Analysis of characteristics of lumbar spine-pelvic structural parameters in degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the characteristics of lumbar spine-pelvic structure in degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis and its significance in degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis(DLS).@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 45 patients with simple degenerative L-segment lumbar spondylolisthesis (spondylolisthesis group) admitted from April 2015 to January 2017 were retrospectively analyzed, which were compared with 50 healthy people with complete physical examination data in the same period(control group). Statistical analysis of the lumbar spine-pelvic structure parameters of the subjects through imaging data was performed to analyze the characteristics of the spine-pelvis of DLS patients. The degenerative characteristicsof intervertebral disc and articular process joint were observed in degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. Use Spearson to analyze the correlation between observation items.@*RESULTS@#The facet joint angle, lumbar lordosis angle (LL), pelvic incidence angle(PI), pelvic tilt angle (PT), sacral slope angle (SS) in spondylolisthesis group of L-segment were (36.5±11.2)°, (44.2±7.3)°, (66.5±11.6)°, ( 22.2±10.0)°, (33.4±11.3)°, respectively, while in control group were (44.4±8.2)°, (36.7±8.5)°, (55.4± 13.2)°, (14.4±7.0)°, (42.3±13.1)°. PI, LL, PT of spondylolisthesis group were obviously larger than that of control group (< 0.05), the facet joint angle and SS of spondylolisthesis group were smaller than that of control group(<0.05). The correlation analysis showed that PI value was related to the PT and SS in two group. The degree of degeneration of intervertebral disc was related to the degree of spondylolisthesis. The degree of degeneration of L-S intervertebral disc and L facet jointin spondylolisthesis group was more serious (P <0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Lumbar spinal pelvic structure of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis has undergone significant changes. Lumbar lordosis and pelvic dumping phenomenon in the mechanism of lumbar degeneration plays an important role. Lumbar facet joint degeneration and lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration are mutually promoted, and lumbar spondylolisthesis aggravates intervertebral disc and facet joint degeneration.

Posterior lumbar interbody fusion for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis: Prediction of functional prognosis of patients based on spinopelvic parameters / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Surgery is a common way to treat degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis, but some patients have poor postoperative health and quality of life. The relationship between preoperative spine pelvic parameters and postoperative healthy quality of life is not clear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the preoperative predictors of postoperative poor improvement in healthy life quality for patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis based on spinopelvic parameters. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 186 patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis who met the criteria and underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery from June 2014 to September 2017, including 87 males and 99 females. (1) All patients were examined by the whole spine X-ray films in a standing position and sagittal spinopelvic parameters were measured, including pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt, sacral slope, lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, L4 slope, L5 slope, and sagittal vertical axis. (2) At the last postoperative follow-up, SF-36 was used to evaluate the healthy life quality of the patients, and the patients were divided into good group and poor group according to this score. The basic data and spinopelvic parameters of the two groups were compared and the preoperative predictors of poor quality of life were analyzed by Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) All cases were followed up for 20 to 26 months, with an average of 24 months. (2) There were 127 cases in the good group and 59 cases in the poor group, with poor improvement in quality of life accounting for 32%. Group comparison revealed that sacral slope, lumbar lordosis, pelvic tilt, and sagittal vertical axis were larger in the poor group than in the good group (P 0.05). (3) Logistic regression analysis identified three preoperative predictors: pelvic incidence (P 52.18°, pelvic tilt > 25.23°, and sagittal vertical axis > 3.84 cm were risk factors for poor improvement in quality of life in postoperative patients, and the AUC value of pelvic tilt (0.944) was the largest. Sufficient attention should be paid to patients with preoperative risk factors.

Imaging changes in spinal-pelvic sagittal alignment in sitting and standing positions in degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis patients / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Spinal-pelvic sagittal alignment is important for the diagnosis and treatment of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. However, the current study of the spine-pelvic sagittal alignment in patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis is limited to the standing position. There is no relevant report on the spine-pelvic sagittal alignment under the sitting position. OBJECTIVE: To analyze imaging data of sitting-standing spine-pelvic sagittal alignment in patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis, and to determine the sagittal alignment of spine change in degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis patients from standing position to sitting position. METHODS: Totally 44 patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (12 males, 32 females; age, 50-84 years) were enrolled from Tianjin Hospital from March to September 2019. All patients took X-rays of the spine in standing and sitting positions. Through the hospital image archiving and communication system, spinal and pelvic parameters were measured, including pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt, sacral slope, lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, and sagittal vertical axis. The parameters were compared between standing posture and sitting posture. By using Pearson’s correlation test, differences of relationship between spinal and pelvic parameters in standing versus sitting position were discussed. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Tianjin Hospital. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) When moving from standing to sitting position, in 44 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis patients, pelvic tilt increased [(21.3±10.1)°, (34.0±10.4)°, P 0.05). (2) Whether standing or sitting position, lumbar lordosis was correlated with other parameters (P 0.05), but lumbar lordosis was also correlated with sagittal vertical axis (P < 0.05). (3) When the degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis patients change from standing position to sitting position, the sagittal configuration of spine pelvis shows that the pelvis rotates back around the bilateral femoral heads; the pelvis shows a backward leaning state; the physiological curvature of lumbar spine becomes shallow; and the sagittal balance axis of spine moves forward.

