Objectives: We report a case of lumbar spine fracture sustained during a virtual reality (VR) game.Summary of Literature Review: As video games have evolved, so have video game-related injuries. Because VR gamers wear headsets that block their ability to see the surroundings, it is thought that VR gamers are more at risk than previous video gamers.However, no VR game–related injuries have yet been reported. Materials and Methods: A 53-year-old man sustained a lumbar spine fracture during a VR game. Because the game simulated his fall from a building, he lost his balance and fell down on the floor. A compression fracture of the third lumbar vertebra was demonstrated by imaging and conservative management using rigid orthosis was done. Results: At a 1-year follow up, computed tomography showed complete bone union of L3. Conclusions Even though the activity was simulated, the resulting injury was all too real. Clinicians should never underestimate the risk of VR game injuries and should consider them in the differential diagnosis of musculoskeletal injuries.

Objectives: To analyze the usefulness of flexion-extension radiographs in the diagnosis of degenerative cervical disease.Summary of Literature ReviewThere is little information about the efficacy of flexion-extension radiographs in the diagnosis of degenerative cervical disease. Methods: and MaterialsWe analyzed 1,062 patients with cervical degenerative disease who underwent flexion-extension radiographs and computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The range of motion of the cervical joints was measured. Segmental instability was evaluated using the sagittal translation (≥3.5 mm) between C2 and T1, the sagittal angulation (≥3.5°), the vertebral slip angle (≥ 10°), and the dynamic spinal canal stenosis (≤12 mm). The relationship between canal compromise on CT or MRI and radiological instability was also evaluated. Results: Cervical range of motion was 36.45°±17.63° (range, 2.1°–106.6°). Segmental instability was observed in 484 patients (nine cases of sagittal translation, 79 cases of sagittal plane rotation, 415 cases of a vertical slip angle, and 21 cases of dynamic spinal stenosis). Segmental instability was related with pathology in 218 patients with available CT or MRI (42%, including five cases of sagittal translation, 32 cases of sagittal plane rotation, 171 cases of vertical slip angle, and 10 cases of dynamic spinal stenosis. Conclusions Flexion-extension radiographs of the cervical spine were useful in diagnosing and evaluating subaxial segmental instability.

Objectives: To report our experience of a patient in her 20s with multiple contiguous osteoporotic compression fractures.Summary of Literature Review: It is uncommon to develop multiple contiguous osteoporotic compression fractures at a young age. Materials and Methods: A 26-year-old woman was admitted with lower back pain. On radiologic examinations, compression fractures of L1, L2 and L5 were observed. Bone mineral density testing indicated severe osteoporosis. Secondary osteoporosis was suspected, and further examinations were performed. The patient was diagnosed with adrenocorticotropic hormone–independent Cushing’s syndrome.On abdominal computed tomography, a tumor suspected to be an adenoma was observed on the left adrenal gland. Tumor resection surgery was then performed. Results: Pathologic findings confirmed that the tumor was an adenoma. The lumbar fractures had healed at 3 months after the fracture. Conclusions If osteoporotic lumbar compression fracture occurs in a young patient, secondary osteoporosis should be suspected and the underlying cause must be found and treated.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of posterior interbody fusion with a new type of pedicle screws after posterior decompression for degenerative spinal disease.Summary of Literature Review: There are no reports of surgical treatment results using the new type of pedicle screw (LumFix™) analyzed herein. We report the results of posterior interbody fusion with this new type of pedicle screw. Materials and Methods: Ten patients underwent surgical treatment for degenerative spinal disease and were followed up for at least 1 year. In all cases, fixation using pedicle screws and posterior interbody fusion were performed after posterior decompression. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores were measured before surgery, at 3 months postoperatively, and at 12 months postoperatively. Bone union was investigated through simple radiographs and computed tomography (CT) at 12 months postoperatively. In addition, blood inflammation levels and basic vital signs were investigated preoperatively and at the last follow-up. Results: In all cases, preoperative symptoms improved, and the back pain VAS improved from 7.30±1.49 preoperatively to 2.70±1.64 at 3 months postoperatively and 1.80±1.40 at the final follow-up. Leg pain was 7.40±1.17 preoperatively and 2.60±2.17 at 3 months postoperatively. At the last follow-up, it improved to 2.40±1.96 (p<0.001). The ODI improved from 28.80±4.89 preoperatively to 15.60±5.04 at 3 months postoperatively and 16.90±6.61 (p=0.002) at the final follow-up. Bone union was achieved in all cases. Inflammation levels and vital signs were within the normal range both preoperatively and at 12 months postoperatively. Conclusions The LumFix™ pedicle screws used in this study were fused in 100% of patients with degenerative spinal diseases. No complications were observed, and the VAS of back and leg pain and ODI of the lumbar spine significantly improved. There were no abnormal findings in blood tests or vital signs, demonstrating biocompatibility. Therefore, the type of new pedicle screw analyzed in this study can be used in fusion surgery for degenerative spinal diseases.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze several factors affecting the efficacy of epidural steroid injections as a nonoperative treatment modality in lumbar disc herniation patients.Summary of Literature Review: Despite several studies, the normal course of intervertebral disc herniation is not fully understood, and the optimal timing of surgery is unclear. Methods: From January 2017 to April 2019, among outpatients in our hospital, 64 patients diagnosed with 3-4 or 4-5 single-level lumbar disc herniation and followed up for at least 6 weeks were included. Epidural steroid injection was performed in all patients during their 1-week admission. Symptoms improved in 36 patients (group 1) and persisted or recurred in 28 patients (group 2), who were finally treated surgically. Demographic factors, magnetic resonance imaging findings, and clinical assessments were analyzed. Results: The only demographic factor with a significant difference between groups was symptom duration. In magnetic resonance imaging, significant differences were found in disc sequestration and the degree of the herniated disc. At 6 weeks after the injection, significant differences were found between the 2 groups in visual analog scale scores and the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index. Conclusions Several factors must be considered when treating patients with lumbar disc herniation. Of note, longer symptom duration was found to be associated with a lower effectiveness of conservative treatment. The effects of treatment could also be influenced by the disc form and the degree of disc herniation.

