Endoscopic surgery has emerged as a viable treatment option for cervical stenotic myelopathy, offering several advantages over conventional approaches. In multilevel cervical myelopathy, traditional microscopic laminoplasty via the posterior approach requires muscle dissection along the spinous process, which serves as the insertion point for stabilizing muscles, thereby disrupting the posterior tension band. Recently, endoscopic laminoplasty techniques have been explored; however, these often involve detaching the spinous tip from the lamina, compromising the cervical fulcrum. In this report, we introduce a novel surgical technique using a unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) system that preserves key cervical structures typically damaged by prior open or endoscopic laminoplasty methods. An 82-year-old man presented with bilateral lower-extremity weakness. Imaging revealed stenosis at C3–4–5 with associated cord signal changes. Maintain anatomy laminoplasty was performed using the UBE system, preserving both the posterior tension band and the spinous process fulcrum. Postoperatively, the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association and Numeric Rating Scale scores improved. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 4. This new unilateral biportal endoscopic cervical laminoplasty is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive technique that achieves complete decompression in multilevel cervical stenotic myelopathy while maintaining critical anatomical structures.

A spine endoscope can be used for lumbar interbody fusion, and endoscopic spinal surgery has various advantages over conventional open surgery. With just one small incision, uniportal full-endoscopic surgery can be the most minimally invasive approach. This technique can minimize intraoperative tissue damage, but the working space is very narrow, making it challenging to insert a large cage and posing a dilemma for an additional large skin incision. The anterior approach for lumbar interbody fusion, particularly oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF), has advantages, such as a wider fusion bed and a large supportive cage, potentially increasing the fusion rate and reducing the risk of cage subsidence. Furthermore, OLIF cages can provide robust support to the apophyseal ring of the vertebral body. An elliptical skin incision is performed to expand the usable area for inserting a large cage and pedicle screw. We aimed to introduce a minimally invasive technique for inserting a large OLIF cage during uniportal full-endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion through a single small incision measuring 1.8–2 cm, which could facilitate minimal tissue damage and maximal fusion rate by combining the advantages of endoscope and anterior fusion surgery.

Insulin resistance is prevalent in chronic kidney disease and may accelerate the progression of chronic kidney disease. This study aimed to investigate whether insulin resistance is associated with the development of incident chronic kidney disease in a population with normal renal function. Methods: A total of 3,331 participants from a community-based cohort with normal renal function were prospectively analyzed. We determined the relationship of insulin resistance indices with the incident chronic kidney disease using the Cox proportional hazard model and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Results: During a mean follow-up of 11.03 ± 4.22 years, incident chronic kidney disease occurred in 414 participants (12.4%). The high homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance level group had an increased risk of incident chronic kidney disease (hazard ratio [HR], 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13–1.74; p = 0.002) compared to the normal group after adjustment for age, sex, history of hypertension, body mass index, total cholesterol, alcohol drinking status, smoking status, and baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate. The risk of incident chronic kidney disease also increased with the lower quantitative insulin sensitivity check index level (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.41–0.92; p = 0.02) and higher leptin-adiponectin ratio level (HR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.06–1.42; p = 0.006). Conclusion: Higher insulin resistance indices are associated with the incidence of chronic kidney disease. Our data suggest that increased insulin resistance may be involved in the development of incident chronic kidney disease in a population with normal renal function.

This article aims to demonstrate the uniportal full endoscopic surgery for treating complex anterior and posterior spinal pathology at the T1–2 level, offering a invasive, accessible, stable, and versatile approach to challenging anatomical situations. Uniportal full endoscopic surgery is one of the most minimally invasive spinal surgeries, utilizing slim, elongated, and compact instruments that provide access to lesions from any angle and distance. This characteristic makes the technique especially suitable for hard, such as the T1–2 level, where traditional approaches may be limited or difficult. We present the case of a 39-year-old male patient (height, 187 cm; weight, 130 kg) who developed myelopathy due to a hard disc herniation and ossification of the ligamentum flavum at the T1–2 leading to paraparesis, which was more severe on the left side. An anterior approach was challenging due to the anatomical constraints at the T1–2 level, as well as the patient’s body size. A posterior access via the interlaminar approach facilitated the removal of the ossified ligamentum flavum. However, to the anterior lesion remained problematic without spinal cord retraction. Using the uniportal full endoscope, we were able to approach both anterior and posterior lesions through an incision 8 cm lateral to the midline, allowing for the treatment of the entire 270° arc of the pathology. The slim and elongated nature of the full endoscope enabled effective decompression without exerting pressure on the spinal cord, providing access from any angle and distance. This technique can be applied to a variety of cases involving difficult-to-access spinal.

