Methods: The study included patients with ASD aged >60 years who underwent spinal corrective fusion surgery from the lower thoracic spine to the pelvis. The intraoperative PS insertion torque was measured using a torque meter. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between the PS insertion torque and the BMD, HU, and VBQ score. Preoperative bone quality was compared between the proximal junctional failure (PJF) and non-PJF groups. Results: Thirty-one patients with 177 PS at T10, T11, and T12 were analyzed. The PS insertion torque showed a moderate positive correlation with lumbar spine BMD (r=0.59–0.69, p<0.01), total hip BMD (0.58–0.62, p<0.01), and HU value (r=0.58–0.66, p<0.01). However, the VBQ score did not show significant correlation (r=−0.28 to −0.23, p >0.05). Notably, a strong correlation was found between the PS insertion torque and the HU value for screws of the same size (r=0.71 and 0.74, p<0.01). The HU value at T12 and the PS insertion torque at T10 were significantly lower in the PJF group than in the non-PJF group. Conclusions This study demonstrates a positive correlation between the PS insertion torque and HU value in the lower thoracic spine and a moderate correlation with BMD but not the VBQ score. Preoperative assessment using DEXA and CT is crucial for optimizing bone health management in ASD surgery.

Methods: The study included patients with ASD aged >60 years who underwent spinal corrective fusion surgery from the lower thoracic spine to the pelvis. The intraoperative PS insertion torque was measured using a torque meter. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between the PS insertion torque and the BMD, HU, and VBQ score. Preoperative bone quality was compared between the proximal junctional failure (PJF) and non-PJF groups. Results: Thirty-one patients with 177 PS at T10, T11, and T12 were analyzed. The PS insertion torque showed a moderate positive correlation with lumbar spine BMD (r=0.59–0.69, p<0.01), total hip BMD (0.58–0.62, p<0.01), and HU value (r=0.58–0.66, p<0.01). However, the VBQ score did not show significant correlation (r=−0.28 to −0.23, p >0.05). Notably, a strong correlation was found between the PS insertion torque and the HU value for screws of the same size (r=0.71 and 0.74, p<0.01). The HU value at T12 and the PS insertion torque at T10 were significantly lower in the PJF group than in the non-PJF group. Conclusions This study demonstrates a positive correlation between the PS insertion torque and HU value in the lower thoracic spine and a moderate correlation with BMD but not the VBQ score. Preoperative assessment using DEXA and CT is crucial for optimizing bone health management in ASD surgery.

Methods: The study included patients with ASD aged >60 years who underwent spinal corrective fusion surgery from the lower thoracic spine to the pelvis. The intraoperative PS insertion torque was measured using a torque meter. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between the PS insertion torque and the BMD, HU, and VBQ score. Preoperative bone quality was compared between the proximal junctional failure (PJF) and non-PJF groups. Results: Thirty-one patients with 177 PS at T10, T11, and T12 were analyzed. The PS insertion torque showed a moderate positive correlation with lumbar spine BMD (r=0.59–0.69, p<0.01), total hip BMD (0.58–0.62, p<0.01), and HU value (r=0.58–0.66, p<0.01). However, the VBQ score did not show significant correlation (r=−0.28 to −0.23, p >0.05). Notably, a strong correlation was found between the PS insertion torque and the HU value for screws of the same size (r=0.71 and 0.74, p<0.01). The HU value at T12 and the PS insertion torque at T10 were significantly lower in the PJF group than in the non-PJF group. Conclusions This study demonstrates a positive correlation between the PS insertion torque and HU value in the lower thoracic spine and a moderate correlation with BMD but not the VBQ score. Preoperative assessment using DEXA and CT is crucial for optimizing bone health management in ASD surgery.

Methods: The study included patients with ASD aged >60 years who underwent spinal corrective fusion surgery from the lower thoracic spine to the pelvis. The intraoperative PS insertion torque was measured using a torque meter. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between the PS insertion torque and the BMD, HU, and VBQ score. Preoperative bone quality was compared between the proximal junctional failure (PJF) and non-PJF groups. Results: Thirty-one patients with 177 PS at T10, T11, and T12 were analyzed. The PS insertion torque showed a moderate positive correlation with lumbar spine BMD (r=0.59–0.69, p<0.01), total hip BMD (0.58–0.62, p<0.01), and HU value (r=0.58–0.66, p<0.01). However, the VBQ score did not show significant correlation (r=−0.28 to −0.23, p >0.05). Notably, a strong correlation was found between the PS insertion torque and the HU value for screws of the same size (r=0.71 and 0.74, p<0.01). The HU value at T12 and the PS insertion torque at T10 were significantly lower in the PJF group than in the non-PJF group. Conclusions This study demonstrates a positive correlation between the PS insertion torque and HU value in the lower thoracic spine and a moderate correlation with BMD but not the VBQ score. Preoperative assessment using DEXA and CT is crucial for optimizing bone health management in ASD surgery.

To practically apply photoacoustic (PA) imaging technology in medicine, we have developed prototypes of a photoacoustic mammography (PAM) device to acquire images for diagnosing breast cancer in the Kyoto University/Canon joint research project (CK project supported by MEXT, Japan). First, the basic ability of the PAM system to visualize the network of blood vessels and the Hb saturation index was evaluated using a prototype of PAM that has a flat scanning detector and is capable of simultaneously acquiring photoacoustic (PA) and ultrasound images. Next, another prototype of a PAM device with hemispherical sensors was developed to improve the visibility of the 3D structure of vessels by reducing the limited view effect. In clinical examination of breast cancer cases, the PAM system allowed 3D visualization of fine vessel networks with a spatial resolution of a half-millimeter and enabled us to determine the features of tumor-related vascular structures in human breast cancer. In addition, the oxygen saturation status of Hb was visualized using two different wavelengths, enabling more precise characterization of the tumor microenvironment. Results of clinical evaluation using our developed prototype of a PAM device confirmed that PA imaging technology has the potential to promote early detection of breast cancer, and realization of its practical use is expected in the near future.
Blood Vessels ; Breast Neoplasms ; Humans ; Joints ; Mammography* ; Oxygen ; Tumor Microenvironment ; Ultrasonography