Prevalence, Spinal Alignment, and Mobility of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis with or without Chronic Low Back Pain: A Community-Dwelling Study

Although lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) occurs almost universally with aging, little is known regarding its actual prevalence and relationships to chronic low back pain (CLBP) in the general population. The presence of CLBP in subjects with LSS may have negative impacts on spinal alignment and mobility. This study evaluated the prevalence of LSS using a self-administered, self-reported history questionnaire in 630 community-dwelling individuals ≥50 years old. Subjects with LSS were further divided into LSS+CLBP and LSS alone groups, and spinal alignment and mobility were compared using a computer-assisted device. Prevalence of LSS was 10.8% in this cohort. Subjects in the LSS+CLBP group (n = 46) showed a significantly more kyphotic lumbar spinal alignment with limited lumbar extension (P < .05), resulting in a stooped trunk compared to subjects in the LSS alone group (n = 22). However, no significant difference in spinal mobility was seen between groups

Symptomatic cervical disc herniation in teenagers: two case reports

INTRODUCTION: The development of a symptomatic herniated cervical disc before the age of 20 is extremely rare. Sporadically reported cases of patients with cervical disc herniation under the age of 20 usually have had underlying disease. CASE PRESENTATION: Case 1: A 19-year-old Asian man visited our clinic and presented with progressive pain in his upper left scapula and weakness of the left deltoid and biceps brachii muscles. C5 radiculopathy by soft disc herniation at C4-C5 without calcification was diagnosed. Microsurgical posterior foraminotomy was performed and he recovered completely eight weeks after the surgery. Case 2: A 15-year-old Asian man presented with difficulty in lifting his arm and neck pain on the right side. Neurological examination showed weakness of the right deltoid and biceps brachii muscles. A magnetic resonance imaging scan demonstrated a herniated intervertebral disc in the right C4-C5 foramen. The patient was treated conservatively and put under observation only, and had completely recovered eight weeks after admission. CONCLUSION: Although extremely rare, symptomatic cervical disc herniations may occur even in the younger population under the age of 20 without any trauma or underlying disease. Favorable outcomes can be achieved by conventional treatments for cervical disc herniation

Combined effect of teriparatide and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound for nonunion: a case report

BACKGROUND: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound is a pain-free therapy performed daily at home by the patient and has been shown to promote fracture healing. Teriparatide is a parathyroid hormone preparation that activates osteoblastic bone formation and is also reported to be effective in promoting bony union. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 56-year-old Japanese male with a femoral shaft fracture who underwent intramedullary osteosynthesis nailing initially. He had no radiologic or clinical sign of healing 3 months later and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound was initiated at that time. He was reassessed in another 3 months, with evidence of mild bone consolidation but the fracture gap persisted. Subsequent treatment with human parathyroid hormone was initiated in combination with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound. Full fracture healing was present 6 months after beginning the combination low-intensity pulsed ultrasound and teriparatide. It is hypothesized that the potential additive effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound and teriparatide therapy ultimately triggered sufficient bone formation to support osseous union. CONCLUSION: The case reported herein is a femoral shaft atrophic nonunion in which traditional interventions failed. Successful fracture healing was finally achieved with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound and teriparatide therapy. This is the first reported case of diaphyseal nonunion with deterioration of bone quality in long bones resolved with teriparatide and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound

Short-Term Results of Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Using Pedicle Screw with Cortical Bone Trajectory Compared with Conventional Trajectory

Study DesignCase-control study.PurposeTo evaluate clinical and radiological results of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) performed with cortical bone trajectory (CBT) pedicle screw insertion with those of TLIF using 'conventional' or percutaneous pedicle screw insertion.Overview of LiteratureCBT is a new trajectory for pedicle screw insertion in the lumbar spine; clinical and radiological results of TLIF using pedicle screws inserted with CBT are unclear.MethodsIn total, 26 patients (11 males, 15 females) were enrolled in this retrospective study and divided into three groups: TLIF with pedicle screw insertion by conventional minimally invasive methods via the Wiltse approach (M-TLIF, n=10), TLIF with percutaneous pedicle screw insertion (P-TLIF, n=6), and TLIF with pedicle screw insertion with CBT (CBT-TLIF, n=10). Surgical results and preand postoperative radiological findings were evaluated and compared.ResultsIntraoperative blood loss was significantly less with CBT-TLIF (p=0.03) than with M-TLIF. Postoperative lordotic angles did not differ significantly among the three groups. Complete fusions were obtained in 10 of 12 levels (83%) with M-TLIF, in seven levels (100%) with P-TLIF, and in 10 of 11 levels (91%) with CBT-TLIF. On postoperative computed tomography, correct positioning was seen in 84.1% of M-TLIF screws, 88.5% of P-TLIF screws, and 90% of CBT-TLIF screws.ConclusionsCBT-TLIF resulted in less blood loss and a shorter operative duration than M-TLIF or P-TLIF. Postoperative rates of bone union, maintenance of lordotic angles, and accuracy of pedicle screw positions were similar among the three groups

