Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2019 Apr 5. Epub 2019 Apr 5.

Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.

MINI: The reoperation probabilities for lumbar herniated intervertebral disc disease did not differ among open discectomy, laminectomy, percutaneous endoscopic discectomy and fusion during the 10-year follow-up period. However, OD was the most commonly used technique in reoperation.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study of a nationwide sample database. Read More

Cureus 2019 Jan 25;11(1):e3958. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Dentistry, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, BGD.

Low back pain (LBP) is a frequent complaint in the working milieu of pain physicians. Common LBP generators are the lumbar spine, soft tissues around the spine, and intra-abdominal viscera; however, in recent times, lumbar spine ligament (LL) degeneration is increasingly getting more coverage as an important LBP source. Among various LLs, interspinous and supraspinatus ligaments' sprain-degeneration can perpetuate localized central LBP as described in the present case study. Read More

G Ital Med Lav Ergon 2019 Mar;41(1):25-28

Service Santé au Travail en Savoie, Bassens (France).

Objectives: According to the 2010 Annual Report from INAIL (National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work), intervertebral disc conditions are the most commonly reported pathologies in Italy, with 9,000 cases/year. The last report published by INAIL in 2016, which covers musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders in general, indicates 38.414 (63,75% of the total) cases reported throughout 2016 and 12. Read More

J Neurosurg Sci 2019 Apr 2. Epub 2019 Apr 2.

Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell, Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA -

The peculiarity of extreme lateral interbody fusion (LLIF) is the achievement of indirect neural decompression of the spinal canal while distracting the intervertebral disc space using an interbody cage. In this manuscript we will review the potentials and limitations of this technique when treating degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. A literature search of the PubMed-National Library of Medicine was performed. Read More

West Afr J Med 2019 Jan-Apr;36(1):83-87

Department of Traumatic and Orthopaedic Surgery, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria.

Background: Back pain due to prolapsed intervertebral disc accounts for two thirds of all visits to the orthopaedic clinic. The incidence of this disease is increasing with the increased sports activities in the young and due to degeneration in the elderly. Open lumbar microdiscectomy remains the gold standard amongst surgical procedures for herniated discs with or without instrumentation. Read More

Zhongguo Gu Shang 2019 Mar;32(3):239-243

Suzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Suzhou 215009, Jiangsu, China.

Objective: To explore the clinical effect of conservative treatment for giant lumbar intervertebral disc herniation and analyze the factors affecting its resorption.

Methods: From January 2013 to December 2016, the clinical data of 130 patients with giant lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were collected. The patients were classified according to the characteristics of Iwabuchi displacement and "bull eye sign", Xiaosui Huahe decoction of traditional Chinese medicine conservative treatment was used in the patients. Read More

J Orthop Sci 2019 Mar 16. Epub 2019 Mar 16.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan.

Background: The purpose in this study is to investigate the T2 value of lumbar facet joint (FJ) in subjects without lumbar spinal disorders, age from 20s to 70s, using T2 mapping, and to evaluate the correlation between age and T2 value. And also, we investigated the T2 value of lumbar intervertebral disc (IVD) in the same way as FJ, and evaluated the correlation between the T2 value of FJ and that of IVD.

Methods: We investigated 60 volunteers (30 male, 30 female), who were recruited from six age groups, 20s-70s (10 subjects in each decade; 5 male, 5 female). Read More

Zhongguo Gu Shang 2019 Feb;32(2):186-189

Chinese Medical Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang, China;

The lumbar disc herniation is a common and recurrent disease in the department of orthopedics. At present, the treatment means mainly include conservative treatment and surgical treatment. Compared with traditional open surgery, percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) is safe, effective, economical and minimally invasive. 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

Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi 2019 03;33(3):280-286

Department of Orthopedics, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital Affiliated to Jinan University, Guangzhou Guangdong, 510220, P.R.China.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of Coflex interspinous dynamic internal fixation combined with spinal fusion for lumbar disc degeneration.

Methods: The clinical data of 39 patients with two-level lumbar disc degeneration who met the selection criteria between June 2010 and December 2011 was retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into group A (20 cases, simple lumbar decompression and fusion) and group B (19 cases, Coflex interspinous dynamic internal fixation combined with spinal fusion) according to different surgical methods. Read More

Orthop Surg 2019 Feb;11(1):3-9

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Spine Center, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University.

