OBJECTIVE: Using alendronate after spinal fusion is a controversial issue due to the inhibition of osteoclast mediated bone resorption. In addition, there are an increasing number of reports that the endplate degeneration influences the lumbar spinal fusion. The object of this retrospective controlled study was to evaluate how the endplate degeneration and the bisphosphonate medication influence the spinal fusion through radiographic evaluation. METHODS: In this study, 44 patients who underwent single-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) using cage were examined from April 2007 to March 2009. All patients had been diagnosed as osteoporosis and would be recommended for alendronate medication. Endplate degeneration is categorized by the Modic changes. The solid fusion is defined if there was bridging bone between the vertebral bodies, either within or external to the cage on the plain X-ray and if there is less than 5degrees of angular difference in dynamic X-ray. RESULTS: In alendronate group, fusion was achieved in 66.7% compared to 73.9% in control group (no medication). Alendronate did not influence the fusion rate of PLIF. However, there was the statistical difference of fusion rate between the endplate degeneration group and the group without endplate degeneration. A total of 52.4% of fusion rate was seen in the endplate degeneration group compared to 91.3% in the group without endplate degeneration. The endplate degeneration suppresses the fusion process of PLIF. CONCLUSION: Alendronate does not influence the fusion process in osteoporotic patients. The endplate degeneration decreases the fusion rate.
Alendronate* ; Bone Resorption ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Osteoclasts ; Osteoporosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion

BACKGROUND: Study on epigenetics of urothelial carcinomas has expanded and allowed better understanding of their correlation with clinicopathologic features. The aim of this study was to determine reliable predictive epigenetic markers for patients with urothelial carcinoma of urinary bladder. METHODS: In 64 urothelial carcinomas of the urinary bladder, methylationspecific polymerase chain reaction with RAS association domain family 1A (RASSF1A), adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), death-associated protein-kinase (DAPK), runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3), p14, p16 and MGMT was performed and correlated the results with p53 mutations, DNA ploidy, clinicopathologic parameters and recurrences. RESULTS: Hypermethyation of RASSF1A, APC, DAPK, RUNX3, p14, p16 and MGMT promoters was observed in 35 (54.7%), 29 (45.3%), 18 (28.1%), 18 (28.1%), 9 (14.1%), 2 (3.1%), and 6 (9.4%) cases, respectively. Hypermethylation of RUNX3 and APC was significantly associated with high histologic grades and aneuploidy. Methylation of DAPK was significantly associated with muscle invasion. Methylation of DAPK and RUNX3 genes was significantly associated with recurrence. In survival analyses, methylation of RUNX3 gene and methylation-high (methylation at two or more loci) phenotype was significantly associated with poor recurrence-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Methylation of RUNX3 gene and methylation-high phenotype are significant indicator of recurrence.
Adenomatous Polyposis Coli ; Aneuploidy ; DNA ; Epigenomics ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Humans ; Methylation ; Muscles ; Phenotype ; Ploidies ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Transcription Factor 3 ; Urinary Bladder