Objective This study evaluates surgical strategies based on preoperative computed tomography (CT) findings during unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) surgery for thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) with dural ossification.
Methods This retrospective study included patients undergoing posterior thoracic laminectomy via UBE surgery to treat symptomatic thoracic stenosis due to OLF. Clinical outcomes were assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, alongside analyses of preoperative CT and intraoperative videos for dural ossification characteristics.
Results A total of 34 patients participated, showing significant improvements in VAS and JOA scores postoperatively. All focal dural ossifications exhibiting the tram-track sign were effectively excised without significant dural defects. The circumferential floating technique was employed for cases with the bridge sign, whereas wide excision was warranted for those with the comma sign.
Conclusion UBE surgery effectively manages progressive thoracic OLF associated with dural ossification. Preoperative CT imaging is essential for assessing dural involvement and guiding surgical techniques. Microscopic surgery is recommended for inexperienced surgeons requiring wide dural excision.
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Objective To examine the factors influencing cervical sagittal alignment (CSA) after posterior correction and fusion surgery (PSF) for patients with Lenke type 2 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).
Methods A total of 102 female patients with Lenke 2 AIS and a minimum 2-year follow-up were included. The upper instrumented vertebra was T2 in all patients. Sagittal and coronal parameters were measured before and 2 years after surgery. Patients were categorized into cervical malalignment (CM) and noncervical malalignment (NCM) groups following Passias’ criteria. Radiographic factors influencing CSA were analyzed.
Results Preoperatively, 57 patients (55.9%) were assigned to the CM group and 45 patients (44.1%) to the NCM groups. The cervical lordosis (CL) in CM group was more kyphotic (19.3° vs. 3.3°), smaller proximal thoracic kyphosis (PTK; 9.7° vs. 15.4°), and smaller T1 slope (7.1° vs. 14.0°) than those in the NCM group. Main thoracic kyphosis (MTK) did not show significantly difference between the 2 groups (11.3° vs. 14.4°). Two years after surgery, the CM group demonstrated significant improvements in CSA. PTK increased from 9.7° to 13.5°, T1 slope increased from 7.1° to 10.5°, and cervical kyphosis improved from -19.3° to -8.8°, while MTK remained unchanged (11.3° vs. 11.6°).
Conclusion PSF significantly improved CSA in patients with preoperative CM. Increased PTK, correlated with improved CL, suggests that PSF-induced PTK enhancement, rather than MTK, drives T1 slope and subsequent CSA improvement.
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Objective This study compared the efficacy of posterior pedicle screw fixation with 5.5-mm rods (PPSF5.5) with anterior corpectomy (AC) for metastatic cervicothoracic junction (CTJ) tumors.
Methods This retrospective analysis included patients with CTJ tumors who underwent PPSF5.5 or AC from January 2000 to December 2023. Data collected included demographics, surgical details, clinical outcomes (visual analogue scale scores for neck or back pain, Spinal Instability Neoplastic Scale score, McCormick scale, Nurick grade, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score), radiologic results (cervical segmental Cobb angle), and surgical complications (instrumentation failure, tumor regrowth, and wound infection).
Results The AC group showed a tendency for short-level fusion. Patients in this group had tumors primarily located near C7 and generally confined to the vertebral body. AC was associated with more significant postoperative kyphotic changes in the index vertebra during follow-up than PPSF5.5. Moreover, AC was associated with a higher incidence of instrumentation failure, necessitating revision surgeries. Conversely, patients in the PPSF5.5 group tended to require revision surgery due to tumor regrowth.
Conclusion For CTJ metastatic tumors, PPSF5.5 provides superior resistance to forward bending and collapse prevention and minimizes instrumentation failure rate compared to AC. Moreover, AC may reduce the risk of tumor recurrence, but this approach is recommended only if the tumor is confined to the vertebral body and located at the upper level of the CTJ.
