The research on medical image segmentation is of great significance in advancing efficient and accurate automated image processing techniques.To address the problem of inaccurate segmentation results caused by significant variations in organ tissue shapes and blurred boundaries present in medical images,a novel network named MFMANet is proposed.Built upon a"U"-shaped architecture,the network integrates multi-scale information fusion modules and multi-attention modules.Specifically,multi-scale information modules capture multi-scale information in the shallow layers of the network to bridge the semantic gap between encoder and decoder features,thereby enhancing the network's ability to handle large variations in organ sizes.Regarding the issue of blurred boundaries,multi-attention mechanism utilizes Swin Transformer as the deep encoder-decoder network,employing channel and spatial attention instead of traditional skip connections to achieve finer feature extraction.Experimental results on the ACDC and Synapse public datasets show that the proposed method achieves improvements of 1.51%and 1.29%in Dice similarity coefficient as compared with MTUNet,fully demonstrating its effectiveness in enhancing segmentation network accuracy.

The research on medical image segmentation is of great significance in advancing efficient and accurate automated image processing techniques.To address the problem of inaccurate segmentation results caused by significant variations in organ tissue shapes and blurred boundaries present in medical images,a novel network named MFMANet is proposed.Built upon a"U"-shaped architecture,the network integrates multi-scale information fusion modules and multi-attention modules.Specifically,multi-scale information modules capture multi-scale information in the shallow layers of the network to bridge the semantic gap between encoder and decoder features,thereby enhancing the network's ability to handle large variations in organ sizes.Regarding the issue of blurred boundaries,multi-attention mechanism utilizes Swin Transformer as the deep encoder-decoder network,employing channel and spatial attention instead of traditional skip connections to achieve finer feature extraction.Experimental results on the ACDC and Synapse public datasets show that the proposed method achieves improvements of 1.51%and 1.29%in Dice similarity coefficient as compared with MTUNet,fully demonstrating its effectiveness in enhancing segmentation network accuracy.

Objective:To investigate the morphological difference and clinical significance of bilateral lumbar multifidus muscles in patients with unilateral lumbosacral radiculopathy due to lumbar disc herniation and lumbar spondylolisthesis.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with low back pain, lumbar disc herniation and lumbar spondylolisthesis. Patients with lumbar disc herniation or lumbar spondylolisthesis underwent single segment lesion either at L 4, 5 or L 5S 1, while those accompanied with unilateral lumbosacral radiculopathy underwent percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy or conventional open surgery at Qingdao Municipal Hospital between January 2017 and January 2023. Patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis were subdivided into degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis and isthmic spondylolisthesis. 53 patients with low back pain met the inclusion criteria. 170 patients with lumbar disc herniation met the inclusion criteria, with 101 at L 4, 5 and 69 at L 5S 1 level. 129 patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis met the inclusion criteria, including 91 of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis at L 4, 5 level and 9 at L 5S 1 level, and 11 of isthmic spondylolisthesis at L 4, 5 level and 18 at L 5S 1 level. Cross-sectional images at the mid-disc of L 3, 4, L 4, 5 and L 5S 1 segments in MRI were acquired. Relative total cross-sectional area (rTCSA), relative functional cross-sectional area (rFCSA), fat infiltration rate (FIR), relative fat distance (rFD) and differential value FIR (D-FIR) in bilateral lumbar multifidus muscle were measured respectively by using Image J software, and were then used to evaluate the atrophy and fat infiltration of bilateral lumbar multifidus muscles. Results:No significant difference was found between the both sides of multifidus muscle in low back pain patients. L 4, 5 lumbar disc herniation