古矢 丈雄

OBJECTIVE: To validate the relationship between residual walking ability and monthly care cost as well as long-term care insurance (LTCI) certification level in elderly patients after surgical treatment for hip fractures in Japan. METHODS: Elderly patients aged >75 years who underwent surgical treatment for hip fractures in our hospital were included. The preand post-surgical (6-month) walking ability and LTCI certification and the presence or absence of dementia was determined from medical records and questionnaires. Walking ability was classified into 6 levels used in our daily medical practice. Based on these data, we correlated the relationship between walking ability and the LTCI certification level. Further, based on the official statistics pertaining to the average monthly costs per person at each LTCI certification level, we evaluated the relationship between walking ability and monthly care cost. RESULTS: A total of 105 cases (mean age, 80.2 years; 16 men; 39 patients with dementia) were included. The correlation between walking ability and average monthly cost per person as well as LTCI certification level at 6 months postoperatively (r=0.58) was demonstrated. The correlation was found in both groups with and without dementia. CONCLUSION: The ability to walk reduced the cost of care in elderly patients who experienced hip fracture, regardless of the presence of dementia.

【目的】ラット筋損傷モデルを用いて圧迫、冷却療法による治療効果を比較した。【方法】8週齢雄性SDラットを用いdrop mass法にてモデル作成し、損傷後3時間にゴムで損傷部を30分圧迫した圧迫群(n=36)、氷で損傷部を30分冷却した冷却群(n=36)、未治療群(n=36)の3群について比較を行った。損傷後3、6、18、24時間、3日、1週、2週の腓腹筋をHE染色で評価した。損傷後3、6、18、24時間の腓腹筋をELISA法にてTNF-αの定量評価を行った。損傷部にフルオロゴールド(FG)を留置し、損傷後3日のL4後根神経節でCGRP(疼痛関連ペプチド)による免疫組織化学染色を行った。【結果】組織では未治療群と比し、圧迫群は損傷後6時間以降で出血や浮腫が少ない傾向にあった。冷却群は、損傷後6時間で出血や浮腫は減少するも、損傷後18時間以降で増強した。損傷後1週で未治療群は筋組織の壊死が残存するも、圧迫群、冷却群は筋線維修復が認められた。サイトカインは、圧迫群は未治療群と比し損傷後3、6、18時間共に低値を示した。特に損傷後6時間で有意に低値であった(P<0.05)。冷却群は未治療群と比し損傷後3、6時間で一過性な上昇を示すも、損傷後18時間では有意に低下した(P<0.05)。L4後根神経節でのFG陽性細胞中のFGとCGRPで二重標識される細胞の割合は、圧迫群、冷却群ともに未治療群と比し有意に低かった(P<0.05)。【考察】圧迫、冷却療法は筋組織修復を促進し、疼痛の遷延化を予防するが、急性期では異なる経時的変化を示し、組織修復過程に差異がある可能性が示唆された。(著者抄録)

To determine levels of biomarkers reflecting damage to axon, myelin, astrocytes, and neuron in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with cervical compression myelopathy.We collected 69 CSF samples from patients before spinal surgery for acutely worsening compression myelopathy (AM, 20), chronic compression myelopathy (CM, 20), and lumbar canal stenosis (LCS 29; control). We measured levels of phosphorylated neurofilament subunit H (pNF-H), tau (reflecting axonal damage), myelin basic protein (MBP) (reflecting demyelination), S100b (reflecting astrocyte damage), and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) (reflecting neuronal damage). Change of neurological function by surgery was determined using a Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score for cervical myelopathy.Significantly higher levels of pNF-H were detected in AM compared with those in either CM or LCS (P < 0.01). Significantly higher levels of tau were detected in AM compared with those in CM (P < 0.05). Levels of MBP were undetectable in almost all the patients. Levels of S100b were equivalent in the three groups. Levels of NSE in AM and CM were significantly lower than those in LCS (P < 0.01). The recovery rate of JOA score was significantly greater for patients with AM than CM. We found a positive correlation between pNF-H and recovery of JOA score (r = 0.381, P = 0.018).The present results suggest that axonal damage is remarkable compared with demyelination, astrocytic, and neuronal damage in AM. Better clinical outcome in AM with high CSF levels of pNF-H indicates that axonal compensatory plasticity in spinal cord is preserved, and pNF-H can be predictive of good surgical outcome for AM.These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.[GRAPHICS].

BACKGROUND: Dropped head syndrome (DHS) is a flexion deformity of the neck that is caused by severe weakness of the neck extensor muscles. DHS occurs in combination with not only neuromuscular disorders, but also cervical spondylosis. However, there are few reports of DHS complicated by cervical spondylotic amyotrophy (CSA). Here we report a case of DHS with CSA in a patient who underwent surgical treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: A 79-year-old man became aware of dropped head and gait disturbance in addition to the paralysis of his right upper extremity. At his initial visit, he had a severe chin-on-chest posture. Neurological examination revealed severe paralysis of deltoid, biceps, wrist extensor, finger flexor, extensor, and abductors, in addition to lower extremity spasticity. Nevertheless, sensory dysfunction was not observed. X-ray images showed severe kyphosis at the upper thoracic level. MRI and CT myelography findings revealed spinal canal stenosis at the level of C5-6 and C6 root compression of the right side. Motor neuron disease was excluded because of findings from electromyography. Therefore, we diagnosed this patient as having DHS with cervical spondylotic amyotrophy. A C2-Th5 posterior fusion with C3-C6 laminoplasty and C5-6 foraminotomy on the right side were performed. After surgery, the complaint of dropped head was improved significantly and bilaterally finger motion was improved slightly. His neck position was maintained at the final follow-up at about 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the limitation of short-term follow-up, favorable results for the DHS were maintained in the present case. Surgical treatment for similar cases may be a feasible option, but surgery does have some complications.

We used a newly developed, high-porosity unidirectional porous hydroxyapatite spacer (Regenos spacer, not approved by the FDA). The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effectiveness of Regenos laminar spacers for open-door type laminoplasty. The present study included 39 patients who underwent open-door type laminoplasty with Regenos spacers from April 2015 to December 2016 and were followed up for at least 6 months after surgery. We grafted 68 Regenos spacers in 39 patients. Pre- and postoperative neurological status of patients were evaluated using JOA score and recovery rate. Breakage of Regenos spacers, laminar closure, and bone-hydroxyapatite spacer bonding were assessed using 12-month postoperative sagittal and axial CT images. The average preoperative JOA score was 9.5 ± 3.2/17, and the average postoperative JOA score was 12.5 ± 2.9/17. JOA score recovery rate was 34 ± 41% at the latest follow-up visit. The bony fusion rate of the hinge sides was 87%. Breakage and deformity of implanted spacers was observed in 69% of patients and 59% of spacers with a CT sagittal view, and CT axial view at 12 months revealed fine cracks and collapse in 17 spacers

BACKGROUND: The K-line, which is a virtual line between the midpoints of the antero-posterior canal diameter at C2 and C7, can be useful for determination of surgical procedures for cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Although K-line is originally measured with plain radiogram, computed tomography multiplanar reconstruction (CT-MPR) is applied for K-line measurement by several surgeons. The purpose of the present study was to analyze whether there is a difference in K-lines obtained from radiographs of standing patients and those obtained from CT-MPR images of supine patients. METHODS: The present study included 65 patients with cervical OPLL underwent surgical treatment. We investigated the K-line (+ or -) before surgery, measured from lateral cervical spine radiographs taken in standing patients in a neutral position (X-P-based K-line) and CT-MPR mid-sagittal images obtained in supine patients (CT-based K-line). The X-P-based and CT-based K-lines were compared and differences between them were assessed. RESULTS: The-X-P-based K-line was found to be (+) in 35 patients and (-) in 30 patients. Four of 35 patients with an X-P-based K-line (11%) showed a change from K-line (+) to (-) in CT-based K-line measurements. One of 30 patients with an X-P-based K-line (3%) showed a change from (-) to (+) in CT-based measurements. CONCLUSIONS: The K-line should be measured with plain radiogram of standing patients because X-P-based K-line and CT-based K-line can be different.

