2018, Vol.25, No.2

Journal of Korean Society of Spine Surgery 2023 KCI Impact Factor : 0.03

pISSN : 2093-4378 / eISSN : 2093-4386
https://journal.kci.go.kr/krspine

Study Design: Retrospective case-control study. Objectives: We analyzed the radiological results of the double-balloon inflation technique in terms of its ability to reduce cement leakage, to increase bone cement bonding, and to promote anterior column height recovery. Summary of Literature Review: Various methods, such as the egg-shell technique, have been proposed to prevent leakage of cement during kyphoplasty in cases of osteoporotic compression fracture. Materials and Methods: This study analyzed 18 patients diagnosed with osteoporotic compression fracture of the lumbar spine who underwent the double-balloon inflation technique after April 2015, and 30 consecutive patients with the same diagnosis who were treated using the conventional method prior to April 2015. We analyzed the radiological results on immediate postoperative simple X-rays in the anteroposterior and lateral views, 6-week postoperative lateral X-rays, and 6-month postoperative lateral X-rays to detect changes in anterior vertebral height and the cement leakage rate. Results: The average anterior vertebral height increased by 7.58 mm in the double-balloon inflation group, and by 5.8 mm in the conventional group on the immediate postoperative radiographs (p=0.044). On average, a decrease of 3.08 mm was observed at 6 weeks postoperatively in the double-balloon inflation group, in contrast to a decrease of 4.68 mm in the conventional group (p=0.149). At the 6-month postoperative follow-up, an average decrease of 1.45 mm was found in the double-balloon inflation technique group, while a decrease of 1.40 mm was found in the conventional group (p=0.9110). The cement leakage rate was 22% in the double-balloon inflation group and 27% in the conventional group (p=0.730). Conclusions: Compared to the conventional method, the double-balloon inflation technique can be done more safely, and also promotes a greater recovery of anterior vertebral height.

Study Design: Retrospective evaluation. Objectives: To determine the relationship between lumbar disc degeneration and back muscle degeneration. Summary of Literature Review: In the degenerative cascade of the spine described by Kirkaldy-Willis, degeneration of the disc and of the facet joint co-occur with aging. However, the muscles of the back are not included in this model. Several studies have reported significant correlations between back muscle degeneration and facet joint arthritis. The purpose of our study was to evaluate relationships between lumbar disc degeneration and fatty degeneration of the back muscles. Materials and Methods: In this study, 65 patients over the age of 50 years who had undergone lumbar spine MRI in our orthopaedic clinic were recruited. Fatty degeneration of the back muscles was qualitatively graded from I to III by the degree of the fat signal in the muscle layer, including both the multifidus and erector spinae. Lumbar disc degeneration was graded from I to V according to the Pfirrmann grade. Correlations between the back muscle degeneration grade and radiological parameters were analyzed. Results: The degeneration grade of the multifidus correlated positively with age and the grade of disc degeneration. Correlations with other radiologic parameters were not significant. The degeneration grade of the erector spinae correlated positively with age. Other radiologic parameters were not significant. Conclusions: There was a significant correlation between lumbar disc degeneration and multifidus degeneration. Erector spinae degeneration was correlated with age, but not with lumbar disc degeneration. The degenerative cascade of the spine was accompanied by fatty changes of the multifidus with aging.

Study Design: Retrospective evaluation. Objectives: To analyze the effect of cervical lordosis on cervical disc degeneration in patients with a high T1 slope. Summary of Literature Review: The T1 slope is known to be a parameter that may be very useful in evaluating sagittal balance. We previously reported that a low T1 slope was a potential risk factor for cervical spondylosis, especially in the C6-7 cervical segment. However, no study has analyzed the effect of cervical lordosis in patients with a high T1 slope (>25) on cervical disc degeneration. Materials and Methods: Seventy-seven patients with a high T1 slope who underwent cervical spine MRI in our orthopedic clinic were enrolled. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to cervical compensation. The radiologic parameters obtained from radiography and cervical spine MRI were compared between the uncompensated group (cervical lordosis <25) and the compensated group (cervical lordosis ≥25). Results: In the uncompensated group, the average degeneration grade of each segment was 2.72 (±0.70) in C2-3, 3.00 (±0.76) in C3-4, 3.02 (±0.91) in C4-5, 3.37 (±0.95) in C5-6, and 2.95 (±0.98) in C6-7. The average degeneration grade of each segment in the compensated group was 2.38 (±0.78) in C2-3, 2.38 (±0.60) in C3-4, 2.62 (±0.60) in C4-5, 2.82 (±0.72) in C5-6, and 2.41 (±0.74) in C6-7. The degeneration grade was significantly higher in the uncompensated group than in the compensated group for all cervical segments. The risk of high-grade degeneration of C3-4 was significantly higher in the uncompensated group (odds ratio = 6.268; 95% CI, 2.232-17.601; p<.001). Conclusions: Patients with a high T1 slope without compensation of cervical lordosis had a higher grade of degeneration in all cervical segments.