Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Clin Densitom 2019 Mar 20. Epub 2019 Mar 20.

Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, CA, USA; Department of Hematology, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, Oakland, CA, USA. Electronic address:

Introduction: Visceral fat, also known as visceral adipose tissue (VAT), has been the focus of intensive research over the past several yr, as ground breaking studies have investigated its possible role in predicting long-term cardiac dysfunction, hypertension, and diabetes. Historically, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography were the instruments of choice for visceral fat quantification. However, with the introduction of visceral fat assessment software for Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scanners, DXA's use for VAT assessment has become increasingly common. Read More

Front Oncol 2019 29;9:199. Epub 2019 Mar 29.

Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.

There is increasing use of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) across multiple cancer types, including in patients at risk for vertebral metastases and cord compression. These patients are often treated with palliative radiotherapy (PRT); however, data evaluating the combination of PRT and ICB in patients with vertebral metastases is limited. Furthermore, patients with cord compression are generally excluded from prospective clinical trials. Read More

Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2019 Apr 11. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Tage-Hansens Gade 2, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.

Purpose: In case of a vertebral fracture, the area of the vertebrae decreases with a concomitant increase in BMD, as assessed by a DXA scanning. Furthermore, a vertebral fracture may disrupt the normal increase in vertebral body area from L1-L4 (non-progression). We aimed to examine associations between T-score difference or non-progression of vertebral area and vertebral fractures. Read More

Mod Rheumatol 2019 Mar 29:1-13. Epub 2019 Mar 29.

a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Nagoya City University, Graduate School of Medical Sciences , Nagoya , Aichi , Japan.

Objective: The objective is to evaluate whether danaparoid is effective in improving the live birth rate in patients with obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome (oAPS).

Methods: This prospective study included 91 pregnancies of 60 patients with oAPS diagnosed according to criteria of the International Congress on APS. Live birth rates, adverse pregnancies and perinatal outcomes were compared among patients treated with danaparoid and low dose aspirin (danaparoid group, LDA), unfractionated heparin (UFH) and LDA (UFH group) and LDA and/or prednisolone (LDA group). Read More

Pain Physician 2019 03;22(2):E91-E96

Department of Orthopedics, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command of Chinese PLA, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.

Background: Unilateral and bilateral percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) have been widely adopted to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs). Unilateral PKP has a shorter operation time and less radiation exposure time compared with bilateral PKP, but the anatomical distinctions of unilateral PKP are not identical in all cases.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the significance of age, gender, level, and side in relation to the anatomical distinctions of unilateral PKP for lumbar OVCFs through the transverse process-pedicle approach (TPPA). Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Mar;98(13):e15033

Rationale: Cases of adrenocortical hyperfunction combined with primary aldosteronism have been reported in the literature, and the underlying mechanism involves the secretion of aldosterone and glucocorticoids by a tumor or an adenoma. However, adrenocortical hypofunction and coexisting primary aldosteronism have not been reported until now. Herein, we report a case of adrenocortical hypofunction combined with primary aldosteronism. Read More

Eur Spine J 2019 Mar 22. Epub 2019 Mar 22.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, 53, Jinhwangdo-ro 61-gil, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, 05368, Republic of Korea.

Purpose: This study aimed to obtain reference values of lumbar lordosis (LL) and lower LL (LLL) from normal asymptomatic groups, determine the relationship between them and pelvic incidence (PI), and establish the predictive formula for ideal LLL in the elderly Korean population.

Methods: Standing plain lateral radiographs of the whole spine, including the pelvis, were analyzed in asymptomatic adult male volunteers without back pain or prior surgery involving the spine or lower extremity. Volunteers with scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, segmental disk space narrowing, and/or compression fractures in the radiographs were excluded. Read More

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2019 Mar 21. Epub 2019 Mar 21.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Diagonal Paraguay 362, Santiago, Chile.

Introduction: Vertebral compression fractures (VCF) are frequently asymptomatic; incidental diagnosis is a valuable opportunity to identify low bone mass and to start treatment. We aimed to determine the proportion of patients over 60 years old evaluated with chest plus abdominal and pelvic computed tomography (CT) scans, allowing visualization of the entire thoraco-lumbar spine, who incidentally present VCF.

