Objective To develop a deep learning system for CT images to assist in the diagnosis of thoracolumbar fractures and analyze the feasibility of its clinical application. Methods Collected from West China Hospital of Sichuan University from January 2019 to March 2020, a total of 1256 CT images of thoracolumbar fractures were annotated with a unified standard through the Imaging LabelImg system. All CT images were classified according to the AO Spine thoracolumbar spine injury classification. The deep learning system in diagnosing ABC fracture types was optimized using 1039 CT images for training and validation, of which 1004 were used as the training set and 35 as the validation set; the rest 217 CT images were used as the test set to compare the deep learning system with the clinician’s diagnosis. The deep learning system in subtyping A was optimized using 581 CT images for training and validation, of which 556 were used as the training set and 25 as the validation set; the rest 104 CT images were used as the test set to compare the deep learning system with the clinician’s diagnosis. Results The accuracy and Kappa coefficient of the deep learning system in diagnosing ABC fracture types were 89.4% and 0.849 (P<0.001), respectively. The accuracy and Kappa coefficient of subtyping A were 87.5% and 0.817 (P<0.001), respectively. Conclusions The classification accuracy of the deep learning system for thoracolumbar fractures is high. This approach can be used to assist in the intelligent diagnosis of CT images of thoracolumbar fractures and improve the current manual and complex diagnostic process.
ObjectiveTo investigate the short-term effectiveness of percutaneous pedicle fixation combined with intravertebral allograft by different methods for thoracolumbar fractures. MethodsThe clinical data of 94 patients with single segment thoracolumbar fracture who underwent percutaneous pedicle fixation combined with intravertebral allograft by different methods between October 2018 and October 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the different methods of intravertebral allograft, they were divided into group A (bone grafting by Jack dilator, 40 cases) and group B (bone grafting by funnel, 54 cases). There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05) in the gender, age, body mass index, cause of injury, injured segment, Wolter index, time from injury to operation, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, injured vertebral height ratio, and Cobb angle. The operation time, fluoroscopy frequency, allograft volume, and complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. VAS score of low back pain was used to evaluate the remission of clinical symptoms before operation, at 3 days, 3 months, 12 months after operation, and at last follow-up. The injured vertebral height ratio and Cobb angle were measured before operation, at 3 days, 3 months, and 12 months after operation. ResultsThe operation time, fluoroscopy frequency, and allograft volume in group A were significantly higher than those in group B (P<0.05). No complication occurred after operation, such as loosening or fracture of internal fixation. And bone grafting in the injured vertebrae healed at last follow-up. The VAS score, injured vertebral height ratio, and Cobb angle at each postoperative time point significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05); compared with 3 days postoperatively, the VAS score improved further after 3 months, but the injured vertebral height ratio decreased and the Cobb angle increased, and the differences were significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the VAS scores of low back pain between the two groups at each time point after operation (P>0.05); the injured vertebrae height ratio in group A was significantly higher than that in group B, and the Cobb angle was significantly lower than that in group B, all showing significant differences (P<0.05). ConclusionThe intravertebral allograft via Jack dilator can restore the height and decrease the Cobb angle of the injured vertebrae, but accompanied with higher fluoroscopy frequency and longer operation time when compared with funnel bone grafting. For patients with single level thoracolumbar fractures, intravertebral allograft via Jack dilator is recommended.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of domestic minimally-invasive percutaneous screw system for thoracolumbar fractures without neurological damage. MethodsSixty patients suffering from unstable thoracolumbar fractures without obvious neurologic deficits treated from January 2011 to April 2012 were studied retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups:group A (domestic minimally-invasive percutaneous screw system) and group B (imported minimally-invasive percutaneous screw system). Perioperative parameter, pre-and post-operative imaging indexes, visual analog scale (VAS) and modified MacNab evaluation standard were studied for comparison. ResultsAll the patients were followed up from 6 to 18 months with an average of (12.2±3.0) months. The Cobb's angle and anterior height of the fracture vertebral body changed significantly in each group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in incision size, surgical time, postoperative improvement of Cobb's angle, anterior height of the fracture vertebral body and accuracy of pedicle screw placement between the two groups (P>0.05). ConclusionDomestic minimally-invasive percutaneous screw system is reliable with minimal invasion, which is comparable to imported minimally-invasive percutaneous screw system.