Bowstring disease (BSD) is a new classification of spine disease caused by axial stretched lesion on nerve roots and the spinal cord, which is differentiated from disc herniation and canal stenosis in that it is caused by nerve compression lesions. BSD could be caused by mismatched growth rates between the spine and nerve roots (the juvenile type), or by imbalanced degenerative rates between the spine column and nerve roots (degenerative type). Here, we propose that there are several self-adjust mechanisms to relieve axial nerve tension: (i) nerve growth; (ii) posture adjustment and low back pain; (iii) autogenous degeneration of intervertebral disc; and (iv) idiopathic and degenerative scoliosis. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Feb;98(8):e14667

Department of Neurosurgery, Sakarya Training and Research Hospital, Sakarya, Turkey.

Lumbar disc hernia is common disease, affecting about 5% of the population. Many studies to date reported regression of disc herniation without surgical intervention.Medical records of the patients who applied to the spine clinic in an outpatient setting were retrospectively reviewed. Read More

J Vet Diagn Invest 2019 Jan;31(1):94-97

Antech Diagnostics, College Station, TX (Zoll).

A 15-y-old neutered male domestic shorthaired cat was presented with a 16-d history of hindlimb paralysis in conjunction with 1-wk duration of inappetence and lethargy. Given intractable clinical signs, development of seizures, and poor prognosis, euthanasia was elected. Gross examination revealed mild, chronic, multifocal intervertebral disk disease; however, no gross abnormalities were noted in the spinal cord. Read More

Orthop Traumatol Surg Res 2019 Apr 18;105(2):339-346. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Société française de chirurgie du rachis (SFCR), 56, rue Boissonade, 75014 Paris, France.

Background: The objectives of this study were to define the role for surgery in the treatment of chronic low back pain (cLBP) and to develop a new classification of cLBP based on the pattern of injury.

Hypothesis: Surgery may benefit patients with cLBP, and a new classification based on the injury pattern may be of interest.

Method: A systematic literature review was performed by searching Medline, the Cochrane Library, the French public health database (Banque de Données en Santé Publique), Science Direct, and the National Guideline Clearinghouse. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Feb;98(7):e14415

Orthopaedics Surgery Department, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.

Rationale: Gout occurs mainly in joints, but rarely in the spine. In the spine, urate crystals can cause intervertebral space instability but rarely lead to retrolisthesis. Here, we present an extremely rare disease with gout invaded the intervertebral disc with lumbar retrolisthesis. Read More

Front Vet Sci 2018 29;5:349. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Office of Research and Economic Development, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States.

Laser therapy is becoming common place in veterinary medicine with little evidence proving efficacy or dosages. This study evaluated surgical wound healing in canines. Twelve Dachshunds underwent thoraco-lumbar hemilaminectomies for intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Read More

Neuroradiology 2019 Apr 8;61(4):411-419. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Spine Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.

Purpose: Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after microdiscectomy for lumbar disc herniation frequently shows spinal canal compression by the remaining annulus, which gradually decreases over time. Transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD) can remove the herniation with minimal trauma to surrounding soft tissue. We aim to identify this remodeling of annulus fibrosus and the change of disc signal after TELD. Read More

Pain Physician 2019 01;22(1):75-88

Spine Institute Northwest, Bothell, Washington.

Background: Open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is the gold standard treatment for back pain due to degenerative disc disease and lumbar instability. Traditional open TLIF has been associated with extensive tissue dissection, excessive blood loss, and slow recovery time. Full-endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (FE-TLIF) is an evolving treatment. Read More

Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992) 2018 Sep;64(9):778-782

. Lecturer Professor of School of Medicine of USP; São Paulo, SP, Brasil.

Lumbar herniated disc are common manifestations of degenerative spine diseases, the main cause of radiated lower back pain. This guideline followed standard of a systematic review with recovery of evidence based on the movement of evidence-based medicine. We used the structured method for formulating the question synthesized by the acronym p. Read More

Br J Radiol 2019 Apr 17;92(1096):20180851. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

3 Western Norway University of Applied Sciences , Bergen , Norway.

Objective:: To compare disc and nerve root findings, image quality, and pain between supine lumbar MRI positions with straightened v s flexed hips and knees.

Methods:: In this prospective pilot study, 14 adults with sciatica or suspected lumbar radiculopathy underwent MRI supine with their hips and knees flexed and then straightened. For each position, two experienced radiologists assessed disc contour, location/size of disc herniation, nerve root affection, image quality, image evaluation difficulty, and sagittal angles between the vertebral bodies at each disc level L3-S1. Read More

Pain Res Manag 2018 13;2018:5192814. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Pain Management, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 324 Jingwu Road, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China.