Study Design: Retrospective observational study. Purpose: We considered the relationship between spinal alignment and skeletal muscle mass on clinical outcomes following a surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Overview of Literature: There are no reports of preoperative factors predicting residual low back pain following surgery for LSS. Methods: Our target population included 34 women (mean age, 74.4 years) who underwent surgery for LSS. Prior to and 6 months after the surgery, systemic bone mineral density and lean soft tissue mass were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) was calculated as the sum of the arm and leg lean mass in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. The spinal alignment was also measured. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopedic Association scoring system, leg and low back pain Visual Analog Scale, and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ). Additionally, we examined the bone mineral density, skeletal muscle mass, and spinal alignment before and after the surgery. We used the Spearman correlation coefficient to examine the associations among clinical outcomes, preoperative muscle mass, and spinal alignment. Results: Sarcopenia (SMI &lt 5.46) was observed in nine subjects (26.5%). Compared with normal subjects (SMI &gt 6.12), RDQ was significantly higher in subjects with sarcopenia (p =0.04). RDQ was significantly negatively correlated with SMI (r =-0.42, p &lt 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between postoperative RDQ and pelvic tilt (PT r =0.41, p &lt 0.05). SMI and PT were significantly negatively correlated (r =-0.39, r &lt 0.05). Conclusions: Good postoperative outcomes were negatively correlated with low preoperative appendicular muscle mass, suggesting that postoperative outcomes were inferior in cases of decreased appendicular muscle mass (sarcopenia). Posterior PT due to decreased limb muscle mass may contribute to postoperative back pain, showing that preoperatively reduced limb muscle mass and posterior PT are predictive factors in the persistence of postoperative low back pain.

Purpose: Addition of posterior instrumented fusion to laminoplasty (posterior decompression with instrumented fusion: PDF) can improve the surgical outcome of patients with K-line (−) cervical ossification of the longitudinal ligament (OPLL) compared with laminoplasty alone. We sought to elucidate the factors that are significantly associated with a better outcome after PDF for K-line (−) OPLL. Methods: The present study included 38 patients who underwent PDF for K-line (−) OPLL and were followed up for at least 1 year after surgery. Clinical outcome was assessed using Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores for cervical myelopathy and the recovery rate was calculated. Patients who belonged to the upper quartile of all the patients according to rank order of the JOA score recovery rate were considered to have a good outcome. The correlations between good outcome, patient factors and imaging assessments were analyzed statistically. Results: Univariate analyses showed that postoperative conversion of K-line from (−) to (+) (p = 0.004), no increase in the sagittal vertical axis from the center of gravity of the head to C7 (p = 0.07), and a lower grade of preoperative intramedullary T2-signal intensity (p = 0.03) were candidates for the association. Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that postoperative K-line conversion from (−) to (+) is an independent factor that is significantly associated with a better surgical outcome (p = 0.04). Conclusion: Postoperative K-line conversion from (−) to (+) is a factor independently associated with a better surgical outcome. Graphical abstract: These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary material.

慢性腰痛の病態は多因子からなり、疼痛機序の観点からは全体で約30%の患者に神経障害性疼痛の関与が考えられる。下肢痛や臀部痛のある症例ではその割合は高く、慢性腰痛における特徴の一つと考えられる。また、腰痛患者の活動量の実態をより正確に把握するため行った日常活動度のデータ蓄積と解析によると、特に急性期での睡眠障害の具現化が示唆された。慢性腰痛の病態を検証するうえでは、今後は活動度も含んだより多面的な検証が有用であると考えられる。(著者抄録)

INTRODUCTION: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is generally used for neutropaenia. Previous experimental studies revealed that G-CSF promoted neurological recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). Next, we moved to early phase of clinical trials. In a phase I/IIa trial, no adverse events were observed. Next, we conducted a non-randomised, non-blinded, comparative trial, which suggested the efficacy of G-CSF for promoting neurological recovery. Based on those results, we are now performing a phase III trial. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of G-CSF for acute SCI. The study design is a prospective, multicentre, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled comparative study. The current trial includes cervical SCI (severity of American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale B/C) within 48 hours after injury. Patients are randomly assigned to G-CSF and placebo groups. The G-CSF group is administered 400 µg/m2/day×5 days of G-CSF in normal saline via intravenous infusion for 5 consecutive days. The placebo group is similarly administered a placebo. Our primary endpoint is changes in ASIA motor scores from baseline to 3 months. Each group includes 44 patients (88 total patients). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study will be conducted according to the principles of the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki and in accordance with the Japanese Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act and other guidelines, regulations and Acts. Results of the clinical study will be submitted to the head of the respective clinical study site as a report after conclusion of the clinical study by the sponsor-investigator. Even if the results are not favourable despite conducting the clinical study properly, the data will be published as a paper. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: UMIN000018752.

