e. Read More

J Clin Med 2018 Oct 25;7(11). Epub 2018 Oct 25.

Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan.

: Depression is a psychiatric disorder associated with poorer health outcomes. Inappropriate mechanical stress and aging are factors associated with developing cervical spondylosis. The connection between cervical spondylosis and depression is not developed. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Sep;97(36):e12249

Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.

Rationale: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is the most common spinal cord disorder in older patients. The purpose of this case report is to introduce conservative treatment with integrative Korean medicine (KM) as a possible alternative to surgery in patients with mild CSM.

Patient Concerns: An 81-year-old male with both hand weakness and dysesthesia was diagnosed with CSM and was recommended laminectomy. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2018 Oct 17;277:42-46. Epub 2018 Aug 17.

Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Cervical spondylosis (CS) is reported to be associated with vertebrobasilar insufficiency. However, few cohort studies have investigated the association between CS and posterior circulation ischemic stroke.

Methods: The study cohort comprised 27,990 patients aged ≥18 years with a first diagnosis of CS. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Nov 10;119:e898-e909. Epub 2018 Aug 10.

Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea; The Catholic Central Laboratory of Surgery (CCLS), Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address:

Objective: To compare the radiologic and clinical outcomes between oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) without laminectomy and minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF).

Methods: This was a retrospective study. Between April 2012 and January 2017, 25 patients in each of the MI-TLIF and OLIF groups were recruited as matched pairs. Read More

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2018 Oct 9;275(10):2421-2433. Epub 2018 Aug 9.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka, 576104, India.

Purpose: Though there is abundant literature on cervicogenic dizziness with at least half a dozen of review articles, the condition remains to be enigmatic for clinicians dealing with the dizzy patients. However, most of these studies have studied the cervicogenic dizziness in general without separating the constitute conditions. Since the aetiopathological mechanism of dizziness varies between these cervicogenic causes, one cannot rely on the universal conclusions of these studies unless the constitute conditions of cervicogenic dizziness are separated and contrasted against each other. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Jul 30;2018. Epub 2018 Jul 30.

Department of Neurosurgery, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.

Myoclonus describes a movement disorder characterised by brief, abrupt and involuntary contractions of muscles or groups of muscles, usually associated with intracranial lesions, with limited evidence linking it to spinal pathologies. The pathophysiology of spinal myoclonus is extensive and multifactorial. Infection, intramedullary and extramedullary space-occupying lesions, trauma, vascular abnormalities, degenerative processes and cervical spondylosis have been implicated with the disease, the latter been associated with cervical stenosis with no reported cases linking it to an underlying cervical disc herniation. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Jun;97(26):e11080

Department of the Third Ward of Orthopedics.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation (PNMES) for treating neck pain in patients with cervical spondylosis (CS).

Methods: One hundred and twenty four patients with neck pain of CS were included, and then they were randomly divided into a PNMES group and a control group in a ratio of 1:1. All patients received PNMES or sham PNMES 30 minutes daily, 3 times weekly for 12 weeks. Read More

Zhongguo Gu Shang 2018 06;31(6):493-496

Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100102, China;

The miminally-invasive techniques of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) uses different types of acupuncture needles to treat diseased locations with special techniques. These techniques include different methods of insertion and closed incision (press cutting, sliding cutting, scrape cutting, etc.). Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Sep 19;117:e507-e513. Epub 2018 Jun 19.

Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA. Electronic address:

Objective: Segmental instability traditionally is investigated with flexion and extension (F/E) radiographs. We sought to determine whether motion between upright and supine (U/S) views can serve as an alternative sensitive diagnostic tool that predicts similar outcomes.

Methods: Ambispective collection of data was performed for 222 consecutive patients who underwent transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. Read More

Clin Interv Aging 2018 30;13:819-827. Epub 2018 Apr 30.

Institute of Physical Fitness, Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Aichi Medical University, Yazako Karimata, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan.

The deterioration of locomotive components, which comprise bones, joints, and intervertebral discs, and muscles and nerves, can lead to symptoms such as pain, limitations in the range of joint mobility, malalignment, impaired balance, and difficulty walking. Locomotive syndrome (LoS) was proposed by the Japanese Orthopedic Association in 2007 as a concept for people who are at a high risk of developing a musculoskeletal ambulation disability attributed to locomotor organs. Although many international articles related to LoS have been published, an international consensus of this concept seems to be lacking. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Jul 26;115:460-467.e1. Epub 2018 Apr 26.

