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Hard or calcified discs are often adherent to surrounding nerve tissue. The whole herniated disc is difficult to remove by pulling part of the hernia mass, which makes obtaining good results through endoscopic treatment difficult. The purpose of this study was to describe the details of the transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy technique for a hard or calcified disc and report the clinical results.From October 2016 to June 2019, 43 consecutive cases diagnosed as hard or calcified lumbar disc herniation at our institution and treated with transforaminal endoscopic discectomy were evaluated. Endoscopic decompression was performed in patients with hard or calcified lumbar disc herniation.The preoperative visual analog scale score for leg pain (mean ± standard deviation) was 7.09 ± 1.74. The score improved to 2.55 ± 1.35 at 1 week postoperatively, 1.88 ± 1.29 at 4 weeks postoperatively, and 1.58 ± 1.0 at 26 weeks postoperatively (P0.01 for all). The preoperative Oswestry Disability Index (mean ± standard deviation) was 55.4 ± 23.04, which improved to 30.89 ± 13.64 at 1 week postoperatively, 23.08 ± 11.64 at 4 weeks postoperatively, and 16.42 ± 9.76 at 26 weeks postoperatively (P0.01 for all). Two patients developed a dural laceration. Both patients were discharged after several hours of observation. None of the patients had postoperative infection, epidural hematoma, or delayed neurological deterioration.Transforaminal endoscopic discectomy could be an effective treatment method for a selected group of patients with hard or calcified lumbar disc herniation.

Study design Technical case report. Objective To describe a novel technique of decompression through single-stage mini-thoracotomy for removing concurrent ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) at the same thoracic level simultaneously. Summary of background data Concurrent OPLL and OLF at the same thoracic level is not common. Because these conditions lead to severe thoracic myelopathy, however, they require surgical decompression.To date, several cases with concurrent OPLL and OLF at the same thoracic level and surgical methods to treat these conditions have been described. However, no consensus on the surgical methods for the treatment these conditions has been established and these surgical methods have been also reported to be linked with the incidence of complication like neurological deterioration and the requirement of bone grafting and instrumentation. Methods Three consecutive patients who presented with thoracic myelopathy caused by concurrent OPLL and OLF at the same thoracic level were treated by our novel surgical technique of decompression through single-stage mini-thoracotomy. Results Simultaneous complete removal of OPLL and OLF through single-stage mini-thoracotomy was performed successfully in the three patients. All patients' preoperative symptoms gradually improved during the follow-up period, and no additional complications were associated with removal of OLF through thoracotomy. And there was no kyphotic change or instability in the thoracic spine after more than a year of follow-up although both bone grafting and instrumentation were not performed. Conclusion This novel surgical technique is considered to be able to be a safe and effective alternative to the conventional treatment of selective cases of thoracic myelopathy caused by concurrent OPLL and OLF at the same thoracic level.Level of Evidence: 4.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic thoracic disc herniation (TDH) is a rare clinical entity and surgical intervention for it is even more uncommon. Despite several surgical techniques being described for thoracic discectomy, considering the unique surgical challenges, none of them have been accepted universally. Minimally invasive techniques have brought in a paradigm shift in the management of cervical/lumbar spinal disorders and similar techniques have been extrapolated to the thoracic region too. The purpose of this paper is to describe our technique, surgical experience, and the clinical results of transforaminal endoscopic thoracic discectomy (TETD). METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent TETD (2001–2018) were reviewed. Patients who had a minimum of 6 months of follow-up, and without cervical and lumbar spine surgery or trauma during the follow-up period were included in the study. TETD was performed in patients who presented with symptomatic disc herniation of the thoracic spine and did not respond to conservative treatments. Patients with calcified disc herniation or concomitant ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) were excluded. Under local anesthesia and intravenous sedation, a 4.7-mm endoscope (TESSYS, Joimax GmbH, Germany) was introduced via transforaminal approach with foraminoplasty using reamer. Patient outcome was evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores. Patient satisfaction was measured using Macnab’s criteria. RESULTS: Ninety-two consecutive patients (mean age was 48.9 years, 57 males) who underwent TETD from 2001 to 2018 met the inclusion criteria. Patients underwent surgery at different levels: 16 patients for T2–3 to T5–6 level, 41 cases for T6–7 to T8–9, and 35 patients for T9–10 to T12–L1. During follow-up for an average of 38.4 months, all patients showed a significant improvement of pain (7.6 to 1.6 in VAS and 68.2 vs. 13.2 for ODI, P