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of long- and short-segment posterior pedicle screw fixation for thoracolumbar fracture. Methods Between January 2007 and December 2009, 58 patients with AO type B thoracolumbar fracture underwent posterior pedicle screw fixation. Of 58 patients, 36 received short-segment pedicle fixation (1 upper and 1 lower vertebral bodies of the fractured vertebral body) in group A, and 22 received long-segment pedicle fixation (2 upper and 2 lower vertebral bodies of the fractured vertebral body) in group B. There was no significant difference in age, gender, injury cause, fracture site, preoperative Frankel grade, and disease duration between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The operation time, blood loss, complication, anterior vertebra compression rate (AVCR), and Cobb angle were compared between 2 groups. Frankel grade was used to evaluate the neurological function. Results The operation time and blood loss of group B were significantly higher than those of group A (P lt; 0.05). All incisions obtained primary healing. The patients were followed up 17.2 months on average (range, 12-32 months). No complication occurred in the other patients except 1 case having internal fixation failure and 1 case having aggravated kyphosis deformity in group A. The neurological function recovered in a certain degree; Frankel grade at 3 months was significantly improved when compared with preoperative one (P lt; 0.05) in 2 groups, but no significant difference was found between 2 groups (Z=0.09, P=0.36). The AVCR and Cobb angle were significantly lower in 2 groups at immediately after operation and last follow-up than those before operation (P lt; 0.05). The correction rates of AVCR and Cobb angle in group B were significantly higher than those in group A (P lt; 0.05); whereas the correction losses of AVCR and Cobb angle in group B were significantly less than those in group A (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Long-segment pedicle screw fixation is better than short-segment pedicle screw fixation in the correction of kyphosis and recovery of vertebra body height, especially in the prevention of correction loss in long-term follow-up although it will increase the blood loss and operation time.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of posterior non-decompression surgery in the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures without neurological symptoms by comparing with the conventional posterior decompression surgery. Methods Between October 2008 and October 2015, a total of 97 patients with thoracolumbar fractures with intraspinal occupying 1/3-1/2 and without neurological symptoms were divided into the decompression surgery group (51 cases) and the non-decompression surgery group (46 cases). There was no significant difference in gender, age, cause of injury, injury segment, the thoracolumbar injury severity score (TLICS), combined injury, disease duration, and preoperative relative anterior vertebral height, kyphosis Cobb angle, intraspinal occupying percentage, visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score between 2 groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss volume, postoperative drainage, bed rest time, hospitalization time, and relative anterior vertebral height, kyphosis Cobb angle, intraspinal occupying percentage, and VAS score, ODI, JOA score at preoperative and postoperative 3 days and 1 year were recorded and compared. Results The operation time, intraoperative blood loss volume, and postoperative drainage in non-decompression surgery group were significantly less than those in decompression surgery group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the postoperative bed rest time and hospitalization time between 2 groups (P>0.05). In decompression surgery group, 4 cases had cerebrospinal fluid leakage and healed after conservative treatment. All incisions healed by first intention, and no nerve injury or infection of incision occurred. All patients were followed up 10-18 months (mean, 11.7 months). The recovery of vertebral body height was satisfactory in 2 groups, without secondary kyphosis and secondary nerve symptoms. The imaging indexes and effectiveness scores of 2 groups at 3 days and 1 year after operation were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05). The intraspinal occupying percentage, VAS score, and ODI at 1 year after operation were significantly lower than those at 3 days after operation in 2 groups (P<0.05), and JOA score at 1 year after operation was significantly higher than that at 3 days after operation (P<0.05). Relative anterior vertebral height at 1 year after operation was significantly higher than that at 3 days after operation in non-decompression surgery group (P<0.05); and there was no significant difference in decompression surgery group (P>0.05). At 3 days, the intraspinal occupying percentage and JOA score in non-decompression surgery group were higher than those in decompression surgery group (P<0.05), and VAS score and ODI at 3 days in non-decompression surgery group were lower than those in decompression surgery group (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in the other indexes between 2 groups at 3 days and 1 year after operation (P>0.05). Conclusion Compared with the posterior decompression surgery, posterior non-decompression surgery has the advantages of less bleeding, less trauma, less postoperative pain, and so on. It is an ideal choice for the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures with intraspinal occupying 1/3-1/2 and without neurological symptoms under the condition of strict indication of operation.