Early Fusion Status after Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion with Cortical Bone Trajectory Screw Fixation: A Comparison of Titanium-Coated Polyetheretherketone Cages and Carbon Polyetheretherketone Cages

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. PURPOSE: We recently reported that when compared to posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) using traditional pedicle screw fixation, PLIF with cortical bone trajectory screw fixation (CBT-PLIF) provided favorable clinical outcomes and reduced the incidence of symptomatic adjacent segment pathology, but resulted in relatively lower fusion rates. Since titanium-coated polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages (TP) could improve and accelerate fusion status after CBT-PLIF, early fusion status was compared between CBT-PLIF using TP and carbon PEEK cages (CP). OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: A systematic review demonstrated that clinical studies at this early stage show similar fusion rates for TP compared to PEEK cages. METHODS: We studied 36 consecutive patients undergoing CBT-PLIF with TP (TP group) and 92 undergoing CBT-PLIF with CP (CP group). On multiplanar reconstruction computed tomography (MPR-CT) at 6 months postoperatively, vertebral endplate cysts (cyst signs) were evaluated and classified as diffuse or local cysts. Early fusion status was assessed by dynamic plain radiographs and MPR-CT at 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: The incidences of cyst signs, diffuse cysts, and early fusion rate in the TP and CP groups were 38.9% and 66.3% (p0.05), respectively. Combining the two groups, 22 of 36 patients with diffuse cysts had nonunion at 1-year follow-up, compared to only three of 92 patients with local cysts or without cyst signs (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Despite having fewer patients with endplate cysts at 6 months (a known risk factor for nonunion), the TP group had the same fusion rate as the CP group at 1-year follow-up. Thus, TP did not accelerate the fusion process after CBT-PLIF.

Treatment of grade I and II degree degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis with minimally invasive surgery-transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion under Quadrant channel / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the advantages of minimally invasive surgery-transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion(MIS-TLIF) under Quadrant channel in the treatment of grade I and II degree degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 100 patients with grade I and II degree degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis treated from March 2014 to March 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 50 patients were treated with MIS-TLIF, including 19 males and 31 females, aged from 44 to 73 years old with an average of (49.83±15.46) years old; course of disease from 6 months to 7 years with the mean of (22.18±4.74) months; L₄ slippage was in 30 cases and L₅ slippage was in 20 cases, the slippage vertebral pedicles were intact; according to Meyerding classification, 29 cases of I degree slip and 21 cases of II degree slip. Other 50 patients were treated with open-transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion(OPEN-TLIF), including 23 males and 27 females, aged from 40 to 77 years old with an average of(50.67±14.36) years old; course of disease from 6 months to 10 years with the mean of (20.56±5.37) months; L₄ slippage was in 33 cases and L₅ slippage was in 17 cases, the slippage vertebral pedicles were intact; according to Meyerding classification, 34 cases of I degree slip and 16 cases of II degree slip. The operation time, length of surgical incision, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, and serum creatine kinase(CK-MM) levels before surgery and 1 day after surgery were observed. Visual analogue scale(VAS), Japanese Orthopedic Association Score (JOA), and Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI) were compared between the two groups before and after surgery. According to the imaging data, the slip rate, intervertebral space height and slip angle of the two groups before and 12 months (last follow-up) were compared. Intervertebral fusion was evaluated according to lumbar X-ray and CT at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. The clinical effect was evaluated according to the MacNab criteria at 12 months after surgery.@*RESULTS@#All the patients were followed up for 12 months. In MIS-TLIF group, operation time, length of surgical incision, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage were (118.48±21.97) min, (3.74±0.74) cm, (148.78±32.32) ml, (84.85±16.37) ml, respectively, CK-MM level was (72.31±9.79) μ/L before surgery and (415.12±25.89) μ/L at the first day after surgery. In OPEN-TLIF group, operation time, length of surgical incision, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage were (115.40±11.94) min, (8.46±0.69) cm, (219.27±48.33) ml, (157.69±31.61) ml, respectively, CK-MM level was (75.48±10.73) μ/L before surgery and (506.69±37.86) μ/L at the first day after surgery. The intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, length of surgical incision, and CK-MM level on the first postoperative day were lower in MIS-TLIF group than in OPEN-TLIF group(0.05). There were no significant differences in ODI, VAS, and JOA scores before surgery(>0.05). The ODI, VAS, and JOA scores were significantly improved after surgery(0.05). There was no significant difference in intervertebral fusion between groups at 6 and 12 months after operation(>0.05). According to the MacNab standard, 40 cases got excellent results, 7 good, 3 fair in MIS-TLIF group, and 35 cases got excellent results, 10 good, 5 fair in OPEN-TLIF group. One patient had incision exudation and delayed healing in MIS-TLIF group. And in OPEN-TLIF group, 1 patient had local muscle necrosis on the right side of L₅ and the bacterial culture of the secretions was negative in the different three times and the right internal fixation device was taken out after the second operation completely debridement, and finally obtained delayed healing.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The MIS-TLIF under Quadrant channel has advantage of minimally invasive trauma, less bleeding, faster function recovery and better effect in surgical treatment of grade I and II degree degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.

