Correlative study of vertebra arch angle, facet joint degeneration and lumbar spondylolisthesis / 中华放射学杂志

Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the mechanism of degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) through measuring vertebra arch angle and facet joint degeneration with 64-slice spiral computed tomography (CT). Methods One hundred and six patients complained of lumbodynia were examined with 64-slice CT. In 28 of 106 patients have lumbar spondylolisthesis, while the other 78 cases have not. The vertebra arch angles of all cases were measured and the facet joint degenerations were analyzed. Results L4--5 vertebra arch angle in DS group were 119. 0°±2. 2°(left) and 118. 8°±1.9° (right) ,respectively. L4--5 vertebra arch angle in control group were 102.9°±1.2°(left) and 104. 7°± 1.2° (right) ,respectively. The joint angle in DS group were 41.1°±1.2°(left) ,and 29.0°±1.2°(right), respectively. The joint angle in control group were 45.5°±2. 1°(left), and 45. 1°±1.2°(right), respectively. There were significant differences of L4--5 vertebra arch angle and more serious of facet joint degeneration( P < 0. 05 ). Conclusion L4 vertebra arch inclination and facet joint degeneration were important to diagnosis of spondylolisthesis.

Harvesting cylinder autograft from adjacent vertebral body for anterior lumbar interbody fusion:its surgical technique, feasibility and preliminary clinical results / 解放军医学杂志

Objective Harvest of autogenous bone from iliac crest has long been held as the gold standard for anterior lumbar arthrodesis. This technique is accompanied by an added morbidity to the pelvis. The present study was to validate the experimental result showing that harvesting bone tissue from an adjacent vertebral body for bone graft followed by replacing the defect by ?-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) plug could be a feasible procedure in lumbar interbody fusion procedure. Methods 20 patients underwent single- or multiple-level circumferential lumbar fusion with anterior cages and posterior pedicle screws in one institution. All cages were filled with cancellous bone harvested from the adjacent vertebral body, with the resulted vertebral body defect filled with a TCP plug. Results Bone grafts were successfully harvested from 28 vertebral bodies in all the patients. There was no major vascular injury, and blood loss of the anterior procedure averaged 250ml (50-350ml). One TCP plug was broken during its insertion, and one endplate was broken, both due to wrong surgical technique. These incidences did not affect the final outcome. At the last follow-up (mean 28 months), a solid lumbar spine fusion was demonstrated in all the patients. At 2-year follow up, ODI and VAS were remarkably improved (P