Introduction Presently, programmed death ligand 1 is the most commonly used biomarker to predict response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in NSCLC. Owing to its several limitations, there is continuous search for more precise and reliable markers. Frameshift mutations by insertion or deletion (fsindels) are suggested to induce more immunogenic tumor-specific neoantigens, conferring better response to ICIs. Positive correlation of fsindels with ICI response has been studied in melanoma and renal cell carcinoma. We investigated the implication of fsindels in the clinical outcomes and immune landscape of patients with NSCLC treated with ICIs. Methods We utilized The Cancer Genome Atlas data set to analyze tumor mutational burden, neoantigen burden, and immune landscape in relation to fsindel status. In addition, utilizing the clinical data from 122 patients treated with ICIs, we evaluated the influence of fsindels on disease response rates and survival outcomes. Results A positive correlation between fsindel burden and tumor mutational burden and activated CD4/CD8 T-cell infiltration was shown. Presence of fsindels was also associated with significant prolongation of progression-free survival in patients treated with ICIs (median 6.2 versus 2.7 months [p = 0.01]). In addition, significant differences in the overall response rates (26% versus 12% [p = 0.04]) and disease control rates (68% versus 48% [p = 0.02]) were observed in patients with fsindels. Conclusion Our findings suggest that fsindels may have a predictive role for ICI response in NSCLC.

Background Advances in minimally invasive surgery have expanded the indications for interlaminar full-endoscopic discectomy. Although the clinical outcomes for this approach may be equivalent to those of conventional microscopic discectomy, the supporting evidence is still based on small, single-center, prospective, and retrospective studies. Therefore, a multicenter randomized controlled trial is warranted. Methods This will be a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy and safety of interlaminar full-endoscopic discectomy to those of conventional microscopic discectomy. The trial will enroll 100 participants with a lumbar disc herniation, 50 in each group. The primary outcome will be the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score at 12 months post-surgery. Secondary outcomes will be back and leg pain (visual analog scale); the ODI; the EuroQol-5-dimension score; patient satisfaction; and walking distance/time and time to return to daily activities post-surgery. Surgical outcomes will include postoperative drainage, operative time, duration of hospital stay, postoperative creatine kinase level as an indicator of muscle injury, and postoperative scarring. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and simple radiography will be performed to evaluate radiographic outcomes between the two surgical approaches. Surgery-related complications and adverse effects will be evaluated as safety outcomes. A single assessor at each participating hospital, blinded to group allocation, will assess the enrolled participants at baseline, at 2 weeks, and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Discussion This trial is designed to determine whether interlaminar full-endoscopic discectomy is clinically comparable to microscopic discectomy to treat lumbar disc herniations. All efforts will be made to reduce bias, including adequate sample size, blinded analyses, and multicenter prospective registration. The outcomes will inform practice, providing the evidence needed for using interlaminar full-endoscopic over microscopic discectomy by confirming the potential of this technique to improve patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes. Trial registration: Clinical Research Information Service; cris.nih.go.kr. (KCT0006277); protocol version (v1, June 8, 2021).