Objective To review the latest progress in classification system of thoracolumbar fractures and its surgical treatment with posterior approaches. Methods Recent l iterature about classification system of thoracolumbar fractures and its surgical treatment was reviewed. Results For the treatment of thoracolumbar fracture, the surgeon first should decide whether the surgical treatment was necessary. Recently, a new classification system had been developed to help the surgeon make the right decision. The surgical methods included short segment internal fixation and long segment internalfixation with or without fusion, and minimally invasive internal fixation. Conclusion The progress in the surgical treatmentof thoracolumbar fracture will help spinal surgeon decide the necessary surgery beneficial for the patients. The most appropriate and effective surgical method with the minimum damage should be used to treat the fracture. The advantages of non-fusion surgical treatment still need a further study.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy of at the fracture level (AFL) versus cross the fracture level (CFL) short-segment pedicle screw fixation for thoracolumbar fractures. MethodsWe electronically search PubMed, The Cochrane Library (Issue 8, 2015), EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang data to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of AFL versus CFL short segment pedicle screw fixation for thoracolumbar fractures from inception to Aug. 2015. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. ResultsA total of 11 RCTs involving 730 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis indicated that: compared with the CFL group, the AFL group had more blood loss (MD=9.8, 95%CI 7.40 to 12.20), less implant failure rate (RR=0.19, 95%CI 0.07 to 0.48), lower long term postoperative VAS score of thoracolumbar pain (MD=-1.20, 95%CI -1.85 to -0.56), higher correction in short term postoperative kyphotic Cobb angle (MD=3.56, 95%CI 2.25 to 4.87), smaller value in long term postoperative kyphotic Cobb angle and its loss of correction (MD=-3.95, 95%CI -7.78 to -0.12; MD=-4.65, 95%CI -6.91 to -2.40), smaller degree of anterior vertebral height compression in short and long term postoperative (MD=-3.51, 95%CI -5.23 to -1.80; MD=-8.28, 95%CI -12.22 to -4.33), better result in long term postoperative anterior vertebral height and its loss of correction (MD=8.00, 95%CI 3.85 to 12.15; MD=-6.06, 95%CI -7.68 to -4.44). There were no significant differences between two groups regarding operation time, infectious complications and short term postoperative kyphotic Cobb angle (MD=0.11, 95%CI -5.36 to 5.57; RR=0.55, 95%CI 0.11 to 2.85; MD=-0.66, 95%CI -2.19 to 0.87). ConclusionCurrent evidence shows that AFL short-segment pedicle screw fixation for thoracolumbar fractures is superior to CFL fixation. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous monoplanar screw internal fixation via injured vertebrae for treatment of thoracolumbar fracture.MethodsBetween May 2015 and August 2017, 38 cases of thoracolumbar fractures without neurological symptom were treated with percutaneous monoplanar screw internal fixation via injured vertebrae. There were 22 males and 16 females, aged 25-52 years (mean, 32.5 years). There were 23 cases of AO type A3 and 15 cases of AO type A4. The injured vertebrae located at T11 in 4 cases, T12 in 9 cases, L1 in 11 cases, L2 in 10 cases, L3 in 3 cases, and L4 in 1 case. The mean interval between injury and operation was 4.5 days (range, 3-7 days). The pre- and post-operative degrees of lumbodorsal pain were estimated by the visual analogue scale (VAS) score. The X-ray film, CT three-dimensional reconstruction, and MRI were performed, and the ratio of anterior vertebral body height and sagittal Cobb angle were measured to assess the kyphosis of the fractured area.ResultsAll operations in 38 patients successfully completed without complications such as dural sac, nerve root, or vascular injury. The operation time was (56.2±3.7) minutes and the intraoperative blood loss was (42.3±3.5) mL. All incisions healed by first intention without redness, swelling, or exudation. All patients were followed up 17-33 months, with an average of 21.5 months. The VAS score at each time point after operation significantly improved when compared with that before operation (P<0.05), and significantly improved at 3 months and last follow-up when compared with that at 1 week (P<0.05); there was no significant difference between 3 months and last follow-up (P>0.05). There was no internal fixator loosening, breakage, or delayed kyphosis in all patients. The ratio of anterior vertebral body height and sagittal Cobb angle significantly improved postoperatively (P<0.05), and no significant difference was found between the different time points after operation (P>0.05).ConclusionPercutaneous monoplanar screw internal fixation via injured vertebrae is an easy approach to treat thoracolumbar fracture without neurological symptom, which can effectively restore vertebral body height and correct kyphosis, and avoid long-term segmental kyphosis.