Department of Neurosurgery, Bergman Clinics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Objective: Intraoperative cardiac arrest (CA) is usually attributable to pre-existing disease or intraoperative complications. In rare cases, intraoperative stress can demask certain genetic diseases, such as catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT). It is essential that neurosurgeons be aware of the etiologies, risk factors, and initial management of CA during surgery with the patient in the prone position. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Jul 24;115:e599-e609. Epub 2018 Apr 24.

Department of Neurosurgery, NSCB Medical College, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India. Electronic address:

Objective: To report our experience of endoscopic disc removal by anterior approach for management of cervical myelopathy in 210 patients.

Methods: A retrospective study of 187 cases of single- and 23 cases of double-level disc disease was performed. Cases of myelopathy with or without unilateral or bilateral radiculopathy and unilateral radiculopathy with either soft or hard disc prolapse were included. Read More

J Orthop Sci 2018 Jul 24;23(4):653-657. Epub 2018 Apr 24.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Japan; Keio Spine Research Group (KSRG), Japan. Electronic address:

Background: Cost-utility analysis of surgery for degenerative lumber spondylolisthesis (DS) is essential for healthcare providers and patients to select appropriate treatment. The purpose of this study was to review the cost-utility of decompression alone versus decompression with fusion for DS.

Methods: A retrospective review of 99 consecutive patients who were treated for Meyerding grade 1 DS at two representative spine centers was performed. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Jul 11;115:79-84. Epub 2018 Apr 11.

Department of Neurosurgery, La Timone, University Hospital, Marseille, France.

Background: Posterior arch defect of C2 with an unstable spondylolysis is a rare condition mostly occurring within children. Its management is still controversial.

Case Description: We report in this article the first minimally invasive surgery (MIS) technique for this condition in an 8-year-old boy. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2018 03 25;15(4). Epub 2018 Mar 25.

Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science and School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, No. 2, Yuh-Der Road, Taichung 404, Taiwan.

Few studies have investigated the longitudinal association between cervical spondylosis (CS) and migraine by using a nationwide population-based database. We conducted a retrospective cohort study from 2000 to 2011 identifying 27,930 cases of cervical spondylosis and 111,720 control subjects (those without cervical spondylosis) from a single database. The subjects were frequency-matched on the basis of sex, age, and diagnosis date. Read More

J Orthop Surg Res 2018 Mar 16;13(1):55. Epub 2018 Mar 16.

Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Artificial Joints Engineering and Technology Research Center of Jiangxi Province, No. 17 Yong Wai Zheng Street, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, China.

Background: Lumbar spondylolysis and isthmic spondylolisthesis are common conditions. However, double-level lumbar spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis are rare. We report 24 cases of it along with a review of literature and a briefly description of the clinical and radiological features and integrated management of patients with this condition. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Jun 9;114:361-367. Epub 2018 Mar 9.

Department of Neurosurgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA. Electronic address:

Introduction: Spinal tuberculosis (TB) is a common infectious disease prevalent in developing countries and an increasing issue in developed countries. The association of tuberculosis with spondylolisthesis is rarely reported in literature. The aim of our review is to analyze the clinical features and radiologic characteristics of TB spondylolisthesis and to provide a concise update on its surgical management, based on the literature. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 May 3;113:308-311. Epub 2018 Mar 3.

Department of Neurosurgery, Saglik Bilimleri University, Tepecik Research and Training Hospital, Izmir, Turkey. Electronic address:

Background: Ochronotic arthropathy related to alkaptonuria is a rare condition. Cervical spine involvement with myelopathic features has been even more rarely described, particularly related to atlantoaxial instability. As such, little is known about the optimal surgical management in these patients. Read More

Am J Case Rep 2018 Feb 26;19:207-213. Epub 2018 Feb 26.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, National Hospital Organization, Kokura Medical Center, Kyoto University, Kokura, Fukuoka, Japan.

BACKGROUND Osteoid osteomas are benign bone-forming tumors characterized by local inflammation and pain. They are also characterized by a small osteolytic lesion (nidus). Spondylolysis is a defect of the pars interarticularis, which may lead to stress fractures, and is a common cause of low back pain in adolescence. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 May 15;113:e383-e390. Epub 2018 Feb 15.

Spinal Column Biomechanics and Surgical Outcomes Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Electronic address:

Objective: To present diagnosis and surgical management of postlaminectomy spondylolisthesis in patients without preoperative instability and a review of relevant literature.