The use of full-endoscopic decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis has been increasing recently. It is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that has few complications. Spinal subdural hematoma (SSH) following endoscopic surgery has never been reported. Previously described SSHs have occurred spontaneously or due to surgery-related iatrogenic injury. We describe the first case of SSH after endoscopic decompression. A 68-year-old woman presented with bilateral radiating pain and neurological claudication due to lumbar spinal stenosis at the L4-5 level. Full-endoscopic interlaminar decompression was performed without intraoperative complications. Preoperative leg pain improved after endoscopic decompression. However, two days after the index surgery, the patient complained of severe radiating pain in her right leg with urinary retention. The radiologic evaluation showed compressive subdural fluid collection at the index level. Open microscopic decompression was performed. No dural injury was observed. After durotomy, xanthochromic fluid gushed out at a high pressure. We found that the arachnoid was also intact. The patient recovered completely after surgical hematoma evacuation. Although SSH after endoscopic decompression is a very rare event, it is a reminder that suspicion and urgent imaging and intervention are necessary during the postoperative period upon development of unexpected, progressive neurological deterioration regardless of intraoperative problems. Additionally, early surgical decompression is necessary for optimal neurological recovery.

The main advantage of endoscopic surgery is that it minimizes skin incision, preserves bone and muscle tissue as much as possible, and has less bleeding than incision surgery. Laser has been used in various medical fields since it was discovered in 1958. The authors describe the method of discectomy using Ho:YAG laser after transforaminal approach in paramedian disc herniation and intend to review literature.

Due to complexity of neural and vascular structures, surgical treatment of upper thoracic spine is challenging. Open surgical approach for thoracic disc herniation includes laminectomy, transpedicular approach, costotransversectomy, and transthoracic approach. For upper thoracic levels, axillary approach or transsternal approach is a possible trajectory for transthoracic approach, which is related to high surgical morbidity. Transforaminal approach has the advantage to assess spinal canal without neurovascular injury. In this chapter, the authors describe surgical techniques for Transforaminal endoscopic thoracic discectomy for upper thoracic spine.

Despite the fact that the basic concept and technique of thoracic endoscopy is similar to lumbar spine endoscopy, the unique anatomical constraints of thoracic spine necessitate changes in the instruments and endoscopy systems. This chapter will specifically highlight the relevant variations in endoscopic system for thoracic spine.

Achieving adequate resection of intradural tumor requires extensive laminectomy for better surgical field, which might be related to postsurgical instability. To decrease extension of laminectomy, a minimally invasive approach has been attempted. Depending on the location of pathology, the authors performed different minimally invasive approaches. In this chapter, we describe the unilateral laminectomy and bilateral decompression (ULBD) approach and bilateral laminoplastic approach for the resection of thoracic tumors.

Transforaminal endoscopic thoracic discectomy (TETD) can minimize the incidence of postoperative spinal instability by minimizing resection of bone and joint tissue. It can be performed under the local anesthesia and has a faster recovery than open surgery.

Despite the successful application of percutaneous endoscopic thoracic discectomy (PETD), its technical feasibility and outcomes for symptomatic upper and midthoracic disc herniation have not been reported yet. The purpose of this article was to evaluate the feasibility of the percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic approach to remove disc herniations in the upper and midthoracic spine. Fourteen consecutive patients (mean age, 42.4 years; 12 males, 2 females) who underwent PETD were included in the analysis. The procedure was performed under local anesthesia and intravenous sedation using the standard endoscopy instrument set. The transforaminal approach combined with foraminoplasty was used to access the herniated areas. Treatment outcomes were evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, and the modified MacNab criteria. Four discectomies were performed at T2–3, 5 at T3–4, and 5 at T5–6. The mean follow-up period was 43.4 months, and all patients showed statistically significant postoperative improvement (VAS: 7.3 to 2.3, ODI: 53.5 to 16.9, p

Background Minimally invasive oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) techniques generally rely on deformity correction to achieve indirect neural decompression. However, indirect neural decompression will not always be sufficient. Thus, a second procedure, such as posterior direct decompression, will be added for full decompression, increasing the surgical morbidity and healthcare costs. We have described a technique of direct anterior microscopic neural decompression combined with OLIF. Methods We report our surgical technique of anterior lumbar neural microscopic decompression with OLIF with patients in the lateral position. We also report the cases of 3 patients treated from March 2018 to June 2018. Results Three patients underwent anterior microscopic neural decompression combined with OLIF in the lateral position. All 3 patients achieved clinically and radiologically significant neural decompression and deformity correction. No perioperative complications developed. Conclusion Direct anterior microscopic neural decompression is feasible and safe in selected patients undergoing OLIF.

