Imaging is an essential tool in the management of spinal disorders. Most spine surgeons focus on bony structures and the spinal cord when reading imaging examinations, while the interpretation of the morphology and characteristics of soft tissues such as paraspinal muscles and fat has been a "relative blind spot". As the imaging features of the non-bony structures of the spine have been studied and reinterpreted, it has become clear that these non-bony structural changes are also associated with spinal diseases. Soft tissue parameters such as "paraspinal muscle cross-sectional area," "subcutaneous fat thickness," and "paraspinal muscle fat infiltration rate" on CT, MRI, and other imaging studies have been shown to play a role in spine diseases, and have been shown to be reproducible in the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of spinal disorders and have potential for clinical application. In addition, the association of sarcopenia and spinal epidural lipomatosis with spinal disorders is gaining attention. In recent years, with a better understanding of the pathogenesis of spinal disorders, techniques such as 3D gait analysis and photographic postural measurement have also shown promise in the diagnosis and assessment of the outcome of degenerative spinal disorders and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. In view of this, this article summarizes the latest research progress in the basic and clinical aspects of non-bony structures of the spine and analyzes the significance of the imaging features of these non-bony structures in the basic research and diagnosis of spinal diseases.

Objective: To study the anatomical features of the distal humerus in Chinese healthy adults. Methods: A total of 121 cases of normal elbow joint CT images were selected from the picture archiving and communication system (PACS), and reconstructed and measured on the AW4.5 workstation. Coronal plane and horizontal plane were determined by flexion-extension (FE) axis and humeral shaft, while the sagittal plane was perpendicular to the FE axis. The angle between the axis of humerus medullary cavity and the FE axis of elbow (H-FE angle) was measured on the coronal plane. The capitellar height (CH), lateral trochlear height (LTH), trochlear height (TH) and medial trochlear height (MTH) were measured on four different sagittal planes. The capitellar width (CW), capitellar depth (CD), anterior lateral trochlear width (ALTW), posterior lateral trochlear width (PLTW), trochlear width (TW), anterior medial trochlear width (AMTW), posterior medial trochlear width (PMTW), trochlear depth (TD), anterior lateral trochlear depth (ALTD), posterior lateral trochlear depth (PLTD), anterior medial trochlear depth (AMTD), posterior medial trochlear depth (PMTD), and distal humeral width (W) were measured on the horizontal plane. The gender differences in measured parameters, correlations between data, and differences in H-FE angle from 90° were analyzed. Results: In male, CH was 21.5± 1.3 mm, CW 17.5±1.1 mm, CD 10.8±0.9 mm, TW 25.1±2.2 mm, TH 17.3±1.5 mm, TD 17.5±1.4 mm, ALTW 7.7±1.2 mm, PLTW 12.5±1.6 mm, AMTW 12.4±1.6 mm, PMTW 9.8±2.0 mm, ALTD 10.0±0.8 mm, PLTD 16.3±1.4 mm, AMTD 12.9±1.4 mm, PMTD 13.2±1.4 mm, LTH 20.6±1.3 mm, MTH 25.0±2.4 mm, W 42.6±2.5 mm. The above parameters in female was 18.7±1.1 mm, 15.3±1.1 mm, 9.5±0.6 mm, 21.7±1.5 mm, 15.4±1.7 mm, 15.6±1.5 mm, 6.8±1.3 mm, 10.7±1.4 mm, 10.6±1.4 mm, 8.5±1.4 mm, 8.9±0.8 mm, 14.5±1.1 mm, 11.4±1.1 mm, 11.5±1.0 mm, 18.1±1.4 mm, 21.6±1.4 mm and 37.0±1.8 mm, respectively. All the above anatomical parameters in men were larger than those in women with statistically significant difference (P<0.05). However, the H-FE angle (male: 87.4°±3.5°, female 87.8°±3.3°), CW/CH (male: 0.8±0.1, female: 0.8±0.1), TW/CW (male: 1.4±0.2, female: 1.4±0.1), MTH/LTH (male: 1.2±0.1, female: 1.2±0.1), AMTW/TW (male: 0.5±0.1, female: 0.5±0.1), PMTW/TW (male: 0.4±0.1, female: 0.4±0.1), ALTW/TW (male: 0.3±0.0, female: 0.3±0.1), PLTW/TW (male: 0.5±0.1, female: 0.5±0.1) were not statistically different between male and female groups (P>0.05). All measurements except for the H-FE angle had a positive correlation with the articular width (0.335≤r≤0.928, P<0.05). The difference between the angle of the H-FE axis (87.6°±3.4°) and 90° was statistically significant (t=-7.287, P<0.05). Conclusion The size of the distal humerus in male is larger than that in female without difference in shape. Distal humerus width can be used as an indicator to measure the size of the distal humerus. The humeral shaft is more biased toward the radial side.