Objectives: To investigate renal function during denosumab therapy using the estimated glomerular filtration rate based on cystatin C (eGFRcys) which is more accurate than creatinine (eGFRcr) for renal function. Methods: Bone mineral densities (BMDs) of lumbar spine and hip regions, eGFRcys, eGFRcr, creatinine clearance (Ccr), and serum total homocysteine (S-Hcy) were measured during 2-year denosumab therapy in 53 women with osteoporosis naïve to anti-osteoporosis drugs (new group) and 64 women who were switched from long-term bisphosphonate treatment to denosumab therapy (switch group). Results: There were no significant differences in age, eGFRcr, Ccr, eGFRcys, and S-Hcy levels at baseline between the groups. BMDs in the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip increased significantly after 2-year denosumab therapy in both groups. eGFRcr decreased in the switch group, and Ccr decreased in both groups; however, eGFRcys and S-Hcy levels did not change significantly in either group. To investigate the causal factors associated with the decrease in eGFRcr and Ccr, multiple regression analysis was performed in all patients. Denosumab initiation within 3 months after fracture and eGFRcr or Ccr at baseline were independent factors for the decrease in eGFRcr or Ccr during the 2-year denosumab therapy. Decline in creatinine-based renal function could be reflected by increased muscle mass during the ongoing recovery from fracture. Conclusions Renal function was preserved in all patients, including those in the switch group during denosumab therapy. Creatinine-based renal function should be cautiously interpreted during denosumab therapy in patients with recent fractures.

No abstract available.
Hypoglossal Nerve* ; Spine*

STUDY DESIGN: Case series. PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate the change in pulmonary function in adult patients with a spinal deformity who underwent spinal corrective surgery. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Degenerative lumbar and/or thoraco-lumbar deformities are is often prominent in adult spinal deformity cases, whereas a thoracic deformity involving the chest wall is inconspicuous. A lumbar spine deformity could affect the pulmonary function; however, few reports have investigated pulmonary function in adult patients with a spinal deformity. METHODS: This study included 14 adult patients with a spinal deformity who underwent posterior corrective fusion (3 males, 11 females; mean age, 67.4 years). We measured percent vital capacity (%VC) and percent forced expiratory volume in 1 second (%FEV1) before surgery and six months after surgery. We investigated the change in pulmonary function after corrective surgery and the correlation between radiographic parameters and pulmonary function. RESULTS: Mean preoperative %VC and %FEV1 values were 99.9% and 79.3%, respectively. Two cases were diagnosed with restrictive impairment, and two cases were diagnosed with obstructive impairment before surgery. %VC improved in the restrictive impairment cases six months after surgery. However, %FEV1 did not improve significantly after surgery in the obstructive impairment cases. CONCLUSIONS: Restrictive impairment was improved in adult patients with a spinal deformity by corrective spinal surgery. However, spinal surgery did not improve obstructive impairment.
Adult ; Aged* ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Male ; Spine ; Thoracic Wall ; Vital Capacity

A recurrent laryngeal nerve injury is known as a complication referring to an anterior cervical spine surgery. However, hypoglossal nerve injury is not well known yet. Herein we report a rare case of a 39-years-old male with a hypoglossal nerve injury after C3/4 osteophyte resection with Smith-Robinson approach. In this case there appeared difficulties of articulation and tongue movement with deviation of the tongue to the left side after the surgery and we diagnosed a hypoglossal nerve injury due to retraction against the nerve during the operation. During the operative approach to the upper cervical spine we had to retract the internal carotid artery and the soft tissue to reach the vertebrae. This retract was the cause of the hypoglossal nerve injury. A gently traction and intermittent release is important to avoid a hypoglossal nerve damage.
Carotid Artery, Internal ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoglossal Nerve ; Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases* ; Hypoglossal Nerve Injuries ; Male ; Osteophyte ; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries ; Spine* ; Tongue ; Traction