STUDY DESIGN This was a prospective clinical study. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of a preoperative conference on spine surgeons' decision-making in the treatment of adult spinal disorders. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND DATA There are several factors that spine surgeons have to consider when determining a surgical plan for the treatment of spinal disorders, which include surgical approach, application of fusion or nonfusion surgery, levels to be treated, treatment of accompanying spinal conditions, the need for further preoperative imaging, and the implant type to be used. MATERIALS AND METHODS A consecutive series of patients with a variety of adult spinal disorders at a single spine hospital were analyzed. The imaging modalities and clinical examination history of these patients were presented at a daily preoperative conference attended by staff spine surgeons and spine surgery fellows at this spine hospital. The specific surgical plan before the preoperative conference and before the surgery were compared for each patient. RESULTS A total of 506 consecutive patients were reviewed over a 4-month period. Changes in the surgical plan following the preoperative conference occurred in 29 cases (5.7%). Seventeen of these changes were minor modifications in the same surgical level, or inclusion/exclusion of adjacent or other levels in the surgical plan, without changing the planned surgical approach. The surgical approach changed in a total of 12 cases (2.3%). Statistical analysis showed that the surgeons with experience of

Background Despite its growing popularity, no comparative studies have explored the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) of health-related quality of life scores following lumbar interbody fusion (LIF) performed on a single-level adult low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis (LGIS). Objective The purpose of this study is to investigate factors related to MCID of health-related quality of life scores following instrumented LIF performed on a single-level adult LGIS. Methods Consecutive patients who underwent instrumented LIF for single-level LGIS were reviewed. The inclusion criteria were adult patients who underwent L4-5 or L5-S1, underwent anterior lumbar interbody fusion or transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion with a posterior screw fixation, and had a minimum 36-month postoperative follow-up period. MCID was defined as having an improved score of visual analog scale (VAS) back and leg pain >3 and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) >12. Patients were subdivided into groups named “achievement” (A) and “nonachievement” (N) depending on their postoperative MCID for each health-related quality of life score category. Results One-hundred and five patients met the inclusion criteria. The overall achievement of MCID for VAS back, leg, and ODI was 80%, 73.3%, and 82.9%. MCID-VAS leg and ODI were less achieved at the L5-S1 level than at the L4-5 level. Postoperatively, disk height was higher and segmental lordosis (SL) was lower in group A of MCID-VAS leg. SL was lower in group A of MCID-ODI. Conclusions We postulate that excessive SL does not affect lumbar lordosis; rather, it can result in lowering posterior disk height. The decrease in posterior DH may lead to a decreased foraminal height that, in turn, can lead to nerve root compression. Proper restoration of disk height and bone fusion is more important than restoration of more segmental lordosis or slip reduction for isthmic spondylolisthesis.

Transforaminal endoscopic treatment has been reported to be an effective treatment option in patients with lumbar disc herniation. However, it is rarely performed for spinal stenosis because of the limitation of endoscopic working mobility caused by the exiting nerve root and foraminous bony structure. The objective of this study was to describe a novel transforaminal endoscopic decompression technique for spinal stenosis and report the clinical results.From October 2015 to October 2016, 30 consecutive cases were diagnosed as lateral recess stenosis in our institution and underwent transforaminal endoscopic decompression. Visual analog scale (VAS) of back and leg pain and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were measured preoperatively and at follow-up.The mean ± SD value of preoperative VAS leg pain score was 7.6 ± 1.17. The score improved to 2.2 ± 1.11 at 1 week postoperatively, 1.73 ± 0.96 at 4 weeks postoperatively, and 1.63 ± 0.95 at 26 weeks postoperatively (P0.01). The mean ± SD value of the preoperative ODI score was 65.69 ± 14.22. The score improved to 24.29 ± 11.89 at 1 week postoperatively, 21.25 ± 9.25 at 4 weeks postoperatively, and 15.62 ± 10.49 at 26 weeks postoperatively (P0.01). There were no patients with postoperative infection, dural tear, delayed neurologic deterioration, or conversion to open surgery.Transforaminal endoscopic decompression under local anesthesia could be an effective treatment method for the selected group of patients with spinal stenosis.

