Selective Angiography to Detect Anterior Spinal Artery Stenosis in Thoracic Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Yoshida Go,Ushirozako Hiroki,Hasegawa Tomohiko,Yamato Yu,Yasuda Tatsuya,Banno Tomohiro,Arima Hideyuki,Oe Shin,Mihara Yuki,Yamada Tomohiro,Ide Koichiro,Watanabe Yuh,Ushio Takasuke,Matsuyama Yukihiro 대한척추외과학회 2022 Asian Spine Journal Vol.16 No.3

Study Design: Single-center prospective study.Purpose: To investigate anterior spinal artery (ASA) status using preoperative selective angiography in patients undergoing surgery for thoracic ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (T-OPLL).Overview of Literature: Surgery for T-OPLL has a high risk of neurological complications, which might be associated with insufficient spinal cord blood flow.Methods: This study prospectively examined nine T-OPLL patients who underwent posterior thoracic decompression with kyphosis correction and instrumented fusion at Hamamatsu University School of Medicine between 2017 and 2019. All underwent preoperative selective angiography to detect and evaluate the Adamkiewicz artery and ASA. Intraoperative neuromonitoring and Doppler ultrasonography were performed to analyze neurological complications and spinal cord blood flow.Results: All nine patients showed ASA stenosis in the area of T-OPLL. In all patients, the Adamkiewicz artery was located between T7 and L2 and the area of ASA stenosis corresponded to the level of T-OPLL and greatest spinal cord compression; intraoperative Doppler ultrasonography confirmed the ASA defect at the same spinal level. The number of spinal levels from the Adamkiewicz artery to the most compressive OPLL lesion was greater in the two patients who developed postoperative neurological deficit compared to those who did not (5.5 vs. 2.3, p=0.014).Conclusions: This is the first study to report detection of ASA stenosis in patients with T-OPLL. Maintaining spinal cord blood flow is important in these patients to avoid neurological deterioration.

Minimum Clinically Important Differences in Oswestry Disability Index Domains and Their Impact on Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery

Go Yoshida,Tomohiko Hasegawa,Yu Yamato,,Sho Kobayashi,Oe Shin,Tomohiro Banno,Yuuki Mihara,Hideyuki Arima,Hiroki Ushirozako,Tatsuya Yasuda,Daisuke Togawa,Yukihiro Matsuyama 대한척추외과학회 2019 Asian Spine Journal Vol.13 No.1

Study Design: Retrospective study. Purpose: To calculate the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) for total and individual domains of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and assess score distribution and changes over time in surgically treated adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients. Overview of Literature: Despite the common use of ODI for assessing ASD, there are no robust studies defining MCID values for this index. Methods: This study included 240 consecutive ASD patients with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. We calculated MCID values for total and individual ODI domains using all or part of the Scoliosis Research Society-22R questionnaire as anchors. Using current MCID values, we measured the acquisition rates in patients who acquired MCID at follow-up in both total and individual ODI domains. Differences in pathology, age, and locations of the upper and lower instrumented vertebrae were analyzed. Results: MCID of the total ODI score was 11%, with an area under the curve of 0.737. Each domain ranged from 0 to 2, with 1 being the most common value. In the pain and standing domains, >60% of the patients acquired MCID, although acquisition rates of the personal care, lifting, sleep, and sexual activity domains were relatively low (20%–35%). Patients with MCID had more radiographic improvement in lumbar lordosis, sagittal vertical axis, and T1 pelvic angle than those without MCID (p <0.05). Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe MCID of ODI (11%) after ASD surgery. In the pain and standing domains, most patients acquired MCID although the rates of acquisition of MCID in the personal care, lifting, sleep, and sexual activity domains were low. Spine surgeons should counsel their patients regarding the benefits and setbacks of ASD surgery.