Background: Oxygen/ozone therapy is a minimally invasive technique for the treatment of radiculitis from lumbar disc herniation. This study aimed at investigating whether intrathecal administration of low-concentration oxygen/ozone could attenuate chronic radiculitis and mechanical allodynia after noncompressive lumbar disc herniation and at elucidating the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: First, we transplanted autologous nucleus pulposus into dorsal root ganglions to establish chronic radiculitis in rats. Read More

Materials (Basel) 2019 Jan 14;12(2). Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.

Disc degeneration affects 12% to 35% of a given population, based on genetics, age, gender, and other environmental factors, and usually occurs in the lumbar spine due to heavier loads and more strenuous motions. Degeneration of the extracellular matrix (ECM) within reduces mechanical integrity, shock absorption, and swelling capabilities of the intervertebral disc. When severe enough, the disc can bulge and eventually herniate, leading to pressure build up on the spinal cord. Read More

Front Vet Sci 2018 12;5:311. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Laboratory for Equine and Comparative Orthopedic Research, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States.

Pain from coxofemoral joint (CFJ) osteoarthritis (OA) characteristic of canine hip dysplasia (CHD) afflicts many dogs. Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a common CFJ OA comorbidity. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) administration is standard for treatment of pain from degenerative joint disease. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Jan;98(1):e13970

Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka.

Prospective case-control study.This study used a prospective multicenter database to investigate whether dural tear (DT) is associated with an increased rate of other perioperative complications.Few studies have had sufficient data accuracy and statistical power to evaluate the association between DT and other complications owing to a low incidence of occurrence. Read More

JAAPA 2019 Jan;32(1):33-34

Anthony Pastore was a student in the PA program at Pace University-Lenox Hill Hospital at the time this article was written. He now practices orthopedic surgery in Fairfield, Conn. Jonathan E. Sobel is senior administrative director for PA services at Northwell Health-Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, N.Y., and president and chair of the board of directors of the American Academy of PAs. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.

A lumbar hernia is a rare occurrence, with about 300 cases reported in the literature since the first publication by Garengeot in 1731. Incisional lumbar hernias are defined as secondary acquired hernias that can develop after surgeries such as nephrectomies or aortic aneurysm repairs. Harvesting bone from the iliac crest also has been identified as a cause of incisional lumbar hernias, occurring after about 0. Read More

J Orthop Surg Res 2018 Dec 26;13(1):326. Epub 2018 Dec 26.

Orthopedic Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu, China.

Background: Lumbar total disc replacement (TDR) has shown satisfactory clinical outcomes with few complications and reoperations at short-term follow-up, but the mid- to long-term results are not clear.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the mid- to long-term clinical outcomes of artificial TDR for lumbar degenerative disc diseases.

Patients And Methods: A systematic search was conducted using the PubMed database to identify studies of TDR surgery that included at least 3 years of follow-up. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2018 19;2018:5806037. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Xinqiao Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China.

Objective: Endoscopic surgeries have been attempted in the field of lumbar decompression and fusion surgery in the past decade. Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (PELIF) is a new-emerging technique taking advantages of an anatomical (Kambin's triangle) to achieve simultaneous decompression and fusion under endoscopic visualization. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and safety of PELIF technique with general anesthesia and neuromonitoring. Read More

J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY (Dr. Iyer), and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL (Dr. Louie, Dr. Nolte, and Dr. Phillips).

Low back pain resulting from intervertebral disk degeneration is a cause of substantial disability and productivity loss. Over the past few years, growing evidence exists which suggests that low-grade bacterial infection, particularly infection with Cutibacterium acnes, may be associated with degenerative disk disease in the lumbar spine. Positive cultures are obtained in approximately 30% of intervertebral disk specimens removed at the time of surgery. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Dec;97(50):e13684

Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul.

Background: A lumbar herniated intervertebral disc (LHIVD) is a common problem that usually causes low back pain and radiating pain. The effectiveness of Bosinji, one of the herbal medicines used for low back pain and radiating pain in patient with LHIVD, has been reported in several studies; however, little clinical evidence is available owing to the methodological limitations in previous studies. Hence, the present study aims to establish the clinical evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of Bosinji in improving pain, function, and quality of life in LHIVD patients. Read More

Mol Genet Genomic Med 2019 02 8;7(2):e00524. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Department of Spine (Thoracic and Vertebra), The Second Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China.

Background: Lumbar disk disease (LDD) is a common musculoskeletal disorder. Several predisposing genetic and environmental risk factors have been established for symptomatic LDD.