Objective Chronic low back pain (CLBP) often causes disabling pain that impairs a patient's quality of life. Surgical treatment is recommended for patients who do not respond to conservative treatments lasting more than 6 months. The purpose of this study is to present results after the use of an interlaminar dynamic spacer for CLBP. Methods We enrolled consecutive patients with CLBP irresponsive to more than 6 months of conservative treatment into the present study. Included patients underwent an interlaminar dynamic spacer insertion without direct decompression. We assessed radiographic parameters and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) data included visual analog scale back/leg pain and Oswestry Disability Index scores. Substantial clinical benefit achievement was assessed. Results Thirty-five patients (average age, 47.8 years; 21 female) were included. The mean preoperative symptom duration was 29.6 months. Surgeries involved 1-level (n = 18) and 2-levels (n = 17) procedures. Operative levels included L4-5 (n = 8), L5-S1 (n = 10), L3-4-5 (n-2), and L4-5-S1 (n = 15). The average follow-up period was 16.6 months. After the procedure, all radiographic parameters (including disc height, segmental extension angle, and foraminal area) improved significantly. All preoperative HRQoL parameters improved significantly at the final follow-up. Substantial clinical benefit achievement was observed in 75.8% of the cases on the Oswestry Disability Index, and in 72.7% and 84.8% of the cases on the visual analog scale back and leg pain, respectively. Conclusions An interlaminar dynamic spacer significantly improves HRQoL scores in patients with CLBP who do not respond to conservative treatment. Although encouraging, these results should be confirmed with studies assessing a larger cohort and a longer follow-up.

Open foraminal decompression with/without fusion has been performed as a standard surgical treatment for lumbar foraminal stenosis. Recently reported endoscopic approach through extraforaminal landing enables working mobility after partial removal of superior articular process. After that, it was possible to approach the foraminal zone safely and to treat decompression for foraminal stenosis. After access to the foramen, full-scale foraminal decompression along the exiting nerve root can be performed using a variety of surgical instruments. Instruments such as endoscopic burrs, bone reamers, punches, forceps, and lasers can be used for selective decompression under high-resolution endoscopic vision. We conclude that transforaminal endoscopic decompression could be an effective treatment method for selected groups of patients with foraminal stenosis. It can be performed under local anesthesia and has a short operative time and less blood loss.

Percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy (PECD) is an effective minimally invasive surgery for soft cervical disc herniation in properly selected cases. The current gold standard is anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). However, few studies have evaluated the outcome of PECD compared with ACDF. We compared the surgical results of PECD and ACDF. Data from patients treated with single-level PECD (n = 51) or ACDF (n = 64) were analyzed. Patients were prospectively entered into the clinical database and their records were retrospectively reviewed. Perioperative data and clinical outcomes were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and modified Macnab criteria. VAS and NDI results significantly improved in both groups. The rates of excellent or good results were 88.24% and 90.63% in the PECD and ACDF group, respectively. The revision rates were 3.92% and 1.56% in the PECD and ACDF group, respectively. Operative time, hospital stay, and time to return to work were reduced in the PECD group compared to the ACDF group (p &lt, 0.001). The five-year outcomes of PECD were comparable to those of conventional ACDF. PECD provided the typical benefits of minimally invasive surgery and may be an effective alternative for treating soft cervical disc herniation.

