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OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate medium and long-term outcomes of conventional fenestration discectomy versus posterior lumbar interbody fusion in lumbar disc herniation with Modic changes. METHODS: From January 2002 to January 2007, a total of 486 patients of lumbar disc herniation with Modic changes were analyzed retrospectively. They were divided into fenestration group (n = 215) and fusion group (n = 271) according to the operative approaches. The scores of Oswestry disability index (ODI) and visual analog scale (VAS) pre-and post-operative 3, 6, 12 month and annually were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: All of them had complete records during a mean follow-up period of 88.9 (60-120) months. At the end of the latest follow-up, all symptoms were relieved postoperatively. Significantly difference existed in the improvement rate of back pain VAS between two groups (77.9% vs 68.0%). In the fenestration group, the improvement rate of VAS (back pain) of Modic type I I was better than that of Modic type I (72.8% vs 64.9%). And the difference was statistically significant. For those with Modic type I changes, the improvement rate of ODI and VAS (back pain) of the fusion group were better than those of the fenestration group (78.3% vs 70.4% and 77.4% vs 64.9%). And the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The patients with Modic I and II changes were recommended to undergo lumbar fusion and undergo fenestration discectomy respectively.

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OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analyze the interactions between the clinical symptoms and surgical options and evaluate the surgical efficacies for adult degenerative scoliosis (DS). METHODS: A total of 35 adult DS patients underwent operations at Tianjin hospital from May 1996 to December 2008. There were 23 females and 12 males with a mean age of 59.1 years (range: 45 - 74). Clinical symptoms, physical examinations and radiological findings for all patients were recorded at different stages, at 1 week, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year post-operation and per year respectively. According to different surgical options, they were classified into 3 groups: A: limited decompression; B: selective decompression & short-segment fusion; C: selective decompression & long-segment correction & fusion. RESULTS: All patients had complete records with a mean follow-up period of 42.4 months (range: 24 - 168). Firstly, 9 patients in group A had no complaint of a low-back pain at pre-operation. The average coronal Cobb's angles were 15.6 ± 2.3° at pre-operation and 17.1 ± 3.3° at the latest follow-up. The radicular symptoms became greatly relieved at 1 year. Three cases complained of the aggravation of back pain. Secondly, 15 patients in group B mainly complained of a low-back pain at pre-operation. It was combined with lower-limb radiation pain in 6 patients and nerve claudication in 9 cases. The average coronal Cobb's angles were 14.1 ± 4.6° at pre-operation and 24.4 ± 6.7° at the latest follow-up. However, 12 patients experienced the progression of scoliosis. Thirdly, 11 patients in group C experienced a low-back pain at pre-operation while 5 cases with lower-limb radiation pain and 6 with claudication. The mean coronal Cobb's angles were 22.3 ± 9.2° at pre-operation and 12.2 ± 4.7° at the latest follow-up. Among 4 patients with residual pains, none required revision. CONCLUSIONS: For the DS patients, it is quite important for the surgical options to comprehensively analyze the neurological signs, imaging data and clinical symptoms. However, the fusion end vertebrae should always avoid the vicinity or apex of curve if the short-segment fusion is selected.

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OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical effects of modified transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease. METHODS: From October 2003 to December 2006, 33 patients with lumbar degenerative disease (L3-S1) were treated by modified TLIF. There were 14 males and 19 females with an average age of 52.2 years (33 to 70 years). The median disease course was 1.8 years (4 months to 15 years). A total of 42 levels were fused, including 24 cases of single level and 9 cases of double levels. The results of preoperative diagnosis were lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis with stenosis (8 cases), isthmic spondylolisthesis (5 cases), degenerative lumbar stenosis (16 cases), huge herniated disc with segmental instability (3 cases) and failed back surgery syndrome (1 case). During the modified TLIF procedure, total inferior facet process and inner half summit of superior facet process of TLIF side were resected to make the posterior wall of foramen opened partly. After the bone graft (3 to 5 mL) was placed into the interbody space, a single rectangle Cage was inserted obliquely from 30 degrees to 40 degrees toward the midline. Combined with pedicle screw instrumentation, TLIF was accomplished. Middle canal and opposite side nerve root decompression were performed simultaneously when necessary. RESULTS: Intraoperative dura mater rupture, postoperative cerebral spinal fluid leakage, deep wound infection and transient nerve root stimulation occurred in 1 case respectively, and were all recovered after treatment. No patients had permanent neurologic deficit or aggravation. All patients were followed up for 20 to 58 months (mean 27.2 months). At the follow-up after 1 year postoperatively, all the operated segments achieved fusion standard and no broken screw or Cage dislocation occurred. All 13 cases of spondylolisthesis were reduced thoroughly and maintained satisfactorily. Nineteen patients remained slight chronic back pain. There was significant difference (P < 0.05) in JOA score between preoperation (14.9 +/- 5.1) and postoperation (25.9 +/- 3.0). The rate of clinical improvement was 80.5% (excellent in 24 cases, good in 7 cases, and fair in 2 cases). CONCLUSION: The modified TLIF carries out the less invasive principles in opening operations, simplifies the manipulation and expands the indication of TLIF to some extent, and the clinical results for the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease is satisfactory.