Materials And Methods: We evaluated 300 patients over 60 years old who under went chest plus abdominal and pelvic CT scans. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Mar;98(12):e14941

Department of Orthopedic, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of vertebral bone mineral density (BMD) on total diffusion volume of bone cement in percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP). This study was a retrospective review of prospectively collected data of consecutive patients with A1.2 thoracolumbar compression fractures treated by PVP. Read More

PLoS One 2019 18;14(3):e0207997. Epub 2019 Mar 18.

IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy.

Still little is known about how spinopelvic alignment affects spinal load distribution. Musculoskeletal modeling can potentially help to discover associations between spine alignment and risk factors of spinal disorders (e.g. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Mar;98(10):e14793

Department of Orthopedics, Zhongshan City Torch High-tech Industrial Development Zone Hospital, Torch High-tech Industrial Development Zone, Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province.

To compare percutaneous vertebroplasty (VP) and balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) for their effectiveness and safety in the treatment of newly onset osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCF).Patients with confirmed diagnosis of newly onset osteoporotic VCF and treated in our center between January 2008 and December 2016 were retrospectively included in the study. Patients were divided into 2 groups according the surgical treatment they have received. Read More

Eur Radiol 2019 Mar 7. Epub 2019 Mar 7.

Department of Radiology, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, 111 Hsing-Long Road, Sec 3, Taipei, 116, Taiwan.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between paraspinal and psoas muscle volumes and acute osteoporotic or low-bone-mass compression fractures of the lumbar spine in postmenopausal women.

Methods: Patient data were retrieved retrospectively for postmenopausal women with L-spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry showing osteoporosis/low bone mass. Group 1 comprised eight women aged 60-80 years with MRI showing a single acute compression fracture. Read More

Med Biol Eng Comput 2019 Mar 4. Epub 2019 Mar 4.

Laboratoire de Biomécanique Appliquée, IFSTTAR, LBA UMR T24, Aix-Marseille Université, Boulevard Pierre Dramard, Marseille Cedex, France.

Traumatic events may lead to lumbar spine injuries ranging from low severity bony fracture to complex fracture dislocation. Injury pathomechanisms as well as the influence of loading rate and ligament mechanical properties were not yet fully elucidated. The objective was to quantify the influence of impact velocity and ligament properties variability on the lumbar spine response in traumatic flexion-shear conditions. Read More

Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2019 Feb 25. Epub 2019 Feb 25.

Experimental Tissue Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.

MINI: Increased forward shear arising from added component of anterior-inferior segment slope as seen in the lower lumbar spine reduced the mean failure load and dramatically altered the modes of structural failure. Differential fibre-set recruitment is assumed to increase the vulnerability of the lateral annulus leading to direct lateral herniations.

Study Design: Microstructural investigation of compression-induced herniation of ovine lumbar discs with and without added component of anterior-inferior slope. Read More

Clin Interv Aging 2019 5;14:265-270. Epub 2019 Feb 5.

Department of Spine Surgery, Hong Hui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710054, Shaan'xi Province, China,

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of bracing after percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF).

Methods: This is a retrospective study where we recruited 138 patients with single-level thoracolumbar OVCF who underwent PVP from January 2018 to March 2018 without bracing after PVP (Group A). The visual analog score (VAS) and vertebral body compression ratio (VCR) were recorded at preoperation, on the second day, at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 6 months after operation. Read More

Med Eng Phys 2019 Mar 4;65:46-56. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

National Center for Spinal Disorders, Királyhágó u. 1, H-1126 Budapest, Hungary. Electronic address:

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are alternative augmentation techniques of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. However, shortly after augmentation, new vertebral compression fractures may occur, mostly in the adjacent vertebrae. To prevent this, prophylactic cement injection can be applied to the neighboring vertebral bodies. Read More

J Thorac Imaging 2019 Mar;34(2):126-135

Departments of Radiology.