This article aims to demonstrate the uniportal full endoscopic surgery for treating complex anterior and posterior spinal pathology at the T1–2 level, offering a invasive, accessible, stable, and versatile approach to challenging anatomical situations. Uniportal full endoscopic surgery is one of the most minimally invasive spinal surgeries, utilizing slim, elongated, and compact instruments that provide access to lesions from any angle and distance. This characteristic makes the technique especially suitable for hard, such as the T1–2 level, where traditional approaches may be limited or difficult. We present the case of a 39-year-old male patient (height, 187 cm; weight, 130 kg) who developed myelopathy due to a hard disc herniation and ossification of the ligamentum flavum at the T1–2 leading to paraparesis, which was more severe on the left side. An anterior approach was challenging due to the anatomical constraints at the T1–2 level, as well as the patient’s body size. A posterior access via the interlaminar approach facilitated the removal of the ossified ligamentum flavum. However, to the anterior lesion remained problematic without spinal cord retraction. Using the uniportal full endoscope, we were able to approach both anterior and posterior lesions through an incision 8 cm lateral to the midline, allowing for the treatment of the entire 270° arc of the pathology. The slim and elongated nature of the full endoscope enabled effective decompression without exerting pressure on the spinal cord, providing access from any angle and distance. This technique can be applied to a variety of cases involving difficult-to-access spinal.

This article aims to demonstrate the uniportal full endoscopic surgery for treating complex anterior and posterior spinal pathology at the T1–2 level, offering a invasive, accessible, stable, and versatile approach to challenging anatomical situations. Uniportal full endoscopic surgery is one of the most minimally invasive spinal surgeries, utilizing slim, elongated, and compact instruments that provide access to lesions from any angle and distance. This characteristic makes the technique especially suitable for hard, such as the T1–2 level, where traditional approaches may be limited or difficult. We present the case of a 39-year-old male patient (height, 187 cm; weight, 130 kg) who developed myelopathy due to a hard disc herniation and ossification of the ligamentum flavum at the T1–2 leading to paraparesis, which was more severe on the left side. An anterior approach was challenging due to the anatomical constraints at the T1–2 level, as well as the patient’s body size. A posterior access via the interlaminar approach facilitated the removal of the ossified ligamentum flavum. However, to the anterior lesion remained problematic without spinal cord retraction. Using the uniportal full endoscope, we were able to approach both anterior and posterior lesions through an incision 8 cm lateral to the midline, allowing for the treatment of the entire 270° arc of the pathology. The slim and elongated nature of the full endoscope enabled effective decompression without exerting pressure on the spinal cord, providing access from any angle and distance. This technique can be applied to a variety of cases involving difficult-to-access spinal.

This article aims to demonstrate the uniportal full endoscopic surgery for treating complex anterior and posterior spinal pathology at the T1–2 level, offering a invasive, accessible, stable, and versatile approach to challenging anatomical situations. Uniportal full endoscopic surgery is one of the most minimally invasive spinal surgeries, utilizing slim, elongated, and compact instruments that provide access to lesions from any angle and distance. This characteristic makes the technique especially suitable for hard, such as the T1–2 level, where traditional approaches may be limited or difficult. We present the case of a 39-year-old male patient (height, 187 cm; weight, 130 kg) who developed myelopathy due to a hard disc herniation and ossification of the ligamentum flavum at the T1–2 leading to paraparesis, which was more severe on the left side. An anterior approach was challenging due to the anatomical constraints at the T1–2 level, as well as the patient’s body size. A posterior access via the interlaminar approach facilitated the removal of the ossified ligamentum flavum. However, to the anterior lesion remained problematic without spinal cord retraction. Using the uniportal full endoscope, we were able to approach both anterior and posterior lesions through an incision 8 cm lateral to the midline, allowing for the treatment of the entire 270° arc of the pathology. The slim and elongated nature of the full endoscope enabled effective decompression without exerting pressure on the spinal cord, providing access from any angle and distance. This technique can be applied to a variety of cases involving difficult-to-access spinal.

