METHODS: The authors reviewed data from the Adult Symptomatic Lumbar Scoliosis 1 trial (ASLS-1), a National Institutes of Health-sponsored prospective multicenter study. Inclusion criteria were an age ≥ 40 years, ASLS (Cobb angle ≥ 30° and Oswestry Disability Index [ODI] ≥ 20 or Scoliosis Research Society revised 22-item questionnaire [SRS-22r] score ≤ 4.0 in pain, function, or self-image domains), and primary thoracolumbar fusion/fixation to the sacrum/pelvis of ≥ 7 levels. PJF was defined as a postoperative proximal junctional angle (PJA) change > 20°, fracture of the uppermost instrumented vertebra (UIV) or UIV+1 with > 20% vertebral height loss, spondylolisthesis of UIV/UIV+1 > 3 mm, or UIV screw dislodgment.
RESULTS: One hundred sixty patients (141 women) were included in this analysis and had a median age of 62 years and a mean follow-up of 4.3 years (range 0.1-6.1 years). Forty-six patients (28.8%) had PJF at a median of 0.92 years (IQR 0.14, 1.23 years) following surgery. Based on Kaplan-Meier analyses, PJF rates at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years were 14.4%, 21.9%, 25.9%, and 27.4%, respectively. On univariate analysis, PJF was associated with greater age (p = 0.0316), greater body mass index (BMI; p = 0.0319), worse baseline patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs; ODI, SRS-22r, and SF-12 Physical Component Summary [PCS]; all p < 0.04), the use of posterior column osteotomies (PCOs; p = 0.0039), and greater postoperative thoracic kyphosis (TK; p = 0.0031) and PJA (p < 0.001). The use of UIV hooks was protective against PJF (p = 0.0340). On regression analysis (without postoperative measures), PJF was associated with greater BMI (HR 1.077, 95% CI 1.007-1.153, p = 0.0317), lower preoperative PJA (HR 0.607, 95% CI 0.407-0.906, p = 0.0146), and greater preoperative TK (HR 1.362, 95% CI 1.082-1.715, p = 0.0085). Patients with PJF had worse PROMs at the last follow-up (ODI, SRS-22r subscore and self-image, and SF-12 PCS; p < 0.04). Sixteen PJF patients (34.8%) underwent revision, and PJF recurred in 3 (18.8%).
CONCLUSIONS: Among 160 primary ASLS patients with a median age of 62 years and predominant coronal deformity, the PJF rate was 28.8% at a mean 4.3-year follow-up, with a revision rate of 34.8%. On univariate analysis, PJF was associated with a greater age and BMI, worse baseline PROMs, the use of PCOs, and greater postoperative TK and PJA. The use of UIV hooks was protective against PJF. On multivariate analysis (without postoperative measures), a higher risk of PJF was associated with greater BMI and preoperative TK and lower preoperative PJA.
METHODS: Patient records were obtained from the Adult Symptomatic Lumbar Scoliosis-1 (ASLS-1) database, an NIH-sponsored multicenter, prospective study. Inclusion criteria were as follows: patients aged 40-80 years undergoing primary surgeries for ASLS (Cobb angle ≥ 30° and Oswestry Disability Index ≥ 20 or Scoliosis Research Society-22r ≤ 4.0 in pain, function, and/or self-image) with instrumented fusion of ≥ 7 levels that included the sacrum/pelvis. Patients with and without RF were compared to assess risk factors for RF and revision surgery.
RESULTS: Inclusion criteria were met by 160 patients (median age 62 years, IQR 55.7-67.9 years). At a median follow-up of 5.1 years (IQR 3.8-6.6 years), there were 92 RFs in 62 patients (38.8%). The median time to RF was 3.0 years (IQR 1.9-4.54 years), and 73% occurred > 2 years following surgery. Based on Kaplan-Meier analyses, estimated RF rates at 2, 4, 5, and 8 years after surgery were 11%, 24%, 35%, and 49%, respectively. Baseline radiographic, clinical, and demographic characteristics were similar between patients with and without RF. In Cox regression models, greater postoperative pelvic tilt (HR 1.895, 95% CI 1.196-3.002, p = 0.0065) and greater estimated blood loss (HR 1.02, 95% CI 1.005-1.036, p = 0.0088) were associated with increased risk of RF. Thirty-eight patients (61% of all RFs) underwent revision surgery. Bilateral RF was predictive of revision surgery (HR 3.52, 95% CI 1.8-6.9, p = 0.0002), while patients with unilateral nondisplaced RFs were less likely to require revision (HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.18-0.84, p = 0.016).