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of one stage anterior debridement combined with posterior pedicle screw fixation in the treatment of cervical intervertebral space infection.Methods From June 2010 to June 2016,28 cases were fixed by anterior debridement combined with the posterior vertebral pedicle screws for the cervical intervertebral space infection,19 males and 9 females.The average age was 45-74 years (58±14.5 years old).21 cases (75％) were spontaneous infection,of which 6 cases were diabetes mellitus,15 cases were over 60 years old.The remaining 7 cases (25％) were intervertebral space infection after radiofrequency ablation of the cervical spine.All patients were excluded from tuberculosis and Brucella infection.All patients underwent hematological examination,with emphasis on WBC,ESP and CRP.All patients received JOA score before operation,applied antibiotic according to blood culture and drug sensitive test.All patients underwent one stage anterior debridement combined with posterior pedicle screw fixation,and the operative time and bleeding volume were recorded.After the operation,intravenous antibiotic therapy was continued,and the application of antibiotics was guided according to the results of ESP and CRP,and the time for the application of antibiotics was recorded.Follow up was performed at 3 months,6 months and 1 years after operation respectively.The JOA score and postoperative cervical lordosis Cobb angle were recorded.Results All operations were successfully completed in this group.The operation time was 130-225 min,with an average of 145.5±12.7 min.The intraoperative blood loss was 40-100 ml,with an average of 67±35.2 ml.The incision was healed in one stage.The time of application of antibiotics in 28 patients was 21-87 days,with an average of 30.8±8.7 days.The longest application time of antibiotics was 87 days,and no relapse was found during follow-up.The postoperative JOA score increased from 11.3± 1.2 to three months 14.9 ± 1.96 postoperatively and 6 months 15.1 ± 1.55 and 1 years 16.5±0.48 after operation.The JOA score was significantly higher than that before operation.No significant loss and change of the Cobb angle in the cervical spine surgery were found.All cases had good bone graft fusion at 1 years.Conclusion One stage anterior debridement combined with posterior pedicle screw fixation is a safe and effective method for the treatment of cervical vertebra instability and nerve function injury caused by cervical intervertebral space infection.It provides a new way for the treatment of cervical intervertebral space infection.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of lumbar-sacurm-iliac screws fixation in the treatment of complicated sacral fractures.Methods From January 2012 to October 2012,18 complicated sacrum fracture patients with unstable pelvic fractures and cauda equina dysfunctionwere retrospectively studied,which Gibbons score were all 4 points.Surgical treatment was performed by posterior lumbar-sacurm-iliac screw fixation combined with sacral decompression.The fixation stage can be extended to L4,S2 level by fracture.According to the patient's nerve injury and fracture displacement surgery sacral decompression and observation of nerve root injury.Ater full decompression,correct the vertical displacement and rotate the displacement,and then place the cross further fixed.The first 3 months after surgery,the patient reviewed once a month,3 months after the patient review once every six months.Results 18 patients underwent surgery for 2-21 d after injury,with an average of 10.2 d.The operation time is 150-240 min,an average of 180 min.Intraoperative blood loss of 600-2 000ml,an average of 1 100ml.The time of follow-up was 13-34 months,with an average of 23.4 months.Gibbons score averaged 4 points from preoperative to 2.78 points,the difference was statistically significant.Preoperative patients with an average angle of 42.89,postoperative 21.94,the difference was statistically significant.Postoperative Majeed scores averaged 64.5 points.Excellent in 3 cases,good in 3 cases,can be 7 cases,poor in 5 cases,excellent rate was 33.33％.Preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score averaged from 8.78 points before surgery to 2.22 points,this difference was statistically significant.The results of Tometta and Matto method were excellent in 5 cases,3 cases were good,7 cases were available,5 cases were poor,excellent and good rate was 44.44％.Conclusion Lumbarsacurm-iliac screw fixation in the treatment of complex sacral fractures can achieve a good reduction of fracture and attain satisfied nerve decompression,and more conducive to oatients faster and better recovery.