Analysis of spinopelvic sagittal parameters in degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To explore the characteristics of spinopelvic sagittal parameters in degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis patients and the relationship between these parameters and lumbar spondylolisthesis. Methods From Jun. 2016 to Jun. 2018, 42 patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS) were enrolled in study group, and 58 degenerative lumbar disease patients without spondylolisthesis were enrolled in control group. The general characteristics of the patients were collected. The sagittal parameters, including pelvic tilt (PT), pelvic incidence (PI), sacral slope (SS), thoracic kyphosis (TK), thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK), lumbar lordosis (LL) and sagittal vertical axis (SVA), were measured on lateral X-ray films of full-length spine. The differences of general characteristics and sagittal parameters were compared between the two groups. With the lumbar spondylolisthesis rate as dependent variable and the spinopelvic sagittal parameter as independent variable, logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors of lumbar spondylolisthesis. Results There were no significant differences in the age, gender, height or body mass of the patients between the two groups (all P>0.05). There were significant differences in the PT, PI, SS, LL, TLK and SVA between the DLS group and the control group (all P0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that LL and PT were risk factors of lumbar spondylolisthesis (both P<0.05). Conclusion The sagittal parameters (PT, PI, SS, LL, TLK and SVA) in the patients with DLS are significantly changed. LL and PT are the risk factors of lumbar spondylolisthesis.

Effects of Suspension Training and Chiropractic on Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Objective To observe the effects of suspension training along with chiropractic on degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. Methods From June to December, 2016, 64 patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis were randomly divided into control group (n=32) and treatment group (n=32). The control group accepted McKenzie approach, lumbar traction and functional training, while the treatment group accepted suspension training and chiropractic, for 45 days. They were evaluated with Meyerding Rating, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of pain and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) before and after treatment. Results The scores of Meyerding Rating, VAS and ODI improved in both groups after treatment (t>9.157, P<0.001), and improved more in the treatment group than in the control group (t>2.069, P<0.05). Conclusion Suspension training combining with chiropractic is safe and effective for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.

Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis with Spinal Stenosis: A Comparative Study of 5-Year Outcomes Following Decompression with Fusion and Microendoscopic Decompression

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of prospectively collected outcome data. PURPOSE: To compare 5-year outcomes following decompression with fusion (FU) and microendoscopic decompression (MED) in patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS) and to define surgical indication limitations regarding the use of MED for this condition. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: There have been no comparative studies on mid- or long-term outcomes following FU and MED for patients with DLS. METHODS: Forty-one consecutive patients with DLS were surgically treated. Sixteen patients first underwent FU (FU group), and 25 then underwent MED (MED group). The 5-year clinical outcomes following the two surgical methods were compared using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire. RESULTS: The degree of improvement (DOI) for social life function was significantly greater in the MED group than in the FU group. Although not statistically significant, DOIs for the other four functional scores were also greater in the MED group than in the FU group. However, patients with a large percentage of slippage in the neutral position might experience limited improvement in low back pain, those with a large percentage of slippage at maximal extension might experience limited improvement in three functional scores, and those with a small intervertebral angle at maximal flexion might have limited improvement in three functional scores after MED for DLS. Therefore, we statistically compared the DOIs between the FU and MED groups regarding the preoperative percentage of slippage in the neutral position among patients with greater than 20% slippage, the preoperative percentage of slippage at maximal extension among patients with greater than 15% slippage, and the intervertebral angle at flexion among patients with angles lesser than −5°; however, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: MED is a useful minimally invasive surgical procedure that possibly offers better clinical outcomes than FU for DLS.