CONCLUSIONS: This study provides what is to the authors' knowledge the highest-quality data to date on RF rates following ASLS surgery. At a median follow-up of 5.1 years, 38.8% of patients had at least one RF. Estimated RF rates at 2, 4, 5, and 8 years after surgery were 11%, 24%, 35%, and 49%, respectively. Greater estimated blood loss and postoperative pelvic tilt were significant risk factors for RF. These findings emphasize the importance of long-term follow-up to realize the true prevalence and cumulative incidence of RF.
METHODS: Forty-eight patients were recruited. Inclusion criteria were AIS patients who have had PSF surgery more than 10 years ago. Patients were divided into G1: LIV L3 or higher and G2: LIV L4 or lower. MRI evaluation was classified using Pfirrmann grades. Pfirrmann scores were average of Pfirrmann grades for all unfused discs below LIV. SRS-22r, SF-36, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Modified Cincinnati Sports Activity Scale (MCSAS) were used.
RESULTS: There were 19 patients in G1 and 29 patients in G2. Demographic parameters showed no significant differences. We found no significant differences in Pfirrmann grades or scores between G1 and G2. There was significant correlation between age and mean Pfirrmann scores (r = 0.546, p lumbar discs degeneration and the selection of LIV.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether (1) utilization rates; (2) demographics and preoperative statuses; and (3) clinical outcomes differ among Chinese, Malays, and Indians undergoing minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF).
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There is a marked racial disparity in spine surgery outcomes between white and African American patients. Comparative studies of ethnicity have mostly been carried out in American populations, with an underrepresentation of Asian ethnic groups. It is unclear whether these disparities exist among Chinese, Malays, and Indians.
METHODS: A prospectively maintained registry was reviewed for 753 patients who underwent primary MIS-TLIF for degenerative spondylolisthesis between 2006 and 2013. The cohort was stratified by race. Comparisons of demographics, functional outcomes, and patient satisfaction were performed preoperatively and 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 2 years postoperatively.
RESULTS: Compared with population statistics, there was an overrepresentation of Chinese (6.6%) and an underrepresentation of Malays (5.0%) and Indians (3.5%) who underwent MIS-TLIF. Malays and Indians were younger and had higher body mass index at the time of surgery compared with Chinese. After adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index, Malays had significantly worse back pain and Indians had poorer Short-Form 36 Physical Component Summary compared with Chinese preoperatively. Chinese also had a better preoperative Oswestry Disability Index compared with the other races. Although significant differences remained at 1 month, there was no difference in outcomes up to 2 years postoperatively, except for a lower Physical Component Summary in Indians compared with Chinese at 2 years. The rate of minimal clinically important difference attainment, satisfaction, and expectation fulfillment was also comparable. At 2 years, 87.0% of Chinese, 76.9% of Malays, and 91.7% of Indians were satisfied.
CONCLUSION: The variations in demographics, preoperative statuses, and postoperative outcomes between races should be considered when interpreting outcome studies of lumbar spine surgery in Asian populations.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-nonrandomized cohort study.
Methods: A cross-sectional study on 50 patients of age 50 and above with contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was conducted from November 2018 to November 2019. Single region of interest (ROI) was placed at the anterior trabecular part of L1 vertebra on CECT to obtain HU value. Correlation of CT HU value of L1 vertebra and DXA T-score, interrater reliability agreement between HU value of L1 vertebra and T-score in determining groups of with and without osteoporosis, ROC curve analysis for diagnostic accuracy and cut-off value of CT for detection of osteoporosis were identified.
Results: Significant correlation between HU value of L1 vertebra and L1 T-score (r = 0.683)/lowest skeletal T-score (r = 0.703) (P < 0.001). Substantial agreement between HU value of L1 vertebra and DXA in determining the groups with and without osteoporosis (k = 0.8; P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.86, 1.00) using HU value (P < 0.001). Cut-off value for osteoporosis was 149 HU.
Conclusion: HU value of lumbar vertebra is an effective alternative for the detection of osteoporosis with high diagnostic accuracy in hospitals without DXA facility.
