BACKGROUND: This study examined the relationship between four radiological parameters (Pavlov's ratio, sagittal diameter, spinal cord area, and spinal canal area) in patients with a traumatic cervical spine injury, as well as the correlation between these parameters and the neurological outcome. METHODS: A total of 212 cervical spinal levels in 53 patients with a distractive-extension injury were examined. The following four parameters were measured: Pavlov's ratio on the plain lateral radiographs, the sagittal diameter, the spinal cord area, and the spinal canal area on the MRI scans. The Pearson correlation coefficients between the parameters at each level and between the levels of each parameter were evaluated. The correlation between the radiological parameters and the spinal cord injury status classified into four categories, A (complete), B (incomplete), C (radiculopathy), and D (normal) was assessed. RESULTS: The mean Pavlov's ratio, sagittal diameter, spinal cord area and spinal canal area was 0.84, 12.9 mm, 82.8 mm2 and 236.8 mm2, respectively. An examination of the correlation between the radiological spinal stenosis and clinical spinal cord injury revealed an increase in the values of the four radiological parameters from cohorts A to D. Pavlov's ratio was the only parameter showing statistically significant correlation with the clinical status (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: There was a correlation between the underlying spinal stenosis and the development of neurological impairment after a traumatic cervical spine injury. In addition, it is believed that Pavlov's ratio can be used to help determine and predict the neurological outcome.
Adult ; Aged ; Analysis of Variance ; Cervical Vertebrae/*radiography ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck Injuries/*radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Canal/pathology/*radiography ; Spinal Cord Injuries/pathology/*radiography ; Spinal Stenosis/pathology/*radiography ; Young Adult

To date, there have been no prospective, objective studies comparing the accuracy of the MRI, myelo-CT and myelography. The purpose of this study is to compare the diagnostic and predictive values of MRIs, myelo-CTs, and myelographies. Myelographies with dynamic motion views, myelo-CTs, MRIs and exercise treadmill tests were performed in 35 cases. The narrowest AP diameter of the dural sac was measured by myelography. At the pathologic level, dural cross-sectional area (D-CSA) was calculated in the MRI and Myelo-CT. The time to the first symptoms (TAF) and the total ambulation time (TAT) were measured during the exercise treadmill test and used as the standard in the comparison of correlation between radiographic parameters and walking capacity. The mean D-CSA by CT was 58.3 mm2 and 47.6 mm2 by MRI. All radiographic parameters such as AP diameters and D-CSA have no correlation to TAF or TAT (p > 0.05). Our data showed no statistically significant differences in the correlation of the patients' walking capacity to the severity of stenosis as assessed by myelography, myelo-CT and MRI.
*Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Spinal Stenosis/*diagnosis/pathology/radiography ; Predictive Value of Tests ; *Myelography ; Middle Aged ; Male ; *Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; *Lumbar Vertebrae/pathology/radiography ; Humans ; Female ; *Exercise Test ; Aged

PURPOSE: A comparison of MRI and computed tomography-myelography (CTM) for lumbar intracanalar dimensions. To compare the capability and reproducibility of MRI and CTM in measuring the cross-sectional morphology of intracanalar lesions of the lumbar spine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MRI and CTM of lumbar disc levels from 61 subjects with various lumbar spinal diseases were studied. Dural area, dural anteroposterior (AP) diameter, dural right-left diameter, and thickness of the ligamentum flavum were measured by two orthopedic surgeons. Each section was graded by degree of stenosis. Absolute value and intra- and inter-observer correlation coefficients (ICC) of these measurements and the associations between MRI and CTM values were determined. RESULTS: Except for MRI determination of ligament flavum thickness, CTM and MRI and intra- and ICC suggested sufficient reproducibility. When measurements of dural area, dural AP diameter, and RL diameter were compared, values in CTM were significantly (p = 0.01-0.004) larger than those in MRI (CTM/MRI ratios, 119%, 111%, and 105%, respectively). As spinal stenosis became more severe, discrepancies between CTM and MRI in measurements of the dural sac became larger. CONCLUSION: Both CTM and MRI provided reproducible measurements of lumbar intracanalar dimensions. However, flavum thickness may be more accurately measured by CTM. Because the differences in the measurements between CTM and MRI are very slight and there is very little data to suggest that the precise degree of stenosis is related to symptoms or treatment outcome, the usefulness of the CTM over MRI needs to be confirmed in future studies.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae/*pathology/*radiography ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/*methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelography/*methods ; Spinal Stenosis/*pathology/*radiography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods

BACKGROUND: To assess the radiographic results in patients who underwent transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), particularly the changes in segmental lordosis in the fusion segment, whole lumbar lordosis and disc height. METHODS: Twenty six cases of single-level TLIF in degenerative lumbar diseases were analyzed. The changes in segmental lordosis, whole lumbar lordosis, and disc height were evaluated before surgery, after surgery and at the final follow-up. RESULTS: The segmental lordosis increased significantly after surgery but decreased at the final follow-up. Compared to the preoperative values, the segmental lordosis did not change significantly at the final follow-up. Whole lumbar lordosis at the final follow-up was significantly higher than the preoperative values. The disc height was significantly higher in after surgery than before surgery (p = 0.000) and the disc height alter surgery and at the final follow-up was similar. CONCLUSIONS: When performing TLIF, careful surgical techniques and attention are needed to restore and maintain the segmental lordosis at the fusion level.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disk Degeneration/*surgery ; Lordosis/*radiography ; Lumbar Vertebrae/pathology/*radiography/surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prosthesis Implantation ; Retrospective Studies ; *Spinal Fusion ; Spinal Stenosis/surgery ; Spondylolisthesis/surgery

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) grading system for cervical neural foraminal stenosis (NFS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cervical NFS at bilateral C4/5, C5/6, and C6/7 was classified into the following three grades based on the T2-weighted axial images: Grade 0 = absence of NFS, with the narrowest width of the neural foramen greater than the width of the extraforaminal nerve root (EFNR); Grade 1 = the narrowest width of the neural foramen the same or less than (but more than 50% of) the width of the EFNR; Grade 2 = the width of the neural foramen the same or less than 50% of the width of the EFNR. The MRIs of 96 patients who were over 60 years old (M:F = 50:46; mean age 68.4 years; range 61-86 years) were independently analyzed by seven radiologists. Interobserver and intraobserver agreements were analyzed using the percentage agreement, kappa statistics, and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: For the distinction among the three individual grades at all six neural foramina, the ICC ranged from 0.68 to 0.73, indicating fair to good reproducibility. The percentage agreement ranged from 60.2% to 70.6%, and the kappa values (κ = 0.50-0.58) indicated fair to moderate agreement. The percentages of intraobserver agreement ranged from 85.4% to 93.8% (κ = 0.80-0.92), indicating near perfect agreement. CONCLUSION: The new MRI grading system shows sufficient interobserver and intraobserver agreement to reliably assess cervical NFS.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; *Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reproducibility of Results ; Severity of Illness Index ; Spinal Stenosis/pathology/*radiography

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the outcome of two methods for stabilization and fusion: posterolateral fusion and circumferential fusion involving posterior lumbar interbody fusion for lumbar stenosis with Grades 1 and 2 lumbar spondylolisthesis.

