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Introduction: Considerable evidence has unveiled a potential correlation between gut microbiota and spinal degenerative diseases. However, only limited studies have reported the direct association between gut microbiota and spinal stenosis. Hence, in this study, we aimed to clarify this relationship using a two-sample mendelian randomization (MR) approach., Materials and Methods: Data for two-sample MR studies was collected and summarized from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of gut microbiota (MiBioGen, n = 13, 266) and spinal stenosis (FinnGen Biobank, 9, 169 cases and 164, 682 controls). The inverse variance-weighted meta-analysis (IVW), complemented with weighted median, MR-Egger, weighted mode, and simple mode, was used to elucidate the causality between gut microbiota and spinal stenosis. In addition, we employed mendelian randomization pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) and the MR-Egger intercept test to assess horizontal multiplicity. Cochran's Q test to evaluate heterogeneity, and "leave-one-out" sensitivity analysis to determine the reliability of causality. Finally, an inverse MR analysis was performed to assess the reverse causality., Results: The IVW results indicated that two gut microbial taxa, the genus Eubacterium fissicatena group and the genus Oxalobacter , have a potential causal relationship with spinal stenosis. Moreover, eight potential associations between genetic liability of the gut microbiota and spinal stenosis were implied. No significant heterogeneity of instrumental variables or horizontal pleiotropy were detected. In addition, "leave-one-out" sensitivity analysis confirmed the reliability of causality. Finally, the reverse MR analysis revealed that no proof to substantiate the discernible causative relationship between spinal stenosis and gut microbiota., Conclusion: This analysis demonstrated a possible causal relationship between certain particular gut microbiota and the occurrence of spinal stenosis. Further studies focused on the mechanism of gut microbiota-mediated spinal stenosis can lay the groundwork for targeted prevention, monitoring, and treatment of spinal stenosis., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Li, Wei, Wang, Xu, Wu, Yang, Jing, Wu and Hao.)

Background: This is a case of lateral recess stenosis secondary occurred the discal fungus infection treated with percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED). There has been no relevant reports before., Case Presentation: A 49-year-old patient who had taken itraconazole for 13 months for lateral recess stenosis secondary occurred the discal fungus infection complained of gradually worsening radiating pain and numbness in the back and inguinal and inner thigh region of right side. In order to relieve the radiating neuralgia and reduce the damage to spinal stability, the minimally invasive PTED was performed.The patient's prognosis was assessed using Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). During the follow-up, the patient's ODI and VAS scores were decreased significantly. The radiating pain in the inguinal and inner thigh region of right side were significantly alleviated and the discomfort caused by lower back instability was improved by plaster vest., Discussion and Conclusion: PTED not only avoids further damage to the stability of the lumbar spine, but also effectively relieves the symptoms of leg neuroradialgia caused by lateral recess stenosis secondary occurred the discal fungus infection.

A 69-year-old man presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage due to a ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm. The aneurysm neck was clipped and a lumbar drainage tube was inserted for cerebrospinal fluid drainage. However, the tube was accidentally cut during removal and a fragment remained in the spinal canal. A subarachnoid, subcutaneous abscess appeared 7 days later, which was treated with antibiotics. He noted numbness of his left leg after 6 months, and gait disturbance manifested 3 months later. T(1)-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging disclosed a well-enhanced extramedullary mass at the T9-10 intervertebral level, and T(2)-weighted MR imaging showed moderate edema around the peri-lesional spinal cord. The mass containing a drainage tube fragment was surgically removed. Histological examination confirmed granuloma due to chronic infection. This case suggests that retained tube fragments should be removed surgically, especially in the presence of infectious complications.

A retrospective follow-up study was performed on 40 patients, in which tuberculous spondylitis was treated conservatively between 1969 and 1985 with orthotic supports for an average of 16 months (range, 10-30 months) and with anti-tuberculous agents. All had persistent back pain, but none had neurological deficits. The mean follow-up period was 17 years (range, 10-26 years). Diagnosis was confirmed histopathologically. The spinal segments involved ranged from T5 to L5. The kyphotic angle was calculated according to Cobb. At final follow-up, 22 patients were pain free, 11 had occasional pain, 6 complained of pain in the morning, and 1 had chronic pain and needed frequent analgesics. Solid bony union was found in 75% of patients. The kyphotic deformity occurred in the thoracic spine with a mean angle of 20 degrees (range, 13-28 degrees) and in the lumbar spine with a mean angle 12 degrees (range, 5-26 degrees). The long-term follow-up of conservative treatment showed only slightly increased kyphosis. Conservative treatment is an alternative to surgical intervention in cases with kyphosis < 35 degrees.