METHODS: This study enrolled 147 SLE patients from the Asia Pacific Lupus Collaboration (APLC) cohort, who had BMD and TBS assessed from January 2018 until December 2018. Twenty-eight patients sustaining VF and risk factors associated with increased fracture occurrence were evaluated. Independent risk factors and diagnostic accuracy of VF were analyzed by logistic regression and ROC curve, respectively.
RESULT: The prevalence of vertebral fracture among SLE patients was 19%. BMD, T-score, TBS, and TBS T-score were significantly lower in the vertebral fracture group. TBS exhibited higher positive predictive value and negative predictive value than L spine and left femur BMD for vertebral fractures. Moreover, TBS had a higher diagnostic accuracy than densitometric measurements (area under curve, 0.811 vs. 0.737 and 0.605).
CONCLUSION: Degraded microarchitecture by TBS was associated with prevalent vertebral fractures in SLE patients. Our result suggests that TBS can be a complementary tool for assessing vertebral fracture prevalence in this population.
METHODS: All surgeries were performed by minimally invasive technique with either percutaneous monoaxial or percutaneous polyaxial screws inserted at adjacent fracture levels perpendicular to both superior end plates. Fracture reduction is achieved with adequate rod contouring and distraction maneuver. Radiological parameters were measured during preoperation, postoperation, and follow-up.
RESULTS: A total of 21 patients were included. Eleven patients were performed with monoaxial pedicle screws and 10 patients performed with polyaxial pedicle screws. Based on AO thoracolumbar classification system, 10 patients in the monoaxial group had A3 fracture type and 1 had A4. In the polyaxial group, six patients had A3 and four patients had A4. Total correction of anterior vertebral height (AVH) ratio was 0.30 ± 0.10 and 0.08 ± 0.07 in monoaxial and polyaxial groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Total correction of posterior vertebral height (PVH) ratio was 0.11 ± 0.05 and 0.02 ± 0.02 in monoaxial and polyaxial groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Monoaxial group achieved more correction of 13° (62.6%) in local kyphotic angle compared to 8.2° (48.0%) in polyaxial group. Similarly, in regional kyphotic angle, 16.5° (103.1%) in the monoaxial group and 8.1° (76.4%) in the polyaxial group were achieved.
CONCLUSIONS: Monoaxial percutaneous pedicle screws inserted at adjacent fracture levels provided significantly better fracture reduction compared to polyaxial screws in thoracolumbar fractures.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between primary aldosteronism (PA) with bone biochemical markers and to assess bone mineral density in patients with primary aldosteronism.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: A total of 939 subjects were examined (37.5% with PA). Patients with PA had significantly higher serum parathyroid hormone, lower serum calcium, higher urine calcium excretion and higher serum alkaline phosphatase compared to patients without PA, with no significant difference in serum vitamin D between both groups. Bone mineral density of lumbar spine, femoral neck and total neck of femur were similar between two groups. With PA treatment, there was a significant increment in serum calcium and reduction in serum parathyroid hormone.
CONCLUSIONS: PA is associated with hypercalciuria with subsequent secondary hyperparathyroidism. This potentially affects bone health. We recommend this to be part of complication screening among patients with PA.
PURPOSE: Information regarding mediators of differences in bone mineral density (BMD) among Asian ethnicities are limited. Since the majority of hip fractures are predicted to be from Asia, differences in BMD in Asian ethnicities require further exploration. We compared BMD among the Chinese, Malay, or Indian ethnicities in Singapore, aiming to identify potential mediators for the observed differences.
METHODS: BMD of 1201 women aged 45-69 years was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. We examined the associations between ethnicity and BMD at both sites, before and after adjusting for potential mediators measured using standardized questionnaires and validated performance tests.
RESULTS: Chinese women had significantly lower femoral neck BMD than Malay and Indian women. Of the more than 20 variables examined, age, body mass index, and height accounted for almost all the observed ethnic differences in femoral neck BMD between Chinese and Malays. However, Indian women still retained 0.047 g/cm2 (95% CI, 0.024, 0.071) higher femoral neck BMD after adjustment, suggesting that additional factors may contribute to the increased BMD in Indians. Although no crude ethnic differences in lumbar spine BMD were observed, adjusted regression model unmasked ethnic differences, wherein Chinese women had 0.061(95% CI, - 0.095, 0.026) and 0.065 (95% CI, - 0.091, 0.038) g/cm2 higher lumbar spine BMD compared to Malay and Indian women, respectively.