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the accuracy of the oblique fluoroscopic view, based on preoperative computed tomography (CT) images for accurate placement of lumbosacral percutaneous pedicle screws (PPS). OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Although PPS misplacement has been reported as one of the main complications in minimally invasive spine surgery, there is no comparative data on the misplacement rate among different fluoroscopic techniques, or comparing such techniques with open procedures. METHODS: We retrospectively selected 230 consecutive patients who underwent posterior spinal fusion with a pedicle screw construct for degenerative lumbar disease, and divided them into 3 groups, those who had undergone: minimally invasive percutaneous procedure using biplane (lateral and anterior-posterior views using a single C-arm) fluoroscope views (group M-1), minimally invasive percutaneous procedure using the oblique fluoroscopic view based on preoperative CT (group M-2), and conventional open procedure using a lateral fluoroscopic view (group O: controls). The relative position of the screw to the pedicle was graded for the pedicle breach as no breach, <2 mm, 2–4 mm, or >4 mm. Inaccuracy was calculated and assessed according to the spinal level, direction and neurological deficit. Inter-group radiation exposure was estimated using fluoroscopy time. RESULTS: Inaccuracy involved an incline toward L5, causing medial or lateral perforation of pedicles in group M-1, but it was distributed relatively equally throughout multiple levels in groups M-2 and controls. The mean fluoroscopy time/case ranged from 1.6 to 3.9 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive lumbosacral PPS placement using the conventional fluoroscopic technique carries an increased risk of inaccurate screw placement and resultant neurological deficits, compared with that of the open procedure. Inaccuracy tended to be distributed between medial and lateral perforations of the L5 pedicle, as a result of pedicle morphology and the PPS pathway. Oblique fluoroscopic views, based on CT measurement, may allow accurate PPS insertion with a shorter fluoroscopy time.
Fluoroscopy ; Humans ; Pedicle Screws* ; Radiation Exposure ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; Spine

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, controlled study. PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two techniques of skin preparation with povidone-iodine. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Preoperative skin preparation is important for preventing surgical site infection by reducing the bacteria in the surgical area. Povidone-iodine is a commonly used agent for preoperative skin preparation, and further decrease in surgical site infections can be expected by understanding how to apply it more effectively. METHODS: Eighty-nine spine surgery patients were randomly allocated to two groups. In group A, povidone-iodine was applied to the surgical site just before starting the operation; in group B, povidone-iodine was applied several minutes prior to starting the operation and was allowed to dry. We collected samples from the wound edge before suturing, and we compared the rates of positive culture between the two groups. RESULTS: The rate of positive culture was 30.2% (13 out of 43 patients) in group A, and 6.5% (3 out of 46 patients) in group B. This indicates that there was a significant difference in postoperative infection rates between group A and group B. CONCLUSIONS: Because bacteria on the skin appeared significantly reduced by allowing povidone-iodine to dry for several minutes prior to surgery, we recommend this approach to reduce the incidence of postoperative infections.
Bacteria ; Humans ; Incidence ; Povidone-Iodine* ; Prospective Studies* ; Skin* ; Spine* ; Wounds and Injuries

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective physical measurement of the sagittal vertical axis (SVA). PURPOSE: To evaluate a simple method for measuring SVA by analyzing its relationship with radiographic measurements and clinical appearance. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: No studies have examined physical measurements using the cranial center of gravity (CCG) in a relaxed standing position. METHODS: The physical measurement of the horizontal distance between CCG and spina iliaca posterior superior (CCG-SIPS) was measured using a straight ruler in 252 healthy volunteers and 56 patients with adult spinal deformity. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was evaluated using the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and clinical symptoms were assessed according to standing status and the presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). RESULTS: CCG-SIPS increased with age in the volunteer group and strongly correlated with radiographic SVA in the patient group (r=0.984). Differences increased between CCG-SIPS in patients in the relaxed position and radiographic SVA with an increase in sagittal malalignment (r=0.692, p<0.001). ODI with high sagittal malalignment (CCG-SIPS>120 mm) was significantly larger in the patient group than in the group with low sagittal malalignment (59.9±18.8 vs. 45.1±17.0; p=0.004); these patients (CCG-SIPS>120 mm) needed crutches or walkers for standing. The patient group with GERD had significantly larger sagittal malalignment than the group without GERD (160.3 mm vs. 81.0 mm). CONCLUSIONS: The CCG-SIPS correlated with age and strongly reflected radiographic SVA and HRQOL in the patients. Moreover, it reflects a relaxed posture without a backward shift in the radiographic position even in patients with severe sagittal malalignment. The critical limit of CCG-SIPS can be relevant to clinical appearance, including standing assistance (>120 mm) and the existence of GERD (>150 mm). Thus, it will be a useful predictor of true SVA in clinical practice before radiographic evaluation.
Adult* ; Congenital Abnormalities* ; Crutches ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Gravitation ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Methods ; Posture ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Volunteers ; Walkers