Clinical efficacy of bilateral MIS-LLIF via Quadrant channels for single-level degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis / 局解手术学杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and related complications of bilateral minimally invasive transforminal lumbar interbody fusion via Quadrant channels for the treatment of single-level degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.Methods Sixty selective pa-tients with single-level mild and moderate degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis who underwent bilateral MIS-TLIF via Quadrant channels from August 2015 to May 2017 were retrospectived investigated.Operative time,blood loss,X-Ray exposure time,postoperative drainage and related complications were recorded.Lumbar functional improvement was defined as an improvement in the JOA.The VAS was also employed at pre and postoperation(6 months),to evaluate low back and leg pain.Intervertebral fusion was assessed by Bridwell evaluation criteria and the clinical outcome was assessed by the MacNab scale at 6 months.In addition,related complications also were be analyzed.Results All patients underwent a successful MIS-TLIF surgery,of whom 58 patients were followed up for 6 months.The operation time was 170~290 minutes (mean:220.17 minutes),intraoperative blood loss was 100~260 mL(mean:168.62 mL),intraoperative radiation exposure was 15~36 times (mean:25.60 times) and postoperative drainage was 50~163 mL(mean:103.43 mL).Different significance between 6 months post-operative follow-up and pre-operation was exhibited (P<0.05) in VAS scores (t=34.97,P=0.000).At 6 months post-operative follow-up,there were significant differences(P<0.05) compared with pre-operation in JOA scores(t=36.91,P=0.000).At 6 months post-operative follow-up,21 cases of grade 1 and 37 cases of grade 2 fusion were present as determined by the Bridwell evaluation criteria(100% fusion).MacNab scale as-sessment classified 2 patients having excellent clinical outcome and 54 patients in good clinical outcome(96.55% of patients had good to excel-lent results).Amomg 60 cases,complications observed in 6 patients,direct injuries to nerve root in 1 case,dural tears occurred in 1 case,super-ficial wound infection in 1 case,pedicle screw was pulled out during the reduction of slip because of severe osteoporosis in 1 case and leg numb-ness and pain in 2 cases. Conclusion Bilateral MIS-TLIF via Quadrant channels with less complications is a safe and effective approach for the treatment of single segment degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis,but potential complications should be prevented as well.

Magnetic resonance imaging study of degenerative spondylolisthesis cartilage endplate changes / 安徽医科大学学报

Objective To study the relationship between degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis and degeneration of cartilage endplate by magnetic resonance imaging.Methods The median sagittal scanning of LA/L5 and L5/S1 intervertebral discs of all subjects were performed by magnetic resonance imaging with T2.Measureed the inclination angle of the front half of the endplate and the inclination angle of the posterior half of the endplate,then the ratio of the anterior horn and the posterior horn was calculated as the change rate of the endplate.The differences of the rate of cartilage endplate in the corresponding stage of spondylolisthesis group and normal group were compared.Results In L4 lumbar spondylolisthesis group,both upper and lower endplate of L4/L5 intervertebral disc have significant differences between the lumbar spondylolisthesis group and the normal group (t =11.280,-3.765,P =0.000).In L5 lumbar spondylolisthesis group,there are significant differences between the lumbar spondylolisthesis group and the normal group (t =11.280,-3.765,P =0.000),both upper and lower endplate of L5/S1 intervertebral disc;and significant differences were found among the upper and lower endplates of the L5/S1 (t =4.633,P =0.000).Among all the subjects,between the upper and lower endplate of L4/L5,significant differences were found,too(t =17.377,3.137,2.199,P =0.000,0.005,0.035).In addition to the above,the differences were not statistically significant.Therefore,lumbar spondylolisthesis can lead to degenerative in cartilage endplate of Slippage stage.Conclusion The degree of degeneration of the anterior and the posterior half of the same cartilage endplate is asymmetrical,for example,the degeneration of the posterior half of the upper endplate is worse than that of the anterior half of the plate,but the degeneration of the anterior half of the lower endplate is worse than that of the posterior half endplate.The degenerative degree of cartilage endplate was less affected by lumbar spondylolisthesis in the non slip stage.

