Preoperative Low Lumbar Hounsfield Units and Global Alignment Predict Postoperative Mechanical Complications After Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

This study investigated the potential of Hounsfield unit (HU) values obtained from computed tomography (CT) scans as predictors of mechanical complications (MCs) in patients undergoing long-segment spinal fusion involving the pelvis. Additionally, it identified a threshold HU value associated with an increased risk of MCs. We conducted a retrospective, multicenter review of patients who underwent long-segment spinal fusion involving the pelvis, with a minimum follow-up period of two years.

Longitudinal transitions in frailty and health-related quality of life investigated by a 5-year community study.

The purpose of this study was to determine the association between frailty and quality of life (QOL) in a five-year longitudinal cohort of community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults and determine how to identify health-related QOL changes. This study included 124 volunteers (67 women; mean 65 years at baseline) who underwent health checkups in 2014 and 2019. The association between frailty status (robust, prefrail, frail), according to the Japanese Cardiovascular Health Study criteria, and health-related QOL, measured with the SF-36 questionnaire, were investigated.

Trabecular Bone Remodeling after Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Indirect Findings for Stress Transmission between Vertebrae after Spinal Fusion Surgery.

Introduction: After posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), trabecular bone remodeling (TBR) occurs in the vertebral body. This study aimed to investigate whether imaging findings obtained with PLIF are applicable to lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF).

Methods: A total of 53 cases who underwent one- or two-level LLIF with polyether ether ketone cage and posterior spinal fixation/fusion (PSF) were retrospectively included in this study.

Indirect Decompression in Vertebral Reconstruction for Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures with Neurological Symptoms: A Preliminary Case Series.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the clinical and radiological outcome of "indirect decompression" using lateral-posterior combined surgery for osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF) with neurological symptoms.

Methods: A total of 17 patients who underwent lateral and posterior combined indirect decompressive spinal reconstruction (LP-IDR) for single-level OVF with neurological symptoms were included in this study. The neurological symptoms (sensory disturbance and muscle weakness) and imaging findings (local angle and height of the fracture segment and bone fragment occupancy in the spinal canal) were investigated preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the 1-year follow-up.

The BDNF-ERK/MAPK axis reduces phosphatase and actin regulator1, 2 and 3 (PHACTR1, 2 and 3) mRNA expressions in cortical neurons.

Actin rearrangement and phosphorylation-dephosphorylation in the nervous system contribute to plastic alteration of neuronal structure and function. Phosphatase and actin regulator (PHACTR) family members are actin- and protein phosphatase 1 (PP1)-binding proteins. Because some family members act as regulators of neuronal morphology, studying the regulatory mechanisms of PHACTR is valuable for understanding the basis of neuronal circuit formation.

Ten-Year Follow-up of Posterior Decompression and Fusion Surgery for Thoracic Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament.

Background: We evaluated the clinical, functional, and quality of life (QoL) outcomes of surgical treatment of thoracic ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (T-OPLL).

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 51 patients followed for ≥10 years after posterior decompression and corrective fusion surgery for T-OPLL. The data collected included demographics, comorbidities, and pre- and postoperative symptoms.

Neuromodulation with transcranial direct current stimulation contributes to motor function recovery via microglia in spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage or trauma to the spinal cord, which often results in loss of function, sensation, or mobility below the injury site. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive and affordable brain stimulation technique used to modulate neuronal circuits, which changes the morphology and activity of microglia in the cerebral cortex. However, whether similar morphological changes can be observed in the spinal cord remains unclear.

Longitudinal impact of multi-segment spinal fixation surgery on mobility status and clinical outcomes in adult spinal deformity: a multicenter retrospective study.

Purpose: To investigate changes in postoperative mobility status in patients with ASD, and the determining factors that influence these changes and their impact on clinical outcomes, including the rate of home discharge and long-term mobility.

Methods: A total of 299 patients with ASD who underwent multi-segment posterior spinal fusion were registered in a multi-center database were investigated. Patient mobility status was assessed using walking aids and classified into five levels (1: independent, 2: cane, 3: walker, 4: assisted, and 5: wheelchair) preoperatively, at discharge, and after 2 years.

Does global spinal alignment affect the use of walking aids after multi-segment spinal fixation for patients with ASD? A multicenter retrospective study.

Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the relation between global spinal alignment and the necessity of walking aid use in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD) and to investigate the impact of spinal fixation on mobility status after surgery.

Methods: In total, 456 older patients with ASD who had multi-segment spinal fixation surgery and were registered in a multi-center database were investigated. Patients under 60 years of age and those unable to walk preoperatively were excluded.

Trabecular Bone Remodeling after Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Comparison of the Osseointegration in Three-Dimensional Porous Titanium Cages and Polyether-Ether-Ketone Cages.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: Imaging changes in the vertebral body after posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) are determined to be trabecular bone remodeling (TBR). This study aimed to investigate the influence of cage materials on TBR and segment stabilization in PLIF by studying image changes.

Preoperative low Hounsfield units in the lumbar spine are associated with postoperative mechanical complications in adult spinal deformity.

Purpose: To determine the most valid bone health parameter to predict mechanical complications (MCs) following surgery for adult spinal deformity (ASD).

Methods: This multicenter study retrospectively examined the records of patients who had undergone fusion of three or more motion segments, including the pelvis, with a minimum two-year follow-up period. Patients with moderate and severe global alignment and proportion scores were included in the study and divided into two groups: those who developed MCs and those who did not.

Obesity Is Associated with Asymptomatic Vertebral Fractures: A Yakumo Study.

Patients with primary vertebral fracture (VF) are at high risk of re-fracture and mortality. However, approximately two-thirds of patients with VFs receive minimal clinical attention. The current study aimed to investigate the factors associated with asymptomatic VFs in middle-aged and elderly individuals who underwent resident health examinations.

A Longitudinal Study on the Effect of Exercise Habits on Locomotive Syndrome and Quality of Life during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, this study investigated the potential of exercise habits to improve quality of life (QOL) and prevent locomotive syndrome (LS) in residents of Yakumo-cho, Hokkaido, Japan. Participants from the 2018 health checkup were surveyed in February 2022, focusing on 200 respondents. These individuals were divided based on their 2018 exercise habits (at least 1 h per week): the exercise group (E group) and the non-exercise group (N group), further categorized in 2022 into the 2022E and 2022N groups.

Automated Detection and Diagnosis of Spinal Schwannomas and Meningiomas Using Deep Learning and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Spinal cord tumors are infrequently identified spinal diseases that are often difficult to diagnose even with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. To minimize the probability of overlooking these tumors and improve diagnostic accuracy, an automatic diagnostic system is needed. We aimed to develop an automated system for detecting and diagnosing spinal schwannomas and meningiomas based on deep learning using You Only Look Once (YOLO) version 4 and MRI.

Trabecular Bone Remodeling After Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Comparison of Three-Dimensional Porous Tantalum and Titanium-Coated Polyetheretherketone Interbody Cages.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: The criteria for determining completion of intervertebral stability after posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) remain controversial. Several new radiological indicators of bone growth and osteointegration have been established.