Comparison between Bilateral C2 Pedicle Screwing and Unilateral C2 Pedicle Screwing, Combined with Contralateral C2 Laminar Screwing, for Atlantoaxial Posterior Fixation

Study DesignA retrospective study.PurposeTo compare clinical and radiological outcomes between bilateral C2 pedicle screwing (C2PS) and unilateral C2PS, combined with contralateral C2 laminar screwing (LS), for posterior atlantoaxial fixation.Overview of LiteraturePosterior fixation with C1 lateral mass screwing (C1LMS) and C2PS (C1LMS-C2PS method) is an accepted procedure for rigid atlantoaxial stabilization. However, conventional bilateral C2PS is not always allowed in this method due to anatomical variations of C2 pedicles and/or asymmetry of the vertebral artery. Although unilateral C2PS plus contralateral LS (C2PS+LS) is an alternative in such cases, the efficacy of this procedure has not been evaluated in controlled studies (i.e., with bilateral C2PS as a control).MethodsClinical and radiological records of patients who underwent the C1LMS-C2PS method, using unilateral C2PS+LS (n=9), and those treated using conventional bilateral C2PS (n=10) were compared, with a minimum two years follow-up.ResultsPostoperative complications related to the unilateral C2PS+LS technique included one case of spontaneous spinous process fracture of C2. A C1 anterior arch fracture occurred after a fall in one patient, who underwent bilateral C2PS and C1 laminectomy. No significant differences were seen between the groups in reduction of neck pain after surgery or improvement of neurological status, as evaluated using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score. A delayed union occurred in one patient each of the groups, with the final fusion rate being 100% in both groups.ConclusionsClinical and radiological outcomes of unilateral C2PS+LS were comparable with those of the bilateral C2PS fixation technique for the C1LMS-C2PS method

Translation and validation of a Japanese version of the irritable bowel syndrome-quality of life measure (IBS-QOL-J)

AIMS: To compare quality of life (QOL) for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) between the U.S. and Japan, it is indispensable to develop common instruments. The IBS-QOL, which is widely used in Western countries, was translated into Japanese as there has been a lack of Japanese disease-specific QOL measures for IBS. METHODS: The original 34 items of the IBS-QOL were translated from English into Japanese through two independent forward translations, resolution, back translation, and resolution of differences. Forty nine patients who had GI symptoms but did not have any organic diseases (including 30 IBS patients diagnosed by Rome II criteria) were recruited from Tohoku University Hospital in Sendai, Japan and completed a Japanese version of the IBS-QOL (IBS-QOL-J) concomitant with a Japanese version of the IBS severity index (IBSSI-J) twice within 7–14 days. RESULTS: The IBS-QOL-J demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha; 0.96) and high reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient; 0.92, p < 0.001). Convergent analyses confirmed that the overall score of IBS-QOL-J was significantly correlated with overall severity of IBS symptoms on the IBSSI-J (r = -0.36, p = 0.01) and with the individual items on the IBSSI-J that assess interference with life in general (r = -0.47, p = 0.001) and dissatisfaction with bowel habits (r = -0.32, p < 0.05). Eight patients who reported continuous abdominal pain in the past 6 months had significantly lower scores in the IBS-QOL-J than those who did not (53.7 +- 12.7 vs. 73.6 +- 19.5, p < 0.01). Age, sex, education or marital status did not affect scores on the measure. CONCLUSION: The IBS-QOL-J is a reliable instrument to assess the disease-specific QOL for IBS. Considering cross-cultural comparison, this measure is likely to be a valuable tool to investigate the QOL in Japanese patients with IBS

Clinical effects of a selective urate reabsorption inhibitor dotinurad in patients with hyperuricemia and treated hypertension : a multicenter, prospective, exploratory study (DIANA)

