STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. PURPOSE: This study evaluated long-term surgical outcomes of computer-assisted reconstruction using transarticular or cervical pedicle screws for cervical spine lesions caused by advanced rheumatoid arthritis (RA). OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: We routinely employ C1–C2 transarticular and cervical pedicle screw instrumentation to reconstruct advanced and unstable RA cervical lesions. However, few reports are available on the long-term results of surgical reconstruction for rheumatoid cervical disorders, particularly regarding cervical pedicle screw fixation. METHODS: Six subjects (all female) with RA cervical lesions who underwent atlantoaxial or occipitocervical fixation and were followed for at least 10 years were retrospectively studied. A frameless, stereotactic, optoelectronic, computed tomography-based image guidance system was used for correct screw placement. Variables including the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, EuroQol, Ranawat value, and C2–C7 angle before and 2, 5, and 10 years after surgery were assessed along with the occurrence of subaxial subluxation (SAS). RESULTS: Mean age at initial surgery was 58.2±7 years (range, 51–68 years), and mean follow-up period was 141±11 months (range, 122–153 months). Lesions included atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS, n=2) and AAS+vertical subluxation (n=4). Mean C2–C7 lordotic angle before and 2, 5, and 10 years after surgery was 20.1°±6.1°, 21.0°±4.0°, 18.8°±4.7°, and 17.8°±5.3°, respectively. SAS did not occur in cases maintaining the C2–C7 lordotic angle. In two cases where the C2–C7 lordotic angle declined from 5 years postoperatively, SAS occurred at the C2–C3 level in one and at the C4–C5 level in the other, both of which required reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with rheumatoid cervical lesions who undergo atlantoaxial or occipitocervical fixation using C1–C2 transarticular or pedicle screws carry a risk of SAS for up to 10 years postoperatively, which may require reoperation.

Methods: A total of 120 patients with AIS who underwent posterior spinal fusion from August 2006 to March 2017 at our facility and were followed up for 2 years or more were included. Radiological parameters were measured on whole-spine anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. Revised SRS-22 (SRS-22r) values were also recorded. Coronal trunk imbalance was defined as a deviation of ≥2.0 cm between the C7PL and the central sacral vertical line. Patients with and without coronal trunk imbalance at 2 years after surgery were defined as D (+) (decompensation type) and D (-), respectively. Mean SRS-22r values, including function, pain, self-image, mental health, and subtotal were compared between the D (+) and D (-) groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to detect the preoperative factors related to D (+) using predictors, including curve type, maximum Cobb angle, and coronal trunk imbalance. Results: At 2 years after surgery, the D (+) group had a significantly lower self-image in the domain of SRS-22r scores compared with the D (-) group. Preoperative coronal trunk imbalance was significantly related to D (+) but not to significant changes in the postoperative SRS-22 score in any of the SRS-22 domains. Conclusions Postoperative C7PL deviation lowers the self-image in patients with AIS. Patients with preoperative coronal trunk imbalance were significantly more likely to be D (+).

Background: Gingyo-gedoku-san (GGGS) is an herbal medicine approved for upper respiratory infections in Japan. We conducted an open-label, multi-center, prospective trial, comparing GGGS with oseltamivir in patients with influenza and influenza-like illness (ILI) as a pilot study.
Methods: Subjects were healthy persons aged between 16 and 40, and were enrolled from January 12, 2010 to March 24, 2011. Fifteen patients were enrolled in this trial (8 and 7 for GGGS and oseltamivir, respectively). RT-PCR was positive for pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in 10 patients. The patients were provided with either GGGS or oseltamivir for 5 days. The primary outcome was mortality and/or hospitalization 7 days after the initial diagnosis. Body temperature and other clinical characteristics were also evaluated.
Results: All patients recovered from illness without complication or hospitalization. The mean time to resolve symptoms for the GGGS and oseltamivir groups was 3.9 days and 3.3 days, respectively (p=0.43). The GGGS group appeared to have a smaller symptom score AUC than the oseltamivir group, (p=0.26). Time to recover activity level appeared to be shorter in the GGGS group (p=0.10), with shorter time to recover health status (p=0.02). Sub-group analysis on patients with positive PCR showed similar results between the two groups.
Conclusion: GGGS was associated with symptom improvements resembling oseltamivir for both influenza and ILI. Randomized controlled trials involving larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these results.