Postoperative Increase in Occiput–C2 Angle Negatively Impacts Subaxial Lordosis after Occipito–Upper Cervical Posterior Fusion Surgery

Taigo Inada,Takeo Furuya,Koshiro Kamiya,Mitsutoshi Ota,Satoshi Maki,Takane Suzuki,Kazuhisa Takahashi,Masashi Yamazaki,Masaaki Aramomi,Chikato Mannoji,Masao Koda 대한척추외과학회 2016 Asian Spine Journal Vol.10 No.4

Study Design: Retrospective case series. Purpose: To elucidate the impact of postoperative occiput–C2 (O–C2) angle change on subaxial cervical alignment. Overview of Literature: In the case of occipito–upper cervical fixation surgery, it is recommended that the O–C2 angle should be set larger than the preoperative value postoperatively. Methods: The present study included 17 patients who underwent occipito–upper cervical spine (above C4) posterior fixation surgery for atlantoaxial subluxation of various etiologies. Plain lateral cervical radiographs in a neutral position at standing were obtained and the O–C2 angle and subaxial lordosis angle (the angle between the endplates of the lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) and C7 vertebrae) were measured preoperatively and postoperatively soon after surgery and ambulation and at the final follow-up visit. Results: There was a significant negative correlation between the average postoperative alteration of O–C2 angle (DO–C2) and the average postoperative alteration of subaxial lordosis angle (Dsubaxial lordosis angle) (r =–0.47, p =0.03). Conclusions: There was a negative correlation between DO–C2 and Dsubaxial lordosis angles. This suggests that decrease of midto lower-cervical lordosis acts as a compensatory mechanism for lordotic correction between the occiput and C2. In occipito-cervical fusion surgery, care must be taken to avoid excessive O–C2 angle correction because it might induce mid-to-lower cervical compensatory decrease of lordosis.

Differences in Risk Factors for Decreased Cervical Lordosis after Multiple-Segment Laminoplasty for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy and Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament: A Pilot Study

Inoue Takaki,Maki Satoshi,Furuya Takeo,Okimatsu Sho,Yunde Atsushi,Miura Masataka,Shiratani Yuki,Nagashima Yuki,Maruyama Juntaro,Shiga Yasuhiro,Inage Kazuhide,Orita Sumihisa,Eguchi Yawara,Ohtori Seiji 대한척추외과학회 2023 Asian Spine Journal Vol.17 No.4

Study Design: Retrospective study.Purpose: To compare the radiographic risk factors for decreased cervical lordosis (CL) after laminoplasty, focusing on the difference between cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (C-OPLL).Overview of Literature: A few reports compared the risk factors for decreased CL between CSM and C-OPLL although these two pathologies have their characteristics.Methods: This study included 50 patients with CSM and 39 with C-OPLL who underwent multi-segment laminoplasty. Decreased CL was defined as the difference between preoperative and 2-year postoperative neutral C2–7 Cobb angles. Radiographic parameters included preoperative neutral C2–7 Cobb angles, C2–7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), T1 slope (T1S), dynamic extension reserve (DER), and range of motion. The radiographic risk factors were investigated for decreased CL in CSM and C-OPLL. Additionally, the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score was assessed preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively.Results: C2–7 SVA (<i>p</i> =0.018) and DER (<i>p</i> =0.002) were significantly correlated with decreased CL in CSM, while C2–7 Cobb angle (<i>p</i> =0.012) and C2–7 SVA (<i>p</i> =0.028) were correlated with decreased CL in C-OPLL. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that greater C2–7 SVA (<i>B</i> =0.22, <i>p</i> =0.026) and small DER (<i>B</i> =−0.53, <i>p</i> =0.002) were significantly associated with decreased CL in CSM. By contrast, greater C2–7 SVA (<i>B</i> =0.36, <i>p</i> =0.031) was significantly associated with decreased CL in C-OPLL. The JOA score significantly improved in both CSM and C-OPLL (<i>p</i> <0.001).Conclusions: C2–7 SVA was associated with a postoperative decreased CL in both CSM and C-OPLL, but DER was only associated with decreased CL in CSM. Risk factors for decreased CL slightly differed depending on the etiology of the condition.