BACKGROUND: Bone mineral density (BMD) is the indicator of bone quality in at-risk individuals. Along with the fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX), a quick assessment of BMD from routine radiographs may be useful in the case of lacking X-ray absorptiometry data. This study aimed to investigate the correlation of cortical thickness index (CTI) and canal flare index (CFI) with BMD and FRAX and to evaluate their ability to predict femoral neck BMD (nBMD) and FRAX in the general elderly population. METHODS: A total of 560 volunteers (age ≥ 50 years) who underwent hip-spine X-ray, BMD scanning and FRAX calculation were retrospectively reviewed. CTI and CFI were measured on anteroposterior radiographs and analyzed for their correlation with BMD and FRAX and for their ability to predict nBMD. The ability of CTI to predict osteoporosis status (OPS) and fracture risk status (FRS) was also investigated and the threshold values were calculated. All the analyses were performed separately on male and female subjects. RESULTS: Significant differences in CTI, CFI, nBMD and FRAX between males and females were observed. CTI and CFI demonstrated significant positive correlation with nBMD and FRAX (all p < 0.001) in both males and females. CTI, height, and weight significantly predicted nBMD. CTI statistically predicted OPS and FRS, and the values of 0.56 and 0.62 were computed as CTI thresholds for males and females, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: CTI was significantly correlated with nBMD and it predicted nBMD at good prediction levels. Therefore, CTI may be used as a supportive tool in the assessment of OPS and FRS besides BMD and FRAX in clinical practice.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Aged ; Bone Density* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Femur* ; Hip Fractures ; Humans ; Male ; Osteoporosis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Volunteers

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between tumor location and clinical characteristics. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Hemangioblastoma is a rare disease that develops in the central nervous system. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful to evaluate hemangioblastomas. Hemangioblastoma's location is designated as intramedullary, intramedullary+extramedullary, or extramedullary by MRI. METHODS: We analyzed 11 patients who underwent surgery for spinal hemangioblastoma. Using T1 contrast axial MRI data, the cases were divided into three groups (intramedullary, intramedullary+extramedullary, and extramedullary). Patient demographics, MRI findings, and preoperative neurological status were analyzed and compared for each group. RESULTS: The average age of patients with intramedullary, intramedullary+extramedullary, and extramedullary hemangioblastoma was 34.0, 64.4, and 67.5 years, respectively. Patients in the intramedullary hemangioblastoma group were younger than the other groups. Extramedullary cases had a smaller syrinx compared to the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Age may play an important role in the hemangioblastoma tumor location and the subsequent diagnosis by an MRI.
Central Nervous System ; Demography ; Diagnosis ; Hemangioblastoma* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Rare Diseases ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: Thoracic dumbbell tumors are relatively rare, usually arising from neurogenic elements. Methods for surgical removal thereof remain controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surgical results of a single-stage posterior approach with laminectomy and costotransversectomy only for the management of thoracic dumbbell tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight cases of thoracic large dumbbell tumor were analyzed retrospectively: seven men and one woman (mean age, 49 years). Pathologic findings included schwannoma in five patients, neurofibroma in two patients (Recklinghausen in one patient), and ganglioneuroma in one patient. All patients underwent single-stage removal of dumbbell tumors by a posterior approach followed by laminectomy and costotransversectomy combined with instrumentation. Clinical and radiologic outcomes were reviewed, thereafter. RESULTS: Operative time ranged from 185 to 420 minutes (mean, 313 minutes), with estimated blood loss ranging from 71 to 1830 mL (mean, 658 mL). Postoperative complications included atelectasis in one case. All patients had tumors successfully removed with no neurological deterioration. Spinal deformities were not observed in any patients at the last follow-up (mean, 52 months), with instrumentation. CONCLUSION: Single-stage surgery with laminectomy and costotransversectomy may be useful for removing thoracic dumbbell tumors without a combined anterior approach.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracic Neoplasms/*surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae/*surgery