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To demonstrate the preoperative workup, surgical planning and execution of transforaminal endoscopic thoracic discectomy (TETD) for a giant calcified disc herniation. Surgeries for symptomatic thoracic disc herniations are rare and challenging. The main goal is to achieve sufficient decompression with minimal manipulation of the spinal cord. Conventional surgical techniques may have significant approach-related morbidities and often require additional stabilization. The full endoscopic transforaminal technique is the least invasive approach so far. A 73-year-old female patient with progressive gait disturbance and paraparesis received radiological imaging which revealed a giant calcified thoracic disc herniation at the level T11–12. The preoperative workup, planning and execution of TETD is demonstrated in detail. This report represents a typical educational case of a giant calcified thoracic disc herniation, treated by TETD.
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This article aims to demonstrate the uniportal full endoscopic surgery for treating complex anterior and posterior spinal pathology at the T1–2 level, offering a invasive, accessible, stable, and versatile approach to challenging anatomical situations. Uniportal full endoscopic surgery is one of the most minimally invasive spinal surgeries, utilizing slim, elongated, and compact instruments that provide access to lesions from any angle and distance. This characteristic makes the technique especially suitable for hard, such as the T1–2 level, where traditional approaches may be limited or difficult. We present the case of a 39-year-old male patient (height, 187 cm; weight, 130 kg) who developed myelopathy due to a hard disc herniation and ossification of the ligamentum flavum at the T1–2 leading to paraparesis, which was more severe on the left side. An anterior approach was challenging due to the anatomical constraints at the T1–2 level, as well as the patient’s body size. A posterior access via the interlaminar approach facilitated the removal of the ossified ligamentum flavum. However, to the anterior lesion remained problematic without spinal cord retraction. Using the uniportal full endoscope, we were able to approach both anterior and posterior lesions through an incision 8 cm lateral to the midline, allowing for the treatment of the entire 270° arc of the pathology. The slim and elongated nature of the full endoscope enabled effective decompression without exerting pressure on the spinal cord, providing access from any angle and distance. This technique can be applied to a variety of cases involving difficult-to-access spinal.
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This video provides a step-by-step guide for performing the hybrid endoscopic thoracic discectomy using navigation and robotic arm for addressing high migrated calcified disc herniation. With the development of techniques, endoscopic spine surgery has emerged as a reliable treatment for thoracic myelopathy. This approach offers high-resolution, off-axis visualization of the surgical field. The field is poised to advance further as endoscopic instruments are refined, becoming less invasive and more precise through the integration of navigation and robot-assisted systems. A 62-year-old woman presented to us with chief complaints of both legs weakness. She had difficulty standing and walking after squatted due to weakness in her legs and her Oswestry Disability Index score was 66. On examination her both side knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion were grade 4 without dysesthesia. The imaging examination confirmed the diagnosis of thoracic myelopathy caused by a highly migrated calcified disc herniation at T5–6 level. The patient underwent an endoscopic thoracic discectomy using robotic arm and navigation for addressing highly migrated calcified disc herniation, resulting in an excellent outcome. The continuous development of navigation and robotic systems in endoscopic thoracic surgery enhanced accuracy in surgical incisions and instrument placement, as well as improved efficiency in locating pathology and achieving precise decompression. Endoscopic thoracic discectomy combines full-endoscopy and unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) techniques to leverage the benefits of both approaches, including the cross-viewing of full-endoscopy cannula and the use of larger Kerrison rongeurs under UBE.
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Objective The main objective of this study was to analyze the efficacy and feasibility of surgical management for patients with thoracic spinal tuberculous spondylitis (STB) by using posterior-only transforaminal debridement and interbody fusion (PTDIF) with preservation of posterior ligamentous complex (PLC) and noninferior of PTDIF compared with conventional posterior-only debridement and interbody fusion (CPDIF).