Accuracy of Percutaneous Lumbosacral Pedicle Screw Placement Using the Oblique Fluoroscopic View Based on Computed Tomography Evaluations

Go Yoshida,Koji Sato,Tokumi Kanemura,Toshiki Iwase,Daisuke Togawa,Yukihiro Matsuyama 대한척추외과학회 2016 Asian Spine Journal Vol.10 No.4

Study Design: Retrospective. Purpose: This study aims to investigate the accuracy of the oblique fluoroscopic view, based on preoperative computed tomography (CT) images for accurate placement of lumbosacral percutaneous pedicle screws (PPS). Overview of Literature: Although PPS misplacement has been reported as one of the main complications in minimally invasive spine surgery, there is no comparative data on the misplacement rate among different fluoroscopic techniques, or comparing such techniques with open procedures. Methods: We retrospectively selected 230 consecutive patients who underwent posterior spinal fusion with a pedicle screw construct for degenerative lumbar disease, and divided them into 3 groups, those who had undergone: minimally invasive percutaneous procedure using biplane (lateral and anterior-posterior views using a single C-arm) fluoroscope views (group M-1), minimally invasive percutaneous procedure using the oblique fluoroscopic view based on preoperative CT (group M-2), and conventional open procedure using a lateral fluoroscopic view (group O: controls). The relative position of the screw to the pedicle was graded for the pedicle breach as no breach, <2 mm, 2–4 mm, or >4 mm. Inaccuracy was calculated and assessed according to the spinal level, direction and neurological deficit. Inter-group radiation exposure was estimated using fluoroscopy time. Results: Inaccuracy involved an incline toward L5, causing medial or lateral perforation of pedicles in group M-1, but it was distributed relatively equally throughout multiple levels in groups M-2 and controls. The mean fluoroscopy time/case ranged from 1.6 to 3.9 minutes. Conclusions: Minimally invasive lumbosacral PPS placement using the conventional fluoroscopic technique carries an increased risk of inaccurate screw placement and resultant neurological deficits, compared with that of the open procedure. Inaccuracy tended to be distributed between medial and lateral perforations of the L5 pedicle, as a result of pedicle morphology and the PPS pathway. Oblique fluoroscopic views, based on CT measurement, may allow accurate PPS insertion with a shorter fluoroscopy time.

Novel Measurement Technique for the Sagittal Vertical Axis and Its Clinical Application in Adult Spinal Deformity

Go Yoshida,Kenta Kurosu,Yu Yamato,Tomohiko Hasegawa,Tatsuya Yasuda,Daisuke Togawa,Yukihiro Matsuyama 대한척추외과학회 2017 Asian Spine Journal Vol.11 No.2

Study Design: Prospective physical measurement of the sagittal vertical axis (SVA). Purpose: To evaluate a simple method for measuring SVA by analyzing its relationship with radiographic measurements and clinical appearance. Overview of Literature: No studies have examined physical measurements using the cranial center of gravity (CCG) in a relaxed standing position. Methods: The physical measurement of the horizontal distance between CCG and spina iliaca posterior superior (CCG-SIPS) was measured using a straight ruler in 252 healthy volunteers and 56 patients with adult spinal deformity. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was evaluated using the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and clinical symptoms were assessed according to standing status and the presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Results: CCG-SIPS increased with age in the volunteer group and strongly correlated with radiographic SVA in the patient group (r =0.984). Differences increased between CCG-SIPS in patients in the relaxed position and radiographic SVA with an increase in sagittal malalignment (r =0.692, p <0.001). ODI with high sagittal malalignment (CCG-SIPS >120 mm) was significantly larger in the patient group than in the group with low sagittal malalignment (59.9±18.8 vs. 45.1±17.0; p =0.004); these patients (CCG-SIPS >120 mm) needed crutches or walkers for standing. The patient group with GERD had significantly larger sagittal malalignment than the group without GERD (160.3 mm vs. 81.0 mm). Conclusions: The CCG-SIPS correlated with age and strongly reflected radiographic SVA and HRQOL in the patients. Moreover, it reflects a relaxed posture without a backward shift in the radiographic position even in patients with severe sagittal malalignment. The critical limit of CCG-SIPS can be relevant to clinical appearance, including standing assistance (>120 mm) and the existence of GERD (>150 mm). Thus, it will be a useful predictor of true SVA in clinical practice before radiographic evaluation.