group had smaller rFCSA (0.34±0.10 and 0.35±0.10) and larger FIR [29.92(22.21, 36.46) and 26.48(17.54, 34.55)] and rFD [0.39(0.29, 0.54) and 0.32(0.21, 0.43)] on the affected side compared to the unaffected side in L 4, 5 segment, and had larger FIR (34.83±11.34 and 31.44±10.94) and rFD [0.59(0.43, 0.77) and 0.51(0.37, 0.69)] on the affected side in L 5S 1 segment. L 5S 1 lumbar disc herniation group had smaller rFCSA (0.41±0.11 and 0.42±0.12) and larger FIR [26.84(22.92, 35.29) and 24.02(20.03, 32.87)] and rFD (0.51±0.28 and 0.42±0.26) on the affected side in L 5S 1 segment. L 4, 5 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis group had larger FIR (36.49±9.76 and 34.72±9.86) on the affected side in L 4, 5 segment, and had larger FIR [35.03(28.64, 41.85) and 33.34(26.37, 39.76)] on the affected side in L 5S 1 segment. L 5S 1 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis group had larger FIR [42.53(37.94, 46.81) and 40.79(30.84, 43.53)] and rFD (1.12±0.79 and 0.94±0.79) on the affected side in L 5S 1 segment. L 4, 5 isthmic spondylolisthesis group had smaller rFCSA [0.24(0.20, 0.30) and 0.29(0.23, 0.34)]and larger FIR [34.19 31.30, 42.39) and 29.43(28.82, 36.89)] and rFD (0.39±0.15 and 0.29±0.15) on the affected side in L 4, 5 segment, and had larger FIR (43.18±12.71 and 34.12±11.63) on the affected side in L 5S 1 segment. L 5S 1 isthmic spondylolisthesis group had larger FIR (40.24±9.34 and 36.37±10.70) on the affected side in L 5S 1 segment. No significant difference was found of the multifidus muscle between the affected and unaffected sides in the proximal adjacent segment of the responsible segment in lumbar disc herniation or lumbar spondylolisthesis group patients. L 4, 5 isthmic spondylolisthesis group had larger D-FIR (6.75±8.46 and 1.78±5.77) in L 4, 5 segment, and had larger D-FIR (9.06±11.59 and 1.54±7.08) in L 5S 1 segment compared to L 4, 5 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis group. Grade Ⅱ L 4, 5 lumbar spondylolisthesis group had larger D-FIR (10.73±13.61 and 1.92±7.43) in L 5S 1 segment compared to grade Ⅰ L 4, 5 lumbar spondylolisthesis group. Conclusion:L 4, 5 or L 5S 1 lumbar disc herniation and lumbar spondylolisthesis patients with unilateral lumbosacral radiculopathy had asymmetric atrophy and fat infiltration of multifidus muscle. The atrophy and fat infiltration on the affected side showed greater. The asymmetry appeared in the responsible segment and its distal adjacent lumbar segment. Lumbar spondylolisthesis patients with a lager degree of slip or with isthmic type could be accompanied by more severe asymmetry of multifidus muscle.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between impulse oscillometry system examination indicators and conventional pulmonary ventilation function.Methods:The pulmonary ventilation function data of 10 883 patients from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022 at Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology were included. The one-second rate [ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV 1) to forced vital capacity (FVC)] measured as a percentage of the predicted value was ≥92% for the control group ( n=3 478) and <92% for the pulmonary obstruction group ( n=7 405). The obstruction group was subdivided into five groups according to the degree of pulmonary dysfunction: mild group ( n=3 938),moderate group ( n=1 142),oderate-severe group ( n=917),severe group ( n=737),and extremely severe group ( n=671). Conventional pulmonary ventilatory function FVC, FEV 1, one-second rate, and forced expired flow at 50% of FVC (MEF50%), forced expired flow at 75% FVC (MEF25%), maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and pulsed oscillation pulmonary function test were detected in both groups of patients. Impedance at 5 Hz (Z5) means total respiratory resistance, resistance at 5 Hz (R5) means total airway resistance, reactance at 5 Hz (X5) indicates the elastic recoil of the peripheral airways, and resistance at 20 Hz (R20) represents resistance of the central airways. R5-R20 reflects resistance in the small airways. Additionally, peripheral resistance (Rp), respiratory resonance frequency (Frex), and area under the reactance curve (Ax) were also measured. Correlation between the indicators of the two groups and the sensitivity and specificity of the impulse oscillometry system parameters for the diagnosis of obstructive pulmonary