development-rat-caudal-interbody-fusion-model-pilot-feasibility

Development of a Rat Caudal Interbody Fusion Model: A Pilot Feasibility Study

Rat caudal vertebrae are widely used in bone regeneration and spinal fusion research as convenient sites for testing bone graft materials and implants. ...

The vertebral artery (VA) usually enters the transverse foramen at the C6 level. Thus, surgeons prefer to insert pedicle screws (PSs) at C7, but this does not eliminate the risk of VA injury. We aimed to clarify anatomical features of the VA V1 segment at the C7 pedicle level, based on computed tomographic angiography (CTA) of 81 consecutive patients.

The position of the vertebral artery V1 segment relative to the C7 vertebra.

Surgical treatment of spinal metastases has been associated with high morbidity and mortality in patients with sarcopenia based on low skeletal muscle mass. We assessed physical performance using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status scale and the Barthel Index on the 30th day after palliative surgery for spinal metastases and investigated the effectiveness of surgery according to sarcopenia assessed by skeletal muscle mass.

Clinical study of preoperative skeletal muscle mass as a predictor of physical performance recovery following palliative surgery for spinal metastases.

Although the prognosis of incomplete cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) diagnosed as American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grade C (AIS C) is generally favorable, some patients remain non-ambulatory. The present study explored the clinical factors associated with the non-ambulatory state of AIS C patients.

Risk factors of AIS C incomplete cervical spinal cord injury for poor prognosis-The significance of anorectal evaluation.

Intraspinal Epidermoid Cyst with Calcification: A Case Report.

Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of acute- and chronic-phase mortality in patients with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) with quadriplegia. The risk factors for chronic-phase pneumonia recurrence in CSCI are still unknown. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of pneumonia in the chronic phase after injury and to identify its risk factors.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Pneumonia in the Chronic Phase of Cervical Spinal Cord Injury with Complete Motor Paralysis.

A cervical pedicle screw (CPS) serves as an important anchor for cervical surgeries. Its placement requires the development of a highly safe and easy-to-handle method. Considering that the lateral end of the cortical bone of the spinal canal (LE point) is the most crucial for CPS placement, we devised a U-shaped wire capable of identifying LE points under direct vision and reliably confirming the site with C-arm lateral fluoroscopy.

Cervical kyphosis surgery using a cervical pedicle screw placed with a U-shaped wire that enables observation of the lateral edge of the cortical bone of the spinal canal: A case report and literature review.

Trend differences in cervical spinal cord injuries before and after the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.ObjectivesTo determine the ideal cage placement position in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) surgery to prevent vertebral endplate cyst (VEC) formation and improve bone union rates.MethodsThis study retrospectively analyzed 69 patients who underwent TLIF, and 88 intervertebral levels were observed. Patients were categorized into peripheral, central, and mixed types based on the cage placement. The incidence of VEC formation and endplate injuries (EIs) were assessed using computed tomography 1 year postoperatively. Factors associated with VEC formation and non-union, including patient demographics, clinical data, cage placement, Hounsfield unit values, and intraoperative EIs, were analyzed.ResultsVECs occurred in 55.7% of surgical levels and were significantly associated with non-union ( < .001). Center-type cage placement was a strong predictor of VEC formation ( = .028, OR = 16.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.36-195.0), along with EIs ( = .003, OR = 5.86, 95% CI: 1.80-19.0). In contrast, pre-existing VECs appeared to have a protective effect ( = .046, OR = 0.272, 95% CI: 0.076-0.979).ConclusionsCage placement in the central region significantly increases the risk of VEC formation and non-union. Periphery-type placement may be preferable to reduce endplate damage and improve fusion outcomes. Preventing EIs and optimizing cage positioning are critical to minimize VEC formation. Further prospective studies are needed to refine surgical strategies and improve long-term outcomes following TLIF.

Impact of Cage Placement on Vertebral Endplate Cyst Formation and Bone Union in Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

A 51-year-old woman presented to our hospital with septic shock. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a spinal epidural abscess and a spinal subdural empyema (SSE). Surgery in the prone position was considered impossible because of the patient's recent history of cardiac surgery. Therefore, the patient was treated conservatively with antibiotics. Treatment was successful, and the patient was discharged without any neurological complications. Because of its high risk of mortality, subdural empyema is almost always treated by surgery. However, we have encountered a case in which conservative management alone was successful. Magnetic resonance images revealed two areas of dural tear. Patients with multiple tears may be candidates for conservative therapy.

Article	Year
The position of the vertebral artery V1 segment relative to the C7 vertebra. Journal of orthopaedic science : official journal of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association\| PubMed ID: 32360078	2021
Clinical study of preoperative skeletal muscle mass as a predictor of physical performance recovery following palliative surgery for spinal metastases. Journal of orthopaedic science : official journal of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association\| PubMed ID: 35811255	2023
Risk factors of AIS C incomplete cervical spinal cord injury for poor prognosis-The significance of anorectal evaluation. Journal of orthopaedic science : official journal of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association\| PubMed ID: 36334964	2023
Intraspinal Epidermoid Cyst with Calcification: A Case Report. Spine surgery and related research\| PubMed ID: 36348675	2022
Incidence and Risk Factors for Pneumonia in the Chronic Phase of Cervical Spinal Cord Injury with Complete Motor Paralysis. Spine surgery and related research\| PubMed ID: 37636135	2023
Cervical kyphosis surgery using a cervical pedicle screw placed with a U-shaped wire that enables observation of the lateral edge of the cortical bone of the spinal canal: A case report and ... Medicine\| PubMed ID: 37986380	2023
Trend differences in cervical spinal cord injuries before and after the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Spinal cord series and cases\| PubMed ID: 38600098	2024
Impact of Cage Placement on Vertebral Endplate Cyst Formation and Bone Union in Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion. Global spine journal\| PubMed ID: 40293858	2026
Spinal Subdural Empyema Successfully Treated With Conservative Therapy: A Case Report. Cureus\| PubMed ID: 41684977	2026

Chikara Ushiku

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