New dysostosis showing multilevel absence of vertebral pedicles: Unique developmental anomaly of vertebral arches?

We report on an apparently normal child who shows hypopaplasia of the vertebral pedicles and posterior arches of several cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae with normally fused spinous apophyses, hypoplastic sacrum, lumbar epidural lipomatosis, synostoses of some cervical vertebral disks, and sacral spina bifida. The most likely mechanism is an abnormal differentiation of the spinal processes, due most probably to an absence of differentiation in cartilage of the dense mesenchyme forming their most anterior part. Because the anomalies affect multiple levels, we highly suspect a genetic basis to this unusual dysostosis affecting the development of the posterior sclerotomes. Am. J. Med. Genet. 95:473–476, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Cross-sectional study of the ossification center of the C1–S5 vertebral bodies

Purpose

Knowledge on the normative growth of the spine is relevant in the prenatal detection of its abnormalities. This study describes the size of the ossification center of C1–S5 vertebral bodies.

Materials and methods

Using CT, digital-image analysis, and statistics, the size of the ossification center of C1–S5 vertebral bodies in 55 spontaneously aborted human fetuses aged 17–30 weeks was examined.

Results

No sex significant differences were found. The body ossification centers were found within the entire presacral spine and in 85.5 % of S1, in 76.4 % of S2, in 67.3 % of S3, in 40.0 % of S4, and in 14.5 % of S5. All the values for the atlas were sharply smaller than for the axis. The mean transverse diameter of the body ossification center gradually increased from the axis to T12 vertebra, so as to stabilize through L1–L3 vertebrae, and finally was intensively decreasing to S5 vertebra. There was a gradual increase in sagittal diameter of the body ossification center from the axis to T5 vertebra and its stabilization for T6–T9 vertebrae. Afterward, an alternate progression was observed: a decrease in values for T10–T12 vertebrae, an increase in values for L1–L2 vertebrae, and finally a decrease in values for L3–S5 vertebrae. The values of cross-sectional area of ossification centers were gradually increasing from the axis to L2 vertebra and then started decreasing to S5 vertebra. The following cross-sectional areas were approximately equivalent to each other: for L5 and T3–T5, and for S4 and C1. The volumetric growth of the body ossification center gradually increased from the axis to L3 vertebra and then sharply decreased from L4 to S5.

Conclusions

No male–female differences are found in the size of the body ossification centers of the spine. The growth dynamics for morphometric parameters of the body ossification centers of the spine follow similarly with gestational age.     

Cross-sectional study of C1–S5 vertebral bodies in human fetuses

Introduction

Knowledge on the normative spinal growth is relevant in the prenatal detection of its abnormalities. The present study determines the height, transverse and sagittal diameters, cross sectional area, and volume of individual C1–S5 vertebral bodies.

Material and methods

Using the methods of computed tomography (CT), digital image analysis, and statistics, the size of C1–S5 vertebral bodies in 55 spontaneously aborted human fetuses aged 17–30 weeks was examined.

Results

All the 5 examined parameters changed significantly with gestational age (p < 0.01). The mean height of vertebral bodies revealed an increase from the atlas (2.39 ±0.54 mm) to L2 (4.62 ±0.97 mm), stabilized through L3–L4 (4.58 ±0.92 mm, 4.61 ±0.84 mm), and then was decreasing to S5 (0.43 ±1.06 mm). The mean transverse diameter of vertebral bodies was increasing from the atlas (1.20 ±1.96 mm) to L1 (6.24 ±1.46 mm), so as to stabilize through L2–L3 (6.12 ±1.65, 6.12 ±1.61 mm), and finally was decreasing to S5 (0.26 ±0.96 mm). There was an increase in sagittal diameter of vertebral bodies from the atlas (0.82 ±1.34 mm) to T7 (4.76 ±0.85 mm), its stabilization for T8–L4 (4.73 ±0.86 mm, 4.71 ±1.02 mm), and then a decrease in values to S5 (0.21 ±0.75 mm) was observed. The values for cross-sectional area of vertebral bodies were increasing from the atlas (2.95 ±5.25 mm²) to L3 (24.92 ±11.07 mm²), and then started decreasing to S5 (0.48 ±2.09 mm²). The volumetric growth of vertebral bodies was increasing from the atlas (8.60 ±16.40 mm³) to L3 (122.16 ±74.73 mm³), and then was decreasing to S5 (1.60 ±7.00 mm³).