This article aims to demonstrate the uniportal full endoscopic surgery for treating complex anterior and posterior spinal pathology at the T1–2 level, offering a invasive, accessible, stable, and versatile approach to challenging anatomical situations. Uniportal full endoscopic surgery is one of the most minimally invasive spinal surgeries, utilizing slim, elongated, and compact instruments that provide access to lesions from any angle and distance. This characteristic makes the technique especially suitable for hard, such as the T1–2 level, where traditional approaches may be limited or difficult. We present the case of a 39-year-old male patient (height, 187 cm; weight, 130 kg) who developed myelopathy due to a hard disc herniation and ossification of the ligamentum flavum at the T1–2 leading to paraparesis, which was more severe on the left side. An anterior approach was challenging due to the anatomical constraints at the T1–2 level, as well as the patient’s body size. A posterior access via the interlaminar approach facilitated the removal of the ossified ligamentum flavum. However, to the anterior lesion remained problematic without spinal cord retraction. Using the uniportal full endoscope, we were able to approach both anterior and posterior lesions through an incision 8 cm lateral to the midline, allowing for the treatment of the entire 270° arc of the pathology. The slim and elongated nature of the full endoscope enabled effective decompression without exerting pressure on the spinal cord, providing access from any angle and distance. This technique can be applied to a variety of cases involving difficult-to-access spinal.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) arising from the extrahepatic bile duct is extremely rare and commonly mistaken for cholangiocarcinoma. Therefore, NEC of the bile duct is difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Previously reported cases were resected with a diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma and diagnosed with NEC after surgery. This paper reports an 84-year-old female with small-cell NEC of the extrahepatic bile duct, confirmed by a biopsy from an ERCP, with a review of the relevant literature. Contrast-enhanced abdomen computed tomography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed an approximately 1.7 cm enhancing intraductal mass in the proximal common bile duct with dilatation of the upstream bile duct. ERCP showed a long strictured segment in the proximal common bile duct with bile duct dilatation. A biopsy was performed at the site of the stricture. Histological examinations and hematoxylin–eosin staining showed the solid proliferation of small tumor cells with irregularly shaped hyperchromatic nuclei.Immunohistochemical examinations showed that the tumor cells were positive for CD56 and synaptophysin. Small-cell NEC of the extrahepatic bile duct was confirmed based on the histology and immunohistochemistry findings. The patient and their family denied treatment because of the patient’s old age.

Background/Aims: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has a prognostic value in cardiovascular disease, infection, inflammatory disease, and several malignancies. Therefore, the NLR has a possible predictive value in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but this predictive value has not been validated. Here, we aimed to investigate the possibility of NLR as a predictor of CKD progression. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 141 patients with non-dialysis CKD. The participants were divided into terciles (T1, T2, and T3) according to NLR. The primary outcome was defined as a composite kidney event, which included a decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of at least 50% or initiation of renal replacement therapy during the follow-up period. Results: The mean follow-up duration was 5.45 ± 2.11 years. The mean NLRs were 1.35 ± 0.05 in T1 (n = 47), 2.16 ± 0.04 in T2 (n = 47), and 4.29 ± 0.73 in T3 (n = 47). The group with the highest NLR (T3) had higher baseline CKD and serum creatinine and lower eGFR levels than the group with the lowest NLR (T1). The cumulative incidence rate of composite kidney events was significantly higher in T3 compared with T1 (p < 0.001, log-rank test). Cox regression analysis revealed that high NLR was associated with the risk of composite kidney events (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.43–7.76). Conclusions A higher NLR reflects the more advanced stage of CKD and suggests a role for NLR as a biomarker for predicting CKD progression.