Methods From January 2019 to January 2022, a prospective, randomized, controlled trial was conducted in which patients with thoracic STB were enrolled and assigned to undergo either the PTDIF group (group A) or CPDIF group (group B) in a 1:1 ratio. The clinical efficacy was evaluated on average operation time, blood loss, hospitalization durations, visual analogue scale, Oswestry Disability Index scores, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-Reactive protein (CRP), and neurological function recovery using the American Spinal Injury Association’s impairment scale and operative complications. Radiological measurements included kyphosis correction, loss of correction. The outcomes were compared between the groups at preoperation, postoperaion, and final follow-up.
Results All 65 patients were completely cured during the follow-up. The intraoperative blood loss and operation time in group B were more than that in group A. All patients were pain-free at the final follow-up visit. ESR, CRP returned to normal limits in all patients 3 months after surgery. All patients had improved neurological signs. No significant difference was found in kyphosis angle correction, loss of correction between the 2 groups.
Conclusion PTDIF, with preservation of PLC, achieved debridement, decompression, and reconstruction of the spine’s stability, similar to CPDIF in the surgical treatment of thoracic STB. PTDIF has less surgical trauma with less intraoperative blood loss and operation time.
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Objective Few studies have reported radiographic and clinical outcomes of transverse process hook (TPH) placement at the proximal thoracic upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) in adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery. This study aims to investigate radiographic and clinical outcomes of TPH placement at the UIV for ASD surgery.
Methods This is a retrospective cohort of 56 patients with ASD (age, 59 ± 13 years; followup, 44 ± 19 months) from Johns Hopkins Hospital, who underwent long posterior spinal fusion to the proximal thoracic spine (T2–5). Visual analogue scale (VAS) for back pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), 36-item Short Form health survey scores, thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis, sacral slope, pelvic tilt, pelvic incidence, proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) angle, PJK incidence, pattern of PJK, grades of TPH dislodgement, revision surgery, and factors associated with high-grade TPH dislodgement were analyzed.
Results VAS for back pain and ODI values improved significantly from preoperatively to final follow-up. Mean change in PJK angle was 12° (range, 0.5°–43°). Twenty patients (36%) developed PJK, of whom 13 had compression fractures at 1 vertebra distal to the UIV (UIV–1). Final TPH position was stable in 42 patients (75%). In most patients (86%), TPH dislodgement did not progress after 6-month postoperative follow-up. Three patients (5.3%) underwent revision surgery to extend the fusion because of symptomatic PJK. Unstable TPH position was associated only with revision surgery and TK.
Conclusion TPH placement at the proximal thoracic UIV for long fusion showed favorable clinical and radiographic outcomes in terms of the incidence of PJK and mean PJK angle at mean 44-month follow-up. TPHs placed in the proximal thoracic UIV were in stable position in 75% of patients. Compression fracture at UIV–1 was the most common pattern of PJK. PJK angle progression was greater in revision cases and in patients with greater preoperative thoracic kyphosis.
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Methods This retrospective study analyzed 58 patients with MCST who underwent posterior cervical spinal fusion surgery by a single surgeon between March 2012 and December 2022. Data included demographics, surgical details, imaging results, numerical rating scale score for neck pain, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, and Spine Oncology Study Group Outcomes Questionnaire responses.
Results Preoperative Spinal Instability Neoplastic Scores were significantly higher in the 5.5-mm rod group. Greater kyphotic changes in the index vertebra were observed in the 3.5-mm rod group. Neck pain reduction was significantly better in the 5.5-mm rod group.
Conclusion CPS with 5.5-mm rods provides superior biomechanical stability and effectively resists forward bending momentum in posterior MCST fusion surgery. These findings support the use of 5.5-mm rods to enhance surgical outcomes.
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Objective Advanced biportal endoscopic surgery techniques can be used to treat thoracic myelopathy secondary to ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF). This case series elaborates on a feasible biportal endoscopic technique for thoracic OLF removal and evaluates clinical and radiological outcomes.