Conclusions

There is a sharp increase in size of fetal vertebral bodies between the atlas and the axis, and a sharp decrease in size within the sacral spine. In human fetuses the vertebral body growth is characterized by maximum values in sagittal diameter for T7, in transverse diameter for L1, in height for L2, and in both cross-sectional area and volume for L3.     

Diffuse distribution of bone cement in percutaneous vertebroplasty reduces the incidence of refracture of adjacent vertebral bodies北大核心

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous vertebroplasty is one of the effective treatments for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. The distribution of bone cement in the vertebral body will influence the clinical efficacy. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of the distribution of bone cement in percutaneous vertebroplasty on the early postoperative outcomes after osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. METHODS: A total of 132 patients, including 52 males and 80 females, with a mean age of (76.3±8.2) years who diagnosed as osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from January 2017 to June 2019 were enrolled. All patients were divided into underdispersion group (n=54) and diffuse distribution group (n=78) according to the pattern of cement distribution on postoperative X-rays. Visual analogue scale scores postoperatively, the height of anterior edge and midline of injured vertebrae, Cobb angle of local kyphosis and the incidence of complications after 1-year follow-up were compared between the two groups. The trial was performed in accordance with the relevant ethical requirements for research in the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The visual analogue scale scores were lower at 2 days, 1 and 6 months after operation than those before operation in the two groups (P < 0.05). The visual analogue scale scores at 1 month after operation in the underdispersion group were higher than those in the diffuse distribution group (P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups at 2 days and 6 months after operation (P > 0.05). (2) Cobb angle and vertebral body height improved in both groups postoperatively compared to preoperatively (P < 0.05). The difference in Cobb angle and vertebral body height was not statistically significant between the two groups (P > 0.05). (3) The rate of bone cement infiltration was not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). Incidence of recurrent fractures in adjacent vertebrae was lower in the diffuse distribution group than that in the underdispersion group (P < 0.05). (4) These findings confirm that percutaneous vertebroplasty is an effective treatment for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. The distribution of bone cement in the vertebral body will affect the surgical results. The bone cement is diffusely distributed, which may reduce the incidence of recurrent fractures in adjacent vertebrae. © 2022, Publishing House of Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research. All rights reserved.     

Atherosclerosis in the vertebral artery: an intrinsic risk factor in the use of spinal manipulation?

The presence of atherosclerotic plaques and their influence on the vertebral artery is of clinical importance within the scope of spinal manipulation. Manipulation may stimulate the development of atherosclerotic plaques, could detach an embolus with ensuing infarction, injure the endothelium or may directly cause a dissection in the presence of atherosclerotic plaques. In order to identify the sites and frequency of atherosclerotic plaques and to determine its relation to the tortuous course of the vertebral artery, a cadaveric study was performed. The vertebral arteries of 57 human cadavers were studied. The vertebral artery was virtually divided into four segments: the pre-vertebral (V1), the vertebral (V2), the atlanto-axial (V3), and the intracranial segment (V4). Abnormalities in the origin and course of the vertebral artery were noted, along with any associated osseous, or cartilaginous anomalies in the neck. After dissection, the artery was opened and macroscopically screened for the presence of atherosclerotic plaques. In 22.8% of the cases, no atherosclerotic plaques were present. In 35.1% of the cases, the atherosclerotic plaques were unilateral, of which 60.0% was on the left side, 40.0% on the right side, and in 42.1%, the occurrence was bilateral. Atherosclerotic plaques were significantly more present in the V3 segment than in the V1 (0.007) and V2 segment (0.049). In the V1 (P=0.008) and V2 segment (P=0.002), there was a correlation between a tortuous course of the vessel and the occurrence of atherosclerotic plaques. In individuals with marked atherosclerotic disease, stretching and compression effects of rotational manipulative techniques on atherosclerotic vessels impose a further risk factor for vertebrobasilar insufficiency. As direct evidence of atherosclerotic plaques are rarely available, therapists should avoid manipulative techniques at all levels of the cervical spine in the presence of any indirect sign of atherosclerotic disease or in the presence of calcified arterial walls or tortuosities of the vessels visible on routinely available X-ray images of the cervical or thoracic spine. It is strongly recommended, that if any doubt exists about the nature of a clinical presentation, vigorous manual procedures should be avoided until either the diagnosis is definitive or gentle manual therapy has proven effective.     

