The Sagittal Balance of Cervical Spine : Comprehensive Review of Recent Update

The cervical spine plays a critical role in supporting the skull, maintaining horizontal gaze, and facilitating walking. Its unique characteristics, including the widest range of motion among spinal segments, have led to extensive research on cervical sagittal alignment. Various parameters have been proposed to evaluate cervical alignment, with studies investigating their clinical significance, correlation with symptoms, and implications for surgical interventions. Recent findings suggest that cervical sagittal alignment not only impacts the cervical spine but also influences global spine-pelvic alignment through compensatory mechanisms. This comprehensive review examines classical and new parameters of cervical sagittal alignment and considers the dynamic and muscular factors associated with it.

Transvenous coil embolization of hypoglossal canal dural arteriovenous fistula using detachable coils: A case report

The hypoglossal canal (HC) is an unusual location of the posterior fossa dural arteriovenous fistula (AVF), which usually occurs in the transverse or sigmoid sinus. Herein, we report a case of HC dural AVF successfully treated with transvenous coil embolization using detachable coils in a 68-year-old woman who presented with headache and left pulsatile tinnitus for 2 months. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cerebral angiography revealed left HC dural AVF. The pulsatile bruit disappeared immediately after the procedure. Follow-up MRI showed complete disappearance of the fistula. Precise localization of the fistula through careful consideration of the anatomy and transvenous coil embolization using a detachable coil can facilitate the treatment for HC dural AVF.

Propranolol Inhibits the Proliferation of Human Glioblastoma Cell Lines through Notch1 and Hes1 Signaling System

Objective@#: The anti-tumor effect of the beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol in breast cancer is well known; however, its activity in glioblastoma is not well-evaluated. The Notch-Hes pathway is known to regulate cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. We investigated the effect of propranolol to human glioblastoma cell lines, and the role of Notch and Hes signaling in this process. @*Methods@#: We performed immunohistochemical staining on 31 surgically resected primary human glioblastoma tissues. We also used glioblastoma cell lines of U87-MG, LN229, and neuroblastoma cell line of SH-SY5Y in this study. The effect of propranolol and isoproterenol on cell proliferation was evaluated using the MTT assay (absorbance 570 nm). The impact of propranolol on gene expression (Notch and Hes) was evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR, whereas protein levels of Notch1 and Hes1 were measured using Western blotting (WB), simultaneously. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to suppress the Notch gene to investigate its role in the proliferation of glioblastoma. @*Results@#: Propranolol and isoproterenol caused a dose-dependent decrease in cell proliferation (MTT assay). RT-PCR showed an increase in Notch1 and Hes1 expression by propranolol, whereas WB demonstrated increase in Notch1 protein, but a decrease in Hes1 by propranolol. The proliferation of U87-MG and LN229 was not significantly suppressed after transfection with Notch siRNA. @*Conclusion@#: These results demonstrated that propranolol suppressed the proliferation of glioblastoma cell lines and neuroblastoma cell line, and Hes1 was more closely involved than Notch1 was in glioblastoma proliferation.

Propranolol Inhibits the Proliferation of Human Glioblastoma Cell Lines through Notch1 and Hes1 Signaling System

Objective@#: The anti-tumor effect of the beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol in breast cancer is well known; however, its activity in glioblastoma is not well-evaluated. The Notch-Hes pathway is known to regulate cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. We investigated the effect of propranolol to human glioblastoma cell lines, and the role of Notch and Hes signaling in this process. @*Methods@#: We performed immunohistochemical staining on 31 surgically resected primary human glioblastoma tissues. We also used glioblastoma cell lines of U87-MG, LN229, and neuroblastoma cell line of SH-SY5Y in this study. The effect of propranolol and isoproterenol on cell proliferation was evaluated using the MTT assay (absorbance 570 nm). The impact of propranolol on gene expression (Notch and Hes) was evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR, whereas protein levels of Notch1 and Hes1 were measured using Western blotting (WB), simultaneously. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to suppress the Notch gene to investigate its role in the proliferation of glioblastoma. @*Results@#: Propranolol and isoproterenol caused a dose-dependent decrease in cell proliferation (MTT assay). RT-PCR showed an increase in Notch1 and Hes1 expression by propranolol, whereas WB demonstrated increase in Notch1 protein, but a decrease in Hes1 by propranolol. The proliferation of U87-MG and LN229 was not significantly suppressed after transfection with Notch siRNA. @*Conclusion@#: These results demonstrated that propranolol suppressed the proliferation of glioblastoma cell lines and neuroblastoma cell line, and Hes1 was more closely involved than Notch1 was in glioblastoma proliferation.