ventilation dysfunction were analyzed. Results:Pulmonary function force expiratory volume in the first second as a percentage of predicted value (FEV 1%Pre) [80.10 (54.95,97.10)%],one-second rate [62.43(48.67, 67.02)%],MEF50% [1.33 (0.62,1.97)L/s],MEF25% [0.28 (0.17,0.41)L/s], MMEF [0.85 (0.43,1.29)L/s],and PEF [5.64 (3.73,7.50)]L/s in the obstruction group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05). The differences within the subgroups of the obstruction group were also significant ( P<0.05). Pulsed oscillation Z5 [0.42 (0.33,0.55)kPa·L -1·s -1],Rp [0.25 (0.20,0.45)kPa·L -1·s -1], R5 [0.39 (0.31,0.49)kPa·L -1·s -1], R20 [0.28 (0.24,0.34)kPa·L -1·s -1], R5-R20 [0.09 (0.05,0.17)kPa·L -1·s -1],Frex [16.32 (13.07,20.84)Hz], and Ax [0.67 (0.28,1.64)] indices in the obstruction group were significantly higher than those in the control group. X5 [-0.14 (-0.23, -0.10)kPa·L -1·s -1] was significantly lower than that in the control group ( P<0.05). Z5, Rp, X5, R5, R5-R20, Frex, and Ax were statistically significant between different degrees of obstruction in the obstruction group ( P<0.05). The impulse oscillometry system parameters Z5, Rp, R5, R20, R5-20, Frex, and Ax were negatively correlated with the indices of conventional pulmonary ventilation ( r=-0.21-0.68, P<0.05), and the parameter X5 was positively correlated with the indices of conventional pulmonary ventilation ( r=0.41-0.68, P<0.05). The pulsed oscillation pulmonary function test parameters X5 (58.60%-95.68%) and Ax (57.08%-98.06%) presented the best sensitivity; X5 (86.29%-98.82%), Frex (86.69%-94.71%), and Ax (88.10%-98.53%) displayed the best specificity; and R20 presented the worst sensitivity and specificity. The sensitivity and specificity were slightly better in female patients than in male patients. Conclusion:The technical parameters of the impulse oscillometry system showed significant correlation with relevant indices of conventional pulmonary ventilation function detection. These well reflect the changes of different degrees of pulmonary ventilation function and have greater significance for reference in evaluating the degree of pulmonary function impairment.

Spinal surgical site infection (SSI), especially deep SSI after internal fixation is difficult in treatment, with long course of disease and poor prognosis. At present, there are many controversies in the diagnosis and treatment of spinal SSI, with unsatisfactory overall efficacy of its diagnosis and treatment. Besides, no diagnosis and treatment guideline based on evidence-based medicine has been in existence. To this end, the Spinal Infection Group of the Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association and the Spinal Infection Group of the Spinal Surgery Branch of the Chinese Rehabilitation Medicine Association jointly organized relevant experts to formulate Evidence-based clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of surgical site infection in spinal trauma ( version 2024) based on an evidence-based approach. A total of 10 recommendations were proposed on the diagnosis and treatment of spinal SSI, so as to provide a clinical reference for the diagnosis and treatment of spinal SSI.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with lower cervical fracture is often categorized into unstable fracture, with a high incidence of neurological injury and a high rate of disability and morbidity. As factors such as shoulder occlusion may affect the accuracy of X-ray imaging diagnosis, it is often easily misdiagnosed at the primary diagnosis. Non-operative treatment has complications such as bone nonunion and the possibility of secondary neurological damage, while the timing, access and choice of surgical treatment are still controversial. Currently, there are no clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of AS combined with lower cervical fracture with or without dislocation. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts to formulate Clinical guidelines for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis combined with lower cervical fracture in adults ( version 2024) in accordance with the principles of evidence-based medicine, scientificity and practicality, in which 11 recommendations were put forward in terms of the diagnosis, imaging evaluation, typing and treatment, etc, to provide guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of AS combined with lower cervical fracture.