The impact of asymptomatic vertebral fractures on quality of life in older community-dwelling women: the São Paulo Ageing & Health Study

OBJECTIVES:

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of asymptomatic vertebral fractures on the quality of life in older women as part of the Sao Paulo Ageing & Health Study.

METHODS:

This study was a cross-sectional study with a random sample of 180 women 65 years of age or older with or without vertebral fractures. The Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis was administered to all subjects. Anthropometric data were obtained by physical examination, and the body mass index was calculated. Lateral thoracic and lumbar spine X-ray scans were obtained to identify asymptomatic vertebral fractures using a semi-quantitative method.

RESULTS:

Women with asymptomatic vertebral fractures had lower total scores [61.4(15.3) vs. 67.1(14.2), p = 0.03] and worse physical function domain scores [69.5(20.1) vs. 77.3(17.1), p = 0.02] for the Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis compared with women without fractures. The total score of this questionnaire was also worse in women classified as obese than in women classified as overweight or normal. High physical activity was related to a better total score for this questionnaire (p = 0.01). Likewise, lower physical function scores were observed in women with higher body mass index values (p<0.05) and lower physical activity levels (p<0.05). Generalized linear models with gamma distributions and logarithmic link functions, adjusted for age, showed that lower total scores and physical function domain scores for the Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis were related to a high body mass index, lower physical activity, and the presence of vertebral fractures (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION:

Vertebral fractures are associated with decreased quality of life mainly physical functioning in older community-dwelling women regardless of age, body mass index, and physical activity. Therefore, the results highlight the importance of preventing and controlling asymptomatic vertebral fractures to reduce their impact on quality of life among older women.     

The vertebral column—A phylogenetic failure? A theory explaining the function and vulnerability of the human spine

The increase in degenerative diseases of the vertebral column is often attributed to an inadequate adaptation to the upright posture in the human. On the basis of a precise analysis of the motion segments, an attempt has here been made to demonstrate that the design of the vertebrae in both the larger mammals and in humans has resulted in no qualitative differences between the stresses to which either is subjected. In the course of evolution there has certainly been an obvious conflict in aims between the need for essential stability and the desired or necessary mobility. These mutually self-limiting mechanisms are reflected in the highly specialized architecture of the ligamentous apparatus and vertebral joints. We conclude that the human vertebral column seems to be an optimized compromise of evolution. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Biomechanical effects of cement filling location on osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture: A three-dimensional finite element analysis北大核心

BACKGROUND: When bipedicular percutaneous vertebral augmentation is performed for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, three types of cement filling location in the vertebral body are commonly seen, including anterolateral, anteromedial, and posterolateral, especially in lumbar spine with big volume of vertebral bodies. At present, no relevant biomechanical research has been found to compare the impact of these three bone cement filling locations on the biomechanical properties of fractured vertebral bodies. OBJECTIVE: To analyze and compare biomechanical effects of three types of cement filling location on osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture using threedimensional finite element analysis method. METHODS: Osteoporotic L1-L5 three-dimensional finite element model was constructed and osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures model was simulated in L3. Three types of cement filling location, including anterolateral, anteromedial, and posterolateral, were simulated in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures model, respectively. Four models were got for the test eventually. Maximum von Mises stress of L3 veretebral body and maximum displacement of L3 fractured area were calculated for the four models under the same loading conditions, including flexion, extension, lateral bending, and rotations. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Under flexion, maximum von Mises stress of L3 veretebral body in anterolateral, anteromedial, and posterolateral sites was about 18.31%, 19.43%, and 28.31% of that in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures model, respectively. Maximum displacement of L3 fractured area was about 13.92%, 16.49%, and 29.90% of that in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures model, respectively. Therefore, compared with percutaneous vertebral augmentation pre-operation, maximum von Mises stress and maximum displacement were decreased significantly after percutaneous vertebral augmentation, with those in anterolateral site being decreased the most significantly. Similar changes could be seen in extension, lateral bending, and rotations loading conditions. (2) The results showed that anterolateral cement filling could better restore strength and stability of fractured vertebral body. To make cement fill in the anterolateral fractured area first using precise puncture and cement injection technique is suggested. © 2022, Publishing House of Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research. All rights reserved.     

Oral,facial, digital,vertebral anomalies with psychomotor delay: a mild form of OFD type Gabrielli?

A girl with oral, facial, and digital anomalies presented at birth with a large cleft palate filled by a nasopharyngeal mass and was found later to have several vertebral anomalies and mental retardation. A similar phenotype has been previously reported in a sporadic male patient [Gabrielli et al., 1994: Am J Med Genet 53:290-293], suggesting a new variant form of oral-facial-digital syndrome.     