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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical and radiographic outcomes for varying degrees of degenerative lumbar scoliosis using different surgical options with a minimal 5-year follow-up. METHODS: From May 1998 to November 2002, 31 patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis underwent operations at our hospital. The mean age of 19 females and 12 males was 55.8 years old (range: 45 to 71). All patients were divided into 4 groups: Group A, mild coronal deformity with obvious sagittal deformity, 13 cases; Group B, obvious coronal deformity with mild sagittal deformity; Group C, both significant coronal and sagittal deformities; Group D, both mild coronal and sagittal deformities. Posterior decompression, internal fixation and bone graft fusion were performed in Groups A, B and C. And posterior decompression was performed in Group D. All patients were followed up for at least 5 years. Patients answered the Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire at pre-operation, and 1 year, 5 year post-operation. RESULTS: Thirty patients were followed up for the whole process. According to Cobb's angle methods, there was great post-operative improvement for patients with internal fixation (Groups A, B, C) while there was no significant difference for patients with posterior decompression at pre-and post-operation. After surgery, the average Oswestry Disability Index score in the patients with internal fixation (Groups A, B, C) was significantly lower than the preoperative score (25.8 vs 58.0; P < 0.001). However there was statistical difference for patients with internal fixation between 1 year and 5 year postoperatively. No perioperative death or major medical complications occurred. Ten patients had adjacent segment degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical aim for adults with a spinal deformity is to achieve a stable, balanced and pain-free spine. Surgical treatments should consist of decompression and fusion with segmental instrumentation to avoid instability and curb progression. Despite the complexity of adult lumbar degenerative scoliosis, it might improve the quality of life for patients by choosing an appropriate operation option on the basis of varying degrees of lumbar deformity.

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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical applicability and value of internal fixator for the reconstruction of lumbar isthmus in the treatment of lumbar vertebral spondylolysis and to lay a foundation for its clinical application. METHODS: Six teen healthy goats weighing 22.65-31.22 kg were selected to establish the models of vertebral spondylolysis at L5, which thereafter were randomized into two groups (n=8): bone graft group in which 0.8-1.1 g fresh autogenous bone was transplanted into the isthmus spondylolysis area, and internal fixation with bone graft group in which internal fixator was installed before transplanting 0.8-1.1 g fresh autogenous bone into the isthmus spondylolysis area. All animals were killed 8 weeks after operation to receive imaging, topographic anatomy and histology detection. Meanwhile, biomechanics test was performed by using 5 donated vertebral body specimens (4 males and 1 female aged 35-51 years old). The left isthmus of Ls vertebra was transected to serve as lumbar vertebral spondylolysis model. A mini-displacement sensor was put at the transected ends of the isthmus. Then loading was conducted with a constant velocity of 2 mm/min by electronic omnipotent tester simulating the direction of fixation force of the internal fixator, and the deformation value of the transected ends was collected by a dynamic data collector and analyzer. The loading was continued until the vertebra specimens were damaged. The deformation of displacement sensor and the closure of transected ends of the lumbar isthmus were observed. RESULTS: All the goats behaved normally shortly after operation, and no nerve injury induced by operation and no wound infection occurred. Bilaterally oblique X-ray films of lumbar vertebra and topographic anatomy 8 weeks after operation showed the fusion rate of the internal fixation and bone graft group and the bone graft group was 100% and 62.5%, respectively, indicating there was a significant difference (P < 0.05). Histology observation showed 3 goats in the bone graft group presented empty bone trabecula, empty bone lacuna and the disappearance of osteocytes at the transected ends of lumbar isthmus; while in the internal fixation and bone graft group, the bone trabecula grew into cancellous structures with hematopoietic and fatty bone marrow tissue inside, and parts of the bone trabecula had various degrees of mosaic-like pattern. During the upload, the biomechanics test and data processing results showed when the external load was 40 N, the deformation of displacement sensor was identified and the gap between the transected ends of lumbar isthmus started to close; then with the increase of external load, the displacement sensor tended to ascend in a linearity manner; while when the external load was 212 N, the displacement sensor had no further deformation, the gap between the transected ends of lumbar isthmus was completely closed, and the pressor effect appeared. CONCLUSION: The internal fixator for the reconstruction of lumbar isthmus has mechanical effects of stabilizing and elevating pressure with a high fusion rate.

