European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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This study aimed to explore associations between ABO blood type and postoperative adjacent segment degeneration/disease (ASD) following lumbar spine fusion, as well as evaluate differences in spinopelvic alignment, perioperative care, postoperative complications, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). ⋯ This is the first large-scale study to address and demonstrate proof-of-principle that ABO blood type, a non-modifiable risk factor, is associated with ASD following lumbar spine fusion.
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Paraspinal and spinopelvic muscular dysfunction are hypothesized to be a causative factor for spinal degeneration and deformity; however, our fundamental understanding of paraspinal muscle (dys)function remains limited. ⋯ This study is the first to show a heightened intrinsic contractile muscle disorder (i.e. impaired specific force generation) in patients with spinal degeneration who are sagittally imbalanced (compared to patients without deformity). Additionally, there are clear indications that patients with spinal degeneration (all groups) have intrinsic force sarcomere-length properties that are dysregulated. This provides important insight into the pathophysiology of muscle weakness in this patient group.
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Incidental durotomy (ID) is a common complication in spine surgery and can lead to increase in length of stay, decreased satisfaction with surgery and pseudomeningocele formation. Here, we describe a retrospective study comparing ID occurrences and repairs between patients receiving traditional open versus tubular minimally invasive spine (MIS) microdiscectomy. ⋯ Pseudomeningocele formation after ID is rare. The rates of ID were similar between cohorts. We found no significant difference between re-operation rate for pseudomeningocele between the two cohorts. Larger, cohort-matched, prospective studies are needed to determine the true difference between rates of re-operation for pseudomeningocele formation after lumbar microdiscectomies.
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Clinical practices vary between healthcare providers when it comes to asking for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) during follow-up for chronic low-back pain (LBP). The association between progressive changes on the MRI and the clinical relevance of these findings is not clearly defined. The objective of our study is to investigate to what extent do MRI findings change during a period less than or equal to two years in patients with chronic LBP. We question the efficacy of its routinary use as a tool for follow-up and we also study the correlation between new changes on MRI and modifications in therapeutic attitude. ⋯ The rate of lumbar MRI has risen to an alarming pace without evidence of consequent improvements in patient outcomes. A significant number of repeated MRIs did not show radiological changes, nor did they give rise to further surgical treatment after obtaining these images. This study should help to review the real applications of clinical guides on the appropriate use for image tests.
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Owing to the unknow types of infiltrating macrophages and the corresponded factors, we aimed to investigate the specific types of infiltrating macrophages involved in HLF and the expression of macrophage-related factors. ⋯ The infiltration of M2 macrophages may be involved in HLF, while involvement of M1 macrophages may only occur early in inflammation. The expression of extracellular matrix proteins and macrophage-related factors was increased. Aging may also be associated with HLF.