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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We aimed to evaluate the long-term impact of the treatment of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) on functional outcomes and patients' quality of life (QoL) with a special focus on psychological well-being. ⋯ Even almost seven years on average after completed treatment of VO, patients report impaired QoL. Assessment of psychological disorders should be implemented in clinical practice and future prospective studies.
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This work aimed to provide a comprehensive description of cervical alignment including cranial arch and caudal arch according to age, thus offering a reference database for cervical deformity treatment. ⋯ This work explored in detail the normal reference values of cervical sagittal alignment including cranial arch and caudal arch under different age groups. Age-related changes in cervical alignment depended on the increase in the cranial and caudal arches in different proportions with age.
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The sole determination of volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) is insufficient to evaluate overall bone integrity. The accumulation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) stiffens and embrittles collagen fibers. Despite the important role of AGEs in bone aging, the relationship between AGEs and vBMD is poorly understood. We hypothesized that an accumulation of AGEs, a marker of impaired bone quality, is related to decreased vBMD. ⋯ QCT-derived vBMD measurements were found to be inversely associated with trabecular fAGEs. Our results enhance the understanding of bone integrity by suggesting that spine surgery patients with decreased bone quantity may also have poorer bone quality.
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To evaluate the impact of the lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) on Distal Junctional kyphosis (DJK) incidence in adult cervical deformity (ACD) surgery. ⋯ DJK risk is lower when the LIV is at the upper thoracic segment than the lower cervical segment. DJK incidence is highest with LIV level in the lower thoracic or thoracolumbar junction.
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Low back pain (LBP) impairs the quality of life and rises healthcare costs. The association of spine degeneration and LBP with metabolic disorders have been reported, previously. However, metabolic processes related with spine degeneration remained unclear. We aimed to analyze whether serum thyroid hormones, parathormone, calcium, and vitamin D levels were associated with lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD), Modic changes, and fatty infiltration in the paraspinal muscles. ⋯ Serum hormone, vitamin D, and calcium levels were associated with not only IVDD and Modic changes but also with fatty infiltration in the paraspinal muscles, mainly at upper lumbar levels in patients with symptomatic backache presenting to a tertiary care center. Complex inflammatory, metabolic, and mechanical factors present in the backstage of spine degeneration.