The purpose of this review article is to acquaint the reader with the current state of the art for the noncardiovascular imaging biomarkers of metabolic syndrome found on noncontrast computed tomography (NCCT) of the chest and their prognostic significance. Routine chest NCCT includes quantitative information with regard to tissue density and organ volumes in the neck, chest, and upper abdomen. The specific imaging biomarkers that may be seen in association with metabolic syndrome include low thyroid iodine organification, hepatic steatosis, sarcopenia (muscle volume and density), demineralization of the thoracic and upper lumbar vertebral bodies, loss of axial skeletal muscle mass, premature lung inflammation, and an increased deposition of subcutaneous and visceral fat. Read More

Osteoporos Int 2019 Jan 31. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, E-Da Hospital / I-Shou University, No.1, E-Da Road, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, 82445, People's Republic of China.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is one of the most common diseases in the elderly male population. The urinary tract symptoms may increase the risk of falls and fractures. The results indicated that patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia could increase the risk of vertebral compression fractures in both the thoracic and lumbar spine and also hip fractures, but did not increase the risk of wrist fracture. Read More

Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2019 Jan 23. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Background And Importance: Pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) is a 3-column osteotomy used to correct rigid, large magnitude sagittal spinal deformity. PSO is an inherently destabilizing procedure intraoperatively, with high risk of neurological deficits from vertebral body subluxation or translation during osteotomy closure. Traditionally, PSO closure has been performed utilizing compression or cantilevering forces across adjacent level instrumentation. Read More

J Orthop Case Rep 2018 Jul-Aug;8(4):38-40

Department of Orthopaedics, P.D Hinduja National Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Introduction: Limbus vertebral fracture is an uncommon injury described in adolescents. It refers to the separation of a bony fragment from the unfused ring apophysis of lumbar vertebral end plate. It usually presents with back pain with/without radiculopathy masquerading an acute disc prolapse. Read More

Asian Spine J 2019 Jan 29. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Spine Unit, Wald Klinikum Gera, Gera, Germany.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Purpose: The study aims to assess the effectiveness and safety of radiofrequency (RF) kyphoplasty in the treatment of vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) in osteoporotic patients.

Overview Of Literature: Vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty are established procedures for the treatment of osteoporotic VCFs. Read More

Spine J 2019 Jan 23. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ. Electronic address:

Background Context: Rod fracture at the lumbosacral (LS) junction remains challenging in long segment fusions and likely stems from increased LS strain. Reduction of LS instrumentation strain may help reduce fracture rates.

Purpose: The goal of this investigation was to assess the effect of supplemental posterior 4-rod (4R) construction on LS stability and rod strain compared with standard 2-rod (2R) construction in a long segment fusion model. Read More

Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi 2019 01;33(1):61-65

Department of Spine Surgery, Luoyang Orthopedic Hospital of Henan Province (Henan Orthopedic Hospital), Henan Luoyang, 471002, P.R.China.

Objective: To explore the practicability and safety of ultrasonic bone curette in the laminoplasty of spinal canal after resection of intraspinal tumors.

Methods: The clinical data of 17 patients with thoracolumbar intraspinal tumors treated with ultrasonic bone curette after resection of intraspinal tumors between December 2015 and April 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were male, aged 42-73 years with an average of 57. Read More

Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi 2019 01;33(1):49-55

SectionⅠDepartment of Orthopaedics, the Fourth People's Hospital of Zigong City, Zigong Sichuan, 643000, P.R.China.

Objective: To explore the surgical treatment strategy of the vertebral "shell" after thoracolumbar fracture, and provide clinical reference for the intervention and treatment of "shell".

Methods: Between June 2015 and January 2017, 53 patients with high risk of vertebral "shell" after thoracolumbar fracture surgery were enrolled in a prospective study according to the selection criteria. All patients were randomly divided into two groups according to the order of treatment, 27 cases in the treatment group were treated with short-segment fixation combined with vertebral reconstruction, 26 cases in the control group were treated with short-segment fixation. Read More

Korean J Radiol 2019 Jan 27;20(1):126-133. Epub 2018 Dec 27.

Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

Objective: To compare the lumbar vertebral bone marrow fat-signal fractions obtained from six-echo modified Dixon sequence (6-echo m-Dixon) with those from single-voxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in patients with low back pain.

Materials And Methods: Vertebral bone marrow fat-signal fractions were quantified by 6-echo m-Dixon (repetition time [TR] = 7.2 ms, echo time (TE) = 1. Read More

Stapp Car Crash J 2018 Nov;62:489-513

Survivability/Lethality Analysis Directorate (SLAD).

During Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, improvised explosive devices were used strategically and with increasing frequency. To effectively design countermeasures for this environment, the Department of Defense identified the need for an under-body blast-specific Warrior Injury Assessment Manikin (WIAMan). To help with this design, information on Warfighter injuries in mounted under-body blast attacks was obtained from the Joint Trauma Analysis and Prevention of Injury in Combat program through their Request for Information interface. Read More

J Pediatr Orthop 2018 Dec 26. Epub 2018 Dec 26.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee-Campbell Clinic.

Background: Because of concerns about radiation exposure, some centers consider magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) the preferred imaging modality for pediatric thoracic and/or lumbar compression fractures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of computed tomography (CT) and MRI in diagnosing thoracolumbar compression fractures and the utility of MRI in their management.

Methods: Retrospective review identified 52 patients aged 0 to 18 years with 191 thoracic and/or lumbar compression fractures who had both CT and MRI during the initial trauma evaluation. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Dec 13;11(1). Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Luzerner Kantonsspital, Luzern, Switzerland.

Male osteoporosis often remains unrecognised. Osteoporotic fractures occur approximately 10 years later in men than in women due to higher peak bone mass. However, 30% of all hip fractures occur in men. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Mar 29;123:e408-e415. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi. Electronic address:

Objective: To determine cement distribution patterns on therapeutic efficacy after percutaneous vertebroplasty treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) with intravertebral cleft (IVC).

Methods: Patients who were treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty for single OVCFs with IVC and met this study's inclusion criteria were retrospectively reviewed. The follow-up period was at least 2 years. Read More

Zhongguo Gu Shang 2018 Nov;31(11):993-997

Department of Spinal Surgery, Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital of Wenzhou Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China.

Objective: To explore the clinical effects of bone filling bag vertebroplasty in treating osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

Methods: The clinical data of 127 patients (145 vertebrae) with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures who corresponded the criteria of inclusion and exclusion from December 2015 to June 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Responsible vertebral bodies were identified by clinical situation, X-rays, CT scan, MRI. Read More

Case Rep Orthop 2018 25;2018:1593021. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, Japan.

There is little evidence regarding the optimal approach to treatment for delayed-onset lumbar radiculopathy due to foraminal stenosis after osteoporotic vertebral fracture. Here, we describe the use of spinal endoscopy for the treatment of this disabling condition, in an 80-year-old woman presenting with severe radicular pain following an osteoporotic lumbar compression fracture. Radiographic findings showed the compression of the L2 root within the foramen, and computed tomography identified a fragment of the posterior wall of the vertebral body under the pedicle. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Feb 24;122:e1599-e1605. Epub 2018 Nov 24.

Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California, USA.

Objective: Percutaneous vertebroplasty (VP) and medial branch block (MBB) are used to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCF). We compared the clinical outcomes, radiologic changes, and economic results of MBB with those of VP in treating osteoporotic VCFs.

Methods: A total of 164 patients with 1-level osteoporotic VCF were reviewed retrospectively. Read More

Cureus 2018 Sep 19;10(9):e3335. Epub 2018 Sep 19.

Neurosurgery, CMQ Premier Hospital, Puerto Vallarta, MEX.

Spine injuries related to ocean wave accidents are little known because they exclusively occur in beach destinations. This unusual type of trauma happens when these patients are slammed or caught by a wave, rolled over, and driven into the water, usually hitting the head on the seabed. Due to the kinematics of ocean wave accidents, spine injuries occur almost exclusively in the subaxial cervical spine. Read More

Fa Yi Xue Za Zhi 2018 Aug 25;34(4):359-362. Epub 2018 Aug 25.

Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China.

Objectives: To explore the assessment method of original height of L after vertebral compression fracture and its application value in forensic clinical practice.

Methods: A total of 154 normal thoracic and lumbar X-ray films were collected, and 140 cases were used as experimental group while 14 cases as validation group. The heights of anterior （a） and posterior （p） vertebral body of T₁₂-L₃ vertebrae in each X-ray image were measured. Read More

Asian J Neurosurg 2018 Oct-Dec;13(4):1279-1281

Department of Surgery, Section of Neurosurgery, Providence-Providence Park Hospital, Southfield, Michigan, USA.

This is a case report and literature review. The objectives of the study are to describe minimally invasive treatment of pedicle fractures, to show contralateral pedicle changes with pedicle fracture treatment, and to review literature on incidence and mechanism of neural arch fractures. After conservative therapy, there are several options for the treatment of pedicle fractures including pediculoplasty, osteosynthesis, or fusion. Read More

Clin Spine Surg 2019 Mar;32(2):E117-E125

Department of Spine Surgery of Sidney Kimmel Medical Center at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.

Study Design: This is a prospective study of 2 cohorts.

Objective: Compare the clinical and radiologic outcome of 2 cohorts of unstable thoracolumbar and lumbar fractures treated by open posterior fixation (OPF) with bone graft or by percutaneous fixation (PCF) without grafting.

Summary Of Background Data: In recent years, PCF is the most common treatment of thoracolumbar fractures. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Feb 14;122:e1266-e1274. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Department of Neurosurgery, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA; Norman Prince Neurosciences Institute, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Minimally invasive surgery using a mini-open lateral retropleural or retroperitoneal approach for corpectomy is a well-described procedure for treating unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures. Most surgeons have incorporated fluoroscopy for localization and determination of hardware placement accuracy; however, the utility of computer-assisted image-guided spinal navigation has not been well described. We report a series of mini-open lateral approach thoracolumbar corpectomy cases using either fluoroscopy or intraoperative computed tomography (iCT) with computer-assisted navigation and discuss the technical nuances and advantages of using iCT with navigation versus fluoroscopy. Read More

Int Orthop 2019 Jan 14;43(1):169-176. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Spine Surgery Department, Orthopaedic Institute Gaetano Pini - CTO, Milan, Italy.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and to underline the right indications of the posterior monosegmental stabilization for the treatment of thoraco-lumbar spine fractures.

Method: Twenty patients underwent a monosegmental stabilization at our Institution and were retrospectively reviewed with a minimum follow-up of two years. All the patients had a clinical and radiological assessment before, after the surgery and at final follow-up. Read More

Case Rep Infect Dis 2018 8;2018:8954016. Epub 2018 Oct 8.

Department of Medicine, Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, Tucson, AZ 85723, USA.

Coccidioidomycosis, also known as San Joaquin Valley Fever or Valley Fever, is mostly a pulmonary infection caused by inhalation of spores in an endemic region. Dissemination to bone, joints, meninges, and skin occurs less than one percent of the time. Skeletal involvement accounts for approximately half of the disseminated coccidioidomycosis with the vertebrae as the most common skeletal region. Read More

Injury 2018 Nov;49 Suppl 3:S26-S31

Orthopaedic Clinic, Department of Surgical Sciences, Cagliari State University, Lungomare Poetto 12, 09126 Cagliari, Italy.

Introduction: Standard radiographs are still considered as the gold standard for the early assessment of thoraco-lumbar osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs), although several studies demonstrated superior accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnostic process of OVFs. The aim of this study was to quantify the misdiagnosis rate of OVFs and analyse the impact of MRI on early diagnosis and classification, compared to standard radiographs alone.

Materials And Methods: A total of 173 patients were enrolled in this study. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Feb 7;122:e1020-e1027. Epub 2018 Nov 7.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.

Background: Although percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) is performed to restore the vertebral body height and kyphosis in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs), the regained height may be lost on balloon deflation. This study compares PKP with modified percutaneous kyphoplasty (MPKP) in terms of the clinical outcomes in treating OVCFs.