Thoracic disc herniations are the least common of all disc herniations, and therefore comprise the smallest percentage of discectomy surgeries. Commonly described thoracic discectomy techniques have well-known complications including new neurologic deficit, need for instrumented stabilization, pulmonary related morbidity, or wound complications. Some of these complications are reduced with the use of minimally invasive methods. The thoracic microendoscopic discectomy offers the advantage of minimal tissue dissection and removal, good visualization of the disc space, and an angle of approach that eliminates the need to retract the spinal cord. This technique maximizes disc removal while minimizing risk.

Background: Lumbosacral junction (L5-S1) with its distinctive anatomical features, presents a unique challenge to endoscopic spine surgeons.1–7 The choice between interlaminar and postero-lateral (transforaminal) routes for L5-S1 endoscopic discectomy remains controversial. Purpose: Describe a novel isthmic approach for postero-lateral endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) at L5-S1 level and critically analyze the surgical results. Study Design: Technical note. Case series. Patient Sample: 25 patients with symptomatic L5-S1 disc herniation. Outcome Measure: Demographics, radiological features, bony anatomy, and clinical outcomes. Methods: Each patient underwent postero-lateral endoscopic lumbar discectomy utilizing isthmic approach. The patient data was prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed. Results: Average pain score for back pain and leg pain significantly improved from pre-op level of 3.09 and 7.81 to 2.17 and 2.15, respectively. Statistically significant improvement was also observed in post-op ODI score (pre-op = 58, post-op 33.85, p ≤ 0.00001). There were no intra-op complications of nerve or thecal sac injury. Conclusion: Combining isthmus trajectory to L5-S1 postero-lateral endoscopic discectomy adds to the applicability of this already well established surgical procedure. Isthmic approach offers a safe and effective anatomical corridor for performing endoscopic discectomy via transforaminal route, even in individuals with high iliac crest. Keywords: Endoscopic discectomy, Lumbosacral junction, Postero-lateral approach

Elderly patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) or post-laminectomy foraminal stenosis have a higher risk of perioperative morbidity with extensive revision surgery. Thus, there is a need for safer and less invasive surgical options, such as laser-assisted endoscopic lumbar foraminotomy (ELF). A pin-point laser beam can allow precise tissue ablation and dissection in fibrotic adhesion tissues while preventing normal tissue injury. The present study aimed to describe the surgical technique of laser-assisted ELF and to evaluate the clinical outcomes of elderly patients with FBSS. Two-year follow-up data were collected from 26 consecutive patients aged 65 years or older who were treated with laser-assisted ELF for FBSS. Full-endoscopic foraminal decompression was performed using a side-firing laser and mechanical instruments. The average age of the patients was 70.2 years (range, 65–83 years). The mean visual analog pain score for leg pain improved from 8.58 at baseline to 3.35 at 6 weeks, 2.19 at 1 year, and 2.35 at 2 years after ELF (P

STUDY DESIGN Randomized controlled study from a single surgeon. OBJECTIVE The objective of the present study is to assess the effectiveness of the administration of epidural steroids in patients who undergo a percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) because of a herniated lumbar disc. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Steroids are drugs that show strong anti-inflammatory effects; in specific, the effects of epidural steroid application after an open lumbar discectomy have been studied extensively. However, no study has been conducted on the effects of perioperative epidural steroids after PELD. METHODS One hundred patients who had undergone a PELD because of a herniated lumbar disc were randomized into 2 groups. Patients in group 1 were subjected to an epidural steroid application after a PELD, whereas patients in group 2 were treated with saline after a PELD. RESULTS There was a significant decrease in visual analogue scale (VAS) scores (back, leg) and Oswestry Disability Index at all examinations (P < 0.01). When comparing the 2 groups, group 1 showed lower levels of VAS scores (back) in all examinations than group 2 but was not statistically significant (P = 0.257). In VAS score (leg), group 1 showed a significant decrease compared with the group 2 at 1 and 4 weeks of follow-up examination (P = 0.020, P = 0.032). In Oswestry Disability Index, group 1 showed a significant decrease compared with the group 2 at 1-week follow-up examination (P < 0.01).The mean hospital stay was statistically significantly shorter in group 1 (P < 0.01). The mean periods before returning to work for those who returned to work in group 1 and group 2 were 4.45 ± 3.59 weeks and 6.48 ± 4.88 weeks, respectively, when measured at follow-up at 6 months; the period in group 1 was statistically significantly shorter (P = 0.024). CONCLUSION Epidural steroids after a PELD reduce back pain and leg pain while improving functional outcomes in the short-term postsurgery period. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2.

