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Agaronnik ND, Giberson-Chen C, Bono CM. Using advanced imaging to measure bone density, compression fracture risk, and risk for construct failure after spine surgery. Spine J 2024; 24:1135-1152. [PMID: 38437918 DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2024.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Low bone mineral density (BMD) can predispose to vertebral body compression fractures and postoperative instrumentation failure. DEXA is considered the gold standard for measurement of BMD, however it is not obtained for all spine surgery patients preoperatively. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that more routinely acquired spine imaging studies such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be opportunistically used to measure BMD. Here we review available studies that assess the validity of opportunistic screening with CT-derived Hounsfield Units (HU) and MRI-derived vertebral vone quality (VBQ) to measure BMD of the spine as well the utility of these measures in predicting postoperative outcomes. Additionally, we provide screening thresholds based on HU and VBQ for prediction of osteopenia/ osteoporosis and postoperative outcomes such as cage subsidence, screw loosening, proximal junctional kyphosis, and implant failure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carew Giberson-Chen
- Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program, 55 Fruit Street, Yawkey Building, Suite 3A, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Christopher M Bono
- Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115; Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program, 55 Fruit Street, Yawkey Building, Suite 3A, Boston, MA 02114; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Yawkey Building, Suite 3A, Boston, MA 02114.
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Filley A, Baldwin A, Ben-Natan AR, Hansen K, Arora A, Xiao A, Hammond D, Chen C, Tweedt I, Rohde J, Link T, Berven S, Sawyer A. The influence of osteoporosis on mechanical complications in lumbar fusion surgery: a systematic review. NORTH AMERICAN SPINE SOCIETY JOURNAL 2024; 18:100327. [PMID: 38962714 PMCID: PMC11219986 DOI: 10.1016/j.xnsj.2024.100327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Background Adults undergoing spine surgery often have underlying osteoporosis, which may be a risk factor for postoperative complications. Although these associations have been described, osteoporosis remains profoundly underdiagnosed and undertreated in the spine surgery population. A thorough, comprehensive systematic review summarizing the relationships between bone mineral density (BMD) and specific complications of lumbar fusion surgery could be a valuable resource for raising awareness and supporting clinical practice changes. Methods PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched for original clinical research articles reporting on BMD, or surrogate measure, as a predictor of complications in adults undergoing elective lumbar fusion for degenerative disease or deformity. Endpoints included cage subsidence, screw loosening, pseudarthrosis, vertebral fracture, junctional complications, and reoperation. Results A total of 71 studies comprising 12,278 patients were included. Overall, considerable heterogeneity in study populations, methods of bone health assessment, and definition and evaluation of clinical endpoints precluded meta-analysis. Nevertheless, low BMD was associated with higher rates of implant failures like cage subsidence and screw loosening, which were often diagnosed with concomitant pseudarthrosis. Osteoporosis was also a significant risk factor for proximal junctional kyphosis, particularly due to fracture. Many studies found surgical site-specific BMD to best predict focal complications. Functional outcomes were inconsistently addressed. Conclusions Our findings suggest osteoporosis is a significant risk factor for mechanical complications of lumbar fusion. These results emphasize the importance of preoperative osteoporosis screening, which allows for medical and surgical optimization of high-risk patients. This review also highlights current practical challenges facing bone health evaluation in patients undergoing elective surgery. Future prospective studies using standardized methods are necessary to strengthen existing evidence, identify optimal predictive thresholds, and establish specialty-specific practice guidelines. In the meantime, an awareness of the surgical implications of osteoporosis and utility of preoperative screening can provide for more informed, effective patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Filley
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, 435 Warren Drive, Apt 11, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Avionna Baldwin
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, 435 Warren Drive, Apt 11, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Alma Rechav Ben-Natan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Keith Hansen
- Department of General Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ayush Arora
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, 435 Warren Drive, Apt 11, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Angel Xiao
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, 435 Warren Drive, Apt 11, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Deana Hammond
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, 435 Warren Drive, Apt 11, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Caressa Chen
- Loyola University Medical Center; Maywood IL, USA
| | - Isobel Tweedt
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, 435 Warren Drive, Apt 11, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, USA
| | - James Rohde
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, USA
| | - Thomas Link
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imagery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sigurd Berven
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, 435 Warren Drive, Apt 11, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Aenor Sawyer
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, 435 Warren Drive, Apt 11, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Tuo Y, Lin K, Yang J, Wang S, Abudouaini H. Preoperative MRI-based endplate quality: a novel tool for predicting cage subsidence after anterior cervical spine surgery. J Orthop Surg Res 2024; 19:245. [PMID: 38627743 PMCID: PMC11020445 DOI: 10.1186/s13018-024-04716-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The objective of this study was to examine the predictive value of a newly developed MRI-based Endplate Bone Quality (EBQ) in relation to the development of cage subsidence following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). METHODS Patients undergoing ACDF for degenerative cervical diseases between January 2017 and June 2022 were included. Correlation between EBQ scores and segmental height loss was analyzed using Pearson's correlation. ROC analyses were employed to ascertain the EBQ cut-off values that predict the occurrence of cage subsidence. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the risk factors associated with postoperative cage subsidence. RESULTS 23 individuals (14.56%) exhibited the cage subsidence after ACDF. In the nonsubsidence group, the average EBQ and lowest T-score were determined to be 4.13 ± 1.14 and - 0.84 ± 1.38 g/cm2 respectively. In contrast, the subsidence group exhibited a mean EBQ and lowest T-score of 5.38 ± 0.47 (p < 0.001) and - 1.62 ± 1.34 g/cm2 (p = 0.014), respectively. There was a significant positive correlation (r = 0.798**) between EBQ and the segmental height loss. The EBQ threshold of 4.70 yielded optimal sensitivity (73.9%) and specificity (93.3%) with AUC of 0.806. Furthermore, the lowest T-score (p = 0.045, OR 0.667) and an elevated cervical EBQ score (p < 0.001, OR 8.385) were identified as significant risk factors for cage subsidence after ACDF. CONCLUSIONS The EBQ method presents itself as a promising and efficient tool for surgeons to assess patients at risk of cage subsidence and osteoporosis prior to cervical spine surgery, utilizing readily accessible patient data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Tuo
- Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 76, Nanguo Road, Beilin District, Xi'an, 710054, Shaanxi, China
| | - Kaiyuan Lin
- Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 76, Nanguo Road, Beilin District, Xi'an, 710054, Shaanxi, China
| | - Junsong Yang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 76, Nanguo Road, Beilin District, Xi'an, 710054, Shaanxi, China
| | - Sibo Wang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 76, Nanguo Road, Beilin District, Xi'an, 710054, Shaanxi, China
| | - Haimiti Abudouaini
- Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 76, Nanguo Road, Beilin District, Xi'an, 710054, Shaanxi, China.