METHODSFrom April 1998 to April 2003, 45 patients suffering from lumbar stenosis with low degree lumbar spondylolisthesis treated in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed and assigned to two groups. Among them, 24 patients (group A) were treated with instrumented posterolateral fusion and 21 patients (group B) with instrumented circumferential fusion. The two groups were compared for clinical and radiological outcomes.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 12 to 72 months. In group A, results showed preoperative clinical symptoms disappeared completely in 12 of 24 patients, and pain relief was seen in 91.7% (22/24). Two cases suffered from residual symptoms. Twenty-two cases obtained complete reduction of olisthy vertebral bodies, and anatomical reduction rate was 91.7%. No infection or neurological complication occurred in this group. In group B, results showed preoperative clinical symptoms disappeared completely in 13 of 21 patients, and pain relief was seen in 90.5% (19/21). One case suffered from residual symptoms. Twenty cases obtained complete reduction of the olisthy vertebral bodies, and anatomical reduction rate was 95.2%. Four cases of infection or neurological complication occurred in this group. Both groups indicated no significant difference in clinical outcomes and anatomical reduction rate during follow-up. But group A had better intraoperative circumstances and postoperative outcome than group B, while group B had better postoperative parameters in X-ray of Angle of Slipping and Disc Index than group A.

CONCLUSIONSThe first choice of surgical method for lumbar stenosis with low degree lumbar spondylolisthesis is instrumented posterolateral fusion. Only when patients suffer from severe preoperative disc degeneration and low back pain or intervertebral instability should we consider indications for additional use of CAGE.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Spinal Stenosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Spondylolisthesis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDAdjacent segment disease (ASD) is common after cervical fusion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for ASD on X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

METHODSPatients included in this study had received revision surgeries after developing symptomatic ASD following anterior decompression and fusion. A control group that had not developed ASD was matched 1:1 by follow-up time and fusion segments. Plate-to-disc distances (PDDs), developmental cervical canal stenosis on X-ray, cervical disc degeneration grading, and cervical disc bulge impingements on preoperative MRI were measured and compared between the ASD group and the control group.

RESULTSThirty-four patients with complete radiographic data were included in the ASD group. The causative segments of ASD included nine cases of C3-4, 18 cases of C4-5, three cases of C5-6, and four cases of C6-7. The ASD occurred at the upper adjacent segments in 26 patients and at the lower adjacent segments in eight patients. PDD distributions were similar between the ASD group and the control group. Developmental cervical canal stenosis was a risk factor for ASD, with an odd ratio value of 2.88. Preoperative cervical disc degenerations on MRI were similar between the ASD group and the control group. In the upper-level ASD group, the disc bulge impingement was (19.7±9.7)%, which was significantly higher than that of the control group of (11.8±4.8)%.

CONCLUSIONSASD was more likely to develop above the index level of fusion. Developmental cervical canal stenosis and greater disc bulge impingement may be risk factors for the development of ASD.

Cervical Vertebrae ; pathology ; surgery ; Decompression, Surgical ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Risk Factors ; Spinal Fusion ; adverse effects ; Spinal Stenosis ; diagnostic imaging