Background context Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (PPF) provides successful surgical outcomes to isthmic spondylolisthesis patients with indirect decompression through foraminal volume expansion. However, indirect decompression through ALIF followed by PPF may not obtain a successful surgical outcome in patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis accompanied by foraminal stenosis caused by a posterior osteophyte or foraminal sequestrated disc herniation. Thus far, there has been no report of foraminal decompression through anterior direct access in the lumbar spine. Purpose This study aims to describe the new surgical technique of microscopic anterior foraminal decompression and to analyze the clinical outcomes and radiologic results of the microscopic anterior decompression during ALIF followed by PPF. Study design/Setting We conducted a multisurgeon, retrospective, clinical series from a single institution. Patient sample This study was carried out from March 2007 to July 2010 and included 40 consecutive patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis accompanied by foraminal stenosis caused by posterior osteophyte or foraminal sequestrated disc herniation undergoing microscopic anterior foraminal decompression during ALIF followed by PPF. Outcome measures The visual analog scales (VAS) of back and leg pain and the Oswestry disability index were measured preoperatively and at the last follow-up. Methods Postoperative computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging measured whether decompression of neural structure had been made and morphometric change of the foramen and the amount of resected bone. Moreover, segmental lordosis, whole lumbar lordosis, disc height, and degree of listhesis were measured through X-ray examination before the operation and at the last follow-up; we also verified whether fusion had been achieved. Results Successful decompression was confirmed in both patients with foraminal stenosis caused by posterior osteophyte and those with foraminal sequestrated disc herniation. Clinically, compared with before the surgery, the VAS (leg and back) and the Oswestry disability index significantly decreased at the last follow-up (p=.000). With regard to radiology, at the last follow-up all patients had bone fusion on X-ray examination, and an increase in disc height, a reduction in the degree of listhesis, an increase in segmental lordosis, and an increase in whole lumbar lordosis were significant in both groups (p=.000) compared with before the surgery. Foraminal volume, foraminal width, and foraminal height also significantly increased postoperatively compared with before the operation (p=.000). The height, width, and dimension of resected body were 4.61±1.05 mm, 7.92±1.42 mm, 17.15±4.96 mm 2 , respectively, in patients with foraminal stenosis caused by a posterior osteophyte, and 3.88±0.92 mm, 6.8±1.29 mm, and 13.12±2.25 mm 2 , respectively, in patients with foraminal sequestrated disc. Conclusions The microscopic anterior foraminal approach provides successful foraminal decompression. Combined with ALIF and PPF, this approach shows a good surgical outcome in patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis accompanied by foraminal stenosis caused by a posterior osteophyte or those with foraminal sequestrated disc herniation.

Brown-Séquard syndrome (BSS) is an incomplete spinal cord injury caused by damage to one-half of the spinal cord. Most cases of BSS result from penetrating trauma or tumors, and acute cervical disc herniation is a relatively rare cause of BSS. In this case, a 34-year-old man with a sudden onset posterior neck pain and left side motor weakness was admitted to the local spine hospital. Pain and temperature sensation of pain was decreased below the right C4 dermatome. The left arm and leg motor grade was 0. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a huge trans-ligamentous herniated disc rupture from the center to the left at the level of C3–4, and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion were performed. After emergency surgery, left arm and leg motor grade recovered to 2, and normal voiding function returned. MRI verified complete removal of the cervical herniated disc. This case describes the approach to rapid diagnosis in a patient with characteristic clinical symptoms of BSS and radiological findings of a herniated cervical disc. Rapid and accurate diagnosis and immediate decompressive surgery increased the possibility of a good surgical outcome, even if the neurologic deficits are grave at the time of admission.