Methods: Medical records and radiographic studies of 105 patients who underwent first-time bilateral 1- to 4-level open laminectomies for degenerative lumbar disease at a single academic institution were reviewed. Patients who initially presented with listhesis and had additional discectomy or fusion procedures were excluded. Read More

Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2018 09;43(18):1275-1280

Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review OBJECTIVE.: To determine whether supine lateral radiographs increase the amount of segmental instability visualized in single-level lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis, when compared to traditional lateral flexion-extension radiographs. We hypothesized that supine radiographs increase the amount of segmental instability seen in single-level lumbar spondylolisthesis when compared to flexion-extension. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 May 7;113:e166-e171. Epub 2018 Feb 7.

Department of Neurosurgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

Objective: To apprise readers about this rare but severest form of traumatic spine injury and its surgical management.

Background: Complete fracture dislocation and subluxation (>100%) of 1 vertebral body in the coronal or sagittal plane with respect to the adjacent vertebra is defined as spondyloptosis. In coronal spondyloptosis the subluxated vertebral bodies lie beside each other, and the condition is lateraloptosis. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 May 7;113:e129-e137. Epub 2018 Feb 7.

Department of Neurosurgery, St. Peter's Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

Objective: To evaluate clinical feasibility and safety of percutaneous endoscopic decompression by a uniportal, unilateral approach for lumbar canal or lateral recess stenosis.

Methods: In this retrospective study, the procedure was performed with endoscopic instruments in the same way as conventional microscopic laminotomy and flavectomy. Clinical outcomes (visual analog scale, Oswestry Disability Index, modified MacNab criteria) were evaluated. Read More

Spine Deform 2018 Mar - Apr;6(2):185-188. Epub 2017 Oct 16.

University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, MS 3017, Kansas City, KS 66160-7387, USA.

Study Design: Structured literature review.

Objectives: The Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) requested an assessment of the current state of peer-reviewed evidence regarding pediatric lumbar spondylolisthesis with the goal of identifying what is known and what gaps remain in further understanding the diagnostic methods for pediatric spondylolisthesis.

Summary Of Background Data: Spondylolisthesis in the lumbar spine is common among children and adolescents and no formal synthesis of the published literature regarding diagnostic methods has been previously performed. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 May 31;113:e70-e76. Epub 2018 Jan 31.

Department of Spine Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.

Objective: To assess the mid-long-term follow-up of the safety and efficacy of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), cervical artificial disc replacement (CADR) and hybrid surgery (HS) for bilevel cervical degenerative disc disease (cDDD).

Methods: 77 patients who underwent ACDF, HS, and CADR were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical effects were evaluated based on Neck Disability Index (NDI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores and the Odom criteria. Read More

J Biol Regul Homeost Agents 2017 Oct-Dec;31(4):1017-1022

Department of Acupuncture, The affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China.

Cervical spondylosis is the most common type of spinal pathology which is more common in middle-aged or senile populations with a high potential to affect physical and mental health. This study evaluates the effectiveness of acupuncture in the management of cervical spondylosis. After a detailed literature search in electronic databases, the required data were acquired from selected research articles and meta-analyses were performed to obtain the percent cure, failure and total effectiveness rates under random effects model. Read More

BMC Surg 2017 Nov 28;17(1):113. Epub 2017 Nov 28.

Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, NO555,East Friendship Rd, Xi'an, Shanxi, 86710054, China.

Background: ACDF has been considered as the gold standard in the treatment of single level cervical disk protrusion. However, it may cause adjacent level degeneration due to regional biomechanical changes. TDR has been applied with satisfactory results for over a decade, but there is no consensus if TDR is safer and more efficient than ACDF. Read More

Neurosurg Clin N Am 2018 Jan;29(1):33-45

Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Krembil Research Institute, University of Toronto, 60 Leonard Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2S8, Canada.

Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a common neurologic condition that is often treated with surgery. Imaging plays a central role in the management of DCM, including diagnosis, preoperative planning, postoperative assessment, and prognostication. Radiographs, CT, and MRI offer unique and complementary assessments, and all have important uses in current clinical practice. Read More

Neurosurg Clin N Am 2018 Jan;29(1):185-193

Department of Neurosurgery, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, 399 Bathurst Street 4WW-449, Toronto, Ontario M5T 258, Canada.

The diagnosis and treatment of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) has been evolving over the past 5 decades as a result of collaborations between clinicians and scientists. The most recent trends in basic and clinical research include advances in imaging, clinical diagnostic tools, molecular genetics, surgical techniques, and reparative/regenerative strategies. Spine surgeons are witnessing a fast-paced evolution, which is reshaping the management strategies available for an aging population that suffers increasingly from this degenerative condition. Read More

Neurosurg Clin N Am 2018 Jan;29(1):153-158

Department of Neurosurgery, Southern TOHOKU General Hospital, Iwanuma, Miyagi, Japan.