Methods: Between May 2014 and March 2016, 76 patients with OVCFs were randomly assigned to 2 groups according to the procedure chosen: the PKP group (n = 36) and MPKP group (n = 40). Read More

Cureus 2018 Aug 24;10(8):e3202. Epub 2018 Aug 24.

Neurology, Bay Pines VA, Bay Pines, USA.

We report a case of a 61-year-old man with a history of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung presenting with rapidly progressive symmetric ascending weakness with areflexia. The weakness was quickly followed by respiratory decompensation requiring intubation. Lumbar puncture yielded cerebrospinal fluid with elevated protein (177 mg/dL), normal glucose (61 mg/dL), normal red blood cell count (0 per/µl), and normal white blood cell count (0 per/µL). Read More

Med Biol Eng Comput 2019 Apr 7;57(4):795-805. Epub 2018 Nov 7.

Department of Neurosurgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, 912 S Wood St, Chicago, IL, USA.

Vertebral compression fractures are a significant clinical issue with an annual incidence of approximately 750,000 cases in the USA alone. Mechanical properties of vertebrae are successfully evaluated through finite element (FE) models based on vertebrae CT. However, clinical drawbacks associated to radiation transmission encouraged to explore the possibility to use selected or reduced portions of the vertebra. Read More

J Spinal Cord Med 2018 Nov 2:1-5. Epub 2018 Nov 2.

a Department of Neurosurgery , XinHua Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China.

Objective To assess the clinical and radiological outcomes following unilateral or bilateral approach in percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF). Design Prospective comparative study. Setting University affiliated hospital. Read More

Braz J Med Biol Res 2018 Oct 18;51(12):e7574. Epub 2018 Oct 18.

Department of Orthopaedics, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, Ningbo, China.

Bone fracture is a common medical condition, which may occur due to traumatic injury or disease-related conditions. Evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) can regulate osteoblast differentiation and function. In this study, we explored the effects and mechanism of miR-221 on the growth and migration of osteoblasts using MC3T3-E1 cells. Read More

Med Sci Monit 2018 Oct 13;24:7309-7315. Epub 2018 Oct 13.

Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China (mainland).

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to analyze the correlations of serum hormones and bone mineral density (BMD) with fracture and balance ability of postmenopausal patients and effects of calcitriol on them. MATERIAL AND METHODS The clinical data of 164 postmenopausal female patients with osteoporosis (OP) treated in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS The incidence rates of OVCF, balance index score (BIS), front-back ratio (FBR), and right-left ratio (RLR) in the normal BMD group, reduced BMD group, and OP group showed increasing trends, and there were statistically significant differences in comparisons among groups (p<0. Read More

Pain Physician 2018 09;21(5):E483-E491

Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan; Department of Orthopedics, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.

Background: Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is widely used to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs). The influence of timing (early vs. late) of PVP on the development of adjacent vertebral fractures (AVF) has rarely been discussed. Read More

Int J Spine Surg 2018 Jun 15;12(3):371-376. Epub 2018 Aug 15.

Department of Orthopedics, Northwest University, Chicago, Illinois.

Background: The objective was to evaluate if there is an association of the spino-pelvic relationships and the global spinal alignment with the outcome of AO type A injuries treated nonsurgically.

Methods: This is a retrospective case series. Patients treated nonsurgically for AOSpine type A fractures (T1-L5) with at least 1 year follow-up identified. Read More

Int J Spine Surg 2018 Jun 15;12(3):295-321. Epub 2018 Aug 15.

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Radiology, Aurora, Colorado.

Background: To update vertebral augmentation literature by comparing outcomes between vertebroplasty (VP), balloon kyphoplasty (BKP), vertebral augmentation with implant (VAI), and nonsurgical management (NSM) for treating vertebral compression fractures (VCFs).

Methods: A PubMed literature search was conducted with keywords , , , and for English-language articles from February 1, 2011, to November 22, 2016. Among the results, 25 met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. Read More