Study DesignRetrospective study.PurposeThis study was conducted to compare vertebral body height restoration rate in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who had undergone percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty (KP) with that of control group who had matched age, sex, body mass index, and bone mineral density.Overview of LiteratureThere is no report on result of KP in RA patients.MethodsPostoperative height restoration rate of RA group consisting of 15 patients (18 vertebral bodies) who had undergone KP due to osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture with a 30% or higher vertebral compression rate between May 2005 and January 2013 were compared to control group consisting of 38 patients (39 vertebral bodies) who had matched age, sex, body mass index, and bone mineral density.ResultsNo statically significant difference in age (p=0.846), sex (p=0.366), body mass index (p=0.826), bone mineral density (p=0.349), time to surgery (p=0.528), polymethylmethacrylate injection time (p=0.298), or amount (p=0.830) was found between the RA group and the control group. However, preoperative compression rate in the RA group was significantly (p=0.025) higher compared to that in the control group. In addition, postoperative height restoration rate showed significant correlation with the RA group (p=0.008). Although higher incidence of recollapse occurred in the RA group compared to that in the control group, the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.305).ConclusionsCompared to the control group, RA patients showed higher compression rate and higher vertebral restoration rate after KP, indirectly indicating weaker bone quality in patients with RA. Higher incidence of recollapse occurred in the RA group compared to that in the control group, although it was not statistically significant.

In a thoracolumbar fracture, accurate diagnosis of spinal stability is necessary in deciding on appropriate treatment options and for prevention of complications that can subsequently occur. In various reports for spinal stability, rupture of the posterior ligament complex is generally accepted as a very important factor of spinal stabiliby. In cases of conservative treatment for unstable thoracolumbar fractures, the progressive kyphotic deformity can cause chronic pain and functional disability, and neurologic deterioration in severe cases. Therefore, the concept of surgical treatment for unstable thoracolumbar fracture has been well established. We report on two cases of neglected three column injury in the thoracolumbar spine, which were treated conservatively due to misdiagnosis at other hospitals, and finally underwent delayed operation in our hospital because of chronic back pain and progressive kyphotic deformity.

Purpose:To evaluate the efficacy of the augmentative locking compression plate fixation in the treatment of femoral shaft nonunion occurring after intramedullary nailing. Materials and Methods: Between July 2004 and September 2012, a total of 17 patients (twelve men, five women, average age 52.5 years) who had femoral nonunions after primary intramedullary nailing for femoral shaft fractures were reviewed. The mean period of nonunion after primary nailing was 18.5 months. Leaving the nail in situ, an augmentative locking plate was applied to the nonunion site with simultaneous autogenous bone grafting, except for five hypertrophic nonunions. We followed up all patients with plain radiograph and evaluated clinical status to determine bone union. Results: All patients demonstrated evidence of fracture union with an average follow-up time of 5.0 (range 2 to 9) months. The time of operation was an average of 115 (range 45 to 160) minutes, and mean blood loss was 345.9 (range 150 to 700) ml. Two patients noted discomfort at the distal portion of plate, and one noted discomfort of donor site, but functional limitation was not observed in all patients. Conclusion: Augmentative locking plate fixation for diaphyseal femoral nonunion after intramedullary nailing is a reasonable treatment option with increased stability.

To report a rare case of a surgically treated tuberculous myelitis and arachnoiditis patient with incomplete paraplegia. Summary of Literature Review: Tuberculous myelitis and arachnoiditis is a rare disease with a high rate of neurologic deficit. This condition is treated using antituberculous medication and high-dose steroid therapy, but surgical treatment has rarely been reported and the outcomes vary. Material and Methods: A 29-year-old female had tuberculous myelitis and arachnoiditis. The patient was treated with antituberculous medication and high-dose steroid therapy, but the treatment failed and the patient could not walk because of incomplete paraplegia. The surgical treatment was performed twice; we decompressed by total laminectomy and debrided the infected arachnoid membrane. Four months after surgery, we performed anterior interbody fusion due to the development of spondylitis with kyphosis. Results: Three years after the first operation, the patient's neurologic state improved and she could walk 90 m without assistance. Conclusions: Here, we report a very rare case of surgically treated tuberculous myelitis and arachnoiditis and provide a treatment option for this condition to spine surgeons.