Inhibiting Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Injured Intervertebral Discs Attenuates Pain-Related Neuropeptide Expression in Dorsal Root Ganglia in Rats

Jun Sato,Kazuhide Inage,Masayuki Miyagi,Yoshihiro Sakuma,Kazuyo Yamauchi,Masao Koda,Takeo Furuya,Junichi Nakamura,Miyako Suzuki,Go Kubota,Yasuhiro Oikawa,Takeshi Sainoh,Kazuki Fujimoto,Yasuhiro Shiga 대한척추외과학회 2017 Asian Spine Journal Vol.11 No.4

Study Design: An experimental animal study. Purpose: To evaluate effects of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the content and distribution of the calcitonin generelated peptide (CGRP) in the dorsal ganglia in a rat model. Overview of Literature: Increased expression of VEGF in degenerative disc disease increases the levels of inflammatory cytokines and nerve ingrowth into the damaged discs. In animal models, increased levels of VEGF can persist for up to 2 weeks after an injury. Methods: Through abdominal surgery, the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) innervating L5/L6 intervertebral disc were labeled (FluoroGold neurotracer) in 24, 8-week old Sprague Dawley rats. The rats were randomly allocated to three groups of eight rats each. The anti- VEGF group underwent L5/6 intervertebral disc puncture using a 26-gauge needle, intradiscal injection of 33.3 μg of the pegaptanib sodium, a VEGF165 aptamer. The control-puncture group underwent disc puncture and intradiscal injection of 10 μL saline solution, and the sham-surgery group underwent labeling but no disc puncture. Two rats in each group were sacrificed on postoperative days 1, 7, 14, and 28 after surgery. L1–L6 DRGs were harvested, sectioned, and immunostained to detect the content and distribution of CGRP. Results: Compared with the control, the percentage of CGRP-positive cells was lower in the anti-VEGF group (p <0.05; 40.6% and 58.1% on postoperative day 1, 44.3% and 55.4% on day 7, and 42.4% and 59.3% on day 14). The percentage was higher in the control group compared with that of the sham group (p <0.05; sham group, 34.1%, 40.7%, and 33.7% on postoperative days 1, 7, and 14, respectively). Conclusions: Decreasing CGRP-positive cells using anti-VEGF therapy provides fundamental evidence for a possible therapeutic role of anti-VEGF in patients with discogenic lower back pain.

Diffusion Tensor Imaging of the Spinal Canal in Quantitative Assessment of Patients with Lumbar Spinal Canal Stenosis

Norimoto Masaki,Eguchi Yawara,Kanamoto Hirohito,Oikawa Yasuhiro,Matsumoto Koji,Masuda Yoshitada,Furuya Takeo,Orita Sumihisa,Inage Kazuhide,Maki Satoshi,Shiga Yasuhiro,Kinoshita Hideyuki,Abe Koki,Inoue 대한척추외과학회 2021 Asian Spine Journal Vol.15 No.2

Study Design: Retrospective observational study. Purpose: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) has traditionally been evaluated morphologically, there is a paucity of literature on quantitative assessment of LSS. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether intraspinal diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters such as apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) are useful for assessing LSS. Overview of Literature: Quantitative assessment of LSS is challenging. Methods: Study participants comprised five healthy volunteers (mean age, 27.2 years) and 27 patients with LSS (mean age, 58.4 years) who were individually assessed using 3.0 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging. Intraspinal ADC and FA values of 10 intervertebral discs from healthy volunteers and 52 intervertebral discs from LSS patients were measured. Also, intraspinal canal area, Schizas classification (A: normal, B: mild stenosis, C: severe stenosis) and correlations with symptoms were investigated. Clinical symptoms were checked for the presence of low back pain (LBP), intermittent claudication (IMC), and bladder and bowel dysfunction (BBD). Results: Compared to healthy individuals, LSS patients had significantly lower ADC (p <0.05) and significantly higher FA values (p <0.01). In Schizas classification, stenosis worsened from A to C. ADC values decreased significantly while FA values increased significantly in that order (p <0.05). A positive correlation was found between intraspinal canal area and ADC values (r =0.63, p <0.01) and a negative correlation between intraspinal canal area and FA values (p =−0.61, p <0.01). No correlations were noted between LBP and ADC or FA values. On the other hand, ADC values were significantly lower (p <0.05) and FA values were significantly higher (p <0.05) in patients with IMC or BBD. Conclusions: Intraspinal DTI parameters such as ADC and FA values were associated with the Schizas classification, intraspinal canal area, and clinical symptoms, suggesting that ADC and FA may be useful for quantitative assessment of LSS.