Spinal surgical site infection (SSI), especially deep SSI after internal fixation is difficult in treatment, with long course of disease and poor prognosis. At present, there are many controversies in the diagnosis and treatment of spinal SSI, with unsatisfactory overall efficacy of its diagnosis and treatment. Besides, no diagnosis and treatment guideline based on evidence-based medicine has been in existence. To this end, the Spinal Infection Group of the Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association and the Spinal Infection Group of the Spinal Surgery Branch of the Chinese Rehabilitation Medicine Association jointly organized relevant experts to formulate Evidence-based clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of surgical site infection in spinal trauma ( version 2024) based on an evidence-based approach. A total of 10 recommendations were proposed on the diagnosis and treatment of spinal SSI, so as to provide a clinical reference for the diagnosis and treatment of spinal SSI.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness between unilateral biportal endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (ULIF) and endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-TLIF) in treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis combined with intervertebral disc herniation. METHODS: A clinical data of 64 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and intervertebral disc herniation, who were admitted between April 2020 and November 2021 and met the selection criteria, was retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 30 patients were treated with ULIF (ULIF group) and 34 patients with Endo-TLIF (Endo-TLIF group). There was no significant difference in baseline data such as gender, age, disease duration, lesion segment, preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score of low back pain and leg pain, Oswestry disability index (ODI), spinal canal area, and intervertebral space height between the two groups ( P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stays, and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups, as well as the VAS scores of low back pain and leg pain, ODI, and imaging measurement indicators (spinal canal area, intervertebral bone graft area, intervertebral space height, and degree of intervertebral fusion according to modified Brantigan score). RESULTS: Compared with the Endo-TLIF group, the ULIF group had shorter operation time, but had more intraoperative blood loss and longer hospital stays, with significant differences ( P<0.05). The cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in 2 cases of Endo-TLIF group and 1 case of ULIF group, and no other complication occurred. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). All patients in the two groups were followed up 12 months. The VAS scores of lower back pain and leg pain and ODI in the two groups significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between different time points after operation ( P>0.05). And there was no significant difference between the two groups at each time point after operation ( P>0.05). Imaging examination showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups in the change of spinal canal area, the change of intervertebral space height, and intervertebral fusion rate at 6 and 12 months ( P>0.05). The intervertebral bone graft area in the ULIF group was significantly larger than that in the Endo-TLIF group ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION For the patients with lumbar spinal stenosis combined with intervertebral disc herniation, ULIF not only achieves similar effectiveness as Endo-TLIF, but also has advantages such as higher decompression efficiency, flexible surgical instrument operation, more thorough intraoperative intervertebral space management, and shorter operation time.
Humans ; Spinal Stenosis/surgery* ; Low Back Pain/surgery* ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/surgery* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with spinal fractures with thoracic and lumbar fracture as the most common type shows characteristics of unstable fracture, high incidence of nerve injury, high mortality and high disability rate. The diagnosis may be missed because it is mostly caused by low-energy injury, when spinal rigidity and osteoporosis have a great impact on the accuracy of imaging examination. At the same time, the treatment choices are controversial, with no relevant specifications. Non-operative treatments can easily lead to bone nonunion, pseudoarthrosis and delayed nerve injury, while surgeries may be failed due to internal fixation failure. At present, there are no evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of AS combined with thoracic and lumbar fracture. In this context, the Spinal Trauma Academic Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of adult ankylosing spondylitis combined with thoracolumbar fracture ( version 2023) by following the principles of evidence-based medicine and systematically review related literatures. Ten recommendations on the diagnosis, imaging evaluation, classification and treatment of AS combined with thoracic and lumbar fracture were put forward, aiming to standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment of such disorder.

The acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults have a higher rate of neurological injury and early death compared with atlas or axial fractures alone. Currently, the diagnosis and treatment choices of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults are controversial because of the lack of standards for implementation. Non-operative treatments have a high incidence of bone nonunion and complications, while surgeries may easily lead to the injury of the vertebral artery, spinal cord and nerve root. At present, there are no evidence-based Chinese guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults. To provide orthopedic surgeons with the most up-to-date and effective information in treating acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the field of spinal trauma to develop the Evidence-based guideline for clinical diagnosis and treatment of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults ( version 2023) by referring to the "Management of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults" published by American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)/Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) in 2013 and the relevant Chinese and English literatures. Ten recommendations were made concerning the radiological diagnosis, stability judgment, treatment rules, treatment options and complications based on medical evidence, aiming to provide a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults.