Objective:To analyze the efficacy of phantom-less quantitative computer tomography (PL-QCT) for the diagnosis of osteoporosis in patients with lumbar degenerative diseases.Methods:From October 2021 to October 2023, a total of 1 248 patients with lumbar degenerative disease who did not receive anti-osteoporosis treatment in the Department of Spine Surgery, Tianjin Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. There were 520 males and 728 females, aged 62.31±9.37 years (range, 40-87 years), height 1.66±0.08 m (range, 1.43-1.89 m), weight 69.04±8.27 kg (range, 49-93 kg). The mean body mass index was 26.11±3.67 kg/m 2 (range, 14.40-37.11 kg/m 2). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and PL-QCT were used to diagnose osteoporosis, and the detection rates of the two diagnostic methods were compared. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of PL-QCT for the diagnosis of osteoporosis was drawn, the area under the curve (AUC) and 95% confidence interval (CI), sensitivity and specificity were calculated. Results:Among 1 248 patients with lumbar degenerative diseases, 626 (50.2%) were diagnosed as osteoporosis by PL-QCT, 423(33.9%) were diagnosed by spine DXA, 488(39.1%) were diagnosed by hip DXA and 539 patients(43.2%) were diagnosed by dual-site DXA. The detection rate of osteoporosis of PL-QCT was higher than that of spine DXA (χ 2=193.557, P<0.001), hip DXA (χ 2=322.201, P<0.001) and dual-site DXA (χ 2=94.683, P<0.001), and the difference was statistically significant. Taking the diagnostic results of spinal DXA for osteoporosis as a reference, the ROC curve of PL-QCT for the diagnosis of osteoporosis showed a sensitivity of 79%, a specificity of 81%, and an AUC and 95% CI of 0.82(0.79, 0.85). Taking the diagnostic results of hip DXA for osteoporosis as a reference, the ROC curve of PL-QCT for the diagnosis of osteoporosis showed a sensitivity of 85%, a specificity of 55%, and an AUC and 95% CI of 0.75(0.71, 0.78). Taking the diagnostic results of two-site DXA for osteoporosis as a reference, the ROC curve of PL-QCT for the diagnosis of osteoporosis showed a sensitivity of 72%, a specificity of 75%, and an AUC and 95% CI of 0.81(0.78, 0.83). Conclusion:Compared with DXA, PL-QCT has a higher detection rate of osteoporosis in patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease and good diagnostic efficacy.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of lumbar lateral interbody fusion (LLIF) versus posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) in the treatment of severe lumbar spinal stenosis.Methods:The data of patients with severe lumbar spinal stenosis who underwent LLIF or PLIF from February 2019 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 30 patients in the LLIF group, 10 males and 20 females, aged 62.7±5.6 years (range, 53-74 years), including 21 cases of single segment and 9 cases of double segment. There were 46 patients in the PLIF group, including 20 males and 26 females, aged 63.2±8.4 years (range, 43-75 years), 40 cases of single segment and 6 cases of double segment. The visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), intervertebral space height, intervertebral foramen height and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.Results:All patients were followed up for an average of 21.3±6.4 months (range, 12-32 months). The intraoperative blood loss in the LLIF group was 112.2±76.9 ml, which was significantly lower than 193.9±88.2 ml in the PLIF group ( P<0.05). The VAS scores of back pain and leg pain after operation were significantly lower than those before operation in the two groups ( P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between groups in back pain VAS scores at preoperative, 6 months postoperative, and final follow-up ( P>0.05); the back pain VAS score at 1 month postoperatively in the LLIF group was 1.6±1.2, which was less than 2.8±0.7 in the PLIF group ( P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between groups in leg pain VAS scores at preoperative, 1 month postoperative, and 6 months postoperative ( P>0.05); the leg pain VAS score at the final follow-up in the LLIF group was 1.2±1.5, which was smaller than 1.8±1.0 in the PLIF group ( P<0.05). The postoperative ODI was smaller than the preoperative one in both groups, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05); the preoperative, 1-month postoperative, 6-month postoperative, and final follow-up ODIs in the LLIF group were 45.7%±16.0%, 17.9%±12.0%, 16.2%±11.6%, and 15.7%±11.7%, and those in the PLIF group were 47.9%±15.4%, 20.1%±9.3%, 16.9%±10.6%, and 14.6%±11.0% in the PLIF group, and the difference between the groups was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The preoperative intervertebral space height in the LLIF group was 10.6±2.0 mm, which was smaller than that in the PLIF group 11.8±2.2 mm ( P<0.05). The intervertebral space heights in the immediate postoperative period and at the final follow-up were 13.3±2.3 mm and 12.3±2.2 mm in the LLIF group and 13.7±1.7 mm and 13.0±1.9 mm in the PLIF group ( P>0.05). The preoperative intervertebral foraminal height in the LLIF group was 18.0±3.2 mm, which was smaller than that of 19.7±2.4 mm in the PLIF group ( P<0.05); the intervertebral foraminal heights in the immediate postoperative period and at the final follow-up were 21.4±2.5 mm and 20.2±2.4 mm in the LLIF group, and in the PLIF group were 20.7±2.4 mm and 19.7±2.6 mm in the PLIF group ( P>0.05). In the LLIF group, 2 cases had femoral nerve injury and 2 cases had transient back pain after operation. There were 2 cases of cerebrospinal fluid leakage, 1 case of screw loosening, and 2 cases of deep vein thrombosis in the PLIF group. In the PLIF group, 2 patients underwent revision, including 1 case due to cage displacement and 1 case due to screw malposition. The fusion settling rate was 21% (8/39) in the LLIF group and 12% (6/52) in the PLIF group ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Both LLIF and PLIF can effectively restore the intervertebral height, improve the lumbar function and the symptoms of back and leg pain in the treatment of severe lumbar spinal stenosis.

Objectives:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of single-level lateral lumbar interbody fusion(LLIF)combined with unilateral pedicle screw(UPS)versus bilateral pedicle screw(BPS)fixation in the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease(LDD).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 65 patients with LDD who underwent single-level LLIF between January 2019 and December 2021.14 patients received UPS fixation(UPS group)and 51 received BPS fixation(BPS group).The operative time,hospitalization cost,and imaging parameters including disc height(DH),foraminal height(FH),lumbar lordosis(LL),segmental lordosis(SL),axial central canal cross-sectional area(CCA),midsagittal canal diameter(CD),ligamentum flavum area(LFA),and ligamentum flavum thickness(LFT),as well as fusion rate,complication rate,and clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups.Results:The UPS group was shorter in operative time(80.64±10.87min vs 131.57±11.37min)and lower in hospitalization cost(86463.14±1889.54 yuan vs 101213.06±4512.54 yuan)compared with the BPS group(P＜0.05).Both groups showed significant improvements in DH,FH,SL,CD,and CCA after operation,with no significant differences between groups(P＞0.05).The immediate postoperative thickness of the right ligamentum flavum was significantly lower in the UPS group(2.28±0.71mm vs 2.67±0.49mm,P=0.019).The fusion rates were 85.7％in the UPS group and 94.1％in the BPS group,with no statistically significant difference(P=0.292).There was no significant difference in complication rates between the two groups(28.6％vs 23.5％,P=0.733).Conclusions:Single-level LLIF combined with UPS fixation for treating LDD provides comparable imaging improvements,clinical outcomes,and complications control to BPS fixation,while offering the advantages of reduced operative time and lower hospitalization costs,supporting its clinical feasibility.

Objective:To analyze the efficacy of phantom-less quantitative computer tomography (PL-QCT) for the diagnosis of osteoporosis in patients with lumbar degenerative diseases.Methods:From October 2021 to October 2023, a total of 1 248 patients with lumbar degenerative disease who did not receive anti-osteoporosis treatment in the Department of Spine Surgery, Tianjin Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. There were 520 males and 728 females, aged 62.31±9.37 years (range, 40-87 years), height 1.66±0.08 m (range, 1.43-1.89 m), weight 69.04±8.27 kg (range, 49-93 kg). The mean body mass index was 26.11±3.67 kg/m 2 (range, 14.40-37.11 kg/m 2). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and PL-QCT were used to diagnose osteoporosis, and the detection rates of the two diagnostic methods were compared. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of PL-QCT for the diagnosis of osteoporosis was drawn, the area under the curve (AUC) and 95% confidence interval (CI), sensitivity and specificity were calculated. Results:Among 1 248 patients with lumbar degenerative diseases, 626 (50.2%) were diagnosed as osteoporosis by PL-QCT, 423(33.9%) were diagnosed by spine DXA, 488(39.1%) were diagnosed by hip DXA and 539 patients(43.2%) were diagnosed by dual-site DXA. The detection rate of osteoporosis of PL-QCT was higher than that of spine DXA (χ 2=193.557, P<0.001), hip DXA (χ 2=322.201, P<0.001) and dual-site DXA (χ 2=94.683, P<0.001), and the difference was statistically significant. Taking the diagnostic results of spinal DXA for osteoporosis as a reference, the ROC curve of PL-QCT for the diagnosis of osteoporosis showed a sensitivity of 79%, a specificity of 81%, and an AUC and 95% CI of 0.82(0.79, 0.85). Taking the diagnostic results of hip DXA for osteoporosis as a reference, the ROC curve of PL-QCT for the diagnosis of osteoporosis showed a sensitivity of 85%, a specificity of 55%, and an AUC and 95% CI of 0.75(0.71, 0.78). Taking the diagnostic results of two-site DXA for osteoporosis as a reference, the ROC curve of PL-QCT for the diagnosis of osteoporosis showed a sensitivity of 72%, a specificity of 75%, and an AUC and 95% CI of 0.81(0.78, 0.83). Conclusion:Compared with DXA, PL-QCT has a higher detection rate of osteoporosis in patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease and good diagnostic efficacy.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of lumbar lateral interbody fusion (LLIF) versus posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) in the treatment of severe lumbar spinal stenosis.Methods:The data of patients with severe lumbar spinal stenosis who underwent LLIF or PLIF from February 2019 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 30 patients in the LLIF group, 10 males and 20 females, aged 62.7±5.6 years (range, 53-74 years), including 21 cases of single segment and 9 cases of double segment. There were 46 patients in the PLIF group, including 20 males and 26 females, aged 63.2±8.4 years (range, 43-75 years), 40 cases of single segment and 6 cases of double segment. The visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), intervertebral space height, intervertebral foramen height and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.Results:All patients were followed up for an average of 21.3±6.4 months (range, 12-32 months). The intraoperative blood loss in the LLIF group was 112.2±76.9 ml, which was significantly lower than 193.9±88.2 ml in the PLIF group ( P<0.05). The VAS scores of back pain and leg pain after operation were significantly lower than those before operation in the two groups ( P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between groups in back pain VAS scores at preoperative, 6 months postoperative, and final follow-up ( P>0.05); the back pain VAS score at 1 month postoperatively in the LLIF group was 1.6±1.2, which was less than 2.8±0.7 in the PLIF group ( P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between groups in leg pain VAS scores at preoperative, 1 month postoperative, and 6 months postoperative ( P>0.05); the leg pain VAS score at the final follow-up in the LLIF group was 1.2±1.5, which was smaller than 1.8±1.0 in the PLIF group ( P<0.05). The postoperative ODI was smaller than the preoperative one in both groups, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05); the preoperative, 1-month postoperative, 6-month postoperative, and final follow-up ODIs in the LLIF group were 45.7%±16.0%, 17.9%±12.0%, 16.2%±11.6%, and 15.7%±11.7%, and those in the PLIF group were 47.9%±15.4%, 20.1%±9.3%, 16.9%±10.6%, and 14.6%±11.0% in the PLIF group, and the difference between the groups was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The preoperative intervertebral space height in the LLIF group was 10.6±2.0 mm, which was smaller than that in the PLIF group 11.8±2.2 mm ( P<0.05). The intervertebral space heights in the immediate postoperative period and at the final follow-up were 13.3±2.3 mm and 12.3±2.2 mm in the LLIF group and 13.7±1.7 mm and 13.0±1.9 mm in the PLIF group ( P>0.05). The preoperative intervertebral foraminal height in the LLIF group was 18.0±3.2 mm, which was smaller than that of 19.7±2.4 mm in the PLIF group ( P<0.05); the intervertebral foraminal heights in the immediate postoperative period and at the final follow-up were 21.4±2.5 mm and 20.2±2.4 mm in the LLIF group, and in the PLIF group were 20.7±2.4 mm and 19.7±2.6 mm in the PLIF group ( P>0.05). In the LLIF group, 2 cases had femoral nerve injury and 2 cases had transient back pain after operation. There were 2 cases of cerebrospinal fluid leakage, 1 case of screw loosening, and 2 cases of deep vein thrombosis in the PLIF group. In the PLIF group, 2 patients underwent revision, including 1 case due to cage displacement and 1 case due to screw malposition. The fusion settling rate was 21% (8/39) in the LLIF group and 12% (6/52) in the PLIF group ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Both LLIF and PLIF can effectively restore the intervertebral height, improve the lumbar function and the symptoms of back and leg pain in the treatment of severe lumbar spinal stenosis.

Objectives:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of single-level lateral lumbar interbody fusion(LLIF)combined with unilateral pedicle screw(UPS)versus bilateral pedicle screw(BPS)fixation in the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease(LDD).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 65 patients with LDD who underwent single-level LLIF between January 2019 and December 2021.14 patients received UPS fixation(UPS group)and 51 received BPS fixation(BPS group).The operative time,hospitalization cost,and imaging parameters including disc height(DH),foraminal height(FH),lumbar lordosis(LL),segmental lordosis(SL),axial central canal cross-sectional area(CCA),midsagittal canal diameter(CD),ligamentum flavum area(LFA),and ligamentum flavum thickness(LFT),as well as fusion rate,complication rate,and clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups.Results:The UPS group was shorter in operative time(80.64±10.87min vs 131.57±11.37min)and lower in hospitalization cost(86463.14±1889.54 yuan vs 101213.06±4512.54 yuan)compared with the BPS group(P＜0.05).Both groups showed significant improvements in DH,FH,SL,CD,and CCA after operation,with no significant differences between groups(P＞0.05).The immediate postoperative thickness of the right ligamentum flavum was significantly lower in the UPS group(2.28±0.71mm vs 2.67±0.49mm,P=0.019).The fusion rates were 85.7％in the UPS group and 94.1％in the BPS group,with no statistically significant difference(P=0.292).There was no significant difference in complication rates between the two groups(28.6％vs 23.5％,P=0.733).Conclusions:Single-level LLIF combined with UPS fixation for treating LDD provides comparable imaging improvements,clinical outcomes,and complications control to BPS fixation,while offering the advantages of reduced operative time and lower hospitalization costs,supporting its clinical feasibility.

Objective:To investigate the changes of thickness and area of the ligamentum flavum after lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) for lumbar degenerative diseases.Methods:From 2019 to 2021, a total of 54 patients with lumbar degenerative diseases who underwent LLIF combined with percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation were retrospectively analyzed. There were 9 males and 45 females, aged 59.46±6.91 years (range, 45-76 years), followed up for 14.69±6.87 months (range, 12-33 months). The disc height (DH), midsagittal canal diameter (CD), dural sac axial cross-sectional area (DCSA), ligamentum flavum area (LFA) and ligamentum flavum thickness (LFT) before and after surgery and at the last follow-up were evaluated and compared. Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between the amount of change in the DCSA and LFA in the immediate postoperative period and at the last follow-up, as well as the correlation between the two and the amount of change in the DH. The data of patients at the last follow-up of 12 months after operation were extracted. Pearson correlation was used to evaluate the changes in DCSA and LFA at the last follow-up and the visual analogue scale (VAS) of low back pain and leg pain and Oswestry disability index (ODI) at 1 year after surgery.Results:All patients were followed up for 14.69±6.87 months (range, 12-33 months). The differences in DH ( F=354.93, P<0.001), sagittal CD ( F=44.78, P<0.001) and DCSA ( F=130.97, P<0.001) before, immediately after surgery and at the last follow-up were statistically significant. The DH, sagittal CD, and DCSA immediate after surgery and last follow-up were higher than those before surgery ( P<0.05). The differences in LFA ( F=51.59, P<0.001) and bilateral LFT ( F=53.49, P<0.001; F=50.53, P<0.001) before and after surgery and at the last follow-up were statistically significant, and both LFA and bilateral LFT at immediate after surgery and last follow-up were smaller than those before surgery ( P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the change of DH immediately after surgery was moderately correlated with the change of DCSA ( r=0.57, P<0.001), and was strongly correlated with the change of LFA ( r=0.65, P<0.001). The change of DH at the last follow-up was moderately correlated with the change of DCSA ( r=0.43, P<0.001), and was weakly correlated with the change of LFA ( r=0.25, P=0.042). The differences in VAS-leg ( F=199.51, P<0.001), VAS-low back ( F=233.90, P<0.001), and ODI ( F=199.17, P<0.001) were statistically significant in patients before operation, 3 months after operation and 12 months after operation. There was no correlation between the changes of DCSA and LFA at the last follow-up and the changes of VAS and ODI at 1 year after operation ( P>0.05). Conclusion:LFA and LFT decrease and DCSA increase in patients with lumbar degenerative diseases after LLIF. LFA and LFT gradually decrease with time, and VAS and ODI are significantly improved compared with those before surgery. The DH loss caused by a certain degree of cage subsidence after surgery does not affect the clinical efficacy. There is no correlation between the improvement of DCSA and LFA and the improvement of clinical symptoms.