Ajoy Prasad Shetty

Go Kubota,Hiroto Kamoda,Sumihisa Orita,Kazuhidee Inage,Michihiro Ito,Masaomi Yamashita,Takeo Furuya,Tsutomu Akazawa,Yasuhiro Shiga,Seiji Ohtori 대한척추외과학회 2018 Asian Spine Journal Vol.12 No.1

Study Design: Retrospective case series. Purpose: To examine the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for bone fusion in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) using local bone grafting. Overview of Literature: Several authors have reported the efficacy of PRP for bone union in animal models. However, the use of PRP for bone fusion in TLIF surgery has not been fully explored. Methods: Twenty patients underwent single-level TLIF surgery because of L4 spondylolisthesis. An interbody fusion cage and local bone were used in nine patients (control group) and an interbody fusion cage, local bone, and PRP were used in 11 patients (PRP group). PRP was prepared from the patients’ blood samples (400 mL) immediately before surgery. The duration of bone union and postoperative bone fusion rate were assessed using plain radiography at every 3 months postoperatively and computed tomography at 12 or 24 months postoperatively, respectively. Lower back pain, leg pain, and leg numbness were evaluated using the visual analog scale preoperatively and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Results: The platelet count was 8.7 times higher in PRP than in blood. The bone union rate was significantly superior in the PRP group than in the control group (91% and 77%, respectively; p =0.035), whereas the average duration of bone union was not significantly different between the groups (7.7±0.74 and 10.0±2.00 months, respectively; p =0.131). There was no significant difference in lower back pain, leg pain, and leg numbness in both groups during follow-up (p >0.05). Conclusions Our study suggests that the use of PRP in TLIF surgery increases bone fusion rate.

Correlation among Inflammatory Cytokine Expression Levels, Degree of Disk Degeneration, and Predominant Clinical Symptoms in Patients with Degenerated Intervertebral Discs

Takeshi Sainoh,Kazuhide Inage,Sumihisa Orita,Masao Koda,Takeo Furuya,Kazuyo Yamauchi,Miyako Suzuki,Yoshihiro Sakuma,Go Kubota,Yasuhiro Oikawa,Jun Sato,Kazuki Fujimoto,Yasuhiro Shiga,Koki Abe,Hirohito 대한척추외과학회 2017 Asian Spine Journal Vol.11 No.3

Study Design: Observational study. Purpose: To assess the correlation among inflammatory cytokine expression levels, degree of intervertebral disk (IVD) degeneration, and predominant clinical symptoms observed in degenerative disk disease (DDD). Overview of Literature: Low back pain (LBP) is associated with inflammatory cytokine expression levels, including those of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and nerve growth factor (NGF). However, the association between cytokine expression levels and the physiological mechanisms of disk degeneration and clinical pain remain controversial. Methods: Using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, TNF-α, IL-6, and NGF expression levels were analyzed in 58 IVD samples that were harvested from patients with lumbar DDD. Patient samples were grouped according to the degree of IVD degeneration using the Pfirrmann grading system and magnetic resonance imaging, and the correlations between the disease groups and each cytokine expression level were assessed. In addition, on the basis of their predominant preoperative symptoms, the patients were assigned to either an LBP or leg pain group to determine the correlation among these disease manifestations and individual cytokine expression levels. Results: A gradual increase in TNF-α (R=0.391) and IL-6 (R=0.388) expression levels correlated with the degree of IVD degeneration, whereas NGF (R=0.164) expression levels exhibited a minimal decrease with disease progression. Regarding the predominant clinical manifestation, only the LBP group exhibited a significant increase in TNF-α expression levels (p =0.002). Conclusions: These results suggested that TNF-α and IL-6 play an important role in the pathophysiology of IVD degeneration at any stage, whereas NGF plays an important role during the early disease stages. Moreover, because TNF-α expression levels were significantly high in the LBP group, we propose that they are involved in LBP onset or progression.

Time-Course Changes in Bone Metabolism Markers and Density in Patients with Osteoporosis Treated with Romosozumab: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

Kazuhide Inage,Sumihisa Orita,Yawara Eguchi,Yasuhiro Shiga,Masao Koda,Yasuchika Aoki,Toshiaki Kotani,Tsutomu Akazawa,Takeo Furuya,Junichi Nakamura,Hiroshi Takahashi,Miyako Suzuki-Narita,Satoshi Maki,S 연세대학교의과대학 2021 Yonsei medical journal Vol.62 No.9

Purpose: In this multicenter retrospective observational study, we examined the early effects of romosozumab in patients with severeosteoporosis in terms of time-course changes in bone metabolism marker, improvement in bone density, and adverse effects. Materials and Methods: Patients with severe osteoporosis were included. We investigated the progress of TRACP 5b and P1NPbefore and 1–2 months after the administration of romosozumab. We also investigated the bone density of lumbar spine, femoralneck, and the entire femur, measured by the DXA method, before and 5–7 months after the administration of romosozumab. Results: A total of 70 patients (7 males and 63 females, age 75.0±3.6 years) participated in this study. Significant improvements inTRACP 5b and P1NP levels were observed before and 1–2 months after romosozumab administration. The average bone densityof lumbar spine, femoral neck, and the entire femur were measured before and 5–7 months after romosozumab administration;and a significant increase only observed in the lumbar spine. Conclusion: Consistent with the findings of previous clinical studies, romosozumab has both bone formation-enhancing andbone resorption effects (dual effect). In addition, romosozumab also demonstrated improvement in bone density from the earlyphase after the administration, though the result was only seen in the lumbar spine.