慢性腰痛の原因は多岐に亘るが、その中で特に腰椎椎間板、神経根は、慢性腰痛や坐骨神経痛の主因とされる。歴史的背景から、これらの病態に慢性炎症は深くかかわっていることが示されてきた。椎間板性腰痛の病態は変性した椎間板への感覚神経の侵入とサイトカインを中心とした微小炎症と考えられている。また神経根性疼痛の病態も、慢性炎症と神経のワーラー変性とされている。これ等の機序、新規診断方法、治療法の展開について記載したい。(著者抄録)

Background: In patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) in the cervical spine, it is well known that the thoracic ossified lesions often coexist with the cervical lesions and can cause severe myelopathy. However, the prevalence of OPLL at each level of the thoracic and lumbar spinal segments is unknown. The aims of this study were to investigate how often OPLL occurs at each level in the thoracolumbar spine in patients with a radiological diagnosis of cervical OPLL and to identify the spinal levels most likely to develop ossification. Methods: Data were collected from 20 institutions in Japan. Three hundred and twenty-two patients with a diagnosis of cervical OPLL were included. The OPLL index (OP index), defined as the sum of the vertebral body and intervertebral disc levels where OPLL is present, was used to determine disease severity. An OP index ≥20 was defined as severe OPLL. The prevalence of OPLL at each level of the thoracic and lumbar spinal segments was calculated. Results: Women were more likely to have ossified lesions in the thoracolumbar spine than men. Severe OPLL was significantly more common in women than in men (20% vs. 4.5%). For thoracic vertebral OPLL, the most frequently affected was the T1 segment in both men and women, followed by the T1/2 and T3/4 intervertebral levels in men and women, respectively. Ossified lesions were frequently seen at the intervertebral and vertebral levels around the cervicothoracic and thoracolumbar junctions in men with severe OPLL, whereas OPLL was more diffusely distributed in the thoracic spine in women with severe OPLL. Conclusion: Thoracolumbar OPLL occurred most often at T1 in men and at T3/4 in women. In severe OPLL cases, although ossified lesions were frequently seen at the intervertebral and vertebral levels around the cervicothoracic and thoracolumbar junctions in men, OPLL could be observed more diffusely in the thoracic spine in women.

Background Total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) is potential radical resection surgery for spinal tumors. Surgical procedure of TES includes extremely wide detachment of surrounding soft tissue from pathological vertebra, resulting in impairment of blood supply. Moreover, massive dead space inevitably is made after vertebral body resection. Therefore deep surgical site infection (SSI) after TES could be intractable. To date, suitable treatment for deep SSI after TES has not been established. Case description A 72 years old man underwent TES of 12th thoracic level via single posterior approach for primary leiomyosarcoma. Postoperative additional irradiation was performed. One year after surgery, late infection around the cage occurred. We removed the cage followed by autologous iliac bone grafting, we treat the wound by open therapy and daily irrigation, followed by negative pressure wound therapy. Four-month later, we performed musculo-cutaneous flap using latissimus dorsi muscle with plastic surgeons. At the follow-up visit one year after flap surgery, no evidence of recurrence of infection was observed. Conclusion Musculo-cutaneous flap is one of treatment options to fill the dead space and to control deep SSI after TES.

Purpose: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of sarcopenia. The objective of the study was to investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia in degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS), and the relationship between biochemical markers including major AGEs, pentosidine, and DLS in older women. Methods: Our study participants were 20 elderly women with idiopathic DLS (mean age 76.4 years, range 56–88). Nineteen age- and sex-matched volunteers (mean age 74.0 years, range 62–86) served as controls. Spinal and femoral BMD of all participants was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. We used a bioelectrical impedance analyzer to analyze body composition, including appendicular skeletal muscle mass index [SMI appendicular lean mass (kg)/(height (m)]2. SMI OpenSPiltSPi 5.75 was considered diagnostic for sarcopenia. Coronal and sagittal spinal alignments were measured. The following biochemical markers were measured: serum and urinary pentosidine, serum homocysteine, 1,25(OA)2D, and 25(OH)D. The level of each variable was compared between DLS and controls. The relationship between biochemical markers including pentosidine and DLS was examined. Results: Sarcopenia was observed at a high prevalence in participants with DLS: 50% compared with 15.8% of healthy controls. Height, weight, femoral BMI, appendicular lean mass, total lean mass, and SMI all had significantly lower values in the DLS group. Serum pentosidine was significantly higher for the DLS group compared with controls. Correlations with serum pentosidine revealed a significant positive correlation between lumbar scoliosis, pelvic tilt, and pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis mismatch, and a significantly negative correlation between thoracic kyphosis (P OpenSPiltSPi 0.05). Conclusions: We found that sarcopenia was involved in DLS, and high serum pentosidine levels are associated with severity of coronal and sagittal malalignment in older women, suggesting that high levels of AGEs are a potential biomarker for the progression of lumbar scoliosis and kyphotic deformity. Further studies are needed to clarify the pathogenesis of DLS.