Factors Associated Postoperative Hydrocephalus in Patients with Traumatic Acute Subdural Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative hydrocephalus is a common complication following craniectomy in patients with traumatic brain injury, and affects patients’ long-term outcomes. This study aimed to verify the risk factors associated with the development of hydrocephalus after craniectomy in patients with acute traumatic subdural hemorrhage (tSDH). METHODS: Patients with acute traumatic SDH who had received a craniectomy between December 2005 and January 2016 were retrospectively assessed by reviewing the coexistence of other types of hemorrahges, measurable variables on computed tomography (CT) scans, and the development of hydrocephalus during the follow-up period. RESULTS: Data from a total of 63 patients who underwent unilateral craniectomy were analyzed. Postoperative hydrocephalus was identified in 34 patients (54%) via brain CT scans. Preoperative intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) was associated with the development of hydrocephalus. Furthermore, the thickness of SDH (p=0.006) and the extent of midline shift before craniectomy (p=0.001) were significantly larger in patients with postoperative hydrocephalus. Indeed, multivariate analyses showed that the thickness of SDH (p=0.019), the extent of midline shift (p<0.001) and the coexistence of IVH (p=0.012) were significant risk factors for the development of postoperative hydrocephalus. However, the distance from the midline to the craniectomy margin was not an associated risk factor for postoperative hydrocephalus. CONCLUSION: In patients with acute traumatic SDH with coexisting IVH, a large amount of SDH, and a larger midline shift, close follow-up is necessary for the early prediction of postoperative hydrocephalus. Furthermore, craniectomy margin need not be limited in acute traumatic SDH patients for the reason of postoperative hydrocephalus.

Use of an Ultrasonic Osteotome for Direct Removal of Beak-Type Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament in the Thoracic Spine

Direct removal of beak-type ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament at thoracic spine (T-OPLL) is a challenging surgical technique due to the potential risk of neural injury. Slipping off the cutting surface of a high-speed drill may result in entrapment in neural structures, leading to serious complications. Removal of T-OPLL with an ultrasonic osteotome, utilizing back and forth micro-motion of a blade rather than rotatory-motion of drill, may reduce such complications. We have applied the ultrasonic osteotome for posterior circumferential decompression of T-OPLL for three consecutive patients with beak-type OPLL and have described the surgical techniques and patient outcomes. The preoperative chief complaint was gait disturbance in all patients. Japanese orthopedic association scores (JOA) was used for functional assessment. Scores measured 2/11, 5/11, 2/11, and 4/11 for each patient. The ventral T-OPLL mass was exposed after posterior midline approach, laminotomy and transeversectomy. The T-OPLL mass was directly removed with an ultrasonic osteotome and instrumented segmental fixation was performed. The surgeries were uneventful. Detailed surgical techniques were presented. Gait disturbance was improved in all patients. Dural tear occurred in one patient without squeal. Postoperative JOA was 6/11, 10/11, 8/11, and 8/11 (recovery rate; 44%, 83%, 67%, and 43%) respectively at 18, 18, 10, and 1 months postoperative. T-OPLL was completely removed in all patients as confirmed with computed tomography scan. We hope that surgical difficulties in direct removal of T-OPLL might be reduced by utilizing ultrasonic osteotome.

Usefulness of Fracture Risk Assessment Tool Using Lumbar Bone Mineral Density in Prediction of Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) in fracture risk assessment (FRAX) tool. METHODS: One hundred and ten patients aged over 60 years were enrolled and divided into 2 groups as non-osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF) and OVF groups. The 10-year-risk of major osteoporotic vertebral fracture of each group was calculated by FRAX tool with femoral and lumbar spine BMDs to compare the usefulness of lumbar spine BMD in prediction of OVF. The blood level of osteocalcin and C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) as markers of activities of osteoblast and osteoclast, respectively were analyzed using the institutional database. RESULTS: In the OVF group, the ratio of patients with previous fracture history or use of glucocorticoid was higher than those in non-OVF group (p=0.000 and 0.030, respectively). The levels of T-score of femur neck and lumbar spine in OVF group were significantly lower than those in non-OVF group (p=0.001 and 0.000, respectively). The risk of OVF in FRAX using femur BMD in non-OVF and OVF groups was 6.7+/-6.13 and 11.4+/-10.06, respectively (p=0.007). The risk of using lumbar BMD in the 2 groups was 6.9+/-8.91 and 15.1+/-15.08, respectively (p=0.002). The areas under the receiver operator characteristic curve in the FRAX risk with lumbar and femur neck BMD were 0.726 and 0.684, respectively. The comparison of osteocalcin and CTX was not significant (p=0.162 and 0.369, respectively). CONCLUSION: In our study, the 10-year risk of major osteoporotic fracture in the OVF group of our study was lower than the recommended threshold of intervention for osteoporosis. Hence, a lower threshold for the treatment of osteoporosis may be set for the Korean population to prevent OVF. In the prediction of symptomatic OVF, FRAX tool using lumbar spine BMD may be more useful than that using femur neck BMD.

Large Spinal Meningioma with Hemorrhage after Selective Root Block in the Thoraco-Lumbar Spine

Spinal meningioma accounts for 25% of all spinal cord tumors and occurs mostly in the thoracic region. Spontaneous intraspinal bleeding associated with spinal meningioma has rarely been reported. Most cases of hemorrhage associated with meningiomas are extratumoral and subarachnoid, whereas subdural and intratumoral hemorrhage cases have been reported to occur rarely. We experienced a case of a 58-year-old woman with thoracolumbar spinal meningioma accompanied by intraspinal subdural hematoma. She presented with progressively worsened back pain and newly developed weakness in the right lower extremity after a selective nerve root block in the lumbar spine. She underwent the operation and progressively showed neurological recovery during the postoperative course. We report a thoracolumbarspinal meningioma with subdural and intratumoral hemorrhage after a spinal procedure that caused a sudden neurological deterioration.