Single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) was performed at C3-4; non-C3-4 ACDF patients of the authors' random sample of ACDF patients were compared with C3-4 ACDF patients. The radiological study of C3-4 ACDF patients shows that they had significant cervical lordosis, and cervical motion was dependent on the C3-4 segment, which accounted for 39.8% of C2-7 range of intervertebral motion (total motion). Read More

Neurosurg Clin N Am 2018 Jan 27;29(1):139-144. Epub 2017 Oct 27.

Department of Neurosurgery, Hokkaido Neurosurgical Memorial Hospital, 1-20, Hachiken 9-jo, Higashi 5-chome, Nishi-ku, Sapporo 063-0869, Japan. Electronic address:

Surgical management of patients with mild degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is controversial. This article reviews 84 subjects with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) who underwent surgical treatment. Nine had mild myelopathy: 6 CSM and 3 OPLL. Read More

Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2017 12 23;159(12):2379-2384. Epub 2017 Oct 23.

Department of Neurosurgery, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.

Background: The clinical results of surgical spine care may be influenced by the patients' understanding and knowledge of his or her condition, treatment options and decision-making process. The aim of this survey study was to evaluate certain beliefs and opinions of patients with a degenerative condition in the cervical spine with a history of cervical radiculopathy such as importance of magnetic resonance imaging, risk factors, treatment alternatives and effectiveness.

Methods: An anonymous questionnaire survey was performed on two different patient populations with a degenerative condition in the cervical spine with a history of cervical radiculopathy referred to the outpatients' clinics of two neurosurgical departments in Germany and Norway. Read More

J Spine Surg 2017 Sep;3(3):444-459

Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Larissa, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.

Anterior cervical spine procedures have been associated with satisfactory outcomes. However, the occurrence of troublesome complications, although uncommon, needs to be taken into consideration. The purpose of our study was to assess the actual incidence of anterior cervical spine procedure-associated complications and identify any predisposing factors. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Jan 17;109:e609-e614. Epub 2017 Oct 17.

Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Surgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Background/objective: Multilevel spondylolysis is a rare cause of progressive lower back pain, and patients who fail conservative management are treated surgically. Direct repair methods can maintain mobility and lead to decreased morbidity compared with spinal fusion in single-level spondylolysis. In this paper, we present a patient with nonadjacent multilevel spondylolysis who underwent the "smiley face" technique of direct multilevel repair without fusion using 3-dimensional intraoperative spinal navigation. Read More

Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2018 05;43(10):E574-E579

Division of Orthopaedics, Department of Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.

Study Design: A prospective cohort study of consecutive patients.

Objective: Determination of the quality of life (QoL) and prevalence of slip progression in patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis managed nonoperatively.

Summary Of Background Data: Lumbar spinal stenosis secondary to degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis is a common radiographic diagnosis associated with chronic back pain and radicular symptoms. Read More

Aerosp Med Hum Perform 2017 Oct;88(10):962-965

Background: A syrinx is a fluid-filled cavity within the spinal cord. They can lead to a variety of symptoms, including limb weakness and back pain. Incidental finding of syringomyelia provides a challenge for clinicians due to the wide variety of possible symptoms. Read More

Global Spine J 2017 Sep 31;7(6):572-586. Epub 2017 May 31.

University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Study Design: Review.

Objectives: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a major cause of disability, particular in elderly patients. Awareness and understanding of CSM is imperative to facilitate early diagnosis and management. Read More

Int J Neural Syst 2018 Mar 16;28(2):1750036. Epub 2017 Jul 16.

3 Department of Systems Engineering and Engineering Management, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

In this study, we propose an automated framework that combines diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics with machine learning algorithms to accurately classify control groups and groups with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) in the spinal cord. The comparison between selected voxel-based classification and mean value-based classification were performed. A support vector machine (SVM) classifier using a selected voxel-based dataset produced an accuracy of 95. Read More

World Neurosurg 2017 Nov 18;107:522-525. Epub 2017 Aug 18.

Department of Neurological Surgery, Spine Research Group, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Durotomies are not infrequent in spine surgery and have increased complication rates. Primary repair is the gold standard and is feasible when access is not limited by the anatomy. A patient who presented 1 week after spinal fusion with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak underwent a novel transthecal approach to repair an anterior dural tear. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2017 Aug;96(33):e7590

aDepartment of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan bDepartment of Spinal Surgery, Mindong Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Fuan, Fujian, China.

Background: Aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of various surgical interventions for the management of cervical spondylosis due to the ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).

Methods: After a comprehensive literature search in electronic databases, studies were selected by following pre-determined eligibility criteria. Random effects meta-analyses were performed to estimate the effect sizes of various surgical approaches in improving Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores at latest follow-up and meta-regression analyses were carried out to examine the factors affecting the change in JOA score. Read More

J Orthop Trauma 2017 Sep;31 Suppl 4:S57-S74

*Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA; †Department of Orthopaedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; ‡Neurosurgical Associates, University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, TN, USA; and §Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Rothman Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Introduction: Spinal ankylosing disorders encompass ankylosing spondylitis (AS), disseminated hyperostosis of the spine, and end-stage spondylosis. All these result in a stiffened and frequently deformed spinal column. This makes the spinal column highly susceptible to severe injuries that are commonly associated with unfavorable outcomes. Read More

Spinal Cord 2018 01 15;56(1):7-13. Epub 2017 Aug 15.

Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.

Study Design: Retrospective chart audit.

Objectives: This study aims to compare the clinical features and surgical outcomes in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) among different age groups.

Setting: The first Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, China. Read More

Neurosurg Focus 2017 Aug;43(2):E11

Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.

OBJECTIVE Lumbar spondylolisthesis is a degenerative condition that can be surgically treated with either open or minimally invasive decompression and instrumented fusion. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) approaches may shorten recovery, reduce blood loss, and minimize soft-tissue damage with resultant reduced postoperative pain and disability. METHODS The authors queried the national, multicenter Quality Outcomes Database (QOD) registry for patients undergoing posterior lumbar fusion between July 2014 and December 2015 for Grade I degenerative spondylolisthesis. Read More

Int Orthop 2017 10 26;41(10):2091-2096. Epub 2017 Jul 26.

Department of Spinal Surgery Unit 1, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux University Hospital, C.H.U Tripode Pellegrin, Place Amélie Raba Léon, 33076, Bordeaux, France.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and tolerance of lumbar spine surgery in patients over 85.

Materials And Methods: Patients over 85 years of age with LSS who underwent decompression surgery with or without fusion between February 2011 and July 2014 were included. Comorbidities, autonomy (Activities of Daily Life and Braden scales), surgical parameters and complications (Clavien-Dindo classification) were collected. Read More

Clin Spine Surg 2017 Aug;30(7):E915-E922

*Department of Spine Surgery/Orthopaedic Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou †Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, P.R. China.

Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Posterolateral fusion (PLF) and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) were widely used in the treatment of lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis (IS). There was a great controversy over the preferred fusion method. Read More

Int J Rheum Dis 2018 Jan 24;21(1):308-314. Epub 2017 Jul 24.

Departments of Internal Medicine, Unit of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India.

Aim: To evaluate efficacy of sulfasalazine for axial ankylosing spondylosis.

Methods: 67 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included and randomized into treatment and placebo group.

Results: Mean age in treatment group was 31 years (range: 17-60); placebo group was 30 years (18-46). Read More

NMR Biomed 2017 Oct 13;30(10). Epub 2017 Jul 13.

Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.

Diffusion imaging is a promising technique as it can provide microstructural tissue information and thus potentially show viable changes in spinal cord. However, the traditional single-shot imaging method is limited as a result of various image artifacts. In order to improve measurement accuracy, we used a newly developed, multi-shot, high-resolution, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) method to investigate diffusion metric changes and compare them with T -weighted (T2W) images before and after decompressive surgery for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Read More

Spine J 2018 01 1;18(1):88-98. Epub 2017 Jul 1.

Vancouver Spine Surgery Institute, Department of Orthopaedics, University of British Columbia, 818 West 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada.

Background Context: Emergent surgery for patients with a traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is seen as the gold standard in acute management. However, optimal treatment for those with the clinical diagnosis of central cord syndrome (CCS) is less clear, and classic definitions of CCS do not identify a unique population of patients.

Purpose: The study aimed to test the authors' hypothesis that spine stability can identify a unique group of patients with regard to demographics, management, and outcomes, which classic CCS definitions do not. Read More

Clin Orthop Surg 2017 Jun 8;9(2):177-183. Epub 2017 May 8.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Guri, Korea.

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of depression, anxiety, and optimism on postoperative satisfaction and clinical outcomes in patients who underwent less than two-level posterior instrumented fusions for lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis.

Methods: Preoperative psychological status of subjects, such as depression, anxiety, and optimism, was evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R). Clinical evaluation was determined by measuring changes in a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) before and after surgery. Read More