Objective To design a new extracorporeal reduction device for percutaneous pedicle screw fixation of thoracolumbar fractures (short for “new reduction device”), and to evaluate its effectiveness. Methods According to the mechanism of thoracolumbar fractures and biomechanics characteristic of reduction, a new reduction device was designed and used in a combination with long U-shaped hollow pedicle screw system. Between January 2014 and January 2016, 36 patients (group A) with single segment thoracolumbar fracture without neurological complications underwent percutaneous pedicle screw fixation, and the clinical data were compared with those of another 39 patients (group B) with thoracolumbar fracture underwent traditional open pedicle screw fixation. There was no significant difference in gender, age, cause of injury, classification of fractures, segments of fractures, injury to operation interval, height percentage of injury vertebrae, and kyphotic angle between 2 groups (P>0.05). The 2 groups were compared in terms of operation time, length of incision, intraoperative blood loss, drainage volume, visual analogue scale (VAS) at postoperative 24 hours, fluoroscopy frequency, ambulation time, height percentage of injury vertebrae, kyphotic angle and correction. Results Group A was significantly better than group B in the operation time, length of incision, intraoperative blood loss, drainage volume, VAS score at postoperative 24 hours, and ambulation time (P<0.05). However, fluoroscopy frequency of group B was significantly less than that of group A (P<0.05). All patients were followed up 11.2 months on average (range, 7-15 months). There was no intraoperative and postoperative complications of iatrogenic nerve injury, infection, breakage of internal fixation. Mild pulling-out of pedicle screws occurred in 1 case of group A during operation. The kyphotic angle and height percentage of the fractured vertebral body were significantly improved at 3 days after operation when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between 2 groups at 3 days after operation (P>0.05). Conclusion Minimally invasive extracorporeal reduction device for percutaneous pedicle screw fixation is an effective and safe treatment of thoracic vertebrae and lumbar vertebrae fractures, because of little trauma, less bleeding, and quicker recovery.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the long-term effect of unilateral versus bilateral screw placement on thoracolumbar single vertebral fracture by means of meta-analysis.MethodsThe data of China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wangfang Database, SinoMed, VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, PubMed, Elsevier Science Direct, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Springer Link were searched by computer, and the literatures related to effect comparison between unilateral and bilateral pedicle screw fixation in thoracolumbar single vertebral fracture were collected, including domestic and foreign published journal literatures and grey literatures such as academic conference reports and dissertations. The retrieval time was from their inception to August 17, 2019. After literature screening, quality evaluation, and data extraction, Stata 12.0 and RevMan 5.0 softwares were used for data analysis.ResultsA total of 12 articles were included, including 7 in English and 5 in Chinese, with a total of 848 patients (424 in the unilateral pediclescrew fixation group and 424 in the bilateral pedicle screw fixation group). The results of meta-analysis showed that: there was no significant difference in any of the main outcome indicators between the two groups, including the ratio of anterior height of fractured vertebra [mean difference (MD)= −0.16%, 95% confidence interval (CI) (−1.20%, 0.88%), P=0.76], postoperative follow-up Cobb angle [MD=−0.17°, 95%CI (−0.50, 0.15)°, P=0.29], postoperative follow-up Visual Analogue Scale score [MD=−0.06, 95%CI (−0.16, 0.04), P=0.24], postoperative follow-up Oswestry Disability Index score [MD=−0.28, 95%CI (−0.66, 0.11), P=0.15], and incidence of complications [relative risk=0.81, 95%CI (0.57, 1.15), P=0.23], but two secondary outcome indicators namely operation time [MD=−33.26 minutes, 95%CI (−51.72, −14.80) minutes, P=0.000 4] in the unilateral pedicle screw fixation group were smaller than those in the bilateral pedicle screw fixation group, whlie there were no statistically significant difference in postoperative length of hospital stay [MD=−1.59 days, 95%CI (−4.53, 1.36) days, P=0.29] and intraoperative blood loss [MD=−74.09 mL, 95%CI (−155.96, 7.77) mL, P=0.08] between the two groups.ConclusionUnilateral and bilateral screw placement of thoracolumbar single vertebral fracture has the same long-term effect, and unilateral screw placement can reduce the number of screw implantation, and shorter operation time, which is more in line with the actual clinical needs.