BACKGROUND: Few studies have explored the effects of bisphosphonates on bony healing in patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery. Most previous studies used animal models and found that bisphosphonate shows negative effects on spinal fusion consolidation. We intended to evaluate the effect of a single-dose of zoledronic acid on the volume of the fusion-mass in lumbar spinal fusion. METHODS: A retrospective review was carried out on 44 patients with symptomatic degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis who underwent one or two-level posterolateral fusion from January 2008 and January 2011. They were divided into 4 groups: group 1, autograft and zoledronic acid; group 2, allograft and zoledronic acid; group 3, autograft alone; and group 4, allograft alone. Functional radiography and three-dimensional computed tomography scans were used to evaluate and quantify the volume of the fusion-mass. The visual analog scale (VAS), the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and the short form 36 (SF-36) were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes. RESULTS: The mean volume of the fusion-mass per level was 8,814 mm3, 8,035 mm3, 8,383 mm3, and 7,550 mm3 in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively, but there were no significant differences between the groups (p = 0.829). There were no significant decreases in the volume of the fusion-mass (p = 0.533) in the zoledronic acid groups (groups 1 and 2). The VAS, the ODI, and the SF-36 at the 6-month follow-up after surgery were not significantly different (p > 0.05) among the 4 groups. The VAS, the ODI, and the SF-36 were not correlated with the volume of the fusion-mass (p = 0.120, 0.609, 0.642). CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of zoledronic acid does not decrease the volume of the fusion-mass in patients undergoing spinal fusion with osteoporosis. Therefore, we recommend that zoledronic acid may be used after spinal fusion in osteoporotic patients.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Density Conservation Agents/*therapeutic use ; Diphosphonates/*therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Imidazoles/*therapeutic use ; Lumbar Vertebrae/drug effects/pathology/radiography/surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis/drug therapy ; Pain Measurement ; Pain, Postoperative ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion/adverse effects/*methods ; Spinal Stenosis/pathology/radiography/*surgery ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: The prediction of lumbar back muscle degeneration is important because chronic low back pain and spino-pelvic imbalance have been known to be related to it. However, gender difference should be considered because there are different quality and volume of muscles between genders. The purpose of this study was to search for clinical and radiological factors to predict the degree of lumbar back muscle degeneration according to gender difference. METHODS: We reviewed 112 patients (44 men and 68 women) with spinal stenosis who underwent a decompressive surgery between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2011. Degrees of lumbar back muscle degeneration were classified into three categories by the fatty infiltration at each L3-4 disc level on the axial view of T1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Age, sex, bone marrow density score, and body mass index (BMI) were obtained from chart reviews. Lumbar lordosis, sacral slope, pelvic tilt (PT), and pelvic incidence were calculated with lumbar spine standing lateral radiographs. The degrees of spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy were checked with MRI. Student t-test, chi-square test, or Fisher exact test were used to compare clinical and radiological parameters between genders. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and linear regression analysis were used to search for a relationship between lumbar back muscle degeneration and possible predictive factors in each gender group. RESULTS: Many clinical and radiological parameters were different according to gender. The age, BMI, and PT in the female group (p = 0.013, 0.001, and 0.019, respectively) and the PT in the men group (p = 0.018) were predictive factors to be correlated with lumbar back muscle degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: The PT was the important predictive factor for lumbar back muscle degeneration in both, the male and the female group. However, age and BMI were predictive factors in the female group only.
Aged ; Back Muscles/*pathology/physiopathology/radiography ; Chronic Disease ; Decompression, Surgical ; Female ; Humans ; Low Back Pain/*diagnosis/physiopathology/surgery ; Lumbosacral Region ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postural Balance ; Posture ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Stenosis/*diagnosis/physiopathology/surgery

BACKGROUND: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical and radiological outcomes of posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) with using a unilateral single cage and a local morselized bone graft. METHODS: Fifty three patients who underwent PLIF with a unilateral single cage filled with local morselized bone graft were enrolled in this study. The average follow-up duration was 31.1 months. The clinical outcomes were evaluated with using the visual analogue scale (VAS) at the pre-operative period, at 1 year post-operation and at the last follow-up, the Oswestry Disability Index, the Prolo scale and the Kim & Kim criteria at the last follow-up; the radiological outcomes were evaluated according to the change of bone bridging, the radiolucency, the instablity and the disc height. RESULTS: For the clinical evaluation, the VAS pain index, the Oswestry Disability Index, the Prolo scale and the Kim & Kim criteria showed excellent outcomes. For the the radiological evaluation, 52 cases showed complete bone union at the last follow-up. Regarding the complications, only 1 patient had cage breakage during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: PLIF using a unilateral single cage filled with a local morselized bone graft has the advantages of a shorter operation time, less blood loss and a shorter hospital stay, as compared with the PLIF using bilateral cages, for treating degenerative lumbar spine disease. This technique also provides excellent outcomes according to the clinical and radiological evaluation.
Adult ; Aged ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Bone Transplantation/*methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disk Degeneration/*radiography/*surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae/pathology/*radiography/*surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prosthesis Implantation/methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion/*methods ; Spinal Stenosis/surgery ; Spondylolisthesis/surgery ; Time and Motion Studies ; Treatment Outcome