Four-Step Classification of Endoscopic Transpapillary Gallbladder Drainage and the Practical Efficacy of Cholangioscopic Assistance

( Michihiro Yoshida ),( Itaru Naitoh ),( Kazuki Hayashi ),( Naruomi Jinno ),( Yasuki Hori ),( Makoto Natsume ),( Akihisa Kato ),( Kenta Kachi ),( Go Asano ),( Naoki Atsuta ),( Hidenori Sahashi ),( Hir 대한소화기학회 2021 Gut and Liver Vol.15 No.3

Background/Aims: Although endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage (ETGBD) has been reported as an alternative procedure for acute cholecystitis, it requires advanced endoscopic techniques. In terms of the certainty of achieving drainage, it remains a challenging procedure. The aim of the current study was to elucidate the practical efficacy of cholangioscopic assistance and to develop a new classification that could be used to evaluate the technical difficulty of ETGBD and provide a theoretical strategy to apply cholangioscopy appropriately for difficult ETGBD. Methods: A total of 101 patients undergoing ETGBD were retrospectively studied. The characteristics and technical outcomes of ETGBD with conventional ETGBD (C-ETGBD) and Spy- Glass DS-assisted ETGBD (SG-ETGBD) were evaluated. The characteristics and technique-dependent factors of unsuccessful C-ETGBD/SG-ETGBD were evaluated using the classification based on the steps of the procedure. The predictive factors of successful C-ETGBD/SG-ETGBD were examined. Results: C-ETGBD was successful in 73 patients (72.3%). SG-ETGBD was successful in 11 of 13 patients (84.6%) who had C-ETGBD failure. Optional SG-ETGBD significantly increased the final success rate (94.1%) compared to C-ETGBD alone (p=0.003). ETGBD procedures could be classified into four steps. SG-assistance worked as an excellent troubleshooter in step 1 (failure to identify the cystic duct orifice) and step 2 (failure of guidewire advancement across the downturned angle of cystic duct takeoff). Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography could provide predictive information based on the classification. Conclusions: Optional SG-ETGBD achieved a significantly higher success rate than C-ETGBD alone. Step classification is helpful for determining the technical difficulty of ETGBD and developing a theoretical strategy to apply cholangioscopy in a coordinated manner. (Gut Liver 2021;15:476-485)

Transcranial Motor Evoked Potential Monitoring for the Detection of Nerve Root Injury during Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery

Hiroki Ushirozako,Go Yoshida,Sho Kobayashi,Tomohiko Hasegawa,Yu Yamato,Tatsuya Yasuda,Tomohiro Banno,Hideyuki Arima,Shin Oe,Yuki Mihara,Daisuke Togawa,Yukihiro Matsuyama 대한척추외과학회 2018 Asian Spine Journal Vol.12 No.4

Study Design: Retrospective study. Purpose: We aimed to determine the utility of transcranial motor evoked potential (TcMEP) monitoring for the detection of intraoperative nerve root injury. Overview of Literature: Intraoperative neuromonitoring is important for the prediction of neurological injuries or postoperative paralysis. Nerve root injury can develop as a complication of adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery. Methods: We analyzed 295 patients who underwent ASD surgery using multi-channel TcMEP monitoring between 2010 and 2016 (58 men, 237 women; median age, 68 years; follow-up period ≥1 year). We defined the alarm point as a TcMEP amplitude <30% of that at baseline, and nerve root injury as meeting the focal TcMEP alerts shortly following surgical procedures with the presence of postoperative motor deficits in the selected muscles. Patients were classified into two groups, as those with nerve root injury and those with true-negatives. Results: Seven patients (2.4%) exhibited neurological events related to nerve root injury, comprising six true-positive and one falsenegative cases. TcMEP monitoring from multiple myotomes was effective in detecting nerve root injury. Compared to the 248 truenegative cases, the seven cases of nerve root injury were associated with significantly different preoperative pelvic tilt (PT) values, sacral slope values, and degree of change in PT. The cutoff for the degree of change in PT for predicting nerve root injury, with the best sensitivity and specificity, was 17.5°. Multivariate logistic analyses revealed that a change of >17.5° in PT (odds ratio, 17.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.994–153.560; p =0.010) was independently associated with intraoperative nerve root injury. Conclusions: Multi-channel TcMEP monitoring may be useful for detecting nerve root injuries. A change in PT of >17.5° may be a significant risk factor for neurological events related to intraoperative nerve root injury.

