Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Marcus Raudner, Markus M. Schreiner, Tom Hilbert, Tobias Kober, Michael Weber, Anna Szelenyi, Reinhard Windhager, Vladimir Juras, Siegfried Trattnig
Summary: The study evaluated GRAPPATINI, an accelerated T-2 mapping sequence that combines undersampling and model-based reconstruction to facilitate clinical implementation of T-2 mapping of the lumbar intervertebral disc. Results showed that T2 values obtained using GRAPPATINI were significantly different for normal discs compared to bulging or herniated discs, as well as discs with and without annular tears. The study concluded that GRAPPATINI can be used as a quantitative imaging biomarker to detect disc pathologies while significantly reducing acquisition time.
EUROPEAN RADIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Guillaume Marc Albertini, Fabio Stabile, Oliver Marsh, Ane Uriarte
Summary: This study retrospectively evaluated neurological grade, MRI findings, surgical outcomes, and short-term recovery in French Bulldogs with intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE), comparing cervical and thoracolumbar IVDE. The results showed that thoracolumbar IVDE tended to cause more severe neurological dysfunction and required more extensive surgical treatment than cervical IVDE.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Gaston Camino Willhuber, Mariana Bendersky, Franco L. De Cicco, Gonzalo Kido, Matias Pereira Duarte, Martin Estefan, Matias Petracchi, Marcelo Gruenberg, Carlos Sola
Summary: A new classification based on CT images of the vacuum phenomenon has shown almost perfect inter- and intraobserver reliabilities, indicating its potential as an important tool for improving the indications for percutaneous cement discoplasty.
GLOBAL SPINE JOURNAL
(2021)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Chao-yang Gong, Hai-hong Zhang
Summary: Autophagy plays a dual role in intervertebral disc degeneration, as inducing autophagy can slow down the process while excessive autophagy activation-mediated apoptosis may accelerate degeneration.
Review
Orthopedics
G. Chao-yang, C. Peng, Z. Hai-hong
Summary: This article summarizes the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the pathogenesis of IVDD and its application in treatment.
OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Shuhei Ohyama, Yasuchika Aoki, Masahiro Inoue, Takayuki Nakajima, Yusuke Sato, Masashi Sato, Satoshi Yoh, Hiroshi Takahashi, Arata Nakajima, Toshiaki Kotani, Yawara Eguchi, Sumihisa Orita, Kazuhide Inage, Yasuhiro Shiga, Koichi Nakagawa, Seiji Ohtori
Summary: This study aimed to investigate whether pre-operative severity and location of lumbar intervertebral disc vacuum phenomenon (VP) influence surgical outcomes after single-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. The study found that surgical outcomes were better in the mild VP (fused/non-fused) group compared to the severe VP (fused/non-fused) group. The severity of non-fused VP was significantly correlated with postoperative clinical outcomes, whereas fused VP showed no correlation with any surgical outcomes.
WORLD NEUROSURGERY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Masatsugu Tsukamoto, Tadatsugu Morimoto, Takaomi Kobayashi, Kazuki Muranaka, Tomohito Yoshihara, Kazumasa Maeda, Motoki Sonohata, Yuichi Kasai, Koji Otani, Masaaki Mawatari
Summary: This study evaluates the relationships between traction spur, Modic changes (MCs), and vacuum phenomenon (VP) and radiographic measurements in the lumbar spine. The results show a significant association between traction spur and translational motion, as well as between VP and vertical motion. These findings are important for identifying lumbar intervertebral instability.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xin Zhang, Shibin Shu, Zhenhua Feng, Yong Qiu, Hongda Bao, Zezhang Zhu
Summary: Stabilization of microtubules promotes the expression of COL2 in nucleus pulposus cells, alleviating disc degeneration. This study identifies microtubule as a promising therapeutic target for IDD and up-regulates COL2 synthesis via the Hippo-Yap pathway. Targeting microtubule acetylation may be an effective strategy for treating IDD.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zongtai Liu, Jiabo Zhu, Haiyan Liu, Changfeng Fu
Summary: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a common clinical symptom and a significant cause of low back pain. The mechanisms involved in IDD include persistent inflammation, functional cell loss, accelerated extracellular matrix decomposition, imbalance of functional components, and genetic metabolic disorders. Inflammation interacts with other mechanisms and is closely associated with pain production. Natural substances with anti-inflammatory functions offer new options for mitigating degeneration and have potential clinical applications.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bogdan Costachescu, Adelina-Gabriela Niculescu, Raluca Ioana Teleanu, Bogdan Florin Iliescu, Marius Radulescu, Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu, Marius Gabriel Dabija
Summary: This article introduces the harm of low back pain and the pathogenesis and treatment methods of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), focusing on bioactive compounds, cell therapy, and other emerging treatment options.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Marcus Raudner, Daniel F. Toth, Markus M. Schreiner, Tom Hilbert, Tobias Kober, Vladimir Juras, Reinhard Windhager, Siegfried Trattnig
Summary: Synthetic images derived using GRAPPATINI can be used for clinical assessment with high inter-rater and intra-rater agreements comparable to conventional T2w TSE, indicating good diagnostic performance in routine clinical practice.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Claudia La Rosa, Simona Morabito, Andrea Carloni, Tommaso Davini, Carlotta Remelli, Swan Specchi, Marco Bernardini
Summary: The study evaluated the prevalence and MRI characteristics of intervertebral disc protrusion (IVDP) in French Bulldogs, finding 91.3% prevalence rate of lumbosacral IVDP and association with nerve root involvement and intervertebral foraminal stenosis, as well as congenital vertebral malformations.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Wentao Zhang, Tianze Sun, Ying Li, Ming Yang, Yantao Zhao, Jing Liu, Zhonghai Li
Summary: Stem cell therapy for intervertebral disc degeneration is emerging as a potential treatment option, with evidence from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials showing its effectiveness in relieving pain and symptoms, reversing the degenerative cascade, delaying the aging process, and maintaining spinal function. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and effects of stem cells in IDD treatment.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Sebastian Wangler, Amir Kamali, Christina Wapp, Karin Wuertz-Kozak, Sonja Haeckel, Claudia Fortes, Lorin M. Benneker, Lisbet Haglund, R. Geoff Richards, Mauro Alini, Marianna Peroglio, Sibylle Grad
Summary: MSC’s secretome composition was analyzed after exposure to different IVD environments, showing more complex secretome induced by IVD conditioned media compared to IL-1 beta stimulation. The secretome reflected different activity based on IVD pathological status, with implications for tailored secretome therapy development.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Gaston Camino-Willhuber, Santiago Vildoza, Ezequiel Martinez, Lucia Canestrari, Fernando Holc, Michael Oh, Nitin Bhatia, Yu-Po Lee, Homero Bianchi, Mariana Bendersky
Summary: This study aimed to analyze the prevalence and related factors of the vacuum phenomenon in adult patients. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients who underwent abdominal computed tomography for non-spine-related reasons. The presence of intervertebral vacuum phenomenon, subchondral sclerosis, and facet joint degeneration were included as CT-based characteristics to determine the prevalence of the vacuum phenomenon and establish its relationship with patient demographics and other signs of spine degeneration. The results showed that 38% of the participants had intervertebral vacuum phenomenon, and risk factors associated with this condition were age, smoking, and subchondral sclerosis.