Can vertebral density changes be explained by intervertebral disc degeneration?

One of the major problems facing the elderly spine is the occurrence of vertebral fractures due to low bone mass. Although typically attributed to osteoporosis, disc degeneration has also been suggested to play a role in vertebral fractures. Existing bone adaptation theories and simulations may explain the biomechanical pathway from a degenerated disc to an increased fracture risk. A finite element model of a lumbar segment was created and calibrated. Subsequently the disc properties were varied to represent either a healthy or degenerated disc and the resulting bone adaptation was simulated. Disc degeneration resulted in a shift of load from the nucleus to the annulus. The resulting bone adaptation led to a dramatically reduced density of the trabecular core and to an increased density in the vertebral walls. Degeneration of just the nucleus, and in particular the dehydration of the nucleus, resulted in most of this bone density change. Additional annulus degeneration had much less of an effect on the density values. The density decrease in the trabecular core as seen in this study matches clinical observations. Therefore, bone remodeling theories can assists in explaining the potential synergistic effects of disc degeneration and osteoporotis in the occurrence of vertebral fractures.     

Duplication of the left vertebral artery in a patient with dissection of the right internal carotid artery and Ehlers–Danlos syndrome: case report and review of the literature

Duplication of the left vertebral artery was observed in a 43-year-old Caucasian male with dissection of the right internal carotid artery during multidetector 64-row computer tomography and Doppler ultrasonography B-flow mode. Both duplicated segments arose from the left subclavian artery and united at levels C5–C6 to form a single vessel. The presented case describes precisely the origin and diameter of both vertebral arteries. Additionally, after all procedures associated with diagnosis and treatment of the patient, Ehlers–Danlos syndrome type IV was diagnosed. The lumen of the duplicated vertebral artery was smaller than normal; it can be concluded that this variant has clinical implications and should be taken into consideration when vertebral arteries need catheterization.     

Percutaneous vertebroplasty in treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture by two different approaches: Bone cement leakage and safety北大核心

BACKGROUND: Clinical therapies of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture have two different approaches, including unilateral pedicle extrapedicle and bilateral pedicle approach of percutaneous vertebroplasty, but there were fewer reports about postoperative bone cement leakage rate and security in the two approaches. OBJECTIVE: To compare postoperative bone cement leakage rate and security with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture by two different approaches, unilateral pedicle extrapedicle and bilateral pedicle approach of percutaneous vertebroplasty. METHODS: This study enrolled 60 cases with the osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture who were patients meeting the inclusion criteria in the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from January 2018 to December 2020. The 60 cases were randomly divided into two groups according to surgical approach. Group A (n=30) was treated with unilateral pedicle extrapedicle approach of percutaneous vertebroplasty. Group B (n=30) was treated with bilateral pedicle approach of percutaneous vertebroplasty. The volume of bone cement injection, bone cement leakage rate and other complications, as well as kyphosis angle of the compressive vertebral body, the visual analogue scale score, and Oswestry disability index were compared between the two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) There was no statistical significance in the volume and leakage rate of bone cement injection in two groups (P > 0.05). (2) Visual analogue scale score and Oswestry disability index were significantly lower at 1, 3 days, and 1 month after surgery compared with that preoperatively in both groups (P < 0.05). Postoperative kyphosis angle of the compressive vertebral body was less than that preoperatively (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in visual analogue scale score, Oswestry disability index, and kyphosis angle at various time points after surgery in both groups (P > 0.05). (3) The results suggest that satisfactory clinical effect can be obtained by two different approaches, unilateral pedicle extrapedicle and bilateral pedicle approach of percutaneous vertebroplasty. © 2022, Publishing House of Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research. All rights reserved.     