Objectives: To evaluate and compare the clinical outcomes of cervical transforaminal epidural block (CTEB) using local anesthetics with or without a steroid for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR).Summary of Literature Review: The typical mixture for a CTEB is a combination of local anesthetics with a non-particulate steroid.However, there are potential complications related to steroid injections such as steroid-induced osteoporosis, hypothalamus-pituitaryadrenal gland axis suppression, and hyperglycemia. Materials and Methods: From January 2018 to October 2019, 35 patients who underwent CTEB for CSR were enrolled in this study.Cases with arm pain over 4 on a visual analog scale (VAS) were included. In the first 19 cases, a combination of 1 mL of 1% lidocaine and 1 mL of dexamethasone was used (group A), and in the next 16 cases, 1 mL of 1% lidocaine mixed with 1 mL of normal saline was used (group B). Arm pain VAS and the Neck Disability Index (NDI) were obtained perioperatively. Results: Baseline characteristics were not significantly different between the two groups. In both groups, the arm pain VAS significantly decreased at 30 minutes, 2 weeks, and 6 weeks post-injection compared to pre-injection values. However, the arm pain aggravated 12 weeks post-injection. The NDI of both groups significantly improved 6 weeks post-injection compared to pre-injection. The clinical outcomes of arm pain VAS and NDI at 30 minutes, 2 weeks, and 6 weeks post-injection, as well as the amounts of change, were not significantly different between both groups. Conclusions CTEB for CSR without a steroid improved symptoms by 6 weeks. The degree of improvement was similar to when CTEB was performed with a steroid in terms of VAS and NDI.