Elevated Levels of Serum Pentosidine Are Associated with Dropped Head Syndrome in Older Women

Yawara Eguchi,Toru Toyoguchi,Kazuhide Inage,Kazuki Fujimoto,Sumihisa Orita,Kazuyo Yamauchi,Miyako Suzuki,Hirohito Kanamoto,Koki Abe,Masaki Norimoto,Tomotaka Umimura,Masao Koda,Takeo Furuya,Yasuchika A 대한척추외과학회 2019 Asian Spine Journal Vol.13 No.1

Study Design: A retrospective observational study was performed. Purpose: We investigated the prevalence of sarcopenia in dropped head syndrome (DHS), and the relationship between biochemical markers, including major advanced glycation end products (AGEs), pentosidine, and DHS in older women. Overview of Literature: AGEs have been implicated in the pathogenesis of sarcopenia. Methods: We studied 13 elderly women with idiopathic DHS (mean age, 77.2 years) and 20 healthy volunteers (mean age, 74.8 years). We used a bioelectrical impedance analyzer to analyze body composition, including appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (SMI; appendicular lean mass [kg]/[height (m)]2). Cervical sagittal plane alignment, including C2–C7 sagittal vertical axis (C2–C7SVA), C2–C7 angle, and C2 slope (C2S), was measured. Biochemical markers, such as serum and urinary pentosidine, serum homocysteine, 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D, were measured. The level of each variable was compared between DHS and controls. The relationship between biochemical markers and DHS was examined. Results: Sarcopenia (SMI <5.75) was observed at a high prevalence in participants with DHS (77% compared to 22% of healthy controls). Height, weight, femoral bone mineral density, appendicular lean mass, total lean mass, and SMI all had significantly lower values in the DHS group. Serum and urinary pentosidine, and serum homocysteine were significantly higher in the DHS group compared to controls. Analysis of cervical alignment revealed a significant positive correlation of serum pentosidine with C2–C7SVA and C2S. Conclusions: Sarcopenia was involved in DHS, and high serum pentosidine levels are associated with severity of DHS in older women.

Evaluating Spinal Canal Lesions Using Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Maps with Diffusion-Weighted Imaging

Kanamoto Hirohito,Norimoto Masaki,Eguchi Yawara,Oikawa Yasuhiro,Orita Sumihisa,Inage Kazuhide,Abe Koki,Inoue Masahiro,Kinoshita Hideyuki,Umimura Tomotaka,Matsumoto Koji,Masuda Yoshitada,Furuya Takeo,K 대한척추외과학회 2020 Asian Spine Journal Vol.14 No.3

Study Design: Observational study.Purpose: To evaluate healthy volunteers and patients with spinal canal lesions using apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps with diffusion-weighted imaging.Overview of Literature: Decompression surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is selected on the basis of subjective assessment and cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, there is no objective standard for this procedure.Methods: We performed 3T MRI in 10 healthy volunteers and 13 patients with LSS. The ADC values in the spinal canal were evaluated at 46 vertebrae (L4/5 and L5/S1 for each participant), and the reduced and conventional fields of view were compared.Results: The ADC values were 2.72±0.12 at L4/5 in healthy volunteers, 2.76±0.19 at L5/S1 in healthy volunteers, 1.77±0.58 at L4/5 in patients with LSS, and 2.35±0.29 at L5/S1 in patients with LSS. The ADC value at L4/5 in patients with LSS was significantly lower than that at L5/S1 in patients with LSS and that at L4/5 and L5/S1 in healthy volunteers (<i>p</i> <0.05). With an ADC cutoff value of 2.46 to identify LSS, this approach provided an area under the curve of 0.81, sensitivity of 0.92, and specificity of 0.76 (<i>p</i> <0.05).Conclusions: Preoperative examination using ADC maps permits visualization and quantification of spinal canal lesions, thus proving the utility of ADC maps in the selection of decompression surgery for LSS.