Comparison of the long-term effects of oral estriol with the effects of conjugated estrogen, 1-α-hydroxyvitamin D3 and calcium lactate on vertebral bone loss in early menopausal women

We investigated the long-term effects of oral estriol (E₃) on bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine and biochemical indices of bone turnover in early menopausal women. We studied 64 healthy early menopausal women who were treated for 24 months with 2.0 mg E₃ plus 2.5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate daily (E₃ group, n = 15), 0.625 mg of conjugated estrogen plus 2.5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate daily (CE group, n = 19), 1.0 μg 1-α-hydroxyvitamin D₃ daily (D₃ group, n = 13), or 1.8 g calcium lactate containing 250 mg of elemental calcium daily (Ca group, n = 17). The BMD at the third lumbar vertebra was determined by quantitative computed tomography, and serum levels of osteocalcin (OC) and total alkaline phosphatase (Alp), as well as urinary ratios of calcium-to-creatinine (Ca/Cr) and hydroxyproline-to-creatinine (Hyp/Cr), were evaluated at baseline and every 6 months. After 24 months of treatment, the BMD decreased significantly by 12 ± 4.5% (mean ± S.E.) in the D₃ group and 14 ± 2.5% in the Ca group, but not in the E₃ group (−4.1 ± 4.8% from baseline) and in the CE group (−0.9 ± 3.2% from baseline). The serum levels of Alp and OC decreased or remained unchanged in the E₃ and CE groups, but increased in the D₃ and Ca groups. The urinary Ca/Cr was decreased in the E₃ and CE groups, but not in the D₃ and Ca groups. The urinary Hyp/Cr decreased in the CE group, was unchanged in the E₃ and D₃ groups, and increased in the Ca group. Uterine bleeding occurred less frequently in the E₃ than in the CE group (2.4 ± 4.2 versus 13.1 ± 14.8 days/person per year, P < 0.001). The bone-preserving effect of 2.0 mg of oral E₃ was comparable to that of 0.625 mg of conjugated estrogen and was superior to that of 1.0 μg 1-α-hydroxyvitamin D₃ and 1.8 g Ca. Our findings suggest that a reduction in bone turnover in the E₃ group may have contributed to the preservation of bone.     

Can the transverse foramen/vertebral artery ratio of double transverse foramen subjects be a risk for vertebrobasilar transient ischemic attacks?

The C6 is the cervical vertebra into which the vertebral artery enters the passage of the transverse foramen and it is the vertebra most affected by double transverse foramina. There is currently little information about the relation between the vertebral artery and the double transverse foramen in C6. We aimed to test whether subjects with a double transverse foramen in C6 have a reduced transverse foramen/vertebral artery ratio when compared with normal anatomy subjects who possess a single transverse foramen which may be a risk for transient vertebral artery stenosis. We measured the area of the transverse foramen and the vertebral artery in 27 double transverse and 56 normal anatomy subjects using computed tomography angiography. We found significant differences in the area of the transverse foramen between double transverse and normal subjects (P < 0.001) but not between the vertebral artery area of double transverse and normal subjects (P = 0.829). The subjects with double transverse foramina have a reduced transverse foramen/vertebral artery ratio, which may be a possible risk for transient vertebral artery stenosis.     

Bifid ribs and unusual vertebral anomalies diagnosed in an anatomical specimen. Gorlin syndrome?

A hitherto unknown combination of multiple bifid ribs, as seen in Gorlin syndrome (GS), interpedicular fusion and apparent malsegmentation of vertebral laminae at various upper thoracic levels was found in the skeleton of a newborn infant. This specific combination of anomalies is also seen in the mouse open brain (opb) mutant. Since the genes involved in GS (Patched2) and opb (rab23) both play an essential role in the hedgehog signaling pathway, it is likely that the cause of the anomalies presented here is to be sought in impaired functioning of this pathway.     

Non‐truncating LIFR mutation: causal for prominent congenital pain insensitivity phenotype with progressive vertebral destruction?

We present a Qatari family with two children who displayed a characteristic phenotype of congenital marked pain insensitivity with hypohidrosis and progressive aseptic destruction of joints and vertebrae resembling that of hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathies (HSANs). The patients, aged 10 and 14, remained of uncertain genetic diagnosis until whole genome sequencing was pursued. Genome sequencing identified a novel homozygous C65S mutation in the LIFR gene that is predicted to markedly destabilize and alter the structure of a particular domain and consequently to affect the functionality of the whole multi‐domain LIFR protein. The C65S mutant LIFR showed altered glycosylation and an elevated expression level that might be attributed to a slow turnover of the mutant form. LIFR mutations have been reported in Stüve–Wiedemann syndrome (SWS), a severe autosomal recessive skeletal dysplasia often resulting in early death. Our patients share some clinical features of rare cases of SWS long‐term survivors; however, they also phenocopy HSAN due to the marked pain insensitivity phenotype and progressive bone destruction. Screening for LIFR mutations might be warranted in genetically unresolved HSAN phenotypes.