Methods A biportal endoscopic posterior thoracic laminectomy was performed to remove the thoracic OLF. Surgical techniques have evolved from inside-out piecemeal removal methods to outside-in en bloc removal methods. Preoperative computed tomography was performed to analyze dural ossification and OLF types. Intraoperative videos were reviewed to observe dural ossification and to determine the surgical method. Neurological outcomes were assessed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score.
Results Clinical symptoms and neurological function improved markedly after surgery (JOA score, preoperative: 12.6 ± 1.0, final follow-up: 15.6 ± 1.2). The mean operation time per segment was not short (106.6 ± 38 minutes). At early experience stages, inside-out piecemeal decompression was used and it caused intraoperative spinal cord injury. However, outside-in en bloc decompression technique did not induce neural complications. Postoperative segmental instability and correlated mechanical back pain were not observed.
Conclusion The biportal endoscopic posterior thoracic approach is an attractive surgical option to treat thoracic spondylotic myelopathy secondary to OLF. Piecemeal inside-out decompression can induce irreversible spinal cord injury, especially in the early experience stages. Outside-in decompression is more efficient and safer than inside-out pattern procedures by minimizing dural manipulation. Nonetheless, this technique is technically demanding and should only be performed in selected patients after acquiring abundant experience with endoscopic spine surgeries.
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Objective The purpose of this study is to highlight our technique for freehand placement of juxtapedicular screws along with intraoperative computed tomography (CT) and radiographic results.
Methods Consecutive patients with adult idiopathic scoliosis undergoing primary surgery by the senior author were identified. All type D (absent/slit like channel) pedicles were identified on preoperative CT. Three-dimensional visualization software was used to measure screw angulation and purchase. Radiographs were measured by a fellowship trained spine surgeon. The freehand technique was used to place all screws in a juxtapedicular fashion without any fluoroscopic, radiographic, navigational or robotic assistance.
Results Seventy-three juxtapedicular screws were analyzed. The most common level was T7 (9 screws) on the left and T5 (12 screws) on the right. The average medial angulation was 20.7° (range, 7.1°–36.3°), lateral vertebral body purchase was 13.4 mm (range, 0–28.9 mm), and medial vertebral body purchase was 21.1 mm (range, 8.9–31.8 mm). More than half (53.4%) of the screws had bicortical purchase. Two screws were lateral on CT scan, defined by the screw axis lateral to the lateral vertebral body cortex. No screws were medial. There was a difference in medial angulation between screws with (n = 58) and without (n = 15) lateral body purchase (22.0 ± 4.9 vs. 15.5 ± 4.5, p < 0.001). Three of 73 screws were repositioned after intraoperative CT. There were no neurovascular complications. The mean coronal cobb corrections for main thoracic and lumbar curves were 83.0% and 80.5%, respectively, at an average of 17.5 months postoperative.
Conclusion Freehand juxtapedicular screw placement is a safe technique for type D pedicles in adult idiopathic scoliosis patients.
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Objective To evaluate the clinical outcomes of transforaminal endoscopic thoracic discectomy (TETD) and microscopic discectomy (MD) for the treatment of symptomatic thoracic disc herniation (TDH).
Methods Seventy-seven patients (mean, 55.9 years; follow-up, 11.2 months) with symptomatic TDH were retrospectively reviewed (39 TETD and 38 MD). Radiological factors and perioperative outcomes were reviewed. Visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale were used to evaluate clinical and functional outcomes. Patient satisfaction was evaluated using modified MacNab criteria.
Results The levels of surgery and the location of hernia were evenly distributed in the both groups. The operative time (70.6 minutes vs. 175.7 minutes), estimated blood loss (3.8 mL vs. 357.4 mL), and length of hospital stay (7.0 days vs. 13.0 days) were significantly different between the TETD and MD groups (p < 0.05). VAS scores for dorsal back pain and ODI scores were significantly improved in both groups (p < 0.05). Patients who underwent TETD tended to be more satisfied with the outcome in terms of the modified MacNab criteria (89.7% vs. 73.0%, p = 0.059). Two patients in the MD group underwent revision surgery, whereas one patient in the TETD group underwent MD because of incomplete decompression.