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Hyoid bone fractures secondary to blunt trauma other than strangulation are rare. Only 27 cases have been reported in the literature. They have few, if any, complications, such as dysphagia, hypoxia, cardiorespiratory collapse, laceration of the pharynx, mandibular fracture, thyroid cartilage fracture, and facial fracture. No report of hyoid bone fracture associated with spinal column injury was reported in the English literature. The authors reported a 46-year-old male patient who complained of neck pain and odynophagia after a traffic accident. After systemic examination and cervical CT scan, the diagnosis of hyoid bone fracture at the right great horn and atlantoaxial subluxation was made. The patient was observed in ICU for 48 hours. A nasogastric tube was inserted for feeding. Fifteen milligrams of dexamethasone was given once a day for 3 days to reduce the swelling and pain. We performed a cutaneous traction for the subluxation and carefully watched the hyoid bone and the patient's respiration. No lethal complications occurred. Two weeks later, the patient was allowed to ambulate with cervical collar protection and to resume oral intake. Three months later, he was asymptomatic. This case, with hyoid fracture and atlantoaxial subluxation, is the only case reported in the literature. The importance of hyoid fracture, however, rests not with the rarity of it, but with the lethal potential of missing diagnosis. Nonsurgical management may be effective in most of the cases.

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Thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum (OLF) caused by skeletal fluorosis is rare. Only six patients had been reported in the English literature. This study reports findings from the first clinical series of this disease. This was a retrospective study of patients with thoracic OLF due to skeletal fluorosis who underwent surgical management at the authors' hospital between 1993 and 2003. Diagnosis of skeletal fluorosis was made based on the epidemic history, clinical symptoms, radiographic findings, and urinalysis. En bloc laminectomy decompression of the involved thoracic levels was performed in all cases. Cervical open door decompression or lumbar laminectomy decompression was performed if relevant stenosis was present. Neurological status was evaluated preoperatively, at the third day postoperatively, and at the end point of follow-up using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scoring system of motor function of the lower extremities. A total of 23 cases were enrolled, 16 (69.6%) males and 7 (30.4%) females, age ranging from 42 to 72 years (mean 54.8 years). All patients came from a high-fluoride area, and 22 (95.7%) had dental fluorosis. Medical imaging showed OLF together with ossification of many ligaments and interosseous membranes, including interosseous membranes of the forearm (18/23 patients 78.3%), leg (14/23 patients 60.9%), and ribs (11/23 patients 47.8%). OLF was classified into five types based on MRI findings: localized (4/23 patients 17.4%), continued (12/23 patients 52.2%), skip (3/23 patients 13.0%), combining with anterior pressure (2/23 patients 8.7%), and combining with cervical and/or lumbar stenosis (2/23 patients, 8.7%). Urinalysis showed a markedly high urinary fluoride level in 14 of 23 patients (60.9%). Patients were followed up for an average duration of 4 years, 5 months. Paired t-test showed that the JOA score was slightly but nonsignificantly increased relative to preoperative measurement 3 days after surgery (P = 0.0829) and significantly increased at the end of follow-up (P = 0.0001). In conclusion, Fluorosis can cause ossification of thoracic ligamentum flavum, as well as other ligaments. Comparing with other OLF series, a larger number of spinal segments were involved. The diagnosis of skeletal fluorosis was made by the epidemic history, clinical symptom, imaging study findings, and urinalysis. En bloc laminectomy decompression was an effective method.