Methods: We conducted a case-control association study to investigate the role of the COL11A2 gene in LDD. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Dec;97(49):e13541

Department of Spine Surgery.

Rationale: Nocardial spinal epidural abscess is rare. The diagnosis is often difficult to make and, if delayed, poses a high risk of long-term disability. Nocardial spinal epidural abscess with severe lumbar disc herniation has not previously been reported. Read More

Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Neurosurgery, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.

Study Design: Reliability Study.

Objective: To evaluate the applicability and reliability of 9.4T MRI in the assessment of degenerative disc disease compared to 3T MRI. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2018 7;2018:1574020. Epub 2018 Nov 7.

Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel.

The aim of this study was to reveal whether demographic aspect, vertebral morphometry, and spine degeneration are associated with lumbar Schmorl's nodes (SNs). A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed using data from the Department of Radiology (Carmel, Medical Center, Israel) for 180 individuals: age range between 40 and 99 years; 90 males and 90 females. All participants had undergone high-resolution CT scans for abdominal diagnostic purposes in the same supine position prior to our study, which enabled the processing of the scans in all planes and allowed a 3D reconstruction of the lower lumbar region. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Mar 7;123:81-85. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Neurosurgery, The Leon Wiltse Memorial Hospital, Suwon, Korea.

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) is regarded as an alternative treatment for lumbar disc herniation. Although the indication for PELD has expanded with remarkable evolution of the technique, sometimes unexpected complications have occurred during PELD. We report 3 cases of de novo disc prolapse during PELD. Read More

Med Sci Monit 2018 Dec 1;24:8693-8698. Epub 2018 Dec 1.

Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China (mainland).

BACKGROUND This cohort study compared the efficacy and safety of minimally invasive versus open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Mis-TLIF versus Open-TLIF) for lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy. MATERIAL AND METHODS From July 2016 to September 2017, we recruited 37 patients suffering from lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy. Seventeen patients underwent Mis-TLIF (Mis group) and 20 patients underwent Open-TLIF (Open group). Read More

J Orthop Surg Res 2018 Dec 4;13(1):307. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Department of Spinal Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong, People's Republic of China.

Background: It is well known that internal disc disruption (IDD) is accelerated by factors such as aging and injury. High- intensity zone (HIZ) on lumbar MRI is usually considered a marker of painful IDD. However, many painful IDD show no HIZ. Read More

Zhongguo Gu Shang 2018 Nov;31(11):1065-1068

Department of Spinal Surgery, Mingzhou Hospital of Zhejiang University, Ningbo 315100, Zhejiang, China;

Objective: To explore the clinical effect of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy via lateral position assisted with local anesthesia for lumbar disc herniation in elder with systemic diseases.

Methods: The clinical data of 44 elder patients with lumbar disc herniation and systemic diseases treated from June 2013 to June 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Including 26 males and 18 females, aged 70 to 86 years old with an average of(77. Read More

Pain Physician 2018 11;21(6):E643-E650

Department of Neurosurgery, Spine and Spinal Cord Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Background: The non-operative treatment of herniated intervertebral discs has long been a fundamental challenge. A novel technique of laser ablation to ablate the nucleus pulposus under a transforaminal epiduroscope (TELA system, Lutronics, Seoul, Republic of Korea) was recently developed.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transforaminal epiduroscopic laser ablation (TELA) for selective ablation of the nucleus pulposus in single-level disc disease. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Nov;97(48):e13417

Department of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China.

The aim of this study is to observe the therapeutic effect of percutaneous endoscopic discectomy and its influencing factors for lumbar disc herniation and compare the advantages and disadvantages of transforaminal and interlaminar of percutaneous endoscopy.Data from 143 patients with lumbar disc herniation were respectively collected, including demographic and clinical data. Study population were divided into curative effect group and poor curative effect group, and logistic regression was used to explore the influencing factors of curative effect. Read More

J Surg Orthop Adv Fall 2018;27(3):209-218

Department of Orthopaedics, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio.

Discogenic fusion is associated with variable outcomes, especially if multiple levels are fused. This study sought to determine the impact of fused levels on return to work (RTW) status in a workers' compensation (WC) setting. Nine hundred thirty-seven subjects were selected for study. Read More

Orthop Surg 2018 Nov;10(4):328-336

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells induced by microencapsulated chondrocytes on repairing of intervertebral disc degeneration.