Introduction Dotinurad is a newer urate-lowering agent that selectively inhibits urate transporter 1 in the renal proximal tubule and increases urinary urate excretion. Currently, little is known about the clinical efficacies of dotinurad in patients with hyperuricemia and hypertension. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical effects of a selective urate reabsorption inhibitor dotinurad on serum uric acid (SUA) levels and relevant vascular markers in patients with hyperuricemia and treated hypertension. Methods This investigator-initiated, multicenter, prospective, single-arm, open-label, exploratory clinical trial in Japan enrolled patients with hyperuricemia and treated hypertension who received a 24-week dotinurad therapy (a starting dose at 0.5 mg once daily and up-titrated to 2 mg once daily). The primary endpoint was a percentage change in the SUA level from baseline to week 24. The secondary endpoints were cardiovascular and metabolic measurements, including changes in the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) concentration at week 24. Results Fifty patients (mean age 70.5 ± 11.0 years, with 76.0% being men, and mean SUA level 8.5 ± 1.2 mg/dL) were included in the analysis. The percentage change from baseline in the SUA level at week 24 was − 35.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] − 39.7% to − 32.0%, P < 0.001), with approximately three quarters of patients achieving an SUA level of ≤ 6.0 mg/dL at week 24. The proportional changes from baseline in the geometric mean of CAVI and d-ROMs at week 24 were 0.96 (95% CI 0.92 to 1.00, P = 0.044) and 0.96 (95% CI 0.92 to 1.00, P = 0.044), respectively. Conclusion In addition to meaningful SUA-lowering effects, 24 weeks of dotinurad therapy may favorably affect arterial stiffness and oxidative stress markers, suggesting off-target vascular protection of dotinurad. Further research is expected to verify our findings and elucidate the entire off-target effects of dotinurad

Neurological Analysis Based on the Terminal End of the Spinal Cord and the Narrowest Level of Injured Spine in Thoracolumbar Spinal Injuries

This study aimed to clarify neurological differences among the epiconus, conus medullaris, and cauda equina syndromes. Eighty-seven patients who underwent surgery for acute thoracolumbar spinal injuries were assessed. We defined the epiconus as the region from the terminal end of the spinal cord to the proximal 1.0 to 2.25 vertebral bodies, the conus medullaris as the region proximal to < 1.0 vertebral bodies, and the cauda equina as the distal part of the nerve roots originating from the spinal cord. On the basis of the distance from the terminal end of the spinal cord to the narrowest level of the spinal canal, the narrowest levels were ordered as follows: the epiconus followed by the conus medullaris and cauda equina. The narrowest levels were the epiconus in 22 patients, conus medullaris in 37 patients, and cauda equina in 25 patients. On admission, significantly more patients had a narrowed epiconus of Frankel grades A-C than a narrowed cauda equina. At the final follow-up, there were no significant differences in neurological recovery among those with epiconus, conus medullaris, or cauda equina syndrome. Anatomically classifying the narrowest lesion is useful for clarifying the differences and similarities among these three syndromes

Effects of activated vitamin D, alfacalcidol, and low-intensity aerobic exercise on osteopenia and muscle atrophy in type 2 diabetes mellitus model rats

Diabetes mellitus causes secondary osteoporosis and muscle atrophy. The ability of alfacalcidol (ALF) and exercise (Exe) to inhibit osteoporosis and muscle atrophy in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) model rats was examined. Twenty-week-old Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats were randomized to ALF (orally 0.1 mu g/kg/day), Exe (treadmill exercise at 10 m/min, 60 min/day, 5 days/week), Comb (ALF and Exe), and Cont (T2DM control treated with vehicle and no exercise) groups (n = 8-10 per group). Sedentary Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka rats were used as a non-hyperphagic control. After treatment for 2 or 6 weeks, blood glucose (BG) levels, cross-sectional area (CSA) of tibialis anterior muscle fibers, femoral bone mineral density (BMD), and relative quantities of muscle anabolic markers (Pax7, MyoD, and myogenin) and catabolic markers (Atrogin-1, MuRF1, and REDD1) of the soleus muscle assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction assays were measured. Exe and Comb treatments for 6 weeks decreased BG levels compared with those of the Cont group. ALF, Exe, and Comb treatments for 2 and 6 weeks recovered the CSA compared with that of the Cont group. ALF and Comb treatments for 6 weeks increased femoral BMDs compared with those of the Cont group. After 2 weeks of treatment, Comb treatment increased MyoD expression and decreased MuRF1 expression. ALF or Exe monotherapy significantly decreased Atrogin-1 or MuRF1 expression after 2 weeks of treatment, respectively. After 6 weeks of treatment, ALF and Comb treatments decreased Atrogin-1 and REDD1. These results demonstrate that a combination of ALF and Exe improved CSA from the early phase of treatment by stimulating skeletal muscle differentiation and suppressing muscle catabolic genes. Improvements in BG, BMD, and CSA were observed as long-term effects of the combination therapy. Continued suppression of muscle catabolic genes was observed as a background to these effects