Conclusion TETD for the symptomatic TDH is a feasible and safe procedure that could be used for a wider range of surgical levels with a shorter operative time and hospital stay and less blood loss. While achieving similar outcomes, TETD achieved better patient satisfaction because of the use of local anesthesia and its minimal invasiveness.
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Objective Extension of the posterior upper-most instrumented vertebra (UIV) into the upper thoracic (UT) spine allows for greater deformity correction and reduced incidence of proximal junction kyphosis (PJK) in adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients. However, it may be associated with chronic postoperative scapular pain (POSP). The goal of this study was to assess the relationship between UT UIV and persistent POSP, describe the pain, and assess its impact on patient disability.
Methods ASD patients who underwent multilevel posterior fusion were retrospectively identified then administered a survey regarding scapular pain and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), by telephone. Univariate and multivariate analysis were utilized.
Results A total of 74 ASD patients were included in the study: 37 patients with chronic POSP and 37 without scapular pain. The mean age was 70.5 years, and 63.9% were women. There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics, including mechanical complications (PJK, pseudarthrosis, and rod fracture) or reoperation between groups. Patients with persistent POSP were more likely to have a UT than a lower thoracic UIV (p = 0.018). UT UIV was independently associated with chronic POSP on multivariate analysis (p = 0.022). ODI score was significantly higher in patients with scapular pain (p = 0.001). Chronic POSP (p = 0.001) and prior spine surgery (p = 0.037) were independently associated with ODI on multivariate analysis.
Conclusion A UT UIV is independently associated with increased odds of chronic POSP, and this pain is associated with significant increases in patient disability. It is a significant clinical problem despite solid radiographic fusion and the absence of PJK.
To describe technical details and benefits of transforaminal endoscopic discectomy for treatment of patients with large, dorsomedial, calcified thoracic disc herniations at 2 levels and to report on their clinical outcomes in long follow-up period of 5 years using 4 different outcome tools. We present 2 patients with large, calcified disc herniations at 2 levels in mid and lower thoracic spine treated endoscopically in local anesthesia. Clinical outcomes were analyzed using verbal numeric scale (VNS), Roland-Morris low back pain and disability questionnaire (RMQ), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and modified MacNab criteria at 6-, 12-, 24-, 60-month follow-up. After transforaminal endoscopic discectomy, both patients had significant postoperative reduction of back pain using VNS and significant outcome improvement using ODI, RMQ score, and modified MacNab criteria. These results did not change during all 4 follow-up periods. Transforaminal percutaneous full-endoscopic discectomy and hand reamers foraminotomy in local anesthesia is feasible and effective surgical technique for patients with large, calcified thoracic disc herniations at 2 levels even in long follow-up period of 5 years using 4 different outcome measuring tools. All 3 outcome measuring tools correlated well with pain reduction using VNS.
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UBE Therapy for Dual‐Segment Thoracic Disc Herniation Shiwei Ren, Zhengqi Chang, Junling Pan, Poulami Jha Case Reports in Medicine.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Uniportal, Transforaminal Endoscopic Thoracic Discectomy: Review and Technical Note Sang Hun Lee, Farah N. Musharbash Neurospine.2023; 20(1): 19. CrossRef
A modified percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic surgery for central calcified thoracic disc herniation at the T11/T12 level using foraminoplasty and decompression: A case report Hou Lisheng, Tian Suhuai, Zhang Dong, Zhou Qing Frontiers in Surgery.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Foundations in Spinal Endoscopy Ibrahim Hussain, Michael L.J. Apuzzo, Michael Y. Wang World Neurosurgery.2022; 160: 125. CrossRef
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