Short-Term Clinical Result of Cortical Bone Trajectory Technique for the Treatment of Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis with More than 1-Year Follow-Up

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective follow-up study on the result of surgical treatment for patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS) using cortical bone trajectory (CBT) technique. PURPOSE: To evaluate the capability of CBT to manage patients with DLS. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: CBT is a recently advocated, novel, less-invasive technique of lumbar pedicle screw, which provides enhanced screw purchase by maximizing the thread contact with higher density bone surface. Despite the frequent use of CBT technique in the lumbar spine surgery, little is known of the capability of this technique to manage patients with DLS. METHODS: Thirty two consecutive patients (5 males, 27 females) surgically treated with single-level DLS in our institute using CBT were included. All patients were followed up at least 12 months (mean 24 months). Their clinical and radiological features were measured. RESULTS: Good leg pain relief was achieved in all patients. The mean postoperative percentage slip demonstrated significant reduction with significant neurological recovery when compared with preoperative percentage slip, and it was maintained until the latest follow-up. Loss of correction of more than 3 mm during the follow-up period was observed in 3 cases. Surgical site infection was observed in one case; however, pull-out of PSs or neurological deterioration was not found. No patient needed additional surgery during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results confirmed that CBT is useful for the treatment for patients with DLS. This technique allows good reduction of spondylolisthesis and neurological improvement.

The correlation between lumbar facet triaxially angle in patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To study the etiological effect between the spatial variation of lumbar facet orientation and the degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis(DLS)in axial,sagittal and coronal plane.Methods 85 patients with DLS at L4 and 110 controlsreceived X-ray and CT scanning.The facet angle at L4-L5 was measured in axial,sagittal and coronal plane.Results Compared with the control group, the DLS-angles were lesser and the difference between the left and right was greater in axial,coronal plane(P <0.05).But were greater in sagittal plane(P <0.05).Conclusion The DLS-angles are more sagittal in axial plane,more level in sagittal plane and more erect in coronal plane.The change of spatial orientation in the facet joint is one of etiological factors of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.

Analysis and study on the factors of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis by multi-slice spiral CT / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To explore the influencing factors of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS).Methods Sixty-one DLS patients (DLS group) were enrolled in this study.The control group was formed by 61 patients with same gender and age matched.The lesion position was L4 in two groups.The correlation of intervertebral joint angle,degeneration degree,lumbosacral angle and lumbar spondylolisthesis were analyzed.Results The intervertebral joint and sagittal angle in DLS group was less than that in control group[(37.11 ± 7.52)° vs.(42.44 ± 7.61)°] (P ＜ 0.01).The lumbosacral angle between two groups had no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).The degeneration degree between two groups had significant difference (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Intervertebral joint and sagittal angle and intervertebral joint degeneration degree have important roles in DLS.

The Relation of Paraspinal Muscles and Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis / 대한정형외과연구학회지

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the cross-sectional area (CSA) and the moment arm length (MAL) of the paraspinal muscles in the degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis patients compared to the matched control patients, which is through contribution to the stability of the back. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied a comprised of 25 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis on L4/5 patients and a controlled group with 42 chronic lower back pain patients. In both groups, we measured body mass index (BMI, kg/m2). On the standing lateral radiographs, we measured the total lumbar lordosis, and segmental lumbar lorodosis using Cobb's methods. We measured the degree of slippage by Meyerding classification. The CSA of erector spinae (CSA) and CSA of psoas were measured at the L4/5 level by using the MRI. The statistical analysis were performed to know the relationship between the CSA and the MAL of erector spinae, and the BMI. Multifidus and erector spinae atrophy were evaluated at the L4/5 level and the degree of fatty atrophy was estimated using three grades : mild, moderate, and severe. RESULTS: The patient group and the controlled group BMI (kg/m2) were 25.27+/-3.8 and 24.47+/-3.24. In patient group, Meyerding classification grade I was 92%. Total lumbar lordosis and each segmental lordosis were measured mean angle 44.54degrees(24.9degrees~70.4degrees), and each 9.23degrees(L3/4), 10.27degrees(L4/5), 18.81degrees(L5/S1). Pearson's rho indicated a positive association between the CSA and BMI (rho=0.603, p= 0.001), between the CSA of psoas and BMI (rho=0.445, p=0.026), and between the CSA and MAL (rho=0.627, p=0.001) in the degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis patients. In terms of the CSA versus MAL, there was a positive association in the both groups (rho=0.627, p=0.001, MAL=0.0008 CSA+/-5.293 in the degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis group; rho=0.812, p=0.000, MAL=0.001 CSA+/-5.245 in the control group with using linear regression analysis). Independent t-test revealed that both groups had statistically different mean values (p=0.038) in terms of the CSA. Proportion of fat deposits in the multifidus and erector spinae muscle at the L3/4 level were all mild grades. CONCLUSION: The patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis had atrophied erector spinal muscles, which means harmful because of the poor compensation for the lower back load and poor assists to the lumbar stability. This suggests that the biomechanical factor of the muscles influence to the lumbar disability.

