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Study Design: A retrospective study. Objectives: We examined union rates and clinical outcomes to evaluate the efficacy of using autologous bone marrow along with a local autobone and biphasic calcium phosphate mixed graft with posterolateral fusion in spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis. Summary of Literature Review: In lumbar posterolateral fusion, union rates of biphasic calcium phosphate and local autobone mixed graft are low compared to union rates of autogenous iliac bone graft. Materials and Methods: Among the patients who had lumbar posterolateral fusion with autologous bone marrow along with local autobone and biphasic calcium phosphate mixed graft between February 2013 and January 2014, we analyzed 40 patients who were available for at least one year of follow-up. There were 22 cases with spinal stenosis and 18 cases with spondylolisthesis. Bone fusion was determined along with the fusion rates based on Lenke’s criteria (citation). All patients were evaluated postoperatively at one year, using 3D CT. and the clinical outcomes were assessed using Kim’s method (citation). Results: In spinal stenosis, bone union was observed in 19 cases out of 22 (86.4%), and in case of spondylolisthesis, bone union was observed in 16 cases out of 18 (88.9%). In spinal stenosis, the clinical outcomes were: 2 excellent, 16 good, 3 fair, and 1 poor; in other words 18 cases (81.8%) displayed good or excellent outcomes. In spondylolisthesis, 2 excellent, 12 good, 4 fair and 0 poor; in other words, 14 cases (77.8%) showed good or superior outcomes. Conclusions: Posterolateral fusion using autologous bone marrow along with a local autobone and biphasic calcium phosphate mixed graft showed similar bone fusion rates to using autogenous iliac bone graft. Therefore, this method could serve as an alternative to using autogenous iliac bone graft in posterior lumbar fusion.

Study Design: Retrospective study. Objectives: To evaluate the clinical value of preoperative planning via computer simulation by comparing preoperative and postoperative measurements of a patient with ankylosing spondylitis. Summary of Literature Review: Ankylosing spondylitis is a disorder that results in a spinal deformity because chronic inflammation at the ligament attachment sites triggers ossification; it causes round fixed kyphosis. This causes limitations in not only everyday life but also social interaction because it is impossible for patients to face forward. Therefore, surgical correction is necessary. Materials and Methods: We analyzed 38 patients (41 instances) who underwent correctional osteotomy between June 2007 and March 2014 to treat kyphosis caused by ankylosing spondylitis. We chose the appropriate operation site on the basis of preoperative simulations of osteotomy and the site for pre- and postoperative radiological evaluations conducted from the lateral view in a standing position. For the clinical evaluation, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Function Index (BASFI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Survey (HADS), and Health Locus of Control Form C Questionnaire (HLC-C) were used. Results: The mean sagittal vertical axis (SVA) was improved from 123.4 mm to 66.1 mm, the mean thoracic kyphosis angle (TKA) changed from 42.2° to 40.1°, and the mean lumbar lordosis angle (LLA) improved from 16.0° to 28.5°. The correlation coefficients between the preoperative predictive value and the postoperative radiographic measurement were 0.43, 0.93, and 0.87, which were all statistically significant. Conclusions: By comparing the preoperative measurement with the postoperative radiologic score, we found that the two were correlated and that the clinical assessment improved on the basis of the visualization. Therefore, preoperative simulation of patients with ankylosing spondylitis along with a kyphotic deformity is thought to be clinically effective.

Study Design: Retrospective study. Objectives: To confirm the clinical outcomes of coccygectomy for intractable chronic coccygodynia. Summary of Literature Review: Coccygectomy has been reported to be one of the good options for the failure of conservative treatment. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review was conducted, including nine patients who underwent coccygectomy for intractable chronic coccygodynia. Results: Improvements in the mean visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, from 5.6 to 2.1, were observed. As for patient satisfaction, there were four cases with excellent outcomes, three with good outcomes, one with a fair outcome, and only one with a poor outcome. Surgical complications, such as wound infection, did not occur in any of the cases. Conclusions: Irrespective of the causes, coccygectomy for chronic coccygodynia, for which nonsurgical management, including cushions, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroid injections, has no effect, is considered a useful method because it brings definite pain relief and leads to high patient satisfaction.

Study Design: A case report. Objectives: To report the case of a patient whose preoperative imaging results seemed to show metastatic spine tumor but who actually had a vertebral pathologic fracture caused by spine tuberculosis. Summary of Literature Review: Tuberculosis spondylitis is classified into peridiscal, central, anterior, and posterior spondylitis according to the portion involved, and central spondylitis can be mistaken as a tumor. Materials and Methods: Imaging studies were performed in a 79-year-old female with progressive lower extremity weakness. We found a T12 pathologic vertebral fracture, which was suspected to be metastatic cancer. Results: We performed surgery and found spine tuberculosis in the pathological and immunological examinations. Two weeks postoperatively, the patient could walk with crutches and underwent anti-tuberculosis therapy. Conclusions: Even when the results of imaging studies predict spinal metastasis, we should keep in mind the possibility of spinal tuberculosis.

Study Design: A case report. Objectives: To report a rare case of a surgically treated tuberculous myelitis and arachnoiditis patient with incomplete paraplegia. Summary of Literature Review: Tuberculous myelitis and arachnoiditis is a rare disease with a high rate of neurologic deficit. This condition is treated using antituberculous medication and high-dose steroid therapy, but surgical treatment has rarely been reported and the outcomes vary. Material and Methods: A 29-year-old female had tuberculous myelitis and arachnoiditis. The patient was treated with antituberculous medication and high-dose steroid therapy, but the treatment failed and the patient could not walk because of incomplete paraplegia. The surgical treatment was performed twice; we decompressed by total laminectomy and debrided the infected arachnoid membrane. Four months after surgery, we performed anterior interbody fusion due to the development of spondylitis with kyphosis. Results: Three years after the first operation, the patient’s neurologic state improved and she could walk 90 m without assistance. Conclusions: Here, we report a very rare case of surgically treated tuberculous myelitis and arachnoiditis and provide a treatment option for this condition to spine surgeons.

Study Design: A case report. Objectives: To report a case of simultaneous pulmonary and renal embolisms after balloon kyphoplasty and review relevant literature. Summary of Literature Review: Pulmonary or renal embolism caused by cement leakage during balloon kyphoplasty is a rare complication but can be fatal. Materials and Methods: An 84-year-old female patient was treated with balloon kyphoplasty for an osteoporotic compression fracture. Pulmonary and renal embolisms were detected after the procedure and the patient was treated conservatively. Results: After conservative treatment, embolism-related symptoms were not found during the follow-up period. Conclusions: We encountered a case of simultaneous pulmonary and renal cement embolisms which occurred during kyphoplasty. This is a very rare but potentially serious complication. However, the patient had no long-term sequelae after conservative treatment.