In cyclic structural systems, small property irregularities often cause significant differences in the dynamic responses of their subcomponents, which results in unpredicted premature failures of the systems. The small irregularities and the resulting phenomena are called the mistuning and the vibration localization, respectively. In this paper, the vibration localization phenomena due to mistuned coupling stiffness are investigated. For the investigation, a simple multipendulum system is employed and an optimization method is used to find mistuned coupling stiffness conditions under which maximum vibration localization phenomena occur.

A retrospective cross-sectional study was designed to explore the role of spinopelvic sagittal alignment in upper lumbar disc herniation (ULD) development. A total of 207 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for single-level lumbar disc herniation [24 with ULD and 183 with lower lumbar disc herniation (LLD)] and 40 asymptomatic volunteers were enrolled. Full-length radiographs of the spine were taken to evaluate pelvic incidence (PI), sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT), thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), and sagittal vertical axis (SVA). The Roussouly classification was utilized to categorize all subjects according to their sagittal alignment. Spinopelvic parameters and Roussouly classification results were compared between groups. There were significant differences in PI, SS, PT, LL, and SVA between the ULD, LLD, and control groups. PI in the ULD (40.9°) was significantly lower than in the LLD and control groups (48.8° and 47.6°, respectively). LL was significantly lower in the ULD than in the LLD (−32.4° and −40°, respectively). There were significant differences between the three groups in Roussouly types. The LLD had a significantly higher proportion (62.6 %) of type 2 lordosis (flat back), and the ULD had a higher proportion (33.3 %) of type 1 lordosis than the other groups. This study demonstrated the importance of PI and lumbar curvature in the pathogenesis of ULD. The higher prevalence of short LL and long TK with low PI in the ULD group implies that an increased mechanical stress at this level may be one of the risk factors of ULD.

Malfunctions or critical fatigue problems often occur in mistuned periodic structural systems since their vibration responses may become much larger than those of perfectly tuned periodic systems. These are called vibration localization phenomena and it is of great importance to accurately predict the localization phenomena for safe and reliable designs of the periodic structural systems. In this study, a simple discrete system which represents periodic structural systems is employed to analyze the vibration localization phenomena. The statistical effects of mistuning, stiffness coupling, and damping on the vibration localization phenomena are investigated through Monte Carlo simulation. It is found that the probability of vibration localization was significantly influenced by the statistical properties except the standard deviation of coupling stiffness.

STUDY DESIGN: A case report. OBJECTIVE: To describe a patient with a primary extensive spinal subarachnoid cysticercosis that was successfully treated with a combination of surgical removal and albendazole. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common parasitic infection of the central nervous system. It is mostly intracranial, but primary cysticercosis, although rare, can occur in the spinal canal. Neurological morbidity can occur if NCC is not properly treated; therefore, NCC should be considered as a lesion of primary nerve compression, which occurs within spinal canal as well as cranial cavity. METHODS: A 48-year-old male patient presented with an 18-month history of progressive lower limb weakness and urinary incontinence. Contrast-enhanced lumbar magnetic resonance image showed multiple intradural and extramedullary masses and cysts from T12 to S1. A cervicothoracic magnetic resonance image revealed whole cervical and upper thoracic involvement. The patient was treated with a combination of surgical removal and orally administered albendazole. RESULTS: A histopathological examination confirmed cysticercosis. After the treatment, cysticercosis had disappeared on follow-up. The patient's motor weakness in the lower limbs and urinary function were improved. CONCLUSION: Spinal subarachnoid cysticercosis can occur via direct hematogenous dissemination from a gastrointestinal tract. The primary spinal cysticercosis can be dropped distantly in the spinal cavity by cerebrospinal fluid circulation like intracranial cysticercosis, and extensive spinal subarachnoid cysticercosis can be successfully treated with a combination of surgical removal and cysticidal drugs.