Revision Surgery for a Rod Fracture with Multirod Constructs Using a Posterior-Only Approach Following Surgery for Adult Spinal Deformity

Yamato Yu,Hasegawa Tomohiko,Yoshida Go,Banno Tomohiro,Oe Shin,Arima Hideyuki,Mihara Yuki,Ushirozako Hiroki,Yamada Tomohiro,Watanabe Yuh,Ide Koichiro,Nakai Keiichi,Kurosu Kenta,Matsuyama Yukihiro 대한척추외과학회 2022 Asian Spine Journal Vol.16 No.5

Study Design: Single-center retrospective case series.Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the clinical results of revision surgery for a rod fracture using a posterior-only approach and determine the best procedure to prevent refracture in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD).Overview of Literature: ASD affects the thoracolumbar spine and often requires surgical correction. However, surgery for extensive spinal fusion causes rod fracture, a major mechanical complication. Few studies have described the treatment methods for rod fractures. Furthermore, the clinical outcomes of revision surgery for rod fractures in patients with ASD are currently unclear.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 404 patients who underwent corrective fusion surgery for ASD with a minimum 2-year follow-up. We studied cases of reoperation for postoperative rod fractures and investigated surgical procedure, intraoperative findings, clinical course, and rod refracture following revision surgery.Results: Rod fracture was observed in 88 patients (21.8%). Fifty-three patients (average age, 68.3 years; average blood loss, 502.2 mL [% estimated blood volume=16.4%]; and operation time, 203.3 minutes) who suffered from a rod fracture at an average of 28.3 months after the primary operation underwent reoperation. Surgical invasiveness had no significant differences in total or partial rod replacement; however, the procedures with and without an anterior bone graft significantly differed. The replaced rod refractured at an average of 35.3 months after the revision surgery of five patients. The rod also refractured at a level outside multiple rods in two patients and with traumatic episodes in three patients. Three patients had bone grafts in the anterior column.Conclusions: Revision surgery involving a multirod with a posterior-only approach for a rod fracture that occurred after ASD was performed successfully. Bone grafting in the anterior column is unnecessary for patients without massive bone defects.

Difference in Spinal Sagittal Alignment and Health- Related Quality of Life between Males and Females with Cervical Deformity

Shin Oe,Daisuke Togawa,Go Yoshida,Tomohiko Hasegawa,Yu Yamato,Sho Kobayashi,Tatsuya Yasuda,Tomohiro Banno,Yuki Mihara,Yukihiro Matsuyama 대한척추외과학회 2017 Asian Spine Journal Vol.11 No.6

Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between pelvic tilt (PT) and the sacro-femoral-pubic (SFP) angle, which is easier to identify than PT, in middle-aged and elderly Asian subjects from the general population. Overview of Literature: Measuring PT is important in the diagnosis and treatment of adult spinal deformity. However, identifying femoral heads, which are necessary to determine PT, using sagittal radiographs is often difficult. Methods: Standing coronal and sagittal pelvic radiographs of individuals aged more than 50 years were taken during a local medical examination. The subjects were divided into female, male, and total groups at the time of evaluation. Linear regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between PT and the SFP angle, which were obtained from the X-rays. Results: The present study included 291 subjects. There were no statistically significant differences between the left and right SFP angles, and there was gender difference regarding the SFP angle. However, a gender difference was observed regarding PT. The correlation between PT and the SFP angle was substantiated in each group. Pearson’s correlation coefficients between PT and the SFP angle in the total, female, and male groups were 0.696, 0.853, and 0.619, respectively. In the linear regression analysis, PT was calculated as follows: PT=60.1−0.77×(SFP angle) in the total group, PT=62.8−0.80×(SFP angle) in the female group, and PT=51.5−0.64×(SFP angle) in the male group. Conclusions: A significant correlation between PT and the SFP angle was observed in middle-aged and elderly Asian subjects from the general population.