CONCLUSION: BMD in middle-aged Asian women differ by ethnicity and site. Particular attention should be paid to underweight women of Chinese ethnic origin, who may be at highest risk of osteoporosis at the femoral neck and hence hip fractures.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the radiological and clinical outcome of patients with Lenke 1C and 2C curves treated with STF.
STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study.
PATIENT SAMPLE: A total of 44 patients comprised the study sample.
METHODS: Forty-four patients with Lenke 1C and 2C curves with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis who underwent STF were reviewed. Radiological parameters and Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-22r scores were assessed preoperatively, postoperatively, and on final follow-up. The incidence of coronal decompensation, lumbar decompensation, and adding-on phenomenon were reported.
RESULTS: Mean follow-up duration was 45.1±12.3 months and mean age was 17.0±5.1 years. The preoperative middle thoracic and thoracolumbar/lumbar (MT:TL/L) Cobb angle ratio was 1.4±0.3 and the MT:TL/L apical vertebra translation (AVT) ratio was 1.6±0.8. Final follow-up coronal balance was -13.0±11.5 mm, main thoracic AVT was 6.9±11.8 mm, and lumbar AVT was -20.4±13.8 mm (pLumbar Cobb angle improved from 47.5°±7.8° to 24.9°±8.2° after operation and 23.3°±9.8° at final follow-up. The spontaneous lumbar curve correction rate was 50.9%. There were 9 patients (20.5%) who had coronal decompensation, 4 patients (9.1%) who had lumbar decompensation, and 11 patients (25.0%) who had adding-on phenomenon. We did not perform any revision surgery. The SRS-22r scores improved significantly in the overall scores, self-image, and mental health domain.
CONCLUSIONS: Selective thoracic fusion led to improvement in the radiological and clinical outcome for patients with Lenke 1C and 2C. Although no patients required revision surgery, the rate of coronal decompensation, lumbar decompensation, and adding-on phenomenon are significant.
METHODS: Patients included had the diagnosis of significant back pain caused by osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture secondary to trivial injury. All the patients underwent routine preoperative sitting lateral spine radiograph, supine stress lateral spine radiograph, and supine anteroposterior spine radiograph. The radiological parameters recorded were anterior vertebral height (AVH), middle vertebral height (MVH), posterior vertebral height (PVH), MVH level below, wedge endplate angle (WEPA), and regional kyphotic angle (RKA). The supine stress versus sitting difference (SSD) for all the above parameters were calculated.
RESULTS: A total of 28 patients (4 males; 24 females) with the mean age of 75.6 ± 7.7 years were recruited into this study. The mean cement volume injected was 5.5 ± 1.8 ml. There was no difference between supine stress and postoperative radiographs for AVH ( p = 0.507), PVH ( p = 0.913) and WEPA ( p = 0.379). The MVH ( p = 0.026) and RKA ( p = 0.005) were significantly less in the supine stress radiographs compared to postoperative radiographs. There was significant correlation ( p < 0.05) between supine stress and postoperative AVH, MVH, PVH, WEPA, and RKA. The SSD for AVH, PVH, WEPA, and RKA did not have significant correlation with the cement volume ( p > 0.05). Only the SSD-MVH had significant correlation with cement volume, but the correlation was weak ( r = 0.39, p = 0.04).
CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic mobility stress radiographs can predict the postoperative vertebral height restoration and kyphosis correction after vertebroplasty for thoracolumbar osteoporotic fracture with intravertebral clefts. However, it did not reliably predict the amount of cement volume injected as it was affected by other factors.
METHODS: Four electronic full-text databases were systematically searched through September 2017. Data including outcomes of annular closure device/annular repair were extracted. All results were pooled utilising meta-analysis with weighted mean difference and odds ratio as summary statistics.
RESULTS: Four studies met inclusion criteria. Three studies reported the use of Barricaid (ACD) while one study reported the use of Anulex (AR). A total of 24 symptomatic reherniation were reported among 811 discectomies with ACD/AR as compared to 51 out of 645 in the control group (OR: 0.34; 95% CI: 0.20,0.56; I2 = 0%; P