Preoperative predictable factors for the occurrence of adjacent segment degeneration requiring second operation after spinal fusion at isolated L4-L5 level.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to clarify (1) the overall prevalence of radiologic and clinical adjacent segment disease (ASD), (2) the prevalence of radiologic ASD at cranial versus caudal adjacent segments, and (3) preoperative risk factors and preoperative radiologic features associated with radiologic disc degeneration of the cranial and caudal adjacent segments. METHODS: A total of 154 patients who underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion and screw-rod fixation at the L4-L5 level were retrospectively evaluated more than 2 years after surgery. We analyzed demographic factors and radiographic features. Special focus was preoperative radiographic features of patients who required additional surgery. These patients were studied to detect risk factors for clinical deterioration. RESULTS: Of 154 patients, 103 (66.8%) showed radiologic degeneration at an adjacent segment after surgery-92 (59.7%) at the cranial adjacent segment and 61 (39.6%) at the caudal adjacent segment-and 10 patients (6.4%) required second operation because of radicular pain as well as severe back pain or spinal instability with back pain and neurologic deficits. Age, body mass index (BMI), and preexisting stenosis at the cranial adjacent segment were identified as important risk factors for clinical ASD requiring second operation. CONCLUSION: Age, BMI, and preexisting stenosis at the cranial adjacent segment were the most important risk factors for clinical ASD requiring a second operation. Careful consideration is warranted when these risk factors are present.

Influence of alendronate and endplate degeneration to single level posterior lumbar spinal interbody fusion.

OBJECTIVE: Using alendronate after spinal fusion is a controversial issue due to the inhibition of osteoclast mediated bone resorption. In addition, there are an increasing number of reports that the endplate degeneration influences the lumbar spinal fusion. The object of this retrospective controlled study was to evaluate how the endplate degeneration and the bisphosphonate medication influence the spinal fusion through radiographic evaluation. METHODS: In this study, 44 patients who underwent single-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) using cage were examined from April 2007 to March 2009. All patients had been diagnosed as osteoporosis and would be recommended for alendronate medication. Endplate degeneration is categorized by the Modic changes. The solid fusion is defined if there was bridging bone between the vertebral bodies, either within or external to the cage on the plain X-ray and if there is less than 5° of angular difference in dynamic X-ray. RESULTS: In alendronate group, fusion was achieved in 66.7% compared to 73.9% in control group (no medication). Alendronate did not influence the fusion rate of PLIF. However, there was the statistical difference of fusion rate between the endplate degeneration group and the group without endplate degeneration. A total of 52.4% of fusion rate was seen in the endplate degeneration group compared to 91.3% in the group without endplate degeneration. The endplate degeneration suppresses the fusion process of PLIF. CONCLUSION: Alendronate does not influence the fusion process in osteoporotic patients. The endplate degeneration decreases the fusion rate.

Clinical and radiologic analysis of posterior apophyseal ring separation associated with lumbar disc herniation.

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the clinical and radiologic features of posterior apophyseal ring separation (PARS) with lumbar disc herniation and suggest the proper management options according to the PARS characteristics. METHODS: We reviewed case series of patients with PARS who underwent surgery of lumbar disc herniation. Preoperative symptoms, neurologic status, Body Mass Index, preoperative and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Korean-Oswestry Disability Index (K-ODI) scores, operation types were obtained. PARS size, locations, the degree of resection were assessed. RESULTS: PARS was diagnosed in 109 (7.5%) patients among 1448 patients given surgical treatment for single level lumbar disc herniation. There were 55 (50.5%) small PARS and 54 (49.5%) large PARS. Among the large PARS group, 15 (27.8%) had lower endplate PARS of upper vertebra at the level of disc herniation. Thirty-nine (72.2%) were upper endplate PARS of lower vertebra. Among the group with upper endplate PARS of lower vertebra, unresected PARS was diagnosed in 12 (30.8%) cases and resected PARS was diagnosed in 27 (69.2%) cases. VAS and K-ODI scores changes were 3.6±2.9 and 5.4±6.4 in the unresected PARS group, 5.8±2.1 and 11.3±7.1 in the resected PARS group. The group with upper endplate PARS of lower vertebra showed significant difference of VAS (p=0.01) and K-ODI (p=0.013) score changes between unresected and resected PARS groups. CONCLUSION: The large PARS of upper endplate in lower vertebra should be removed during the surgery of lumbar disc herniation. High level or bilateral side of PARS should be widely decompressed and arthrodesis procedures are necessary if there is a possibility of secondary instability.