Methods: Rabbit chondrocytes and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were derived. Chondrocytes were microencapsulated by a microcapsule generator to produce microencapsulated chondrocytes (MEC). Read More

J Neurosurg Pediatr 2018 Nov;23(2):251-258

OBJECTIVEThe authors sought to investigate the efficiency of percutaneous endoscopic discectomy (PED) in adolescent patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH), compare PED outcomes in adolescent patients with those in young adult LDH patients as controls, and discuss relevant technical notes.METHODSThis was a retrospective study involving 19 adolescent LDH patients (age > 13 and < 18 years, 20 discectomies) and 38 young adults (age < 40 years, 38 discectomies) who also had LDH and were matched to the adolescent group for sex and body mass index. The combined cohort included 51 male patients (89. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Nov 24. Epub 2018 Nov 24.

Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, China-INI, Xicheng District, P.R. China. Electronic address:

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) in the treatment of degenerative lumbar disease.

Methods: Twenty-two patients with degenerative lumbar disease who underwent OLIF between October 2016 and January 2017 were included. Radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging were performed preoperatively and postoperatively. Read More

Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2019 Jan 29;176:19-24. Epub 2018 Oct 29.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Affiliated Xinqiao Hospital, The Third Military Medical University, No.183, Xinqiao Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400037, People's Republic of China. Electronic address:

Objectives: To compare the clinical outcomes of patients with massive lumbar disc disease undergoing percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy and minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion at a single clinic.

Patients And Methods: From January 2008 to January 2014, 360 consecutive patients with massive lumbar disc herniation were treated with PELD(184 patients) or MIS-TLIF(176 patients). Data collected prospectively for analysis included clinical and radiographic results after revision surgery and complications. Read More

Orthop Surg 2018 Nov 25;10(4):306-311. Epub 2018 Nov 25.

Department of Orthopaedics, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical College of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.

Objective: Turnover of cartilage endplate extracellular matrix (ECM) may play an important role in disc degeneration and low back pain (LBP). However, the expression pattern of pro-inflammatory factors, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP) in the cartilage endplates (CEP) of intervertebral discs (IVD) is not understood. We aimed to examine the transcriptional levels of MMP, TIMP, and interleukins (IL), and the correlations between them. Read More

Int J Surg 2018 Dec 22;60:224-230. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Center for Evidence-Based Medicine, Department of Education, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address:

Objectives: Lumbar interbody fusion (LIF) is a treatment option for patients with degenerative disc disease (DDD). However, the effects of the most common LIF procedures-posterior LIF, transforaminal LIF, and anterior LIF-for the treatment of patients with DDD remain controversial. This study evaluated the pain and function caused by the LIF procedures for the treatment of patients with DDD. Read More

J Pediatr 2019 Mar 19;206:212-216. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Division of Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Objective: To review pediatric idiopathic intervertebral disc calcification (PIIVDC) within a single center and within the literature to outline the disease course, management, and outcome.

Study Design: A retrospective chart review was performed spanning the period between January 2001 and February 2016 for diagnoses of PIIVDC. Patient age, sex, symptoms, and history and physical and neurologic findings were reviewed. Read More

Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 2019 Jan 18;61:38-45. Epub 2018 Jun 18.

Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America.

Background: Understanding the association between MR parameters and age related deterioration in human intervertebral disks forms an important step in the development of clinical diagnostic protocols for disk disease.

Methods: Ten unfixed thoracic and lumbar cadaver disk joints, age 37-81 years were imaged at 9.4 T using T2 relaxation (CPMG) and ADC (DWI spin echo) MR protocols. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Feb 14;122:e1228-e1239. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Department of Neurosurgery, Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Patients with far lateral disc herniation (FLDH) experience more severe pain and sensory symptoms compared with those with paracentral disc herniation. In addition, surgical intervention has both been more challenging and resulted in poorer outcomes.

Methods: We report our experience with intraoperative computed tomography (iCT) navigation-assisted minimally invasive tubular microdiscectomy via a paramedian approach with electrophysiological monitoring for precise 3-dimensional anatomical localization and early electrophysiological identification of the exiting nerve. Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2019 Mar 13;61:281-284. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan.

Charcot spinal arthropathy (CSA) is a rare spinal disorder presenting neuropathic osteoarthropathy of facet joints leading to progressive destruction. After L4-5 PLIF, a 63-year-old woman with Parkinson's disease (PD) underwent L3-4 and L5-S1 PLIF for primary adjacent segment disease caused by degenerative change, which was found as facet joint osteophytes and a vacuum disc phenomenon with endplate sclerosis. However, her postural disorder from PD deteriorated, and strong opioid analgesics were administered for severe recurring low back pain. Read More