With the continuously exploration,in recent years,further understanding of anatomical characteristics of the cervical pedicle brings great breakthrough in cervical pedicle screw implantation.In addition,pedicle screw implantation in cervical spine is considered as a technique with high safety and reliability,which can be widely used in cervical trauma fracture,cervical instability,degenerative,inflammatory,benign or malignant tumor,deformity and other neck diseases.Because of the tremendous differences between upper cervical spine (C1,C2) and lower cervical spine (C3-7) in anatomical morphology,cervical pedicle screw implantation in C1 and C2 differs from in lower cervical spine.Due to the similar structure of C3-7,pedicle screw implantation methods are based on the same principle and sharing a few points in common.The pedicle screw technique can be classified in two groups according to the practice methods:navigation technology and manual placement of cervical pedicle screw.Navigation nailing is considered as reliable,easy handing,and with clear operative vision,however,with disadvantages as complex procedures,highly cost operation equipment,and risk in navigation draft.Therefore,manual placement of pedicle screw is more reasonable and practical comparing with the former.In this study,it analyzed anatomical characteristics of lower cervical pedicle and the measurement of pedicle structure,discussed technique of manual placement of pedicle screw in lower cervical spine and biomechanical study of pedicle screw,and summed up the comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of current representative manual placement technology.

Objective To measure the morphological parameters of cervical endplate of Chinese by using computed tomography (CT)scans,and to provide an accurate morphometric basis for designing and developing the cervical disc prostheses.Methods 80 healthy subjects were scanned by CT.The parameters of each cervical vertebra from C3 to C7 were measured by CT scans including upper anteroposterior length (APLu),upper center mediolateral length (CMLu),lower anteroposterior length (APLl) and lower center mediolateral length (CMLl).These parameters were compared between genders and among different vertebral levels.Results The values of APLu, CMLu,APLl and CMLl were increased with the decreasing of cervical segment (P APLu = 0.023,P CMLu = 0.007, P APLl =0.035,P CMLl < 0.001).There was statistically significant difference in morphological parameters between genders (P < 0.05).Compared with the reported data of other different populations,the statistically significant difference in morphological parameters also existed in the study.Conclusion The study provides an accurate morphological basis for designing the suitable artificial cervical disc for Chinese population.

Objective To compare the effect of conservative and operative treatment for cervical spinal cord injury without fracture and dislocation (CSCIWFD)and to detect mechanism of injury as well as its relationship to outcome.Methods A retrospective review was conducted on 688 patients with CSCIWFD treated from August 1994 to March 2013.There were 155 patients managed conservatively (conservation group) and 533 surgically (operation group).Neurological function improvement was compared between two groups to detect the correlation of patents' age and treatment methods with outcome.Results The patients were followed up for mean 17.9 months (range,3-36 months).Neurological function was estimated using Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score:(1) the recovery rate of patients aged over 40 years in operation group was better than that in conservation group (P ＜0.05) ; (2) the recovery rate in patients aged under 39 years was unsatisfactory in both groups,with insignificant difference between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Different age of patients with CSCIWFD has different injury mechanism,injury severity and outcome.Surgery provides better results than conservative treatment for patients aged over 40 years,but both results are poor for patients aged under 39 vears.