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PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical feature, operative method and prognosis of thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum caused by skeletal fluorosis. METHODS: All the patients with thoracic OLF, who underwent surgical management in the authors' hospital from 1993-2003, were retrospectively studied. The diagnosis of skeletal fluorosis was made by the epidemic history, clinical symptoms, radiographic findings, and urinalysis. En bloc laminectomy decompression of the involved thoracic levels was performed in all cases. Cervical open door decompression or lumbar laminectomy decompression was performed if relevant stenosis existed. The neurological statuses were evaluated with the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scoring system preoperatively and at the end point of follow up. Also, the recovery rate was calculated. RESULTS: 23 cases have been enrolled in this study. Imaging study findings showed all the cases have ossification of ligamentum flavum together with ossification of many other ligaments and interosseous membranes, i.e. interosseous membranes of the forearm in 18 of 23 (78.3%), of the leg in 14 of 23 (60.1%) and of the ribs in 11 of 23 (47.8%). Urinalysis showed markedly increased urinary fluoride in 14 of 23 patients (60.9%). All the patients were followed up from 12 months to 9 years and 3 months, with an average of 4 years and 5 months. The JOA score increased significantly at the end of follow up (P = 0.0001). The recovery rate was 51.83 +/- 32.36%. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the preoperative JOA score was an important predictor of surgical outcome (p = 0.0022, r = 0.60628). ANOVA analysis showed that patients with acute onset or too long duration had worse surgical result (P = 0.0003). CONCLUSION: Fluorosis can cause ossification of thoracic ligamentum flavum, as well as other ligaments. En bloc laminectomy decompression was an effective method. Preoperative JOA score was the most important predictor of surgical outcome. Patients with acute onset or too long duration had worse surgical outcome.

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Osteoma is a common benign tumor. It occurs dominantly at the skull bone. Outside skull osteoma is rare, and primary intra-canal osteoma is extremely rare. To the author's knowledge, only 14 cases of osteomas of the spine had been reported, in which only seven cases were in English literature. The authors reported two rare cases of intra-canal osteoma of the upper cervical spine with cord compression. Included are pertinent history, physical examination, rontgenographic evaluation before and after operation, surgical interventions, pathological study, and outcome. The available literature is also reviewed. On systemic examination and rontgenographic study, these two cases were found to have bone tumor in the upper cervical canal. Surgical interventions were performed, one with an en bloc excision, the other with a subtotal excision. The pathological study demonstrated a diagnosis of osteoma. After a follow-up with 20 and 15 months, the clinical symptoms of both cases significantly improved.

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STUDY DESIGN: Two cases of ossification of the transverse atlantal ligament (OTAL) are reported, and the literature is reviewed. OBJECTIVE: To report two cases of OTAL, which share fluorosis as a possible etiologic link. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: OTAL, a rare phenomenon, may cause upper cervical canal stenosis and spastic quadriparesis. However, the incidence, etiology, and the best therapeutic options are currently unclear. METHODS: Two cases are reported. Included are pertinent history, physical examination, radiographic evaluation, nonsurgical interventions, and outcomes. The available literature is also reviewed. RESULTS: On systemic examination, these two cases were found to have ossification of many ligaments and interosseous membranes, i.e., the atlantal transverse ligament, posterior longitudinal ligament, and interosseous membranes of ribs, forearm, and leg. These findings were coupled with a history of high fluoride intake and dental fluorosis; the diagnosis of fluorosis was made. After 2 weeks of treatment with halo ring traction, and protection and stabilization with a hard cervical collar, the clinical symptoms significantly improved. CONCLUSION: The incidence of OTAL may be not as rare as has been thought. Although the complete etiology of OTAL is not known, fluorosis may be one of the etiologic factors related to OTAL, as well as the ossification of other ligaments and interosseous membranes. Nonsurgical treatment may be safe and effective.

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