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Mertens R, Hecht N, Bauknecht HC, Vajkoczy P. The Use of Intraoperative CT Hounsfield Unit Values for the Assessment of Bone Quality in Patients Undergoing Lumbar Interbody Fusion. Global Spine J 2023; 13:2218-2227. [PMID: 35229676 PMCID: PMC10538323 DOI: 10.1177/21925682221078239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Retrospective Cohort Study. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the accuracy of intraoperatively measured computed tomography (CT) Hounsfield unit (HU) values by comparison with preoperative CT HU values and to compare the radiation exposure between preoperative and intraoperative CT scans. METHODS HU values of lumbar vertebrae were measured and compared between preoperative and intraoperative CT scans in patients undergoing lumbar interbody fusion. In patient group one, Canon CT scanners were used preoperatively and the AIRO CT scanner was used intraoperatively. In patient group two, Canon CT scanners were used preoperatively and the O-arm Cone Beam CT (CBCT) scanner was used intraoperatively. In a subgroup analysis of patient group one, radiation by means of CT Dose Index (CTDI) was compared between Canon and AIRO CT scanners. RESULTS In the first patient group, a total of 250 vertebrae were analysed in 74 patients showing a strong Pearson correlation of >.94 between pre- and intraoperative HU values. Bland-Altman analysis indicated consistency and equivalence with a bias of 3.9 and 95% limits of agreement from -27.17 to 34.97 when comparing all pre- and intraoperative HU values of L1-5. In the second patient group, a total of 27 vertebrae were analysed in 10 patients showing weak Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman analysis indicated no equivalence. CTDI did not differ between Canon and AIRO CT scanners. CONCLUSION Correct and reliable CT HU measurement as mandatory key factor for the intraoperative assessment of bone quality and robotic-assisted surgery is feasible with intraoperative AIRO CT imaging without increase of radiation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Mertens
- Department of Neurosurgery, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Nils Hecht
- Department of Neurosurgery, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Peter Vajkoczy
- Department of Neurosurgery, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
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Abudouaini H, Wu T, Liu H, Wang B, Chen H. The predictive value of Hounsfield units for titanium mesh cage subsidence after anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion. Front Surg 2023; 9:1012364. [PMID: 36684145 PMCID: PMC9852343 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2022.1012364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate whether bone mineral density (BMD) measured in Hounsfield units (HUs) correlates with titanium mesh cage (TMC) subsidence after anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF). Methods A total of 64 patients who underwent one or two levels of ACCF with TMC with a mean follow-up of 19.34 ± 7.86 months were analysed. HU values were measured three times in 3 different planes in the upper and lower vertebrae according to published methods. Subsidence was defined as segmental height loss of more than 3 mm. Pearson correlation analysis was performed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to obtain optimal thresholds. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was also conducted. Results Twenty-two patients (34.38%) had evidence of TMC subsidence on follow-up x-ray. The mean HU values in the subsidence group (317.34 ± 32.32, n = 22) were significantly lower than those in the nonsubsidence group (363.07 ± 25.23 n = 42, p < 0.001, t test). At last follow-up, mean disc height loss was 4.80 ± 1.16 mm in the subsidence group and 1.85 ± 1.14 mm in the nonsubsidence group (p < 0.001). There was a negative correlation between HU values and disc height loss (Pearson's coefficient -0.494, p < 0.001). HU values decreased gradually from the C3 vertebra to the C7 vertebra, and the HU values of the C5, C6, and C7 vertebrae in the nonsubsidence group were significantly higher than those in the subsidence group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, there were significant differences between the groups in the segmental angle at the last follow-up and the mean changes in segmental angle (p < 0.05). The area under the ROC curve was 0.859, and the most appropriate threshold of the HU value was 330.5 (sensitivity 100%, specificity 72.7%). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that older age (p = 0.033, OR = 0.879), lower LIV HU value (p < 0.001, OR = 1.053) and a greater segmental angle change (p = 0.002, OR 6.442) were significantly associated with a higher incidence of TMC subsidence after ACCF. Conclusion There are strong correlations between a lower HU value and TMC subsidence after ACCF. More accurate assessment of bone quality may be obtained if HU measurement can be used as a routine preoperative screening method together with DXA. For patients with HU values <330.5, a more comprehensive and cautious preoperative plan should be implemented to reduce TMC subsidence.
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