Spinal Sagittal Alignment, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Scores, and Patient-Reported Outcome among People with Sporting Activity

Oe Shin,Yamato Yu,Hasegawa Tomohiko,Yoshida Go,Kobayashi Sho,Yasuda Tatsuya,Banno Tomohiro,Arima Hideyuki,Mihara Yuki,Ushirozako Hiroki,Yamada Tomohiro,Ide Koichiro,Watanabe Yuh,Haruo Niwa,Matsuyama Y 대한척추외과학회 2020 Asian Spine Journal Vol.14 No.3

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.Purpose: This study aimed to investigate how participation in sporting activity affects patient-reported outcome (PRO), including Neck Disability Index (NDI), in males and females.Overview of Literature: Previously, our study reported that factors with a negative influence on the NDI in females were a lack of sporting activities. However, it was still unclear why it affected poor scores of NDI.Methods: The subjects were 473 volunteers. They were divided into two groups (activity and non-activity) according to participation or non-participation in sporting activities using a self-filled questionnaire. The evaluation items were height, weight, grip strength, bone density, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) score, standing radiographic parameters, PRO (evaluated by EuroQol-5 dimension [EQ-5D], Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]), and NDI.Results: There were 101 males in the non-activity group and 69 in the activity group and 178 females in the non-activity group and 125 in the activity group. For the males, the evaluation items with significant influence were cervical lordosis (non-activity group:activity group, 17°:22°) and T1 slope minus cervical lordosis (10°:6°, <i>p</i> <0.05). For the females, the evaluation items with significant influence were sagittal vertical axis (28:14 mm), HADS (10.4:8.4), EQ-5D (0.79:0.86), ODI (17:12), and NDI (12:9, <i>p</i> <0.01). HADS and PRO in the females were significantly correlated with the EQ-5D (−0.40), ODI (0.43), and NDI (0.55).Conclusions: Males who participated in sporting activities had better cervical spine alignment but no effect on PRO. Females with sporting activities had better spinal global alignment and less mental stress. It is suggested that sporting activity in females might be associated with PRO because HADS highly correlates with PRO.

Preoperative Less Right Shoulder Elevation Had a Higher Risk of Postoperative Shoulder Imbalance When Main Thoracic Curve Shows Higher Correction Regardless of the Upper Instrumented Vertebra Level for Patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Lenke

Banno Tomohiro,Yamato Yu,Hasegawa Tomohiko,Yoshida Go,Arima Hideyuki,Oe Shin,Mihara Yuki,Ide Koichiro,Watanabe Yuh,Kurosu Kenta,Nakai Keiichi,Matsuyama Yukihiro 대한척추외과학회 2023 Asian Spine Journal Vol.17 No.1

Study Design: This is a retrospective study.Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the incidence of and risk factors for postoperative shoulder imbalance (PSI) in patients with Lenke type 1.Overview of Literature: PSI is a complication resulting in poor self-image and satisfaction in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients.Methods: We examined the data of AIS patients with Lenke type 1 curves who underwent posterior fusion surgery in a retrospective manner. PSI was defined as a 2-year postoperative absolute radiographic shoulder height (RSH) of ≥2 cm. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of PSI and the level of their upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) (UIV at T2 or T3 [U-UIV] or UIV below T3 [L-UIV]). The radiographic parameters and clinical outcomes were compared, and the cutoff values of risk factors were identified by multivariate analysis.Results: Of 104 patients, 21 (20.2%) had left shoulder elevation PSI. The PSI group had a significantly greater preoperative RSH (−5.1 mm vs. −14.3 mm) and main thoracic (MT) curve correction rate (77.3% vs. 69.1%) than the non-PSI group. The PSI incidence did not differ between the U-UIV and L-UIV groups. Multivariate analysis identified preoperative RSH and the MT curve correction rate as independent risk factors for PSI. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified the preoperative RSH cutoff value as −6.5 mm and MT curve correction rate cutoff value as 76.9%.Conclusions: Even in AIS patients with Lenke type 1 curves, the incidence of PSI was relatively high (20.2%). Patients with preoperative lower right shoulder elevation (i.e., RSH >−6.5 mm) had a higher risk of PSI regardless of UIV level when the MT curve showed a higher correction rate (i.e., correction rate >76.9%).