Radiological and Clinical Analysis of Degenerative Lumbar Retrolisthesis: Comparative Study of Degenerative Spondylolisthesis / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: We wanted to analyze the radiological features of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis and retrolisthesis, and we wanted to verify what radiological factors are related to the development of the retrolisthesis. We also wanted to determine these radiological factors' clinical significance. SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW: There is little information about the pathological mechanism and the clinical and radiological aspects of degenerative lumbar retrolisthsis. MATERIALS & METHODS: Sixty patients were reviewed and divided into three groups. The degenerative lumbar retrolisthesis patients were in group A. The degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis patients were in group B. Group C patients had no vertebral shift in any direction. The factors we measured were the facet joint angle, the disc height of L3-4, L4-5 and L5-S1, and the lordosis of the lumbar spine. The evaluation of the clinical results was then quantified. RESULTS: The facet joint angle showed no statistical significance between the two groups. The disc height of group A at L4-5 and L5-S1 was more decreased in group A than in group B (p<0.05). Lumbar lordosis was decreased significantly in group A (p<0.05). The preoperative pain was improved at the final follow up, but preoperative pain was significantly higher in group A than in group B (p<0.05). The clinical results were improved in each group, but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The disc height and lumbar lordosis were considerably reduced in the patients with retrolisthesis, especially compared to those patients with spondylolisthesis. Preoperative pain was higher for the retrolisthesis patients than for the spondylolithesis patients, but there was no significant difference.

Factors Influencing to Clinical Outcomes of the Surgically Treated Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: To examine the factors considered in the selection of therapeutic methods, and the methods for accessing postoperative clinical outcomes, in degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. OBJECTIVES: In this retrospective study, patients who had taken only posterolateral fusion, and with a posterior lumbar interbody fusion, were evaluated. The analyses of the pre- and post-operative factors associated with the clinical outcomes of the surgery for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis were also performed. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Of the patients who had received the surgery for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis, between January 1995 and December 2000, there were 59 for whom follow-up observations were possible, and these were selected for the present study. The patients were comprised of 19 males and 40 females, with ages ranging from 42 to 74 years (58.4+/-8.4 years old). Of the 59 patients, 39, and 20, received a posterolateral fusion, or both a posterolateral fusion and a posterior lumbar interbody fusion, respectively. In the present study, the pre-operative factors considered were the surgical method, sex, age, L1 axis S1 distance (LASD), lordosis angle and the degree and duration of spondylolisthesis, with the degree of fusion, the lordosis angle of the fused body, the lordosis angle at the final follow-up and the lordosis angle of the fused body at the final follow-up, used as the post-operative factors. Each factor was statistically tested to see if it had a significant correlation with clinical outcomes (Recovery rate by Hirabayashi's method). A value of P < 0.05 was considered as being statistically significant. RESULT: The posterolateral fusion group showed a significantly lower recovery rate with an LSAD over 35 mm, a degree of spondylolisthesis over 10 mm and a pre-operative lordosis angle under 20 degrees, indicating that an additional posterior lumbar interbody fusion would provide a good clinical outcome. At the final follow-up, both groups showed significantly lower recovery rates with a lumbar lordosis angle under 20 degrees, and the posterolateral fusion group showed significantly lower recovery rates when the post-operative lordosis angle of the fused segment was under 18 degrees, and with a lordosis angle of the fused segment was under 18 degrees at the final follow-up. These post-operative factors showed significant correlations with the clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: It is considered that an additional posterior lumbar interbody fusion is indicated in patients with a LSAD over 35 mm, an anterior slippage over 10 mm and a lumbar lordosis angle over 20 degrees. It is also considered that the lordosis angles of the fused segment, and the post-operative lumbar lordosis, are important factors that require peri-operative correction and maintenance.