Objectives: This study was conducted to identify the correlations and usefulness of lateral cervical radiographs compared with wholespine sagittal lateral radiographs for evaluating cervical sagittal alignment.Summary of Literature Review: Few reports have compared cervical lateral radiographs with whole-spine sagittal radiographs. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 181 patients with both cervical standing lateral radiographs and whole-spine standing lateral radiographs. The radiographs were evaluated using the following sagittal alignment parameters: C2-7 lordosis, C2-7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), T1 slope, spino-cranial angle (SCA), and whole-spine SVA. We evaluated the relationships between the two radiographs. The patients were divided into four groups according to age and the measured sagittal parameters were compared across groups. An analysis according to clinical symptoms was also done. Results: C2-7 lordosis was 16.86° and 15.76°, C2-7 SVA was 15.76° and 16.86°, T1 slope was 29.03° and 22.49°, and SCA was 74.74° and 74.5°, respectively, on the cervical and whole spine radiographs. The whole-spine SVA was -2.64 mm. Correlation analysis between the two types of radiographs showed significant relationships for each sagittal parameter. The whole-spine SVA was related with wholespine C2-7 lordosis, T1 slope, and SCA. Cervical C2-7 lordosis and the whole-spine SVA increased with age. A decrease of C2-7 lordosis on whole-spine radiographs was shown in patients with neck pain. Conclusions Cervical SVA and T1 slope were lower on whole-spine standing lateral radiographs than on simple cervical lateral radiographs. The cervical sagittal parameters measured on cervical radiographs were correlated with those measured on whole-spine radiographs. Cervical radiographs can be used to replace whole-spine radiographs with due consideration of these findings.

Objective: We present a rare case of adhesive arachnoiditis that occurred after percutaneous endoscopic discectomy.Summary of Literature Review: Adhesive arachnoiditis can be caused by infection, trauma, surgery, and other iatrogenic injuries.Material and Methods: A 60-year-old man presented with acute onset of lower back pain, radiating to the right leg. His symptoms had developed 10 days previously without any trauma. He had a history of L4-5 percutaneous endoscopic discectomy 10 months ago. There was no evidence of infection in an examination of cerebrospinal fluid obtained from a spinal tap. However, magnetic resonance imaging showed peridural fibrosis, clumping of the nerve roots of the cauda equina with the pia mater, and dural enhancement at the L4-5 level. Results: His symptoms disappeared after steroid pulse therapy. Conclusions Even minimally invasive surgery, such as endoscopic discectomy, can lead to adhesive arachnoiditis of the lumbar spine.

Objectives: To compare disc degeneration between the cervical and lumbar spine and to elucidate the patterns of degeneration according to the corresponding disc levels in the cervical and lumbar spine.Summary of Literature Review: Disc degeneration results from the aging process in the spine. However, the incidence of disc degeneration in the cervical and lumbar spine might differ due to anatomical differences Materials and Methods: We randomly selected 280 patients by age and sex among 6,168 patients who underwent cervical or lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging combined with whole-spine T2 sagittal images from June 2006 to March 2012. We classified disc degeneration by the modified Matsumoto grading system and the Pfirrmann classification at 11 intervertebral disc levels from C2 to T1 and from L1 to S1. Results: There was no significant difference in disc degeneration between the cervical and lumbar spine in either grading system. No significant difference was found in the degree of disc degeneration between the lower two disc levels of the cervical spine and the lower two disc levels of the lumbar spine in either system (C5-C6, C6-C7, L4-L5, L5-S1). However, both grading systems showed more severe degeneration in upper two disc levels of the cervical spine than in the upper two disc levels of the lumbar spine (C2-C3, C3-C4, L1-L2, L2- L3). Conclusions There was a significant difference in disc degeneration between the upper two disc levels of the cervical and lumbar spine. Adjacent segmental degeneration after fusion surgery might reflect the natural history of the condition, not adjacent segmental problems.

Objectives: This study was conducted to analyze associations between the volume of the fusion mass and clinical outcomes 1 year after posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF).Summary of Literature Review: No study has investigated associations between the size of the fusion mass and clinical outcomes after PLIF. Materials and Methods: The volume of the fusion mass and its clinical correlations after PLIF were analyzed in all patients and in subgroups. When a sufficient amount of local bone was available for grafting, only local bone without a graft extender was used (LbG group, n=20). If an inadequate amount of local bone was present for grafting, a local bone graft with porous hydroxyapatite bone chips was used (LbHa group, n=20). The same amount of demineralized bone matrix was used in both groups. The primary outcome was the relationship between the size of the fusion mass and clinical outcomes in all patients 1 year after surgery. The secondary outcome was a comparison of the size of the fusion mass and clinical outcomes by group. Results: The volume of the fusion mass was not correlated with any clinical outcomes 1 year after surgery, either in the overall group of patients or in the subgroup analysis. Conclusions The volume of the interbody fusion mass was not related to any clinical outcomes 1 year after surgery. Furthermore, in cases with an insufficient amount of local bone for grafting, porous hydroxyapatite could be a relatively good alternative as a graft extender.